All posts by h79snht.top

Pre-season is nearing its anticipated climax and with only one game remaining, it has been an interesting period and one which has bettered our knowledge of the squad as a whole. All of our friendly games so far have reminded Liverpool FC fans of the strengths and weaknesses of the current crop of players and what is potentially needed to rectify this before the window slams shut at the end of the month.

First and foremost, the one aspect that has been the most alarming factor of pre-season; the sloppiness and vulnerability of our defence. It is no secret that Liverpool have somehow managed to concede three goals in each and every one of their five friendlies so far. Conceding three goals has been no co-incidence either as it has been worryingly evident that some of our defenders just aren’t up to scratch and reinforcements are sorely needed.

Jamie Carragher and Soto Kyrgiakos, regardless of their individual abilities at the heart of the defence, are not getting any younger. Hopefully, Daniel Agger is getting fitter and gaining more endurance but there are no guarantees that Kenny Dalglish will get a full season out of the Dane. For me, Martin Skrtel has too many mistakes in his locker so a centre-back has definitely got to be brought in. I am not going to name any particular names as there has been too many linked with Liverpool already but we are in desperate need of a dominant figure to slot in at central defence, whether it be permanently or in a rotation policy.

During pre-season our midfield has looked impressive. All three new signings of Charlie Adam , Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have stood out and all look like the type of player any supporter would like to see in their team. Downing provides Liverpool with the direct width we have been crying out for over the past decade and both Adam and Henderson look to be able to provide the creativity any team thrives on. Even some of the fringe players such as Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole have excelled although I expect to see the midfield trimmed down before the transfer window shuts with the likes of Christian Poulsen , Aquilani and possibly Cole following Milan Jovanovic out the doors of Anfield to clear up some much needed funds. I fully expect Kenny to concentrate on defensive recruitment and feel as though all the midfield signings have been done for this particular window.

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As for our forwards, during pre-season, we have only seen Carroll, gog and Kuyt used. In my honest opinion, Kuyt has been disappointing. The Dutchman has been his usual enterprising self but hasn’t offered a lot up front. If he is to be used as a third-choice striker then great, he will provide us with important goals but as a winger he is ineffective. Carroll has looked fitter with each game and we all know how much of a threat the England striker can be. Carroll also managed to grab a goal against Valerenga which will do wonders for his confidence. I still believe, if there is money available once a centre back and left back have been signed, that we need to bring in another striker, preferably to replace the frustrating David Ngog . The Frenchman scores the odd goal but is wasteful in possession and offers very little as an attacking force.

Finally, one last note regarding new goalkeeper Alexander Doni and his performances in pre-season; the Brazilian has not shown anything particularly outstanding and it looks as though Liverpool FC’s annual search for a back-up ‘keeper willing to sit on the bench and watch Pepe Reina will continue at the end of next season too.

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Let’s hope the squad continues to gel and the new signings continue to impress as we finish our pre-season preparations against Valencia at Anfield on Saturday and then it’s the big kick-off. We await the arrival of Sunderland and are all looking for King Kenny and his men to start the season on a high with three points against the Black Cats.

Read more of Elliot Tunstall’s articles at Live4Liverpool

It has certainly been a tough summer in the transfer market to date at White Hart Lane. Tottenham look less than an attractive option due to their non-involvement in the Champions League and because of their strict wage budget prevents them competing with clubs like Man City for world class players.

However it seems that Daniel Levy is about to lift the gloom of the summer by securing the services of two former Arsenal players with midfielder Lassana Diarra set to sign from Real Madrid and controversial striker Emmanuel Adebayor joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

At their current clubs both players have been described as expensive perennial underperformers but there is little doubt they would both be quality signings for Spurs and I think they could even make them into genuine contenders for the top four place alongside Liverpool and Arsenal.

Lassana Diarra, a man once touted as the next Claude Makelele, is a talented utility midfielder who could anchor the Spurs midfield, creating plenty of space for the attacking players like Bale, Lennon and Van Der Vaart to exploit. Diarra, who won the Premier League and Carling Cup during his time at Chelsea, is a solid footballer who is known for his hard work but is also capable of fitting in at right-back if needed. The 26-year-old is rumoured to be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho who is prepared to make a £14m loss on the player, having paid £20m to Portsmouth for him in 2008.

