NYHETER: Ex-player/-manager news, Part I

[kjelvi]

Villa to bid for Tottenham striker Keane

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill intends to test Tottenham's resolve over striker Robbie Keane in the summer.
The Birmingham Mail says O'Neill will have significant funds available to strengthen his squad then and will almost certainly make a concerted attempt to bring in Tottenham's Keane.

Kilde: tribalfooball.com

[kjelvi]

Spurs, Newcastle target Viduka sparks mad transfer scramble  

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka is set to spark a transfer scramble after talks stalled over a new contract.
The Daily Mail says Newcastle and Tottenham lead the chase for Viduka in England while Celtic and Rangers will both be interested in Scotland and clubs in Serie A and La Liga are also following developments.

[kjelvi]

Levante's Harte eyes Premiership return

Levante left-back Ian Harte admits he fancies a return to the Premiership.
The fit-again Irishman was linked with Portsmouth and Manchester City last summer and said: "I've 18 months left and I'm more settled now than I was last year.
"I'm very happy, but you never know what can happen in football.
"I know I'll definitely go back to England to play one day, but we will have to wait and see what comes."

Kilde: tribalfooball.com

[kjelvi]

I farta 7/2!

England - Spania 0-1.
Judas Ferdinand (Man.U) hele kampen, mens Jon Woodgate (Newcastle) startet og ble byttet ut i 65. mins.
Judas får skylden for tapet. Et latterlig tilbakespill ble snappet - og omgjort til mål.

San Marino - Irland 1-2.
Robbie Keane (Spurs) hele kampen, mens Ian Harte (Levante) startet og ble byttet ut i 74. mins.
- There was a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the late Federico Crescedntini, a substitute for San Marino when the teams met in Dublin last year. He was drowned on holiday in Mexico and was related to the President of the football federation.

[kjelvi]

Heftig trekant!

Spurs, Villa & Boro in transfer triangle

According to reports, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough will trade players in the summer.

Spurs striker Robbie Keane will be on the way to Villa Park in the summer, while Boro's Mark Viduka is set to replace him at White Hart Lane.

Viduka may be over 30, but so was Davids when he signed for Spurs.

The Aussie will be available on a free transfer in the summer and with 9 goals in the onion bag already this season he's proving he's lost none of his predatory instinct.

Spurs will be loathe to lose Keane though, but perhaps it makes sense for Martin Jol to have a different sort of striker like Viduka in his squad to provide him with more tactical option.


Glory days!

Kilde: Fans FC

[kjelvi]

Surprise Forest move for controversial Millwall midfielder

Jody Morris is being tipped to make a loan move to the City Ground

The 28-year-old former Chelsea man has fallen out of favour under Millwall manager Willie Donachie after struggling with injuries this season.

Football League clubs stilll have the opportunity to bring in loan signings and Forest boss Colin Calderwood wants more new faces to kickstart his side's stuttering promotion bid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jody_Morris



Kilde: FansFC.com

[kjelvi]

HEATH OG WORTHINGTON AKTUELLE FOR COVENTRY

Ex-player Worthington og Wx-ass. manager Heath er på shortlist'en når det gjelder managerjobben i Coventry etter ex-player Micky Adams.

Fra Football354.com:

After giving Macclesfield a chance of Football League survival, Paul Ince might be given the chance to hotfoot it to the Ricoh Arena as Coventry look for a new manager. Ince is said to be on a shortlist that also includes caretaker boss Adrian Heath as well as Southend's Steve Tilson, Iain Dowie, Gary Megson and Nigel Worthington.

[kjelvi]

Jonathan Woodgate is still hopeful of returning to Real Madrid - even though the Spanish club are keen to sell him to Middlesbrough. (Independent)

Boro's Mark Viduka is wanted by Tottenham but has not ruled out a move back to Australia. (Independent)

[flynn]

Woodgate hadde jo sin del av skylda for målet Spania fikk, han lot seg lure ute på kanten, slik at spanjolen fikk lagt innlegget som endte i mål til slutt. MEN, det er aldeles herlig å se Woody igjen, stiligere midstoppertype finnes ikke. Han har flair så det holder og viser at han duger på høyeste nivå fortsatt. Han vil alltid være en jeg følger spesielt med, uansett hvilken klubb han ender opp i. Go Woodgate!

flynn

[kjelvi]

Livstegn fra Steve Guppy via BBC


Borough on the Conference brink  

Stevenage are walking a tightrope, according to midfielder Steve Guppy.

