Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Greg Halford has revealed that he has changed his entire lifestyle in a bid to forge a successful future at Molineux.
The 25-year-old seemed set to be allowed to move on by Wolves boss Mick McCarthy this summer, but Halford has impressed during pre-season games after taking a long look at how he was preparing himself.
He told the Express & Star:"Hopefully I can be like a new signing this season.
"My problem is I've always done just enough. But I needed to look at everything – fitness, diet, sleeping and drinking.
"I began seeing our sports psychologist Bill Stevens towards the end of last season to get my head right.
"Maybe I haven't always had my head in the right place, but then I haven't been at a club long enough to feel settled.
"I've gone completely teetotal and I felt the difference straight away. We had a night out in Ireland after the Bohemians game and I got a bit of stick from the lads over why I wasn't drinking. But it's something that I have to do.
"The drinking wasn't a problem, but I felt going teetotal and eating well was the right thing to do.
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"I've also had meetings with the nutritionist because, although I didn't feel my diet was bad, everything can be improved.
"I'm not going to stop – everything I'm doing will be in place for the rest of the season and, hopefully, the rest of my career."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sir Alex Ferguson was downbeat this afternoon after United were on the end of a dubious penalty decision at Old Trafford. It was a poor call by Mike Jones and the decision has seen United potentially lose ground on the top of the table.
At FFC this week there’s been plenty of United blogs that include reasons why Fergie won’t sign Sneijder, Glazers influence at Old Trafford, while Pogba should know where his bread is buttered.
We also have a selection of the best United blogs from across the web.
Football is not always predictable, even in the Champions League
10 reasons why United won’t sign Wesley Sneijder
Have they really been that bad for Manchester United?
How do you judge a top player then?
Too good to be on the periphery at Old Trafford
United starlet should accept the grass isn’t always greener
Fergie and Wenger set to be pipped to Dortmund ace
Has the emergence of ‘tiki-taka’ killed off the strike partnership?
[divider]Best of WEB[divider]
[divider]
‘Cultural Differences’ Is No Excuse At All – Red Flag Flying High
Euro failure possible but this is nothing like 2005 – United Rant
Documentary: Duncan Edwards – England’s Greatest Player Then Came Munich – The Busby Way
Has He Become The New Ronaldo For United? – The United Religion
[divider]
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Click on Ms Blasi below to see her in all her glory
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has amassed 244 career League goals, has this weekend expressed his desire to return to the Premiership. The interesting feature of the Dutchman’s admission is his apparent willingness to be employed as a “reserve striker,” having spent most of his playing days in a starring role.
“I am thinking about a nice club in England after this season,” he stated. “I have decided that if a really big European club does approach me, I will accept a role as reserve striker.” But what do we actually know of van Nistelrooy post-Real Madrid, other than a continuous flirtation with the Dutch national squad and a seemingly end-of-career move to Hamburg? Does he still possess, to any extent, the clinical and consistent finishing which makes him a Manchester United legend despite an acrimonious departure from Old Trafford?
The simple answer to the latter would be yes. Van Nistelrooy is nearing his 35th birthday and can no longer produce the form that saw him net 44 times for United in the 2002/2003 season. But disregarding the physical and mental restraints any player of that age faces, his scoring has remained dependable and effective since his previous tenure in the Premier League.
The three-time Champions League Top Scorer has scored 9 in 18 starts for Hamburg this season and marked his return to the Dutch national team with a substitute appearance in Holland’s 4-0 thumping of Hungary last Friday. Class is permanent. Van Nistelrooy has been knocked back and written-off on more than one occasion during his illustrious career but remains one of the most deadly finishers of his generation, and it is this unrelenting aptitude for scoring goals that maintains his status.
