All posts by h79snht.top

A lot has been said since England departed the 2010 World Cup in what seems like a lifetime ago. The Three Lions’ 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany was in fact just little more than a week ago, but already the team and the nation have moved on. The FA have decided to keep Fabio Capello as England manager until the 2012 European Championships, whether that’s a good decision we’ll just have to wait and see, and the players are being snapped on their annual holidays in the sun as usual. But is it really that easy to forget?

Westwood’s been on his travels but like the rest of the country still managed to watch and experience the disappointment of the game. The big dawg reckons that England as a nation has already moved on, and maybe that’s due to the fact that we really didn’t turn up in South Africa and give a good account of ourselves. It’s often harder to forget when you invest such a lot into something and get really close to achieving something special, but that just wasn’t the case in the 2010 World Cup. People always recall Italia ’90 as a time when England fans really believed, but South Africa couldn’t have been further from that.

People had hoped and did believe in the dream and Westwood witnessed a few tears being shed, but generally it wasn’t dwelt on. A dream was all it was and like many dreams this one didn’t come true. We’ll always reflect on Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ and wonder what might have been if the Chelsea midfielder’s strike had of counted, but in the grand scheme of things Westwood reckons we’d be kidding ourselves if we think that would’ve made a difference, and he’s right.

Exit from the 2010 World Cup was more devastating for a number of countries, no more so than Ghana. The whole way their tournament ended with the deliberate handball and the agony of the penalty shootout wasn’t great and I think football supporters from around the world generally did feel for them. As for England, it’s just the same old story and now things have to change. Even though the manager isn’t changing, the time for the younger lads to be brought in is overdue and as Westwood puts it, “we’ve got to get some excitement back into our game.”

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To read Tim Westwood’s latest World Cup article in full head to the News of the World website: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/866233/ENGLAND-FANS-HAVE-ALREADY-MOVED-ON.html

Harry Redknapp believes he and Tottenham can offer Joe Cole the perfect environment to breathe fresh life into a career which stalled at Chelsea.

Redknapp is hoping to sign the England international on a free transfer following his release by Chelsea at the end of the last Premier League season.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and former club West Ham United have also been linked with moves for the 28-year-old midfielder.

However, Redknapp believes Spurs would be the best choice for a player he previously worked with during his time at the helm of the Hammers.

"I managed Joe before and I signed him when he was 11," he told Soccernet.

"We have always had a good relationship. I know what makes Joe tick and it's his love of the game and his need to be playing it. That is what I am offering him.

"I would like Joe here with me, but it is now up to the club and up to Joe, his agent and his dad and our chairman.

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"He is talking to them to try to do a deal. If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe's mind."

Redknapp pledged his own future to the north London club on Tuesday after putting pen to paper on a new deal which will keep him at White Hart Lane until summer 2013.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has tipped big-spending Manchester City to win the Premier League title in the not too distant future.

Spurs and City are currently competing in the pre-season Barclays New York Challenge in the United States and Redknapp has watched on with interest at what has happened at Eastlands so far this summer.

Counterpart Roberto Mancini has spent over £75milion on Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandr Kolarov, while Internazionale's £25million-rated striker Mario Balotelli is believed to be on his way.

"They can go out and sign almost anybody," Redknapp told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"They have come over here to New York and have almost 80 people in their party – it is just incredible.

"Money seems to be no problem, because the man who owns the club has so much.

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"I genuinely think that eventually they will win the championship.

"If they continue and the owner stays involved, and he seems very keen, then I can see them in the next few years putting together a team that will win the Premier League."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

With the prospect of Champions League football on the horizon, it promises to be an exciting season for the Tottenham faithful. Harry will be disappointed that he hasn’t added any real numbers to the ranks, due to the dead market, to ensure they cement their place among the Premier League elite.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs which has included…Tottenham’s forgotten man can save the millions; Bostock should do his talking on the pitch and Levy should take the financial hit.

Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.

FIVE things Harry must do to ensure success this season

Tottenham’s forgotten man can save Harry millions

The only place Bostock should do his talking

Tottenham transfer targets continue to confuse

Trendsetting Tottenham set a benchmark for others to follow

‘England Star in the Making’ – Dean Parrett

Really NO sense in Tottenham cashing in

Tottenham should take financial hit to get transfer ball rolling

English clubs set for Champions League struggle?

Soccer Saturday Vs Final Score

EIGHT things that will happen this Premier League season

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Best of Web

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It Begins – Dear Mr Levy

Pre season 2010 – Spurs Musings with JimmyG2

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Sausage – Who Framed Ruel Fox?

Why Are We Being Linked With So Many Ex-Gooners? – Tottenham Blog

How many times did you give up last season? -Dear Mr Levy

We’re Back, Baby! – Who Framed Ruel Fox?

