GUARDIAN – Andy Carroll completes West Ham move on six-year deal

June 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

• Undisclosed club-record move for striker from Liverpool
• ‘It’s fantastic for me to be here. I really enjoyed last season’

West Ham have announced the signing of England striker Andy Carroll from Liverpool for an undisclosed club-record fee.

“It’s fantastic for me to be here. I really enjoyed last season, and that shows in me coming back and making it permanent,” said Carroll, who has signed a six-year deal. “The fans, the lads and the club itself has been great to me, and what I wanted to do was come back here and play football.

“Since the end of the season I’ve had a lot of time to think, I’ve missed it and that’s why I’m back. Getting promoted the season before last, then finishing where we did – we did great, and it can only get better for us.

“The way the club’s being run, obviously getting the new stadium and everything like that, it’s only going up.”


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-06-19 13:18:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – Bony could snub English interest to make Benfica move

June 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony, linked with a move to England, is now on Benfica's radar. Bony scored a staggering 31 goals in 30 league matches in the Eredivisie last season and impressed watching scouts from the Premier League. The Ivorian is said to be considering a new challenge and that has alerted clubs in England's top-flight, with West Ham, Arsenal and Liverpool all said to be weighing up bids. However, nobody has made their move yet and that has opened the door for Benfica.

A news article on 2013-06-05 11:27:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

GUARDIAN – Transfer targets: where your club will be spending this summer | Guardian staff

May 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Christian Benteke, Marouane Fellaini and Júlio César are almost certain to attract interest in the transfer window and what would Tottenham do with all that money if Gareth Bale left?

Arsenal

Money to spend? The oft-touted figure of £70m is really shorthand for whatever Arsène Wenger wants. With lucrative commercial deals secured, the club feel they are equipped to operate at the top level of the market

Who’s spending it? Wenger. The manager has total control over every aspect on the technical side

Ins? A goalkeeper, a defensive midfielder and a striker. In the likely event that Bacary Sagna leaves, having rejected a new contract offer, a right-back, too. QPR’s Júlio César is a goalkeeping target. The young Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo will sign but the club will chase a bigger name up front

Outs? Andrey Arshavin and Sébastien Squillaci will be released upon the expiry of their contracts DH

Aston Villa

Money to spend? Randy Lerner is still intent on keeping things tight following the spending of previous managers

Who’s spending it? Paul Lambert will call the shots but in accordance with Lerner’s budget restrictions, overseen by the chief executive, Paul Faulkner. Expect more talent-spotting from outside the Premier League

Ins? A priority will be securing a new contract with Andreas Weimann and keeping hold of the much-coveted Christian Benteke but the Ipswich left-back Aaron Cresswell and the Crewe midfielder Luke Murphy are targets

Outs? Shay Given could be on his way to Hull City with Brad Guzan having tied down the goalkeeper’s spot, while Bent’s departure seems inevitable JR

Cardiff City

Money to spend? Vincent Tan has pledged to spend up to £25m on new players during the summer to ensure Cardiff’s stay in the Premier League is a permanent one

Who’s spending it? Malky Mackay will be key to any comings and goings although the Malaysian owners spoke of a need to “strategise well” in the transfer window

Ins? No player scored more than eight goals for Cardiff in the second tier last season so strengthening up front is crucial. Kenwyne Jones and Bafétembi Gomis have both been linked with moves

Outs? Cardiff may not want to dispose of players who performed so well in gaining promotion, but if anyone is to be replaced it may be their full-backs JR

Chelsea

Money to spend? Roman Abramovich will presumably seek to supply new manager José Mourinho with reinforcements, even though this club still aspire to comply comfortably with Financial Fair Play regulations. That might, potentially, necessitate at least one notable sale

Who’s spending it? The technical director, Michael Emenalo, is nominally overseeing the recruitment and scouting department and will liaise with the manager and owner to secure purchases

Ins? They will seek a central midfielder and a striker as priorities, but additions to defence and a back-up goalkeeper required

Outs? The likes of Florent Malouda and Yossi Benayoun will leave under freedom of contract. The intrigue will come if rivals bid for David Luiz, Ramires or Fernando Torres DF

Crystal Palace

Money to spend? The newly promoted club’s four owners have suggested around half of the money generated by elevation will be invested in transfer fees and wages

Who’s spending it? The manager, Ian Holloway, will draw up his wish-list and submit it to the co-chairman, Steve Parish, for discussion

Ins? There is an acceptance that the squad will need strengthening throughout, not least because the best player, Wilfried Zaha, has been sold to Manchester United and the top scorer, Glenn Murray, will miss the start of the new season with knee ligament damage. It would not be outlandish to suggest they need six additions to be integrated immediately into the first team

Outs? There will be players who depart under freedom of contract, but Palace are not seeking to sell DF

Everton

Money to spend? David Moyes was still waiting to discover whether a budget believed to be in excess of £10m included wages when the offer from Manchester United changed everything. Whether anyone activates Marouane Fellaini’s £24m release fee will have a big say

Who’s spending it? No one, yet. Moyes had total control over football operations as Everton manager and his replacement, Roberto Martínez is the firm favourite, will expect the same

Ins? Whoever takes over needs to add strikers plus younger competition for the established goalkeeper and centre-halves. The club has remained in contact with January target Leroy Fer, the FC Twente midfielder

Outs? Everton cannot afford to streamline their squad any further but John Heitinga, with 12 months remaining on a lucrative contract, can go AH

Fulham

Money to spend? Not a huge amount, which explains why Martin Jol has already recruited Derek Boateng and Fernando Amorebieta on free transfers and Sascha Riether for an undisclosed fee

