England v New Zealand preview with Jonathan Poff, Bryn Evans and Ben Botica

Posted on November 29, 2012 by adminsports

A foot in both camps: Kiwi Premiership stars give their verdict on England v New Zealand

UPDATED:

15:21 GMT, 29 November 2012

Ahead of England's final QBE autumn international series fixture against New Zealand at Twickenham this Saturday, Sportsmail caught up with three men in the know to discuss the chances of both sides.

Kiwi trio Jonathan Poff, Bryn Evans and Ben Botica all ply their trade in the Aviva Premiership for London Wasps, London Irish and Harlequins respectively, and as such they have a vast knowledge of the game in both countries.

With the help of Aviva, we managed to track them down in the Turks Head pub in Twickenham to hear their views on the mammoth task that England face against the world champions, while also discussing the wider issues facing English rugby.

Here's how it went…

Pub grub: (left to right) Botica, Evans and Poff share their views ahead of Saturday's game

FACTFILES

Name: Jonathan Poff
Age: 29
Club: London Wasps
Position: Openside flanker
Previous clubs: Tasman, Crusaders

Name: Bryn Evans
Age: 28
Club: London Irish
Position: Lock
Previous clubs: Hawke's Bay, Blues, Hurricanes
New Zealand caps: 2

Name: Ben Botica
Age: 23
Club: Harlequins
Position: Fly-half
Previous clubs: North Harbour, Perigueux

The All Blacks have beaten Scotland, Italy and Wales so far this autumn, but what have you made of the quality of their performances on tour

Poff: I think they haven't quite hit full throttle yet, but they have definitely shown glimpses of what they can do. To not play particularly well and still record comfortable victories shows just how good they are though.

Evans: There is definitely a bit more in the tank. They have had to switch the team up quite a bit, but the boys coming in have taken their chances and are playing well, they still look full of fitness and full of running and they look like a dangerous side with nothing to lose.

Botica: The scorelines might not reflect it but Scotland tested the All Blacks for a while and so did Italy. They won't be happy with how they have started their games but they have finished them strongly.

Is it the sheer strength in depth that New Zealand possess what sets them apart from other international sides

Evans: The Super Rugby competition creates a platform to bring these young guys in. People that are straight out of school – 18, 19 – have the chance to show what they can do and often they are straight into a Super Rugby contract. So with the competition and the challenges coming up it's great to know that there are a lot of them back home waiting to step in.

Botica: At first receiver (fly-half) it is ridiculous to see how much talent is coming through. You have got Beauden Barrett there and Aaron Cruden stepping into Dan Carter's shoes, which is not an easy task, but they are both playing great rugby and kicking well and doing everything you are supposed to be doing well. The depth of the squad is just amazing.

Evans: In my position at lock you've got guys like Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick all coming through and performing at a level which at their age is pretty special. They can only get stronger from there.

Formidable: The All Blacks have won three from three so far this autumn

Can you see any side being able to challenge New Zealand in the immediate future

Evans: Being based here in the UK you can definitely see that England have the young guys coming through as well and there is a lot of talent there. You have got Joe Launchbury coming through who played at the weekend against South Africa and did well. You have got guys on the bench coming through like my team-mate Jonathan Joseph, so there are exciting players there. If England can keep those players together, get that core and build on that, there is no reason why they can't challenge the All Blacks in years to come.

The All Blacks only select players based in New Zealand, but are the RFU right in insisting that players must play their club rugby in the Premiership if they want to play in England

Poff: South Africa have all their players playing all over the world and it doesn't seem to hurt them, so I think someone like Steffon Armitage, who is playing incredibly well over in France, should have the opportunity to play for England.

Evans: New Zealand have stuck to that policy quite strongly but I suppose it is quite a unique situation for England because you have got France in such close proximity. It could be quite easy to allow it, whereas in New Zealand I can see the problems with trying to get players to travel the length of the world to try and and get them to go back and play. It is definitely something that England need to look at.

