Category Uncategorized

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sport England today confirmedthat the permanent site of the new ECB National Academy will be LoughboroughUniversity, an English Institute of Sport site.The decision follows meetings of Sport England’s Council and its Lottery Awards Panel and the ECB’s Management Board, at which a budget of £4m was approved for the capital costs of the project.In total a budget of £4.4m is needed for the development of residentialaccommodation as well as for the building of a new indoor cricket centre. The finance will come from Sport England and from Loughborough University. Building work on the facilities will begin as soon as possible although no time-scale has yet been set for the completion.The National Academy concept began in October this year and the first intake of students is currently training in Adelaide, at the home of the AustralianNational Academy, under the guidance of National Academy Director Rodney Marsh.Hugh Morris, ECB Performance Director, said: “I am delighted that the go-ahead for Loughborough University has been given. It will not only act as a training centre for the National Academy but also for all of our national age-group teams throughout the year, and it offers the ideal environment for the development of our next generation of international cricketers and high performance coaches.”With two outdoor cricket pitches, grass nets and a new indoor centre, thefacilities will be first class, but Loughborough also offers high quality sports science and medicine provision which is essential for today’s topathletes and coaches.”In addition Loughborough hosts over 250 elite athletes from athletics, swimming, tennis, badminton, netball and football, thereby providing a unique opportunity for our players to interact with top quality performers from other sports. Our coaches will be able to share ‘best practice’ with their counterparts too.”Whilst this announcement represents a big step forward, there is still muchwork to be done. It is not yet known when the infrastructure at Loughborough will be complete, therefore we still need to remain flexible with our plans for the National Academy programme for the 2002-3 winter.”Trevor Brooking, chair of Sport England said: “The ECB’s decision to developthe National Cricket Academy at Loughborough has been formally supported by the Sport England Lottery Panel and the Sports Council and will become a welcome addition to the English Institute of Sport’s (EIS) network of high performance training facilities.”Sport England has already invested over £21m at Loughborough University tocreate a major regional base for the EIS by funding world class facilities for swimming, hockey, netball, badminton, gymnastics and athletics. Elite competitors in the region will be able to access a range of sports medicineand sports science support services through the EIS on-site.”We look forward to working with the ECB and the University to develop thisunique facility for the next generation of Test cricketers.”The Academy squad, currently training in Australia, has already achieved good results on and off the pitch and is supported through the World Class revenue funding programme. The establishment of the National Cricket Academy is an important step towards developing a successful Test team for the future.”Dr Guy Jackson, Director of Cricket at Loughborough University, who has beenleading negotiations with ECB Performance Director Hugh Morris, said: “Clearly we’re very pleased with the announcement, which further cements our working relationship with the ECB. More importantly in cricket terms we feel, as do ECB, that young England cricketers aspiring to Test level can really benefit from the Loughborough University location which provides for interaction between coaching at the highest level and world class sports science, in a supportive ‘performance environment’.”We are confident that Loughborough can provide an excellent site for ECB todevelop the next generation of Test cricketers. Its existing facilitiesalong with the new Sport England investment and ECB’s coaching structurewill provide a truly world class Academy base.”

Newcastle United have held talks over a potential move for Boubacar Kamara this summer.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

The 22-year-old has not signed a new deal with Marseille, so he finds himself out of contract in the summer.

Currently rated at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, getting him on a free transfer at the end of the season presents a real bargain for whoever can land his signature.

The Latest: Talks held

As per The Sun, Kamara has already held talks with Newcastle over a possible move, along with West Ham United.

Manchester United are also thought to be interested in a cut-price deal, while Crystal Palace have also joined the race.

The Verdict: No-brainer

It is a no-brainer for Newcastle to try and get a player of Kamara’s quality for free.

Once dubbed a ‘phenomenon’ by former Marseille team-mate Rolando, he is seen as ‘one of the next big things’ according to Daily Mirror journalist David Anderson.

At just 22 years of age, the Frenchman has so much potential, and even if it does not work out for him on Tyneside, he is sure to have a high sell-on value.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A bonus for Eddie Howe is that Kamara is equally as comfortable as a centre-back as he is in defensive midfield, so his versatility could prove to be a real asset in the Magpies’ squad if this proposed move comes off.

In other news, these were NUFC’s three worst performers against Brighton

In the words of Sir Elton John, sorry seems to be the hardest word. Yet, Manchester City’s surly striker Carlos Tevez has issued a belated apology to his club, following the much talked about incident in Munich.

The former captain delivered an official apology through City, stating his desire to get back into action and help his side, after three months away from the set-up:

“I wish to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence.

“My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City football club.”

The apology came after Tevez met with City’s football administrator Brian Marwood, and is believed to have been accepted by boss Roberto Mancini, despite no specific mention of him in the Argentine strikers statement.