Tenth in the Conference and six points off a play-off place, Borough's season could go either way, and the next few games will determine which direction.

"The simple fact is we're a couple of wins away from really being in amongst it," the former Leicester winger and England international told BBC Sport.

"But the harsh reality is that we're a couple of defeats away from being in mid-table obscurity."

This is the sort of test Guppy relishes and is why he is still putting on the boots at the age of 37 after a stint in Major League Soccer with DC United.

"When I came back from America I'd kind of retired," explained Guppy, who also turned out for Celtic, Wycombe and Port Vale in his heyday.

"But I've got back into it, I'm playing for a great manager in Mark Stimson and I feel rejuvenated.

"He's a man who is definitely going places, I respect him, he's honest with me and I'm enjoying it. It's fantastic and long may it continue."

That Stevenage are even in this position is testament to their strong showing over Christmas.

After a slow start to the season they hauled themselves up the table with a string of seven successive wins, five of which were in the league, over the festive season.

Going back further, since being knocked out of the FA Cup in the second week of November they picked up 22 out of a possible 24 points in the league.

But that barnstorming run was broken by an unlikely source in struggling St Albans, and draws against Gravesend and Morecambe followed.

That second stalemate came in the FA Trophy after an injury-time penalty for Morecambe, but Stevenage went through in the replay on Tuesday 3-0, with striker Steve Morison setting Borough on their way.

George Boyd left Broadhall Way for Peterborough in the January transfer window in a £260,000 deal.

And Guppy is delighted fellow forward Morison did not follow Boyd out of the exit door.

"I hope Steve goes on to have a good career, but on a purely selfish level I'm glad he's staying around for a little longer," he added.

"But it's not just George and Steve, there's also Adam Miller who's having another great season and it won't be long before there are plenty of teams chasing him.

"It's great we've got such good players who we're getting interest for and that means we're doing something right."

And now it is time to make sure they get back to doing things right on the park.

"Any team, especially at our standard, would miss a player of George's calibre," Guppy added.

"It's a shame he had to go because things were going along nicely.

"But it's up to us to carry on in his absence and maybe it's time for a few other players to step up to the plate and show what they can do and create stuff for the team."

"We've strengthened the team with the signing of Jamie Slabber, who has a great pedigree.

"Although he's not going to be the new George Boyd, when someone goes someone else gets a chance, that's the way of football.

"So we're still hoping we can kick on this season.

"There's plenty of points still to play for and every game that comes round things become more and more important."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Guppy
http://www.stevenageborofc.com/
http://www.stevenageborofc.com/pages_8.php



Kilde: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/6316695.stm

[kjelvi]

FA Block Jamie Forrester Appeal

Jamie Forrester's appeal - would one have been made - has been blocked by the FA. This means that Forrester will be made to sit out the next three games, after he was sent off against Notts County.

Uriah Rennie sent off the talismatic 16 goal marksmen for something that everyone didn't see... including the camera man. So that means that he will be FORCED to sit out the next 3 games - Torquay [h], Walsall [a] and Hereford [h].

The official website broke the news this morning, and released the following statement:

"The only video footage of Forrester's sending off at Meadow Lane on Saturday available to both the Football Association and officials here at Sincil Bank was that as provided by Notts County as we were informed by County officials the day before the game that our official club cameraman wouldn't be allowed to film the game due to 'safety issues.'

Head Coach John Schofield was planning on waiting until hee saw referee Uriah Rennie's report on the incident before deciding whether he would lodge an appeal but, after receiving the communication from the FA first thing on Monday morning, he will be forced to stand by the official's decision."

This weeks poll therefore is yours to decide whether you think that Uriah Rennie should be taken off the Select list of referees.


Kilde: LCFC redimps.com

[kjelvi]

Pressman Signs New Contract

After weeks of speculation, Kevin Pressman has agreed to stay with Portadown for the rest of the current season.  Pressman has been in impressive form since he joined the Ports and has been accredited with the teams turn around in fortunes which has seen them rise to third in the League after an unbeaten run of 11 games.

