Premiership News

'It's not nearly good enough', vents Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's faltering campaign by declaring even winning the Champions League will not make up for the dismal performance in the Premier League.
The Liverpool skipper accepts that only fourth place now is acceptable as they battle to secure entry into Europe's elite competition next term.
But he said: 'You don't get any prizes in football for finishing in second place, never mind fourth.
'I don't think that the fans would accept fourth as an accomplishment and for me it's not nearly good enough.
'We need to improve dramatically and even if we do finish fourth, it doesn't mean we have had a good season.'
Gerrard accepts Liverpool are now involved in a winner-takes-all battle for fourth spot with neighbours Everton and Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Manchester City.
Having regained fourth place on Saturday by beating Middlesbrough, they saw Everton grab it back on Monday with an impressive demolition of Sven-Goran Eriksson's City.
And the battle will rage on this weekend with Liverpool at Bolton on Sunday while Everton are at home to Pompey later in the day.
Gerrard, in an LFC magazine interview, showed his own frustrations and anger at the club's current fortunes.
He said: 'In the position we find ourselves now, fourth is the least that is acceptable. But we have bigger ambitions than that.
'The only way we can fulfil those ambitions is in the Champions League. And I am not going to pretend that even winning that trophy - and we are a long way away from it at the moment - will make up for the disappointment of the league campaign.
'I'm pretty gutted every time I look at the table and see the gap between us and Arsenal at the top, and even the gap between us and second and third.
'We believed we had the players to challenge for the title, and we wanted that one more than any other trophy available to us. I still believe we have the squad to be a hell of a lot more competitive than we are right now.'
And Gerrard, significantly, claims the time has come for the club to stop looking at their long-term potential. The Reds skipper, who has again been linked recently with a summer move to Real Madrid, said: 'I'm getting tired of saying the same thing over and over again.
'We can't keep talking about next season all the time. There are only so many times you can say it and believe it. Sooner or later we have to make one season the season we make it happen and do the talking on the pitch.
'We need to make people believe it. I'm 27 now, I don't want to be talking about 'next season' for Liverpool when I'm 32.
'We've got the stadium, the fans, the manager and the players to compete for the Premier League. But we have no chance of doing that if we are always well out of it by the first week in January.
'And at the moment we have our work cut out fighting it out with Villa, Everton and Manchester City for fourth.'
And he added: 'Only we can make this season a success now. We'd like to finish fourth and win the European Cup again.
'But the demands of being a Liverpool player, the expectations that come with the privilege of pulling on that jersey mean we've got to improve.
'You make your own luck, shape your own destiny. And now we soon have massive games at Manchester United and Arsenal, knowing we can't win the league.
'We are not bothered about whether we have an impact on the title race we're not in. But winning at both those places would send out a message for next season. That would lay down a marker that no-one would ignore.'
Gerrard also expresses a disappointment that a season of crisis off the pitch has given 'those in the media who don't like Liverpool' the chance to criticise.
'We have made it easy for them,' he said.
'It's not been a good situation (the takeover speculation) for anybody. It's sad so much of the club's business has been conducted in public. The club I have grown up supporting always did its business behind closed doors, and that is what we have to get back to.
'It's been a damaging situation for every single person involved with the club, fans, players, bosses, owners, from top to bottom.'
But Gerrard's theme, which should not be ignored by those 'bosses and owners', is the lack of a real title challenge.
He added: 'If you asked most of our fans, they would rather see the title than the European Cup at Anfield. We've not won it in a long, long time.
'Looking at the league table hurts. This time last year we were third and Arsenal were fourth, and that is the way the season ended. It hurts to see where Arsenal are now.'

Everton apply to enter Intertoto Cup

The Toffees are currently fourth in the Premier League, which would be good enough to earn them qualification for the preliminary rounds of next season's Champions League.
Three further teams qualify for the UEFA Cup, with the next highest-ranked side eligible to enter the pre-season Intertoto Cup, which offers an alternative route into the UEFA Cup.
Aston Villa, Blackburn and Manchester City have also applied for entry to the competition.
Everton are still in this season's UEFA Cup, and will face Italian side Fiorentina in the last 16.
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told: 'Clearly European qualification through our league position or via the UEFA Cup is our main priority.
'However because of the deadline for Intertoto Cup applications, it would be remiss of us not to put our name forward.'

