Football News: Review Of The Day 11th March 2018
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Review of the Day
Hammers Set For Warm Weather Training Camp
David Moyes is set to take his West Ham United team off to Miami for a short break. They will spend 5 days training (and avoiding taxis and fast food restaurants no doubt) before the larger part of their squad depart for international duty. Moyes said: "We've just come through a real hard winter period and although I haven't been here since the start of the season, I know the players have been at it from July 1. We're going for five days and it will be good to get a little sun on our backs, work as a squad and then come back for what will be a really condensed period of eight matches before the end of the season."
Pellegrino Accuses His Players Of Giving Up
In comments that are difficult to disagree with, as it has happened repeatedly this season when Southampton have gone behind, Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino has accused his players of giving up against Newcastle United. Soton slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle and showed little sign of any fight or desire to turn it around. "The spirit of the team and the attitude is everything," Pellegrino said. "We have been talking about this a lot. You can have good players, you can have a budget, but without personality and spirit, it's really difficult to compete at this level. When you concede in the first minute, you feel the game will be tough and every single negative impact is massive for you. I observed some players who gave up and we cannot show this. We were never a threat for Newcastle." While Pellegrino is correct, his players did give up, I would just ask him is he not responsible for motivating them and ensuring they do not give up?
Hammers Launch Inquiry After Fans Invade The Pitch
West Ham United have launched an inquiry after their 3-0 home defeat to Burnley as fan invasions caused problems in a match notable for an atmosphere that was described by Hammers captain Mark Noble as "horrible". After the first goal at least two fans went onto the pitch, one approaching Noble. The second goal saw another fan run on carrying a corner flag and the third led to even more supporters invading the pitch. Police are investigating two allegations of assault from, they say, four separate pitch invasions. A West Ham statement said: "West Ham United have immediately launched a full and thorough investigation into the incidents which marred the second half of today's match and are committed to taking decisive and appropriate action. An emergency meeting has been called with all London Stadium stakeholders. There will be no further comment at this time." One of the pitch invaders was seen to be attacked by the crowd after leaving the pitch in footage that showed him tripped, punched and elbowed by other Hammers fans, as the club seems intent on tearing itself apart under the current ownership. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, as usual, sought to put the blame elsewhere as he said: "We feel very badly let down by the stadium operators appointed by the Mayor's staff. Where were the stewards and police?"
Premier League's Youngest-Ever Player Joins League Two Strugglers
In 2007 Matthew Briggs made his debut for Fulham at the age of just 16 years and 65 days to become the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League. Now 27, Briggs has failed to hit the heights expected of him as he signs for Barnet on a non-contract basis. His previous club were also a struggling League Two side, Chesterfield, who he left earlier this season at the end of a short-term deal.
Ramos Forced Off For Underwear Change
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos raced off the field during the second half of his team's 2-1 win over Eibar with what appeared to be an injury, though, oddly, the Spaniard seemed to be running towards the sidelines at a faster than normal pace. It turns out that it was not so much an injury as a call of nature: Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said, "Ramos s*** himself a bit. So he went to the bathroom for a moment." Ramos himself remarked after the game on Instagram: "Nature calls. Out and back in. Reload. Team goal. Back home. Let's keep it up."
Lille Fans Attacks Players On The Pitch
Lille, currently second bottom in Ligue 1 and one point off safety, drew 1-1 with Montpellier but the game was more notable for a pitch invasion after the game. TV footage showed the Lille fans running towards the players and kicking them. "Invading the pitch and targeting the players will not help," Lille coach Christophe Galtier said. "If our fans think that putting physical pressure on the players will make things better, I can tell them that no, it will not help this team improve. They are fans who lost control, but they are also fans who are unhappy and sad. I don't accept that my players are punched, that my players are treated this way. We will count the points at the end of the season. It's only one game." At least two players are thought to have been struck as stewards struggled to control the situation and the crowd chanted: "You're dirtying our jersey, you're dirtying our jersey."
More Fans Letting Themselves Down
As Cheltenham Town recorded their best performance of the season away to Swindon Town, winning 3-0, there have been reports of homophic chanting from their travelling support, which has been reported to police. A Cheltenham statement said: "Cheltenham Town Football Club is very disappointed to learn of alleged homophobic comments by a small number of individuals during the match away at Swindon Town. The club takes such matters very seriously and has launched a full investigation to establish all details. Cheltenham Town Football Club always promotes equality and condemns any discrimination of any type whether by reason of race, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or age. The club will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone who is discovered to have made homophobic comments and will act accordingly against any offenders identified."
Violent Clashes Between Fans Mars League Two Match
The end of the draw between Grimsby Town and Port Vale has seen shocking scenes as Grimsby equalised in the last minute and fans of both sides responded by charging each other in shocking scenes. Stewards attempted to keep them apart as missiles and punches were thrown by both sets of supporters. Footage has since emerged of worse scenes outside the ground after the game, as Port Vale fans gather outside one of the exits used by the home fans to continue fighting.
It Is Not Just Fans Fighting
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has accused Dundee manager Neil McCann of hitting his back up goalkeeper as the final whistle fell on the Tayside derby game. Saints had won the game 4-0 in a very one-sided affair before trouble broke out immediately after the game. "It's difficult when you lose a derby game but the TV pictures will tell the truth of what happened," said Wright. "There was certainly no blame attached to us. They were waiting for us at the end. It's like a throwback to when I played in a pub team. There was a lot of shouting and a lot of threats but we kept our heads and behaved impeccably. The video will tell the tale but that's what Zander tells me happened and the evidence will back it up." McCann denies the allegations, though TV footage backs them up.
Written by Tris Burke March 11 2018 05:38:58