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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson refuses to be drawn on Garry Monk "cheat" outburst ahead of Premier League clash with Swansea

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Stoke's Victor Moses was called a "cheat" by Garry Monk following this "dive" against Swansea</div>
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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson refused to be drawn into the row over Swansea manager Garry Monk’s controversial comments over referees.</div>
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Monk faces a touchline ban ahead of Saturday’s clash with City at the Liberty Stadium after being asked by the FA to explain his comments after the referee awarded a controversial penalty to Stoke last weekend.</div>
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Monk accused Victor Moses of diving, called him a cheat and said he had cheated the referee, who had in turn cheated Swansea with the decision.</div>
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Monk also said he had sent a letter to Mike Riley, the referee’s chief, detailing his concerns over the number of decisions that had gone against his side this season.</div>
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Under Premier League rules, managers are not allowed to discuss referees or anything to do with the officiating ahead of a game, and Pearson said he did not want to add more pressure on referees.</div>
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“It would be ill-advised of me to speculate as to potential refereeing of our game,” he said.</div>
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“What I would say is the standard of refereeing we feel has been pretty high.</div>
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“There is no doubt that throughout a course of a season there will be decisions go for you and against you.</div>
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“It can be very frustrating and, in the heat of the moment, I have been guilty of it myself, of making comments that possibly with a bit more thought I might not make.</div>
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“That is the nature of the industry we work in. It is an emotional game and, even though I come across as being a bit dour, I can get emotional sometimes.</div>
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“I wouldn’t dream of advising other managers. It is not my place to do that. I wouldn’t think Garry would want my advice on anything.</div>
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“He is the manager of Swansea and deserves the right to manage there, and he will manage in his own style.”</div>
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When asked if Monk’s comments had put more pressure on referee Mike Jones tomorrow, Pearson said: “If I answer that question in the way you may have expected, that just puts a different angle on more pressure for people officiating.</div>
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“I think they are under enough pressure as it is.</div>
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“The arguments about technology will keep resurfacing until we give the officials the tools to do the job as efficiently as possible.”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: open_sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.5714282989502px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Read more: <a href="http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-City-boss-Nigel-Pearson-refuses-drawn/story-23397584-detail/story.html?#ixzz3Gz1pjQwB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-City-boss-Nigel-Pearson-refuses-drawn/story-23397584-detail/story.html?#ixzz3Gz1pjQwB</a> </span>

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson refuses to be drawn on Garry Monk "cheat" outburst ahead of Premier League clash with Swansea

Stoke's Victor Moses was called a "cheat" by Garry Monk following this "dive" against Swansea Leicester...

Manchester City handed huge injury boost as former Hammer set for return

08:40 Unknown 0

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Frank Lampard (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</div>
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Frank Lampard has an outside chance of recovering from injury ahead of Manchester City’s visit to another of his old clubs West Ham on Saturday.</div>
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The 36-year-old missed the Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow after being carried from the field on a stretcher against Tottenham last Saturday, but his injury is not a serious one and he could pile more misery on his former employers after doing so regularly for Chelsea.</div>
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It is understood he remains a slight doubt for the West Ham game with a thigh muscle injury but if he does miss the match he should be back for next week and Hammers fans will be hoping that is the case.</div>
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Meanwhile, it has emerged that Manchester City’s new state-of-the-art training centre could be used by Lampard’s club New York City FC for a pre-season camp in January.</div>
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That could benefit City by allowing the midfielder to extend his loan spell at the Etihad deeper in to the new year than was first envisaged.</div>
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The new MLS franchise is part-owned by City’s owner Sheikh Mansour and the new Etihad Campus in Manchester, built at a cost of £200million, is one of a number of options for New York City as a base for pre-season training.</div>
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Sources say that Lampard’s loan spell will play no part in any decision of the venue for the training camp, however.</div>
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Lampard was voted City’s player of the month for September by fans and has scored a number of important goals for the club. He also won a penalty against Tottenham last weekend.</div>
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City boss Manuel Pellegrini said last week he was not surprised by how well Lampard has been performing.</div>
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“For me it is maybe not a surprise because I know his quality,” said the City manager.</div>
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“When you are the age of Frank Lampard you are not able to play three games in a week but when you have so great a player, you can resolve a lot of problems that we have during the game and I think that Frank is doing these duties at this moment. I am very happy with him.”</div>

Manchester City handed huge injury boost as former Hammer set for return

Frank Lampard (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Frank Lampard has an outside chance of recovering from injury ahead of Manche...

Predicted Southampton and Stoke City line-ups - Same side for Koeman?

08:37 Unknown 0

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Southampton will be on a high as they have had all week to bathe in the reflective glory of thrashing Sunderland 8-0 last weekend.</div>
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It’s a great position for Ronald Koeman’s side to be in although they will face a different challenge against<a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/stoke-city-fc/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Stoke City</a> this weekend who may not be as easy to beat.</div>
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<a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/southampton-fc/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">The Saints</a> are staring at the very realistic possibility of chasing down Chelsea at the top of the <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/premier-league/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Premier League</a> and three points could put them second if they win and West Ham beat Manchester City at Upton Park.</div>
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Stoke are also on a high after a 2-1 win against Swansea City, as they continue their progression up the Premier League table.</div>
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Stoke boss Mark Hughes will stress there is a very good chance that his side could be sitting in the European places by the end of the weekend should other results go their way</div>
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Here are the sides Koeman and Hughes could go with this weekend.</div>
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<strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/01/who-joins-koscielny-and-di-maria-in-the-september-team-of-the-mo/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Who joins Koscielny and Di Maria in September's team of the month?</a></strong></div>
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<strong>Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Davis, Schneiderlin, Cork, Long, Pelle, Tadic</strong></div>
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<strong>Stoke City: Begovic, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, N’Zonzi, Adam, Diouf, Ireland, Assaidi, Crouch</strong></div>
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<strong>What's your prediction for Southampton v Stoke?</strong></div>

Predicted Southampton and Stoke City line-ups - Same side for Koeman?

Southampton will be on a high as they have had all week to bathe in the reflective glory of thrashing Sunderland 8-0 last weekend. It...

WHU do you think you are?