Who’s spending it? Jol pinpoints the players, but the level of funding available will be determined by the chairman, Mohamed al Fayed

Ins? They will seek to add another centre-half to the books, with West Bromwich Albion’s Jonas Olsson a potential target, and a ball-playing central midfielder

Outs? Some of the older guard will depart; the likes of Chris Baird, Simon Davies, John Arne Riise and Aaron Hughes are expected to leave among a host of players whose contracts are expiring. It remains to be seen whether Mark Schwarzer agrees terms to extend his stay at Craven Cottage DF

Hull City

Money to spend? Unknown, but will not be paying top dollar or taking extravagant gambles. Nick Thompson, the managing director, says Assem Allam and Ehab Allam, Hull’s father-and-son Egyptian owners, intend funding around six signings

Who’s spending it? The Allams have the final say and Thompson is heavily involved but Hull are reliant primarily on their manager Steve Bruce’s transfer market nous

Ins? Ahmed Elmohamady is close to a £2m switch from Sunderland and George Boyd has joined from Peterborough but a new striker and goalkeeper remain priorities. Bruce covets the Celtic centre-forward Gary Hooper, Burnley striker Charlie Austin, Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Aston Villa keeper Shay Given, and Besiktas keeper Allen McGregor. He is also eyeing Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley

Outs? German striker Nick Proschwitz has struggled to adapt so cash could be re-couped by offloading him LT

Liverpool

Money to spend? Brendan Rodgers insists no figure has been set and no wonder. He has already started spending and more than £70m could be incoming if Luis Suárez, José Reina, Martin Skrtel and Andy Carroll are sold

Who’s spending it? The manager claims he has the final say but the managing director, Ian Ayre, has stated all targets will be considered by a committee, understood to include the head of recruitment, Dave Fallows, chief scout Barry Hunter and head of analysis, Michael Edwards

Ins? An entire new spine, potentially. Kolo Touré has started the defensive rebuild, and Kyriakos Papadopoulous of Schalke, Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Ilori, Ajax’s Toby Alderweireld and the Lille left-back Lucas Digne are under consideration. The Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas is almost signed, a bid is in for Sevilla’s Luis Alberto and a lot more may follow

Outs? Carroll, Sebastian Coates, possibly Skrtel, Reina and Stewart Downing, plus several fringe players AH

Manchester City

Money to spend? Despite the club’s stated adherence to Financial Fair Play there would be no surprise if £100m in transfer fees alone is in the budget

Who’s spending it? The fact that Manuel Pellegrini or AN Other is yet to be confirmed as Roberto Mancini’s successor is immaterial as Txiki Begiristain, the director of football, is the driver of all football strategy, including recruitment

Ins? A keeper to provide competition for Joe Hart, with Reading’s Alex McCarthy the required calibre of candidate. One, maybe two, central defenders – Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel would be ideal – and a host of forward operators: Malaga’s Isco, a playmaker, Sevilla winger Jesús Navas, and in the striker department, Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina and Liverpool’s Luis Suárez

Outs? Up to a full XI of players could be shown the door. In addition to Kolo Touré, who should join Liverpool, Costel Pantilimon, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Scott Sinclair, John Guidetti, Maicon, Edin Dzeko and Wayne Bridge all have varying degrees of doubt over their future JJ

Manchester United

Money to spend? The outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Any time we have asked for money from the owners they have delivered. That will apply itself this year. There is no doubt about that.” The sense is that if his successor David Moyes wants to land one marquee name – Gareth Bale, say – the Glazers would sanction a a £50m splurge

Who’s spending it? This is an interesting one as the official answer is Moyes, but as transfer strategy for the new season has been underway since February, Ed Woodward, the new chief executive, is also a key player as the bridge between the Ferguson regime and that of the new manager

Ins? Moyes is considering moving for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric also of interest. He is also sure to keep tabs on Cesc Fàbregas. At this point Moyes also hopes to retain the unsettled Wayne Rooney

Outs? Anders Lindegaard is surplus to requirements and there continues to be no resolution to Nani’s new contract discussions so his future remains in the balance. Anderson has become a fringe player so Moyes may sell the Brazilian. Nemanja Vidic has only a year remaining on his contract so while it would be a surprise if he were sold, when the two serious knee injuries that plagued his last two seasons are factored in a sale would not shock JJ

Newcastle United

Money to spend? Unknown. Newcastle are in a healthy financial position and anxious to avoid another relegation skirmish but Mike Ashley, the owner, does not part with his cash lightly

Who’s spending it? Alan Pardew, the manager, is involved but chief scout Graham Carr remains a hugely influential prime mover while Derek Llambias, the managing director, does the deals

Ins? Pardew would like more experience along with a relaxation of the policy whereby Newcastle generally sign players aged 25 and under boasting high re-sale value. Carr is now concentrating onthe Dutch and Belgian, as well as the French, markets although Will Hughes, the Derby midfielder, is a target. Two new strikers are needed plus a centre-half with St Etienne’s forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and FC Twente’s defender Douglas under consideration. Retaining Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye appears high priority

Outs? Danny Simpson and Steve Harper have said their goodbyes and could be followed by striker Shola Ameobi and, possibly, midfielder Cheik Tioté LT

Norwich City

Money to spend? Having already splashed an impressive £8.5m on the striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon, further signings may follow but they are unlikely to eclipse that figure

Who’s spending it? Chris Hughton has brought in a number of players since his appointment last summer, mainly from Leeds United, and the majority have proved shrewd signings