The pair have yet to come face-to-face since the forward’s return, but there are rumours that Mancini may be willing to put the whole episode in the past, and welcome back his talented front-man.

This could, however, be a terrible decision on the part of the Italian coach for a series of reasons. Any backing down from Mancini would signal as a victory for Tevez, who would have undermined this manager’s leadership and been welcomed back into the fold. We live in a society that encourages forgiveness, second chances and rehabilitation, but after declaring that Tevez and City were ‘finished’ Mancini’s authority over a squad, possessing more than its fair share of big egos, could be called into question.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

With the dressing room at the Etihad believed to be a settled environment with on-field performances reflecting this, the re-entry of Tevez could serve to disrupt the harmony. The striker is definitely not one to hold back with his thoughts, and after letting down his teammates with his refusal to play, he could find himself side-lined by other squad members. This in turn could cause a rift, and the effects of cliques in dressing rooms have been well documented down the years.

The motives behind the apology must also be analysed, after Tevez was so adamant that he wanted no further part at the club. The forward and his representatives have been searching for a team willing to take on the talented yet temperamental striker for a few months now, and as of yet their quest has been unsuccessful. Tevez needs to get playing again to get himself back on the world football radar, and justify his wage demands to potential suitors, who were believed to all be unwilling to meet the suggested figures. As a result City would not have a player fully committed to their cause, instead somebody using the rest of the season as a stepping stone, to manoeuvre an exit to pastures new. One thing the club need during the close of the campaign are players willing to put themselves on the line to press home their points advantage, as rivals Manchester United have the benefit of experience in title run-ins.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Tevez may be an extremely talented footballer, and one many clubs would be willing to welcome home. But, in the case of Manchester City there is just too much bat blood, and the Argentine could prove to be the catalyst for a complete meltdown at the Etihad.

What are your views on Carlos Tevez? Follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter and have your own say

[ffcvideo file=”tfcbtitle3″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

Well, that’s that, then. Thirty five years of no success over in the blink of an eye. Actually, it’s been twenty three for me, but then I suppose I’m just one of the lucky ones. As lucky as one can be, being a Manchester City fan, obviously… some would say that being a blue is rather a life sentence. I must have done something pretty awful in a past life to have to put up with everything I have done, so I dread to think what those who have suffered for longer did. I suppose the point I’m trying to make is that the FA Cup win from Saturday still feels quite unreal, all told.

In truth, City were the better team throughout most of the final, aside from the fifteen minute spell where Stoke got themselves secured in the City half. And to be fair to Stoke, they hung in the game well with some good tackles on the edge of their box, some great saves from Sorensen and could (perhaps should) have taken the lead with their best chance of the game through Jones. But a great save from Hart denied that and then a great finish from Yaya Touré was the decider in the end.

And while Yaya Touré will get the plaudits for the two goals he scored at Wembley this season (rightly so, since they were two good finishes and he has picked his time to start putting the ball in the net on a more regular basis), there are some players who should get some credit for City’s first trophy win in over three decades who have, perhaps, been overlooked.

Joe Hart’s role in the cup run had been pretty minimal until we reached the semi-final stage. In fact, it was his error in the first FA Cup game at Leicester that resulted in an unwanted third round replay, though he held his hands up for the mistake and put it behind him almost immediately. After that, however, he didn’t really have much to do in rounds four through six but keep his concentration and collect some crosses, knock downs and simple saves.

And, as big as the decision to pick Hart over Given had been at the start of the season for Roberto Mancini, it turns out that the decision was vindicated. In three of City’s most important matches in the last few weeks – Manchester United (FA Cup semi-final), Tottenham (Premier League) and Stoke (FA Cup final) – he has made crucial saves at crucial points in the game. He was off his line quickly to deny Berbatov, he reacted instantly to flick away a Pienaar header, and he was big and spread himself to block from Jones. And had the opposition scored from any of those chances at those points in those games, I doubt City would have gone on to win those matches.

As City fans, we know how good Nigel de Jong has been for the season. In fact, when de Jong isn’t playing, City have looked vulnerable and, while he doesn’t do scoring (except for that freak goal against West Ham, naturally), he adds a lot more in an attacking sense than many people think. He moves the ball quickly and is always an option when there is nothing on further forward, meaning he can switch the play and catch the opposition defence out.

This was just half the job he did in the FA Cup final, along with his general break-up play and defensive solidity. In fact, while Stoke are known for having tough and strong players, you would have thought it the other way round with how it was the Dutchman who dominated the midfield, taking the pressure off the blues’ back four. With the injured Etherington unable to influence the game and de Jong always hassling the rest of the midfield, Stoke just couldn’t get enough possession of the ball.

