Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez hopes that a change of scenery will do Chris Kirkland the world of good after allowing the former Liverpool goalkeeper to join Leicester City on a one-month emergency loan deal.
The 29-year-old has lost his place at the DW Stadium to Ali Habsi but Martinez does not think his Latics career is over.
The Spaniard told the Wigan Observer:"Chris has been training really well but to improve his form he probably needs to play some games.
"It is a great opportunity for him. I think it is the best possible way for Chris to get back to his best match fitness.
"He is going to a team making a really good challenge and it is probably what he needs now after the consistency he has shown in training.
"Goalkeeper is a very specific position and it can be frustrating at times. We feel from now until January 1 is a perfect window, with a huge amount of games, where Chris can really push himself and enjoy his football.
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"It is a real boost for his Wigan career. He had a couple of niggles earlier on in the season and that affected his form. Ali has come in and done extremely well. Now it is just a way for Chris to keep competing for the number one shirt from a distance.
"In football there are times when you need to play games to test yourself. Chris has still got a long-term contract with the football club. He is a huge asset and a model professional. I don't want Chris to drop his standards because of frustration."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Joe Jordan has challenged his Tottenham players to add to stuttering Chelsea's woes and blow the Premier League title race wide open.
The last time Chelsea managed to pick up three points in the Premier League was a 1-0 victory over Fulham in mid November and Jordan thinks Spurs can add to Chelsea's woes.
Tottenham have not lost in the league since a 4-2 reverse at Bolton and assistant boss Jordan feels they are in the kind of form to cause Chelsea real problems at White Hart Lane.
Jordan said:"Chelsea have stuttered and they've let the other teams in.
"Not only that, but they've let the other teams in, I think, in believing that there is an opening this season for not just Manchester United and Chelsea to repeat what they have been doing, but other clubs.
"I think it is an open championship; I think there are opportunities there."
He added:"You look at the top teams and you think, 'This is a chance'.
"The top two teams aren't showing the form that they did last year.
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"So that, to me, indicates that there is a chance that someone – one or two teams – could get in the pack."
Luka Modric returns after missing Tuesday night's Champions League draw at FC Twente with flu, but fellow midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will play no part as he struggles with a hamstring injury.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
David Beckham could be a surprise addition to the Tottenham ranks this January as Harry Redknapp has openly expressed an interest in snapping him up. It is the kind of signing that has split the Spurs faithful right through the centre, with many questioning the actual motives behind this short term deal.
At FFC we have seen a mixed bag of articles which includes the significance of a Sporting Director; Spurs fall victim to ridiculous rulings, while five strikers that Harry has his eye on to strengthen Tottenham.
We also look at the best Tottenham articles around the web this week.
[VIDEO] The 2010 ‘Goal Of The Year’…take your pick
A like for like replacement for Modric…I beg to differ Robbie
Tottenham Awards 2010…and the winner is?
Should Tottenham look to similar signings to take them to the next level?
Love or loathe it, Spurs’ squad shows the significance of the structure
Tottenham fall victim to ridiculous rulings
FIVE strikers Harry has his eye on to strengthen Spurs
Signing Tottenham duo could be the spark the Hammers need
Milan set £7m fee to attract Premier League suitors
ITV’s insincere support for Tottenham is not welcome
The top TEN transfer coups of the window
*Best of Web*
Onwards, this beast of a team, onwards… – Dear Mr Levy
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2010: Your Year Remembered… In Three Words – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
What to do with a team like Tottenham? – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
Both Goals …And Thank God For Levy – Harry Hotspur
Answer to forward conundrum must not take us backwards – Dear Mr Levy
Despite the shock transfer of Darren Bent it is fair to say that the January transfer window has been somewhat a tame affair, as many Premier League clubs are seemingly being careful with their finances. In some cases clubs simply have to sell before they can buy, much to the frustrations, no doubt, of many managers and supporters.
The lack of spending at the top of the Premier League has surprised many, especially given the open nature of this title race, not to mention the open fight to stay in the Premier League; however with clubs biding their time in the transfer market it appears that there could well be the deadline day circus that we have become accustomed to in past January windows.
The media clearly believe that a transfer storm is set to erupt in the final few days of the window, but it begs the question as to whether Sir Alex will partake in some last minute shopping.
