Saturday, November 28, 2009

Aubrey Huff: Being Told What To Do Versus What Not To Do...


Aubrey Huff. His name either brings scorn or praise; however, for the first two weeks, it's been a lot of the former.

In this week's edition of Press Box, Amber Theoharis thinks we should forgive Mr. Huff for his statments in general on the "Bubba The Love Sponge Show" and his other displays of silly behavior before his infamous statements and thereafter.

Of course, this is not withstanding that the fellow has been nothing short of a jackass before he got to Baltimore, blowing off fans asking for autographs after games and at spring training.

If this were only a only time thing, I'd let bygones be bygones; however, he's not endeared himself to the community or fans in general.

The Orioles are winning. It has been a long time since anybody wrote that line in this town. It feels good -- so why are some fans still holding a grudge? You know who you are -- the ! fans who booed Aubrey Huff this past week despite the Orioles' 5-1 record through the first six games and some of the best team ball played in Baltimore in 10 years.

It's time to stop. It's useless and counterproductive to the progress the Orioles have made on the field.

The whole situation was sad. Against Tampa Bay, fans cheered when Huff doubled, then went right back to booing when he grounded out -- talk about playing both sides of the fence.

Let's hope fans display a little more forgiveness next homestand. If not, Baltimoreans risked being shown up by Washingtonians. Sound off the wall?


Hmm, so if he hits his way out of a slump, should we forget what he said about Baltimore.

Of course the way to absolve a person of their stupidity is to of course compare him to another person who committed even more stupid and riskier act.

Her example: Current councilman and former multiple-term mayor of Was! hington D.C. -- Marion Barry. That's fine and well; however, d! espite h is stupidity, Marion Barry did endear himself to people (that's always subject to interpretation), but people feel Huff has not.

There are several things an 11-year-old can't comprehend -- world politics, global economy, the fact that "spin the bottle" is always rigged. Preteens simply aren't big thinkers, and perhaps that's why my recollection of the 1990 Marion Barry scandal is weird at best. As a bucked-tooth 11-year-old, I remember watching the news and seeing that notorious video of the mayor of Washington, D.C., smoking crack with a hooker. The hooker part of the story confused me because we'd only gotten to Chapter 2 in Mr. Watson's sexual education class.

I was, however, a proud graduate of the D.A.R.E. drug awareness program and was certain crack was bad. It was clear the mayor of the nation's capitol had really screwed up.

After serving a six-month prison sentence and just four years after the big bust, Barry ran for re! election in 1994. He won. Now that's forgiveness.

We can't forgive a ballplayer who made some dumb comments, but our neighbors to the south can forgive their crack-head mayor?

Huff was booed on Opening Day as if he committed a felony. Did Huff cheat the game? Use steroids? No -- he did much worse. He disrespected Baltimore.

Self-admittedly, Huff made a mistake by making ill-advised comments on an out-of-town radio show about Baltimore's nightlife. Huff is an honest person whose candid, off-beat personality is the source of a lot of laughs in the clubhouse. He's the kind of player whose sarcasm and outlandish comments made a long 2007 season bearable for his teammate.


I don't buy he's so much sorry, but he got caught. He said what he really felt that day, and that's fine; however, it's a little bit silly to not expect people to get upset over comments made about a city you spend half the season in.

I'm sure ! he doesn't have a problem cashing or depositing a pay check wi! th the " Baltimore Orioles" written ink on the upper left hand side.

For the most part, I'm indifferent to booing or not booing him - I just sit there when he comes to bat. We cannot tell people what to do to or what not to do. People will cheer when they want to, and right now, Huff has to live with his statements.

Like I told people before the season -- Baltimore fans have long, long memories (a lot of people are still pissed that the Colts left town a generation ago), and for a group who has enormous pride of their region, Huff's episode as I thought would not be forgotten in the off-season.

About Last Night; The Rundown...


Frustrating. Brutal. Sad. Unbelievable.

As you know our beloved Birds lost last night.

Obviously, this is one game out of many; however, this one hurt.

By now, you all saw the moment in the ninth inning. After blowing a four-run lead, the Orioles had the game tied in the ninth against the Blue Jays with the bases loaded and with two outs.

Then the moment that will perhaps be seared into our memories, at least until next week. With two outs in the ninth inning, Freddie Bynum who was playing shortstop let a routine grounder roll through his legs and allowed Alex Rios, who was at third to score. By then the Jays had won the 7-6, but only after the Orioles allowed them to come back from a 6-2 deficit.

Baltimore's bullpen which has been solid for most of the year, collapsed in the seventh inning and set up the game-winning moment in the ninth.

It blew Daniel Cabrera's solid start, and boy was he not happy at the end of the game.

The O's are now at .500 and have lost four out of their last five games.

***

To add i! nsult to injury, one of our young guns, Adam Loewen perhaps may have found himself of the shelf again, and one has to wonder about his career from here on out. He's back on the DL.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said a CT scan taken Monday showed further injury to a previous stress fracture in Loewen's throwing elbow, meaning Loewen will be sidelined indefinitely until he decides on a course of action.

Loewen has consulted with club orthopedist John Wilckens and is expected to call Dr. James Andrews, the renowned Alabama surgeon who inserted a screw in Loewen's elbow in June 2007. Like last year, if Loewen (0-2, 8.02 ERA) chooses surgery, he will miss the rest of the season.

"He's not going to pitch for a while," Trembley said. "My concern is right now is to see what Dr. Andrews! says, consult with Dr. Wilckens and then go from there.

The CT scan, Trembley said, showed "a widening" of the original injury.

"The [previous] stress fracture was such that it was a split, and they put a screw in it to hold it together, right?" Trembley said. "Well, I think the CT scan ... showed that space there again. It's a reinjury of the original stress fracture."

Loewen, 24, made four starts in April, then went on the disabled list with elbow discomfort. He missed two months, returning in July for three relief appearances, the last of which was Sunday, when he left the game in pain.

"He said he never felt anything in his arm, when he rehabbed, when he pitched," Trembley said. "The pitch before I took him out of the game was when he said was the first time he felt something. It's just a real, real unfortunate situation."
Let's hope for the best with Adam, he's a good guy and see if he can make it back into the O! riole pitching staff sometime in the near future.

***

The Baltimore Sun has a roundup of what all the national press columnists are saying about this year's team -- very, very interesting. Also, despite the Orioles playing well -- anyone who thinks the Orioles are even close to competing for a pennant has themselves fooled; however, Joe Morgan thinks the Orioles can contend by trading prospects for major league proven talent (thank the Lord that Rick Maese sets the record straight). Pressbox's Amber Theoharis still thinks the team has a lot of work to accomplish in order to contend and they take a look at what is going on down at the farm level.
Then again, Kevin Millar thinks things are going real well...

As well, you have to take a look at this article by Stan Steinburg at the audience for the MASN/MASN2 telecast for both Orioles and Nationals games -- it's quite glaring and sad, assuming the data in correct as the Washington Post's Dan Steinburg penned in an article on Monday.
The Nationals, whose games are broadcast on either MASN or MASN2, are drawing a 0.39 average rating and an average of 9,000 households in the Washington market, according to the report. That's a decline of about 43 percent from last season's totals, and a significantly lower regional sports network audience than any other U.S. team has drawn this season. The figure! s do not include potential viewers outside the Washington mark! et; MASN 's reach stretches from Harrisburg, Pa., to Charlotte.

The Baltimore Orioles, whose games also appear on MASN and MASN2, are averaging a 3.05 rating and 33,000 households in the Baltimore market. Aside from the Nationals, the Kansas City Royals have attracted the lowest regional audience, approximately 28,000 households.
The numbers for the Nationals are startling, and while the Orioles may look good in comparison -- there's bad news for both teams.

The Nats are dead last in viewing, while the Orioles are 28th. Not good, and it comes to show that you need a viable product on the field to gain any traction among fans.

Alberto Castillo is back in Baltimore; Jay Payton is realistic about his role on th! e team; Sherill's teammates felt like he deserved All-Star nod; meanwhile, Aubrey Huff is back on with his career at this point & was named AL Player of the Week.

Finally, Cal Ripken is heading to South Africa next spring on a mission to teach baseball to children worldwide...

Giambi?


While Oriole nation watches and wonders whether or not Mark Teixeira signs with Baltimore, MASN's "What They're Saying About The Orioles" notes a brief little snippet from CBS Sportsline profiles on free agent first basemen.

