Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder David Jones remains confident that he will be able to agree a new contract to extend his stay at Molineux beyond the end of the season.
The 25-year-old started the campaign with a superb free-kick strike in a 2-1 win over Stoke City, having seen talks over a new deal hit the buffers in recent weeks.
Jones told the Birmingham Mail:"I'd love to get it sorted.
"I live locally, five minutes from the training ground, I like the area, I like the club, the manager has told me he wants me to stay, so there's definitely a chance and I'm still optimistic.
"There are a few sticking points, but it's a long process – I don't think there's a major problem and hopefully it will get sorted.
"Playing like that, people might say it's a bargaining tool for the contract, but I always give 100 per cent anyway and I hope people saw that on Saturday.
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"Even though the contract talks were in the press the last few days, it hasn't affected me at all.
"It just makes me hungry to want to stay at this club. This club is going to progress."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sunderland have shown that they are serious about making an assault on the European places by completing a record deal for Ghanaian international striker Asamoah Gyan. The £13 million signing from Ligue 1 side Rennes was one of the stand-out performers in this summer’s World Cup as he led the Black Stars to a quarter-final tie against Uruguay which they lost in heartbreaking fashion.
Gyan’s eye-catching displays in South Africa will have left Sunderland fans relishing the prospect of seeing the Ghanaian form a deadly partnership with England striker Darren Bent. Like Bent, Gyan has an eye for foal. He scored in Ghana’s opening group fixtures against Serbia and Australia as well as an extra-time winner against the USA in their second round match-up. What was most impressive about Gyan’s performances in the World Cup is that he isn’t just a goalscorer. He was the focal-point of much of Ghana’s attacks. His mere presence in the team seemed to inspire confidence in the players as he could produce something out of nothing. And so it proved against the USA. He latched on to hopeful long ball from Kevin Prince Boateng, held off the challenge from defender Carlos Bocanegra and lashed a left-footed volley past Tim Howard in the USA goal.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has said he had been tracking Gyan for more than two years so he must have been familiar with Gyan’s ability prior to the World Cup. He started his career at Liberty Professionals in Accra who are famous for producing some of the nation’s top talent including Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and John Pantsil. Gyan’s potential was spotted early on by Serie A club Udinese who snapped up the 17 year old in 2003. Gyan’s move to Italy resulted in him being called up for the national side and he became his country’s youngest goalscorer at 17 when he scored for the Black Stars in a World Cup qualifier against Somalia in November 2003.
Gyan was loaned to Serie B outfit Modena for two years to gain some first-team experience and he scored 15 goals in 53 appearances for the club. After his two year stint in Modena, Gyan was ready for first-team action with Udinese and the Ghanaian forged a good understanding with Italian forward Fabio Quagliarella. While not as prolific as Quagliarella, Gyan contributed 10 goals in the 2006-2007 season to help Udinese finish 10th in Serie A. Despite sealing a long-term contract with the club, Gyan found himself frozen out at the club after his 2007-2008 campaign was plagued by injury and he was sold to Rennes for €8 million in the summer of 2008.
Last season at Rennes was Gyan’s most successful club season to date, with the forward scoring 13 goals in 27 appearances as Rennes finished 9th in the Ligue 1 standings.
When you look at the number of goals Gyan has got in his club career (50 goals in 156 appearances for 4 different clubs), it doesn’t seem all that impressive but once you start to analyse at his game, you start to realise his importance to the team is much more than his goals. He is a highly unselfish player who works hard for the team. He brings a subtlety of movement that will open up space for other attackers. This would be ideal for a player like Bent at Sunderland as he would thrive in the space that Gyan would create and get more shots in on goal.
With the signing of Gyan, Sunderland may possess one of the most explosive attacking duos in the Premier League. Gyan needs time to adapt to the pace and power of the Premier League but I doubt it would take him long. His signing for £13 million does represent a gamble on the part of manager Steve Bruce but I believe it is a gamble worth taking as Gyan has all the necessary tools to help Sunderland become a contender for a European spot in the not too distant future.
