WE HAVE COPED WITHOUT TORRES - BENITEZ
By Paul Walker, PA Sport Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists the team have not missed Fernando Torres ahead of their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. The Spaniard will wait until after training on Tuesday before making a decision on whether Torres faces his former club at Anfield. Torres is desperate to play, having missed the trip back to Atletico a fortnight ago when the sides drew 1-1 in a Group D match. But Benitez will not gamble on the fitness of the 24 year-old, who has missed five matches with a hamstring injury. Whoever wins will qualify for the last 16 if PSV Eindhoven…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/we_have_coped_without_torres_benitez/
MARTINS’ DOUBLE OVERSHADOWED BY BARTON
By Damian Spellman, PA Sport Obafemi Martins sent Newcastle hurtling up the Barclays Premier League table but still could not keep Joey Barton out of the headlines. The Nigeria international claimed a second-half double against Aston Villa to hand the struggling Magpies a second successive league win which dragged them from 20th place into 14th. However, the main talking point after the final whistle was not the 2-0 victory and three huge points for the Tyneside club, but a first-half incident in which Barton had flicked out a hand at Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor. Referee Steve Bennett simply spoke to the player, who was…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/martins_double_overshadowed_by_barton/
Darius Vassell and Benjani pushing for Manchester City recall
Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager, could soon be able to call on Darius Vassell and Benjani Mwaruwari after both players came through a reserve team match against Liverpool. Both players…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/Darius_Vassell_and_Benjani_pushing_for_Manchester_City_recal/
SCOLARI MAKES CASE FOR DEFENCE
By Adrian Curtis, PA Sport , , Luiz Felipe Scolari believes his defence could be the key to success in the Champions League this season. Scolari’s side have yet to concede in the Champions League this season but they have become renowned for a new attacking style in the Barclays Premier League. Yet the Brazilian coach insists his back four could play a pivotal part in the club reaching the final of the competition for the second successive year. They take on Roma in the Stadio Olimpico tonight knowing victory will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages. “I think it is very important for our team that they…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/scolari_makes_case_for_defence_e/
RAFA WANTS TO TIE DOWN DUO
, , Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called on the Anfield hierarchy to secure Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt on new long-term contracts. Kuyt, the Holland striker, and Denmark defender Agger both have just 18 months to run on their current deals. Benitez - whose own contract runs out at the same time as the pair…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/rafa_wants_to_tie_down_duo/
MIKEL CLOSE TO NEW DEAL
Chelsea are in talks with midfielder John Obi Mikel over a new deal at Stamford Bridge. Mikel, who was involved in a protracted transfer battle with Manchester United before making the move to Chelsea, has established himself as a key member of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side this season. The powerful midfielder still has three years to run on his current deal, but Chelsea are keen to tie Mikel down to a new long-term contract to ward off potential suitors. Mikel’s agent, John Shittu, says the…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/mikel_close_to_new_deal/
CITY SET FOR STRIKING IMPROVEMENT
Under-pressure Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has received a double dose of good news on the injury front with Darius Vassell and Benjani both coming through a reserve team outing against Liverpool. Neither man has made a first-team appearance this season. Vassell suffered a knee injury in the pre-season friendly with AC Milan, while Benjani has struggled to shake off a thigh problem. However,…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/city_set_for_striking_improvement/
MELCHIOT HOPES HESKEY STAYS
Wigan captain Mario Melchiot is hoping team-mate Emile Heskey will sign a new contract. Heskey’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he is in no rush to commit his future to the Latics. He has been linked with a return to former club Liverpool, while Aston Villa and Tottenham are also reportedly showing an interest. Dutch full-back Melchiot…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/melchiot_hopes_heskey_stays/
HEINZE DISMISSES FERGIE CLAIMS
Gabriel Heinze has branded as “daft” Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that Real Madrid only signed the defender from Manchester United to boost their chances of landing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentina star left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in the summer of 2007, and United boss Ferguson recently suggested he was signed by the Spanish giants purely as bait for Ronaldo, with whom…
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/heinze_dismisses_fergie_claims/
GILLETT ADMITS EMBARRASSMENT
, , Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has admitted the club’s financial difficulties have left him red-faced. Gillett arrived at Anfield early last year alongside fellow American Tom Hicks, and the pair made the building of a new stadium in Stanley Park a top priority….
Original post by http://article.wn.com/view/2008/11/04/gillett_admits_embarrassment/
