Euro 2012: Grant Holt hoping for England nod

Posted on May 15, 2012 by adminsports

Holt hoping for England nod as Hodgson prepares to name squad for Euros

UPDATED:

22:54 GMT, 14 May 2012

Norwich captain Grant Holt feels there will be 'something wrong' if he has not given himself a chance of an England call-up with 15 Barclays Premier League goals.

New Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson is set to name his squad for the summer's European Championships later this week.

Manchester United frontman Wayne Rooney will be suspended for the opening two group games in the Ukraine.

Grant my wish: Holt wants an England call-up for European Championships

Holt chalked up his 15th Premier League goal in the Canaries 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday and the former tyre-fitter from Carlisle believes as England's second-highest marksman that should have been enough to give Hodgson 'something to think about'.

'The goals I have scored and the performances I have put in, if I am not in with a shout, something is wrong,' said 31-year-old Holt, who spearheaded Norwich's drive up from npower League One in successive campaigns.

'He will pick me or he won't, but I won't be far off. I should be in his thoughts with what I have achieved this year.'

Holt added: 'A lot of people have pinned me in one way and never seen me play football. People have said I haven't done it at the top level, but there is no bigger or better league than this.

'Every week you are playing against internationals. It baffles me to hear some people's comments, some of them have never seen me play football. I will take their comments and brush them off.'

Daddy cool: Holt with his daughter after Norwich's victory over Aston Villa

Holt believes Norwich keeper John Ruddy has also merited international recognition.

'If John churns in performances like he has the last three weeks, there's no one better than him and Joe [Hart]. Without a doubt he should be in that squad,' the Norwich skipper added.

'People are talking about Ben Foster. Well, to be fair, he retired from his country so I don't think they should get him back out.

'If you want to play for your country, you shouldn't retire.

'I would give John and the young lads the opportunity to show what they can do.'

Ruddy believes the lack in depth of English goalkeepers in the top flight means 'by default, I am the next in line'.

England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence watched Ruddy keep a clean sheet against Villa.

Poacher: Holt's strike against Villa was his 15th of a glorious season

The 25-year-old former Everton stopper added: 'English goalkeepers are pretty thin on the ground at the moment.

'The attention that is coming my way is nice. If it happens I will be over the moon. If it doesn't, I will make sure I come back bigger and stronger next year.'

Ruddy also championed Holt's cause.

He said: 'Holty is a handful. If you asked any defender in the Premier League who they didn't like coming up against this season, he would probably be in their top three because of the way he's an old style centre-forward.

'He gets himself in the way, he makes a nuisance of himself. He'll harass and bully people. That's probably what England have been lacking since [Alan] Shearer and [Teddy] Sheringham

'Someone who can really get into the opposition's defence and play alongside Rooney, who can pick off him and take the chances.'

Alan Pardew named LMA Manager of the Year

Posted on May 15, 2012 by adminsports

'My greatest achievement!' Pardew hails LMA award after taking Newcastle back into Europe

UPDATED:

01:22 GMT, 15 May 2012

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has hailed his League Managers Association (LMA) Manager of the Year award as the highlight of his managerial career so far.

Pardew picked up the gong on Monday night and was also named Barclays Manager of the Season.

The former West Ham and Charlton manager has earned plaudits this term for taking Newcastle back into Europe with a fifth place finish – just missing out on the Champions League spots.

All smiles: Pardew poses with his Barlcays award for manager of the year

Pardew told Newcastle's official website: 'It is an incredible honour to be named Manager of The Year by the League Managers Association.

'Coming from my fellow managers, this really is as good as it gets and has to be the highlight of my managerial career so far.

'This award is not just for me though. Everything we have achieved at Newcastle United this season has been achieved as a result of an incredible team effort.

'The board, my coaching staff, backroom team, players and our magnificent supporters – they all play a crucial role and I thank every one of them.'

New kid in Toon: Newcastle have been mighty impressive this season

Lukas Podolski in Arsenal kit – he"ll play anywhere

Posted on May 15, 2012 by adminsports

Podolski gets shirty with the Arsenal kit and tells Wenger, I'll play anywhere!

UPDATED:

01:42 GMT, 15 May 2012

Lukas Podolski has vowed to play in any attacking position to score the goals that help Arsenal become Barclays Premier League title contenders once again.

The Germany international joins up with his new team-mates in north London later this summer and claims he can play in any one of three positions up front to help fire the Gunners up the table.

