Everton manager David Moyes has confirmed that former striker Duncan Ferguson has returned to the club to start a career in coaching.
The ex-Scotland striker spent two spells on Merseyside, firstly between 1994 and 1998, and after a stint at Newcastle returned from 2000 to 2006.
The Stirling born man made 239 appearances for the Goodison Park club, and his countryman Moyes has confirmed he is now back.
“Duncan came about a month ago and met me. He wants to observe us and see what’s going on. He is back and helping Alan Irvine,” Moyes told the club’s official website.
“He is not a qualified coach yet, because he is going through his badges, but we have got him in and he’s happy to do the time and he’s working down at the academy.
“He is showing he really wants to do it. He is putting the hours and the effort in. He still has to get his B licence and A licence, but he will get the chance to take some sessions.
“It could lead to something here, but what you need is your qualifications, that is the first thing.
“I have to say I didn’t forsee him going into coaching when I had him as a player. But Duncan has been away for five years and he has come back – I think he misses the smell of football a wee bit,” Moyes concluded.
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London will come to a standstill on Saturday lunchtime as Arsenal make the short strip to Stamford Bridge to take on rivals Chelsea with both teams looking to continue their recent good form.
Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping his sides Carling Cup win over Everton in extra time on Wednesday hasn’t sapped the energy levels of his players going into the game against the Gunners. It’s been a rapid transition for the club since the 34-year-old took over the reigns from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer but he’s certainly made his mark during the opening weeks of the season. The Blues have been in good form of late, playing some scintillating football winning five of their last seven since losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 18th September. Last week’s defeat away at QPR was their first loss in six games but their cause wasn’t helped with Jose Boswinga and Didier Drogba both receiving red cards in the first half. The game was overshadowed by allegations of racism with Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand accusing John Terry of abusing him after the pair squared up to each other during the game. The Chelsea skipper denied it but with video evidence apparently proving his guilt Villas-Boas has a big decision as to whether he starts with his first choice centre half. It will be the first time the Portuguese coach has faced up against Arsenal since taking over in West London and he’ll be hoping to maintain the clubs good record against Arsene Wengers side. Chelsea haven’t lost against the Gunners at home since 2008 tasting defeat only once in the last 10 games at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will be without key midfielder Ramires who will sit out the game with a knee injury but Fernando Torres is back from suspension to boost the frontline.
After a dreadful start to the season Arsenal have picked up dramatically of late winning seven of their last eight games with captain Robin Van Persie leading the charge. The Dutchman has been in superb form this season scoring nine goals in his last 13 in all competitions and more importantly staying clear of the treatment room. It’s been a period of intense change at the Emirates Stadium with Arsene Wenger overseeing his worst start to a campaign since taking over in 1996. The Frenchman has turned things around after it in remarkable fashion weathering the storm as the level of discontent growing in the stands reaching a dangerous level. Seven wins in the last eight games have allayed fears that the club were on a rapid decline with Wenger’s summers signings finally starting to perform. Mikel Arteta has started to exert his influence in midfield with a series of string pulling performances in the centre whilst Per Mertesacker is finally started to show the type of form that made him one of the most sought after defenders in Europe. His presence in the back four has been key to Arsenal’s recent good form with only seven goals conceded in the last eight games since the losing 4-3 to Blackburn. The only blip on the record remains the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the North London derby three weeks ago. Wenger will have to do without key faces Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson who are all currently taking up residence in the treatment room.
Key Players
Juan Mata – The Spaniard has been a quality addition to the Chelsea squad bringing a fluidity and extra touch of class to the Stamford Bridge midfield. His intelligent movement and ability to operate in between the lines will be key to the Blues chances of beating in-form Arsenal who are looking a lot stronger than they did at the start of the season.
Robin Van Persie – Despite being rested last week at home to Bolton the Dutchman still came off the bench to score twice and win the game for the Gunners. His goalscoring exploits this season have been key to Arsenal in their time of crisis and he’ll fancy his chances at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-1
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That defeat saw Chelsea players drop down the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, with Frank Lampard and John Terry dropping out of the top ten to 13th and 14th respectively. In Ashley Cole Chelsea also have the fourth most prolific tackler in the league, having won 28 tackles, 85% of all those attempted Van Persie has had more attempts at goal than any other player in the Barclays Premier League with 37 (65% on target). Six goals in his last four Premier League games takes his season tally to seven. Arsenal covered 115.273km in that game, and it is noteworthy that they covered more ground in the second half than the first half (57.25km v 58.023km) as van Persie’s presence inspired his team to lift their performance
It has been another busy day at the office for Arsene Wenger. He turns to his study once more, flicks on his lamp and unfurls a scrap of paper. On the list include four names. Names associated with success, style and experience. He reaches for a pen and strikes half a tick across the name of Lukas Podolski and leaves the remaining three names of Mario Gotze, Jan Vertonghen and Javi Martinez blank. He pauses for a second, casts his eyes across the names again and then returns the scrap of paper into the depths of his pocket.