High hopes: Evans gathers lineout ball for London Irish as Poff (left) prepares to pounce

What do England need to do to win on Saturday

Botica: England just have to make sure they capitalise on every opportunity they get, which is the same for the All Blacks. The All Blacks are the best side in the world at capitalising on opportunities, that is why they are so good, so England need to do the same. Every time they get a chance they need to turn it into points. When the pressure is on it is the little things that count. England have got to throw caution to the wind and just go for it I reckon. Don't kick away unnecessary ball and don't wait for the All Blacks to make a mistake, because they rarely do. Kicking the ball away is not going to do them any favours so I think they just need to hold on to it and go for it.

Poff: As Ben said, they really need to take their opportunities. They might only get two or three opportunities in the game. Turnover ball is going to be very important in how they use it, whether they kick it away or attack wide and attack the space.

Bryn, in terms of the set-piece, how do you think England are going to fare against the All Blacks

Evans: The scrum has always been a strong area for England. In the Premiership a lot of people pride themselves on the scrum, so I think that is where they will try and have a crack, and obviously they have got to win their lineout ball as well. They have definitely got the players capable of troubling New Zealand in those areas.

Key area: (left to right) Dan Cole, Tom Youngs and Alex Corbisiero will have to be at their best at the scrum

A lot has been said about England not having a natural openside. It is your position Jonathan, would you agree with that sentiment

Poff: The game has changed. You see a lot of teams instead of having experts just having three big guys in the back row. I guess it is down to the coach's preference but every team has got to have scavenger in their team, whether it be starting or on the bench. Modern day loose forwards are usually able to operate in all three positions, but that is one area I am really looking forward to at the weekend, seeing how the No 7 battle turns out around the breakdown and the tackle area.

Is Chris Robshaw a natural openside flanker

Poff: That is where he has been playing and he is strong around the ball and around the tackle area. He is probably one of those forwards who can play any position in the back row, which is a good a card to have in your back pocket as well. If you are a specialist No 7 it obviously helps but personally I think it is good to have players who can play a number of positions.

Robshaw has come under a lot of criticism in recent weeks for his decision-making as captain. Ben, he is your skipper at Harlequins, do you think the public have been a bit harsh on him

Botica: As a captain it is not the easiest thing making those tough decisions. You get help from your team but at the end of the day it is your decision and whatever you say is final. In the pressure moments it can either go one way or the other and unfortunately it didn't quite work out for England on Saturday, but there is no doubt that Chris is a great leader.

Under pressure: Robshaw's decision-making against South Africa was criticised

What needs to change in this country if England are ever to challenge the southern hemisphere sides

Evans: Coming over here it seems to me that a lot of the teams do a lot of the stuff that we do back home as well. I think it is more about developing skill sets, especially in forwards where they can be uncomfortable being caught out wide, they need to be able to use their ball skills. The All Blacks can go through five or six pairs of hands and it doesn't matter what number is on their back, they are all capable of scoring a try in the corner. Growing up in New Zealand, that is what all players try and go out there and do, so it's just about honing those skills from a young age.

Bryn, you have picked up a couple of caps for the All Blacks, do you feel a foot taller when you are wearing that black shirt

Evans: It is special to put on that jersey and it definitely gives you a bit of a lift, but at the end of the day, if you are playing against that team they have still got two arms and two legs, so you have just got to go out there and just play rugby. If you don't have that belief, there is no point taking the field.

Ben, do you think Owen Farrell and Freddie Burns have the ability to challenge the All Blacks and control the game from fly-half

Botica: Definitely. Especially Freddie Burns, his kicking is dead accurate and the way he controls the game is great. He is always taking the line on which is a big thing at international level. Attacking the line and being able to distribute is a great talent, so it will be interesting to see if Freddie gets a go. They will start with Owen, but it would be good to see Freddie get a go from the bench.

Starting role: Owen Farrell (centre) will wear the No 10 jersey on Saturday

What are your predictions for Saturday

Poff: All Blacks by 35.

Evans: All Blacks by 10.

Botica: All Blacks by 25.

