Doesn’t the saying go….’ a good player doesn’t always make a good manager?’ From what we saw of Alan Shearer’s brief stint in charge of Newcastle, it’s a saying which could well be applied to the Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorer. Although maybe I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, as that statement is a rather premature. Yes Shearer’s first foray into management was a failure, but he was thrown in at the deep end at a time when Newcastle were in a desperate state, so they turned to their favourite son to try and save them. However 5 points from a possible 24 and relegation doesn’t give Shearer the best looking managerial CV should he want to step back into management in the future.
Management is still something on Shearer’s to do list, but how many teams would be willing to offer a man of Shearer’s managerial experience an opportunity? After Sam Allardyce was sacked by Blackburn, Shearer’s name was mooted as a potential candidate for the position. This could mean that due to his reputation the opportunities could be there for him to walk into a job in the Premiership or Championship in the future. However I should mention that his links with Blackburn were a large contributing factor to his name being linked with the vacant manager’s position. Shearer has set his sights high regarding any potential return to management as this quote on NUFC blog confirms, “I would seriously consider going back into football, but it would have to be right. It’s imperative that you have a chance of success at your first job. That’s what I would be looking for.”
What type of success Shearer is referring to is down to assumption, it could be winning trophies or gaining promotions, but I sense Shearer is expecting to go straight in at the top. Which I suppose should be expected from a man who has spent his entire playing career at the very top of his profession. As I alluded to in my opening gambit, it doesn’t always work like that though, and I think Shearer would benefit from following the example set by his fellow Geordie Lee Clark. Clark has started his management career in League One with Huddersfield Town, learning his trade in a lower league which has seen him blossom into a fine manager.
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I can’t help but think, irrespective of what Shearer has said about the possibility of stepping back into management full time, that it will never happen for him. The tidy pay packet he receives from the BBC for sitting on their sofa, in one of his shocking shirts, is surely a way of life whichwould take a special job offer to draw him away. Then I think, what club hunting for success would offer a pretty much untried manager a shot? Has Shearer potentially missed his chance in management by not keeping Newcastle in the Premier League in 2009? You can rest assured that if he had kept Newcastle up that year he would have been installed as the permanent manager for the following season.
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Under the current ownership Shearer can forget any chance of a return to St James’ Park in a managerial capacity. So is he better off sticking to his punditry? Well let’s be honest, Shearer isn’t the most charismatic of people and his punditry shows very little enthusiasm when compared to, say Jamie Redknapp, but he seems to be doing something right. So why would he want to change the cushy number he currently has sitting on the Match of the Day sofa for a dugout? I can’t see Shearer being offered the desirable job he appears to want and as time goes on I think he will become more and more content in his TV role, so maybe the management game is over for Shearer before it started.
Palmeiras defeated Atletico Paranaense 1-0 on Saturday to take the lead in Brazil’s Serie A, while Fluminense and Figueirense also won.Visitors Atletico held Palmeiras goalless into the second half at Estadio Paulo Machado de Carvalho.
But their task became harder when defender Romulo received his marching orders just before the hour mark.
And the hosts made their advantage count, with defensive midfielder Chico netting the winning goal 15 minutes from time.
Elsewhere on Saturday, a brace from striker Rafael Moura helped Fluminense win 2-1 at home over Cruzeiro.
Moura put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange.
Cruzeiro levelled through forward Anselmo Ramon on 68 minutes, but parity lasted just three minutes before Moura struck again to complete his double and secure all three points for Flu.
Botafogo earned a point with a 2-2 draw away to Ceara.
The visitors led through a goal from midfielder Elkeson on 28 minutes, before Osvaldo and then Michel struck to make it 2-1 to hosts Ceara.
But an equaliser from defender Antonio Carlos 15 minutes from time saw Botafogo escape with a share of the spoils.
Finally, two goals in five second-half minutes from forward Heber and defender Edson Silva saw Figueirense win 2-0 at home to Atletico Goianiense.
All the talk around the Emirates this week has been about players leaving the Gunners with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy continually linked with a move away. Theo Walcott has suggested that a long of players have grown restless and could be looking to move on this summer.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Gunners blogs that include Lee Dixon’s exclusive interview; why Wenger should learn a valuable lesson from 1998, while Sam Eto’o would be a good fit at Arsenal.
