All posts by h79snht.top

A dominant performance from Swindon Town on Tuesday and their 12th straight home league victory has extended their lead at the top of League Two to 7 Points.

With 59% possession Swindon converted just 2 of the 16 attempts on goal with headers from Connell and Risser either side of half time. Swindon’s goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was scarcely given anything to do and this is testament to Paolo’s tactics on the night. Lee Holmes had another great night along with Risser and Connell.

This can only be a catalyst for Sunday’s Football League Trophy Final at Wembley.

The worst case scenario for Swindon going into Sunday’s game will be 4 points ahead of The Gulls with two games in hand over them, or 5 points ahead of The Shrews with one game in hand. Either way Swindon are in a very strong position, with a target of 95 points very achievable.

Selected reaction…

Swindon Town Manager Paolo Di Canio said after the game: ‘The most important thing is all these victories give us a good position when we arrive at the end. The target was to go up and this will remain our target.’

Wes Foderingham on Twitter ‘Great win tonight, probably the most important win of the season. Roll on Sunday’.

Swindon scorer Alan Connell, ‘I felt really good tonight and grew into the game. We have so much quality in the side especially on the wings and I just tried to get on the end of things. Torquay played very well and they’re up there with Shrewsbury in terms of the sides that we have faced. I think they (Torquay) will go up.’

On-Loan Star…

Swindon Town’s latest acquisition has been announced as Barnsley defender Jay McEveley. The 6 foot 1 bulky centre back has spent most of his career on-loan to several clubs including Burnley, Gillingham, Derby and Barnsley to name a few. The 27 year old has been targeted by Paolo Di Canio in a view to signing him on a permanent basis when the transfer window reopens. Jay would be eligible to feature in Sundays clash against Chesterfield but only time will tell whether he will be a future Robin or not. His contract with Barnsley will terminate in the summer so he may have played his last match for The Tykes.

And Another…

Swindon Town’s 2nd on-loan signing this week is Tottenhams 20 year old attacking midfielder John Bostock. The London born player holds a unique playing career as he has only played 28 times at club level but 40 times at international level be this at a younger age. John has yet to prove himself but if Paolo can bring his potential out of him then this has the potiential of kick-starting this young mans career.

Two In One Out

Billy Bodin has been signed by Crewe Alexandra until the end of the season. The son of Swindon Town legend Paul Bodin has spent much of the season on-loan at Torquay for whom he made 17 appearances for, scoring 5 times to help The Alex push for the play-off.

Only 1 Place Separating The Teams…

“We’re going up, you’re going down” we be one of the chants I expect to hear on Saturday. A whole league separates Swindon and Chesterfield currently but after May it is looking increasingly likely that they will be trading places. Chesterfield have had a poor season by their standards and with 1 win in 7 games their current form has been dire. Their only hope of salvation this season is to win the Football League Trophy. This would galvanise the team into putting that extra effort required to stay in League 1, but a defeat at Wembley and relegation could spell the end for manager John Sheridan.

Trip down memory lane…

Tuesday 4th December 2007

Carlisle United 3 Swindon Town 0

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Attendance: 5,477 (216 Away Fans)

Goals From: Anyinsah (27’, 54’), Garner (75’).

Starting Line-up: Brezovan, Nicholas, Aljofree, Tozer, Smith, Mcgovern, Pook, Easton, Comminges, Paynter, Cox

Why I Remember The Game: It was an awful performance from Swindon, with a round trip of 400 mile, but the reason I remember this game is because I took my pregnant finance to the game. As The Cumbrians scored their third goal, troubled erupted in the away end but luckily with quick thinking, moving her away from the situation prevented any harm and 3 weeks later gave birth to our first son, Connor.

By Swindon Town blogger Craig Kendall. You can follow him on Twitter @engoism. #

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The players hold all the power. End of story. No, this is not another retrospective look back at Carlos Tevez and his refusal to come off the bench only to be playing again or the senior members of Chelsea causing an inside revolt amidst Andre Villas-Boas departure. This article refers to players’ true committal to the cause and the increasing cost of loyalty at football clubs. Far too often we put players on a pedestal and they don’t look like they’ll be coming down anytime soon. That’s just the way it is I’m afraid.

