Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand is adamant that the club’s players are behind captain Lee Cattermole, even though the former Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic star has been sent off twice already this season.
Former West Ham United star Ferdinand was handed the captain’s armband when Cattermole was dismissed in the 22nd minute of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic.
Cattermole is banned for this weekend’s game against Arsenal, with Ferdinand saying:“When it happened, you could see in his face how gutted he was. I spoke to him before he went off and just told him to keep his head up.
“Catts is a fantastic player and everyone can see what he brings to the team – his competitiveness and enthusiasm are why the manager made him captain.
“Sometimes he lets it boil over, but he wouldn’t be the same player if you tried to take his competitive edge away from him. He deserves to be captain. He’s only young and he has a lot of time to learn. For me, he’s still the right choice.
“I picked up the armband when Catts went off at Wigan because I was the nearest. Every time I’ve captained this football club I’ve enjoyed it but, in my eyes, Lee is the right man for the job.
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“But in the meantime, over the next two games against Arsenal and my old club West Ham, I’d be very, very proud to captain the side.”
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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has given his full support to Titus Bramble, who has been bailed over allegations of a rape at a Newcastle Hotel earlier this week.
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn had already given his backing to 29-year-old defender Bramble, with Bruce following up with his own message of support.
He told reporters:"As far as Titus is concerned, the one thing he wants to do is play football. He was in training this morning. He is a resilient so-and-so.
"We want the matter cleared up as soon as we possibly can and I reiterate what the chairman has put out, how we are fully supportive of him and we will stand right behind him.
"It is obviously unfortunate what has happened and it gets bad publicity and bad press for the club, which nobody wants to see.
"But we are absolutely adamant that Titus has done nothing wrong.
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"If there is anything he has done wrong, then he has had a night out when he shouldn't have."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Everton boss David Moyes has admitted his Merseyside derby record remains a source of frustration ahead of Sunday's showdown with Liverpool at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have lost eight of the last ten league derbies on home soil, much to the frustration of their Scottish coach.
On Sunday he will lock horns with friend Roy Hodgson for the first time since he took the Liverpool reins in the summer.
However, a rueful Moyes will not let sentiment stand in the way of a rare derby success for the blue half of the city.
"At Everton it's been difficult to win as many derbies as I'd hoped to have over the years," he explained.
"I could say that I've had a chance to bed down and Roy is just trying that now. He's at a new club.
"Liverpool's record against us is very good, but then you've got to mention that our debt is far, far less than Liverpool's so it's always been more difficult to get results."
Everton will be without five key players in Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jagielka, Louis Saha, Jack Rodwell and Victor Anichebe through injury and Moyes is only too aware of the threat posed by the Reds.
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He added:"I go into the game knowing we have a good team good players, although obviously we're missing a host of players.
"Liverpool have some fantastic individual players who can win games at any moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Everyone at Old Trafford will be sad to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leave. His 14 year association at the club has been nothing short of remarkable. He leaves Old Trafford with the blessings of Sir Alex Ferguson, the whole management team and most of all the fans. Manchester United owe a huge debt to one of the greatest finishers the club has ever had. During the treble season his goals were vitally important. His goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup – that kept the treble dream alive and of course the winner in the Champions League final. More on that tomorrow.
Many felt he would never leave Manchester United. Will his move into management see him return to Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson retires. He will not be the next manager, but will this move allow him to prove he has the credentials to be a Manchester United manager in the future.
Solskjaer returns to manage the club he left in 1996. Speaking to the Sky Sports, Solskjaer couldn’t hide his passion and love for Old Trafford.
”I’m looking forward to this challenge but it’s massively hard to leave Manchester United. When I told the manager I almost had a tear in my eye.”
Solskjaer couldn’t have a better mentor in Sir Alex Ferguson. He has coached with Ferguson for three and a half years, and the knowledge and skills he will have learnt will stand him in good stead for future managerial challenges. Ferguson showed his faith in the Norwegian’s abilities by making him the reserve manager, a role that he has thrived in. Young players have commented how they love to play for Solskjaer, and alongside Ferguson, Neville, Giggs and Scholes, there can be no better inspiration for Manchester United youngsters.
Solskjaer has expressed a desire to manager Manchester United. Again speaking with Sky Sports, he expressed such an interest.
“Anyone who’s played for United would love to manage the club – but as the manager told me, you need experience and this is the first step for me. Maybe in 25 years, maybe that’s the time.”
