Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has thrown his weight behind the idea of introducing a Premier League winter break.
Following England's disappointing World Cup campaign, many players were thought to have been suffering from the effects of a long season and the Northern Irishman feels it would be beneficial if it was placed on the calendar.
When coach at Scottish giants Celtic, O'Neill was sure the break north of the border was a major reason for their excellent UEFA Cup final exploits in 2003.
Speaking to reporters, he said:"I am a great believer in it and I think it is important. But I am not controlling affairs.
"People assume it causes a loss of impetus but that's absolutely not the case. You would still have Boxing Day and New Year games and then you have the break – for about three weeks.
"It gives the players a chance to get away with their families. They feel much better for it. It was so beneficial.
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"One of the years when we had the break in Scotland, Celtic went on to reach the UEFA Cup final.
"I genuinely believe the winter break was of great benefit for us."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
So here we go again, the start of a new season at Bramall Lane.
A new season of high hopes, tremendous pressure and hopefully this time, success. After being so far in front of our city rivals nearing the end of the season then blowing it and finishing in 3rd place, then going to Wembley, and losing again was a sort of reality check.
It made me realise during my 17-years of life is that we always seem to throw it away or cave under pressure at the most vital part of the season. That’s why this season I’m only going to be slightly optimistic about promotion.
Looking at the bookies, many seem to have us favourites for promotion. Although they also seem to have Chris Porter as favourite for top goal-scorer. On that logic I’d save my money for the boozer before the game.
I’d like us to finish on top of the pile as would every other fan but realistically I can’t see it happening and instead I think going for 2nd place is our best shot. Aim for second so people will be overjoyed if we finish 1st but still happy if 2nd. Anything less than that in my eyes is a failure.
So far the transfer window has looked quite promising. Only selling one member of the squad (to date) while bringing in six fresh faces. Of the six arrivals, the main signing for me has been John Cofie, the young Man U striker. He is technically brilliant, big and strong, and as demonstrated against Rotherham, he knows where the net is, confirmed by a cracking free kick.
All other signings (bar one. No need to name him but we’ll welcome back LJF with open arms) also look to be decent. I’m starting to like the looks of a Blackman, Cofie partnership up front. Last Saturday against Burton (more penalty shoot-out agony) Blackman looked calm and collected. He has a good first touch and in my opinion will not only be a great asset up front but also a crowd favourite.
Perhaps the highlight of the off-season was not the impressive pre- season unbeaten run but the news that our star playmaker, Kevin McDonald, had put pen to paper. He signed a new contract keeping him at beautiful down town Bramall Lane until 2014 much to the delight of all the Blades fans who had been waiting anxiously, not helped by the vast amount of rumours surrounding him.
For me there are a few players to watch this season: McAllister back from his loan, Blackman and McMahon. McMahon looked impressive on Saturday with his passing ability. He switched the ball with what seemed like ease and wasn’t afraid get forward in attack.
The new season finally starts on Saturday at home to Shrewsbury and hopefully it’ll start with win. Or even more so an early annihilation, perhaps that is wishful thinking but it would be nice.
Hopefully this season we can get promoted the easy way without all the heartbreak and tears of going to Wembley again. Let’s get behind the team and not on their backs. This maybe a cliche but we can be the 12th man. And together we can do it! So on to a successful season. UTB
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If you would like to discuss my thoughts or just want to have a general chat about the Blades, you can find me on Twitter @nathansere.
It was an exciting weekend of action in the Premier League, with an end-to-end game at Old Trafford resulting in a 3-1 win for Manchester United against Liverpool, Tottenham scored four against Liverpool as the Reds ended with nine men at White Hart Lane, and Swansea scored their first goals and secured their first win of the season against West Brom. Football FanCast also made another appearance on Match of the Day as a Premier League goal was scored while FFC were on the boards at one of the country’s stadia, but which one?
There were 38 goals in the Premier league last weekend, with every match containing at least two goals, while all four Sunday matches saw four goals scored. But it was at one of Saturday’s top flight games that kicked off at three o’clock at which Football FanCast made the weekend highlights. But was it Villa Park, the Reebok Stadium, Goodison Park or the Liberty Stadium at which we made our mark?
