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October 2007 - Posts

• Redknapp advises Jol to sell star striker

  Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has told Tottenham manager Martin Jol that he needs players who want to play for the club and help them out of the drop zone and not players with a bad attitude and has recommended that he would be best off selling Dimitar Berbatov for the sake of the team. Redknapp who is many spurs fans favourite to replace Jol is no stranger to relegation dogfights in his long managerial career and in recent years has worked miracles keeping Portsmouth in the top flight when it looked like they were dead and buried. Writing in his column in The Sun Redknapp wrote :"The very last thing boss Martin Jol needs right now is Dimitar Berbatov spitting his dummy out because he's not in Tottenham's starting team every week. "You only find out the true character of your players when the chips are down and the pressure is on. And we all saw what Berbatov is made of when he was sat sulking on the bench at Newcastle the other night with a face like a big baby. "Everyone knows what a terrific player the Bulgarian can be. He showed what he is capable of with 23 goals for Spurs last season. But he's not the striker he was a year ago and, from what I've seen, he looks to be disinterested and playing for himself rather than his team. "His attitude is terrible and his behaviour at St James' Park sent out all the wrong signals. Maybe he's sulking because he didn't get a move to Manchester United in the summer. "But he's done himself absolutely no favours on that account because I know for a fact Alex Ferguson would never stand for any player who behaves the way Berbatov has done this week. When your team is in trouble you need the big characters to stand up and show some b*******. "That's just what Robbie Keane has done for Spurs and Berbatov should show the same attitude. I have always believed that when you lose a player's support you get him out as quickly as possible. No matter how good, you're better off without him." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 25 2007, 07:05 AM by Pompey News Filed under: Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspurs

• Pompey push past lacklustre Wigan

  An away game at the JJB was never going to be an easy outing. But an inspired Pompey side did just enough to notch up their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League and take their points tally to 18, and increasing Wigan's goal less streak to over 5 hours of football. With no score after 80 minutes, the match was headed for a dull 0-0 draw when Benjani Mwaruwari scored with a neat near-post finish from Sulley Muntari's inviting cross. Five minutes later, Glen Johnson made a strong run from the right flank, cut in and drove a low shot home past the hapless Kirkland. Wigan started the game brighter of the two teams. Paul Scharner hit the post with a header as early as three minutes into the game. The first half was a bit of a stop start affair - Glen Johnson and Antoine Sibierski both shrugged off minor injuries to continue for their respective teams. After a strong start to the half, the tempo dropped drastically. Neither side had a decent chance after that in the first 45 with Kranjcar's long shot being the only shot of note for Pompey in the first forty-five. The second half saw the injured Sibierski being replaced by Julius Aghahowa who managed to get himself a yellow card less than a minute later after clattering into Sol Campbell. Pompey were always the better side but failed to convert the possession into clear cut chances. On 63 minutes, Suley Muntari's cracking free kick came back of the post - Pompey's best chance thus far. Wigan sat back and soaked up incessant Pompey pressure. So it was no surprise when a quality cross from Muntari was converted by Benjani on 81 minutes to give Pompey the crucial first goal. And the win was sealed with a finely taken goal by Glen Johnson. Wigan 0 – Pompey 2 (Benjani 80, Johnson 86) Attendance 17695 Booked Wigan Portsmouth Bramble, Aghahowa Campbell, Muntari, Davis RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 20 2007, 05:46 PM by Pompey News Filed under: Portsmouth, Wigan, Match Reports

• Giggs signs new United deal

  Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs today signed a contract extension to his Old Trafford  contract was due to expire at the end of this season that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2009 season.  The 33 year old has spend his entire career at Manchester United since making his first team debut in 1991 “Ryan epitomises the word loyalty - he signed as a 14-year old schoolboy and is still with the club 20 years on," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. “Apart from his playing ability, he has a fantastic demeanour and is a great role model to the younger players. I am sure he will be at the club for a long time to come.” added Ferguson.  This contract extension will give Giggs the chance of breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s appearance record of 759 games for United. "I am delighted to have signed for a further season," Giggs told the club's website. "I am enjoying football more than ever and I hope to carry on playing football for Manchester United for as long as I can. "I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the fans and everyone at the club for the great support I have received over the years." Giggs may yet stay on at United after his current deal finishes as he feels that he is capable of playing past his current deal.  "We said a couple of years ago that would look at it season by season - which is what we have done," he said. "I am delighted to get it sorted out. I feel as fit as ever so I hope there will be a couple more. "A lot has changed over the years but I am enjoying my football more than ever. The nearer you get to the end of your career you want to enjoy it as much as you can." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 17 2007, 11:19 PM by Talk Manchester United Filed under: Manchester United, Ryan Giggs

