Robin van Persie has often beautified the Premier League with his elegant style, Arsenal fans have become accustomed to his expert finishing, assists a plenty and a penchant for free-kicks but his contributions are often with frustrating irregularity – injuries have dictated it.
The Dutchman missed most of last season with an ankle ligament problem and having started just one game so far, the heart sinking familiarity of déjà vu will again stalk the Arsenal star.
It looks likely he will miss the first two Champions League games and a huge clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-1 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park and whilst it constitutes a blow for Arsenal, it will also be a personal setback for the player himself as he enters the prime of his career.
He has every right to feel cursed as he embarks upon a second consecutive season hampered by injury. Since day one of his time in England, similar lay-offs have circumscribed the sheer class which he possesses and perhaps he would have hoped, on the back of a World Cup final appearance, that he could display such ability in the absence of injury.
They say stats don’t lie and with only 93 Premier League starts in six seasons at the Emirates, Arsenal fans will start to question whether their lack of trophies is down to the loss of their top marksmen as much as it is their goalkeeping troubles. It is now no longer conjecture that Van Persie is prone to long spelt on the side-lines and stories of a stunning free-kick or a beautifully crafted assist are now inferior to those detailing his absence.
It is also conceivable that he is now a luxury player at the Emirates and that unless he proves his fitness Arsenal may be wise to cut their losses and look to find another striker.
If Wenger’s side harbour any ambition of ending a trophy deprived few years then they must go into battle with “RVP” as the focal point of their attack. Instead, with Nicklas Bendtner injured, they must now contemplate new signing Mauroane Chamakh as the only tangible alternative to lead the line in the preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
I for one sincerely hope that the talented forward comes back stronger than ever and disproves the concept that the dark clouds have chased the sunshine we saw during his Premier League berth away. His ability has been blemished by a whole heap of misfortune.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus wants Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to end his international retirement.
Berbatov, 29, retired from international football in May following Bulgaria's disappointing qualifying campaign for the World Cup finals.
He scored 48 goals in 77 appearances for the Tricolors but ended his international career following criticism of both himself and the national team.
Since his decision Matthaus has replaced Stanimir Stoilov as coach and the former Germany international has revealed that talks with Berbatov are his number one priority.
"I plan to start talks with Berbatov," said Matthaus.
"He is still welcome in the Bulgarian national team. As a Bulgarian player he should be proud to play for his country."
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Berbatov is currently playing the best football of his United career after going some way to silence his doubters with a stunning hat-trick in last weekend's 3-2 Premier League victory over Liverpool.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Wednesday’s High Court ruling against Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who were attempting to block the sale of the club, was a major boost for the whole Anfield community.
Had the aptly named Mr Justice Floyd ruled in favour of the Americans, it would have been a fatal blow for the 18-time league champions who were left staring down the barrel, with the threat of administration and a possible nine point deduction looming.
The club’s long-suffering supporters, who have been campaigning tirelessly for the despised American duo to sell up, look to have finally got their way. Mr Floyd’s decision will allow chairman Martin Broughton and his fellow board members to complete the club’s sale process over the next few days. And despite Hicks and Gillett’s best efforts, it looks like their days at the club are finally numbered.
Given the lack of respect the American owners have shown for Liverpool over the last three-and-a-half-years, it comes as no surprise that they were prepared to jeopardise the club’s future in the courts. They risked the club entering into administration and suffering a nine point deduction in an attempt to avoid making a heavy loss on their disastrous Merseyside investment. Had Hicks and Gillett managed to hang onto the club this week, then the threat of insolvency could have become a harsh and true reality.
The duo (Kop Holdings)were due to either refinance or pay back their £240m debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland on October 15, something which neither partner had the capital to do. This could have led to RBS taking control of Liverpool, placing the club’s parent company, Kop Holdings, into administration. Portsmouth became the first ever Premier League side to enter administration last March and were immediately hit with a nine point deduction as punishment. The same critical sentence could have also been forced on Liverpool.
After just one league win and six points from the opening seven games, a nine point deduction would have left the Reds with a perilous -3 points and nine adrift from the Premier League safety zone. While this difference could be made up over the course of a season, it would have ultimately been a disaster for a Liverpool side which finished second just two seasons ago. Key players would have almost certainly abandoned ship in January and it could have left the club stuck in the doldrums for another two decades.