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For a clue head to the Football FanCast Facebook Page
Everton teenager Jack Rodwell is in line to return against Sunderland at Goodison Park on Saturday. Rodwell, 19, was expected to be out until April after injuring his groin playing for England Under-21s against Italy a fortnight ago. Rodwell is desperate to play some part in the crucial clash against Sunderland as Everton look to build on their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea. With the Toffees just three points above the Premier League drop zone, Rodwell is under no illusions about the importance of the clash with Steve Bruce’s side. “Sunderland is a massive game for us,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “We need to pick up as many points as we can – especially at home.”
Rodwell has paid tribute to Everton’s medical staff as he has made quick progress in his recovery. Manager David Moyes is keen to involve Rodwell, particularly as Tim Cahill is in doubt with an ankle knock that forced him out of the FA Cup win at Chelsea after 70 minutes. It’s the second time this season Rodwell has shown his powers of recovery as he returned ahead of schedule after damaging ankle ligaments last August. “The medical staff here are really good,” Rodwell said. “I have full faith in them and hopefully I can shave off a few weeks. My last injury I was told it would be three months but I was back in two, maybe even less.”
Sunderland, who have lost their last three league matches, are seventh on the table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Spurs. The Black Cats have not played in the league since losing 2-1 at home to Spurs on February 12 but young England midfielder Jordan Henderson believes the break has paid off. “I think it’s been a really good break for everyone, now we’re looking forward to being back,” Henderson told the Sunderland Echo. “Everyone’s been lively in training and we cannot wait for Saturday. We just want to concentrate on the future. The first thing is the Everton game and hopefully we can do well.”
Manager Steve Bruce’s hand will be strengthened over the next few weeks with the return from injury of some key first-team players. “I don’t think it’s a case of hanging in there waiting for players to get fit again,” Henderson said. “We’ve got enough quality players in the team to go and get some good results against some good sides. We’ve played well against the top teams and hopefully, in the next four or five games, we can do that again. Personally, I didn’t feel as though I needed a rest. I felt okay, my stats were up to what they had been all season, so I wasn’t really worried about being tired. I just wanted to get out there. Possibly in the last couple of games I didn’t play as well as I could have. But I’m just going to concentrate on the next three games now and try to take it to the level where I was at before. I just love playing football, so I want to play as many games as I can.”
Prediction: 1-1 – you can get odds of 11/1 with bet365!
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Frank Lampard has been confirmed as England’s new World Cup vice-captain.
The Chelsea midfielder will assist new skipper Steven Gerrard following the knee injury which has ended former captain Rio Ferdinand’s hopes of playing in the finals in South Africa.
Gerrard was installed as vice-captain when Ferdinand was named skipper in February after the media storm which surrounded the axing of John Terry as captain in Fabio Capello’s squad.
The Liverpool midfielder has now stepped up to the full captaincy role with Lampard taking the vice-captain’s slot.
“I am vice-captain,” confirmed Lampard, who has won 78 caps since making his international debut in 1999.
“I was told by the manager and (assistant) Franco Baldini yesterday and I am very proud of that.
“Obviously I am very disappointed for Rio. He is a mate.
“But what can I do? I shall just try to give my input as a vice-captain.”
Meanwhile, Lampard has expressed his disappointment for former West Ham academy and first-team colleague Ferdinand.
The Manchester United defender damaged knee ligaments during training on Friday and has been replaced by Tottenham’s Michael Dawson in the squad.
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“I am very disappointed for him to say the least,” continued Lampard.“I spoke to him last night and he is obviously very down.
“He is such a good mate and for this to happen in the build-up to the biggest tournament made me feel sick in my stomach.”
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UEFA’s plans to establish a much more attractive secondary competition in Europe looks to be on the right track. And this season’s Europa League tournament is likely to catch the eye in the same way that last season’s knockout phase did.
American sports fans have it good: Four very different sports on offer and only four leagues to keep an eye on – because who really watches the Canadian Football League? And while I’m hardly complaining about the wealth of football on offer in Europe (that would be bordering on blasphemy), the Europa League is doing well to add its name to a growing list of leagues worth watching.
Now, most won’t be too bothered unless their team is competing. Like Serie A, La Liga and all the other leagues, the Europa League will fall into a category of completely dispensable competitions. Maybe it will have to take Barcelona or Manchester United competing in it regularly to draw the widest possible audience.
But like last year, the Champions League’s little brother, who was given an absolutely necessary makeover, will feature a host of teams that are worth watching.
