All posts by h79snht.top

The season’s first Super Sunday did not disappoint with regard to providing a few sturdy talking points as West Ham made the short trip across London to face Arsenal at the Emirates.Admittedly goalmouth action was few and far between during the Hammers’ surprise 2-0 victory but the Premier League debut of Reece Oxford (just a sweet 16) and some truly terrifying goalkeeping (if you’re an Arsenal fan) meant that fans up and down the country will be debating exactly what went down at the Emirates Stadium.Buckle yourself in and enjoy our Three things we learned from Arsenal vs West Ham…

1. Pinning hopes on Petr Cech *may* have been a tad premature

So… it turns out that simply buying Petr Cech does not guarantee success after all.

With weeks of commenters suggesting that Cech was the missing piece of the jigsaw, destined to bring Premier League glory back to north London, that theory seems to have imploded rather spectacularly.

The giant stopper has definitely at fault for Cheikhou Kouyaté’s opener after coming storming off his line to be stranded in No Man’s Land while Mauro Zarate’s snap turn for the second goal caught Cech flatfooted and way out of position.

Of course, it will take Cech time to bed in. But this won’t quite be the fairytale combination Arsenal fans dreamed it may be.

2. Bilic’s West Ham could be a beautiful thing

Facing your first test as a Premier League gaffa at the Emirates isn’t an enviable position to be in, but Slaven Bilic passed with flying colours.

A compact and disciplined display from the Hammers rendered Arsenal’s kaleidoscope of attacking talents relatively redundant throughout the match. Including Reece Oxford from the off was a ballsy move, while Mauro Zárate and Sakho up top looked a dangerous combo.

Kudos too, to Bilic, for resting up most of his players going into this game. Only two first team players started for the Hammers in the Europa League midweek and, while they crashed out of the tournament, Bilic will be having the last laugh for sure.

3. The future’s bright for Reece Oxford

16 years old and straight in for your Premier League debut against Arsenal at the Emirates? We’re not sure we can think of too many more daunting experiences in the world of football.

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But fair play to West Ham’s youngest ever player, he came through this one with great credit. A lung-bursting run alongside Sakho saw the striker too selfish to feed Oxford in around the 20 minute mark, while throughout Oxford marshalled his back four very well against the tiki-taka threat posed by the likes of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.

The future’s bright indeed for Oxford but perhaps it’s for the best not too talk it up too early.

Valencia’s star Spain midfielder David Silva has admitted that he is aware of interest in his services from England, but insists that his only current focus is on the World Cup finals.

The 24-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, but Silva is content to wait for reported interest to be firmed up.

He told Superdeporte:“My future right now is with the international team and I do not think beyond that.

“I am devoting myself to training ahead of the World Cup – that is the most important thing, nothing else.

“The club is in a difficult situation, but we did well to get into the Champions League, which was important. I have a contract signed up to 2013 and I do not have any problems with the club.

“I have heard about the interest from the Premier League, but any questions will be answered by my agent and the club.”

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Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has confirmed that no bids have been tabled for the Premier League outfit since they were put on the market by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in May.

The Merseysiders, who announced Roy Hodgson as the club's new manager on Thursday, have been the subject of buy-out rumours recently, but British Airways chairman Broughton has admitted no offers have actually been made.

However, he has suggested a number of interested parties are lining up lucrative offers for the English and European giants.

Speaking to reporters, he said:"There have not been any offers at this stage.

"There haven't been any offers to turn down and I wouldn't have expected there to have been at this stage. There are a number of interested parties but there's no specific deadline on it.

"We are looking to the middle of July-ish for the first round of bids but that's not a final stage – that's a first entry through.

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"We're hopeful – and I wouldn't put it any stronger than that – that a deal can be done by the end of the transfer season.

"That was always from the outset a hope rather than necessarily an expectation, because these things can take time. We are on course, pretty well, with where we would have expected to be."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that talks have begun in an effort to lure goalkeeper David James to Parkhead.