Red-y for action: Lukas Podolski has posed for the first time in his Arsenal kit

He said: 'I had a very good season with Cologne, I played well and as a result I'm now going to Euro 2012 in the summer with lots of confidence.

'After that, I will be joining up with my new team mates at Arsenal and it is my goal just to do my best and be successful there.'

'In Cologne, I played as a centre forward and also as a playmaker. In the national team I play wide on the left.

'I honestly don't mind where I play, as long as it's in a forward position. But it's always the coach who decides where you play and I will do my best wherever I play.'

Mr Versatile: The German international is happy to fill in across the forward line

EURO 2012: John O"Shea recovers from injury to join Ireland squad

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

Everything's O'Shea! Sunderland defender cleared to join Ireland squad ahead of Euro 2012

UPDATED:

14:21 GMT, 14 May 2012

The Republic of Ireland have been handed a huge boost as Sunderland defender John O'Shea will meet up with the squad as scheduled after undergoing a scan.

The 31-year-old defender limped off in Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to former club Manchester United on Sunday, and Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill admitted he could be a doubt for the European Championships next month.

Back in the fray: John O'Shea (top) will join the Ireland squad as scheduled after recovering from injury

However, the Black Cats confirmed that O'Shea will join up with the rest of Giovanni Trapattoni's Barclays Premier League-based players to start preparations in Malahide on Sunday.

O'Neill initially indicated that the defender had aggravated a long-standing calf problem, but a club statement on Monday revealed it was an ankle injury and there is no lasting damage.

A club spokesman said: 'John suffered a knock to his ankle in training prior to the Fulham game, which he aggravated slightly in Sunday's game against Manchester United.

Vital: O'Shea has played at the heart of Giovanni Tapattoni's defence for two qualifying campaigns

'He was taken off as a precaution and following positive results from a scan last night, he will meet up with the Republic of Ireland squad as scheduled next week.'

O'Shea has been a cornerstone of Trapattoni's team in the last two qualifying campaigns, playing at both right-back and in central defence, and his absence would have been a major blow.

The Republic's npower Championship players, as well as Sunderland winger James McClean, will arrive at their training base on Thursday, and the remaining members of the squad will join up three days later.

They have a week in Ireland before a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on May 26, and will then head for their training camp in Montecatini, Italy, before a final warm-up game again Hungary in Budapest.

Ireland face a tough task to qualify from Group C, as they face Italy, Croatia and holders Spain.

They kick off their campaign on June 10 against Croatia in Poznan.

Aston Villa warned Paul Lambert won"t replace Alex McLeish

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

Hands off! Norwich tell managerless Villa to stay away from Lambert

UPDATED:

15:20 GMT, 14 May 2012

Specs appeal: Lambert has gained a number of admirers

Norwich chief executive David McNally insists the club will fight to keep manager Paul Lambert and are focused on building for next season.

The Canaries signed off from what has been an impressive return to the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Carrow Road, which secured 12th place.

Lambert has masterminded successive promotions since taking over in August 2009 when the Norfolk club were languishing in the lower reaches of npower League One and facing an uncertain future.

However, it is the 42-year-old's achievements this season with an industrious side packed full of hardworking, unheralded names which have seen the former Celtic midfielder linked with a move away from East Anglia should a suitable vacancy occur.

Indeed, the Villa fans chanted Lambert's name and called for the dismissal of manager Alex McLeish, and they got their wish today when the Scot was sacked following a disappointing campaign.

End of the road: McLeish was given the boot on Monday

Lambert agreed a new deal in May 2011, along with his backroom staff, and chief executive McNally insists the highly-rated Scot is going nowhere.

'We would not welcome any enquiry for our football manager or any of the club's football players,' McNally told BBC Radio Norfolk.

'We will do everything we can and fight this as hard as we have ever fought.'

McNally added: 'If I was at another football club and I was looking for another manager he'd be top of my list.

On target: Grant Holt scored in Norwich's win over Villa

'In any business you need to look at what might happen – the what ifs.

'But we are focused on keeping our manager and the footballers he wants to retain at the club and to bring in better footballers to complement the club.

'I want other clubs to covet our manager and to want our players, because if they do that means we're doing something right.

'It is almost obvious, isn't it, that clubs would like to have them at their football club.'

Lambert accepts whatever happens in the future, Norwich's rise up through the league has been way ahead of schedule.

'It has been unbelievable what has happened here in three seasons – it is never easy to get one year of success, let alone three,' he said.

