Luigi Delneri is hoping not to make substantial changes to a winning team when Juventus host Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.Juve secured an impressive 2-0 win away to Roma last week and now tackle mid-table Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero – who missed the Roma match – remains in doubt due to a thigh injury.
But on-loan midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who did not participate fully in training during the past week, is expected to retain his place.
“The line-up won’t be that different from last Sunday’s,” Juve coach Delneri said.
“Having seen Alessandro (Del Piero’s) condition today I don’t think he can start the match.”
“From a tactical point of view I think it will be important to have a player near (Alessandro) Matri to help him.”
“And (Milos) Krasic’s qualities were very important on Sunday, he created a lot of problems for the Roma defence.”
“(Marco) Motta is fine, as for Aquilani, it’s just a precaution. He’s tired but then he has played a lot recently for both Juventus and the national team, so we wanted to let him rest for a bit after the Roma game.”
Delneri was more than satisfied with his team’s performance during their victory over Roma and called on the players to control possession again when they take on Genoa.
“I have to say that apart from winning the match something else I’m pleased with was the quality in our attack, which not many people noticed,” he said.
“It’ simple, when we have more possession the others have less and I can breathe more, and it was something which clearly helped us.”
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has been boosted by the return of Maynor Figueroa ahead of Saturday’s game with Everton.Figueroa has missed the last two games with a suspension and Wigan conceded five goals in the defender’s absence.
And the manager believes the Honduran’s return has his squad fighting for places in the starting 11, a good sign as Wigan battle for their Premier League survival.
“You can see that competition and desire in the training ground,” Martinez said.
“Our biggest asset is the competition for places because we have a fully-fit squad and everyone is desperate to play a part.”
“That is where we need to carry on with the same focus and concentration and just making sure that we do everything we can in the next four games.”
Wigan have been near the foot of the table for most of the season but Martinez thinks that could turn out to be a positive thing.
As they have been struggling for so long, he thinks the players will not panic as the season draws to a close and that composure could be the thing that keeps them safe.
“I think it is nothing different for us because it is not like all of a sudden we have found ourselves in this situation,” Martinez said.
“We have been dealing with this situation for the last six months so from our point of view nothing changes.”
“I think we have found a very consistent level of performance in the last 10 games so in that respect that is all we need to do: carrying on with our level until the last game of the campaign.”
“Playing at home we really feel the support from the fans really helps us to perform to the best of our abilities.”
“We are really excited for Saturday knowing that Everton are a very experienced side, they are very competitive and unless we are at your best we will not be able to compete against them.”
Rangers extended their advantage atop the Scottish Premier League to four points with a 4-0 win over Hearts on Saturday.Rivals Celtic will play Kilmarnock on Sunday and a win would close the gap back to one point with both sides on equal games.
Three first-half goals set Walter Smith’s side on their way before a comfortable second half at Ibrox.
It took 23 minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock as Croatian attacker Nikica Jelavic struck low through Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.
In the space of five minutes just before half time, Rangers took the game away from their opponents.
Attacker Kyle Lafferty was played behind the defence after strong work from Steven Whittaker and he made no mistake with a neat finish.
Steven Davis made it three a minute before half time when he headed home a deflected cross from Greg Wylde.
Hearts were reduced to 10 men on 62 minutes when a poor challenge from Eggert Jonsson saw him shown a straight red card.
Midfielder Ryan Stevenson was unlucky to find his own net to wrap up the scoring seven minutes before the end.
Hearts are five points clear of fourth-placed Dundee United, who recorded a 4-0 win over Motherwell thanks to a hat-trick from striker Jon Daly.
After dominating the majority of the first half, United had to wait 36 minutes to find the opener through Daly.
But they only had to wait seven minutes for a second as Daly headed home to complete his brace before half time.
A fine volley saw him get his hat-trick early in the second half before Keith Watson made it 4-0 two minutes from the end.
Motherwell sit in sixth, three points adrift of Kilmarnock.
In the relegation play-off group, Hamilton Academical moved within three points of safety with a 1-0 win over 10-man Hibernian.
Dutchman Nigel Hasselbaink scored the only goal of the game seven minutes before half time to extend their unbeaten run to four games, while they benefitted from the dismissal of Hibs defender Francs Dickoh.
St Mirren are only three points clear of the Accies, but hold an eight-goal better goal difference after they lost 1-0 to Inverness.
Terry Butcher’s Inverness were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Russell Duncan was sent off for retaliating to a challenge from Lee Mair, but that did not stop Adam Rooney coming off the bench to score the winner in the 85th minute.
Elsewhere, St Johnstone maintained the pressure on them with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen.
