Saturday, 2 November 2013

Fergie's notes: United legend quizzed on City, Chelsea, racism and his wife! - Express.co.uk

Ferguson discussed chapters in his book at length, such as the ones focused on David Beckham, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney.

And the former Manchester United manager also briefed those present about his links with the England job, the secrets of his career success and the Rock of Gibraltar racehorse.

Ferguson also touched upon a number of interesting subjects, among others the rise of United's local rivals Manchester City, being offered the Chelsea job, tackling racism and even his thoughts on his wife!

Here Express Sport list in note form the other topics covered.

David Moyes risks alienating Shinji Kagawa at Manchester United - Express.co.uk

Moyes handed Kagawa his first Premier League appearance of the season yesterday, but was fielded in a wide left position before being substituting at half-time.

Youngster Adnan Januzaj replaced Kagawa, but could not help United avoid a 2-1 defeat that increases the pressure on Moyes.

And although the Scot claimed after the match he wants to give Kagawa the chance to impress, the 24-year-old is yet to play a full match in any competition this term under Moyes.

"I just decided I wanted to make a change and inject a little bit of something," said Moyes.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits to selection dilemma following squad ... - Telegraph.co.uk

''To have all those choices is a good problem and to have all the players playing well and committed to the group is fantastic.

''But for me the responsibility of saying 'you don't play' is very hard because I feel I am being unfair with the ones I'm not selecting, because they are doing all they can to play and they can't do any more.

''When they come in they give everything, when they have a chance to play they play well.

''I change the team and they play a magnificent match so it's a difficult feeling for me because I'm unfair on them.''

Chelsea can go top of the table, for a few hours at least, with a victory over Alan Pardew's team.

But despite heading to Tyneside on the back of a six-game winning run Mourinho knows only too well how tough a task they face - he has yet to win in the league at St James' Park.

''We know we have one of our most difficult matches of the season but we will try,'' he added.

''Going top is not important. It's important to go in the right direction and we feel we are improving - the quality of our game is good, the results at the moment are fantastic.

''We won every match in every competition in October including Schalke away, Arsenal away, Manchester City at home. They were very difficult matches and we won every one.

''But being top or not to be top at the moment is a question of one or two points, it's not important, although it's better to be first than fifth.''

This week Chelsea agreed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Bertrand Traore, who has impressed while on trial with the club.

Blues fans will not get a chance to see the Burkina Faso international in action until January, when his work permit comes through, but Mourinho feels he will be worth the wait.

''Traore is a great talent that the club followed for a long time before me,'' he said.

''I wanted to take him to pre-season to have a view of him for two or three weeks and play him in front of 60,000 to 80,000 crowds like we have in Asia.

''Now we could get him. We have a kid who in our opinion is one of the best talents of his age. I think he is ready to make an impact.''

Mourinho has a fully-fit squad available for Saturday's trip apart from long-term absentee Marco van Ginkel.

Joe Hart: Manchester City keeper dropped for Norwich game - BBC Sport

England keeper Joe Hart has been dropped by Manchester City for Saturday's Premier League game at home to Norwich City.

Hart, 26, has been under pressure after a string of high-profile mistakes, the last of which cost City two points in their 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.

And Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has decided Hart's understudy Costel Pantilimon will play.

The Romanian also played in Wednesday's Capital One Cup win against Newcastle.

Pellegrini refused to be drawn on the Hart issue at his news conference on Friday, saying only, "tomorrow [Saturday] you will know the XI that starts", but it is understood that Hart has been dropped.

Pantilimon was expected to come into the Blues side for the League Cup tie at St James' Park, having played in the previous round.

But the 26-year-old did his cause no harm with a fine stop to deny Shola Ameobi in the first half and another to thwart Papiss Cisse in extra-time.

Hart has been criticised after a number of errors, most notably in City's game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier in October and in England's victory over Scotland at Wembley in August.

Pellegrini admitted last month that he had considered dropping Hart, 26, for City's home victory over Everton - a game where Everton took the lead before losing 3-1.

"It wasn't a simple decision [to play Hart]. It was a very difficult decision," Pellegrini said after the win.

"But I think Joe needs the trust of all us, from me, the other players, the fans."

Earlier on Friday, City midfielder Yaya Toure admitted that Hart was going through a tough time.

"Joe Hart is very fantastic. He is doing very well, he is quiet, trying to concentrate and focus on his game," said Toure.

"When you see the game we played against CSKA Moscow he saved a fantastic goal, but everybody can't be perfect all the time because you can do some mistakes. Even I make mistakes but most important we have to keep him going, all the team mates are giving him support.

"We know it's difficult for him, with the experienced players we have as team mates all the time try to give him confidence."

Jamie Redknapp: Suarez and Sturridge can stall Arsenal progress - SkySports

Arsenal and Liverpool have both made good starts to the season but when they meet on Saturday Night Football this weekend we'll learn a lot more about both sides - and the Gunners' title chances, in particular.

Hosts Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League but, despite some impressive performances, many people would have expected them to get the results they have done so far this season.

"This game will tell us a lot about each side's chances this season."

Jamie Redknapp

The only team they've faced in the league from last season's top five has been Tottenham, who they beat 1-0, while they've lost in the Champions League to Borussia Dortmund and in the Capital One Cup to Chelsea in the past 10 days.

Liverpool, meanwhile, defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their only game against a top five side from last season's campaign.

That's why this game holds so much fascination - it will tell us a lot about each side's chances this season.

