Football News: Review Of The Day 6th February 2018
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Review of the Day
Holt Proud To Take Responsibility
Jason Holt has taken the captain's armband at Rangers in recent weeks and says he is proud to lead the team out, despite their defeat against Hibernian on Saturday. "You go through the good times and that's all well, but you need to ride the tough times," he said. "That's part and parcel of leading the boys out. I was obviously really happy to get the armband and very proud to lead the boys out. For as long as I'm in that position, I'll try to do my best. You need to make sure everyone's is up for it on the park and reacting in the right way and that's the job of being captain." Holt has been captain for the last 4 games while club captain Lee Wallace and vice-captain Kenny Miller have been out injured, but Miller is now fit and in the squad for the game against Partick Thistle tonight.
Macclesfield Blame Bank Error
I am not sure if he was holding a Community Chest card at the time or not, but Macclesfield Town's majority shareholder Amar Alkadho has blamed a bank error for causing late payment of salaries to players and staff of the National League club. "I would like to offer an unreserved apology to players, fans, and the chairman for the delay in paying wages," Alkadhi said in a statement. "A cash deficit was forecast in January and so it was budgeted for new funds to be transferred to the club to cover the shortfall, which I had agreed to. Put simply, I didn't do my job properly for the club in January."
Rigg Leaves Newport
Midfielder Sean Rigg has left Newport County by mutual consent. The 29 year old has struggled to break into the team this season and has now agreed a release after 50 appearances and 6 goals in his time with the Exiles. Newport said: "Everyone at Newport County AFC would like to thank Sean for all his hard work whilst at the club and wish him the best of luck with all his future endeavours."
Mido Proud Salah Broke His Record
Despite the goals coming against his former side Spurs, Mido has said he is proud that Mohamed Salah has broken his record for highest scoring Egyptian player in Premier League history. Salah notched 2 goals for Liverpool against Spurs on Sunday to take him to 23 league goals, taking him past Mido's record of 22 goals. "I felt proud after Salah reached my number of goals, and I think he can reach 100 goals easily," Mido told BBC Sport. Salah has now scored 21 league goals this season to add to the 2 goals he managed in the 2013/14 season for Chelsea.
Bradford Sack McCall
League One side Bradford City have sacked Stuart McCall after a run of 6 successive defeats. McCall started his career as a player with the Bantams and has been in charge for 2 spells of his first club. McCall returned to Bradford in June 2016 and got them to the League One play-off final last season and leaves them in 6th in the table after the poor run, which was 5 in a row in the league and one FA Cup defeat to League Two Yeovil Town. "Unfortunately, we have now suffered six straight defeats and the last two fixtures in particular have not brought about the positive change in performances or results that we all hoped for," a Bradford statement said. "We believe that our current squad is capable of performing to a much higher standard than we have seen recently. We must all accept responsibility for the recent poor run of form, including our players who now have the opportunity to put it right. As such, we believe that a change is in the best interests of the club at this time in order to give us the best chance of finishing the season strongly."
Wiki Catches Out Lithuanians
If ever people want to know why I always tall them never to trust wikipedia, as anyone can alter it and usually does, the story of Barkley Minguel-Panzo is a case in point. Lithuanian 2nd Division side Panevezys signed him in the belief his wiki stats were correct. Despite his page stating he has scored 45 goals in 36 matches for QPR, Minguel-Panzo has never played for the London side.
Garcia Denies Racism Claims
After a bad tempered clash with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti during the Catalan derby, Espanyol player Sergio Garcia has denied he racially abused his opponent. The pair clashed on the pitch with Barca captain Gerard Pique dragging them apart and Spanish media reported that Garcia had used a racial slur aimed at Umtiti. "In no way were my intentions racist," Garcia wrote on Instagram. "In the tension of the game a lot of things are said that should stay on the pitch."
Former Players Found Guilty Of Football Fraud
Former Cardiff player Paul Sugrue and ex-Wales international Mark Aizlewood are among a group of four people who have been found guilty of fraud charges after falsely taking £5m in a fake apprenticeship scheme. Two men had previously admitted their part in the youth training scheme fraud. Aizlewood, who played for Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Cardiff City and Bristol City in his playing days, has had his contract as Camarthen Town manager terminated following the verdict. The fraud had targeted charities, colleges, football clubs and sports associations between the years 2009 and 2011, obtaining about £5m of public funds, earmarked to create apprenticeships for vulnerable young people. They were promising to provide full time training in football coaching, work experience and a £95 weekly salary to 3,800 students. Claims were put in for money from the UK government for each apprentice, even though hundreds of the students did not exist, while many more were just doing 2 or 3 hours study a week. Colleges lost more than £3.5m to the fraud, while more than 150 football clubs, sports associations and charities provided services to the company which they were never paid for.
