Sam Allardyce has admitted that his team have exceeded his expectations this season.
West Ham beat Southampton 4-1 at Upton Park on Saturday and Allardyce has been impressed with the start the Hammers have had.
“This is a fantastic start considering we have just been promoted… We’ve done the job better than I expected with 14 points from eight and we’re on two or three more points more than I had hoped,” he said.
The former Blackburn Rovers gaffer has made it clear that the Hammers will now concentrate on their away fixture at Wigan and getting two wins in a row.
“We focus on Wigan away now. Our last away game was against Queens Park Rangers, which was a terrific performance and a well-deserved victory. Can we now go and get our first back-to-back wins in the Premier League?
“When you’ve won a game, to go and try to win the next one is a massive ask and it makes a huge difference. That’s our aim. Wigan haven’t won at home so there might be a lack of confidence there, so if we can take advantage of that then we might do back-to-back wins,” he added.
However, he has warned that bigger tests are to come, “We don’t get too carried away because the fixtures have been very kind to us. The teams that we have played in our first games were very difficult but there’s only Arsenal in there that might be in the top four that we’ve played.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Mark Noble, Modibo Maiga and Kevin Nolan scored the Hammers’ goals in last weekend’s victory over Southampton.
Marseille are hoping to make Joey Barton’s loan move from QPR a permanent switch at the end of the season.
The midfielder moved to France over the summer after falling out of favour with the Premier League strugglers.
Barton has had a successful spell at the Stade Velodrome so far, settling into the first-team and making eight appearances.
Marseille are impressed with the 30-year-old and have stated their willingness to extend his spell at the club:
“We haven’t started the discussions yet with QPR but he’s a likeable lad and we want to keep him, although we have no guarantees.” The club’s sporting director Jose Anigo told Sky Sports.
“We have very good relations with QPR and extending the loan could be on the cards.
“He likes it in Marseille, he loves this city, which breathes football.”
Barton is seen as somewhat of a controversial figure in English football, with a series of off-field issues leading to a reputation as a troublemaker.
However, Anigo praised the former Manchester City man’s approach, and believes that a lot of the club’s other players could learn from him:
“He has a good attitude. He’s a good professional in his work and in his day-to-day commitment. A lot of French players should take their example from him.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Barton started his senior career with Manchester City before a series of incidents led to his eventual departure.
He joined Newcastle in 2007 and then switched to QPR four years later.
We have all seen it, and no club has avoided it – the dreaded panic buy that turns out to be a flop. Pressure from fans to force through a deal is generally the reason behind the irrational purchase, that on any other day would be laughed off.
Granted it may be the manager having a sudden paddy over his defence or attack, however the thought of the transfer window slamming shut has often created some of the most ridiculous deadline day decisions ever.
Unusually, Arsene Wenger provided one of the best signings in the Premier League throughout the whole transfer window late on deadline day, with the recruitment of German international Mesut Ozil a surprise to everyone (probably even Wenger himself).
However, as we are well aware, Wenger isn’t always so successful in his deadline day recruitment.
With that in mind, here are FIVE players from recent seasons who did not enjoy the best of times at Arsenal after signing on that dreaded of dates in the calendar – Deadline Day.
Click on Mart Poom to see FIVE Deadline Day shockers at Arsenal
When Mick McCarthy took over we all expected him to chop and change everything in order to get results, but in fact it seems like the opposite has happened.
The Ipswich boss has actually said that he would like to keep as many of the current players at the club as possible which in ways has been surprising.
After all, earlier in the season a vast majority of the players were putting in performances that would be considered poor even by League One standards. It is safe to say that most of the fans had given up on those players and were just hoping for a January overhaul, but McCarthy has other ideas.
He has made just a couple simple changes to the side and focused on getting the best out of the under-performers. Results have improved drastically and the relegation worries now seem like a thing of the past.
January will still be a very interesting month for Ipswich even without a huge overhaul though. There are still six or seven players on short-term deals and the club need to decide which ones they want to keep on permanently.
