Paul Lambert calls on Aston Villa to battle themselves out of relegation trouble ahead of Reading Premier League clash

Posted on March 8, 2013 by adminsports

Lambert calls on Villa to battle themselves out of relegation trouble ahead of Reading clash

By
Neil Moxley

PUBLISHED:

19:06 GMT, 8 March 2013

UPDATED:

19:06 GMT, 8 March 2013

Paul Lambert says Aston Villa will need to play with 'courage' at the Madjeski Stadium tomorrow as he attempts to drag others into the relegation dogfight.

Villa's boss says he does not sense that his team is playing under pressure and believes that a good result against Reading this weekend, followed by similar against bottom-placed QPR next Saturday will ease the club's lingering relegation issues.

War cry: Lambert believes a couple of wins for his Aston Villa side will pull others into a relegation dogfight

Scrap: Villa are four points ahead of basement club QPR

Lambert believes two positive results will leave others looking 'edgy' as the Premier League campaign enters its final two months.

'There are loads of teams who will be edgy,' he said. 'It will take courage tomorrow. We will need it all over the pitch. To go and play football and not get caught up with the occasion.

'We certainly don't look like a team that is playing under pressure. We were well in the game against Manchester City – we never allowed them to play their normal fluid game.

In the game: Lambert said his team frustrated Manchester City on Monday, with Gabby Agbonlahor (above) and Christian Benteke (below)

Christian Benteke

'I would like to think that everyone has fight in them to win a game – it's okay to be aggressive.

'But we need to play the game and not the occasion.'

Lambert has a few injury issues with which to contend. There was some positive news regarding Ron Vlaar who has come through a calf problem and is set to start.

But Fabian Delph's suspension and an ankle injury to Karim El Ahmadi might mean a first start for Yacouba Sylla, signed during the January transfer window from Clermont for 2m.

Aston Villa: (4-4-2) Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Baker; N'Zogbia, Sylla, Westwood, Agbonlahor; Benteke, Weimann.

Suspended: Delph

Injured: El Ahmadi, (ankle) Bent, (foot) Dunne (groin and hip) Albrighton. (toe)

Jimmy Kebe blames Reading owner Anton Zingarevich Premier League slump

Posted on December 19, 2012 by adminsports

Stop the rot and buy someone! Kebe blames Reading owner Zingarevich for slump to bottom of Premier League table

UPDATED:

23:04 GMT, 18 December 2012

Jimmy Kebe has launched a scathing attack on Reading owner Anton Zingarevich and blamed him for the club's dismal league form.

He admitted Reading are only 'a good Championship team' and will only stay up if the Russian, who took over the club in May, spends money in the January transfer window.

The Royals are bottom of the league, six points from safety and have lost six matches in a row. And Kebe blames the club's owner who invested barely any money on transfers over the summer.

Basement boys: Santi Cazorla hit a hat-trick for Arsenal as Reading crashed to another heavy defeat at the Madejski Stadium on Monday night

Time to splash the cash Reading's Russian billionaire owner Anton Zingarevich

The 28-year-old, who has been at Reading for four years, fumed: 'We're bottom of the table and you can see straight away that we are in big trouble. We are trying to do our best, but let's be honest we look like a good Championship team. We are a good Championship team trying to compete in the Premier League – that's it.

'For me we should have bought some decent players during the transfer window. Don't get me wrong, I like my team-mates and we are working hard for each other and we brought some good players – but there is a big difference between being in the Championship and the Premier League.

READING'S TERRIBLE MONTH
1st Dec Reading 3 – 4 Man United
8th Dec Southampton 1 – 0 Reading
11th Dec Sunderland 3 – 0 Reading
17th Dec Reading 2 – 5 Arsenal 22nd Dec Man city v Reading26th Dec Reading v Swansea29th Dec Reading v West Ham

'There is nothing to expect if you don't spend any money to make the team better. Right now we are trying to fight our best and we won't give up – but there is nothing to expect.'