Supporters are rarely keen to see their players angling for a move away through the odd subtle comment or use of a dubious agent. Yet for some it is the only viable way to return to regular first team football once more. The 25-man squad rules failed to throw up any prominent casualties but below are ten Premier League players who will see more of the bench than the pitch this season.

Alan Hutton

This Scottish international has found himself out of contention at White Hart Lane. The former Rangers man who cost the club £9 million is still eager to prove himself in the PL. In the absence of first team football and Vedran Corluka’s form, he was loaned to Sunderland for the second half of last season.

Anton Ferdinand

Hutton’s former team-mate at the Stadium of Light, Ferdinand is another defender weighing up his future. The ex-Hammer cost Sunderland £8 million in 2008 and has attracted interest from Sicilian club Palermo. The recruitment of Titus Bramble, John Mensah, Paolo da Silva and Nedum Onuoha mean his chances under Steve Bruce will be limited further this year.

Shay Given

Manchester City’s undisputed No1 is now the club’s No2 after the return of Joe Hart from a season long loan at Birmingham. The young England keeper is in imperious form and is clearly enjoying his game. Few believe that Given will be able to reclaim that coveted place in the team. The thoroughly respected Irishman will attract interest again in January.

Yuri Zhirkov

“Only once in my life have I felt like I needed a psychiatrist … I was looking at Yuri Zhirkov and all I could see was a rib-eye steak,” writes Carlo Ancelotti in his autobiography. Knowing that nugget of information, Zhirkov may be forced to seek a move away from west London. The left-sided player joined from CSKA Moscow for £18 million last summer but has not become a regular at the Bridge. With Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole in front of him that task will not get any easier.

Ryan Babel

Marooned in a helicopter on transfer deadline day, Babel has since denied he was looking for a way out of Anfield. He has struggled to hold down a starting place since arriving there in 2007. His talent is evident but less so is his optimum playing position. Recently deployed as a lone striker against Trabzonspor, taking advantage of injuries and obscure European ties will be his best hope of gaining favour at Liverpool.

Continue to Page Two to see which five other players make the list…

Anderson

The Brazilian has been out of the United squad since suffering a knee injury against West Ham in January. The midfielder was additionally involved in a car crash in Portugal during the summer. His manager has warned him of the need to mature if he is to realise his full potential at Old Trafford. Signed for £18 million, the sizeable task ahead of Anderson is to reclaim his midfield spot and justify that bulky price tag.

Roque Santa Cruz

Hotly tipped to be leaving Manchester City or even fail to make their PL squad was Santa Cruz. The Paraguayan is still at Eastlands but remains enthusiastic about a loan switch to Lazio, saying he has always dreamt of playing in Rome. Maybe Roberto Mancini does not wish to burden his former club with this once prolific but injury prone striker.

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Yakubu

Only £5 million would have taken Yakubu to Upton Park this summer but the London club’s debt prevented this. The Nigerian forward who missed a gilt edged chance against South Korea at the World Cup, has not returned to his former self since rupturing his Achilles in November 2008. In his inaugural season at Goodison he was the first Everton player since Peter Beardsley in 1992 to score more than 20 goals in a campaign. Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha are currently preferred by David Moyes.

Nigel Reo-Coker

The former West Ham captain was once an overwhelmingly likely candidate to be an England mainstay. The combative, defensive midfielder has regressed since joining Aston Villa. His career there has been hampered by the form of Stylian Petrov but training ground bust-ups with former manager, Martin O’Neill did not help. The £8.5 million signing now has a golden opportunity to impress a new Villa boss.

Jason Roberts

This burly striker was thought to be leaving Ewood Park this summer. The club had eagerly lined up Gaziantepspor forward Ivelin Popov in anticipation of his exit. No interest was forthcoming but Sam Allardyce has told the player he will still get games. Expect his chances to be restricted by Mame Diouf, El Hadji Diouf, Junior Hoilett and Niko Kalinic.

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Birmingham City have revealed that James McFadden will be out of action "for the foreseeable future" after the Scotland international suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage during training on Friday.

The 27-year-old will see a specialist on Monday and may have to endure an operation on the problem.

A club statement read:"Birmingham City can confirm that James McFadden sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage to his left knee in training.

"McFadden will see a specialist on Monday with a view to surgery and will be out of action for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile, Scotland manager Craig Levein said of the former Motherwell star:"I know more than anyone how devastating a cruciate ligament injury can be and my sympathies go to James.

"Having said that, he's a strong character and I'm sure he will overcome it.

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"I'm not even going to get into what this means for Scotland because at this stage the most important thing is that he recovers and gets his career back on track.