I expect that Ipswich will end up keeping around half of them and the other half will move elsewhere. The players that leave will probably be replaced by one or two quality signings but even then I won’t be expecting too much.
McCarthy has said that he will refrain from buying too many players in January because he believes that prices will be high due to a number of clubs being desperate to make changes. This is probably the smart option to take for a number of additional reasons.
First of all, the current team are getting good results lately so there is no real need to make big changes. The Tractor Boys are not winning every game but they are winning just as much as they are losing, which will be enough to keep them safe.
Secondly, with the financial fair play rules now in place it would be foolish to waste money for no real reason. Ipswich aren’t going up this season and as long as they don’t go down to League One it will be a successful season. I would much rather see McCarthy invest the money he has at his disposal on the right players in the summer, rather than waste it on January panic buys.
It is encouraging to see the former Wolves manager taking an approach that looks after the club in the short-term as well as the long-term.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Of course it is frustrating to roll out the usual phrase of “it is all about next season” because I have heard everyone repeating that line for nearly ten years now. However that is all we can do as fans; just patiently see this season pass by and hope that the next brings us better things.
Personally I am hoping that McCarthy uses what is left of this season to give some younger players a go in the first team. As soon as we are completely safe from relegation then that should be the priority and hopefully we can develop the core of a decent side for next season.
Much has been made of Arsene Wenger’s tactical short-comings against Manchester United. Aaron Ramsey starting on the right wing, ahead of an under-utilised Theo Walcott, persistence with Olivier Giroud and the catastrophic decision to not drop Andre Santos against the league’s best collection of wingers.
While these are all valid points, there’s a much greater problem at Arsenal undermining their ambition – their wage structure. I also think there’s an argument no matter what team Wenger put on to the pitch they would have struggled due to the inferiority of Arsenal’s squad in comparison to the best three teams in the Premier League.
The Gunners spend a vast amount of their riches on wages but receive none of the reward for their spending with their top players often looking elsewhere to earn more and win more. The fault comes from the over-spending on mediocrity. Players like Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Johan Djourou whose first team importance have always minimal receive much higher weekly wages at Arsenal then they would at either Manchester club or Chelsea. Arsenal are always near the top of the wage bill table in the Premier League easily exceeding £100 million expenditure per year on their wages. Bit part players such as Marouane Chamakh, Bendtner and Sebastien Squilacci shouldn’t be earning over £50,000 per week.
If Arsenal didn’t blow such a high percentage of their wage budget on irrelevant players they’d be a lot closer Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. If the weekend’s match is anything to go by they’d do well to finish within 20 points of England’s three premier teams in 2013. Prior to his move away from Arsenal in the summer, The Arsenal Truth, reported Carlos Vela was earning £50,000 a week at the club, which is madness, considering the Mexico international never established himself in the first team. I doubt any Arsenal fans would rather see the current egalitarian system than an alternative where players are paid according to ability and the club offer greater deals to marquee men such as Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri who criminally suffered due to the structure.
I’m not suggesting it’s as simplistic as offering squad players less lucrative contracts and doubling the money your best players receive. Chelsea outspend the Gunners on wages reportedly having a squad costing £191 million last year. United and City’s wage budgets are also supposedly higher, but not to the disparity currently seen between squads. Wenger must also take the blame for poor transfers, the lacklustre Andrey Arshavin remains one of the club’s highest earners and due to his £80,000 a week wages shifting him has proved problematic. The Frenchman’s misplaced trust in Giroud and Gervinho has also affected the team; seemingly the £20 million blown on their combined transfers could have been spent better.
Much like Arsenal’s transfer policy which has seen them slip from title contenders, to their current state, where now their 63-year-old boss considers finishing fourth to be a trophy in its own right, it will be hard to gauge whether it’s the club or manager’s policy until Wenger’s gone. Many believe that there’s money available to spend at the Emirates but in buying proven talent, instead of improving and developing a group, the club would be going against their current manager’s wishes.