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Blackburn are the first Premier League side to declare an interest with boss, Steve Kean, confirming he could use Michel Salgado’s friendship with the former Madrid forward to lure him to Ewood Park. Rovers are set to lose Roque Santa Cruz when he returns to Manchester City following his loan and the club’s new Indian owners are still searching for a marquee signing to validate their takeover. It’s this attitude that stunted Robinho’s progress at City, impeded the twilight of Freddie Ljungberg’s career at West Ham and appears to be affecting Fernando Torres’s recovery at Chelsea.
Despite the recent history of reputable signings, it is not inconceivable to suggest that van Nistelrooy could provide a club like Blackburn the sort of goal-scoring proficiency that James Beattie showed in his first six months at Stoke. The former Southampton striker scored 7 in sixteen starts and was probably the most significant factor in Stoke’s survival in 2009. Beattie may not have been a ‘big-name’ signing for the Potters but his age and propensity for re-appearing in the Premiership season after season suggests a move for a veteran striker with the reputation of van Nistelrooy by any of the League’s middle 12 clubs would be worthwhile.
In reality, van Nistelrooy hasn’t stopped scoring since his last Premier League goal, the winner against Bolton towards the end of the 2006 season, and will surely continue to do so for the next side to secure his services, whether as the leading man or as a reliable reserve.
Comparable Transfer:
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Andy Cole to Fulham – Aged 32 at the time, played one season (2004-2005) and was club’s top scorer with 13.
After Martin O’Neill’s shock departure from Aston Villa with James Milner to follow there may yet more implications thrust upon a quiet transfer market over the coming weeks as fears of an exodus begin to rear their ugly head at Villa Park.
Since arriving at the club in 2006, O’Neill has guided Villa to three consecutive top six finishes after building the team he felt were capable to do so and now that the former Leicester City boss has departed, a queue may form at the exit door.
Rumours that Ashley Young will head to the capital with Spurs are already beginning to intensify whilst Craven Cottage is being mooted as a possible destination for American goalkeeper Brad Friedel and ultimately the fears of seeing his squad crumble in front of his very eyes may have proved too much.
The indications that emanated from Villa Park with regard to O’Neill and owner Randy Lerner’s dwindling relationship refused to go away and the latest incitement into his exit lends itself to suggest cash-strapped owner Randy Lerner wanted to keep the fee for Milner in order to balance the books.
It comes at a bad time for Villa who start against West Ham in five days’ time, leaving Villa in disarray for the start of new campaign and the fans wondering where next?
There will be countless of names linked with the task of maintaining the work O’Neill did during his time at Villa, Sven-Goran-Eriksson, Bob Bradley and Martin Jol to name but a few just a day after his resignation but Villa really have lost one of the best managers around.
His tenure in the West Midlands has seen him linked with replacing Ferguson at Old Trafford and before now Benitez at Liverpool and another potential replacement for the Northern Irishmen would offer little consolation to the faithful who grew to adore him.
Anyone that arrives now would have to make a big impact but the question remains whether the funds would be there to do so.
Perhaps Lerner would prefer fellow countrymen Bob Bradley as the new manager who would be more suited to the ambassadorial approach that is being cited as one reason why O’Neill jumped ship as opposed to the likes of Jol and Billic who are more engaging and would demand control.
Martin Jol in particular would be adverse to policy that seems to have been installed after it was reported then director of football Damien Comolli selected the players Jol would purchase during his time White Hart Lane.
It is sure to be an interesting season for Villa who now face up to the grim reality of the last couple of days, a reality without Martin O’Neill.
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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
18 months ago, if someone had asked me my opinion on Theo Walcott, I would have been at the front of the queue to tell anyone who would listen a long list of deficiencies in his game. It pained me to watch him play.
Yet now, having spent the previous 18 months in denial at the player’s improved performances, it finally seems time to admit it – Theo Walcott has developed into a very dangerous football player.
18 months ago I felt justified in my criticisms of Walcott, in the main being that he would consistently run down blind alleys, he had no final ball and above all his touch was far too inconsistent for a Premier League player.
Yet now, it seems that Walcott has improved those aspects of his game no end. In big games he has performed well more often than not, scoring and creating goals as well as seemingly developing a much more sure touch.