Ins? Only two Premier League clubs scored fewer goals than Norwich last season so attacking midfielders could be added to Hughton’s squad to complement Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington

Outs? The arrival of Van Wolfswinkel could spell the end of Grant Holt’s stay, although the club recently turned down an offer from Melbourne Heart as it did not meet their £2m valuation JR

Southampton

Money to spend? A large chunk of Liebherr Trust money is likely to be available again this summer following showdown talks between the chairman, Nicola Cortese, and the owners. Last summer the Saints’ outlay was £33m

Who’s spending it? Cortese holds the cards and will make the calls in consultation with the Argentinian manager, Mauricio Pochettino, with the pair enjoying a good working relationship

Ins? A new striker to complement Rickie Lambert and a top-class centre-half. The Italy defender Davide Astori is on the radar although keeping Gaston Ramírez may be difficult with Juventus reportedly keen

Outs? Pochettino will continue to restructure a squad recently inherited from Nigel Adkins and could be tempted to sell Billy Sharp and Emmanuel Mayuka who struggled to feature last season JR

Stoke City

Money to spend? The Coates family will support Mark Hughes with a healthy budget but not to the extent of recent years under Tony Pulis. As chairman Peter Coates put it on Thursday: “Ours is the third-highest net spend in the Premier League…It’s not really where we can afford to be.”

Who’s spending it? Hughes expects to be joined by his trusted backroom staff of Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki and will make the decisions. His advisor, Kia Joorabchian, has already distanced himself from Hughes’ poor signings as manager of QPR

Ins? Pulis’s oft-criticised style cannot be abandoned overnight but Hughes will want to add finesse to the attack, with Junior Hoilett a potential target at QPR. The goalkeeper Jack Butland has already been signed with the first choice Asmir Begovic on his way out

Outs? Well-paid strikers Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones both endured disappointing campaigns last season and Stoke are unlikely to stand in the way of any offers AH

Sunderland

Money to spend? Unknown. Ellis Short, the owner, accepts the team needs restructuring with at least six new signings required but hopes a new recruitment system will identify several bargains

Who’s spending it? Paolo Di Canio’s formal title is head coach but although primarily a training pitch-based “teacher of football”, he retains a final say on signings. Transfers will be executed by two immiment appointments; Roberto De Fanti, a Fifa agent, as director of football and Valentino Angeloni, Internazionale’s outgoing chief scout as technical director

Ins? Cabral is joining from Basel’s midfield as are defenders Modibo Diakité and Valentin Roberge from Lazio and Maritimo respectively. Sunderland crave creativity, pace, athleticism and reinforcement in most positions including full-back and, above all, attack. The Portuguese market has been targeted. Celtic’s goalkeeper Fraser Forster could replace Simon Mignolet

Outs? Titus Bramble and Matt Kilgallon are leaving and Phil Bardsley will surely follow. While that trio have crossed swords with Di Canio, the majority of players are believed to broadly welcome his modus operandi LT

Swansea City

Money to spend? Michael Laudrup will hope to convince Huw Jenkins to loosen the purse-strings and allow him to strengthen the squad ahead of a European campaign

Who’s spending it? Laudrup will have the final say on all transfers, with the Dane’s agent recently saying Laudrup will remain at Swansea despite rumours to the contrary

Ins? A striker, to ease the burden on Michu who proved a revelation last season. An ambitious move for Romelu Lukaku has been mooted, as has a return for Scott Sinclair

Outs? Laudrup will hope to recoup a decent fee if Ashley Williams departs, and keeping hold of goalkeeper Michel Vorm will be a priority JR

Tottenham Hotspur

Money to spend? Everything depends on whether Gareth Bale stays or goes. The player’s camp have indicated they would consider an offer from Real Madrid, even if Tottenham have resolved not to. Bale’s sale could be worth around £50m

Who’s spending it? The manager, André Villas-Boas, would like to see the appointment of a technical director to help him and the chairman, Daniel Levy make things happen; ideally, more swiftly than usual

Ins? Leandro Damião of Internacional continues to head a long list of striker targets. There is also interest in the Southampton left-back Luke Shaw; the Wigan midfielder James McCarthy and the Blackpool winger Tom Ince

Outs? Doubt surrounds the future of the left-back Benoît Assou-Ekotto and the midfielders Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone. Assou-Ekotto has made it plain that he wants to stay DH

West Bromwich Albion

Money to spend? The Baggies are often cited within the Premier League as operating an ideal model so expect a sober and parsimonious summer of transfer business

Who’s spending it? On the football side Steve Clarke, the manager; on what can actually be spent Jeremy Peace, the chairman. As Clarke says of the club’s careful policy: “There has been year-on-year improvement for the club over the last few years and that’s all we try to do. We will try to improve again next season. There is no reason to doubt that what we’re doing is correct because year on year it’s working.”