'Someone bought the club last season.
We won the Championship – so surely we need to add decent players. We
have some good players, but it wasn't enough and we knew it. We're
behind the manager and we are trying our best. There is no miracle in
football.'

Consolation: Jimmy Kebe hit the target for Reading in the defeat by Arsenal

Reading manager Brian McDermott has his eye on signing two or three players with Premier League experience in January to try to save their season.

But they have a torrid period of festive fixtures. Before the window opens and they can sign anyone they face Manchester City and Tottenham away and Swansea and West Ham at the Madejski Stadium, teams all in the top half of the table.

Kebe argued the dire position they are in is not the fault of the players or manager and that Zingarevich needs to put his hand in his pocket if they want any chance of staying in the Premier League.

He added: 'You should ask [the owner] but I think he has the money. It's not the manager who decides who he can buy or not. Right now we are in big trouble so you should ask if he wants to spend any money to make the team better so we can compete in the Premier League.

Sven-Goran Eriksson in talks with Ukraine

Posted on December 5, 2012 by adminsports

Eriksson could come back to haunt England as former boss holds talks with Ukraine

UPDATED:

16:32 GMT, 5 December 2012

Negotiations: Ex-England manager Sven-Goran Ericksson could be set to take charge of Ukraine

Sven-Goran Eriksson could be handed the challenge of ruining England's World Cup dream after opening talks to become the new manager of Ukraine.

The Ukrainians offered former Three Lions boss Eriksson the position after failing to land Harry Redknapp.

A spokeswoman for the Ukraine Football Federation said: 'An offer has been made and negotiations are under way.'

England and Ukraine are in the same World Cup qualifying group and drew 1-1 at Wembley in September.

Swede Eriksson, who managed England between 2001 and 2006 and lists Roma, Benfica, Sampdoria and Manchester City among his previous employers, has been working as technical director of BEC Tero Sasana in Thailand since September.

He was also linked with German outfit 1860 Munich last month.

Ukraine have been without a manager since Oleg Blokhin quit in September after failing to lead the co-hosts out of the group stages at Euro 2012.

Former Tottenham boss Redknapp admitted he was interested in the post before taking the reins at Premier League basement boys QPR.

Andre Villas-Boas warns Harry Redknapp off Jermain Defoe

Posted on November 28, 2012 by adminsports

Hands off Defoe (he's as good as Falcao), AVB warns new QPR boss Redknapp

UPDATED:

00:26 GMT, 28 November 2012

Andre Villas-Boas has told new QPR manager Harry Redknapp he will not be able to bolster his struggling strikeforce with Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

Redknapp's five-month absence from football came to an end on Saturday when he signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Barclays Premier League basement boys QPR.

The 65-year-old immediately highlighted a lack of firepower up front as his main concern, with Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora both out with long-term injuries.

Red hot: Jermain Defoe has played well this season

That immediately sparked speculation linking Redknapp with Defoe – a striker with whom he has worked at Tottenham, West Ham and Portsmouth.

But Defoe, often overlooked by Redknapp last season, has thrived under Villas-Boas this term and the Portuguese has no intention of letting the 30-year-old leave.

'That's not possible,' Villas-Boas said when asked about the prospect of Defoe leaving in January.

'It's absolutely impossible. We have the belief in him.'

The Tottenham manager's belief in Defoe is so strong that he even considers the England striker to be on a par with Radamel Falcao – the Colombian striker who scored bags of goals for Villas-Boas at FC Porto and is now setting the Spanish league alight with Atletico Madrid.

'He is one of the best strikers I have worked with,' Villas-Boas said of Defoe, who has scored 10 times for Spurs this year.

'I certainly put him alongside Falcao. His hunger for goal is extreme. That makes things easier for you to work with because you don't have to teach a lot.

'I don't have a lot of experience. The experience I have is with a couple of strikers, but I put him up there with the best.

Really Andre Villas-Boas says the striker is as good as Radamel Falcao

'He smells every cross and when the opportunity is there to tap it in.

'Plus he has the ability to turn on the defenders and he still has the pace in him to cause chaos.'

