West Ham United boss Avram Grant was delighted with his side's spirit in their 3-1 Carling Cup victory over Stoke City at Upton Park.
After falling behind early on, the Hammers showed plenty of fight to reach the quarter-finals, with Scott Parker equalising six minutes from time, before Manuel Da Costa and Victor Obinna netted in extra-time.
That resolve pleased Grant, who was concerned after a 2-1 home league reverse at the hands of Newcastle United.
Grant told his club's official website:"We wanted to show that Saturday was an exception for us.
"We didn't start the game well, but the reaction in the second half was great. We played well, dominated the game and scored three goals.
"We spoke about what we were not doing right, the mentality and the character. We changed the tactics a bit at half-time and I was delighted at the response.
"The turning point was a few weeks ago, after we lost but didn't give up and continued to do the right thing. We had three draws where we deserved to win.
"Even on Saturday, we started the game like a top team then someone pushed a button and we stopped.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"We have a plan and a project for many years and I think we're doing the right things. We just need to be more stable.
"I must say that the second half on Saturday was not good, but, if you look at our last seven games, it's been the exception."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Even after Danny Rose brought North London to a standstill last season with his 25-yard wonder strike to help defeat Arsenal in the biggest Premier League meeting between the two sides in years, it was no surprise to see the 20 year old being loaned out during the transfer window.
Such is talent at Harry Redknapp’s disposal across the Tottenham midfield that players such as Jermaine Jenas, David Bentley and Wilson Palacios have struggled to get much game time at all this season, so for Rose a loan move was sensible, if not inevitable.
In joining Bristol City, the hope was that Rose, under the experienced eye of players such as former England goalkeeper David James, and Premiership regulars Jon Stead and Nicky Hunt would be able to help push City towards promotion. James revealed his ambition to make City the first side from the West Country to make it into the Premier League- a genuine ambition that would have attracted Rose’s interest as he contemplated a way back into Tottenham’s first team squad.
This ambition has yet to materialise as Rose’s new club have been stuck in the Championship basement during through much of the early months of the season.
It would be fair to say that Rose has yet to fully fit in with Championship football- having only made four league appearances thus far, failing to provide any assists or goals. He has had to shake off a recurring ankle injury, and his discipline has been an issue having been booked in half of his City league appearances.
[divider]
[divider]
There have, however, been some positives. Since making his England under 21 bow in the summer of 2009, Rose has been an ever present in a strong squad- his inconsistent performances at club level have not affected his place or selection for Stuart Pearce’s side. If there was need for an indication that Rose has not suddenly lost it- that he is playing alongside individuals starring in the Premier League most weeks provides it.
The club situation has begun to improve too. City went on a four match unbeaten streak, although a defeat at Rose’s former club Leeds United at the weekend did put the Ashton Gate outfit back into the Championship drop zone. As with the top flight, this year’s Championship table is incredibly tight. Only nine points separate City in 22nd and Burnley in 6th. A decent run from any of the struggling sides could catapult them into play-off contention.
Rose will be aware that things can change quickly. In six months he has gone from being the toast of White Hart Lane to being jeered by the Elland Road faithful as he returned to the club that he left under a financial cloud three years ago. His loan deal can be revoked at short notice, and whilst his sporadic appearances for struggling Bristol City are not a glowing indictment of the former Leeds United academy product, the potential he showed in 45 minutes against bitter rivals Arsenal will have Harry Redknapp thinking should Spurs suffer a midfield, mid-season injury crisis.
*
Click on image below to see Wesley’s latest lady
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.
Ian Porterfield is one of those forgotten FA Cup heroes. When the 1973 FA Cup Final is brought up in conversation the moment etched into everyone’s memory is not Porterfield’s winning goal, but Jimmy Montgomery’s amazing double save. Second Division Sunderland beat high-flying Leeds 1-0 as a result of Ian Porterfield’s volley after Leeds failed to clear a corner. But after being a vital member of the first team outside the top flight ton win the FA Cup in 42 years, what happened to Ian Porterfield?
After the ’73 Cup Final Porterfield was involved in a life-threatening car accident, he returned to football 18 months later but he was never the same player. He left Sunderland in 1977 and joined Sheffield Wednesday where he played for two years, notching up over 100 appearances and scored three goals.
Porterfield went straight from playing to managing, and when he took the helm at Rotherham in 1979 no one could have predicted where Sunderland’s ’73 FA Cup hero would end up.
In 1981, Porterfield won the Third Division with Rotherham, beating local rivals Barnsley to the title by two points. The following season he dropped two divisions to take over at Sheffield United where he experienced similar success, in five years he guided The Blades from the Fourth Division to the Second Division before he was sacked.