Having excelled under Harry Redknapp during his time at Fratton Park, Diarra is keen to reunite with his former manager at the Lane. With Wilson Palacios set to complete his transfer to Stoke City and the excellent Sandro out injured until the end of October, Diarra would be given a chance in his favoured role as a defensive midfielder. Recruiting a player who actually played 39 times for Real Madrid last season for only £6 million would be another masterstroke by Daniel Levy following on from van der Vaart’s signing a year ago, especially with club only having Europa League to offer the French international.

Emmanuel Adebayor is an established Premier League striker who was excellent during his time at Arsenal, netting 62 times in just 142 games but he struggled last year at current club Manchester City after falling down the pecking order. He spent time on loan with Diarra at Real Madrid last season and Spurs fans will surely remember him after he all but ended their dreams of Champions League glory with two goals in their 4-0 quarter-final first leg defeat.

The Togolese front man has his critics but he again demonstrated his worth on-loan at Real Madrid and the powerful striker is a proven goal-scorer whose arrival would surely signal the end for beanpole striker Peter Crouch at Spurs. I think Adebayor would be a good fit at Spurs and that he could develop an exciting partnership with van der Vaart, the sort which hasn’t been seen at White Hart Lane since Berbatov left.

By signing players who have Champions League experience, Spurs are certainly showing their transfer hand and while I think they probably still need to strengthen further in transfer window, they definitely would have a stronger team if they can agree these captures. Replacing Palacios with Diarra and Crouch with Adebayor is good business and it also hoped that bringing players of their reputation may go some way in convincing Modric that he should stay at White Hart Lane, although Chelsea’s purchase of Juan Mata may have already achieved this.

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If Tottenham fans can get over the fact that they both used to play at that other club in North London, these signings could turn a summer of gloom into one of a season of hope. If they are confirmed in the next week the squad actually looks stronger than two years ago when the side achieved a top four finish and as a result I think Spurs will become genuine contenders for a Champions League place. More bad news for Arsenal.

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Harry Redknapp has attacked the chanting supporters made in the North London derby. The Tottenham boss cannot believe some of the bile that comes out of their mouths and questions the mentality of fans who make up and sing these offensive chants. Emmanuel Adebayor and Arsene Wenger were mainly the target of the abuse that Harry believes has no place in modern football.

Elsewhere in the news Manchester City set to question Carlos Tevez; Hodgson backing Shane Long to impress, while Adel Taarabt leaves QPR at half time.

Capello names England squad

Manchester City set to question Tevez

Lampard answers critics with hat-trick

Taarabt leaves QPR at half time

Hodgson backing Long to impress at West Brom

Redknapp slams chanting fans

Everton to appeal Rodwell red

Jol happy with first Fulham win

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John confirms Manchester United and Arsenal’s interest

Tottenham need to stump up €20m to secure deal

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QPR have confirmed that striker DJ Campbell will undergo surgery on an injured foot, and is likely to be sidelined for two months.

The sprightly attacker suffered a metatarsal fracture in training on Thursday, and will be unavailable for Neil Warnock to select until December.

“The consultant we have spoken to has advised us that the best way to deal with it is to put a pin though it,” club physio Nigel Cox told the side’s official website.

“DJ will have surgery and will then be placed in an aircast boot for three weeks which will immobilise the foot.

“The benefit of that is it means there can be some partial weight-bearing so DJ can put weight on the foot from day one.”

“But for an injury of this nature you are looking at a timescale of six-to-eight weeks before the player can resume full training,” he stated.

The news will be a blow for the Loftus Road outfit, who have the joint lowest scoring record in the division, only hitting the back of the net six times in eight fixtures.

The 29-year-old joined the newly promoted side from Blackpool in August, and has scored one goal since his move to London.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Heidar Helguson struck twice for QPR as they claimed a surprise victory over Stoke in a thrilling encounter at the Brittania Stadium to move into the top half.

Rangers had to come from behind after Jon Walters had given the home side an eighth minute lead only for Helguson to equalise before Luke Young scored his first goal for the club just before the break. The Icelandic striker then pounced to increase his side’s lead just before the hour mark and it proved to be crucial as Ryan Shawcross pulled one back to set up a nervy finish. Tony Pulis’ side should have had a penalty two minute from time after Joey Barton brought Robert Huth down in the area only for referee Mike Jones to wave away any appeals as the R’s held on. The win moves Neil Warnock’s men into ninth position as they won away from Loftus Road for the third time this season. Their form on the road has been a massive plus point and they’ll be ecstatic to be travelling back to West London with three points under their belts. Stoke, on the other hand, made it four defeats on the bounce and were still licking their wounds after a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Bolton before the international break. They responded in the best possible manner going ahead with just eight minutes on the clock.

