Newcastle after classy £10m pair: ONE good, ONE average
May 6, 2008
Kevin Keegan has today bemoaned the fact that sides outside the Champions League Quartet are doomed to failure
“The top four next year will be the same top four as this year, what I can say to the Newcastle fans is that we will be trying to get fifth and we will be trying to win the other league that’s going on within the Premier League. I haven’t got enough money and I wouldn’t be able to get the players anyway (to do any better than that), so I will soldier on with what I’ve got and maybe add one or two, maybe three, depending what’s available.”
(various)
Newcastle are lining up a £4m bid for Fulham midfielder Steven Davis who has impressed while on loan at Rangers this season.(Daily Mirror)
Kevin Keegan is also keen to bring £6m rated Everton striker Andrew Johnson to St James’ Park. (Daily Mirror)
If Steven Davis doesn’t move to Ibrox then I strongly suggest Keegan goes for the Northern Ireland international. He really has been in phenomenal form since he moved to Glasgow. He may have only arrived less than 3 months ago but he has already started 18 matches and has helped Walter Smith’s side towards a possible quadruple. I am not quite so sure that Andy Johnson would be such a great signing, the Magpies already have a few decent strikers (all of whom are better than the Everton man) and I am sure there are better strikers on offer. What do United fans think about these two possible additions to the St James’ Park squad?
Arteta to get a Spanish friend at Everton?
May 6, 2008
It looks like Everton’s one and only Mikky Arteta could have a Spanish friend at Goodison next season in the form of Deportivo La Coruna striker Ivan Sanchez “Riki” Soto. What looks like a mouth watering partnership on paper - Mikky and Riki anyone?? - could well prove to be pretty scorching on the pitch too - Arteta’s talents are well known, but Riki could sizzle as well - after all Manchester United and Liverpool initially had a hearty sniff around him before he joined Depor. Could it be the Mikky and Riki show next year?
Glasgow Rangers prove they are streets ahead of Everton.
May 2, 2008
A clumsy equation admittedly, but Everton fell to Fiorentina in a tense penalty shoot-out in the UEFA Cup, and yesterday night Rangers went one better and beat the Italians 4-2 on penalties, a victory that has seen Rangers progress to the Final - and put Everton and Tottenham’s UEFA runs in the shade. Rangers will now face Zenit St Petersburg in the final, who ironically got stuffed by Everton in the group stages. Does this show that the Glaswegians are a stronger outfit than Spurs and Everton, or am I talking out of my backside?
Do you agree with PFA Team of the Season?
April 28, 2008
Especially the decision to not include a single Chelsea player in the line-up? After all, this is a team which could still quite feasibly win the Premier League title, while they are favourites to beat Liverpool and make it to the Champions League final.
Team: James (Portsmouth); Sagna (Arsenal), Ferdinand, Vidic (Man U), Clichy (Arsenal); Ronaldo (Man U), Gerrard (Liverpool), Fabregas (Arsenal), Young (Villa); Adebayor (Arsenal), Torres (Liverpool).
Are there any glaring omissions from the XI selected? Naturally, these things are always subjective, although it’s difficult to argue that any of the above haven’t stood out for their teams this season. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry might have had more of a look-in if they hadn’t been injured for chunks of the season, while the likes of Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Glen Johnson have all performed extremely well for their respective clubs.
Who would feature in your team of the season?
Newcastle, Man City and West Ham battle for £10m top-quality finisher: Well worth chasing!
April 27, 2008
Andy Johnson appears to be on his way out at Everton and there is a big queue forming for his services.
£10m rated Everton striker Andy Johnson is set to leave Goodison Park and West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle could be interested. (News of the World)
The 27-year-old England international hasn’t exactly been prolific on Merseyside but he has shown in the past that he can score goals for fun. The question is where will he be doing the goal-scoring next season?
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Liverpool or Everton? £5m British teen has a tough decision to make
April 20, 2008
Sheffield Wednesday’s 18 year old defender Mark Beevers has been in fine form despite his side’s relegation battle and now it seems that both Merseyside giants are after £5m rated Barnsley born lad.
Liverpool and Everton both want young Sheffield Wednesday defender Mark Beevers. (Sunday Mirror)
The lanky centre back looks to be one of the most sought after youngsters in the country and with Rafa seemingly keen on increasing his English contingent you can see why Liverpool are monitoring the situation. Everton too want to add the England under 19 international to their ranks, but who, if either, will win the race?
Everton and West Ham battle it out in £6m double swoop for fine young talents!
April 20, 2008
Ipswich Town have a host of young bright stars that Premier League sides are taking a fancy too.