Arsene Wenger's side have enjoyed a great run of form since their win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season and I've enjoyed watching them this year with new recruit Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud in great form.

The pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the back has also been key - but those two players face a really tough test this Saturday.

Liverpool have been blessed with some great striking partnerships over the years and Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez - although not a typical blend up front - have been combining brilliantly.

If you described them you'd say they were selfish players but their partnership is instinctive and it works. They look for each other if they can't score themselves and so far they've bagged 16 goals between them.

The system Brendan Rodgers is employing also helps. With three at the back Liverpool are able to get three in midfield and their best two forwards on the pitch. That's one of the reasons why Liverpool are performing so well this season - and why Sturridge and Suarez are producing the goals and assists to win games.

Prior to Arsenal's win at Anfield last September, I expected Mertesacker, because of his size and Suarez's low centre of gravity and style of play, to struggle against the Uruguayan. But he dealt with him really well.

The problem Mertesacker has this year is that in-form Sturridge will be playing, too. He's certainly going to have his hands full at the Emirates.

Battle

That will be the key battle on the pitch but Arsenal will also need Wojciech Szczesny to repeat the good form he showed against Crystal Palace last weekend, where he produced a number of top saves to keep Arsenal ahead.

However, Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini and, although Mikel Arteta will play, they will have to be extremely careful when they lose the ball.

Arsenal struggled to cope with Chelsea's quick transition from defence to attack in the League Cup on Wednesday, and, with Sturridge and Suarez up front, they will have to be extra cautious of being hit on the break by those two.

These are the challenges Arsenal need to face and overcome, though, if they want to be considered genuine title contenders this season.

There will be a few nerves around the Emirates if things don't go there way, following the disappointing results against Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, but the players need to find plenty of character and come up with a big performance.

With the different formations, strong attacks and talent on the pitch it should be a fantastic game - albeit one that's hard to predict.

Liverpool are fortunate Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski aren't fit because with their pace out wide they could have exposed their system - which players such as Ramsey or Jack Wilshere aren't likely to do when they come inside off the flanks - and I think they'll capitalise on that.

I'm going for a 2-1 win for Liverpool.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Newcastle v Chelsea: Latest team news and stats - Daily Mail

|

St James' Park (Saturday, 12.45pm - BT Sport 1)

Newcastle team news:

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is unlikely to make Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea as he continues his recovery from injury.

The Argentina international is back in training after a groin problem but has no football under his belt, while fellow central defender Steven Taylor, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in training last week, is still some way from returning.

 VIDEO  Scroll down to see Newcastle boss Pardew on the challenge of facing Chelsea

On the mend: Fabricio Coloccini (right) hasn't featured for Newcastle since the start of October

On the mend: Fabricio Coloccini (right) hasn't featured for Newcastle since the start of October

Left-back Paul Dummett, who partnered Mike Williamson in the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland last weekend, is also out with a hamstring strain, meaning Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa are likely to pair up, as they did in midweek for the Capital One Cup tie against Manchester City.

Team from: Krul, Elliot, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Cabaye, Marveaux, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Bigirimana, Obertan, Vuckic, Cisse, Remy, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi.

Chelsea team news:

Jose Mourinho is poised to recall a host of first-team players for Chelsea's Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle.

The Blues boss made 10 changes for the midweek Capital One Cup win at Arsenal so the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Fernando Torres are set to return.

Up and running: The in-form Fernando Torres is poised to reclaim his place in attack for Chelsea

Up and running: The in-form Fernando Torres is poised to reclaim his place in attack for Chelsea

Mourinho reported no new injury concerns so Marco van Ginkel remains the only absentee as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, Schurrle, De Bruyne, Hazard, Ba, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Eto'o, Bertrand.

Big match stats:

Newcastle have netted a joint-league-high five goals from outside the box this season.

Chelsea have averaged two goals per game in their last five Premier League trips to St James' Park.

Newcastle have failed to score in seven of their last 12 top-flight encounters with Chelsea.

Chelsea have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four Premier League games.

Fernando Torres has had five shots on target in the Premier League this season with three of them coming last weekend against Manchester City.

 

Torres has scored with 13 per cent of his Premier League shots for Chelsea (compared to 22% of his efforts when he was at Liverpool).

Chelsea have only kept three clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League away games.

Newcastle have taken just five points from their last seven Premier League home games (W1 D2).

Eden Hazard has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Premier League this season (19).

Newcastle have conceded the joint-most headed goals this season (five, along with Fulham).

Jose Mourinho has won only two of his last nine Premier League away games (D5 L2).

*Stats supplied by Opta

Toon comeback: in the side's last meeting, a Moussa Sissoko double helped Newcastle come from behind to defeat Chelsea 3-2 at St James' Park back in February

Toon comeback: in the side's last meeting, a Moussa Sissoko double helped Newcastle come from behind to defeat Chelsea 3-2 at St James' Park back in February


Chelsea and Man City preparing pre-contract offers for PSG's Blaise Matuidi - Express.co.uk

Reports suggest that Matuidi is in negotiations over extending his stay at PSG until June 2018, and a deal could be signed as early as November 4, but negotiations over a salary increase are ongoing.

And, if Matuidi does not get the pay rise he is seeking, PSG could be forced to agree to sell him in a cut-price deal in January or risk losing him for nothing in the summer.

Matuidi was one of Europe's most sought-after prospects when he left Saint-Etienne for PSG back in 2011 and both Chelsea and Manchester City would be more than happy to accommodate the player if an agreement is not able to be reached in Paris.