There is nothing to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t one day manage Manchester United. First he will have to learn what kind of manager he is. Look at how many of Ferguson’s ex players have made successful Premier League managers. This is testament to Ferguson. He will mentor and teach but he knows that experience is the best coach. Ferguson believes in Solskjaer and knows the move will make him a better manager.
The fans would love one day to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm. He is living proof that in a profession that is dominated by money and fame, sometimes the good guy comes out on top. He is a lovable character, always smiling – knowing full well how lucky we was to play under Sir Alex Ferguson and play for Manchester United. He has as much passion for Manchester United as Gary Neville, but shows it in a more considered and measured way.
Solskjaer’s contribution on the pitch and on the coaching staff will never be forgotten by Manchester United. If he is a successful manager in years to come and Manchester United need a manager, it would be amazing to see him back. This is without doubt the right step for him on his rise to the ultimate goal. He will have strong competition if the situation ever arose but something tells me, and I hope I am right, Manchester United haven’t seen the last of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Like what you read? Tomorrow I will be showcasing Solskjaer’s ten best moments at Old Trafford so have a read. Also, contact me on twitter
Click on image below to see a gallery of Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest lady
Arsenal are another side that really need to prove their credentials as long-term challengers for the Premier League title. A home defeat to Newcastle last weekend was a major setback, and Wolves’ enterprising display on Wednesday did little to suggest that the Gunners old weakness of failing to get points against the smaller sides has left them.
Everton are ticking along unnoticed amongst the promoted clubs punching above their weight and the old hands struggling to come to terms with this season’s challenges. Toffees fans will have been delighted with Jermaine Beckford’s late goal to deny Bolton on Wednesday night, not least because it was the former Leeds man’s first Premier League goal since arriving at Goodison Park.
Recent form might suggest Arsenal could struggle here but Arsene Wenger will know that a win here is crucial to dispel doubters about the strength, both mental and physical, of his Arsenal squad.
Prediction: 0-2
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This weekend in the Premier League there are plenty of matches to warm you up and beat the snow. The Premiership title contenders will all be confident of wins against their opponents, with Manchester United looking to build on the seven goals they scored against Blackburn last weekend and put plenty past Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Some of the in form players for fantasy football players to look out for are Arsenal’s Samir Nasri who will be the man to watch against Fulham at The Emirates, while Mario Balotelli will be looking to add to his midweek double and fire Manchester City to victory at home to Bolton. You can see this week’s Premiership predictions in full here.
Do you agree with the Premier League predictions made this week?
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Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 17
Overall standings
1. Steve Bates – 73
2. Martin Lipton – 73
3. Andy Dunn – 72
4. Shaun Custis – 71
5. Des Kelly – 71
6. Danny Fullbrook – 66
7. Glenn Moore – 66
8. Patrick Barclay – 60
–
Final November standings:
1. Andy Dunn 18 (3)
2. Shaun Custis 17 (4)
3. Martin Lipton 17 (5)
4. Steve Bates 16 (4)
5. Glenn Moore 14 (5)
6. Patrick Barclay 13 (3)
7. Des Kelly 13 (4)
8. Danny Fullbrook 12 (2)
–
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Wolves
D
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
D
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
H
Wigan
V
Stoke
A
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
H
Blackburn v Wolves: Rovers to throw everything at the Wolves
Des Kelly (Daily Mail)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Wolves
D
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
D
Man City
V
Bolton
A
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
D
Wigan
V
Stoke
A
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
A
Arsenal v Fulham: After a couple of hiccups against Spurs Braga, Arsenal seem back on track. The Gunners’ vulnerability at home (W4, L3) gives Fulham a glimmer of hope but Arsene Wenger’s side should have enough firepower.
Shaun Custis (The Sun)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Wolves
A
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
H
Sunderland
V
West Ham
D
West Brom
V
Newcastle
D
Wigan
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
H
Liverpool v Aston Villa: Emotional return for Gerard Houllier and Gary McAllister but it is a trip destined to end in disappointment.
Head to the next page for more football predictions…
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Andy Dunn (News of the World)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
H
Blackburn
V
Wolves
A
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
D
Man City
V
Bolton
H
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
H
Wigan
V
Stoke
A
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
H
Man City v Bolton – Owen Coyle’s team may be the surprise package of the season but Man City are beginning to find some consistency and should be too strong.
