Everton boss David Moyes is still trying to add more players to his squad before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday.
Moyes was particularly unhappy with his side's defending in the 3-0 home defeat to Portsmouth that left sections of the Goodison Park faithful booing the players at the final whistle.
But the Toffees boss is only too aware that his squad lacks depth in most areas of the pitch.
He said: "I'm going to try and see if there are still people out there to bring in. I think we've been lacking some quality in the first three games.
"Louis Saha had his medical on Saturday and I think we'll have the final results on Monday.
"You don't expect the players we've got to concede goals but they are and they take a big responsibility for what happened against Portsmouth.
"It was a poor penalty by Yakubu, no doubting that - but it was a good save as well.
"People can miss them and you've got to be brave enough to take them. I thought Yak was going to score when he went up to take it."
duminică, 31 august 2008
Moyes still keen to sign
Tulio ponders Palermo exit
Palermo new boy Tulio De Melo is set to make quickfire exit from the club, having failed to impress coach Stefano Colantuono.
The 23-year-old Brazilian was the subject of a tug-of-war with Parma before he joined Palermo from Le Mans, but he could be heading back to France within a matter of weeks.
Palermo president, Maurizio Zamparini, said: "He wants a guaranteed starting place and we cannot assure him of that. I really think he's on his way out.
De Melo's agent, Paolo Busardo, added: "In the first few games he realised he didn't have the space he thought he did and has taken two days to consider whether or not to continue this adventure with Palermo.
"There is certainly an offer from Lille, along with other clubs, but at this moment the player hasn't signed anything.
"If Lille should raise the bid and convince everyone involved, then there could be a big development."
Osasuna move suits Ezquerro
Forward Santiago Ezquerro is looking forward to starting his second spell with Osasuna, having left Barcelona to head back to Pamplona this summer.
The 31-year-old has also played for Atletico Madrid, Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao, but is excited by the challenge ahead at Osasuna.
He said ahead of the clash with Villarreal: "It's my competitive debut with Osasuna after my return to Pamplona and my debut with Osasuna in the Primera Division.
"I have a lot of enthusiasm and desire to play again and because it is the start of the season.
"I like to enjoy playing football because it is what I most like to do."
"I'm grateful for the affection that I've received since I arrived here. I want to return this affection by helping Osasuna to do as well as possible."
Mowbray waits on Meite
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray confirmed after the goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers that Abdoulaye Meite could be set for a spell out of action after the defender picked up a calf injury.
The former Bolton player had to be substituted at half-time, but Mowbray was pleased with the way his side coped with the loss of the Ivory Coast international in the second half at the Reebok Stadium.
"Meite has got a calf injury and we'll have to see if he's got a pull, strain or a tear," Mowbray said after the stalemate.
"To lose him at half-time was a big blow for us. Yet we stood up to Bolton's bombardment and threatened their goal.
"I think it was a game where we could easily have got three points but we could just as easily have lost three points.
"The pleasing aspect is that we stood up to the bombardment that came our way.
"That's what we've worked on in the summer and there are hopefully some more additions to come to help us against teams like that.
"We were all disappointed to come in 0-0 at half-time because we threatened their goal on numerous occasions and showed our quality on the break.
"The effort off the underside of the bar and the follow-up could have given us all three points."
joi, 28 august 2008
Bilic stands by as Curbishley fights for future at Upton Park
Alan Curbishley is under increasing pressure at West Ham United, with the Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, understood to be interested in succeeding him at Upton Park should he be sacked. No final decision has been taken on whether to dispense with Curbishley, and he may yet salvage his career with a string of positive results, but there is a growing sense of frustration over what is perceived to be his negative attitude, given the apparent strength of his squad.
Part of the reason for the growing scrutiny over Curbishley is a lack of knowledge of the foreign transfer market. He has himself admitted to a weakness in this area in the past, which helps to explain why West Ham have employed the Italian Gianluca Nani as the club's technical director.
The squad should be enhanced further today with another Nani recruit as West Ham hope to announce the signing of the powerful midfielder Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce for £5m, although they were last night dealing with late interest from the Ghanaian's former club Juventus. Two more Nani signings are expected before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday – a striker and a defender – with the leading candidates including Henrik Larsson and Pegguy Luyindula for the attacking role and Gaël Givet in defence. The latter two would be season-long loans with an option to buy.