Villas-Boas refused to take a similar stance on Michael Dawson, however.

Dawson turned down a 9million move to Loftus Road in the summer, but Redknapp is thought to be interested in signing the Spurs skipper in January.

'I think if that possibility arises we will have to consider it,' said Villas-Boas, who has only given Dawson one league start this term.

'But we're not looking to make a lot in the January transfer window.'

Villas-Boas is all too aware of the high expectations placed upon him after Redknapp guided Tottenham to fourth, fifth and fourth during his three full seasons at the north London club.

Hitman: Falcao (right) is widely considered the best out-and-out striker in the world at the moment

The Portuguese could be forgiven for bemoaning Redknapp's return to top-flight football, but the Spurs boss is happy to see his predecessor back in the game – and he has no doubt the west London club will survive under his leadership.

'It's good for the game that he is back,' Villas-Boas said.

'He's a manager with more experience in the Premier League, a respected manager who is used to making impossible things turn possible.

'It is the kind of challenge that makes him even more motivated. I would put on a bet if I could that they would save themselves.'

Villas-Boas' attempt at delivering the top-four finish demanded of him will face a stern test when Spurs host Liverpool on Wednesday.

Nice to see you: Villas-Boas likes that Harry Redknapp (right) is back in the top flight

The Londoners arrested a three-match losing streak with victory over West Ham on Sunday, with Clint Dempsey turning in his best performance since moving to White Hart Lane from Fulham this summer.

The American had struggled to settle in to the Tottenham team, but he helped set up two of the team's goals with an impressive display just behind Defoe.

Villas-Boas is glad Dempsey's on-off move to Liverpool this summer failed to materialise.

'It was a masterclass from our chairman to sign him,' Villas-Boas said.

'I gave the green light to do it and I think we did extremely well.

'Sunday was his first full individual 90 minute performance and that was important for him. He has been looking for it to happen for some time.'

Fantasy Football Premier League weekend preview: November 10-11

Posted on November 9, 2012 by adminsports

Fantasy Friday: Your guide to the big games and the players who could score for you…

UPDATED:

12:46 GMT, 9 November 2012

After some thrilling mid-week European action, the focus returns to Barclays Premier League with a weekend of mouth-watering games in store.

Manchester United, who left it late to defeat Braga on Wednesday, face a Aston Villa at 5.30pm on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be looking to extend their lead at the top with closest rivals Manchester City and Chelsea not in action until Sunday.

Stoke, meanwhile, welcome winless QPR at 3pm on Saturday while fellow basement boys Southampton take on Swansea. Norwich travel to the Madjeski to face a Reading side also still searching for their first win of the season.

Wigan, who shocked AVB’s Tottenham last weekend, take on West Brom, one of the season’s surprise packages, so far. The Baggies currently sit 5th in the Premier League table.

Top defender: Branislav Ivanovic (77 points)

Top defender: Ivanovic (77 pts)

Top striker: Van Persie (85)

Top midfielder: Mata (84)

THIS WEEK'S TRANSFER PICK….

Kevin Mirallas

Kevin Mirallas (pictured, right) has been a key player for
Everton so far this season, scoring 44 points.

With Everton
entertaining Sunderland this week and matches against Reading and
Norwich coming up, the Belgian international could be worth bringing in
to your squad.

Everton, who have drawn their last four matches, host Sunderland at Goodison Park and Arsenal will be looking for a win against London rivals Fulham.

On Sunday, champions City take on Tottenham in the big lunch-time at the Etihad.

Sam Allardyce, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan visit their old employers as West Ham take on Newcastle.

The Hammers have made a solid start to their first season back in the Premier League, sitting 9th, just one place ahead of former boss Alan Pardew's Toon side.

In the final match of the weekend, Chelsea and Liverpool go head-to-head at 4pm, where defender John Terry is cleared to make his league return after completing a four-match ban.

