As the new Premier League season dawns upon us, so does with it the stream of newly designed kits.
For some supporters, the release of a new kit is a time of salvation, as a new, shiny American sports brand wheels out a classy design. For others, the notion of spending £40 plus on recycled polyester is simply far too much to bear.
But it is when a team like Fulham release a number as truly hideous and God-awful as their latest away kit, that fans from all clubs come together and rejoice at their misfortune. Knowing that however bad things get next season, they know they’ll never have to go to the terraces looking like an 80’s roadside mechanic.
Although every team has a dark closet full of football kit horrors. Those who have adorned the likes of Pony, Airness and Ribero over the years will have sore wounds opened up by events at Craven Cottage. So whilst we’re here, we may as well appreciate ten of the worst efforts in Premier League history.
Click on Wigan’s illumination to unveil the top 10
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Have I missed a horror show out or are you dismayed your favourite shirt has made the final cut? Get on Twitter and tell me, follow @samuel_antrobus
Sporting Lisbon have dismissed reports they are on the verge of signing Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, while DJ Campbell appears on the move.The Liga Sagres club were reportedly on the verge of signing the Denmark international after he was allegedly pictured in Portugal.
But director of football Carlos Freitas denied the rumours while unveiling teenager Atila Turan on Friday.
“I have no justification for such news. Bendtner is a player who is as close to Sporting as (Gonzalo) Higuain or (Didier) Drogba are,” Freitas said.
“Those are players who are at the same distance from Sporting. The reports of a move for Bendtner are a fictitious production.”
Bendtner is thought to be seeking a move away from the Emirates Stadium as he continues to fall down the pecking order at the English Premier League club.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are reportedly poised to break their transfer record with a move for Valencia midfielder Juan Mata.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Spanish club and Arsene Wenger’s team are viewed as a potential destination for the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner, with an offer in the region of 20 million euros.
The Mirror claimed that the Gunners have come to an agreement with Valencia over the potential sale of Mata, while The Sun reported that the player himself has told friends that he is set to join the north London club.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Queens Park Rangers have had a bid for Blackpool striker DJ Campbell accepted, with the player to undergo a medical in London.
The forward only joined the Tangerines permanently last term after enjoying a successful loan spell and continued his good form during the club’s first Premier League season, scoring 13 goals in 31 matches in the top flight.
The 29-year-old is set to move to the newly promoted club for an undisclosed fee, and only needs to agree to personal terms with QPR for the deal to go through.
“Blackpool Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Queen Park Rangers for the transfer of striker DJ Campbell,” Blackpool said on their official website.
“The 29-year-old has now been given permission to discuss personal terms with Neil Warnock’s side and undergo a medical.”
QPR have already secured the signings of Kieron Dyer, Jay Bothroyd and Danny Gabbidon so far this summer, but all three deals were on free transfers.
In other news in England, Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of Burnley duo Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears on three-year deals.
Right-back Mears and winger Eagles rejoin manager Owen Coyle, who signed them for Burnley during his time in charge there.
In the Serie A, Genoa have completed the signing of French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey from Fiorentina for an undisclosed fee, with the shot-stopper signing a five-year deal.
In Germany, Bundesliga outfit Schalke have confirmed the capture of former Stuttgart striker Ciprian Marica.
Returning to Spain, the agent of Villarreal attacker Giuseppe Rossi has announced the player will remain with the La Liga outfit – much to the disappointment of potential suitor Juventus.
Rossi had looked on the way out as Villarreal looked to ease their financial problems, but the sale of Santi Cazorla to Malaga has eased the burden and should allow Rossi to remain at El Madrigal.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed his former club to win this season’s English Premier League title.The club’s record goal scorer also ruled out a return to the Emirates Stadium on loan and told Arsenal’s current captain, Cesc Fabregas, to forget about the critics.
Henry was speaking at the Football Writers’ Association dinner where he received a Tribute Award, and believes Arsenal can lift this year’s Premier League title – something they have not done since 2003/04.
“I do think they can do it with the style of football that they play,” Henry said.
