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Man City boss Roberto Mancini aims to turn Europe pain into Premier League gain

therealfanatix — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:58:37 +0000

Mancini sees silver-lining to Champions League exit, after Wigan win.

Roberto Mancini predicts tough times ahead - but the Manchester City manager also sees a silver lining in his team’s impending exit from the Champions League.

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For the second successive season, City will miss out on the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition following their failure to beat Real Madrid at Eastlands.

Mancini’s deputy, David Platt, is one casualty of that drawn encounter, banned from the touchline by European governing body UEFA for two matches for remarks made to the fourth official.

City’s European hopes look likely to take a complete tumble, with even victory at Borussia Dortmund next week no guarantee of overtaking Ajax for the consolation prize of the Europa League.

But with English champions City hard on the heels of Premier League leaders Manchester United after a hard-won 2-0 victory at Wigan, Mancini knows that, just as last season, absence from the Champions League can be a blessing.

“I think this season is long,” Mancini said after Wednesday’s win at the DW Stadium. “There are a lot of games in the next month and in February, if teams are playing in the Champions League, it can change everything.”

While some might believe the title contest to be turning into a two-horse race centred on Manchester, given the recent upheaval at Stamford Bridge, Mancini will have none of it.

The Italian added: “I think Chelsea can compete. We are at the top at the moment, we are OK.”

Mancini also expects to have Mario Balotelli at his disposal for the long haul, despite rumours linking the controversial striker with a January move back to Milan with either Inter, his former club, or AC Milan, the team he supports.

He waved away suggestions of a deal and instead chose to celebrate Balotelli finally scoring his first Premier League goal of the season at Wigan, a crucial strike in a game that see-sawed much more than the champions would have wished against a team only a few points clear of the relegation zone.

“We have on the team three or four offensive players and one striker who scored,” Mancini said. “I’m very happy for him because he scored. He is not for sale. It’s his first goal this year and I hope he can improve after that game.

“We have four top strikers and some difficulty in scoring goals like last year, but I’m hoping we can move on from this.”

Balotelli will need to up his game — his first league goal of the campaign, after Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi spilled a shot from Gareth Barry, was also his first league goal in a year — as City face a testing run of fixtures.

The trio of games next on the Eastlands agenda will, in one shape or another, help to define their season.

Saturday’s visit of Everton pits them against their bogey team, who so often leave Eastlands with points and were one of only five league sides to beat Mancini’s team last season.

The midweek brings that trip to Dortmund in the Champions League.

But neither of those games will match the third in supporters’ eyes, with the home derby against Manchester United now about gaining the upper hand in the title race as much as winning local pride.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, must wait a while longer both for a goal against Mancini’s side or a victory over the Blues since Mancini took power in September 2008.

Martinez could only groan as Arouna Kone missed the game’s best chance before Balotelli and James Milner tied up the points for a City side still to reach the heights of last season.

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Rodgers adamant Liverpool paying unfair penalty

therealfanatix — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:54:09 +0000

Rodgers slams ref after Tottenham defeat.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is convinced his side do not deserve to be just four points above the Premier League relegation places, citing refereeing errors as a key reason for their plight.

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Rodgers saw Liverpool lose 2-1 away to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, with Gareth Bale setting up Aaron Lennon for the first goal, scoring the second himself direct from a free-kick and then unluckily accounting for the visitors’ goal when Lennon blasted a clearance straight into his face.

Rodgers was convinced referee Phil Dowd had committed a series of misjudgments at White Hart Lane, including awarding Tottenham the free-kick from which Bale scored, and turning down two Liverpool appeals for penalties, first when Mousa Dembele tackled Steven Gerrard in the first half and then when Luis Suarez went down under William Gallas’s challenge after the break.

For the former Swansea manager, these were just the latest in a long list of incorrect decisions that have so far blighted his first season at Anfield.

“I thought we should have had two penalties,” he said. “It’s incredible we haven’t had a penalty and the statistics will tell you we have been in the penalty box as much as anybody.

