Monday, 27 May 2013
THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!
The Bundesliga giants have reached the showpiece of the competition three times in the last four years but sealed their first European Cup since 2001 with victory over their rivals at Wembley on Saturday.
congratulations Bayern team it was worth it once again.
sorry guys had to do this today. though it was live on fb lol?
Super Eagles to depart for USA on Tuesday ahead of Mexico friendly
The national team will leave Germany where it has been in camp for the United States tomorrow as it prepares for the important friendly match against Tricolores
Nigeria’s national team would leave Germany on Tuesday for the United States of America, venue of Friday’s international friendly match against the national team of Mexico.
The Super Eagles have been training hard at their Germany camp and would depart the Novina Hotel Herzogenaurach Herzo-Base, for Frankfurt at 5.30am on Tuesday and take off from Frankfurt Airport at 10am local time (9am Nigerian time) on the same day for Houston, venue of the game against Tricolore.
21 players are in camp at the moment but coach Stephen Keshi has decided not to go with every player. Only the selected ones that would prosecute match would be taken along as he is expected to drop four players.
Arsenal restore their normal order with victory over Bristol Academy
In front of a disappointing attendance of 4,988 at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium, the lowest final crowd since 2000 and almost 20,000 short of the record set in 2008, captain Steph Houghton's early goal and late strikes by the midfielder Jordan Nobbs and the striker Ellen White earned Arsenal victory over the team they had beaten with equal comfort in the 2011 final.
Defeat for Bristol Academy, who are top of the Super League, left them still searching for their first major trophy while Arsenal's celebrations were for a 39th piece of silverware in 22 years – this after their near-invincibility had been brought into question by a 4-0 WSL thrashing by Liverpool three weeks ago.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Then Chelsea's strikeforce will be best in the Premier League
Chelsea are just one top striker away from boasting the best in the Premier League.
Despite finishing the season 14 points behind champions Manchester United, the scale of restructuring at Chelsea this summer will not be as major as many would have you believe.
The 'weakness' in Chelsea's side most commonly wheeled out is that the Blues are let down by their strike force, and it is true that it is one of the areas they do need to strengthen.
But the return of Romelu Lukaku, reinvigorated by his spell at West Brom, leaves Chelsea's attack in particularly healthy shape.
Let's look at his return at the Baggies - 17 goals in total - all in the Premier League.
Then Fernando Torres' tally for Chelsea is not bad either, for all his detractors he bagged 22 goals in all competitions. While just eight came in the Premier League, his overall contribution was vital to Chelsea's season.
January addition Demba Ba also added nine goals in half a season, and will surely still hope to play his part next season.
Proof – Shinji Kagawa can replace Paul Scholes
There are some very simple stats from the season just gone, which prove Shinji Kagawa can step up and replace Paul Scholes.
Scholes has been one of the most effective players in terms of creativity and general midfield play at Old Trafford throughout his career.
His retirement creates huge anxiety at Manchester United over how David Moyes is going to go about trying to replace him, with several talented names mentioned ahead of possible transfers to the club.
owever, the club already own a player in Shinji Kagawa who is good enough to replace Scholes and he proved he can, outdoing Scholes in many key areas over the course of last season.
That was a title winning season where Kagawa was played out of position the majority of the time, which makes his limited impact all the more remarkable.
Of course Kagawa is never going to replace the physical element which Scholes have the United midfield but that is something Moyes can compensate for.
He can bring in an enforcer with the sole intention of protecting the back four and allowing Kagawa to settle into his natural and creative central role, a role that his former boss Jurgen Klopp suggested he was the best in the world at.
Phil Neville pitches for the vacant Everton manager's job
The special one is not bound for Stamford Bridge, according to Phil Neville; he has simply shifted along the M62. It could be bias or the insight from a career played entirely under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes but either way, the former Everton captain is adamant that the Scot, not José Mourinho, is the perfect fit for Manchester United.
Few are better placed to assess Moyes's credentials as Ferguson's replacement than Neville, who worked alongside the Everton manager for eight years after leaving Old Trafford at the age of 28 in 2005. They could be reunited if Moyes opts to bring the 36-year-old on to his coaching staff at United though Neville has told Everton's chairman, Bill Kenwright, he wishes to succeed the Scot at Goodison Park.