Whilst we can only guess how Arsene Wenger conducts his transfer activity during his own private time, what is more certain is the number of players he will need to strengthen his Arsenal outfit this summer, indeed convincing Robin Van Persie to remain at the club. Netherlands legend Marco Van Basten reckons it will take four marquee signings to keep their current Dutch master in North London.
With the slightly premature news that Lukas Podolski has actually agreed a deal with the Gunners, Arsenal have yet to tie down any player in a pre-contract deal for next season, but it still remains likely that the German striker will be their first high calibre arrival.
The days are gone at Arsenal whereby the club could call upon undoubted experience from the substitute’s bench. The likes of Sylvain Wiltord’s and Nwankwo Kanu’s experience in utility roles no longer remains and Arsenal fans would all accept the notion that the squad isn’t deep enough to aim for a title tilt next season with the current personnel.
Of course the club has had its injury problems and Jack Wilshere hasn’t had a chance to further his claims that he is the best English talent since Rooney this term. Furthermore, the injuries to Abou Diaby, Andre Santos and Bacary Sagna for spells this season have weakened the Gunners in areas which have been plugged by either players switching positions or more inexperienced pros obtaining first team berths. For example Francis Coquelin and Carl Jenkinson.
Nevertheless, there still lacks an essence of experience and squad depth within the Gunners ranks and the stats explain themselves that there has been a top heavy burden on Robin Van Persie to lead the team through the more tricky passages of the campaign.
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The potential German duo of Podolski and Gotze arriving would certainly take the weight off Van Persie’s goal scoring exploits and creativity on the Arsenal front line. Although the current first choice pairing of Gervinho and Theo Walcott still assist greatly to the Dutchman, Gotze and Podolski possess more of a scoring threat from the flanks. The latter has scored 16 goals this term and can play off the left hand side in Arsenal’s favoured 4-3-3 formation. Furthermore, the duo are likely to be the centrepiece to potential German success at the forthcoming Euro 2012 Championships and Wenger would be wise to secure such dealings prior to the tournament commencing in June.
What’s more is that the calibre of players would get Gunners fans out of their seat, as well as their captain. The closest Arsenal supporters would have come to experiencing a wave of excitement last summer was the capture of Mikel Arteta who surprised everyone with his deadline day move to the capital. A good passer he remains, but at 29, some have questioned the long-term staying power of the £10 million Spaniard who is approaching his thirties. Everyone knows Arsene is careful in renewing the contracts of his more elderly statesmen.
The other summer moves for Gervinho, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Santos and Park were all justified upon certain merits but they still lacked a wow factor and didn’t have the big name feel of the expensive transfers of Arshavin and Reyes before them. It seems this summer might be the next whereby Arsene decides to spend ‘big’ and in terms of keeping hold of Van Persie it is imperative that he must do so.
A move for Ajax’s Jan Vertonghen seems viable too considering he is a close associate of Thomas Vermaelen and they both came up through the same Germinal Beerschot and Ajax youth systems, rising to prominence with the first team. Vertonghen is almost the double of his fellow countryman in that he can play at left back and possesses a hammer of a strike from range. Perhaps Vermaelen should take Mertesacker-like tapping up duties upon his shoulders in the hope of luring another new arrival.
And as for Martinez, the Spaniard would be the perfect foil for Alex Song in his versatility in playing in defence and midfield. Coveted by many clubs and with his stock rising following an impressive showing at Old Trafford in the Europa League, a move for the Basque-born enforcer seems the least likely at the Emirates, but still represents the calibre of player required at the club to remind Van Persie of Arsenal’s long-term ambitions.
Finally and perhaps unmentioned thus far, Arsenal require a back-up choice to first team stopper Wojciech Szczesny. The calamity trio of Fabianksi, Almunia and Mannone have all enraged Gunners supporters with their inconsistency over past seasons and a move for an experienced standby such as when the Gunners tried to capture Mark Schwarzer represents another responsible dealing required this summer.
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So there you have it. The Gunners have at least remained competitive during their seven seasons without a major honour, but an influx of big name arrivals would certainly boost their chances of bucking the trend next time round. Sorry Marco, I think the Gunners may need five!