Walters was the man on hand to fire past Paddy Kenny for his fourth goal of the campaign after latching on to Peter Crouch’s pass as the Potters started brightly. Crouch should then have double that lead seeing one effort saved by Kenny before Clint Hill steered his goal bound effort to safety. However they failed to build on their early supremacy with the visitors scoring with arguably their first chance of the game. Armand Traore sped down the left before clipping a superb cross into towards the unmarked Helguson who made no mistake planting his header past Thomas Sorensen. Warnock’s side clearly had their shooting boot’s on and they made it 2-0 just before  half time with Young scoring his first league goal since August of last year lashing the ball home from Jamie Mackie’s cross. It was proving to be a tough afternoon for Sorensen who was making his first league start of the season and was beaten for a third time 10 minutes after the restart as Helguson fired home at the back post from Barton’s whipped cross.

The home side didn’t surrender though and after a period of extended pressure gave themselves a lifeline through Shawrcross’ first goal of the campaign. A corner from the right was touched on by Crouch gifting the Stoke skipper the task of simply heading the ball past Kenny from six-yards. The Britannia was now buzzing with anticipation as they roared their side on to find an equaliser and they were up in arms after referee Jones decided not to award the Potters a penalty after Barton’s trip on Huth. After lengthy discussions with his assistant the official decided a free-kick was to be awarded much to the annoyance of the home bench. Pulis’ men fired everything they had at the Rangers defence but to no avail as the away side held on for a priceless victory.

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The Mirror are reporting that Jermain Defoe could be set to leave Tottenham in January with boss Harry Redknapp lining up a move for Juventus striker Amauri as a replacement.

Defoe’s future at White Hart Lane has been the subject of much speculation for the past couple of weeks after the 29-year-old found himself playing second fiddle to Rafael Van Der Vaart.

The Dutchman’s lethal partnership with on-loan Emmanuel Adebayor has seen the England striker relegated to the substitutes bench for much of the season with QPR reportedly planning a move when the transfer window re-opens.

R’s boss Neil Warnock is desperate to boost his front line with an experienced Premier League striker and Defoe ticks all of his boxes and with Euro 2012 just around the corner it’s likely the Spurs man will be tempted by the prospect of first team football.

His proposed exit could pave the way for Redknapp to bring in Brazilian-born Italian striker Amauri who has fallen out of favour with Juve boss Antonio Conte and is surplus to requirements in Turin.

Reports have linked the 31-year-old with moves to fellow Serie A sides Genoa and Palermo but his agent Ernesto Bronzetti has claimed the powerful striker will snub both clubs to move to England with Spurs waiting in the wings.

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North London club Tottenham Hotspur have certainly been busy looking at young players, with not only Crewe’s Max Clayton on their radar, but if The Sun are to be believed –  Wycombe prospect Jordan Ibe has also been attracting admiring glances from Redknapp’s staff at the Lane.

Highly rated youth academy recruitment head Richard Allen has watched the 15 year old striker on multiple occasions and feels that a £500,000 bid is more than reasonable to ward off the growing intrest from United, Fulham and Liverpool, which peaked after he became the youngest goal scorer in the Football League after his strike against Sheffield Wednesday.

Wycombe are currently struggling in League One, and the half a million Spurs look set to offer may prove too much for them to resist. Selling wonder kid Ibe would provide funds for the purchase of some much needed players to help battle for survival.

Despite Captain Ainsworth pleading with the player to stay and make a name for himself at Adams Park before moving on, adding ‘he has it all in terms of an up and coming player,’ Ibe looks set for a move in January.

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In recent weeks the tough times at Old Trafford have been a favourite for the media. With Manchester United catastrophically collapsing out of the Champions League from a seemingly easy group, eyebrows have been raised over whether they can compete at the top.

People have been looking back at the 6-1 drubbing they took at home to rivals City and say that their reign as the dominant force in England is over. Others have become worried about the players at their disposal and whether they can live up to the demands of playing for such an important club, with certain newspapers showing Fergie who he should buy to sort the problem. Former stars Roy Keane and Paul Ince have erred on the side of change while the extremists have said it’s time for a change in manager.

