All posts by h79snht.top

With only a handful of fixtures left of the current season I thought it would be a good time to look at three contenders for Oxford United’s player of the season as well as looking at a couple of the most improved footballers at the Kassam Stadium over the last eight months.

Where better to start than with last year’s player’s player of the season, goalkeeper Ryan Clarke. Clarke just keeps getting better as the seasons have gone by since his arrival and this could very well be his best campaign yet, producing saves of the highest calibre on a weekly basis. Without the superb shot-stopping, athletic fingertip saves, and complete command of the penalty area, United would not have one of the best defensive records in the league.

Another big reason for the success of the defence comes in the form of Michael Duberry. The commanding centre-back oozes Premiership experience and it appears to have rubbed off on Jake Wright who has reaped the benefits from playing alongside him. Duberry has been dominant at the back both in the air as well as on the ground, and up the other end has even chipped in with a couple of goals.

In midfield there is someone who was considered the coup of the summer when we beat off stiff competition from Championship clubs to sign Peter Leven from MK Dons. It is easy to see why Leven was held in such high regard as, with a wide range of passing and a keen eye for goal he can tear defences apart. Such is the talent of the Scottish play-maker that he looked set to have a goal of the season competition all to himself. Unfortunately an injury saw him out of action for a few games including the crucial derby match against Swindon Town.This absence has somewhat stunted his form and after coming back in the last few games he still looks slightly out of match fitness. Despite this lack of recent form, the belief is he will come good towards the end of the season and continues to be a key figure in the promotion push.

One man has had a remarkable turn around in fortunes since his debut for the U’s last August.Andy Whing started the season in such terrible form at right-back, that fans were starting to question his place in the squad at all. However Whing has proved the doubters wrong and, in his preferred defensive midfield role has flourished with inch-perfect tackling an exceptional highlight.

In the last month Asa Hall has come in and performed superbly, with five goals to his name and a real swagger in his play. Hall has worked hard to earn that starting spot and will be working hard to ensure he keeps it through to the end of the season and beyond.

You can follow on me Twitter for more Oxford United based discussion.

Do you agree with Mickey?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Have your say and vote who you think should pick up the award for this season.

[poll ]

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he left Rio Ferdinand out of his squad for Euro 2012 for footballing reasons, and not due to the inclusion of John Terry.

The Manchester United central defender was conspicuous by his absence from the 23-man party that will travel to Ukraine and Poland this summer, with the likes of Phil Jones in the squad instead.

Despite the fact that Terry is due to face trial in July for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother Anton, Hodgson stated that this had no bearing on his decision-making process.

“It was purely a footballing decision,” he told Sky Sports.

“Rio is a man that I both respect as a player and as a person. I don’t know him well personally, but I have seen enough of him over the years to realise what a fine footballer he is and what a good person he is.

“But I had to make a footballing decision and to decide on the basis of what I have seen in recent months, and it was influenced to some extent by the fact that Rio hasn’t played so much since the World Cup and has only played once for England in the last year.

“On a footballing basis, I wanted people like Phil Jones in the squad because he helps balance out for me at right-back in the absence of Kyle Walker.

“So it’s purely a footballing decision and it was a hard phone call to make because you hate to disappoint people, but I hope Rio can accept my decision and understand that it was based purely on football and nothing else,” he concluded.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Giovanni Trapattoni refuses to believe that the Republic of Ireland cannot get out of the group stages at Euro 2012.

The Italian was speaking ahead of this evening’s opening group game against Croatia and says that you only have to see the success that Chelsea had in the Champions League to see that anything is possible within football:

“I say ‘never say never’, ninety per cent of German people thought that Bayern Munich would beat Chelsea but they did not. We believe in the result. We come here because we are determined to get out of the group.”

Captain Robbie Keane was equally buoyant about the Republic’s chances and wants to repay the reported 20,000 fans that have travelled to the Euros and give them as much joy as possible:

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“These finals have been a long time coming and it’s great to see the atmosphere of the nation. The country has been on its knees for a few years and our qualification has given it a lift. It’s up to us to give the people as much joy as possible.” (Guardian)

West Ham are keen to add another striker to their squad, with Yannick Sagbo the latest target, according the The Daily Mail.

Sam Allardyce is eager to bolster his attacking options despite having 6 recognisable strikers at the club. Sam Baldock, Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te, Freddie Sears and Frederic Piquionne are all on the books at Upton Park. However, it is expected that a majority of these strikers will depart in order to accommodate incoming players.

In addition to the Hammers interest in Sagbo, an offer for Norwich skipper Grant Holt has also been made, whilst an enquiry has been readied for Inter Milan youngster Luc Castaignos in relation to a loan deal.