[kjelvi]

Carlisle closing on comeback

Watford defender Clarke Carlisle has returned to full training after almost ten months on the sidelines.
Carlisle has yet to feature for The Hornets in the Premiership as a thigh problem has kept him out of action since April.
The 27-year-old's recovery is nearing an end, with all that is left is the need to get some games under his belt playing for the reserves.
Carlisle hopes to be able to play a part for Adrian Boothroyd's men in the not too distant future.
"The rehabilitation is coming on very well - I'm back in full training with the lads," Carlisle told the club's official website.
"I'll hopefully get a couple of games for the reserves and then I'll be ready.
"I would like to get back as soon as possible, it's been such a long haul. I'm just desperate to get back into the side.
"It's been unbelievably frustrating."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Carlisle
http://www.leedsfans.org.uk/leeds/players/757.html



Kilde: SkySports (http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=446947&CPID=8&clid=57&lid=2&title=Carlisle+closing+on+comeback&channel=football_home&)

[auren]

Rart å lese om spillere som Jody Morris og Steve Guppy. Det er nesten som om jeg ikke husker at de var i Leeds. Tror jammen meg at Guppy ble matchvinner en kamp også. Mener også at Morris puttet et mål. Den første sesongen i CCC var der jo en flora av spillere innom LUFC, så der er ikke rart at hukommelsen ikke strekker til. Nå har det igrunnen vært særdeles mange spillere innom Leeds etter nedrykket. Hadde vært artig å sett en oversikt over hvor mange spillere totalt som har vært på banen for Leeds på vel 2,5 sesong i CCC.

auren

Leeds
Till
I
Die!

[Runar]

Morris puttet bare mot Leeds så vidt jeg vet... Guppy puttet vel i en 1-1 kamp eller et 1-2 tap så tror ikke han ble matchvinner (kan være jeg tar feil)

[auren]

Du har nok rett. Min hukommelse er ikke den beste. Husker ihvertfall Guppy puttet i en kamp. Tipper den kampen endte 1-1.

auren

Leeds
Till
I
Die!

[kjelvi]

WOODGATE - 'I HAVEN'T GOT A CLUE'

England defender Jonathan Woodgate has insisted he remains a Real Madrid player despite the club's claims that they had sold him to Middlesbrough.

The 27-year-old returned to action for his country for the first time in almost three years in Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat by Spain at Old Trafford.

Woodgate's re-emergence on the international stage came a matter of days after Real announced they had agreed a deal with his home-town club Boro, where he is spending the current season on loan, for a permanent transfer and wished him the best for his future.

However, that came as news to both the Teessiders, who negotiated a first option on the player when they signed him on a temporary basis last summer, and Woodgate.

After playing 65 minutes for his country on Wednesday night, the defender admitted he did not know what was going on, but was adamant no decision has yet been taken.

He said: "I have not got a clue. I have got a contract with Madrid and all this stuff comes out and I have not got a clue what is happening.

"I have got a contract at Madrid and I will see what happens at he end of the season and see where I go in the summer.

"They agreed a fee with Middlesbrough at the start of the season, but then it all came out saying I was going.

"I have not been transferred. I am a Real Madrid player and I am on loan at Middlesbrough.

"We will see what happens at the end of the year and I will take a decision then."

Woodgate revealed when he joined Boro that two of his aims were to persuade new Real boss Fabio Capello he had a future at the Bernabeu Stadium, and to win back his England place.

Last week's announcement suggests that, despite his excellent form at the Riverside Stadium, he has failed to achieve the first of those objectives.

However, his presence at the heart of Steve McClaren's defence alongside Rio Ferdinand last night as he collected just his sixth senior cap was reward for the hard work which has brought an end to his injury misery and reminded the nation of his quality.

He turned in a largely assured display despite a stern examination by dangerman David Villa until the striker's persistence finally paid off.

Villa got the better of Woodgate wide on the Spanish left on 63 minutes to send in the cross from which substitute Andres Iniesta smashed home the game's only goal.

He said: "I could have a done a lot better on the goal. I set myself high standards, but apart from that, I thought I did okay in the game.

"But it was a mistake and obviously you are judged.

"It was great to pull the shirt on after a long absence. It has been well-documented about my injury problems, so it was great to pull the shirt on again.

"We started off well in the first half, but the it died off when Spain started getting to the ball. The second half was the same.

"We have got to learn to dominate games throughout the game and not allow the other team to pass it around."

McClaren's men were booed from the pitch by a disappointed crowd of 58,247 after rarely looking likely to take control of the game.

Woodgate will hope he does not have to wait as long for his seventh cap as he did for the one he collected on Wednesday night, although he knows he faces stiff competition with vital Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra coming up next month.