'Every year has been a challenge since I have been here – getting out of League One was with how far we were behind the top two, then there was a challenge to stay in the Championship, let alone get out of it because of everything which had gone wrong, the club was at its lowest ebb.

'To do what they have done in three years has been too quick to do it, but we did and have been brilliant.

'You are always playing catch up because of what has happened – the chairman said we would have to stay in the Premier League again for another year before things start to build.

'Nobody expected this within three years. The club gave itself seven years to get in the Premier League, and that was allowing to be relegated again, so the rise has been huge.'

Should Lambert remain in charge for pre-season planning, he accepts there will not be a deep transfer kitty with which to strengthen the squad.

'We can't go out and put the club it was in the position of financial trouble it was in two years ago,' he said.

'As long as people realise we won't be able to do that, but that is my job, to try to get people in to try to complement things, the right type of player to try to help the team at the minute.'

Kenny Dalglish heads for talks with Liverpool owners

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

Liverpool owners summon Dalglish to Boston for key talks after finishing 37 points behind Manchester City

UPDATED:

14:23 GMT, 14 May 2012

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has jetted to Boston for crunch talks over his future.

After the Reds finished 37 points behind Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City, Dalglish knows they must improve next season.

And he has now flown to the United States with his No 2 Steve Clarke to hold discussions with owners Fenway Sports Group.

Under pressure: Kenny Dalglish has faced strong criticism this season

Although FSG insisted last month that Dalglish retained the support of the owners despite the sacking of director of football Damien Comolli, Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League has left his position under threat.

Principal owner John Henry is desperate to have Liverpool competing at the top of the Premier League and faces a tough decision over the club legend.

Dalglish is still supported by the majority of Liverpool fans and he wants to continue his bid to revive the club's fortunes.

He responded angrily to suggestions he may not be in charge next season after his side's disappointing Premier League campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.

After watching Danny Graham's 100th career goal condemn them to an eighth-placed finish, Dalglish was asked if he expected to be in the Anfield hot seat next season. He replied: 'I expect the owners to have more dignity and integrity than to believe a story in a newspaper.'

Flop finish: Liverpool ended the season with a defeat at Swansea

The visitors were outplayed during the first half but posed a greater threat after the break, with Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm making one stunning save to keep out Andy Carroll's acrobatic overhead kick and then making a low stop to deny the 35million striker.

And Dalglish felt his side had deserved at least a point, but acknowledged their campaign, which ended with Liverpool below local rivals Everton for the first time since 2005, had not been good enough.

'I think on the second-half performance, the least they deserved was a point,' he said. 'We've got to keep believing and in credit to the players they have kept believing. The passing and moving at times has been excellent and the goalkeeper's save to stop Andy was fantastic. We just have to keep going and maybe next year the luck will change for us.

'We won't run away from the points tally or hide or say the points tally is satisfactory to anyone who works for or supports Liverpool Football Club. We will face up to reality. The performances have been excellent in a lot of cases but not the points tally, so we will try our best to correct that.'

Mark Hughes demands praise for QPR

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

QPR boss Hughes: It's not all about Manchester City, we deserve credit too

UPDATED:

07:12 GMT, 14 May 2012

Boss Mark Hughes made sure QPR's survival was not forgotten about at the Etihad Stadium.

Hughes' side stayed in the top flight despite Manchester City clinching the Premier League in the most exciting finish to a title race in the history of the competition.

Two injury-time goals sealed a 3-2 win for the hosts as they pipped Manchester United to the crown.

But QPR stayed in the top flight as Bolton failed to win at Stoke, letting Joey Barton off the hook following his ridiculous behaviour.

Flashpoint: Barton is pulled off the pitch after clashing with City players

Hughes refused to condemn Barton and demanded that the focus should be on his team's incredible efforts.

Having already been red-carded once
this season, Barton will automatically serve a four-match suspension for
elbowing Carlos Tevez in the throat.

However, his reactions after that, including blatantly kneeing eventual match-winner Sergio Aguero, seem certain to land the midfielder in further trouble, with another three matches, and associated add-ons leaving Barton facing a lengthy ban.

'I understand there will be a lot of comment about Joey's behaviour,' said Hughes.

'I would rather concentrate on what we did. I haven't seen Joey and I haven't seen the incident but people were saying he had to go.

'It didn't cost us though.'

In the end, QPR retained their Barclays Premier League status thanks to Bolton's failure to beat Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Seeing red: Barton is handed his marching orders after Tevez was floored

However, for most of the second half
the Londoners seemed set to hand the title to Manchester United, having
taken a 2-1 lead despite the loss of Barton.