If it is Wenger and not Stanley Kroenke or Ivan Gazidis who enforces this farcical wage structure then further questions must be asked about whether Wenger’s the right man for Arsenal. While he has endured bad luck and has changed the footballing philosophy at the club where he has had an overwhelming impact, if his presence is undermining one of the country’s biggest club’s ambitions then he must go.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Let me know your thoughts on where it’s gone wrong for Arsenal in recent seasons on Twitter: @jimmylowson
John Terry has been recalled by Roy Hodgson for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, despite facing FA action for alleged racial abuse.
The former England captain is due at a Football Association disciplinary hearing over charges of racially abusing defender Anton Ferdinand in a match at Loftus Road last season.
The controversy surrounding the affair prompted Terry to be stripped of the armband for the second time, and led to Fabio Capello’s resignation as England manager.
However, the controversy has not deterred new manager Roy Hodgson from selecting the Chelsea captain, who was one of his stand-out performers during England’s Euro 2012 campaign, and will be recalled having being rested for England’s recent friendly victory over Italy.
Ashley Cole is in line to earn his 100th England cap if he features in both matches, and is one of three left backs in the squad alongside Leighton Baines and Chelsea teammate Ryan Bertrand.
Hodgson is without the injured Wayne Rooney, and has named four strikers including Andy Carroll, who has just completed his loan move to West Ham.
Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley have kept their place in the squad, but there is no place for Ashley Young who started every game of Euro 2012.
The England squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Sunderland), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).
Clint Dempsey wants to leave Craven Cottage. That much is obvious. Having already told people that he is set to leave for Anfield, along with the Merseyside club’s website stating Dempsey to be a squad member, Liverpool is almost certain to be his destination. Yet there is a glaring issue that still remains – Liverpool have yet to make an offer for the forward.
Last weekend, the fiasco that is Dempsey’s situation became even more ridiculous. According to the Metro, the Fulham striker has been fined £25,000 for refusing to play against Norwich City on the opening weekend. Martin Jol is desperate for the situation to be resolved, declaring it as simply ‘embarrassing’ for the club.
Yet who is to blame is a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, Dempsey made his intentions clear at the end of last season, stating that he had thoroughly enjoyed his career in West London yet he wanted a move. Such a move is primarily driven by Dempsey’s desire for Champions League football as he enters the twilight of his career. However up until this weekend, Dempsey has been rather silent on the issue.
Some would say his silence has been the clever thing to do, others would say its downright disrespectful. That’s the line that Fulham have taken, calling Dempsey uncommitted and blaming him for the spreading of rumours linking him with Liverpool.
Whilst mentioning the Merseyside club, one also has to ask why the American is hell-bent on moving there. I myself am a Liverpool fan and would love Dempsey to become a part of Brendan Rodgers squad. Yet the Fulham player stated his reason for leaving was to play Champions League football, something that the Reds aren’t even close to at the moment. Especially based on the opening weekend’s performances.
In short, Dempsey is currently sat at limbo. He no longer wants to play for the club that made him a star, yet he’s probably not worth the big money that Fulham would demand for their star striker, especially as a 29-year-old.
Fulham need to resolve this situation for their own sake however, and fast. Keeping Dempsey against his wishes would only mean losing him in a year when his contract expires whilst maintaining a bitter atmosphere between club and player. Yet selling the American would only benefit him, as Fulham certainly don’t want to lose a player they’ve heavily invested in and who has rewarded them in the past few seasons. In addition, selling Dempsey is only possible if a club makes an offer, something that has not yet happened according to officials at Craven Cottage.
In my mind, Fulham need to get rid of Dempsey and soon so that Martin Jol can concentrate on his players and their season. Fulham fans should not be drastically disheartened should the American leave – their impressive performance along with a brilliant score line this weekend showed the team has talent.
At the end of the day Fulham fans, needn’t be too disappointed to lose their American striker. In fact, they will simply be saddened that such a brilliant career at the Cottage has come to an end in such animosity.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to sign a bumper deal with the club as they look to secure his long-term future, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The Premier League giants are keen to prepare the 20-year-old for an eventual role as club captain and believe that handing him a pay rise will display their faith in the injury prone starlet.
Preliminary talks have already taken place and it’s thought that Wilshere will receive a substantial hike in his weekly wage of £50,000.
