http://bleacherreport.com/articles/437149-craig-bellamy-vs-man-city-gets-ugly-spurs-fulham-and-cardiff-hover (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/437149-craig-bellamy-vs-man-city-gets-ugly-spurs-fulham-and-cardiff-hover)
Craig Bellamy Vs. Man City Gets Ugly: Spurs, Fulham And Cardiff Hover
Craig Bellamy is fresh off a critically acclaimed season at Manchester City, where his blockbuster performances and wholehearted application brought him cult status among the fans—second only to Carlos Tevez.
But his relationship with manager Roberto Mancini is so toxic he is being forced out of the club, and it seems unimaginable he'll pull on a blue shirt again at Eastlands.
Bellamy tore into his manager in a recent interview, claiming he had been marginalized at City and criticizing Mancini's approach. It was the latest chapter in a bitter, and increasingly public, feud between the pair, who were brought together when City sacked Bellamy's good friend Mark Hughes.
City reacted angrily to Bellamy's comments and reportedly banned him from training on the eve of the new season.
Mancini said he has no intention of including Bellamy in his 25-man squad for the new EPL season, leaving the 31-year-old to find another club or risk wasting an entire season in City's reserves.
But it isn't quite as simple as that.
Mindful of Bellamy's potential influence, as a player and a driven motivator of men, City are reportedly not keen on letting the Wales international join a rival club in the EPL. Tottenham and Fulham are both interested in getting Bellamy on board before the transfer window closes on August 31, but City will need some convincing.
One thing's certain: City would rather pay his £95,000/week wages for the rest of the season than watch him rob them of a Champions League spot (again) under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.
All of which may give Hughes and Fulham the upper hand, especially when you consider his close relationship with Bellamy. The pair having played together for Wales, and Bellamy played under Hughes at Blackburn and City.
The dark horse is Cardiff City, the Championship side Bellamy holds dear to his heart and has always said he'd like to play for. While a transfer fee may be beyond their budget, Cardiff are unsurprisingly very keen on a loan move for Bellamy, who would be treated as something of a Messiah if he made the surprise move to drop a division at his peak and head to Wales.
Bellamy has reportedly already turned down offers to join Steve McClaren at Wolfsburg, and Neil Lennon at Celtic.
Whatever happens next you can be sure the next leg of Bellamy's roller-coaster footballing tour will be worth tuning in for. Let's just hope Mancini doesn't come across the striker on the golf course anytime soon (google Bellamy and John Arne Riise if you missed that one)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=814941&sec=transfers&cc=5739 (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=814941&sec=transfers&cc=5739)
Schwarzer signing could force Almunia to quit Arsenal
Manuel Almunia says the ongoing speculation surrounding Arsenal's goalkeeping options means it is "difficult to concentrate" and that if Mark Schwarzer does arrive at the club, he will be forced to reassess his options.
Almunia started the season as Arsene Wenger's No. 1 when taking the field for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, but the Gunners have spent the summer pursuing Mark Schwarzer, who has handed in a transfer request at Fulham in an attempt to push through a move to Emirates Stadium.
As well as reports of a possible new signing, Almunia has also been forced to contend with constant debate over whether he is fit to wear the gloves for Arsenal and whether Lukasz Fabianski or even the young Wojciech Szczesny is a better option for Wenger.
"To be honest, it is so difficult to concentrate because Arsenal is a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere," Almunia told the London Evening Standard.
"The only thing I can do is keep working because I have a contract here and I have to do what the manager wants from me. I have not spoken to him. If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it.
"I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing. I have to work and if one day I am not good for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem. I am very happy here.
"The only news I have is from third parties - people at the training ground. When I go out and when I come back from training, I switch off."
Harry Redknapp says Craig Bellamy's too good to go down to the Championship
Harry Redknapp has urged Craig Bellamy not to throw away his career by dropping into the Championship to play for Cardiff.
As the Welsh club were on Monday night locked in talks with their Malaysian owners trying to find the money to sign Bellamy on loan, Tottenham manager Redknapp urged him to think twice before joining his hometown side.
Sources in Cardiff claim the player 'will arrive in the next 48 hours'.
Bellamy is expected to return to training with Manchester City on Tuesday, but is not welcome at the club having fallen out with manager Roberto Mancini, who has made it clear he does not figure in his plans. The player's actions could be a tactic to force his move away.
Redknapp, preparing for Tottenham's Champions League qualifier in Switzerland, said: 'Craig is a Premier League player in my opinion. No disrespect to Cardiff, he should be playing top Premier League football.
'Good luck to Cardiff but it would be a waste of an outstanding player. He should stay in the Premier League, for sure.'
Spurs and Liverpool have been told by Manchester City that they will not sell Bellamy, 31, to a club they consider to be a top-four Barclays Premier League rival. That could also rule out Everton, leaving Fulham and Celtic hoping that he will have a change of heart and snub Cardiff.
Redknapp does not want to buy Bellamy, but would take him to White Hart Lane on loan. However, he accepts the explosive forward is better than that.
'Someone will have to end up buying him, unless City loan him to someone like Fulham, I can't see them loaning him to someone like us. It would be a ridiculous loan.