We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week.
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VIDEO: Lee Dixon talks to Football FanCast about all things Arsenal
Why Arsene Wenger should learn a valuable lesson from 1998
What to do with Gervinho and Eboue’s silence is puzzling
Caption Competition: RVP identifies his own Arsenal transfer target
Why Arsene Wenger shouldn’t look to cross the divide this transfer window
Samuel Eto’o to Arsenal? Not a bad fit
A Fabregas/Villa swap deal for Arsene Wenger to consider?
A case of ‘one more year’ for Cesc Fabregas
Does the fixture list have a bearing on who will win the Premier League title?
Udinese star set to snub Arsenal for Liverpool
*Best of WEB*
For every Wilshere, there are more Bentleys! – Highbury House
The Future is Bright – Online Gooner
Exclusive: We beat United, City, Spurs, Liverpool + Chelsea at something… but what? – Le Grove
The Arsenal Civil War. – A Cultured Left Foot
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Should Arsenal meet Samba’s £12M price-tag? – Gunnersphere
Click on Mikel Arteta’s lady to unveil our WAG XI of the season
Well it’s another transfer window, and thus it seems Carlos Tevez might be changing football clubs. It was ever thus. However, with a move to Corinthians looking very likely/quite likely/it’s been called off/it’s back on/Kia wants £4m, as long as everything can be wrapped up before the Brazilian transfer window slams shut on Thursday morning, the cynicism over his motives should have diluted somewhat, a move to Brazil leaving him a mere 2400 miles from his family.
His possible exit will be a blow to City, but it will not be the end of the world, and his exit will only confirm what everyone knew would happen at some point – Tevez was never going to stay five years or more at City.
So how do you replace a player involved in 43% of his team’s goals? How do you replace 53 goals in 86 appearances? Well the most obvious answer is that you don’t. You adapt, and play differently, so that others are given the opportunity to contribute more. But with Tevez it is not just about goals. His work rate cannot be bettered, and whatever is happening off the pitch, he never gives less than 100% on it. There are not many players you can say that about. The work-rate he has showed leading the line would be a loss to any team. On the rare occasions he came off the bench, his energy and determination lifted the team almost immediately without exception.
It is the way of football fans to re-write history after a player joins or leaves. Thus so many Arsenal fans have written off Clichy as a liability, in the same way many will understate Tevez’s contribution should he leave. That would be foolish – his exit would be a blow to City, there’s no denying that, but he will be replaced, and the team will move on. He is not the ultimate player, and City are far from a one-man team.
Like many great strikers, Tevez can be rather selfish. He also took penalties, (averagely, in my opinion, but few seem to agree with me on that – Balotelli takes a far better one, and Tevez missed a penalty as Argentina crashed out of the Copa America this week) which helped the goal count, and I think I am right in saying City got more penalties than any other Premiership team last season.
Interestingly, he does not seem to affect results much. Stats only tell half a story of course, but with him in City’s team, they won 52% of matches. Without him, they won 50%. Not a big difference, unlike when De Jong is in or out of the starting eleven, though two seasons and only the odd injury are not long enough to give comprehensive results.
As for team morale, I can only see it being a good thing. I don’t like to take rumours as fact, but it was reported in a few newspaper reports that some City players were fed up of him and his attitude. As I said, it might be true, it might not, but when you see the excellent videos put up on the official site it is clear that there is a great camaraderie amongst a lot of the players – but not Tevez. I guess him speaking the same language would have helped. And there cannot be a City fan on earth who thought he should be captain – now it will surely go to the right person – Vincent Kompany. Either way, the club will be better off without the contstant speculation surrounding the player.
City got a taste of life without Tevez after he hobbled off against Liverpool in April of this year. And their great form in the run-in, claiming an FA Cup along the way, showed that they can cope already without him. It was Tevez who lifted the cup, but it was others who propelled City towards the finishing line, Balotelli shining brighter than most. As Patrick Vieira said this week, “the players will take more responsibilities on their shoulders and that will make them better players.” However, when/if Tevez leaves, a replacement will be bought – Mancini will not settle for what he already has.