“I don’t think it’s the only time they’ve had the chance to grab the title. It will be a great thing for the club if they can bring back some silverware, especially for the fans.”
The French international has been training with Arsenal lately but dismissed reports he was about to join them on loan from his current club New York Red Bulls, who he plays for in USA’s Major League Soccer.
“I enjoyed my time here but I’m over there now and I’m happy to be over there,” he said.
“I started to train with them, I had two months off and I’m a bit off the pace right now, and you know how Arsenal play sometimes.”
“I trained with the squad before the game that they played the other day against Ipswich and it’s quick, pretty quick, so no that’s not the plan (to join Arsenal on loan).”
Henry also offered advice and support to Fabregas, who had critics when Arsenal went through a bad patch earlier in the season.
“People are always going to have a go at Cesc, rightly so or not. He’s an amazing player, he won the World Cup, he won the European Championship, he’s the talisman of the club, he’s the club captain,” he said.
“The only thing I will tell him is to not listen, I’ve been through that and there’s nothing you can do about it and that’s the way the game is.”
“If Arsenal go on and win the title they will say he had an amazing season, and nobody will remember what happened at the beginning of the season.”
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Two of Henry’s clubs will face off in the Round of 16 in the Champions League when Arsenal take on current La Liga champions Barcelona and the striker rates the London side’s chances.
“I think (they are) probably the two best teams in terms of football, in the way the game should be played. I think for the neutral it’s going to be an amazing game,” he said.
“For me I don’t know, I’m an Arsenal fan and I have a lot of friends also at Barcelona so it’s going to be a tricky one, but as I said its going to be a very difficult game, but if a team can beat Barcelona then it’s Arsenal.”
Denmark produced the first surprise result of Euro 2012 after Michael Krohn-Dehli’s first half goal proved enough to see off Group B favourites Holland in Kharkiv.
The Bronby midfielder’s struck mid-way through the first half against the run of play to hand Moten Olsen’s side a dream start in what has been dubbed ‘the group of death’. It proved to be a frustrating evening for the Dutch as they monopolised possession but lacked a ruthless edge in the final third failing to convert any of the 28 attempts despite their attacking lineup boasting glittering array of talent. Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben were the main culprits passing up a host of gilt edged chances to salvage a point for Bert van Marwijk’s men and they face an uphill struggle to make it to the knockout phase with games against Germany and Portugal to come.
In fact the Dutch should have been home and dry before Krohn-Dehli decisive and should have taken the lead with just seven minutes on the clock as they flew out of the traps. Robben caused mayhem in the early stages and drove past Lars Jacobsen on the left and teed up Van Persie to tamely shoot wide from 12-yards. The Bayern Munich winger then passed up a golden opportunity to give Oranje the lead after being played in by Van Persie but his decision to cross instead of shoot proved to be the wrong one as Daniel Agger did superbly to inadvertently deflect the ball into the goalkeeper Stephane Andersen’s arms.
They were made to pay for their profligacy as the Danes snatched the lead in the 25th minute courtesy of Krohn-Dehli after he pounced on a loose ball and tore past Johnny Heitinga into the penalty before smashing the ball through Maarten Steklenberg’s legs. Holland came within inches of an equaliser ten minutes before half time after Anderson’s careless pass found Robben but could saw his effort strike the post. The Dutch continued to press and Van Persie will be cursing his touch after he mis-controlled Wesley Sneijder’s pass after drifting into space in penalty area.
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It was a similar story for the Arsenal striker after the break as Sneijder picked him out only this time he lost his footing on the slick surface. The orange onslaught continued with Anderson at full stretch to palm away Mark Van Bommel’s rasping long-range strike before diving at the feet of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as the substitute tried to flick the ball over the onrushing keeper after being found by Sneijder with a exquisite pass with the outside of his boot only. A late penalty appeal also fell on deaf ears as Jacobsen appeared to handle in the area as Denmark held on to record a famous victory and give themselves a massive confidence boost ahead of their next two games.