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Manchester United captain Gary Neville has suggested he has more respect for Liverpool than Manchester City and Chelsea.
Neville, 35, claims the history of United's bitter rivals commands more respect than any club "who throw a load of money" at success.
City have spent an estimated £120million on new players during a record-breaking summer transfer window at Eastlands.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's recent success has been bankrolled by the billions of Russian oligarch owner Roman Abramovich.
"When I was younger there was no doubt about it, I was a United fan and they (Liverpool) were winning everything and it was a horrible time," he said.
"Jealousy, hatred, passion for your own club, you don't want them to win anything and you don't like the people who're winning.
"I suppose it comes from jealousy through my childhood but I have more respect for them as a club in a sense of their tradition and their history than I do for some other clubs who've been coming on the scene in the last few years, throwing a load of money at it.
"Liverpool have got a good history, you have to hand it to them, and they've been successful."
Meanwhile, Neville has admitted he may not be cut out for the life of a football manager when he finally decides to hang up his boots.
"I am a bit too emotional to be a football manager," he explained.
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"If you look at Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, they are quiet, considered and patient. They are probably more suited to modern-day management.
"I am doing my 'A' licence as a matter of course. It is what you should do.
"But at this moment in time, I haven't quite got the aptitude for it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was in bullish mood despite seeing his side slip to 19th place in the table after a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat at Everton.
The Reds had hoped to gain a boost on the field following the recent change in ownership at Anfield, but their city rivals ensured that that did not happen.
However, Hodgson still saw plenty of reasons to be positive for the weeks and months ahead.
He told Sky Sports:"We suffered at the hands of an early onslaught which you invariably do at Goodison, but towards the end of the first half we started to even things out.
"From what I saw I thought we dominated the second half totally.
"I thought the shape of the team was good, the quality of our passing and movement was good.
"We didn't score goals and Everton did, but I refuse to accept that we were in any way outplayed or any way inferior.
"I watched the performance and the second half was as good as I have seen a Liverpool team play under my management, that is for sure.
"I don't think it is a crisis, I thought the way we played today was not the level of a team in the bottom three.
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"On the other hand it is six points from eight games and that is a very poor return.
"We need to start winning to climb the table and until we do the word 'crisis' will continue to be bandied around."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sunderland's Republic of Ireland winger Andy Reid has admitted that he may need to leave the Stadium of Light on loan in a bid to secure regular first-team football.
The 28-year-old is back to full fitness after a long-term calf injury, but has featured just three times as a substitute for the Black Cats this season.
Reid told the Northern Echo:"With me not starting games – I've come on for a few minutes here and there – I don't feel part of it.
"I want to be because the most important thing for me now is that I need games. I missed loads towards the end of last season, so now I'm at the stage where I really, really need games.
"I've played three reserve games, but with the greatest respect I'm 28 years of age and I don't really want to be playing reserve football every week.
"I need to play first-team games. I guess if I don't get a chance then maybe I need to get out and get some games in.
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"I need games and if it's not here, it's going to be somewhere else."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After Manchester United’s chief executive David Gill added his verdict on the clubs ambition, the saga surrounding the Red Devils has now officially gone full circle off the back of Wayne Rooney’s recent ‘stay or go’ debacle.
Seemingly not rocked by the news that United’s noisy neighbours, Man City, have overtaken them in the wages bill, Gill announced that when the time is right, Sir Alex Ferguson will still have the spending power once associated with the red half of Manchester.
To any United fan, though, this isn’t by any means a revelation. Ferguson has continuously insisted that when an opportunity arises which represents value for money he will look to spend. Sensibly, of course.
The worry for the Old Trafford faithful will be when this scenario presents itself. In a climate where among others, Man City’s owner, Sheikh Mansour, can throw money at any player he wants, will there ever be a player who can provide ‘value for money’ in the modern game?
