Scotland manager Craig Levein has announced a relatively inexperienced 24-man squad for a friendly against Denmark on August 10.Just four members of Levein’s squad for the match at Hampden Park in Glasgow have won more than 20 caps for their country.
Captain Darren Fletcher and fellow regulars Craig Gordon and James McFadden will miss through injury, giving the likes of Barry Bannan, Robert Snodgrass and David Goodwillie a chance to be involved.
“The most important thing just now is to win matches but at the same time trying to build up this bank of players who can help us in the future,” Levein said after unveiling the squad.
“It is a young squad but if you have a look at the recent friendly matches, we’ve tried in all of those to add a group of maybe a handful of players who I believe will be future, regular Scotland internationals.”
Scotland squad: Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Scott Brown (Celtic), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic) Kris Commons (Celtic), Stephen Crainey (Blackpool), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Goodwillie (Dundee United), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton & Hove Albion) Allan McGregor (Rangers), Kenny Miller (Cardiff City), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion) Steven Naismith (Rangers), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United), Iain Turner (Preston North End), Steven Whittaker (Rangers), Danny Wilson (Liverpool).
Despite being linked with big money moves for former World Cup stars, Blackburn Rovers look set to lose their captain after Chris Samba reaffirmed his desire to leave the club in January.
Samba’s comments will be of interest to a number of clubs such as Arsenal, Aston Villa and Fulham who have all been rumoured to be keen on the Congolese defender.
He told press that he was disillusioned with the conduct of Blackburn’s new owners Venky’s, and would like to leave the club in the coming transfer window.
Samba said: “This is my fifth season here. I’ve had ups and downs but today I don’t want to waste any more time”
“New owners have arrived, they have fired the coach when he saved us from relegation two years ago.”
“The least they could have done is come to us and explain their project. They haven’t done that, it’s a lack of respect. I don’t want to be part of it.”
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Samba has made over 100 appearances for Rovers since joining from Hertha BSC in 2007. Sometimes deployed as a part-time striker, Samba has notched an impressive 12 goals for Blackburn, including two this season and is a constant threat from set-pieces.
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Liverpool look set to undergo some major surgery to their playing staff this summer as new boss Brendan Rodgers addresses the issue over whether certain players fit in with his ‘philosophy’ or not, and one player that immediately springs to mind as being under serious threat is Jay Spearing, so what does the future hold for the central midfielder?
Spearing was undoubtedly the main beneficiary of Lucas Leiva season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last term, and played the majority of the side’s game under Kenny Dalglish towards the end of the season, making 16 league appearances and 25 across all competitions.
However, when you look at the sort of manager Rodgers is and the sort of players that he likes for his central midfield roles, Spearing sticks out like a sore thumb as being the antithesis to anything even approaching a ball-playing midfielder.
The problem with him is that he’s caught between two stalls; he’s neither an exceptionally gifted tackler, nor energetic enough to cover ground quickly and for once in the modern-game, his relative lack of size is a determining factor. He has a decent passing range, but is still capable of the odd huge gaffe, as was best shown by his quite simply diabolical showing in the FA Cup final against Chelsea where his poor cross-field pass directly led to Ramires’ opening goal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson looks set to sign for the club, while Steven Gerrard has proven while on England duty so far at Euro 2012 that he’s extremely capable in a deeper-lying, more reserved and disciplined holding role as he comes to terms with accepting that he’s not quite the box-to-box midfielder he once was.
Add into the mix the return of the hugely missed Lucas, Jordan Henderson and Jonjo Shelvey, who began to show a degree of promise with an extended run in the side towards the back-end of last season and Spearing’s chances already look limited before a spending spree even begun.
Rodgers midfield triumvarite of Allen, Britton and Sigurdsson at Swansea worked well, and with the Icelandic international set to follow his mentor Rodgers to Anfield, even someone with as much experience as Alberto Aquilani begins to look surplurs to requirements, let alone Spearing.