The Mail Online reported at the weekend that Tottenham are desperately seeking to tie midfield maestro Luka Modric to a new deal which will double the Croatian’s current £50,000 a week deal. Modric didn’t endear himself to the Spurs faithful in the summer whereby he had his head turned south west in the direction of Chelsea but eventually decided to stick out the current campaign and see where it took him. Tottenham’s season remains on a knife-edge and failure to qualify for the Champions League after remaining in the top four all season long would represent a disaster. A disaster which could have far-reaching repercussions with key statesmen such as Modric likely to consider their future if their target remains unachieved.

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So amidst the doubt whether Spurs will do it or not, just throw some more money at the player and then we’ll see whether there’s a deal or no deal. The Premier League seems to have become this type of game show whereby the players are the contestants and hold all the power in their hands, and are only guided by the host or football club. In order for a show to function, there must be a contestant, and this analogy can be employed to explain managers and owners pandering nature towards some of their most talented squad members. Modric has all the cards in his hands, keeping his options open with fans and Redknapp no closer to a definitive conclusion.

‘I don’t know where we are at with Luka. I’m sure the club is looking to tie him up’ said Redknapp.

Arsenal find themselves in a similar position with Robin Van Persie and throwing money at the players is a short-term fix but leaves a sour taste in the mouth that footballers are greedy, money-grabbing and half-hearted in their loyalty. Maybe this complex is ambitious but how refreshing would it be for a player to come out publically and say I’m going to stay and try my best for the cause next time round. Of course, every player wants to win trophies immediately but a little patience would go a long way in the eyes of the fan and for the game as a whole.

It is disappointing but this unfortunate theme that players are being offered new wild contracts whilst their current one is yet to expire represents the contemporary phenomenon that football has become a bit of a circus. The Sky revolution and 24-hour sport surveillance means we scrutinise more than ever before, milking off every football outlet, shaping an opinion and degrading heroes to zeros or vice versa in very short periods of time. Nowadays it only takes back-to-back scoring, a heroic YouTube video put to some gallant music and a few punditry panels nattering positively for a new hero to be born. We saw it in the form of Andy Carroll at the start of last season, whereby he was a marauding new striking hero but a year and a bit on he is a zero in the eyes of many.

But back to the focus of the article; it is costing clubs more and more to keep their top pros. Big spending owners at Chelsea and Manchester City have introduced a culture of immediacy and impatience which is proving all but impossible to shake from the fabric of our game. There is now a fear factor in the Premier League; a fear factor as accelerated by sports media and fans that they may lose their top talents and suffer indefinitely as a result. Newcastle United have proved this term that there can be light at the end of the selling tunnel. After parting with some of their top pros, a shrewd negotiation of the transfer market has seen them improbably rise back to the top end of the division.

Whilst Luka Modric represents an exceptional talent, who wouldn’t want to be parted with by any club, fans must realise that modern-day loyalty in football is superficial and big bucks are the desperate factor called upon in trying to break the stride of a player striving for the exit door. It remains the sad truth that it only takes a bad or transitional season for certain pros to consider their future. The loyal never-say-die and redemptive cultures of old are now nothing but a distant memory.

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Should clubs throw big money at their stars? Are they pandered too far too often? I’d like to know your views @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

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There has been a lot to be excited about from this year’s La Liga campaign. Even removing the drama, theatrics, and otherworldly football from Barcelona and Real Madrid, there’s been much to admire from Spanish clubs this season.

From Athletic Bilbao’s performances against Manchester United, to Levante grabbing hold of many more hearts as they topped the league table for the first time in their history. The Europa League winners Atletico Madrid have also proven the quality in the teams and certain players across Spanish football, as Spain dominated the competition’s semi-final.

Defending European Champions, World Champions, and stretching down to U21 level where the country also hold the European Championship, there is quality in abundance in La Liga, if you know where to look.

The performances of Rayo Vallecano have rightfully been praised. The seemingly relentless attacking of Bilbao has mirrored the example Madrid and Barcelona have set, and even Valencia managed to go away to Stoke in the Europa League and get a victory.

Spanish football is far from the one dimensional league that so many proclaim it to be, with many clubs boasting excellent players who are often masked by the exploits of Messi and Ronaldo. Most of whom would be very good additions to many Premier League clubs.

 Click on Gary Medel to unveil the 10 gems the Premier League should take a punt on

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As another season in the Barclays Premier League comes to a close, another summer transfer window opens and rumours generate as to which player will end up where come the end of August. With newly- crowned champions Man City expected to spend big and Chelsea looking to strengthen after their poor domestic season, there are calls from the Red side of Manchester as to whether they can compete financially.