Everton are lining up a £3million swoop for Ipswich star Owen Garvan. (Sunday Mirror) and David Moyes is also still in the chase for Garvan’s teammate Danny Haynes (various)
However both players are also targets for Alan Curbishley as he attempts to add some young talents to West Ham’s squad (various)
Tommy Miller’s last gasp equaliser at Wolves has given Jim Magilton’s side a faint hope of reaching the play-offs but should they fail then the East Anglia club may find itself the subject to many more aggressive bids for their best players and then it will come down to whether the club can afford to turn down large offers as they once again prepare for another shot back into the big time. Do Everton and West Ham like the look of either of these 20 year olds? And do Ipswich fans hope they can keep hold of them?
What the Chelsea manager really thought after Everton win
April 19, 2008
Avram Grant might have played the yes/no game in Thursday’s post-match conference after his Chelsea team beat Everton 1-0. However, he was a bit more forthcoming when speaking to the BBC on television and radio afterwards. The Blues boss is clearly unhappy with the way he’s been represented in certain quarters of the media and you couldn’t blame him for being curt after Chelsea’s hard-fought victory. However, read on for his real thoughts!
“It was a good win. We were behind Manchester United from the beginning of the season so it never was in our hands. It is in our hands to do our job and that is what we did.
“On Monday after the game [a 1-1 draw against Wigan] we spoke about how we conceded the late goal.
“Even towards the end we were attacking with six or seven players and they scored the equaliser on the counter-attack, but I like it because we want to change the style of the team.
“We controlled the game. We had chances to make it 2-0 or 3-0 but our last pass was a bit sloppy. We scored a fantastic goal though.
“Tonight we wanted to score again to wrap it up, but in the last few minutes it is important to make sure you win the points.
“Despite all the speculation, it’s not hard to focus. It’s just part of life.
“I have been in life for many years now and pressure is part of it. Journalists who say we are having a bad season are trying to do their job, but maybe sometimes not in the right way.”
This constant denial that the title has always been out of Chelsea’s hands does Grant no favours. He’s also continued to omit any mention of whether his team are still in the title race, although he does give an impression that they’re simply chasing United to the finishing line now, rather than have a real chance of catching them.
Poor Avram makes journos hate him even more after Chelsea beat Everton
April 18, 2008
But let’s be honest, some sections of the press have been out to get Avram Grant ever since he was appointed. Perhaps it’s because Fabio Capello is relatively untouchable as England manager at the moment that elements of the media decide to stage a witch-hunt against the Chelsea manager, who is simply trying to get on with his job.
The Guardian reports that after Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Everton on Thursday night, the following exchange took place between a reporter and Grant. Make of it what you will.
Reporter: A deserved win, Avram?
Grant: “Yes.”
What particularly pleased you about the performance? “I’m pleased.”
What in particular pleased you? After a delay: “I don’t know.”
Is it a relief to win here? “Yes.”
You seem lost for words. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the win? “Both.”
You seem distracted. Do you have a problem? “No problem.”
Is there an issue? “No. I’m ok. I have nothing to say.”
Do you have a message for the Chelsea fans? “You represent the Chelsea fans?”
They must believe you are still in the title race, do you have a message for them? “No message.”
Does this result mean you are back in it now? “I don’t know.”
You seem less voluble than usual. Is it because of Sky TV moving the game to a Thursday? “Maybe it’s because of you. I don’t know. I am OK.”
You are saying that you don’t know if you are still in the title race? “No.”
Is it easier to say nothing, Avram? “I don’t what to answer. It is a good question. I don’t know what to answer.”
Is this because Sky? “No. Sky is OK. I enjoy watching them.”
Is it a protest against newspapers? “No. Why?”
Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions? “I answer every question.”
You are two points behind Manchester United and you don’t know if you are still in the title race? “No.”
Have you told the players that you don’t know if you are back in the title race? “What I tell the players is something else. You want me to tell you what I say to the players?”
We just want you to answer the question. Are you in the title race? “I don’t know.”
Would you not like to gain some positive publicity for the result rather than this bizarre silence? “I’m sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want.”
Have you ever played the yes/no game, Avram? No answer.
Does anyone feel a bit sorry for Avram Grant? Sure enough, he’s getting paid stacks of cash and he chose to take the job. But it appears that he’s being shown a complete lack of respect, compared to that afforded to his predecessor Jose Mourinho, as well as the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Sadly, the Chelsea manager has done little to help his cause with the above, perhaps he should have appointed an assistant to field the questions instead.
Newcastle to beat Everton, West Ham and Aston Villa to sign hugely-talented £6m teen
April 16, 2008
Derby’s Giles Barnes is a hot prospect who is wanted by a host of clubs keen to keep him in the Premier League as his current side exit swiftly. West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton have all been connected with the 19-year-old but another club seem to be leading the chase.
Newcastle United are once again chasing Derby County’s £6m rated Giles Barnes after failing to secure the man in January. (The Times)
Kevin Keegan is building a nice portfolio of potential talent and in terms of young up and coming stars, the Barking-born attacker is one of the most sought after. It appears more than likely that Paul Jewell will have no choice but to sell.
Will Chelsea really blank Sky before and after Everton match?