It mentions someone who has been nothing but a nemesis to the Orioles, especially when it comes to the longball -- Jason Giambi. It now looks like they may be some scant interest in the slugger or this just might be a figment of someone's imagination; however, I am taking it all with a ! grain of salt.

He won't get anything near the $120 million, seven-year deal it took for the Yankees to sign him away from Oakland, but after hitting 32 home runs in 2008, Giambi should be able to find a job.

Potential suitors: A's, Yankees, Giants, Blue Jays, Mariners, Orioles.


Now Giambi is a free agent after the Yankees declined his option, and from the looks of it, he's not been garnering much attention. While he has not hit for average in several seasons and is a liability in the field -- he still hits for power, drives in runs, draws walks and has a relatively good batting eye.

I'm against signing guys on the wrong side of thirty for the most part; however, if Giambi is cheap enough -- and I mean cheap -- the Orioles might want to take a chance on him.

Then again, we have a serviceable hitter in Luke Scott, and also pote! ntially Lou Montanez -- assuming he makes the club in spring t! raining -- could serve as DH and do the job Giambi could accomplish.

Plus, they are both obviously just not one-dimensional players unlike the former Yankee slugger.

Your Newest Hall of Famers: Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice


Congratlations to both Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice, your 2009 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I figured most knew that Henderson was going to get in based on his incredible stats and accomplishments; however, the verdict was still out on Jim Rice.

Rice, I felt was good enough to get in based on the stats of his era; however, I figured some members of the media might have still held a grudge against him. Time must definitely heal all wounds, and since he was so close last year, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Rice would finally get in this time around.

>>> Read More

Will Bud Selig Open Up Pandora's Box? Records Need To Be Left Alone & What We Think as Fans...


As the world knows, baseball has been rocked by a steroids scandal for the past few seasons -- however, it has reached a crescendo this week with Alex Rodriguez's admission of drug use and the saga of Miguel Tejada.

The Commissioner of Baseball -- Bud Selig -- is obviously not pleased with the turn of events despite the implementation of drug testing and the public relations hit baseball continues to take. Thursday morning, he spoke with USA Today's esteemed journalist Christine Brennan about the steroid era.

Although Selig has taken a lot of lumps from fans and the media alike during his tenure, a different side of him was shown in Brennan's piece -- an upset, and saddened leader who may be ready to strike the hammer.

>>>Read More



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Guthrie Struggles, O's Win Thanks to Late Rally


The Orioles downed the Marlins, 9-7, thanks to a late rally and two home runs from Luke Scott, a homer from Ryan Freel along with a three-run home run from Ty Wigginton. Aside from the come-from-behind win, the huge story of the day was Jeremy Guthrie.

In his second spring training start after the World Baseball Classic, Guthrie struggled badly again in the first frame, but bounced back. He gave up six runs -- all earned -- on four hits with two walks in the opening inning; however, he setlled down and finally finished his day's work in the 5th inning.

Here's what he told MASN's Roch Kubatko after the game:

"I felt really good," he said. "I know I've said that a couple times, but I just made a poor changeup to Ramirez. I don't know i! f it was the right selection. It definitely wasn't the right execution of the pitch and he hit it.

"I was frustrated. I felt like I wasted a pitch. I tried to throw a changeup for no real reason. I wasn't committed to it and I gave up a two-run homer. It's frustrating. The guy (Emilio Bonifacio) got a nice bunt hit, then a two-run homer, and it's just like the last game. I've thrown six, seven pitches and it's 2-0."

>>> Read More

A Wasted Weekend in Anaheim; The Halfway Point & Adam Jones


There's really not to talk a lot about the games this past weekend. Aside from David Hernandez's performance on Friday, the Orioles were nothing short of bad on the left coast against the Angels.

Baltimore should have won three out of the four games in the series, but instead only won one -- on Friday. The inability of our pitchers to go deep (notably, on Saturday and Sunday), poor defense (Saturday with the colossal Markakis/Roberts flyball), and the ghastly bullpen performances, one has to wonder if the swoon for the Orioles is already here.

Despite some strong play in the Interleague portion of the schedule, it is looking like the same old Orioles that we have come to know as the calendar has turned to July.

Obviously, contention for a playoff spot has been long out of the question; therefore, where do we go from here? Well, are we enthused for the second half, or are some of us waiting for football?

Are you all impressed with the season so far? Do you think the criticism of Roberts by some in the media and on the radio is fair? What deals do you think should be made? Does the rotation need to be revamped again? Finally, is Dave Trembley the man to lead Baltimore into the future, or he will be gone before the rebuilding project is done?

>>> Read More

Welcome to Puck Central


Welcome to Puck Central - this is the first post on my new blog about the NY Rangers & the NHL in general. I've been a hockey fan, in particular a Rangers fan all of my life and after thinking about this for quite some time I've decided to put my thoughts and passion about the game into writing. I plan to update the site on a regular basis - whether that's several times a day or every other day will be determined by how popular the blog becomes.

Why Puck Central you ask? I don't know to be honest with you. I thought about it for a few days and eventually it was the last blog name that came into my head before registering on Blogger.com (honestly, it was also one of the few hockey related blog names that was not yet registered somewhere on the internet!)

I watch every single NY Rangers game & I'm very opinionated when it comes to the Rangers and the NHL as a whole. Th! ere is a ton of information out there about hockey and each team and hopefully I can bring a lot of that information to one website, so you can get your information as fast as possible, from one source & of course I'll add my opinion to each story.

This isn't just about me, this is a place for all fans to gather to get some information & exchange ideas. You can send me articles/photos/videos that you think would be good for me to add to my e-mail address declan911@gmail.com or you can click the comment link at the end of each & every post to share your opinion.

Looking forward to the final playoff stretch and hopefully you'll come back to read more of this new blog!

Lundqvist Continues Domination of Devils


Rangers 3 - Devils 0 [Boxscore]

That was possibly the most complete game of the New York Rangers season. With only five games left, and all of the teams that they have left to play being teams battling for a playoff position or are already in the playoffs, these were a huge two points.

The anticipated sideshow between Martin Brodeur and Sean Avery was a no-show. Nothing of importance happened between the two (except for Brodeur slamming Avery in the groin twice in the 1st period with the NYR on the Power Play). However, Avery still got under the skin of the Devils on two seperate occasions, both times in the third period when the game was already determined. First Clarkson clearly wanted to fight Avery, Avery wa! s adamant that he wasn't fighting, Clarkson rag-dolled him around the ice until the refs stepped in and sent both players to the box (Avery for a minor, Clarkson a double-minor and a 10 minute misconduct). Then in the dying seconds Rupps went after Avery but nothing much resulted other than Rupp getting a roughing penalty.

Unlike on Saturday against the Penguins, the Rangers spent very little time down a man. The Devils were 0-2 on the Power Play, while the Rangers went 0-5.

The Rangers came out with guns ablazing firing everything that they could at Brodeur. After one period the Rangers and Devils were still tied at zero but New York had outshot the Devils 20-10. Honestlty, it was one of those periods where as a Rangers fan you had to be thinking "oh no, another period where they completly outplayed the opponent but nothing to show for it!" But, thankfully in the second period the Rangers didn't stop doing what they had done so well in the first. The! result was New York scoring all three of their goals in the s! econd pe riod.

Lundqvist didn't have to make too many spectacular saves, but he still faced a lot of rubber (38 saves) as he picked up his 3rd shutout of the season. Lundqvist is now 14-2-5 during the regular season when head-to-head with Martin Brodeur.

NHL Stanley Cup Final Schedule



The NHL has released the schedule for the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings & Pittsburgh Penguins.

2009 Stanley Cup Final—Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins


Date Match-up Time (ET) National TV

Saturday, May 30 Pittsburgh at Detroit 8 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 31 Pittsburgh at Detroit TBD evening NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, June 2 Detroit at Pittsburgh 8 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, June 4 De! troit at Pittsburgh 8 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Saturday, June 6 Pittsburgh at Detroit 8 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, June 9 Detroit at Pittsburgh 8 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
* Friday, June 12 Pittsburgh at Detroit 8 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS

* if necessary

[Link]

Looking for Stanley Cup Finals tickets? Checkout Stubhub.com, TicketsNow.com or Tickco.com. Also, perhaps the best place to check is RazorGator because they cur! rently have a promotion...use code MAYRG15 to take $15 ! off of a ny purchase over $50 - NHL Finals tickets will be more than that ;). The offer expires on May 31st




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Thursday, November 26, 2009

What The NYR Blogs Are Saying



  • The Prospect Park takes a look at the Rangers 2009-10 schedule, the importance of Stephen Valuqiette and the Brandon Dubinsky contract situation.

