Tottenham defender Ledley King has stated that his team are keeping their feet on the ground, despite challenging for the Premier League title.
The White Hart Lane outfit have surpassed all expectations this season, and are in third place in the standings.
Despite the excellent form that Harry Redknapp’s men are showing, King feels that it is important his side do not get carried away.
“We are in a great position at the moment and have probably surprised a few people,” the centre-back told talkSPORT.
“At this stage of the season, to be talked about as still capable of winning the title is great for us.
“We are not getting too carried away at the moment, though. We are just getting our heads down and grinding out results.
“We look at the league table and we can see we are in amongst it.
“That is new to us and maybe people would expect us to fall away in the second half of the season but, as players, we believe in our ability and we believe we can keep getting results.
“We have lost just one in the last 19 and that is great form. If we keep it up then we are in with a chance,” he concluded.
Spurs take on leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in what will be a real test to their title aspirations.
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Birmingham City’s joint first-team coach, Peter Grant, has told his side they cannot be worried about Sunday’s crunch clash with Fulham.Birmingham are 16th, just three points above the relegation zone, although both Blackpool and Wolves could make their position even more perilous by winning on Saturday.
And Grant admits the game with Fulham is absolutely vital, but he believes his side deserve to stay up due to their performances this season.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, we’d rather be sitting nicely in seventh or eighth, safe and comfortable, but we’re not,” he said.
“The players are more than disappointed at some of the points we have not picked up.”
“We should have had more, and we’ve let points drop for silly reasons.”
“That’s a big thing. That shows the level we are. Some teams are happy to just survive, we’re not, we’ve wanted more than that.”
“I’m sure the guys will be ready on Sunday. You can sense it with them.”
“They’re desperate to do well, they’ve got the bit between their teeth and are desperate to remain Premier League players.”
“It’s a massive game and you can’t go into them with any fear.”
“There’s nervous energy, for sure, and excitement about the game, but you can’t go in with any fear. You have to look forward to the challenge.
“They will do their utmost so that Birmingham stay in the league. Over the piece, I think we’ve deserved to, but you’ve got to do that, prove it.”
“You can deserve something without actually grabbing it – and we’ve got to grab it Sunday.”
But Birmingham will have to do without top scorer Craig Gardner and defender Liam Ridgewell, both of whom are suspended.
Nikola Zigic is also unlikely to play as he battles hip and groin injuries.
Manchester United stalwart Gary Neville’s latest public outburst will have done little to enhance the defender’s reputation amongst Manchester City and Liverpool supporters. Speaking to MUTV, Neville expressed his “hatred” for Liverpool while condemning neighbours Manchester City for “throwing a load of money at it” in an attempt to gain success. Neville’s views on Manchester United’s rivals are well-known through a number of controversial high-profile incidents.
He found himself in hot water with the FA and the police in 2006 following his provocative celebration of Manchester United’s winning goal against Liverpool where he ran the length of the Old Trafford pitch to celebrate wildly in front of the travelling support. He was charged with improper conduct by the FA but Neville didn’t seem to have learnt his lesson. Last season saw Neville repeat his inflammatory celebrations by doing exactly the same thing in front of the Manchester City fans after Michael Owen sealed a last-gasp winner for United.
However, Neville’s most recent comments, coming at a time when there is no need to stir up any controversy are an indication that Neville’s United career is on the wane.
The need to express such animosity in such a public arena is a cry for attention from a player who has ceased to become relevant at Manchester United. Neville’s loyalty and service to Manchester United should be applauded but this does little to hide the fact that Neville is way past his prime and is simply not up to the calibre of a team that has aspirations on regaining the title that they lost to Chelsea last season.
Neville was hopelessly out of his depth on Saturday against Everton as United surrendered a two-goal cushion to draw with Everton 3-3 in injury time. He looked sluggish against Everton’s effervescent duo of Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman and found himself out of position on many occasions as Everton looked to attack down United’s right. Their tactics paid off as both of Everton’s injury time goals came from crosses from Everton’s left against Neville who failed to stop the ball being delivered into the United penalty box.