Is your team flying or floundering Why not head to the site now and make a transfer or captain change ahead of the weekend games CLICK HERE

Football Premier League: Money well spent? Ten eye-catching Premier League summer signings

Posted on August 13, 2012 by adminsports

Money well spent Ten eye-catching Premier League summer signings

UPDATED:

12:38 GMT, 13 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Some are big-money, big-headline buys designed to dazzle the Premier League, others are the result of a rummage in the bargain basement.

But all could turn out to be the shrewdest signing of the summer when the new season unfolds. With just five days until the big kick-off, Sportsmail selects ten moves that could be the best business of the year.

Santi Cazorla Malaga to Arsenal 16.5m

Given that the summer transfer window normally represents a time of utter terror for Arsenal fans as they watch their best players sprint towards the exit door, this year (so far) hasn’t turned into the nightmare many expected.

Robin Van Persie has been hammering on it and screaming ‘let me out!’ but he remains in situ for the moment, while the squad has been enhanced by some promising and refreshingly unparsimonious signings.

Strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski know what is expected of them, but Santi Cazorla, a 16.5m acquisition from Malaga, is creating genuine excitement. Small, technically excellent and blessed with good vision, passing and movement, Cazorla is the kind of footballer in fashion at the moment.

Ambidextrous, he can play on either wing and shot to prominence as an integral part of the Villarreal side which impressed in the Champions League at the end of the last decade. He seems like an Arsenal kind of player and we’ll see how he adapts to the Premier League.

Good business rating: 8/10

Defences will need to keep a tight rein on Cazorla (right) this season

Oscar Internacional to Chelsea 25m

There’s almost as much buzz around Chelsea’s new signing as the prestigious movie awards ceremony with which he shares a name.

As Brazil coach Mano Menezes said: ‘Put it this way… He wears the No 10 for Brazil and we don’t give that shirt out to just anybody.’ No pressure then, Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior.

His appearances in the Olympics provided a tantalising glimpse at what we can expect from the new Stamford Bridge whizzkid this season. Those expecting a replica of Kaka might be surprised when Oscar stops and caresses the ball, scanning the options ahead of him before intelligently threading the ideal ball rather than accelerating towards goal. The 20-year-old also seems to possess a sonar-like awareness of space and when to navigate towards it.

Oscar’s potential is enormous; he could illuminate the Premier League. But there have been others cursed with such high expectations before.

Good business rating: 7/10

Oscar's performances for Brazil in the Olympic tournament have whet the appetite ahead of the new season

Joe Allen Swansea City to Liverpool 15

When Brendan Rodgers dropped his 180-page manifesto, called ‘The Vision’, for attractive and attacking football on the desk of Liverpool owner John W Henry, who would have thought a 22-year-old from Narberth in Pembrokeshire would be at the heart of it.

Rodgers wants to oversee a culture change at Anfield that will recall the glory days of the seventies and eighties – passing, possession and movement that’s pleasing on the eye. Fittingly, he compares the technique and ability of Allen, who was a key cog in Rodgers’ team at Swansea City, to a Spaniard.

The trouble with culture shifts is that they take time and, with some strong competition for places in the Liverpool midfield, Allen will want to shine from the very start.

Good business rating: 6/10

Joe Allen (left) was swiftly reunited with his former Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool

Shinji Kagawa Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United 17m

Lots of sniffing around in the transfer market, but only two done deals thus far at Old Trafford – the talented Nick Powell brought in from Crewe and Japanese superstar Kagawa. Players from the Far East have been a bit hit and miss in the Premier League but Kagawa, having already shone in the Bundesliga, could buck the trend.

Adept at working his way out of tight situations in midfield with his nimble feet and clinical passing, he looks like a player who can prosper in a United midfield which has sometimes mis-fired. As his former Dortmund teammate Nuri Sahin eloquently put it, ‘the boy plays like an angel.’

Unlike some of the others in this list, Kagawa comes in to the Premier League with two German titles in two seasons and 29 goals in all competitions, and so should have no trouble settling.