'If
we had pulled it off and won the game, it would have been the greatest
Premier League performance in history given the significance of the game
and the attention focused on it,' said Hughes.

'I congratulate City. It is a huge achievement for them. I am sure there will be many more in the future. We touched the well of apprehension they experienced. It was all the more exciting because of that.'

In the end though, Hughes accepted that the moment his side knew they were safe quite possibly turned out to be the moment upon which the entire season turned.

'The one criticism is that we understood we were safe just prior to their winning goal,' he said.

'Maybe we just switched off. I have never been involved in anything like that but Roberto would have to admit he has been lucky today.'

High praise: Hughes congratulated Mancini on landing the title

Hughes was magnanimous in his praise for Roberto Mancini, whose arrival in December 2009 following the Welshman's sacking provoked so much ire.

A number of players he signed were part of the City team and spoke to their former boss afterwards.

However, Hughes did not take any of the credit.

'It is nothing to do with me,' he said. 'I was pleased for the players I worked with because I know the qualities that they have.

'They all came over and shook my hand but the credit is totally theirs.

'It was a great day for everyone, although I have to admit, I am a little bit flat because I am disappointed we got beaten.'

Bolton will return to the Premier League, but who knows when

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

Bolton will return to the Premier League, but who knows how long it will take

UPDATED:

07:12 GMT, 14 May 2012

A lifelong Bolton fan on the end of a lamentable league campaign…

One near-fatal cardiac arrest, two broken legs, two serious knee-ligament injuries and now one relegation.

Sunday was an appropriate end to a dreadful campaign.

Down and out: Bolton fans react after their team's relegation

All Bolton’s players needed to do was keep up their end of the bargain and beat Stoke. Had we done that, we would have been safe. I’m glad it’s over, though. It has been one long tale of woe.

The fixture list at the start of this season did us no favours, but it would be wrong to think that this has not been on the cards for a while. The decline has accelerated alarmingly since December 2010.

Nice bloke that he is, Owen Coyle is a tactically inept manager. A lot of his signings haven’t been up to scratch, a fair few of his team selections were questionable and his substitutions are often very poor (bringing Ivan Klasnic on when protecting a lead against West Bromwich Albion was a horrendous mistake).

Inept: Coyle was found out tactically this season

Coyle must take a lot of the blame for this season. In a way, relegation is relief. Next season would have just been another struggle.

We have the makings of a decent Championship team. But this season, that side were in the Barclays Premier League and out of their depth.

However, I did make a deal in these pages on March 19. I wrote then that if Fabrice Muamba survived after his cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane then I’d take relegation. I meant it then and I mean it now.

We’ll be back, he’ll be back and it will all be fine.

I’m just not sure when…

Manchester City win title – watch video highlights

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

VIDEO: Re-live all the dramatic action from the final day of the Premier League season

Manchester City staged a remarkable comeback to win the Barclays Premier League title with two goals in injury time to secure a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers. It meant that they pipped Man United – who won 1-0 at Sunderland – to the crown.

You can watch highlights from those two games – and the rest of the action from the final weekend – on our brilliant video player…

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Roebrto Mancini hails crazy win for Manchester City

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

Mancini hails 'crazy' finish as Man City land first title for 44 years

UPDATED:

08:14 GMT, 14 May 2012

Roberto Mancini was still draped in the Italian flag when he addressed the media at the Etihad Stadium long after his players had clinched their amazing title-winning victory over Queens Park Rangers.

With his father Aldo in the crowd during Sunday’s dramatic game, this was an emotional day for the City manager.

Mancini said: ‘I think it was a crazy finish for a crazy season. I have never seen a final day like this. I feel 90 years old. The best team won the title.

Champions: Vincent Kompany lifts the title on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium

Roberto Mancini

Crazy: Mancini goes wild at the final whistle

‘I think we played the best football, conceded less goals, scored more goals, beat United two times.

‘It was terrible at that moment when we were losing but it was incredible because we deserved to score three or four goals.

Magic moment: Sergio Aguero scores the winner

‘I have never known a moment like this. In the history of the club a
final day like this does not exist. I am very proud for my players
because they wanted to win this title.

‘They worked hard for this. To beat a strong team like United is
fantastic. We changed the history of this club; for this we should be
proud. All our supporters deserve this. My father is OK. But after we
scored the winner I was afraid for his heart!’

