Football News: Swansea City And Aston Villa Players Bicker With Their Own Team

1. Allardyce looks to hold on to Lens
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce had talked about considering offers for big money summer signing Jeremain Lens, after the winger had publicly commented on his frustration at the Mackems. Allardyce said: "We haven't had any interest in Jeremain from anybody else, so I would want him to be a big part of what we're trying to do to get out of the trouble we're in. He's one of the most expensive players we've bought in recent years, so you've got to ask that player to live up to that reputation. Some of the skills and ability he showed on Saturday were very encouraging - he scored and looked very strong." Allardyce is hopeful that playing him in a number 10 role, where he was impressive in a defeat against Arsenal, will be able to get the best out of him.

2. Shelvey in argument with Swans fan
Want-away Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been involved in an after match row with a fan following the Premier League club being dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Oxford United. The 23 year old went over to applaud the travelling Swans support after the final whistle at the Kassam Stadium, and found himself the victim of one fans abuse. Shelvey was pictured responding with gestures and shouted back, before leaving the pitch.

 

3. Wenger expects Liverpool's injury list to clear up to face Arsenal
Liverpool are beset by an injury crisis as 13 players are currently on their injury list ahead of the midweek Premier League encounter with Arsenal. With Arsenal currently two points clear at the top of the table, Wenger is not expecting an easy ride, despite Liverpool's injury issues. In fact the French manager expects that a number of Liverpool players will manage to be fit to face his high flying Gunners on Wednesday. Wenger said: "Don't worry, Arsene is a very good doctor. They always heal when they play against us."

4. Confirmed Transfers Round Up
Matthew Foulds has joined Everton from Bury for an undisclosed fee.
Calaum Jahraido-Martin from Hull City to Leyton Orient on loan.
Lewis Page from West Ham United to Cambridge United on loan.
Murray Wallace from Huddersfield Town to Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee.
Lawrie Wilson from Bolton Wanderers to Peterborough United on loan.
Abdoul Camara from Angers to Derby County
Roger Johnson free agent signing for Charlton Athletic
Darnell Furlong from QPR to Cambridge United on loan
Jack Grimmer from Fulham to Shrewsbury Town on loan
Christopher Mandiangu from FC Eindhoven to Hamilton Academicals
Callum Robinson from Aston Villa to Preston North End on loan

 

5. A nasty challenge by Joao Mario of Sporting

6. Cherries clinch club record striker signing
AFC Bournemouth have broken their transfer record to sign a new striker from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Former Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe only joined Wolves a year ago from the Gunners and had managed to rack up 23 goals in just 48 appearances for Championship side Wolves. Afobe said: "I'm delighted. It's been a long time coming and I am just very thankful the manager has given me this chance and opportunity to be at this Premier League club and I can't wait to get going. I have done a lot for someone that's only 22. I've had injuries and I've been out on loan to six different clubs, so I've played for a lot of different clubs in my young career so far. I've learned a lot definitely - good things and bad things - and I'm just going to take it all on board and keep improving while I'm here at Bournemouth. The manager here is a young manager so he obviously understands how young players think. He just wants to get the best out of me and that's what I want to do. I have come here and I'm not saying I'm the finished article or the best that I'll ever be, because I know that I've got a lot to work on. I'm willing to work hard to keep improving and learning from the manager and all the staff and my team-mates. I'm going to try to repay the faith he's shown in me by scoring goals and helping the team win games. I'm looking forward to it and I'm definitely ready because I haven't missed a game this season. I feel fresh, I feel strong, I feel physically fine and I'm mentally strong as well, so I'm ready to go," added Afobe in an interview with the club website.

 

7. Villa situation gets worse
While Aston Villa did not lose Wycombe Wanderers in their FA Cup 3rd Round clash, the 1-1 draw with the League One side was enough to tip their long suffering fans over the edge, after years of struggle. Villa are rooted to the bottom of the Prem, with a record lowest points haul at this time of the season, and the cup draw saw the fans turn fully on their team. Micah Richards attempted to placate them after the match, but that clearly did not work as footage emerged of the players being abused as they got on to their team bus to head home. Now it has been reported that two of the players have been accused of swearing at fans. Unused substitutes Joleon Lescott and Brad Guzan are said to have told fans to "f**k off" when fans objected to their antics in the dugout. Villa fans have planned a protest before the league match at home with Crystal Palace.

8. Liverpool recall another youngster
Following the recalls of Tiago Ilori, Ryan Kent and Sheyi Ojo from their respective loan spells, Liverpool have now recalled goalkeeper Danny Ward from his loan with Aberdeen. The youngster had been in excellent form for the SPFL side, managing 11 clean sheets in his 29 games for the Dons. With Aberdeen flying high, battling with Heart of Midlothian for second spot, the recall will hit them hard in their hopes to clinch that place. With Adam Bogdan's performances under close scrutiny, after high profile errors, and Simon Mignolet also struggling, there is reason to wonder if the youngster will have the chance to make the first team spot his own before the season finishes.

 

9. Shaqiri confirms bizarre treatment methods employed by Mancini
Xhardan Shaqiri has admitted he is thankful to Stoke City's seven physios for the work they do, especially after the experiences he had while at Inter Milan. "I never had any problems with him," he said of Mancini. "Rather, he often changed his opinion on me. "One time I was injured and I needed to be ready for a game and they told me that there was a miracle healer who lived in the mountains. I drove for half-an-hour in a car to so that I could be treated by an old man, but he did not help me at all. This is also why Stoke City was the best choice. Here there are seven physiotherapists who will examine me everyday. Hips, feet, legs. Everything in a professional manner. The most important thing is that I can grow, and I can only see this at Stoke City. I am still young. I did not expect that this choice would be such a good one. In the Premier League in the last four months I have played in almost all the matches. This shows that I have made the right decision and that I am on the right track."

10. For those who may have missed it
Mark Lawrenson making a penis of himself trying to say Pienaar:

Written by Tris Burke January 11 2016 10:40:48