West Ham believe the arrivals would complete one of the most impressive squads in the Premier League, including a strong spine to the team and several experienced internationals, and would take the number of players with first-team squad numbers to 35. That includes eight young players but, with an accent on youth, all such as Freddie Sears and James Tomkins have bright first-team futures. Despite that there is a hysteria now surrounding the club and fans are chanting that they want Curbishley out while bookmakers have made him the favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked. Those chants reached a crescendo on Wednesday evening during the Carling Cup encounter with Macclesfield Town.
The League Two club were beaten only after being reduced to 10 men and the tie going into extra time at Upton Park, which was barely a third full for the fixture. After the match Curbishley was in defiant mood, declaring that he had the full backing of the board and said he was "disappointed" over the speculation surrounding his future.
Much of the hysteria has been blamed on Curbishley and his own behaviour – not least the way he handled the £7m departure of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland, suggesting the sale was beyond his control. However, it appears he accepted that losing the defender, who had turned down the offer of a five-year contract, would not hurt the first team. Beyond that there is the questioning of tactics, his coaching methods and, also, his demeanour. It has been a difficult summer at West Ham which, given that they have appointed Nani, and overhauled their infra-structure should not have been the case. The medical department has been revamped to deal with the chronic injury crisis at the club while plans for a new training ground are progressing. Curbishley, who has one more season after this one on his contract having succeeded Alan Pardew in 2006, would be eligible for a pay-off of around £1m if he is sacked.
If West Ham were to lose against Blackburn Rovers at home tomorrow, and produce another poor performance, then Curbishley's position could become untenable even this early into the season. Curbishley will be relieved to know that Craig Bellamy, who has been the subject of a rebuffed bid by Manchester City, is fit and is expected to partner Dean Ashton in attack which increases the chances of securing a victory. West Ham's next match after tomorrow is away to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion and, at present, Curbishley should be in charge for that game, although the situation is now, according to sources, being reviewed on a match-by-match basis.
West Ham have made no secret that, after the spending spree overseen by the former chairman Eggert Magnusson, and wages he offered to players, they have to be more fiscally aware. The owner and chairman, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, has demanded more financial accountability and a balancing of the books.
If Curbishley is sacked, Bilic would be the outstanding candidate to replace him, although West Ham would undoubtedly consider other options as they search for a more charismatic, dynamic manager. According to sources in Croatia, the 39-year-old is closely following developments at West Ham and would want to take the job if it was offered to him even though, before this summer's European Championship, he signed a new two-year deal to coach his country for the World Cup campaign.
There are, however, believed to be get-out clauses in his contract and the compensation payable to the Croatian Football Association would be minimal for the former defender, who became a cult hero at West Ham even though he only made 48 appearances, in 1996-97, before joining Everton. Bilic insisted, however, that he did not move before West Ham were safe from relegation.
Yesterday's completed moves:
Keith Andrews (Milton Keynes Dons) to Blackburn Rovers; Undisclosed
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea) to Manchester City; Undisclosed
Liam Hatch (Peterborough United) to Darlington United; Loan
Stephen O'Leary (Luton Town) to Hereford Town; Loan
Linvoy Primus (Portsmouth) to Charlton Athletic; Loan
Moritz Volz (Fulham) to Ipswich Town; Loan
Primus primed for Addicks loan
Robinson signs Baggies deal
Ince brings Andrews to Ewood
Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Keith Andrews on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 27-year-old captained the Dons to both the League Two title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last season under Rovers manager Paul Ince and will be reunited with the former England international at Ewood Park.
"He is going to be a big loss," Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo said of Andrews, who could make his debut at West Ham tomorrow. "He has been fantastic here and it is a bit of a shame. But it is the player's wish and we wish him good luck."
Transfer news and speculation
Everton have completed the signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade. The 26-year-old passed a medical at the club yesterday and becomes the club's second signing of the summer following the arrival of the Danish defender Lars Christian Jacobsen earlier this week. Castillo is a defensive midfielder who played for El Nacional and El Deportivo Espoli in Ecuador before heading for Eastern Europe.
Everton now await international clearance for the player ahead of tomorrow's visit of Portsmouth. "I know that Everton are a big club who have a history of playing in important competitions like the Uefa Cup," Castillo said. "I hope I can do my best for the team."
Everton are also monitoring the Internazionale midfielder Victor Obinna with a view to a loan move. Obinna is a Nigerian international colleague of Goodison Park forward Victor Anichebe and only joined Inter earlier this week, but the Italian champions have decided to send him out immediately on loan.
