Keep calm and carry on isn't just a greetings card company, it's a quintessential English saying that Oxlade-Chamberlain adheres too.... In an interview with Sky Sports, The former Southampton Academy graduate stated that, "I have to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard." An attitude most 18 year olds may push aside [.

Much has been made in recent weeks of the Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey debate. The debate began as a casual conversation while trying to design the perfect US National Team lineup. It seemed at the time, there would be no way to pin down which player was truly better. Donovan plies his trade in Major League Soccer whereas Dempsey produces his magic in the English Premier League.

"He has a good attitude, although he should have, he's a young player with an opportunity at Manchester United," said Ferguson. "That's one of the reasons you pick these players, because they show their temperament as they come through the youth programmes and the reserves. I am always confident about their temperament, their attitude to the game and their enthusiasm to play.

Sir Alex Ferguson on 21-year old phenom Danny Welbeck, and how his attitude, effort and enthusiasm has led to his key role in one of the best teams in the world -
"He has a good attitude but then he should - he's a young player with an opportunity at Manchester United.

It's funny how the English media mock the quality of Major League Soccer, but guess where Premier League teams turned to this month to help their sides? Yep, MLS.

First we had the Galaxy's Landon Donovan going back to Everton on loan and then the NYRB's Thierry Henry returned to Arsenal, where he promptly scored the winner in their FA Cup tie against Leeds.

After Saturday's capitulation to lowly Bolton at the Reebok 3-1, Kenny Dalglish openly criticised his players for their attitude and performance in the defeat, even claiming that heads will roll after that display.
Well Kenny, it was an abject display by the team, a team you largely assembled yourself.

Post Match Quotes from USSoccer.com


U.S. Men's National Team head coach JURGEN KLINSMANN:
On Jermaine Jones and what went in to decision to make captain:
"It was certainly a difficult situation for Jermaine with the suspension in Germany.

Liverpool's 3-1 defeat over Bolton Wanderers, apparently gave more than just disappointment for the club's manager, Kenny Dalglish, as he was also infuriated with his player's poor performance and threatened to get rid of those who can't improve their performance.

Dalglish was so furious that he doesn't really want to give much credit for his opponent as he really felt that it was the Reds' poor performance which cause that defeat.

You'll like this. The difference between success and failure in football can be minute you need every edge you can get. And when you think about it, so much of football is in the mind. We talk about teams playing with confidence: that's a mental state. We talk about players looking nervous, or not knowing what they're supposed to be doing, or playing tentatively, or showing complacency.

Happy Wednesday to you. Several things on the docket today. The first thing that caught my eye was this week was Vancouver's acquiring of Etienne Barbara's rights. Barbara was a fantastic player for much of the 2011 NASL season. His 20 goals and many assists earned him Golden Boot honors for North America's second tier.

Mark Hughes has demanded an improvement from his Queens Park Rangers side after the 1-0 victory over MK Dons in the FA Cup third round replay last night.

Most soccer betting pundits will agree that the League One side were more than a match for Hughes' men for the majority and even though the home side eventually progressed to the fourth round, Hughes knows his team have to be better in all departments.

szólj hozzá: Figueora kezezése

Roberto Mancini is dead nuts on getting the oppositions players sent-off!
Two weeks ago Mancini was looking for Martin Skrtel to be dismissed after a clumsy tackle on Yaya Toure in City's 3-0 win over Liverpool in the League, he then wanted Glenn Johnson red carded for his two-footed tackle on Johnson in Liverpool's 1-0 win in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at the Etihad and last night he wanted Wigan's Maynor Figueroa for a hand-ball on thew half way line and although they may all have warranted a red card, Mancini's attitude towards red card offences seem's hypocrytical to say the least.

Having already knocked out Villarreal and Real Racing Club in this years Copa del Rey, Mirandés, are bow looking to knockoff another of La Liga's big names, Espanyol, in the quarter-finals.

The Spanish third division side are currently enjoying the experience of a lifetime – playing and beating the elite.

Michael Carrick has sung the praises of team mate Paul Scholes who played his first game in front of our home grown since returning from retirement.

Scholes scored a big goal for United, putting us 1-0 up just before half-time, although Carrick believes our legendary midfielder has as much to offer away from the pitch as well as on it.

Love him or hate him, Balotelli is not about to change anytime soon. However coming to think about it, why should he. The Italian striker has no doubt made the English game more entertaining and exciting since joining in the summer of 2010

In fact, his once irritating attitude is actually starting to get people looking forward to his antics every week.

Robin van Persie, wife Bouchra and their two kids paid a visit to Diego Maradona and club Al Wasl in Dubai over the holidays. Image via Twitter.

Unlike some of our other more classic side eye examples of disgust and disregard, Robin van Persie's son is going for a more intense "bubba on the edge" vibe.

That's the message delivered by Mark Verstegen, founder of Athletes' Performance, to the team as they depart Phoenix after nine days of training, fitness and strength exercises, and nutritional education.
The charismatic speaker spent nearly an hour counseling the players on a holistic approach to achieving success in their professional careers, summed up in the mantra 'Every Day is Game Day'.

Morning all.