Boro chief fumes at incompetent FA

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has accused the FA of "incompetence" after attacking the handling of Jeremie Aliadiere's red card appeal.Also branding the FA as "amateurs and silly little men

Gibson has described the FA's reaction - upgrading the Frenchman's initial three-match ban for violent conduct to a four-game suspension due to the 'frivolous' nature of Boro's appeal - as "insulting" and "confrontational".
Aliadiere was shown a red card for raising his hand and appearing to make contact with Javier Mascherano's face in Liverpool's 3-2 win over Boro.
But, with the Argentina midfielder seemingly offering provocation, the Teessiders decided to put the decision to an FA appeals panel.
Their findings have left Gibson shocked.
He told Sky Sports News: "We're simply shocked by what has gone on and it tells you everything you need to know about the FA.
"There was a disciplinary panel set up with four individuals on it. None of the four played Premier League football or football at any serious level.
"The system is inherently biased because they are there to protect the FA and the referee. They sided with the referee and we would have taken that on the chin.
"They then said our appeal was frivolous which is very subjective, quite insulting towards the professionalism of our club and the people in it, quite aggressive and confrontational."
Gibson went on to outline his belief that the issue of penalising 'frivolous' appeals had been questioned in the past and also accused the governing body of acting incorrectly in previous dealings with the club - notably when they hired then Boro boss Steve McClaren as the new manager of the national side.
"By itself this is not the greatest problem affecting football but we dig a little deeper and we find an incident some 12 to 16 months ago involving Charlton Athletic which was a similar case (to the Aliadiere appeal).
"What resulted was the FA would review this word 'frivolous'. That review has not taken place, it was brought to the attention of the FA recently and they still haven't looked at it.
"All bodies need a legislature. When the legislature doesn't work properly is is incapable of looking after the people it is there to serve.
"We have had this in the past with how the FA originally approached Steve McClaren, how the FA recently made an illegal approach to one of our coaching staff.
"It's nothing new this incompetence."

Arsenal striker Eduardo released from hospital

Arsenal's injured striker Eduardo da Silva was released from hospital on Wednesday, the Premier League leaders said.

The Brazilian-born Croatia international suffered a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his ankle joint after a tackle by Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor during Saturday's 2-2 league draw at St Andrews.
On Monday, Arsenal said the 25-year-old was expected to make a full recovery from the horrific injury, although he will be out for an expected nine months.
'Eduardo would like to once again thank everyone for the overwhelming messages of support he has received,' a statement on the club's website said.
The injury means Eduardo will miss Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria which starts in June.

Interesting News

8 Years Old G14 disband

Commenting on today's G-14 General Assembly decision to dissolve G-14 and to withdraw from its pending court cases against the football governing bodies, G-14 President Jean-Michel Aulas commented: "A new era in clubs' representation has been confirmed today. G-14 Members were ready to dissolve this organisation because G-14 has successfully achieved its key objective of ensuring that Clubs are fully respected by the international governing bodies and appropriately integrated in the relevant governing structures up to the highest levels.

In recent months the dialogue between the clubs and UEFA and FIFA has intensified. This productive communication has facilitated the recent creation of the European Club Association, fully recognized by UEFA and FIFA, and it also led to the landmark agreement regarding the participation of clubs who release players for World Cup and European Championship final tournaments in the related revenues, generated from central marketing of these events. Noting the change in tone of the dialogue with the governing bodies the G-14 General Assembly had no hesitation in deciding to cease G-14's legal proceedings alongside Charleroi (case "Oulmers") and Olympique Lyonnais (case "Abidal") . By signalling the end of G-14 we wish to pave the way for the newly created European Club Association to become the sole, independent and representative body for clubs at European levels."

Created in September 2000, G-14 was the first representative body to defend the interests of clubs at European and international levels. Its key objective was to correct the democratic imbalance that existed in the governing structures of football at international level by ensuring that clubs, which are the cornerstone of the game, were better respected and adequately represented in said governing structures. As G-14 winds down it is worth noting that its key demands have been heard and accepted or are in the process of being addressed by UEFA and FIFA, namely that clubs are fully integrated, up to the highest level, in the decision making process within FIFA and UEFA, that a harmonised international calendar for club and national team football needs to be mutually agreed between clubs and the federations, that clubs should be compensated for the contribution their players make to international tournaments and that they should be protected from the cost of player injuries suffered on the occasion of national team duty.