05:09 Unknown 0

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It’s preseason 2017. West Ham have brought their first season in the 
OS behind them, every home game being a sellout. For the first time in 
their history West Ham have qualified for the Champions League by coming
 fourth, led by skipper Alex Song and the Premier League’s topscorer 
Diafra Sakho <span class="caps">PSV</span> Eindhoven. West Ham have also brought in some new exciting signings for a total rumoured transfer fee of 50 million.<br />
The fans are thrilled about the prospects of their team which is playing
 a wonderful brand of dynamic, attacking football, passing the ball on 
the deck.<br />
But get this, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to care. Or notice. Not the <span class="caps">BBC</span>. Not Sky Sports. Not BT.<br />
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(24 goals). West Ham’s first opponents in the CL will be 
Juventus, Sparta Prague and <br />

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Now let’s wake up again, wipe the sleep from our eyes and adjust back
 to the reality of October 2014: Of course West Ham are not playing in 
the Champions League, they are not in the Europa League and the OS is 
still a massive playground for dozens of real life versions of Bob the 
Builder (‘Can we fix the OS ?’ – Reply ‘Dunno boss, we may need more 
cash!’). But the truth after eight games of the season is also this: 
West Ham are in fourth place, above football superpowers Liverpool, 
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham. Yeah, I know, only eight 
bloody games and only six points above a relegation place, but still 
quite a feat at this stage.<br />
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<br />
It’s good to have a dream. What is frustrating is the total fixation 
the media and press have with the big clubs, ignoring the rest of the 
league completely, I also haven’t heard a lot of praise given to 
Southampton lately who are sitting nicely in third place at the moment. 
No matter what other teams are doing on the pitch, Sky Sports would 
rather let us know that a bag of rice has fallen over in the Arsenal 
canteen, that Jose Mourinho’s dog isn’t feeling too well and that 
Manchester United have just had new tiles delivered for the showers in 
their training complex. I know they are just catering for the needs of 
the majority of their viewers as obviously the Manchester clubs, 
Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and to a degree even Tottenham probably have
 a bigger fanbase than the other clubs. Still it infuriates me.<br />

And while we’re at it: The arrogance of those bigger clubs drives me 
up the wall too. They maybe don’t know any other way after years of 
sporting and financial success, but everytime another (smaller) club 
finds a gem, a real talent, the next big thing it is kind of accepted 
and common practise that this player ‘really should be at United 
(meaning the Manchester version of course, not West Ham) or Chelsea’. 
Like it is an utter sin and unthinkable that a really good player should
 dare and play somewhere else.<br />
Watch it happen with Sakho, Valencia, Kouyate and Cresswell soon.<br />
How very dare West Ham beating Liverpool comfortably at home ? Who do 
West Ham think they are, making the famous Olympic Stadium their home 
for 99 years ?<br />
What is a goalscoring striker like Sakho doing in claret and blue, he’s surely just wasting his time in East London ?<br />

For far too long we have been stuck in second gear, in unambitious 
mode so to speak, being happy to stay up or giving one of the bigger 
clubs the odd scare on the pitch. Everyone’s second favourite team. The 
likeable losers from East London, playing beautiful, but ultimately 
unsuccessful football. The cheaters who drove Sheffield United into the 
Championship.<br />
Let’s face it, West Ham haven’t had a lot of good press in the last few 
years. Do we as fans care about what the press say or think about West 
Ham ?<br />
I think deep down we all do. It feels good if your club is being praised
 for doing the right things on and off the pitch. It’s still early in 
the season though, there will be bumps along the road, we will still 
lose games, maybe starting on Saturday against Man City.<br />

Thing is: If West Ham were to start delivering on the pitch on a 
regular basis, if West Ham were to qualify for the Europa League or 
someday even the Champions League and maybe not just once as an 
exception to the mediocre rule, but time and time again, could the 
common West Ham fan in the street cope ? <br />
Would this still be the club we all fell in love with ?<br />
Could we handle the media suddenly taking an interest in a more successful West Ham ? <br />
Can West Ham fans deal with good times if they happen more often than just occasionally ?<br />

I’m really not sure. But I’d like to see us give it a try and develop
 some confidence and swagger.The whole club is doing a fine job right 
now, giving hope and excitement to Hammers fans all over the globe. And 
to answer the question from the title of the thread: <span class="caps">WHU</span> do you think you are ? The answer’s easy.<br />
We are West Ham United – we play on the floor! Until we score from the heads of Sakho and Valencia of course…:-)

WHU do you think you are?

It’s preseason 2017. West Ham have brought their first season in the OS behind them, every home game being a sellout. For the first time ...

Luke Shaw: Playing against Chelsea is a different proposition

04:58 Unknown 0

<span class="articlemeta">by <a href="http://soccerlens.com/author/saikatmandal/" rel="author" title="Posts by Saikat">Saikat</a> on October 22, 2014</span><span class="articlemeta"></span><div id="single-sidebar">
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Manchester United defender Luke Shaw says he is relishing the prospect of playing against <a href="http://soccerlens.com/tags/teams/chelsea/">Chelsea</a> for the first time as a United player on Sunday at <a href="http://soccerlens.com/premier-league-stadiums/100933/">Old Trafford</a>.<br />

Shaw’s impressive form for Southampton last season saw him moving to Manchester United this summer in a<span style="color: black;"> £27m deal, while Chelsea, his boy hood club, were also reportedly interested in his signature. </span><br />

<span style="color: black;">The youngster was born in 
Kingston-Upon-Thames, a mere seven miles from Stamford Bridge, and has 
time and again expressed his soft sport for Chelsea in the past. He used
 to visit Stamford Bridge regularly as a kid and says playing against 
the Blues is a big thing in his family.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAmvLMDQ8m6Eade587lVETrvbtihDRRaGCrDlPW3k7Bxt6K-hjsJi5OddSZ0n_cRHPjMS3LvCaB0qB7vRKmFEXfIf-7zJiBvD0U8ElG_eESvVkf6fBb5bQ2313a-r3uY8dapjcdc8_IOj/s1600/LukeShaw1_3179213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAmvLMDQ8m6Eade587lVETrvbtihDRRaGCrDlPW3k7Bxt6K-hjsJi5OddSZ0n_cRHPjMS3LvCaB0qB7vRKmFEXfIf-7zJiBvD0U8ElG_eESvVkf6fBb5bQ2313a-r3uY8dapjcdc8_IOj/s1600/LukeShaw1_3179213.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: black;">
“Playing against Chelsea is a big thing in my
 family and among my friends because I was born around that area of 
London,” Shaw told <a href="http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2014/10/man-utds-luke-shaw-playing-chelsea-is-a-big-thing-in-my-family/?" target="_blank"><em>Inside United</em></a>. “I <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">used to watch</span> them when I was younger, which is something I’m sure <a href="http://soccerlens.com/tags/people/">people</a> know by now.</div>
<div style="color: black;">
“When I first played at Stamford Bridge with 
Southampton it was a bit of a surreal experience in a lot of ways 
because it was at a ground I’d visited as a kid.</div>
<div style="color: black;">
“But playing against Chelsea with United at Old Trafford is a different proposition altogether. I’m really <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">looking forward to</span>
 it, especially with how big this fixture is. Everyone knows that 
United-Chelsea games are massive, so it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”</div>
<div style="color: black;">
Shaw further added that Chelsea-United rivalry is one of the biggest matches in England and in the world as well and he is looking forward to be playing a part in it.</div>
<div style="color: black;">
Manchester United are lying 6th in table with 12 points, 10 points behind league <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">leaders</span>
 Chelsea. Louis van Gaal, the United manager is still hopeful of a title
 challenge, but for that to happen, they need to reduce the gap on 
Sunday.</div>

Luke Shaw: Playing against Chelsea is a different proposition

by Saikat on October 22, 2014 Blogroll , Chelsea , General Football News , Manchester United , Site News ...