Scotland Consider Smith Return
The SFA are considering Walter Smith for the role of Scotland manager once again. Smith's previous spell was in 2004, when he succeeded Berti Vogts, and lasted 3 years before leaving the job for a return to Ibrox as Rangers manager.
Kane Denies Diving
Tottenham Hotspur striker has denied claims by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk that he dived to win a penalty during the two side's 2-2 draw on Sunday. Van Dijk said: "You see him diving clearly." However Kane retorted: "I felt contact and I went down. I'm not going to jump out of the way because it's football."
McFadden Backs Smith
Former Scotland international James McFadden has given his backing to Walter Smith for the Scotland job. McFadden believes Smith would have the players' respect if he was given the job of replacing Gordon Strachan. "We were organised under Walter Smith," said McFadden. "We fought against the odds and we won games that we didn't expect to or weren't expected to win. He hasn't managed for a long time but he still has that respect and that level that if he comes in, the players will respect him and want to work for him." The SFA are considering Smith after their attempts to convince Michael O'Neill to leave Northern Ireland fell flat.
Lallana Return Marred By Red Card
England international Adam Lallana returned from injury for Liverpool in an U23 game against Spurs, only to lose his cool and pick up a straight red card for violent conduct. The 29 year old reacted angrily after an aerial challenge by 19 year old George Marsh and jumped to his feet to grab Marsh by the throat. Team-mate Danny Ings dragged him away but it was not enough to save him from the ref. "I've never seen Adam react like that," said under-23 manager Neil Critchley. Lallana has only started once for Liverpool this season due to injury problems, missing the entire first half with a thigh problem before picking up a groin injury soon after his return. Spurs went on to win the match 1-0.
Di Biagio Takes Temporary Charge Of Italy
Italy's U21 coach Luigi di Biagio has been promoted to caretaker of the full international side as they continue to search for a replacement for Gian Piero Ventura, who was sacked in November after his failure to take the nation to the World Cup. "For the moment Gigi can consider himself coach of the Under-21s and the interim boss of the senior side too," said former Italy defender Alessandro Costacurta, who is temporary leader of the FIGC (the Italian Football Federation). "The most important things are the next matches and finding a new coach." The Italians do not even have a match until the 23rd March.
Seedorf New Depor Manager
Clarence Seedorf, who had been linked with the Oldham Athletic job earlier this season, has returned to management with Deportivo La Coruna. The legendary former player has been appointed until the end of the season to make Depor his 3rd job since retiring as a player. His first role was with AC Milan before a spell with Shenzhen in China, neither time he lasted 6 months in the job, which probably explains the short time contract this time around.
Sutton Hits Out At "Big Baby" Mahrez
Chris Sutton, a former one-time Premier League winner with a "small club" in his playing days, has now hit out at Riyad Mahrez for his actions, after Mahrez's move to Man City fell through on deadline day. "If I was one of his team-mates I'd be deeply unhappy with him," Sutton said. "He's a big baby isn't he? Leicester has put him on the map. He's disappointed not to go to a bigger club, I understand that, but he has to see out his contract - so get on with it. He is letting his managers and his team-mates down." Algerian international Mahrez has not played for Leicester since handing in a transfer request on the 20th January and handed in a written transfer request in order to force a move away. Algeria's national coach Rabah Madjer has said recently that Mahrez "deserves better than Leicester" but even he urged the winger to return to training.
Premier League Consider Winter Break
With many leagues around the world having a mid-season break, even Scotland recently introducing one, now the English Premier League are discussing whether to take a January break which would be introduced when the new TV deal arrives in 2019. "The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increasingly congested English football calendar and ways in which we can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving players a mid-season break," the Premier League said in a statement. "Provided space can be found in the calendar, we are open to this in principle and will continue constructive discussions with our football stakeholders to seek a workable solution." Is one even needed? Especially in England, where the postponed games due to bad weather are just as likely throughout the season as they are in January. They could just be adding to the end of season congestion. Also, how is taking a few weeks off easing fixture congestion? If anything it means the fixtures just have to be congested further ahead and/or after the break.