Who would you like to realistically see arrive at the Emirates this summer? Can such transfers keep Van Persie in North London? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
Both The Guardian and The Daily Mirror are reporting that Liverpool’s Joe Cole is a loan target for QPR.
Cole’s has endured a miserable time on Merseyside since his arrival last year, when he was deemed transfer coup of the summer, arriving for free. However his continued loss of form and injury woes hampered his Anfield career, leading him to make only nine Premier League starts in the whole season, featuring far less post-Christmas under new manager Kenny Dalglish.
QPR manager Neil Warnock is a known admirer of the 29-year old former England international and, having already signed Jay Bothroyd and KieronDyer on free transfers this summer, capturing Cole in a loan deal would represent very good business for the London club.
A major stumbling block on any loan deal will be Cole’s wages, with the former Chelsea man thought to be collecting around £90,000 a-week – something which Liverpool are keen to remove off their wage bill. If QPR are to take Cole on loan, Liverpool would be reluctant to continue paying the majority of his huge wage, so a compromise would have to be found. But QPR, as Premier League new boys, may be unable to meet such demands.
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Cole’s former club West Ham United are also said to be interested in bringing him back to where he made his name, however the prospect of remaining in the top flight may sway him in favour of QPR, whilst Tottenham also wait in the wings.
It’s been a busy summer at Newcastle so far and there’s sure to be plenty more activity still to come. The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba have all been signed, while it looks like Wayne Routledge, Jose Enrique and a couple of others may be on their way out. So when Alan Pardew’s men returned for pre-season last week, there were a few unfamiliar faces and some that might not be seen in Newcastle for too much longer.
Here are Shola Ameobi and co. enjoying (if that’s the right word) an ice bath after a pre-season training session, but which players are out in the cold at St James’ Park and can you come up with a funny caption for this picture?
Leave your suggestions below…
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For the FootballFanCast.com Caption Competition Terms and Conditions click here
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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.
Last week’s winner: Kybosh – click here to see all entries
Neil Warnock has stated that the way he was sacked from QPR was unprofessional, and that outside influences may well have influenced the club’s decision.
Warnock was dismissed after a poor run of form saw QPR slip down to 17th in the Premier League standings, and has since been replaced by Mark Hughes.
Speaking about the manner of his sacking, Warnock admits that it could have been handled better.
“I received a text saying the owners had been talking long into the night and Phil Beard, the new chief executive, asked if he could come and see me. So I told him to come to our house and I think when I saw him I felt sorry for him and said ‘don’t worry it’s nothing to do with you, this’,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think you get used to a certain way of doing things but he [owner Tony Fernandes ] is so far away, all over the world. I’m not a communicator by tweet I’m afraid so I was always going to be the last to know.
“Even the owner, I know the influence he’ll have had from certain people over the past few weeks.
“It would have been difficult to resist because people get on the phone and tweet and it’s almost like slowly poisoning somebody from outside the club and, no doubt, from within the club as well.
“It’s a dangerous precedent. If you let players talk to the chairman but, you know, you can’t stop tweeting,” he concluded.
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Roman Abramovich’s passion for the game is still there despite the Russian not attending as many games of late, according to Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.
The club executive has stated that the Eastern European billionaire is also very knowledgeable, and is in constant contact with the club in regards to the latest goings on.
“I would say that his passion for Chelsea has increased not decreased. His passion for football has increased, not decreased,” Buck is quoted as saying in Ian Ridley’s upcoming book.
“His knowledge of football has increased exponentially. I’m not talking about what goes at the megastore, I’m talking about football. It would be pretty hard to name a current footballer that he couldn’t give you statistics for.
“He doesn’t miss a game in the sense that wherever he is in the world he watches the Chelsea game. He calls Eugene Tenenbaum (trusted club director and associate) or whoever after the game and they talk about it. He is very much on top of things,” he stated.
Abramovich bought the Stamford Bridge outfit back in 2003, and Buck has revealed there were a number of investment opportunities for the Russian at the time.
“Manchester United would have been expensive and the fans would go crazy. Aston Villa was for sale but was in Birmingham and the long-term opportunities were limited.
“Tottenham was on the list along with Chelsea. They were in London; they were in financial trouble. Roman’s advisers tried to arrange meetings with Tottenham and Chelsea but for whatever reason, they couldn’t set up a meeting with Tottenham, or Tottenham didn’t want to meet,” he concluded.
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As the transfer window slammed shut at 11pm on Wednesday night players, agents and managers desperately hurried to get medicals and all the necessary paperwork done in order to complete such moves in time. In a Premier League spree that totals £446m, we have seen an end to a number of transfer sagas, various proposed moves fall through, and as always, a number of transfers that we would never have expected to occurred.
