Thursday, December 31, 2009

5 reasons for the provision of a system or a 4-5-1 formation in soccer or football match

In the modern game of football or soccer recently, training or a 4-5-1 system, a much higher proportion has enjoyed playing mostly small clubs or clubs or nations Playing Away. Here are five reasons why such training is used or a system.

A system definition is needed first. A 4-5-1 refers to the use of a goalkeeper, four defenders, five midfielders and strikers. An example of a team for the success of the training is Greek nationalism in the European UnionUEFA Euro 2004, where they arise as a master of using such a system. And now, for the reason.

Flexibility - football or soccer is a fast game, in which an attack against the attack can be activated by the opposition, even if she lost possession. Therefore, deploying a 4-5-1 system allows flexibility in both attack and defense. In the attack, or possession of the ball, the player left and right midfielder would press a winger and enter the single striker function.In addition, three midfielders, one or two may also join push to attack, while another midfielder would return again to help the defense in the event of failure or attack cons of the opposition.

As for the defense or without possession of the ball, five midfielders in theory be able to return the ball to the opposition press. Another example would be the five midfielders party man to add more steel in midfield to win possession, or simply to keep the pressure onback.

Defending a lead of one goal - in some games, the game may be very near where one goal can decide the outcome. Consequently, some managers employ to defend 4-5-1 lead in the last ten to twenty minutes of the game. The flexibility of the system is already explained in point 1. The system would also lead the team when necessary to cons-attack if the opposition raises a caution to the wind of the equalizer. The other objective is to round the ballDown the clock and the best way to retain, then in the property.

Far from playing a game - in games in modern league, one point from a particular game when the game immediately, or face a strong opposition is crucial. The reason is that most teams were going home, do their best at home with their supporters behind them, as just 12 to win. For example, in recent matches, as Liverpool or Manchester United Birmingham City Verse Verse Reading townRead busy stifling 4-5-1 system, the midfielder Liverpool and United. The system would allow a rule to find a team to avoid a point or a defeat at the hands of a strong opposition. This point is usually a win for small clubs.

The game against stronger opposition - As mentioned in Section 3, playing against strong opposition at home, a 4-5-1 system would receive the same logic to a point or to avoid a heavy defeat to use. Such an attitudeGame can be seen as a defeatist attitude, but survival in the great world championship would mean huge revenues for clubs. An example is the English Premier League, where millions can be lost if a team is relegated. Therefore, some teams prefer this type of education to employ a low-scoring defeat or a draw to secure the game for a point during an attack on the opposition, a status like that before.

Injuries - This is the least common reason why a 4-5-1 formation would be used. The reason isvery simple. It is generally not the defensive midfielder and a striker for the club. Thus, if a club has an injurious situation forward, they may be more inclined to use such a system than others. In addition, the use of players in known positions would be a much better result when they play in an unskilled position.

Therefore, the above reasons should help to explain why the use of a 4-5-1 system or education.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Bill Shankly - Liverpool manager

The late Bill Shankly in 1913, born in Glenbuck, a small Scottish mining village.

As many Shankly family have been involved in football, it was inevitable he would follow the same path in the game, the alternative to a long career in the slot.

Shankly career as a wing back in professional football, including a brief spell at Carlisle United, attended by nearly 300 games for Preston North End, managing only seven caps for Scotland in a gain ofinternational career has been hampered by the outbreak of the Second World War.

Bill Shankly came to his first professional club, Carlisle United, to begin what proved a very successful career in football management, including spells at Grimsby Town, Workington and Huddersfield Town.

Shankly was the manager of a second division team struggling to Liverpool in December 1959 and began a revolution of the club, culminating in LiverpoolThe winners of the first league championship in 1964, was quickly followed by a victory in the FA Cup in 1965 and another first league championship in 1965.

The UEFA Cup win under Shankly was proved in 1973 that the first of many European trophies over the next 35 years are in the same season, Liverpool still won a championship first division.

