Hull City gave manager Phil Brown a massive boost by picking up all three points in their home tie against Stoke City today (Sunday, November 8).
The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when Matthew Etherington out-muscled Bernard Mendy and fired the ball home from a tight angle.
Stoke took their lead into the break and things looked bleak for Brown. The Hull boss was tipped to lose his job should the Tigers be beaten by Stoke after what can only be described as an abysmal 2009 at the KC Stadium but the second half proved a different affair altogether.
Former Potter Seyi Olifinjana scored a cracker from 25-yards to level matters as Hull hauled themselves back into the game.
With full-time approaching the game was finely poised before Stoke captain Abdoulaye Faye was shown a red-card.
There were eight minutes of normal time to play when Faye was dismissed for a second yellow after a foul on veteran Hull midfielder Nicky Barmby. Stoke boss Tony Pulis decided to cut his losses and hold on for the draw as he took off Tuncay Sanli, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, and replace him with defender Andy Wilkinson.
It didn't work for Pulis though, Hull substitute and former Celtic man Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink popped up to score the winner in the dying moments. Jimmy Bullard's effort had been punched out by Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen but the Dutchman was there to put it in the net as Hull secured a vital three points.
The win gives Brown a reprieve, with many believing had the Tigers lost today he would have faced the axe.
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Fairyhouse tips and the Grand National 2010 for Betfair.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Tigers win keeps Brown safe, for now
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Fergie predicts Premier dominance
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Premier League will once again dominate the Champions League this season. Spanish side Barcelona may have lifted the trophy last time out but there were three English sides in the semi-finals and and Ferguson expects more of the same this time around. "They have been very dominant in the tournament for the last six or seven years. That is shown by the evidence of the latter stages and I think it will be the same this year." Real Madrid's mega-spending doesn't seem to have lifted them as much as might have been expected. Italian giants and Serie A league leaders Inter Milan are still yet to win in the competition, while AC Milan have lost to FC Zurich though they have since improved. German outfit Bayern Munich have faltered in these early stages and are currently outside of the qualifying positions so Ferguson may well have a point. Though he did concede reigning champions Barcelona must be amongst the favourites. He added: "Obviously Barcelona are one of the favourites, you cannot dismiss them. "But there is no question in my mind that the English teams will compete for the trophy." Of the four English sides involved only Liverpool look in danger of falling at the first hurdle. With Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all flying it seems a fairly safe online Champions League bet that all three will progress to the knockout stages. French side Lyon may upset the football betting odds and take the title at the end of the campaign, although they should still be considered massive outsiders and it would be a fantastic achievement if they went it all the way.
He said: "The English teams will be involved in the semi-finals again,
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Turmoil at the KC Stadium
Yesterday (Wednesday Oct 28) it was reported Hull City boss Phil Brown had been sacked. These reports turned out to be untrue but Chairman Paul Duffen, the man who oversaw their rise to the Premier League, has left the club.
After a terrific start to life in the Premier League at the beginning of last season their form has been frankly abysmal since the turn of the year. In 30 Premier League matches they have won three games and look in real danger of going down this time around. They're currently third bottom in the Premier League with eight points but they are in touch with the teams above them and it certainly isn't a lost cause at this early stage of the season.
With so many media outlets reporting that Brown had indeed been sacked the club were forced to issue the following statement yesterday: "Contrary to media speculation the club can confirm that Phil Brown has not been sacked and remains the manager of Hull City Football Club."
Short but sweet. In the Premier League relegation 2009/10 betting markets Hull are favourites with many bookmakers to go down this season, despite their current position about Portsmouth and West Ham in the league. This makes for grim reading for Tigers fans, especially given Pomepy's multiple off-field problems (as well as on field ones), and in fairness they haven't performed in a way that suggests they're up for the fight so far this season.
However, Brown insists the players are behind him and has issued a defiant statement himself. This is (part of) what he had to say: "I think the players are one million per cent behind me and hopefully that will show in the performance on Saturday."