• Ferdinand chases Euro dream

  Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he is determined to play in the Euro 2008 finals as so far in his career he has played in 3 World Cup finals he has yet to play in the European Championships.  He missed out on Euro 2000 when Gareth Barry then a central defender pipped him for a spot on the squad and then he missed out in 2004 as he was half way through his ban for missing a drugs test. Ferdinand said: "I'd like to get to a European Championship finals. I've been to three World Cups now but I've not been to a Euro finals. "It is something I'd really like to tick off on my 'to do' list but with this one hopefully I can go one better than in the World Cups and win it. "Every game is massive but, when there is stuff at risk and at the end of it there is silverware or a qualification campaign to be sown up, hopefully you will see the best of our players. "If you look around the squad, a lot of them are big game players and, when it matters, they normally come up trumps and it is about us doing the job collectively, not as individuals on Wednesday. "England have got the result when it really matters such as in Rome against Italy and Istanbul against Turkey. We've got the result in those games before and why not now? "I couldn't play in Istanbul (because of suspension). You got a sense beforehand looking at the lads that they were up for it and they went out there and got the result that was needed." RSS Subscribe |  Del.icio.us | Digg It |  Reddit |  Technorati Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 15 2007, 10:07 PM by Talk Manchester United Filed under: Manchester United, England, Rio Ferdinand

• New Pompey training ground takes a step closer to approval

  Pompey's new training complex at Titchfield has moved a step closer ahead after a group of dormice threatened to stop the project. The club announced its plans for a new purpose build training complex back in Feburary at the former Titchfield Golf and Fishing site; however the planning application was put on hold due to concerns about the environmental impact of the plans. An environmental survey was done of the side and found the presence of dormice which are a protected species which threatened to red card the project. However since then the club has been assured that the complex can be built without harming the environment as long as certain provisions for the mice are made. The plans have now been submitted to Fareham Borough Council to consider and a decision due by early next year, and if approved the club hopes to have the development ready by the 2008 season. Talking to The News Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said "The application has been a long, long wait which has taken hundreds and hundreds of different requirements which unfortunately we have to do nowadays. "They have gone on forever; it's part of the application process in the UK I am afraid. We've had to do all sorts of reports on all kinds of things. They take up many, many binders." "A lot of things came out of the studies and the report of dormice was one of the items. The only place that would be an issue is at the front entrance but we will find a corrective safe passage for them" Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 14 2007, 04:00 PM by Pompey News Filed under: Portsmouth, Training Ground

• Redknapp : We’ve neglected our youth policy but that’s all changed

  Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has said there will be a focus on the youth team and expect Pompey to sign Paul Hart to continue the good work he has done so far spotting good young talent. This follows Pompey last week paying a rumoured £400,000 for Millwall starlet Tom Kilbey and the trio of Rushden and Diamond players signed in the summer, and recent admissions by Tony Adams that Pompey are looking at Southampton right winger Nathan Dyer. Chairman Sasha Gaydamak is looking to this investment in the youth team to bring new players into the Pompey first team, and to give the newly founded Pompey Academy a good start. Talking to The News Harry Redknapp said "Tom Kilbey is a young player who Paul Hart rates highly. He is a tall lad with a good physique. "Paul likes him so we are giving him some backing. He has come in and got on with setting up the Academy. "We will back Paul Hart's judgement – and he says he is a good player. "The youth system is something that has been neglected here over a number of years. Mr Gaydamak wants to see young players coming through. "Nowadays, players often come from other clubs and are brought into other setups. "Southampton did it with a lot of players. Theo Walcott came from Swindon, David McGoldrick and Leon Best came from Notts County. "Then there was Dexter Blackstock from Oxford. Paul knows about the young players in the game and is a big asset to us." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 14 2007, 01:06 PM by Pompey News