The following year was bittersweet as Liverpool after another, winning the FA Cup surprise Shankly Liverpool 's board, fans and playerswith his shock resignation.

The famous all red Liverpool kit, red shirts and red shorts was Shankly. In their first season in Europe (1964/65), he suggested that Big Ron Yeats made even greater if he wore red shorts, with its red roof would. It is rumored that Ian St John suggested, they might as well wear red socks, as well, and since then she has played Liverpool in their famous red kit.

The legacy left behind Shankly was the basis for allSuccesses, Liverpool since his reign at the club, many say that the club would not Shankly ever won victory after five Cup finals European left.

The Shankly Gates at Anfield ground in Liverpool are a constant reminder of important managers and even be incorporated into the badges of the association.

Shankly Prices are often repeated to this day and give a deep insight into his vision of football and his beloved LiverpoolTeam.

"Football is a simple game made by people who should be better acquainted with complicated"

"There are two great teams on Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves"

"If Everton were playing at the end of my garden, I'd see the curtains"

And perhaps most frequently repeated of all the quotes Bill Shankly:

"Football is not a matter of life or death. It is much more important than that."

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Skills Objectives | Season 09/10 | By CR9Productionz and CR9Productions

, Hocus-Pocus on stage goalkick, Volleyball, vs. bicycle kick Extra Tags: Ronaldinho vs Zlatan vs C Ronaldo Ronaldinho Thierry Henry Ronaldinho Barcelona Brazil vs England 2002 World Cup kick-Ronaldinho vs c ronaldo ronaldinho elastico ronaldo elastico ronaldinho house ronaldinho bicycle Cup 2002 World kick Ronaldinho dribbling ronaldinho compilation Austria Ronaldinho Freestyle Ronaldinho C. Ronaldo vs Robinho basketball juggling Ronaldinho VS Zidane Cristiano Ronaldo Rooney Wii Xbox c c ...

Monday, December 28, 2009

Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 08-09 All objectives

09/10 2009-2010 so far ... be pursued Champions League Barclays Premier League Weekend FA Cup Carling Cup Manchester United vs 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 goals against all the powers of skills to cons fixtures and results: 0-0 against Portsmouth Community Shield Newcastle vs 1 to 1 Premier League Premier League vs Portsmouth 1-0 vs Zenit 1-2 Super Cup UEFA vs Liverpool 1-2 Premier League UEFA Champions League against Villareal 0-0 vs Chelsea 1-1 Premier League vs League ★ Middelsbrough Bolton 3-1 vs 2 -0 ...

Sunday, December 27, 2009

A Look At Italy Soccer

Founded in 1898, the Italian Football League, also known as Italy soccer, the highest football league in the country. A series that began in 1929, is the top division of Italy Soccer and is primarily the mobile phone company TIM Italian sponsored. Before the start of the Serie A Italian football has been divided into regional groups. The championship title is commonly referred to as Scudetto, the plate "small" because the uniforms of the Champions League in a small class function is calledArms during the following season. After playing more than 100 years, Italy is football at the height of popularity, it is both the eyes of fans and media. How can we know it today, is the Serie A elite of all divisions of the Italian Football League. Other divisions include Serie B Serie C1, Serie C2, Serie D, and Excellence.

Italy calls with a football league, consisting of 18 teams of 18 or 20 Serie A club that all other teams play in both cases, even in theirHome stadium and once at the home of their opponents. The first half of the season traditional Italian football consists of each team, once against all other clubs. The second half of the season will consist of the same competition in the same order, with the only difference being the location of games.

When it comes to scoring, an Italy soccer team receives three points for a win, one point for a draw and none for a defeat. When it comes to counting points to seeWhich club will be crowned champion, teams are accumulated based on their accumulated points during the season ranked. If two teams are level on points at the end of this season, both teams will meet in a playoff game. The four best teams in Serie A football in Italy will qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

As the area itself, Italy soccer is rich in history and tradition. Playing with success for so many years, the competitors, a number of SetRecords. Since September 2006, three players hold the record for the greatest number. These include Paolo Maldini, Gianluca Pagliuca and Dino Zoff. Records for being the oldest player appearance Belong Marco Ballotta and Dino Zoff. During the 2005-06 season, AS Roma set a record for most wins in a row, with a total of 11 consecutive victories.