Continued on Page TWO
The obvious replacement seems to be Kun Agüero, who the Mirror newspaper claim is prepared to take a pay cut to come to City, as he earns a huge amount at Atletico Madrid – with the British tax system, City would have to offer him £240,000 a week for him to come out with the same money as he does now. The similarities between the two players are many – similar height, same nationality, same positions on the pitch, but it would not quite be a complete like-for-like switch. However, he certainly seems to be of similar pedigree – he has superb control, is great like Tevez at control in tight positions and at spinning away with the ball, is two-footed, and more of a traditional centre forward, though one journalist suggested he would be better at coming deep. Agüero also has four years on Tevez, so should not yet have reached his peak, and will have a re-sale value. Agüero has something of Romário, a capacity to create in the most difficult circumstances,” Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid’s sporting director has said. “He has no fear.”
“He has the ability to make scoring look very easy” Ossie Ardiles has said. “He is very sharp, quick around the box, give him one yard and, with his pace, he will put the ball in the back of the net.” And what’s more, he wants to play in England.
In their second seasons at the club, Dzeko and Balotelli should become better players and will take up the mantle. For the first time they will have a full pre-season at City, and this should help their cause. For all their injury worries, the crazy antics of Balotelli and the slow start of Dzeko, they still chipped in with 16 goals between them.
It has been said that Dzeko performs better as part of a front two. Part of his problem (though he needs to settle and control the ball better for starters) is that he didn’t really link up too well with Tevez. As a supposedly superb header of the ball, he could be better served with some service from out wide. As for Balotelli, whilst he might not yet have the explosive power of Tevez, he can become one of the best strikers in the world, if he applies himself. Whilst Mancini might play two up front at times at home, it seems likely his preferred 4-2-3-1 will still be used more often, with Aguero (should he sign) at the top, especially away from home. Balotelli can drift wide, but Dzeko will not be as flexible.
Goals are not just about strikers of course. Next season, the slack will hopefully be taken up by the midfield players, who have the capacity to contribute more goals. David Silva is a truly wonderful player, but his only weakness seems to be in front of goal. Yaya Toure chipped in with a more than acceptable tally of goals (10, and a couple of rather important ones to boot), Adam Johnson weighed in with a fair few as a super-sub, but elsewhere there were slim pickings from the likes of Barry (2) and Milner (1). De Jong can of course be excused from this particular discussion.
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What’s more, Premiership winning teams have not historically had to have an out and out goal scorer in their ranks to be successful – more often than not the goals are spread out amongst the team. Manchester United won more trophies after the departure of scoring-machine Van Nistelrooy, and seem rather unconcerned as to whether their top scorer of last season stays or goes, having dropped him for the run-in last season. Arsenal’s top scorer is injury-prone and Chelsea’s reaching the twilight of his career, so all of the big clubs will have to adapt over the coming seasons in what is truly a squad game.
Whilst the stats suggest there is no downside to having a player like Tevez, when the goals are concentrated too heavily on one player it can often cause its own problems – too often the ball may go towards Tevez rather than a potentially better option, in the same way that a team with a very tall striker have to fight the urge to lump it up to him at every available opportunity. With no stand-out striker on the pitch (ie one that is far outscoring everyone else) there is a greater chance for an all-round team performance, and a greater variety of play. With Mancini looking at the likes of Nasri and Aguero, it is hoped that City will have a more fluid system, an exciting prospect.
Some of the points above might sound like the aforementioned re-writing of history, like trying to claim Tevez isn’t really that important a player. Far from it. As I have said, he will be a big loss. He will be difficult to replace, very difficult, and any new players, however good they may be, will inevitably require a bedding-in period. However, this week I have been praying that the Tevez deal to Corinthians deal goes through, the exact opposite of what I should logically be feeling. I feel that City and Tevez have reached a point of no-return, a point where it suits neither side for him to remain at the club, a point where it is best to get rid and move on. History might prove otherwise, but the endless transfer rumours revolving around the player benefits no one, and perhaps the time has come to accept that he won’t be a Manchester City player next season. And whatever happens, City will adapt and be expected to challenge for the title next season, in what should be a fascinating title race for a number of teams.
The Los Angeles Galaxy suffered just their third defeat of Major League Soccer season on Wednesday, losing 3-0 at the Portland Timbers.The Western Conference-leading Galaxy arrived at Jeld-Wen Field unbeaten in their last 14 MLS matches, a record stretching back to a 2-1 loss away to Dallas on May 2.