Kompany and Lescott were both on top of their game and Stoke’s well renowned long-throw in and set piece strength was negated by the centre-half pairing’s winning of headers. Constantly. And we’ve seen in the past how badly City have coped with Stoke’s aerial threat, so their performance shouldn’t be understated. There should also be honourable mentions for Balotelli, who had perhaps his best game in a City shirt, David Silva, who created so much and should have scored, and Gareth Barry, who used the ball well when in possession.

Oh, and to Yaya Touré, who did something or other to win the game.

City’s first FA Cup victory since what feels like ever was very much a team achievement. Not just on the day (I think from what I’ve written about each of the players that started the final, it’s obvious that that one game was a team display), but throughout the tournament itself. Edin Dzeko scored his first City goal away at Notts County; in a game where City didn’t look like scoring and could have crashed out of the competition to the underdogs. James Milner put in a shift at Leicester, scoring one and making another. There was Mario Balotelli’s potential goal of the season against Aston Villa. Micah Richard’s winner against Reading didn’t look like coming either, this time because City looked like they were going to keep missing chances for fun that day.

It’s a whole world away from the cup exit in 2007, just four seasons ago, under Stuart Pearce. City had stumbled past Sheffield Wednesday (thanks to a Samaras penalty at Hillsbrough to earn a replay), then played pretty well to beat Southampton and Preston North End, and had been drawn against Blackburn at Ewood Park. City fans were confident that this could have been the year when the baron spell ended.

Goals from Aaron Mokoena and Matt Derbyshire ended City’s cup run and the spineless display from the visitors against ten men was hard to swallow for a lot of the visiting fans. The Sunday evening finished in chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” and fans fighting with fans. It seems such a long way away from the victory of Saturday afternoon. And this, according to those from the outside, was a team with spirit and with a soul… one that hadn’t been sold to billionaires.

The in-fighting in the dressing room and the general sense of disappointment hanging over the club was conveniently ignored, just as has happened with the team spirit and optimism of fans towards the current squad. The dressing room video on City’s website shows just how much the squad have gelled and what the spirit in the camp is like.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

With Champions League football and the FA Cup secured, you could be forgiven for thinking that the season was over. But, with Arsenal’s insistence on handing out points as the season comes to a close, there’s a real possibility of third place in the league and the avoidance of that tricky qualifier at the start of next season. It needs another victory over Stoke, this evening.

For the first time in a very long time, it’s good to be a City fan.

Very, very good.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Birmingham City vice-chairman Peter Pannu has called on his club's fans to show patience following a disappointing start to the new Premier League season.

The Blues have won just once in their opening seven league games, but Pannu is confident that Alex McLeish's side will pick up in the near future.

He told the Birmingham Mail:"I understand that, seven games into this season, there are some fans exhibiting some impatience, which I fully understand.

"Nevertheless, the way I see this is when they voice their opinions, it is a sign they care. I will be worried if they are deaf, mute and aloof to any club stimulus – good or bad.

"Having said that, I would call for them to demonstrate a bit more patience. The team needs some time to gel.

"By and large the fans are behind the manager, who did a good job last season and I'm sure that form will continue this season too.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"I speak to Alex McLeish regularly and, rest assured, he is listening to the fans who are legitimately raising their concerns.

"Their constructive views are not ignored, they are taken on board."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Tottenham winger Giovani Dos Santos is being tracked by Bolton Wanderers according to the Mirror.

The Mexican winger, who came to prominence as a teenager at Barcelona, has fallen well short of his projected target since signing for Juande Ramos’ Spurs in 2008.

But with long-term injuries to a number of key players at Bolton, Owen Coyle has identified Dos Santos as a player to help his side climb up the league, and is willing to meet the £4 million asking price.

The Mexican – who continues to turn out for his national side – has always been on the fringes of Harry Redknapp’s side. A bid just short of the asking price from Sevilla failed to secure him a return to Spain in the summer, and now Owen Coyle will look to persuade Dos Santos that his immediate future lies at the Reebok Stadium.

Coyle has been an admirer of Dos Santos for a number of years and attempted to sign him while he was manager of Burnley.

With the proceeds from the sale of Gary Cahill to Chelsea, Coyle may finally get his man.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Gambia-born defender Mamadou Dansa scored the only goal as Portland Timbers won at home against the Philadelphia Union on Friday.Dansa struck in the 72nd minute to break the deadlock and send the Timbers to third place in the MLS Western Conference in front of a sold-out crowd at Jeld-Wen Field in Oregon.

Danso’s goal, his first of the season, gave the Timbers their second successive league win and their fourth in the past five games. The Timbers remain undefeated in four MLS games at home this season.

It was the Timbers second successive league game in which they had not conceded a goal, turning the table on a Philadelphia team that leads the league with four cleansheets this season.