Aviva is the proud sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby. For more information, visit www.avivapremiershiprugby.com

Robin van Persie can become a Manchester United legend: Gary Neville

Posted on November 4, 2012 by adminsports

Nine great reasons why RVP can become a Manchester United legend

PUBLISHED:

00:00 GMT, 4 November 2012

UPDATED:

00:00 GMT, 4 November 2012

Robin van Persie was fantastic for
Manchester United against his former club, Arsenal and in his interview
afterwards he said both he and Wayne Rooney were ‘9 and a halfs’ — in
other words, part-orthodox centre-forward, part attacking playmaker.

I think Robin was being polite for
television. Make no mistake, on the evidence I saw at Old Trafford,
Robin van Persie is a No 9.

This is a centre-forward who hunts on
the back of the shoulders of defenders, who moves and takes chances
with maximum efficiency.

He might have started as a left-winger
and developed into someone who played off a striker. But right now he
is a top-class centre-forward, a player who excels at playing up front
on his own.

The real deal: Robin van Persie's finishing and movement has been top quality for Manchester United

For the first four to six weeks of the
season, I was seeing a bedding-in period for Van Persie. We saw
glimpses of his excellence but it was also clear that he was getting
used to playing in a new team, and they were getting used to playing
with him.

But this has been a significant week
for the Dutchman. United had two big games against Chelsea and Arsenal
and he has had a major influence on both, matches that might be seen as
defining when the season ends.

From my point of view, we are seeing the start of something that is the real thing.

I never liked using the words majestic
and silky but I will use the word clinical. Everything Van Persie does
on the football field means something; he doesn’t move without it
mattering.

Clinical: Van Persie fires the opening goal against his former club

River Plate fans mock Boca Juniors fans with giant inflatable pig

Posted on October 29, 2012 by adminsports

You swines! River mock Boca with giant inflatable pig during Superclasico

UPDATED:

11:42 GMT, 29 October 2012

It is one of the most fierce rivalries in world football, but there was some friendly bating of Boca Juniors fans by those supporting River Plate during Sunday's 'Superclasico' in Argentina.

Like many other fiercely contested same-city fixtures, social resentment is as much the catalyst as proximity between these sides.

From humble beginnings in the La Boca neighbourhood, River detracted to the aristocratic suburb of Nunez, earning the nickname ‘Los Millonarios’. Juniors, meanwhile, remained in the poor suburb.

Something stinks: River Plate fans mocked their rivals from Boca during the Superclasico in Argentina

And it is from this that Sunday's mocking stems.

The referee was forced to delay the start of the second half for several minutes until River fans had removed a giant inflatable pig in Boca colours they had paraded at half-time.

The jibe is based on River's belief that the area surrounding Boca's La Bombonera stadium smells.

As for the match, a goal in added time from Walter Erviti stole a 2-2 draw for Boca.

Must see: The match is voted among the 50 sporting events to see before you die

The midfielder's scrambled goal came from a quick break after the visitors' defence had blocked a shot at the other end from River captain David Trezeguet, who was attempting to mark his first big Buenos Aires derby with a goal.

'The goal is important because of the difficult times Boca are having,' Erviti said, referring to his team's poor form with only three points from their last five matches.

A packed Monumental was treated to plenty of excitement but only glimpses of good football.

River shocked Boca by scoring from a first-minute free-kick and added a superb second goal before Boca hit back twice in the last quarter of an hour.

Leaving it late: Boca had the last laugh when Walter Erviti bundled home an equaliser

Boca have 19 points from 12 games, three more points than River, who hosted the first competitive derby against their arch-rivals in 17 months following their relegation in June 2011.

Newell's Old Boys top the table with 26 points after Saturday's 2-1 home win over title holders Arsenal in Rosario, where striker Ignacio Scocco scored twice including a brilliant overhead strike.

Fernando Torres warned he could be axed by Chelsea

Posted on October 27, 2012 by adminsports

Misfiring Torres warned he could be axed as Chelsea square up to Man United

UPDATED:

09:07 GMT, 27 October 2012

Roberto Di Matteo has warned Fernando Torres he is not afraid to axe his 50million striker.