Having just released their accounts from this season, United fans will be astounded to see that another £71 million has been lost due to financial obligations imposed by the Glazer family. Through interest payments and buyback of bonds, the American Owners have spent the equivalent of £250,000 a day trying to service the clubs increasing debts, which now stand at £420 million. With the continuously changing hierarchical structures that are apparent in many Premier League teams, especially the battle for control between Owners and Fans, United will feel aggrieved that the Glazers have been allowed to regulate these financial implications that have quite clearly failed to solve the debt issues.

The Glazer family, who reside in Florida, have controlling stakes in Manchester United as well as NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, it is not just on this side of the pond that the Owners have been in hot water with fans. After the Glazer’s took control of United in 2005, Tampa Bay imploded. Spending very little on player wages, the team could not compete at a high level. There were growing concerns in Florida as to where the money had gone. Fans soon turned on the Owners and accused them of using the money to control debts at Old Trafford. The Glazer’s categorically denied this but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never recovered and hatred for the Owners is as apparent in Florida as it is in Manchester.

The news of another season of financial trouble behind the scenes at Old Trafford came just days after Chief Executive David Gill explained that the club would be unable to compete with their neighbours in terms of player salaries. This will come as no surprise given the Oil Rich owners at City can inject Millions into the clubs coffers with consummate ease. However, It is a smack in the face for United fans that have not only seen their biggest rivals take their trophy but now must realise that the club can no longer sign whoever they choose by offering large salaries as their financial state will not allow it.

The Owners disregard for fans happiness is a major influence on the unity of a football club. It is no coincidence that since American Owners have arrived in the Premier League, fan consideration is no longer a paramount objective. Apart from the Glazer’s, Randy Lerner has disappeared at Aston Villa this year, coinciding with the clubs terrible domestic season. Stan Kroenke holds majority shares at Arsenal but seems to run a business at the Emirates rather than displaying a passion for the club. Liverpool are still suffering from the hangover of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The former owners made promises they could never keep and angered fans with their utter disrespect toward club tradition. Although John W Henry has made small improvements at the Anfield since then, his decision to sack Kenny Dalglish has been questioned by some pundits. You only have to look at the success of a club like Wigan Athletic to see that Owner-Manager-Fan unity is vital for success. On a shoestring budget Wigan have been punching above their weight in the Premier League for 7 years. It is in no small part down to Dave Whelan, who, by listening to his fans and his managers, has made key decisions at the right times in the best interest of the Football Club that he loves.

Manchester United fans have every right to show discontent. The club has always been built on success. It runs through their veins. So the fact that the club are failing financially cannot be put to one side. Had the club been under different ownership, more money would have been spent in the transfer market in recent seasons. If Manchester United are planning to spend big this summer, they will have to dip their hand into the clubs cash reserves, which have also fallen a mammoth £87 million since last year. It seems that financial situations at Old Trafford have got to be resolved immediately if United are going to able to compete in this summer’s transfer market.

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Follow me on Twitter @mattpegg1

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Manchester United have announced that they have completed a deal to sign Crewe youngster Nick Powell.

The attacking midfielder has caught the eye after excellent performances for the lower league club, and was linked to a raft of Premier League sides including Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.

However, the Red Devils have sown up a deal for the 18-year-old, who scored in the League Two playoff final against Cheltenham for Stoke a month ago.

The deal is believed to worth as much as £6 million, and Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted that the youngster has completed his move to Old Trafford.

“We have scouted Nick for months now,” the Scot told the club’s official website.

“He is an exceptional talent and has been schooled well at Crewe.

“I’m delighted he has chosen to come to United. He has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to working with him.”

The England under-18 star has admitted that moving to the Premier League giants is a dream, and he is looking forward to getting started at his new club.

“It really is a dream come true to be signing for Manchester United. I have had a great time at Crewe and I would like to thank them for helping me to develop as a player over the past 13 years.

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“I’m excited about continuing my development with Sir Alex and the world-class players in the squad. The thought of making the step up to the Premier League next season is an exciting prospect. I can’t wait to get started,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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This week it has been heavily rumoured that Luke Chambers is set for a move to Portman Road.

The 26 year old Nottingham Forest player can play at either centre back or right back which are two positions that Ipswich desperately need someone for.