“We know we need to be more clinical and finish our great play but to arrive at this part of the season without having had a penalty is incredible. I don’t know what the players had to do.

“Steven Gerrard’s, it was nearly assault, the first one. How that isn’t a penalty is incredible.

“And then Luis Suarez swings and William Gallas swings his left foot and catches him.

“For the free-kick Clint Dempsey has been clever and had a hand on his back. Jordan (Henderson) has worked really hard to get back and he goes down.

“At Swansea at the weekend, Everton away, Sunderland, Norwich away even though we won the game there was a clear penalty. So it racks up the points.

“I hear pundits saying it evens itself up throughout the season. Well, if so then in the second half of the season we are going to get a lot of decisions and a lot of points.”

Tottenham are in fifth place and are now just three points behind Chelsea in third, but manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted fortune may have favoured his side on this occasion.

“On the penalties, I’m not sure,” he said. “Phil Dowd is one of the referees who gives the most penalties in the Premier League — that is a statistic that I am aware of. He knows how to judge situations like that.

“Today (Wednesday) it might have gone our way and we were lucky. But it is up to the referee to decide and they can’t decide right all the time.”

Indeed, Dowd also booked Bale for diving when it looked as though he had been fouled by Daniel Agger.

“I have been told there was some sort of contact,” Villas-Boas added.

“He (Bale) is very quick and sometimes it is difficult for the referee to judge the situation. It is very difficult to judge a player of his pace.”

But the former Chelsea manager was keen to point out that his side’s superior start, which saw them go 2-0 up within 16 minutes, was also a significant factor in the victory.

“It was important in the beginning to put Liverpool under pressure and we did it very well,” the Portuguese said. “In the second half Liverpool we getting more of the ball and it was difficult for us.

“It was an important result bearing in mind it was a midweek Premier League fixture. Other teams have dropped points and we have gained and it puts us in an extremely good position.”

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Chelsea and Manchester United braced for swift reunion

therealfanatix — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Chelsea and United set to meet again.

Alex Ferguson has wished referee Lee Mason “good luck” in Wednesday’s League Cup tie between Manchester United and Chelsea, just three days after their fiery Stamford Bridge clash ended in controversy.

The fall-out from United’s thrilling victory on Sunday is set to continue beyond Wednesday’s game, when the Premier League’s top two will meet for the second time in a week.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side have accused referee Mark Clattenburg of using “inappropriate language” towards their players during Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat, prompting the Football Association to launch an investigation.

The Metropolitan Police are also looking at how a steward was injured as United celebrated Javier Hernandez’s controversial 75th-minute winner.

“Good luck to the referee,” said Ferguson when asked if he had a message for Mason.

All eyes will be on the man with the whistle after Clattenburg dismissed Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres on Sunday before allowing Hernandez’s goal to stand despite the United striker appearing to be offside.

It is expected to be another hot-blooded clash, although both teams will make changes to their starting line-ups.

United winger Nani insists he is in “perfect condition” as he prepares to make a rare start this season, amid speculation surrounding his long-term future at Old Trafford.

The Portugal winger, 25, was once again an unused substitute in the win over Chelsea but should be part of a much-changed side returning to London for this fourth-round tie.

Nani cast doubt over his future last week following the club’s Champions League victory over Braga when he responded to questions about his future by saying: “God only knows what awaits me.”

He will nonetheless hope to start against Chelsea, having seen both Antonio Valencia and the fit-again Ashley Young selected ahead of him on Sunday.

“I am in perfect condition,” said Nani. “I am physically good and feeling confident. I am the same Nani as always.”

United manager Ferguson admitted he would “change some players” ahead of the return to Chelsea.

Hernandez, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Paul Scholes and Danny Welbeck could feature, while centre-back Scott Wootton, Belgian defender Marnick Vermijl, Michael Keane and Nick Powell are also in contention.