Martin Lipton (The Mirror)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Wolves
A
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
H
Sunderland
V
West Ham
A
West Brom
V
Newcastle
H
Wigan
V
Stoke
D
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
D
Birmingham v Tottenham: Spurs have had a great run recently but St Andrews is a hard place to win and Birmingham will work themselves silly to take at least a point
Steve Bates (The People)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Wolves
H
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
H
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
D
Wigan
V
Stoke
D
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
D
Blackpool v Man United: Sir Alex Ferguson’s stars rarely suffer back to back defeats and after the hammer horror at Upton Park I expect a back-lash against Blackpool – weather permitting!
Danny Fulbrook (Daily Star)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Wolves
D
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
H
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
A
Wigan
V
Stoke
A
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
D
Sunderland v West Ham: The Hammers might have won two in a row but they will lose this one
Glenn Moore (The Independent)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Fulham
H
Birmingham
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Wolves
D
Blackpool
V
Man United
A
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
Man City
V
Bolton
D
Sunderland
V
West Ham
H
West Brom
V
Newcastle
H
Wigan
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
Aston Villa
H
Chelsea v Everton: Two teams which have underachieved recently as injuries, then failing confidence, affected performances; Chelsea to recover their form first.
Having reportedly given Avram Grant 3 games to save his job at West Ham (although he is apparently none the wiser) David Gold and David Sullivan, have finally set out a time table for the Israeli based on performances and not on an inexplicable, unwavering loyalty to the 55 year-old. I have always advocated that Grant should retain his job on merit and not on a 5-year plan that the Davids had set out, and having seen West Ham through their worst start to a Premier League season, currently sitting rock bottom of the Premier League having played one more game than all their nearest rivals, Grant has got to go.
The appointment of Grant turned heads in the summer, and logic would tend to dictate, when you have a side that avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last year, appointing a man whose most recent appointment ended in relegation is not really conducive to bettering a side’s fortunes. Add to that some fairly ill-advised and unlucky signings in the summer and overall you have a recipe for a club, that, if put in the Premier League oven for a season, will come out a mid-table Championship side. Nevertheless, it was only fair to give the Israeli some time to prove himself.
However, enough is enough, forget three games, Grant needs to go now, and a new appointment made so that they can bring their own players and style of play to the club over January, ready to launch mission impossible over the dying months of the season.
West Ham appear to be a mess on all levels, from the circus at the top, to the performances on the pitch, and, unfortunately Avram adds to this mess instead of offsetting it. This may have been Avram’s fresh start after inheriting success with Chelsea and failure with Portsmouth, but the experiment is surely over for him, and it is back to the drawing board for each party.
An uphill struggle is a gross understatement when applied to West Ham’s season to come, but if they are going to achieve the highly unlikely and stay in the top flight, then Grant has got to go, sooner, rather than later, and he needs to be astutely replaced, otherwise the Davids can put their long-term plans for the club in the bin, as they will be devastated by short-term disaster.
If you liked this and woul dlike to read more, then why not check out my blogs, or follow me on Twitter.
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As you read this, some club somewhere is preparing to announce their interest in Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Most of the bottom half of the Premier League have already made it clear that the 30-year-old striker is at the top of their wish-lists.
There’s good reason for all the hoo-ha – Robbie Keane is a proven goalscorer. Check his record. Wherever he has been, he has brought goals with him. During his original stay at Spurs he scored 80 goals in 197 appearances. He has 104 caps for the Irish national team and 45 goals, making him Ireland’s all-time record goalscorer. With his tally of 121 Premier League goals he is the League’s eleventh highest goalscorer of all time.
This is a man with credentials.
It’s clear that there’s no space for him in the Tottenham squad and that it’s time for him to move on. It’s highly unlikely that Robbie will remain a Spurs player by the end of the January transfer window. Why is it then that only teams struggling to avoid relegation seem to be interested in Robbie? Why are the likes of Birmingham and Wolves the forerunners for his signature?
Harry Redknapp has confirmed that City have made a £7 million bid for the striker, but any such deal remains far from complete.
I understand that teams fighting at the bottom need goals in order to beat the drop. Robbie Keane may seem like the perfect solution. But goals are equally important at the top of the League. Aren’t Liverpool, Manchester City (although with Dzeko on the way, perhaps not) and dare I say it, Chelsea in dire need of a proven striker?
Is there a perception that Keane can’t cut it at the highest level anymore? I can’t help but feel that if Spurs gave Robbie a decent chance he’d prove that he’s still got what it takes. He’s certainly a better footballer than, say, Peter Crouch. He may be older, but he’s still got a few years left at the top of his game.