Lennon is hoping to sign the veteran England international from Portsmouth following the departure of former number one Artur Boruc to Fiorentina.

The 39-year-old shot-stopper is out of contract at Fratton Park and available on a free transfer following the south coast club's relegation from the Premier League last season.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and West Ham keeper has been offered a player-coach role by Pompey but has yet to put pen to paper.

"We are still a long way off and it's early days in terms of negotiation," Lennon is quoted as saying.

"But just the fact he is interested is very encouraging from our point of view.

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"I want to get the best goalkeeper I possibly can.

"Not only for the league and Europe but also someone who can fill Artur's shoes – and he's one who can."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Terry Neill was once a centre-back at Arsenal and also became the clubs manager during the years of 1976-1983, but after retiring from the game all those years ago, what has Neill been up to?

I feel it only right that we take a look back at what the Northern Irishman achieved during his playing and managerial career:

The former Northern Ireland international signed for the Gunners on December 1959, where he spent one year in the youth ranks before making his senior debut on the 23rd of December against Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 18.

In the 1964/65 season, Neill established himself as one of the youngest players in Billy Wright’s team, playing in either the centre-back or full-back role. Wright’s successor Bertie Mee kept Neill in his plans when he took over in 1966. During this decade Terry Neill became a regular for the Gunners, appearing in over 40 games for three consecutive seasons, as well as playing in the 1968 League Cup against Leeds in which Arsenal lost. Cementing his place in the Arsenal line-up, Neill was also an intricate apart of the Northern Ireland set-up.

The centre-back made 59 appearances for his country during the years of 1961-1973, and was also given the captaincy in 1968. Neill was an intellectual and uncompromising centre-back who also possessed flair and physicality.

Terry Neill was diagnosed with Jaundice which restricted the defender’s appearances for both club and country in the 1968/69 season. Evidently, the centre-back missed the 1969 League Cup final against Swindon Town, in which Arsenal lost. Incapable of regaining his first-team place at Arsenal, Neill only managed to make 25 appearances in the 1969/70 season and soon became a bit part player for the club. During his 11 years at Arsenal, the centre-back made 275 appearances for the club and scored a total of 10 goals along the way.

In 1970, Terry Neill signed for Hull City as a player-manager at only the age of 28 (one of the youngest ever managers in the history of the game). A year later the defender also became player-manager of his country. Neill made over 100 appearances for Hull City during the years of 1970-1973 and a year later signed for Tottenham. Neill spent 2 years at White Hart Lane before taking over at Arsenal from Bertie Mee at the age of 34 (the clubs youngest manager to date).

During his 7 year reign at Arsenal, Neill guided the North London club to a trio of F.A. Cup finals (1978, 1979 and 1980) where they won the 1979 one. Arsenal also managed to reach the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1980 but sadly lost to Valencia on penalties. This was the best Neill could do and was unfortunately sacked in 1983 after a League Cup exit to Walsall.

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Terry Neill retired from the game at the age of 41, and has since opened up several sports bars in Hendon and Holborn in Central London. In his spare time the former Arsenal player-manager also appears on Arsenal TV where he commentates on games. Neill is also well respected amongst the Arsenal faithful and at times loves to go and see the current squad at the Emirates.

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The sight of a tearful David Beckham being carried from the San Siro pitch with a ruptured Achilles prior to the World Cup will have moved many people but the question that will now undoubtedly be posed is whether Beckham will ever grace the highest domestic level again.

When he sustained his injury against Chievo Verona, the inevitable outpour of sentiment and deep sympathy greeted his World Cup absence but cast that aside and you were left to contemplate the cruel veracity that England lost a fringe player.

Beckham, for all the glamour, has perhaps now seen the struggle with the same injury that denied him the dream chance of representing England at four World Cups end his career of top-flight football.

His age and fading powers may mean he will never play for Milan or any big club again and new AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri fears this perception holds great truth.

He said: “I don’t think it’s possible that he will come back. He is recovering from a bad injury and at that age it is difficult to come back.”