  • Blueshirt Banter focuses on the Rangers prospects, in particular Evgeny Grachev.

  • Ranger Crisis has edited some video to put toget! her a piece on new Ranger Enver Lisin.

  • Ranger Rants looks at the possibility of Yankee Stadium hosting a Winter Classic in the future.

  • Save Prucha has an NHL Photo Album to show you what some of your favorite NHL stars have been up to in the offseason.

  • The Rangers Tribune analyzes John Tortorella's "shut up and play" philosophy

Video: Kaleta's Hit On Prucha


In my opinion Kaleta is one of the dirtiest players in the game. He definitely left his feet to throw the hit. This is why I hate the instigator. Kaleta gets rewarded for being a cheapshot artist.
Sponsors: Stubhub | RazorGator | TicketsNow | TickCo

Question of the day.


Weekend ratings.


Double digits still out of reach for World Series.


The ratings game.


Report: '10 Pro Bowl to take place before Super Bowl. (UPDATED)


Saturday, November 21, 2009

Weekend ratings predictions.


NBA All-Star Game draws 7.6 million viewers.


Weekend ratings predictions.


Video of the day.


NASCAR on broadcast falls to NBA on cable.


The ratings game.


College football ratings solid on ABC


Big bounce back for NFL on CBS


Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2009/2010 | Peru Lebih Takut Wasit daripada Argentina


peru
Argentina boleh saja bertabur pemain-pemain bintang dan Peru 'cuma' negara minor di Amerika Selatan. Tetapi Peru justru lebih takut pada wasit ketimbang pada sang calon lawan.

Peru akan melawat ke Buenos Aires untuk menantang Argentina di lanjutan kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Amerika Selatan pada Sabtu (1! 0/10/2009) waktu setempat.

Yang menjadi sorotan Peru, penghuni dasar klasemen dan sudah tidak mungkin lolos ke Piala Dunia, adalah pertandingan itu akan dipimpin oleh Rene Ortube, seorang wasit asal Bolivia.

"Apa yang saya takuti sekarang adalah wasitnya. Saya pikir kami harus hati-hati. Mari berharap, dengan izin Tuhan, wasitnya bekerja dengan bagus," ungkap striker Peru Johan Fano di Reuters.

"Ortube telah mewasiti laga Peru beberapa kali dan sakitnya, situasinya tidak bagus. Mari berharap wasit bertindak adil dan tidak menguntungkan tim yang dianggap besar di Amerika Selatan, yakni Argentina," tukas Fano.

Bagi Peru, pertandingan ini sudah tidak menentukan. Tetapi sebaliknya untuk Argentina, hidup mati perjalanan mereka merebut satu tiket ke Afrika Selatan dimulai. Setelah melawan Peru, Argentina akan mengunjungi Uruguay empat hari kemudian.



VALLONE BOOM: PRIMO COLPO DI MERCATO


Primo colpo ufficiale del neo presidente Leonardo Vallone.... E con grande piacere che annuncio il passaggio a titolo definitivo del centrocampista Galloppa al club del presidente Vallone. Questa cessione ha per me un significato particolare... Infatti ci tenevo ad essere il primo a cedere un giocatore al buon Leonardo. Cosi è stato. La trattativa è stata breve. Alla mia società va 1 credito. Vallone, dunque, è già attivissimo sul mercato.... Non sta fermo, con le mani in mano.... Ora aspettiamo il primo innesto anche da parte ! di Luigi Violante. Intanto Galloppa è di Leo. Per Vallone si tratta del primo acquisto ufficiale....... In bocca al lupo Leo..... A questo punto sei a tutti gli effetti nella SUPER LEAGUE.......

MADIN - THE "NEW ZIDANE"?


Friday, November 20, 2009

REAL MADRID: THE ROBINHO CIRCUS CONTINUES - REAL NOW SAYS NO TO CHELSEA FC (FOR THE MOMENT)


ATLETICO DE MADRID NEW 2008: ASSUNCAO SIGNED & DAVID SILVA IN MIND


SPAIN EURO2008 NEWS: SUBSTITUTES TO GET A RUN AGAINST GREECE


TRANSFER RUMOURS 2008: GUIZA & JOAQUIN


SPANISH CUP 2008: GETAFE REPEAT FINAL


U/21 FRIENDLY 2008 : SPAIN 2 - FRANCE 0


VAN NISTELROOY: THE BEST Nº9 IN THE WORLD FOR 2007?


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2007/08: FC BARCELONA 2-RANGERS 0 & STEAUA 0 - SEVILLA 2


UEFA CUP: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF ATLETICO DE MADRID - ERCIYESSOR & VILLAREAL - BATE BORISOV


SEVILLA FC 2 - AEK ATHENS 0 - 1º LEG OF PRE-CHAMPIONS QUALIFIERS (See Video)


Thursday, November 19, 2009

SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER TALK, RUMOURS & GOSSIP


SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER MARKET TALK


CAN ATLETICO BREAK THE 10 YEAR "CURSE" TOMORROW AGAINST REAL MADRID?


EUROPEAN FOOTBALL: FC BARCELONA vs ENGLISH FOOTBALL


REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ ACCELARATES NEGOTIATIONS FOR XABI ALONSO


THE ROBINHO SHOW


PEACE CUP 2009: REAL MADRID 1 - AL-ITTIHAD 1 (VIDEO GOALS)


SFS FLASHBACKS: FC BARCELONA 6 - ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 (2008-2009)


Valverde: No Chance Of Europe Now


Spain Game Will Be Like A Final - Toni


It's Up To Ade, Says Henry


Alves: Guardiola Motivates Us


Pellegrini: Being First Is Not The Obsession, Winning Is!


When Messi Doesn't Play, Barcelona Are Different - Valdés


Mijatovic On Borrowed Time At Real Madrid?


Pérez To Promise Kaká And Wenger For Real Madrid


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Barcelona Are The Best Team I Have Seen Recently - Maradona


Why the world's biggest insurance company is still getting taxpayer funds


Aliadiere attracts attention


Surgery for Cazorla


Messi admits English appeal


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Venus, Serena advance easily, but Oudin ousted


Pires has no plans to retire


La Liga round-up


Raul in El Clasico





Raul in El Clasico




Spurs Bid For Jenas


By Jaymes Payten-Marsh
For THBN

Tottenham are reported to have made a £6million bid for Newcastle United and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, apparently made the offer for Jenas last night. Levy is using the cash from the Arnesen affair on young, exciting players. A move to White Hart Lane would see Jenas link up with fellow young England stars Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick.

Tottenham think they can offer Jenas an attractive move with the chance to build a midfield understanding with Carrick that could go all the way for club and country. The only problem would be where to place the other central midfielders Spurs seem to have an abundance of. With the likes of Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis, Michael Brown, Teemu Tainio and Tom Huddlestone vying for the centre spot alongside Carrick, Spu! rs would have to offload one or two of them.


Jenas has told close pals that he is worried about his future at Newcastle with the signing of Scott Parker and imminent arrival of Emre from Inter.


However, boss Graeme Souness is determined in keeping Jenas and the offer from Tottenham was turned down flat, although Tottenham will try again with a bigger bid or may arrange a swap deal involving want-away striker Robbie Keane.
Souness would like to play a five man midfield with three central midfielders and believes Jenas, Parker and Emre can all be accommodated in that formation.

Jenas was out of the Newcastle starting line-up towards the end of the last campaign, but Souness had previously named him captain and believes in his precocious talent.

If Tottenham can get Jenas, then it will go a long way in provi! ng their ambitions.

Hudd for Defensive Midfield Role


Article by Jesse Johnstone

Thus far, our summer signings have consisted of Luka Modric, a central midfilelder who doesn't hold back when it comes to the flair side of his game. We have also signed Giovani dos Santos, an up and coming individual talent, who, to be honest, I know nothing about, other than what I read about in the papers. But from what I have read, it looks as though our new Mexican youngster can play either on the wing (most probably the left wing as he's left footed), just in behind the strikers or as a striker. We're also apparently awaiting the work-permit from the DoE for Heurelho da Silva Gomes, our new keeper.

