Derby County hold a slender 1-0 advantage going into the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final tie against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, and it remains to be seen whether manager Gary Rowett will choose to make changes to the XI that won on Friday night.
Cameron Jerome’s first-half header proved to be the difference between the two sides at the Pride Park Stadium, but the Rams may need a slightly different approach in west London to try and stop a rampant Cottagers attack who scored 79 goals in 46 league games this season.
[ad_pod ]
Matej Vydra lined up in something of an unfamiliar left wing-back role against Slavisa Jokanovic’s men, and he struggled to make too much of an impact there before he was replaced by Ikechi Anya in the 68th minute.
The Scot would certainly be a slightly more defensive selection in that position at the Cottage, and we decided to ask Derby fans to vote on our poll to see whether they would want to see Vydra dropped against Fulham, but 57% of said they wouldn’t.
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.
Those supporters obviously feel that the Czech Republic international still has a big part to play in this tie, as Rowett’s men look to reach the final held at Wembley later this month.
When Manchester United faced Arsenal, he came up with the goods. When they were 2-0 down at half-time at home to Burnley, he game up with two more to level the game and salvage a point for his side. Jesse Lingard is more than just a man on form – he’s a man who delivers when his team needs him.
To say that they need him now, though, would be an understatement. Winless in three in all competitions, Manchester United are in danger of ending 2017 on a run of four without a win. That Southampton – a team who are in just as disappointing a run as the Old Trafford club – should pose such a threat might seem strange, but given the festive fixture pile-up, and Jose Mourinho’s refusal to rotate so far during this period, it might not be so far-fetched.
A trip to Everton is up for United just 48 hours after they host Southampton, and both games have become quite important in the context of the season: the league title may now be well beyond the Red Devils, but Jose Mourinho’s side have not been lower than second in the league so far this season – they would fall off that perch very quickly if their winless run continues.
With that in mind, we asked Manchester United fans if they thought Mourinho should rest Jesse Lingard for Saturday’s home match against Southampton, keeping him fresh for what might be a tougher test away to Everton – who have kept five clean sheets in seven since the arrival of Sam Allardyce.
Fans of the Old Trafford club are overwhelming in their response, however. 87% of the United fans we polled are adamant that Lingard’s form should be exploited while it’s red hot, and with a win needed as soon as possible, we can’t blame them for wanting their form attacker in the side against a Southampton side who will likely defend deep and look to spring a surprise on the counter.
The only problem is, can he do it twice in three days?
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.
When Kenny Jackett took over at Wolves he promised a “young and attacking side” and stated that “there has never been a better chance for players aged between 18 and 23 at the club”, with in a few days these words were backed up with actions.
The new boss subsequently transfer listed four big name players without a moments hesitation. Realising the negative effect, two of those big four at least, have on the rest of the young squad. This was met with universal appraisal from many Wolves fans that praised a manager who was big enough to challenge, and not be beaten by, the egos in the dressing room that had hampered quite a few managers in the recent past.
After three wins and a draw in pre season, Wolves fans are beginning to realise, if they had not already, that the first eleven can quite comfortably cope, in fact, they tend to do better, without these four players. However, there was one sticking point, not a single club had contacted Wolves over the sale of any of the transfer listed players. This all changed when QPR, under the stewardship of Harry ‘imaginehimasEnglandmanagernow’ Redknapp, agreed a fee for Wolves’ long standing captain, Karl Henry.
It is time then to evaluate Karl Henry as a captain and as a midfielder. After seven years at the club was the man from Ashmore Park a success? Or was it more of a case of what could have been?
He arrived at the club in the 2006/2007 season in Mick McCarthy’s first year as boss. Henry joined from Stoke City after clocking up over a hundred games for The Potters, he made his debut, for Wolves, against Plymouth Argyle. Initially deployed as a right back, he soon established himself as a starter for Wolves, in the centre of midfield, teaming up alongside such household names as, Michael McIndoe, Lewis Gobern and Darren Potter. He made thirty-four league appearances in his first season and was already beginning to show how consistent he could be. To be picked so many times in his first season is remarkable, he helped Wolves reach the play-offs, only to be defeated by they-who-must-not-be-named, 4-2, over two legs.