Falcao should be enough to peak the interest of most neutrals, for lack of a better word. And his excellent performance both last year for Atletico and the year prior with Porto is likely to continue. He’s made the competition his own, and his two wonder goals in last season’s final were of a high enough standard to be included and immortalised in the Allianz Arena.
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But it’s the stigma that UEFA will struggle to shake. The Thursday nights joke may never come to an end within football banter, and who really wants to be associated with that competition? Certainly not regulars of the Champions League.
But are football fans concerned about the name on a trophy or the quality of football? Bilbao’s game against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season was one of the better matches in all of European competition, and there is no escaping the talent that will be on display again this season. It’s often that you hear fans bemoaning a lack of football and having to wait until the weekend. Should we apologise for your club not competing in a tournament outside its domestic league? There doesn’t have to be a negative view of a competition that UEFA are desperate to change the fortunes and image of.
Edinson Cavani will lead a determined, albeit noticeably weaker, Napoli into the tournament, and Tottenham should be good viewing with a manager hungry for success for the second time in three years. Inter Milan, Liverpool and Leverkusen will also add to the weight of high-profile names.
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The inclusion of Manchester United and Manchester City last season did a lot to boost the interest in the competition. And even though there are a number of fans who would be keen to follow clubs like Ajax in Europe, UEFA are deeming themselves extremely fortunate to have another round of big names to draw in sizable audiences.
Prior to the change of name, you’d either have to have been keen on the talent at Shakhtar Donetsk, or a Werder Bremen supporter to switch over to the Uefa Cup. It will take a lot more than just half-a-season’s worth of play to change the makeup of the Europa League, but at least things are moving in the right direction for UEFA.
Arsenal and Manchester United still have intentions to sign target Michel Bastos despite the Brazilian recently signing a new deal at current club Lyon talkSPORT understands.
Bastos has been the subject of interest from the Premier League giants in the past only for Lyon’s refusal to sell causing the duo to halt their pursuit of the 28-year-old.
However recent reports indicate that both clubs remain keen to secure his signature which has prompted the Ligue 1 side to offer the left sided player a new contract.
That deal was duly signed keeping Bastos at the Stade de Gerland until 2015 and putting an end to any speculation over his future in France.
Since moving Les Gones in 2009 Bastos, who can play in defence or midfield, has been linked with a switch to England with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly keen to utilise his versatility on the left.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger also considered a bid for the Brazil international after losing Gael Clichy in the summer but opted to sign fellow countryman Andre Santos from Fenerbahce instead.
Despite Bastos penning a new deal at Lyon both clubs haven’t been perturbed in their efforts to secure his services.
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Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has expressed disappointment that his side twice gave up a lead in their 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday.
Houllier’s men led 1-0 at half-time thanks to an own-goal from Fulham’s Ghanaian right-back John Pantsil but the visitors hit back after the break through an Andy Johnson goal.
Villa’s advantage was restored by a great goal from Kyle Walker and they looked on course to claim all three points until Clint Dempsey headed home from a corner with Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel stranded in no man’s land.
Houllier said he was disappointed to have dropped points at home after twice edging in front.
“The entertainment is one side of the game, but the other side is that we feel extremely disappointed because we played extremely well first half and could have done better in terms of goals,” Houllier told Sky Sports.
“Even before they equalised we had a great move and could have been 2-0 up but once they equalised it looked as if it affected a bit of morale.”
“We managed to get back in front but I thought we only have ourselves to blame for not holding on to the result, because Fulham at the moment is full of confidence. In the second half they deserved their equaliser.”
Fulham boss Mark Hughes, meanwhile, was happy with the spirit shown by his men to keep fighting after falling behind.
“I’m pleased with the performance, obviously we had a setback of an own goal early in the first half and that could have knocked us out of our stride, but it didn’t.” Hughes said.
“We came back strong in the first half and for the last 20-25 minutes restricted them to very few chances.”
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“I thought we were excellent in the way we took the game to Villa and the way we came back twice shows great character and great resolve.”
“That what we’ve been showing in recent weeks and from our point of view it’s a good result. It’s a difficult place to get a point but we did really well.”
“You see in our play we finish games stronger and that’s a quality that’s been growing since we’ve come into the new year.”