Chelsea will need to be at their best when they take on Manchester United in Sunday's mouthwatering clash.

Torres has scored five goals this season and shown glimpses of the form that made him one of the most feared forwards in the world during his time at Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

Are you ready Fernando Torres is put through his paces at Chelsea training on Friday

However, his performances remain inconsistent and Di Matteo insists that despite Torres's current status as Chelsea's first-choice centre forward, he is not scared to drop the 28-year-old Spaniard, who cut a lonely, frustrated figure on Tuesday in defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Di Matteo said: 'I've shown in the past in terms of rotation of the team (that I can drop players). I have done that with everybody.

'Maybe it wasn't his best game (against Shakhtar). I don't think it was a question of being happy or not being happy. He was in a good state of mind. He is training well.'

Although he has netted six times this season he has fluffed countless other gilt-edged chances, especially when put clean through.

In charge: Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo spoke at Friday's press conference

Di Matteo added: 'I have no concerns about Fernando. He always works hard for the team and, whether he scores or not, he's always contributing.

'We can't just rely on one player. We want to share the responsibility. Sometimes, he gets more chances, sometimes less. But he's been scoring goals, he's been making goals, and we can't expect him to be scoring every game.'

Pointing out Torres had score almost one goal every two games, he added: 'He just had a difficult season but I think this season is completely different.

'He started very well, he's playing well, he's looking good, so I would rather focus the energy on now and the future. I think he's shown all the signs from this season.

Struggle: Torres endured a torried night against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night

'He's scored in the Community Shield, he's scored four in the league, he's scored one in the cup. So he's been scoring goals. But he's been making goals as well.'

Asked about Torres' recurring failing from one-on-one chances, Di Matteo said: 'Strikers are instinctive and it's difficult to understand what goes through their minds when they're in that position.

'I've never been a striker, so I wouldn't be able to know that. They have that instinct and he's always had it and he still has it.'

Charley Hull wins battle of nerves at Women"s British Open

Posted on September 14, 2012 by adminsports

Teenager Charley wins battle of nerves at Women's British Open

UPDATED:

20:35 GMT, 13 September 2012

Standing on the first tee at the Ricoh Women's British Open and treating it like a game with your friends sounds like rule one in a sports psychologist's manual.

Far easier said than done, surely Maybe it helps if you're 16 years of age and have already given the paid ranks glimpses of your burgeoning promise.

Focused: England's Charley Hull lines up a putt

England's No 1 Melissa Reid played with the teen in question, Charley Hull recently and came away raving about her mental acumen. So it was that the nerveless Hull underlined her considerable potential by becoming one of the few players to shoot under par on the opening day at Royal Liverpool.

I know it's a major but that's how I think about it, like I'm out with my mates and I enjoy courses like this one that are long and challenging,' said Hull, following a one under par score of 71 that left her just a stroke off the lead held by South Koreans Heiji Kang and So Yeon Ryu.

Hull, from Woburn, shot the same total in the year's first major, the Kraft Nabisco in California, only to follow it with a 77. She's keen to show what she's learned from that experience.

'In the second round in California I got under pressure and started to hit the ball too hard but I rebounded well in the third round with a 68,' said Hull. 'I learned then just to swing slower and keep taking it shot by shot and hole by hole and that's what I will be telling myself here.'

Treating it like another round with her pals might help as well.

Charley Hull (amateur)

With New Zealand's 15 year old sensation Lydia Ko shooting 72, this was a day when the two youngest players in the event rather stole the show. Like her Curtis Cup team mate Hull, 21 year old Holly Clyburn from Cleethorpes came through Monday qualifying and shot 72.

As if to emphasise the shifting scene, America's much-decorated Juli Inkster, now 52, could only manage a 79, while 48 year old Laura Davies fared even worse with an 80. Perhaps you needed to be very young to cope with the crushingly slow pace of play.