Chelsea will also make changes, although some of Di Matteo’s adjustments will be forced as Ivanovic, Torres and John Terry are banned and Frank Lampard is recovering from a calf injury.

Di Matteo said: “I have to see how the players are and then we have to think about what kind of team I can put out on Wednesday.

“We have the suspensions and also I need to see what kind of injuries we have. But this is a team that has a lot of qualities.

“Even though we might find ourselves in situations like this, we know that we can come out of it once we get everybody back.

“We know we can play good football and create chances and take them, and that’s what we have to do.”

In Wednesday’s other League Cup fixture, Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers comes up against his former employers Swansea City for the first time as Michael Laudrup’s side visit Anfield.

England pick Kevin Pietersen for India tour opener

therealfanatix — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:36:06 +0000

Controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen gets an early chance to re-establish himself for England after he was picked for the opening match of the Indian tour in Mumbai starting Tuesday.

Team coach Andy Flower said Pietersen will bat at number four in the three-day match against India ‘A’ at the Brabourne stadium, the first of three warm-up matches before the Test series.

“Kevin will play tomorrow and bat at four,” Flower told reporters a few hours after the tourists arrived in Mumbai for the four-match Test series that starts in Ahmedabad on November 15.

It will be Pietersen’s first outing for England since being dropped in August for sending text messages to touring South Africa players that contained criticism of then-skipper Andrew Strauss.

The 32-year-old, who also missed the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, was added as the 17th member of the touring squad after lengthy conciliatory meetings with England team bosses and players.

While the rest of the squad arrived from their training camp in Dubai on Monday, Pietersen flew in separately from South Africa where he turned out for Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils in the T20 Champions League.

England, who last won a Test series in India under David Gower in 1985 and lost their number one status to South Africa in August, will be boosted by Pietersen’s return.

Pietersen, the squad’s premier batsman with 7,076 runs in 88 Tests at an average of 49.48, smashed a brilliant 144 in England’s last Test on Indian soil in 2008 and knows the conditions well as an IPL player.

His return for England received enthusiastic support from new Test captain Alastair Cook, while Flower described the South African-born batsman as an “amazing cricketer”.

“I spoke to KP this morning and he is desperate to get going and we are desperate to have him back,” said Cook, who took over as captain when Strauss retired after the South African series.

“He is here to score runs and pass on the experience of Indian conditions to the younger players in the side.”

The series gives India an opportunity to make amends for the humiliating 4-0 whitewash in England last year.

England’s opponents in the tour opener will be captained by Suresh Raina. The team includes his main rival for the number six spot in the Test side, Yuvraj Singh.

Yuvraj, who has not played Test cricket since last November, was treated for a rare germ-cell cancer between his lungs in the United States earlier this year.

The 30-year-old played in the World Twenty20 and staked his claim for a Test recall by smashing a double-century on his return to first-class cricket earlier this month.

Raina said his India ‘A’ team was determined to give the tourists a hard time in the three-day game.

“I was there in England and I feel the pain of losing that series 4-0,” said Raina. “I want to give some of that pain back.”

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Pakistan insists IPL-style T20 league plans are on course

therealfanatix — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:33:48 +0000

Pakistan cricket authorities insisted Monday that preparations were well on course for a Twenty20 league with international stars in March next year.

The Pakistan Premier League — devised on the pattern of leagues in India, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — is seen as a key step towards reviving international cricket in the country, suspended since a deadly militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

The incident prompted international teams to shun tours to Pakistan on security fears, forcing Pakistan to play their home series at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates, England and New Zealand.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says its efforts will bear fruit, particularly after two exhibition Twenty20 matches involving an international World XI were held in Karachi this month without any problems.

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said work on the league was progressing well.

“The response so far is very good,” Ashraf told AFP. “The issue of number of teams and players has still to be decided but it’s in the planning stage.”

Ashraf said plans would not be affected by the refusal of Cricket South Africa (CSA) to push forward Pakistan’s series in their country to accommodate the league. Nor would the hectic international schedule.

