Archive for July, 2007
Tuesday’s Pre-season round-up
There were plenty of Premiership sides in friendly action tonight and all of them seemed to have come out of it unscathed, although in the case of Everton, only just. Get the results, scorers, lineups and other rambles here…
ContinuedTips Guide - Selecting Forwards
Having spouted no end of nonsense about the theories behind selecting Goalkeepers, Defenders and Midfielders, my fourth and final tips guide examines the fine art of selecting the Forward players that will win you leagues. The process I’ve gone through with these guides might be logical, but I can’t make the same promises about the content. Regardless, once again the article is full of my opinion on the players you have in front of you when you’re consulting that player list over the next fortnight so you might, just might, find something useful amongst the seveal thousand words I’ve written.
ContinuedBlack Cats held by Cork
Sunderland continue to struggle for goals in pre-season, having been held 1-1 by Cork City in last night’s only friendly involving Premiership clubs. Liam Miller scored the goal that saved Keane’s blushes as Stern John missed a hatful of chances before Cork took the lead after 56 mintues. Miller struck the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining but Sunderland could not force a winner. Keane handed new signing Russell Anderson a debut at centre-back alongside Collins and played youngster Michael Kay at left-back.
Sunderland Lineup: Ward, Halford, Collins, Anderson, Kay, Miller, Whitehead, Yorke (Chopra 82), Leadbitter (Richardson 62), John (Murphy 62), Connolly (Stokes 62).
ContinuedJol sweating over King and Gardner
Spurs could go into the new season with a shortage of centre-backs following news that Anthony Gardner is struggling to make the kick-off. Gardner has suffered a back injury in the pre-season game against Orlando Pirates but is still hopeful of being available come August 11. Ledley King however, looks to be out of action for significantly longer. The England man has had to delay his comeback from knee surgery and is apparently unlikely to return to any kind of action until September.
This leaves Jol with a likely partnership of Dawson and new signing Kaboul for the season opener, leaving only Rocha as a possible stand-in. Gareth Bale is another Spurs defender struggling. The new left-back signing has yet to return to pre-season action after injuring his thigh in the friendly at St Patricks Athletic earlier this month.
ContinuedSorensen out of Liverpool clash
Aston Villa look certain to be without first-choice stopper, Thomas Sorensen, when Liverpool visit Villa Park on August 11. Sorensen is struggling with a hamstring injury suffered in their first pre-season game in the US. It’s estimated that he will require at least 3-4 weeks to fully recover from the injury and could therefore be missing throughout August. Stuart Taylor is set to take the Goalkeeping jersey for Villa’s opening fixtures.
ContinuedStelios out for August
Bolton have lost Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos for the opening month of the season. Stelios has undergone an operation on a hernia, something that he’s been suffering with for nearly two years. The midfielder is said to be out for a month so will target a possible return against Reading on August 25. His absence increases the first team opportunities for Vaz Te who has impressed when played out wide in pre-season.
ContinuedSunday’s Pre-season round-up
Arsenal grab some early season silverware and Newcastle find a home-grown hero as two Italian giants are sent packing. Get the scores, goals, lineups and other details here…
ContinuedNew Poll - the overseas signings
I’ve just added a new poll to gather opinion on a subject that we all need a view on - which of the new overseas arrivals offers the biggest points haul. Should be an interesting one which might prove handy as we approach the kick-off.
By the way, my last poll revealed that 65% of visitors felt that Sunderland would make the biggest impact on the Premiership with Birmingham gathering 26% and Derby just 9%. Certainly in pre-season, it appears that Birmingham are showing the best goalscoring form, while Derby are stuttering and look to be in need of some new blood in the next fortnight.
ContinuedRovers “Cruz†to Intertoto win
Blackburn Rovers confirmed their place in the UEFA cup on Saturday with new signing Roque Santa Cruz watching on. Mark Hughes sealed a £3.5 million deal with Bayern Munich for the Paraguay international striker, before putting his side out to face FK Vetra with a two-goal cushion from the first leg of their Intertoto tie. His side responded with a 4-0 win with strikes from Gamst-Pedersen, Samba and strike duo Roberts and McCarthy who are now under threat from the new signing. Gamst-Pedersen and Bentley meanwhile, reminded us Fantasy Managers of their value by chipping in with two assists each.
The Blackburn lineup saw one change from the first leg with Mokoena preferred to Tugay. Cruz is expected to make his debut for Rovers in Wednesday night’s friendly at Huddersfield.
Blackburn Lineup: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Savage, Mokoena (Dunn 53), Pedersen, Roberts (Rigters 58), McCarthy (Derbyshire 58)
ContinuedSaturday’s Pre-season round-up
There was a bumper lineup of pre-season games played out on Saturday that saw Chelsea falter at Ibrox, Bent hit a brace for Spurs and Lita rattle in a hat-trick for Reading. Get all the results, lineups, scorers and injury updates here…
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