Davies, who has always played the game with refreshing briskness, delivered her own withering commentary by appearing to fall asleep on the 8th tee, while waiting for the backlog to clear.

The wind picked up during the afternoon and the two young stars of the British professional scene, Melissa Reid and Carly Booth both struggled, signing for scores of 77.

Booth looked devastated at the finish of her first major championship round, one that had seen her struggle off the tee, and this is not a course you can play from the rough. 'I couldn't keep the ball on the fairway and pretty much everything was just off,' said the 20 year old Scot. 'The conditions were really tough as well.'

Struggle: Laura Davies

Booth was in good company in failing to cope, mind. In 2006 when the men's Open returned here after an absence of 39 years, the sun shone brightly, the fairways were parched and there was little wind. Here it is green, the rough is up and all it took was a typical breeze of 15mph for a telling reminder of what a truly forbidding links this can be.

'If you didn't have total control of your ball out there, you had no chance,' said former champion Karen Stupples, who shot 76 and was just one of many who will return today with a little trepidation in her heart. The forecast is for winds of up to 45mph, and if that happens there will be some embarrassing numbers posted. Imagine how Reid's French playing partner, Anne-Lise Caudal is going to feel, for example. She shot 87 in yesterday's conditions.

Catriona Matthew, winner of this title on the Lancashire coastline three years ago, fared little better than Booth, labouring to a round of 76. At the other end of the scale, 21 year old Kang opened with a bogey but thereafter was almost flawless, keeping the ball out of the penal rough and the notoriously difficult bunkers to post her 70. As if to emphasise the nature of the challenge, it was the highest leading score since this event became a major in 2001.

As for the big name Americans, Paula Creamer did well enough with a 73 but Michelle Wie has had a poor year by her standards and it didn't get much better with a 75, with all the damage being done during an outward half of 39. At least the 22 year old didn't lose her sense of perspective. As she came towards the recorder's hut, she acknowledged a couple of young girls who had come straight from school to watch.

Phil Jagielka says England"s draw with Ukraine is a good point

Posted on September 12, 2012 by adminsports

Point well made: Jagielka says England's draw with Ukraine is a good result

UPDATED:

12:38 GMT, 12 September 2012

Phil Jagielka is confident England's World Cup qualifying draw with Ukraine would prove a good result – provided they now took a grip on Group H.

Jagielka would have been delighted after being given the nod to replace the injured John Terry before Tuesday night's game at Wembley.

But the Everton defender's joy was short-lived as Ukraine threatened to pull off a shock victory until Frank Lampard's late penalty snatched what could prove a vital 1-1 draw.

Good point: Phil Jagielka says England can build on their draw with Ukraine

The result nevertheless saw England surrender first place in Group H, a position they should reclaim next month when they host minnows San Marino.

A tricky trip to Poland follows four days later and victory there would ensure they end 2012 with at least a share of top spot.

Asked if Tuesday night's performance and result were merely 'okay', Jagielka said: 'It's probably the right word to use, 'Okay'. No great shakes.

'We'd have loved to have had the full six points but four points will do.

Missed chances: Tom Cleverley had a number of chances to score

'As long as we continue building on it, we'll be fine.'

He added: 'Definitely one point gained.

'We look forward to the next game now and if we can make that seven then it's a progression and hopefully we'll finish top of the group.'

Ukraine outplayed their opponents for large parts of last night's game and asked if England had 'got out of jail', Jagielka said: 'Yeah, a little bit.

'But if you look at the chances we created, two or three pretty clear-cut ones in the first half and a couple more in the second – hitting the post and stuff – as much as the performance wasn't amazing, we still showed glimpses of being able to create the chances.

Disallowed: Jermain Defoe saw his goal chalked off for a foul in the build up

'If we'd taken them, especially earlier on, we'd have been in control of the game.'

Most of those chances fell to Tom Cleverley, who had a nightmare on his first England start at Wembley.

Jermain Defoe also saw a goal disallowed, with referee Cuneyt Cakir repeatedly penalising the home side for raising their arms.

