Blackpool buck the spending trend as agents rake in record £12.7m in fees August 18, 2010 BLACKPOOL are living proof that big money payments to agents don’t necessary bring success. Ian Holloway’s (right) men sealed a shock promotion to the Premier League last May after beating Cardiff in the Championship play-off final. But new figures released by the Football League yesterday showed the Seasiders achieved it with their house well and [...]
Skittish win for Murray in Cincinnati August 18, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray may be hotly tipped to claim a long-awaited first Grand Slam at the US Open next month, but he will need to improve on last night’s addled victory to even make it into the second week. The world No4 looked to be coasting to a straightforward second-round win over Jeremy Chardry at [...]
Nasri injury blow for Gunners August 18, 2010 ARSENAL suffered another early-season injury blow yesterday after Samir Nasri underwent minor surgery on a knee injury. The Frenchman suffered the injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool and has been ruled out for a month. Nasri, 23, was drafted in by boss Arsene Wenger to fill Cesc Fabregas’s centre midfield role after the captain [...]
Poulsen lined up for Reds debut August 18, 2010 NEW signing Christian Poulsen could be set to make his Liverpool bow tonight when Roy Hodgson’s men take on Turkish side Trabzonspor in their Europa League play-off. The Danish international is being lined up for his first taste of the action since his £4.5m move from Juventus last week as a replacement for Javier Mascherano, [...]
It’s hotting up for Investec August 18, 2010 AS the days go by a competitive edge is beginning to creep into the Investec team as they take the Garmin #4miler Challenge to a whole new level. The fastest time yet of 27 minutes 58 seconds belongs to 33-year-old private banker David Knott who is clearly reaping the rewards as he prepares for the [...]
Redknapp’s men struggle to keep pace with Young Boys August 17, 2010 YOUNG BOYS (3) vs TOTTENHAM (9) TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp gleefully embraced a “great defeat” after his side surged back into contention following the most cataclysmic of starts in Bern. Spurs’ hopes of progressing to the Champions League group stage – and pocketing a £20m windfall – looked extinct after Young Boys raced into a [...]
Strict Strauss lays down law to troops August 17, 2010 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has warned his England troops of their off-the-field responsibilities after coming close to losing Graeme Swann for today’s third Test with Pakistan at The Oval. Spinner Swann missed Monday’s practice session after appearing in a Nottingham court to answer a drink-driving charge. Swann told the court he had returned from birthday celebrations [...]
Selectors are right to give Cook time August 17, 2010 ALASTAIR COOK is clearly lacking in confidence at the moment but the England selectors are right to keep faith with him. He is struggling to make his mind up which deliveries to play and which to leave, and the ones he is playing he is doing so with hesitancy. But upsetting the applecart now, with [...]
Ferguson blasts rivals for kamikaze spending sprees August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Manchester City by accusing some Premier League clubs of “kamikaze” spending. Ferguson did not mention the Sheikh Mansour-backed Eastlands outfit by name as he railed against mega-rich owners splashing their millions with little restraint. But it is widely believed he was referring to [...]
Mancini finally signs Milner and defends ‘rebel’ Balotelli August 17, 2010 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli does not deserve his notoriety and has backed the Italian prodigy to take England by storm. Mancini introduced Balotelli to the press yesterday, after finally landing Aston Villa’s James Milner and letting Craig Bellamy join Cardiff on loan. Balotelli, 20, was quick to dismiss the reputation he [...]