For more information on the Series A and / or Italian football, fans can visit their website at http://www.lega-calcio.it.Latest standings, news, updates, photos, historical profiles and league news is available online and will be offered primarily in Italian. A professional design with colorful appeal make this site very popular among football fans in Italy. The football itself is still a popular sport in the world and is celebrated in many different countries. Legions of fans around the world, it seems that footballers seem to be high for many years.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The inventor of modern football - English football history

The history of English football - Early Days

It is difficult to determine exactly how soccer became so popular in England in the 19th century century, but the truth is that in the mid-19th century, almost all major cities there was a team semi-professional football. These teams are usually associations of workers in the same factory or institution or simply students at a local university.

Games between these teams have played occasionally, with little or no money, but only for the competitionSake. However, these games were played without rules or a referee and as soccer is not necessarily a sport that is completely clean of violence, it took a difficult case, or start a discussion on a given rule in a bloody battle between the two teams and their supporters.

But the year 1863 marked a very important chapter in the history of English football, as several soccer clubs from across the country (and London) in the English capital, and met a kind"Shaping the football," said the Laws of the Game (a modified version of the rules of origin are still in force and remain as such).

This was also the birth of the Football Association, or simply FA, still dominate English football today and had a huge significance in the history of football in England and how they are developed.

The history of English football - Milestones

With England is rightly regarded asInventor of the modern game, one might expect, they are among the national teams most successful in the world. But while some of the soccer players of class through time and despite always considered favorites for the competitions they start in the England team just achieved significant milestones in the history of football in England .

The culmination of English football and the most important chapter ever to be written in the history of football in Englandcertainly had a World Cup functioning successfully in 1966, a competition that took place on English soil, by understanding their advantage on the Cup, long overdue.

The 1966-Team, the legendary Bobby Moore and other key components such as Jack Charlton and Geoff Hurst playing regularly captain, remains the best team in the history of English football, especially since their success has not been possible since .

The history of English football - ModernEra

England is still a top team in Europe and worldwide and has some players, as with world class quality, but the team remains a mixed success, although studded with stars.

Recently eclipsed the form of English clubs, the poor performance of the national team as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal will be difficult to be contenders for the European Champions League every year, the most prestigious club continueCompetition in the world.

If with respect English clubs impose in Europe happy fans are still yearning for that time expected the European or World Cup, which could shape a new chapter in the history of English football.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Liverpool vs Manchester United target Ngog

A recording of me on the purpose of Ngog

The essence of England, a Going on vacation

Take leave much time in careful planning and enough money will do for you. You have to do much research on the country itself and the remaining requirements for your entry. In many cases you have the type of visa that your target calls and, for many vaccines, if they have questions. In view of an England leave for your next trip will be very exciting. This gives you the opportunity to know more of its rich history to reachand the remaining areas that are destinations world's most promising in the world.

Why visit England?

England itself has many stories to tell. It is a nation that offers a rich history, culture and art throughout the series of cathedrals, museums, castles, gardens are included, monasteries, abbeys and Roman cities. The country is also on the sea, thus explaining why some tourists en masse known there for a visit. England is also knownfor its popular entertainment, sports, music and literature.

Other than London, the capital, other cities in England are included, also deserves a visit. Museums and historic houses also fill in the urban centers of Brighton, Oxford, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, among others.

A closer look at each of the City Pride

London, the capital of England. The city is the seat of the cultural, financial and fashion too. Youto several places and see the landscape. Under Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, Kew Palace, St. James Palace, London Zoo, Madame Tussaud's, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Royal Academy, Tate Modern, National Gallery, and several others.