United handed Bhoys clash
Holders Manchester United will face Scottish champions Celtic in the group stages of the Champions League, with Villarreal and Danish club Aalborg BK completing Group E.
The two British giants clashed in the Champions League two seasons ago, with United coming out on top at Old Trafford by a 3-2 scoreline, while the Bhoys edged a 1-0 victory at Parkhead.
Last season's runners-up Chelsea, have been paired with AS Roma, Bordeaux and CFR Cluj in Group A.
Liverpool have been drawn alongside Marseille, PSV Eindhoven and Fernando Torres' former club Atletico Madrid in Group D.
The Reds edged through to the group stages with a highly unconvincing 1-0 aggregate success over Belgian champions Standard Liege.
Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are in Group G, along with FC Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kyiv.
The Gunners powered through to the group stages with a commanding 6-0 aggregate victory over Dutch outfit Twente.
Group A: Chelsea, AS Roma, Bordeaux, CFR Cluj.
Group B: Internazionale, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta.
Group C: Barcelona, Sp Lisbon, FC Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk.
Group D: Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid.
Group E: Manchester United, Villarreal, Celtic, Aalborg BK.
Group F: Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, Fiorentina.
Group G: Arsenal, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kyiv.
Group H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, BATE Borisov.
Fergie enjoys United victory
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with his side's display in their hard-fought 1-0 victory at Portsmouth on Monday evening.
A scrappy Darren Fletcher goal in the first half decided the game at Fratton Park, with Ferguson content that his side had done their job well against the FA Cup holders.
He told MUTV: "We wanted to play a system in which the players we had would be comfortable in their positions and I think we used our players the right way.
"Anderson wanted to play and I think he showed it was a very good decision, he was fantastic.
"Paul Scholes looked to control the game and I think he did that. We also had the energy and the qualities that both John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher bring to the team.
"I think we played some excellent football with really good periods of passing and moving and I hope we can keep that going."
Surgery to sideline Gerrard
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss up to two Premier League games and England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after being sent for groin surgery.
The midfielder was part of the side that laboured to a 1-0 Champions League qualifying win over Standard Liege on Wednesday but, speaking after the extra-time success, Reds boss Rafael Benitez revealed his skipper was set to go under the knife.
Gerrard will now miss Liverpool's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday and possibly the visit of bitter rivals Manchester United to Anfield on September 13.
He will also sit out England's clashes with Andorra and Croatia in between the two league fixtures.
"We decided that Steven would play through the pain against Liege and then have the operation," revealed Benitez.
"He may not be fit for the Manchester United game, but he certainly will be okay for the first (Champions League) group stage match next month.
"He has been playing some games in pain, not being 100 per cent fit, and we decided that this was the best moment for the operation.
"He had a problem for the first game with Liege and also when he went away to play for England in their friendly last week against the Czech Republic.
"We talked with the doctor yesterday and today and it was decided that Steven would play in this match with the pain, but now we will have to get the situation solved."
Meanwhile, Benitez admitted he was relieved after Dirk Kuyt's extra-time winner secured their place in the group stages.
"Obviously there is some relief with the result. We knew it would be a difficult game against a quick, well-organised team," he added.
"The positive was that we played a little better than recently. We want to win trophies but we also understand the need for money."
Puyol: Real are title favourites
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol claims Real Madrid should be considered overwhelming favourites to win La Liga this season.
The back-to-back Spanish champions have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer market unlike big-spending Barca.
But speaking on the eve of the new season, Puyol claims the Bernabeu club are still the team to beat.
"Real Madrid have a great team, they are the champions and they deserve all our respect," he said.
"Whether or not they sign any more new players, they are still favourites for the title."
Southgate: Mido is staying
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists Mido will remain at the Riverside Stadium despite reported interest from Wigan Athletic.
The 25-year-old Egypt striker has scored three goals in his first three games this year following his return from long-term injury last season.
Mido has started both of Boro's Premier League games this term on the bench which has led to reports that the former Spurs striker is unhappy on Teesside.
However, Southgate is confident the nomadic striker, who started just eight league games during an injury-ravaged first season with the club, will remain in the north east.
"Mido enjoys it here," he said. "The only thing he wants is to play football and he wants to be first choice, but he's also aware no club can guarantee him that.
"The reason he joined is he believes in what we're trying to do here and I think he can still play a big part in that.
"He's a big crowd favourite despite all the difficulties he had last season.
"He's a good player and we want those here. He's a talent and you want all your players to fulfil their talent.
