West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan believes that the club will bounce back from defeat to Aston Villa to make sure they are not sucked into a relegation scrap.
The Hammers have lost seven of their last 11 Premier League games, form which has seen them slip into the bottom half of the table.
Despite being 11th, they are just seven points clear of the drop zone with 12 games to play.
West Ham have a lengthy break before their next competitive fixture, and Nolan believes that they will return to form against Tottenham on February 25th:
“We’ve got two weeks between matches and when you lose a game you want to get back out there as soon as possible.” He is quoted by The Mirror.
“By the time the Tottenham game comes around we’ll be ready and raring to go for a home local derby. We’ll be looking forward to it.”
Although he admitted that the break is frustrating, he believes that the team can evaluate their season and look to avoid getting dragged toward the bottom three:
“But it does give us the chance to relax a bit this week and look at what we’ve done this season and what we’ve got to do between now and the end of the season.”
The West Ham skipper also believes that his side have been missing a little luck lately.
But he feels that if they keep performing, the results will come:
“On so many occasions we were just a matter of inches away from getting on the end of crosses and balls in the box.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“You’ve got them clearing off the line, they’re getting blocks in, the ball’s going just past the post.
“If we keep producing the form we’re showing, and what I mean by that is that the performance on Sunday was good, and keep producing the amount of chances we’re making, I’m sure it’s going to turn for us.”
Craig Gardner says there is no problem with the squad and has described claims that the players are not fit as a “load of rubbish”.
Following defeat at Chelsea on Sunday new Black Cats boss Paolo Di Canio said his side were ‘not the fittest team in the world’ and it was something they would be working on throughout the week.
Gardner though insists there is nothing wrong with the side’s fitness and they work as hard as anyone else at any other club in training.
He told the Northern Echo: “We work hard every day, no matter what manager comes in, we’re professional footballers.
“I don’t know where this has come from, that Paolo Di Canio will work us harder, because every club you’re at, there’s only one place you’ll be found out, and that is on the pitch.
“There’s been people talking and chatting about this, but it’s a load of rubbish basically. The gaffer’s come in and it’s the same.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Every football club has to work hard. We were working hard, we have to if we want to stay in the Premier League. But the gaffer’s been brilliant with all of us since he arrived.”
Every Ipswich fan across the country will have breathed a sigh of relief after the 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Even though mathematically they need one more point the Tractor Boys should be safe now on 57 points , as it would take a very strange set of scorelines to stop Ipswich from being safe on their current points total.
In terms of the team’s performance it wasn’t the best, Mick McCarthy’s side started well and had a good 25 minutes but couldn’t keep up their pressure. Ipswich just about deserved their lead going into half time but Sheffield Wednesday improved in the second half and were looking the better side by the end.
So it what does this mean for next season? The current side have been playing effective football and producing results worthy of a play-off contending team, but at the same time Saturday’s game looked very much like two mid-table sides battling it out.
Personally, I believe that very few of the current squad members are good enough to command a place in the starting line-up of a top six team. You could argue that with the way the back four are currently playing they all deserve to keep their place but going further up field only Luke Hyam has consistently played well enough to justify his place in the starting line-up for next season.
Obviously there are some of current playing staff that would make great squad players though. Frank Nouble has showed a lot of promise, Jay Tabb and Anthony Wordsworth have been solid, Carlos Edwards still has something to offer and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is a great impact sub.
Overall McCarthy has a solid base for next season but he will have to make a lot of great signings to make Ipswich strong enough for the play-offs. Richard Stearman, Jay Tabb and David McGoldrick are all players that the Tractor Boys boss will be looking to keep for next season and he will probably need to sign another four of five key players on top of them if he wants to compete at the top end of the division.
Consequently, I think this will be slightly too much to ask as it can take time to build a strong team. I can see Ipswich finishing just outside the top six next season but it also wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the play-off positions for certain parts of the season.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Some would call that prediction pessimistic as the former Wolves boss hasn’t come to Suffolk to sit in mid-table. I have no doubts about McCarthy’s ambition or even his ability, I think he is one of the best managers in the division. However the task of turning relegation candidates into promotion hopefuls in just one transfer window would probably be too much to ask from any manager.
A lot of fans forget that the financial fair play rules will prevent Ipswich from spending huge sums of money and a large part of the team needs replacing. Additionally, I cannot see many quality players choosing to come to Portman Road if they have offers from recently relegated teams or teams that finished much higher in the table than Ipswich this season. Next season should be better but there is a lot of building to do and not much time to do it.
John Ruddy could return in goal for Norwich after five months on the sidelines with a thigh injury. Michael Turner (groin) is out but Sebastien Bassong’s ankle injury won’t prevent him from featuring.
