• Home
• About
• Write for COS
• Advertise
• Fun Stuff

• Premier League
• Championship
• Scottish Premier League
• General Football
• Transfer Rumours

Subscribe

O’Leary to meet bitter end?

David O’Leary’s fairly crap reign as Aston Villa manager could be about to end as bookmakers William Hill have shortened the odds on his sacking from 11/4 to 2/1 after Villa were given a 3-0 bollocking by Doncaster in the Carling Cup.

You’d be hard pressed to find a fan or website containing a favorable opinion of good ol DO’L these days, and it’s for good reason. He’s openly said his players are crap, keeps complaining about lack of available funds despite wasting 10million in the summer , and most recently he’s decided to go all out and have a go at the few fans he may have had left.

But is it really his fault? After successfully inspiring the phrase ‘Do a Leeds’, he was given a second chance at really the only club who had an owner daft enough to do so. O’Leary managed to ruin the team that had a Chelski-like transfer budget before Roman Abramovich was even considering fleeing to the UK to avoid KGB assassins, so it’s a bit mystifying as to why Doug Ellis felt O’Leary was the right man for the job in the first place (or is it?).

Regardless, it’ll all be over soon for Villa fans - although they may want to keep their fingers crossed that David Pleat finds himself another job before Deadly Doug starts his search.

Frank keeps it up

Hard to believe that even his own fans used to call him Fat Frank, but Chelsea’s Frank Lampard has just made FIFA’s three man shortlist for World Player of the Year, joining Barcelona duo Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o.

We picked Steven Gerrard as England’s best bet for the shortlist back when the initial nominations were announced, given his form for Liverpool in the Champions League the season prior. But Lampard’s form has been pretty ridiculous as he’s currently top scorer in the Premiership and has been doing the business for England as well.

Lampard finished second to Ronaldinho for European Player of the Year but if he manages to pull off the upset when the winner is announced on Dec 19th, he will become the first British player to win the award since it began in 1991 (and only the 6th player whose name doesn’t start with ‘R’).

Liverpool reckon four keepers isn’t enough

Liverpool are supposedly taking a look at 19 year-old MK Dons goalkeeper David Martin, handing the lad a trial at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho has always said he wanted two players for every position at Chelsea to ensure he always had quality players at his disposal. Other teams, like Tottenham, have followed suit and built suitably large squads to protect themselves against injuries and suspensions regardless of any selection headches.

But apparently Liverpool feel that rather than signing, say, a proper winger or a centre back, goalkeeper is really the position they want to have the Premiership’s best depth.

After signing both Jerzey Dudek and Chris Kirkland for around 10million in 2001, new boss Rafa Benitez chose to pick up highly-rated Scott Carson from Leeds last season as well as now-first-choice Jose Reina from Villereal for a reported 6million.

Kirkland has since been loaned out to West Brom but is still tabbed by some as a future England no. 1, Dudek’s future is unclear despite his Champions League heroics last season while Carson is still untested. But surely any amount of man power that Liverpool are devoting to scouting and finding more bloody goalkeepers would be better spent elsewhere.

Everton getting desperate

Everton’s attempts to fully overhaul the effects of once having Wayne Rooney in their ranks have taken a step closer to being complete. First, they went against the odds last season and qualified for the Champions League rather than being relegated post-wonderkid as many had suggested. Now, rather than having a teenage superstar on their books they’re looking to sign late-bloomer and “Swansea’s David Beckham” Lee Trundle to turn their season around.

The 29 year-old striker started his career in the non-leagues but has made up for lost time in recent seasons and has 17 goals in 17 matches so far this year to earn a serious look from a number of Premiership clubs including Charlton and Aston Villa. But it seems Lee has his heart set on the struggling Toffees,

“Everton is my club,” admitted Trundle.

“I think deep down if a Premiership club comes in, no Swansea fan would begrudge me moving on to the top flight.

“I’m an Everton fan and I’d give anything to play for them, and I think everyone knows that.

“But I’m not going to kick up a fuss and try to get away. It would have to be a deal that was right for the club and for me.

“Sheffield Wednesday put in a bid, but it wasn’t the right football move. Wednesday are a massive club, but Swansea can be too.”

Inaccurate statements about Sheffield Wednesday aside, it would be interesting to see if Trundle could make the step up and - if so - it would certainly be one of the best stories of recent years now that John Stead has proved to be a bit crap afterall.

Spurs rotation put to the test

The oft-maligned ‘rotation system’ is being put to yet another test over in London. Chelsea failed to sufficiently flourished under ‘Tinkerman’ Claudio Ranieri, who’s desire to mix and match his team was finally matched only by Roman Abramovich’s chequebook before it was ultimately a major factor in demise.

Now, it’s Martin Jol’s Tottenham who try to put to bed any argument that multiple, highly-paid, highly-ambitious footballers can happily share a position. Replacing Freddie Kanoute with Gregor Rasziak eased some of the headache, as Mido is now the obvious first choice targetman when fit while Gregor can have few complaints about being on the bench. The battle for the second striker spot, however, is a different story.