"It's time he had a more settled period in his career and was at a club for a bit longer."
Hodgson admits cup relief
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admitted he was relieved to see off the challenge of Leicester City and book a place in the third round of the Carling Cup.
Danny Murphy and Jimmy Bullard scored twice in the last seven minutes to secure a 3-2 success and save the Cottagers from a humiliating exit against League One opposition.
Zoltan Gera had opened the scoring for the Premier League side, but they trailed 2-1 heading into the closing stages after strikes from Paul Dickov and Andy King.
"We were playing a very good team with their tails up and they gave us an awful lot of problems," admitted Hodgson.
"Thank goodness we re-found our tempo in the last 20 minutes and got through with two wonderful strikes.
"We were not guilty of complacency. It was just that our game went to pieces with those two goals Leicester scored, but we have come out of it with a couple of positives.
"One is that we were able to find our game again and two is that we learned a lot of lessons without paying the full price."
Defiant Curbs vows to fight
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has vowed to ignore the criticism and fight on despite being jeered during his side's Carling Cup victory over Macclesfield Town.
Hammers fans turned on the already under-pressure manager after their side needed extra-time to overcome League Two opposition at Upton Park on Wednesday to book their place in the third round of the competition.
Carlton Cole, debutant Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid scored the goals that sealed their 4-1 passage after the scores were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Referring to his hostile treatment from the crowd of just 10,055, a defiant Curbishley said: "What can I do about it apart from win games and keep going?
"I've had this now for a little while. I'll get on with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before.
"I understand the responsibility of being West Ham manager. I've watched games at Upton Park and other managers here have had similar criticism.
"You have to get on with it, it's part and parcel that fans let you know when they are not happy.
"The disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go out and perform.
"The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they have to realise the effect it has when they are not behind us."
Rovers depth pleases Ince
Paul Ince claims he will have no concerns about pitching some of his second string players into Premier League action after Wednesday's 4-1 Carling Cup success over Grimsby Town.
The Rovers boss made eight changes to the side that started their last league game, but a new-look line-up coasted to a second round victory at Ewood Park in which new Chile midfielder Carlos Villanueva caught the eye.
"When you win at Everton and draw at home to pick up four points, you don't change your side around a bit," said Ince when asked if the performance of his second string had left him with a selection dilemma.
"But there are certainly one or two that have shown that if it's not going well on Saturday, which I hope is not the case, then I can put them on and they could change the game.
"We started off very slow, but it was always a game that could potentially have been a banana skin.
"After 20 minutes we looked out of sorts until Carlos created a bit of magic and got us back to 1-1.
"When that one went in, I felt more at ease then. The whole lads played well in the second half.
"We could have had eight or nine to be honest and that's not being disrespectful to Grimsby because they've come here and had a go and, at times, caused us problems."
Toffees agree Castillo deal
Everton have agreed a deal with Red Star Belgrade to sign Ecuador international Segundo Castillo.
The 26-year-old midfielder will officially join the Toffees subject to passing a medical and the club acquiring a work permit.
Castillo has won 33 international caps for Ecuador and was a member of their 2006 World Cup squad which faced England in Germany.
"He is primarily a defensive midfield player but he has a willingness to join in the attack when the opportunity arises," read a club statement.
His arrival follows the signing of Denmark international defender Lars Jacobsen earlier in the week.
Speaking over the weekend, Toffees boss David Moyes revealed his frustration that he had been unable to add to his squad during the summer.
"There is no way we will be able to survive at our current level if it continues like this," he warned.
"It will be impossible to have any improvement this season if we do not improve the numbers greatly.
"We cannot sustain what we did last season, finishing fifth and having a good European run.
"We could not really sustain it when we were short of players from January onwards last season.
"Now we are more players short than then, so if we are in a worse position there is no way we can achieve again what we did last season."
Brown desperate for striker
Hull City boss Phil Brown has revealed Tuesday's Carling Cup exit to Swansea City has highlighted the need to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes.
The Tigers slipped to a 2-1 second round defeat at the hands of Championship opposition and Brown was unhappy with his side's lack of cutting edge.
Marlon King has already joined the Premier League newcomers this summer on loan from Wigan Athletic.
However, a move for former loan star Fraizer Campbell has stalled as the youngster is now part of the first team at Manchester United.
"The defeat highlighted our need for a lot more strength in depth, and hopefully that will come before September 1," revealed Brown.