West Brom could welcome back captain Chris Brunt after three games out with a knee complaint. Gabriel Tamas is expected to be available despite receiving a nasty head gash in the defeat at Manchester City. Goran Popov and Steven Reid are also fit. Marc-Antoine Fortune serves the final game of a three-match ban.
Chris Hughton pre-game…”We need to capitalise on this next home game. The players are going to have to show plenty of character this week and we have to make sure we get a good result against West Brom next Sunday.”
Steve Clarke pre-game…“It’s up to us to go there and put on a good show. Our last two away games at Southampton and Manchester City were really good performances. If we go there and repeat those performances I think we can get a positive result.”
Match Statistic: West Brom have conceded 29% of their goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season – more than any other Premier League club.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Prediction: Norwich City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
Make your bets ahead of the showdown at Carrow Road by clicking on the banner below
Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to make Real Madrid striker Jose Callejon his first big signing at Napoli from under the noses of the Reds, according to talkSPORT.
The Madrid youngster has been on the cusp of the Spanish side for a number of years and has finally grown frustrated with life as a substitute.
Liverpool were hoping Callejon would be one of a number of people to arrive at Anfield this summer to improve their attacking options as it looks like main man Luis Suarez is certain to leave the club.
The 26 year old is set to cost Benitez and Napoli just £8million as they themselves look set to lose their key striker with Edinson Cavani looking likely to come to the Premier League with Manchester City and Chelsea set to battle it out for his signature.
Brendan Rodgers is still hoping that Liverpool will keep Suarez this summer and will have crunch talks with the Uruguayan in the next few weeks, however their main targets to replace him are slowly trickling away.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are set to battle it out to sign unhappy Juventus striker Fernando Llorente on loan in January, according to the Daily Mirror.
Llorente has endured a horrendous 12 months or so after refusing to sign a new contract at Athletic Bilbao this time last year and was subsequently made to sit on the bench for the majority of the season despite arguably being the club’s best player.
The Spaniard agreed a free transfer to Juventus in January but could only sign on in the summer and the 28 year old now finds himself back on the bench in Turin.
Arsenal are favourites to sign Llorente as they hope to offer Olivier Giroud some much needed competition although Chelsea and Tottenham could well hijack the bid if other targets are not attainable.
The Gunners have a high calibre wanted list for the new year as Arsene Wenger wants to make the North London side title contenders once again.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes that Sergio Aguero is currently the “best” player in the Premier League.
The debate surrounding the division’s most influential star has arisen over the course of the past week, with many hailing Liverpool ace Luis Suarez as the most talented man currently plying his trade in England on the back of a stunning four-goal haul against Norwich.
However Sky Blues chief Pellegrini disagrees with that view, and believes that his talismanic forward is actually the most “complete” player in the league:
“I never said he’s the best striker in the Premier League, I said he’s the best player in the Premier League.” He is quoted by The Mirror.
“Of course I still think that – there may be better strikers, but not better players.
“He’s the most complete player. He’s different [to Suarez]. Suarez is a very important striker, but I think Sergio has more parts to his game.”
Aguero endured a difficult 2012/13 season as City last their Premier League crown to bitter rivals Manchester United.
But the Argentine has shown the sort of form that saw him net the title-deciding goal against QPR, weighing in with 17 efforts in just 18 games.
Despite his excellent displays, Pellegrini feels that there is still more to come from his star forward:
“Sergio is only 25, so of course he can improve. This year he has improved a lot, he’s always a top player and he always scores goals. But what he has added is working for the team without the ball and that’s very important.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Maybe he’s getting better because he is older. For me, a player has his best performances between 24 and 30.
“He [Aguero] started very young, and every year he is improving. This year the best thing he is doing is scoring goals, but he’s added the work without the ball.”
The newly appointed Manchester United manager hasn’t had the start he’d have hoped for at Old Trafford, having seen his side struggle to contend at the top of the league in this opening half of the season.
However, despite feeling the pressure as his side find themselves outside of the European places, the Scotsman will do himself a world of favours if he can win the Capital One Cup.
The Red Devils have played a lot better in the Capital One Cup, having knocked out an impressive Liverpool side and two other Premier League opponents in Norwich and Stoke. The fans at Old Trafford will be hoping for some silverware if they don’t see their side qualify for the Champions League this season and the Capital One Cup could well be their best chance to add to their trophy cabinet.
More to the point, United as a club need to win trophies no matter where they finish in the league. Similar to what the Anfield faithful had to go through, where they had to witness their club re-shaping after falling down the pecking order in the Premier League, United may have to rebuild.
Failure to finish in the top 4 and qualify for the Champions League will mean that financial income will have to come from elsewhere – adding to the idea that the Capital One Cup is a must win for David Moyes and United if they are to continue their dominance.