During Roman Abramovich’s lavish spending stage when he first took over Chelsea, the estimation of a player doubled when Chelsea’s name was mentioned. United themselves bid a reported £10 million for Michael Essien, only for him to head towards London in a deal worth £20 million.
If this trend is to continue, Manchester United’s next big signing could be a long way off. Ferguson has become stubborn in the transfer market since the Premier League became a rich mans play-thing, and he isn’t likely to change that approach. His biggest signing since Dimitar Berbatov’s arrival in 2008 has been the £7 million capture of Hernandez and Bebe, with the latter yet to feature prominently in the first team.
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So does that go someway to proving Rooney’s point? Do United lack the clout in the transfer market to beat their rivals to the signing of the world’s next big star? Not according to Gill, that clout is still very much there, it’s just waiting to be used, properly.
The biggest argument Ferguson and Gill can mount is the silverware they have won since the Russian revolution at Chelsea. United beat them in the Champions League final lets not forget, and were only two points short of a record fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.
So is the chief executive doing his up most to hide the cracks in United’s crumbling empire or should fans stay loyal? Rooney staying is no doubt a massive boost and will be a huge relief to the supporters, but the likes of Paul Scholes and Van Der Sar will need replacing with some proven quality, not a Carlos Queiroz recommendation.
If United are to continue to be the number one club in Manchester then in the current game money talks and sooner rather than later Gill and co will have come good on their statements. What’s the common phrase? Put your money where mouth is. That time has come for United.
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Wigan Athletic winger Charles N’Zogbia is determined to leave the DW Stadium in January.
The French star, who has been in superb form this season, was on the verge of moving to Birmingham City in a £9million deal in the summer, only for the transfer to fall apart at the last minute over personal terms.
Liverpool, Juventus and Marseille have all been linked with N’Zogbia, who was quoted in the Daily Star as saying:“Wigan’s just a stepping stone.
“They know very well I’m not a player who is going to stay at the club.
“I give 100 per cent on the pitch, but, if there’s a bigger club that wants me, the manager and the president have always told me the door is open for discussion.
“An offer from Marseille is not something you refuse.”
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After last weekend’s goal-fest the Premier League faces the freezing temperatures once more.
Chelsea will be desperate to end the slump which has see them knocked off of their perch on top of the Premier League, and a game against struggling Everton could provide the perfect platform. Arsenal, who still remain in the mix, welcome Fulham.
The bottom two, Wolves and West Ham, both experienced wins last weekend, but both face tricky away ties this time around at Blackburn and Sunderland respectively.
Gerard Houllier returns to Anfield on Monday night with his struggling Aston Villa side to play a Liverpool side whose performances have improved dramatically of late. Manchester City will be hoping they can close the gap on third place, but they will face a tough game against this season’s surprise package Bolton who are unbeaten in five.
Congratulations if your fantasy team profited from the flurry of goals last week, but if it didn’t it’s even more important that you get it right this time around.
Click on image below to see my fantasy picks for this round of 11Kicks Fantasy Football (4-4-2 formation)
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2010 has been a sensational year for Tottenham Hotspur, qualifying for the Champions League and participating in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 1961/62. It has ended with them still being in the competition, winning their group after six thrilling games (8 if you include the qualifiers against Young Boys) including two pulsating ties against the European Champions. Added to this their exploits in Europe have so far not adversely affected their domestic form as they go into 2011 within touching distance of the Champions League place and, albeit it quite an ambitious and over strenuous touch, of the Premier League leaders. So here we give homage to the players who in particular have brought about this fantastic year. And give late Christmas presents to those selected to be part of the FootballFanCast.com Tottenham Hotspur Awards.
