Wenger: Bale’s sale was catalyst for Ozil signing September 12, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger had cause to thank rivals Tottenham yesterday as he prepared to unleash record £42.5m signing Mesut Ozil on the Premier League tomorrow. Wenger conceded Real Madrid probably only offloaded Germany playmaker Ozil because Tottenham finally agreed to sell Gareth Bale to the Spanish club. “Honestly I think it was linked with [...]
“Kids don’t practice enough and switch clubs for wrong reasons” September 12, 2013 Exclusive: Charlton academy boss Paul Hart speaks mind to Josh Richards DAYS when a young David Beckham would dedicate extra hours to developing his iconic ball-bending technique or Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand would spend hours practising in steel cages outside their childhood homes appear to be over. And while the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance [...]
Adebayor told to train away from first team September 12, 2013 TOTTENHAM striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been ordered to train away from the first team by manager Andre Villas-Boas. The Togo forward missed the start of the Premier League season having been granted compassionate leave following the death of his brother Peter. However, Adebayor has since returned to Spurs and subsequently been granted a second period [...]
Bale fit and ready for Real debut September 12, 2013 THE world’s most expensive footballer Gareth Bale is hopeful of making his long awaited Real Madrid debut tomorrow at Villarreal. Real paid Tottenham £85.3m last month to take Bale to the Bernabeu and the Wales star finally linked up with his new team-mates this week following the international break. The 24-year-old missed Spurs’s pre-season campaign [...]
Hughton vows to snub Ireland overtures and stay at Norwich September 12, 2013 NORWICH manager Chris Hughton has distanced himself from the vacant Ireland manager’s job. Following the dismissal of Giovanni Trapattoni earlier this week, for failing to secure World Cup qualification, Hughton had been tipped to leave Carrow Road. Hughton was assistant to former Ireland manager Brian Kerr between 2003 and 2005, however, he has no intention [...]
Murray to face Croat prodigy in Davis opener September 12, 2013 SIXTEEN-year-old Borna Coric is the first obstacle in Andy Murray’s path this morning as he attempts to lead Great Britain back into the Davis Cup elite for the first time in five years. Despite his tender years Coric is no pushover, having won the US Open boys’ title last week at Flushing Meadows – just [...]
Strauss eyes ECB boardroom role but refuses to rush his decision September 12, 2013 FORMER England captain Andrew Strauss has revealed he is considering putting himself forward to succeed Hugh Morris as managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Strauss, who spent almost four years as skipper before retiring from the sport altogether 12 months ago, plans to decide in the next fortnight whether he wants [...]
O’Shea content to win ugly until Quins hit stride September 12, 2013 PRAGMATIC Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea insists results are all that matters early in the Aviva Premiership season as they prepare to welcome Northampton to the Stoop. Quins were an Andy Goode conversion, which hit the post, away from beginning the new season with defeat to Wasps on Saturday, but escaped from Twickenham with a 16-15 [...]
Sarries offer prediction incentive September 12, 2013 SARACENS have struck upon an innovative ploy to attract away fans – offering refunds if visiting supporters correctly predict the game’s outcome. Any Gloucester devotees yet to purchase a ticket for Sunday’s Aviva Premiership clash at Allianz Park can claim their money back if they accurately forecast a home or away win when buying by [...]
Mayweather ready for Alvarez September 12, 2013 BOXING: Pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather insists he will prove too much for Mexican challenger Saul Alvarez in tomorrow’s light-middleweight unification fight in Las Vegas. Both are unbeaten in more than 40 fights, despite Mayweather being 13 years older at 36. He said: “Alvarez hasn’t faced 42 Floyd Mayweathers, because he’d be 0-42. Whatever any fighter [...]