Lukas Podolski is the highest earner at the Emirates Stadium, pocketing £90,000-per-week, but the England international is unlikely to be on level terms with the attacker.
Despite having two-and-a-half years remaining on Wilshere’s current deal, the North Londoners are believed to be keen to get negotiations tied up to prevent any immediate interest from rival teams.
A long-term deal does present a risk for the club, with the youngster having suffered from a series of recurring injuries.
He has just returned from a 17-month absence thanks to knee and ankle problems and it’s unclear as to whether he will suffer a recurrence in the future.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The playmaker is a product of the Arsenal academy, which has made him an instant hit with club’s loyal support.
Arsene Wenger made Cesc Fabregas captain at the age of just 21, which hints that Wilshere could be wearing the armband very soon.
It was the most fitting and appropriate end to the trophy drought at Arsenal. It was the perfect way to cap a season that has become a page turned for Aaron Ramsey after the difficulties of that injury at Stoke.
Who else could have won Arsenal the FA Cup and had the moment be any sweeter? Had it been Mesut Ozil, it would have been the ushering in of a new era, but one that isn’t really a clear depiction of Arsene Wenger and his values in football.
The German midfielder is the superstar that the club needed, but Wenger’s faith in youth, the steel-like conviction in what he was doing in building for the long-term, his absolute confidence in Ramsey over these past few seasons – two new contracts inside the last 18 months – made the end to the cup final at Wembley all the more fitting.
Money and imported, readymade superstars didn’t win Arsenal and Wenger the FA Cup – Ramsey, a player brought in for relative peanuts as a teenager, did. There can be no stronger vindication for Wenger’s long-held beliefs than that.
It’s fitting that a project has become this Arsenal team’s talisman. Players like Ozil are necessary, if nothing else than to properly equip and supplement those who are developed in-house. But Ramsey has gone full circle. He’s no longer that player who was the brunt of fans’ frustration. The Welshman has taken that step forward, ahead of his teammates lined up shoulder-to-shoulder, to become this team’s leader and poster boy.
Arsenal have long trumpeted the ideal that they make superstars rather than buying them. Bayern Munich’s reported interest in Ramsey acts as confirmation that they’re onto something big with the 23-year-old. Had he been fit all season, Ramsey may well have won the Player of the Year award. At the very least it would have been an extremely close call between him and Luis Suarez.
His long-term move to the sidelines on Boxing Day, still lamented by Arsenal supporters, coincided with the creeping in of a loss of form and loss of belief. Ozil has no doubt added ornamentation to Arsenal’s play; the German has brought intelligence, too. But there’s no safety net or backup for the loss of a genuine game-changer and willing leader in someone like Ramsey.
Ramsey is a player reborn. An apparently limitless supply of confidence now to go along with the talent that was always there. In years gone by, Arsenal have rarely had both – and that goes for individuals and the club as a whole. They’ve got a leader on the pitch – an armband isn’t always necessary or defining – as well as a trophy in the cabinet to really get the motors going. If Arsenal weren’t financially capable of adding further talent in the past, they’re more than able now.
Ramsey has scored the most important goal of his career – and what a stunning effort it was – while arguably scoring the goal that put Wenger’s future beyond all doubt. But the midfielder is 23. Let that sink in. Arsenal have lost out on star players in the past. Cesc Fabregas wanted to return home to Barcelona for a number of reasons, but primary was the opportunity to win silverware. Arsenal certainly lost out on much of Robin van Persie’s career due to the Dutchman’s injuries. He too jumped ship in the pursuit of tangible glory.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
But the club don’t have that problem now. There are few, if any, insurmountable hurdles preventing this club from winning and giving players like Ramsey the incentive to stay.
The Week of Football – UEFA president Michel Platini’s ingenious solution to making the international break more exciting (or rather, more lucrative) – is upon us once more, with all teams involved preparing for a brace of fixtures as they continue on the path to Euro 2016 qualification.
The expansion of the tournament to 24 teams sees the top two sides in each group qualifying automatically, as well as the third-placed team entering a playoff round, which for many has made the whole process even more dull than it already was, given that progression to the finals for the big sides is now all but guaranteed.