Van Dijk Can Handle Pressure
The world's most expensive defender, Virgil van Dijk, who followed the well-worn route from Southampton to Liverpool in the January transfer window, has insisted he can cope with the criticism and pressure that comes with the price tag. "I know because I made such a big step, for a lot of money, everything is going to be analysed," said van Dijk. "No one is going to look at the good things you do. Everybody is going to watch the bad things and that is how it is. But I will discuss it with the people who want to make me better, who can make me better, and that is the manager and the players around me. If they think it is right then that is the way forward. It is a strength of mine to not really bother too much when people have their opinions, especially negative opinions. I know when I am doing it well and exactly when I am doing it wrong. No one will talk about my performance [against Spurs] in general. We defended very well, had two penalties against us with a lot of question marks around them, but no one is going to talk about that. But I know that as a team we did very well against one of the best strikers in Europe [Harry Kane]."
Pique Celebration Under Investigation
La Liga president Javier Tebas has said that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique's goal celebration against local rivals Espanyol will be examined. Questions were raised about the celebration, which many believe was an attempt to provoke the Espanyol fans after Pique scored a late equaliser. "The committee will rule if the gesture is punishable, but we will take it to them so they can make a decision," Tebas told reporters. "The regulations mean that certain ways of celebrating goals can be considered provocation." Pique had put his fingers to his lips to shush the crowd after scoring and claimed that he was just responding to insults Espanyol fans have aimed at his family. Tebas disagreed though: "We have to highlight the fact Espanyol worked well and until that moment, Pique's goal, there was not a single insult aimed at Pique's family, which is something we were worried about at La Liga. His provocative gesture made the fans react and come out with insults, which are intolerable. (The shushing celebration) has been done before but on few occasions has it generated widespread irritation. We should avoid celebrations that irritate people."
Kompany Rules Out City Exit
Belgian defender Vincent Kompany has ruled out leaving Manchester City in the summer despite speculation suggesting he will be on the move. Club captain Kompany has been at the Etihad Stadium since 2008, but his time has been plagued with injuries, despite making over 300 appearances for the Cityzens. Manager Pep Guardiola has signed 2 new centrehalves to take his place but the 31 year old is looking to see out a contract which runs until 2019. "That's not even a debate. If you're fit, you have many options and a lot of clubs. If you're not fit, you don't have many opportunities and not many clubs. If I stay fit, I'll want to play football at City. And if I'm not fit, I won't have other options. I don't know if I could muster the same motivation elsewhere. It may seem that I'm high maintenance, but I'm a good professional and I work so hard on my return. The longer I'm available, the more chance I'll get to play more matches."
Courtois Angry With Deulofeu Dive
After Watford beat Chelsea 4-1, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has hit out at Gerard Deulofeu for diving to win a penalty. "Obviously the penalty is a clear dive," Courtois said. "In Liverpool and Tottenham's 2-2 draw we saw when the goalkeeper comes out and is late you make yourself small but the striker puts his foot there and it's a penalty, every time this will happen. He left his foot and dives, it's not a penalty. I think we all know this kind of players it happens everywhere in the world, this type of striker sees the goalkeeper coming for the ball, I make myself as small as possible with my belly on the ground and he manufactures the contact. I'm sorry but I don't think it's a penalty."
Vrsalkjo Signs New Atleti Deal
Croatin defender Sime Vrsalkjo ha signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid, despite links with other clubs. "I am very happy to be able to continue growing here, I feel very comfortable and I only think about working every day to be important in the team," he said.
Debuchy Blocked From Joining Man Utd
Former Newcastle United defender Mathieu Debuchy has revealed his anger at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for blocking moves. Debuchy finally left Arsenal for St Etienne in the January transfer window. He told RMC Sport: "I would have liked to have left Arsenal earlier and to have played for a different club. There were moments when I was angry with the manager. There was an approach from Manchester United and he did not want me to leave."
Deeney To Face Trouble
Troy Deeney is set to face more trouble, just after returning from a ban. The Watford captain stuck up his middle fingers towards the crowd after scoring a penalty to open the scoring against Chelsea. The referee (unsurprisingly as it was Mike Deane) failed to spot Deeney's 'celebration', which was similar to the one that saw Dele Alli suspended for one match. Deeney has already missed 7 games through suspension this season.
Written by Tris Burke February 06 2018 06:08:28