QPR chairman Tony Fernandes says that his side’s next Premier League campaign will be a more enjoyable and sensible one than their last.
The Super Hoops booked an immediate return to the stop tier on Saturday as they won the Championship play-off final at Wembley against Derby thanks to a late Bobby Zamora effort.
Harry Redknapp’s men were widely tipped to bounce back to the big time at the first time of asking, despite a disastrous 2012/13 campaign, which saw them finish rock-bottom of the division.
The club are also paying the price financially for the excesses of their foray into the Premier League, with their wage bill reportedly higher than that of La Liga champions and Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid.
Fernandes says that this time around things will be different thanks to the harsh lessons his club have learned:
“Hopefully we’ll have some fun next year in the Premier League,” he told talkSPORT.
“It was great to see the kind of spirit we’ve cultivated in the club at Wembley, to see that passion from the team and the fans, it’s something I’ve always dreamed about.
“We learned so much last time [in the Premier League], you’re always learning really because even the big clubs make horrendous mistakes.
“We’re a lot smarter now and it’s been good for us down in the Championship, we’ve taken stock and been able to get the culture of the club right.
“We’re going to careful in the transfer market this time, we’re not going to rush into things. We’ve learned a lot [financially].
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“We want to build the right culture at the club and bring in the right type of player and we want guys who are going to run and run and run.
“Derby showed that in the final, they had loads of young guys running around non-stop and causing a lot of problems for us. But experience also counts, you need to find a balance of both.”
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when football shifted away from heroes on the pitch to mercenaries and those who were very much getting paid to do a ‘job.’
It’s also hard to think of who the stars of today are that will have bronze statues of themselves put up on the front lawn of some flash stadium. The statues that are up now are reminders of legends of the game, those who chased something more than a pay increase and many who stuck by their clubs.
The game seems to be filtering out the last few remnants of yesterday, only to be replaced by those who know their current position is a stepping stone to somewhere else. Everyone talks about playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona, as if there is no real preference for either. But where are the Matt Le Tissiers who turned away from the tempting advances of those a few steps up the ladder? Who are the current players that will remain captains of their teams from an early age such as Tony Adams and stay on to help oversee the newcomers who need to be taught the traditions of a club?
It’s all very well cheering for the big names that come through door, the transfers which were no doubt sensationalised with a background of fireworks as the mark of something new. But it never quite does it in the way that sports is supposed to. There’s no connection between supporters and players anymore. There remains an iron gate separating the two, as if worlds apart is something normal.
Some Americans talk about the joy they get out of watching college sports over the professional leagues. College basketball and football in America can garner equal levels of interest in some states as the NBA or NFL, yet there’s little in the way of money hungry mercenaries out for their own glory. The step up to the next level and to the major leagues takes focus for many of the best college athletes, and that’s natural, but it’s surprising what happens when you take money out of the equation and make it just about sports.
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That’s not to say fans don’t want a little slice of glamour, something that draws them to a stadium on a Saturday afternoon. But those aren’t heroes, not in the way they once were. It’s hard to find a role model in the game, with many taking actions that remind you what’s happened to the sport.
For clubs like Arsenal, for example, Robin van Persie is the type of player that should have become legendary in the eyes of many. So many have seen the pictures of him in an Arsenal shirt during his youth, while even more could not escape the idea of Dennis Bergkamp passing on the torch. But van Persie arrived at the peak of his powers in a time where money has seemingly taken the joy out of the game and replaced it with something that doesn’t quite sit right.
If it wasn’t enough that people are unlikely to look at footballers in the way they once did, it becomes another problem that there isn’t really any room for the everyday supporter. While players on the pitch are in another world, the gates to the stadiums are being manned by individuals demanding two-week’s wages to see a group of performers for whom there is no connection.
