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Football News: Guardiola Responds To Shearer, Celtic Trio Banned And More News

Guardiola Responds To Shearer, Celtic Trio Banned And More News
Image from: zimbio.com

1. FA Cup fourth-round draw
Arsenal v Burnley
Bury/Bradford City v Hull City
Carlisle/Yeovil v Everton
Colchester v Tottenham/Leicester
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Derby v Manchester United
Eastleigh/Bolton v Leeds United
Exeter City/Liverpool v West Ham
Huddersfield/Reading v Walsall
Ipswich/Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Northampton/MK Dons v Chelsea
Nottingham Forest v Watford
Oxford United v Newport County/Blackburn
Shrewsbury v Sheffield Wednesday
West Bromwich/Bristol City v Peterborough
Wycombe/Aston Villa v Manchester City

2. Curtis admits Shelvey is for sale
Swansea City's new manager, for now at least, Alan Curtis, has admitted that he is willing to offload Jonjo Shelvey in the January transfer window. The former Liverpool and Charlton Athletic player has attracted interest after falling out of favour, due to falling out with others at the club. He started the season as a regular fixture, but then got dropped and has been unable to force his way back into the Premier League team, though he did start in the FA Cup at the weekend, as the Swans were given a shock defeat by League Two Oxford United. The playmaker's contribution was mostly limited to bickering with Swans' fans in the stands after the match and now Curtis has confirmed the club will listen to offers for the 23 year old. "I know there's been inquiries for Jonjo, but I don't think there's been any firm offers for him," said Curtis. "If a firm offer comes in for him then it's something the club would probably consider. If Jonjo is right mentally and he's focused on the job then he is a terrific asset for us. If he's not, then it's different. I still think he's got a part to play, if his mind is right then he can still play a huge part between now and the end of the season. But we need a Jonjo that has got the right mindset. I think he's frustrated with his own performances as much as we are as coaches, and I'm sure supporters as well."

 

3. Transfer Round Up
Aimen Belaid Levski Sofia to Rotherham United free
Alex Cairns Chesterfield to Rotherham United free
Mark Ellis Shrewsbury Town to Carlisle United free
Jake Forster-Caskey Brighton & Hove Albion to MK Dons on loan
Gary Gardner Aston Villa to Nottingham Forest on loan
Stephen Hunt free agent to Coventry City
James Husband Middlesbrough to Huddersfield Town on loan
Bojan Jokic Villareal to Nottingham Forest on loan
Darryl Lachman Sheffield Wednesday to SC Cambuur Leeuwarden on loan
Riku Riski Rosenborg to Dundee United on loan
Kyle Vassell Peterborough United to Shrewsbury Town on loan
Jed Wallace Wolverhampton Wanderers to Millwall on loan
Richie Wellens Doncaster Rovers to Shrewsbury Town free
Aidy White Rotherham United to Barnsley free
Danny Whitehead Macclesfield Town to Wigan Athletic undisclosed fee
Joe Worrall Nottingham Forest to Dagenham & Redbridge on loan
James Baxendale Walsall to Mansfield Town on loan
Joe Davis Leicester City to Fleetwood Town on loan
George Smith Barnsley to Crawley Town on loan
Yanic Wildschut Middlesbrough to Wigan Athletic undisclosed fee

4. NASL team folds
The North American Soccer League, home to the USA's most famous team the New York Cosmos, has suspended the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2016 season. The Silverbacks, who were founded in 1998, were operated by the league last season, after the previous owners had been unable to find a buyer for the franchise. It is the second time that the NASL has lost a market share in a major US city ahead of the 2016 season, after the San Antonio owners chose to join the USL, with MLS ambitions. "The goal all along has been to secure committed local ownership in Atlanta, but despite significant conversations with a number of interested parties, we were unable to identify a group that could lead the Silverbacks in a direction consistent with the rest of our clubs," said NASL commissioner Bill Peterson. "It's unfortunate, and particularly sad for the Silverbacks' passionate fan base, which has supported the club tremendously throughout the years." With the MLS set to enter the Atlanta market with Atlanta United next year, it suggests that the NASL is losing the battle for the US market with their competitors. NASL will kick off the season with 11 teams, having added Rayo OKC and Miami FC to replace the two teams it has lost, San Antonio and Atlanta. Puerto Rico FC are set to join for the Autumn 2016 season.