Manchester. You can take a ride and also enjoy going to stadiums and arenas, theatrical and musical performances and art galleries.

Brighton. IfThey prefer to see the ocean, this city is worth the detour.

Liverpool. Of course, you will connect the city with the famous band The Beatles. The visitors want, you can truly exceptional music, sports miracle, and architectural representations of the city.

Birmingham. Labeled as the second largest city in the United Kingdom, this place is primarily for sports, shopping, entertainment and cultural activities.

York. Become a taste of Gothic cathedrals of primitivehistoric streets, walls of the medieval, Roman roads, and the Vikings and the Middle Ages have been preserved.

Bad. This is another major attraction and is also worth a visit.

Other Places to Visit

Apart from the above to other places you have worked assuming Maritime Greenwich, Canterbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Durham Cathedral, Roman Baths, Alton Towers, Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon, Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park.

Asunderstand that it is effective, there are many places to visit in England, and also enjoy many landscapes. You can take your camera and camcorder to capture every moment you commit yourself to a holiday in England. These provisions will ever let you down. There is always something new to discover novices on England and its famous cities.

Besides the historical aspects, they also have a fair share of pieces of educational information to tell you.So why not consider your reservation now apply?

Monday, December 21, 2009

Fulham 3-0 Manchester United

Bobby Zamora was the best English striker on the field as Fulham thrashed Manchester United 3-0.

Craven Cottage was treated to a vintage performance from an English striker pressing a strong claim for inclusion in Fabio Capello's plans.

And it wasn't United's Michael Owen, given a starting place at the expense of Dimitar Berbatov, who caught the eye - as he was totally eclipsed by the performance of man-of-the-match Bobby Zamora.

Owen saw little of the ball in the early exchanges.

Paul Scholes, however was in the thick of the action, soon being yellow-carded for a reckless sliding tackle on Fulham's Damien Duff.

The challenge was a sign of the Red Devils' desperation to get a foothold in the match; Tomasz Kusczak made a fingertip save from a Zoltan Gera volley as Fulham took control.

Van der Saar's understudy could do nothing about Fulham's opener in the 21st minute. Danny Murphy dispossessed the wretched Scholes outside the United penalty area and hit a shot which bounced once before crossing the goal-line.

Sir Alex Ferguson would have been well-aware that former Liverpool player Murphy has scored the winning goal against United on four separate occasions.

Gera was also proving to be a thorn in the visitors' side, supplying a cross which the livewire Zamora might have scored from as Fulham's dominance continued.

Within 20 seconds of the second half Fulham doubled their lead, Duff and Clinton Dempsey combining to set up Zamora in the six-yard box. The former Brighton striker made no mistake, volleying his fifth goal in the last four games.

Off came Ritchie de Laet and Darron Gibson and on came Berbatov and Fabio Da Silva as United regrouped.

Owen, deprived of any meaningful service from the midfield, was substituted shortly afterwards.

Perhaps Scholes should have been hooked instead: screwing shots wide and miscuing passes as United struggled to launch a comeback.

The contest was settled in the 74th minute, when Zamora used his chest to control a long pass and released Duff whose left foot shot had goal written all over it.

Zamora again used his chest to nearly score before he was substituted to loud applause from fans who had doubted him earlier in the season.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Jamie Carragher has admitted that he would consider leaving Anfield if he was able to leverage their capabilities.

Reds veteran defender has been criticized in some quarters this season after a rocky start to the campaign uncertain of the club.

Carragher, 31, said he would leave Liverpool if he felt he was past his best for the five-time European champions, but insists the club's failure to secure Champions League qualification would not be a deciding factor in his choice.

He said: "It 'hard to think of playing for another club.

"But I know that with age as a player you fall, there is no player in the history of The Game, who has not, and I wonder if I want to be so in the end.

"I would not get to 34 or 35 with Liverpool and are people who think," He blessed. "Then I think about whether it would be better to go, are still at a decent level and play for my day in another club.