Galatasaray line up fresh bid for wantaway Arsenal star

02:32 Unknown 0

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Galatasary are lining up a fresh approach for <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/arsenal" title="Arsenal">Arsenal</a> striker <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/lukas-podolski" title="Lukas Podolski">Lukas Podolski</a>, according to reports in Turkey.<br />

<a href="http://talksport.com/football/podolski-prepared-leave-arsenal-first-team-football-141002116901">The 29-year-old is out of favour at the Gunners</a> and yet to start a <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/premier-league" target="_blank" title="Premier League">Premier League</a> game this season.<br />

Podolski almost left during the summer and the Turkish giants were 
one of the clubs with a strong interest in the Germany international.<br />

But he eventually stayed put and decided to fight for his place in the starting line-up but the <a href="http://talksport.com/football/manchester-united-striker-welbeck-joins-arsenal-140902111395">arrival of Danny Welbeck</a> has further limited his chances.<br />

Now he could be set to leave once the transfer window reopens and, according to Turkish newspaper Milliyet, <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/galatasaray" title="Galatasaray">Galatasaray</a> are ready to reignite their interest.<br />

Podolski is under contract at Arsenal until June 2016 but could be sold if he fails to force his way back into the first team.<br />

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<br />

Galatasaray line up fresh bid for wantaway Arsenal star

Galatasary are lining up a fresh approach for Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski , according to reports in Turkey. The 29-year-old is o...

Arsenal and Chelsea target set to sign new Barcelona deal

02:31 Unknown 0

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Arsenal and <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/chelsea" title="Chelsea">Chelsea</a>
 target Munir El Haddadi is set to sign a lucrative three-year deal at 
Barcelona, which will include a £28m release clause to ward off interest
 from the <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/premier-league" target="_blank" title="Premier League">Premier League</a>.<br />

The two London clubs have been keeping an eye on Munir's progress in 
Spain and had been encouraged by reports that he was unhappy with a lack
 of first-team action.<br />

The highly rated forward has started just five La Liga games this 
season and it was reported that he may look to leave if he was not 
guaranteed more regular action – with PSG and <a class="word-link" href="http://talksport.com/football/bayern-munich" title="Bayern Munich">Bayern Munich</a> both also interested.<br />

Barcelona are desperate not to lose him and have been working hard to tie him down to a new contract.<br />

And now according to reports in Spain, the 19-year-old Spaniard is 
ready to pen a new contract, with assurances about his role in the first
 team. It has also been revealed that the deal will include the 
big-money release clause which is hoped to put off potential bidders.<br />

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Arsenal and Chelsea target set to sign new Barcelona deal

Arsenal and Chelsea target Munir El Haddadi is set to sign a lucrative three-year deal at Barcelona, which will include a £28m rele...

How Good Is Southampton's Defence?

02:28 Unknown 0

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Normally when we put the spotlight on a team or player like this we 
end up debunking some of the hype that has built up around them. This is
 not out of choice, believe us! We like the good news as much as the bad
 news, it's just folks do tend to get hyped up about good things easier 
than the bad. In the case of Southampton's defence though, the hype is 
very much real. Read on as we assess their results so to date and see 
just how good they've been.<br />

The Saints success so far is hardly fantasy football's best kept 
secret. After a successful campaign last year their team seemed ripped 
apart over the summer and many fantasy managers were wary to invest in 
pre-season. The potential was still there however, and once Koeman's new
 crop of players showed they had gelled on the pitch fantasy investment 
followed. This was no doubt helped along by goals from defenders 
Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand - goals tend to do that.<br />

We were wondering just how good Southampton have been though. They 
had one of the kinder starts to the Premier League, fixture-wise, maybe 
they have just had an easy ride? Or maybe they've been fortunate to pick
 up an extra clean sheet or two? In this article we pick apart both 
these questions and try to reveal what lies behind the results<br />

<h3>
Performance Stats & Opponent Adjusted Ratings</h3>
To assess Southampton's performances more completely we look at not 
only the number of goals they've conceded but also the number of chances
 they've conceded and the quality of these chances using our Expected 
Goals model. To further evaluate this within the context of the Saints 
opposition we've then rated each performance against the average of 
their opponents, i.e.. we've adjusted the rating based on how good or 
bad their opponents have been.<br />

The results are impressive. Defensively, so far at least, Southampton
 are the very best team in the division, at least as far as not 
conceding goals or  high quality chances is concerned. Which is pretty 
much what defending is about, right. They are also yet to concede a 
single defensive error that allowed their opposition a shot on goal. 
Mighty impressive.<br />

There's not much else to say really. They've got some <a href="http://www.insidefpl.com/insidefpl-fixture-analyser" target="_blank">amazing fixtures </a>coming
 up and their defence are all still well-priced that we're highly 
recommending a Saints defender or 'keeper as a signing for your team.<br />

The visualisation below charts the Saints 'opponent adjusted 
defensive form' from the start of the season. Southampton are the purple
 line and the blue line represents the league average (*). Use the 
filters to add/remove more teams to see how they compare.

How Good Is Southampton's Defence?

Normally when we put the spotlight on a team or player like this we end up debunking some of the hype that has built up around them. This...

Arsenal to challenge Man United for defender while Liverpool star blames Rodgers’ tactics

02:26 Unknown 0

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<br />
<b>THE future of Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar has been speculated 
about since he turned in several impressive performances for the 
Netherlands at the summer’s World Cup.</b><br />

Rumours about Vlaar continue in today’s newspapers, with two clubs reportedly set to compete for his signature.<br />
That
 is just one of the stories to have made the headlines, with Arsenal, 
Manchester United and Liverpool among the other clubs to feature.<br />
Vlaar would cost Man United upwards of £12m, but Arsenal are ready to enter the bidding for the defender. (Daily Express)<br />
Arsenal are on the lookout for a new defender, and Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk is also on their radar. (Daily Telegraph)<br />
Mario
 Balotelli has blamed Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ tactics for his
 lack of goals so far this season, as he prefers to play with a strike 
partner. (The Independent)<br />
Following interest from Real Madrid, 
Juventus have increased their asking price for Man United target Arturo 
Vidal. (Daily Express)<br />
Man United are considering a bid to re-sign defender Ryan Shawcross from Stoke City. (Daily Star)<br />
Celtic
 are determined to keep hold of their key players, including Kris 
Commons, who has been linked with Bolton Wanderers since Neil Lennon 
took the manager’s role there. (Daily Record)<br />
Atletico Madrid have appointed former Chelsea and Man United chief executive Peter Kenyon as an advisor. (AS)<br />
Meanwhile, it is relatively quiet on the transfer front at Newcastle United.<br />
Sunderland,
 though, have been in the headlines, and the Gazette today revealed the 
Black Cats’ winger Charis Mavrias is interesting Greek giants 
Panathinaikos

Arsenal to challenge Man United for defender while Liverpool star blames Rodgers’ tactics

THE future of Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar has been speculated about since he turned in several impressive performances for the Nether...