Paolo Guerrero struck a hat-trick to help Peru claim third place in the Copa America with a 4-1 win over 10-man Venezuela on Saturday.Guerrero’s second-half treble, coming after Willian Chiroque opened the scoring in the first half, proved enough to overcome Venezuela, who were a man down following Tomas Rincon’s 58th-minute dismissal at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
Peru had their first genuine sight on goal 25 minutes in, when a quick one-two on the edge of the area released Chiroque behind the defence, but his effort from a tight angle was parried by Renny Vega.
A few minutes later, Venezuela had a chance when Miku turned into space inside the penalty area, but Raul Fernandez did well to tip his shot wide.
Despite Venezuela growing in confidence as the first-half neared its end, it was Peru who opened the scoring with a blistering counter-attack.
With three minutes to go before the break, Chiroque picked up the ball inside his own half and broke with pace against the back-pedalling Venezuelan defence.
He found Guerrero on the right flank, continued his run into the box, and stroked the return pass home from two yards.
Venezuela’s task was made that much harder after they were reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute, when Rincon slid in with two feet on Carlos Lobaton.
The tackle may not have been as harsh as Lobaton made out, but referee Wilmar Roldan showed Rincon a straight red, his second dismissal of the tournament.
Things went from bad to worse for Venezuela, as Peru doubled their advantage on 65 minutes.
With gaps appearing following Rincon’s sending off, Guerrero advanced through the midfield and played Chiroque through on the right.
This time he turned provider, laying the ball back to strike partner Guerrero, who had time to control the pass and smash it into the roof of the net.
Venezuela did at least manage to return fire, with substitute Juan Arango finishing clinically on 78 minutes after Yohandry Orozco’s through ball.
But it proved to be nothing more than a consolation, with Guerrero sealing the win for Peru as the clock moved into injury time.
The Hamburg striker showed great skill to evade his marker at the top of the box, and finished with aplomb past the helpless Vega.
Two minutes later, with virtually the last kick of the game, Guerrero completed his hat-trick with a simple finish.
For Peru, the win secures their best finish in the Copa since 1983, when they also came in third.
And while Venezuela must settle for fourth, it was still their best return in 15 appearances at the tournament dating back to 1967.
Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, James Milner and Gareth Barry. All reasonable English, middle level Premier League players, never fail to deliver but never really excel. Steven Pienaar, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Mikel Arteta and Nemanja Vidic. Arguably the stars of their respective teams. Coveted by teams ranging from Inter Milan, Real Madrid and the big boys in the Barclays Premier League.
The former’s accumulated transfer value? £72 million. £18 million respectively for Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, an extortionate £24 million for the workmanlike James Milner and £12 million for Gareth Barry, even with a mere twelve months left on his contract. The latter’s? £18 million. Everton spent £2 million each on Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar, Van Der Vaart went to Tottenham Hotspur for £7 million and Manchester United picked up the colossus that is Nemanja Vidic for the same price from Spartak Moscow in 2007. The reason for the huge difference in fees? The simple fact that Carrick, Hargreaves et al all hold an English Passport.
This ‘English Tax’ has again reared its head in the winter transfer window, with Darren Bent allegedly the subject of an initial £18 million bid from Gerard Houiller’s Aston Villa. Whilst Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll is interesting Tottenham, but another extortionate English fee seems to be getting in the way. Harry Redknapp explained, “[Tottenham Hotspur] are nowhere near getting Andy Carroll. How much is he? You are talking £30million to 40million.” For £33 million you could invest in an internationally recognized striker, who has scored twenty goals or more in each of his last five seasons. Or you could get yourself an international newcomer, who has had one good season at the highest level. Ask yourself who would you rather spend your money on; David Villa or Andy Carroll?
The same logic applies to Darren Bent, who is a very competent striker with a good goal scoring record in the Premier League. But is he really worth £18 million? Tottenham saw fit to pay £16.5 million for the Englishman but Bent failed to cut it at White Hart Lane and was swiftly dispatched to Sunderland. Another comparison again demonstrates the apparent lunacy of such money being spent, when the Uruguayan Luis Suarez is being touted across Europe for the same fee. Suarez is like David Villa, a prolific goal scorer at international and club level, with 80 goals in 108 games for Ajax, both in the Eredivisie and the Champions League. Darren Bent on the other hand has barely appeared for England and the closest he has come to European football is mainly on the substitute bench for Spurs.