"I worry, perhaps playing in big games for Liverpool and, perhaps, the side of costs, and I also do not play every week and if I could do it.

"Over the next year or two, I need to make a decision. I'd like to stay at Liverpool --- that is what I do --- but there are several things that I think you can compromise.

"Sometimes I think the movement can not be a bad thing, I do not want that to happen. But when you're used to a way all the time --- --- Liverpool are a lot of ideas and ways of doing things, not only the way of Liverpool.

"I did not move with the thought of improving myself, though. It is only if it was not playing enough, or something like that.

"I was an Everton fan as a child. But I'm a fan of Liverpool and now watching our fans and not 'as if determined to The Game, if you do not finish fourth. And' his club and is the same thing with me.

"Wherever we end does not want to leave just because we did not have the Champions League. Liverpool is my team and we are here to recover them in the top four, which is our challenge."

While looking at their options, Carragher insists it had no interest from other clubs and he is happy with life at Anfield.

He added: "Obviously, I am an agent, but he never called and told me that a team has asked me.

"I do not know if this is a good thing or bad. I always wonder if anyone outside of Liverpool really think I am nothing.

"Why should I leave Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world?"

Monday, December 14, 2009

Liverpool FC 1, Arsenal 2: Sound of silence symptomatic of Reds demise

ANDRE MARRINER, the fourth official, strode to the touchline and hoisted aloft the electronic board which shows how much injury time must be played.

Usually, when Liverpool are trailing in games at such moments, Anfield’s crowd will fill its lungs, stand together and scream collectively for one final, desperate push to salvage what appears a hopeless situation.

On many occasions down the years, it is a tactic that has worked a treat. Liverpool, you see, were never beaten until the last whistle and the club’s history is littered with contests that looked to have slipped from their grasp but were somehow turned into victories.

How we yearn for a return to those days.

Yesterday, when Marriner indicated there would be a minimum of four added minutes, the only soundtrack that accompanied the declaration was that of empty seats clattering back into place.

No fight, no anger, no bellowing, no bawling, nothing. Anfield was dead, shocked into silence by a wretched second half display which enabled the Reds to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against an Arsenal side that could scarcely believe its luck.

How utterly demoralising. Just when you thought that, maybe, Liverpool had found the perfect point to relaunch a campaign which has lurched and lumbered from one low to another, along comes quite possibly the biggest disappointment of all.

Infuriating, exasperating, call it what you will, Liverpool had the perfect opportunity to revive their flagging fortunes but, somehow, contrived to find themselves stuck in an even bigger hole than they were before.

They could not have wished for a greater incentive to make a statement; practically every result went their way on Saturday and victory against Arsene Wenger’s men would have catapulted them into fifth.

Instead, they remain in seventh but, most significantly, have suffered another crushing blow to their brittle belief.

They may be just five points off fourth place, but the fact that numerically they are closer to the relegation zone than to a title fight speaks volumes.

Now this is not suggesting for one moment that Liverpool are in the midst of a battle to keep their heads above water in the Premier League.

But the longer they keep slipping up, the more these weekends pass with their rivals accruing points and the Reds frittering them away, the harder it is going to become to rouse themselves to secure the kind of position that is imperative for the club’s future.

What puzzles most of all about this latest offering is that it should have been so, so different; following a thoroughly encouraging first 45 minutes, everything suggested they were ready to start moving through the gears again.

With the exception of Alberto Aquilani, who dropped down to the bench after making his first start against Fiorentina, the team Rafa Benitez sent into battle was ultimately the strongest he is able to name at this present moment.

Fitting Aquilani into his first XI is clearly going to be a head-scratching conundrum for the manager and, now the Italian is up and running, it is one he is going to have to solve sooner rather than later.

If he sticks with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation who misses out? Does Dirk Kuyt drop out with Steven Gerrard moving to the right flank to accommodate Aquilani in a central position in front of Lucas and Javier Mascherano?

by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Premier League Player Ratings: Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa

Villa stunned United to go third in the table and Goal.com was on hand to rate the performance of the players at Old Trafford.....