Walcott’s improvement was clearly not overnight, it was a gradual one and even a month ago despite the evidence I was still firmly questioning Theo’s role at Arsenal and for England. It was then I realised it was time to say enough is enough and accept his improvement.
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Walcott is far from the finished article, he himself will admit that and it is likely he will always frustrate me, with my natural inclination being towards quietly efficient players. The Frank Lampard’s of this world you may say. Offer me a player who will score half a dozen 30 yarders a year or a player who will score 10 tap ins and I will take the fox in the box every day of the week.
However, the transformation of my opinion on Theo Walcott got me thinking, while not wishing to stereotype, football supporters are a notoriously stubborn breed. In my experience, those who are passionate and talk about football do not express their opinions lightly. Indeed, once an opinion has been expressed you’ll be hard pushed to see a change in that person’s opinion.
‘He’s poor going forward and he’s poor defensively, what is he doing?’, ‘He’s an awful referee’ and ‘Tactically, he doesn’t have a clue’ are just the sort of criticism we hear of players, referees and managers on a weekly basis.
The harsh reality of football is the unforgiving nature of supporters. One mistake is more than enough to wipe out 10 good acts.
A striker who scores week in week out will still be slated for missing a tap in. A referee who performs consistently well all season will have his reputation tarnished for one mistake in a big game. A manager who has shown loyalty in transforming an entire club will be slated following a downturn in his clubs form, for a recent example just look at the recent criticism of Mick McCarthy at Wolves.
Michael Carrick is another player at the top level who springs to mind when considering what some might see as undue criticism. At various points in his time at Manchester United Carrick has faced criticism from journalists and fans alike, with the argument often that he has not regularly contributed significantly to the side, indeed went the whole of last season without scoring.
Yet, in his 5 seasons at Old Trafford the club have won 4 league titles, a Champions League and a league cup. Carrick has played in over 40 games in every one of those seasons. Surely such criticism is unjust? Football is a team game and if Sir Alex Ferguson feels justified in selecting Carrick, with United winning games, surely that must be good enough.
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Football fans will always have opinions, it’s what the game is based on. While some players are idolised, others must face the wrath of the fans, it is natural.
In the same way, football fans are stubborn, although every so often swallowing our pride is something we have to do, if I can with Walcott, anyone can.
Do you agree with my comments on the stubbornness of football fans? Comment and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries
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.
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The common belief is that the team that wins the Premier League; taking aside all complications, injuries, if’s and ‘might-have-beens’, the apt cliché is that the table does not lie. Chelsea may not have set the footballing world alight last year, but they were the most consistent. Plundering goals however, particularly in their home games, somewhat disguised the fact they that they are not the same force that won the league back-to-back in ’05 and ’06.
Players no longer carry the aura of invincibility that they carried during that successful period. It is perhaps unfair to judge how Mourinho’s teams defend, compared with anyone else, as that is what he does best. But with the exception of Branislav Ivanovich, Carlo Ancelotti calls upon essentially the same defensive unit that Mourinho did. Unfortunately for Ancetlotti, they are the same names, but not quite the same players.
Ricardo Carvalho has been one of the best defenders in Europe over the last five years, but ill-discipline, a series of injuries and a loss of form have seen his place in the team gradually fall into the arms of the more reliable Alex. A possible move to Real Madrid to reunite his relationship with Mourinho looks increasingly on the cards.
Alex has grown into his role at Chelsea and has become a more important player than many have first anticipated. The problem for Chelsea is that he will miss the start of the season after a thigh injury. When John Terry was the antithesis of dependency, it didn’t matter hugely who played alongside him as he ushered them through each game. While still a good player, there are doubts today over Terry that previously didn’t exist.