Rumours that the club are in the hunt for former Wigan holding man Mohamed Diame refuse to go away, as the club kept in place the deal set up before Dalglish departed, as they seek to add more steel to their engine room, with the side guilty of letting the opposition play far too much in front of them at times last term.
If truth be told, if he wasn’t a local-born player, Spearing’s time at Liverpool would have been up some time ago, but the crucial currency of geography has afforded him more opportunities than his ability is worth. Even as a squad player, he may survive for the time being but he’s simply not good enough to be kept around the club in the long-term and he looks to be operating on borrowed time.
Do you think Spearing will be kept at the club much longer?
You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1
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It’s 1956 and the UK has found its first heart throbs of the post-war era in the “Busby Babes” – a good looking and prodigiously talented team of young football players, including young teenager Bobby Charlton (Jack O’Connell: Harry Brown, This is England) and team mates Duncan Edwards (Sam Claflin: Pirates Of The Caribbean), Mark Jones (Thomas Howes: Downton Abbey) and Eddie Colman (Philip Hill-Pearson: Shameless).Coach Jimmy Murphy, played by the superbly talented David Tennant (Dr Who) and the revered but intimidating boss Matt Busby (Dougray Scott: Mission Impossible II, Hitman) guide the club to glory after glory.
By 1958 the Babes are riding high on the crest of a wave until the scheduling of a European Cup Tie in Belgrade demands that Busby charter a special flight to return the team to Manchester in time for Saturday’s kick off. During a refuelling stop at Munich airport, the arctic weather closes in. On a third attempt at take off, the plane never leaves the ground crashing into a fuel dump. Twenty three people on board the aircraft die as a result of their injuries, including eight of the Busby Babes…
The disaster sends shockwaves around the world. While Manchester mourns its sporting heroes, the surviving players are devastated, unsure whether they will ever play again. Critically injured, Busby is riddled with guilt about his decision to charter the plane, and with no insurance on the players, the powerhouse that was Manchester United seems doomed.
With its superbly talented cast and powerful script drawn from first hand interviews with survivors and their families, United tells how the extraordinary spirit of a community rebuilt the team in the aftermath of the crash, providing a powerful tribute to a tragedy that spurred the beginning of the global legend that is Manchester United.
See the trailer below:
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If you would like to pre-order a copy of the DVD ahead of its launch on August 8th then click on the link below:
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Arsenal’s fine start to the season has been accomplished without their talismanic captain for large parts of it. Cesc Fabregas has spent two separate stints out injured already, first with a hamstring injury attained during a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on the 18th of September which kept him out for a month. And more recently a knee injury incurred during the away defeat to Braga kept him out of action for a couple of weeks.
Yet the find themselves second in the league just two points off pace setters Manchester United, with Samir Nasri in particular catching the eye. Accompanied by the emergence of Jack Wilshere perhaps the Arsenal midfield is able to survive without the Spaniard. Added to this is the prospect of Aaron Ramsey who was looking extremely promising before his injury. So maybe it wouldn’t be a complete disaster if Fabregas was allowed to leave to the ready and waiting Barcelona, who are keen for their former player to return home. The extra cash, and surely it would be a hefty amount in excess of £30million, could be put to use strengthening other areas of the squad that are in need of addressing. Such as the goalkeeper or defence or even a midfielder that has a bit more steel as opposed to creative flair.
However I disagree, I think it would be a huge mistake for Arsenal to let Fabregas go. Mainly as it is not the business of big clubs to let their captains’ be prised away from just as they are approaching the prime of their careers. Surely Arsenal fans do not wish to see such a talented player leave the emirates? For all the other options they have in that playmaker role none of them live to Fabregas. Nasri has indeed has a great season, but his game is different to Cesc, although I agree you get the best out him playing down the middle than on the wing, but he tends to play higher up the pitch and is better in the final third than staring the play from deep where I believe Fabregas’s true talent to lie. Added to this, although being a good player since he signed for Arsenal, he has only really bee in outstanding form this season and you cannot base your team’s success in such a relatively brief burst of form. Fabregas has been at the top of his game and Arsenal’s outstanding performer over the last three or four seasons, that is not a role that is easily filled, nor should it be tried to filled unnecessarily, which is what his sale would be.