'We're winning the ball and the ref's either booking us or giving free-kicks,' Jagielka said. 'So, a little bit frustrating but there's not much we can do about that.

Calm under pressure: Frank Lampard makes it 1-1 from the penalty spot

'We've just got to keep going until the final whistle.

'Being 1-0 down with 10 minutes left, we'd have taken the 1-1.'

He added: “Thankfully, we managed to keep plugging away and get the penalty.

'Frank was calm as you like, finished it off, and a draw's not a bad result at the end.'

Stewart Downing told Liverpool future may be as defender

Posted on August 29, 2012 by adminsports

Get back, Stewart! Winger Downing told his future at Liverpool may be as a defender

UPDATED:

22:26 GMT, 28 August 2012

Brendan Rodgers has told Stewart Downing he may need to reinvent himself as a left back to maximise his chances of becoming a regular Liverpool starter.

Downing was surprisingly asked to fill that role when he came on during the first leg of Liverpool's Europa League qualifier against Hearts last week and it is a position with which he may have to become familiar under Rodgers.

When Liverpool paid 20million to sign Downing from Aston Villa, he became the fourth most expensive buy in the club's history and there was a huge expectation that the England winger would be part of an exciting new attack with Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Case for the defence: Downing has been told he may need to reinvent himself

But Downing has shown only sporadic glimpses of his potential in his 13 months at Anfield and the fact he was dropped for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City, with Rodgers favouring the 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, hardly augurs well for his prospects.

Rodgers, though, does not believe that asking Downing, who has yet to create or score a Barclays Premier League goal for Liverpool, to switch roles reflects negatively on his qualities.

'It is a big possibility that Stewart can play there,' said Rodgers. 'You look at the modern day full backs, like Barcelona's Jordi Alba and Ashley Cole – Ashley Cole was a centre forward as a young player.

'When Middlesbrough reached the UEFA Cup final against Sevilla in 2006, Stewart played left back during that run. His job at the top end of the pitch is to create and score goals. But sometimes switching positions can release the pressure on players.'

Slow start: Downing disappointed in Liverpool's opening-day defeat at West Brom

It is significant that Rodgers refers to pressure. There came a point midway through last season when Downing admitted it had been 'a culture shock' adjusting to the demands and expectations with which Liverpool players have to deal.

Though he started this season encouragingly, scoring the winning goal in Rodgers' first game against FC Gomel in the Europa League, Downing, 27, disappointed in the opening Barclays Premier League fixture at West Bromwich.

'If you looked at Stewart in the half-hour against Hearts, he served the ball well, got forward and defended a couple of times,' Rodgers said.

New signing: Sahin revealed he joined Liverpool after advice from Alonso

New signing: Sahin revealed he joined Liverpool after considering advice from Alonso

'That is important. I think he is good enough to play as a left back – absolutely.

'Time will tell. I don't like to just give up on players. I always look to look at different ways you can play them. Stewart has a future as an attacking player but I have had a good chat with him on the role and he is excited about it. That is the biggest thing.

'There is no point putting a player into a position he doesn't want to play. But when you speak to someone and tell them what the future could be, along with the qualities that he has, there is no doubt that in the modern game, he could play that role.'

Meanwhile, Nuri Sahin, Liverpool's latest signing, has revealed that advice from Xabi Alonso convinced him to move to Anfield on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

Alonso won the Champions League during five successful years on Merseyside and Sahin, 23, wants to help Liverpool return there.

'Xabi is still in love with Liverpool and he only ever said good things,' revealed Sahin, who was also wanted by Arsenal – the club against whom he will make his debut on Sunday.

'A club like Liverpool has to be in the Champions League. We will do everything we can to get into the top four,' he said.

West Ham: Sam Allardyce on Matt Jarvis

Posted on August 26, 2012 by adminsports

Best is yet to come from Jarvis, says West Ham manager Allardyce

UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 26 August 2012

Manager Sam Allardyce believes new signing Matt Jarvis needs to be given time to settle in before producing his best form for West Ham.