Since Leo Messi’s debut, him and Cristiano Ronaldo are level on ‘goals + assists’; Wayne Rooney 4th [Graphic]

02:23 Unknown 0

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Yesterday Lionel Messi celebrated 10 years since making his Barcelona debut.<br />
<center style="display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto; overflow: hidden; width: auto;">
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Arguably
 the greatest footballer to ever play, Opta have produced a graphic 
which suggests him and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo are on the same 
level.<br />
Both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have bagged a total of
 349 goals and assists combined, with some of Ronaldo’s coming at 
Manchester United.<br />
Interestingly Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney 
is 4th behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whilst other legend of the game litter
 the top 10 too.

Since Leo Messi’s debut, him and Cristiano Ronaldo are level on ‘goals + assists’; Wayne Rooney 4th [Graphic]

Yesterday Lionel Messi celebrated 10 years since making his Barcelona debut. ADVERTISEMENT Arguably the greatest footballer to ever ...

Spine of Sunderland side is crucial, admits John O’Shea

02:21 Unknown 0

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        <ul class="m15-t">
<li class="by">by CHRIS YOUNG</li>
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        <b>JOHN O’Shea believes keeping Sunderland’s spine intact has been key to their defensive resilience at the start of the season.</b><br />

O’Shea continued a remarkable week on a personal level 
yesterday by penning a two-year extension to his Sunderland contract – 
48 hours after marking his 100th cap for the Republic of Ireland by 
netting a last-gasp equaliser against Germany.<br />
The 33-year-old has
 been part of a Sunderland defence which has shipped just seven goals in
 the opening seven games – only tomorrow’s opponents Southampton 
conceding fewer in the Premier League this season.<br />
While Gus Poyet
 has incorporated eight fresh faces into Sunderland’s ranks this summer,
 the first-choice figures in the heart of the back four have remained 
the same.<br />
O’Shea, Wes Brown and the returning Santiago Vergini 
have occupied the central defensive berths, Vito Mannone has kept his 
spot in goal and Lee Cattermole has thrived in the protective role in 
front of the back four.<br />
And that familiarity between the key figures at the back has been a pivotal factor in Sunderland’s solidity, says O’Shea.<br />
The
 Sunderland captain, back training at the Academy of Light yesterday 
after his heroics for Ireland in midweek, told the Gazette: “It’s 
definitely been important.<br />
“Catts has started the season fantastically and we need him to maintain that form.<br />
“But it is very important to have that spine remain in place.<br />
“The spine of the team is generally the most important part.<br />
“If
 you can maintain the same type of players as much as possible in there,
 then when you do have to make those one or two changes, it doesn’t 
affect the team too much.”<br />
O’Shea’s previous contract at 
Sunderland was due to expire next summer, but after losing Phil Bardsley
 and Jack Colback for nothing in June, the Black Cats have been 
proactive in tying the skipper down.<br />
The former Manchester United 
man’s contract has been on Sunderland’s agenda since the summer and he 
is now likely to see out an illustrious career at the Stadium of Light 
after tying himself to the club until the summer of 2017.<br />
“Since I
 arrived at Sunderland I have enjoyed every minute and I’m really happy 
that I can continue here for another two years,” said O’Shea, who joined
 Sunderland in a £5million move from Man United three years ago.<br />
“To
 captain a club like this and to play in front of our fantastic 
supporters is a huge honour and I look forward to showing my commitment 
to the club on the pitch in the years to come.”<br />
Black Cats boss Poyet added: “I am delighted that John has agreed to stay with us for at least another two years.<br />
“He
 is our captain, one of our leaders and I am sure he will continue to 
help us get better and stronger as a team. I really look forward to 
continuing to work with John.”<br />
      </div>

Spine of Sunderland side is crucial, admits John O’Shea

by CHRIS YOUNG Published on the 17 ...

Arsenal legend says Invincibles won't be unique forever, Chelsea could do it

02:20 Unknown 0

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<span>Patrick Vieira expects another team to one day emulate 
Arsenal's Invincibles and go unbeaten throughout a full Barclays Premier
 League campaign. It is 10 years this month since the Gunners' 
incredible 49-game unbeaten streak was finally ended by title rivals 
Manchester United in an emotionally-charged showdown at Old Trafford.</span><br />

<span>Arsene Wenger's men had not tasted a league defeat at all in 
the 2003-04 season and in doing so matched a feat which had only been 
achieved once before in the top flight - by the Preston side of 1888-89.
 However, on the same day Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock suggested 
today's Chelsea team may well finish this season unbeaten too, Vieira 
concedes Arsenal's monumental achievement could well be repeated 
someday.</span><br />

<span>Former midfielder Vieira, who was speaking at Manchester's 
National Football Museum where he was being inducted into the English 
Hall of Fame, told Press Association Sport: "Yes, I think it will be 
matched one day.</span><br />

<span>"Records are there to be beaten and that will be achieved one 
day by one team. We just have to wait and see which team will do it." 
Warnock believes that like Vieira's Arsenal, Jose Mourinho's current 
crop are nearly "flawless" and strong across the board. Vieira, who now 
works as the head of Manchester City's elite development squad, thinks 
the key to the Invincibles' success was the close bond they shared at 
Highbury. "That is something that will stay in our memories forever," 
the Frenchman added of their historic campaign. "We achieved something 
that no other teams have achieved so far.</span><br />

<span>"When you look at the team and how close together we were, it 
was really good to be a part of this team. "You don't achieve this kind 
of target if you're not close to each other and you don't have the same 
target. "We were really united, a strong team and when you look at the 
talented players we had in that team, it was fantastic."</span>

Arsenal legend says Invincibles won't be unique forever, Chelsea could do it

Posted by SPORT WITNESS on October 17, 2014 at 9:58 in Sport Witness Football View Discussions Patrick Vieira expects another team to...

Ozil out for three months with knee injury

06:49 Unknown 0

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<br />
<b>Arsenal</b> midfielder Mesut Ozil has been ruled out of action for
 three months with a knee injury, the Germany national team has 
announced.<br />

German national team medical staff predict the 25-year-old will be 
unavailable for “10-12 weeks” due to a ligament tear in his left knee, 
although Arsenal have since released a statement insisting that the club
 will make further assessments and that “it is too early to say how long
 Ozil may be out of action”.<br />

Ozil, who has played eight games for the Gunners in all competitions this season, will not undergo surgery for the problem.<br />

He sat out the national side’s training session on Wednesday to go for a scan, the results of which have now emerged.

Ozil out for three months with knee injury

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been ruled out of action for three months with a knee injury, the Germany national team has announce...