He was first given the captains armband in the Christmas of 2006 because of the injury to Jody Craddock. Injury was a common theme in his first few years at the club, despite making forty-two appearances, his second season, like his first, was cut short by injury. On a more positive note, Henry was displaying his ability as a captain, he was given the armband the year Wolves were promoted and never looked back. Solid, stable and reliable, with a number eight on his back and drive and steel in his heart, he was an enforcer, no nonsense. You can see why Mick adored him. He was there in that memorable promotion season, when Wolves, at times, swept oppositions aside, with the help of the more forward thinking midfielder, David Jones.
In May 2009, he and Jody Craddock lifted the Championship trophy to a backdrop of confetti, cheering and celebration, the armband was now permanently placed on the former Potter, a firm favourite in the eyes of the adoring fans. Mr. Reliable.
The absolute epitome of Mick McCarthy’s playing/management style, and the man who was about to lead his men into a Premier League battle for the first time in six years. This came to be true as Henry missed just four league games for the club as the team finished comfortably in fifteenth place, with a double over Tottenham being remembered as a particular highlight.
Wolves and Henry were riding on the crest of a gold and black wave, fans expected the club to kick on and try to establish themselves as a Premier League club. If Wolves bought intelligently and managed to hold on to our best players, there is no reason to say that Wolves could not sustain a fifteenth place finish, or higher, over the coming seasons.
This transfer window and the subsequent months that followed were pivotal and we began to see the first few cracks begin to appear. Wolves bought, most notably, Steven Fletcher and Adlene Guediora but apart from that the squad was not supplemented with enough quality players. Wolves survived, by the hairs on their chinny chin chin, Henry again a major figure in the first eleven, playing twenty-nine times.
During Wolves’ time in the Premier League we saw a side to Karl Henry that was all too familiar, his ‘tackling’. incidents including Jordi Gomez and Bobby Zamora were notable low points in the midfielders career. There was one incident though that went above all this and it happened in the final season before Wolves plummeted through the ‘relegation trapdoor’. Karl Vs. Joey, the big fight live. The best thing was, we didn’t have to pay fifteen quid to Sky to watch it.
The match in question was against QPR (this event, with hindsight, looks even better with the news that Henry is on the verge of signing for the same team that houses Mr. Barton) a game in which Wolves got the stuffing knocked out of them. The result was insignificant when you watch the events that unfolded on a warm Saturday afternoon in Wolverhampton. You see a man who actually goes out of his way, disrupts the teams shape, rhythm and balance just for the satisfaction of settling, what can only be described as a vendetta against someone. Admittedly, almost everyone reading this would like to give Joey a bunch of fives but ultimately, Karl is a pressure footballer oh yes, and a grown man. He should have just risen above and made Joey look like the little man, which would have had a greater affect. It did not reflect well on the club at all.
Mick McCarthy took the stern decision, in Wolves’ final season to drop Karl Henry as captain. Whether that was because Mick felt that Henry could focus on his game without the burden of the captain’s armband or that after the disastrous end to last season, Mick thought that Henry was not the leader he may have thought he was. Whatever Henry says there is no doubt that having the captain’s armband taken off him will have knocked his confidence.
Over the three Premier League years Wolves fans could see a problem occurring in the midfield. Wolves had Karl Henry as a starter, McCarthy’s captain and leader, but there was no one beside him. We soon discovered that we could not rely on Jamie O’Hara for 38 games as his injuries were far too frequent. An injury prone O’Hara, plus the fact Wolves did not have a back up/replacement in mind, caused a conundrum, the squad was clogged with a lot of defensive minded midfielders and not enough creative players, it was a significant factor that was holding Wolves back from securing a solid place in England’s top division.
Wolves never plugged this gap and, over time, they were found out and exploited. Nowhere near enough creativity in the middle and relying too heavily on wing play, bread and butter stuff for any competent Premier League team. Henry was extremely exposed in the midfield, without a creative midfielder beside him, he was forced to perform roles in the team that were not attributed to his natural game. His exposure was not helped when David Davis was introduced into the team, he played a similar game to Henry, except he was able to get up and down the field a lot more than his predecessor and show a wider range of abilities.
