A New South Wales disciplinary hearing tonight suspended bowler Stuart MacGill for two interstate games for a breach of the players code of conduct in yesterday’s ING Cup win over Tasmania.MacGill will miss the vital Pura Cup match against Victoria, beginning in Melbourne on February 5, and the ING Cup one-dayer against Victoria on February 5.The Test leg spinner was found guilty of unbecoming behaviour and using crude and abusive language.
The Gabba will showcase a bumper season of international cricket this summer with confirmation today that Brisbane will host a One Day International between Australia and India in September.The Australian Cricket Board today announced the three-match Super Challenge Series between Australia and India would be held in September, with two matches indoors at Melbourne’s Colonial Stadium and the third at the Gabba.The two matches in Melbourne will be played on September 21 and 23 while the Gabba match, a day/night game, will be held on Wednesday, September 26.Negotiations between Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions have provided the Lions with the opportunity to train at the Gabba prior to any possible AFL Grand Final appearance.Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Graham Dixon today expressed gratitude to the Lions for their support in ensuring the match was played at the Gabba.”We have met on several occasions with the Lions and the Brisbane Cricket Ground Trust about the feasibility of playing this match and have established a great deal of common ground on this and other issues regarding the use of the Gabba," he said.”This level of co-operation has also allowed Queensland Cricket to recommend dates to the Australian Cricket Board that will enable the Lions to play Ansett Cup matches at the Gabba in February and March as well as provide for any cricket Finals at the ground."”Thanks to the efficiency of the curator Kevin Mitchell Junior, we are very confident in the ground’s ability to deal with these scenarios," Dixon said.Australia’s tour of India earlier this year generated record levels of interest and with the world champion Australian team fresh from its Ashes campaign, the return match-up of the two teams is set to create similar attention.The announcement means that the Gabba will host the Australian limited overs team twice during the 2001-2002 season, with the traditional January one day weekend pitting Australia against arch-rivals South Africa as part of the VB tri series which will also feature New Zealand.Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar and record-breaking VVS Laxman are expected to form part of the Indian contingent while Australian captain Steve Waugh said today that Australia would field the strongest team available.
Celtic had a massive overhaul during the previous summer transfer window with Ange Postecoglou moving a number of players out of the club and replacing them with a lot of new faces.
Now with the upcoming summer window in mind, it appears as though the Hoops could be set to say goodbye to one of their current figures in a rather uncouth manner.
What’s the news?
According to a recent report from Greek publication Onlarissa (via Football.Scotland), Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas has demanded to leave the Parkhead club this summer.
Since arriving at Celtic Park back in the 2020 summer transfer window from Greek club AEK Athens in a deal worth a reported fee of £4.5m, the shot-stopper has only made 24 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions where he’s managed to concede 23 goals in the process.
Get rid of Barkas
This season has seen the 27-year-old make just two appearances for the Hoops. The first came in their 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland in the first leg of the second round Champions League qualifying stage where he committed a “catastrophic” error according to Michael Stewart. That was followed by his only league appearance against St. Johnstone on Boxing Day where he also failed to keep a clean sheet.
As well as only making two appearances for the club in this campaign, the Greece international hasn’t even been in the squad for most of the time, highlighting just where he is in terms of the current pecking order under Postecoglou.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why the player would want a move away from the club, presumably to somewhere he’d be able to play regularly rather than waste his time with the Bhoys where his chances to play have been few and far between in recent months.
Also, taking into account what he’s done for the team when he has played or hasn’t done in terms of conceding fewer goals, it wouldn’t seem likely that many Celtic fans would be sad to see the back of him, with some potentially overjoyed by the idea of having him gone.
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Taking all of this into account, Postecoglou now has the chance to fix the nightmare blunder that Nick Hammond made by bringing Barkas to the club in the first place by finally getting the £20k-per-week earner off their books and out the door this summer.
