http://www.footymad.net Visit Footymad for the very latest football news and information. en-gb Copyright 2012 Footy Mad Limited All Rights Reserved. Thu, 17 May 2012 01:47:46 Thu, 17 May 2012 01:47:46 3 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4234112 Seventeen-year-old Max Clayton scored the goal which sent Crewe to Wembley for the npower League Two play-off final courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate win over Southend.Substitute Clayton had only been on the field 10 minutes when he tucked the ball home to put his side 3-1 ahead in the 86th minute.Ajay Leitch-Smith had earlier opened the scoring for the visitors before Neil Harris levelled for Southend in the second half. Clayton's strike appeared to be enough but Chris Barker ensured a nervy final few minutes for the visitors when he headed Southend level on 88 minutes.But Crewe, who won the first leg courtesy of Adam Dugdale's goal, held out to book a place in next weekend's final against Cheltenham or Torquay.Crewe stunned the home crowd in the 24th minute thanks to a superb strike from Leitch-Smith. Ashley Westwood won the ball in midfield and fed Leitch-Smith, who still had plenty to do in the corner of Southend's penalty area.But the 22-year-old striker turned back inside Sean Clohessy, shifting the ball onto his right food before sending his shot arrowing across Shrimpers goalkeeper Cameron Belford and inside the far post.Southend's luck was out when they were denied by the woodwork twice in as many minutes.First Michael Timlin's shot from outside the box clipped the upright, and moments later Freddy Eastwood's low drive thumped the inside of the opposite post and rolled agonisingly across the goal-line to safety.The hosts did haul themselves back into the tie just after the hour mark, substitute Harris profiting from a Steve Phillips error to slide the ball home. But as Southend poured forward they were undone on the counter-attack, with Clayton holding the ball up before rolling it inside Phillips' near post.Barker immediately headed Southend level again three minutes from time but Crewe, who finished 11 points behind their opponents in seventh, are now just 90 minutes from promotion. Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 22:16:59 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4234112 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4234111 Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez appears to have no intention of apologising to Sir Alex Ferguson after holding a banner mocking the Manchester United manager.Tevez displayed a sign bearing the words 'RIP Fergie' during the open-top bus parade through Manchester to celebrate City's Barclays Premier League title win on Monday.Back in his native Argentina, Tevez told www.ole.com.ar: "It seems like Ferguson is the president of England. Every time he speaks badly about a player or says terrible things about me, nobody says that he has to apologise. [But] when someone comes out with a joke or banter, you have to say sorry - but I don't say sorry."The meaning behind the banner could well be in reference to Ferguson`s famous response to a 2009 question as to whether or not United would ever be underdogs against City."Not in my lifetime," the Scot said.City were quick to issue a statement on Monday expressing "sincerest apologies" to Ferguson and accepting that Tevez, in taking the placard from a fan, had made a "significant error of judgement".Tevez himself expressed regret in his own statement, saying he got "carried away in the excitement of the moment" and did not mean any disrespect to his former United boss.The forward played under Ferguson for two years at Old Trafford before leaving for City in 2009.In March Ferguson suggested City were desperate in recalling Tevez following the forward's infamous stand-off with the club, which saw him spend more than three months in Argentina on unauthorised leave.Ferguson was responding to remarks by City's football development executive Patrick Vieira, who said Paul Scholes' return from retirement for United seemed a sign of weakness. Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 22:16:59 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4234111 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233924 Former Liverpool player Terry McDermott believes Kenny Dalglish was not give enough time in his second stint at the club and has warned against replacing the fan favourite with an inexperienced manager.McDermott, who played with Dalglish at Anfield and was on his coaching staff at Newcastle, was dismayed by his friend's sacking by the club's American owners Fenway Sports Group.He accepts Liverpool's position of eighth in the Barclays Premier League was not good enough but felt Dalglish's much-criticised transfers would have started to pay dividends next term. "It's a big call. I think they've pulled the trigger at least six months too early," he told Sky Sports News."A Liverpool person, or a person who knows about football, would have kept Kenny at least until Christmas but people who don't know as much about football maybe came to this decision. To do it now, I think, is the wrong thing."The likes of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Swansea's Brendan Rodgers are among the early favourites to replace Dalglish, but McDermott was quick to warn FSG away from elevating a younger manager."They've got to have someone in mind who is going to take over the mantle," he said."They have to be to be top notch. It's no good bringing a rookie in because then it's another two or three years while he beds in and brings his own players. It's got to be a real top quality Mourinho-like (manager). Maybe not Mourinho but someone like that who has seen it and done it."Another former Liverpool man, John Scales, was surprised by Dalglish's departure but was more understanding of FSG's motivations in making the decision."I'm shocked and stunned that Kenny's left Liverpool," Scales told Sky Sports News."But having said that, Liverpool have fallen well short of their targets in the Premier League this season. They were almost 40 points behind the two Manchester clubs and it has been a difficult season for Dalglish. There were question marks over the players that came in, question marks over the way the team played and their poor home record didn't help either." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 19:47:19 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233924 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233733 Sean O'Driscoll has been appointed as the new manager of Crawley.The 54-year-old ex-Doncaster boss had been working as first-team coach at Nottingham Forest since January but has agreed to take over at Broadfield Stadium with immediate effect.In a statement released by the club, O'Driscoll said: "I did a lot of due diligence on Crawley Town before I decided to accept the club's offer. I have been impressed with the owners and people behind the scenes and I am looking forward to helping the club establish itself in League One."Craig Brewster assumed control of the side on an interim basis following Steve Evans' move to Rotherham, but remains on the coaching staff, while Steve Coppell continues in his role of Director of Football.O'Driscoll added: "Crawley is a good fit for me. They are a club trying to do things the right way."I came to the club and the area three times before I decided to take the job and spoke to a lot of people."I got a very good feel for what has been achieved in the last two years and the potential there is to develop Crawley Town still further."This is a challenge I am really looking forward to. My football philosophy is to improve players and the way they think about the game. It is going to be a busy summer." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 17:17:07 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233733 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233732 QPR will conduct an internal investigation into Joey Barton's dismissal against Manchester City and his subsequent conduct, the club have announced.Barton, 29, is facing two Football Association charges of alleged violent conduct following his red card at the Etihad Stadium, which was his second sending-off of the season. The QPR captain was dismissed for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then followed two alleged incidents involving Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany.A club statement said: "Queens Park Rangers Football Club can confirm that a full investigation in relation to Joey Barton's dismissal and subsequent events against Manchester City on Sunday will be carried out following the conclusion of his FA hearing. The club will be making no further comment at this stage." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 17:17:06 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233732 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233693 Kenny Dalglish is to leave his job as Liverpool manager, Press Association Sport understands.The Scot flew to the United States on Sunday to present his end-of-season review to principal owner John Henry and Tom Werner.Rumours began circulating on Tuesday that his second spell Anfield was coming to an end and that is set to be officially confirmed later. Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 16:47:10 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233693 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233661 West Brom have released four players and taken up contract options on five as they look to reshape their squad for next season.Left-backs Nicky Shorey and Joe Mattock have been released by the Baggies along with midfielder Somen Tchoyi and Lateef Elford-Alliyu.Meanwhile, the club has exercised the one-year options they had on striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, midfielders Jerome Thomas and Simon Cox and Luke Daniels and Romaine Sawyers.West Brom sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth revealed Shorey and Mattock have been let go due to their limited opportunities at the club.He told the club's official website: "Liam Ridgewell has come in and very much made the left-back position his own. We felt Nicky and Joe's opportunities would therefore be limited."Joe is still at the beginning of his career and Nicky is an experienced player, with both requiring regular first-team football that we can't guarantee them at this stage."Ashworth also confirmed that the arrival of Shane Long at the club prevented Tchoyi from becoming a regular fixture in the side."(Somen) made a key contribution to us finishing 11th last season but due to the signing of Shane Long and the return to form of Marc-Antoine Fortune, his opportunities to play have become fewer and fewer so we decided it was best to part company," he said.Keith Andrews, Paul Scharner and goalkeeper Marton Fulop will all become free agents on June 30, but West Brom have not ruled out making new contract offers to the two outfield players."Neither Paul nor Keith had an option to trigger," Ashworth said. "While we're in a position where we do not have a permanent head coach, we are holding open the possibility of negotiations to enable both players to come back to the Hawthorns." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 16:17:06 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233661 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233625 Striker Darren Bent has pledged his commitment to Aston Villa and revealed a determination to get behind the new manager when he is appointed.The 28-year-old, who missed the last three months of the season after rupturing ankle ligaments, was linked with a move away in January."People have asked if I was mis-sold the dream when I signed and if I'm honest I didn't think Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would leave in the same summer," he told the Birmingham Mail. "But I signed for Aston Villa because I wanted to be here and I still do."Villa struggled in the absence of Bent, who scored 11 goals, and a 16th-place finish just two points above the drop zone cost manager Alex McLeish his job after just one season in charge.Bent, whose injury cost him a chance of making England's Euro 2012 squad, had to watch from the sidelines as the club had their worst campaign in six years and returned their lowest points total (38) in 42 years.He added: "I was linked with a transfer out of here all through January and I didn't want that then and I don't want that now. It's not been a great season but this is a massive club and we've got to make sure it is a blip that doesn't happen again. It is still a time of transition and we need to do our best to get behind the new manager."McLeish faced a wall of opposition from fans having been appointed from city rivals Birmingham last summer, and when the club was dragged into a relegation battle the criticism worsened.Bent felt the Scot would get longer to make his mark at Villa Park but owner Randy Lerner had other ideas."Whenever a manager leaves you are always a bit surprised and I thought he would get another year if I'm honest," he added. "Considering the players we lost it was always going to be a tough season but nobody expected it to be quite this tough."We probably lost half our team from last season, Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, so that was always going to have an effect." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 15:47:06 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233625 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233361 West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Roy Hodgson's way of working will be of great benefit to England as they step up their preparations for Euro 2012.Hodgson rebuilt the Baggies defence last summer bringing in Gareth McAuley and Billy Jones on free transfers, with Liam Ridgewell joining the club in January. The trio formed part of a revamped backline, with Jonas Olsson the only surviving member, after Steven Reid's season was cut short by injury in March."You can only make wholesale changes if you are organised and Roy is always organised," Foster told the club's official website, www.wba.co.uk. "England will benefit from that greatly, as everybody in the team knows their job."He added: "Your role is black and white and you know exactly what you need to do."At every moment in every game, every player knows what they should or should not be doing depending on what has happened somewhere else on the pitch." Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 11:46:57 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233361 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233326 QPR striker Jamie Mackie has signed a one-year extension to his contract.The 26-year-old has committed his future to the Loftus Road club until the summer of 2015."To be given the opportunity to extend my contract is fantastic for me," Mackie said. "It's a really exciting time for the club. Now we've stayed up, I think next season could be a really big one for QPR. To be a part of the long-term future of the club is an aim of mine and I'm really happy."Mackie is now looking for manager Mark Hughes to strengthen the QPR squad ahead of next season."Hopefully the manager can add even more quality to the squad in the summer to supplement what we've already got," said the former Plymouth striker, who moved to QPR in May 2010."With the new training ground too and the passion of the owners for the club, it's an amazing time for the Football Club."Mackie returned from a double leg break to score seven goals in QPR's first season back in the Barclays Premier League."From day one, the fans have brilliant with me - especially when I broke my leg," he added. "They carried on supporting me all the way through that."It meant a lot to me. Hopefully my performances since have gone a little way to paying them back for the support that they showed me."QPR retained their top-flight status on a dramatic final day. Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 11:16:52 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233326 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233096 Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric is in no rush to sort out his club future.The 26-year-old, who was at the centre of one of last summer's most protracted transfer sagas over a move to Chelsea which did not materialise, will wait until after the European Championship to make any decisions.The Croatia international told the Daily Mirror: "I will decide about my future after the Euros. I will make the decision where to continue my career. I'm ready for the big tests."Tottenham's participation in the Champions League next term depends on the result of this season's final, as Chelsea will take the fourth available spot if they beat Bayern Munich on Saturday. Source: PA Wed, 16 May 2012 06:47:01 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4233096 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232763 Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has accepted a three-match ban for being sent off against Newcastle on Saturday but has accused opponent Yohan Cabaye of using language which has "no place either on or off the football pitch".The Australian's club Everton earlier announced that their appeal against his red card had been rejected by the Football Association.Cahill has since issued a statement, through his management company Wasserman Media Group, in which he said: "I accept my three-match ban. My reaction at the end of the game was out of character but I was disgusted at comments made to me by Cabaye."He added: "I don't wish to elaborate on the exact detail of what was said - but his words have no place either on or off the football pitch."Cabaye has apologised via his club's website and as far as I am concerned the matter is now closed."Cahill was sent off by referee Andre Marriner during his side's 3-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday and French midfielder Cabaye who issued an apology on the Magpies' official website at the weekend."I would like to apologise for the cross words I exchanged with Tim Cahill which resulted in his red card and my booking on the final whistle," he told www.nufc.co.uk."It was unnecessary and, regrettably, the result of frustration and disappointment, all in the heat of the moment."It is out of character and for that I am sorry." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 21:17:04 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232763 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232691 Jermaine Pennant has been given an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, and has been disqualified from driving for three years after he admitted drink-driving.The Stoke winger was more than twice the limit when he got behind the wheel of his BMW to drive back from Manchester in the early hours of April 29, Trafford Magistrates' Court heard. The 29-year-old was "depressed and stressed" after months of turmoil in his private life and suffering taunts while in a nightclub, it was claimed.Pennant was driving home from the nightclub and was involved in a minor road accident before he was arrested at the scene. On Tuesday, he admitted drink-driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. He was also fined £80 costs and given a 12-month supervision order.On the night of the incident, Pennant was breath-tested and gave a reading of 89mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.Pennant, of Pool Lane, Sandbach, Cheshire, had already been banned form driving earlier that month by magistrates in Cannock, Staffordshire, for totting up too many points on his licence. But he was not aware that he was banned because the letter had not reached him, the court heard.Passing sentence, District Judge Khalid Qureshi told Pennant he accepted the defendant did not know he should not have been driving, but the previous convictions and high alcohol reading aggravated the offence.But District Judge Qureshi said he could suspend a jail term because the previous offences were committed a "considerable time" ago and because of the situation Pennant found himself in, in the nightclub."I accept this had not been a pre-planned decision to drive," District Judge Qureshi said. "The circumstances which arose you found difficult to deal with and led you to believe the only option you had was to drive your vehicle, to get away from an unpleasant situation, you had no option."Mike Stephenson, defending, told the court despite the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Birmingham midfielder's previous convictions he had now matured."He was a wayward young man with possibly too much money," Mr Stephenson told the court. "That was the problem then. Seven years later he's grown up and disciplined himself with the help of Stoke City and the manager who has been a disciplinarian with the defendant." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 20:17:12 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232691 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232689 Gary Cahill has completed his first full training session for three weeks ahead of Chelsea's Champions League final and declared: "I will be fit."Cahill and David Luiz both appeared to come through unscathed as they stepped up their comeback from hamstring injuries just four days before Saturday's showdown with Bayern Munich.England defender Cahill, who suffered his injury during last month's epic semi-final second leg at Barcelona, said: "I'm just happy that it's healed quickly. We've worked really hard, all day, afternoons, and I'm fortunate enough to be back. Hopefully, I'll be fit, I will be fit, and hopefully I'll be out there if selected."It was a huge boost for Chelsea, who were in danger of going into the Allianz Arena clash without any recognised senior centre-backs.Cahill added: "First full session with the boys today after my injury, so nice to get back out there and get running around and kicking a ball about. There's some work to be done in two or three days now leading up to the game for me to get back into it."And if I need to do a little bit of other training, I'll do that. But, touch wood, there's no reaction from today and I felt fine out there."Cahill, who joined Chelsea from Bolton in January, admitted Saturday's game would be the biggest of his life."I think it's the biggest game for probably many of the boys," he added. "We're under no illusions how big the game is. It's going to be a good night and, hopefully, it goes to plan."Cahill was desperate to hear the famous Champions League music one more time this season."It's just like when the national anthem plays for England, isn't it?" he said. "It is a sort of hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck moment when you hear it and it gets you geed up and fired up for the game. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 20:17:11 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232689 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232690 Peter Crouch has received the Euro 2012 backing of former England sharp-shooter Gary Lineker.New boss Roy Hodgson is due to unveil his 23-man England squad on Wednesday afternoon and is facing a number of selection dilemmas. Choosing his strikers could be particularly difficult given that obvious first choice Wayne Rooney is suspended for the opening two Group D matches against France and Sweden.Stoke forward Crouch is the man Lineker would like to see involved. The former Everton and Tottenham striker said: "I would be surprised if Crouch is not in the squad. He is a proven goalscorer at international level, especially against weaker teams, and there are a couple of those in our group."He added: "He can keep the ball and gives you a different option. With Crouch there is a tendency to want to hit long balls, which doesn't really work at that level."But it is only because he is so big. Technically, he is a decent footballer. I don't know what Capello's thinking was but I would definitely consider him."Rooney's Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck is strongly fancied to make the cut despite missing his club's final two games with an ankle injury.Darren Bent would have been a certainty too had it not been for the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since February.The Aston Villa man has confirmed he will be fully fit before the finals begin in Poland and Ukraine on June 8. But after such a long time out, Hodgson would be taking a major risk considering there are just two friendlies - against Norway and Belgium - before the France encounter in Donetsk on June 11.Andy Carroll has made a late surge with his recent form for Liverpool and Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge has performed well in patches.Hodgson has offered few clues to his eventual selection. On two separate occasions though, most recently on Monday evening, the 64-year-old has said he needed to pay considerable attention to the players responsible for getting England to the European Championship. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 20:17:11 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232690 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232652 Joey Barton has been given extra time to respond to the two charges of violent conduct levelled against him for his behaviour during QPR's Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester City.The deadline for Barton to accept or deny the charges had been 6pm on Tuesday but the Football Association extended that to 12pm on Wednesday following a request from the Rangers captain's representatives."The deadline of 6pm on Tuesday 15 May, which Joey Barton had until to respond to the two FA charges against him for alleged violent conduct has been extended to 12 noon on Wednesday 16 May following a request from his representatives," the FA said in a statement."The charges against the Queens Park Rangers midfielder are in relation to Sunday's match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium."Following the player's dismissal in the 54th minute of the fixture, there followed two incidents involving Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany."As Barton had already been dismissed, both of these incidents fell outside of the jurisdiction of the referee."Meanwhile, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has spoken of his exasperation at Barton's latest misdemeanours."I just feel sometimes like it is pushing a boulder up a hill, it slips back and you decide whether to go again," Taylor said. "We try to deal with Joey Barton and it is not getting any easier. It has certainly been a backward step for him and his future in the game." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 19:47:06 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232652 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232575 Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has returned from his trip to the United States to meet the club's owners but what the outcome of their discussions will be still remains unclear.Press Association Sport understands the Scot flew back to Britain on Tuesday after meeting principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner amid a growing crescendo of rumours about his future.Speculation reached fever pitch on internet and social networking sites around late Tuesday morning with unsubstantiated claims ranging from him being sacked to resigning. With no statement forthcoming from either Fenway Sports Group or the club, the rumour mill ran wild, although it gradually subsided the longer time went by with no announcement.Without a public show of support from FSG Dalglish's position will remain a subject for debate even though just over a month ago Werner stated they had "great confidence in Kenny and he enjoys our full support".Since then results have not improved as Liverpool won just two league matches out of five and lost the FA Cup final to Chelsea.But there has perhaps been too much being read into his trip to America, fed no doubt by FSG's restructuring at the club has already led to the departure of director of football Damien Comolli, head of sports science Peter Brukner and head of communications Ian Cotton in the last month.Dalglish, along with coach Steve Clarke, flew out after Sunday's defeat to Swansea to present their view of what has been a disappointing season.It was always designed to be part of the review process, which Dalglish had admitted some weeks before required him to provide a detailed report of his assessment of the last 10 months and his thoughts on plans going forward.After a 14th loss of the league campaign Liverpool's eighth-place finish was their worst for 18 years and a points tally of 52 their lowest since 1953/54.It will have left Dalglish and Clarke to answer some testing questions from Henry and Werner about what progress was being made with their investment, having spent over £200million to buy the club in October 2010 and then heavily backed their manager in subsequent transfer windows. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 18:47:07 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232575 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232534 Roberto Di Matteo is intent on masterminding "something extraordinary" in Saturday's Champions League final and has brushed off the prospect of it being his last match in charge of Chelsea.Caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo again admitted he thought becoming the first manager to lead the club to glory in European football's most prestigious club competition would not affect his hopes of being appointed on a permanent basis.He said: "I have a big drive and a big motivation to do something extraordinary for this club. That's all I want to do. Whatever comes afterwards, there's always a reason why things happen."The former Chelsea midfielder also claimed he had no idea what the future would hold were he to be overlooked, even though he appears bound to be inundated with job offers on the back of his extraordinary Stamford Bridge rescue act.Di Matteo insisted on Sunday he would have "no problem" if winning the Champions League failed to alter his fate and claimed on Tuesday afternoon he had "not had time" to speak to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about his future."My future will be holidays after Saturday," the 41-year-old added, refusing to elaborate beyond that.Indeed, all Di Matteo was concerned with was making "history" for the club he served with such distinction as a goalscoring midfielder."This game can decide the history of our football club," he said. "It would be the first time we would win the European Champions League."That's all that matters and all we're thinking about and focusing on."Meanwhile, David Luiz and Gary Cahill have given Chelsea a huge boost by returning to full training, with both appearing to come through unscathed. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 18:17:10 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232534 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232491 Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini hopes to be allowed to spend big this summer in pursuit of further success.Chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has said there is now no need to spend the lavish sums of previous summers, because the squad is already strong, but Mancini still wants more top names as he hopes to add the Champions League to this season's Barclays Premier League title victory.He told BBC Sport: "Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money. I think for Manchester City it will be the same. We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League."Mancini will also focus on the current squad, with speculation still likely to surround the controversial figures of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.Tevez was widely expected to leave in the summer after failing in his attempts to engineer a move during the January transfer window. Yet after returning to the club following his infamous self-imposed exile in Argentina to play a key role in the run-in, the apparently reintegrated 28-year-old has said he wants to stay.Mancini said: "It's not difficult to manage Tevez. He's a good guy. We had a good relationship always. I don't know why we had that situation in September but in the end he's a good guy and a fantastic player."Mancini wants to keep Balotelli despite creating headlines for misdemeanours on and off the field during the season.The City manager told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Mario has been very clear and I reiterate: Balotelli will remain at Manchester 101%."It has been reported that Mancini will be rewarded for overseeing City's first league win in 44 years with a new contract, but he says the situation has not yet been discussed with the sheikh.The 47-year-old, who took charge at the Etihad Stadium in December 2009, said: "He sent me a message of congratulations, he was happy. We haven't spoken about a new contract but I am very happy to work here." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 17:47:09 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232491 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232455 Aston Villa's season verged on the disastrous, according to chief executive Paul Faulkner.Manager Alex McLeish was sacked on Monday after Villa finished 16th, just two points above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone. It was the club's worst league finish in six years and their lowest points total in 42 years."I suppose a disaster would have been getting relegated but this was too close for comfort," Faulkner told BBC Radio Five Live.McLeish lasted just one season, and was up against it from the start having previously worked for Villa's bitter rivals Birmingham - who he took down last year.But Faulkner felt it was performances on the pitch which meant McLeish never won