Wed, February 22nd 2006
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has tried to reduce the dispute caused by the quality of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge pitch by saying, “Chelsea will be affected by the pitch just a much as ourselves ...We are not complaining.”
Barcelona captain Puyol also added: “There are no excuses. We are experienced enough to play on all kinds of surfaces,” but suggested that his team would be affected more.
Unfortunately, former president Joan Gaspart was less content to join his club’s line: “I don’t find it normal and I don’t think it is correct. I am sure it was done with bad intentions.”
Mon, February 20th 2006
Mourinho: “Sometimes you see beautiful people with no brains. Sometimes you have ugly people who are intelligent, like scientists”
“Our pitch is a bit like that. From the top it’s a disgrace but the ball rolls at normal speed.”
Section of the fans spoil efforts of the majority
It was a great shame to read reports of ‘Liverpool fans singing gleefully about Smith’s injury (Guardian)’ at Anfield yesterday.
Celtic keeper Artur Boruc has been quoted in Polish newspapers as saying that John Hartson was lazy and Roy Keane acted like a star.
He went on to suggest that the Pope is Catholic…
From BBC
Fri, February 17th 2006
In an survey for French football website MaxiFOOT , three quarters of the voters thought that Paul Le Guen should not join Rangers at the end of the season.
Voters commented that moving to the Scottish Premier League (“a second rate league”) would be a backward step for a manager many see as being capable of taking on a top European club.
Via MaxiFOOT (in French).
Mon, February 13th 2006
Would you take the Newcastle job if you were O'Neill?
There is no doubt that the English FA were correct to state that Eriksson would be leaving after the World Cup. It ended potentially months of newspaper speculation.
However, you have to feel some sympathy with Premiership clubs caught up in the middle of the decision…
Fri, February 10th 2006
Everton’s Duncan Ferguson will serve a seven match ban for his sending off at Wigan.
He has received an additional 4 match suspension for striking Chimbonda, on top of his original 3 matches for punching Scharner.
The sending off was Ferguson’s 8th in the Premiership, equalling Patrick Viera’s record.
Martin O’Neill is the 13/8 favourite to become the next England manager after Premier League chairman Dave Richards was quoted as saying:
“It’s time for a British boss, somebody who understands our passion, belief and commitment. There’s no distinction between English and British.”
Richards is a member of the three-man panel that will find Eriksson’s successor.
Thu, February 9th 2006
Alex McLeish has been sacked and will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season.
Rangers are claiming to already have a successor lined up—thought to be Lyon manager Paul Le Guen.
Wed, February 8th 2006
Players’ chief Gordon Taylor offered Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell his unstinting support.
The chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association said empathically: “Clearly he had a ‘beam me up, Scotty’ moment”.
With such an understanding attitude, I’m sure Sol won’t hesistate to contact him for help.