'He was in the top two-three players last season yet everyone is trying to loan him? They paid £12million, why should they loan him?'
While Bellamy's career has been dogged by controversy, Redknapp believes the Wales star is still an asset in the top flight.
'Craig was outstanding last year,' added the Spurs boss. 'I tried to sign him when he left West Ham. I was in for him then, and Manchester City beat us to him.
'He's a battler. He has a go. Every week you know what you are going to get out of him. You go away from home, you know he is going to be out there running, working, closing people down, putting himself about. You never get an easy game against him.'
Redknapp could be given transfer funds if Spurs get through the Champions League qualifying round, but still said: 'I've got four strikers so what do I do with five?
'Sometimes you can cause yourself more problems than you need. When you have too many around, one or two start getting the hump.'
So what will the Welsh side get for their money?
'I see myself as a different sort of Welsh. Because we (my family) are from Cardiff, we see Wales as Cardiff. This is Cardiff; outside is Wales. It's a strange one. You are really Welsh, but you're not, if you know what I mean.
'John Hartson, he speaks fluent Welsh and has tattoos all over him to prove his Welshness. But in my own world, nobody is more Welsh than myself. We are proud people and I am proud to follow Ian Rush, John Toshack, Mark Hughes and John Charles.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1303644/Harry-Redknapp-says-Craig-Bellamys-good-to-Championship.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wo7JJlRD (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1303644/Harry-Redknapp-says-Craig-Bellamys-good-to-Championship.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wo7JJlRD)
Say you'll stay, Shay: Manchester City offer axed Given new deal
Manchester City will try to soften the blow of Shay Given's relegation to the bench by offering the goalkeeper a pay rise and the chance to stay at Eastlands until he turns 39.
Joe Hart's man-of-the match performance in the season opener at Tottenham has placed Given in the role of back-up keeper, a situation which has left the 34-year-old considering his future.
But City will try to entice the former Newcastle keeper to stay by extending his current deal - it has three years left to run - by a further two seasons. Given is also set for an increase on his £80,000- a-week wage packet.
It remains to be seen if he will be tempted by the offer. But having spoken of his desire for guaranteed first-team football, a loan move to Fulham could be his preferred option.
The Irishman finds himself at the centre of a goalkeeping merry-go-round, with Arsenal eager to sign Fulham's Mark Schwarzer.
Given would offer manager Mark Hughes the ideal replacement for Schwarzer but, as yet, the west London side have not received an improved offer from Arsenal after rejecting a £2million bid.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expected to raise that by a further £500,000 this week although Fulham value Schwarzer at around £4m.
Wenger could, of course, opt to move for Given. But, as is the case with Tottenham's interest in Craig Bellamy, City are unwilling to offload players to their direct rivals for a place in the top four.
The uncertainty over the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates is having a negative effect on Manuel Almunia, who played for Arsenal in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.
Revealing his unrest at the speculation, Almunia said: 'It is so difficult to concentrate because Arsenal are a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere. 'If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1303630/Manchester-City-offer-axed-Shay-Given-new-deal.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wo7W5Mj5 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1303630/Manchester-City-offer-axed-Shay-Given-new-deal.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wo7W5Mj5)
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100817/SPORT/708169822/1004 (http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100817/SPORT/708169822/1004)
The gloves are off for goalkeeping merry-go-round
Shay Given is unhappy at having lost the status as Manchester City's No 1 goalkeeper to Joe Hart. Barrington Coombs / EMPICS
Shay Given yesterday told Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, he will not play second fiddle to Joe Hart and wants out of the club.
But Irish international Given balked at putting in an official transfer request to avoid losing contractual compensation should City agree to sell him now new the England international Hart is considered the club's No 1 goalkeeper.
The situation has created a potential carousel of keepers moving Premier League clubs over the next week.
The key figures in all the machinations are Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, and Fulham's new coach, Mark Hughes.
Wenger has wanted to lure Fulham's current No 1 Mark Schwarzer since putting in an £8 million (Dh46m) bid last May.
Although according to Fulham Arsenal have messed them around since.
And Given's sudden availability has made Arsenal consider their position even though previously they have backed off signing the Irishman because despite his brilliant record with Newcastle United, City and his country, has been considered too short in stature by Wenger .
To complicate matters, even though City will be willing to let Given go – pending signing a suitable No 2 replacement – they will not be keen on selling him to a Premier League top four rival.
It is understood though that Given, having been "let down" by Arsenal in the past, might snub their renewed interest and play under Hughes, who signed him for City, for Fulham on loan for a year.
Such a scenario would give Hughes the confidence to allow the Australia international Schwarzer to complete a move to Arsenal.
Despite an outstanding display by young goalkeeper David Stockdale in Fulham's opening day 0-0 draw at Bolton Wanderers, Hughes knows he mush have an experienced keeper to ensure Fulham's Premier League's status is not under threat and would welcome Given.
On that front though, Hughes has also made enquires about Aston Villa's Brad Friedel.
So it could be that, if Friedel is lured by Fulham, Given could end up finding a home at Villa.
Or City's might see Friedel as the perfect reserve for Joe Hart.