To look at the young pretenders such as Wilshere to step up to the plate is even more foolish and places a lot of pressure on his young shoulders. A player who is not yet 19 has too much to learn about the game to be the main focus and source of creativity of a team, especially one with genuine silverware aspirations as Arsenal have. An immerging youngster no matter how talented should not be thrust into that position, as he could easily crumble under the pressure, and does not know the game as well as his Catalan team-mate who is playing a major role in mentoring the young Wilshere both on and off the pitch.
I feel it is far too early for Arsenal to be relying on such young talent to be carrying the team. As a squad Nasri, Wilshere, Ramsey and Fabregas represent a terrific array of midfield options. Perhaps in three or so years if Ramsey and Wilshere keep up this level of progression then they could lead this Arsenal team. But at the moment for Arsenal’s present and immediate future it is imperative that they hold on to Fabregas, as you need a player in his prime at the top of his game not just extremely talented youngsters to hold teams together and win titles.
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Robin van Persie was last week named the finest Premier League player this season by his fellow pro’s, highlighting his consistency and ability across the 2011-12 campaign. It’s hard to argue that the Dutchman has been anything short of inspirational this term, with his goal-scoring touch bagging the Gunners over 20 points alone, and dragging the North Londoner’s up the table after a disappointing opening. Yet, for me, there is one man who has outshone the Arsenal captain, and that is Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.
The Red Devils striker has been in fine form this term, putting the issues of last season firmly in the past and concentration on what he does best, performing on the field of play. Due to van Persie’s goal-scoring flurry, the Manchester United man’s edge in front of the net has gone unnoticed, yet the fact remains that the England international has bagged 26 in the Premier League, just two fewer than his Dutch counterpart.
It’s easy to forget that for quite some time this season United have been fairly poor, with injuries damaging the depth of the squad and hampering Sir Alex Ferguson’s options. As a result Rooney has been, at times, employed in a deeper role, being asked to sit behind the front-line, and dictate play from an almost central-midfield role. Although his performances in this position were not as rampaging as that we are used to when watching ‘Wazza’ his qualities were there for all to see, as the ex-Everton man controlled the pace of the game, aiding his attacking colleagues.
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His performances, not only this season, but down the years have drawn special praise form some of the world’s top talent, with Barcelona ace Lionel Messi stating his desire to one day work with the Manchester United star:
“It would be a dream to play with Rooney if Manchester United ever came to the point where they needed to sell him,” The Argentine told the Daily Star Sunday.
“I would personally go to the Barcelona president and ask that he be signed myself. There are always a handful of players in the world at any one time who can go down in the footballing history books. At the moment, there are maybe (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Rooney, Xavi and one or two more – but I can’t think of one that plays with the desire of Rooney. We all know football players at the top level are blessed with high wages, it’s no secret. But Rooney would play for 100 euros-a-week. You can see the fire in his eyes. It’s that fire which makes him the best of the best.”
Such high praise from, arguably, one of the finest players to ever play the game displays just how talented Rooney is, and his overall contribution to whichever team is lucky enough to have him.
One of the only drawbacks to Rooney’s game has been discipline, with the 26-year-old often suffering as a result of his desire and passion on the field of play. Many have said in the past that the remove his nasty streak would be detrimental to his game and that yellow, and occasionally red, cards are just part and parcel of his style of play. This season however, has seen an air of maturity of the part of the forward, who has ditched his questionable disciplinary record. Since his red card in the Three Lions shirt, against Montenegro, Rooney has curbed his temper, very rarely getting himself on the wrong side of officials, and as a result issues regarding his temperament have been all but removed. Yet, this hasn’t hampered his style of play, as the desire and all-action approach remains as strong as ever every time he takes to the pitch.