Good business rating: 8/10

Kagawa (right) in pre-season action for Manchester United against Hanover

Jan Vertonghen Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur 10m

If the reign of Andre Villas-Boas started on a sombre note with the retirement of fan favourite Ledley King, there is consolation in the stature of the man brought into replace him. The deal for Belgian Jan Vertonghen looked as though it might stall in light of the managerial changes, but the player’s determination to sign drove the deal through.

Equally comfortable at centre or left-back, Vertonghen will compensate for most, if not all, of the commanding presence that went with King’s knees. The 25-year-old is also dangerous going forward, though this may be a little more restrained in the Premier League than in the Eredivisie with last club Ajax.

With Villas-Boas not doing anything to dampen fan hopes of a top four finish, much will depend on keeping the defence watertight and this new signing should fit the bill.

Good business rating: 8/10

The new Tottenham signing, Jan Vertonghen (left), tussles with Teemu Tainio in a pre-season friendly with New York Red Bulls

Park Ji-Sung Manchester United to Queens Park Rangers 2m

It’s not very often Sir Alex Ferguson admits to regretting something, but the United manager didn’t hide his sadness at losing ‘ultimate professional’ Park to QPR. In seven years at United, Park was a quiet but effective constant in the midfield, and was never fazed by the biggest of stages.

His arrival at QPR has been described as a ‘stunning coup’ and, at 31, Mark Hughes will feel he can get another few years out of the Korean, who will play more regularly than at any point of his Old Trafford career.

Park’s move to the Capital could turn out to be the shrewdest of the summer, especially considering the bargain price.

Good business rating: 9/10

The signing of Park Ji-Sung by QPR for 2m looks like good business

Michu Rayo Vallecano to Swansea City 2m

As Swansea adjust to life after Brendan Rodgers and aim to avoid a nasty bout of second season syndrome, a lot of hope is being placed in 26-year-old attacking midfielder Michu – also known as Miguel Prez Cuesta.

Manager Michael Laudrup hailed the 2m deal as ‘fantastic’ and a ‘bargain’, pointing out that his new charge scored 15 times for a club battling relegation. He certainly looks like a good replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has gone to Tottenham.

Michu said the chance to work alongside Laudrup was too good to turn down, though whether the Dane can find someone who admires him enough to replace Joe Allen will be a greater test.

Good business rating: 7/10

Michu (left) in action for Rayo Vallecano against Kaka, of Real Madrid, last season

Modibo Maiga Sochaux to West Ham United 5m

A Malian striker who was on the verge of signing for Newcastle last year and had a few suitors in the Premier League before settling on West Ham. Maiga’s main strength is in the air, with many of his 24 goals for Sochaux in Ligue 1 over the last two seasons coming from headers.

Having bounced back to the Premier League at the first attempt, the Hammers will value the 10-15 goal contribution that Maiga should deliver. Though his athleticism and strength will trouble defenders in the penalty box, he sometimes plays on the flanks as well.

Good business rating: 7/10

Maiga after scoring for Sochaux in a Ligue 1 match with Auxerre last season

Karim El Ahmadi Feyenoord to Aston Villa, 2.5m

Aston Villa needed a lot of things during a disastrous 2011-2012 season, but a bit of steel and toughness would be high on the list. That’s why new boss Paul Lambert swooped for the Moroccan defensive midfielder El Ahmadi from Feyenoord for his first signing.

He is skilled at performing those unglamorous tasks in front of defence; stemming attacks with an interception or a strong tackle, looking for the right outlet and putting in the shift of hard graft that is often unheralded, but always essential.

Good business rating: 7/10

El Ahmadi gets stuck in to Nottingham Forest's Andy Reid during a pre-season encounter

Steven Davis Rangers to Southampton, Free

As the bloated carcass of crisis-stricken Rangers was pulled apart this summer, there were bargains to be had for the Premier League clubs. Southampton moved quickly for the 27-year-old midfielder Davis who, like many of his teammates, was in the shop window on a free.

The Northern Irishman returns to the Premier League after four seasons in Scotland and brings a useful amount of experience for a side returning to the top flight. He captained Rangers for a spell and made 140 league appearances for them, as well as winning 51 international caps.