Pre Ryan Shawcross, Aaron Ramsey was an incredibly exciting prospect for Arsenal fans. Stolen from under the noses of Manchester United for a very reasonable £5m, Ramsey went from strength to strength in Arsenal’s team. He displayed a pleasing level of ability in almost every aspect of the central midfielder’s role – a quite remarkable feat for such a young player.
Then, one game against Stoke changed that. The Welsh captain was left with such an horrific broken leg that his attacker was left in tears and the Arsenal team was left in shock. Arsenal fans had seen this sort of incident before with both Eduardo and Abou Diaby but there was something quite sickening about such a young, promising player coming so close to ending his career before it had even begun.
Ramsey did eventually return to football, with mixed success. He made his comeback with a month to go in the 2010/11 season. Some reasonable performances were capped of with some pleasing link-up play with Jack Wilshere and the winning goal in the home game against Manchester United. Since then, however, his fortunes have been somewhat tempestuous.
The added pressure of being the creative midfielder to replace Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere last season was something that a veteran would struggle to deal with, let alone a 21 year old starting his inaugural season as a first team regular.
Nevertheless, his form at the beginning of the 2011/12 season was reasonably impressive with goals against Spurs and Marseille and some decent passing in the 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Eventually though, the pressure seemed to take over. Gary Speed’s death and the pressure of being national captain was a considerable burden for a player who was also charged with being the creative spark in an Arsenal midfield that was lacking any real dynamism.
Whether it was a loss of confidence or a remarkable bout of over confidence is unclear but what is obvious is that Ramsey lost his form. Perhaps he was simply exhausted after playing so much football after such a long absence from the season before. Whatever the case, inconsistency and mistakes found their way in to most of his performances.
The crowd got on his back and, on occasion, so did his team mates. His wastefulness in possession became common practice and penchant for elaborate flicks only exasperated the situation.
Ramsey may not have deserved all of the abuse he suffered last season but he will undoubtedly need to improve in the coming campaign. Arsenal fans will hope that Wilshere will return to share the burden, but they cannot count on it.
Whilst Wenger has commented on how well the two young midfielders have linked up in the past it is important to stress that Arsenal need Ramsey to be a valuable player in his own right.
He has the potential to be a brilliant player but Arsenal are not short of central midfielders. He will be competing with Arteta, Song, Wilshere, Coquelin, Rosicky, Diaby, and Frimpong this season. He is at a stage in his career where he needs to be playing regularly. His development has already suffered as a result of his year on the sidelines, he lost his place at the end of last season, and he cannot afford to do so again.
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Gary Speed believed in Ramsey, enough to make him one of the youngest national captains in the world. Wenger believed in Ramsey, enough to spend £5m on him. This season Ramsey needs to start repaying that faith. Arsenal have an oversized squad as it is, there’s no space for players who can’t deliver.
The deadline-day sales have caused discontent in the blue half of Merseyside and the unwillingness to strengthen has left the squad looking thread-bare. After their opening day clash against Tottenham was postponed, Everton suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to QPR at Goodison Park, before they survived two Blackburn penalties misses as the soon-to-be departed Arteta sealed all three points with a penalty of his own.
Villa have once again added to their squad bringing in Tottenham pair Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton before the window shut last week and both could feature in the game. Villa fans will be hoping that Darren Bent who is a doubt after missing England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers with a groin-strain is able to start.
Everton’s attacking stocks are also depleted after the deadline-day sales of Beckford and Yakubu, while Louis Saha is another fitness concerns. They have added Real Madrid’s midfielder Royston Drenthe and Argentine forward Denis Stracqualursi to their squad, with both expected to make their debuts on Saturday but Leighton Baines is a doubt with a hamstring injury while Seamus Coleman is still ruled out with a long-term injury.
Alex McLeish has got his Villa side playing some great football to start the season and they have already picked up five points from a possible nine. I think they could continue this fine start on Saturday against an under-strength Everton team who will be low on confidence piling more pressure on Kenwright and the Everton owners to bring in some loan players.
Key Player
Tim Cahill: After losing a number of their attacking outlets on deadline day Cahill will now have the big task of stepping up for the team to give them some sort of threat up-front.
Richard Dunne: Dunne who was so impressive for his national team in mid-week and he is enjoying a fresh-start under McLeish, he will be an important player if Villa want to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Verdict: 0-1
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To see the Premier League round-up and preview ahead of the weekend fixtures – download the excellent ESPN Goals App