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The obvious reason for this so called ‘Tax’ is the implementation of the requirement of eight home grown players within their twenty-five registered players. However as most football fans know, this rule is open to manipulation, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and the Da Silva twins both meeting the specifications needed to be classed as home grown. English players also usually provide a safe bet, with a (very, very high) majority having learnt their trade in our game, therefore not requiring any potential transition phase as seen with numerous foreign imports. United’s Vidic and Evra both come to mind as prominent examples of this. In the cut and thrust world of Premier League management, managers simply cannot take a risk on a player that will not integrate into the squad immediately. Juande Ramos at Spurs lost his job after several of his new signings failed to fire immediately. Modric, Pavlyuchenko and Assou-Ekotto, were the guilty ones, the same players that now form part of the strongest Spurs team in decades.
Even that argument can be picked apart, with numerous English and British players taking months and in some cases years to fully settle at new clubs. Gareth Bale signed for £12 million in the same summer as Modric, was a much more prominent failure until last season. Failing to win a Premier League game in twenty-four attempts. Whilst his fellow Southampton academy product Theo Walcott has failed to make any form of significant impact at Arsenal after joining for a similar fee to Bale.
This ‘Tax’ is a strictly English phenomenon as Spanish, Italian and French players all moving between clubs in their respective league for much more modest and realistic fee. There is however a plethora of high quality players of these nationalities, the same can’t be said for any British players. There are about five world class Englishmen, any player who seems to be heading to a decent level of football is immediately seized upon by the big clubs. Driving the price up; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another example of this strange ‘Tax’ with his fee looking to reach £10 million, twenty games into his fledgling career.
Quality Englishmen will always be hot property; no Englishman wants to go and watch their club and see none of their countrymen. Kids need to see local products and their compatriots wearing the shirt they so desire to wear. Although it doesn’t make business sense, it will continue until quality British players become the norm, rather than the exception
Written By Lee Wilson at the excellent ‘This Is Futbol’
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Arsenal’s attempts to get Robin van Persie to sign a new contract are hanging in the balance, and The Sun even suggest that initial negotiations have not been fruitful.
The Netherlands striker is out of contract next summer, and the Emirates Stadium outfit are nervous that they may lose their main man for nothing in a year’s time.
Arsene Wenger’s men are believed to have offered the skipper a bumper deal worth £130,000 a week, which would break the club’s wage structure, in a bid to keep the marksman in north London.
However, with Manchester City circling and prepared to offer Van Persie as much as £250,00 a week, the negotiations are at a tense stage.
Meanwhile, Mirror Football indicate that Van Persie is frustrated at the lack of silverware claimed by Arsenal in recent years, and that Manchester United are also in the running for Van Persie – and will match City’s wages offer.
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The whole Carlos Tevez saga seems to be at an end with Roberto Mancini confirming the club have accepted a bid from the Brazilian side Corinthians. The Argentine leaving will be a huge loss to Manchester City, as well as the Premier League as a whole.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Arsene Wenger calling for the Fabregas saga to be resolved; Steve Bruce baffled by Cattermole to Liverpool rumours, while Andre Villas-Boas warns Chelsea stars to show him that they deserve a place at the club.
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Tevez set to join Corinthians after City finally accept offer – Guardian
Wenger wants Fábregas saga resolved – Guardian
Clarke: Joe Cole has Liverpool future – Daily Telegraph
SWP: Don’t Wright me off – Sun
Villa slam ultimatum on Wigan winger – Mirror
Taarabt left out of Rangers pre-season tour to finalise £12m move to PSG – Daily Mail
Hou: I’m not finished yet – Sun
Bruce baffled by Cattermole to Liverpool rumours – Mirror
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Mancini plays down Nasri and Wenger row – Guardian
Villas-Boas warns Chelsea stars: Show me you’re worth it – Daily Mail
If the lazy clichés of the press are to be believed, with Carragher joining Gerrard on the sidelines there’s very little lifeblood left flowing through the veins of the Liverpool right now. Perhaps Kyrgiakos provides an added trickle. After beating Chelsea the corner looked to be turned but two defeats in three games later and the Reds have meekly back tracked around said corner. Frustrations are growing again amongst the fans at the perceived lack of progression in the side’s performances but they will at least be thankful that this weekend’s game is at Anfield.