The England winger completed his big-money move from Wolves on Friday and was thrown straight into the side for yesterday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Swansea.

There were some bright moments from the 26-year-old and he was only denied a debut goal by a superb reflex save from Michel Vorm from his close-range volley.

But there were also moments of frustration as he attempted to fit into a West Ham game-plan that was ripped to shreds by a combination of defensive lapses and Swansea's offensive prowess.

West Ham's new signing Matt Jarvis showed some glimpses of his ability in Saturday's defeat to Swansea City

There is pressure on Jarvis to deliver given the 10.75million fee paid for him, but Allardyce has little doubt that, given time, he will thrill the club's fans.

'It's about us continuing to supply him with the service he likes,' Allardyce said.

'When you give him that service he is exceptionally talented in the final third.

'I think their full-backs just couldn't stop him crossing the ball when he did that little trick where he drops the shoulder, because he is so good with both feet.

'It's about us giving him the service to show that ability. Unfortunately he faded a bit in the second half but he was very good in the first.

'He tired a bit but he has had such a big week and he will get better and better as he settles in with the players; as he learns to understand them and they learn to understand him.'

Sam Allardyce saw his game plan torn apart by Swansea on Saturday

If it was not the debut Jarvis had wanted, it was truly a day to forget for James Collins.

The Wales defender had a torrid time at the heart of the Hammers' defence, and gifted Swansea's second goal to Michu with a sloppy back-pass.

Wales boss Chris Coleman recently said the 28-year-old's withdrawal from his squad to face Bosnia-Herzegovina was down to a hernia problem.

But Collins has since played in West Ham's opening games of the season, and Allardyce dismissed suggestions he is carrying a problem that may need surgery.

He said: 'He has not got a hernia. He has a slight groin problem, I think.

'There is no need for an operation. He just needs to do his rehab and prevention and he'll be okay.

'We'll probably look to give him a rest [in the Capital One Cup] against Crewe on Tuesday and then look to play him against Fulham. He's okay.'

Allardyce dismissed speculation that James Collins (right) has a hernia problem

In addition to Michu, Angel Rangel and Danny Graham also found the net as Swansea and Michael Laudrup's dream start to the season continued.

The Welsh club appear set to lose Scott Sinclair before the end of the transfer window, but with Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer beginning the season in brilliant form it would appear the former Chelsea man may not be greatly missed.

Routledge was little more than a bit-part player under former manager Brendan Rodgers last term, but Laudrup believes the 27-year-old is thriving thanks to his greater involvement.

'Wayne has everything for this position. He has a good pass, he is quick, he has good vision, he turns fast with the ball,' Laudrup said.

'In my way of seeing football, if the wide players remain wide they close down the full-backs. If they are there, there is no space for them, no room, and you also have fewer players in the centre of the pitch to move the ball around, so the wide players are very important for us.'

Andy Carroll must forget price tag to succeed at Liverpool – Robbie Fowler

Posted on July 13, 2012 by adminsports

Carroll must forget 35m price tag to succeed, insists Reds legend Fowler

UPDATED:

22:52 GMT, 12 July 2012

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes Andy Carroll will become a better player when he forgets about his 35million price tag and focuses on his personal strengths.

Towards the latter end of the season, and briefly at the European Championship, the 23-year-old began to show glimpses of the form which made him such a hit at Newcastle.

Despite that the England international is currently being linked with a move away from Anfield – either on loan or permanently – as it is perceived he does not fit the plans of new manager Brendan Rodgers.

How much Andy Carroll cost Liverpool a whopping 35m from Newcastle

Fowler believes the hefty price the Reds paid for Carroll, who became the most expensive British player on the back of Fernando Torres' 50million move to Chelsea in January 2011, has weighed heavy on the striker.

'Liverpool is a massive club. What Andy has to do is forget about the price tag and let other people worry about that,' said Fowler. 'It is not as if he was saying “Buy me for 35m”. The clubs agreed a fee but he has to forget about that.