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It’s incredibly difficult to find a comfortable place in the modern game with the direction money has taken it. Yes there are some short-term joys from football, but how many times do the majority of fans look to a time when the game seemed a little more simple, right across the board? The advancements in many aspects make the game safer for fans and players, yet it still doesn’t hold that same spark when you’re questioning a player’s performances. Is it for the club or himself? There’s always another motive for success of any kind and the desire to be somewhere better.
Everyone will remember the great moments of the recent Premier League years; the titles that were captured in breathtaking fashion, the goals that will forever be shown in a highlights package on ITV4 and the greats that glided across our fields. But are the modern greats legends for the fans in the real sense of the meaning? Not because that player who was around for two-years scored against your rival in his only appearance, but for the genuine bond he had with the club and supporters.
Fans never forget their place in the game and their role, but for players we’ve been cruelly reminded that for the large majority it is just a job. Not celebrations, just turning up and earning your pay.
This summer could be a crucial one for Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka as he attempts to shape a promotion-winning side.The former Middlesbrough boss took charge at the City Ground in January, and even though he had a transfer window to work with, this will be the first time that he can hunt make big changes to his team.[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]Forest fell short last season as they ended up finishing 22 points adrift of the top six and 12 above the relegated trio of Barnsley, Burton Albion and Sunderland.Karanka will have plenty of work to do in order to take Forest to the next level, and it seems that they may have to find a replacement for Ben Osborn.According toÂThe Chronicle,ÂNewcastle manager Rafael Benitez is keen on the 23-year-old midfielder, who is incredibly versatile on the pitch.Osborn can play anywhere across the middle of the park, and can also feature as a left-back when required.The Derby-born player has not always had the best relationship with Forest fans, and some have posted criticism of him on social media following reports that he could be heading towards the exit door.Others, though, have shown Osborn support.
West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Pardew has revealed that Arsenal are yet to put an acceptable offer on the table for Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans.
Evans was strongly linked with a move away from West Brom during the summer, with Manchester City said to be interested in the former Manchester United defender.
Arsenal are now believed to lead the race as the Gunners attempt to boost their squad before the January transfer window closes next week.
Pardew has claimed that West Brom would be prepared to sell Evans ‘if the price is right’.
However, the Baggies boss has insisted that Arsenal – nor any other club – have submitted an offer which meets the club’s value of the centre-back.
Pardew told reporters:
“The Arsenal deal is paper talk, someone has released that and it’s not true. Jonny is still at the football club and we’ve not had a bid put to us which is anywhere near acceptable.
“We might sell if the price is right. We’ve had a couple of enquiries of what we would be looking for, and the answer has been ‘we’re not gonna tell you’.
“You make a bid and you’ll get some gauge. We don’t really want to sell Jonny but we’ll see.”
Evans, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is fast closing on 100 appearances for West Brom following a move from Man United in the summer of 2015.
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The 30-year-old is contracted to the Baggies until the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
It’s hard to believe that a little under ten years ago Manchester City were somewhat a yo-yo side, with the Citizens dipping in and out of the Premier League and truly existing in the shadow of their great rivals, United.
But as the 2014 Capital One Cup Final approaches, they have the chance to win their third piece of major silverware in just four years, a record that would’ve seemed a little far-fetched at the turn of the Millennium.
What a journey it has been. There have been highs and lows throughout City’s rise to become a genuine European force, with botched takeovers, failed signings and last minute league-winning goals making every day at the Etihad Stadium noteworthy.
To an extent the birth of the City we now have occurred in 2007, as former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took over the club in a big money deal. The Asian billionaire had grand plans, and after installing Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager and ploughing £45m into the first-team squad, all looked rosy. However the financial power could not address the issues the team had, and midtable finish was all their Swedish boss could muster.
This was greeted with yet more spending and another new manager in the shape of Mark Hughes, who had been impressing with Blackburn. ‘Sparky’ was give free rein of the club’s chequebook, and although he snapped up Vincent Kompany for £5m – which has proven to be one of the very best bits of transfer business in recent English football history – the majority of the arrivals at the club were slightly underwhelming in the summer of 2008. Shaun Wright-Phillips – a former club idol – and Tal Ben Haim were other notable signings, but neither truly set the world alight.
