Football News: Rose Joins Coventry And More News Today
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1. Baggies to add to McClean's punishment
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis has confirmed that James McClean is to face extra punishment following his red card against Bournemouth. Salomon Rondon will also face internal punishment for his sending off. It seemed particularly jarring that McClean would make such a stupid, reckless, in fact downright dangerous, tackle after he had called Jurgen Klopp an 'idiot' for complaining about the Baggies overly physical style.
2. Rose sent to Coventry
League One side Coventry City have confirmed the signing of Andy Rose after a successful trial with the midlands side. Rose had been in the MLS with Seattle Sounders until his contract expired there at the end of the season, and the Australian midfielder was keen on a fresh challenge. While Rose is an Aussie, he grew up in the UK and graduated through the Bristol City youth system before moving to the US and attending UCLA. Rose spent four seasons with Sounders, racking up 82 appearances, 5 goals and 7 assists, and the team had left the door open for him to return, if his trial did not work out. However Tony Mowbray saw enough in him to sign him up until June 2017.
3. PSG hand out new contract to Nkunku
Young prospect Christopher Nkunku has been handed an early Christmas present by French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, as he signs his first professional contract. The 18 year old midfielder has been with the capital club since he signed for their youth academy in 2010 and is rated as one of the club's brightest prospects. He made his first team debut earlier this month when he was brought on to replace Lucas in the team's home match with Shaktar Donetsk.
4. Van Gaal demands apology from the media
Louis van Gaal has walked out of a press conference after demanding an apology from the assembled journalists over their recent treatment of him. Having recently received very public backing from Arsene Wenger, who himself suffered at the hands of the UK press, who called the speculation over van Gaal's potential sacking 'disrespectful', LvG has hit back. "Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me?" Van Gaal said. "That's what I am wondering. I wish you a merry Christmas and, also, maybe, a happy new year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye," he said, then walked out. Having spent all week being the focus of the media, who have speculated about his expected firing and made claims about Jose Mourinho being already signed up to replace the Dutchman, it is little wonder he had enough. While the performances and form have been terrible, with just 3 wins in the last 13 matches in all competitions, the pressure really cranked up because of Jose Mourinho's availability, after he left Chelsea. It is little wonder van Gaal is feeling the pressure.
5. Allardyce working on Sunderland signings
After confirming that sporting director Lee Congerton is on gardening leave to see out his contract, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that he is working hard on adding new players to the struggling north east club's squad. Allardyce is working with his performance director Mark Taylor and chief scout Steve Houston to identify targets. Taylor and Houston will work on putting together video footage and stats packs for Allardyce to study over the coming days in order to pick his targets. Allardyce admits that there are issues attracting players to the club, when they are asking to include a 50% pay cut within the contract, which would be enacted in the event of relegation from the Premier League. With Younes Kaboul ruled out for weeks to come, Allardyce admits a central defender is the priority.
6. City boosted by Kompany injury news
Manchester City have been boosted by the news that club captain Vincent Kompany should be fit to face Sunderland. It is also likely that Fernando and Pablo Zabaleta will be able to play, as both are back in training. With those three back, the Citizens will have a fully fit squad, apart from long term injury victim Samir Nasri, to choose from. The news will be a massive lift for City, who have struggled badly in the absence of Kompany, despite being able to field £80m worth of central defenders without him in the team.
7. More meaningless but nonetheless interesting stats
Tim Krul has one Premier League assist, which equals that of Wayne Rooney, Wayne Routledge, Diafra Sakho, Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini, Bafetimbo Gomis, Tom Cleverley, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Steven Davis put together. Watford have already scored more Premier League points this season than Aston Villa have managed in the entirety of 2015. Only 5 players have scored more goals for Chelsea in 2015 than opposing players have managed. 5 own goals have been scored for Chelsea in total, Diego Costa (12), Willian (10), Loic Remy (9), Eden Hazard (9) and Oscar (7) are the five. West Bromwich Albion have kept more clean sheets in 2015 than any other Premier League team. Andre Schurrle only had one shot in 2015 before being shipped out of Chelsea in January, he scored with it. Unlike Emre Can, Jesus Navas, Angel Di Maria, Xherdan Shaquiri, Alberto Moreno, Victor Wanyama, Ashley Westwood, Jordon Ibe, Nabil Bentaleb and Etienne Capoue who had 257 shots between without scoring a single goal. The worst place for goals is Sunderland's Stadium of Light, which only saw 36 goals in 2015, with Manchester United's Old Trafford (40) second closest.
8. Bennett returns to Villa
Aston Villa left back Joe Bennett has returned to the club after Bournemouth ended his loan spell early. He was sent back by the Cherries to have treatment on an achilles injury. Villa brought back another left back previous to that, as Aly Cissokho was recalled from his loan deal with Porto. The Villans had recently lost Jordan Amavi for the season with a knee injury and his cover option, Kieran Richardson, is in poor form.
9. Swansea recall on-loan striker
With Swansea City struggling to score goals, teenage striker Oliver McBurnie has been recalled from a loan with League Two Newport County. The youngster impressed in his 3 games on loan, marking his debut with an impressive hat-trick against Luton Town at Rodney Parade. His loan was due to expire on 2nd January, but he will now be in contention for a place against West Bromwich Albion.
10. Bristol City extend the season of goodwill to crosscity rivals
League Two side Bristol Rovers were disappointed to find vandals had daubed graffiti on the gates of their home stadium, the Memorial Stadium, with messages related to their crosscity rivals Bristol City. Championship side City, on hearing the news, arranged to have a contractor remove the graffiti immediately. The gates of the stadium, known as the Memorial Gates, are a tribute to those who lost their life in two World Wars. City have confirmed that anyone found guilty of the vandalism will receive a lifetime ban from their club.
Written by Tris Burke December 24 2015 15:17:07