Skipper John Terry was an unused substitute last night, as was Tottenham's Michael Dawson, and he is well aware of the men he will have to displace to claim a regular place in the starting line-up.

He said: "I have to play as many games as I can for Middlesbrough and hopefully I will be selected for England again.

"But there are a lot of good centre-halves in England, so everyone will be battling for positions.

"You feel on your day, you can be a match for anyone and hopefully I am. But John, Rio (Ferdinand), Jamie Carragher and Michael Dawson are the same.

"We are all looking for that spot, and it is good for the manager to have competition for places."


Kilde: PA Sport (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/07/02/08/SOCCER_England_Woodgate.html)

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by auren

Hadde vært artig å sett en oversikt over hvor mange spillere totalt som har vært på banen for Leeds på vel 2,5 sesong i CCC.

auren

Bare seriekamper

Så langt i 2006-07: 38 spillere

CCC, 2005-06: 28 spillere
CCC, 2004-05: 35
PL, 2003-04:  30
PL, 2002-03:  29
PL, 2001-02:  21

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi
[brSå langt i 2006-07: 38 spillere

               
               k-m-rødt-gult totalt-mål
1 Neil Sullivan 10 0 0 0 110 0
2 Gary Kelly 18 0 2 0 516(15) 4
3 Stephen Crainey 21(1) 0 3 0 61(1) 0
4 David Livermore 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Jonathan Douglas 24(1) 1 12 0 62(10) 6
5 Alan Wright 1 0 0 0 1 0
5 Ugo Ehiogu 6 1 0 0 6 1
6 Paul Butler 17 1 4 0 106 4
6 Alan Thompson 3 2 1 0 3 2
7 Ian Westlake 19( 0 6 0 19( 0
8 Sean Gregan 2 0 1 0 73(1) 0
8 Tore André Flo 1(1) 1 0 0 1(1) 1
9 David Healy 23(7) 7 7 0 79(28) 28
10 Rob Hulse 0 0 0 0 51( 20
10 Geoff Horsfield 12(3) 2 0 1 12(3) 2
11 Eddie Lewis 30(1) 2 2 0 77(3) 8
12 Adam Johnson 4(1) 0 0 0 4(1) 0
12 Robbie Elliott 3 0 1 0 3 0
13 Ian Bennett 0 0 0 0 4 0
14 Steve Stone 6(5) 1 0 0 7( 1
15 Frazer Richardson 9(3) 0 0 0 61(26) 4
16 Gylfi Einarsson 0(3) 0 0 0 15(10) 1
17 Sebastien Carole 4(9) 0 0 0 4(9) 0
18 Kevin Nicholls 9(1) 0 3 1 9(1) 0
19 Eirik Bakke 3(1) 1 1 0 164(32) 21
19 Matt Heath 13 1 1 0 13 1
20 Hayden Foxe 13(2) 1 6 1 13(2) 1
21 Shaun Derry 23(2) 1 8 0 75(3) 3
22 Ian Moore 13(14) 5 1 0 21(34) 5
23 Daniel Harding 0 0 0 0 21 0
23 Graham Stack 10 0 1 0 10 0
24 Rui Marques 5 0 0 0 6 0
25 Richard Cresswell 5(3) 1 3 0 18(11) 8
26 Matthew Kilgallon 20(2) 0 4 1 86(9) 3
27 Joel Griffiths 0 0 0 0 0(2) 0
27 Tresor Kandol 7(5) 1 3 0 7(5) 1
28 Robbie Blake 16( 6 1 0 49(22) 17
30 Ben Parker 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 Tony Warner 14 0 1 0 14 0
31 Armando Sá 3(1) 0 0 0 3(1) 0
32 Jermaine Beckford 2(4) 0 1 0 2(9) 0
33 Jonny Howson 5(2) 1 1 0 5(2) 1
34 Rob Bayly 0(1) 0 0 0 0(1) 0
36 Jonny Lund 0 0 0 0 0 0
37 Tom Elliott 0(1) 0 0 0 0(1) 0
40 Casper Ankergren 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 Danny Rose 0 0 0 0 0 0

[auren]

Utrolig bra kjelvi. Aner ikke hvordan du har funnet dette ut.
38 allerede til nå i sesongen. Venter nok at det vil bli en del til, slik at vi bikker 40 stk. Helt utrolig!
Kun 21 forskjellige spillere i 2001/2002 forteller jo at tidene var bedre da ja... Kontinuitet!!!

auren, imponert over (kj)elvis letementalitet... :-)

Leeds
Till
I
Die!