In 1986 Porterfield moved north of the border to take over from Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen. Despite having big shoes to fill, Porterfield managed to reach the Scottish League Cup Final in 1988, losing to Rangers on penalties, and twice qualified for Europe. After resigning from his post in Scotland he had a brief time in charge of Reading before taking over at Chelsea.
Porterfield has the infamous distinction of being the first manager in the Premier League era to be sacked when he parted ways with Chelsea in 1993 following a post-Christmas slump. It was after this that Porterfield embarked on a managerial journey that would see him manage national teams in four different continents.
After leaving Chelsea, Porterfield took over as manager of a Zambian national side who had recently lost 18 players in a plane crash. Despite being apprehensive about taking the job he was a big success. He narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 1994 World Cup Finals, but took Zambia to the final of the African Nations Cup the same year. Porterfield was later awarded the Freedom of Zambia.
Porterfield’s managerial journey then took him to Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe before a brief stint as Colin Todd’s assistant at Bolton in 1996. Following Bolton’s relegation, Porterfield resigned as a result of a drink-driving charge and went back to manage overseas.
He went on to become boss of Oman in 1997 and Trinidad and Tobago in 2000, taking the latter to national high 25th in the FIFA World Rankings but once again narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification.
In 2003 Porterfield then went back to club management in South Korea with K-League team Busan I’Park where he won the Korea Cup
His final national side post was in Armenia where he became a hero after managing his side to back to back wins over Kazakhstan and Poland in 2006.
Porterfield was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007 and unfortunately lost his battle and died in September of the same year. Forever remembered as a cult hero in the North East a minute silence was observed prior to Sunderland’s game with Reading on 15th September 2007.
To relive the classic 1973 FA Cup Final, watch the video below.
[youtube 2Q9qUhjGwig]
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.
*
Click on Giorgia Palmas below to see her in all her glory
A last-minute Masahiko Inoha goal gave 10-man Japan a dramatic 3-2 victory over Qatar in a thrilling Asian Cup quarter-final on Friday.
Qatar twice went ahead through Sebastian Soria and Fabio Cesar Montezine, but Shinji Kagawa equalised on both occasions before Inoha’s 90th minute strike secured victory for the three-time Asian Cup winners.
While Japan made three changes headlined by Eiji Kawashima’s return from suspension, Qatar made just the one, with Mesaad Ali Al Hamad starting in place of the suspended Mohammed Kasola.
Qatar lost left-back Ibrahim Majid in the 11th minute to a hamstring injury, but were undettered by the setback and went ahead just a minute later.
The goal came when Sebastian Soria was inexplicably allowed to turn onto his left foot in the Japanese penalty area, before squeezing his shot past Eiji Kawashima for his first goal of the tournament.
Japan fought back in the 27th minute when Borussia Dortmund’s Kagawa produced the equaliser.
A chip into the penalty area from Keisuke Honda set Shinji Okazaki free, who lofted the ball over the oncoming Qasem Burhan in the Qatar goal.
Okazaki’s chip was headed for the back of the net but with the presence of Ali Al Hamad, Kagawa was required to bundle it home from the goal-line to level proceedings.
The lively Yousef Ahmad had a chance to put Qatar in front but dragged his shot wide, while Burhan made two good saves within a minute, denying Okazaki and Makoto Hasebe.
Japan came out with an attacking mindset after the interval, and Okazaki went close to scoring but his header flashed just wide, before Nagatomo’s 20-yard strike was well saved by Burhan.
Qatar were given a boost after the hour mark following the dubious sending off of Japan’s Maya Yoshida, who received his marching orders after a questionable second yellow card when he tried to tackle Ahmad.
Qatar deepened the wound when substitute Cesar Montezine scored from the resultant free-kick after a poor piece of goalkeeping from Kawashima.
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.
Rather than pressing on and looking for a third goal, Qatar went on the defensive and allowed Japan time and space on the ball.
And they were quickly made to pay when Kagawa pounced on a ball that spilt on the edge of the box before sending a neat finish to equalise with 20 minutes to play.
Just as it seemed the match was heading for extra time, Inoha popped up to crush Qatar’s hope of a first Asian Cup semi-final appearance, slotting the ball home into goal following Khaled Muftah’s challenge on Kagawa.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has suggested Shaun Wright-Phillips could stay at Eastlands until the end of the season.
Speculation over the 29-year-old’s future has been rife during the January transfer window, with a host of top flight clubs interested in securing the services of the out-of-favour winger.
While it appeared only a matter of time before Wright-Phillips moved away from City, Mancini has now declared he could be retained to preserve squad depth.
“If we lose another player we need to bring in someone different. It is impossible to have 19-20 players for the next four months,” Mancini said.
Mancini also said he would not object to a return for Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who left this week to begin a loan spell at Real Madrid until the end of the season.
With Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and new signing Edin Dzeko above him in the pecking order at Eastlands, Adebayor opted for a move to the Bernabeu to regain some lost confidence.