Hull travel to Burnley on Saturday in a massive game for both Brown and his Clarets counterpart Owen Coyle. The pair were colleagues in their time as players for Bolton Wanderers and remain friends but all that will go out the window come three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Just how safe Brown's job is remains to be seen and if their form continues I reckon it would be a pretty safe online football bet that he will be gone by Christmas, despite all the great work he has done in his time at the KC Stadium.
In football there is little room for sentiment and the simple fact of the matter is that Hull City will not stay in the Premier League if they don't improve. Given all the money they have spent since their promotion relegation could well be catastrophic and if the board decide a change is needed then Brown will have to go.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Boro boss shown the door
Middlesbrough have chosen to part company with manager Gareth Southgate. The likeable former Boro captain is perhaps a little unlucky to be shown the door, with the Teesiders just one point off the top of the Championship table, but in all honesty it has been coming for a while. What is a little odd is the fact that Boro have started the campaign well and are among the chasing pack at the top of the table. It seems strange to sack him now but when Boro were plummeting towards relegation last season I though Southgate would be axed then - but they kept him on, only to sack him early this season.
Amazingly it is the first time Boro chairman Steve Gibson has ever sacked a manager, his last boss Steve McLaren left for an ill-fated (or mistake ridden) stint as England manager but Southgate has been shown the door at the Riverside.
Emerging reports are suggesting the decision was based on falling attendances at the Riverside. If this is true it seems a little harsh, Boro had over 18,000 at their last home game - a 2-0 victory over Derby County last night - which is more than some Premier League clubs get.
This is what Gibson had to say on the matter: "Gareth has given Middlesbrough Football Club magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager.
"I appointed Gareth in a situation that was greatly unfavourable to him.
"He is a good man and has all the qualities and integrity that we wanted in a manager.
"However, the time is right for change and that change has had to be made.
"Gareth will always be welcome at our football club. English football needs people of his stature and we feel certain that this experience will serve him well.
"Gareth deserves another opportunity once he has had the chance to rest and refresh himself."
Gibson doesn't really give much away there and hasn't even hinted that falling attendances were behind his decision to axe Southgate but, aside from a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of West Brom, Boro have enjoyed a decent start to the season and are among the early promotion hopefuls. It would appear that the steadily declining attendances on Teeside have played a major part in the former England international's downfall.
Former Coventry, Southampton and Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is the current betting favourite to take over at Boro. Other names reportedly in the hat are David O'Leary (no chance, he just gets linked with everything), Kevin Keegan (a Newcastle hero, I doubt it), Alan Curbishley (realistic possibility) and Graeme Souness (unlikely, last job was in 2006).
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Irish racing tips for Betfair.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
More Minnows Qualify as World Cup Takes Shape
Honduras and Slovakia joined the likes of North Korea and Serbia to qualify for the World Cup after the latest round of international fixtures. It's the first time for the European minnows, and only the second for the Hondurans. And with the winner of Bahrain/New Zealand to be added, this tournament has a substantial list of unknown quantities.
Perhaps this is what caused FIFA to change their rules for the European playoffs. Though it would be a shame not to have the best teams in South Africa in 2010, i find it extremely unfair that they will be decided on current rankings, rather than just a straight draw. Irish fans will be understandably upset at the recent revelations that it doesn't matter that everyone in the draw finished second - the best teams are still favoured.
However, i'm sure we are in for a great World Cup. I have reservations over the quality of pitches in South Africa, and dread the thought of having to listen to the constant noise of the vuvuzela (that hooter sound you would have heard throughout the Confederations Cup). But, having watched a fair bit of the qualification from across the world, i have to say we may have a few shocks on the cards.
Firstly, i think South Africa will give one of the worst performances on the field out of any hosts in modern times. I have nothing against them but, quite frankly, they're hopeless. Most of Bafana Bafana play in the sub-standard South African league, and only Pienaar and Mokoena represent anything near star-quality. Ghana are a much greater threat from Africa, and i wouldn't be surprised to see them go the furthest any African side has done.
Serbia are another team who have shown great quality in their qualification campaign. They won seven of their ten games, pipping France to top the group. Yes, France aren't what they were, but good wins over Romania and Austria ensured they are in the hat for the group draws. And Bosnia, second to all-conquering Spain in Group Five, are playing the kind off football that suggests they could be another side to spring a trap come next summer.
