Tag Archives: fluid

Charlie Adam has no plans to change Stoke style

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Adam 'just another part of jigsaw' at Stoke as midfielder has no plans to alter direct style

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UPDATED:

09:53 GMT, 3 September 2012

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Charlie Adam has said he has no plans to change Stoke City's direct playing style, stating he just wants to fit into the team.

Adam joined the Potters in a 4million deal from Liverpool, after Brendan Rodgers deemed the Scot surplus to requirements.

Part of the jigsaw: Charlie Adam does not want to change the way Stoke City play

Part of the jigsaw: Charlie Adam does not want to change the way Stoke City play

With Adam making a name for himself as an adept passer of the ball on Merseyside and at his previous club Blackpool, it has been suggested he could help Tony Pulis' side develop a more fluid style.

But Adam has poured cold water on the idea of changing the way Stoke ply their trade, and has praised his new club's approach.

The Scotland international told the Daily Express: 'I want to play in the team that has progressed over the last five years.’

Sophisticated: Adam made a name for himself at Liverpool and Blackpool for his accurate passing

Sophisticated: Adam made a name for himself at Liverpool and Blackpool for his accurate passing

Set in their ways: Stoke have developed a direct style of football under Tony Pulis

Set in their ways: Stoke have developed a direct style of football under Tony Pulis

‘I want to put some of my qualities into the team. I’m not coming here to change Stoke.

‘The manager wanted to bring me in to add to the quality that he has, that’s the way I see it.

‘I am just another part of the jigsaw.

‘I thought I’m not going to just sit here in the stands or play bit parts of games.’

George Groves expecting tough fight against Francisco Sierra

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Groves preparing for toughest fight yet as Brit takes on Sierra in San Jose

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UPDATED:

15:42 GMT, 25 July 2012

George Groves is expecting the toughest fight of his career when he faces Mexican Francisco Sierra in San Jose on Saturday.

The unbeaten super middleweight has been out of the ring since his punishing knockout win over Paul Smith last November.

But Groves is confident he will be sharp enough to deal with the hard-hitting 24-year-old.

Back in action: George Groves has been out of the ring since November

Back in action: George Groves has been out of the ring since November

‘I identified Sierra as a real threat and he could the best I’ve faced yet,’ the Londoner said.

‘He has a really good record and he’s been in with some really good fighters and he’s only lost a couple of times.

‘He usually goes the distance so I hope to wear him down but he’s got 22 knockouts from 25 fights so he’ll be looking for the KO.

‘When he looks to land the big shots, I can show my skills.

Stateside: Groves is in San Jose ahead of his fight with Francisco Sierra

Stateside: Groves is in San Jose ahead of his fight with Francisco Sierra

‘Having time out of the ring is normal; I won’t have more than two or three fights a year. You’ll see a new side to me. I’ll show more variety and a more fluid style. ‘

Groves is expected to face Scot Kenny Anderson for this British title at Wembley Arena on September 14 subject to purse bids.

The pair first fought almost two years ago when Groves was dropped for the first time in his career before recovering to stop Anderson in the sixth round.

George Groves v Francisco Sierra will be live on Box Nation on Sunday morning (ring walk 2am) on Sky channel 437 and Virgin channel 546

Euro 2012: Dick Advocaat sweats on Igor Akinfeev fitness for Czech opener

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Advocaat sweats on Akinfeev fitness for Czech opener as Russia keeper struggles with knee injury

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UPDATED:

17:42 GMT, 5 June 2012

Fluid on the knee: Akinfeev

Fluid on the knee: Akinfeev

Russia coach Dick Advocaat says keeper
Igor Akinfeev is still troubled by a knee injury just days before his
team's European Championship opener against the Czech Republic.

Advocaat says the CSKA Moscow custodian would not join the team's full training session on Tuesday to avoid exacerbating the injury.

Advocaat said: 'There is still a little fluid on his knee.'

Akinfeev missed much of last season with a serious left knee injury, and only returned to fitness at the end of the season.

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Russia play the Czech Republic on Friday in Wroclaw and should Akinfeev fail to prove his fitness, Advocaat will turn to Zenit St. Petersburg keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev.

Juan Mata: Fernando Torres will rediscover goalscoring touch

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It's only a Mata of time! Torres will rediscover goalscoring touch, claims Chelsea playmaker

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UPDATED:

12:21 GMT, 13 March 2012

Juan Mata has backed Fernando Torres to end his barren run of form for both club and country.

The 50million striker has scored just five times in 50 appearances for Chelsea, and is without a goal in five months.

Out of touch: Torres hasn't scored for five months

Out of touch: Torres hasn't scored for five months

Torres has lost his place in the Spain side with manager Vincente del Bosque warning the striker could miss out on this summer's European Championships.

But Mata is confident his compatriot will soon rediscover his goalscoring touch.

'Fernando still has time. He has lived through a lot of good and bad,' said Mata.

'He is working extremely hard in training. You can't forget so soon his 80 goals in Liverpool. He'll be a very important player for Chelsea and for Spain.

Jumping for joy: Mata claims Torres will rediscover his touch

Jumping for joy: Mata claims Torres will rediscover his touch

'People talk about the fact that Fernando has not scored but he is constantly creating space. I've scored goals thanks to him. He has given me a lot of assists. There have been other games when the keeper has made a fantastic save or he has hit the bar.'

Mata also claimed it was a clash of styles which saw Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal, and not a player revolt.

The Spain star added: 'He was the manager and we all put our faith in him. He had good ideas and he wanted to change things in the club but in the end it is the results that matter. Nobody got rid of him.

'He came with the idea of how he played at Porto – the pressure high up the pitch, robbing the ball and always being very close to the opponents' goal with a very offensive football.

'But in the end he has this style of football and perhaps Chelsea were used to a different style; perhaps a more physical one with a lot of chances in a small space of time; not such a fluid style but still a very attacking one.

'It was maybe imposing a style when the team were not used it.'