Chambers started his career at Northampton, making his professional debut at the age of 17 on the last day of the 2002/03 season. After a few impressive seasons with the cobblers Chambers was named captain by Colin Calderwood who then signed him in 2007 when he went to manage Nottigham Forest.

Chambers was named player of the year at Nottingham Forest in the 2010/11 season but he is now available on a free transfer because his contract is up at Forest.

It is good to hear Ipswich being linked with a player of Chambers quality and personality. As I have said before the thing that Ipswich need more than anything right now is leadership and Chambers does seem to be the kind of strong character that we need. It has been a while since Ipswich have had a strong captain figure and the fact that a mercenary like Leadbitter managed to take the captaincy last season says it all.

There are still too many players in the Ipswich team who don’t seem too passionate or willing to step up and take some responsibility but hopefully Paul Jewell is now looking to replace most of them.

It is fair to say that the squad still has a decent amount of players that Roy Keane signed and for the most part these players are the ones who don’t look passionate about playing for Ipswich. It looks like Paul Jewell is slowly trying to get rid of any players with the wrong attitude and bring in players with hunger and passion.

Signing Chambers would be a great start and if he joined alongside Coventry City’s Richard Keogh then they would make a fantastic pairing at centre back. Both players would also be able to help Tommy Smith develop into a solid centre back which would be useful to Ipswich for years to come.

Of course if both players joined then Damien Delaney would probably leave as he wouldn’t get any game time. Personally, I wouldn’t see this as a great loss as Delaney is a very average defender with little evidence to suggest he has the right attitude towards playing for Ipswich.

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I think Delaney improved at the end of last season because he realised that if he didn’t then his career would decline rapidly. We saw that Leadbitter only put the effort in to win a contract at Middlesbrough and I am guessing that Delaney had a similar plan in mind.

In an ideal world I would love to see Ipswich sign Chambers and sell Delaney but with Leeds, Leicester, Wigan and West Brom all linked with him it could prove very difficult for Jewell to convince him to sign. Keogh has also been linked with a lot of clubs too so both players will be hard to snap up but hopefully we will sign at least one of them.

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The Lions have just finished off their pre season schedule and with less then a week till the first competitive game, boss Kenny Jackett will have the big dilemma regarding his starting XI to play against Crawley in the League Cup, with some positions easier to fill then others.

With goalie David Forde away on international duty with Republic Of Ireland on the day of the game, golden oldie Maik Taylor will surely be in goal for the game, no fan will have a problem with that due to him now being considered as ‘Wall’s number one.

In the left back position it will surely be new signing Scott Malone, from pre-season games seems a strong defender with a good attacking intent. This can also be said for Jack Smith who should be starting at right back. Centre back could like slightly different.

Shane Lowry should play but with captain Paul Robinson not having played a minute of pre-season due to injury, new signing Karleigh Osborne could play, despite him being mostly unimpressed in friendlies, also meaning that if he plays, Osborne will want to stake his place in the team even more.

And now there is even more competition in midfield. New signing Chris Taylor will play on the left, after 3 goals in 2 pre-season games he will relish the challenge of the Championship.

It’s likely that it’ll be 2 from 3 for the centre midfield places with Liam Trotter, Josh Wright and Jimmy Abdou. Jackett will most likely play Jimmy Abdou due to both Wright and Trotter being both very attacking players. I’d personally pick Wright over Trotter due to his form with Abdou at the end of last season.

And the right Wing position most likely being given the position due to his end of last season form. But after strong pre-season form which saw him scouted for a Northern Ireland call up, Liam Feeney will surely have something to say about that. But Henry is more then likely to play the game.

There are plenty of choices for the strikers but with Andy Keogh on international duty, it will open up one place for an attacker. After a confident pre-season i’d want to see Dany N’Guessen play. He is by no means a fans favourite  but I think he should be given a chance. N’Guessen’s strike partner will most likely be Daruis Henderson, the most lethal goal threat after being last seasons top scorer for the Lions. But with Henderson not being risked in the last pre-season game against Southend he may not recover from his injury in time which could see homegrown striker John Marquis come in.

Usually the League Cup is used in recent years by some teams in order to play some of the youth team and squad rotation players, but seeing as this year the League Cup is starting before the actual league season, the actual starting XI should be used.

So this is my team.

Taylor

Smith Osborne Lowry Malone

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Henry Wright Abdou Taylor

N’Guessen Henderson

Who would you play?

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New season, same old reasons and excuses for defeat.