Neville's immediate future may be uncertain, but his confidence in Moyes's ability to prove wrong the doubters who would have preferred the more glamorous and proven appointment of Mourinho is clear. "He is the best candidate, 100%," insists Neville. "You can put him alongside any coach in the world for that job and he is the best candidate. If José Mourinho came to Man United you would think, with his track record, that in maybe three seasons he would be gone. Man United are looking at the next 20 years. They've just given David Moyes a six-year contract. It is that kind of club. They invest in a certain kind of manager and that is why he is the best man for the job. There is no one else they could have invested in who would offer the same longevity as the previous manager."
Tottenham set to hold off Real Madrid off Bale... this summer
Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale was awarded the Player of the Year and PFA Player of the Year by the PFA after an outstanding season at White Hart Lane.
Subsequently, his exceptional ability, coupled with his superb form and fitness, has attracted some suitors – most notably La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have suffered a disappointing season this term under Jose Mourinho who the club revealed will be departing from the Bernabeu this summer in search of a new challenge and the boss’ position will likely not be the only personnel change at the club before next season.
Will Moyes finally bring Adem Ljajic to Manchester United?
Adem Ljajic has already 'signed' for Manchester United once. Could he do it for real this summer?
Manchester United supporters will remember the name Adem Ljajic. It was announced in early 2009 he would be signing for the club along with Zoran Tosic from Partizan Belgrade, and would join up in 2010.
Despite training with the club, by time the date for his arrival approached, United backed out of the deal citing work permit difficulties - but the rumours were that they had simply gone cold on the Serbian.
He ended up at Fiorentina, where he endured a tough couple of years struggling to fulfil his potential, but this season has blossomed into the star he was always touted as.
Still only 21-years-old, his future is a hot topic of discussion due to the fact he has just one year remaining on his Fiorentina contract.
He has had a truly outstanding season, scoring 11
goals including a final day hat-trick, and providing six assists. His overall
contribution to the team in terms of production even betters Stevan Jovetic,
two years his senior, and the subject of a £24 million bid from Arsenal.
West Ham agree a fee of £15m for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll
Liverpool have accepted a £15m offer from West Ham United for Andy Carroll, a £20m loss on their record signing in 28 months, but face a struggle to convince the striker to sever his Anfield ties for Upton Park.
Carroll enjoyed an impressive yet injury-hit season on loan with Sam Allardyce's team, who have moved quickly to secure the 24-year-old on a long-term basis following their final Premier League game. West Ham are prepared to pay a club-record transfer fee to sign the striker around whom Allardyce intends to build his team, while Liverpool want to sell Carroll to generate extra transfer funds for the manager Brendan Rodgers
Striker target 'has left for medical at Arsenal'
Yaya Sanogo confirmed earlier today that Arsenal would be his first choice if he is to leave France, and according to Auxerre his decision is far more unconditional.
It is claimed that the striker has in fact decided to leave France and join Arsenal, informing his club of his decision earlier today.
Guy Cotret, Auxerre president told French newspaper l'Yonne Republicaine: "He gave us his answer. He chose to join Arsenal so has left to have his medical there."
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Premier League, Scottish Premier League, Football League & European fans' table
Premier League attendances for 2012-13 have shown an increase of nearly 4% on the previous season.
The average attendance for a game in England's top flight was 35,975, up from 34,601 in 2011-12.
That rise has come during a difficult economic period, with the UK narrowly avoiding a triple-dip recession during the first quarter of 2013.
The official figures from the respective leagues show crowds have fluctuated across Europe, with Barcelona's average gate down by more than 9,000, an 11% drop.
Attendances at Inter Milan have fallen by more than 3,000, but new German champions Bayern Munich have seen an average increase of around 2,000.
The Scottish Premier League's average attendance fell by 28%, from 13,855 to 10,020, although that figure was skewed by the liquidation of Rangers, who reformed in the Scottish Third Division.
Celtic were one of six SPL clubs whose gates fell in 2012-13, with average crowds dropping from 50,904 to 46,917.