• Rooney finally gets England goal

  Rooney obviously didn't let the reports that he was unhappy not having scored for England in so long get to him, as he finally got a goal for England in the game against Estonia tonight. "If you don't score, then as a striker it does a little bit," Rooney said. "But as long as you keep winning, it won't bother me that much." "I'm delighted to score at any time.  Obviously it's been long time since I last scored, but I'm delighted now and happy with the three points." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 14 2007, 12:00 AM by Community Server Filed under: Manchester United, England, Wayne Rooney

• Kanu can help Pompey net young stars

  With Harry Redknapp in the last few days proclaiming that there is a vast mostly untapped source of good young players in Africa, Kanu's agent feels that the widely respected striker is the man to help Pompey tap the talent in teams such as the under 17's World Cup winning Nigerian side who are bound to be in demand after sweeping aside Colombia, Argentina , Germany and finally defeating Spain in the final. With Pompey already bring several high profile young players to Fratton Park and with Gaydamak wanting to get the new Pompey Academy off to a good start these could be ideal times for Kanu to use some of his influence to help Pompey land some of these promising starlets. However these flying Super Eagles are already bring tracked by other clubs, Spurs are said to be interested in Macauley Christanus who finished top scorer in the under 17's World Cup. Talking to The News Samuel Okoronkwo said "I have spoken before about what he can do for Portsmouth because of his influence in Africa. "There is plenty of talent there. We have seen that with Nigeria winning the junior World Cup. "They have all been on the phone speaking to Kanu since they won the competition. There is every chance some of these players will end up playing in England. "But at the moment I think it is teams like Manchester United and Liverpool who are interested in them. "These are outstanding players. It shows you the kind of influence Kanu can have for Portsmouth" Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 13 2007, 11:16 PM by Pompey News Filed under: Portsmouth, Kanu, Academy

• Rooney admits England performances lacking

  Wayne Rooney has admitted that his performances for England have been below par, the England striker hasnt scored for England in over 1000 hours of matches, when he still played for Everton.  However the popular Manchester United player has not appeared in an England shirt for almost seven months and is vowing to get back on the scoresheet for England against Estonia this weekend. "I could have done more for England. When I first started playing for England I did really well but for the last couple of years I haven't been as good as I can be." Rooney told The Mirror "I know that. Now I just want to get playing for England again and scoring and help us qualify for the Euros." While the player has had a series of injuries, Rooney isnt using those as excuses "I don't want to talk about the injuries I've had. If you are fit enough to go on the pitch you've got to take the praise and the criticism, otherwise you shouldn't be there." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 12 2007, 07:35 AM by Community Server Filed under: Manchester United, England, Wayne Rooney

• Redknapp blames modern culture for lack of English talent

  Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp thinks the current lack of good talented English youth players is not due to clubs not giving English players a go prefering to import them from abroard but the talent just isnt there.  He blames modern culture where kids stay in playing games consoles and not outside playing football like kids of previous generations.  "I'm fed up with managers being made scapegoats for the state of our domestic game," he said in his column for The Sun. "The English working class is turning its back on football - and that is not my fault. "I do have a lot of foreign players at Portsmouth but believe me I'd love nothing more than to field a team of 11 so-called 'home-grown' lads born within the city limits. "But it has become harder and harder to find enough kids of the kind of quality required to make the grade without buying an air ticket." Redknapp added: "It may sound old and corny but when I was growing up, working class lads like me in the east end lived and breathed football. "Now I rarely see a kickabout in the park. All I see are the dazzling lights of bedroom windows from the glare of TVs and computers. It seems football cannot compete with an X-Box." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 11 2007, 08:38 AM by Pompey News Filed under: Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp, England

• Kaka : I would love to play for Manchester United

  While the Brazilan midfielder Kaka has stated he has no plans to leave the Italian giants AC Milan, he has said that he would only leave for a big club in England or Spain, top of his list was Manchester United. "I'm very happy at Milan - and I don't expect that situation to change," the 25-year-old told Esquire magazine. "But if you want to talk hypothetically, if I were ever to leave it would have to be for a club of equal stature - and I think I would only find that in England or Spain. "Manchester United are a wonderful side, I like Arsenal too. "As for Chelsea and Liverpool, they are more tactically-oriented; they base themselves on solidity and organisation. They are maybe less creative, but they have good managers. I especially admire (Rafa) Benitez." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 11 2007, 08:27 AM by Community Server Filed under: Manchester United