April 16, 2008
It’s all threatening to get out of hand at Goodison Park on Thursday, with the Daily Mirror reporting that Chelsea manager Avram Grant and his team are apparently under instructions not to speak to Sky reporters before or after the match against Everton.
It’s clear that the club are far from happy at having to play this match just 72 hours after their 1-1 draw with Wigan on Monday night, stating that it puts them at a clear disadvantage against title rivals Manchester United.
The club have used the £300,000 TV “facility fee” to supply free tickets and transportation to their 2,900 fans inside Goodison. Chelsea fan Dave Johnstone, editor of cfcuk fanzine, said: “Sky don’t care about the dyed-in-the-wool fans.”
That much is certainly true, why would they care too much considering they have millions of paying customers sitting in armchairs up and down the country watching the game instead? However, is it a case that Chelsea will be biting the hand that feeds them, considering the amount of money the corporation invest into the game?
Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa battle over £10m trio, but who can offer the best future?
April 15, 2008
Three teams moving in the right direction up the Premier League table appear to be battling for the same three British talents.
All three are apparently keen on Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey, valued in the 3m bracket, who said of the attention:
“At the end of the day I’m still at Wolves and I love it here. The club and the fans have been fantastic to me and I just want to keep going and playing my games. When you look at the table it’s all still there for us with our games in hand - we’ve just got to go and grab it.” (various)
Next up, another Wolves star, 4m rated striker Sylvain Ebanks-Blake
However Wolves’ chief executive Jez Moxey has vowed that none of the club’s big hitters will be leaving this summer.
“We won’t lose anyone that we don’t want to lose,” said Moxey. (various)
And the final member of this trio Barnsley captain Brian Howard
Howard will be offered a massive £10,000-a-week deal to make him the highest-paid
Oakwell boss Simon Davey is desperate to keep the £3million-rated midfielder, who has a year left on his deal Howard said of the possible deal: “I would be delighted to talk about it.” (The Sun)
So will these player resist moves away? If Wolves fail to make it through the play-offs then it will be harder to keep these youngsters and Brian Howard, having now had a taste of the big-time in their fabulous cup run, may seek an even bigger pay packet in the Premier League or indeed he may just see a move to the top tier simply a more ambitious move regardless of salary and I don’t think anyone could blame him. Unlike the Wolves pair, who are a good three or four years younger, Howard may see this as the right time to move up the ladder. Would Villa, Everton and Newcastle fans welcome their arrivals?
Who should come and who should leave Everton?
April 15, 2008
This weekend Everton managed to draw level with their previous best Premier League season total, but somehow a miasma of depression has moved over Goodison. Perhaps it is the fact that many Evertonians were looking for a blood curdling and passionate fight with Liverpool for fourth place. Instead Toffees fans got a damp squib of a finish - and they look a dead cert for a fifth place finish. So who should leave and who should Moyes spend his transfer dosh on?
Everton close in on crucial signing…hopefully
April 14, 2008
It appears that Steven Pienaar is getting closer and closer to signing a permanent deal at Goodison Park, news that is bound to please Everton fans keen to see their side keep their most talented players.
Everton boss Dave Moyes is apparently pretty confident that the signing is a done deal. “As far as I know Steven Pienaar’s contract is agreed, it’s all done,” he told the club’s official website. “I think it’s his agent’s money that isn’t agreed.
“As far as I know everything has been done for a while, so I think it is to do with money for the agent. Steven has done well for us. Since he came back from the African Nations he hasn’t reached the standards he reached prior to that, but that can happen.
“He has picked up one or two injuries which haven’t allowed him to get a head of steam. Steven is one of the reasons our football has improved. He is a really good football player.”
So that’s that sorted and Everton fans get to see more of the hugely talented South African midfielder in action.
Mike Tyson offers support to Newcastle, Tottenham and England legend!
April 14, 2008
Can a leopard really change its spots? That appears to be the case with ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, who claims to have helped out Wayne Rooney a few years ago and would be happy to do the same with ‘troubled star’ Paul Gascoigne. The latter recently suffered a mental breakdown, culminating in a two-week session with psychiatrists, and the Brooklyn Brawler knows what its like to hit rock bottom himself after being convicted for rape and also jailed for driving under the influence of drugs. RTE reports that he’s coming to the United Kingdom and would be happy to speak with Gazza.
Tyson, 41, said: ‘I know all about Gazza and I feel I can help him.
‘A lot of top sportsmen have suffered in their private lives, including me, and that is why I want to help.
‘I still see him as a superstar and would like to meet him if he feels up for it.’
Tyson said: ‘Back in 2005, Wayne Rooney was on a downer and I met him and lifted his spirits. I am sure I can do the same for Paul Gascoigne.’
There’s apparently no truth in the rumour that Amy Winehouse has sought counselling from the former heavyweight champion of the world. However, this is clearly a man who has ‘been there and bought the t-shirt’ and it will be nice for Gascoigne to hear his words of encouragement and support after recently going off the rails.
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