Rangers saw only a slight dip in attendances, though, attracting average crowds of 45,750 - down from 46,324 - as they won the Division Three title.
Club | 2012-13 average | 2011-12 average | Highest attendance 2012-13 | Lowest attendance 2012-13 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aberdeen | 9563 | 9297 | 18000 | 6334 |
Accrington Stanley | 1674 | 1784 | 3010 | 1031 |
AFC Wimbledon | 4060 | 4294 | 4749 | 3550 |
Ajax | 51037 | 50044 | 53052 | 46772 |
Aldershot Town | 2271 | 2864 | 3699 | 1178 |
Arsenal | 60079 | 60000 | 60112 | 59872 |
Aston Villa | 35059 | 33873 | 42084 | 28692 |
Barcelona | 74911 | 84119 | 96589 | 56065 |
Barnet | 2439 | 2288 | 6001 | 1483 |
Barnsley | 10207 | 10331 | 15744 | 7844 |
Bayern Munich | 71000 | 69000 | 71000 | 71000 |
Benfica | 44706 | 38029 | 62553 | 24104 |
Birmingham City | 16702 | 19126 | 19630 | 13532 |
Blackburn Rovers | 14974 | 22551 | 20735 | 12230 |
Blackpool | 13916 | 12764 | 15907 | 12653 |
Bolton Wanderers | 18103 | 23669 | 24844 | 15675 |
Borussia Dortmund | 80512 | 80521 | 80645 | 80000 |
Bournemouth | 6852 | 5881 | 9135 | 4951 |
Bradford City | 10322 | 10171 | 13461 | 8047 |
Brentford | 6302 | 5643 | 12300 | 4384 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 26236 | 20029 | 30003 | 23703 |
Bristol City | 13348 | 13907 | 19148 | 11836 |
Bristol Rovers | 6308 | 6035 | 8646 | 4721 |
Burnley | 12928 | 14048 | 21341 | 10450 |
Burton Albion | 2859 | 2809 | 5426 | 1712 |
Bury | 2749 | 3552 | 5213 | 1396 |
Cardiff City | 22998 | 22100 | 26558 | 20058 |
Carlisle United | 4302 | 5284 | 5965 | 3229 |
Celtic | 46917 | 50904 | 57000 | 39959 |
Charlton Athletic | 18499 | 17485 | 26185 | 15585 |
Chelsea | 41462 | 41478 | 41794 | 38484 |
Cheltenham Town | 3252 | 3424 | 5888 | 2195 |
Chesterfield | 5431 | 9279 | 7322 | 3968 |
Colchester United | 3529 | 3865 | 5862 | 2367 |
Coventry City | 10948 | 15118 | 15185 | 8862 |
Crawley Town | 3408 | 3212 | 5058 | 2544 |
Crewe Alexandra | 4903 | 4124 | 6547 | 3770 |
Crystal Palace | 17280 | 15219 | 22154 | 12757 |
Dagenham & Redbridge | 1903 | 2090 | 3781 | 1227 |
Derby County | 23228 | 26020 | 33010 | 20063 |
Doncaster Rovers | 7238 | 9341 | 12785 | 5411 |
Dundee | 5943 | 4223 | 11419 | 3674 |
Dundee United | 7482 | 7482 | 13538 | 5117 |
Everton | 36355 | 33228 | 39613 | 32510 |
Exeter City | 4141 | 4474 | 6447 | 3249 |
Fleetwood Town | 2855 | 2264 | 3705 | 2019 |
Fulham | 25394 | 25293 | 25700 | 24087 |
Gillingham | 6601 | 5146 | 11172 | 4380 |
Hartlepool United | 3612 | 4960 | 4474 | 2502 |
Heart of Midlothian | 13163 | 13381 | 17062 | 10080 |
Hibernian | 10543 | 9909 | 16805 | 8121 |
Huddersfield Town | 15113 | 14131 | 21614 | 11840 |
Hull City | 17368 | 18790 | 23812 | 14756 |
Inter Milan | 44828 | 47913 | 79341 | 39117 |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 4038 | 4023 | 6766 | 2529 |