“We have a window after our team’s tour to South Africa in March next year which can be utilised for the league,” said Ashraf.

“We have good relations with CSA and shall continue to be so.”

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Mark Hughes' job is not under threat says QPR owner Tony Fernandes

therealfanatix — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:31:21 +0000

Hughes job is sade says Fernandes.

Queens Park Rangers’ Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes has branded reports that manager Mark Hughes has been given one game to save his job as “rubbish”.

QPR’s 1-0 loss at Arsenal on Saturday left them rooted to the foot of the Premier League table and prompted speculation that Hughes could be shown the door if his side do not win at home to Reading this weekend.

Fernandes, however, took to Twitter on Monday to dismiss the reports and state that the club’s management are firmly behind Hughes.

“Mark has my backing and the shareholders,” Fernandes said.

“We need a little luck and no injuries. What’s written in the press is all rubbish. I honestly believe we have one of the best managers in the premier league. And we are in for the long term. Whatever happens. We love QPR.

“Ill be there at reading so rangers fans ill be available to meet and chat. Trust me on this one. Keep the faith. Stability is the key.”

Hughes succeeded Neil Warnock as QPR manager in January and helped secure the club’s top-flight survival on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign.

But despite a number of new players joining the club in the summer, they are still without a victory after nine games of the new season.

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Sebastian Vettel Wins Indian Grand Prix To Close On F1 Title

therealfanatix — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:22:39 +0000

Is Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel set to become an all time great of Formula 1, or does he just have the best car?

Sebastian Vettel moved within sight of becoming the youngest triple world champion in Formula One history on Sunday when he cruised to his fourth consecutive victory with an outstanding, dominant triumph in the Indian Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old German, winner of the title in 2010 and 2011, delivered the 26th win of his career in utterly convincing fashion, leading the 60-laps race from start to finish in his Red Bull car.

His triumph enlarged his lead in the drivers championship from six points to 13 with three races remaining in Abu Dhabi next week, then the United States and the season-finale in Brazil next month.

On a day of heat and dust at the shimmering, state-of-the-art Buddh International Circuit, Vettel overcame not only the determination of nearest rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, but also a threatening technical issue in the closing stages when parts of the floor of his car scraped along the circuit.

This contact, in parts of the track, raised sparks both literally and metaphorically as rival teams considered the condition of the Red Bull car and any possible contravention of strict technical rules.

Alonso, with superior straight line speed in his Ferrari, was unable to do better than climb from fifth on the grid to second and finished 9.4 seconds behind Vettel.

It was Vettel’s 26th win and he revelled in his familiar trick of standing atop his car to milk the applause from a rapturous crowd.

After an exultant celebration on the victory podium, in front of many of the 65,000 spectators, he added: “It has been incredible. To come here both years, get the pole and win the race is fantastic. It is a very special Grand Prix and I really like this circuit.”

Vettel may have had every reason to celebrate, but he was wary of looking ahead and taking anything for granted.

“Yes, maybe I have one hand on the trophy, if you say so, but on the other side, I think Fernando has one hand on it too!” he said.

Alonso said: “It is not easy to fight Red Bull but we will never give up. Well done Red Bull and Sebastian but we want to be happy in Brazil, not only here. I am sure we will do it.”

He added: “We lost points, but this is what we expected this weekend as we are not fast enough, but we lost minimum points and there will be better races to come.

“We were fast in a straight line, but still missing grip in the corners. Hopefully that will come in the next few races.”

Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber finished third, the Australian fending off a strong late challenge from Lewis Hamilton of McLaren who finished fourth ahead of Jenson Button.

Felipe Massa came home sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of his Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, Nico Hulkenberg of Force India, Romain Grosjean in the second Lotus and 10th placed Bruno Senna of Williams.