Ins? Congo international Dieumerci Mbokani of Anderlecht and Wigan Athletic’s Franco Di Santo are interesting Clarke

Outs? With Jerome Thomas, Gonzalo Jara already released, there is also surely no future for Peter Odemwingie after his drive down to Queens Park Rangers’s Loftus Road offices to desperately try and force a move in the last window JJ

West Ham United

Money to spend? £15m net. The club continues to cope with large debt

Who’s spending it? The manager, Sam Allardyce, with heavy input from David Sullivan. The co-owner is a keen evaluator of the statistics of a prospective signing

Ins? More creativity, more quality, particularly up front. They have agreed a fee of £15m with Liverpool for Andy Carroll, who was on loan last season, but it is unclear whether he fancies the permanent move. Massimo Ambrosini, the veteran Milan midfielder, is a target while the club have done a deal for the free-agent left-back Razvan Rat

Outs? Carlton Cole will be released. The returning loanee Ravel Morrison faces an uncertain future. The club will fight to keep Mohamed Diamé DH

Dominic Fifield
David Hytner
Jamie Jackson
James Riach
Louise Taylor
Andy Hunter


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-05-31 14:09:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – Exclusive – West Ham target Liverpool midfielder

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

talkSPORT understands West Ham have targeted Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The Reds star has had a mixed season for the Anfield club, making 33 appearances but scoring just five goals for Brendan Rodgers' side. It's understood Liverpool need to raise funds this summer, if they're to launch a spending spree in the transfer window, as they plan an attack on the top four next season. The Hammers are already negotiating with Liverpool about Andy Carroll and England midfielder Shelvey could be the latest name to move to the east London club.

A news article on 2013-05-24 07:13:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – West Ham to renew interest in FC Twente defender

May 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

West Ham are set to renew their interest in FC Twente defender Douglas and hope to beat Liverpool, Newcastle and Lazio to seal his signature. Sam Allardyce was strongly linked with a move for the Brazil-born defender 12 months ago but a deal failed to materialise. With Emanuel Pogatetz being released after his poor loan spell at Upton Park, Allardyce is keen to strengthen his backline and add more competition for Winston Reid, James Collins and James Tomkins.

A news article on 2013-05-23 13:38:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

GUARDIAN – Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers expects quick decision on Andy Carroll

May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

• Manager cools on swap with Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa
• Striker harbours doubts on West Ham move after £15m offer

Brendan Rodgers expects a quick resolution to Andy Carroll’s future at Liverpool, with the striker’s hopes of a return to Newcastle United receding.

West Ham United have had a £15m offer accepted by Liverpool for the 24-year-old, who was initially reluctant to move to east London on loan last season and who harbours similar doubts over signing for Sam Allardyce’s team on a permanent basis.

The England international has not given up hope of revitalising his career at Anfield, despite being told by the Liverpool manager that he will have few opportunities to do so, but he would consider a move back to the boyhood club he left for £35m in January 2011. Newcastle, however, have not registered an interest and a potential exchange deal involving Hatem Ben Arfa is unlikely as Rodgers’ interest in the French midfielder has cooled.

Rodgers said: “It was just a general conversation in terms of the experience of getting out and playing. He enjoyed that apart from the injury. At the start of the season the whole thing was about going and getting games because he wasn’t going to be a starter here. We will talk again with him and the club to see how it all evolves. It’s one of those situations where it will probably be resolved a lot quicker than that for both parties.”

Liverpool were keen on Ben Arfa earlier in the season and a swap for Carroll may have appealed to Newcastle, who refused to entertain the striker’s £17m asking price last summer and attempted to re-sign him on loan instead. But Liverpool were unimpressed by the 26-year-old France international following his return from a three-month injury lay-off in March and that avenue now appears closed to Carroll.

Carroll scored seven goals in 24 league games for West Ham to earn a recall to the England squad for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, a recall since postponed by a heel injury. As was the case last summer, Carroll has been told he does not feature in the Liverpool manager’s long-term plans and Rodgers wants to invest the £15m fee and a salary in excess of £4m in new faces. Schalke’s Greece international Kyriakos Papadopoulous is his main target to replace Jamie Carragher in central defence next season and Liverpool may have to pay more than £12m for a player targeted by several leading clubs. The Anfield club are also leading the chase for Barcelona’s 16-year-old winger, Sergi Canos, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Manchester City.

On his end-of-season talks with Carroll, the Liverpool manager said: “It’s a difficult one. I spoke to him and we had a good chat. The boy is a talent. It’s just something we need to assess between now and the end of window. In terms of the money, that’s something out of my control. But he’s a talent so we will assess the whole situation. The objective at the beginning of the season was for him to go out and play. He’s gone away to think of what we spoke about and we will talk again through the weeks.”

In contrast to last summer, however, when Carroll joined West Ham shortly before the transfer deadline and Rodgers was unable to sign Clint Dempsey as a replacement, Liverpool want to resolve the striker’s position quickly.

Andy Hunter


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-05-22 21:54:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – West Ham close in on permanent Andy Carroll deal

May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

West Ham and Liverpool are close to finalising a permanent £15m deal for Andy Carroll, following the completion of the frontman’s season-long loan deal at Upton Park. Liverpool allowed the 24-year-old to leave Anfield last summer for the forthcoming campaign, after it was apparent he was not in new manager Brendan Rodgers’ plans.

A news article on 2013-05-21 19:12:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

GUARDIAN – Premier League 2012-13 review: Our writers’ best and worst moments

May 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Brilliant goals, best-forgotten predictions and matches that prompted dramatic late rewrites

Best player

Paul Doyle Luis Suárez. His dazzling turns, incessant mischief-making and much-improved finishing made him a joy to watch.

Dominic Fifield Juan Mata. Of those I watched regularly, he was the most consistently excellent, with his astonishing tally of 12 assists and 12 league goals testament to his impact at Chelsea throughout another tumultuous campaign.

Owen Gibson Hard to see beyond Gareth Bale. Not since Cristiano Ronaldo was in his pomp at Manchester United has a player demonstrated such an ability to seize a game and shape it.

Barry Glendenning A stunningly original choice here: Tottenham game-changer Gareth Bale.

Andy Hunter Robin van Persie. Signed to wrestle the title back from the wealthiest team (though not much of a team) on the planet and delivered under that pressure by February.