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

CCC, 2005-06: 28 spillere

League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other
Name Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Eirik Bakke 7(3)   0   0   0   1(1)  
Jermaine Beckford 0(5)   0   0   0   0  
Ian Bennett 4   0   0   0   0  
Robbie Blake 31(10) 11 1(1)   1(1)   0   0(2)  
Paul Butler 44 3 2   1   0   1  
Stephen Crainey 24   2   2   0   2  
Richard Cresswell 12(4) 5 0(2)   1 2 0   0(2)  
Shaun Derry 41   1   0(1)   0   3  
Jonathan Douglas 32( 5 2   2(1)   0   2  
Gylfi Einarsson 6(4)   0(1)   3   0   0  
Danny Graham 1(2)   0   0   0   0  
Sean Gregan 28   0   3   0   3  
Joel Griffiths 0(2)   0   0   0   0  
Daniel Harding 20   0   1   0   0  
David Healy 24(18) 12 1(1) 2 2   0   1(1)  
Rob Hulse 32(7) 12 2 1 1(1)   0   3 1
Gary Kelly 44   2 1 0   0   3  
Matthew Kilgallon 22(3) 1 2   3   0   3  
Eddie Lewis 42(1) 5 2   0(1)   0   3 1
Rui Marques 0   0   1   0   0  
Liam Miller 26(2) 1 2   0   0   3  
Ian Moore 2(18)   0   2   0   0  
Danny Pugh 1(11)   0   3   0   0  
Frazer Richardson 13(10) 1 0   3 1 0   2 1
Michael Ricketts 1(3)   0   1 1 0   0  
Steve Stone 1(1)   0   0   0   0(2)  
Neil Sullivan 42   2   3   0   3  
Simon Walton 3(1)   1   0   0   0  
Jermaine Wright 3   0   0   0   0

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

CCC, 2004-05: 35

League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other
Name Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Eirik Bakke 0(1)   0   0   0   0  
Nathan Blake 2 1 1   0   0   0  
Paul Butler 39   0   2   0   0  
Danny Cadamarteri 0   0   0(1)   0   0  
Clarke Carlisle 29(6) 4 0   3   0   0  
Stephen Crainey 9   0   1   0   0  
Brian Deane 23( 6 0   1(1) 1 0   0  
Shaun Derry 7 2 0   0   0   0  
Michael Duberry 4   1   0   0   0  
Gylfi Einarsson 6(2) 1 0   0   0   0  
Michael Gray 10   0   0   0   0  
Sean Gregan 34(1)   1   2   0   0  
Leandre Griffit 0(1)   0   0   0   0  
Steve Guppy 1(2) 1 0   1   0   0  
David Healy 27(1) 7 1   0   0   0  
Rob Hulse 13 6 0   0   0   0  
Julian Joachim 10(17) 2 0(1)   3   0   0  
Seth Johnson 4(2) 1 0   0   0   0  
Simon Johnson 1(1)   0   1   0   0  
Gary Kelly 43   1   3   0   0  
Andy Keogh 0   0   0(1)   0   0  
Matthew Kilgallon 26   1   1   0   0  
Marlon King 4(5)   0   0   0   0  
Aaron Lennon 19( 1 1   0(1)   0   0  
Jamie McMaster 0(7)   0   1(1)   0   0  
Ian Moore 4(2)   0   0   0   0  
Brett Ormerod 6   0   0   0   0  
John Oster 8 1 0   0   0   0  
Danny Pugh 33(5) 5 0(1)   3 1 0   0  
Lucas Radebe 1(2)   0   0   0   0  
Frazer Richardson 28(10) 1 1   2   0   0  
Michael Ricketts 9(12)   0   2(1) 1 0   0  
Matthew Spring 4(9) 1 0   2   0   0  
Neil Sullivan 46   1   3   0   0  
Simon Walton 23(7) 3 1   1(1)   0   0  
Martin Woods 0(1)   0   0   0   0  
Jermaine Wright 33(2) 3 1   1   0   0