"We don't want to get past the deadline having not signed anyone and then get sucked into a fight at the wrong end of the table."
City close in on Zabaleta
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Espanyol's Pablo Zabaleta, according to reports in Spain.
The £5million-rated right-back or defensive midfielder is believed to be in talks with City officials and is expected to join the club ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old has won a handful of caps for Argentina and was part of their gold medal winning squad at the Beijing Olympics.
Zabaleta has also been linked with a move to Juventus this summer following three seasons with Espanyol.
Meanwhile, City boss Mark Hughes remains hopeful of landing Shaun Wright-Phillips in a £9million deal with Chelsea.
"We're obviously keen to bring him to the club if we can," he revealed. "It is a possibility. We're very hopeful.
"If it doesn't happen it won't be for want of trying."
However, Hughes appears to have ended his interest in Craig Bellamy after the striker's current club, West Ham United, warned City off making a firm bid for the Wales international.
Blues confident over Robinho
Chelsea are confident of signing Robinho, but chief executive Peter Kenyon believes their pursuit of the Real Madrid star will 'go to the wire'.
Kenyon has spoken of his belief that the £30million-rated Brazil international will be a Blues player before the transfer window closes on Monday following a pursuit that has stretched back to the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as the club's new manager on July 1.
Scolari earmarked Robinho and Deco as players he wished to sign and the former Portugal coach is close to welcoming both players to Stamford Bridge following the previous acquisition of the latter.
Real Madrid insist they have not given up hope of keeping Robinho in Spain, but Kenyon is confident of completing a deal for the 24-year-old forward.
He said: "We are ever confident that it will get done, but we have always said it will go to the wire.
"We will keep moving it on and we hope that he will be joining us here at Chelsea.
"There were two players Luiz Felipe Scolari identified. One was Deco and one was Robinho and we have already seen the impact Deco has made on the Premier League.
"What we're doing is supporting Scolari in terms of how he wants to change the style and therefore we're very comfortable it will turn out to be a good investment.
"The manager is absolutely confident of the player's ability and that his mentality will fit in with Chelsea.
"He is different to what we had and I think it will be exciting for all Chelsea fans and the Premier League."
PFA hit back over Milner
The Professional Footballers' Association has hit back at Newcastle United's criticism of their unsettled midfielder James Milner.
The Magpies spoke of their disappointment on Wednesday that the 22-year-old midfielder had submitted a transfer request just 12 months after signing a long-term contract.
However, the PFA who represent Milner claim the criticism is unwarranted as the England Under-21 international had kept his position at the club and contract situation private over a period of time.
Milner has been linked with moves to both Aston Villa and Liverpool this summer.
"The PFA, who represent James Milner, are disappointed that information regarding his request for a move, and the circumstances surrounding it, have come to the public's attention, and we feel we have no option but to respond," deputy chief executive Mick McGuire told the association's official website.
"The facts are that James' transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle to keep the matter private.
"The request was given because the player was looking for an improvement on his contract that reflected his development and his value to the club.
"To clarify the situation, James did sign a contract 12 months ago. However, this agreement was reached with the club nearly 12 months previous at the point at which Newcastle had agreed to sell James to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day 2006 before cancelling the agreement at the 11th hour.
"Since then he has played over 80 games for Newcastle. All James wanted was a deal that reflected his development and that was in line with Newcastle's transfer valuation of him."
West Ham United Football Club - Just Like My Dreams They Fade And Die
- West Ham United Football Club - Just Like My Dreams They Fade And Die
The straw that broke the camel's back has arrived neatly packaged and with a nice bright ribbon on top.
I have been very vocal over the years about my love of traditionalist values and the way my club, West Ham United, have conducted themselves. Our history is over flowing with local heroes and tight knit squads of players that have graced the Internationl stage all the while representing the claret and blue and always being indebted to the teachings of 'the West Ham way'. We have had the least amount of managers in our history, choosing loyalty and commitment over knee-jerk reactions and always sticking with our roots when choosing managers, local people who have dedicated large chunks of their lives to the club. We have only had one non-English manager, the jock Lou Macari who didnt last long anyway unsuprisingly given his poor results and his lack of affiliation with the club.
It's these kind of details that make me proud of the club. Proud we are traditional, proud we promote local talent and by and large 'look after our own'. Not many clubs do this nowadays.