What is certain, is that Arsenal, if they are to become title contenders, need a new No 1with both Schwarzer and Given fitting the bill.
As one of Arsenal's former players, Paul Merson, reflected after the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday: "If Arsenal are to challenge for the title then they must have a new keeper.
"Manuel Almunia is a very good keeper but to win the title you need a world-class keeper.
"Given is in that category and if he is available then Arsenal should buy him. But these deals become very complicated when it comes to one club selling a player to another when they are after the same thing.
"It might well suit City to block selling Given to Arsenal.
http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/striker-snubs-cottage-move-1087765.html (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/striker-snubs-cottage-move-1087765.html)
Striker snubs Cottage move
Fulham look to have missed out on Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie, with West Brom in line to seal a deal.
Odemwingie has revealed he snubbed an offer from Greek side Panathinaikos in order to sign on at the Hawthorns and is hopeful a deal can go through tomorrow.
"Most likely I will join on Tuesday. I've already signed a contract. The have been left to negotiate among themselves and then my dream of playing in the English Premier League will come true," said Odemwingie.
"I opted for West Brom because for a long time I've wanted to play in England. But I thank Panathinaikos for their interest. They are a big club."
The Baggies still need to agree a fee with Lokomotiv Moscow for the Nigerian international but it is thought a fee of around £2.5million will be enough to convince the Russian outfit to sell.
Fulham had been heavily linked with a swoop for the forward, while Birmingham and Everton were also thought to be keen, but it would appear as if the Baggies have won the battle to secure his services.
Quote from: os5889 on August 16, 2010, 10:41:23 PM
http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/striker-snubs-cottage-move-1087765.html (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/striker-snubs-cottage-move-1087765.html)
Striker snubs Cottage move
Fulham look to have missed out on Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie, with West Brom in line to seal a deal.
Odemwingie has revealed he snubbed an offer from Greek side Panathinaikos in order to sign on at the Hawthorns and is hopeful a deal can go through tomorrow.
"Most likely I will join on Tuesday. I've already signed a contract. The have been left to negotiate among themselves and then my dream of playing in the English Premier League will come true," said Odemwingie.
"I opted for West Brom because for a long time I've wanted to play in England. But I thank Panathinaikos for their interest. They are a big club."
The Baggies still need to agree a fee with Lokomotiv Moscow for the Nigerian international but it is thought a fee of around £2.5million will be enough to convince the Russian outfit to sell.
Fulham had been heavily linked with a swoop for the forward, while Birmingham and Everton were also thought to be keen, but it would appear as if the Baggies have won the battle to secure his services.
I for one couldnt be happier, if Bellamy is disruptive this guy is poison (and shite)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/16/manuel-almunia-mark-schwarzer (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/16/manuel-almunia-mark-schwarzer)
Manuel Almunia rattled by Arsenal pursuit of Fulham's Mark Schwarzer
• Arsenal will increase bid for Schwarzer to £3m
• 'It is so difficult to concentrate,' says Almunia
'If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future,' says the Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar
Arsenal will increase their bid for the Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in an attempt to smooth the Australia international's transfer across the capital. An offer of around £2m has been rejected with an improved bid of nearer £3m due this week, although much will depend on whether Mark Hughes is successful in his pursuit of a replacement. Schwarzer has made it clear to the Fulham manager the time has come to move on, with his representatives confident the deal will happen.
Arsène Wenger is to offer the 37-year-old a two-year contract at the Emirates with Schwarzer expected to replace Manuel Almunia as the club's No1. Arsenal had explored the possibility of bidding for the Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given, who was dropped to the bench in favour of Joe Hart on Saturday, but City would not countenance selling the Ireland international to a club with whom they will be challenging for a Champions League place.
Given is a player Hughes would like to secure for Fulham, most likely on loan from his former club. Regardless, Schwarzer still represents a cheaper high-quality option for Arsenal and his signing would allow Wenger to pursue other targets, with his admiration for the Everton defender Phil Jagielka long standing.
Almunia has admitted the imminent arrival of another experienced goalkeeper at Arsenal is unsettling. The Spaniard was handed the captaincy for the draw at Liverpool in the absence of Cesc Fábregas but was beaten at his near post by David Ngog's shot just after the interval.
"To be honest, it is so difficult [to concentrate]," Almunia said. "Arsenal is a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere. The only thing I can do is keep working because I have a contract here and I have to do what the manager wants from me. I have not spoken to him. If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it.
"I don't see anything else outside Arsenal. It will be very, very difficult to play for another team in England if it wasn't Arsenal. Spain, also, would be difficult. But I am 33 years old and only have a few more years left in football. I would like to enjoy them. I am a keeper who enjoys playing – just playing. I have to work and if one day I am not good enough for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem."
http://www.goboxers.com/news/detail.cfm?NEWS_ID=8222&CATEGORY_ID=58 (http://www.goboxers.com/news/detail.cfm?NEWS_ID=8222&CATEGORY_ID=58)
Jimmy Conway To Be Feted In Special Ceremony
The former Pacific men's soccer coach will be honored in pregame ceremonies on Sun., Sept. 19, in the final of four testimonial matches honoring Conway's three decades of dedication to the Portland soccer community
FOREST GROVE – Former Pacific University head men's soccer coach Jimmy Conway will be honored for his service to the University and his long service to the Oregon soccer community in a special ceremony prior to the Boxers' Sept. 19 match against Whitman at Lincoln Park Stadium.