Robbie Keane would be an excellent purchase for the likes of Birmingham City. In fact, I’m sure his acquisition alone will be enough to keep them in the Premier League. But Robbie Keane must prove that he’s still ambitious by seeking a move to as big a club as possible.
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier confessed that the club were interested in signing the striker some time back. You can’t help but feel that Keane would be a perfect fit at a club like Villa. They remain an ambitious side who need a decent striker. With Keane in tow, I wouldn’t be surprised if Aston Villa finished the season on a high note.
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What’s your take? Can Keane still compete at the top of the game?
For more footballing debate and discussion please feel free to follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter.
[divider]
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Inter Milan coach Leonardo admitted Udinese played the better football during the reigning champions’ 3-1 away defeat.
Goals by Cristian Zapata, Antonio Di Natale and Maurizio Domizzi gave Udinese the deserved win on Sunday, as well as Leonardo’s first defeat since replacing Rafa Benitez.
“They did very well,” Leonardo conceded.
“The first half of the match was very even but the most difficult thing is to play against a team with quick forwards and two wingers who put pressure on us.”
“We scored the first goal, but they turned it around before the break. I believe that we suffered in the second half of the match.”
“The first half was more balanced, but we suffered more in the second half and it was even more difficult after their third goal.”
Leonardo praised his team’s attacking style in the first 45 minutes.
“Well, I think that we were missing nothing at the beginning,” he said.
“We approached the match in the best possible way and we could have gone 2-0 up after the way we started, but it wasn’t to be.”
“We conceded two goals in the first half and in the second we found it difficult to keep the ball up front against a quick, counter-attacking side.”
Leonardo said the three goals that Udinese scored came from bad defensive errors.
“Well, their three goals came from dead balls and bounces,” he said.
“The third goal especially was quite strange: the ball came in and Domizzi just got ahead of the goalkeeper and scored.”
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“If we analyse the goals, of course they could have been avoided.”
“It’s not a case of being surprised by the opposing team’s dead ball tactics. It’s just bounces and it’s a matter of seconds: a kick from outside the area, a free kick by Di Natale and the strange goal by Domizzi.”
“The goals happened in this way. In any case they could have also happened in open play, since Udinese were able to create many chances.”
Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for a meeting with cross-town rivals Manchester United in an eagerly anticipated clash on Saturday.
The early kick-off presents City with an opportunity to close the gap on table-topping United to just two points and any victory would give them a very real chance of winning their first Premier League/First Division title since 1968.
But winning at Old Trafford is easier said than done and City boast just one win at the venue since 1974.
That win came in 2008 when goals from Darius Vassell and Benjani gave the blue side of Manchester a famous 2-1 victory.
While City come into the game full of confidence after an easy 3-0 win over West Brom, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were surprise 2-1 losers to then-bottom Wolves at Molineux.
The defeat gives Ferguson’s side the perfect chance to fight back in one of the biggest fixtures in English football as midfielder Darren Fletcher explained.
“All of the lads will be up for it and it’s one of those games that provides the perfect opportunity to bounce back,” Fletcher said.
“It’s a local derby so all the players will be up for it, the fans will be up for it and we’ll be ready for the game.”
A full card of international fixtures in the build-up to the game will affect the preparation of both sides and Ferguson admitted the scheduling was ‘crazy’ with both sides having numerous players involved.
“Unfortunately we have got international matches in midweek which in my view is crazy, but we have to get on with it,” he said.
Wayne Rooney featured in England’s 2-1 win in Denmark, making a 45-minute cameo, although City’s star Carlos Tevez, who scored a hat-trick against West Brom last week, did not feature for Argentina against Portugal because of ‘attitude problems’.
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Tevez, a former Manchester United player, will no doubt be roundly booed throughout the match, but will hope for a goal that would silence the Old Trafford crowd and bring him level with Dimitar Berbatov at the top of the Premier League’s scoring charts.
The Argentine may enjoy some extra freedom with Manchester United’s key defender Rio Ferdinand still sidelined with a calf strain while midfielder Antonio Valencia is still approximately a fortnight away from returning from an ankle injury.
Manchester City have their own worries with midfielder Adam Johnson and striker Mario Balotelli ruled out thanks to ankle and knee injuries respectively while defender Micah Richards is in doubt with concussion.