Having been drawn against Gus Poyet’s Sunderland side, Moyes will be fancying his chances of reaching the Final, having beaten the Black Cats once already this season. The return of Robin van Persie will be a massive boost for the fans too, as well as their side’s recent run of good form.
A result in the first leg at the Stadium of Light would put United in a very strong position, going to Old Trafford as even stronger favourites. The only worry for David Moyes is a potential Manchester derby in the final, where the fans will be hoping they don’t see a repeat result of that in the league – seeing their side losing 4-1.
The Capital One Cup would also give David Moyes that first taste of success as United manager, which could prove to be a huge contribution to his long-term triumphs at the club. With Sir Alex Ferguson reminding the fans to back his successor, David Moyes will be hoping he can start his first season with success, giving himself and the club a platform to build on for the future.
Sponsored by Capital One. The Credit Card that Supports the Supporters.
For exclusive content, competitions and more visit: Facebook.com/CapitalOneUK
For Capital One Credit Cards visit: www.capitalone.co.uk
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Click on the banner below to win a makeover for your ground
The sense of Champions League or bust doesn’t just seem to be a sentiment held by the manager at Tottenham. Both Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris have hinted in recent weeks that failure to achieve that coveted fourth place could prompt them both to reconsider their futures at the club.
More upheaval is possibly the last thing Spurs want this summer if they genuinely have designs on Premier League success next season. Therefore it will be music to Spurs fans ears to hear that midfield maestro Christian Eriksen has today come out in a show of loyalty to the club that saw so much potential in him last summer. Speaking to the Mail he confirmed that he was in it for the long haul in the North London:
“I don’t know how other guys are thinking, but I’m happy where I am, and hopefully we’ll get to the Champions League anyway,” he said.
“I think it is important for the club, and the calibre of player that could come, or stay. I think everybody wants to go to the Champions League. I’ve tried it before at Ajax, and you see everything is bigger, the atmosphere, the TV rights, the people watching. The Europa League is great, but the Champions League is what everybody wants, it’s the best place to play.”
Eriksen is clearly saying all the right things, but whether he means any of it we will surely find out during the run in and in the summer itself. For Spurs, keeping hold of the diminutive Dane is of the upmost importance. The prodigious youngster is the man to build this Spurs side around for years to come; with his technical abilities and creativity he could yet be the man to fill the gaping void left by Luka Modric.
Some of Spurs’ recent signings have verged on the luxury, unnecessary but aesthetically pleasing acquisitions that will thrill with their brief moments of quality. For me the likes of Chadli, Lamela and Paulinho fit into this category; they aren’t the lifeblood of the current side and I would expect Spurs to survive without them.
Keeping hold of Eriksen is different; successful Spurs sides of the past have been founded upon their creative force from the late great John White to the modern day Luka Modric, Spurs fans appreciate their importance. For me Eriksen sits alongside both Vertonghen and Lloris as fundamental components of the so-called ‘project’ at Spurs.
So for the Dane to come out and say all these things is clearly a huge boost regardless of how much you want to read into it. Eriksen was keen to stress the importance of a change of manager, something that has given him a second lease of life at the club:
“Recently I’ve been really satisfied with how it’s gone,” he said.
“I think he (Sherwood) is more English in his style than Villas-Boas of course, you can see that in the way we play. But for me it’s been good, for me personally I’ve had the chance to play, so of course it’s been great.”
“A win would show everyone that we are top-four contenders, it would show we are still in the race, that’s what we want. If we want to get to the top four we have to win these games, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
Even at the age of just 22 it is important to recognise just how crucial Eriksen is. Of course he needs careful managing, but he also needs the stage to showcase his abilities week in week out. Without him in the side Spurs look toothless and unimaginative, with him then they are definitely a side to strike fear into any opposition.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
5th place could spell the end for Tim Sherwood at Spurs; it could also prompt the exits of a number of others. The key for Spurs though is that whatever happens doesn’t derail the overall trajectory as a whole.
It is easy to be cynical about Eriksen’s comments, but for me the show of passion is exactly what Spurs fans need at the moment.
Click below to watch West Brom vs Man United LIVE!
What a stunning season of Premier League football it’s truly been. The relegation dogfight has been turbulent to say the least, the battle for fourth spot has taken a late, deviating twist, but it’s the English top flight’s title race that’s been by far the most captivating contest.
Billed as a six-horse affair back in the summer, 652 Premier League fixtures later, and the race for the English crown has whittled down to just three parties – Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho has claimed, with the Blues four points off the pole position pace, that his side’s title chances are over, which, as we learned from Roberto Mancini in the 2011/12 campaign, means in fact they are anything but.
Likewise, Brendan Rodgers insists his odds-defying Liverpool outfit can only look as far as their next game, which is coincidently against title rivals Manchester City, but leading the Premier League’s summit with just five fixtures remaining, the Reds undoubtedly have their greatest chance to date of claiming their first league title since 1990.