Henry’s future at Wolves looked doomed when Stale Solbakken took the reins at the battered old club. With the promise of a more expansive, pressing style of football, some people found it difficult to see how Karl Henry would fit into this new look Wolves side. He did play a part, funnily enough, under Solbakken and played an important role whilst Stale was finding his feet in English football, under the disastrous reign of Dean Saunders however, Karl Henry was dropped from the team. Henry played just seventeen times in his seventh season and with a successive relegation under his belt it seemed that Henry’s time was up.
So after an extremely long stay in the midlands what can we say about Karl Henry? Well firstly we have to acknowledge his years of service for this grand old club, in times were contracts are written using crayon and loyalty is as rare as rocking horse excrement. Lets take a moment to just enjoy the years that he has had here, not one to get on the score sheet, hardly ever, but a player, at one stage that you could rely on and trust to do his up most. In the nicest possible way, Henry is a one dimensional player and once that dimension fails to be as good as it used to be, you are never going to be as good as you once were without adapting the way you play.
Cynics will say that the only reason he did not move was because he was not good enough to move, but I am sure there were opportunities to move in the past, and he turned them down. I believe that he genuinely loves the club and, in his ideal world, he would retire here. But some players have to be made examples of, the four that have been listed are such examples. A massive sea change was needed and under Jackett this change is happening, as much as we once adored these players, there time has been and gone. Henry’s time has passed, he has failed to adapt his game and was finally revealed to be not up to much in a League where Wolves were once again out thought on tactics, team selection and technical ability.
The fancast and I asked the Wolves fans on the Twitter sphere what they thought about the departure of the former Wolves captain. We asked them whether Karl Henry should have been dropped as captain?
Daniel Glover (@DanGwwfc) says that “he should of never been bought, never rated him since the first time I watched him, 07 v PNE, lost 3-1”
We also asked the listeners whether they thought that Karl Henry leaves with your respect and thanks?
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.
Jordan Banks (@Banksy4Wolves) thought “he was good for a spell but then let us down with poor performances”
Meanwhile, Kevin Astley (@kevtheman10) though “Henry could not tackle without getting a yellow card most games, fire & passion is one thing, getting the ball is another”
Rob Smith (@RobSmith1877) is quite magnanimous “like most players, they run their course. As did Karl. But he was in the team that got us up and kept us up.”
Finally, Steve Wiles (@wiles_steve) appreciates Henry’s love for the club “has a great heart but a very limited footballer. Loves his hometown club but, time is right for him to move on.”
Henry will do well at QPR, I’m sure, under the laissez faire leadership of every one favourite wheeler-dealer. He is not going to be bombarded with instructions every five minutes about pressing or formations. ‘Arry will let him get on with his game, a game that, at times, evoked a passion and will not seen since a certain William Wright donned the old gold.
I say, good luck Karl, do your best. Thanks for the memories we certainly won’t forget them. We will need those good memories now, more than ever, when we are 2-1 down, at home to Crawley, we will look back in fondness at better days, whilst this sleeping giant begins the absolute mammoth task of rebuilding it self.
If Arsenal’s recent exploits in the transfer market could be defined in one simple phrase, it would read ‘from invincible to incredibly vulnerable’. Whereas the likes of Manchester United are ruthless in their pursuit of targets and similarly defiant in thwarting any unwanted bids, it would appear that every Arsenal player has his price. Without wanting to seem callous, it strikes me that rival managers often bully Arsene Wenger into granting them the freedom to lure away his best players.
Arsenal are no longer the most desirable club to play for in the Premier League, which is why their trend of allowing contracts to run down into their final year continues to baffle. The once popular figures of Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have effectively exploited their contract situation in order force a move away, with Theo Walcott looking like he could soon follow suit. The club’s ability to attract the crème de la crème is made increasingly difficult by the financial restrictions of their self-sufficient business model. The priority should therefore focus on maintaining of the services of their existing personnel, but it seems the foundations for a title winning side are continually ripped away.
Of course when players do commit to long-term contracts, it doesn’t guarantee loyalty but it does put the club firmly in a position of power during negotiations. Wenger deserves a lorry load of praise for extracting £20m+ from both Manchester outfits, but it’s of little consolation when you’re enhancing the title hopes of your rivals as your own chances suffer in the process. It’s such a shame that Wenger is continually placed in impossible situations when his superiors fail to tie down the club’s best assets.