G-14 will cease its operational activities upon completion of its liquidation procedure by June 2008.

UEFA pool ball probe after Everton complaints

UEFA are set to investigate claims that a pool ball was hurled at Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard during their win at SK Brann this week. Skipper Phil Neville handed the missile - which landed near keeper Howard - to referee Anton Genov during Wednesday's UEFA Cup tie in Bergen.The Bulgarian official's report is expected at UEFA headquarters this morning when chiefs will launch an inquiry into the incident.

That could lead to a hefty fine for Norwegians Brann or even the possibility of having to play a European game behind closed doors.Euro bosses will also look into the stewarding at the Brannstadion after a pocket of Everton fans ran on to the pitch at full-time to celebrate the 2-0 first-leg win.

Southgate urges Middlesbrough fans: Don't bring balloons!

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate hopes fans do not burst their FA Cup dreams by taking balloons to Bramall Lane on Sunday.A stray balloon from Manchester City fans saw Michael Ball mess up a clearance, which resulted in a Sheffield United goal on their way to a 2-1 fourth-round win. Boro boss Southgate said: "We can get 5,000 fans there and it'll be great to get that level of support, but no balloons please!"

Newcastle boss Keegan set to ditch ProZone

Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan may abandon the club's ProZone system after Gavin Fleig left the club this week.Although Keegan is not certain to abandon the ProZone system, he has the option of using the rival computerised player and game analysis offered by Amsico Pro Sports. Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce's predecessor, installed Amsico at Newcastle about a year ago when the club signed a two-year contract.
Allardyce brought Fleig to Newcastle as his ProZone expert.

FA appoint Quest to look into January transfers

The Football Association have appointed Quest to conduct an audit into transfers taking place in England, beginning with the recent January transfer window.The firm of investigators, led by former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens, will also monitor transfers during the summer of 2008. Quest were appointed after a tender process, and were chosen because of their previous experience in this area, having conducted an inquiry into transfer irregularities between January 2004 and 2006. FA director of governance Jonathan Hall said: "We are very pleased to have engaged Quest given their excellent credentials and experience.
"However, this transfer audit is a very different undertaking to their previous inquiry carried out for the Premier League. "It will focus specifically on reviewing the FA's processes in respect of the new Agents Regulations, assessing compliance with FA Rules and identifying any areas of poor practice within the industry."

The FA have also set up a 'whistleblower' hotline to report "any potential problems with the transfer market and the financial side of football generally". The number for the new line is 0844 980 8218. The FA's statement continued: "Both these new measures form part of the FA's enhanced regulatory capacity, including extra resource in the Financial Regulation department, upgraded database systems, an information hotline and tailor-made guidance notes based around the new Football Agents Regulations." It is understood the audit will focus on a selection of transfers rather than being an exhaustive investigation into all business completed, and will look at Premier League and Football League deals.

Aston Villa apply for Intertoto Cup

Aston Villa have applied to enter next season's Intertoto Cup in case they fail to qualify automatically for Europe via the Barclays Premier League.The competition format has altered since Villa last entered the Intertoto back in 2002 and Martin O'Neill's side would only have to negotiate one round to reach the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Villa have entered the Intertoto on three previous occasions and won the competition in 2001. O'Neill said: "It's just covering bases, but we've got a chance to qualify automatically for Europe and we're going to try and charge on if we can. "We've got ourselves into a position where we've got a 12-game season and we'll be going into it all guns blazing.

The boys have been magnificent during the first two thirds of the season. "We are making good progress and I couldn't ask any more from the players. They have given me everything.
"We had a superb finish to last season, being unbeaten in the last nine games, and it would be nice if something similar happened again. "Entering the Intertoto is in no way a signal that we've given up hope of qualifying for Europe automatically. Nothing could be further from the truth."

The Great Sevilla player sales

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido admits he may be forced to sell his star players if they do not qualify for the Champions League. "At least 20 per cent of the budget of the team depends on qualifying for the top continental competition," said Del Nido. "If we do not make it this season, we will have to sell our assets, namely players to compensate for the money we miss out on."