It seems as though we are close to signing David Bentley too. All in all, we've signed a keeper, and two attacking midfielders, with apparently one on the way.

I thought that our problem last season wasn't putting the ball in the net, but actually trying to keep the ball out of it.

No matter what anyone says, we miss Michael Carrick. We miss him terribly. I personally have been waiting for us to be linked with a central defender who can act as cover for Ledder's when he's unfit and a central midfield enforcer. Someone who can sit in front of the back four, break up play, spread long passes and occasionally have a crack at goal.

After reading that "The Hudd" had signed a new 5-year deal with the club, it suddenly dawned on me; we have the midfield enforcer right here! Tom Huddlestone in my opinion, can become not just a great player, but a superb one. His vision, passing skills, and his ability to hold up the ball make him the prime candidate for a centra! l midfield role.

I honestly thought that he would be one of the players shown the door. It seems as though Juande Ramos has other ideas. You don't tell your Director of Football/Board that you want them to offer a new and improved 5-year contract to a player, unless you plan on using him.

I feel that Huddlestone can become the type of player that we've lacked since the departure of Carrick. If all the reports are true, then we could be looking at a midfield of;

Giovani - Modric - Huddlestone - Bentley/Lennon

If the players can gel, then we're talking about a midfield that will surely rival any that is in the top four.

Defoe; "I'll sign for Spurs"



Former Spur striker, Jermain Defoe, is said to have informed family members that he has played his last game for Portsmouth and will be moving away from the South-Coast club in a deal that will take him back to Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Redknapp will make Defoe his first signing since joining the club. A source close to Jermain Defoe commented on the England international this afternoon by adding that Defoe "absolutely loves Tottenha! m and he's got a lot of mates there".

Expect an announcement from the club shortly.

Agen: Milan Kembali Negosiasikan Cissokho


PORTO - Agen Aly Cissokho, Roger Boli menyatakan bahwa AC Milan kembali menegosiasikan transfer dengan kliennya. Menurutnya, proses kepindahan terjadi sempat terganggu karena ada masalah soal harga transfer antara Milan dan FC Porto.
Beberapa waktu lalu, Cissokho menjalani tes medis. Saat itu, ditemukan bahwa Cissokho bermasalah dengan gigi. Supaya lebih pasti, ia menjalani tes medis kedua dan lulus. Ia lantas menandatangani perjanjian prakontrak dan pergi berlibur.
Ia dijadwalkan menandatangani kontrak resmi sekembalinya dari libur! an. Namun, tiba-tiba Milan membatalkan kesepakatan tanpa penjelasan rinci. "Ada beberapa detail yang terlewat. Satu-satunya masalah ada pada kesepakatan antara kedua klub mengenai nilai transfer. Negosiasi sedang berjalan. Namun, saya cukup yakin," ungkap Boli.

Milan Tawar Fabiano Rp 284 Miliar


MILAN - Media olah raga La Gazetta dello Sport mengklaim, AC Milan sudah mengajukan penawaran kepada Sevilla untuk penyerang Luis Fabiano. "I Rossoneri" mengajukan tawaran sebesar 12 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 200 miliar.
Sevilla diyakini akan menolak proposal Milan. Pasalnya, nilai itu terlalu rendah dibandingkan klausul penjualan Fabiano yang mencapai 51 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 853 miliar. Mengingat Fabiano ingin pindah ke Milan, Sevilla tidak akan mempersulitnya.
Untuk itu, mereka diyakini akan bersikap toleran! untuk melakukan tawar-menawar harga dengan Milan. La Gazetta dello Sport menaksir, Milan bisa memboyong Fabiano untuk nilai transfer sebesar 17 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 284 miliar.
Meski begitu, Milan juga sudah mengantisipasi kegagalan pembelian Fabiano. Penyerang Real Madrid, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar dan penyerang Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor masih tercatat di daftar belanja Milan. Harga pemain ini, masing-masing, tak kurang dari 17 juta poundsterling.

Milan Kurang Belanja, Leonardo Tak Mengeluh


MILAN - Pelatih AC Milan Leonardo mengatakan dirinya tidak terlalu mengeluh dengan kurangnya aktivitas belanja I Rossoneri di pasar transfer. "Saya suka memulai musim seperti ini," ujarnya. "Saya saya senang adalah kesiapan pemain.
Di sini, saya telah mengenal delapan, sembilan, atau mungkin sepuluh pemain, secara baik. Mereka ingin bekerja keras dengan saya dalam momen perubahan," lanjutnya. Leonardo juga tidak terlalu gundah dengan sikap Milan yang tidak serius mendapatkan Luis Fabiano dari Sevilla. Sementara itu di Sevila, Fabiano frustrasi dengan pendekatan tentatif! Milan.
"Saya mendengar I Rossoneri mengajukan tawaran kedua, saya harap segalanya belum terlambat," ujar Jose Fuentes, agen Fabiano. Milan sebelumnya hanya berani menawar Fabiano £12.5 juta.
Sevilla menyebut uang sebanyak itu hanya pantas untuk membeli pemain cadangan. Jose Maria Del Nido, presiden Sevilla, mengatakan dirinya merasa terhina striker kelas satunya ditawara murah. Ia marah dan menyebut Milan sebagai klub miskin.
Fuentes juga tidak bisa mengerti mengapa Milan, salah satu klub besar dunia, menawarkan harga rendah untuk pemain berkualitas.

Berlusconi: Milan Masih Tim Terbaik


MILAN - Pada musim ini AC Milan telah kehilangan beberapa pemain bintang mereka seperti Ricardo Kaka dan Paolo Maldini, serta pelatih Carlo Ancelotti. Meski begitu, presiden Milan Silvio Berlusconi menegaskan bahwa timnya masih tim terkuat.
Kehilangan Kaka membuat kalangan meragukan Milan tidak akan sehebat dulu lagi. Itu terbukti dalam beberapa ujicoba I Rossoneri yang saat ini dilatih Leonardo berakhir mengecewakan. Meski begitu, Berlusconi masih memiliki keyakinan bahawa Milan masih menjadi! tim terbaik di Italia. Bukan hanya itu, tim besutan Leonardo itu masih yang terbaik di dunia pada saat ini.
"Kami masih tim nomor satu di dunia. Dengan pelatih baru dan perpaduan pemain bagus, kami masih berada dalam posisi pada saat ini," tegas Berlusconi kepada Telelombardia, Senin (3/8/2009).
Praktis, komentar Berlusconi tersebut memancing kontroversi, menjelang bergulirnya pentas Serie A 2009/2010, yang akan dimulai pada 22 dan 23 Agustus mendatang.

Milan Masih Upayakan De Silvestri


MILAN - AC Milan masih mengupayakan kedatangan Lorenzo de Silvestri, tapi masih kesulitan mewujudkannya. Menurut Il Corriere dello Sport, Milan dan Lazio sudah siap duduk membahas masa depan pemain muda Italia itu.
Namun, tekad Massimo Oddo untuk tetap bertahan di San Siro menghalangi terwujudnya kesepakatan. Pelatih Leonardo ingin mengembalikan Oddo ke klub asalnya, tapi sang pemain tidak berminat.
Kabarnya, Oddo sudah menolak pinangan tiga klub, seperti Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, dan Panathinaikos. Jika Milan tak segera menyelesaikan masalah dengan Oddo, De ! Silvestri tetap akan tinggal di Lazio. Padahal, presiden Lazio, Claudio Lotito, sudah menyatakan klubnya tertutup bagi para pemain yang menginginkan gaji tinggi.
Lotito lebih memilih Ignazio Abate sebagai bagian pertukaran De Silvestri, tapi Milan tak ingin melepas gelandangnya itu. Salah satu pilihan lain bagi Milan adalah melakukan transfer tunai untuk membeli De Silvestri.

Leonardo Masih Butuh Waktu


MILAN - Mantan striker AC Milan George Weah mengungkapkan pelatih Leonardo masih butuh waktu untuk membangun sebuah tim yang solid. Menurutnya, kekalahan telak 4-0 dari Inter Milan dalam Derby Milano tidak bisa menjadi ukuran kegagalan Leonardo.
Apalagi, Milan juga pernah mencetak kemenangan besar 6-0 atas Inter. "Milan memenangi pertandingan pertama dan kemudian kalah di pertemuan kedua. Itu biasa terjadi dalam derby," kata Weah kepada Repubblica.it. "Meski demikian, saya ! merasa sedih karena Milan menghadapi pekan yang buruk.
Inter memang menang 4-0, tapi tahun lalu Milan unggul 6-0," jelasnya. Karena itu, Leonardo harus diberi kesempatan karena ia masih dalam proses membentuk sebuah tim yang kuat. Weah juga menambahkan kepergian Kaka tidak berpengaruh banyak pada tim.
"Leonardo harus diberi kesempatan karena dia pelatih yang memiliki inteligensia. Dia mampu membangun tim yang solid," jawab Weah.