Beckham himself admitted he was behind schedule for a return and he would not be able to play again until November at the earliest. This means missing the entire MLS season with LA Galaxy unless they reach the Play-Offs and this has resulted in links to the Premier League.

However, despite his enduring popularity as an ambassador for the English game, Beckham would surely turn down the chance to return to England as a bit-part player for West Ham United leaving English fans to instead revel in the majesty of his prime.

In 265 Premier League games at Manchester United he scored 61 goals, making himself Beckham the hero, Beckham the icon in the process. A move to West Ham United would surely be the wrong move?  A name like Beckham’s would attract welcome media attention at Upton Park for new owners David Sullivan and David Gold who are vying for the Olympic Stadium after 2012, as opposed to being for the right footballing reasons.

My deep respect for Beckham as a professional has never diminished through the years and is typified by his display of remarkable fortitude in returning to the England set-up we thought he had left in 2006 but the sentiment from the new AC Milan coach rings true.

Despite this belief, it does not impede a feeling of great sorrow that such an illustrious career was ended within in a split second in a loan spell that was meant to help Beckham not endanger his career.

With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Manchester City winger Adam Johnson is hoping he has done enough to force his way into the England starting line-up during the current international break.

The 23-year-old wideman has responded to being left out of the World Cup squad for South Africa with two eye-catching substitute displays in the Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Johnson bagged his first and second international goals in the double-header with what has been the perfect response to manager Fabio Capello following his summer snub.

The former Middlesbrough youngster is now hoping to take the next step into the starting line-up.

After scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Basel, Johnson said:"The aim is to make a contribution. You're disappointed not to be starting.

"You want to do your best when you come on and try to push to get into the starting XI.

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"I've tried to do that and I've got a couple of goals to show my efforts but it's up to the manager."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It has all gone quiet in the corridors of power that run deep through Anfield. Ever since Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang pulled out of the running as a contender to complete a buy-out of Liverpool FC last month, there has been little information released from the club’s press office regarding a takeover.

Current chairman Martin Broughton, brought in to oversee the sale of the famous club, is keeping a decidedly low profile, as the club’s supporters grow increasingly more anxious over the future of the Reds and their burdening debt.

In just 20 days, on 6 October, Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are required to repay their creditors, the Royal Bank of Scotland, loans totalling £285m. When deadline day arrives the Americans must have either sold the club, found new loans to finance their old ones or persuade RBS to extend the deadline once more. Alternatively, RBS can call in the debt and take temporary charge of the club until it is sold.

Broughton is currently overseeing the sale of the club along with investment bank Barclays Capital, who are advising in the sale. Despite this, Hicks has still been able to place an unrealistic £500m valuation on the club which so far has been refused to be matched by potential investors. RBS are clearly frustrated by the lack of developments, with the October deadline fast-approaching, and may look to take direct control over the sales process in a last-ditch bid to finalise a deal.

In the meantime however, the current much maligned five-man Liverpool board still retain control over evaluating all the offers and have so far been unable to conclude a takeover deal. The board initially wanted to conclude a deal before the end of last months’ transfer window but do not look any closer today to securing new investment. Broughton revealed last month:

“It still remains the objective to conclude a deal before the end of the transfer window.

“Any bids that go straight to RBS – and there have been several – come to me and are directed to Barcap,” Broughton said. “RBS are not involved. The control remains with the board.”

That was the last update Liverpool fans heard from Broughton as he revealed there were several offers on the boardroom table to be considered. The club have now spent five months looking for a buyer and given the lack of information from Broughton you wouldn’t bet on the Reds finding one over the next three weeks. Clearly the current offers submitted are not tempting enough for the club to sell and other potential investors may be waiting to see what happens on 6 October.

Should the club fail to find a buyer Hicks and Gillett will again attempt to refinance the debt and hang on until the club is sold at a price they can make a reasonable profit from. RBS would of course be more than happy to oblige given the amount of money they are making through interest. This would be the worst case scenario for the club and potential investors who are hoping RBS will force the Americans out and seize control of the club.