Sagbo, who plays for the tongue twisting Evian Thonon Gaillard in France, scored 12 goals last season despite his side stuttering at the wrong end of the table.  The 24-year old has earned a cap for the Ivory Coast and is believed to be worth around £4 million. A pacey striker, Sagbo had a goalless spell at Monaco before moving to Evian.

West Ham have already been active in the transfer market, signing Finnish ‘keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, midfield Mohamed Diame and stopper Stephen Henderson from cash strapped Portsmouth.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’inblog’ align=’right’]

Manchester United are locked in a transfer battle with Inter over the signature of Brazilian playmaker Lucas Moura, according to The Daily Mail.

The Sao Paulo attacking midfielder is one of the brightest prospects in world football, and at 19-years old has already confirmed himself as a key man for both club and country.

With Sir Alex Ferguson eager to add a creative midfielder to his squad this summer as a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, the Red Devils recently sent a delegation to Brazil to meet with the player’s representatives and father.

However, it has emerged that Inter are also keen to sign the South American schemer, with the player confirming that his father had also met with the Italian giants.

“I cannot guarantee that I will stay until the end of my contract. Much has changed and the situation is not up to me any more.

“I know my father and my agent had a meeting with Inter but I don’t know what was said. Now I will go to the Olympics with my mind only on winning a gold medal,” he confirmed.

A bid in the region of £30 million and more will be needed to win the race for Moura’s signature, as Chelsea had a similar offer rejected by the Brasileiro club earlier this summer.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

For a club like Manchester United, love them or loathe them, they are certainly expected to be winning the big trophies and attracting the star names. Yet after a quite frankly dismal display in last season’s Champions League, and indeed the Europa League, and losing out on the league title to formerly noisy now successful (not to mention not short of a bob or two) neighbours Manchester City, United fans have begun to question what is going on, and why are the club not making bigger moves in the transfer market?

An age-old reflex when things are not going well at Old Trafford seems to be to blame the owners, the Glazers, yet United’s equivalent of God, Sir Alex Ferguson, has offered his unwavering support to the Americans, and shot down claims that they are using the club as a cash cow and ultimately bleeding them dry.

Fergie points to the trophies won since the Glazers have been at the helm, including titles and a European Cup – which judging by the display last season might be the only one for a while – and says they have been ‘great’ for the club. Fans, of course will point to the massive debt of £437 million the club are now in and the crippling debt-related fees which have currently cost an eye-watering £550 million, and the lack of big money supposedly not spent on players.

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

Obviously this debate has been going on far longer and is far deeper than this article can go, and there will be no changing the opinion of certain fans or employees of the club, with the latest point of contention being the £150 million share plan now mooted by the owners. Yet one thing cannot be ignored – United are a huge club and were long before the Glazers decided to make a quick buck from the Red Devils.

What seems to be alarming is the fact that people now do not consider United as the front runners to sign the biggest and best players – the bid United tabled for RVP was met with raised eyebrows from many, and the club were not really considered serious candidates for the player.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 bid itself clearly shows that Fergie does have money to spend this summer, but just how much is debatable? They could sorely use a player like Luka Modric, who looks set to leave Spurs, but for money few feel United could afford. Granted the club have signed Powell and Kagawa, but are these payers who will win a Champions League?

In the age of Oligarchs and Sheiks, Glazer supporters will say that United cannot look to compete with such ‘silly spending’. Yet for a club with such a turnover and fan base, not to mention designs on the biggest prizes of all – two seasons in a row without a trophy is something out of the question for Ferguson and his players, money much be spent and teams must be revitalised. Yet the question that now lingers is an uncomfortable one for those at Old Trafford – just how far is Fergie being allowed to do so, and more vitally, how much money is he really able to spend?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confessed that he would “love” to play in the Premier League.

The Gabon international has been linked with Newcastle in recent weeks following a string of impressive displays for Saint-Etienne.

Despite insisting he is happy in France, the attacker admitted that should the chance of a move come along he would find it hard to resist:

“I am fine at the moment at St Etienne and if there is interest in me then I can only thank God for that.” He told SkySports.

“I really love the Premier League and hope to one day play in England, but there are other leagues in the world too, with good quality.”

The 23-year-old is far from short of potential suitors with Liverpool, Aston Villa and Sunderland said to be monitoring the situation.

Capped 26 times at international level, the striker began his career with Serie A giants AC Milan.

After struggling to force his way into the first-team, Aubameyang was loaned out to Lille, Monaco and Dijon, before securing a permanent deal Saint-Etienne.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew is said to be keen to strengthen his forward line following Papiss Cisse’s drop in form.

Aubameyang’s versatility is thought to be attractive to the club, who could deploy him as a central striker, on either flank or just behind the frontline.