• Kallon fails to impress Redknapp

  The former Monaco forward Mohamed Kallon has left Fratton Park after being on trial for the last week. The out of contract 28 year old appeared in the 2-2 reserve team against Aston Villa along side David Nugent and did well. Steve Bruce had already taken a look at him at Birmingham but decided against a deal but after concerns over a work permit Kallon was not offered a deal. Even though Harry has been reported as wanting another striker he felt that there was not enough difference between what he already had to make an offer. Talking to The News Harry Redknapp said "We were just having a look at him. He's out of contract so it was worth a go. "He trained with us all week and played a reserve game and he did all right. But we're not going to take it any further. "He's a good player, but we've got Benji, Kanu and Nugent at the moment and they're all doing well and scoring goals for us. "For someone to come in he's got to be better than them, he's got to improve us or give us something different. "So we wont be following that one up and he's gone. I'm pleased with the strikers we've got already." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 10 2007, 06:11 PM by Pompey News Filed under: Portsmouth, Trialist

• Linvoy’s injury woes continue

  Pompey defender Linvoy Primus has suffered another setback in recovering from his knee injury and has today travelled to London to see a specialist. Primus who has been expected to return to first team action in recent weeks after surgery in the summer to fix his knee problem. However this setback will cause him to see further medical advice before returning. In common with most Pompey fans Redknapp wants Linvoy back in the squad. Head physio Gary Sadler told The News: "It's a real setback, Linvoy was doing so well. "While he is playing there is no discomfort, that's not the problem - it's just afterwards that he's been feeling it. "He explains it as feeling edgy and not normal and says he cannot get any power in his left leg. "It's actually a different area of the knee so it's not the old problem, fortunately that seems to have been corrected. "It would actually have been more of a setback if the old injury had recurred." Fratton Park boss Redknapp added: "Linvoy has a problem at the moment with his knee, it still doesn't feel right and is nowhere near. "He's struggling to play and has gone to see another specialist to get a look at it. "We just want him back playing again."   Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 10 2007, 01:57 PM by Pompey News Filed under: Injuries, Linvoy Primus, Portsmouth

• Cristiano Ronaldo talks up Manchester United's chance of Champions League Final

  Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is playing up his teams chances of reaching this seasons Champions League final saying the club has a capability and the desire to go all the way to the finals in Moscow next May. "Manchester United is the favourite (for the Champions League). Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter also have good chances," said Ronaldo, who also revealed a long-time desire to succeed at international level after finishing fourth at last year's World Cup in Germany. "We want to reach the final at the very least. I am extremely ambitious and want to win every title. "I especially want to win the World Cup. For Portugal to get fourth place in Germany last year was not a failure." Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 10 2007, 08:28 AM by Community Server Filed under: Manchester United, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo

• Benjani sets goal target

  Benjani has astounded Pompey fans this with his recent goal tally of six goals in six starts this evening, now he will surprise Pompey fans even more stating he wants to score over 15 goals this season. The Zimbabwean striker netted again against Fulham yesterday, and is currently joint top of the Premier League goal scoring charts with Arsenal Emmanuel Adebayor, and has already scored in six games the same number of goals as his entire tally last season. Talking to The News Benjani said "My target is between 10 and 15 goals. But anything else above 15 will be a bonus for me and the manager. "All of the strikers need to score goals to help the club do well and I am heading to that "If I keep scoring, I have the confidence back and I am a confidence player. I'm very happy. "If you are a striker sometimes if you hit the ball hard enough and you are lucky it goes into the net and that's what happened yesterday even though it took a deflection. "I now have six but I don't play attention to the goal charts. As long as the team wins I know I will follow the leaders. "The quality in the team now is different. Everyone is willing to play and willing to work hard so it's much easier for us up front "Now we can play the ball around and it helps me score. I now want to keep doing that" Del.icio.us | Digg It | Technorati | Blinklist | Furl | reddit Posted Oct 08 2007, 08:00 PM by Pompey News