Steven Whittaker has joined Norwich City, Steven Naismith has gone to Everton and Jamie Ness had signed for Stoke City, all on frees, after Rangers was wound up.

Good business rating: 8/10

Steven Davis (right) captained Rangers last season and was snapped up by Southampton on a free

Bradford 38 Widnes 26: Bulls boost play-off credentials by mauling Warriors

Posted on August 5, 2012 by adminsports

Bradford 38 Widnes 26: Bulls boost play-off credentials after mauling Warriors

UPDATED:

16:53 GMT, 5 August 2012

Battling Bradford gave warning that they have not given up on a top eight place in the Stobart Super League with a 38-26 victory over struggling Widnes.

The cash-strapped Bulls recently suffered a triple blow to their play-off hopes through back-to-back defeats against Leeds and Warrington either side of a six-point deduction by the Rugby Football League for entering administration.

But, having put together three wins on the trot immediately before that, the seven tries to five success over the Vikings keeps alive the Yorkshire side's hopes of reaching the end of season shoot-out for the first time in four years.

Widnes, who had won two of their previous four games while pushing St Helens and Hull KR close, remain second from bottom of the table, just two points above basement club London Broncos.

As torrential rain swept down on Odsal the Bulls were forced to dig deep and come from 16-4 down midway through the first half.

The visitors made a strong start with two tries, both converted by Rhys Hanbury, in the opening 10 minutes.

Former Bradford winger Patrick Ah Van latched onto a long pass from Cameron Phelps and dived into the corner to put the visitors ahead.

Hep Cahill then sent Ben Davies charging through the middle and his momentum, on the rain soaked turf, took him over the whitewash to score.

Bradford hit back almost immediately with some swift handling freeing Michael Platt up to cross, although Luke Gale failed to emulate his opposite number with the conversion.

Danny Craven capitalised on a Bulls handling error and dummied his way to the line to restore Widnes' 12-point advantage before three tries in 12 minutes put the Bulls ahead for the first time.

Brett Kearney, Shaun Ainscough and Ben Jeffries – his 100th touchdown in club rugby – all crossed to leave the Bulls with a 22-16 lead.

But there was still time in a frenetic first half for Hanbury to twist his way over but the Vikings' half back's attempt to level things going into the break failed as he struck the near upright with his subsequent kick.

After registering 42 points in better than even time before the interval it took a further 18 minutes for the scoreboard to be called into action again.

Bulls skipper Heath L'Estrange finally broke the deadlock, forcing his way over from dummy half for his first try of the season.

L'Estrange was also involved as Michael Platt extended the hosts' lead four to 12 points shortly afterwards but Ah Van gave Widnes hope with a second try near the corner flag, taking over the kicking to convert his own score and reduce the deficit to 32-26.

Jeffries had a drop-goal charged down and Kearney saw a try disallowed for offside, following another attempt at a one-pointer from Gale, before Ainscough's second try secured the win and two vital league points, Gale finishing with five goals from seven attempts.

Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to a 4-0 victory over Ecuador

Posted on June 3, 2012 by adminsports

Messi and Aguero send Argentina top of World Cup qualifying group with victory over Ecuador

UPDATED:

11:44 GMT, 3 June 2012

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 4-0 victory over Ecuador with a man of the match performance as he found the net along with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

Argentina broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrated his 24th birthday with the opening goal from Di Maria’s pass.

Messi set up Higuain’s goal nine minutes later when he beat three defenders before feeding the Real Madrid hit-man to fire past Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.

Messi magic: Lionel Messi helped Argentina to victory over Ecuador

Barcelona ace Messi got in on the act just past the half hour mark when he played a one-two with Higuain before sliding home his 23rd goal for his country.

Di Maria completed the rout 15 minutes from time to move Argentina to summit of the qualifying group.

Uruguay failed to keep pace with Argentina at the top of the group after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Venezuela.