Fresh Injury Scare For Arsenal As Koscielny Sent Home With Achilles Problem

06:45 Unknown 0

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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><a href="http://football-talk.co.uk/topics/arsenal/" title="Arsenal">Arsenal</a> have been hit by a fresh injury scare with Laurent Koscielny being sent home by France due to an on-going Achilles problem.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Koscielny has been hampered by the issue for some time and it forced him to sit out our clash away at Everton back in August.</div>
<div class="wpInsert wpInsertInPostAd wpInsertMiddle" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">

</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://football-talk.co.uk/tag/arsene-wenger/" title="Arsene Wenger">Arsene Wenger</a>
 has always said he’d be cautious with the defender and it seems he’s 
rubbed off on the France national team as they’ve sent the 29-year-old 
back to North London after he felt discomfort in his Achilles.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The French claim they have released Kos 
as a precautionary measure after deciding not to risk him for their 
upcoming friendly with Portugal and Armenia.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the time of writing, Arsenal have yet to make any official statement regarding the injury but the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2786508/Laurent-Koscielny-released-France-squad-Achilles-problem-latest-Arsenal-injury-scare.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Daily Mail</span></a> claim the club don’t see it as a major problem and hope he’ll be fit to face Hull City next weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully that turns out to be the case 
as another injury is the last thing Arsene Wenger needs after Mesut Ozil
 joined our ever-growing list of players in the treatment room when he 
was ruled out for up to three months with a knee injury on Wednesday.</div>
The boss will no doubt be praying that 
Koscielny doesn’t join Ozil on the sidelines as we are already short of 
options in the center of defence with Calum Chambers suspended against 
Hull after picking up his fifth booking of the season against <a href="http://football-talk.co.uk/topics/chelsea/" title="Chelsea">Chelsea</a>, while Mathieu Debuchy won’t return from his ankle injury until the New Year

Fresh Injury Scare For Arsenal As Koscielny Sent Home With Achilles Problem

Arsenal have been hit by a fresh injury scare with Laurent Koscielny being sent home by France due to an on-going Achilles problem. Ko...

Per Mertesacker: Arsenal really need me… so I retired from international football

06:42 Unknown 0

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<span id="goog_1671919437"></span><span id="goog_1671919438"></span><span id="goog_1946565117"></span><span id="goog_1946565118"></span><br />
<br />
<section class="text-description">
    The centre-half, 30, called time on his Germany career after winning the World Cup in Brazil.</section>
<section class="related-articles">
    <header>Related articles</header>
    <ul>
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">
            <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/404175/Arsenal-injury-blow-Laurent-Koscielny-France" itemprop="name">Arsenal dealt SECOND injury blow after Laurent Koscielny leaves France squad</a>
        </li>
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">
            <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/404162/Chelsea-Jose-Mourinho-Cesc-Fabregas-Arsenal" itemprop="name">He's always fantastic! Chelsea's Jose Mourinho hails consistency of star man Cesc Fabregas</a>
        </li>
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">
            <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/404161/Liverpool-after-ex-Arsenal-star-Alex-Song" itemprop="name">Liverpool after former Arsenal star Alex Song</a>
        </li>
</ul>
</section>
<section class="text-description">
    Mertesacker was a key figure in Germany's run to the trophy and he wants to follow his success up at the Emirates.<br />
He said: “I reflected and last season was very tough.<br />
“This
 season won’t be less intense so I needed a chance to rest and refuel. I
 want to push forward with the club now to show I can still improve.<br />
“I
 realised over the last few years that the club really needs me and that
 was a big motivation to win something with them and then with Germany. 
Now I’m really focused to do even more with Arsenal.</section>

Per Mertesacker: Arsenal really need me… so I retired from international football

The centre-half, 30, called time on his Germany career after winning the World Cup in Brazil. Related articles ...

Taylor facing Newcastle exit with QPR one potential destination

06:55 Unknown 0

<section class="post-content"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="post-summary">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-summary">
<a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/newcastle-united-fc/">The Magpies</a>
 defender could be sold in January as part of a defensive overhaul at St
 James’ Park and Harry Redknapp has previously shown an interest.</div>
Steven Taylor could be set for a <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/premier-league/">Premier League</a> move away from <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/newcastle-united-fc/">Newcastle United</a> this January, with manager Alan Pardew reportedly keen to overhaul the Magpies’s leaky defence.<br />

<a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-taylors-newcastle-united-career-7898770">According to a report from the Chronicle</a>,
 the Toon boss is eager to bring in fresh faces come January, amid 
worries over the lack of form shown by current centre-back pairing 
Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson.<br />

While neither is likely to be sold during the mid-season, Pardew 
is thought to be considering bringing in another defender to increase 
the competition for places.<br />

Taylor, meanwhile, has cut an increasingly isolated figure at St 
James’ Park, having made just one Premier League appearance for the 
Magpies so far this term.<br />

That comes despite the team shipping 15 goals from their first 
seven top-flight outings this season – a record many would have felt 
could have prompted a return to the first-team for the 28-year-old.<br />

And despite previously pledging his future to the Toon, the 
Chronicle believes that this lack of playing time could be enough to 
convince Taylor to leave the club he joined as a boy back in 1995.<br />

<a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/queens-park-rangers-fc/">Queens Park Rangers</a>
 could lead the race to sign the player, with Harry Redknapp previously 
attempting to bring Taylor to Loftus Road as part of a last-gasp bid 
prior to the close of the summer transfer window.<br />

On that occasion, the Newcastle man snubbed the Rs offer, but an 
extended period on the sidelines could be enough to convince him 
otherwise, with the player in the final few months on his deal with the 
Tyneside club.<br />

Most likely available at part of a cut-price deal, <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/queens-park-rangers-fc/">QPR</a> could well have another look at the former England under-21 come January.</section>

Taylor facing Newcastle exit with QPR one potential destination

The Magpies defender could be sold in January as part of a defensive overhaul at St James’ Park and Harry Redknapp has previously sh...

Newcastle to make move for centre-back in January

06:28 Unknown 0

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<br />
Newcastle United are set to make a move for a centre-back in January, <a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-taylors-newcastle-united-career-7898770?" target="_blank">according to the Chronicle.</a><br />

Alan Pardew has reportedly been given funds to spend in the 
upcoming transfer window, as the club look to stave off relegation 
fears, and the defence has been identified as an area which they need to
 improve.<br />

Newcastle are thought to be on the hunt for a capable centre-back to partner Fabricio Coloccini in the heart of their defence.<br />

It means that <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/steven-taylor/">Steven Taylor</a>'s career at St. James' Park has been cast into doubt, with the 28-year-old unlikely to be offered a new deal.<br />

Taylor has been a stalwart at the club, but Pardew is looking to 
have a freshen up and it could mean that the combative centre-back is 
allowed to go.<br />

The English defender's contract expires next summer, meaning that
 he is likely to be available at a cut-price at the turn of the year and
 Newcastle may be prepared to cash-in.<br />

There have been times when Taylor has looked a potential England 
international during his career, but his defending is fairly 
one-dimensional and Pardew clearly feels he can be upgraded.<br />

The manager is looking to overhaul a defence which have looked porous during the opening course of the season.<br />

Newcastle are still looking for their first win of the campaign and, as a result, they have been forced into action.<br />

The club were relegated to the Championship in the 2008/09 season and they are desperate not to return there.<br />

At the moment there seems a distinct lack of quality at both ends of the pitch, but Pardew is aiming to address that soon.<br />

The hope will be that Newcastle will already have put some 
distance between them and the relegation zone before then, making the 
club a more attractive proposal for potential new players to join.<br />

<div class="see-also">
<strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/09/04/is-this-newcastle-uniteds-strongest-xi-tiote-colback-and-more/">Is this Newcastle United's strongest XI? Tiote, Colback and more</a></strong></div>
At
 the moment they sit in the bottom three, meaning fears of a struggle 
are emerging, but the international break should provide them with a 
chance to reflect on their poor start.<br />

When they return they take on Leicester City at St. James' Park 
and everyone associated with Newcastle will be determined to pick up the
 three points.<br />
<div class="call-to-action">
<strong>Should a new defender be Newcastle's priority?</strong></div>

Newcastle to make move for centre-back in January

Newcastle United are set to make a move for a centre-back in January, according to the Chronicle. Alan Pardew has reportedly been g...