Hamilton and Button’s efforts, in finishing fourth and fifth respectively, not only won their team valuable points in their battle for second place in the constructors’ championship, but also meant that McLaren equalled Ferrari’s record of 55 consecutive races in the points, set in 1999-2003.

In the teams’ title race, Red Bull now lead with 407 ahead of Ferrari on 316 and McLaren on 316. In the drivers’ championship, Vettel has 240 ahead of Alonso on 227 and Raikkonen on 173.

On a day of close racing, without great incident, Vettel may also have remembered that it was in Abu Dhabi last year that he suffered a first lap puncture and was forced to retire - a plight that was handed to three drivers in India.

All three retirements were caused initially by punctures and they led to the exits of Michael Schumacher of Mercedes, Sergio Perez of Sauber and Pastor Maldonado of Williams.

For Schumacher, it was his eighth enforced retirement of 2012 as he heads into final retirement.

Three races from the end of the most successful career in Formula One history, the celebrated German was later relieved to escape a sanction from the race stewards after ignoring blue flags and impeding Grosjean.

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Azarenka Guarantees 2012 WTA Number One Ranking

therealfanatix — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 13:46:43 +0100

Victoria Azarenka confirms her spot as the best tennis player on the WTA tour in 2012.

Victoria Azarenka secured the year-ending world number one ranking on Friday when she reached the semi-finals of the WTA Championships.

Australian Open champion Azarenka achieved the top ranking when she beat China’s Li Na 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to set-up a Saturday last-four clash against Maria Sharapova.

“It feels great, a dream come true,” said Azarenka, who was also US Open runner-up in 2012 and put together a 26-match winning streak earlier this year.

“I want to play my last matches here and then enjoy being the world number one. I want to focus on this competition, there are still lots of challeges ahead.

“All the players are on top of their game and it’s great to be part of the women’s game doing so well at the moment.”

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Panathinaikos help Lazio to take the lead with an extraordinary...

therealfanatix — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:38:46 +0100

Panathinaikos help Lazio to take the lead with an extraordinary own goal in last night’s Europa League clash in Greece, which eventually finished 1-1.

Giourkas Seitaridis you total muppet.

Via 101GreatGoals.

Are you ready for Emile Heskey cam?

therealfanatix — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:34:00 +0100

Follow the big man’s every move!

To mark the clash between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory at Hunter Stadium on Friday night, you can watch every movement of the Jets’ English striker Emile Heskey as he looks to inspire his side to a win over a suddenly-resurgent Victory.

Heskey Cam gives you it all: one camera, one hero; every pass, every run, everything Heskey does on the pitch, you’ll see it first with the Heskey Cam, the dedicated broadcast providing a rare insight into what makes Heskey so good.

Fans tuning into the match on Fox Sports 1 or Fox Sports 1HD can watch the game or press the red button, which will connect them to the Heskey Cam coverage showing the 34-year-old in action.

SOURCE: Fox Sports

This is not a joke. The cult of Emile Down Under continues to grow.

The main thing to take away from this extraordinary piece of journalism is: be thankful you don’t follow the A-League, where Emile Heskey is considered a ‘hero’.

Every second of the lumbering ex-England striker will be followed throughout today’s match between Newcastle Victory and Melbourne Jets.

Fox Sports even expect Heskey to ‘pass’ and ‘run’.

The excellent article goes on to state: “We’ll be watching out for the fastest person to Tweet his first shot at goal!”

If Heskey’s time in the Premier League is anything to go by, they could be waiting for some time.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce confirms interest in re-signing Man United veteran Rio Ferdinand

therealfanatix — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:49:13 +0100

Hammers eye veteran centre-half.

West Ham are interested in a sensational deal to re-sign Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand at the end of the season, says boss ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce.

“I think it’s highly unlikely that we would consider Rio Ferdinand at the moment.

“But if it’s at the end of the season and he hasn’t got a new contract and he is going to leave Manchester United then we would be interested if we can sustain our Premier League status. It depends entirely on Rio,” Allardyce is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“The chairman likes to think big and it’s nice to have a chairman who thinks big.