Player of 2010
I’m giving it to Luka Modric. I know the obvious choice is Gareth Bale, who by all accounts has had an exceptional year. But I just prefer watching Modric on the ball and think he really keeps the team ticking and always seems to know exactly what he’s doing with the ball at feet. He first thought and move is instinctively to go forward, he nearly always retains possession and looks composed, effortless and a class above. His contributions in the recent 10 men victories against Aston Villa and Newcastle United were phenomenal. The pass out to Hutton on the right for the opener against Villa scythed their defence apart and against Newcastle he rampaged up the pitch on the counter to unleash Bale to finish and secure the points. Added to this in the last ten minutes of the first half against Villa he led the master class of keep ball. Throughout the year he has been central to Tottenham’s attacking impetus and is also far less of a pushover than many originally expected in the centre of midfield.
Most Improved of 2010
This is the award Gareth Bale is taking home. Again I know it might be a bit controversial as the bulk of his improving was accomplished in the first three or so months of the year and indeed it was clear he had the talent all along. But to go from at the start of the year having not won a single Premier League match and being second choice left back, to at the end being possibly the most desired British talent in football and scoring a hat-trick in the San Siro is a remarkable turnaround. I say most of his improvement was done in the first few months as for me his standout performances of the year were in April against Arsenal and Chelsea where he instigated two vital victories on Tottenham’s journey to finishing fourth. He started the new season in equally scintillating form, catching a lot of media and public attention, and is the club’s joint top scorer for the season. Honourable mentions must also go to Younes Kaboul and Jermaine Jenas, who I’ve never really liked but has really impressed recently with a fantastic work rate.
Most Disappointing player of 2010
Robbie Keane takes it as has been unable to recapture his previous form that he showed for Tottenham since rejoining from Liverpool. He is now definitely the club’s fourth choice striker and will in all likelihood be shipped out in January. As his fall has come about so quickly it must be seen as a severe mistake to bring him back in the first place and as the highest paid player as well. Less than honourable mentions go to Giovani Dos Santos, who I was impressed with at the World Cup and genuinely thought could start to have an impact at the club. How wrong I was, his brief outings for the team have been distinctly unremarkable. Also Tottenham are still awaiting David Bentley to live up to a £16million transfer fee.
Most important signing of 2010
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I couldn’t ignore the contribution made by Rafael van der Vaart just because he has only been at the club for four months. In those four months he has been a revelation. And this award I think is not just specific to Tottenham or even the Premier League, globally his signing has been the best bit of football business of 2010.
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has high hopes signing Darren Bent will score on debut for the club against Manchester City on Saturday.
The French boss said the former Sunderland goal scorer has a knack of finding the back of the net when he starts afresh at clubs, and he is hopeful history can repeat on Saturday at Villa Park.
“Regarding his debut, all I can say is that he has a good habit, that when he starts somewhere, he scores,” Houllier said.
“Maybe a warning to Roberto Mancini and Manchester City, but if he starts, maybe he will score.”
Bent said he wanted to vindicate Villa’s decision to sign him for the sum of 18 million pounds.
“I want to help Villa get some points on the board. They are in a false position. They have shown great faith in me, which I’m very proud of,” Bent said.
City midfielder Adam Johnson said his side was still on track to challenge for the English Premier League title, despite their struggles in a grittty 4-2 win over Championship side Leicester in a FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday.
“We are improving week-in and week-out and I am sure there is a lot more to come. Sometimes the final passes have let us down but some of the football has been different class and it all seems to be clicking for us,” he said.
“We are getting better with each game. Every game we win is a step closer. Excitement is building now; all the lads can feel it. We just want matches to keep coming now. Hopefully, it will lead us to win one of the cup competitions or the Premier League.”
City are level with rivals Manchester United at the top of the table, but the Red Devils have two games in hand on Roberto Mancini’s men.
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It means City must continue picking up full points if they are to stay in the title race.
Villa will be hoping to avenge their 4-0 thumping at the hands of the Eastlands club in late December, but may not have to worry about the threat of another Mario Balotelli hat-trick.
The Italian teenager may miss a starting spot, with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko likely to trump him in the 11.