MANCHESTER UNITED

Tomasz Kuszczak - 7 - His legs kept United in the match after he bailed out Fletcher for losing the ball to Agbonlahor on the edge of the box. Let down by Brown for the winner and dealt with everything else that came his way efficiently.

Darren Fletcher - 6 - One shaky moment aside, stuck well to his full-back task. Energy was missed in midfield, however.

Wes Brown - 5 - Fell asleep to allow Agbonlahor the space to nod home his goal.

Nemanja Vidic - 6 - Comeback was well timed as he made a series of blocks, headers and tackles to deny the vibrant visitors.

Patrice Evra - 8 - Simply United's best attacker and finest defender. Embarrassed Park with his flair going forward and stuck manfully to his task of denying Villa space to cross.

Michael Carrick - 7 - Kept the hosts ticking over in the middle. Sprayed passes across the pitch and also clattered in to tackles a number of times.

Anderson - 6 - Covered the blades of grass to good effect and was positive in possession. Taken off for Gibson.

Antonio Valencia - 6 - Quiet night for the Ecuadorian. Decent when he got involved, but didn't go searching for the ball enough.

Ji-Sung Park - 4 - Lost the ball every time it came his way and his very presence on the pitch robbed United of the threat up top that was needed. Made way for Berbatov.

Ryan Giggs - 6 - Looked to hold the key to the Villa defence. Probed and prodded without too much effect, however. Came off for Owen.

Wayne Rooney - 5 - A shameful dive was rightly carded and his final ball was disappointing. Rattled the bar with a shot in the first half.

Substitutes

Michael Owen - 5 - United's midweek match-winner didn't find the space to strike this time.

Dimitar Berbatov - 5 - Couldn't provide the remedy to United ills. Hammered a volley in to the ground rather than the back of the net.

Darron Gibson - 6 - Looked to test Friedel with a number of long distance pot shots.

ASTON VILLA


Brad Friedel - 7 - Enjoyed a quieter night than he would have expected. The few shots that came his way were handled with no fuss.

Luke Young - 6 - Dominated Park, but came unstuck when Evra bombed on from full-back.

Richard Dunne - 8 - Does exactly what he says on the tin. Solid, obstinate defending is his forte, and there was no sign of those standards slipping.

Carlos Cuellar - 7 - Provided the energy next to Dunne. His rangy physique was stretched to the limit a number of times to deny United.

Stephen Warnock - 7 - A stiff neck didn't stop him getting the better of Valencia. Linked up with alternating wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to good effect. Collision saw him withdrawn for Collins.

Ashley Young - 7 - Stuck to his manager's orders and pumped the ball in to the United area with consistent quality. Picked out Agbonlahor to set up the opener.

James Milner - 8 - Is excelling in the close environs of centre midfield. Used his reservoirs of energy to win the ball and his winger's technique to pass the ball out wide with speed.

Stiliyan Petrov - 5 - His every involvement seem to end with Martin Atkinson blowing his whistle for a free kick. Broke up play, but tested the letter of the law.

Stewart Downing - 7 - Last involvement was to clear Vidic's header off the goal line. Put in a cultured performances before coming off for Reo-Coker.

Gabriel Agbonlahor - 8 - Drifted intelligently in to space to nod home the winner and was a constant thorn in the side of the United back line. His pace unsettles even the best of defenders and his record against the 'Big Four' is impeccable.

Emile Heskey - 5 - Ambled around the penalty box to little effect. Looked more oafish than international class. Taken off for Carew after hamstring pull.

Substitutes

John Carew - n/a

Nigel Reo-Coker - n/a

James Collins - 7 - Dug in manfully as Villa fought to keep back the Red tide.