Aiming to tie the franchise record of 15 consecutive matches without defeat, the Galaxy were buoyed by the return of David Beckham from suspension.
By contrast, MLS debutants Portland had managed just one win in their last 10 matches.
They were without captain Jack Jewsbury to a strained hamstring, while centre-forward Eddie Johnson withdrew concussed after being struck in the head with a ball during the warm-up.
But despite the odds seemingly being stacked in the Galaxy’s favour, they could find no answer to a rampant Portland side.
The hosts took a deserved lead 24 minutes into the match through Mike Chabala.
The defender, who only joined from Houston on July 21, exchanged a one-two with Darlington Nagbe, finding space in the box before beating LA goalkeeper Josh Saunders with a crisp strike.
Colombian striker Jorge Perlazza made it 2-0 nine minutes later, sliding in ahead of Galaxy defender AJ DeLaGarza to convert Diego Chara’s cross.
And defender Eric Brunner headed home Salvatore Zizzo’s corner in the 67th minute to secure a memorable 3-0 victory for the Timbers.
Galaxy remain top of the Western Conference, but are only three points ahead of second-placed Dallas, who have a game in hand over the league leaders.
Portland are seventh, one point ahead of San Jose and 10 clear of last-placed Vancouver.
In other matches on Wednesday, the Philadelphia Union were held 1-1 in their match away to the Chicago Fire.
Visitors Union had led at half-time courtesy of Veljko Paunovic’s 34th-minute goal, but had to settle for a point following Pavel Pardo’s equaliser nine minutes into the second half.
Philadelphia, second in the Eastern Conference, are two points behind Columbus Crew, but have played one match fewer than the leaders.
Chicago are down in eighth, level on points with bottom side Toronto.
Finally, first-half goals from Roger Espinoza and Teal Bunbury helped Sporting Kansas City see off Real Salt Lake 2-0.
Kansas held out to record a clean sheet and the win, despite losing goal-scorer Espinoza to a straight red card with 33 minutes still to play.
The defeat leaves Salt Lake fifth in the Western Conference, while Kansas are fourth in the East, four points off the Crew.
Kenny Dalglish may have to sell before he can buy if he wishes to make further additions to the squad this summer. Damien Comolli hinted that further funds need to be generated by clearing some of the dead wood at Anfield.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include great expectations at Anfield; Kenny missing a transfer trick, while Liverpool pay the price for their past failings.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
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VIDEO – The ‘Greatest’ Premier League Goals Ever?
Liverpool and Tottenham paying high price for transfer failings
Is the financial burden worth the risk?
Great Expectations at Liverpool?
Do local councils do enough for their football clubs?
Are Liverpool missing a transfer trick here?
Liverpool weighing up £5m bid for Spaniard
Liverpool should no longer fear his absence
One of Liverpool’s strangest pre-seasons in years
*Best of Web*
LFC Season Preview 2011/12 – This is Anfield
It’s too early to judge if Liverpool have overspent on their summer signings – Anfield Opinion
How To Survive Preseason Friendlies – Tomkins Times
The Lyon Duo I would like to see at Anfield – Live4Liverpool
Liverpool are building a better future – BBC
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Click on Miss Suric below to see her in all here glory
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is surprised by Asamoah Gyan’s decision to leave Wearside to sign for United Arab Emirates club Al Ain, and has stated that the striker has no future at the club.
Speculation has shrouded the African frontman’s future over the last month despite The Black Cats’ lack of attacking options, and Bruce has revealed that Gyan went back on his word.
“I had a conversation with him 48 hours ago and he assured me, he shook my hand, that he wanted to be a Sunderland player, wanted to see the season, wanted to go the African Nations again in good form, wanted to work on his fitness levels then all of a sudden within a few hours it seems things have changed,” he told Sky Sports after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Bruce was astonished by Gyan’s decision to leave, especially given his destination and has admitted the forward is not welcome back to the Stadium of Light.
“Other people can make their own conclusions. You leave the biggest and best league in the world to go play in the United Arab Emirates. I’m sorry but sometimes football, sometimes it’s baffling to say the least. Very disappointed in the timing of it, the whole thing has left a bad taste if I’m being honest.