Premiership clubs are sure to scramble for Sevilla's brightest, with Manchester City keen on Luis Fabiano, Tottenham interested in Fredi Kanoute, Andre Palop and Christian Poulsen, Arsenal wanting Diego Capel and Aston Villa the Spanish Liga club's wing-back Jose Luis Crespo.

Capello gets green light to launch England revival

Fabio Capello was given a green light to begin plotting England's renaissance in international football after the Football Association (FA) agreed in principle to his appointment.
After a day of talks with the Italian's advisors, FA officials were unable to wrap up all the details of Capello's contract but a spokesman for the governing body indicated that a deal had effectively been all but done.

The spokesman, Adrian Bevington, said Capello's appointment had been approved by the FA Board, subject to the successful conclusion of the contract negotiations.
"These will continue tomorrow. I want to stress that there are no problems and that we are going through the necessary process to reach a successful conclusion," Bevington added.
The former Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus coach spent Thursday at one of his homes in Milan awaiting official confirmation of his appointment as Steve McClaren's successor.
The details still to be resolved are understood to mainly concern the make-up of the new manager's backroom staff.

Capello was believed to have agreed a contract worth in excess of four million pounds (eight million dollars) a year up to the 2010 World Cup with a two-year extension as an option, presuming that England qualify for the finals in South Africa and perform well.
The 61-year-old reportedly wants to include long-serving assistant Franco Baldini in his backroom team and there were concerns within the FA about how this would would dovetail with the role of the organisation's current director of football, Sir Trevor Brooking.
Baldini however has indicated that the question of his involvement was not a deal-breaker.

His passion for the game remains undiminished however and he had made clear his enthusiasm for the "beautiful challenge" of managing England within 24 hours of McClaren being dismissed after a defeat by Croatia at Wembley ensured his team would not be going to Euro 2008.
Managerial luminaries including Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Sven-Goran Eriksson have all endorsed Capello's credentials.

"He is a very good man and manager," Eriksson said. "His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy and is one of the best managers you can find."
Marcel Desailly, the AC Milan captain for much of Capello's time in charge at the San Siro, testified to his former boss's ability to get the best out of individual players and his teams.
"He's professional and very demanding, but I think that's what the England players need," Desailly said. "He will put them under pressure to deliver, but that is a good thing."
A tough midfielder who won 32 caps for Italy as a player, Capello initially worked as a business manager in Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest empire before returning to football as successor to Arrigo Sacchi at Milan.
He led Milan to four Italian titles as well as masterminding their triumph in the 1994 Champions League -- their 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the final is regarded as one of the greatest displays by any team.

Another five league titles followed in subsequent spells in charge of Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, although Juventus were stripped of two of those as a result of the corruption scandal that rocked Italian football last year.
Capello's first matches in charge will be two friendlies: against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 and against France in Paris on March 26.
He will not have a competitive match until September 2008, when England begin their bid to qualify for South Africa 2010 from a group that once again includes Croatia, as well as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

The Main Question Now Is No Longer will Fabio Capello Lead England To Success as there is No doubt he have the ability to do so.The Main Questions Now Is

a)Will John Terry Stay As England Captain ? - There Is reports that some of the FA committee members are not in favour of John Terry staying as England Captain and There are also rumours that Capello is no great fan of the current England captain.

b)Will Frank Lampard Finally Be Drop ? - Beckham and Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Alessandro del Piero at Juventus, Edgar Davids at Milan and Francesco Totti at AS Roma: you could put together a formidable team of players that have found themselves sitting on the bench after lighting Capello's notoriously short fuse.All of the 61-year-old's club teams have been constructed around a midfield player deployed essentially as a shield for the back four.

c)Will David Beckham get his 100th Cap ? - The Italian has earned a reputation for displaying steel-plated stubborness when it comes to putting the needs of his team ahead of superstar egos.So it will remain a huge doubt whether David Beckham could finally earn his 100th cap for England.

Outspoken France coach Raymond Domenech on Thursday hit out at the decision to approve Italian Fabio Capello as the new England manager.
Domenech, 55, told French broadcaster RTL: "It's serious and a real shame for all the English managers.

"It's a shame to go looking for a Swede or an Italian. It is as if you are saying to the English coaches: 'You are in England, you are all rubbish and we are going to look elsewhere'."
The FA board on Thursday agreed that Capello should be named as the successor to Steve McClaren subject to the successful conclusion of contract negotiations, which will continue on Friday.