Fan-tastic: The City faithful celebrate their first title in 44 years

After City’s 3-2 victory edged out Manchester United in the most
thrilling Barclays Premier League title race ever, captain Vincent
Kompany echoed his manager, saying: ‘This game was crazy. There are no
words to describe what happened today. There seemed nothing we could do
about it but you look at how we finished.

‘This just shows that miracles do happen in Manchester, but on this side of the road, this time.’

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had said prior to yesterday’s game that
City’s challenge had made him feel three years younger and Mancini
said: ‘We’re happy he has three years left. I hope we can continue to
win. In two or three years, maybe he will feel 10 years younger.’

Blue moon: City's players celebrate at the final whistle

City were heading for disaster on Sunday after two breakaway goals from
QPR seemed set to leave them reflecting on their first home league
defeat of the season – and the biggest missed opportunity in the club’s
colourful history.

But Aguero’s 30th goal of the season capped an incredible last four
minutes and afterwards the Argentinian reflected on the most decisive
shot of his career, set up for him by sub Mario Balotelli.

‘I thought Mario was going to have a go himself but he just moved it on
one more and it fell at my feet,’ said Aguero. ‘And my only thought was
to hit the target and it went in. For sure it was the most important
goal of my career. You score a goal in the last minute to win the title,
I’m not sure that is ever going to happen again.’

Champions: Mancini's squad revel in the glory

City’s celebrations will continue on Monday with an open-top bus tour of
Manchester and last night captain Kompany tried to sum up in words the
pandemonium that followed Aguero’s winning goal.

The Belgian international said: ‘I just remember jumping on top of Sergio when he scored the goal.

‘He was crying on the floor, other guys were pouring their eyes out,
strong personalities who you don’t see get emotional often, and all of a
sudden it was finished.

‘We expected to win the league today so the disappointment of being
behind was incredible. It was one of the best moments of my life,
together with the birth of my child and together with the wedding. You
want to say it’s the best moment of your life. But please, never again
this way, please.

Pandemonium: Fans invade the pitch at the final whistle

‘We’ve dreamed of this all our lives, when we were kids and we had no money, we had nothing.

‘Now we are champions and that is all it’s about.’

Everything seemed to be going to plan for City when they led 1-0 at
half-time thanks to a goal from defender Pablo Zabaleta, his first in
more than a year.

But strikes from Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie rocked City in the
second half and Zabaleta admitted afterwards that he thought all was
lost. Zabaleta said: ‘At 2-1 I thought the game was gone, but when we
scored the second goal I thought we were going to win the game.

Double joy: QPR celebrate their escape from relegation

‘When you fight to the end, sometimes you can get it. We won the game in
the last five minutes. It’s crazy, but I think we deserved it.

‘We have fantastic players, and for this club it is a great step forward. Europe’s next.’

For QPR and their former City manager Mark Hughes it was an equally long
afternoon. Ahead going into added time, QPR eventually escaped
relegation thanks to Bolton’s failure to win at Stoke.

Hughes said: ‘If we’d have pulled it off and actually won the game I
think it would have been the greatest Premier League performance in
history, because of the significance of the game and the attention
focused on it.

Oh, brother: City fans turn the Etihad blue

‘I’m immensely proud of the players and what they produced. At 2-1 I
couldn’t see City getting back into it. I just felt they were knocking
aimless balls into our penalty box, just hoping something was going to
break for them, and in the end it did.

‘If you keep putting balls in decent areas, sometimes it works for you,
and I think Roberto would have to admit he’s been lucky today. But
congratulations to City. I am sure they will have many more days like
this.

‘It’s a huge achievement for me, because people have no idea what I
walked into, to be perfectly honest. And to be able to bring the group
together and galvanise them, and you saw what they were able to produce
today in unbelievable circumstances, I think it shows great credit to
QPR.’

Sports Bound Guide

Sports Bound Guide. Fresh Sports News

Tag Archives: barclays

Euro 2012: Grant Holt hoping for England nod

Alan Pardew named LMA Manager of the Year

Lukas Podolski in Arsenal kit – he"ll play anywhere

EURO 2012: John O"Shea recovers from injury to join Ireland squad

Aston Villa warned Paul Lambert won"t replace Alex McLeish

Kenny Dalglish heads for talks with Liverpool owners

Mark Hughes demands praise for QPR

Bolton will return to the Premier League, but who knows when

Manchester City win title – watch video highlights

Roebrto Mancini hails crazy win for Manchester City