With several first-teamers being left at home and a Monday night kick-off there can be no nodding towards the Europa League trip to Bucharest if the players don’t perform for the return of Gerard Houllier with Aston Villa. Though few of the players were at the club during the Frenchman’s reign, the fans will remember the far more attacking style with which his sides played, especially before he fell ill. His current side share Liverpool’s away day struggles managing just four points from twenty-eight on the road. So with just a little confidence and some creativity going forward, there should be no danger in backing a home win at 8/13.
The return of Joe Cole will certainly aid the attacking end of things and he may be worth a small punt at 9/1 to open the scoring or 16/5 to score anytime.
Fernando Torres scored in both fixtures against the midlanders last season and though he hasn’t been at his sharpest or most enthusiastic so far this season, he’s a player who doesn’t need to be playing well to score. He’s the clear favourite to score first at 7/2 and even money to score anytime.
If Hodgson goes for Lucas in the holding role and allows Raul Meireles to play further forward, the ever improving midfielder could be a better bet than Cole to score first at 10/1 and 7/2 to score anytime. He’s been getting a lot closer to opening his Anfield account of late.
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Liverpool have enjoyed comfortable victories in their last three home league games and have started well and scored the first goal in all three and are rightly 4/9 to score first in this game. There have been three penalties over the last three meetings with Villa so the 3/1 on a penalty to be scored is worthy of consideration. There have been enough penalties awarded in Liverpool games this season to justify a bet.
From all angles this looks like a home win though they may make it more difficult on themselves with another display of second half nerves. So while 3-0 at 11/1 would be a welcome result, 2-1 at 7/1 may be a little more likely. Hodgson needs to be brave and if he is he’ll get his rewards, if not the fans will let him know all about it.
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Andy Carroll hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to his Liverpool career since his record breaking move in Janaury 2011. Labelled an expensive flop, unprofessional and an all round failure had the potential to ruin a once promising young footballer. Well in the space of a week he’s stuck a huge custard pie into the face of his detractors with two goals that could herald a new beginning for him and the Reds. A late headed winner against Blackburn gifted Kenny Dalglish’s men a precious three points and a first win in four games. He repeated the feat five days later booking his side a place in the FA Cup final nodding in the deciding goal against their Merseyside rivals. In fact Liverpool haven’t lost in the last 10 matches Carroll has started and Dalglish will be hoping hit man has the desired effect against West Brom on Sunday as he comes face-to-face with Anfield predecessor Roy Hodgson.
This week on FFC a debate has arisen as to whether two cup wins would be enough to appease the clubs owners and why a brave decision from Dalglish is now paying dividends for Liverpool.
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Best of WEB
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Forget Dalglish – FSG should *sack* Luis Suarez for this shocking statement… – Liverpool Kop
Clinical Carroll! Is He Beginning To Answer His Critics? – Live 4 Liverpool
*Top Boss* admits: ‘Exceptional challenge’ could entice me. Future LFC manager? – Liverpool Kop
Au Revoir Damien Comolli, In FSG I trust – This is Anfield
Getting the Best out of Jordan Henderson – The Tomkins Times
Do We Really Need Another Comolli? – Live 4 Liverpool
What next for Liverpool Football Club?- This is Anfield
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Quote of the Week
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“I think it’s great for us to have a player of his ability and style.His height and his ability in the air and to bring the ball down makes it easy for us smaller forwards in the side to link up with him.
“You only have to be running alongside him and you find the ball at your feet.
“I think he’s showing that his technique on the ground has really come on and I think in the games where he has featured recently we are now seeing the Andy that we’ve all been wanting to see and he’s really contributing, which is important.” Luis Suarez lauds £35 million strike partner Andy Carroll after his goals secured two wins a week for Liverpool