The ceremony is the final of four testimonial matches for Conway, who was recently diagnosed with trauma-induced dementia. During the ceremony, Conway will be presented with a citation honoring his work at Pacific and a framed jersey. Oregon State, the University of Portland and the Portland Timbers have also scheduled testimonial matches.
"Jimmy is a great friend and resource to me, both personally and professionally," said Pacific head men's soccer Jim Brazeau, who played under Conway at both Pacific and Oregon State and later coached with Conway with the Portland Timbers. "Jimmy helped establish Pacific soccer as a competitive program in the Northwest. He is largely responsible for building the strong foundation to allow the program to become what it is today."
Conway served as Pacific head coach from 1983-1987, coming to Pacific after serving two seasons as an assistant coach for the Portland Timbers of the old North American Soccer League. In his five seasons, Conway compiled a 51-37-9 record and led the 1986 and 1987 teams to berths in the NAIA District II playoffs. Conway was named the 1985 Northwest Conference and NAIA District II Coach of the Year after leading the Boxers to second place in the NWC standings and a 13-5-2 record, then best in school history.
Conway's 1986 team compiled 15 wins, a record that would stand until 1996, and scored a school record 61 goals. That team, and his 1987 squad, advanced to the NAIA District II championship match. In his five years, Conway coached 13 players to First Team All-Northwest Conference honors.
Conway left Pacific following the 1987 season to become to first head men's soccer coach at Oregon State. In 11 seasons leading the Beavers, Conway compiled a 97-88-14 record and saw 16 of his players earn all-conference honors. Conway himself was named conference coach of the year two times. After Oregon State, Conway went on to spend six more seasons with the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer Leagues First Division, where he was an assistant coach alongside Brazeau.
While an outstanding college coach, Conway may have made his biggest impact as three decades as a youth coach to elite teams at the state and regional levels. He was director of coaching for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association for 28 years and has coached literally thousands of players, including three who have played in Major League Soccer.
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Conway played five years with the famed Bohemian FC side before a 12-year career in England with both Fulham and Manchester City. He came to the United States in 1978 after his contract was sold to the Portland Timbers, where he finished his pro career. Conway appeared in 44 FA Cup and league cup matches and accumulated 20 caps with the Irish national team.
In addition to the match at Pacific, Conway will be honored with a special invitation-only on Wed., Aug. 25, at the Nike World Campus in Beaverton, and a testimonial on Thurs., Aug. 26, at 5 p.m. at PGE Park prior to the Portland Timbers' match with Austin. The testimonial match will feature a team of Timbers' alumni against the "Oregon Select XI," comprised mainly of players previously coached by Conway.
The concept of a "testimonial match" has a long history in Europe and can be traced back to the days prior to player pension, where long-serving players were feted prior to retirement with a special game in which they were given the gate proceeds. In lieu of accepting the money himself, Conway has asked the proceeds from the testimonial matches be donated to the Oregon Chapter of the Alzheimer's Foundation.
For more on Jimmy Conway and the testimonial events, please visit www.jimmyconway.com (http://www.jimmyconway.com).
Goalkeeper gaffes dominate the opening weekend in Premiership
The opening weekend of the Premiership was hardly a feast of goals -- in August 1926, spectators at the top flight's first round of fixtures gorged themselves on a record-setting smorgasbord of 52 goals; despite the best efforts of Chelsea and Blackpool, this weekend brought a total of 23, restrained even by more recent standards. Joe Hart, newly installed as Manchester City's No. 1 goalkeeper, was almost single-handedly responsible. If not for him, Tottenham Hotspur could have pushed the total closer to 30.
One of legendary manager Brian Clough's fundamental beliefs was that a good goalkeeper was worth his weight in gold, a point he determined to prove by spending $390,000 (that was a lot of money to the Nottingham Forest board in 1977) on Peter Shilton. Within months, Forest won its first (and last) top-flight title, with Shilton preserving the trophy-winning, goal-less tie with Coventry City by pushing Mick Ferguson's close-range header over the bar.
Manchester City's impotence on Saturday moved Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to cast doubt on the idea of Hart's heroics proving quite as significant in the title race, but he has surely proved himself to be the finest Englishman between the sticks and will have a strong claim to being Premiership keeper of the season if he continues in this vein.
He batted away a near-post Peter Crouch header shortly before getting a strong hand to Jermain Defoe's spin shot; he reached a wonderful Tom Huddlestone volley that fans behind the goal had already leapt up to celebrate just before nudging a dipping, wickedly deflected Benoit Assou-Ekotto drive over the bar; he got his foot to another Defoe effort before making a double-save from the forward, sprawling himself bravely as Defoe looked guaranteed a tap-in.