“Everything has to be in place. If Rio wants to come back, the financial package and so on and so forth and whether they want to release him or not.

“If he wants to live back in London eventually, which is were he comes from, which is what quite a few players like to do before the end of their careers then that might be an advantage for us.”

Ferdinand, 33, is yet to sign a new deal at Old Trafford and was fined heavily last week for refusing to wear a t-shirt in support of anti-racism group Kick It Out - despite United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insisting all his players would.

A return to Upton Park is not set in stone, however. West Ham are the masters of coveting players way out of their league - arguably a good PR strategy to excite fans - and were linked with moves for the likes of Carlos Tevez, Guti and Alessandro Del Piero over the summer.

Granted, the East Londoners did land Andy Carroll and Alou Diarra, although both were in dead-end situations at their former clubs, with Carroll unwanted at Liverpool and Marseille desperate to offload the well-paid Frenchman.

Ferguson has hinted that despite Ferdinand’s age, he is ready to offer the former England captain a new deal with reduced wages, which could scupper any interest from Upton Park.

Watch this space.

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Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben dismisses retirement rumours

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:05:07 +0100

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben has quickly dispelled any notion he is considering retiring due to constant injuries despite admitting he has thought about quitting in an interview with Dutch television.

“Yes, in the disappointment and the frustration that it is taking so long to make a come back, I have had such thoughts,” he told German daily Bild on Tuesday.

“It’s really frustrating when you do everything for your job and your body can not keep up.

“But I also said I have far too much fun playing football and scoring goals to retire of my own free will.

“Don’t worry, I will soon be back again. Retirement? Absolutely not!”

The 28-year-old’s words put in context those he used in an interview with Dutch television NOS as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered at the end of September having been injured at least once every year since 2004.

“I have wanted to give away my football boots and finish (my career),” Robben has said having admitted ideas of retirement “haunt my thoughts and not just now”.

After Bayern’s 1-0 win at Lille on Tuesday in the Champions League, coach Jupp Heynckes has even said Robben may be fit for Sunday’s Bundesliga match at Bayer Leverkusen with the Bavarians looking for their ninth straight league win.

“He trained on Tuesday without problems, I am optimistic he can play at the end of the week,” said the Bayern coach.

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West Ham interested in shcok deal to re-sign Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:01:35 +0100

Rio eyeing return to his roots.

West Ham are interested in a shock deal to re-sign former player Rio Ferdinand, currently in Sir Alex Ferguson’s bad books at Manchester United.

So say our good friends at CaughtOffside.

Stranger things have happened of course and it’s worth noting that Harry Redknapp felt he had a serious chance of luring Ferdinand to White Hart Lane last summer, suggesting that the 33-year-old’s position at Old Trafford has been wobbly for some time.

The recent t-shirtgate drama seems to have been ironed out (sorry, couldn’t resist) by manager and player, with Sir Alex Ferguson insisting it was a mere communication breakdown, a claim backed-up by pictures of Ferdy and Fergie sharing a joke at training over the weekend.

Even so, the centre-half, signed from Leeds for a British record £33m, is not the player he once was. United have leaked goals at an alarming rate this season and Ferdinand has looked constantly vulnerable, particularly against the pace of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon in historic Spurs 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand is in the last year of his contract at Old Trafford and could start negotiations with rivals clubs as soon as January. If, as reportedly, United are interested in a new centre-half or the return of Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling forces Ferdy down the pecking order, perhaps the former England captain will fancy a return to East London.

Being back in his old stomping ground would give Ferdy the chance to end his career in the Premier League with regular first-team football and plot John Terry’s downfall in the same city as brother Anton.

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Man United fan Usain Bolt says he will take up football after Rio 2016

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:12:14 +0100

Bolt still obsessing over Manchester United dream.