Unlike Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes who have blossomed in their advancing years, Neville has seemingly stagnated. Since the beginning of the season, John O’Shea has played at right-back for Manchester United and he has done an excellent job. Off the back of Neville’s indifferent performance on Saturday, there is little evidence to suggest that Neville would be a better bet than O’Shea to play at right-back now that Neville has recovered from injury. To rub further salt in the wound, Neville was denied the captain’s armband on Saturday despite being club captain. The honour was given to Nemanja Vidic who was the one bright spot in a defence that was uncharacteristically porous.
Neville’s decline presents an opportunity for the younger players at Old Trafford to push for a starting berth. Players such as Rafael and Richie De Laet are hot prospects at United and will be eager for a chance to prove themselves worthy of playing for the club.
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To be fair, Neville has indicated that he is aware that this season could possibly be his last in United colours:
“Two years ago I thought it would be my last season. Last year I felt the same. I recognise this one could be as well. I am on a one-year contract. If I don’t perform or the club don’t want me anymore, I will be gone. That is life. In the 19 years I have been here, it has happened to better players.”
If this season does prove to be his last, Neville will want to go out with a bang rather than a whimper. He needs to make sure he finds the headlines for his performances on the pitch rather than his words off it.
Over the years there have been many great players who’ve graced the Premier League, making it the most enjoyable entertaining and exciting domestic competition in the world. Players such as Cantona, Shearer, Henry, Ronaldo, Fabregas and Franny Jeffers have given even the non-football lovers a reason to tune in to Match of the Day on a Saturday night as they show us how the beautiful game can be truly just that. There have also been another set of players though, throughout the years, men who may have footballing ability but also have the knack of causing most of us to scream in anger whenever they touch the ball. I’m talking about the sort of players who if your daughter brought them home, you’d wish she was a lesbian. Players we love to hate.
Now, not many of us actually know Premier League players on a personal level, but we can pretty much garner all we need to know about someone from their attitude on the pitch. Some players such as Paul Scholes for example, will never be truly hated, which is somewhat surprising considering he’s fouled every single Premier League player at least twice, because they just get on with the game in a quiet manner. However for every Paul Scholes, there’s a Robbie Savage, the sort of player that even some of his own fans struggle to find a fondness for. Here’s my own personal Premier League XI made up of players you’d rather glass, than have a pint with.
Click on William Gallas below to see the Most Hated Premier League XI of all time
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Compiled by Justin Mottershead
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Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has warned his squad to be wary of complacency as the Bundesliga season nears a close.Dortmund have been the pacesetters for much of the campaign, and with four games remaining they have an eight-point lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on top of the Bundesliga table.
But Klopp has warned his men against taking results for granted in the run home, with games against Borussia Moenchengladbach, Nuremberg, Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt still to come.
“That we are now eight points ahead, has of course our attention, but the season is not over yet and we looking forward to play the following games,” Klopp said.
“Of course, you can always worry if you want to, but the team made in any situation, even extreme situations, always a great impression – they are 100 percent focused.”
“For example in situations like the game against Leverkusen or Bayern, the team showed great force, so I was quite confident that they will manage the games fine.”
England head coach Fabio Capello has praised goalkeeper Joe Hart for the improvements he has made in his game in the last two years.
The 23-year-old Manchester City star is emerging as a regular first-choice for his country, having impressed in the 4-0 win over Bulgaria on Friday evening.
Capello stated:"I remember when I selected him two years ago he was not the same player. He did not have the same focus on games or training.
"He probably started to play in the first XI too early. He started to think 'I am the best'.
"You have to understand what happens in the mind of the young player. Sometimes it is this, but in two years he has come back.
"Joe Hart is a really good keeper. He improved a lot last year when he played at Birmingham. That was a really important period for him.
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After having a rather interesting conversation about football pundits, it got me to thinking – just how good / bad are the pundits we watch every match day? From the BBC to sky sports, programs such as Soccer Saturday have become a national institution, making the presenters and pundits either loved or hated by the public with a passion, yet after the shall we say ‘enforced by mutual consent’ change on Super Sunday and other match day coverage with the departure of Keys and Grey, is it time for a refresh of other panels to boot?