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Does Ferguson need to bring any players in before the transfer window shuts next Monday and if so who would you like to see him bring in?
Gerard Houllier believes Aston Villa signing Darren Bent can meet expectations after scoring the winner against Manchester City on debut.
Bent immediately endeared himself to his new manager and fans after Ashley Young’s shot was palmed into his path 18 minutes in to Saturday’s clash at Villa Park, leaving the 26-year-old to prod home from close range.
England striker Bent – who already counts Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham among his former clubs – joined Villa from English Premier League rivals Sunderland on January 3 in an 18-million-pound deal that could rise to 24 million.
The win moved Villa to 16th on the table and made for a delighted Houllier post-match, with special praise reserved for his new man.
“(Bent’s) finish was that of a natural-born finisher, something you cannot teach somebody. That is what he is here for, to score goals,” Houllier told Sky Sports.
“Roberto Mancini told me before the game that I’d signed a great player and that is a tremendous start for him.”
“I thought the boy handled the pressure very well. He had settled in well during the week, knows a lot of players from the international scene, and I felt he was ready to play.”
The win means City sink from second to third on the Premier League table, with table-toppers and city rivals Manchester United now three points and goal difference ahead.
But a top-four finish was the club’s pre-season goal, and City assistant Brian Kidd believes achieving that target, at least, is on track.
“We can only influence what we do, we can’t depend on other teams,” Kidd said.
“The boss has always said since he’s been here; we work hard and look to improve. We lost against Everton and the response was very, very good and no doubt the boys will respond in the right manner in the coming games.”
“It’s a blip, that’ll happen. Manchester United are going very well, they’re undefeated but personally I’ve always thought it’s Man United’s to lose many, many weeks ago. We can only influence what we can do. We’re obviously disappointed but that’s it now. It’s history, we put it behind us and we’ll work again. The boys will be in tomorrow training, so we work tomorrow morning.”
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Kidd also hinted new striker Edin Dzeko – signed for 27 million pounds from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg on January 3 – would be given time to find his feet at the club.
“Edin’s a terrific talent, a great talent. The Premier League, which he fully understands, is a demanding league, and as you’ve seen today he’s come up against a back four of centre halves, with young Ciaran Clarke as well at left-back and (Carlos) Cuellar and (James) Collins and Dunny (Richard Dunne).”
“But there’s no doubt about it, I don’t think he’s played for thirty plus, forty days, so once he gets in the swing of things there won’t be a doubt with him. He’s a talented lad.”
In many areas, football has changed beyond recognition over the years; in some areas it has remained very similar. The fundamental essence of the game has remained, interpretations have differed. The game has been modernised with nets, and assistants, substitutions, offsides, fourth officials, scoreboards, chicken balti pies and so on.
Ken Aston, himself a referee in the 1960s, was the man responsible for inventing red and yellow cards. They were first used by FIFA during the 1970 World Cup. On the trip, punctuated by many traffic lights, Aston realised that a colour coding scheme on the same amber (steady) – red (stop) principle as used on traffic lights would traverse language barriers and clarify to players and spectators that they had been cautioned or sent off (thank you wikipedia). Thus was devised the system whereby referees show a yellow card for a caution and a red card for an expulsion. Players had been cautioned previously, but there was no visual confirmation of the punishment, the player was just told by the referee.
It was a great jump forward, a great idea by Aston. Astonishing that no one had thought of it before, but great nevertheless.
But isn’t it now time we moved with the times and introduced a new system of cards?
Yellow and red cards are no longer good enough in my opinion. It is a system that is not fit for purpose. A cynical tackle from behind merits the same punishment as putting your shirt over your head when scoring a goal. Leaving the pitch without permission is treated the same as some borderline red card offences, which is treated the same as taking too long to take a goal kick. Meanwhile, two missed tackles can mean the same as deliberately elbowing an opponent in the head.
Cards were introduced in simpler times. No edicts about celebrating goals, leaving the perimeter of the pitch, dissent, feigning injuries or questioning the parentage of the match officials. Players were allowed to get away with much more; many tackles that brought a tear to your eye didn’t even merit a free kick. Dismissals were really earned! It might make matters more confusing, but thankfully Graham Poll has retired so there’s a good chance that mistakes will be avoided.
The laws of football are simple when compared to other sports, a 50 page document where other sports have rulebooks covering thousands of pages. This is good, and I would never advocate wholesale changes to the game. But laws need to move with the times, and I’m surprised at the lack of discussion on whether the current system is good enough.
Afterall, when the laws were first drawn up in December 1863, they contained some of the following rules:
The maximum length of the ground shall be 200 yards (180 m), the maximum breadth shall be 100 yards (91 m), the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags; and the goal shall be defined by two upright posts, eight yards (7 m) apart, without any tape or bar across them. After a goal is won, the losing side shall be entitled to kick off, and the two sides shall change goals after each goal is won. A goal shall be won when the ball passes between the goal-posts or over the space between the goal-posts (at whatever height), not being thrown, knocked on, or carried. If a player makes a fair catch, he shall be entitled to a free kick, providing he claims it by making a mark with his heel at once; and in order to take such kick he may go back as far as he pleases, and no player on the opposite side shall advance beyond his mark until he has kicked. No player shall run with the ball.
The Laws of the Game are now written by the International Football Association Board who meet at least once a year to debate and decide any changes to the text as it exists at that time. So there are always things being changed, even if the fundamental principles remain.
To me, it also seems too harsh when handing out suspensions for picking up bookings over time. Five innocuous yellow cards can lead to a domestic suspension in English football (and a longer one at ten), and it only takes a couple in international tournaments to result in missing the subsequent game, which for an unfortunate few has been the final.
There are systems in place in other sports that give us an idea of what could be done. In field hockey a yellow card indicates a temporary suspension. The length of the suspension is determined by the umpire, but is a minimum of 5 minutes playing time. It is possible for a player to receive two yellow cards for different offences during the same match, however the period of suspension must be significantly longer with each yellow card.
In rugby league yellow cards are not usually used in the southern hemisphere with referees indicating a 10 minute suspension by raising both arms straight out with fingers spread (to indicate 10 minutes). This is the well-known ‘sin-bin’.
In the union code, during international matches, a yellow card also results in a trip to the sin bin. A player receiving a second yellow card in a game will also be shown a red card.
So here’s an idea – shout abuse at the referee and you get to spend ten minutes or longer in a sin bin. I like the ideas of sin bins for certain offences, those that aren’t malicious or violent or involve blatant cheating. Of course you never know if something would work, and only trialling it would tell if it is feasible or not.
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In field hockey, they have a triangular-shaped green card, which indicates an official warning, covering those who have committed a minor offence that does not warrant a more serious sanction. A second green card for the same player will result in a yellow card (5 minute suspension). A green card can be given to a specific player or to the captain as a warning to the entire team.
Many would naturally be concerned at altering the fundamental structures of the game, but I don’t see changing the caution system as that ground-breaking, and no more than changing to 3 points for a victory for example.
I’ve no solution myself that would make everything totally fair, but would love to see a trial of a three card system (green-yellow-red, with the option of jumping straight to a yellow card for bad-but-not-quite-red-card offences), or trial the use of sin bins for certain offences. Too many games are decided now not by the skill of footballers, but the number of players on the pitch. And that can’t be right.
Chelsea head into their Premier League blockbuster with Manchester United on Tuesday rested and ready to win their way back into the top four.Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have played twice since Chelsea defeated FC Copenhagen 2-0 in Denmark last week and the Blues will hope to benefit from the rest in potentially their last chance to be involved in the Premier League title race.A win would lift Chelsea into fourth, one of the Champions League spots, and see them trail table-topping United by 12 points with a game in hand, leaving captain John Terry to describe the fixture as a must-win match.”We are very confident at home and the way they (United) play might help us,” Terry said.”I’m not sure how they are going to come at us but other teams that have come to the Bridge have sat back and we’ve found it hard to break them down. It is a must-win game for us and the fans are going to be up for it.”Despite the fact last year’s Premier League runners-up were 4-0 winners at Wigan on Saturday, they have just won four league matches on the road this season and have not won at Stamford Bridge since a 3-0 triumph in 2002.Chelsea’s three-pronged attack of Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba could also cause Manchester United real problems and although Torres is yet to score for his new club after a 50-million-pound deadline day move from Liverpool, a goal on Tuesday could make him a fan favourite.Chelsea will miss midfielder Yossi Benayoun while Alex and Yuri Zhirkov are also likely to miss out with knee and calf concerns respectively.The fixture, originally scheduled for December but postponed due to heavy snow, means Manchester United have two massive Premier League fixtures in less than a week.After travelling to Chelsea on Tuesday, Ferguson’s side will travel to Merseyside in preparation for a match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, in potentially a crucial week in the title race.Nani, who has been one of the best performers all season for last year’s Premier League runners-up, said it is vitally important his side do not lose either of the two fixtures, with Arsenal snapping at their heels.”We have some tough games coming up,” Nani said.”It’s the most important period of the season and I think that if we can beat Chelsea and Liverpool then we’ll have a fantastic opportunity to win the league.””But that’s easy to say: it’s much harder to do it. Chelsea and Liverpool are fantastic teams and obviously they’re desperate to win as well. We know it won’t be easy.””Of course, we may not be able to win every game, and if we end up getting a draw against somebody then it’s not the end of the world. The important thing is not to lose.”Manchester United are likely to be without defensive pair Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand due to ankle and calf injuries, while Anderson, Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia are still weeks away from returning.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United, there have been some memorable players who have come out of Old Trafford. Admittedly, Fergie has made some dodgy signings over the years – you’ll be pleased to hear that William Prunier and Eric Djemba-Djemba won’t be making my list, but seeing as this week we are concentrating on football’s cult heroes, I’ve decided to put together 10 of Manchester United’s finest.
It was a tough decision to leave out players we would all consider a hero of football, and players who Manchester United fans would consider a legend for their contributions to the cause; Diego Forlan has unfortunately missed out despite his brace at Anfield even though it did confirm his slot in United folk-law. Some of the players included were also winning over the hearts of United fans before Sir Alex’s time.
So here are my Manchester United top 10 cult heroes. You may feel some players have been hard done by, as they miss out. But free feel to argue their case below in the comments section!
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Click on the image below to see the Top TEN
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Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is rumoured to be looking into the Football League once again with the pursuit of Charlton Athletic full-back Carl Jenkinson. Having previously signed youngsters Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey from Southampton and Cardiff City respectively in previous years, Wenger is looking to bring another promising young talent to the Emirates Stadium – but who is Carl Jenkinson?
Unless you’re a Charlton Athletic or a follower of a League One club, the name is probably totally new to you. Carl Jenkinson is 19 years old and plays at right-back for the Addicks but can also play at centre half – like he did for the Finland Under-19s squad.
Having previously played for England Under 17’s and 18’s, Carl decided to switch to Finland as he qualifies through the nationality of his Mother. The player would make a great understudy for Bacary Sagna at full-back or even in the centre of defence.
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However it is not the first time that Jenkinson has been linked to a big club. In 2009 he was linked to a £500,000 move to Manchester United at the age of 17, which makes you realise that this player is certainly one for the future.
This season he’s broken into the first-team at Charlton and has made 7 starts having previously played 3 games for Eastbourne Borough on loan. However, the Addicks will be looking to keep onto their promising youngster who’s been at the club since the age of 9.
Although, with the likes of Arsenal interested the club may be persuaded by the big transfer fees that saw Ramsey and Walcott sold to the Gunners.
Look out for Carl Jenkinson pulling on an Arsenal shirt in the near future.
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One talented youngster already on Arsenal’s books is Wellington Silva…
It has come to that stage in the year, where fans can start to look back on their season and decide which of their players have done well and which were poor. Today I am creating a let-down eleven.
I have had to exclude some pretty poor players. I think Manchester United players Gabriel Obertan and Bebe have been hugely unsatisfactory this season, but we already knew Obertan was bad and Bebe has hardly played enough. Another enormous let-down was Mauro Boselli, but he has since left Wigan who obviously realised this.
Players like Jovanovic and Squillaci were bought as squad players, so I would not class them as being as disappointing as others, despite playing poorly. As for Laurent Koscielny, he has been unfortunate that Thomas Vermaelen has been injured all year, and that his ‘keepers have been dire. All the same, he has not made the impression many expected and misses out narrowly.
The players that follow have disappointed most, in comparison to what is expected of them.
Click on Manuel Almunia below to see the Let Down XI
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