Yet perhaps the most worrying aspect of a possible deduction would have been Red Sox owner John W.Henry and New England Sports Ventures’ insistence on walking away from the deal had the club fallen into administration. This would have left the club’s owner search back at square one and unprotected against bids from more investors in the shape of Hicks and Gillett.
Although, there is one more twist in the tale. Singapore businessman Peter Lim, who narrowly missed out to Henry in the first round of negotiations, has lodged an increased £320m offer for the club. Broughton and his colleagues will now decide between the two bids, with NESV still in pole position to clinch a deal. Chairman Broughton, mobbed by fans outside court on hearing the decision, admitted that he was elated with the outcome after warning last week about the serious impact administration would have had on the club.
“Going into administration needs to be avoided at all costs, as the negative impact would be catastrophic,” he said.
“Setting aside the nine-point deduction, it would have an impact on Liverpool’s value and be wide open to predators, whereas we have what we believe is the right new owner to take the club forward.”
The club will look to move up the table now that administration has been avoided and a new owner will give Liverpool the impetus and stability needed to go forward and rebuild from the foundations. Prospective new owner Henry was delighted by the decision, telling his Twitter audience:
“Well done Martin, Christian & Ian. Well done RBS. Well done supporters!”
A win in the Merseyside Derby for Liverpool on Sunday would top off the perfect week for a club which had been on the brink.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
You can read more of my blogs HERE or follow me on Twitter.
Many great footballers have graced the Premier League over the years. Since the league started back in 1992 English football has been revolutionised and the standard of football in this country has been transformed. The Premier League has been renowned for being lit up by many great foreigners who have brought skill and flair to the English game, but there have been plenty of great British players too who have wowed Premier League crowds for many years.
If you had the supreme fantasy football task of picking your Ultimate Premier League XI who would make the grade? You may find that you are selecting a player from any of the Premier League champions over the years including Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and Arsene Wenger’s unbeaten Arsenal team of the late 1990s, or players who have helped carry certain clubs and become cult heroes. From prolific strikers to solid defenders, we are looking to create a team mixing strength with speed, skill with determination. Flick through the EIGHT nominees that have been pre-selected and give us your choice in the comments below.
The next TWO jerseys that needs filling is the Central Defence – click on the shirt below to see those in contention to fill it.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
SELECT YOUR TWO CHOSEN CENTRE HALVES IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
Click here to see – Who takes the Goalkeeping shirt in the Ultimate Premier League XI?
Gareth Bale seems to be everywhere at the moment. After stellar performances this season, particularly against Inter Milan, where he came up against UEFA club defender of the year, Maicon. Bale’s manager, Harry Redknapp noted;
“No disrespect to the right-back but he’s given him the most torrid time you could ever wish to see.”
Even Maicon’s manager, Rafa Benitez got in on the act claiming;
“When we lost the ball Bale was quicker in the space and it was tough to contain him. If I drive a Volvo against a Ferrari on a straight, I lose. The Volvo is a good car because it’s our sponsor, but the Ferrari races faster.”
While hard-work and an abundance of natural talent have propelled Bale to superstardom, with seemingly any amount of money not being enough for the services of the 21 year-old, could the secret to Bale’s imperious athleticism also be attributed to some black tape strapped down his thigh? Kevin Anderson, head of Kinesio UK, the company that makes the £40 a-roll tape, certainly thinks so;
“It is a new way of treating injuries, but can aid people to play better too… Even if a player has a niggle or is tiring, they are able to continue at their optimum level because they don’t feel the pain.”
According to the Kinesio website;
“The Kinesio Taping Method is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion.”
Bale has been sporting the tape throughout the season so far and he’s not the only sports star to use Kinesio tape, with basketball’s Boston Celtics using it on their players, and 7 time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong also swearing by it.
Bale’s leg tape brings to mind other strange footballing fads in the name of the science of performance. Who can forget Robbie Fowler’s ‘nasal strip’ used by some athletes to enhance their air intake; claims which were later refuted by scientists. Or Patrick Vieira’s mysterious patch of gloop on his shirt, which was reportedly Vicks VapoRub to allow him to breathe more clearly.
Whether Kinesio tape is just another sporting fad or a scientific miracle is yet to be seen, but with the scintillating form Gareth Bale has been showing this season, whether it works or not, I can’t see him ditching it!
If you liked this then why not check out my other blogs, or follow me on Twitter.
Click on image below to see a gallery of Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest lady
After a quite frankly pathetic showing at Wembley on Wednesday night against France, England have a lot of soul-searching to do. I was slightly aggrieved that England even pulled one goal back against a French side who, for much of the game looked as if they were playing a different sport. What was perhaps more disturbing was the amount of young faces in a side that were completely outclassed, and it left me wondering, was will become of England, not at the Euros in 2012, but at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014?
There is undoubted talent in the English ranks in the guise of players like Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll, and they need to be utilised effectively if England are going to succeed once the last of the ‘golden generation’ have hung up their international boots, as the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have most probably only got one more major tournament left in them. So now must surely be time to at least have one eye on our national side’s future?
If that is what the dreadful performance against France was all about, then I can just about stomach it, because after all, most great sides have to go through their teething stage, especially at international level, and through giving young players the experience on the biggest stage, Capello may well be doing the right thing. However, something tells me that wasn’t what was on his mind in the selection for the team last night.
The problem is; the future of England and the future of Capello are not bound together. He probably thinks of England’s future post-2012 about as much as England fans contemplate what Capello is going to do after his contract runs out, because even if England win Euro 2012, the most likely outcome is that Capello will still leave. The selection of youth at Wembley on Wednesday night was born more out of necessity than of a desire to give fledgling English talent a chance to gel together, and this is worrying.
After the debacle of South Africa, if we don’t begin to make provisions for life after Capello and after Euro 2012, the world cup in Brazil may go the same way… if we make it there.
If you liked this and would like to read more, then why not check out my blogs, or follow me on Twitter.
*
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It must have been presumed when both Kyle’s, Walker and Naughton, were shipped out of Tottenham on loan to the championship that at least one of them wouldn’t make it back. That probably both would follow in the footsteps of fellow young right back Chris Gunter, who was never able to shine at White Hart Lane. But both have been firs team regulars at their loan clubs, QPR and Leicester respectively, and have been integral parts of those teams. Their form suggesting there may be some sort of future for either of them at Tottenham.
Kyle Naughton at Leicester has been a defensive revelation for Sven Goran Eriksson’s team, aiding the team as it climbs the table away from relegation. Leicester City fans are clearly pleased with his addition to the team. It’s a testament to the player how well he has been received considering the rather leaky defence he is a part of. But he has added a capable attacking threat to Leicester right hand side as well as defensive shrewdness. His form has led to Sven preparing a £1.5million offer to make his stay at the midlands club permanent. This may push Naughton’s position to the front of Harry Redknapp’s mind as his from for the Foxes has suggested he should not be disregarded so easily. Certainly his passing ability, attacking impetus and pace suggest he would be able to hold his own in the Premier League.
Kyle Walker, who was bought in with Naughton from Sheffield United at the same time in summer 2009, has been on loan at Championship leaders QPR since September. Originally the loan agreement was only for a month but after impressing in west London manager Neil Warnock decided to extend it to January. Called in by Warnock to cover for the injured Bradley Orr, it is a sign of how well he has done that despite Orr returning to full fitness Warnock is again keen to extend Walker’s loan deal beyond its current date of 3rd January, this time to the end of the current season. His experience in the championship has been very different from Naughton’s fitting in to a tight defence that doesn’t concede many and is chasing promotion at the top of the table. With the return of Orr Walker has been asked to test his versatility by switching to left back, although it was not overly successful as Rangers went 2-0 down to promotion rivals Leeds.
This versatility could hold Walker in good stead at Tottenham though, as there is a high number of right backs. In contrast, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is the only specialist left back at the club. Certainly having Hutton, Corluka the option of putting Kaboul at right back along with the two Kyle’s would be too much to have within the squad. And if Walker was given time to see if he could develop as a capable left back in the championship, perhaps he could return to Spurs next season to push Ekotto for a first team place. As of the two of them Naughton seems the more likely to succeed as a right back as Spurs with his natural attacking instincts causing havoc in the championship. Either way it’s a great dilemma for Harry Redknapp to have and could well spell the end of Corluka’s time in north London if they were both to return in January.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Spurs bid for the use of the 2012 Olympic games stadium in Stratford has caused quite the stir since they announced that they were entering the race alongside West Ham. The latest controversy is that Spurs apparently plan to strip the stadium down and simply use the site to rebuild one of its own to fit their needs. This move is obviously a reaction to the numerous battles with their local council in their attempts to expand White Hart Lane in the past.
This honest and slightly tactless approach may be their undoing. LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) stated that after the completion of the Olympic Games that they wanted the stadium to remain one which practiced athletics. Jacques Rogge, the Chairman of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) stated this week that “we would favour a solution with a track legacy – that goes without saying” although he later added that “If a solution could be found for the track we would be happy, but don’t expect the IOC to intervene in an issue where we are not responsible.”
While Rogge acknowledges his preference and the IOC’s limitations in discussing the bids and the stadium‘s eventual new owners, the fact that his outburst came only a day or so after Spurs stated that they’d rip up and start again with the site cannot be underestimated and it therefore must represent a wider held belief within the worldwide athletics committee, LOCOG included.
West Ham have in principle agreed to keeping the track, and after all the cost and the distinct lack of opportunities around Upton Park to build a stadia of this magnitude, their stance is hardly surprising.
Spurs, however, have rather correctly estimated that the athletics track around the outside of the pitch will be an eyesore and that it will only decrease the spectacle for the 50,000 or so punters who have paid top crust for their seats. The current plan for the Olympic stadium means the site can house upto 80,000 fans, but 25,000 of these are temporary seating, so the actual site boasts a healthy capacity of 55,000. Spurs plan to increase this to 60,000 by taking out the running track.
However, this all brings us to the subject of the Olympic legacy. For anyone with even an inkling of knowledge about British athletics will testify to, its current home Crystal Palace has seen better days. I went there to watch an athletics meet about five years ago and while the atmosphere was great, it’s in no fit state to carry on being the home of British athletics.
To their credit, the Spurs bid does include a promise to redevelop Crystal Palace to make up for the lack of a running track at the Olympic Stadium and if they follow through on their promise, their bid, while controversial, isn’t as weak as first perceived by many. Without the legacy of redeveloping Crystal Palace, their latest moves what be tantamount to bid suicide, if such a term exits yet in the English language.
[divider]
[divider]
On the other hand though, do the organisers in charge of the handover honestly think that having a 60,000 seated stadium for athletics is a viable financial option going beyond 2012?
The legacy issue is of paramount importance for both bidders, after all, the organisation that decides the eventual winner is called the Olympic Park Legacy Committee. The announcement is expected in March and both the bids have to be ready by the 20th this month.
The argument that a lot of people are now conscribing to is that a lot of taxpayers’ money has been spent on the stadium and therefore Spurs have no right to knock it down.
If MP for Tottenham David Lammy is to be believed however, the Spurs board’s current position masks their true intentions to ’repackage’ the Olympic stadium in a move that will grant them a significant cash inflow as they seek to sell the naming rights to their new home in a move very similar to that of current neighbours Arsenal and their current stadium, the Emirates. That particular deal struck up with the Emirates airline company in 2004 fetched a hugely profitable £100m over 15 years and its thought that Spurs could now command a similar deal with their stock rising by the year both on and off the pitch.
To my mind, if Spurs’ bid wins then they are well within their rights to do with the stadium as they wish. They haven’t been dishonest or played their cards too close to their chest. They’ve been a bit presumptuously arrogant perhaps, but after all is said and done, to most people, the Olympics is simply a circus that will roll through town, an enjoyable one, sure, but little more than that. The only way to maintain a stadium of that magnitude is as a football stadium. Of course, West Ham’s at present offers the best of both worlds.
West Ham’s bid looks to be the favourite now, and in my opinion, they’re the ones who should get it. This has nothing to do with the planned re-build that Spurs are proposing, but simply because West Ham have closer proximity to the site and therefore first option as it were.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The winner of the Olympic stadium will boast some of the finest facilities in London coupled with a fantastic transport system. This will in itself be the true legacy, not the running track inside, despite any fantastic memories some may come to hold of it. Bricks and mortar do not make an atmosphere, the people do, and if there’s a running track between the pitch and the fans, the atmosphere will be as flat as a pancake.
It is an extremely difficult decision to face and to be honest I’m shocked that dispensing with the running track is even an option on the table in the first place. Surely for all the money spent on the stadium, the minimum requirement for any proposed bid should be to maintain the stadium, as it was built, running track included.
The blame in this instance does not lay at the feet of Spurs for daring to have the temerity to say what many football fans are thinking, but LOCOG for giving parameters too wide from which the bid can be decided, negotiated and built upon.
[divider]
[divider]
Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Tottenham v Man United and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
Sir Alex Ferguson has been in this position before: How do you replace one of the best goalkeepers in the world? If we’re honest, the last time the Manchester United manager embarked on such a search, we ended up with the likes of Massimo Taibi in the Premier League. But as current keeper Edwin van der Sar is preparing to hang up his gloves, a whole host of world-class keepers are now being linked with a move to Old Trafford. But is it all unnecessary? Have they already got their next number one in place?
Tomasz Kuszczak certainly thinks so. The Polish shot-stopper has waiting patiently for his chance and is now making all the noises possible to ensure he does not go unnoticed. But is he really worthy of a stab at being Edwin van der Sar’s successor? He doesn’t fill fans with the greatest of confidence whenever he deputises, but in the little run of games he has had since van der Sar’s illness, he has performed without fault and does deserve to be considered at least.
The problem Kuszczak faces though is that he doesn’t seem typical of the type of goalkeeper Ferguson is used to having. Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar both have an aura of calmness about them which in turn offers great amounts of reassurance to their defence. Both also could distribute a ball better than some Premier League outfield players. The success of Manchester United over the past decade has been based on a strong back-line who has the ability to turn defence into attack in seconds. Kuszczak doesn’t have any of these attributes.
The Pole is a fantastic shot-stopper, as proved against Liverpool in the FA cup where he acrobatically kept out Fabio Aurelio’s free kick. But at Old Trafford, that alone just isn’t enough. Just ask Ben Foster. You have to have a certain temperament to be a success in the sticks at United. Many top quality keepers have failed to hold down the number one jersey because of the pressure that comes along with it and you have to question whether Kuszczak has the capabilities to handle the job.
If you believe what you read in the tabloids, Ferguson is still very much in the hunt for a new number one, despite recently signing the Dane, Anders Lindergaard. This obviously doesn’t bode well for Poland’s number one who has said he is prepared to look elsewhere for first team football should he get over-looked.
His threat to leave however should be a concern to Alex Ferguson. Even if he doesn’t consider him good enough to become United’s first choice goalkeeper, he is an excellent deputy to have, which all top clubs need. Many of Europe’s top clubs will already be alerted to the fact that he may soon be looking for a move out of Old Trafford.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It’s certainly a dilemma for the 69-year-old manager. How do you keep your reserve goalkeeper happy when he wants to play first team football? You have to trust him. You trust him to back up his claims he can be everything United need and more. The question is can he really do it? It doesn’t looks as though Ferguson believes he can so we may well be seeing another new shot-stopper at Old Trafford this summer, unless Kuszczak can change people’s minds. His time is ticking…
[divider]
Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the Spurs v Man United match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!
Samir Nasri is in major doubt for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Barcelona after picking up what appears to be a serious hamstring injury.
Nasri could be sidelined for three weeks after pulling up lame in the Gunners’ 2-1 FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town on Sunday.
The injury is a cruel blow to the France international, who has been enjoying a breakout season for both club and country and leads Arsenal’s scoring with nine goals.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made sweeping changes to the starting XI for the fourth round tie, but elected to keep Nasri in the line-up with Tomas Rosicky ill with a virus.
The despondent Gunners boss conceded his decision to play Nasri had backfired.
“Nasri looks to have a serious hamstring injury,” Wenger told reporters following the match.
“Usually it is three weeks, but we will have to see first. If it is a grade one (tear), then it will be two weeks.”
“I now have regrets because the plan was to play Rosicky, but he was still too weak because he was sick, so I took the gamble on Nasri.”
“It backfired, but he could have come on and that happened as well. It is very difficult to predict.”
“We are at the stage of the season where we play so many games that to lose bodies is very difficult for us. But Samir is a big blow.”
“Add three weeks on to now and it means he is a doubt for the Barcelona game.”
Huddersfield manager Lee Clark believed his side performed admirably against their more-fancied opponents, and said each of his players could be proud of their displays.
“We put in an excellent performance,” Clark said.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“We passed the ball well and created chances. We limited them to few opportunities which is not easy coming here.”
“The lads have worked extremely hard so if you put all that into context we are disappointed we didn’t get something from the game.”
“But we have to look to our league programme now which is really important for us.”
“I’m hoping for the level of performance we showed today to come out in our league campaign. If we can play at that level, it will get us the wins we need.”