Now before outrage and shock is expressed, I would never advocate getting rid of host Jeff Stelling – since the world’s most excitable host produced a Hartlepool monkey in his joy at their result, Jeff will forever hold a place in my and the rest of the nation’s heart. Likewise Kammy – a better reporter for inside the stadium I have never seen – despite getting so excited he has to be reminded to use his words on occasion, Kammy along with Jeff should be here to stay for all of eternity.
That is not to say a shake up is a bad thing – look at how fresh Sky Sports coverage now is with pundits such as Gary Neville – love him or hate him, Gary is unashamedly biased and at least has an opinion that can spark debate, unlike Mr Magnolia himself, Ray Wilkins, who at most offers ‘John and Frank, I know them well, they’re good boys.’
Even Jamie my trousers are shockingly tight Redknapp doesn’t hold a candle to Jeff or Neville. Whilst Neville’s bias to United is slightly humorous, Redknapp’s unfailing ability to refer to ‘Frank being a quality player’ is getting more than a little tiresome – and I am a big fan of Lamps! Perhaps it is time to go back to the Thomas Cook adverts for Jamie!
Neville, for me, is the signing of the season for his face after the Manchester Derby alone – add to this the comments about David Luiz being controlled by a 10 year old on a play station – which sorry AVB but the only disservice I felt Gary did with that was to a 10 year old, they have some skill these days – he is worth his weight in gold to Sky Sports.
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Fans like and appreciate pundits with an opinion – look at the success of wind up merchant Robbie Savage – or the sheer amount of followers bad boy turned philosopher Joey Barton has on twitter. Opinions such as these are the ones that get people talking, not the monotone voice and ridiculous statements by commentators such as David Pleat and Graham Taylor, for whom stating the obvious must be the way he gets his bonus he does it so often ‘the thing Arsenal need to do here is score a goal’ Well someone’s earning their money Graham!
Likewise this season’s La Liga anchor, Scott Minto, who is either like watching paint dry or so biased they may as well rename Revista de la Liga to Me Gusta Barcelona, it is only Guillem Balague that keeps me watching the show. With Mark Bolton alluding to the fact he was let go after ahchoring for 6 years due to being anti-authoritarian and having an opinion, if sky want beige, they certainly got it with Scott ‘three bags full Minto’! None of this was as bad a decision as axing the Guapa feature however – a worse mistake I have not seen since the purchase of Veron.
Even though Paul Merson gets some flack, you have to admit it is amusing when he constantly pronounces player’s names wrong and gets teased by the rest of the panel. One of the things I genuinely enjoy when watching a soccer Saturday is the bond between the presenters and the banter they have – football focus is the Thursday night Channel 5 equivalent of Soccer Saturday, with a stale format and the moronic Garth Crooks taking a starring role. Much like offering the choice between Casillas or Roy Carroll, I know which one I would chose.
In the same vein that journalists with an opinion such as Martin Samuel or Henry Winter are becoming more and more popular with readers, the same can be said of pundits. We need more than the run of the mill stating the obvious ‘goals change games’ type pundit – we want enthusiasm, passion and heart, not to mention the occasional controversial comment to discuss in the pub or with friends.
That is why in my eyes, Neville and Savage are on their way to becoming national treasures as pundits, and I expect many more ex players who divide opinion to follow in their footsteps – and that can only be a good thing.
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Real Madrid playmaker Kaka is hopeful he can start to enjoy his football again after scoring a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.The victory keeps Madrid’s hopes of snatching the title from leader Barcelona’s grasp alive, although they remain a relatively distant eight points behind their rivals.
Kaka, a World Cup winner with Brazil and former World Player of the Year, said he was indebted to the club for their perseverance with him despite his series of injuries that have hampered his playing time in Spain.
“I need to work hard to enjoy football again. The only problem was with my knee, which limited me from playing all out,” the former AC Milan star said.
“I need to work hard down the home stretch of the season. I hope to have fun playing football. I feel like I owe it to Real Madrid and the fact that I haven’t fulfilled expectations bothers me.”
Despite speculation of a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, fuelled by coach Jose Mourinho’s preference for German midfielder Mesut Oezil, Kaka insisted he was happy working under the colourful Portuguese.