Millwall have just lost on penalties to Crawley in the League Cup and the main reason, poor, poor mistakes and not taking chances. sounds familiar doesn’t it Lions fans?

The game started off poorly for ‘Wall and Crawley took advantage by capitalising on poor Millwall defending for Hope Akpan to make it 1-0.

Millwall pushed on then and and gained an equaliser from a Darren Ward header. The game went on and one or two weak points were being shown. New signing Scott Malone looked shaky and nervous at left back, plus some players looked like they thought it was another pre season game, no urgency in their play.

Second half Millwall started to find there way more in the match, but Crawley took the lead through a decent Nicky Adam strike from the edge of the box. Shaun Batt was brought on to put some pace in the team, and it seemed to work as the Lions looked more effective going forward. Batt was everything that Henderson wasn’t. Strong,eager, putting in effort.

Hendo looked like his head was elsewhere. Lazily missed two easy one-on-ones, slotting them wide. Batt was rewarded with a great strike to take it to extra time, his first goal since the injury and nobody deserves the goal more.

The formation didn’t seem to work throughout, with players playing out of position and although we tried to play some good football, it was difficult to break down the League One opposition.

One of the positives of the game was the substitutes, Shaun Batt most likely earned himself man of the match with that performance and Danny Shittu, making his second Lions debut, did his chances of a starting place wonders.

Good solid performance from him, he also managed to help distract Crawley striker Akinde from finishing the game. Akinde broke through the offside trap for a one on one with Taylor, Shittu stormed back and barged into the striker, falling in the process, this put off Akinde enough just enough for him to blaze it over the bar. A very lucky escape. Shittu by name, But the name surely doesn’t match the player.

The team played was most likely our strongest bar Andy Keogh, who was on international duty. But I could see changes for Saturdays Championship opener against Blackpool. Especially a change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to the more conventional 4-4-2 with two out and out strikers.

My team for Blackpool.

M Taylor

Smith, Shittu, Lowry, Malone

Batt, Trotter, Abdou, C Taylor

Henderson Keogh

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And hopefully a better performance, quicker play, more pressing and take your chances!

But Oh-well, it’s only the cup, not important is it? Roll on Saturday

COYL.

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Michael Carrick has confirmed that he wants to play for England going forward, after making his return against Italy on Wednesday night.

The Manchester United midfielder played a part in the Three Lions’ 2-1 win over Cesare Prandelli’s men in Switzerland, after being overlooked for a considerable period of time.

Carrick even took on the captain’s armband after Frank Lampard was substituted and has revealed that he is committed to the nation.

“I’m more than happy to be here. I have spoken to the manager and what has gone on in the past, I have drawn a line under that,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think there was confusion because people thought that I said if I wasn’t going to play then I didn’t want to be there. That’s certainly not the case, anyone who knows me knows I’m not like that at all.

“It was more that I hadn’t played for so long and I wasn’t getting any closer to playing and the Euros were coming. At the last World Cup I hadn’t been part of things and I thought it would be better for me not to go and not be a part of things if I wasn’t going to be involved.

“That’s the decision I made and I stand by that. I would like to draw a line under that now. There is a new manager and a new regime and things are looking great,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Manchester United defender Phil Jones faces a further eight weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in training earlier this week, according to The Guardian.

The injury compounds a frustrating time for the 20-year-old who had already missed Manchester United’s first three Premier League games of the season as well as England’s 5-0 victory in Moldova due to a back injury.

A club statement said, “Phil Jones has had surgery on a knee meniscus tear sustained in training that will require six to eight weeks’ rehabilitation.” As a result, the youngster will now miss key games for both club and country.

Jones will now miss Manchester United’s key Premier League clashes with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal as well as the Red Devil’s opening three Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray, Cluj and Braga. Additionally, the central defender will be absent for England’s World Cup Qualifiers against San Marino and Poland next month.

Jones’ absence is a further defensive blow for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who is still without Chris Smalling after the utility man broke his metatarsal last month.

Jones, whose leadership skills have touted him to be a future England captain, had an impressive first season at Old Trafford following his £16.5 million move from Blackburn Rovers in June 2011. His ability to play at both centre-back and defensive midfield have made him a useful acquisition for the United manager.

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Meanwhile, on a more positive note for Ferguson, defenders Johnny Evans and Rio Ferdinand are thought to have regained full fitness and will be available for selection when Manchester United welcome Wigan Athletic to Old Trafford on Saturday.

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