Milan Pagari Pato dengan Kontrak Baru


MILAN - Alexandre Pato acap dikaitkan dengan klub raksasa Liga Primer, Chelsea. AC Milan pun memagari Pato dengan kontrak baru berisi gaji tinggi sampai 2014 mendatang.
Belakangan ini spekulasi kepindahan Pato ke Stamford Bridge kian mengencang, terpicu karena kepindahan Carlo Ancelotti yang sebelumnya menangani si pemain Brasil di Rossoneri.
Milan memang berulangkali sudah menampik ketertarikan Chelsea atau klub-klub lain terhadap Pato. Namun, rumor terus berkembang dan ini mungkin berimplikasi kepada penampilann! ya yang sejauh ini dinilai di bawah standar.
Demi bisa menjaga pemain yang baru genap berusia 20 tahun pada 2 September lalu itu, sekaligus memberi ketenangan buat pemain bersangkutan agar dapat lebih fokus ke permainan, Milan pun menyodorkan kontrak baru yang sudah disambut positif.
"Saya gembira mengumumkan bahwa Pato sudah memperbarui kontraknya dengan Milan sampai dengan lima tahun ke depan," tutur Wakil Presiden AC Milan Adriano Galliani di Football Italia. Di dalam kontrak yang memanjang sampai 30 Juni 2014 tersebut, juga dilaporkan bahwa Pato akan mendapat gaji dua kali lipat dibandingkan yang dia terima saat ini.
Pato sendiri diboyong Milan dari Internacional pada musim panas 2007. Tapi karena masalah regulasi, dia baru bisa memainkan debutnya pada Januari 2008. Dari tiga penampilan bersama Milan musim ini, Pato baru bisa bikin sepasang gol saja.


su! mber : detik.com
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Pelatih yang Pantas Menggantikan posisi Sir Alex Ferguson|Bola lover


hai Para penggemar bola!! Tentu semua orang mengetahui bukan siapa itu Sir alex Ferguson?? Sang pelatih bertangan dingin yang hampir melatih club bola MU selama lebih dari 2 dekade.Pelatih yang jenius dan mampu meracik strategi permainan.selain itu,pelatih ini mampu menciptakan pemain muda berbakat.Kejeniusannya mencari dan menciptkan pemains sepak bola muda mebuatnya diakui di seluruh dunia.Namun karir melatihnya tentu tidak akan lama lagi,karena ia sudah menginjak usia kepala 6.Berikut ini adalah beberapa calon yang di isukan menggantikan posisinya:

  • Jose Mourinho
  • David Moyes
  • Roy Keane
  • Ryan Giggs
  • Benny dollo (????)
menurut beberapa orang yang saya tanya mereka lebih memilih Jose mourinho.namun banyak juga yang menjawab BENDOL..ya,walaupun dalam nada bercanda.Kalau ka! lian akan memilih siapa untuk jadi pelatih bola MU???

Kalau Om google milih siapa yah???


Leave me a Comment.....no spam ,sara,and komentar aneh.haha...

Friday, November 13, 2009

Rafa wants more from star pair


Gerrard and Torres have forged a lethal attacking partnership for Liverpool and were expected to provide Fiorentina with plenty of problems in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash at Artemio Franchi.

However, they rarely threatened as the Reds went down 2-0 and Benitez was impressed by how well the Italian side defended.

Benitez nevertheless believes Liverpool's other players could have done more to make up for below-par performances from the star duo.

"Fiorentina did a good job (against Gerrard and Torres)," the Liverpool manager conceded.

"It was disappointing to see them both kept out of the game as they were. The Fiorentina defenders handled them very well, they worked really hard against them.

"But it is not just about two players, nobody in the team was producing anything.

"Sometimes when defenders are too worried about Gerrard and Torres, it gives the rest of our team the chance to make use of the spac! e.

"They can take that responsibility, but for long periods that did not happen.

"But this is not the end of things in Europe for us, and we must regroup and show the right mentality for our next match against Chelsea on Sunday."

Important
Benitez recognises that the two upcoming games against Lyon have taken on extra significance.

"What happened, particularly in the first half, is very hard to explain," he said.

"We were expecting a difficult game, we knew Fiorentina would work hard and really press us when we were in possession, but we gave the ball away and we were not in the game.

"The players were frustrated with some decisions, but that was not the cause. We were not good enough and they let their frustrations show.

"The next two games in the group against Lyon are very important. We only have four games left in this group so we need two wins for sure.

"We must keep going unt! il the end, we have to be ready for the next matches."

Rooney Segera Susul Ronaldo & Messi



Manchester,-

Wayne Rooney dinilai Sir Alex Ferguson punya kualitas untuk sehebat Lionel Messi dan Cristiano Ronaldo. Lantas kenapa Fergie justru menyebut Rooney "hewan yang lucu"?

Ronaldo dan Messi adalah dua pemain terbaik di dunia saat ini. Selain penampilan di lapangan, keduanya juga sudah dapat pengakuan FIFA saat Ronaldo didapuk jadi terbaik untuk tahun 2008, diikuti Messi di posisi dua. Tahun-tahun ke depan, mungkin giliran Rooney yang akan dapat pengakuan semacam itu..........


"Wayne dengan mudah bisa mencapai level seru! pa. Tanpa ragu lagi dia sedang menuju ke arah sana," nilai Fergie di Soccernet.

Si manajer asal Skotlandia itu masih ingat betapa tangguhnya Rooney saat melakukan debutnya untuk MU di Liga Champions. Ketika itu dia bikin tiga gol ke gawang Fenerbahce. Semenjak itu, perkembangan pemain Inggris berusia 23 tahun tersebut terbilang pesat.

"Dia punya modal yang cuma dimiliki pemain hebat. Dia punya determinasi dan rasa lapar untuk menang di setiap pertandingan dan juga kala latihan. Itu takkan pernah berubah."

"Kadangkala ada kritik mengenai jumlah gaji yang didapat pemain sepakbola. Tapi saat Anda melihat usaha yang dia keluarkan, dia layak dibayar untuk setiap penny yang dia dapatkan," puji Fergie.

Determinasi dan rasa laparnya akan kemenangan memang jadi salah satu poin menonjol dari permainan Rooney. Di atas lapangan tak jarang dia terus-terusan mengejar bola bak hewan pemburu, bahkan sampai turun ke lini belakang dari posisinya se! bagai pemain depan.

"Dia memang 'hewan' yang lucu. ! Dia meli hat dirinya sendiri bisa melakukan segalanya. Contohnya, dia melihat dirinya sebagai pemain tengah yang bagus dan saya tak bisa berkeberatan dengan hal itu," demikian Fergie setengah berseloroh di Daily Mail. (*)