Hart had faced 10 attempts at goal (80 percent of them on target) before his opposite number, Heurelho Gomes, was called upon to collect a weak shot from Yaya Toure in the 38th minute. Had the referee awarded a penalty for Micah Richards' hapless 29th-minute wrestle with Gareth Bale, you'd have bet your bottom dollar on Hart saving that, too. His efforts earned City a crucial early point, but also provided evidence that the art of goalkeeping was not, in fact, dead -- much needed on a weekend that bore the hallmarks of a Buster Keaton classic.
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland's comedic contribution to his team's 4-0 humbling by Blackpool looked choreographed for a jaunty piano jingle and a couple of cymbal clashes. Marlon Harewood's low shot went straight through him, and Harewood -- the kind of striker who usually makes scoring look as complicated as advanced algebra -- powered home the Tangerine's third when Kirkland spilled Elliot Gradin's strike. Alex Baptiste was probably cursing himself for putting his cross too close to the goalkeeper at precisely the moment it whistled past a flapping Kirkland and into the net for the fourth.
West Brom keeper Scott Carson was only marginally less hapless, allowing six goals at Chelsea, but could at least deflect attention from the blunder that created Chelsea's first goal by barking at his defense, which looked like it had won the chance to play at Stamford Bridge in a cereal packet. Was it really so long ago that these two men were talked about in sentences including words like "future" and "England's No. 1"?
And it wasn't just the natives who were at it: Tim Howard didn't seem to be under pressure catching El-Hadji Diouf's header, but somehow dropped it for Blackburn's Nikola Kalinic to send goalward. New Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet let Scott Dann's header wriggle beneath him and into the net to start Birmingham's comeback in Saturday's 2-2 draw, but the horror on his face was nothing compared to Pepe Reina's 90th-minute agony at Anfield.
Reina made a couple of good saves, from Thomas Vermaelen and Theo Walcott free kicks, and pulled off a fingertips save from Tomas Rosicky in the 86th minute to maintain Liverpool's 1-0 lead. But it was doomed to be forgotten four minutes later, when he shoveled the ball into his own net trying to pick up a Marouane Chamakh header that had come back off the post. All that was missing was a man with a trombone to wah-wah-wah-waaah the ball over the line.
Was it all just a result of first-day-at-work jitters? It's probably a bit too early to declare a goalkeeping crisis, especially with Hart in such fine form and Fulham deputy keeper David Stockdale (who's barely featured since being signed two years ago) frustrating Bolton so successfully for a 0-0 tie. Stockdale wasn't told he would play until hours before kickoff (fueling rumors that Mark Schwarzer's move to Arsenal is all but done), but was commanding under pressure and pulled off several excellent saves, particular from Johan Elmander.
Those who fumbled at the World Cup had a ready-made patsy in the Jabulani, but it'll take some spiel to convincingly blame the Premier League's new ball for the opening weekend's blooper reel.
EPL New Boys
Plenty of Premier League debuts over the weekend, some more successful than others. David Silva made a quiet start to life as a Manchester City player, though he at least survived his first 90 minutes intact. Fellow City newbie Aleksandar Kolarov looked impressive -- solid, up for the fight -- but had to come off at halftime after sustaining a knee injury. A more serious-looking ankle injury put Kenwyne Jones out of his Stoke City debut after just 14 minutes, and he is likely to be out for long enough to force Tony Pulis back into the transfer market before the window closes.
Mame Biram Diouf (Blackburn), Nedum Onuoha (Sunderland) and Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa, I hate to say I told you so) all enjoyed excellent debuts, unlike the trio of debutantes -- Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Winston Reid -- who had little impact for West Ham. Perhaps they'll be slow burners, like Arsenal's Chamakh, who seemed intimidated enough by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel to stay quiet until that last-minute leap.
Anfield played host to the most explosive debut action, in fact, with Joe Cole's attempts to assert himself all in vain, at least until he launched himself at the Gunners' new central defender, Laurent Koscielny (who would also be sent off late in the game). Cole received the first red card of his career; Koscielny was taken off in a stretcher, but reappeared for a steady second half once the medical staff had made sure that his right leg wasn't broken. Cole is said to be "devastated" by it all, but at least he has Jonathan Woodgate's 2005 debut for Real Madrid, which involved scoring an own goal and being sent off, for comfort.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/georgina_turner/08/16/epl/#ixzz0wo9B2uK1 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/georgina_turner/08/16/epl/#ixzz0wo9B2uK1)
Simon Davies Signs New Contract
Monday 16th August 2010
Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce that midfielder Simon Davies has signed a new contract with the Club – keeping the player at Craven Cottage until at least the summer of 2013.
Davies has been a key member of the Fulham squad since joining the Whites from Everton in January 2006.
He was named Player of the Year for the 2007/08 season and most recently scored the pivotal goal in Fulham's comeback victory over Hamburg in the UEFA Europa League semi-final at Craven Cottage. He then went on to net Fulham's equaliser against Atletico Madrid in the Final.
Speaking from Fulham's Motspur Park training ground early on Monday evening, Davies was delighted to have put pen to paper:
"It's great now that it's finally done," he told fulhamfc.com. "We've been talking for a few months. I've loved my time here and it's been great the last few years. I'm just excited for the future and hopefully I'll finish my career here."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/DaviesNewContract.aspx#ixzz0wo9O942H (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/DaviesNewContract.aspx#ixzz0wo9O942H)
Fulham v Port Vale
Carling Cup
Wednesday 25 August
Kick-Off 20:00
On-sale dates
Season Ticket Holders on sale
Season Ticket Holders' seats will be held until 5pm on Tuesday 17th August.