On target: Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain scores

Uruguay took the lead six minutes before the break when Diefo Forlan netted with a left-footed shot from Maxi Pereira’s cross.

Venezuela stunned the home side when Salomon Rondon struck an equaliser six minutes from time to earn his country a point.

Chile moved into second spot in the group one point behind Argentina with a 2-0 win over basement boys Bolivia.

On course for victory: Argentina's Sergio Aguero celebrates after he scored

Chile hit the front right on the stroke of half-time when Charles Aranguiz capitalised on some poor defending to score.

Juventus ace Arturo Vidal put the game beyond Bolivia with a fine solo effort seven minutes from time.

Top 10 best Premier League signings of the season

Posted on May 9, 2012 by adminsports

Premier League 2011-12: Top 10 signings of the season

UPDATED:

23:01 GMT, 8 May 2012

Whether it’s a club record signing or a bargain basement Bosman there is always some value to be had in the transfer market.

In the Premier League this season there have been plenty of moves with many of them proving successful for their respective clubs.

So successful that the likes of Mikel Arteta, Nikica Jelavic and Peter Crouch all miss out on our final cut as Sportsmail assesses the top 10 transfers this season.

10. Yakubu

Blackburn (Free from Everton)

The Yak
In the eyes of Blackburn fans, Steve Kean has not made many good decisions, but signing Yakubu has been one of them.

The striker looked to be a spent force when he only scored one goal for Everton last season before dropping into the Championship on loan at Leicester.

But since the 29-year-old’s relatively low-key move last summer he has once again become a feared marksman in the top flight.

His goals this season may not be enough to keep Blackburn in the Premier League, but without those strikes, Rovers relegation to the Championship may have been sealed in early April.

9. Demba Ba

Newcastle (Free, West Ham)

Demba Ba
Seven league goals in an awful West Ham team last year gave everyone a hint that Ba was the real deal in the Premier League, but very few clubs followed up on their interest to sign him this season – even on a free.

In the end Alan Pardew brought the striker to Newcastle and it’s proven to be one of the bargains of the season.

The 26-year-old scored 15 goals before leaving for the African Nations Cup in January, but despite finding the net far less often since returning, he has formed a deadly partnership with Papiss Cisse.

Newcastle's Senegalese front-men are a not a force to be messed with.

8. Ashley Young

Man Utd (16m from Aston Villa)

Ashley Young

He may have been doing his best Tom Daley impressions over the past few weeks but Young’s first season at Manchester United has been a big success.

The forward was a key component to Aston Villa last season but has taken his game further at Old Trafford and looks dangerous every time he has the ball.

Eight league goals and seven assists has seen him play a major role this term, which has seen the 26-year-old link up to great effect with Wayne Rooney for club and country as United bid to retain the Premier League title.

Anthony Pilkington

For many Premier League teams, the concept of purchasing a player from the lower leagues is starting to become taboo and too much of a gamble.

But Paul Lambert has kept faith with the stars of the Football League and arguably his best signing from last summer has been Pilkington, taking the 23-year-old two steps up from League One.

The double promotion has not fazed the midfielder at all and his tidy strike rate this season has played a big part in helping Norwich easily maintain their Premier League status.

7. Anthony Pilkington

Norwich (2m, Huddersfield)

6. Scott Parker

Tottenham (5m from West Ham)

Scott Parker

With Wilson Palacios going off the boil, Spurs needed new blood to anchor their midfield, especially after thrashings form Manchester City and Manchester United at the start of the season.

Step forward Parker. After the 31-year-old joined Spurs, the club won 10 of their next 11 league games helping them become early pace-setters in the league behind City and United.

Injury and suspension have seen Spurs decline in games without Parker but the midfielder continues to rise at international level with Stuart Pearce handing him the captain’s armband for England in the recent friendly with Holland.

Yohan Cabaye

Lille conquered all before them on the way to winning the French top flight last season with the likes of Gervinho and Eden Hazard taking much of the plaudits.