And from the Americas, Chile have a great young side who have scored goals for fun during their campaign, with just one less than Brazil in total. And the US, Mexico and Honduras will be sure to offer something from the CONCACAF zone. With Dos Santos and Vela up front for Mexico, the Gold Cup winners will fancy their chances of making an impact in front of the world's watching eyes.
And all this in the backdrop of some faultering football giants. France and Portugal will have to hope they can come through the playoffs, whilst Italy and Argentina weren't awe-inspiring throughout their campaigns. Brazil, Germany, Spain and England did qualify quite comfortably and will no doubt be involved in the latter stages of the tournament.
And so qualification is coming to an end. We have 23 of the 32 decided, with some tasty play-off games coming up. Let's hope the South Africans put on a great show, as this World Cup looks like it could have the makings of a few upsets.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Hughes: City have 'answered' questions
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was a troubled man last season. Despite the arrival of Robinho, Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong etc City still finished in mid-table and didn't qualify for European football. A summer of massive spending followed, the likes of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott all arrived in big-money deals but critics continued to question whether City could upset the established football order.
At the moment it looks to be paying off, City are fourth in the Premier League table with a game in hand and have lost just once - against reigning champions Manchester United. Hughes believes City's form has proved their doubters wrong.
"There were a lot of questions - would we be able to gel early as a team, would so-called egos in the dressing room be able to be managed - being asked of us before a ball was even kicked," Hughes told the Man City's website.
"From our point of view I think we have answered each and every one of them.
"We know there is a long way to go but we are pleased with the start we have because we needed a good start."
Despite their superior start to Arsenal and Liverpool City are still fifth favourite to take the title with the Premier League winners 2009/10 betting odds. However, Hughes feels that, although he is pleased with the progress so far, his side have not hit their top-gear just yet.
He added: "We know what we are capable of. We have shown glimpses in games where we have been outstanding but we've not clicked for the full 90 minutes yet."
City may have to wait a few years before they get their hands on the title, though an online football bet on City winning the Carling Cup or FA Cup may not be a bad idea. Chelsea have started strongly and, at the moment, they look the team to beat. After a summer in which their chances of success were frequently called into question Hughes sounds like a relieved, if not particularly surprised, man to see his side doing so well in these early stages.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
United linked with Inter ace
Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar has moved quickly to deny rumours linking him with a switch to the Premier League.
England’s reigning champions Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old Brazilian. United’s reported interest in signing a keeper comes as little surprise in all honesty. Current number one Edwin Van der Sar has been sidelined with a hand injury but is expected to return for United’s next league match against Bolton. However, the veteran Dutchman is approaching 40 and cannot go on forever. Ben Foster has been standing in for Van der Sar but his form has been less than impressive and it doesn’t look as if he is ready to claim the number one jersey just yet, while Tomasz Kuszczak hasn’t managed to break into the starting eleven despite Foster’s questionable form.
Cesar is an excellent keeper and one of the key players in Inter Milan’s tight defensive unit. It comes as little surprise that his name has been mentioned as a possible target for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. The Internazionale star’s wife claimed a ‘big club’ had made contact but Cesar himself claims to have had no contact with the English giants.
"I deny everything," said Cesar (probably not the first man to have used those words when accused of an affair by his wife, even though this a footballing one). "I have a contract with Inter."
Cesar seems to have taken the Clinton approach to reacting to rumours of infidelity but I’m going to suggest it is in no way beyond the realms of possibility that he could well be United’s next custodian. He is certainly one of the world’s best in his chosen role, a point proved by the face he usurped Francesco Toldo between the posts for Inter.
United may not move for a keeper in January. If Van der Sar performs well on his return Sir Alex Ferguson may focus his transfer efforts elsewhere, and although Foster may not be ready for the top spot just yet he is a worth understudy. However, I expect United to add to their goalkeeping ranks within the next twelve months and Cesar could well be a top target for the Old Trafford side.
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer working to promote Irish horse racing betting tips for Betfair.