World-record sprinter Usain Bolt has reiterated his desire to take up football and the Manchester United fan says he will try his hand at the beautiful game after the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“I would love to play,” the 100m and 200m record-holder said. “I’ve played football. I’ve played charity matches. Something I really want to try.

“And after Rio, I’ll just retire and just try and see if I’m any good in soccer, but I think I’d be pretty good because I play with my friends. I’ve played charity matches in Jamaica. I think I’m pretty good.”

If he does make a leap onto the pitch, his signature “lightning Bolt” stance could serve as a stellar goal celebration move.

After winning Olympic gold at Beijing in 2008 and London this past August, Bolt will try to “three-peat” at Rio in the 100, 200 and with the Jamaican 4x100m relay.

Bolt, a keen Red Devils supporter, had looked at the long jump for Rio but wants to ease the punishment on his knees.

“The plan was the long jump maybe before the Olympics but I’ve talked to my coach (Glen Mills) and he showed a little concern about the fact long jumps always create problems for the knees,” Bolt said.

“We are going to sit down and re-evaluate if we really want to do it as I might prejudice my opportunity to come to Rio so I might not do the long jump.”

Even Bolt at age 26 must fight to keep Father Time at bay for four more years.

“Depends on how I manage these four years,” Bolt said. “I’m thinking that if I do my time, try not to work too hard… I can work over those four years.

“It should be OK. I’m not really worried.”

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he may give Bolt his debut in a charity match against Real Madrid next year.

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Polish sports minister quits after England game wash-out

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:06:04 +0100

Poland’s Sports Minister Joanna Mucha has tendered her resignation, government spokesman Pawel Gras said Tuesday, amid a row over the Polish football team’s rain-postponed World Cup qualifier against England.

“Madame Minister Mucha placed herself at the disposal of Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday,” Gras said on his Twitter feed, after growing speculation she would step down.

Gras underlined that the decision came ahead of Wednesday’s widely-awaited report on an official inspection of operations at Poland’s National Sports Centre, a division of the ministry.

The centre runs the Kazimierz Gorski Stadium, a state-of-the-art arena in the heart of the capital Warsaw.

On Tuesday last week, it was meant to host one of the highest-profile matches in Poland’s drive to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But the game was called off when the referee ruled that torrential rain had made the pitch unplayable, and shifted to the following day, when Poland and England drew 1-1.

The 58,000-capacity stadium was purpose-built for the 2012 European football championships, which Poland hosted in June along with neighbouring Ukraine.

Fans, pundits and the government have questioned why the stadium’s landmark retractable roof was not closed before the match.

The Polish football association and stadium authorities have been trading blame, while critics also claim match observers from world football’s governing body FIFA failed to do their job.

The Warsaw pitch has also come in for criticism, having to be re-laid several times.

Former academic economist Mucha, now 36, was brought from the back benches of parliament to the cabinet after political centrist Tusk’s coalition won an unprecedented second term in the 2011 general election.

She was seen as a new broom in the male-dominated world of Polish sport.

While that ruffled traditionalists’ feathers, she also became known for a series of faux pas, and the widely-praised hosting of the European championships only provided temporary respite.

Ardent football fan Tusk has seen his opinion poll ratings slump, a slide driven in part by criticism of individual ministers.

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Juventus ready to drop interest in Manchester United winger Nani

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:59:17 +0100

Turin giants to pursue other targets.

According to Goal.com, Juventus are ready to shelve plans to sign Manchester United winger Nani, with the Old Lady prioritising the purchase of a striker instead.

The website believes that Juve’s Serie A rivals AC Milan and Internazionale remain interested in the frustratingly inconsistent Portuguese winger but the Turin club will focus all their efforts on landing Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao in January.

Certainly the evidence suggests that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is losing patience with Nani. The Scot tried in vain to bring Brazilian right-winer Lucas Moura to Old Trafford this summer before he joined PSG for the petrodollars, leading Fergie to describe transfer fees as “crazy” (cough*Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney*cough).