 

5. Mick takes Foley on trial
Irish right back Kevin Foley has joined former boss Mick McCarthy at Ipswich Town for a trial period. The 31 year old, who played under McCarthy at Wolverhampton Wanderers, has not had a club since being released by FC Copenhagen at the end of last season. Foley played the full 90 minutes for the Tractor Boys U21 side in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic. Injuries have badly affected his career, and he spent his time out of work training with fellow former McCarthy player Stephen Hunt to improve his fitness. Hunt, incidentally, signed for Coventry City over the weekend.

6. Lovely finish by Inui

 

7. Gordon, saviour of the Galaxy?
LA Galaxy, who had a poor season by their high standards last year in the MLS, have re-signed forward Alan Gordon. Gordon has been the main back up option to Irish striker Robbie Keane, since he returned to the club in August 2014. He initially began his MLS career with the Galaxy in 2004, helping them to win the MLS Cup in 2005 before leaving in 2010 to join Chivas USA, then on to Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes prior to returning. Gordon was given a call up by the US national team last year, representing his country in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

8. Guardiola responds to Shearer's criticisms
Following former England striker (and failed manager turned pundit) Alan Shearer's criticism of Pep Guardiola's announcement that he will be coaching in England next season, Guardiola has answered with a public apology to Premier League coaches. Shearer hit out at the former Barcelona head coach for announcing he would be moving to England, but not naming the team he would join. Shearer said that Guardiola had "put more pressure on those in the hotseats at Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal". Shearer also claimed Guardiola lacked etiquette. Guardiola responded from Qatar, where his current side, Bayern Munich, are spending their winter break. "I am sorry," he said. "Normally, in my career as a trainer, as a player, I respect a lot my colleagues, so I am sorry. It wasn't my intention." Personally I am not sure why he felt the need to apologise, it is pundits like Shearer that increase the pressure on the rest of the Prem by talking up the link, not Guardiola.

 

9. Liverpool see light at the end of the tunnel
As Liverpool prepare to face Arsenal in the Premier League, their injury problems have been well documented, leading to what amounted to an U21 side facing Exeter City in the FA Cup 3rd round on Friday night. Now the Merseyside club have received a boost, with an end to their injury nightmare appearing on the horizon with two of the injury victims returning to training. Club captain Jordan Henderson's energy has been sorely missed and Jurgen Klopp will be especially grateful to have him nearing full fitness once again, while Jordon Ibe's pace and trickery will also be a significant boon for the German manager. Klopp will still have worries in the central defensive areas, with none fit to face the Grecians, Klopp was forced to recall untried Thiago Ilori from his loan at Aston Villa and pair him with outcast left back Jose Enrique. It does look likely Klopp will have Kolo Toure fit to face his former club.

10. Celtic trio banned
Glasgow giants Celtic have banned three supporters for the usage of pyrotechnics at a match. The trio were at their away match with Stranraer, which Celtic won 3-0, but it is most remembered for the away sections pyrotechnics. The three have been suspended indefinitely. "On numerous occasions Celtic has stated its strong opposition to the use of pyrotechnics but regrettably again, a very small number of individuals, within a ticket allocation of 2,500, have damaged the club," a club statement read. "We should be very clear. Those responsible simply do not care about our club, our reputation or the safety of our fans and we do not want them at our matches. The club will be reviewing its ticket allocation procedures to ensure that this matter is addressed. Ensuring the safety of our supporters and staff is always of paramount importance to Celtic Football Club. If such behaviour was to continue, the reality is it would only be a matter of time before serious injury is caused. However, we will not allow safety to be compromised by the actions of a tiny minority."

Written by Tris Burke January 12 2016 06:24:53