“I am grateful to Mourinho for everything he has done to help me. I have no problem with him whatsoever. He is a great coach and he is helping me grow as a footballer,” Kaka said.
Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka was thrilled with the Brazilian’s effort against Bilbao.
“Kaka played a great game,” said, Karanka, who was filling in for Mourinho at the post-match press conference.
“He looked good, especially after all the things that happened with him in regards to his injury.
“It is vitally important that Kaka is fit because there are important games coming up for us.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists his side are still in the title hunt.
The World Cup-winning goalkeeper, while admitting it would require a monumental effort to usurp Barcelona at the top, said such a feat was not beyond possibility.
“We are going to continue thinking about winning and earning points so that no one believe this league is over,” Casillas said.
“It will be hard to win, but you never know what can happen. One play or mistake can change everything.”
Financial chaos, new owners, a relegation scrap, a public lampooning of the players by David Sullivan and a change of manager kept up the East End club’s reputation for drama. Whether on or off the pitch West Ham is not a club which practises quiet self reflection. The installation of Avram Grant into the managerial hot seat and his subsequent recruitment drive would suggest an improved showing on last season is all but guaranteed. To record a third top half finish in four years would delight most Hammers fans. For once a season of relative mediocrity, which was bemoaned under Alan Curbishley, would suffice. In order to climb seven league places and avoid fears of relegation here are five things Grant could consider as he seeks to restore the club’s fortunes.
1) Play 4-3-3 at home
Grant has long been a fan of 4-5-1, a system he regularly employed at Portsmouth where Piquionne was the lone front man. Having recently toyed with a 4-3-3 formation in pre-season, fans will be hopeful of a more attacking approach particularly at Upton Park. Getting the ball down and playing neat, attractive football is the mantra of this traditional club. A 4-3-3 system would lend itself to a fluid, passing game which would create more chances for Carlton Cole who deserves better service. The two Davids pledged to make it more entertaining for fans to come and watch West Ham. With the purchase of Pablo Barrera and possible loan signing of Miralem Sulejmani, Grant may feel that he now has the players at his disposal to achieve this.
2) Retain the Services of Scott Parker
The midfield talisman was linked with a move to Spurs earlier this month but West Ham remain unyielding in their determination to keep him. The player fought tooth and nail to keep the Hammers in the Premier League last term making the fans eternally grateful. He is one of the few current players who has his name chanted by the crowd and is entering the best form of his career. The player is now adding goals and assists to his tireless defensive work. Grant has echoed the comments of Sullivan, recognising his importance to West Ham’s midfield. Giving him the captain’s armband would be a popular, if unlikely move.
3) Remind the owners who is in charge
The co-owners aided by Karen Brady rule the roost but Grant must have the final say on all footballing matters. The owners systematically undermined Gianfranco Zola and failed to win over the players. Their relentless diatribes to the media prompted a rare outburst from Luis Boa Morte who urged Mr Sullivan to have, “a bit more composure when talking to the press.” The board have backed Grant in the transfer market and have bestowed great praise on the former Chelsea boss. After working for the demanding Mr Abramovich and enduring the fiasco at Portsmouth, the two Davids may be small fry. He should be wary, however, that their passion for the club does not become interference.
4) Find the best defence and stick to it
During Zola’s first season in charge the club were watertight defensively but this deteriorated dramatically last year. For West Ham fans the positional sense and aerial strength of Matthew Upson was in doubt long before England’s humiliation at the hands of Germany. The club captain endured a frustrating season which afflicted the rest of the defence. Injuries were partly to blame but the back line changed too frequently last season and it showed as goals were continually conceded. Zola appeared unsure of his preferred option at left back following Herita Ilunga’s injury and his best central defensive pairing. Replacing James Tomkins at half time after an error in the club’s ‘shambolic’ defeat to Wolves only made matters worse. Grant has increased his defensive options but must decide on his best back line promptly.