When asked if Adebayor could return to City under his stewardship, Mancini replied: “Why not?”
“I think that it’s important that when a player plays, he always plays 100 percent happy.”
“I think that the situation is good for him because with Real Madrid he has a chance to play in the Champions League.”
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.
“I think that will be good for his confidence and at the end of the season, we will see. I hope he can play well and score a lot of goals for Real Madrid, and I’d be happy for him.”
City travel to Meadow Lane on Sunday for an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Notts County, but will be without winger Adam Johnson who has an ankle injury.
Liverpool have struck a deal with Dutch club Ajax to sign Uruguay forward Luis Suarez.
Liverpool will pay about 23 million pounds for the striker, who starred at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for his country, scoring three goals in six appearances.
The two clubs have been in negotiations throughout the January transfer window and recently Ajax boss Frank de Boer claimed Suarez’s move was a “50-50 chance” of being completed.
“Ajax and Liverpool have reached an agreement over the transfer of Luis Suarez,” a statement on Ajax’s official website confirmed on Friday.
“He will make the move to the English club immediately. The deal is worth up to a total of 26.5 million euros (22.8 million pounds).”
Liverpool will now hope to agree on personal terms with the 24-year-old striker, before he completes a medical and officially signs with the Anfield outfit.
The signing of Suarez is sure to boost Liverpool’s current league position, with the 2005 Champions League winners currently sitting seventh.
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.
Suarez has a prolific scoring record for Ajax, netting 81 goals in 110 Eredivisie appearances for the club and could form a lethal partnership with Fernando Torres.
But for that to happen, Liverpool must hang onto Torres, who has been the subject of big-money bids from Chelsea.
West Bromwich Albion’s decision to sack Roberto Di Matteo meant that the former Chelsea midfielder became the fourth Premier League manager to succumb to the axe this season. The Italian was placed on gardening leave after presiding over a dreadful run which saw the Baggies lose 13 of their last 18 games.
Defending his decision, Albion chairman Jeremy Peace said: “We, as a board, believe it is the right [decision] to give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League.
“If this run continues much longer, achieving our goal of retaining our Premier League status will become increasingly difficult. That is why we felt compelled to act now.
“This club’s track record proves we do not take such decisions lightly, with Roberto being only our fourth manager or head coach in almost 11 years.”
Di Matteo’s shock departure from the Hawthorns signified a dramatic change of fortunes for the likeable Italian. He guided the Baggies to automatic promotion at the first time of asking last May, and was named Premier League Manager of the Month just four months ago after leading his side to their best ever start to a Premier League season.
League Managers Assocation chief executive Richard Bevan criticised the sacking of Di Matteo. He said: “Roberto represents yet another victim of the ‘hire and fire’ mentality that pervades in our game.
“It is in exactly situations like these that we all want to see clubs back the individuals they have employed rather than see the sack as a quick fix panacea.”
Figures compiled by Bevan last season show that a manager’s average tenure now is around one year and four months, compared to three and a half years in 1992.
The devastating financial ramifications of relegation mean that survival in the Premier League is as crucial and important as ever; the fact that the Championship play-off final is colloquially known as the most lucrative game in football supports this assertion. A football club’s manager is the man responsible for the performances of the team, and as such, is regarded as the chief scapegoat when displays and results suffer.
Bevan says: “In football, there is an incomprehensible belief that the continued sacrificing of the football manager, the ‘scapegoat’ and installing another will turn around a football club’s performance.”
The impending threat of relegation has meant that Avram Grant has faced uncertainty surrounding his West Ham United future for large parts of the season. At the other end of the table, Carlo Ancelotti’s seeming inability to guide Chelsea to a second successive Premier League title has meant that he has faced questions over his Stamford Bridge future. Liverpool’s uncharacteristic foray into the lower echelons of the Premier League eventually culminated in Roy Hodgson’s early exit.
The installation of Kenny Dalglish as Hodgson’s interim replacement has yielded short-term success for Liverpool (they are currently second in the Premier League form table), but there is no guarantee that this will continue. The ‘new manager’ effect often has a positive short-term impact on form, but more often than not, this form is followed by a level of performances and results comparable to those achieved before the change.
Unfortunately, Di Matteo’s dismissal is characteristic of the modern football environment. The thirst for instant gratification and importance of financial stability (stability which is heavily dependent upon Premier League survival) means that many managers are not given time to turn results around. This trend shows no sign of abating, and if this is case, Di Matteo is unlikely to be the last manager to be handed his P45 prematurely this season.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
[divider]
// <![CDATA[
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.
This weekend’s trip to Brisbane Road may have looked purely academical for Arsene Wenger’s in-form Arsenal side at the time of the draw, but it now it looks as if this fixture has potential banana skin written all over it and it could be a difficult game for the Gunners to negotiate their way through.