over his critics."It is all connected to results, it all goes hand in hand," he added. "I think the fans' feelings were because of our results, which were not good enough."Like all fans of any club they were going to make their feelings known. This is the worst year that Villa has had in a generation. There are a whole group of fans who have never known it this bad for Villa so I am not surprised (by their reaction) at all."Faulkner accepts Villa got it wrong in appointing McLeish as Gerard Houllier's successor after the Frenchman left the club on health grounds last summer."It's using hindsight. We've had to make the change with Alex now and you're constantly evaluating yourselves," Faulkner added. "The season didn't go the way we would have wanted and we have to look for reasons why that may be. If we were happy with mediocrity or a season like this, then we wouldn't be making changes."Norwich manager Paul Lambert has been linked with the vacancy, as has Wigan boss Roberto Martinez while former Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has emerged as the favourite with some bookmakers. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 17:17:07 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232455 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232454 Sir Alex Ferguson was back at his desk early Monday morning plotting how to swing the Premier League balance of power back in Manchester United's favour, David Gill has revealed.United thought they had pipped Manchester City to the Barclays Premier League title on Sunday evening after beating Sunderland but a dramatic injury-time winner from Sergio Aguero against QPR broke the Red Devils' hearts in the most cruel fashion."He didn't sleep much on Sunday night. None of us did. He was in the office at 7.30 on Monday morning already thinking about next season," Gill said at the Premier League 20 Seasons awards in London.City striker Carlos Tevez rubbed salt in to the wounds on Monday when he brandished a sign saying "RIP Fergie" during the club's open-top bus parade through Manchester.But while the blue half of the Lancashire city have been celebrating, the red half have been planning how to stop Roberto Mancini's men from dominating the English top flight for years to come.Gill said on Monday night that a number of transfer targets had already been shortlisted and the United chief executive reckons Ferguson is keen to bounce back immediately by securing their 20th title next term."We have to get on with it now. We can't look back and feel sorry for ourselves. We have started planning for next year. We will come back fresh and I am always confident with this manager," he added.City may have won their first title since 1968 on Sunday, but it was United who were honoured for their domination of the top flightFerguson was named the best manager in the Premier League's history after clinching 12 titles during his Old Trafford reign while midfielder Ryan Giggs won the best player category. Time may be catching up with him - Ferguson turns 71 in December - but Gill, who picked up the award on his behalf, insists the Scot has no plans to retire just yet."He has a rolling contract and he delegates, he still has the enthusiasm, and I am sure he will go on for many more years," Gill said. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 17:17:07 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232454 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232418 Manchester United have accepted an apology from Manchester City over a controversial placard held up by Carlos Tevez during their title celebrations.City striker Tevez, formerly of United, was filmed on TV with a sign which read 'RIP Fergie' during his club's open-top bus tour of Manchester city centre with the Barclays Premier League trophy.City reacted quickly to express "sincerest apologies" while Tevez also spoke of his regret. United chief executive David Gill told Sky Sports News: "I think it's right. The club acted pretty quickly. I think it was rather silly, frankly, in terms of what it said, but City acted with commendable speed. We move on and concentrate on other issues."The banner, thought to have been passed onto the bus by a fan, may have referred to a remark by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson three years ago when asked if his side would ever be underdogs against City. "Not in my lifetime," the Scot said.Tevez, who joined City from United in 2009, said he "got carried away in the excitement of the moment".The Football Association are looking into the matter after chairman David Bernstein also described the Argentinian's actions as "silly".When asked about the incident by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, he said: "It looked to me rather silly, more than anything else - an impetuous, silly thing to do. It certainly wasn't very sensible. I think it was a very excitable moment, emotions were running very high."As I understand it, and I stand to be corrected, I think someone passed this thing to Tevez who just sort of put it in the air, so I don't think it's the most serious thing I've ever come across."But I don't know all the facts and I would leave it to the people (at the FA) who will look at it professionally."Tevez returned to play a key role in City's title run-in after an extraordinary dispute which saw him spend more than three months in Argentina without permission. The 28-year-old failed in attempts to engineer a transfer in January but has recently said he wants to stay at the Etihad Stadium. Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 16:47:02 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232418 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232195 Defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill are set to train ahead of Chelsea's Champions League final against Bayern Munich on Saturday.But Florent Malouda was described by caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo as "touch and go" for the Allianz Arena showdown.Di Matteo said on Sunday that Luiz and Cahill's fight to be fit would "probably" go right up to the day of the game, so their attempt to train on Tuesday was a huge boost for the Blues."Gary and David are going to try to train with us today," Di Matteo said of the centre-back pairing, who have both been out for around a month with hamstring injuries.Malouda failed to complete the first half of Chelsea's final Barclays Premier League game of the season against Blackburn on Sunday having strained a hamstring.Di Matteo said: "Flo, we'll still assess and it's going to be touch and go for him to be available for Saturday." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 14:16:19 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232195 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232122 The fans' group campaigning for the removal of Blackburn manager Steve Kean have been granted meetings with Government and the Premier League to air their concerns.The BRFC Action Group have long called for the removal of Kean and claim owners Venky's, the Indian poultry firm, are not fit and proper persons to run the club, and their campaign has been stepped up since the club were relegated from the Barclays Premier League amid scenes of unrest and protest at Ewood Park last week.Blackburn MP Jack Straw has facilitated a meeting of the fans with sports minister Hugh Robertson next month and the Premier League have agreed in principle to meet them too.A statement from the BRFC Action Group committee read: "We as a group of supporters, elected by its members, are disgusted that our club has been allowed to be pillaged with very little resistance from the regulatory bodies who should act in the best interest of the sport and supporters."The action group's chairman Glen Mullan said in the statement: "This will give us an opportunity to put our case to the highest authorities and offer supporting evidence to why we feel that our club's activities has not been monitored at all, since the FA granted Venky's [status] as fit and proper owners."This will include agent's roles during their ill-fated tenure and lack of administration structure at the club."Many fans pinpoint the club's takeover by Venky's 18 months ago as the start of their demise. Venky's sacked Sam Allardyce soon into their stewardship and appointed Kean, who was the subject of demonstrations throughout this season's struggles.Last week a letter from Rovers deputy chief executive Paul Hunt to Venky's calling for Kean's removal surfaced in the media. Hunt has since left the club in what was described by Venky's as a cost-cutting measure following relegation.The group's statement added: "In the last two weeks supporters' greatest fears have been realised as our club has lost its fight for Premier League survival, following the club's decision to keep manager Steve Kean in charge of first-team affairs."This is despite, according to, the well-publicised leaked letter by the DCEO Paul Hunt from December 2011 stating that Steve Kean had lost the dressing room, and the board had requested his removal as well as the wider supporter base." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 12:47:11 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232122 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232058 Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he has yet to discuss a new contract with the club.Mancini, who led City to their first Barclays Premier League title since 1968 on Sunday, has one year left on his current deal. Reports in England claim Mancini will soon be offered a new lucrative four-year contract extension, but he has not heard anything, despite having contact with the club's owner in the wake of the title success."He (owner Sheikh Mansour) sent me a message of congratulations," Mancini said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was happy. We haven't spoken about a new contract but I am very happy to work here."The Italian tactician admits that Sunday's events have yet to sink in.With his team trailing 10-man QPR 2-1 in stoppage time, City scored two late goals that handed them the three points they needed to win the title on goal difference ahead of city rivals Manchester United."It was a miracle," Mancini said. "God looked at our game and gave us a helping hand. Football is mad and it's extraordinary because of that. Games end on the final whistle and you cannot give up."On Sunday we won the title by scoring two goals in injury time. I have never experienced that before and I don't know when it will happen again."Mancini claims that Sunday's season finale was further evidence that the Barclays Premier League is the best league in the world, and added: "Our game, that of United in Sunderland and the draw between Stoke and Bolton prove that it is a loyal battle here, always and anywhere."And the 47-year-old believes there is no question his side were worthy winners. "We truly deserve this title," he said. "We have taken 89 points. We have scored more goals than any other team. We have played the best football and we have beaten United twice."I must compliment United because they fought until the last second. To beat a rival like United after a league like this one increases our merit." Source: PA Tue, 15 May 2012 11:47:03 http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=4232058