Jamie Carragher has admitted the Premier League title is probably out of Liverpool's reach this season.
The Reds ended the last campaign in a disappointing seventh place – their lowest finishing position since the Premier League began 18 years ago.
A change of manager has brought Roy Hodgson to Anfield but Carragher doesn't anticipate breaking his league title drought this season.
The 32-year-old defender has made almost 650 appearances during 15 years in the first team.
"People have said 'You've done this and that for Liverpool' but we've not won a trophy for four years and that is annoying me a little bit," he said.
"I certainly don't want to go on another couple of years not winning one before I finish at Liverpool.
"I don't see any reason why we can't win a trophy this season or the next couple.
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"The one I haven't won is the league, but I suppose that will be very difficult this season going from seventh last season.
"But I see no reason why we can't have a good go and have a trip to Wembley."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce admits to being both worried and frustrated by David Dunn’s latest injury setback.
The 30-year-old England midfielder has only featured twice for the Ewood Park club so far this season, having suffered a problem-free pre-season build-up.
Allardyce told the club’s official website:“The disappointing thing with David is that he completed every single training session and every single game he was asked to play in pre-season.
“He played and had no problems whatsoever.
“At the start of the season we were all looking forward to David having what looked like on the basis of his pre-season, the standard of his fitness being exceptionally good, a good time.
“Then all of a sudden within ten minutes of the opening game he just overstretched slightly and since then he’s been over eager to get back again as usual and I do think that he should be pulled back a little bit.
“He came back, played in the reserves and then felt another injury and now we are faced with the fact that he’s been missing for the first six games going into a seventh and two Carling Cup matches.
“So we are faced with the fact that before David comes back nearly a quarter of the season might have elapsed.
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“Being our leading goalscorer last season and one of our more creative players, it is a massive concern for us.”
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Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has defended Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell after his challenge left Adlene Guedioura with a broken leg. The Algerian midfielder was injured late during last week’s Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolves at Molineux.
Sidwell has insisted there was no intent in the challenge which has sidelined Guedioura for at least 4 months and has wished the Wolves midfielder a speedy recovery. He told www.avfc.com:
“I wish Adlene well and I hope he makes a quick and full recovery.”
“Obviously, I went in to play the ball with no malice whatsoever. My intent was purely to play the ball and I’d just like to say again that I wish him all the best in his recovery.”
Guedioura joined Wolves from Belgian club RSC Charleroi in January initially on loan. He impressed enough to earn a permanent deal at Molineux, signing a three year contract in the summer but he will now be resigned to lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger felt his side were very unlucky to crash to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.
Goals from Didier Drogba and Alex secured all three points for the reigning champions, but Wenger was adamant his side produced enough chances to claim a positive result.
"The team fought outstandingly well and showed some great qualities," he told Sky Sports.
"We have to take the positives from that massive disappointment. We care about winning our games but you have to take a little bit of distance with the result as well.
"I believe we showed outstanding quality and we have to keep battling and fighting and get our influential players back. We have an outstanding team.
"Having watched the game as objectively as I can, I believe we can have big regrets for having lost it.
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"The game should have been over before it started. We had two chances in the first minute, one very easy.
"We had chance after chance and never put the ball in the back of the net."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Giovani Dos Santos – a product of the Barcelona youth system promised so much when he arrived at Tottenham Hotspur, but in fairness he has delivered so little. Why is this? The youngster seems a permanent fixture in the Mexico national team but appearances for his club are few and far between.
After an impressive World Cup during the summer I’m still somewhat surprised to see that Dos Santos has remained anonymous and a stranger to the Spurs first team. However it seems that the young Mexican remains upbeat and eager to impress. He says “When I left Barcelona my dream was to be a success in the Premier League – and I still think that is possible.” With his obvious ability and enthusiasm to succeed I’m left puzzled as to why he hasn’t made the grade.
At a glance It would seem that he just isn’t part of the managers’ plans and therefore little playing time has led to the young Mexican failing to live up to his billing. “During my time at Spurs I just haven’t had any luck. There have been injury setbacks, difficulties adapting, and few chances from the coach.” It appears I am not alone in my opinion as Dos Santos express’ the reasons behind his evident short comings.
Digging deeper I discover that appearances have been limited due to the Mexican’s love of the London nightlife. Fair to say, Redknapps patience ran out thus explaining the players’ lack of playing time. Redknapp jokingly tells us that “If he could pass a nightclub as well as he can pass a ball he would be alright.” Redknapp then goes on to say “he’s got bags of ability and fantastic skill. He’s had a great World Cup. If he knuckles down this year he could be a top player. He’s a nice kid and I hope he keeps his head down and gets on with the job.”