David Hytner Dimitar Berbatov. The best player to watch and the best player to write about.

Jamie Jackson Gareth Bale. The Welsh flyer has become the Premier League’s successor to Cristiano Ronaldo as the man who consistently scores and performs superbly.

Stuart James Gareth Bale. Just gets better and better. Almost single-handedly carried the Tottenham team and deserves to be playing Champions League football next season.

Scott Murray A toss-up between Christian Benteke and Adam Le Fondre. Hats off to your Van Persies, Bales and Suárezes (Suari?) but there’s something infinitely more romantic about those calmly pelting them in while all around is panic.

Sachin Nakrani Dimitar Berbatov. A left-field choice but then Berba is a left-field player. Languid, highly-skilled, hilariously ratty and the only man who would dare wear a “Keep calm and pass me the ball” T-shirt. Oh and he got 15 goals in his debut season with Fulham, which ain’t bad.

James Riach Gareth Bale repeatedly scored stunning, match-winning goals and spearheaded Tottenham to their biggest ever Premier League points total.

Barney Ronay Michael Carrick. Often did the job of two men in midfield for the champions. The Roy Keane of the elegant interception.

Jacob Steinberg It feels utterly ridiculous not to be picking Robin van Persie. But that’s Gareth Bale – utterly ridiculous. The quality of his goals and performances for Tottenham have been staggering.

Daniel Taylor Gareth Bale, with an honorary mention for Michu (clearly not playing for a big enough club to get many PFA votes) and Robin van Persie.

Louise Taylor Philippe Coutinho. Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla has been lovely to watch but Coutinho is the midfielder capable of making Liverpool great again.

Paul Wilson Luis Suárez. More watchable and audacious than Robin van Persie or Gareth Bale, if also more annoying and apparently more hungry.

WINNER Gareth Bale.

Best manager

Paul Doyle Michael Laudrup. Took a successful Swansea side and made them even better through smart signings and more effective attacking.

Dominic Fifield David Moyes. Everton finished sixth, above their city rivals for a second successive season, and lost only once at Goodison Park all campaign. Their squad boasts quality but not much depth, so to sustain such a challenge while others spend so heavily felt miraculous. Moyes has earned his opportunity with Manchester United.

Owen Gibson Sir Alex Ferguson. Fittingly in his final season, he marshalled his resources one last time following the bitter disappointment of the last day in 2011-12 to ease to the title.

Barry Glendenning Michael Laudrup. Prior to the start of the season, I idiotically predicted that Swansea City under his management would resemble “a car crash”.

Andy Hunter Sir Alex Ferguson. Another league title lifted by the latest Manchester United team to be spurred on by talent, naturally, but also character. A huge loss to the game.

David Hytner Rafael Benítez. Could not have done much more than win the Europa League and finish third. Moreover, he maintained his dignity at all times in the face of sustained hostility.

Jamie Jackson Michael Laudrup. As a first season in the top flight claiming the first major trophy of Swansea City’s 101-year history and finishing ninth was impressive.

Stuart James Michael Laudrup. There was a feeling Swansea were punching above their weight under Brendan Rodgers. Then Laudrup took over and won the first major trophy in the club’s history and secured a top-10 finish in the Premier League. Oh, and he also traded at a profit in the transfer market. Not bad, all in all.

Scott Murray Rafael Benítez, only the second man to win a European trophy at three different clubs (after Udo Lattek). The snipers – and it’s not just been Chelsea fans, either – can simmer down now.

Sachin Nakrani Michael Laudrup. Had the tough task of replacing Brendan Rodgers and did so with aplomb. Swansea finished two places higher than they did in 2011-12, have become a more dangerous attacking unit, and won a first major trophy in their history.

James Riach In the face of bitter protests from Chelsea’s supporters, Rafael Benítez remained dignified and won the Europa League title as well as securing third place.

Barney Ronay Rafa Benítez. Perhaps not the obvious choice but still: a European trophy and third place in the Premier League. And all without the full support of the club’s fans or – it would seem – board.

Jacob Steinberg Michael Laudrup won Swansea their first major trophy in his first season in England, made some shrewd signings and ensured their football remained easy on the eye.

Daniel Taylor Steve Clarke. Well, probably Sir Alex Ferguson. But I owe Clarke an apology for having him to win the sack race last August.

Louise Taylor Paolo Di Canio. Not content with saving Sunderland from relegation he speaks a lot of good sense. And makes the Premier League infinitely more colourful.

Paul Wilson David Moyes. After years of not winning anything, he walks off with the top prize. Tremendous first seasons from Steve Clarke and Michael Laudrup, solid progress by Sam Allardyce and Brendan Rodgers.

WINNER Michael Laudrup.

Best goal

Paul Doyle José Enrique for Liverpool v Swansea. Great move in which every touch was a trick.

Dominic Fifield Matthew Lowton’s volley from distance beyond Asmir Begovic, Stoke’s fine goalkeeper. It was a goal that breathed life into Aston Villa’s pursuit of survival.

Owen Gibson Van Persie v Aston Villa. Wayne Rooney’s raking 70-yard pass and the Dutchman’s skill in watching the ball drop on to his boot before volleying home was a fitting way for United to clinch the title.

Barry Glendenning Luis Suárez for Liverpool against Newcastle. Sprinting at full speed, he controlled a long ball to the edge of the penalty area with his shoulder while under pressure from Fabricio Coloccini, before taking it around Tim Krul and prodding home. In little more than a couple of seconds and with just three touches he made two very good players look like chumps.