In other news: Sold at £7m, now a 492 goal “beast”: Celtic will rue call on “world-class” 6ft5 “lion”
Everton’s Belgian international Marouane Fellaini is subject to a £20 million bid from Chelsea, according to the Daily Mirror .
The 24 year old midfielder is the latest to be liked with a move to Stamford Bridge, as Roman Abramovich looks to continue to strengthen his Champions League winning side.
Having joined Everton in 2008 from Standard Liege, Fellaini has impressed with the Toffees, appearing 137 times and scoring 20 goals from defensive midfield.
Chelsea are believed to be searching for a replacement for Michael Essien, whose last two seasons at the club have been injury ridden. Fellaini is just the player Abramovich will hope can add some defensive cover to his midfield, following the £32 million signing of attacking midfielder Eden Hazard last week.
It is believed that Everton would sell their Belgian midfielder on the condition they can make a significant profit on the £15 million they paid Standard Liege four years ago.
The signing of Fellaini would mark something of a midfield overhaul for The Blues. Following the signings of Hazard and also Werder Bremen’s Marko Marin, who will join the Champions League holders when the transfer window officially opens on 1st July.
Abramovich seems eager to strengthen the side immediately, with new signings in place before the arrival of a new manager at Stamford Bridge.
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The Reds have continued their best of British transfer policy after Stewart Downing made his long awaited move to Anfield last week. His arrival takes Kenny Dalglish’s spending to close to the £50m mark as the Liverpool Legend plots the club’s return to the top.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include Liverpool deny £9.5m deal; Luis Suarez will suffer in the long run, while Kenny’s great dilemma over Conor Coady.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
*
For Liverpool fans it must be a waiting game…for now!
Should Kenny gamble on Liverpool starlet?
Will Luis Suarez suffer in the long run?
Style or Substance? Dalglish’s headache
Getting tired of the negativity this Liverpool youngster gets
The ‘Greatest Liverpool XI’ Of All Time?
Liverpool deny talk of £9.5m deal
Time for Liverpool’s ‘Little Prince’ to take his bow
Who is set to have the biggest impact at Liverpool?
Do comments suggest that Liverpool’s transfer business is done?
*Best of Web*
What a difference a year makes on the ownership front – Live4Liverpool
Does Joe Cole have a future at Liverpool? – This is Anfield
LFC’s Transfer Policy Explained (Hopefully) – Tomkins Times
Is the pressure off Steven Gerrard now? – Our Kop
Alberto Aquilani – Rejuvenated or Redundant? – This is Anfield
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So who is this “Mexican Torres” set to trial at Liverpool? – Live4Liverpool
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Click on image below to see Wes’ latest lady
The week in the run up to Christmas started with a interesting Premier League fixture at Eastlands, which Everton won 2-1 against Manchester City thanks to goals from Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines. So Everton got one over Manchester City on the pitch, and City were also second best off it. Away from football Mario Balotelli was seen wearing the most ridiculous headgear I’ve ever set my eyes on (check it out at the FootballFanCast.com Facebook Fan Page if you haven’t seen it already). Everton fans weren’t to be outdone though and in the spirit of Christmas trumped Balotelli with their turkey hats. Can you come up with a funny caption for this photo?
Leave your suggestions below…
This week you can win a copy of FIFA 11!
FIFA 11 reinvents player authenticity – on and off the ball – for every player and at every position on the pitch with Personality+, an all-new feature that sees individual abilities reflected in game, enabling clear differentiation for every player.
For the FootballFanCast.com Caption Competition Terms and Conditions click here
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FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.
Last week’s winner: Grave – click here to see all entries
As the Premier League draws to a close, it’s time for some alternative statistics on each Premier League club ahead of the final game of the season!
Manchester City
Going into their game with QPR, Manchester City have averaged over three goals per game at the Etihad against bottom half opposition. Roberto Mancini’s side also know should they beat the Londoners, they’ll end the season as the most in-form team in the division which is perhaps apt as they look to be crowned Champions.