With Redknapps appreciation of the player and the man, his days at White Hart Lane are by know means numbered. It is clear that the young Mexican is still part of the managers’ plans, but only if he can get his head down, trains well and avoids the nightclubs. At this moment in time Dos Santos has promised so much and delivered so little, but if he can maintain his positive attitude and fantastic ability I have know doubt that one day he will light up the Premier League.
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Manchester United saw themselves draw level at the top of the Premier League this afternoon. They made heavy weather of it at Old Trafford against Wigan, but a win is a win and you won’t find any United fans complaining this evening.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Man United blogs which has included…£220m deal provides more questions than answers; time for United fans to forgive and forget, plus a genuine cause for concern for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Plus we have taken a look at the best Man United stories on the Web this week
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Hola bebé – Carles’ lady puts Premiership WAGS in the shade
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What to make of Man United’s proposed signing Andres Lindegaard?
Time for United fans to forgive and forget?
£220m deal provides more questions than answers for Man United fans
Great Games: Man United 4-3 Man City
Is Fergie’s stand-off merely an exercise in trying to gain a moral victory
Caution advisable over Glazer debt repayment
Fergie should remember ‘he who dares, wins’
A genuine cause for concern for Sir Alex Ferguson?
Pleased But With Complete Displeasure At Manchester United
Mamic confirms Tottenham and Man United interest
Manchester United’s Top TEN moments of the decade
An underrated yet vital asset to Manchester United
VIDEO: Top TEN Audacious Penalties
Does United starlet really warrant an international call up?
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Click here to see the Best MANCHESTER UNITED around the Web this week
PIK debt: 10 unanswered questions – United Rant
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Re-evaluating David Gill – The Busby Way
This Is How It Feels To Be City: XI – RoM
A Financial Fluff Or Secured Safe Haven? – The United Religion
Q1 results – running very hard to pay the going rate – Andersred
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Is it actually possible to feel sorry for Chelsea? We’re not entirely sure but the usual mix of jealousy and begrudging hatred has been absent of late. That surplus of ill-feeling isn’t going to waste as Harry Redknapp and his Spurs side are doing irritatingly well.
They have as much chance of winning the Premier League or Champions League as Redknapp does of winning Rear of the Year but they’ll still hang in there long enough for him to get the England manager’s job once Capello gets sick of trying to turn a pig’s ear into a silk purse.
The form guides, Spurs unbeaten in five, Chelsea without a win in four, tell us to back the home side in this one but the odds favour Chelsea at 8/5, if only slightly. Ancelotti’s side are going through the club’s worst run in ten years but with players of their quality it has to come to an end soon. The same can be said for Spurs’ good run. Five games is far too consistent for them and you should back them to come unstuck against Chelsea.
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Chelsea at 8/5 to win Drogba at 5/1 to score the first goal has to be a great shout. He is the only likely candidate these days who is likely to find the back of the net for Chelsea. With Defoe finding his scoring boots again, he is not a bad price either for the first goal at 11/2 Over 3.5 goals is 11/5.
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With Terry back in the side these days, it will be a tall order to keep a clean sheet at White Hart lane, but this match has got goals written all over it which makes this week’s Money Back Special a tasty prospect:
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“If there are more than four goals in this game, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st / last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match”
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On their arrival on Merseyside, John W Henry and Fenway Sports Group stated that they were planning a long term strategy for Liverpool Football Club. In a question and answer email with the Red and White Kop fans site, Henry had stated that he had already been to the Kirkby academy to meet Under 18s coach Rodolfo Borrell and Academy technical manager Pep Segura three times; a sure-fire indication that the American owner will focus heavily on youth in the coming years. The development of young players will be a crucial part of FSG’s long term strategy to rebuild the club.
It can also be ascertained then that any new signing in this transfer window or in the summer will be in line with this policy, and they have a Director of Football in place in Damien Comolli who has made his career picking out young talent from across Europe. In addition to this then, FSG will need a nucleus of good young players to build a team around, and below I have listed a number of relative young first team players, and up and coming youngsters they could make up the core of Liverpool’s future teams. With Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard moving into their thirties, I have omitted them from the list but they can still play a crucial part in helping develop the younger players.
1. Pepe Reina – Still only 28, the Spanish goalkeeper only signed a five year contract back in April and has reiterated his commitment to the club recently on a number of occasions. Maybe a future Reds captain?
2. Glen Johnson – Still 26, the England first choice right back has his best years ahead of him but uncertainty has grown about his future with reports suggesting he wants a move abroad. The Reds need to keep hold of their best players if they want to progress and FSG must show Johnson that he is in their future plans.
3. Daniel Agger – Injury has blighted the Dane’s time at Anfield since his arrival in 2006 but he is a talented player whose talent on the ball could be an important driving force for any future attack minded Liverpool team.
4. Martin Kelly – Already showing his promise at right back, his size and strength could make him an excellent centre-back in the years to come.