Nevertheless, there is cause for genuine excitement amongst fans of the smaller nations who are seeking to take advantage of the simplified qualification process by securing a rare appearance at a major tournament, while England fans will be keeping a keen eye on a few rookies who will be donning the Three Lions jersey for the first time.
Here’s what you should look out for this week in particular…
[ffc-gallery]
Click on Roy Hodgson to reveal
[/ffc-gallery]
[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]
Can England’s newbies (and Hodgson’s favourites) impress?
Football – England Training – London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire – 18/11/13England manager Roy Hodgson during trainingMandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Results-wise, there will not be much to glean from England’s forthcoming games against San Marino and Estonia, with two comfortable victories virtually in the bag already. However, Nathaniel Clyne’s first call-up to the England squad gives Roy Hodgson the opportunity to gauge how quickly the talented Southampton full-back can adapt to international football. After an impressive start to the season, Clyne is expected to make his England debut against San Marino – a solid performace could see him challenge Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson as Hodgson’s first-choice right-back. Elsewhere, Fabian Delph and Jonjo Shelvey will be hoping to convince Hodgson that they belong in his long-term vision for the national side, while the pressure is on for Andros Townsend and Rickie Lambert – both of whom were handed their debuts by the England coach – to prove that they merit their inclusion in the squad after underwhelming domestic performaces. While the results may be a foregone conclusion, a big week awaits for these England players.
Wales prepare for campaign-defining week
Tell Wales fans that the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign is pointless; after decades of disappointment, embarrassment and abject failure, punctuated by the occasional heroic charge that falls apart in heartbreaking fashion, UEFA’s decision to expand the tournament presents Wales with their best chance to qualify for a major tournament since 1958. A narrow, Bale-inspired away victory against Andorra in their opening fixture last month was a crucial way to begin the campaign, and with back-to-back home ties against Bosnia and Hercegovina and Cyprus coming up, Chris Coleman’s men could find themselves topping the group this time next week. The withdrawal of a number of players through injury – most notably Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen – has not been ideal, yet Gareth Bale is fit and ready, and with the Real Madrid man in the team, Wales always stand a chance. Bosnia will go into Friday’s game as favourites, and Cyprus are no pushovers, having secured a shock victory at Bosnia in September. However, Wales must surely fancy their chances with Bale and the backing of the home crowd, and with a tough away fixture against group favourites Belgium to come in November, a minimum of four points should be the target. Emerge from these two games undefeated, and Wales can begin to dream.
Can Scotland get up and running?
Gordon Strachan deserves ample praise for reversing the fortunes of Scotland since he became manager last year. Two brilliant victories against Croatia ensured that what started as a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign ended on a high, and although the Scots lost their opening match of the current qualifiers, they did so by succumbing to a creditable 2-1 defeat to Germany, the reigning world champions who just two months previously had put seven past Brazil. The Germans will almost certainly top the group, which realistically leaves Scotland, Poland and the Republic of Ireland to battle it out for the remaining automatic and playoff spots. A solid victory at home against Georgia – where the Tartan Army will be at their vociferous best – is therefore a must, before the Scots head to Poland for a pivotal midweek tie. After seeing their qualification hopes end in premature fashion in the last campaign, Scotland need to pick up the points early on.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Goalfest in Dublin?
Across the North Channel, Scotland’s Celtic brethren and qualification rivals will also be in action. The Republic of Ireland will be looking forward to welcoming Gibraltar – who are playing their first campaign of competitve international football – to the Aviva Stadium, and whilst a comprehensive victory is to be expected for Martin O’Neill’s side, the manner in which they do so could be significant. The battle for qualification with Poland and Scotland will be a tight one, and deciding who goes to France in 2016 and who doesn’t could very well come down to goal difference. With the Poles giving their goals scored column an almighty fillip with their 7-0 trouncing of Gibraltar last month, the Irish will be hoping to do the same in their easiest fixture in the group. Expect goals galore in Dublin this weekend.