Manchester United
As far as their away form goes, it’s been all change for Manchester United this season. They’ve gone from having the fifth best away record to having the best in the division, something United are assured of regardless of Sunday’s result. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have also only conceded three goals in their nine away games against bottom half teams – a record which might daunt Sunderland ahead of Sunday.
Arsenal
Games involving Arsenal on the road have produced the second most goals in the division. The Gunners though are the most in-form away side in the league, winning four of their last six games. If they can continue this form at West Brom, they’ll retain their place in the Champions League.
Spurs
Harry Redknapp’s side have the chance this weekend to finish above Arsenal, if the Gunners drop points at West Brom and Spurs beat Fulham. Previous encounters suggest the latter will happen – Spurs haven’t lost a home game against a fellow London club since they lost to Arsenal in September 2007. What’s more the North Londoners have the third best home record this season.
Newcastle United
Of late, with the help of Papiss Demba Cissé, the Toon have won seven of their last nine league games. However, Newcastle haven’t done the double over a top half team since they beat the side above them, Spurs, in 2006-2007. If they’re to have a chance of Champions League qualification, then this record will have to change against Everton.
Chelsea
It’s been an odd season at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2001-2002. This coincides with the last time all three promoted sides survived in the Premier League – something which is on course to happen. If Roberto Di Matteo’s team suffer defeat to relegated Blackburn, then it’ll mean Chelsea have lost five home games for the first time since 1996.
Everton
The Merseysiders have done well in the second half of the season which is shown in the fact they’ve only lost two of their last 17 games in the Premier League. However, in terms of the amount of goals their games produce, Everton have been the third worst in the division. It’s something David Moyes won’t care about should the Toffees continue to hold their position above Liverpool. After all, they have the third best defence in the league, something they share with their rivals.
Liverpool
Whilst the Reds may have a good defence throughout the, Kenny Dalglish’s side have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine. Their poor home form this season has been well highlighted with Liverpool winning just two Premier League games at Anfield in 2012. The Reds will be desperate to climb into 7th this weekend; otherwise it will be their lowest league flight finish in 18 years.
Fulham
It’s been a fruitful season for the Cottagers, remaining unbeaten against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League. Their away form is usually deplorable but under Martin Jol, Fulham have recorded their most league away wins since 2005. For a show of how bad it’s been in recent years, the total of four for this campaign equals the amount earned in the previous two seasons.
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West Bromwich Albion
Roy Hodgson may be departing the Hawthorns this summer but he’s led the Baggies to new heights in the Premier League. West Brom have gained the most points away from home outside the top five. It’s also the club’s most wins on the road since 1979. Most importantly though, the West Midlands side survival means they’ll be spending more than two consecutive seasons in the top flight for the first time since the 1980s.
Sunderland
The Mackems have fallen a little bit flat recently after the initial boost under Martin O’Neill. They haven’t won in their last seven and have only scored three in their last six games. However, should Sunderland upset the odds and beat Manchester United, it’ll be the Black Cats best points tally in the Premier League since 2001.
Swansea City
The Swans have been an excellent addition to the Premier League this season. Lately their high defensive standards have dipped, letting in 17 in their last eight. They have also appeared slightly more fragile in 2012 – Brendan Rodgers side have not won in the last nine league games where the opposition has scored. That said, having achieved survival, their lapse in form is understandable.
Norwich City
When the Canaries were last relegated from the Premier League, their away form was rightly criticised with Nigel Worthington’s side failing to win a game on the road. However, they’ve chalked up five with Paul Lambert although they managed to not keep a clean sheet away from Carrow Road. In Grant Holt though, they have the second highest scoring Englishman in the division, after Wayne Rooney – not bad for a striker playing in League Two in 2009.
Stoke City
The Potters forwards have somewhat misfired with Stoke City holding the worst attacking record in the division (34 goals). However, they have played in the Europa League which looks to have taken a lot out of the squad. What’s more Tony Pulis can be proud of how Stoke have only lost to one top six side at home, that being Newcastle. However, his side are on their longest run without a clean sheet since they arrived in the Premier League in 2008 (10 games).