Danso missed with a header in the first half, but he was on target after a Jack Jewsbury free kick.

Danso’s header directed the ball inside the near post past Philadelphia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

The visitors’ best chance came three minutes from time when Sebastian Le Toux shot at close range but Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins was equal to the task.

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov happily accepted the praise after his hat-trick inspired the 3-2 triumph over Premier League rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

The Bulgarian has cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford since he joined from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth £30million two years ago.

However, his recent heroics have enamoured him to the Red Devils' faithful and he was delighted with the way the day panned out.

He opened the scoring with a diving header from Ryan Giggs' corner before doubling the lead with a superb overhead kick.

Steven Gerrard pulled Liverpool back into it with a penalty and a free-kick, but another header from the instrumental frontman secured all three points and he expressed his delight at hearing the crowd roar when his spectacular second struck the net.

"It was probably my best day in a United shirt," said Berbatov.

"Obviously I am happy. I am going home with a smile on my face, but I am nothing special. I am going home to play with my kids.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"I never saw the ball go in the back of the net, but when I heard the crowd scream it was easy to guess what had happened.

"It was a good goal, but as long as the ball hits the back of the net it doesn't matter."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Graham Dorrans struck a late free kick to earn West Brom their first win of 2012 as they narrowly beat Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters thought they had claimed a point after Cameron Jerome equalised five minutes from time after James Morison had given Roy Hodgson’s men the lead just before the break. But Scotland midfielder Dorrans had other ideas firing home through a crowd of players in stoppage time to hand the Baggies their first three points of the New Year. The defeat will come a huge blow to Stokes chances of qualifying for the Europa League this season and boss Tony Pulis will be disappointed with Jon Walters after missed a penalty in the second half that could have changed the game in their favour. For West Brom boss Hodgson he will be delighted that his players managed to grind out a result, ease the clubs relegation fears and justify the decision to leave striking duo Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie on the bench.

After three defeats on the trot it was important that the visitors started brightly with Jerome Thomas testing Thomas Sorensen early on. The Danish keeper then produced a wonderful save to keep out Morison’s fizzing drive tipping the ball onto the underside of the bar. However his good work would be undone 10 minutes before half time as he failed to correct his position in time to keep out Morison’s strike that changed direction in the wind with Sorensen only managing to get a hand to the ball before the Scottish midfielder was denied again after the restart seeing his effort beat Stoke keeper only for the ball to bounce back off the bar. Having enjoyed very little in the first half the home side were presented with a chance to level things up with 20 minutes to go.

Gareth McAuley’s clumsy foul on Walters saw referee Anthony Taylor signal for a penalty only for the former Ipswich striker striker to see his spot kick saved brilliantly by Ben Foster. With the game slipping away Pulis threw Jerome on in place of Ryan Shotton and the change paid instant dividends as he met fellow substitute Jermaine Pennant’s free kick to bring Stoke level with only five minutes left. However that wasn’t the end of the scoring as Dorrans’ free kick from the left found it’s way through into the bottom corner of Sorensen’s goal to secure a deserved victory for the Baggies.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

Strugglers Blackpool have been buoyed by reports that skipper Charlie Adam could play against Newcastle on Saturday.The Blackpool midfielder limped off in the first half of last Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Wigan Athletic and had his foot in plaster this week.

Reports, however, have suggested Adam is likely to be fit for the match at Bloomfield Road.

The relegation-threatened club’s survival hopes are firmly pinned on the Scotland international, who has scored 10 goals this season but his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Ian Holloway’s men will be eager to claim the three points against Newcastle given their remaining games include Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Following the defeat to Wigan, Blackpool dropped to the relegation zone for the first time this season, although they remain only a point off 17th-placed Wigan Athletic and five points behind Fulham who are 12th.

They have lost their last three games and have only won once in their last 13.

Midfielder David Vaughan is expected to return for the Tangerines having missed the last two games with a hip injury.

Newcastle took a small step towards securing their Premier League status on Tuesday as they held champions-elect Manchester United to a goalless draw at St James’ Park.

The Geordies are ninth on the table, with 40 points, and have only won one in their last six but have shown positive signs of staying in the top flight throughout the campaign.

While they are relatively safe from the drop, Alan Pardew is, too, hopeful a victory can build some momentum heading into the final month of action which includes games at Liverpool and Chelsea.

Pardew has admitted he has a selection headache on his hands, with second-string goalkeeper Tim Krul having played a pivotal role in keeping United scoreless and the return of first choice Steve Harper.

Key midfielders Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan, who were both overlooked for the Professional Footballers Association team of the season, will be spurred on by their non-selection.

Striker Shola Ameobi should be fit after starting against the Red Devils, while the on-loan Stephen Ireland, who came on as a substitute on Tuesday, will look to cement his first-team spot.