Tottenham missed the Champions League boat this season after a shocking run of form in the last third of the season has cost them dear. Harry Redknapp must be forever wondering what if, especially given the amount of points they have thrown away in particular at White Hart Lane.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs that includes supporters deserve better than watching 2nd string; where do Van der Vaart and Tottenham go from here, while Adebayor talks up move to White Hart Lane.
We also look at the best Spurs articles around the web this week.
*
First Gallas, now Adebayor?
Would Spurs fans really shed any tears over his exit?
‘Six of the Best’ Loan Deals Of The Premier League Season
Tottenham join Barca in the pursuit of Damiao
Tottenham fans surely deserve better than a 2nd string XI?
NEW Tottenham strips revealed…or more web imposters?
Is he really a transfer necessity for Tottenham Hotspur?
Could Tottenham and Arsenal benefit from a little faith?
Where do Rafa van der Vaart and Spurs go from here?
A transfer bargain that North London duo should attempt to sign up?
Distraction perhaps, but vital to Tottenham’s transfer appeal?
*Best of Web*
And the winner is – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
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Tottenham Hotspur That Was The Season That Was – The Players – Tottenham On My Mind
Gazza – Dear Mr Levy
Harry’s game – Martin Cloake Online
“It’s Magnificent To Be In Europe, If We’re Not In Europe…. We’re Nothing. We’re nothing – Harry Hotspur
There have been some stella performers this season in the Premier League and they rightfully get plenty of plaudits for their contributions. The likes of Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic, Jack Wilshere and Gareth Bale have all had praise lavished upon them. However there have also been a fair amount of players who have performed exceptionally well that haven’t necessarily got the credit they deserve. Therefore I have compiled a list of ten players who I think have been stand out performers for their clubs this season. I considered the likes of David Silva, Seamus Coleman, Vincent Kompany and Ji-Sung Park for the list, but decided although these players haven’t got the same recognition as Vidic, Bale etc, they have been noticed sufficiently and don’t fall under the unsung category.
The players I have chosen have played a particularly important role for their team and while it may have gone largely unnoticed in comparison to some of the big names I think they have impacted upon the league considerably. Behold my ten unsung players……..
Feel free to add any glaring omissions in the comments below
Click on Pablo Zabaleta to unveil this season’s 10 unsung heroes
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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!
FIFA whistleblower Chuck Blazer has been sacked from his position as CONCACAF general secretary, it was announced on Tuesday.Blazer, who is also a member of FIFA’s executive committee, stole headlines across the world on Thursday when he accused AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam and FIFA Vice President Jack Warner of corruption.
The allegations were particularly focused on bribery regarding the bidding and awarding of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, which were given to Russia and Qatar respectively.
As a consequence, FIFA suspended the pair from any football activity, but just five days after the allegations surfaced, Blazer was removed from his post with CONCACAF, possibly due to his claims of corruption against Caribbean football federations.
Blazer was ‘terminated as general secretary of CONCACAF with immediate effect’, it said in a letter addressed to him, written by Lisle Austin who has assumed temporary duty of the CONCACAF presidency, after Warner’s suspension.
In the letter it said that Austin thought Blazer had ‘grossly insulted and defamed’ associations of Carribean football by suggesting ‘that each member association was under investigation for bribery’.
Austin also claimed that Blazer had ‘improperly appointed five non-elected members of CONCACAF to congress’, while he also said that Blazer had no authority to hire a pair of Chicago based lawyers, who made the report which resulted in the suspension of Warner.
“The above conduct is inexcusable and a gross misconduct of duty and judgment. It is apparent that you are no longer fit to act as secretary general of CONCACAF and to represent its members,” the letter also said.
The firing of Blazer could also lead to the re-instatement of Bin Hammam and Warner by FIFA.
Colombia striker Radamel Falcao sounded a note of caution after his side’s 2-0 victory over Bolivia at the Copa America.The Porto striker scored both of Colombia’s goals in Sante Fe on Sunday, sending his side through to the quarter-finals in Argentina.
Colombia failed to concede a goal on the way to clinching top spot in Group A, with seven points from three matches.
After becoming the first team to reach the last eight – ahead of favourites Argentina and Brazil – Falcao understands that the fans may be excited about the team’s results so far.
But the 25-year-old has urged expectations to be kept under control.
“We are not the best nor the worst,” Falcao said.
“We are not in the final, we have just moved on to the second stage and we need to have our feet on the ground.”
The former River Plate man failed to score in the first two games, but made up for it with his first brace at international level against Bolivia.
After the match, Falcao said he was never worried about his individual return.
“Our priority is the group. It does not matter who scores. The important thing is for us to grow as a team,” Falcao said.
“Our goal is for Colombia to win. Personal goals will come as the team get stronger.”