Aston Villa
So why have Villa fans been quite so irate with Alex McCleish this season? Look on the bright side – they haven’t suffered an away defeat to a club outside the division’s top five. However, one stat puts it into perspective. If they fail to beat Norwich, this season will be their lowest tally of wins in a league season since 1891. Ouch.
Wigan Athletic
The Latics have perked up in the last few months as they mounted another relegation escape. This included their first ever league wins at Arsenal and Liverpool – an achievement which cannot be underestimated. On the other hand, they need to beat Wolves on Sunday if they’re to avoid recording their lowest number of home wins in the Premier League.
QPR
Queens Park Rangers form has been schizophrenic to say the least. Whilst they’ve done exceedingly well to win their last five home games, their away form means Mark Hughes’s team are on the cusp of relegation. On the road, QPR have lost 10 of their last 12 away games in the Premier League. Add to this the second worst defence in the division away from home and Sunday looks like it could be a nervy one for Hoops fans.
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Bolton Wanderers
It’s one of football’s cruel ironies that in the season where all three promoted sides might survive for the first time in ten years, two of the last teams to do it are in the relegation zone going into the final day (Bolton and Blackburn). For Owen Coyle, it’s been a dismal season at the Reebok, with the Trotters having their worst home record in the Premier League tenure. What will give fans confidence for Sunday’s encounter at Stoke is that Bolton have had their best away record in the league since 2006-2007 – they’ll need to extend it to survive another season too.
Blackburn Rovers
It’s no wonder Steve Kean and Venky’s are unpopular looking at Rovers statistics this season. Should they suffer defeat at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, it will ensure their worst away record in the Premier League. What’s more, they have been poor at Ewood Park losing 12 home games. The last time they lost that amount was in 1966, when they were actually defeated on 14 occasions. It’s no real surprise then that Blackburn are entering the second tier of English football for the first time since 2001.
Wolves
Support Wolves? Look away now – in their last 23 league games, the Black Country club have won just once. They have statistically the worst defence in the division despite Wayne Hennessey, who’s missed the last three games, making the most saves in the Premier League (167). It won’t fill fans with confidence that new manager Stale Solbakken’s Cologne finished up with the worst defence in the Bundesliga this season. Before Wolves look to next season though, they play Wigan on Sunday. Unless they win on Sunday, it will be their worst points total in a league season since 1906 – the less said, the better.
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Hopefully, the season will produce an entertaining climax on Sunday and judging by the way the rest of the 2011-2012 season has been, it would be surprising if it wasn’t!
Article originally written at Gone With The Rhind
All statistics researched by GWTR – Source: Statto.com
For more Premier League musings on Twitter, follow @archiert1
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Dwayne de Rosario returned to haunt New York Red Bulls, while reigning MLS champions Colorado bounced back to form by toppling Vancouver.De Rosario struck the crucial goal in DC United’s 1-0 win over the Red Bulls, keeping the Washington club’s playoff hopes intact.
Billed as the missing piece for the Red Bulls upon his signing from Toronto in April, the Canada international’s stay in New York was to include just 13 games and two goals before he was sent to DC United in exchange for Dax McCarty on June 27.
The veteran midfielder appeared a man on a mission on his first time back in New York on Saturday, and got the goal his performance deserved at Red Bull Arena in the 61st minute.
De Rosario’s dummy from Andy Najar’s pass enabled Josh Wolff to take possession with his back to goal.
The forward turned on the spot and fed a pass to De Rosario, who made no mistake in finishing past Greg Sutton in New York’s goal.
The Red Bulls had four more shots than their opponents and won the possession battle 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent, but could not find a way through United’s defence and now sit top of the Eastern Conference by virtue of goal difference alone.