Matt Monaghan, Goal.com UK

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Michael Owen backed for England recall in time for World Cup 2010

Michael Carrick is confident Michael Owen will hit the goal trial to reclaim his England place in time for next year's World Cup Finals.

The Manchester United striker scored a hat-trick against Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Tuesday to take his tally to seven this season and Carrick believes there is more to come.

"It was a great achievement," said Carrick.

"Scoring a hat-trick away from home in the Champions League doesn't happen so often but it is just what he is all about.

"We always knew he could do it. He has been doing it all his career.

"Hopefully now he can get on a roll and he will continue to score many important goals for us over the next few weeks."

Carrick has just as much reason to be pleased with himself at the moment as, along with Darren Fletcher, he is one of the men asked to rescue United from their defensive nightmare.

First as a makeshift central defender at West Ham, then as a sweeper, Carrick has slotted into the new role with authority.

"I have never headed the ball as much," he said.

"It is not the physical side that is hard about playing centre-half, it is the mental.

"You need to maintain concentration and focus at all times. I just put myself in the right positions and hoped for the best."

-- Help Capello do his job - pick your England team to decide if Michael Owen should be on the plane to South Africa.

by telegraph.co.uk

Monday, December 7, 2009

Wolfsburg v Manchester United: match preview

Tuesday, December 8

Wolfsburg v Manchester United
Volkswagen Arena
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
TV: Sky Sports2 7pm.

Touchline duel: Armin Veh v Sir Alex Ferguson

Veh, 48, succeeded Felix Magath last season after his predecessor had guided the unfashionable side to a first Bundesliga title. Veh is struggling to keep Wolfsburg in the race to defend their crown due to a run of one win in six games. He needs a positive result to seal qualification for the Champions League knock-out stage.


Key battle: Michael Carrick v Edin Dzeko

Not the duel that Carrick would have been expecting, but a defensive crisis means that he is expected to form a central-defensive partnership with Darren Fletcher. Carrick will have his hands full against the towering Bosnian forward, who dominated the more established pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic during Wolfsburg’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September.

Talking tactics

Considering the team that Ferguson is likely to put out, damage limitation would appear to be the priority. But with qualification already assured and the benefits of topping the group minimal, Ferguson might view the closing stages of the fixture as the perfect opportunity to blood unheralded youngsters such as Oliver Gill, Magnus Eikrem and Matty James.

Who's saying what

SIr Alex Ferguson


"Wolfsburg will be delighted we have so many injuries," admitted Ferguson.

"I know we might come second in the group but I am not sure whether it really makes much difference.

"AC Milan and Real Madrid are in one group, Bordeaux, Bayern Munich and Juventus are in another, Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Inter Milan in a third, so if you get one of those it doesn't matter whether you have finished first or second.

"The one issue is that if you finish second you have to play the first leg of your knock-out round at home, but that is all."

Wolfsburg (4-3-1-2): Benaglio; Schafer, Barzagli, Costa, Riether; Gentner, Josue, Hasebe; Misimovic; Grafite, Dzeko.
Manchester United (4-3-2-1): Foster; Evra, Carrick, Fletcher, Park; Anderson, Scholes, Gibson; Obertan, Valencia; Owen.
Referee: B Kuipers (Hol).


By Mark Ogden
Published: 6:00AM GMT 08 Dec 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Blackburn 0 Liverpool FC 0: Rafa Benitez disappointed with draw

Dec 6 2009

Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez admitted his disappointment with Saturday's 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Benitez's side failed to win for the fifth time in six Premier league games, although David Ngog went close when he hit the bar.

The Liverpool FC boss said: "We did not play well in the first half, but after the break we were much better. We were certainly better in possession than we had been in the last game when we won at Everton.

"We need to win, though, in these situations. We are getting better but we know we have to do better."

Benitez revealed that Liverpool FC are likely to have Fernando Torres fit for the Champions League match on Wednesday against Fiorentina, with Alberto Aquilani also expected to start the match.

Benitez defended his decision, again, not to bring on Aquilani from the bench.