Arsenal’s strict financial policy warrants as much criticism as it does praise. The club can be commended for continuing to ensure its future wellbeing, but the harsh reality of the modern game is that the best players in the world come with the biggest price tags. When the club pulled out of a deal to sign Nuri Sahin due to a dispute over the percentage of wage contribution, it highlighted how their cost conscious strategy doesn’t allow for flexibility in any circumstances.
It’s painfully obvious that Wenger doesn’t possess the same working relationship with chief executive Ivan Gazidis as he once did with David Dein. The two seem to have been forcefully put together, working towards a distant and unrealistic goal while under constant scrutiny. Gazidis reminds me of a seedy politician when he conducts an interview, constantly evading direct questions to deliver generic and often broad statements. In a recent exposé with the Mirror he was asked whether the club can keep “top players happy and on top contracts,” but diverted away from the topic by insisting the club was on a “really positive path” and that the “financial capability is growing.” This is a man blessed with a business but not a football brain.
Gazidis however, is not in charge of negotiating deals, that’s the role of Dick Law who I have been careful typing into Google ever since learning of his existence. He must accept a portion of blame for the recent misfortunes, especially considering his main contribution last summer consisted of an alarming amount of time spent in Costa Rica completing the signing of Joel Campbell and insulting Bolton with a derisory bid for Gary Cahill. Somewhat bizarrely, the ‘charming Texan’ has his office in the training ground complex, in the same area where the press conferences are held. It’s hardly the best environment to conduct private, delicate negotiations, especially as agents and journalists are likely to rub shoulders in the corridors.
According to reports both Emmanual Frimpong and Andrei Arshavin will see their contracts expire next year alongside Theo Walcott. The Russian winger will be no great loss – other than financially – having tumbled from the limelight after an impressive start to his Gunner’s career. Frimpong on the other hand, struck an instant rapport with the fans after a series of tenacious displays. His departure would be mourned but there are doubts regarding his professionalism and how he will overcome his current injury.
If Arsenal want to avoid repeating the same mistakes then they should already be looking forward towards 2014 with three key players up for renewal. Revered full-back Bacary Sagna, who recently criticised the club for their summer transfer activity may already be a lost cause with Wenger insisting, “If he is not happy, he has to go elsewhere”. However, the club need to move quickly to retain the services of Kieron Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny, who many believe are the future of the club.
It’s also worth mentioning the role agents play in enabling a players contract to run down to the point of expiry. Their job is to get the best deal for the player (and therefore themselves), and the most effective way to do this is by shifting the balance of power. As soon as the possibility of a player leaving for free becomes a reality, then the agent can slowly crank up his demands as the club becomes more and more desperate. I can’t imagine there are too many agents eager to sit down when there is a significant amount of time left to run on a contract, unless of course a significant pay rise is involved.
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.
Ironically the only contract that looks like being signed in the near future involves Arsene Wenger, who Gazidis hailed as the “best man to lead us forward”. I can’t help but think the phrase “with one hand tied behind his back” should be added to the end of that sentence.
Complete the survey below to be in with the chance of winning a football shirt of your choice…
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
The weekend was an emotional one for all those connected to Arsenal as the club played their final home game under the management of Arsene Wenger.The Frenchman will leave his role at the club this summer following a two-decade tenure, which included three Premier League title wins and seven FA Cup triumphs.The 68-year-old divided fans during the latter stages of his career, mainly due to the club’s failure to sustain a serious title challenge.All of the hatred has been out aside for the time being, though, as the Gunners bid farewell to their long-standing coach.[ad_pod ]Mohamed Elneny, who signed for Arsenal from Basel in 2016, was one of many players who paid tribute to Wenger and his success.On Saturday, the team gave their esteemed coach a guard of honour and marked the day fittingly with a 5-0 romp over Burnley.On Twitter, Elneny, who has impressed fans this season, posted his own tribute to Wenger on Twitter.
Arsenal fans reacted emotionally to the midfielder’s post.
West Ham United crashed out of the EFL Cup with a bit of a whimper following a 1-0 quarter-final defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, and Irons fans weren’t impressed with Javier Hernandez’s performance.
Both teams made a number of changes to their starting XI’s from the Premier League at the weekend, with Hernandez one of those that came into the side after seeing Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio start ahead of him up top against Stoke City on Saturday.