And while it is obvious that the club isn’t yet in full flow and has some issues to sort out, that should be a concern for the teams around them rather than fans of the Red Devils. On Sunday afternoon, United returned to the top of the league courtesy of their 2-0 win over QPR and although they were knocked off their perch just 4 hours later, it was a great achievement considering they were five points behind at the beginning of the month. It forced Manchester City to get a result in their game, (which they did by the skin of their teeth), but it means that they go into the busy festive period knowing the slightest mistake could see them fall back in the title race, which is an incredible situation considering the praise that Mancini’s men have received for their dazzling displays while the Champions have been slated for sub-par performances. To still be City’s closest challenges despite this should be a worry for all the teams that want to be challenging. It was a similar case last season with United not playing brilliantly but they were able to grind out these results. They know what it takes to win the league whether they are chasing or being chased, whereas the current leaders have never been in this position so the constant pressure could be too much.

People also seem to ignore that the Reds have only lost one league game so far this season. Although they were eliminated from the Champions League by Basel that was their only defeat in the competition and the League Cup defeat was a setback but it was an under-strength side. So far this season they have beaten Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, scoring 14 goals in the process and ended a three game losing streak at Anfield with a hard-fought 1-1 draw. In 16 games they have scored 37 goals, only bettered by City and have conceded 14, one fewer than the leaders and only Liverpool have let in less. Fergie’s side have looked monumental at times, destroying opponents with their play and at the start of the season they were matching their noisy neighbours step for step. The ease at which they were winning games was something that nobody expected but it wasn’t going to go on forever. It was ended in the most brutal fashion during the Manchester derby but since then results haven’t been terrible. Swansea’s unbeaten home record was ended by a Javier Hernandez goal, and QPR were brushed aside on Sunday despite proving more than a problem for Chelsea and City. Since the 6-1 nightmare United have been on a better run than their rivals, dropping just two points in that time.

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Meanwhile, the main problem that faced the champions last season has been well and truly eradicated. Although they finished nine points clear at the top of the table last season, they only managed to win five games on the road and struggled outside of their Old Trafford fortress. The poor performances they have had this season are very similar to last year’s away game with mistakes, lapses of concentration and that lack of spark costing them points. But this season they already have six wins on their travels and have drawn the other two games, at Anfield and the Britannia Stadium, two places where weaknesses will be exposed.

At the beginning of the season their performances were breathtaking, Ashley Young made a great start to life at United and created a formidable attack with Nani, Welbeck and Rooney. Goals were coming in abundance and some very good teams were made to look ordinary. Despite recent troubles with injuries and a playing style that has left a lot to the imagination it hasn’t stopped the chances being created. Against Newcastle they dropped points but had a mountain of chances to win and on Sunday they could have scored five before half time with a bit more luck and accuracy. They have been wasteful rather than poor but this has led to the defensive lapses having greater significance. At times these performances haven’t been easy on the eye or as convincing as the victory over QPR but being successful isn’t always about playing attractive football, it’s about getting a result when your back’s against the wall.

The fact that Manchester United no longer have a first-team littered with world-class players has got people wanting signings and they are comparing the side to City and their endless supply of money and talent. I accept that they are not in the Champions League and that the Europa League is not acceptable for a club of this stature but there is the chance to win that. Similarly, a two point gap after 16 games is hardly anything to worry about. A slip-up at the Etihad Stadium or a reversal of October’s derby day disaster and United would be back in pole position.

Finally, for those still worrying about the 6-1 loss, in the 2008-09 season, Liverpool were top of the league and dished out a 4-1 beating at the Theatre of Dreams but their lead slipped away and United were able to win their 18th league title. Three seasons later City delivered their demolition. Could history repeat itself? Don’t ever rule it out.

How nervous do you think United’s rivals should be? Comment below or let me know on Twitter @jrobbins1991.

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We all know that Arsene Wenger is proud of the way that he has rebranded Arsenal since his arrival in 1996 and gone on to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield with a side that he has built in his own unique way. But unfortunately for Wenger, football has moved on in the past few years and it is time for him to catch up.

The summer additions at the Emirates are beginning to settle in well and after a (club record) bad start to the season the Gunners have managed to push their way back up towards the European places where they surely belong.

However, it appears to me that Wenger’s selection and transfer priorities could well be holding Arsenal back and it is time for him to sacrifice his pride and get Arsenal back to where they were with the double winning side and unbeatable’s that are a distant memory now. Thierry Henry returned to the Emirates this month to give some much needed firepower up front after the team have spent too long relying on the goals of Robin van Persie. But Henry is simply not the answer to the obvious problem in North London that can only be solved in Wenger swallowing his pride and spending some serious cash.