But working hard in the engine room was Cabaye, who was snapped up at a bargain price by Pardew way back in June. The Frenchman has proven to be a class above since replacing former Toon skipper Kevin Nolan in the midfield.

The 26-year-old’s ability to control the flow of a game and play as a box-to-box midfielder has been a key reason why Newcastle find themselves in a battle for the Champions League places.

5. Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle (4.3m from Lille)

4. Michel Vorm

Swansea (1.5m from Utrecht)

Michel Vorm

A late addition to the Swans squad on the eve of their first Premier League season, but ever since making a strong debut against Manchester City the keeper’s stock has been on the rise.

Eye-catching saves, a number of clean sheets, and a large amount of confidence and trust from his defence has made him one of the best value-for-money transfers this term.

The 28-year-old has impressed so much for Brendan Rodgers’ side that he was given the Dutch No. 1 jersey for their final two Euro 2012 qualifying games earlier in the season. A key component in Swansea's backline.

Papiss Cisse

Many questioned Pardew’s decision to sign a striker in January who couldn’t feature until returning from the African nations Cup – but the wait has been more than worth it.

Not even Pardew could have imagined the Senegal striker would score so many goals, teaming up with Ba in a deadly attack that cost less than a third of Andy Carroll.

The 26-year-old can still hardly speak a word of English but his incredibly quick adaption to the Premier League in such a short space of time makes him one of the greatest ever January purchases. His goal of the season effort v Chelsea will be remembered for years.

3. Papiss Cisse

Newcastle (10m from Freiburg)

2. Juan Mata

Chelsea (23.5m from Valencia)

Juan Mata

For the majority of last summer it looked like Mata was Arsenal bound, but after missing out on Luka Modric from Tottenham, Chelsea swiped the Spaniard from under the Gunners’ noses.

The price tag suggested big things from the 23-year-old and he hasn’t failed to deliver, establishing himself as a crucial playmaker to the Blues as well as chipping in with a healthy amount of goals and assists.

Even in the darkest days under Andre Villas-Boas, Mata has shined and he continues to do so under Roberto Di Matteo’s watch. For once the Blues have had value for money.

Record breaking transfers can often weigh down a player once he joins a new club, but City fans will be thankful that hasn’t been the case with Sergio Aguero.

The club record signing wasted no time to adjust to the Premier League after coming off the bench to score twice on his debut against Swansea and he hasn’t looked back since.

With 30 goals in total the Argentine has linked up well with playmaker David Silva and looks at home in attack no matter which striker he is paired with. Even at the 23-year-old’s extremely high cost, he has been worth every penny.

1. Sergio Aguero

Man City (38m, Atletico Madrid)

Stoke 2 Wolves 1: Peter Crouch heads winner

Posted on April 7, 2012 by adminsports

Stoke 2 Wolves 1: More woe for Connor's basement boys after Crouch's header

UPDATED:

18:50 GMT, 7 April 2012

Peter Crouch's brilliant header capped a Stoke City comeback and condemned Wolves to a sixth successive defeat.

The former Tottenham man angled his effort from Jermaine Pennant's controversially awarded free-kick shortly after the hour.

The evening had started well for Wolves – not least because of defeats for Wigan and Blackburn – when Michael Kightly fired them in front.

However, before the break, Robert Huth had blasted Stoke level and from that point one there only looked to be one winner.

More to follow…

Head boy: Peter Crouch won the game for Stoke with a towering header in the second half

MATCH FACTS

STOKE: Begovic, Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant (Palacios 86), Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington (Jerome 69), Crouch (Delap 90), Walters. Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Jones, Fuller, Upson.

Booked: Etherington.

Goals: Huth 37,Crouch 61.

WOLVES: Hennessey, Stearman, Zubar, Bassong, Ward, Kightly, Henry (Davis 86), Edwards, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake (Doyle 83), Fletcher. Subs Not Used: De Vries, Johnson, Berra, Milijas, Forde.

Booked: Kightly.

Goals: Kightly 26.

Attendance: 27,005

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Driving forward: Jonathan Walters provided the energy from behind the strikers