Although Robin van Persie has been a fine performer this term, Wayne Rooney has, arguably, been better in my humble opinion. The Manchester United striker has shown further improvement, building on his already vast skill set, and aiding his club’s pursuit of the Premier League title. It seems the Englishman is moving toward the very peak of his career, and this season has shown just how special he is, and his level of performances deserve more recognition than they have received.
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Should Rooney or van Persie been PFA player of the year? Have your say with a comment, or follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter
It has long been argued if Steven Gerrard is indeed, the greatest midfielder ever to grace the Premier League. His records and achievements over the course of his long and illustrious career speak for themselves. Often known for his leadership qualities, Steven Gerrard has been Liverpool’s saviour on many occasions over the past 13 years of his career. His attitude towards the game and hunger for success truly make him one of the greatest players in the club’s famous history.
Since kick-starting his Liverpool career back in ’98, Steven Gerrard has played an amazing total of 556 games for his club, finding the back of the net 140 times. He was awarded MBE in 2007 and went on to add countless number of trophies and personal accolades to his name.
However, for many years Steven Gerrard remained the highlight of the team – and at times, the only one. He was often burdened by the weight of expectation but never did he surrender. Most Liverpool fans looked to him to be their savior, sometimes the players too. Gerrard was Liverpool’s only GO-TO man. He often became frustrated at the lack of big names in Liverpool’s squad of yesteryears which in turn resulted in their inability to compete at the highest levels. Gerrard always walked out onto the pitch with a level of expectancy only a few could handle, and yet he played his heart out week in, week out.
When Fernando Torres joined Liverpool in the summer of ’07, he instantly forged a threatening partnership with Steven Gerrard. With Torres’ arrival, Gerrard found in him a player who thrived on pressure and willfully shared some of his burden. Soon both players began to gel. In 08/09, Steven Gerrard scored 24 goals finishing as Liverpool’s top goal scorer. That season, the world saw a new Steven Gerrard – his attacking partnership with Torres being the prime factor.
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Consequently, Fernando Torres was sold in the January transfer window of 10/11 and the 50 million pounds Liverpool received were instantly invested in highly rated Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. Moreover, FSG and Liverpool’s rich owner John Henry splashed heavy cash in the summer on other mercurial talent such as Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. To sum it up, Liverpool FC now has the financial backing to bring in quality players to help Steven Gerrard lift this club to dizzying heights.
To put it into perspective, Gerrard is no longer the only highlight of the team – nor is he Liverpool’s only GO-TO man. He will thrive on the huge skill capacity of Luis Suarez and his ability to bamboozle defenders at will, along with the physical presence of Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing’s ball-crossing attributes. Dirk Kuyt looks to have finally found his goal scoring boots following his move to the English Premier league from the Dutch Eredivisie after failing to make an impact on the scoring charts in the Premier League during his initial years at the club. However, Charlie Adam’s arrival at Anfield will perhaps be the signing which will benefit Gerrard the most. His vision and eye for goal is unquestionable – and as Sir Alex Ferguson said, his set-piece deliveries alone are worth 10 million pounds. Adam can fill the gaping hole left by Xabi Alonso’s departure, a feat many have failed to achieve before.
As a result, Gerrard can now play with fewer burdens on his aging shoulders. He will have the support of Downing, Kuyt and Adam in midfield and will be able to feed Suarez and Andy Carroll to devastating effect. Provided he stays fit, Gerrard will be able to play with less pressure on his mind and could very well turn out to be a high scoring season for Liverpool’s Talisman.
Hence, it is safe to say Liverpool now has a team full of match-winners – players who can share responsibilities and form a team capable of challenging for top honours. With the squad Liverpool now possess, they will pose a menacing threat to all Premier League teams and a rejuvenated Steven Gerrard could very well be the man to look out for!