“I don’t believe he’s got a future here, I don’t think he can. You can’t leave this club and want to leave and want to go the United Arab Emirates and we’re going to welcome you back with open arms, I can’t see it but you never know,” he continued.
The news is a blow for Sunderland, especially after their defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, with Bruce not happy with his defence.
“They (Chelsea) were excellent in possession of the ball. We found it very difficult to get after them, which we did and we did valiantly to keep at it and stick at it, but when we got it we gave it away too cheaply.
“For all that good possession that they had, they haven’t really carved us open, they don’t have to do much for both goals really so that’s disappointing,” he concluded.
Sunderland’s next game is against Stoke at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and with only two points from four games so far this term the home fans will be keen to see their side get a win.
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Tottenham are still interested in signing Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao after failing to prise him away from Internacional in the summer, the Metro understands.
Boss Harry Redknapp was keen to bring the 22-year-old to White Hart Lane during the transfer window as he sought to strengthen his attacking options.
He has since signed Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City but still has a spot open in his squad for a striker after letting Peter Crouch move to Stoke and Robbie Keane leave for LA Galaxy of the MLS.
Damiao was the subject of a £15 million move by Spurs during the summer, but the North London side aren’t prepared to pay anywhere near that amount when the window re-opens at the start of 2012.
They hope that a package made up of a significantly lower fee and a number of incentive-based payments will be enough to tempt Internacional into selling the striker.
However, their has also been protracted interest from Barcelona and Spurs could have a huge battle on their hands if the La Liga giants decide to enter the race for Damiao’s signature.
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Bids from both clubs will hinge on whether the South American club lower their demands for Damiao, with their current price tag considered too steep by both Redknapp and Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola.
The John Terry race row shows no sign of ending anytime soon as the FA have demanded that SKY hand over unseen footage of the incident in last Sunday’s game. The FA has also called on both Anton Ferdinand and John Terry to reveal their version of events before delivering their verdict.
Elsewhere in the news Kenny Dalglish calls Luis Suarez a real ambassador for Liverpool; Emmanuel Adebayor reveals he has no regrets, while Mancini welcomes criticism from Mark Hughes.
Villas-Boas an unmovable rock for Terry –Guardian
Suárez an ambassador for club, says Dalglish – Guardian
Sky hand unseen footage of Terry and Ferdinand clash to FA – Daily Mail
Chelsea ‘want Cavani as their new Drogba’ (with video) – Mirror
Heurelho tells ’Arry: Let me Go home! – Sun
Dzudovic urges Rooney leniency – Guardian
Bramble charged with sex assault – Daily Telegraph
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Warnock has talent to take on England job, says Redknapp – Independent
Arsenal ramp up interest in Fiorentina’s £20m Jovetic – Daily Mail
A Demba Ba hat-trick at the Britannia Stadium on Monday night gave Newcastle a deserved 3-1 win over Stoke.
The result lifts Newcastle up into third place in the Premier League standings, and continues the Tyneside club’s unbeaten start to the season.
The Senegal international scored a brace in the first half, before Jonathan Walters converted a penalty in the second period to bring Tony Pulis’ men back into the tie.
However, Ba completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes with a penalty of his own, and made it six wins and four draws from Newcastle’s first ten games of the season.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew was understandably delighted with his team after winning the tricky fixture.
“We spoke before the game that on a pitch like this you’re going to get a lot of balls in your box and you have to defend them and we did as a team tonight, tremendous spirit,” Pardew told Sky Sports.
“I thought both penalties were a bit soft actually, but when it keeps going in there it’s a tough decision for the referee. Everyone is pushing and barging.
“I was a little bit disappointed in the second half that we didn’t control the game in the way that we should have. But you know the resilience of the team showed another side to us. We don’t get 22 points without having different sides to our game.
“No one’s won here. All the big teams have come and no one has won. It goes to show how good they are at what they do. Stoke had a strong wind behind them in the second half which helped them.
“They are a very, very good side and a side that we’ve got to beat at home if we can. They are a top team and will finish in the top ten.
“The disciplines we have in the team came through. We got a break here and there and we’ve ended up winning. We’re coming into a tough run of games, but we’re in a good position,” he concluded.
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Newcastle now take on Everton at St James’ Park on Saturday, and will hope to build on this excellent result.