If it wasn’t enough that Arsenal started the season with a 0-0 loss (yes, you read that correctly) then the departure of another big name at the club in Alex Song should definitely send the team spiralling out of control.

What has been significant about this short Alex Song transfer episode is the club’s relaxed nature about letting him go. Arsene Wenger was quick to stop the building of a saga similar to what we’ve seen in the recent past, and it was more to do with a need to rid the dressing room of a disruptive character.

A lot of Arsenal fans have greatly warmed to Alex Song over the past couple of seasons, with the player demonstrating remarkable progress in his development and cementing his place as a regular in the starting XI. However, many fans were almost turning a blind eye on his disappointing defensive game due to the number of assists he had. But really, Alex Song’s departure from Arsenal is no great loss. It’s certainly not on a level with the losses of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

One criticism of Arsene Wenger, and a deserved one at that, is his desire to create a utopian atmosphere with regards to contracts at the club. He doesn’t want there to be incredible gulfs between the earnings of the top players and those who only have peripheral roles, rather insisting on creating equals throughout the dressing room. A little Marxist perhaps, but it’s certainly no way to run a big club with big names who are also running a tight ship financially.

Darren Dein’s mission to demolish the Arsenal squad continued when he decided to encourage Alex Song to seek greater wages. Due to Song’s importance at the club, I can fully understand his motivation for a new contract. However, implying that £55,000-a week is not suitable for a footballer is completely laughable. Please Alex, cry me a river. And while you’re in that river, please swim back to your post just in front of the back four.

But Alex Song reportedly became more of a nuisance beyond just demanding a new contract. His attitude has apparently been a poison in the dressing room, while his 14 assist last season have clearly helped in allowing him to feel he’s bigger than he really is.

However, with Song in the side, how close were Arsenal really to landing some silverware? This isn’t the hardworking, defensively responsible Alex Song that broke through a number of years ago. Instead, this is a player who believes himself to be a player and a figure that he really isn’t.

This idea that Wenger would encourage Song to advance forward because the club lacked any other creative spark is laughable. Is the manager really reckless enough to sacrifice the defensive game in favour of a player who hits 10 bad forward passes before landing a good one? And even so, Alex Song’s decision to wander off away from his post began well before last season. Cesc Fabregas was instructed to be Arsenal’s most advanced creative midfielder, while Song would at times be the team’s most advanced player – even well ahead of the strikers. Sometimes it really did seem like Arsenal were attacking with 11 players on the field but defending with 10 – that was the extent of Song’s laid back attitude to the defensive side of the game. Conceding 49 goals in the league starts with the opposition’s ability to get through the midfield and advance on goal.

If Song wasn’t such a problem and was not easily replaceable – which he is – why didn’t Wenger put up a greater fight for a player who still had three-years left on his contract? The reasoning is clear: It’s not about giving in to demands from players or clubs, but instead it’s acting quickly to move on players who evidently don’t want to be at Arsenal. Santi Cazorla expressed a desire as early as last summer to play for Arsenal. As did Lukas Podolski, Olivier Girioud and two other targets in Nuri Sahin and Yann M’Vila. But Song’s decision to use Barcelona as a device to raise his wages suggest that there is something else beyond just a better contract.

The signings at Arsenal this summer have allowed the club to move into a new phase with newer figures as the most central and important. By moving on van Persie and Alex Song, the club may have lost a good number of goals from last year, but they’ve also rid themselves of disruptive influences and potentially on-going sagas in the dressing room.

The club needed van Persie a lot more than they needed Song, while the transfer market will allow Wenger to replace the Cameroon international with a player who is far more disciplined at his craft – should he decided to. But the fact is, Alex Song wasn’t sending in assists for Marouane Chamakh, he was delivering passes to the most in-form striker in the Premier League. Imagine the numbers if Santi Cazorla was given a season to partner van Persie.

Song won’t be a vital figure for Barcelona, but the others around him are so good at winning the ball back that he can afford to be a little cavalier with his approach. At Arsenal, that attitude simply won’t work. But the view is almost as if the club can’t replace what Song brought to the team – that is how high he is regarded by many fans.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Alex Song has chipped his way into the hearts of many Arsenal fans. And while that combination with van Persie looked spectacular at times, there was little desire from the player to follow a far more basic game when it was needed. He’s certainly not the rampaging powerhouse in the midfield, and he’s absolutely not the “new Yaya Toure,” as the Catalan press have labelled him.

But regardless of any void Song leaves behind at Arsenal, it was important to move on a player who could only bring negativity on a new and interesting group of players.

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

Manchester United winger Nani could well have made a move to Russian side Zenit St Peterburg this summer, but the player’s wage demands derailed a potential switch according to The Daily Mail.

The Portugal international has been linked with an Old Trafford exit after negotiations over a new contract for the wideman broke down, with Sir Alex Ferguson confident that he has enough quality on the flanks to cope should Nani leave.