Jermaine Defoe and Robbie Keane have been jostling for position ever since the former arrived at White Hart Lane in 2003, they’ve been played together but coach and fans alike have quickly decided that two midgets is one too many to play up front.

Defoe took understandable priority at the start of the season. The ex-Charlton/West Ham player burst into the England squad on the back of last season and started in strong form. However, his recent drop in terms of scoring (only 3 goals in the last 14 matches) mixed with Robbie’s super-sub performances and goal over the weekend, have led to the Irishman moving to the top of the pecking order.
Read more

Chelsea do it again

This time, they’ve reportedly paid £3.5m for 16 year-old Serbian Slobodan Rajkovic, who was reported back in October as being trailed by the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Marseille, AC Milan and Arsenal, where he spent a summer training with the rest of Arsene Wenger’s army of footballing children. The fee is a world record amount for a player under the age of 18.

“OFK and Chelsea have reached an agreement for Rajkovic,” said Belgrade general director Vladimir Bulatovic.

“He will stay with us until the end of the 2006-07 season and then he will join Chelsea.”

As expected, Roman’s cash has won out again and Chelsea have pipped both clubs in snapping up the highly rated defender for a price that was no doubt double or triple what anyone else was willing to pay.

United really really really want Ballack

And United continue to dominate the news.

We all know how badly Alex Ferguson and Manchester United want Michael Ballack to step into Roy Keane’s violent boots, but the Scot may feel the club has gone a tad too far with their latest recruiting tactic.

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has claimed to German newspaper Die Zeit that United have offered him the job,

“Yes, there has been an offer from United.”

He added: “I want to get back to football and next summer would be a good time to do that. I am ready for a new challenge.”

“My wife Beatrix would go to Manchester with me.”

Perhaps in a pre-emptive strike, Ottmar is already putting the moves on Ballack despite reports that he’s already decided to stay at the German champions,

“Michael is a world-class player and as a fan of Germany I would say it would be good for our national team if one of our top players went abroad again,” said Hitzfeld.

It’s difficult to tell whether Ottmar is being entirely truthful about United’s approach, it seems that if any official contact was made the club would have made it clear that any revelations to the press would jeopardize things just a tad considering Ferguson is still very much in charge. However, Hitzfeld’s credentials cannot possibly be called into question - the German coach was voted the best club coach in the world in 2001 after leading Bayern to the Champions League and Bundesliga double, in the process becoming the first manager to lead two different clubs to European Cup glory after winning the competition with Dortmund as well.

Big Sam still asking for special treatment

Big Sam has once again called for Bolton to be given special treatment after his side’s match against Birmingham was postponed due to weather conditions.

“We don’t see much of a break between now and February to try and fit this game in perhaps,” Allardyce told Sky Sports.

“If we stay in the Carling Cup and move on there and the FA Cup comes around, and we qualify for the last 32 of the Uefa cup then it’s going to be very difficult for us to fit it in.

“Let’s hope that’s the problem we’ve got come February.

“If the Premier League wants to try and fit this game in while the African Nations Cup is on it’s impossible for me, I’ll lose five players.

“It’s impossible for me to consider that.

“If that’s the case it shouldn’t be allowed to be but there you go we will have to wait and see.

“The consideration to call Premiership games off and there should be a consideration as far as I’m concerned with five players away.

“It’s difficult as it is but with the African Nations coming up it’s even more difficult for us.”

It may be beating a dead horse, but plenty of clubs - past and present - have lost key players due to the African Nations Cup. Allardyce knew the implications of signing so many African players and he should have the dignity and balls to stand by his actions. Whining about it does neither his cause nor his reputation any good.

Poor ol’ Gary

Despite making a career out of speaking to the press, towing the company line, and praising his boss - Gary Neville still looks likely to lose out to Ruud Van Nistlerooy to replace Roy Keane as captain. The Dutchman wore the armband for the win against Charlton and it seems Alex Ferguson sees him as a long term option,

“The response from Ruud has been absolutely brilliant,” said Ferguson. “His manner and demeanour has been excellent and he has a very professional attitude. I have been very lucky to have had a lot of good captains during my time at the club and Ruud has the right attributes.”

“Then you have Gary Neville, who, like Ryan, has served his time. He is a loyal man, a great servant. He is a very emotional and enthusiastic person and has great qualities.

“There are others in the squad, like Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney, who would love to be captain - Wayne is always telling me - while Rio is another possibility, but I will choose from those three.”

Poor ol Gary. His brother gets shipped off to Everton, his captain deserts him, his mentor is under fire, and now he’s been passed up for the promotion he so dearly wants and perhaps deserves.

Wigan reaping rewards of success

Wigan are finally reaping the rewards for their unexpected success this season as only modern football knows how, by having their best players poached!

According to Skysports, Bayern Munich are supposedly interested in right back Pascal Chimbonda after watching him live against Arsenal over the weekend. The Frenchman has been in fine form, scoring goals and playing his part in one of the Premiership’s best defenses this season.