General Sale Tuesday, 17th August
Loyalty points: 6 (more info)
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/PortValeHome.aspx#ixzz0wo9WsNLx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/PortValeHome.aspx#ixzz0wo9WsNLx)
Flag Competition
Monday 16th August 2010
Do you think you can produce a flag design worthy of a prime location at Craven Cottage? The Club would like to invite all Fulham fans to try their hand at designing a flag that will be displayed at the stadium, just under the Cottage balcony for the entire 2010/11 season.
If you have creative flair and can really capture the elements of Craven Cottage as well as the heritage of the Club, then we want to hear from you. Please send your designs to
[email protected] by 5pm Friday 20th August.
The winning design will be sent to production and unveiled at the Everton fixture on Saturday 25th September where it will be hung under the Cottage balcony for the first time.
If you would like to see your masterpiece on display each time you visit the Cottage then don't miss out on the chance to make it happen. Send in your masterpiece now!
The winner will be notified at the Everton fixture when the Club unveils the winning flag prior to kick off.
Please note the winner may be required to participate in some Club promotional material. Please keep your file size under 2Mb.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/FlagCompetition.aspx#ixzz0wo9hXm8n (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/FlagCompetition.aspx#ixzz0wo9hXm8n)
http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/no-change-on-schwarzer-stance-1087763.html (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/no-change-on-schwarzer-stance-1087763.html)
No change on Schwarzer stance
Fulham boss Mark Hughes is adamant goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will not join Arsenal unless the deal suits the Cottagers.
The veteran Australian stopper is believed to be a target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, although the Frenchman has insisted he has no plans to replace Manuel Almunia as the Gunners' number one.
However, Hughes insists he will not allow the 37-year-old to leave, despite hinting Schwarzer is keen to move on.
"Nothing has moved on," said Hughes after watching his side draw 0-0 at Bolton, with David Stockdale in goal. "Myself and Mark have had conversations and I fully understand the reasoning behind the fact that he maybe wants to take up the opportunity (to join Arsenal).
"But I think he also understands that we have to protect our position as well and that is what we are doing.
"We are not going to put Fulham's position or reputation at risk by making promises we can't fulfil, so at the moment it's very much the status quo and nothing has moved on."
http://sportsrageous.com/news.php?readmore=2734 (http://sportsrageous.com/news.php?readmore=2734)
Fulham are the Favorites to get Bellamy
After a strange off-season for Craig Bellamy, in which he was deemed surplus for Manchester United, his ultimate destination is going to be decided very soon.
According to Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, the famous soccer star will sign with London rivals Fulham before the transfer window closes in two weeks.
Despite this, the Tottenham Hotspur manager is still keen to sign Bellamy, but thinks that he has already lost out in the long run.
The squad already has a lot of strikers, including Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch, and Jermain Defoe.
Redknapp stated that Bellamy is not going to come to Hotspur on loan, and he will probably end up at Fulham. If this occurs, Bellamy will be under the leadership of Mark Hughes.
The duo previously was together at Wales, Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester City.
He also has interest from Celtic and Sunderland as well.
Quote from: os5889 on August 16, 2010, 10:49:46 PM
After a strange off-season for Craig Bellamy, in which he was deemed surplus for Manchester United, his ultimate destination is going to be decided very soon.
Uh...NEXT
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iSN1GGYLwyh0pnrzxQD-FrW4waoQ (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iSN1GGYLwyh0pnrzxQD-FrW4waoQ)
Almunia waiting for keeper news
(UKPA) – 17 minutes ago
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will seek talks about his future if Arsene Wenger brings in another senior goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
The Gunners have been linked with Fulham's Mark Schwarzer and Manchester City's Shay Given.
Almunia captained the team in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, and said in the Evening Standard: "If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it. I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing. I have to work and if one day I am not good for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem. I am very happy here."
Should he find himself relegated to second choice, Almunia may reluctantly consider a future away from the Emirates Stadium.
But he admitted: "I don't see anything else outside of Arsenal.
"It will be very difficult to play for another team in England if it wasn't Arsenal. Spain would also be difficult.
"But I am 33 years old and only have a few more years left in football. I would like to enjoy them. I am a keeper who enjoys playing."
Schwarzer sale to spark keeper merry-go-round
Arsene Wenger wants to tie up a £2.5m deal for Mark Schwarzer in time for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday.
And that is likely to pave the way for Fulham to make a move for Manchester City's Shay Given to be Schwarzer's replacement.
Mirror Sport first revealed Arsenal's interest in Schwarzer on May 15 and the Aussie keeper demanding a move last week is likely to speed up the saga.
Wenger wants Schwarzer as his first choice because of the 37-year-old's experience and he believes he may have a future in coaching at the club.
Arsenal have already had a £2m bid turned down by Fulham who are demanding £4m but Schwarzer's insistence that he wants out means the deal is likely to go through before the window shuts.