There’ll be no shortage of takers for Nani if Fergie does decide that the 25-year-old’s days at Old Trafford are numbered and don’t rule out a cheeky bid from Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who is a big fan.

Juve, meanwhile, continue to be linked with a raid on the Premier League. The Serie A Champs have been linked with the likes of Robin van Persie, Carlos Tevez, Luis Suarez and Dimitar Berbatov in the past few months but ended up with Nicklas Bendtner on loan from Arsenal.

If that trend continues, Juve will continue to be linked with Nani but end up with Stewart Downing on a short-term deal on January deadline day.

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Peterborough’s George Boyd scores from inside the...

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:44:41 +0100

Peterborough’s George Boyd scores from inside the centre-circle.

Matty Taylor-esq.

Via CaughtOffside.

Tennis shot of the year? Gregor Dimitrov with this beauty. Via...

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:41:03 +0100

Tennis shot of the year?

Gregor Dimitrov with this beauty.

Via balls.ie.

Manchester United to turn to Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels to solve defensive woes

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:11:00 +0100

Hummels could be the answer to Fergie’s prayers.

According to our friends at CaughtOffside, Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to turn to Borussia Dortmund centre-half Mats Hummels to solve the deepening defence crisis at Old Trafford.

And don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t a crisis: United simply can’t stop going behind and have gone a goal down in 10 of their 12 matches this season! Talk about slow starters.

Fortunately, Fergie has more attackers than he knows what to do with, which has somewhat masked the problem, but there’s no hiding the fact that United’s back-line is as flimsy as Lance Armstrong’s reputation at present.

With Rio Ferdinand showing his age (and his dislike of t-shirt campaigns) of late and Nemanja Vidic increasingly unfit, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Fergie dip into the January market.

And defenders don’t come much more reliable that Hummels. The 23-year-old German international has guided Dortmund to consecutive Bundesliga titles and a German cup win last season and his watched his former club Bayern Munich take an early 12 point lead over the holders this season. By January, the Bundesliga could be all over.

The only stumbling block may be competition from elsewhere. Real Madrid have been linked to Hummels in the past, while the ball-playing centre-back would also be a great buy for Barcelona, who can’t rely on Carles Puyol forever.

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Juventus join Man City and Liverpool in the race for Arsenal forward Theo Walcott

therealfanatix — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:49:21 +0100

Clubs forming queue for contract rebel Theo.

The race for Theo Walcott is hotting up, with the Daily Mail suggesting that Serie A giants Juventus have joined Man City and Liverpool in the hunt for the speedy wing…sorry, striker.

The England star is still locked in contract talks with Arsenal and, sorry Piers Morgan but it’s looking increasingly unlikely that a happy compromise will be reached between player and club.

Liverpool, who would take any cut-price attacker in world football at present, have a long-standing interest in Walcott, with boss Brendan Rodgers a big fan of employing speedy wingers (Stuart Downing, you don’t qualify).

City, too, seem interested but presumably this is less because they rate Walcott, more because they love pissing off Arsenal.

The former Southampton star has, of course, made it clear than one of his biggest beefs with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is the Frenchman’s refusal to play him up-front. It’s hard to see Walcott forcing out the likes of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli at Eastlands, particularly when the free-scoring Edin Dzeko is currently struggling to make the first XI.

At least at Anfield, he’d play as a striker out of necessity.

Meanwhile, the esteem Sportsmail reportedly “understands [Juventus boss Antonio] Conte is a huge admire of Walcot’s pacey, direct style”.

How they’ve discovered this, without quotes, seems remarkable but the report suggest the Old Lady are ready to match Walcott £100,000 a week wage demands and could pair him with another potential signing, Fernando Llorente - ironically also an Arsenal target.

Forgive our cynicism but we can’t see Walcott in Turin. Juve have been linked with every available Premier League player under the sun but rarely turn out to be anything other than a means of parent clubs upping the price.

Never thought we’d say this, but Merseyside looks his most likely destination.

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