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5) Give youth a chance
Another crop of talented youngsters are emerging at the Boleyn thanks to the diligent work of Tony Carr. Junior Stanislas, Jack Collison and Zavon Hines all made important contributions last season. The future looks bright for the likes of Frank Nouble, Freddie Sears, Josh Payne and Anthony Edgar too. However their playing time may be restricted after a recruitment drive which has seen five players join the club. In the best traditions of the club Grant should give chances to these players or risk impairing their development and commitment to West Ham. Rather than use the January transfer market he should turn to youth to give the squad a renewed impetus for the latter half of the season.
After the latest round of games in the Champions League, one thing is evident. Madrid and Barcelona have squads that are heads and shoulders above anyone else. Say what you like about City and their promise this season, but the fact remains that in Europe they simply have not done the business. United are also struggling, and lets not even go there with soon to be manageress Chelsea. The thing that is striking about these sides, and even Arsenal to a lesser extent is the money that has been spent on their squads over the last few years, and the question of if it has really meant success.
Don’t get me wrong, all the fore mentioned teams have frightening quality, and in the Premier League, it looks like being a two horse race between United and City, but with regards to the rest of the top four, does money really mean a great squad and an automatic place in the Champions League?
Look at the squad that has been complied by Harry Redknapp at Spurs – call him what you like, a wheeler dealer – it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Harry and Levy have managed to put together a squad of players who are more than capable of a top four finish – in fact a top three finish – and all on much less of a budget than London rivals Chelsea or even Arsenal down the years. Shrewd buys like Friedel and Parker have been much more successful than big money names like Torres or Mikel.
It even goes down to the amount spent on wages – when Spurs qualified for 4th place, they spent £56 million less on their wage bill than Liverpool – who did not even finish 5th that season – and have an all-round better structure in terms of finances – something that seems to be more attributable to Daniel Levy than anyone else.
Chelsea and Liverpool especially have spent big money on players who have not delivered of late – Torres and Carroll – and cannot claim to have a better squad than Spurs. In fact, they have less solidity at the back, less quality up front and both have less creativity in the middle of the park.
Any team in the Premier League would be hard pressed to claim a better midfield than Spurs, who have flare players in abundance and can change a game in a split second. Their streak of 8 wins in 9 games is no coincidence, and after the purchase of Parker, a steel was added to the heart of their team, and they have looked miles better for it.
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Likewise with Newcastle, who are serious contenders for a top 6 spot this season, a squad has been built without spending tens of millions – now don’t misunderstand I am not under the impression that Spurs or Newcastle get their players from poundland or the park across the way, I am merely making the comparison between their spending and clubs such as Chelsea, who cannot claim to have a much better squad.
Even United, who spent big in the summer are not that far away from Spurs now, and whilst City admittedly have the best squad in the league, they have spent hundreds of millions doing this, and are still struggling in Europe.
Yes, money is needed to an extent – the reason for Everton’s lack of progress is not a poor manager or bad players, it is simply a lack of funds to do anything at all – whilst hundreds of millions are not always needed for success, some amount of money clearly is, and Spurs have not been without this over the last few years – hence their progress.
It is the ability to do a lot with not that much that it commendable, and I read somewhere that if Arsenal were Barca lite, then Spurs are becoming a lesser version of Real Madrid – here I would differ. Both Real and Barca – although I am sure Rosell would attempt to state otherwise – have spend big in recent times, I would actually compare Spurs with Valencia.
The widely acknowledged ‘best of the rest’ in Spain for a number of years now, even winning the title under Benitiez and making strides in the Champions League. Valencia have a savvy manager in Unai Emery, and a good structure upstairs. They know that financially they cannot compete with the big two, and have sold Mata, Silva and Villa in recent years, yet still manage to somehow manage to remain competitive and challenge for, if not the title, everything else.
One thing that Spurs have managed to do this summer that Valencia could not – for financial reasons more than anything – was keep hold of their top and want away players. Levy stood firm over Modric and will repeat the process with Bale should Barca (who never spend a penny) come calling.
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It is this that could well see Spurs surpass Valencia’s achievements and challenge for the title in the near future, not to mention that the top two in England are much less daunting than the top two in Spain, and the quality in their squad, not to mention the potential plans for a new stadium could well keep Harry’s heart ticking for a long time to come – the investigation into his finances however not so much!