QUI ROMA



Non è superstizioso ("non celebro riti particolari"), non si esalta ("lavoro con un grande staff, tra i miei collaboratori c'è gente più brava di me"), forse perderà il sonno ("ve lo dirò domani, ma altre volte alla vigilia di partite importanti ho dormito"), ammette che sta vivendo il momento più alto della sua carriera ("ma devo ringraziare i ragazzi per i risultati che abbiamo ottenuto quest'anno"), è contemporaneamente minimalista e massimalista. Luciano Spalletti è uno, nessuno e centomila alla vigilia di Catania-Roma.
DUE FACCE - E' minimalista quando dice "per noi si tratta di vincere una gara", diventa massimalista quando ! fa: "non è vero che saremo senza tifosi a Catania, saremo milioni". La Roma non ha alternative: deve battere il Catania e sperare che l'Inter non vinca a Parma. "Noi abbiamo il compito e il dovere di vincere una partita, l'Inter deve conquistare lo scudetto. Tra noi e loro c'è molta differenza. Poi c'è il Catania che deve salvarsi e per questo mi aspetto una gara difficile. Noi però siamo abituati a certi tipi di tensione, penso alle trasferte di Madrid e Manchester. Dovremo pensare a giocare e a sfruttare le nostre qualità. Non dobbiamo perdere la calma ed innervosirci".
PREPARTITA - Quale discorso farà ai giocatori prima della partita? "Ripeterò questi concetti: dobbiamo vincere, è questo il nostro obiettivo. I convocati? Totti, Taddei, Ferrari e Pit restano a casa. Siamo in venti. C'è anche Zotti". Paura dell'ambiente del Massimino e di qualche tentativo di disturbare la notte romanista? "Non credo che troveremo un ambiente cattivo, ci sono molti sportivi veri a Cat! ania. Il Catania di Zenga? Gioca molto in profondità, ma doman! i mi asp etto una bella diga a centrocampo".
LA TATTICA - Segnare subito potrebbe spianare la strada alla Roma e mettere pressione sull'Inter? "Non m'interessa quando si segna, l'importante è vincere". All'improvviso la Roma ha scoperto di avere mezz'Italia che tifa a suo favore: merito di questa volata con l'Inter o anche dello stile spallettiano? "Credo che il nostro grande merito sia stato quello di fare attenzioni ai comportamenti. Siamo migliorati nelle classifiche della coppa Disciplina ed abbiamo imparato ad accettare anche le decisioni più sfavorevoli. Avere certi comportamenti, alla fine paga".

SPAGNA-RUSSIA,LA GARA DEI NOSTRI RIMPIANTI



Alla viglia del match, che si giocherà alle 20.45 all'Ernst Happel Stadion di Vienna, pochi dubbi assediano i due tecnici. Aragones è preoccupato per le condizioni fisiche di Senna, uomo-chiave del centrocampo iberico. Se non dovesse farcela, sono in allerta Xabi Alonso e Fabregas, con il primo favorito rispetto al secondo.
Hiddink invece schiererà comunque, nonostante gli acciacchi, Bilyaletdinov, Saenko e Anyukov, dovendo rinunciare agli squalificati Kolodin e Torbinski. Al centro della difesa giocherà Berezutsky, al fianco di Ignashevich.
Per il mister olandese, la Spagna evoca dolci ricordi: sei anni fa, nei quarti di finale in Corea del Sud, r! iuscì ad eliminarla 5-3 ai rigori. Stavolta è pure ben sostenuto: sugli spalti ad assistere alla partita è annunciato, oltre ad Abramovich, il primo ministro russo Vladimir Putin.
Suggestioni russe a parte, la favorita resta la Spagna, che con tre vittorie e dieci punti conquistati, si è già presa un record: non aveva mai ottenuto più di sei punti né ad Inghilterra '96 né a Belgio-Olanda nel 2000.

FIORENTINA:DOPO MUTU ARRIVA ALMIRON



Dopo il rinnovo di Mutu fino al 2012, la Fiorentina piazza anche il colpo Almiron. L'argentino della Juventus è atteso dalle visite mediche di rito e dalla presentazione ufficiale. Arriva in prestito (500 mila euro) e arriva con grande entusiasmo dopo una stagione trascorsa tra Torino e Montecarlo senza grandi soddisfazioni. La trattativa era in corso da settimane e Corvino è riuscito a chiuderla positivamente.

Il giocatore non ha mai convinto a Torino nonostante il suo trasferimento dall'Empoli fu visto come uno dei colpi principali della campagna juventina. Adesso a Firenze avrà modo di ! rilanciarsi e dato che la Fiorentina ha comunque investito una 'piccola' somma di denaro, l'operazione non è solo dettata da necessità contingenti. Prandelli ci crede e vede in Almiron un buon ricambio per tutti il ruolo di centrale a centrocampo.

DE LAURENTIS SHOCK:" POTREI LASCIARE IL CALCIO"


Così non va. Il grido d'allarme, forte, chiaro, inequivocabile, arriva direttamente dal Presidente del Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, ovvero una delle personalità che più si sta dando da fare per combattere i malcostumi del nostro calcio, cercando di dare nuova linfa e prospettive allo sport più amato dagli italiani. Le parole del massimo dirigente azzurro pesano come macigni, soprattutto considerando che il grande can can mediatico di questi giorni, è scaturito proprio dal comp! ortamento di alcuni delinquenti infiltratisi tra i supporters napoletani presenti all'Olimpico per la prima di campionato contro la Roma. ''Chiudere lo stadio equivale a far morire lo sport e a far vincere la sudditanza alla violenza. Attuando questo programma lo Stato si cala le braghe''. Ecco la perentoria risposta di De Laurentiis a chi paventava l'ipotesi di una chiusura del San Paolo: "Io non mi faccio intimorire da pochi facinorosi che nulla hanno a che vedere con il calcio ma se lo Stato non dovesse mettere in campo leggi adeguate potrei anche salutare'

BALOTELLI A GENNAIO VUOLE ANDARE IN PRESTITO



L'Inter vola, in campionato e in Champions. Mourinho ha fatto rinascere tutti, Adriano compreso. In Champions ha schierato anche Toldo. Ma in casa nerazzurra c'è chi mugugna e non poco. E' Mario Balotelli. L'attaccante non gradisce lo scarso utilizzo che fa di lui il tecnico e per questo pare abbia chiesto, attraverso i suoi fratelli, un incontro con la società per la prossima settimana. Chiederà di essere ceduto in prestito a gennaio.

Super-Mario pare quindi essersi davvero stancato della poca considerazione del portoghese. E le otto panchine a cui è stato "costretto" il ! giocatore hanno peggiorato la situazione. Balotelli non vuole perdere l'opportunità di continuare a giocare anche in prospettiva "maglia azzurra".

ADRIANO CI RICASCA E MOU E' INFURIATO



Più lo tiri su e più lui si manda giù. Adriano ieri ne ha combinata un'altra delle sue, presentandosi alla Pinetina non del tutto sobrio e venendo rispedito a casa da un Mourinho inevitabilmente furibondo, anche se bravissimo a dirigere l'allenamento del gruppo come se niente fosse successo.

IN ANTICIPO, MA IMPRESENTABILE - La ripresa degli allenamenti dopo la sconfitta di Brema era fissata per le 10.30. Il brasiliano è arrivato in largo anticipo, ma pure in condizioni pessime. Il tecnico ne ha preso atto e l'ha invitato a lasciare il centro tecnico. Il tutto dopo che Mourinho aveva nuovamente dato fiducia ad Adriano, schierandolo titolare martedì contro il Werder Brema. Ma! proprio dalla trasferta tedesca il 26enne di Rio sarebbe tornato infastidito per aver giocato in una gara in cui c'era poco da guadagnare e molto da perdere e per di più venendo sostituito nell'intervallo da Ibrahimovic.
RECIDIVO - Quanto successo ieri è il segnale che lo stesso giocatore si è ormai scollegato dal pianeta Inter e che vede il suo futuro altrove. Il giorno di riposo concesso alla truppa mercoledì deve avere fatto il resto, con Adri che è ricaduto negli antichi vizi. Solo in questa stagione, che pure sembrava quella del riscatto, il brasiliano infatti si è visto escludere dalla lista dei convocati per cinque gare di seguito per aver fatto l'alba in discoteca dopo Inter-Genoa (26 ottobre) ed essere arrivato in ritardo (e non in condizione) all'allenamento del 28 ottobre, vigilia di Fiorentina-Inter. Senza dimenticare che lo stesso giocatore si era presentato 30 minuti dopo l'orario stabilito il giorno del raduno (ma per colpa delle coincidenze aeree dal B! rasile) e che nell'ultimo mese per due volte ha marcato visita! alla Pi netina per una febbre che non aveva convinto tutti.
CRESPO STOP - A questo punto è lecito pensare che la pazienza della società e dello stesso Mourinho sia davvero esaurita e che il capolinea sia vicino. Con relativi risvolti di mercato. Più che il rinnovo di un contratto in scadenza nel 2010, ora potrebbe arrivare una cessione già a gennaio, anche se a queste condizioni è difficile che all'Inter giunga una super offerta. Certamente Adriano rischia l'esclusione dalla lista Champions di gennaio e questo porterebbe all'incedibilità di Hernan Crespo, a sua volta rimasto fuori dai giocatori utilizzabili in Coppa nella fase a gironi appena conclusa. «Valdanito» in questo avvio di stagione ha trovato poco spazio e le squadre pronte a prenderlo nella prossima finestra di mercato non mancano di certo. Sempre che Adriano non venga convocato per non dargliela vinta (e perché l'Inter non può vedere svalutato così un proprio capitale), i guai del brasiliano potrebbero però rilanci! are Crespo anche in vista della sfida col Chievo, quando l'argentino si giocherà con Balotelli (Cruz è infortunato e ritornerà nel 2009) una maglia per affiancare Ibra.
MAICON A RISCHIO - Contro i veneti potrebbe mancare pure Maicon. Anche il terzino infatti ieri si è presentato alla Pinetina non in condizioni per allenarsi, tanto che non ha lavorato con il gruppo. Se Mourinho dovesse decidere di adottare con lui lo stesso metro usato con Adriano, ecco che domenica potrebbe toccare al promettente 17enne Davide Santon, che sarebbe all'esordio assoluto in maglia nerazzurra.