Should RBS take control they will be more interested in securing a deal at a cheaper price than the Americans for a quick return on their investment. This opens up more possibilities for the club in their quest for new owners and would remove the much despised Hicks and Gillett from the boardroom in a short space of time.

Fans should be careful what they wish for however and you wonder how much time, consideration and effort RBS would put into choosing the ideal candidate capable of building a bright new future for Liverpool. Ultimately the bank are likely only be interested in receiving the return of their investment as quickly as possible and will not care what the intentions of Liverpool’s potential list of new owners could be.

It seems as though the end of Hicks and Gillett’s desperate reign is slowly coming to its end as the deadline approaches, but Reds fans shouldn’t celebrate just yet, the future of Liverpool FC still hangs in the balance.

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Top TEN: Premier League Mavericks

Top TEN: Controversial Premier League moments

Tottenham Hotspur have in their grasp one of the most supreme young talents in the Premiership today. He comes in the form of Gareth Bale and the progression that Bale has made over the past couple of season is insurmountable and a credit to both the club and player. They have each shown their respective determination and faith in the other, with both parties realising what is on offer once achieved. They are now both profiteering from the aforementioned pact, with Bale a rampaging marauder on the left wing who seems intent on accumulating the most goals and assists he possibly can and Spurs reaping the rewards as a collective. Harry Redknapp has managed the young player’s mentality well, having a proven history in his management style of getting the best out of players. In Harry-esque fashion, when questioned over his psychological approach to Bale’s poor form, he is quoted as saying: “Have I had to talk to Bale about mental toughness? A bit, yeah. I just said, ‘Stop messing about with your barnet’. I said, ‘C’mon Gareth, stop messing about with your hair’. He was always at it.”

Regardless of which mental approaches, or lack thereof, that Redknapp took, it has now become reasonable for other clubs to take an interest in the 21 year old prospect. Tonight Spurs will face Inter Milan in the Champions League and if you’ve observed the latest media speculation, then you will have noted that Inter are interested in luring Bale to the San Siro. So what is to be made of this courting by Inter?

Well if Tottenham are to continue their voyage into the top positions of the Premiership and even possibly challenge for the title in the not too distant future, then suitors of this kind will have to be turned away at the door with bouquet in hand and tail between their legs. In the process of amassing a force that could challenge the dominance of a present regime, you don’t release one of your most valued assets and hope you could replace them. Luckily, Redknapp has been judiciously telling possible inquirers in no uncertain terms that Gareth Bale is much like the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a no go area.

To progress and mount a credible challenge for the Premiership is no small feat indeed, but it is one made slightly less arduous when you have a character such as Bale. There are an infinite number of reasons why Redknapp shouldn’t be enticed by large sums of money for the acquisition of Bale by another club. Everything seems to be in the ascendancy for Spurs, having qualified for the Champions League after finishing fourth last season and looking strong this season with Bale at the forefront of Tottenham’s attacking options. All of this excellent work shouldn’t be jeopardized in the selling of Gareth Bale, but with Redknapp at the helm I’m fairly certain Inter, if they do indeed make an offer, will be left flicking through their little black book in order to try and salvage their pride.

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Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has vowed to stand by Andy Carroll and provide support for the troubled striker.

Carroll, 21, was charged with assault on Monday following reports of an alleged altercation with a former girlfriend.

"With everything you have to learn by your mistakes," said Hughton."All individuals are different but these are issues we have to deal with.

"The most important thing is to give him the support and the guidance he needs and that he continues to keep doing what he does right on the training pitch and in matches.

"From my point of view and the club's point of view, these are the things we have to deal with and we have to deal with them in the appropriate manner."

Meanwhile, Hughton has confirmed that the four-goal striker could still be included in the squad for Saturday's trip to West Ham United.

"I have decisions to make regarding the squad but all those decisions will be made solely on footballing reasons," he added.

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"With Andy, he has concentrated very much on his football.

"He is a strong-minded individual and I am quite sure he will be in the right frame of mind to play football, quite sure."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email