Despite this, there was a real sense of optimism as the season got underway, with Hughes having the experience and the know-how to make City genuine contenders for European qualification. But then came turmoil. Shinawatra’s fortune had been seized and all was not well with the owner. Failed attempts to secure added funding and the fact that his own bankrolling of City had become impossible led to calls for his head, and frustration from the fans.
The Citizens’ supporters had seen many false dawns through the years, and were forgiven for fearing for the worse when Shinawatra’s woes were revealed. So it was almost met with joy from supporters of other clubs when they were saved from the brink by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
At the time the extent of their wealth was unclear, with some predicting that they were merely another set of flash in the pan owners. But their intentions were made clear with attempted deals for the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, David Villa and Mario Gomez. Although this trio escaped the club’s grasp, they did break the then British transfer fee record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m – even though he was on the verge of joining Chelsea.
This was followed by news that the principal owner of Sheikh Mansour’s personal fortune was estimated to be around £17billion, and that his family’s true wealth went north of $1trillion. It was now clear that City meant business.
There was no dirge of silverware however, but as the club dismissed Hughes and brought in Roberto Mancini, while paying big money for top players, the wheels were in motion for, arguably, the most exciting moment in Premier League history during 2012.
After winning the FA Cup the previous year, the focus switched to Premier League dominance, and after leading for much of the season a late wobble had handed local rivals United the advantage. If you missed what happened against QPR on the final day of the campaign you must have been living under a rock for the past few years, but we’ll just refresh your memory. Sergio Aguero. The Argentine netted deep into injury time to make it 3-2 and steal the title on goal difference, from an already celebrating United side.
The bubble burst to an extent as Mancini was given his marching orders at the end of last season after they surrendered their league crown to Fergie’s side and slipped out of Europe, but now under Manuel Pellegrini they have the chance to complete the domestic hat-trick by securing the Capital One Cup.
Undoubtedly City are favourites for the Wembley clash against Sunderland, and could well be ascending the iconic steps to lift the trophy after those all-important 90 minutes. It’s been some journey, but there is the underlying sense that this chapter in City’s history is just beginning.
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Edin Dzeko came off the bench to score two late goals to earn and rescue 10-man Manchester City against West Brom at the Hawthorns.
Roberto Mancini’s men were heading to an unlikely defeat as they struggled to cope with the loss of James Milner in the first half after he received the first red card of his career.
Defeat was harsh on the Baggies who made their numerical advantage count but any fears over City’s title credentials were quashed to leave them third level on points with rivals United and four behind leaders Chelsea.
Milner’s dismissal in the 22nd minute for hauling down Shane Long following a mistake from captain Vincent Kompany was unquestionable and set the tone for a frustrating afternoon.
Mario Balotelli was also pushing his luck with referee Mark Clattenburg with a series of petulant fouls that saw him cautioned. That appeared to calm the Italian striker down and he almost produced a moment of divine brilliance to break the deadlock, taking on two defenders down the left before firing straight at Ben Forster.
The visitors continued to fashion out chances Yaya Toure heading over from close range when well placed. And against the run of play West Brom snatched the lead in the 65th minute. Peter Odemwingie produced a precise through ball for Long to turn Joleon Lescott and finish cooly past Joe Hart.
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Dzeko was thrown on in the 79th minute and barely 60 seconds later he had brought City level, climbing highest to head past Foster from a corner. Hart then made two crucial saves to keep his side level tipping Romelu Lukaku’s acrobatic strike over the bar just moments after beating away the Belgian strikers close range header.
And with time running out Dzeko popped up again to steer the ball home from he edge of the area to cap a memorable comebacl.
Aston Villa fans have been discussing their team options for Saturday’s big clash, and plenty of them would love to see a change up front.
The Championship season is long and painful, but at the end of it you get two teams battling it out in the richest match in football.
