Football News: Review Of The Day 2nd April 2019

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Review of the Day

Dave Asks The Fans For Backing

Chelsea fans turned on the manager Maurizio Sarri when Cardiff City took the lead before a last gasp 2-1 win at the weekend and captain Cesar Azpilicueta has told them that "it was probably best for them to wait until the end of the match" before moaning. The right-back also asked them to get behind the team saying: "We have to give the fans what they expect and the bad moments are when we all need to be together. We are not happy with the way we are playing and we have lost a lot of points, especially away from home. We are all in the same boat and will push in the same direction. I know the fans want us to win, and when the results are not there, we are all responsible. They showed their thoughts but our job is to keep working hard. We showed great spirit, we didn't give up, and in the last 10 minutes we turned it around. We got the three points but we have to look at ourselves, and if we want to achieve our targets we have to improve. On Wednesday from the first minute, we have to create a good atmosphere on the pitch. I know the fans will be behind us, but we have to give them what they want - fighting spirit, great football, and scoring goals. That's what we both want and we have to pull in the same direction."

Pedro Missed Out On Real Move Due To Injury

In the summer Brazilian starlet Pedro was top of the goalscoring charts in the country, about to make his international debut and being linked with a host of top European clubs when a cruciate ligament tear put paid to all of it. His agent Marcio Giugni has now revealed that the injury had stopped a move from Fluminese to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. Giugni said: "At that point we had reached an agreement with Real Madrid. We had talked to Fluminense, to the Family, we just had to sign." Instead of the 21 year old Pedro, Madrid swooped in for Mariano Diaz from Olympique Lyon.

Baggies Make Losses In Relegation

West Bromwich Albion chief executive Mark Jenkins said: "the cost of a season which ended up with the club relegated from the Premier League exhausted our funds", as he revealed pre-tax losses of £7.5m for last season. What he meant was that they spunked away far too much money chasing survival when they were already stretched financially, and now they are again pushing the dream by retaining most of their squad and sacking manager Darren Moore last month. Despite Jenkins saying 12 months ago that he was shocked by the state of the club's finances and warning there was no more money for wages, Jenkins now states: "I also wish to make it clear that, regardless of our fate this season, the club remains on a solid financial footing and can look forward to the future with confidence. Clearly, there are extreme differences between competing in the Premier League or the Championship but we are equipped to tackle those challenges from a sound position."

Loanee Pennington Back With Everton

Ipswich Town's loan of Matthew Pennington has ended early after the 24 year old defender ruptured ankle ligaments in training. Pennington will have surgery to repair the damage which will rule him out of the rest of the season. Ipswich boss Paul Lambert said: "That's what happens when you are bottom of the table because he's been great for us."

Transfers

Hearts confirm the signing of defender Craig Halkett on a pre-contract from Livingston. 23 year old Halkett is Livvie captain, after joining them from Rangers in 2016, but will join Hearts next season on a 3 year deal.

Work Permit Looks Set To End Dream For Awoniyi

After 4 years on Liverpool's books, Nigerian Under-23 international Taiwo Awoniyi is no closer to making his debut for the Reds after being unable to get a work permit to play in England. The 21 year old has been out on 5 loans due to those difficulties, currently playing in Belgium for Mouscron and admits it will probably prove impossible for him to achieve his dream. Awoniyi told the BBC: "It saddens my heart that it's been difficult to get a work permit for the past four years. At the end of the season we have to go back to Liverpool to discuss. Everyone knows the importance of the work permit and how it works, and that you'd need to play for your national team. If you don't get a chance with your national team then it becomes difficult to get it. Personally, I chose Liverpool because I would love to play in the English Premier League for Liverpool. If God says it will happen then it will, but if not then I can only go on with my life and career."

Shteeve Given Boot....Again

Former England manager Steve McLaren has more sacks than a potato farm these days, his latest coming from Queens Park Rangers, who gave him the heave-ho after a run of one win in 15 league games. McLaren only took over at QPR in May 2018 and had been working under tight financial restrictions due to the club's previous breaches of FFP regulations during the 2013-14 season. Just five players arrived in the summer, 2 on a free transfer and 3 on loan.

Trotters On Strike

Bolton Wanderers players have refused to train for 48 hours as their wages and those of the staff at the club, for the second month in a row, are not paid on time. Owner and chairman Ken Anderson had once more claimed the club would be sold, saying on Wednesday it could be within the next 48 hours, but nothing has yet happened on that front and the players have decided to take action on behalf of all the staff, who had been promised their salaries would be paid by Friday. Bolton also have a High Court appearance set for Wednesday over an unpaid £1.2m tax bill which could well send the club into administration.

Zagreb To Play In Empty Stadium

UEFA have ordered Dinamo Zagreb to play their next European home game behind closed doors as punishment for the fans racist behaviour during a match against Benfica. They have also been fined 20,000 euros, with a second match behind closed doors hanging over their head for a probationary period of 2 years. Another fine of 47,000 euros has been slapped on them for fireworks, throwing objects and blocking stairways. Chelsea fans have also brought down a punishment on their own club as the Blues have been fined 13,000 euros thanks to 'supporters' throwing objects and invading the pitch during their away win over Malmo in February. Malmo themselves have been fined 58,000 euros for their fans, who set off fireworks and threw objects.

Written by Tris Burke April 02 2019 06:25:57