Newcastle Transfers Warning: Pay Peanuts, Get Monkeys…

05:48 Unknown 0

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In some ways you really have to commend what <a href="http://whatculture.com/football/team/newcastle" target="_blank">Newcastle</a>
 have achieved in the transfer market since 2009. They’ve set their own 
rules and their own valuations, and have gone after targets with a 
logical approach that means they have rarely paid over the odds on 
players who have turned out to be misfires. Yes, there have been 
high-profile mistakes like Sylvain Marveaux, Papiss Cisse (to a certain 
extent anyway) and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, but the real issue in all three 
cases is not the quality of the player or the price paid, but the 
manager attempting to get the best out of them.<br />

After a summer of heady spending, something looks like it might have 
changed. There was already talk that the policy from now on would be the
 same as an over=packed nightclub – one in, one out – before the 
transfer window slammed shut with two notable outs and no helpful ins in
 the last couple of hours – but now it looks like not only will Alan 
Pardew’s acquisitions be dependant on freeing up squad space, it will 
also depend on fees being freed up by outgoing players. The long and 
short of it is that if Newcastle want to sign the centre-half they so 
desperately and obviously need, they will have to reinvest the £4m or so
 that is rumoured to be coming in when Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa leaves 
permanently for Roma.<br />

There are any number of issues with the sentence alone, but the main 
issue for the future of Newcastle’s back-line is that whoever replaces 
the French international who is currently impressing at Champions League
 side Roma (and yet is rendered unplayable by Alan Pardew’s lack of 
understanding) will have to cost less than £4m.<br />

Inevitably, that has lead to suggestions that James Tomkins will be 
first on the list of underwhelming options to fill in while Jamaal 
Lascelles matures (or doesn’t depending on who is in charge of his 
development). He would probably cost all of the £4m, or close to it at 
least, and would be only a slight improvement on the likes of Steven 
Taylor or Mike Williamson for that money.  That surely isn’t the way 
forward?<br />

The other option would be to bring in someone like Nastasic on loan 
from Man City, as was rumoured to have been Pardew’s intention in 
August, before the player decided to stay and fight for his place, but 
that would probably involve a loan fee, and would ultimately mean 
Newcastle would need to sign another centre-back in the summer anyway. 
Considering the importance of the position, Newcastle cannot afford to 
skimp – just as they cannot on their hunt for another striker – and the 
unfortunate reality is that paying too little will yield inferior 
talents.<br />

You get what you pay for, after all, and Newcastle need to learn that
 investments should be classed as such, rather than identifying 
affordable options over their suitability to the first team. Yes, the 
sell-on factor is important, but so too is the small matter of actually 
stopping balls going into the net. I know which I prefer.

Newcastle Transfers Warning: Pay Peanuts, Get Monkeys…

In some ways you really have to commend what Newcastle have achieved in the transfer market since 2009. They’ve set their own rules and...

10 Worst Southampton Managers Of The Modern Era

05:47 Unknown 0

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Southampton may be riding high in the Premier League right now under 
new manager Ronald Koeman, but Saints fans have had got used to never 
being too settled. After Ted Bates (“Mr. Southampton”) and his 
protege-successor Lawrie McMenemy built the team up through the 1960s, 
70s and 80s, establishing Saints as a top flight club, winning the FA 
Cup and finishing as high as second in the league over a thirty year 
period in which they were the club’s only managers, the thirty years 
since have been far less stable.<br />

In that time 24 managers have passed through the doors of The Dell 
and latterly the St. Mary’s Stadium, including three in as many years 
recently. Those thirty years have been something of a rollercoaster of 
success and failure with both types of manager often leaving as quickly 
as they arrived.<br />

While Southampton have done well with the run of Nigel Adkins, 
Mauricio Pochettino and Koeman, many of their predecessors did more to 
damage the legacy of Bates and McMenemy than to build on it. This list 
counts down ten of the worst incumbents of the Southampton hot seat over
 the last thirty years.<br />
<br />

10 Worst Southampton Managers Of The Modern Era

Southampton may be riding high in the Premier League right now under new manager Ronald Koeman, but Saints fans have had got used to neve...

Book now for half-term soccer schools

05:34 Unknown 0

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                            <span>news</span>
                            6 minutes
                        </div>
Chelsea Soccer Schools are once again offering the perfect way to 
keep any budding young footballer busy during the October half-term.<br />

Operating across Essex, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, 
Berkshire, Middlesex and London, our Soccer Schools are a fantastic 
introduction to the <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/Oct%2014/book-now-for-half-term-soccer-schools.html#" id="_GPLITA_0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by TakeTheCoupon">game<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a>, our club and our unique coaching philosophies.<br />
<br />
A wide range of ages are welcome, with the sessions providing an introduction to the <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/Oct%2014/book-now-for-half-term-soccer-schools.html#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by TakeTheCoupon">game<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a> for four to five-year-olds before the regular soccer schools take over for those aged between five and 13.<br />

A typical day at a Chelsea Soccer School is divided evenly into training sessions to develop skills and small-sided <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/Oct%2014/book-now-for-half-term-soccer-schools.html#" id="_GPLITA_2" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important;" title="Click to Continue > by TakeTheCoupon">games<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; float: none ! important; font-weight: bold ! important; height: 10px ! important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; text-transform: uppercase ! important; vertical-align: super ! important; width: 10px ! important;" /></a> and mini-tournaments to aid team work.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/foundation">Chelsea Foundation</a>'s
 dedicated coaches all hold valid DBS, FA Coaching, Safeguarding 
Children and First Aid certificates to ensure the highest levels of both
 coaching and safety.<br />
<br />
All soccer schools are also dedicated to promoting the <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/foundation">Chelsea Foundation</a>'s values of fair play, respect and discipline as well as encouraging team play and developing social skills<br />

Book now for half-term soccer schools

news 6 minutes Chelsea Soccer Schools are once again of...

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish hints at January signings

05:29 Unknown 0

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<div class="article_byline">
By <a href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/team/jack-prescott/" rel="author">Jack Prescott</a>, London Correspondent<br />Filed: <span itemprop="datePublished">Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 13:16 UK</span><div class="last_updated">
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 13:16 UK</div>
</div>
<a href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/crystal-palace/" title="More Crystal Palace"><strong class="autotag">Crystal Palace</strong></a> co-chairman <a href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/people/steve-parish/" title="More Steve Parish"><strong class="autotag">Steve Parish</strong></a> has claimed that there is money available to manager <a href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/people/neil-warnock/" title="More Neil Warnock"><strong class="autotag">Neil Warnock</strong></a> to spend in the January transfer window.<br />
The Eagles brought in nine new players over the summer, including <a href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/people/james-mcarthur/" title="More James McArthur"><strong class="autotag">James McArthur</strong></a> from Wigan Athletic for a club-record fee of £7m.<br />
Despite
 boosting their squad significantly at the start of the season, Parish 
admits that Palace could make further additions in the New Year.<br />
"There's money available - if we get the right targets - but sometimes you don't have to spend money," he told the <em>Daily Star</em>.<br />
"It's
 almost now like there's a league table of who's spent what. People 
believe that's how the real league table is going to finish. We will 
look at opportunities where we can strengthen our football club."