Zenit splashed the cash to bring the likes of Axel Witsel and Hulk to eastern Europe this summer, with that duo reported signed in a deal worth €90 million.

However, a deal to bring Nani to Russia was also on the cards only for the switch to be scuppered due to the United man requesting £130,000 a week to seal a transfer.

Ferguson seems to prefer Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young on the wings, whilst new signing Shinji Kagawa can also start from wide if needs be.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

There are three certainties in life. One is death, the second is taxes and the third is that Tottenham will be the most active team on transfer deadline day. The bigwigs at White Hart Lane seem incapable of doing their business any earlier than the 31st of either August or January, and once again, it seems that this year will be no different to the rest.

They can’t be blamed though; indeed they certainly won’t be alone in enjoying a ridiculously busy day before the window slams shut as other sides look to tie up their business before the season swings fully into action. It’s certainly a question worth asking; why can’t the clubs lower down the league do their business earlier on in the summer like the big boys?

You can be certain that two of the sides who can sit back and put their feet up tomorrow will be Manchester United and Chelsea. Summer business for these respective outfits was completed weeks ago, with United bringing in Robin Van Persie, Shinji Kagawa, Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell, while Chelsea have splashed the cash on Eden Hazard and Oscar to name but a couple. There’s no doubting the fact that making your signings early on in the summer sets you up far better than if you leave it until the very last minute.

For starters, new individuals can settle into the club during pre-season and enjoy a few pressure-less games before they’re thrown into the heat of the battle in the Premier League. They can learn tactics, moves and their teammates’ habits in the peace and quiet of a tour to Norway for example, rather than the heated atmosphere of the North London derby. The top managers know this and therefore work to secure their targets before the start of the season.

For those lower down the league, life is a little more difficult. You never fully know how strong your squad is before you enter the battleground of the Premier League. Take Mark Hughes and QPR. The majority of pundits had predicted that the Welshman and his boys would go well this season having strengthened significantly this summer, bringing the likes of Park Ji-Sung and Robert Green to Loftus Road.

One 5-0 defeat to Swansea later and those best laid plans have been firmly put to the sword. Hughes and the owner Tony Fernandes have suddenly decided the squad isn’t good enough after all and have gone chasing bigger names with just hours remaining in the window. This tactic may well pay off though as players like Julio Cesar and Estaban Granero look set to move to England, undoubtedly improving the squad no end, making QPR the perfect example of when clubs lower down the league suddenly identify weaknesses that weren’t so obvious in pre-season.

Another significant factor in the failure of clubs further down the division struggling to complete their business earlier in the summer is the age-old problem for those teams struggling to keep up – money. It may take a manager months to persuade his Chairman that it’s worth splashing out x amount on a certain player, while limited funds means that bargains have to be struck with other clubs.

Take Steven Fletcher’s transfer to Sunderland. Martin O’Neill has been chasing the Scot all summer, but only completed the deal in the last couple of days because Wolves refused to drop their asking price. For a bigger team, the fee wouldn’t have been an issue and they would have just paid over the odds to secure the player’s signature immediately, but O’Neill is fully aware his budget is not unlimited unlike some of his Premier League colleagues. As the summer dragged on, Sunderland’s situation up front became desperate, forcing O’Neill to meet Wolves’s valuation of Fletcher. Compare this to say, Sir Alex Ferguson, who once he’d decided Robin Van Persie was the right man for Old Trafford, didn’t spent too long in persuading those in charge of the budget to part with £24 million.

There’s also an issue with panic buying. As the mid-table sides fight over the same players, they inevitably miss out on numerous targets over the summer and therefore they end up needing to make ends meet quickly before the transfer window shuts to ensure they have enough for the season ahead. This rule actually applies to the big boys as well, Arsene Wenger was forced to dip into the market last August after feeling the full force of negativity from the fans over his summer transfer activity, not to mention that 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Manchester City also look set to buy on the final day this year, but merely because Roberto Mancini feels his squad is not adequate enough to deal with the ‘Group of Death’ they now face in the Champions League. Other Premier League managers might raise their eyebrows somewhat at that thought given what they work with in comparison, but they will also feel their squads simply aren’t strong enough to fend off their rivals.

As for Tottenham? Well, perhaps it’s just the unorganised nature of the club over the years. Or perhaps they can’t decide on their actual transfer targets. Either way, it wouldn’t be a final day without Spurs putting in a mad dash to sign players right on the stroke of midnight. The big boys will probably stay well away from the transfer market during the final day, although there can be exceptions to the rule (Mr Berbatov anyone?), while those competing below them will have a hectic 24 hours ahead. Maybe one day they’ll learn…just do your shopping earlier!

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]