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by kjelvi

PL, 2003-04:  30

 League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other
Name Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Eirik Bakke 8(2) 1 1   0   0   0  
Nick Barmby 1(5)   0   0   0   0  
David Batty 10(2)   1   1   0   0  
Michael Bridges 1(9)   0   1(1)   0   0  
Steve Caldwell 13 1 0   0   0   0  
Zoumana Camara 13 1 0   2   0   0  
Scott Carson 2(1)   0   0   0   0  
Cyril Chapuis 0(1)   0   1(1)   0   0  
Didier Domi 9(3)   0   0(2)   0   0  
Michael Duberry 19 3 1   0   0   0  
Ian Harte 21(2) 1 1   2 1 0   0  
Seth Johnson 24(1) 2 0   1   0   0  
Simon Johnson 1(4)   0   0   0   0  
Gary Kelly 37   0   2   0   0  
Matthew Kilgallon 7(1) 2 1   0   0   0  
Aaron Lennon 0(11)   0(1)   1(1)   0   0  
Dominic Matteo 33 2 1   0   0   0  
Stephen McPhail 8(4) 1 0   0   0   0  
James Milner 27(3) 3 1   1   0   0  
Jody Morris 11(1)   0   0   0   0  
Salomon Olembe 8(4)   0   2   0   0  
Jermaine Pennant 34(2) 2 0   0   0   0  
Lucas Radebe 11(3)   0   0(1)   0   0  
Frazer Richardson 2(2)   1   0   0   0  
Paul Robinson 36   1   2 1 0   0  
José Vitor Roque Junior 5   0   2 2 0   0  
Lamine Sakho 9( 1 0(1)   1   0   0  
Alan Smith 35 9 1   2   0   0  
Mark Viduka 30 11 1 1 0   0   0  
Jason Wilcox 3(3)   0   1   0   0

[kjelvi]

quote:Originally posted by auren

Aner ikke hvordan du har funnet dette ut.

Ikke'no hocus-pokus.
Jabba's nettsted har alt: http://www.leedsfans.org.uk/
Er en av mange som fra tid til annen hjelper til der.

[kjelvi]

Jonathan Woodgate headed back from England duty to Middlesbrough to hammer out the confusion he admitted still surrounds his future. Real Madrid have said Woodgate's loan move to the Riverside is now permanent but the player himself still considers himself one of the Galacticos. (Telegraph)

[kjelvi]

PENNANT: I FEEL AT HOME NOW

Summer signing Jermaine Pennant believes he is finally starting to show the Anfield faithful what he is capable of.  
And the winger, who scored a stunning first goal for the club against Chelsea two weeks ago, sent this message to every Liverpool fan: "There's even more to come."
He told LFC Magazine: "I've got my confidence right up, I've gelled more with the people around me and learned more about everyone's games.
"I am a better player now than I was at the beginning of the season. I've started against Arsenal and Chelsea, and games don't come much bigger than them. I've proved I can cope with the physical side of those games.
"Like I say, I'm happy with the way things have been going for me in the last couple of weeks but I feel there's still a lot more to come. I still think I can bring more to the team. You've always got to strive to improve and I'm no different."
Pennant admits the transition from Birmingham to Liverpool was harder than he expected.
"People think that because you're English and you're moving to another English club, you're going to settle straight away and be in your best form from day one, but it's not always that easy.
"I'd say that it was only in the last six to eight games that I've found my feet and started to get close to what I'm capable of.
"I'm enjoying my football here at the moment and I think it shows. I've got an opportunity here and I'm making sure I make the most of it."


Kilde: Liverpoolfc.tv (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N154943070209-1027.htm)

[kjelvi]

FEATHERBY DISPUTES CASH CLAIM

Danny Mills' agent Neil Featherby has rubbished claims by Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson that the England defender was sent packing from the Riverside Stadium after a massive hike in his contract demands.

Mills spent much of the 2003-04 season on loan from Leeds and said earlier this week he was promised a permanent deal by then boss Steve McClaren - whom he branded "false" for subsequently reneging on their agreement.

Gibson confirmed his club were interested in making the move for Mills permanent - but insisted the real reason for failing to do so was because Mills and Featherby wanted a 25% wage increase.

But Featherby said: "In respect of either myself or Danny asking for a further 25% I can categorically state that is utter nonsense and I have no idea where Mr Gibson got those sums and figures from.

"I never once spoke to Steve Gibson during Danny's time at Middlesbrough.

"If he had been present during my negotiations with their chief executive Keith Lamb, he would perhaps have a clearer view of what happened.

"But I have no intention of being dragged into a dispute with Mr Gibson.

"It is shame they are coming out and saying these things because Danny finished on a high by winning a Carling Cup medal and he loved his time there."