And the Citizens, are by far the most complete title-hunting outfit of the three, possessing world-class stars and a squad depth currently unrivalled in the top flight. They also have two games in hand on Chelsea and Liverpool, but the pressure of putting these fixtures to the Etihad’s advantage could work against them.
But as much as you can highlight all of the mitigating variables, Mourinho’s press conference mischief and tactical mastery, Luis Suarez’s world-class form and Liverpool’s unique sense of fearlessness, Yaya Toure’s new-found lethality from midfield and the potency Sergio Aguero’s return to fitness could provide, in truth, the Premier League title race now depends firmly on two Anfield fixtures alone.
This weekend, Manchester City visit Merseyside in what has already been billed as the ultimate title decider. Most excitingly for Premier League neutrals, it has all the makings of a classic multi-goal thriller. City and the Reds have been by far the Premiership’s most free-scoring sides this season – the Citizens have netted 84 times in 31 fixtures, equating to an average of 2.7 per match, whilst their Mersey counterparts have generated 90 goals from 33 games, averaging out, coincidentally, to 2.7 per match also.
Likewise, you have the awesome fire-power of the SAS, whose 49 goals this season represents four more than the entire Tottenham roster combined, verses the world-class marksmanship of the expected to return Sergio Aguero, who had netted 15 in 15 before being sidelined with a hamstring injury in January.
But in truth, the Anfield fixture against Chelsea at the end of April has the potential to be the most defining. Providing City haven’t run away with the league by then, the Blues have a monumental opportunity jump to the forefront of the title race with just two fixtures remaining, should they beat Liverpool on their home soil.
Furthermore, one could argue that the Liverpool tie only plays to the Blues’ strengths. Jose Mourinho has illustrated his ability to record vital away results on numerous occasions this season, and the West Londoners’ 1-0 win at the Etihad earlier in the season, in which they contained the potent threats of Serigo Aguero, Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo whilst also making the most of their opportunities on the counter-attack, will undoubtedly serve as a template for their visit to Merseyside.
There are some interesting scenarios to consider. The lowest projected points total of the three is Chelsea, who can now only finish the campaign with 87. But if Liverpool beat Manchester City, then the highest possible return for the Etihad side is only one point more. setting up for an incredible season finale. Likewise, if the Blues were to win all their final games, including against Liverpool, then the Reds can only amass at most 86 points, setting up for an incredible end of season finale.
Similarly, should Liverpool win every match between now and the end of May, their total would be 89, and having beaten Manchester City and the Blues at Anfield, the Citizens would at most be able to secure only 88, whilst Chelsea would be left some way short with 84.
If both Anfield fixtures end in draws however, City could finish the year with 89, Liverpool with 85 and Chelsea with 85. Drawing against City but winning against Chelsea would leave the Reds with 87, which probably wouldn’t be enough to stop the Eastlands club, who still have the potential to grab two points more.
With that in mind, regardless of Manchester City’s two games hand, the title ball firmly lays in Liverpool’s court. They are the variable in which the other title contenders vitally depend upon, and as demonstrated above, the Merseysiders’ hopes rest on both fixtures ending in wins – something which they’re more than capable of, and in fact is a scenario far better suiting of their cavalier, seemingly fearless style and mentality.
Furthermore, not only do the Reds have the intrinsic home advantage, having won 13 out of a possible 15 matches in front of the Kop already this year, but most importantly, Liverpool have hit form with perfect timing; Brendan Rodgers’ side haven’t lost in 15, in turn winning their last nine on the bounce.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Comparably, although the Citizens haven’t lost in the Premier League since February, they were held to a draw against Arsenal two weekends ago, and were defeated by Wigan and Barcelona in the space of three days back in March. Chelsea, similarly, have lost their last three away fixtures in a row, and Jose Mourinho’s dismissals of his side’s title chances have become incredibly self-fulfilling in recent weeks.
More important than any other factor however, or any likely or unlikely mathematical scenario one could conjure up out of the remaining fixtures, two Liverpool victories would send out a huge psychologically-debasing message to both Chelsea and Manchester City. Regardless of the Citizens’ other remaining Premier League opponents including such rank-and-file sides as Sunderland and West Brom, the hangover from losing by far their most crucial match of their season would surely trickle in to later performances, whilst victory against the Blues would simply give them no time to recover.
In a nutshell, more than Manchester City or Chelsea, the Premier League title race now firmly depends on Liverpool. They’re currently the division’s most in-form side, and having finished seventh last season, it’s still incredibly unclear what they’re actually capable of. As much as I’ve praised the Reds throughout this article, the ultimate test remains whether or not they have the quality and mindset to handle the pressure.
We will get our answer on Sunday afternoon, in what will be remembered as one of the two most defining fixtures of an unforgettable season.