'At times last year he tried to do a
little bit too much and tried to be a 35m player and not do the simple
things that got him the move in the first place ie: being a tough
forward to make and getting his elbows into defenders in a good
old-fashioned English centre-forward way.

'He has to continue what he was doing at the end of last season in being a headache for defenders as he looked a totally different player to the one at the start of the season.

'I know he only started one game (at Euro 2012) but I thought he was fantastic and caused the Sweden defence a lot of problems.

'It was a little bit reminiscent of what he was doing for Liverpool at the end of the season when I think he believed in himself a bit more.'

Break: Carroll is relaxing on holiday before returning for pre-season

Fowler will join his former club on their pre-season tour of the United States in an ambassadorial role along with Ian Rush.

He
will get to witness first-hand Rodgers' methods and approach but
already the 37-year-old has been impressed by what he has heard from the
Northern Irishman, who succeeded Kenny Dalglish last month.

'It is fantastic. He has bought into everything this club deserves and needs, the ethos, the Liverpool Way, the traditions – everything,' he added.
'He has done his homework on the history and certainly the traditions of the club and as a fan I think it's really refreshing for someone to come in and say that.

'He's steeped in the traditions of the way he wants to play and he has set his stall out at other clubs where he has managed.

Kop idol: Robbie Fowler was a goal-scoring phenomenon at Anfield

'What he did at Swansea was unbelievable. No disrespect to Swansea but the players here are better than the players at Swansea so if he can get us playing the way we want to be then it puts us in exciting times.

'So many people have said to me that Liverpool's season last season was classed as a failure. I never saw that.

'I know we finished eighth in the league, which was disappointing, and of course owners and chairman want to finish as high in the league as possible because it's a money thing, it's business.

'But I always want to look back on my career at how many trophies I've won, not that I finished fifth in the league and from that side of things it certainly wasn't a failure – we got to two cup finals and won one of them.'

Gavin Henson joins London Welsh

Posted on July 9, 2012 by adminsports

Bad boy Henson signs for London Welsh as Wales ace hopes to re-ignite stalling career

UPDATED:

13:47 GMT, 9 July 2012

On the move: Henson has joined Welsh

Aviva Premiership newboys London Welsh have confirmed the signing of controversial Wales centre Gavin Henson.

Henson, 30, has been without a club since April after being sacked by Cardiff Blues over his drunken behaviour on a flight returning from a game in Glasgow.

But Henson worked with Exiles coach Lyn Jones during his time at the Ospreys and has been given the latest in a series of chances to get his career back on track.

Jones said: 'Gavin has a great talent but over the past three or four seasons he has not realised his full potential for a number of reasons that are well documented.

'I sincerely hope and believe he can now draw a line under that period and move forward again with London Welsh.'

Given the player's history the move will be considered by many to be a major gamble for London Welsh as they prepare to embark on their first top-flight campaign.

Celebrity exploits: Henson starred in Channel 5's 'The Bachelor' and Strictly Come Dancing (below)

Despite playing an integral part in Wales' 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam campaigns, and touring New Zealand with the Lions in 2005, Henson has yet to deliver consistently on the glimpses of class he has shown on occasions.

But Jones, with whom Henson won two Celtic League titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup between 2003 and 2008, believes the right environment can bring out the best in the wayward star.

He said: 'What's important for Gavin is that he concentrates 100 per cent on his game and learning how to become the best he can possibly be again. I think he can add a great deal to our game and we can also do a lot for him.

Former glories: Henson has won 33 caps for Wales

'We all appreciate the skills that he can bring to a game but what team-mates and coaches will be looking for is consistency of that ability.

'That's the challenge for Gavin, to hold his concentration fully on rugby as he did when he started his career, when rugby was first, second and third on his list of priorities.'

The Blues were Henson's fourth club in little over a year after being released by the Ospreys in 2010 and having short stints at Saracens and Toulon.

His spell in France had also been marred by an alcohol-related incident, with the club suspending him for a week after a nightclub altercation with two team-mates.

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