Schwarzer's would also not stunt the development of young keepers like Wojciech Szczesny, 20, Vito Mannone and Lukasz Fabianski, although Manuel Almunia is likely to be sold with Osasuna and Atletico Madrid keen.
Almunia, 33, insists he wants to stay but privately he has been left devastated by Arsenal going for another keeper and it was a surprise for him to start at Liverpool and also be made captain.
He says he is not prepared to sit on the bench at this stage of his career and hinted he could leave in search of first-team football.
The Spaniard said, "If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it.
"I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing. I have to work and if one day I am not good for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem. I am very happy here. Football is like life.
"I don't see anything else outside of Arsenal. It will be very, very difficult to play for another team in England if it wasn't Arsenal. Spain would also be difficult.
"But I am 33 years old and only have a few more years left in football. I would like to enjoy them. I am a keeper who enjoys playing, just playing."
Arsenal have also been linked with Irish international Given but City do not want to sell to a rival club in the top four and Wenger has always had worries over the Republic of Ireland keeper's ability on crosses.
That has cleared the way for Fulham boss Mark Hughes who signed Given while at City and the keeper merry-go-round will suit the Cottagers.
City, who have made Joe Hart their new first choice, would prefer to let Given go out on loan rather than sell a top class keeper as they push for a Champions League place.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's Swiss defender Johan Djourou trained yesterday (Mon) and is confident his hamstring injury will have cleared up to allow him to play against Blackpool.
French defender Laurent Koscielny will miss the Blackpool game through suspension after his red card at Liverpool but Djourou could now partner Thomas Vermaelen.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-News-Arsenal-still-want-to-sign-Fulham-s-Mark-Schwarzer-to-replace-Manuel-Almunia-while-Mark-Hughes-will-look-to-Manchester-City-s-Shay-Given-article556333.html#ixzz0woEg4tHZ (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-News-Arsenal-still-want-to-sign-Fulham-s-Mark-Schwarzer-to-replace-Manuel-Almunia-while-Mark-Hughes-will-look-to-Manchester-City-s-Shay-Given-article556333.html#ixzz0woEg4tHZ)
F I was Craig Bellamy, I would be fuming at the way I had been treated by Manchester City over the past few days.
And I would be contacting my lawyers to see whether a club I've given everything for are guilty of restraint of trade.
I find it unbelievable that he is now facing the prospect of having to train with Cardiff to keep himself in shape.
He is a player who gives 100 per cent whenever he pulls on the shirt - and never leaves anything on the pitch.
Bellamy was outstanding for City last season and the fans loved him.
Yet apparently he cannot get in their 25-man Premier League squad now, even though he has done nothing wrong.
He has not caused them any major problems and he has not played badly - far from it in fact. I cannot believe he has been treated so unfairly.
Since the Arab takeover happened two years ago, the people involved in running the club have changed.
The old Manchester City looked after their players properly whereas I feel Craig has been treated abominably by them.
If that's the way City want to do it then that's up to them but it will not win them many friends and I just feel the way they have handled Bellamy is really unfair.
I have heard that City have told the top clubs they cannot sign him - because they are worried it could hurt their own chances of finishing in the Champions League places.
If so, to me, that's a restraint of trade. They are stopping a person who has done nothing wrong from bettering themselves by going to a bigger club.
So they are basically telling a player who still wants to fight for his place in their team that he can't - and he can only go and play where they tell him.
Roberto Mancini has not come out of this very well, either, and I wonder whether he has what it takes to deal with the big personalities.
That is one of the things that separates the great managers from the good ones.
This game is all about players and they can make or break managers.
Players get enough stick for not showing any loyalty but it's no surprise when they get treated like this by their clubs.
Fans in Wales may love the idea of Bellamy playing for Cardiff but he's still got so much to offer to the top flight and there will be a queue of clubs wanting to sign him.
Speaking of City, I believe Arsene Wenger should be straight on the phone to them this morning to ask about signing Shay Given.
At Anfield on Sunday there was yet more evidence that my old club will not win the title until they sign a top-class goalkeeper.
You only needed to watch the game at Spurs on Saturday to see how important a keeper can be as Joe Hart almost single-handedly earned City a point. Manuel Almunia is not a bad goalie, but he's a No 2 in my eyes.
The Gunners need someone right out of the top drawer - and that man has to be Given.
I like Mark Schwarzer but Shay just has the edge. He has the experience of many years playing in front of big crowds with big expectations.
He's also a bit younger than the Fulham man and for me would help Arsenal become serious challengers for the big prize.
Whoever goes on in goal against Blackpool on Saturday, I can only see one result at the Emirates.
It's been a fairytale start for the Seasiders and I'm so pleased for Ian Holloway. But I can't see them writing another new chapter in North London.
Arsenal will be wary after losing at home to Hull a couple of years ago so they won't treat the new boys lightly.
But apart from Marlon Harewood and Charlie Adam, I haven't heard of any of the Blackpool players who have worked miracles for the club.
Yes it was a great result for them at Wigan - but that was the game I'd have chosen first up if I was Ollie.
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The men from Bloomfield Road must be thinking this Premier League lark is easy but they will have a different view by Saturday tea-time.