Andy Hunter Robin van Persie v Aston Villa. From the pass by Wayne Rooney to the movement, awareness and sublime technique of Van Persie’s volley; a glorious goal and a true jaw-dropping moment.

David Hytner Luis Suárez v Newcastle Utd. Speed, strength, sumptuous chest control, balance, feint, touch, finish. Genius.

Jamie Jackson Robin van Persie’s second v Aston Villa. Wayne Rooney’s sublime arcing pass placed into the path of the on-rushing Dutchman was complemented by a left-foot volley struck oh so sweetly in a game that sealed Manchester United’s 20th championship.

Stuart James A close call between Matthew Lowton’s wonderful volley for Aston Villa against Stoke and Robin van Persie’s brilliant strike against Villa. Van Persie gets the nod on the basis that he was hitting a ball dropping over his shoulder.

Scott Murray Shinji Kagawa’s cerebral sidefoot against Norwich City.

Sachin Nakrani Matthew Lowton against Stoke. A stunning chest-and-first-time-hit volley that ultimately won a important game for Villa, lifting them out of the relegation zone.

James Riach Robin van Persie’s fine volley against Aston Villa oozed quality. He timed his run perfectly and made the finish look ridiculously easy.

Barney Ronay Romelu Lukaku versus Sunderland. Essentially a series of high-speed crash tackles, but still a rare joy to watch. The kind of goal the Hulk would score. Or a runaway cement mixer.

Jacob Steinberg I didn’t think Bale’s stabbed finish against Swansea in March really got the recognition it deserved. It was Messi-esque in its speed and inventiveness.

Daniel Taylor Luis Suárez v Newcastle. It’s the control, running, looking over his shoulder, then trapping a 40-yard pass on his chest and shimmying past Newcastle’s goalkeeper. The finish was simple; what preceded it was sublime.

Louise Taylor Fernando Torres in Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Sunderland. Torres met Eden Hazard’s cross with a perfectly cushioned volley expertly directed beyond Simon Mignolet. Not bad for a striker supposedly “finished”.

Paul Wilson Van Persie’s volley from Wayne Rooney’s sumptuous pass against Aston Villa. Otherwise anything from the Bale collection.

WINNER Robin van Persie v Aston Villa.

Best match

Paul Doyle Southampton 3-1 Man City. It is always good to see hungry young slicksters batter a team of glamorous slackers.

Dominic Fifield Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United in October, a game that saw the hosts reduced to nine, retrieve a two-goal deficit, then succumb to an offside winner. It was subsequently tainted with controversy after allegations were made against Mark Clattenburg by home players. Just as significantly, it proved to be the beginning of the end for Roberto Di Matteo.

Owen Gibson Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United. Just as the previous year had been defined by City’s 6-1 humbling of their neighbours, so Van Persie’s last-gasp winner seemed to symbolise this season’s revenge.

Barry Glendenning Reading 3-2 West Brom will live long in my memory. I was reporting on it and three Reading goals in the final eight minutes meant a panic-stricken rewrite. It was great fun, mind.

Andy Hunter Selecting only from games attended, Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea. The Benítez sub-plot, a commanding Chelsea display, a rousing Liverpool recovery and, of course, the best and ridiculous worst of Luis Suárez. The moment it dawned he had bitten Branislav Ivanovic, and that a week of inquests and accusations of a media witch-hunt was sure to follow, was not a highlight, however.

David Hytner Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United. Great goals, a stirring fightback, red cards, contention, pulsating from start to finish. The subsequent, unproven allegations about Mark Clattenburg ought not to overshadow the memory.

Jamie Jackson Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United. In the closing moments Van Persie’s free-kick deflected off Samir Nasri, who had turned his back, to beat Joe Hart and all three points were heading to Old Trafford.

Stuart James The first 5-5 draw in the history of the Premier League, at The Hawthorns on the final day of the season, must take some beating.

Scott Murray West Bromwich Albion 5-5 Manchester United, the nearest football’s ever got to DG Bradman, b Hollies, 0. Sport always has the last word, leaving even the geniuses wondering exactly what the hell just happened.

Sachin Nakrani Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United. Not a title decider but the moment it felt power had shifted back across Manchester. A pretty dramatic contest, too.

James Riach Newcastle United 0-3 Sunderland. This was the turning point in Sunderland’s survival bid, a gutsy performance that included three excellent goals and some incredible celebrations from Paolo Di Canio.

Barney Ronay Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United. Decided which way the seasonal Manchester momentum was heading – plus a lovely bit of soap opera in Van Persie’s free-kick and Nasri’s flinch.

Jacob Steinberg A personal highlight was West Ham’s comeback against Chelsea in December. Chelsea murdered West Ham in the first half and should have been two or three goals up at half-time. But the introduction of Mohamed Diamé changed the game and Upton Park was a very loud and enjoyable place to be by the time Modibo Maïga made it 3-1 to West Ham.

Daniel Taylor Southampton 2-3 Manchester United. The kind of match for which Sir Alex Ferguson will be remembered: losing 2-1 until the last three minutes and then a quick one-two from Robin van Persie and some frantic rewrites in the press box.

Louise Taylor Newcastle United 3-2 Chelsea. A fantastic game filled with fabulous counter-attacking football and settled by Moussa Sissoko’s 90th-minute winner for Newcastle.

Paul Wilson Newcastle 3-2 Chelsea was a real humdinger, the one where Demba Ba took a boot to the face and got his nose splattered.

WINNER Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United.

Best signing

Paul Doyle Christian Benteke – £7m for the young striker who kept Aston Villa in the Premier League in his first season in England. A bargain.