Philadelphia Union drew level on points with New York after a 0-0 stalemate with the San Jose Earthquakes, while Houston Dynamo are now within two points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
The Colorado Rapids were facing a fifth game without a win when the Vancouver Whitecaps visited Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but Connor Casey settled his side’s nerves with a 24th-minute strike after Jamie Smith’s cross.
Scott Palguta tapped home in the 68th minute to seemingly make the points safe for the Rapids, though Camilo Sanvezzo scored for the Whitecaps to create a few nervous moments for the home side.
But Colorado hung on to claim a 2-1 win – their first victory since June 11 – to put their title defence back on track.
The Los Angeles Galaxy increased their lead on top of the Western Conference to five points after their big names charged them to a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.
Landon Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 58th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes when Fire forward Cristian Nazarit equalised.
But David Beckham handed his side all three points when his corner kick somehow evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area to cross the line.
Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City needed a 90th-minute goal from Mexican forward Omar Bravo to claim a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA, while Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas 2-0.
Everton’s recent points total is so slim they should probably considering attending an Anorexics Anonymous meeting, but scratch the surface of some scratchy results and performances haven’t been all that bad. They outclassed what turns out to be a decent Bolton team and deserved more than a last gasp equaliser to claim a point. They created enough chances against Arsenal to at least merit a point and gave another good account of themselves at the Stadium of Light against an in-form Sunderland.
In contrast, West Brom’s recent performances have been every bit as bad as the results suggests. Roberto di Matteo won plaudits for getting his expected relegation battlers to play a nice brand of football, but a run of 1 point from a possible 15 has seem him get labelled more naïve than a working class schoolkid hoping to go to university under a Tory government. They’ve lost valuable points to teams likely to be joining them in the frantic scramble to avoid the drop and the enjoyment of the early season has been replaced by the more familiar feeling of trying to keep the head above water.
A win for the Toffees looks likely at 8/13, but that nagging feeling at the back of your mind may be the memories of the Baggies going to the Emirates and winning as well as other fond recollections such as Edwin van der Sar handing them a point at Old Trafford. They’re certainly a capable side, but the confidence to persist with the lovely football may have been drained thanks to defeats to Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan. If you reckon they can get their mojo back, the 11/4 for a draw doesn’t look like the worst option.
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Part of the Toffees’ problems is down to the lack of a contribution from the strikers. It’s nice that Tim Cahill is popping up with so many goals, but a little more from Yakubu, Saha and Beckford if he gets a run out, would have the points tally looking healthier than it is at present. Similar to the West Brom team, we all remember a time when they used to be able to perform, so there’s no reason why they won’t be able to do it again. That said, on recent form Cahill to be 1st goalscorer at 5/1 looks like the shrewdest move. Likewise the Wincast of Cahill to score and Everton to win @ 11/5 immediately strikes you as something that’s entirely plausible.
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Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has applauded the club’s squad for competing for the title in his absence, and feels that depth in Sir Alex Ferguson’s options is the reason for their current league position.
The Red Devils are five points ahead of rivals Manchester City in the race for first, and the injured Serbian centre half feels this is due to the quality of players at Old Trafford.
“It doesn’t matter who is out, Manchester United never depend on one player. When I’ve been out I had the belief from the beginning we would still win the title,” Vidic told Mirror Football.
“And, if you look at the schedule of the games we have left to play now, we are the favourites.
“If you look at the past, players have left or been out and fans have been worried, but we still win titles and trophies.
“That is why Manchester United are special. That is why the manager is the best at replacing players and finding young players. He showed that over the years.
“I always believed we would challenge for the title. We changed some players last season and others went, but no problem.
“We got some young players. We didn’t expect the young players would play that many games and would have so much influence on the team. This is a great plus for the club.
“Obviously we have had some injuries over the past year, which is another difficult thing we have gone through. We have had so many players get injured at different times. But we have coped and been very competitive with Manchester City.
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“Now we are at the top of the league and have a big chance to win it,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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