This year’s playoff final sees Steve Bruce’s strong, experienced Aston Villa side face Slaviša Jokanović’s youthful, highflying Fulham.
Bruce is expected to stick with his sturdy 4-1-4-1 formation, but fans have been discussing some changes to the attack, hoping to surprise Fulham by going for the throat.
Villa of course have spent much of the season without their best goalscorer, as Jonathan Kodjia has been working his way towards full fitness in the last couple of months.
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Fans were split on giving the Ivorian the start, but they are now considering dropping Albert Adomah to make room for the towering striker.
Adomah has had a great season on the left, grabbing 14 Championship goals, but the duo of Kodjia and Lewis Grabban would certainly give the Cottagers something to worry about.
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Some fans would rather bring the Ivorian on as a super-sub, while others are even suggesting the hard working Scott Hogan get a chance.
Either way, some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
According to reports in The Mirror, Manchester United are closing in on a £30m deal to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, but Red Devils fans have urged them to follow up the addition of the Chilean by bringing Riyad Mahrez to Old Trafford too following another impressive display against Chelsea on Saturday.
The 26-year-old has been back to his best in recent months under Claude Puel following a disappointing start to the campaign, and he was a constant threat for the Blues backline at Stamford Bridge from the right wing.
Jose Mourinho doesn’t really have a long-term option on that side with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard failing to make a significant impact in the Portuguese boss’ preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, and the Algeria international could be the answer to the issue.
Man United supporters were quick to have their say on his latest performance via social media and the potential arrival of Sanchez, and while one said “now let’s get Mahrez too”, another said the club ‘needs Mahrez and Sanchez for the Champions League this season’.
Swansea and Michael Laudrup have parted company, with the club just two points above the relegation zone.
The Swans have been on an underwhelming run of form of late which has seen them slide from midtable safety to a precarious position above the bottom three.
An official statement from chairman Huw Jenkins on the club’s website read:
“It is a decision we have taken reluctantly,
“But it’s a decision made in the best interests of Swansea City Football Club and our supporters.
“It is the first time in nearly 10 years that the club has parted with a manager in this way, but we had to remove the constant uncertainty surrounding the club and Michael’s long-term future with us.
“I had a meeting with Michael today in a final attempt to support him and establish a way to improve the work of the backroom team to secure the results we need over the final 14 Premier League games.
“However, after thinking long and hard about the best way forward, I felt it was unlikely we would achieve a stable environment at the club to allow us to get back to basics and produce the performance levels that have served Swansea City so well over the last few years.
“Now we need to put that uncertainty behind us and move forward as a united football club on all fronts, while placing on record our gratitude to Michael for the work he has done over the last 18 months and wish him well for the future.’’
Garry Monk will take over as the club’s head coach on an interim basis as the search for a new manager begins.
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Despite some poor results the decision has come as a shock with Laudrup having guided the club to Capital One Cup glory last season, booking a spot in the Europa League in the process.
However Jenkins has asked fans of the South Wales outfit to get behind the decision and to support Monk while he is in the role:
“I hope all our supporters can fully understand how difficult this period has been for us and I would urge everyone connected to the football club to get behind Garry Monk, the staff and players.”
Despite eventually cruising to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa yesterday, it took Tottenham Hotspur a good chunk of 45 minutes before they really found the desired flow and rhythm to their game. Andre Villas-Boas’ side are continuing to grow as a unit, but there were more than one or two within White Hart Lane whom suggested that Thursday’s European exploits, might have proved more hindrance than help.
Yet for anyone that endured all 90 minutes of Spurs’ little midweek soiree against Panathinaikos, you can debunk that myth right away.
Because although the amount of physical output within the Europa League will inevitably increase and potentially take its toll, the efforts of Villas-Boas’ starting XI in Athens, suggested that no one can realistically hide behind the stigma of burn-out. How can you, if you quite evidently don’t give a flying fig about the competition whatsoever?