While the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri completed their moves that had dragged on and been expected for some time, there were several transfers, often last minute, that took place during the summer window that could not have been anticipated by us football fanatics.
Click on Hargreaves below to see the Top TEN
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Let me know your thoughts on my selection @sixthofficial on Twitter!
Bolton’s start to the season hasn’t been great; what are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
We always knew the start would be difficult. We got really important points at QPR in the beginning and probably the most disappointing was the Norwich game at home but otherwise we knew we had a tough start.
If you look at the same fixtures last year, we got a point against United and then we lost the other games which we played; we lost to Arsenal on the way and we lost to City. When you look at it, you wouldn’t be getting a lot of extra points against same teams last year.
We should go on a decent run after the international break and hopefully start our season; we knew it was going to be difficult and hopefully we’ll get some bonus points against the top teams and even though we gave them a good game last year, we didn’t really get this many points we wanted.
We’ve still got the same ambition as every year to finish as highly as possible and be above the top ten. When you look at the table at this moment, it can knock confidence out of everybody; but we’ve got really experienced players who have been here before and players who know the ability of the team so we haven’t been knocked down at all.
You’ve played over a hundred matches for Bolton, what do you make of think of the Premier League?
It’s tougher than I expected especially with playing in Holland, which is a higher level but playing a game at a higher level there and even playing in Europe, I sometimes felt like I could play two games. The ball possession that the top teams of Holland have against the others make the game on a walking pace; common to come to England and play such a high demand, physical and also mental pressure.
The media makes it a lot of pressure on teams, there’s a lot at stake; lot of money involved for the cups so it makes it so exciting. Everybody can beat everybody and the price of failure is so critical in England that it makes it a little more exciting for everyone that’s involved.
With the success of Eidur Gudjohnsen, was English football always popular in Iceland?
Yes, it’s the first English football I watched in English football when I was younger. They showed one game a week on telly and sometimes the shows develops from other games; obviously just showing the big teams – the top teams – but nevertheless, English football in Iceland is amazing.
You can watch every game and I think there are better sports channels in Iceland than in England because you can see everything ; every game, every goal gets great coverage and obviously Bolton Wanderers, everybody supports Wanderers because it’s a traditional with Icelandic players.
Bolton had a good season last season, what is it about Owen Coyle’s management style getting the best out of players?
I think it’s the possibility that allows everybody to express themselves and go out and enjoy some play. It’s a wild approach but it worked well last year and the players enjoyed playing.
This season and the end of last season knocked us back a little in how we want to play but we still have a belief in how we play and how we should play; this is the way that we believe we will get our points.
Were you surprised to see Gary Cahill staying at Bolton and how much of a bonus would that be that he’s still here?
I was really surprised that he stayed because I thought that some great club would come in and use his service but it’s fantastic for us. There’s a lot of money involved in valuation of players but my personal view on Gary Cahill is that he’s worth every pound because he’s a fantastic guy with a fantastic ability.
A couple of days after being in the ‘limbo’ staying or going, he pops up with a fantastic goal – the first goal in the senior cup for England that showed his strength and I’m sure that coming January, a lot of clubs would be very interested in his service.
At the moment, he’s a Bolton Wanderers player and he really enjoys playing with Bolton and he’s settled in really well with the boys in town. He lives locally so he knows what’s going on and knows what we want and he’s determined to do his best until he’s told where to go next.
Would you ever consider a move from Bolton?
You never know what happens; you have to get to know what you want in your career and where you want to go. At this moment, I haven’t thought about it as I’m really pleased living in the area and I’ve enjoyed more than hundred games for Bolton and I still have the same ambitions to go as high as possible.
I want to play in Europe again, I think that’s a fantastic thing to do and I’ve enjoyed that with all the clubs I’ve played with previously. More often like Fulham and Stoke City are doing now; going to Europe and playing the best in Europe is something Bolton should aim for.
In your opinion, who is to lead one of the best and most unsung players in the Premier League?
Because I’m such a big fan of my own team, I would narrow it to two players. I would say that Chung-Yong Lee is probably the most amazing talent that I’ve seen and worked with and Stuart Holden, who has unfortunately come back from a really difficult injury.
No one knew how big an injury or how mentally strong he is to come back and fight and unfortunately he’s had a little setback that has got nothing to do with himself. He comes back stronger; he’s got that mentality who drives people on with his positivity and bubbly character that can’t go unnoticed in the dressing room.
Those two players are definitely ‘missed’ players at the moment, but fantastic players that have definitely made their mark in the team and in the dressing room.
Who’s the hardest opponent you’ve faced?