Kilde: PA Sport (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/nw_story_get.cgi?)

[Jon R]

Stadig nye kontroverser rundt den godeste Danny Mills. []

Jon R.

[kjelvi]

WOODGATE TOLD TO TAKE HIS TIME
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will not rush England defender Jonathan Woodgate into a decision over his future on Teesside.

Both the 27-year-old and his home-town club, where he is spending the season on loan, were surprised earlier this week when Real Madrid, who bought him from Newcastle for £13.4million, announced he had made a permanent switch to the Riverside Stadium.

Woodgate insisted after his return to the international stage against Spain on Wednesday that he would make his decision during the summer, and as far as he is concerned, remains a Real player.

Southgate is desperate to persuade the defender to take up the option the club negotiated during the summer to complete a full transfer.

However, he is adamant he will put no pressure on his former international team-mate.

Southgate said: "It has been a bit strange in that, nothing has changed really.

"We said all along that we took Jonathan on loan with a view to a permanent move.

"The deal for that has been agreed and, as was the case when we first took him, the final decisions are with Madrid and with Jonathan and ourselves.

"We have made it clear to him we would love him to stay beyond this season, and he, of course, has plenty to think about between now and then.

"I fully understand that. We are not going to put him under any pressure, we are not trying to do anything to influence that other than providing him with an environment he is enjoying working in and trying to show him what our ambitions are as a club.

"We would love him to be a big part of the future here and be central to the steps we want to make to push ourselves onwards and upwards.

"Now, of course, he has to have a think about that and review his options. He has been fantastic for us and we will give him as long as he wants."

Woodgate has played in 23 of Boro's 30 games this season after putting his injury problems behind him.

He is a likely starter again in the Barclays Premiership trip to Chelsea after playing 65 minutes for his country at Old Trafford in midweek.


Kilde: Sporting Life

[kjelvi]

Jol throws his weight behind Robbo

Tottenham boss Martin Jol admits the knives are out for Paul Robinson - but is confident the goalkeeper will return to top form.

Robinson, 27, has been criticised following uncharacteristic errors this season and Ben Foster was given his chance in goal for England against Spain in midweek.

While there was no blame attached to the horrendous bobble against Croatia that allowed Gary Neville's back-pass to trickle in, Robinson's positioning in general has been questioned particularly after he rushed out against Arsenal in the Carling Cup and Julio Baptista scored an equaliser.

Jol believes Robinson will be even more determined to prove the critics wrong, starting with Saturday's trip to Sheffield United when Spurs look for their first Barclays Premiership win since Boxing Day.

"Of course he is our top man, but it is the same for Paul as any other player or manager at the top - if you don't get the right results or you are not at your absolute best, then the knives will come out," said Jol.

"I don't think that is a bad thing to have to prove yourself week in, week out."

The Dutchman added: "There is no problem, it is hard to perform to the maximum all the time, but he has done unbelievably well for us over the last couple of years.

"We haven't had the best of spells and he is part of our team, you have to be honest about it."

England boss Steve McClaren insisted Robinson was not dropped and the Spain friendly offered a chance to look at Foster, and the Watford goalkeeper impressed in the 1-0 defeat.

"Foster playing against Spain was good because how many goalkeepers are there that can be called on to play at that level now? It was right to give him his chance and it had nothing to do with Robbo," added Jol.

"Sometimes it is good to take a little step back but Robbo will come back again, he is training hard and when he is on top of his game he is the best goalkeeper in England.

"Other keepers do need a chance but I know and our supporters know that if Robbo is at his best he will be number one because in my mind, without a shadow of a doubt, he is the best."

Robinson's form since the World Cup in the summer is the first instance of his career when there have been questions over his consistency, and Jol believes he will bounce back, revealing last week that the former Leeds goalkeeper had been back on his days off to train.

"We are sportsmen, we like to do well, we want to do better, we like to prove people wrong and that is a very good habit," the Spurs boss added.

"I know Paul will prove people wrong and that is the best quality of a top player."

Sporting director Damien Comolli was forced to defend Robinson - and goalkeeper coach Hans Segers - at the recent Spurs annual general meeting.

He said: "We all hope if Robinson stays here for 12 years that he will be at his best for 12 years. The only thing I can assure the fans is that Hans was the person who trained Paul since he has been at the club and he's doing exactly the same thing in training this season."



Kilde: TeamTalk (http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1905505,00.html)