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish hints at January signings

By Jack Prescott , London Correspondent Filed: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 13:16 UK Last Updated: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 13:16 UK ...

Reviewing The Key Premier League Refereeing Decisions From Week 7

05:16 Unknown 0

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<div class="copy-paste-block">
Martin Atkinson had a very difficult afternoon at <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/30/how-chelseas-stamford-bridge-will-expand-if-or-when-they-move-to-twickenham/">Stamford Bridge</a>
 with numerous contentious decisions.  The first was a foul from Gary 
Cahill on Alexis Sanchez. It was a dangerous tackle in my view as he 
endangered Alexis’ safety, I think it was a red card offence. Arsene 
Wenger was clearly annoyed with Chelsea’s tactics to cut up play, but 
should not have gone into Jose Mourinho’s technical area. Jon Moss, 
dealt with the situation well, as did Atkinson who gave the pair a 
telling off, and rightly so. Childish behaviour.<br />

The first <span class="mandelbrot_refrag"><a class="mandelbrot_refrag" data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.worldsoccertalk.com/category/chelsea/?lc=int_mb_1001">Chelsea</a></span>
 goal was a result of Laurent Koscielny’s foul on Eden Hazard in the 
area. The Frenchman was booked, but I thought he was last man and denied
 a goal-scoring opportunity. I would have sent him off as Hazard was 
through and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.  Into the second half 
now, and Calum Chambers could easily have seen red for two bookable 
offences. The first was a late challenge, whereas the second was a 
deliberate block on Andre Schurrle. A customary yellow card in this day 
in age, but Atkinson refused to give another yellow to Chambers, who 
gets booked far too often and needs to further develop that side of his 
game. With the score still at 1-0, Jack Wilshere had a penalty claim 
waved away for what was a blatant handball. Nemanja Matic’s arms were 
raised and connected with the ball. It was a poor decision but it was 
not good to see four <span class="mandelbrot_refrag"><a class="mandelbrot_refrag" data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.worldsoccertalk.com/category/arsenal/?lc=int_mb_1001">Arsenal</a></span>
 players surround Atkinson and you can see him counting the players and 
telling them to go away.   Arsenal could, in theory, have been down to 
eight men after Danny Welbeck lunged into Arsenal old-boy, Cesc 
Fabregas. Its was a very poor tackle with ‘excessive force’ the key 
phrase in the laws. A red card, no doubt about it. Its even more 
surprising that Welbeck saw yellow if you consider the linesman’s view.<br />

In summary, Atkinson had a mixed game and it should have finished 10 
against eight, but considering the heat of the game, he did well to 
control both teams.<br />

<span class="mandelbrot_refrag"><a class="mandelbrot_refrag" data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.worldsoccertalk.com/category/manchester-united/?lc=int_mb_1001">Manchester United</a></span>
 conceded another penalty (the third in three games) against Everton. 
Luke Shaw dived in on Tony Hibbert and Kevin Friend had no choice but to
 point to the spot. It was a clumsy challenge that highlights United’s 
defensive frailties.  Radamel Falcao opened his United account to take a
 2-1 lead, however, Roberto Martinez was frustrated that Kevin Friend 
played on whilst Steven Pienaar was down injured. It wasn’t a head 
injury so Friend was correct to allow play to continue. Had Everton not 
conceded, nobody would have mentioned it. A little bit of sour grapes 
from Martinez, which is rare.<br />

<span class="mandelbrot_refrag"><a class="mandelbrot_refrag" data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.worldsoccertalk.com/category/west-bromwich-albion/?lc=int_mb_1001">West Bromwich Albion</a></span>
 were awarded a penalty in their 2-1 defeat at Anfield. There were 
however, question marks as to whether the foul was committed inside the 
area. On first look, it looked like a penalty, with Saido Berahino 
falling in the area. A sideways perspective showed that the contact was 
outside the area. A tough decision to make, but Michael Oliver’s 
assistant could have helped him in my view.<br />

Neil Warnock was unhappy with Lee Mason’s decision not to punish 
Michael Dawson for an alleged elbow on Frazier Campbell. I think Warnock
 was frustrated with Crystal Palace’s defeat and was looking for 
excuses. Both players challenged for the ball fairly. Dawson was 
stronger and won the ball.<br />

Queens Park Rangers conceded early on against West Ham in Harry 
Redknapp’s return to Upton Park. Enner Valencia handled the ball before 
Nedum Onuoha directed the ball into his own net. I was amazed that there
 were hardly any appeals for handball, which Anthony Taylor should have 
seen.<br />
<span><br /></span></div>

Reviewing The Key Premier League Refereeing Decisions From Week 7

Martin Atkinson had a very difficult afternoon at Stamford Bridge with numerous contentious decisions. The first was a foul from Gary ...

Premier League concussion rules questioned after Thibaut Courtois suffers head injury

07:27 Unknown 0

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<h1 class="title" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; margin: 2px 0px 8px; outline: none;">
<div class="x460 authorBar" style="background-image: url(http://www.standard.co.uk/skins/es/gfx/stories/byline-bottom.png); background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat; color: #444444; display: table; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; height: 61px; margin-top: 10px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 9px; width: 460px !important;">
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<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1503 inpage-widget-8697388" style="display: table-cell; float: left; font-size: 1.2em; outline: none;">
<div class="dateline" style="color: #a3a1a1; float: right; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 13px !important; outline: none; text-align: right; width: 170px;">
<span class="label" style="font-family: Verdana; outline: none;">Published: </span><span class="value-of-date" style="font-family: Verdana; outline: none;">06 October 2014</span></div>
</div>
<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1503 inpage-widget-8697389" style="display: table-cell; float: left; font-size: 1.2em; outline: none;">
<div class="lastModifiedDate" style="color: black; float: right; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: none; text-align: right; width: 170px;">
<span class="label" style="outline: none;">Updated: </span><span class="value-of-date" style="outline: none;">15:14, 06 October 2014</span></div>
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<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1503 inpage-widget-8700061 article-rating" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; outline: none;">
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<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1503 inpage-widget-8697393" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; outline: none;">
<span class="storyTop ip-ed ip-af-9777807-LEADTEXT ip-s-1691" style="outline: none;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;">
The effectiveness of new rules regarding concussions to players has been questioned by a leading brain injury association after Thibaut Courtois was allowed to play on for 15 minutes following a blow to the head.</div>
</span></div>
<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1503 inpage-widget-8697396" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; outline: none;">
<div class="body ip-ed ip-af-9777807-BODY ip-s-1691" style="outline: none;">
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;">
The Chelsea goalkeeper collided with Alexis Sanchez during <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-2-arsenal-0-wengers-miserable-record-against-mourinho-continues-as-hazard-and-costa-seal-blues-win-9775571.html" style="color: #005689; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">the game against Arsenal on Sunday</a>, and appeared to lose consciousness for a short while after the incident.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;">
Chelsea’s medical team assessed Courtois and deemed him fit to play on, but the Belgian was substituted 15 minutes later after he started to bleed from the ear.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;">
It follows a number of high-profile incidents involving suspected concussions to players in which no immediate action was taken.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;">
The FA and Premier League responded this summer by introducing laws stating “if there is any suspicion of the player having sustained a concussion, they must be removed from the field of play, and not allowed to return”.</div>
</div>
</div>
</h1>

Premier League concussion rules questioned after Thibaut Courtois suffers head injury

Published: 06 October 2014 Updated: 15:14, 06 October 2014 The effectiveness of new rules regarding concussions to play...