Ipswich Town | 17526 | 18266 | 21988 | 15417 |
Juventus | 38703 | 32610 | 40562 | 36109 |
Kilmarnock | 4745 | 5537 | 6523 | 3572 |
Leeds United | 21572 | 23379 | 25532 | 16788 |
Leicester City | 22054 | 23036 | 25913 | 8585 |
Leyton Orient | 4001 | 4298 | 5191 | 2664 |
Liverpool | 44748 | 44253 | 45009 | 44263 |
Manchester City | 46974 | 47044 | 47386 | 45579 |
Manchester United | 75529 | 75387 | 75605 | 75142 |
Middlesbrough | 16794 | 17557 | 28229 | 13377 |
Millwall | 10559 | 11484 | 18013 | 8607 |
MK Dons | 8611 | 8659 | 13620 | 6622 |
Morecambe | 1954 | 2144 | 4029 | 1226 |
Motherwell | 5362 | 5946 | 10496 | 3649 |
Newcastle United | 50517 | 49935 | 52385 | 43858 |
Northampton Town | 4785 | 4867 | 7471 | 3541 |
Norwich City | 26671 | 26605 | 26842 | 26072 |
Nottingham Forest | 23082 | 21969 | 28707 | 18748 |
Notts County | 5521 | 6807 | 7608 | 3409 |
Oldham Athletic | 4128 | 4432 | 6426 | 2969 |
Oxford United | 5954 | 7451 | 7608 | 4906 |
Peterborough United | 8215 | 9110 | 13938 | 5435 |
Plymouth Argyle | 7095 | 6915 | 13251 | 5219 |
Port Vale | 5727 | 4819 | 12496 | 4139 |
Portsmouth | 12232 | 15044 | 18433 | 9815 |
Preston North End | 9214 | 11820 | 12014 | 8013 |
PSG | 43142 | 41921 | 45432 | 38102 |
Queens Park Rangers | 17779 | 17295 | 18337 | 16658 |
Rangers | 45750 | 46324 | 50048 | 23143 |
Reading | 23862 | 19219 | 24184 | 22321 |
Real Madrid | 71555 | 74678 | 84000 | 53000 |
Rochdale | 2439 | 3108 | 5042 | 1551 |
Ross County | 4343 | 2873 | 6110 | 2837 |
Rotherham United | 7954 | 3498 | 11441 | 5632 |
Scunthorpe United | 3348 | 4331 | 5533 | 2382 |
Sheffield United | 18611 | 18701 | 23431 | 15744 |
Sheffield Wednesday | 24078 | 21336 | 31375 | 18922 |
Shrewsbury Town | 5735 | 5769 | 8021 | 4711 |
Southampton | 30873 | 26419 | 31944 | 28004 |
Southend United | 5034 | 5969 | 7498 | 3908 |
St Johnstone | 3640 | 4170 | 6700 | 2167 |
St Mirren | 4389 | 4493 | 6347 | 3065 |
Stevenage | 3169 | 3558 | 4518 | 2374 |
Stoke City | 26919 | 27225 | 27544 | 24421 |
Sunderland | 40544 | 39095 | 47456 | 35628 |
Swansea City | 20370 | 19946 | 20650 | 19603 |
Swindon Town | 8528 | 8410 | 11381 | 7169 |
Torquay United | 2709 | 2869 | 5666 | 1178 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 36066 | 36026 | 36763 | 35534 |
Tranmere Rovers | 6172 | 5130 | 10587 | 4177 |
Walsall | 4234 | 4274 | 7504 | 2787 |
Watford | 13453 | 12710 | 16968 | 11022 |
West Brom | 25359 | 24798 | 26438 | 23854 |
West Ham | 34719 | 30923 | 35005 | 33052 |
Wigan Athletic | 19173 | 18633 | 23001 | 15436 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 21662 | 25682 | 28595 | 18174 |
Wycombe Wanderers | 3720 | 4843 | 7120 | 2365 |
Yeovil Town | 4071 | 3984 | 6006 | 2900 |
York City | 3878 | 3239 | 5975 | 2699 |
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