However, the summer addition failed to make an impact in north London on Tuesday, although he had little to feed upon as the Hammers only had one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the 29-year-old’s display via social media, and while one said “he irritates me a lot”, another said he has an “awful attitude for a seasoned international footballer”.
Mark Schwarzer claims he must be the number one goalkeeper at Fulham next season if he is to sign a new contract at the club.
The 40-year-old Australian international goalkeeper will be out of contract at Craven Cottage at the end of next month, but has contradicted boss Martin Jol’s claims that a new contract offer is on the table waiting to be signed.
Schwarzer said: “I am out of contract and as of yet I have had no official offer of a new deal, contrary to reports.
“I still want to play in the Premier League and still believe I have the ability to do it.”
And, while the former Middlesbrough custodian would be open to staying with the west Londoners, he also insisted that he wants to be the first-choice keeper in order to fulfil his ambition of playing for his country at next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
He added: “The bottom line is I have to find a club that believe in my ability as a goalkeeper. I still have the hunger to play at the highest level and I want to go to another World Cup.
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.
“If that means I need to go elsewhere then I will move elsewhere.”
We’ve all got a fans favourite, or know of a player that the manager simply adores to pick every week. Then there are those players who you simply cannot work out why they make the team on a regular basis. Perhaps these individuals possess images of an explicit nature of the club’s manager or Chairman, or perhaps large bribes may be changing hands.
Either way, there are plenty of footballers in the Premier League that are overrated, either by reputation, price tag or simply as an overhyped youngster coming through the ranks. These days, most English footballers are overpriced of course, but some ridiculously more than others. You take a look round the starting XI’s of the Premier League clubs and wonder how some of the names on the team sheets are still getting a game in the Premier League. We’ve picked our current overrated Premier League XI, and found enough individuals to make up a bench as well!
Click on Rob Green to unveil the Premier League’s overrated XI
[divider]
[divider]
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.
West Ham United will look to bounce back from their 4-1 home defeat to Manchester City when they visit Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend.
The Hammers are currently 15th in the Premier League table – just three points clear of the bottom three.
Defeat to Leicester this weekend would leave David Moyes’ side extremely vulnerable ahead of their home match against Manchester United next week.
The West Ham fans have been discussing their preferred team for the clash with Leicester, and it would be fair to say that they want Moyes to make changes from the City clash.
Indeed, Josh Cullen is wanted as a midfield starter, with Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate dropping to the bench following their struggles at the weekend.
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 supporters also want Javier Hernandez to come into the XI despite suggestions that the Mexican has already decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Manchester United’s Player of the Year awards were a long-winded affair, spanning over hours of interviews and talks before revealing what we were all expecting: David De Gea as top performer and Juan Mata claiming Goal of the Season for his second strike against Liverpool. But if you had sat through the awards bash, and waited for the manager to make his speech, you would not have been disappointed. Louis Van Gaal showed exactly why he is the right man for the job at Old Trafford.
The red wine may have been flowing before Van Gaal took to the stage, but his emotive speech seemed to come from the heart. He spoke so highly of the Manchester United support and hailed the faith they showed him from the beginning. Even in United’s poor run of games at the start of the season, they backed him, and he praised them for that. “How is it possible that the fans are supporting me?” he said, off the back of “10 games 13 points”.
The fans already respect him as a manager – he brought them back into the top four which was his objective all along. But after this, you cannot help but love him even more. He is a million miles away from the manager David Moyes was. Moyes was out of his depth, of course, but he could not get the fans on his side no matter what. He put his foot in his mouth, especially claiming his squad aspired to be like their bitter rivals Manchester City.
Van Gaal is happy with what he has achieved in his first season, which has had its ups and downs. The manager knows this, and addressed this in his speech. He showed he is human and cannot get it right at all times.
Louis Van Gaal understands the importance of being at Manchester United, and the fans are lapping it up. He showed his passion for his new club through both his speech, and a little viral vine that occurred after United’s last home game. When meeting fans outside the ground, he joins in a rendition of his own song – “Louis Van Gaal’s Red Army.” How can you not love that?
The manager has promised big things for next season, and based the delivery of his speech, you can believe it. He said that everyone at Manchester United “have to produce more… Because we have the best fans in the world.” What a speech. What a man.
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.