JUVE IN POLE PER FLOCCARI



Sergio Floccari sulle tracce di Bobo Vieri e Filippo Inzaghi: attaccanti lanciati nel grande calcio dall'Atalanta e diventati poi grandi con la maglia della Juventus. I bianconeri hanno effettuato un sondaggio presso il club bergamasco per la punta calabrese, su cui, da tempo, c'è anche la Roma. Improbabile, ad ogni modo, che un'eventuale operazione si compia in questa sessione di mercato anche nel caso in cui Iaquinta passi allo Zenit.

COBOLLI:"INTER MAI PENALIZZATA"



Anche Giovanni Cobolli Gigli è intervenuto sulle polemiche arbitrali per il rigore concesso domenica sera all'Inter. E ha tirato la sua stoccata. "Certo, l'Inter probabilmente non è stata una delle squadre più penalizzate. E' la storia che dice che l'Inter non ha più rigori contro da un anno...", ha detto il presidente della Juve. Poi, però, sottolinea la buona fede dei fischietti: "Non si tratta di favori, ma di errori".

Sull'episodio di Balotelli: "Non era rigore, ma probabilmente in presa diretta per un arbitro non era comunqu! e semplice. D'altra parte posso capire il rammarico della Roma".

Parole a parte, Cobolli Gigli ribadisce gli obiettivi bianconeri: Champions League, campionato e Coppa Italia non necessariamente in questo ordine. Certo, per poter lottare per lo scudetto, occorre che l'Inter perda colpi, ma "se ci credevamo a nove punti di distacco, a sette bisogna crederci di più''.

L'ombra di Mancini aleggia su Donadoni.Si aspettano solo le dimissioni,cosa che non avverrà!



"Io adoro Donadoni come persona, è un vero signore, ma purtroppo, le mie idee non sono le stesse del tecnico" questo il commento di Aurelio De Laurentiis che ai microfoni di Radio Marte parla del suo tecnico, il quale ha subito un'altra sconfitta fuori casa, questa volta contro la Roma. Il cambio ai vertici societari potrebbe portare anche un cambio di allenatore ed è inevitabile che il presidente De Laurentiis ci stia pensando dato che i risultati ed il gioco non stanno dando lustro all'attività dell'ex allenatore della Nazionale italiana di calcio. I nomi che si inseguono sono essenzialmente tre: Delio Rossi, Walter Mazzarri e il sogno di molti napoletani chiamato Roberto Mancini! . Prendere Mazzarri potrebbe essere la soluzione temporanea per dare una scossa allo spogliatoio e per portare a Napoli un tecnico che ha già vissuto la piazza azzurra. Roberto Mancini sarebbe invece la base per puntare a grandissimi traguardi investendo però denaro sia nell'ingaggio del tecnico, sia nella squadra che a gennaio dovrebbe intervenire sul mercato per assecondare magari le esigenze dell'ex tecnico dell'Inter. Delio Rossi potrebbe invece essere il raccordo tra presente e futuro, ed è proprio l'ex tecnico della Lazio il tecnico che ha maggiori possibilità di sedere sulla panchina azzurra in caso di esonero di Donadoni.

In questi giorni quello che era il derby del sole è passato in secondo piano. Partita scialba quella degli azzurri che non hanno trovato le forze mentali e tecniche per superare una Roma lontana parente di quella scintillante degli anni scorsi. Problema di testa anche perchè, quasi per volere del Presidente, la vera partita si stava svolgendo altrove: "Non mi interessano i risultati immediati, ma quelli nel lungo periodo" - ha ribadito fino a ieri il patron. E fino a ieri si susseguono idee! , tentazioni, colloqui, autocandidature. Si sussussura che il Mancio avrebbe ammobirdito la sua posizione (contratto anuale abbassato a 3,5 milioni), nella speranza di essere affiancata da suoi uomini di fiducia (Oriali ds è la nuova candidatura). La realtà però potrebbe essere un'altra: dagli schermi di Canale 21 il collega Iannicelli rivela quello che già si era intuito da qualche giorno. Delio Rossi avrebbe già trovato un accordo con il Napoli. Il Presidente aspetta le dimissioni del tecnico Donadoni che non avverranno. Non resterà quindi che l'esonero, una decisione da prendere, preferibilmente, collegialmente con l'ausilio di un direttore general

Il tragico destino del grande Thomson..


INVIO GRATUITO DI SMS


IL SERVIZIO "INVIA SMS GRATIS" ENTRERA' IN FUNZIONE NEI PROSSIMI GIORNI, E' UNA FUNZIONE MOLTO UTILE OFFERTA A TUTTI GLI UTENTI DI MONDO CALCIO SERIE A CHE PREVEDE LA POSSIBILITA' DI INVIO DI MESSAGGI VERSO TUTTI I NUMERI DI CELLULARE A COSTO ZERO! UNICA ANNOTAZIONE E' IL NUMERO DI CARATTERI DISPONIBILE, INFERIORE A 160, PER CONSENTIRE AL SERVIZIO LA PUBBLICAZIONE DI UN BREVE MESSAGGIO PUBBLICITARIO. APPROFITTATE!

Che fine ha fatto...Bobo Vieri




MILANO - Ciao a tutti questa sarà una piccola rubrica che ci accompagnerà per un po di tempo. Parleremo di grandi calciatori che da un momento all'altro sono spariti. Bobo Vieri inizia a giocare a calcio in Australia, terra dove il padre andò a terminare la sua carriera, nel Marconi Sidney. Tornato in Italia nelle file del Prato il giovane Christian a suon di gol attira l'interesse delle squadre italiane e dopo grandi stagioni a Torino e Bergamo arriva la chiamata della Juventus. Gol pesanti che li valgono la chiamata dell'Atletico MAdr! id dove segna 24 gol in 24 partite!Dopo la Spagna di nuovo l'Italia dove Bobone fa la fortuna di Lazio e Inter. Dopo l'Inter una breve esperienze nel Milan terminata a Gennaio quando decide di andare al Monaco. Dopo Monaco arriva l'Atalanta, la Fiorentina e nuovamente l'Atalanta. A febbraio di quest anno la rescissione con i bergamaschi. Dopo aver tentato di giocare in Brasile, Sud Africa e America le ultime voci lo danno vicino al Blackburn. Che sia arrivato il momento di prendere fissa dimora per l'ex centravanti azzurro?

Simone Pizzi

Kamatà: "Looking of surprise"




"I am fine" began so Pedro Kamatà at journalists present at the appointment at the end of the morning sitting training. With a new original hair cut, "is a cut from series to" FC replied with a smile to your questions. "Should be ready - between about 20 days continued FC right knee not me problems." Yesterday then I was in Perugia for a control and answers that I had were positive. I also had the ok of doctors to work with the group. "Now I think to get into shape physically."

Therefore still a little patience and then he too will enjoy this series A, conquered the last season leading: "No. I know of what I can give maximum seen series I now have not lived prec! ise having been in a prison to work alone, I however know is t! hat I wi sh to continue to surprise people." "I am convinced that it is right bring race this that you try during training but is equally important to be able to bring a bit of creativity"

The first two races of the his Bari, FC become n, five months, Dad did not obviously lost: "against Inter Milan I have enjoyed, we have done an excellent race." Against the Bologna somewhat less for developing the field that must not be an excuse. "Series to you must win also playing poorly."

http://www.asbari.it/societa/archivio-news/2108-kamata-qvoglia-di-stupireq.html

Liverpool set to unleash the Beast



Rafa Benitez is looking into the possibility of bringing Julio Baptista to cash strapped Liverpool. The Brazilian international is interested in a season long loan deal in this World Cup year, which would be ideal for the under fire Spaniard.