Graeme Souness slams Queens Park Rangers - here's why

07:26 Unknown 0

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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
If <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/queens-park-rangers-fc/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Queens Park Rangers</a> are to get anything out of their stay in the <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/premier-league/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Premier League</a> division then their playing staff must substantially increase their effort-levels during match-day.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
That is the view of <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29328/9505641/west-ham-v-qpr-rangers-players-let-harry-redknapp-down-says-graeme-souness" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Sky Sports</a> football analyst Graeme Souness - an eight-time title winner with Liverpool and <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/topic/queens-park-rangers-fc/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Rangers</a> - who was appalled at how the apparent quality of QPR's roster does not equate to the work-rate he has seen on the field.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
“If you haven’t got players willing to work hard, you’ve got nothing,” Souness said after Rangers's 2-0 loss to West Ham United in East London on Sunday.</div>
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“If you’ve got really good players and they’re willing to work hard you’re going to win more </div>
<div data-cid="4778" data-kw="games" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #f35b00; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: auto; padding-bottom: 1px; text-decoration: underline; width: auto;">
<a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/06/graeme-souness-slams-queens-park-rangers-heres-why/?#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://i.display-trk.com/click?v=Tkc6MzMxNTQ6MTA5NjpnYW1laW5nOjBhZmJlYzljYjEwODRhYTJiYjllODBhZDI3ODlkNWNiOnotMTA5NC04MzI1NDg6aGVyZWlzdGhlY2l0eS5jb206MzI2NjM6ODk2ZjI3OTNmODdjNzRhZGE3ZGZlZDI5NWYwMWYyOGE6Yjc1YmE5OTAyY2U5NDU3NjhhZjMxN2Y2MjFiOTZkM2E6MQ&subid=g-832548-52a647fac560465989a414a19c6bf24f-&data_tagname=DIV" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; color: #5f8829; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by Sense1">GAMES<img src="http://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a></div>
 than you lose – but if you’ve got decent players not working hard you’re not going to win any <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/06/graeme-souness-slams-queens-park-rangers-heres-why/?#" id="_GPLITA_0" in_rurl="http://i.display-trk.com/click?v=Tkc6MzMxNTQ6MTA5NjpnYW1laW5nOmNlYmI1MDRiNTA5Mjg0MGJiYTE3Nzg2MjJiMTI1ZDlkOnotMTA5NC04MzI1NDg6aGVyZWlzdGhlY2l0eS5jb206MzI2NjI6NDI4YWI5MTJiM2RlNGUzZjg2YzY5ODFmMzU5MTc5NzA6OWQ5MjAzOWU4YjZmNGMwOGE1ZDQ3YTUyODUxNDEzZGM6MQ&subid=g-832548-52a647fac560465989a414a19c6bf24f-&data_tagname=P" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; color: #5f8829; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by Sense1">GAMES<img src="http://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a>.<br />
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“With the best will in the world, these are goodish players and they have to put a real stint in for their manager.</div>
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“But Harry will go home tonight and not sleep. He’ll be tearing his hair out. As a manager you think ‘I’m guaranteed everyone will have a real go’, especially if you’re down near the bottom. He’s not getting that off these players.”</div>
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Souness believes it is up to the playing staff to perform rather than rely on their head coach as a source of motivation, for example: “These players have a duty to their manager, a duty to the club and a duty to the supporters to give them a bit more than they’ve given them today.</div>
<div class="see-also" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
<strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/02/redknapps-problem-is-that-he-is-like-wenger-merson/" style="color: #5f8829; text-decoration: none;">Redknapp's problem is that he is like Wenger, they'll lose to West Ham - Merson</a></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 1.5em; padding: 0px 25px;">
“After losing the first goal none of them showed any sparkle to get themselves back into the <a href="http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/06/graeme-souness-slams-queens-park-rangers-heres-why/?#" id="_GPLITA_2" in_rurl="http://i.display-trk.com/click?v=Tkc6MzMxNTQ6MTA5NjpnYW1laW5nOmRlMjJjMDg0MGExMGI1ZjVkYTcyYWIzZGU2OTk1NDlhOnotMTA5NC04MzI1NDg6aGVyZWlzdGhlY2l0eS5jb206MzI2NjE6Zjk5ZGJjMzE4ZWQyOTU4ZDQxZmIyNWIxMzY4NTAyZjk6ZmQ1MTNiNjFhODhkNGExODlmZWE1MmM4YTUzMTk2OTk6MQ&subid=g-832548-52a647fac560465989a414a19c6bf24f-&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #5f8829; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by Sense1">GAME<img src="http://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a>. They just threw the towel in as though they’re feeling sorry for themselves.</div>
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“That’s why management drives you mad. That’s so disappointing for Harry.”</div>

Graeme Souness slams Queens Park Rangers - here's why

If Queens Park Rangers are to get anything out of their stay in the Premier League division then their playing staff must substanti...

Pochettino Facing Make or Break Decision over Emmanuel Adebayor at Tottenham

07:23 Unknown 0

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<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/tottenham-hotspur" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #003366; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tottenham Hotspur</a> head coach Mauricio <span class="spellcheck" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pochettino</span> was decidedly "happy" with his team after Sunday's 1-0 win over<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/southampton" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #003366; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Southampton</a>. It was, after all, their first Premier League victory since August.</div>
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Mauricio Pochettino was pleased his Spurs side got back to winning ways against his former club Southampton, now managed by Ronald Koeman.</div>
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"We are still improving after three months in charge and a new philosophy," he told his post-match press conference. "But happy today with how we got the three points, happy with the performance and happy with what the team showed."</div>
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There should be some satisfaction among all that in an improved performance from striker <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/emmanuel-adebayor" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #003366; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Emmanuel Adebayor</a>. After a mostly lacklustre recent run of Premier League outings, he certainly needed to show his manager something.</div>
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The highlight from the Togo international was his role in Christian<span class="spellcheck" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eriksen</span>'s winner.</div>

Pochettino Facing Make or Break Decision over Emmanuel Adebayor at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino was decidedly "happy" with his team after Sunday's 1-0 win over Southam...