After earning himself a new contract and attracting praise from pundits and teamates alike, it seems like Wigan could be the latest victims of this new age of money-driven football - seeing their best players taken away from them, scuppering any long term ambitions.

His agent, Willie McKay, was typically diplomatic,

“I am well aware of the interest from Bayern Munich in Pascal,” McKay told skysports.com.

“They had representatives watching him in action against Arsenal at the weekend.

“Bayern contacted my business partner Roger Boli and asked about the availability of Pascal.

“However, I doubt Wigan or Paul Jewell would even entertain a bid for Pascal after the way he has played.”

Hoeness: Ballack claims are bollocks

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness claims that, despite their best efforts, Manchester United will not be signing Michael Ballack to replace Roy Keane in the heart of their midfield,

Hoeness told ARD Television: “I know Manchester United will not buy Michael Ballack.”

He said: “(The talk) is fuelled from people outside who are trying to divide our team.

“Ballack is a superb player. We have played well with him and we have played well without him. We’ll see what happens.”

Wayne Rooney aside, it seems as though United’s recent inability to sign their primary transfer targets will once again scupper their plans to regain dominance in the Premiership. Arjen Robben, Ronaldinho were supposedly all but signed by United before instead heading to Chelsea and Barcelona respectively.

Replacing the irreplaceable

Manchester Online has done a neat little roundup of those players who could be given the unfortunate task of replacing Roy Keane at Old Trafford. Many have tried, and failed, in the past with the likes of Eric Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, and even Alan Smith struggling to fill the Manchester United legend’s boots.

The pick of the lot is obviously Michael Ballack, who United are supposedly preparing to make the highest paid player in the Premiership and - should rumors be believed - club captain in order to lure the German international away from Bayern Munich. The club is already arranging for Ballack to spend a day in Manchester to allow Ferguson to lay on the Scottish charm in droves. However, while he could replace Keane as a world-class midfielder, their playstyles are not that similar with Ballack really more of an attacking force ala Paul Scholes.

Since the German will be available on a free in the summer, the world’s top clubs are coming out with mega contract offers since there will be no transfer fee. With Real Madrid still feeling somewhat lopsided in midfield, it’s not unlikely that the Spanish club steps in at the last minute to ruin things.

From the rest of the bunch, our favorite is Ivorian Didier Zokora and is actually more in the mold of Roy Keane. The St. Etienne midfielder has more bite in his tackle than Ballack and, while he lacks the attacking prowess and goal-threat of the German, is extremely comfortable on the ball and likes to drive play forward from midfield.

Roy Keane: A Tribute to Anger

With the Manchester United captain leaving by ‘mutual consent’, the outpouring of kind words and support for the midfield legend/nutter has been immense. However, we thought it only right to pay tribute to what made Roy Keane one of the most significant players of our time: Anger.

So enjoy a few of the best quotes from the man who loved to hate…

Read more

Robbo rates Robbo

West Brom coach Bryan Robson has come out to big up left back Paul Robinson, claiming the defender was similar to Ashely Cole, and better than Wayne Bridge,

Robson said: “I didn’t know Paul Robinson that well when I came here but since the turn of the year he has been absolutely outstanding. He has had a lot of outstanding games for me. He is a bit similar to Ashley Cole and he has got the same pace, stamina and high intensity about his game.”

“From what I’ve seen since January of Paul Robinson, he is a better player than Wayne Bridge. I’ve mentioned Robinson to a couple of the England scouts as one they should have a look at.”

Interestingly, Wayne Bridge himself seems to agree as he’s admitted he was just as surprised as everyone-other-than-Sven that he was recalled to the England side after neithing proving form nor fitness for Chelsea over the last two seasons,

“I didn’t know I was going to be called up,” he confessed. “I went to Venice and was supposed to go for three or four days but obviously I came back early.”

“I made a little mistake for the goal when I got beaten too easily but that happens in football. Maybe it was a loss of concentration but it won’t happen again.”

Gullit reckons Henry’s off

Not really sure why he even has an opinion on this, but Ex-Chelsea player and manager Ruud Gullit believes we may be watching Thierry Henry’s last season in the Premiership as the Frenchman will be itching to try his skills abroad,

“I can see again that he came back from a major injury,” he told Sky Sports News. “Immediately, he comes in and scores goals.

“It means he is something special.

“We’d like to see him more in The Premiership but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“I don’t know, maybe he is going abroad.

“It’s just a feeling [maybe] he wants to see as a player, travel around, see what it is to play in another league.”

The inventor of Sexy Football, who played in Holland, Italy, and England, doesn’t seem to have any real evidence to suggest the Arsenal striker is off. Gunners fans will surely believe that Thierry’s close relationship to Arsene Wenger and the club will see him turn down offers from the likes of Barcelona - but then many would have thought the same about Patrick Vieira.

So the Gunners might not want to take anything for granted - they should know better than most that if there’s one thing that proves true time and time again, it’s that there really is no loyalty in football.

Next Page »