Football : Season 2011/12

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Full riot gear on Sunday...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ester-16410224

This could make it a interesting match?

Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui has rejected Manchester City's request to play Yaya and Kolo Toure in Sunday's Manchester derby in the FA Cup.

"Clubs know the rules," Zahoui told BBC Africa. "I'm expecting them [the Toures] for the Fifa deadline."

Under Fifa rules, players can be called up two weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations on 21 January.

City had hoped the Toure brothers would be able to play against United before joining the Ivory Coast training camp.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16425919.stm

[denphone]

Their absences will hit Man City quite hard especially the loss of Yaya as he has been one of their best players this season.

[thenry]

true but they have a massive squad, if they can't perform then City are a joke. anywho as Alan Hansen said last night.. Kompany is more of an asset than Yaya. you can't really disagree with that.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by thenry

true but they have a massive squad, if they can't perform then City are a joke. anywho as Alan Hansen said last night.. Kompany is more of an asset than Yaya. you can't really disagree with that.

Yes Kompany has been superb for them this season but if there is a worry with Man City it is how much title experience have they got if the title race becomes very tight as Man Utd have been there many times before and know what is needed to win it.

[iadom]

Originally Posted by denphone

know what is needed to win it.

Yes, a top class reliable keeper, a solid back four, a world class midfielder or two, flying wingers and a good striker, somehow don't see any of those on the pitch for United ATM.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by iadom

Yes, a top class reliable keeper, a solid back four, a world class midfielder or two, flying wingers and a good striker, somehow don't see any of those on the pitch for United ATM.

Yes there are weaknesses in their side but experience counts for a lot on the run in .

[iadom]

Sadly the experience of Van der Sar, Vidic, Neville P, Scholes, Ronaldo etc will not be available, to my mind Vidic alone is a massive loss that will cost United dear.

They only won the title last year because one or two other teams blew their chances, United's away record last year was dismal to say the least.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by iadom

Sadly the experience of Van der Sar, Vidic, Neville P, Scholes, Ronaldo etc will not be available, to my mind Vidic alone is a massive loss that will cost United dear.

They only won the title last year because one or two other teams blew their chances, United's away record last year was dismal to say the least.

Yes l agree Vidic is a huge loss and Ferguson should have bought a replacement for Scholes but l still think it will be very tight at the top right up to the end of the season.

[sherer]

Originally Posted by iadom

Sadly the experience of Van der Sar, Vidic, Neville P, Scholes, Ronaldo etc will not be available, to my mind Vidic alone is a massive loss that will cost United dear.

They only won the title last year because one or two other teams blew their chances, United's away record last year was dismal to say the least.

I agree it wasn't so much we won that title but no one else wanted to win it and threw it away.

This season there are teams who have stepped up to the level we used to be at a few years ago.

Last night we had Giggs give the ball away for more than 90% of his passes and Park doing nothing all match.

We may have a world class striker in Rooney and when he plays Vidic is world class but we still lack someone who is world class in midfield. I'd argue in some games we don't even have anyone in midfield with the dross we put out

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16393385.stm

Steve McClaren has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to return to management at former club FC Twente.

He said: "The club is still developing, still growing and I think this is an ideal opportunity for me to go back and finish what we were starting."

McClaren, 50, takes over from Co Adriaanse, who was sacked on Tuesday with Twente third in the league after losing their last three matches of 2011.

The former Middlesbrough boss added: "I know the club very well. I know the people at the top. I can work with the people at the top.

"I think that is the most important thing. I had a good relationship with them the last time. I know where the club is coming from.

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16438701.stm

Gary Cahill's move to Chelsea could be completed within the next 48 hours, according to Bolton manager Owen Coyle.

Bolton have accepted a bid for the centre-back, thought to be in the region of £7m, but personal terms are yet to be agreed.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas said this week that club and player were "miles apart" from agreeing terms.

But Coyle claimed: "There's a chance the deal can be concluded by the end of the week."

Arsenal's Henry loan is completed. Huzzah!

[denphone]

Yes and he is eligible for the FA Cup match against Leeds and all l can say is welcome back to England for one of the Premiership's greatest ever players.

[thenry]

such a nice day today

[denphone]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16444441.stm

Everton's Phil Jagielka faces up to six weeks out with a knee injury sustained in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Bolton, according to manager David Moyes.

The 29-year-old defender sustained damage in his right knee in a challenge on Bolton striker David Ngog.

"To lose him [Jagielka] is a massive blow because he is an integral part of the defence," said Moyes.

"We have a few other injuries kicking around as well - Tim Cahill, Ross Barkley (knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16442700.stm

QPR have made a £5m bid for Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba.

Manager Neil Warnock has made the 27-year-old Congolese his first permanent target of the January transfer window.

Warnock, backed by Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes, has promised signings to help QPR climb away from the Premier League relegation zone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16441461.stm

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says there is "no need" for peace talks ahead of his team's home clash with Liverpool on 11 February

Liverpool want a board-level meeting with United to restore harmony following the Luis Suarez affair.


But Ferguson said: "I do not see why there is any need for it."

The Uruguay striker faces severe treatment at Old Trafford and Liverpool want to reduce the offensive chants Suarez is likely to endure.

When questioned at the club's press conference on Friday on reports that Liverpool would like peace talks, Ferguson said: "It is nice of them to do it through the press.