Arsenal go into the game on the back of a truly outstanding result against Catalan giants Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek. Wenger will look to rest certain key individuals in preparation for the return leg and this may offer a glimmer of hope to Russell Slade’s Orient side.
Orient have been no slouches themselves either recently though and their form has been nothing short of exceptional of late. They are currently undefeated in eleven games (won 7, drawn 4), a run of form that has seen them climb to just outside the League One playoffs where they currently reside in 10th place, just three points off 6th.
The forgotten tribe of East London as Chairman Barry Hearn recently referred to them as, benefit from having an organised and settled side. They are strong all across midfield and are scoring goals for fun at the minute.
A potential weak spot that Arsenal may seek to exploit though is down Leyton Orient’s flanks, where full backs Charlie Daniels and Andrew Whing have a tendency to be caught to far forward and too tight to the centre half respectively. Dean Cox and Jimmy Smith remain the home sides danger men, although the physical presence of Alex Revell up front will also be worth keeping an eye on too.
Prediction: 1-2 – get odds of 15/2 with bet365!
[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.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss AC Milan’s crucial derby with Inter Milan after receiving a three-game suspension for punching Bari’s Marco Rossi.Ibrahimovic was shown a straight red for the incident during Milan’s shock 1-1 draw with Bari on Sunday, which occurred after Rossi marked the star striker off a cross in the second half.A frustrated Ibrahimovic, who has not scored a goal from free play in seven league games, punched Rossi after the ball had been cleared and was duly sent on his way by referee Christian Brighi.A statement from Serie A’s disciplinary committee read: “Three-match ban for Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan for irregular behaviour after having hit an opposition player in the abdomen, making him fall to the ground without injury consequences.”The club are expected to appeal the suspension, which would see the Sweden international miss games against Palermo, Fiorentina and, on April 3, Inter.Milan lead the Serie A table but are facing a strong challenge from Inter, who have closed to within five points under new boss Leonardo with nine games remaining in the campaign.Ibrahimovic leads Milan’s scoring with 14 goals this season but has been out of form since February.
Sighs of relief could be heard all round the England camp on Thursday morning when it was announced that Wales’s rising star, Gareth Bale, was set to miss the crucial Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G clash with England this weekend. Glen Johnson, in particular, will be glad to be spared from a potent attacker who could, yet again, have exposed his defensive frailties at the highest level.
And what a season it has been so far for the Cardiff-born 21-year old. Not only has he terrorised defences throughout Europe with his direct running style and dangerous crossing, but he has also scored eleven goals in thirty-three appearances including a stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro. A memorable evening, especially for much-vaunted Inter and Brazil right-back Maicon. Not a bad return for a player once seen as a curse after he went on to make twenty-four appearances before playing on a winning Tottenham side.
However, it is important to remember that this is still Bale’s first season as a first-team regular at Tottenham. Whilst he has ghosted past defences with the ease of one of the best players in Europe, only time will tell if he has the class to reproduce this form year upon year. Bale, along with the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart, Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric, has benefitted from manager Harry Redknapp’s attack-minded approach and tendency to allow fast, creative players the freedom to express themselves.
With his rising profile it was only a matter of time before the English press started to speculate about his future. Big money transfers from anywhere between £30 to £50 million to Spain and Italy were cited and Real Madrid allegedly made an approach in January; phenomenal for a player still growing and learning who has played half a season at the top level of club football and made his first Premier League start only in January of last year.
And what if any of this speculation was to bear fruit? Although a somewhat modest individual, such a huge price tag would put unenviable pressure on any young player. Just ask Bale’s ex-roommate at Southampton, Theo Walcott, about his experience of the 2006 World Cup. Whilst the opportunity to play at the Nou Camp or Santiago Bernabeu week-in week-out would be appealing to any player, Bale would never be allowed the freedom from defensive duties allowed at White Hart Lane, particularly playing behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria or Leo Messi and Pedro. He would surely be much wiser continuing his development under a great man manager who has already done wonders for his development in Harry Redknapp. And, in signing a contract extension this month until 2015, the young Welshman obviously recognises the talent of the Tottenham Manager.
However, despite Tottenham reaching the quarter finals of this year’s Champions League, there is no guarantee of regular Champions League football at White Hart Lane next season. Currently four points from that coveted fourth place with nine games left to play, Spurs face difficult trips to Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool whilst they are still to welcome Arsenal in the North London Derby.
That is not to say that the talented Welshman should look to move on in the summer in the hunt for Champions League football as he is part of an exciting Tottenham team that have become one of the most exciting attacking forces in the Premiership and one feels that the best is still to come. However, surely the trip to Madrid and the chance to play in front of 80,000 fans on April 5th will put much into perspective for the explosive winger. And, when the right time arrives for that step up and journey to pastures new, one hopes the prodigious talent makes the right choice.
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.