"On behalf of the squad, the backroom staff and, I'm sure, the Scotland supporters, I wish him a speedy recovery."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has called for solidarity as they look to end a run of negative results at home to West Ham United on Saturday.

The Molineux outfit have lost their last four Premier League games and have found themselves making headlines for the wrong reasons following the reckless tackle which resulted in the dismissal of captain Karl Henry at Wigan two weeks ago.

"It's a huge game for us and everybody knows that," McCarthy told the club's official website.

"The club has taken a bit of a bashing over the last few weeks and we all get sensitive about that and don't think we deserve it.

"The only way to come out of it though is for all of us to stick together as a club – players, management, staff and fans.

"It's about the solidarity that we all share as a club – nothing to do with anyone on the outside but just the welfare of this football club.

"The fans have been fantastic so far this season, and we will need them more than ever against a West Ham side who have had some decent results recently.

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"Everyone who is coming to the game has to get right behind us as I know they will and make sure everyone connected with Wolves is together.

"It has been a tough few weeks but team spirit and morale remain good and we have to go out and get a positive result."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins was delighted after seeing the leaders and reigning champions clinch a 2-0 Premier League victory at home to Arsenal.

Goals from Didier Drogba and Alex ensured the Blues extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Although the Gunners enjoyed their fair share of possession at Stamford Bridge, the reigning champions' prowess in front of goal shone through, a fact that delighted Wilkins.

"Whenever we play Arsenal they worry me because they are one of the teams that can take the ball off us and we might not get it back for a period," he told Sky Sports.

"They did that today without scoring thankfully. They do worry me and I was absolutely thrilled that we got the three points against them.

"We are managing to be very consistent with picking up points now. We were desperately disappointed with the way we played against Manchester City.

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"We put that right against Marseille and today has been a fantastic win for us."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that Manchester City will be involved in a "five-horse race" for the Premier League title.

Ferguson believes a previously stuttering United have been galvanised by Sunday's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

However, he doesn't think the race for domestic honours will be a straight shootout between the Red Devils and reigning champions Chelsea as it has been in recent years.

Instead the veteran Scot has suggested that big-spending City and Tottenham will push United, Chelsea and Arsenal all the way this season.

He said:"I wouldn't be betting against it being a five-horse race. I think there is a lot of twists and turns in the race.

"The result at Stoke has had a galvanising effect on the club but we have to motor on now.

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"At the moment Chelsea have done very little wrong but if you look at our programme, we have had a much harder programme than the rest.

"We've been to Everton, Sunderland, Stoke, Bolton – all these difficult places where nobody enjoys going, but we've got them out of the road now."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea’s youngsters received a lot of deserved praised following their performance against MSK Zilina, even if the club did make hard work of the result. 17-year-old Josh McEachran earned most of the plaudits in the media, but I thought Patrick van Aanholt was also very impressive and deserving of high praise.

Van Aanholt, 20, made his sixth appearance for the first team when he took the field against Slovakian side Zilina in the Champions’ League group stage clash – which saw Chelsea confirm top spot with a 2-1 victory and it was also the young Dutchman’s best showing in blue so far. It was just a shame that his rasping shot in the second half cannoned off the post. His performance would have merited a goal.

It was refreshing for the Stamford Bridge faithful to see a glimpse of the future during times of squad troubles, losses, Wilkins’ dismissal, injuries, suspensions and media claims of uncertainty surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s position at the club.

Patrick van Aanholt has gained a fair amount of first team football since the beginning of the 2009/10 season after loan periods at both Coventry City and Newcastle United. During both loan spells he impressed and during the summer months after our double winning campaign Ancelotti vowed that a select group of the young players would be making the step up for the following season.

It is perhaps hard to see where exactly van Aanholt will get his chances as he is the understudy to arguably the world’s greatest left-back in Ashley Cole and the versatile Yury Zhirkov, but that is also a huge advantage for the Dutch defender as he could not have a better mentor and Salomon Kalou echoed a similar point after the game against Zilina when he said:

“Ashley [Cole] is one of the best left backs we have in this competition [Champions League], and also in the world. So I think Patrick has a lot to learn from Ashley.”

I’m sure the Chelsea fans will be eager to see the likes of van Aanholt given their chances to impress again and it is likely that they will do against Marseille after already topping their Champions’ League group. Hopefully it will lead to even more first team opportunities for them as they will become more trusted to cover positions (so no more Paulo Ferreira at centre back please, Carlo) and we always have the FA Cup to give them a run out in, if we get a kind draw.

Who impresses you most out of Chelsea’s current crop of young talent?

Read more Chelsea blogs at The Shed Ender

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