5. Danny Wilson – Like Kelly, has a great future ahead of him and has the added bonus of being left footed, making him prime candidate to be Agger’s direct understudy for now.
Continue to PAGE TWO…
6. Jack Robinson – A great left foot, and could be a Liverpool left back of the future. A long way to go before he is ready for the first team though.
7. Lucas Leiva – Has had his best season in a Liverpool shirt so far and is only 23. Will continue to improve but I think he can be best utilised as a squad player if the Reds look to add another defensive midfield player like Yann M’Vila.
8. Raul Meireles – At 27, still fits into FSG’s long term plans, and could develop into that passing midfield general that we’ve been missing since Alonso.
9. Jonjo Shelvey – Has already impressed in the Europa League and with his range of passing and forward runs, he couldn’t have a better mentor than Steven Gerrard.
10. Dani Pacheco – A creative attacking midfield player, the Spaniard is growing impatient about the lack of first team opportunities. A talented young player which we cannot afford to lose.
11. Suso – An exciting young Spaniard with every trick in the book. Anything is possible for this youngster and we will have to be patient.
12. Michael Ngoo – A strong, tall powerful centre forward, Ngoo could have the makings of a great target man who can hold up the ball and create chances for others. Not always the most prolific in front of goal at the moment but his all round play is developing.
13. Raheem Sterling – Has pace to burn on the wings. Still some way to go in his development but looks promising.
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14. Fernando Torres – Still young enough to be around at the end of the long term plan but is the Spaniard going to be patient enough?
So what of those I haven’t mentioned? Players such as Maxi, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Skrtel, Jovanovic, Cole, Konchesky and Poulsen are either getting older or a just not good enough for Liverpool (mostly in respect of the last two). Who would you keep or allow to leave in the coming years?
Read more of David’s blogs at his excellent site Live4Liverpool
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During this month’s transfer window, one of the rumours which continue to cause debate among football fans up and down the country is Manchester United’s apparent trail for Tottenham Hotspur star, Luka Modric. Playing against the Red Devils last week, the Croatian midfielder was outstanding and proved his class. But is he really what Sir Alex Ferguson needs?
As usual, we haven’t heard much about anything on the transfer front from Manchester United themselves, but that doesn’t tell us anything. Ferguson likes to get things done without the pressures of the media spotlight so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he was working hard behind the scenes to bring Modric to Old Trafford.
What would surprise many though is the decision to being the Croat to Manchester in the first place. This is not to say he doesn’t possess the necessary talent to wear the United shirt, but he isn’t exactly the type of player Fergie would usually go for. The intricate playmaker type hasn’t been deployed by the 69-year-old manager for years. Playing in the Champions League using that system and that type of player, United were given the run-around by the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid. Good sides were marking the creative midfielder out of the game and United became redundant going forward. Their subsequent change of shape meant United opted for a different type of midfielder. This is why the likes of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Anderson and Park-Ji-Sung are regular fixtures at Old Trafford. Energy, power and a quick pass – that is what Ferguson likes in his midfield.
Wayne Rooney often does the job at United that Modric does for Tottenham, and the manager isn’t likely to drop him in a hurry. So with Dimitar Berbatov up front, Rooney just off him and Nani and Ryan Giggs providing the width, where will the little Croat fit in? Playing him instead of Fletcher or Carrick would then leave a massive hole in front of the back four, which is something United can’t afford given the way they commit men forward in attack. And what about when Paul Scholes returns to fitness? His ability to pick a pass from anywhere makes him the perfect candidate, even at his age, to sit in that hole in front of the defence, breaking up play and setting free one of the younger, more energetic players.
Modric would merely be a luxury to Sir Alex. He could use him sparingly, but what a disservice that would be to a player with such talent. The Croatian is more than good enough, but at Manchester United, that alone isn’t enough. Ferguson likes who he likes and plays the system he plays. The last time he changed that for the sake of a player, Juan Sebastian Veron upset caused more unrest than worth.
So is Modric really want United need? I wouldn’t say so. He is obviously quality, and could do a job at any of the other top clubs around the world. But as long as Sir Alex is at United, I can’t see Modric becoming a Red Devil any time soon.
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Despite the shock transfer of Darren Bent it is fair to say that the January transfer window has been somewhat a tame affair, as many Premier League clubs are seemingly being careful with their finances. In some cases clubs simply have to sell before they can buy, much to the frustrations, no doubt, of many managers and supporters.
The lack of spending at the top of the Premier League has surprised many, especially given the open nature of this title race, not to mention the open fight to stay in the Premier League; however with clubs biding their time in the transfer market it appears that there could well be the deadline day circus that we have become accustomed to in past January windows.
The media clearly believe that a transfer storm is set to erupt in the final few days of the window, but it begs the question as to whether Harry will partake in some last minute shopping.
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Does Redknapp need to bring any players in before the transfer window shuts next Monday and if so who would you like to see him bring in?