Blackpool will be up against a team who, for me, will finish in the top four this season but maybe come up a bit short for the title. However, if Marouane Chamakh starts firing and they can sign a new goalkeeper and centre-half then I could change my view.
Chelsea have started brilliantly and Manchester United will be up there again.
But I feel the Gunners could give them a run for their money this season.
It looks like Cesc Fabregas will be at the Emirates for at least one more season but on Sunday we got a glimpse of how life will be without him.
They played some really good stuff at times and were worth at least a point.
But without Fabregas there was a tendency to keep going square rather than look for the killer pass.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3098560/Ian-Wright-says-Man-City-have-treated-Craig-Bellamy-shamefully.html#ixzz0woX9NA2c (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3098560/Ian-Wright-says-Man-City-have-treated-Craig-Bellamy-shamefully.html#ixzz0woX9NA2c)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/tottenham-ready-to-admit-defeat-as-rivals-launch-bids-for-bellamy-2054320.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/tottenham-ready-to-admit-defeat-as-rivals-launch-bids-for-bellamy-2054320.html)
Tottenham ready to admit defeat as rivals launch bids for Bellamy
By Graham Chase
There were conflicting reports last night of just where Craig Bellamy will be today. Manchester City had given the striker permission to train with Cardiff, but it later emerged that he was instead expected to return to the Northwest. The Wales striker, 31, worked with City's reserves on Friday last week as the first-team squad had travelled to London for their match at Tottenham.
As well as Cardiff, Fulham, Sunderland and Celtic are also interested in Bellamy but Tottenham have all but accepted that the forward, who was a Spurs target when he left West Ham for Eastlands in January 2009, will not be allowed to join a Champions League rival.
Cardiff, who were given yesterday off by manager Dave Jones, face serious financial problems but as he aired his frustrations under Mancini last week, Bellamy reiterated that it is one of his ambitions to turn out for the club. He has previously worked with the Fulham manager Mark Hughes, with Wales and City, and also enjoyed a previous loan stint at Celtic.
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John Reid, the Celtic chairman, admits he is still unsure of Bellamy's intentions, despite manager Neil Lennon contacting the player's agent.
"I'm not going to comment about individual players but there is nobody that we are looking at that is dead in the water," Reid said. "There are some that are more difficult than others for a host of reasons. It's not primarily financial. In a lot of these cases it is down to where the player himself wants to play."
The policy that looks set to block Bellamy's move to Tottenham would also scupper any hopes that Arsenal have of signing Shay Given. The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper had stated that he would look for a move if he was left on the bench as back up for Joe Hart on the opening day of the season at Tottenham.
While Mancini will unveil Mario Balotelli this afternoon, he is no closer to tying up a deal for Aston Villa's James Milner, as no progress has been made on negotiating a pay-off for Stephen Ireland, who was set to be included in the deal. Ireland is holding out for a £2m loyalty payment before he will agree to leave the club and is prepared to sit tight.
Another player who had a question mark over his City future is Shaun Wright-Phillips but, despite a disappointing summer at the World Cup with England, the winger started ahead of Adam Johnson in the goalless draw at Tottenham.
Wright-Phillips, 28, now has less than two years left on his contract but is adamant he has never felt he was being forced out of the club. "Everyone knows you have to work hard to stay in this team and it was great to start the first game of the season," he said. "I never worry, I'm always up for the challenge, especially at City, and will keep my head down and work as hard as I can."
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fulham-and-sunderland-lead-chase-for-bellamy-2054330.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fulham-and-sunderland-lead-chase-for-bellamy-2054330.html)
Fulham and Sunderland lead chase for Bellamy
City striker close to exit from City but is unlikely to sign for hometown club Cardiff
Uncertainty surrounded Craig Bellamy's immediate future last night but what seems certain is that he is on his way out of Manchester City. Bellamy was set to return to the club today despite being given permission to train with Cardiff.
As with Shay Given, City are reluctant to let Bellamy join a club that is also chasing a top-four place in the Premier League, leaving Celtic, Fulham and Sunderland as the three front-runners to recruit the Welshman.
Tottenham were believed to be interested in bringing Bellamy back to London where he spent two years with West Ham, but they have now pulled out of the race. The Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, said last night: "I couldn't see them loaning him to us."
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Bellamy, 31, is considered surplus to requirements at Eastlands – especially now that City have spent £22m on the Italy striker Mario Balotelli, who will be unveiled at the club's training ground at lunchtime today. Bellamy has said that he is keen to one day turn out for Cardiff but with the Welsh club beset by financial problems they may struggle to afford Bellamy's wages.
Bellamy had a loan spell at Celtic five years ago and Neil Lennon, the Glasgow side's fledgling manager, has been in contact with his agent to signal his interest. "I'm not going to comment about individual players but there is nobody that we are looking at that is dead in the water," said John Reid, Celtic's chairman yesterday. "There are some that are more difficult than others for a host of reasons. It's not primarily financial."
Redknapp believes any move outside the top flight would be a "waste" of Bellamy's talents. "He's a Premier League player, isn't he?" said Redknapp. "No disrespect to Cardiff, but it would be a waste."