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Article is courtesy of Waleed Ahmed at Live4Liverpool
Having the dubious and rather ominous honour of being bottom at Christmas, West Ham will be happy to see the back of 2010, having spent pretty much every moment of it locked in a relegation struggle. Here are five things that West Ham need to do to ensure that Premier League football will still be at Upton Park this time next year.
Avram’s got to go
Nothing against the man, but it was a flawed appointment from the start. David Gold and David Sullivan were very quick off the mark with their vocal dislike and eventual sacking of Gianfranco Zola, and he maintained West Ham’s Premier League status. Whether the Davids have stuck with Grant because he was ‘their mistake’ or not, they need to push pride to one side and make the right decision for the club, which is to get in a new manager to attempt a push off the bottom of the Premier League to safety.
Buy a Prolific Striker
Buying a striker will always be a gamble, especially for a team down the bottom of the table, but West Ham desperately need someone who can score goals regularly. When a team’s top scorer is their supposedly ‘defensive’ midfielder, questions need to be asked of the strike-force. Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne are both very decent at holding play up on their days, but finding the net is something of a novelty, and for all Victor Obinna’s good play and endeavour, he has similar problems. I also don’t think the recall of Freddie Sears from Scunthorpe will rectify the situation either.
Turn draws into victories
An obvious one, but having drawn 7 games so far this season, all of which could, with a bit of luck, and a bit of determination, have been turned into victories, it is imperative when West Ham get into a position to win a game, they take the opportunity. If the Hammers would have converted 3 of their 7 draws into victories, they would currently be lying in 16th place.
Keep hold of Scott Parker
Having recently been known as such things as ‘Scott Parker United’, West Ham must retain the services of their top scorer, captain and general all round deity, to stand any chance of staying up. With suitors reportedly including Spurs and Liverpool, West Ham must keep hold of Parker to ensure cohesion within their team and a driving force on the pitch.
Plan for the short-term as well as the long-term
The Davids keep talking about their long term plan for the club, which evidently includes the Olympic Stadium and Avram Grant, but if they continue to look past West Ham’s current predicament, they may damage their long-term goals by failing to address their short-term failings. They need a new manager and need to bring in signings that will do a job for the east London outfit, not necessarily just signings that will flourish as part of their long-term ideals for the club.
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Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to make an approach for Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, and will put past altercations behind him to bring the Portuguese manager back to Stamford Bridge, according to The Daily Mail.
The ‘Special One’was sacked by the Russian back in 2007, but since then has gone on to massively successful periods with Inter and Real Madrid.
After Mourinho guided the Santiago Bernabeu club to the La Liga title last weekend, Abramovich is set to make the tactician his number one choice for the role of permanent manager.
Despite Roberto Di Matteo’s heroics in getting the club through to the FA Cup and Champions League finals, it is believed that the Chelsea owner wants a more established coach in the hotseat before next season.
Meanwhile, defender Branislav Ivanovic is targeting victory at Wembley on Saturday, which he feels will give the side momentum going into the Champions League final.
“It’s strange to play in the FA Cup final when it’s not the last game of the season but this is better for us because, if we win, it will give us extra confidence for Munich,” the Serb admitted.
“It will be a fight for the trophy against Liverpool but, when there is something to fight for, this group of players are going to fight until the end.”
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A staggering 123 players were released by Premier League clubs at the end of this season in order to trim their wage bills, or to make room in their 25 man squads for next season. In amongst the players released are World Cup, Premier League and FA Cup winners, players who have played for Inter Milan and Barcelona, as well as those who have valuable Champions League experience.
With the newly promoted clubs looking to add much needed Premier League experience to their squads the players won’t be short of contract offers, with many still able to offer something to the already established Premier League teams as well.
Like all football fans out there, I love making up unrealistic ‘dream teams’, and this is my ‘Out of contract All-Stars’.
Click on John Carew to see the free agents’ who made my XI
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