Questioned about the team he would like to face in the last eight, Falcao said: “At this point, you can face any team. If we want to aspire to continuing (in the competition) we have to beat anyone.”
Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic believes the fight for the Serie A crown will be harder than ever next season.The midfielder admits thoughts have already turned to the likely Scudetto battles with champions AC Milan next term.
“We want to do well and we have to build for the future following last season,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“All the teams are strengthening their squads, not just us or the big teams, but everyone.”
“It will be a hard fight, and so we have to prepare well for next season.”
“We are working hard in training, and the will to do well is always there.”
On new coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s formula, Stankovic said: “Gasperini takes care of all the details, he explains things and talks about what he wants. We are getting to know each other.”
Inter are set to start their pre-season fixtures on July 24 when they will take on Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Robbie Keane has completed his transfer to join MLS side LA Galaxy from Tottenham in a deal worth around £3.5m for the London club. When did Ireland’s record goal scorer become so washed up that his only option is to switch to America in order to play first team football?
Keane had enjoyed a relatively solid career before moving to White Hart Lane in 2002, enjoying spells at Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds. He went on to make over 250 appearances for the club netting over 100 times, in process becoming the 10th highest goal scorer in Tottenham’s history. You would assume that Tottenham fans are disappointed to see Keane leave but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
In July 2008 after an impressive season with 23 goals in all competitions and with Keane unsettled, he was sold to Liverpool for £20m causing outrage with the Tottenham fans. It was Keane’s big chance with Champions League football on the agenda at Liverpool. However his much publicised move did not work out and he was transferred back to Spurs just six months later at a cut price fee of £12m.
When Keane returned to Spurs in 2009, fans were quickly on his back after he failed to produce the same sort of form and they were unhappy with the lack of loyalty he had display when making the move. Some fans were happy to see such an important player coming back but his image was tainted by the way in which he had left the club.
It could have been very different story for Keane as he made his debut after his return against Arsenal at White Hart Lane. He had several good chances to score against 10 men Arsenal but he it was not his day and instead the points were shared. If Keane had indeed scored the winner he may have gone some way to repairing his relationship with the Spurs fans as well as giving him renewed confidence for the rest of the season.
Instead it has been a spiral of decline for the once prolific striker and his performances last season were of a player whose confidence looks shot.
His inability to impress at Anfield was an obvious indication of his decline as a top class Premier League striker. He has been out of favour for the last couple of seasons and it is not really a surprise to see him seek his future elsewhere. However it could have been so different for Keane had he remained at White Hart Lane instead of moving to Anfield, although he probably would have still been affected by Berbatov’s transfer to Man United.
The loss of Berbatov and Keane with Defoe departing early in the year left Spurs with a very weak strike force leading to resentment towards the Irishman when he returned. Keane always looked most effective playing off Berbatov but arrived back the Bulgarian front-man had left and Keane could not develop a similar partnership with either Darren Bent or Jermaine Defoe.
Not only had his partner left but Spurs had a new manager with Harry Redknapp at the helm and it seems that he never really fitted into his plans as Redknapp has always been keen to play Crouch who Keane doesn’t appear to have develop the same sort of understanding he had with Berbatov. He must regret making the return instead of seeking pastures new as it is always hard to fit in somewhere where you are not wanted. A lot of things seem to have gone against Keane in recent years but it is his decline in form that has really cost him.
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Keane should be rememebered as the first Spurs player to hit double figures in six consecutive seasons for the club and for his excellent first spell at the club. I am sure Ireland’s record goal scorer will thrive in the MLS, as they say form is temporary but class is permanent and we will soon see if this is true with Keane.
Let me know your thoughts on Keane’s move to the MLS and follow me on twitter @aidanmccartney for more football chat.
Liverpool are lining up a show swoop for the Celtic winger Paddy McCourt the Daily Mail understands.
Manager Kenny Dalglish is considering a bid for the Northern Ireland winger as he continues his Anfield revolution.
Interest in Celtic man will come as a surprise to many in the red half of Merseyside considering the boss’ penchant for signing big names this summer.
However a starring performance and two outstanding goals in Ireland’s 4-0 demolition of the Faroe Islands in last weeks European Championship qualifying game has brought him new attention.
The 27-year-old’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed in the Premier League with Dalglish identifying him as the man to add some craft up front.
He believes McCourt, dubbed the ‘Derry Pele’, will offer the guile that was evidently lacking in the final third during Saturday’s draw with Sunderland.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers have also been credited with an interest in the winger although they would never be able to compete with Liverpool’s financial muscle.
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Scouts from all over Europe are said to be running the rule over the former Rochdale and Derry City man who moved to Parkhead in 2008.
Three years on the fringes of the first team could persuade McCourt to join new midfielders Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing at Anfield although the Bhoys are keen to hold onto him.