Van Persie has been on stunning form this season for the Gunners and since the departure of Cesc Fabregas in the summer, the new Arsenal captain has been wrapped up in cotton wool to make sure he is fully fit for every league game. The Dutchmen was allowed to go on holiday to Dubai last week while his side were struggling to overcome Leeds United in the FA Cup third round. Henry spared Wenger’s blushes by coming on to grab a late winner that prevented Arsenal travelling to Elland Road tonight for a replay. Proof that van Persie makes the difference for Arsenal, Wenger fielded a strong side that should have had enough to comfortably overcome a mid-table Championship side.

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The FA Cup is Arsenal’s best chance to win a trophy this season as the Gunners manager is looking to prevent going another 12 months since their last silverware in 2005.  But by resting van Persie, Wenger clearly has different priorities and it seems that his side finishing in the top four is the be-all-and-end-all of the season. Deluded Gunners may feel they have a chance in the Champions League, but their team just isn’t good enough at the moment, but Wenger has the chance to do something about that.

With two weeks of the January transfer window remaining, Arsenal must buy a striker to take the pressure and work-load off of van Persie and that could be the difference between them finishing fifth or fourth. The red half of North London currently sit ten points behind arch rivals Tottenham, who coincidentally opened their eyes to what they needed to buy and done so. Wenger wants to bring through youngsters and is not a fan of spending big in the transfer windows but his transfer policy could hold Arsenal back in the race for trophies and Champions League football.

Why doesn’t Wenger just spend some of the Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy money on a world class striker that can improve the team and help drag Arsenal back towards Spurs. Another massive month is ahead for Arsenal who feature in three competitions and face the majority of their league challengers in the coming weeks. Spend some money and you can dramatically improve your team Arsene.

Is Wenger right to stick with what he has got or does he need some new players in January? Let me know on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard

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Arsenal fans would have enjoyed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first league start for the Gunners last weekend against Manchester United, displaying the fearless drive and bite that has been lacking in this current side. But for the development of one of England’s brightest young stars and a player who could be a regular international for many years to come, it is vitally important to not get carried away with the excitement of an 18-year old who has only made a handful of appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Arsenal and England fans only need to look to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s team-mate at Arsenal in Theo Walcott and see the kind of negative impact overexposure at an early age can have. Walcott’s call-up to the World Cup 2006 squad was ridiculous and was fuelled off the back of hype surrounding a teenager who had yet to make his debut for Arsenal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain does represent a hugely bright spark in a time of darkness for Arsenal, and many fans will want to see more of the player; not because Wenger chose to spend £12 million on another youngster, but because he is the real deal, another player who could—and I stress could—have the same impact as Jack Wilshere over the course of the next year. It was exciting to see his natural, yet, raw ability cause United so many problems on the weekend, something Arsenal fans have not been used to for a while. But great care must be taken to ensure the former Southampton winger doesn’t end up as a wasted talent due to high expectations and the burden of pressure at the highest level—something which could have been avoided in Walcott’s case.

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There is an argument to be had that Oxlade-Chamberlain is much more natural footballer than Walcott; someone who can combine trickery and technical ability with equally blistering pace. And from the little we’ve seen of him so far, there is good reason to believe he will far surpass the level Walcott is at when he reaches the same age.

Fabio Capello, who was in attendance for the weekend’s game between Arsenal and United, may look to bring the Arsenal winger into the England squad ahead of the Euros to test the youngster at senior international level. But regardless of the negative affect it had on Walcott, the FA really needs to re-evaluate the way it develops it’s young and potential stars. There is far too much emphasis on forcing young, inexperienced players into the limelight well before they have matured to the appropriate level; and that, I believe, is one of the reason’s the country has failed to deliver in a way that other European nations have—most notably Germany and Spain.

It’s obvious that a player like Oxlade-Chamberlain, and even Walcott when he was of that age, needs to graduate through each level of the England setup, from the U19s, to Stuart Pearce’s side, to the senior squad. A big mistake is allowing the player to be bounced from one squad to another, hindering his development and, of course, his confidence. Germany have done fantastically well in developing it’s latest senior squad by allowing players like Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller the time they needed in the U21s; and at the same time, the Spanish league is filled with young players more than good enough to enter their senior squad but are afforded the time to gain experience with their club sides.

It’s so important, for both club and country, that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is given the necessary protection to continue his development under a manager who thus far done what’s best for him, despite what was said on the weekend. I hope that Fabio Capello finds some sense and does not expose a hugely gifted player to the physical and mental demands of a major tournament well before he is ready to take that step. A further run in the side for Arsenal in the remaining months of the campaign and a full pre-season will do wonders for the player. Give him time and hopefully at this stage next year, even at the age of 19, we can start to discuss Oxlade-Chamberlain as a player who is ready to make the permanent jump into the senior squad for England.

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