He said: "He is fit now, the ankle injury has healed. But I feel this was a difficult, physical place to come and not the right time to throw him on.

"He will be better getting his chance in a home match with our fans behind him. It is a difficult decision when someone is not fully match fit, he could make a mistake and it would set him back."


by dailypost.co.uk

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Team News Update 3/12/09

Thursday, 3 December 2009

* 22:40 Manchester United Supporters' Trust raise concerns over club finances
* 20:15 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - Cristiano Ronaldo my 'signing of the decade'
* 17:28 Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck explains Usain Bolt celebration
* 16:56 Steven Gerrard: I have total belief in my Liverpool team-mates
* 16:38 Alex Ferguson won't know who to pick against Manchester City - Mark Hughes
* 15:11 Luis Fabiano: I really admire Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
* 13:17 Matt Monaghan's Manchester United Comment: Manchester City draw makes League Cup come alive
* 11:58 Manchester United to loan out Ben Foster in January - report
* 11:44 Shaun Wright-Phillips: Manchester City delighted to face United
* 11:34 Neil Jones' Liverpool Special: 500 not out for Steven Gerrard
* 11:20 Carlos Tevez: Manchester City's League Cup semi-final against United is 'a Clasico'
* 09:41 Fernando Torres nearing Liverpool return - Rafa Benitez
* 08:44 Manchester United pull out of Adem Ljajic deal
* 08:08 I want to be a Liverpool legend - Fernando Torres


by goal.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ryan Giggs a 'dedicated professional and legend' at Manchester United

Ryan Giggs has been described as the personification of Manchester United by Old Trafford team-mate Darren Fletcher


Giggs, 36, has been named on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after a remarkable year that has seen him win an 11th Premier League title and also the PFA Player of the Year award.

The former Wales captain scored his 100th Premier League goal during United’s 4-1 victory at Portsmouth at the weekend and manager Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to offer him a one-year contract extension in the new year in order to extend his Old Trafford career beyond his 37th birthday.

Giggs is set to be rested for tonight’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Spurs at Old Trafford, with Ferguson keen to preserve the veteran’s energies prior to Saturday’s trip to West Ham.

But with the BBC nomination the latest recognition of Giggs’s longevity and success, Fletcher admits that his Manchester United colleague is the perfect example of how to manage a career at the top level of the game.

Fletcher said: “He (Giggs) has got the perfect balance. He’s a wealthy man and he can enjoy himself, but he doesn’t throw it in anyone’s face.

“He’s not in the papers every week for the wrong reasons or daft magazines. He’s a dedicated family man, a dedicated professional and a legend here at United.

“He’s played more games than anyone in the club’s history, won more trophies and scored in every season of the Premier League.”

Scotland midfielder Fletcher has become a pivotal figure in Ferguson’s United team over the last 12 months.

But he credits Giggs with helping him realise his ambition of securing a first-team spot at Old Trafford.

Fletcher said: “It was great to have someone like Ryan here when I was a youngster.

“I looked up to him and saw that there was no ego. If you have an ego at this club, it gets kicked straight out of you.

“It’s not about fame at this football club, it’s about winning trophies. Young players see that straightaway when they join.

“They see Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. The heroes and inspirations are already at the club every day.

“Some players come in a little bit confident, but it’s out of them within a few weeks. You can’t be like that here.

“The great thing I’ve noticed is that even the young foreign players who come hold the senior players in real respect.

“Cristiano Ronaldo was a hugely talented player, but he hadn’t done it season in season out like Giggsy or Scholesy.

“They (young players) see that when they’ve finished their career, they can look back on successful times with the trophies to show for that.

“Me, Carra (Michael Carrick), Wazza (Wayne Rooney) and Rio (Ferdinand) have achieved a little bit of success, but Giggsy blows us all out of the water.

“We’re all jealous of him and we want more of what he’s had. We want to match his medal haul.”

By Mark Ogden (telegraph.co.uk)

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