Dominic Fifield Robin van Persie. Michu was the bargain of the season, but Van Persie ensured Manchester United eclipsed Manchester City in the title race. A player who made a difference.

Owen Gibson The still improving Christian Benteke narrowly edges Van Persie for value. He scored on his debut and didn’t stop, keeping Villa up despite his misfiring colleagues.

Barry Glendenning Michu’s transfer to Swansea City from Real Vallecano for £2.2m was an astonishing, astute bit of business … for Swansea.

Andy Hunter Michu. His form may have tailed off after the Capital One Cup final but Swansea are unlikely to hold that against him. A steal at £2m, he epitomised the style and class of Michael Laudrup’s team and the club’s historic cup win in their centenary year.

David Hytner Robin Van Persie. Took the No20 shirt at Manchester United. Made the difference in the club’s 20th title.

Jamie Jackson Van Persie. “If” is a questionable concept in sport but had the Dutchman signed instead for City would United be champions?

Stuart James Michu was an absolute bargain at £2m but Christian Benteke was also an incredible piece of business. Without Benteke’s goals (of every description) Villa would surely have been relegated.

Scott Murray Philippe Coutinho. A pocket Molby, or a Beardsley-sized Beardsley?

Sachin Nakrani Michu. Strikers who score 18 goals in their debut season for a new club in a new country are not meant to cost £2m. An incredible piece of business.

James Riach Michu is the clear choice after scoring 18 goals for Swansea City at a cost of £2m from Rayo Vallecano. An absolute bargain.

Barney Ronay Christian Benteke. A £7m signing who kept Villa up and will now probably leave for much more. In short bursts looked like the perfect centre-forward in the making.

Jacob Steinberg Swansea paid £2m Michu and got more than their money’s worth.

Daniel Taylor Michu, and if we can ignore Steve Clarke (see above) I did predict this last August.

Louise Taylor Robin van Persie. He did not come cheap but, by their standards, an arguably limited, non-vintage, Manchester United would not have won the title without the Dutch striker.

Paul Wilson Has to be Van Persie, if he really made the difference between United and City.

WINNER Michu.

Worst flop

Paul Doyle Roberto Mancini. There are professors who got PhDs from a slot machine in Blackpool who could mount better defences of their title than Manchester City managed.

Dominic Fifield Alou Diarra at West Ham, if only because I suggested back in August that he would prove to be the bargain of the campaign. He may have been free but he arrived an experienced France international, the kind of player who could take the Premier League by the scruff of the neck, but five appearances in all competitions and a loan to Rennes rather sums up his impact. Then came the allegations that he had been lured to Upton Park by “false promises”.

Owen Gibson It seems unfair to single him out amid myriad overpaid failures at Loftus Road. But at £12.5m and £100,000 a week, Christopher Samba’s admission that he wasn’t prepared for the Premier League when he arrived in January couldn’t help but grate as Queens Park Rangers went down with a whimper.

Barry Glendenning Considering the high standards he set for himself last season, the decline of Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tioté has been particularly notable.

Andy Hunter Queens Park Rangers. Every signing made last summer and in January and their two managers, Mark Hughes and Harry Redknapp. Abysmal.

David Hytner José Bosingwa. A European champion with Chelsea last May, he was tempted to QPR by the big wages and did little to justify them. Refused to take his place as a substitute against Fulham. Jeered by fans on his last appearance against Newcastle.

Jamie Jackson Chelsea fans who failed to back Rafael Benítez. What, exactly, did the Blues supporters want by not getting behind the manager? Failure? Having returned the Europa League and third place Benítez has shown the kind of manager he is.

Stuart James Hard to look beyond the Queens Park Rangers team, headed up by José Bosingwa. Probably won’t happen but would be great to see him running out at Yeovil.

Scott Murray David Moyes and Everton, after yet another craven capitulation in the Cup. Roberto Martínez and Wigan showed them how to play the glory game.

Sachin Nakrani Christopher Samba. The personification of QPR’s ill-thought-out, irresponsible and bloated transfer strategy.

James Riach Chris Samba arrived at QPR in January for a club record £12.5m. Having not played since November, the centre-half was in poor shape and has admitted he was unprepared for a Premier League return.

Barney Ronay Emmanuel Adebayor. Came to life a little towards the end of the season, but it took until May for Spurs to win their second match in which he actually scored.

Jacob Steinberg It has not quite worked out for Scott Sinclair, has it?

Daniel Taylor Queens Park Rangers, the A to Z of how not to run a coherent football club.

Louise Taylor James McClean, Sunderland. The once so promising left winger regressed alarmingly. Desperately requires the “revolution in the brain” prescribed by Paolo Di Canio.

Paul Wilson Not blaming Harry Redknapp in particular, but everyone involved at QPR must view the season as a bit of a fiasco. Wigan’s defence coach, if they actually had one, also had a season to forget.

WINNER Queens Park Rangers (particularly Christopher Samba and José Bosingwa).

Biggest gripe

Paul Doyle Lack of innovation at set-pieces: most are very predictable. Players are getting their priorities wrong when they put more thought into their goalscoring celebrations than how to actually score in the first place.

Dominic Fifield The mess that was Queens Park Rangers. Their survival last season had been celebrated but what followed was pathetic. Their stay in the top flight was a missed opportunity.

Owen Gibson Hardly original, but in a season when low level grumbling about ticket prices became loud protests, the urgency of more clubs addressing the issue can’t be overstated.

Barry Glendenning The paranoia and seething rage of some fans is tedious. Relax, it’s just football.

Andy Hunter Extortionate ticket prices that have turned some football stadiums into tourist destinations and homes for a precious, middle-aged, middle-class audience.

