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!
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Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart has stated that he wants to get to the FA Cup final, but that this Saturday’s clash with Bolton in the quarter-finals will not be an easy game.
The White Hart Lane faithful will be keen to see their side win after three defeats in a row, whilst the Netherlands international is returning to fitness after frustrating injuries of late.
Van der Vaart missed his country’s friendly at Wembley in February, but he is hopeful that he will get another chance to step out at the home of English football in the near future.
“Wembley is a special stadium and because I missed the friendly against England I’ve never played there,” Van der Vaart told the club’s official website.
“It’s always difficult in the FA Cup, but we will play at home against Bolton so we’ll be strong and we have a good chance of making the semi-finals and playing at Wembley.”
Spurs beat the Trotters 3-0 at home in the Premier League earlier in the season, but the talented playmaker is not taking progression in the competition for granted.
“It won’t make a difference on Saturday. It’s a separate game and we have to win, we don’t want a replay,” he concluded.
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Yet again the Premier League gave us footy fans a season with triumphs, heartbreak and entertainment. In amongst all the emotions and money, players became cult heroes, teams over achieved and managers came and went. Javier Hernandez was arguably the bargain of the season, but does this mean he will improve next season? Tottenham Hotspur missed out on Champions League qualification; will they regain a top four berth in the coming campaign? Already we all cannot wait for the next season to get up and running and we all have our predictions on who will achieve and who will fall through the Premier League’s trapdoor; here are mine.
Luis Suarez for player of the season- Harry Redknapp reportedly turned down the chance to sign the former Ajax man in the recent transfer window, how he must be cursing that decision now. Suarez has injected energy, desire and flair into Liverpool, and has been a major influence on the Merseyside club’s climb up the table. The Uruguayan has turned in numerous Man of the Match performances, most notably in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United, where he single-handedly terrorised the entire defence. It’s those sort of performances that make me think the Liverpool ace will collect Barclay’s Player of the Season for 2011/12.
QPR in dreamland- Every season needs a ‘fairytale’ and for me I think it will be that QPR will be in the Champion League places at Christmas. I don’t for a second think they will stay there, but West Brom were up there this season and Ipswich in the past nearly achieved the unthinkable. QPR’s return to the top flight of English football may well be ‘the stuff dreams are made of’.
Norwich will be relegated with five games still to play- This season’s relegation battle has gone right down to the wire, with the first confirmed relegation only happening on the penultimate fixture. It has been entertaining down the bottom of the league, with no team standing out as the ‘whipping boys’. However, for me, I think this will change, with Norwich City’s return to the top flight being short lived.
Torres will be the highest scorer in the league- There is only so much criticism a man can take before he bites back, and next season, I believe the former Liverpool man will take up the mantle of Chelsea’s main man.
Robert Huth will score 15 goals- His scoring ratio, for a defender, is amazing, with 9 goals in all competitions this season. It would be a brave man betting against the Stoke defender breaking into double figures next season.
Newcastle will sack Alan Pardew before Christmas- Mike Ashley doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to managers and Pardew, as of yet, hasn’t won over all the St James Park faithful. Newcastle will no doubt soon want to challenge for the European places again and I don’t think the former West Ham manager is the right guy to do it.
Everton to get caught in relegation scrap – Admittedly, the Toffees have turned their season around in the second half but at the beginning of the season it was looking bleak for David Moyes’ side. With reported debts of up to £45 million, Everton will have to look to sell the likes of Jack Rodwell and Leighton Baines. Unless Moyes can pull off another signing that has the impact of Tim Cahill, for minimum expenditure, I fear for Everton could get dragged down to the lower reaches of the table.
Owen Coyle will win manager of the season – I’m not quite sure what Coyle will achieve to warrant such an award, but this season I have been very impressed with the Bolton manager. The former Burnley man has transformed their style of play and Bolton even threatened to break into the Europa League places earlier in the season. Next season could really see Coyle take his management to the next level.
Arsenal will win something- Surely they have got to?
Manchester United will beat there 29 match unbeaten run- They play poorly, they get criticised and yet they still grind out results to win the Premier League title, and very convincingly in the end. Sir Alex Ferguson instils an incredible self belief into his side, and assuming the Premier League’s most successful manager is still around next season, then who knows what can be achieved.
Tottenham Hotspur will finish as the League’s highest scorers- Funny old game is football; with the constant criticism the Lilywhites strike force has received this season, with Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko failing to score 20 league goals between them. It is written in the script for Spurs to dominate the scoring charts next season.
Continued on Page TWO
Sunderland will finish in the top eight- Steve Bruce’s side had a superb start to this current season, and although injuries are expected in the game, Sunderland had more than their fair share, with eleven first players being out injured at one point. A couple of signings to replace the returning loanees’ Danny Welbeck and Sulley Muntari and Sunderland will be in and around the top half come the final whistle of next season.
Roy Hodgson will achieve some unimaginable feat- Hodgson has a knack for working miracles with the ‘lesser’ clubs, ignoring his disaster stint on Anfied, the Blackburn manager lead Fulham to a Europa League final last season and turned West Brom from relegation candidates to a comfortable mid table side. I’m not saying West Brom for the title but they will achieve something.
Wigan Athletic will get relegated- The only reason Wigan stayed in the Premier League was Birmingham’s inability to score (37 goals in 38 games). Wigan’s final two fixture victories was their first back to back wins since Roberto Martinez took over in 2009, and that is not the sort of ‘achievement’ a side in the world’s ‘greatest’ league, should be achieving.
Aston Villa will continue moving backwards if Houiller stays in charge- Despite being controversial, Martin O’Neill had the Villians dreaming of Champions League football. One season after his departure, Villa only secured their Premier League survival in the penultimate league fixture. Randy Lerner needs to hire a young visionary of a manager or Villa’s decline will continue.
Blackburn Rovers will sack Steve Kean- The new owners Venky’s showed there policy on managers for the inexplicable sacking of Sam Allardyce in December. Steve Kean still gets the odd chant of “Who?” and it wont be long before he heads for the exit door after failing to build on Allardyce’s top ten finish last season.
Karl Henry will recieve the most red cards- I love a committed, strong and passionate slide tackle as much as the next football fan, but a few times this season the tenacious Wolves centre midfielder has escaped punishment, but next next season he may not be so lucky.
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Fulham will be last in the fair play table- There are a few suggestions that the Cottagers will miss out on Europa league via the fair play league after Zoltan Gera’s sending off on the final day of the season, their first red of the season. Football loves irony, and although Fulham should be alright this season in securing their Europa cup spot, next season will probably result in a postponement of a game Fulham had five men sent off.
Manchester City will fail to finish in the top four- Yes this season looks impressive with an FA Cup final win and finishing third in the Premier League. However Manchester City have hardly looked a fluid unit this season; and if we are all honest the only reason they qualified automatically for the Champions League this season, was because of Arsenal and Tottenham’s massive dip in form. Furthermore with Carlos Tevez reportedly readying his suitcase and Edin Dzeko looking about as useful as Emile Heskey, will they really push the ‘big boys’ again?
Depending on who gets promoted:
Scott Sinclair will get a transfer to a ‘bigger’ club in January- If it wasn’t for Adel Taarabt’s performances the former Chelsea man would be getting more of the limelight. Sinclair has had a phenomenal season in front of goal and setting up goals, combined with his pace and flair, it won’t be long before the Premier League vultures straight circling around Liberty Stadium.
Shane Long will score ten goals in the League by Christmas but finish the season with only 11- So many times we have seen players fail to live up to the Premier League standard despite impressing in the Championship. Reading’s Shane long could very well be the next Dave Nugent.
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Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!
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.
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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?
Carlo Ancelotti has stated that the Italian Serie A is now on a par with the English Premier League, and stated that he feels AC Milan are better than Arsenal.
The Scudetto holders meet The Gunners at the San Siro on Wednesday night, and the former Chelsea manger has spoken of the upturn in performances of clubs from his homeland.
“You never have an easy game in Italy,” the Paris Saint-Germain coach told The Daily Telegraph.
“For me, this is a game that is a real 50-50. Let’s not forget that Napoli already knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League. Comparisons between the two leagues can only be made after these games.
“Italian football has made steps forward and the English game is not in great shape, what with Manchester City and Manchester United’s elimination.
“Napoli already achieved something remarkable by beating a City side that is dominating the Premier League, so I don’t see why they can’t repeat it. I think Milan are superior to Arsenal,” he concluded.
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Real Madrid have ensured Barcelona will wait at least another week to claim the La Liga title after romping to a 6-2 win at Sevilla.Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show, with four goals in a virtuoso performance that would have delighted his manager Jose Mourinho.
Brazilian playmaker Kaka also got on the scoresheet for Real, as did defender Sergio Ramos, who powered Madrid into the lead after 21 minutes with a header, while Alvaro Negredo scored both goals for Sevilla.
The result means Real trail Barca by five points and have three matches remaining, although Barca have four games to play and take on Espanyol at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao climbed into fifth place – which would guarantee them a place in next year’s Europa League – with a 3-2 win over Levante at home.
Goals from Gaizka Toquero, David Lopez and Fernando Llorente had Bilbao cruising at 3-0 just after the hour mark but late strikes from Christian Stuani and Victoriano Nano ensured some anxious moments for the hosts in the closing stages.
Atletico Madrid’s grip on sixth place looks tenuous after they were thrashed 3-0 at home by Malaga, who had goals from Rondon, Julio Baptista and Enzo Maresca to thank for their fourth successive league win.
On-loan Spurs midfielder Giovani dos Santos scored a brace to help Racing Santander take a big step towards La Liga survival with a 3-2 win at Hercules, who look certain to face the drop.
Almeria were not so fortunate, and their 2-0 loss at Getafe confirmed a relegation that has looked likely for much of the campaign.
Sporting Gijon had a late penalty from David Barral to earn them a 2-2 draw at home against Deportivo La Coruna, while Valencia moved six points clear of third-placed Villarreal – who play on Sunday – with a 3-0 home win over Real Sociedad.
Roberto Soldado scored twice for the hosts, and Brazilian striker Jonas scored the other.
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.
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It promises to be very much a ‘Super Sunday’ today as Manchester face-off against North London. Rafa van der Vaart believes it is make or break for Tottenham today in their pursuit of the title as he believes defeat will see them out of the race for this season. Both managers have been playing mind games ahead of the game in the Etihad, with Redknapp in particular doing his level best to deflect all the attention away from his own side.
At the Emirates it is a game of equal significance with both sides desperate for maximum points. Arsenal will be looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s draw at Carrow Rd and close the gap on the top four of the Premier League. United likewise need to keep the pressure on City at the top of the table and have the extra bonus of knowing the result at the Etihad Stadium before taking to the field in North London in today’s late kick-off.
Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool was taught a valuable lesson after their defeat at the Reebok Stadium. King Kenny feels his player’s performance was unacceptable and not befitting of the football club – Guardian
Rafa van der Vaart believes it is win or bust at the Etihad Stadium, if Tottenham want to claim the title this season. Defeat will see the North Londoners fall 8pts behind City in the table; a difference that the Dutchman sees as too big to reverse -Guardian
Andre Villas-Boas believes with a little bit more luck Fernando Torres will end the barren spell he is having. The Portuguese boss suggests that why the Chelsea forward hasn’t scored in 15 games; he is still finding himself and getting in goal scoring positions, therefore the goals will eventually come – Daily Telegraph
Ian Holloway believes that the big clubs spending big money on youngsters in daft and he fears for the young players’ long-term development – Independent
Sir Alex Ferguson will not strip Wayne Rooney of his penalty duties, because he fears it will create another bust-up between the two. The England striker has missed a few spot kicks of late, but Fergie will continue to let him take the responsibility – Daily Mail
Emmanuel Frimpong will require further tests on his eye injury picked up at Molineux yesterday. The on-loan Arsenal ace got an accidental boot in the eye from Villa’s Petrov that has caused a huge amount of swelling around his eye. It is too early to see the extent of the injury and Frimpong said it will be looked at again in a couple of days – Daily Mail
Liverpool are determined to beat Chelsea in the pursuit of Milos Krasic. The Reds are keen to take the Juventus playmaker on Loan, after the Serb has been deemed surplus to requirements under Conte – Mirror
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David Moyes fears another summer sale at Goodison Park, as the banks get tough over Everton’s finances – People
Harry Redknapp has targeted Swansea playmaker Joe Allen as a potential summer signing. The young Welshman has been an absolute sensation this season in the Welsh side’s first season in the Premier League and the 21-year old has been central to their progress – People
Real Madrid have looked to the future by signing Borussia Dortmund star Nuri Sahin on a six-year contract.Jose Mourinho’s men look likely to miss out on clinching the La Liga title this campaign – leaving them with the Copa del Rey as their only silverware in 2010/11 – but the signing of Bundesliga livewire Sahin will no doubt lift the mood at the Bernabeu as the season comes to a close.
The 22-year-old midfielder said he was not motivated by finances in his decision to leave the German top flight champions for the Spanish capital.
“Money wasn’t the reason for my move. When I stay healthy, I’d earn enough anyway,” Sahin told Dortmund’s official website.
“Real Madrid is the biggest club on earth. I’m proud to make this step. It’s the highest plateau you can reach as a football player and the chance for the world career I’ve hoped for. Only because of this I will leave Dortmund.”
While Sahin held Madrid in the highest echelon of world clubs, the German-born Turk said he would never forget his time spent at this home club.
“I’m a player who has the potential to break through at Real Madrid. I’ve signed there for six years. It was hard decision, because I’m a Borussian and love Dortmund and the club – and I always will be a Borussian,” he said.
“It made me very proud, that I was allowed to lead this team as captain into this stadium. I want to say thank you to all, who supported me on my way.”
“The hardest part for me was to announce my decision. I will miss Jurgen Klopp. I’ve invited the team, trainer, staff members, plus Mr Watze and Mr Rauball to the next Clasico.”
Sahin holds the record as the youngest player, at age 16, to play in the Bundesliga, as well as becoming the youngest to score in the German top flight.
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."
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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