You’ve got really difficult players; in England you go against the best. You’ve got Pienaar at Tottenham (he’s really tough), Ronaldo, Rooney, Nani, Ashley… I can go on and keep counting as every player’s different; if you allow space, players can go on and do unbelievable things.
You have to be really respectful because you don’t want to mention someone and leave someone out because they will come back and hurt you.
Internationally, probably Kaká or Sneijder who are both fantastic players. Unfortunately, Sneijder didn’t join United but I think he would be a great addition to English football if he ever gets a chance to come over.
What do you make of Carlos Tevez who used to play for City, has that made you think any less of him as a fellow pro?
No, I think what happens if the player’s got personal problems, I think that maybe some different way to go, if there were communication problems. I don’t know the truth so it’s hard for me to go and be involved when there are two stories, it’s not up to me to criticise anyone because you never know what really happened.
I’ve been involved where I’ve seen players refuse to play, but not so publicly, if that was the case but there’s always reasons and times are changing and different things are happening. In that incident, I don’t know the full story, I don’t know what is right or wrong so I’m not going criticise someone if a communication problem, or something deeper, was involved.
What are your thoughts on the Premier League ahead; do you think City or Chelsea can take the title off United?
I think there’s really exciting years ahead in the Premier League. You see Man City going strength to strength; you see players that Man City have bought before going between clubs and making them stronger as well.
Liverpool have been spending a lot of money as well, you see Chelsea always a big threat. It’s going to be tight, how United has started is obviously fantastic and if they can keep it up, they’ll be a big force this year but Chelsea is fantastic; Torres is coming back and looks to be back in form and Sturridge, we just know here in Bolton how good Sturridge is and we know he’s going to show his qualities.
I think this season’s going to be stronger because of City becoming a bigger force and Chelsea’s made some really good signs and that’s got them quality already.
Some quick questions now, what’s the first match you ever went to?
I went in England to see Everton against Ajax in a summer competition.
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with or against?
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I really liked playing with Eidur Gudjohnsen, he’s quite a big legend in Iceland and he’s done really well. He’s probably got more respect abroad than he got in Iceland for what he has achieved so knowing how good of a player he is, he’s probably the best player I’ve played with.
As for best player I’ve played against, there are simply too many players I’ve played against that due to respect to everyone involved, I’d rather not name anyone.
What’s the best goal you’ve ever scored?
The best goal I’ve ever scored was probably at my international debut against Brazil in Brazil before the World Cup 2002. I came on as a sub and dribbled past a couple of players and then placed in a goal.
I can’t believe it’s not on YouTube!
If you weren’t a footballer, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would definitely be a family lawyer; a family solicitor. I think they’re probably of pure selflessness, I would do that because I know that of my own experience, they’re the people that could… Well, I’m not saying that I would like to be them because of how the people are – I don’t know if a family solicitor is actually a good person.
So, I’m going to say that as a solicitor in Britain, I’d probably be a family solicitor.
What’s the best stadium you’ve played at?
I really like St James’ Park, the atmosphere is absolutely amazing and the passion they have there is phenomenal.
Which player would you like to have a pint with?
I’d probably give them a diet coke – they would have a pint of coke. I think I would like to sit down with Gary Neville; even though he’s not a current player, I think he’s one of the few players who speaks his mind and knows exactly what he’s on about.
He’s criticised for what he says but you need to admire his thoughts of saying things and going exactly where he wants. If we ever have a chat, I’ll give him a diet coke – or even a full fat coke if he wants.
Who’s the longest in the shower?
I’ll have to name a former player – Tamir Cohen. He showered before training and he was still in the shower after training.
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Manchester City midfielder James Milner has confessed that he is happy with the interim appointment of Stuart Pearce, who he feels would be a good choice to lead the nation to Euro 2012.
The under-21’s boss stepped into the manager’s role with the senior side after Fabio Capello’s resignation, and will take charge of his first match against Netherlands on Wednesday.
Milner feels that Pearce has the qualities to lead England to success in Poland and Ukraine.
“The timing is not as ideal as you would want, changing manager so close to a major tournament, but we will go in as well prepared as we can be,” he stated at a press conference, published by Sky Sports.
“If Stuart Pearce is manager the Euros, it is not a problem for me. He is a great manager, was a great player, and in the two Under-21 tournaments we were unlucky on both occasions.
“We should have won at least one of them but what I noticed was that in the tournaments I had under him, we went in very well prepared.
“He thinks about every aspect which could come up in a tournament, every eventuality, how we are going to have to play, and how to plan for combating certain teams.
“That’s the most important thing going into a tournament, you want to feel you are ready and that it is not going to be a problem,” he admitted.
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