David Hytner Sky sources. Just because the TV channel invented the game does not give them the licence seemingly to take other outlets’ stories and information and present them as their own.

Jamie Jackson Prominent footballers who shun the media when playing, then take up jobs in the media on retirement.

Stuart James The ruthless sackings of Brian McDermott at Reading and Nigel Adkins at Southampton. Both victims of their own success.

Scott Murray Faux moral outrage, 25 hours a day, eight days a week. Life’s too short to be this annoyed.

Sachin Nakrani The FA’s disciplinary decisions. A four-match ban for racism (John Terry), a 10-match ban for biting (Luis Suárez) and no ban at all for nearly snapping someone’s leg (Callum Mcmanaman). Madness.

James Riach Giving players a voice by reporting their nonsensical comments on Twitter, particularly one converted Francophile.

Barney Ronay Get rid of the “the ref saw it so we can’t do anything” law – thereby destroying at a single stroke the gist of roughly 50% of all angry football talk radio content.

Jacob Steinberg The FA Cup final (with Budweiser; mustn’t forget the sponsors) was great entertainment but it still shouldn’t kick off at 5.15pm or be played on the same weekend as league games.

Daniel Taylor 1) goal music, 2) Brendan Rodgers never told us who were in the envelopes.

Louise Taylor Those Chelsea fans who persistently undermined Rafael Benítez and demanded his dismissal after he, quite reasonably, gave them a measured ticking off following an FA Cup win at Middlesbrough. Benítez performed splendidly; is José Mourinho really going to do better?

Paul Wilson The Premier League is tilting towards the south, even south Wales. From a position of strength a few years ago, there are only the four core north-west clubs left. Lancashire is becoming an outpost, rather than a sensible location for a football writer to base themselves.

WINNER The FA’s disciplinary process.

Change for next season

Paul Doyle Play-offs for last Champions League spot and last relegation spot. There is an obvious antidote to anti-climaxes, as followers of the Championship, League One and League Two know full well. And why should the lower leagues have better endings than the top flight?

Dominic Fifield Transfer windows for managerial changes. Chelsea can have their own one, if necessary, in late February/early March. November is far too early.

Owen Gibson They have more need than most, but it would be nice to see others follow Arsenal’s lead in introducing special cut-price areas for teenagers.

Barry Glendenning Cheaper ticket prices would be nice.

Andy Hunter Same as last season: retrospective punishment for diving.

David Hytner Sir Alex Ferguson to hold regular press conferences in his new role as a Manchester United director.

Jamie Jackson Cameras in changing rooms, please.

Stuart James That the Manchester United manager attends post-match press conferences.

Scott Murray Pitchside bats, for smashing goalline cameras into pieces so small they can be sieved through a sock. Perfection is a pipe dream and, anyway, bemoaning the occasional incorrect decision is all part of the fun.

Sachin Nakrani £20 away tickets. In January the Football Supporters’ Federation launched its “Twenty’s Plenty for Away Tickets” campaign in a bid to establish an across-the-board, affordable pricing structure for travelling fans. Its introduction would show football at the highest level retains a soul.

James Riach Retrospective punishment even if a match official has seen the incident during the game. Some blatant and ugly fouls have escaped proper scrutiny this season.

Barney Ronay Relegate five teams.

Jacob Steinberg It is understandable that the FA doesn’t want to undermine referees but it is slightly farcical that retrospective action can’t be taken over incidents – Callum McManaman’s tackle on Massadio Haïdara, say – which the officials decided not to punish during games.

Daniel Taylor Maybe the Premier League, with its £5.5bn television revenue, could give Kick It Out more than £100,000 a year operating costs (roughly the same as someone who earns £50,000 a year chucking 25p into a collection tin).

Louise Taylor Journalists reporting on Premier League teams being invited, as happens at certain European clubs, to eat training ground lunches with players as part of an obligatory extension of current weekly press conferences. With increased trust unlikely to be abused it could only erase paranoia, increase understanding and enhance coverage.

Paul Wilson Players attending finals in a suit should be made to stay in a suit, and frisked if necessary to make sure they are not carrying spare kit, boots and shin-pads.

WINNER Cheaper tickets.

Paul Doyle
Dominic Fifield
Owen Gibson
Barry Glendenning
Andy Hunter
David Hytner
Jamie Jackson
Stuart James
Scott Murray
Sachin Nakrani
James Riach
Barney Ronay
Jacob Steinberg
Daniel Taylor
Louise Taylor
Paul Wilson


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-05-20 15:11:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – West Ham set to open talks with Liverpool over Carroll deal

May 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

West Ham are set to open talks with Liverpool over a permanent move for striker Andy Carroll and hope to finalise a deal in the next few weeks. Carroll has become a fans favourite at Upton Park following his season long-loan move from the Merseyside club at the start of the season. Despite facing lengthy periods on the sidelines with knee and hamstring problems, the England forward has still managed to score seven goals and has played his part in helping West Ham challenge for a top half finish.

A news article on 2013-05-09 15:44:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

TALKSPORT – Transfer rumours and paper review with Chris Davies – Tuesday, May 7

May 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Here is all of Tuesday’s transfer gossip and paper talk… Southampton and Liverpool both want to sign Celtic's 21-year-old defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama. (Daily Mirror) West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is considering making a bid for Aston Villa's £5m-rated American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 28. (The Sun) West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, 31, says the Hammers would love to keep on-loan striker Andy Carroll, 24, beyond the end of the season. (Metro)

A news article on 2013-05-07 06:52:00 from: Talksport

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts