All posts by h79snht.top

Everton boss David Moyes has dismissed suggestions that his side’s season is as good as over and has set his sights on breaking into the top six.The Toffees are one of very few clubs in the Premier League with relatively little left to play for, as they are nine points clear of the relegation places and are the same distance from qualifying for Europe.

But ahead of Saturday’s game against Wolves, Moyes insists he does not feel completely free of all relegation worries and instead wants to catch sixth-placed Liverpool.

“People look at us and say maybe Everton are in a position where it doesn’t matter, but it certainly matters to us because we want to try and get as close to the top as we can,” Moyes said.

“You never know how many points it will take to stay up. I don’t think any manager can come up with a figure on how much they’ll need to stay up.”

“We have to look up and see if we can catch the teams above us. Our main objective isn’t to beat Liverpool.”

“Our main objective is to do the best we can. But the next one is to try and overtake the team who’s next above us. If that happens to be Liverpool than so be it.”

But Moyes is expecting a tough afternoon against Wolves, who are second-from-bottom in the Premier League and are a point off safety.

Moyes added: “It’ll be tough, Wolves are a side needing points. We know it’ll be difficult. The pitch down there will be difficult if my viewing of it is correct.”

“They’ve had some great results, Wolves. I think Mick has done a fantastic job with them.”

“I know they’re in a difficult position and he’ll be desperate for the points. Every year they’re fighting and they’re always close. It’ll be a tough game for us, we know that.”

“Mick’s a good guy, everybody likes his dry sense of humour and his straight-forwardness. He works well with his players. He’s signed some good players.”

“But I think we’ve always been difficult to beat, and over the years we’ve tended to have a decent away record, picked up quite a few points.”

“So we’ve got to do that and finish the season on a high with the games we’ve got left away from home.”

As well as being a club built on tradition, West Ham have also built themselves a rather large celebrity following over the years.

Alf Garnett may be what springs to mind when you think of West Ham fans, but even a top ten list cannot contain all of the Hammers celebrity followers, so apologies to Pixie Lott, Elijah Wood, Matt Damon etc, although how much they actually ‘support’ the club must be highly debatable. Without further ado, here is my top ten.

Click on the scarf below to see the celebrities that choose to don the claret and blue

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So there you have it. If you wish to add to the list feel free to comment below, I know there are far more than the 10 I have put in this list. So if you have a source that tells you Carlos Santana has a season ticket in the Bobby Moore Lower, or that Chesney Hawkes actually sells Over Land and Sea on Green Street, then let me know below.

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Sao Paulo, May 2011: Following a routine hospital scan, a couple in Sao Paolo, Brazil, got more than they bargained for when a strange anomaly appeared on the ultra-sound scan of their unborn child – an image bearing a striking resemblance to recently retired, former Derby County midfielder and current Radio 5 Live pundit Robbie Savage.

The photograph, exclusively released to us here at FootballFanCast.com, has already caught the attention of the football fans from around the globe. As you will see in the scan you can just make out the image of former player.

Click below to see the Press Conference about the amazing scan picture

[ffcvideo file=’robbie_savage’]

Father to be, Fabio Cabral, a 25 construction worker from Sao Paolo explains, “We went to the hospital for a routine scan. When the nurse came in she just said, ‘I think that you should see this.”

“At first we thought it was Jesus, but when the staff had a closer look we were told by our Doctor, who has followed English football for many years, that it was actually an image of former Welsh footballer Robbie Savage. It was a moment that changed their lives.”

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Although the Cabrals’ have admitted that they didn’t know who Robbie Savage was, the couple has taken his image as a good omen for the healthy future of their child.

Tottenham missed the Champions League boat this season after a shocking run of form in the last third of the season has cost them dear. Harry Redknapp must be forever wondering what if, especially given the amount of points they have thrown away in particular at White Hart Lane.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs that includes Europa League adds to Spurs’ transfer appeal; a signing Tottenham should snap up; Harry could benefit from showing a little faith.

We also look at the best Spurs articles around the web this week.

*

Would leaving Tottenham be the best move all round?

A transfer bargain that North London duo should attempt to sign up?

Distraction perhaps, but vital to Tottenham’s transfer appeal?

Tottenham’s Greatest Ever Moments In ‘Pictures’

Flamini used as bait to tempt Tottenham to sell

Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool…which club represents the best move?

Could Tottenham and Arsenal benefit from a little faith?

Where do Rafa van der Vaart and Spurs go from here?

Fingers to be pointed at White Hart Lane

Harry and Tottenham should keep the £12m and shop elsewhere

*Best of WEB*

The Reign at the Lane: the Greg Meyer column. – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2

Ledley’s Knee Beats Liverpool – Tottenham On My Mind

Summer is almost upon us… – Dear Mr Levy

The conundrum of the football manager – Martin Cloake Online

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The Rift Between Arry & Levy – Harry Hotspur

Click on image below to view Tom’s NEW lady

Manchester United have just clinched their record nineteenth Premiership title and are preparing to face Barcelona in the Champions League final. The Red Devils will go into the Wembley showpiece full of confidence and looking to complete a memorable double. However, some sections of the media have still raised question marks about the quality of the current United side. The current team’s quality has been criticised when compared to some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s previous squads, which may have an element of truth to it, but I feel it’s irrelevant when you see what they have achieved this season. Sir Alex would also be quick to discard such suggestions, however he will no doubt have an injection of new players next season. It is likely Manchester United’s legendary manager will be put his faith in some of United’s young players next season, after successful loan spells away this year. Obviously, they aren’t going to come back and walk straight into the first team, but do Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck ,in particular, have the potential to make their emergence into the first team squad?

Tom Cleverley has been an integral part of the Wigan’s relegation battle this season and the United youngster has weighed in with four goals for the cause. He had an impressive spell at Watford last season where he scored eleven goals and was voted their player of the season. Now that he has had his first taste of Premier League action with Wigan, next season could be his chance to break into the first team set up at Old Trafford. Cleverley has the ability to replicate a similar rise to prominence to that of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who after his loan spell with Bolton has become a first team regular with the Gunners.

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With Paul Scholes in the twilight of his career, Cleverley could eventually materialise as an ideal long term replacement for Scholes. At this present moment in time Cleverley still has a lot of work to do to step into Scholes’ boots and convincing the Old Trafford crowd he is good enough to stake his claim will take some time, as Darron Gibson will vouch for. Gibson has been heavily criticised for his performances by many United fans and after opening a twitter account recently he closed it within two hours due to the amount of abuse he received from his own supporters.

Danny Welbeck is another player who has made sufficient progress in his career as a result of a loan spell with Sunderland. He even did enough to catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello who rewarded his good form with his first England cap. Welbeck is a player who will no doubt divide opinion among United fans as to whether he is capable enough to break into the first team. Sir Alex Ferguson will ultimately decide on the future of his young players and from what he told Manchester United’s official website with regards to their future, it looks promising , “They will come back into the first-team squad and they will get plenty of games next season.” Ferguson was full of praise for the two players and clearly feels they have the potential to make it at the club, “Cleverley has done very well, particularly in his spell at Watford and then at Wigan. He has improved in each case and he is going to be a top player. Welbeck has been fantastic too, it’s just unfortunate that he picked up a bad injury. But they will all be ready for next year.”

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With Federico Macheda and Mame Diouf also set to return from loan spells next year and with no sign of a new contract for Michael Owen there is likely to be one forward position for Welbeck, Macheda and Diouf to fight for. The young players are likely to be given opportunities next season and it will be interesting to see if they can break into the team in the same way as Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Neville’s did in the early nineties. So is it still too early for these players to be considered as potential first teamers at Man United, or are they now equipped to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football?

Mexico get in their last warm-up before the CONCACAF Gold Cup when they host New Zealand in an international friendly on Wednesday.Mexico coach Jose Manuel ‘El Chepo’ de la Torre will look to the match as a final chance to tinker with his side’s make-up ahead of their Gold Cup opener against El Salvador on Sunday.

Mexico are the most successful nation at the biennial American tournament and the reigning champions, having defeated the United States 5-0 in the 2009 final.

But their lead-up to the 2011 edition has been muted at best, with El Tri managing only 1-1 draws against Venezuela and Ecuador in their past two friendly outings.

Last Saturday’s draw with Ecuador featured the 23-man squad that El Chepo will take into the Gold Cup, with the notable exception of Manchester United starlet Javier Hernandez, who will link up with the squad prior to the El Salvador match.

But New Zealand will still come up against a squad bristling with talent in Denver, including the likes of on-loan Tottenham midfielder Giovani dos Santos, New York Red Bulls stalwart Rafael Marquez and Deportivo La Coruna playmaker Andres Guardado.

That line-up produced plenty of chances against Ecuador but just the one goal, a discrepancy that Mexico will look to address against the All Whites.

Elsewhere, Argentina continues their preparation for hosting the Copa America in July when they take on Nigeria in Abuja.

Argentina coach Sergio Batista will field an under-strength squad against the Super Eagles without the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Diego Milito and Gonzalo Higuain.

Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Only two players from that squad – Nicolas Otamendi and Mario Bolatti – remain for the friendly.

Also on Wednesday, Japan open their Kirin Cup defence against Peru in Yokohama, their first match since defeating Australia to clinch the AFC Asian Cup in January.

The Blue Samurai are still to taste defeat under manager Alberto Zaccheroni, who took over from the popular Takeshi Okada following the World Cup.

In other friendlies, Canada have one final chance to impress ahead of the Gold Cup when they take on Ecuador, as do tournament rivals Guatemala, who take on Venezuela.

Finally, Ukraine and Uzbekistan square off at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, site of the final of the European Championship in 2012.

Guangzhou remain seven points clear in the Chinese Super League after beating Chengdu Blades 4-0 on Wednesday, while Beijing Guoan also won.First-half goals from Brazilians Muriqui and Cleo, together with one apiece in the second half from Jiang Ning and Zheng Zhi, secured all three points for hosts Guangzhou at the Tianhe Stadium.

Defeat leaves Chengdu 13th, just three points outside the relegation zone.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Beijing Guoan ran out 3-0 winners in their match at home to Shanghai Shenhua.

Australian forward Joel Griffiths and defender Lei Tenglong made it 2-0 to the hosts by the half-time break, with Wang Xiaolong’s penalty completing the scoring shortly before the hour mark.

Shanghai Shenhua are now down to sixth place, four points back from second-placed Beijing.

In other matches, goals from Yoo-Jin Kim and Yu Hanchao wrapped up a 2-0 win for Liaoning Hongyun in their match at home to Tianjin Teda.

Serbian Milos Bajalica was on target in Shaanxi Chanba’s 1-0 win at Qingdao Jonoon.

Jiangsu Shuntian also won 1-0 away from home, with Eleilson’s 24th-minute effort enough to overcome hosts Nanchang Bayi.

Hangzhou Lucheng came away from their visit to Dalian Shide with a point following a 1-1 draw – Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano struck to equalise after Yang Boyu had put the hosts in front after just three minutes.

A brace from Brazilian striker Dori gave Changchun Yatai a 2-1 win away to Shenzhen Ruby, with the decisive goal coming just three minutes before the final whistle.

Finally, Henan Jianye were held 1-1 at home by Shandong Luneng.

The hosts led through Xu Yang’s 46th-minute goal, but were forced to settle for a draw after Han Peng levelled for Shandong with 30 minutes remaining.

Blackburn Rovers have postponed their pre-season tour of India after last week’s bomb blasts in Mumbai.The Indian-owned English Premier League club said on their website that they were unwilling to take the risk after the terrorist attacks which killed 20 people and injured 133 others in the nation’s financial capital.

Blackburn, who are owned by the Indian Venky’s company, said in a statement: “The board and the owners have agreed to reschedule until such time as further risk assessments and appraisals have been undertaken.”

The trip, which would make Blackburn the first Premier League side to tour India, is now expected to take place at a later date, the club added on their website.

“Safety is always our top priority and after detailed discussions with our security and legal advisors we have been left with no option other than to postpone,” the statement said.

“While everyone is obviously disappointed, we all accept the circumstances and the reasoning. We are now looking forward to the trip in India in a few weeks time.”

According to sources at Venky’s, Scotland Yard issued a letter advising the team against travelling to India.

Rovers were to play an exhibition match against I-League team Pune FC on Friday, before taking part in an under-16 inter-city tournament on Saturday.

The club’s squad will now travel directly to Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy from July 27, which also features Chelsea, Aston Villa and local club Kitchee.

Venky’s had made security arrangements in Pune in an attempt ensure the safety of players and staff.

Chirag Tanna, head of operations for Pune FC said: “I wish they would have come. This is very disappointing for us and to all their India fans as well.”

Marseille edged out Lille 5-4 in a controversial French Super Cup clash at Stade de Tanger, Morocco, on Wednesday.Florent Balmont scored the only goal of the first half, netting in the ninth minute for Lille following an Eden Hazard free-kick, but the second stanza turned into a goal frenzy late on.

Belgian midfielder Hazard doubled Lille’s lead on 57 minutes, before Andre Ayew scored the first of his hat-trick in the 71st minute to put Marseille on the board.

Moussa Sow replied one minute later, getting on the end of a Ludovic Obraniak pass, to reinstall Lille’s two-goal buffer, which looked to have sealed more silverware for last season’s Ligue 1 champions.

But Marseille – who finished runner-up last season, eight points in arrears of Rudi Garcia’s men – fought back in memorable fashion, scoring twice in two minutes via Jeremy Morel’s low strike and Loic Remy’s header.

Didier Deschamps’ side then took the lead when Ayew scored his second goal on 90 minutes from the penalty spot, with Lille’s Aurelien Chedjou was sent off for a second yellow for conceding the spot kick.

But there was another twist in the tale as Lille squared proceedings after a final thrust forward, with Montenegro defender Marko Basa’s scoring with a header in the second minute of injury time to make it 4-4.

But Ayew stole the limelight once more, stepping up to seal his hat-trick with another penalty, this time in the fifth minute of injury time to win it for Marseille.

The final goal was clouded in controversy, as it seemed Jordan Ayew – brother of hat-trick hero Andre – dived to earn the spot-kick.

Valencia midfielder Juan Mata’s chances of moving to Arsenal have hit a snag, after reports his 18 million-pound buyout clause expired.Spain international Mata, 23, had been linked with a move to the English Premier League outfit, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said to be keen on signing him as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas if he departs to Barcelona.

A release clause was in place stating that La Liga outfit Valencia must accept offers of 18 million pounds before Monday, which saw Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham, table a last-minute bid on Saturday.

Mata was not keen on a switch to Tottenham due to club not featuring in the Champions League, but was said to be interested in moving to the Gunners.

The clause has now reportedly gone up to a whopping 52 million pounds, although Arsenal are still hopeful they can land their man.

Fellow English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion have signed Zoltan Gera from Fulham on a free transfer, returning the 32-year-old Hungarian to his former club.

Gera made 136 Premier League appearance and scored 21 goals for West Brom from 2004 to 2008 before joining Fulham when his contract expired.

He signed a three-year deal with Fulham and starred under then-manager Roy Hodgson, who is now in charge at The Hawthorns.

In the Championship, Preston winger Keith Treacy join Burnley for an undisclosed fee while former Manchester United and West Ham utility Jonathan Spector has signed for Birmingham on a free transfer.

And Serie A club Roma have confirmed the signing of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, with the 28-year-old Netherlands number one reportedly joining for a fee of 6.3 million euros.