Recently I have become pretty disillusioned with the club, coincidentally since the arrival of the Icelandic owners. They began by talking the talk but they are most certainly not walking the walk. All the signs point to a downward spiral and general raping of everything the club is about to people like me. Ticket prices have increased massively, investment in the club is minimal, information coming out of the club is minimal, shirts are changing every year, the manager is being publicly humiliated by the owners at every turn, players are leaving in droves and no replacements are being bought, players appear increasingly unhappy, everything is about getting that extra pound note from my pocket.
If I were Alan Curbishley I would walk away from it all. I would quit without a seconds thought. There is some backstabbing going on at board room level and Curbishley is being treated with massive disrespect and he simply deserves better. Nobody gives a damn what he is saying within the club. The board will do as they like. There is an exodus of players to fund god knows what. Ferdinand, Bellamy, Ashton, Upson and Green have all been actively touted around. I was told this a while ago and did not believe it, thought it was a wind up but it is true and accurate. Ferdinand has pretty much gone, Bellamy may well be off, nobody would pay the money we were looking for to get Ashton and Upson and Green are still hovering in purgatory (the Arsenal rumours persist for both of them from within UP).
Selling players is part and parcel of the game, I dont mind that. It's the complete lack of ambition and intent in investing in the squad. I feel we will struggle this year. Around 15th place is what I am expecting. I've mainly been keeping my negative thoughts away from here because it leads to the inevitable but I just dont give a damn anymore. I've seen the signs before and I have been here before. The same will happen. We will fall flat on our face and we will be sold on within 5 years. I would be amazed if that does not happen.
t=The undermining of a manager, our manager, a local bloke, one of us, is wholly unnaccaeptable and I will do the only thing I can do which is stay away from Upton Park for the foreseeable future while these idiots are in charge. I have not even bothered with a membership let alone my old season ticket for this season and I am glad I didn't. It's convenient the player sales have gone on after the season ticket renewal deadline date also. Convenient, but not suprising.
The whole Tevez balls up was left alone because it was not the Icelandic's doing but they have kept Terry Brown on board with executive perks for some ridiculously dodgy reason and also Kia Joorabchian is involved behind the scenes having struck a deal out of court with West Ham over the funds he claimed he was owned. Something somewhere is not right.
I hope Curbishley does quit because he is looking increasingly stupid on the back of all this and I dont think he deserves it. The media are stirring it up even more as they clearly have a slight inside idea of the things I have been hearing and the best thing Curbishley can do is walk away with his dignity and pride intact and reveal to everybody exactly what he has had to contend with.
These are ruthless business men with zero interest in football. The footballing side of the investment, Eggert Magnusson was thrown out a long time ago and all whispers from people on the inside are increasingly worrying. If and when those players go, Ferdinand certainly and probably 1 more of the others I mentioned I would be amazed, gobsmacked, if we get any sort of quality replacement. The only way is down.
A Beleaguered Bulgarian
Over the commentary of a Spurs match when Berbatov is playing is often quite predictable with the phrases, ‘class act’ and ‘oozes talent’ being ten a penny but Berbatov has shown that with his apparent ‘dream’ to join Man Utd class is something he severely lacks.
Berbatov has always been credited with being an outstanding player but with an extremely temperamental attitude but as long as he performed the way he did in the past two seasons he could be as petulant as he liked. Ranging from tantrums when a teammate didn’t spot a run he made to making himself completely anonymous for a majority of a game he has been a true professional at having an arrogant mind-set.
It has seemed ever since Alex Ferguson decided not to sign him during his Leverkusen days Berbatov has been linked in the media with joining up with Man Utd. This seems that he has made it his own vendetta to prove doubters wrong and make it to the top and eventually be a Man Utd player. Perhaps he thought that when Spurs became interested in his services he had a chance to impress in front of Ferguson’s own eyes and show how much he misjudged his abilities. This leads to the ‘dream’ comments that were made by Berbatov in which he stated that it was his dream to be a Man Utd player. This was laughed off by most Spurs fans and media pundits but perhaps there is some truth in it.
Throughout Berbatov’s career at Spurs I have always been torn between the awe of his often brilliance and the frustration of his often nonchalance so having him on the verge of a move had left me again undecided but having a quiet hope that he would stay. However after a number of poor performances pre-season, a complete lack of interest against Middlesbrough and the total unwillingness to play at all against Sunderland has left me distraught that the arrogant and selfish side of his conscience has finally seemed to has devoured the side which motivated the true performer which had all of us forever optimists on the edge of our seats.
I just hope that regardless of where his career lies the Berbatov of old is resurrected and the magic returns.