The Roma player has struggled to find form in Italy and the Serie A club would be pleased to get him off their wage bill.

That would certainly appeal to penniless Liverpool who have had a dreadful start to the season. With no money t! o spend Benitez is struggling to get any players in before Tuesdays deadline. Benitez sees the Brazilian who is eager to impress international manager Dunga, as a realistic possibility. He believes the Roma midfielder has the crudentials to fit right into Liverpool's style of play. The powerful midfielder has an eye for goal who can play behind the striker or in a deeper more central role.

Rafa Benitez is unlikely to forget 'the Beast' after his time spent in England at Premier League rivals Arsenal. Baptista caught the Liverpool managers eye when he found the net 4 times in a memorable carling cup encounter at Anfield in 2007, ending 6-3 to the Gunners. If Baptista could re-create that majestical form it could well re-ignite Liverpool's title bid and prove to be the bargain of the season.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with a move back to England since his loan deal with the Gunners ended. Rumours circulated that the Liverpool boss ! was preparing a bid for Baptista while he was still at Real, b! ut was p ut off by his hefty price tag.

His agent had dismissed a return to England after he was linked with West Ham United and Portsmouth. However a move to Premier League giants Liverpool is a totally different proposition and could prove impossible to resist.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Fergie - Roo won't be skipper


The 23-year-old forward has expressed his desire to skipper the Old Trafford side in the future, but Ferguson said he prefers defenders or midfielders to lead out the team.

"It's difficult for a forward to be captain," United boss Ferguson said in The Sun.

"Eric Cantona was because he was such an influence to young players, they idolised him. But normally you look at midfielders and defenders.

"Wayne will always take responsibility, he has a natural desire for that and will always give 100 per cent."

Rooney is expected to have more of a key role for the Red Devils this season, following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, and Ferguson believes the best is still to come from the England international.

He added: "When players reach 25 they play with authority and bring calmness to their game."

Except for Argentina versus 15 Players


Ronaldinho Saves the Day!


Chelsea-Arsenal: Gallas will not be silent


Premier League This Week: Keeping Hope Liverpool Champion


Shut up, Rafa-Fergie!


Aussies win to level Ashes series


Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley (day three, close):Australia 445 bt England 102 & 263 by an innings & 80 runs

Australia celebrate
Hilfenhaus moved clear as the leading wicket-taker in the series


Australia duly completed victory by an innings and 80 runs in the fourth Test at Headingley to level the Ashes series at 1-1 with one match remaining.

England resumed in an impossible position, 261 runs behind and with only only five wickets left.

And it looked like being a swift demise when James Anderson was caught at slip.

But Stuart Broad hit 10 fours in 61 and shared a pulsating 108 from 12! .3 overs with Graeme Swann who fired 62, before Mitchell Johns! on seale d it with 5-69.

It had threatened to be England's worst defeat at home, but the partnership ended those fears and that record margin of an innings and 226 runs at the hands of the West Indies at Lord's in 1973 remains for a while longer at least.

On the ground where Ian Botham inspired one of the greatest comebacks in 1981, there was a glorious hint, but inevitably no dramatic reverse in this match, as Australia took the series to a decider starting at The Oval on 20 August.

Strauss downbeat after heavy defeat

The deficit when Botham walked out at number seven 28 years ago was a mere 122, so the chances of Anderson, Prior and the bowlers compiling around 300 more than that to set Australia any sort of total were beyond even the imagination of the bookmakers.

Still the opera singer performed "Jerusalem" on the playing area with admirable gusto as the players took the field, but perhaps "Things Can Only Get Better" or "Always Look on the Bright Side" would have been more appropriate. There was a healthy crowd in attendance too, some even brave enough to sport fancy dress, and one patriotic soul donning full English knight regalia.

Ande! rson at least extended the record for number of Test innings w! ithout a duck to 54, but the ball after doing so he gave comfortable catching practice to Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Given that there is no guide as to how to bat when more than 250 behind and only Broad, Swann, Steve Harmison and Graham Onions remain, Prior played some stylish drives square of the wicket, before eventually fishing at one wide of off-stump that was magnificently scooped up by Brad Haddin, diving low to his right.

The four Australian seamers, none of whom had previously played at Headingley, complemented each other superbly during this match.

After! Stuart Clark and Peter Siddle did the damage in the first innings, it was Johnson and more significantly Ben Hilfenhaus who posed the greatest threat.

Hilfenhaus continued to bowl accurately with just the right amount of movement to further expose frailties in the batsmen.

But the next hour gave the crowd some fantastic entertainment in glorious Sunday morning sunshine as Broad and Swann adopted a positive approach.

Having claimed Test-best bowling figures of 6-91 on Saturday, Broad spoke confidently about surpassing his highest score with the bat, 76 against South Africa at Lord's last year, and it looked as though he was heading for a remarkable maiden century.!

In one Clark over he thumped four fours to bring up the fifty partnership in 51 balls with Swann, and a magnificent drive on the up down the ground off Siddle recorded his fifth Test fifty from only 42 balls.

If the tall, blonde left-hander bore a resemblance to Graham Dilley, who shared in the famous 1981 partnership, the right-handed Swann began to bat in the mentality of IT Botham himself with some bold full-blooded strokes in classic nothing-to-lose vein.

In a truly thrilling passage of play, 49 came in three overs and the crowd were delighted to have the opportunity to bait Clark, who took the badinage in commendable spirit when he returned to patrol the boundary.

On 53 Broad was reprieved when Johnson backtracked from mid-off but could only push the ball over the ropes for four and the 100 partnership was soon recorded in a mere 73 balls.

Groans rang out across the ground when Broad's hook was caught at deep square-leg, but Swann ensured that the fun did not end when he hooked - perhaps a little bit like Botham in his 1981 century at Old Trafford - whilst not looking at the ball.

It sailed for six and signalled his second Test fifty.

Ponting 'ultra proud' of team

Against all the odds, England made it to lunch, when they were given a standing ovation by a crowd delightfully surprised to have some live action to watch in the afternoon, and having savoured a session in which 163 were scored in 24 overs.

But soon after the interval Swann was given out caught behind chasing a wide one and Johnson confirmed his return to form by shattering the stumps of Graham Onions, leaving everything to play for in south London.

Interinational Twenty20 Match: Sri Lanka v New Zealand


04-09-2009 at Colombo
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 22 runs
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat
170 for 4 (20.0 overs)
148 for 8 (20.0 overs)

New Zealand Innings - Close
Taylor !
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
B McCullum c and b Jayasuriya
49
34 4 2
Ryder c Rupasinghe b Mendis
52
37 3 3
lbw b Jayasuriya
16
18 1 0
Guptill
b Malinga
32
20 2 1
Oram not out
17
12 1 0
Extras
1nb 1w 2lb 4
Total
for 4 170 (20.0 ovs)

Bowler
O
M
R
W
Kulasekara 4.0 0 40 0
Malinga 4.0 0 35 1
Mendis 4.0 0 21 1
Jayasuriya 4.0 0 22 2
Bandara 2.0 0 19 0
Dilshan 2.0 0 31 0

Fall of wicket
84 B McCullum
109 Ryder
127 Taylor
170 Guptill

Back to top

Sri Lan! ka Innings - Close
! 18 !
Runs
Balls
4s
6s
Dilshan c Guptill b Bond
1
3 0 0
Jayasuriya c Taylor b Mills
7
8 1 0
Udawatte c Broom b Mills
0
1 0 0
M Jayawardene c Ryder b N McCullum
41
30 5 1
Sangakkara c and b Oram
69
50 7 0
Mathews c Taylor b N McCullum
1
2 0 0
Rupasinghe c Vettori b Bond
18
1 0
Kulasekara c Taylor b Bond
2
4 0 0
Bandara not out
4
4 0 0
Malinga not out
0
0 0 0
Extras
3w 2lb5
Total
for 8 148 (20.0 ovs)

!
Mills
Bowler
O
M
R
W
Bond 4.0 0 18 3
3.0 0 22 2
Butler 4.0 0 34 0
Vettori 3.0 0 27 0
N McCullum 3.0 0 18 2
Oram 3.0 0 27 1

!
Fall of wicket
2 Dilshan
2 Udawatte
11 Jayasuriya
78 M Jayawardene
80 Mathews
129 Rupasinghe
143 Sangakkara
148 Kulasekara