What can always help a defensive unit is the assurance of a good goalkeeper behind them. Petr Cech will also miss the start of the season. After three years of being the best keeper on the planet, Cech is another player struggling to live up to the freakishly high standards he set. Mistakes have crept into his game, and for periods last season there seemed to be a distinct lack of both trust and understanding between Cech and his defenders. Regardless of any drop in form, Cech is a far better player than either of his understudies: neither Hilario nor Ross Turnbull have provided the necessary security that a back-up keeper should, and it appears Hilario will begin the season filling in the Czech international.
Didier Drogba, who offers vital defensive duties at set-pieces, as well as his attacking prowess, is another summer casualty who will be absent come mid-August. Considering the dead ball was one of the Blues’ frailties last season, he will certainly be a huge miss at both ends of the pitch.
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There are however positives to draw upon: Michael Essien will return – with no World Cup hangover – to aid Mikel in midfield, and the opening fixtures have been relatively generous, with games against West Brom (H), Wigan (A) and Stoke (H) starting the campaign off. That said, it took a last-minute winner from Drogba to see off Hull in the first game of last season.
As with last season, there doesn’t yet seem to be vast improvements made by Chelsea’s rivals. Man City have continued to spend, but their credentials are still relatively unknown. Both Liverpool and Man United have ongoing conflicts between the pitch and the boardroom, Spurs will have to learn to juggle the Champions League with a Premiership campaign and Arsenal have spent the entire summer hoping that Cesc Fabregas will stay put. For Chelsea, it may simply be a matter of ensuring points are secured. If those surrounding them up their game, and Chelsea don’t, there could be a nasty wake-up call for Ancelotti’s men.
Roman Pavlyuchenko has admitted he will ask Tottenham to sell him in the January transfer window after becoming fed up of sitting on the bench at White Hart Lane, Sky Sports understands.
The 29-year-old is desperate to leave North London to ensure he has a place in the Russia squad for Euro 2012 and is eyeing up a potential move to big spending Anzhi Makhachkala.
Pavlyuchenko has made just two appearances in the Premier League this season after dropping behind Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe in the pecking order and admits he is worried that staying at Spurs could harm his chances of playing in next years tournament.
He said: “I have to do something in the transfer period. We’re ahead of the European Championship. If I don’t change (my club) then Euro 2012 will be played without me.
“I was fighting and fighting but it was useless. Does Redknapp believe in me? Now I don’t think so. I do the training as good as the others. I do everything with 100 per cent effort.”
Despite being consigned to the sidelines by boss Harry Redknapp the former Spartak Moscow striker claimed he doesn’t moan about his lack of playing time but would be asking for a move in the New Year.
“I don’t cry and I don’t say that everybody is bad but I’m a good footballer. If I score in each game then I can play. But it’s not a reality to score in each game. That’s all.
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“Will I ask the club to sell me in December? Yes, it’s 100 per cent.
“I’d rather go back to Russia. If I sign to Anzhi or not – we shouldn’t go too far. Maybe I’ll have only one possibility and that will be Anzhi and nothing else.”
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.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira slammed the performance of referee Massimo Busacca after South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 were left hanging by a thread following a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay.
Wednesday's defeat in Pretoria has left the hosts needing to overcome France in their final Group A encounter next week to reach the knockout stages.
Diego Forlan scored twice in the game but his second, which came via a penalty after South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off for a professional foul, left Parreira frustrated and angry.
"I haven't seen it properly because there were some players in the way, (but) the players are really annoyed, very angry and very disappointed in the referee," he fumed.
"Myself and everyone else said it was the worst referring performance in this competition so far.
"He was very unfair against our team from the very beginning, the way he acted against our team.
"He was giving fouls that weren't fouls, giving yellows that weren't yellows and then he left the ground with a smile on his face.
"I hope we don't see his face again in this tournament because he doesn't deserve to be here."
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Meanwhile, Parreira still believes that South Africa can avoid the ignominy of being the first hosts in World Cup history to fail to qualify for the second round of the competition.
"Our hopes are not over," he added. "We need to beat France, but we will have to be more aggressive. Everything will be decided in the last game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email