Of course, it is very easy to read too much into the efforts of one, off-key and in some elements, bizarre, game of football. Very rarely will Spurs come up against a side with such a disparagingly poor attacking outlet as what Panathinaikos offered last Thursday. But that’s what makes the result all the more difficult to accept.
Playing in sweltering heat against a side who were so seemingly impotent it was rubbing off onto their opponents, must have offered more than a slight motivational issue. When it took such little effort to dominate proceedings, naturally, taking things up to the next level can’t be easy.
But there was something very macabre in watching the likes of Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone et al dwindle about the pitch with such an alarming lack of urgency in the last 20 minutes. A period that not only saw Spurs throw away what seemed like a guaranteed three points in the group, but nearly loose the game altogether. This is hardly meant in the way of the alarmist propaganda we’ve seen aimed at AVB of late, but you couldn’t help but feel that the team’s effort on Thursday completely undermined the vision of the Portuguese.
This is a competition that the manager has gone out on record in public, as one that he has every intention of winning. His victory in the competition with Porto in 2010 represents perhaps his finest managerial achievement in the game and hence, there is a school of though that it is within his best interests to talk up the Europa League’s prospects. But more importantly, it’s within the club’s, too.
Villas-Boas has been on the charm offensive to disarm the proportion of volatile Europa League based opinions in White Hart Lane, and generally speaking, he’s catalyzed a groundswell of optimism for a shot at winning it. The heroes of the 1984 Uefa Cup win are still spoke about today in North London and although the competition now has a very different outlook, the prospect of lifting some genuine European silverware has captured the imaginations of fans.
Yet consequently, Villas-Boas knows he is taking an educated risk by backing the competition to such a hilt. As he did in the home tie against Lazio, the Portuguese fielded a very strong team indeed and one that evidently had more than enough to beat Panathinaikos. So when the players turn up and churn out a performance like that, they’re leaving Villas-Boas in the lurch. Had Spurs been unable to make a breakthrough against Villa yesterday, how many people would have turned to Thursday’s game as a scapegoat?
Considering how pedestrian several of the side were strutting about in Athens, it wouldn’t have half been some excuse. Of course, the likes of Michael Dawson and in particular Tom Huddlestone, have come in for pelters given their performances. The skipper might have chipped in with a goal but he looked generally uncomfortable and for a player that already has a fight to get back into the team, Huddlestone’s attitude was laughably half-hearted.
But let’s not shirk responsibility from others, here – Clint Dempsey hardly churned out much better and the fact that Jan Vertonghen has looked near on faultless in the two adjacent fixtures to the Panathinaikos game, tells a story in itself. Every player has bad days, but there were far too many last Thursday for it to be passed off as coincidence.
Furthermore, the aforementioned performances of say, Jan Vertonghen, against Aston Villa, suggest that at this stage of the season anyway, Spurs’ European travels can’t be used as stick of which to hit Villas-Boas with. As the season progresses, particularly over the next four weeks, Villas-Boas must be mindful of the rigors the congested fixture list will take upon his team.
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But Andre Villas-Boas’ and Tottenham Hotspur’s European vision is nothing more than a pipedream, if the players seem unable to buy into it. Maybe the prospect of a trip to play an Atletico Madrid or a departed Champions League team in the next round will be more appealing, but they won’t get that opportunity if they turf out more of what we saw against Panathinaikos in the group stage. It simply wasn’t good enough.
There is a growing culture of optimism around White Hart Lane and the three points gained against Paul Lambert’s men, served almost to erase the Europa League woes from memory. But if Villas-Boas plumps with a similar starting XI for the tie against Maribor in Slovenia later on this month, he will surely expect to see a massive improvement on the performance he was dished up in Greece. There’s no point in the players turning up in body for this competition, if they’ve left their spirit at home.
Am I reading too much into this or were you similarly disillusioned with Spurs’ Europa League efforts last week? Let me know what side of the fence you fall on, on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and talk Tottenham.