The dust has settled somewhat after Thierry's permasmile-inducing return against Leeds the other night, and such was the joy at the goal it's only now that I'm taking in the fact it's knocked Leeds out of the cup too. I do enjoy knocking Leeds out of the cup.

Now, however, we have to turn our attention back to the Premier League.

After Platini, Messi is the only other player to win the Ballon d'Or 3 times in a row. This is fully deserved because:

• Messi is both a fuoriclasse dribbler and plays for his teammates.
• Messi is decisive in the games that count.
• A unique style made of robustness, speed, technique.

While watching Liverpool take on Oldham last night, I couldn't help but notice a much bigger deal (footballwise) going on in the media world a leaked copy of tomorrow's front page of the Independent, claiming that Wayne Rooney might be on his way out of Manchester United that had somehow found itself causing a big stir on Twitter.

For much of this season Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has argued that his options up front come down to a straight choice between Rafael van der Vaart and Jermain Defoe. Almost without exception, the manager comes down on the side of the Dutchman but is it time to give JD a run in the side, even if it's at the expense of Adebayor up front?

BBC Sport Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger unhappy after loss to Fulham.

Over the past year or so, football experts have taken a shot at trying to troubleshoot Arsenal's predisposition to losing games which they had already had won. Many comments focused on the squad's lack of defensive strength but I have a different take on the problem

It's not the defenders that cause Arsenal's fragility, it's the attitude of the manager who almost never holds his players accountable for their mistakes, blames everyone else around him when they lose, and so consequently, his players have no fear.

Liverpool attitude and commitment pleases Dalglish

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is delighted to have rounded off 2011 with a convincing 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2011-12-30 22:32:23 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Javier Aguirre has been fired by Real Zaragoza terminated, the La Liga club confirmed on Friday morning. Zaragoza are bottom of La Liga, having lost eight of their last nine league games.

A statement on the club's official website www.realzaragoza.com read:

"Late last night on Thursday, December 29, Real Zaragoza reached an agreement with Javier Aguirre for the termination of his contract as first-team coach.

Dalglish: Liverpool stars could learn a lot from Maxi's attitude

Reds boss praises resurgent Argentinian midfielder

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-12-29 09:11:56 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Kenny Dalglish says Maxi Rodriguez is a lesson to all

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the attitude and performances of midfielder Maxi Rodriguez can be a lesson to everyone.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-29 06:52:53 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

By 1970's Gooner I call it as I see it. And I didn't like what I saw developing before my eyes during the game against Wolves. Granted they are my second team that I support (due to family connections) but at the end I was left feeling very disappointed with Arsenal's performance. Firstly the players' attitude was completely wrong.

'Andy is not low on confidence'

Kenny Dalglish has praised Andy Carroll for his excellent attitude and application on and off the pitch.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-28 12:31:09 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Boss delighted with Carroll

Kenny Dalglish has praised Andy Carroll for his excellent attitude and application on and off the pitch.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-28 12:16:22 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool are reportedly showing an interest in Holland international Klaas Jan Huntelaar just days after the prolific forward distanced himself from a move to Manchester United.
The striker had been linked with a possible move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window, but Huntelaar made it clear that he was unaware of any interest from the Premier League champions.

Uh-oh Adriano, what have you gotten yourself into this time? It seems trouble never stops following the Corinthians player, who has sadly fallen out of favour with many Brazilian fans because of his attitude. This time, however, the circumstances are in his favour.

Season's greetings Arse addicts. It's been an unusual kind of week with two away games yielding mixed results. Yet we've probably found more praise for our performance in defeat at Eastlands than we did for our somewhat serendipitous victory at Villa Park. Football is a funny old, blah, blah, blah etc.

Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal

Losses and goals conceded are always more palatable when your team acquits itself well. Giving up, or turning up expecting to win, or crumbling inexplicably has been something of a hallmark in recent seasons so one of the most pleasing things about this Arsenal side since October has been the blossoming of its spirit and its excellent attitude.

Manchester City 1 – 0 Arsenal: Match report and player ratings

Since our painful, last visit to Manchester a few months ago, Arsenal have made tremendous progress. In fact, the club achieved such a fantastic transformation since the late arrival of experienced, quality players like Arteta, Mertesacker, and Santos that most of us were confident we could get something out of our game against the other club from Manchester today.

Manchester City 1 – 0 Arsenal: Match report and player ratings

Since our painful, last visit to Manchester a few months ago, Arsenal have made tremendous progress. In fact, the club achieved such a fantastic transformation since the late arrival of experienced, quality players like Arteta, Mertesacker, and Santos that most of us were confident we could get something out of our game against the other club from Manchester today.

After 45 minutes it seemed that an unlikely conclusion was in prospect for our latest venture into the Europa League. With Spurs leading and 10 man Rubin Kazan losing to Paok, it looked as though we may turn over the three point and five goal deficit.

A 1-1 score line in Salonika eventually made anything we did irrelevant but our 4-0 win included debut strikes for Steven Pienaar and Harry Kane and a second goal in a Spurs shirt for Andros Townsend.

Roberto Mancini ahead of the game tonight has spoken of Danny Sturridge and has made it perfectly clear that he can't believe that Sturridge was able to leave City because he would be a first team regular if he was still there now.
He said:

"I know Sturridge very well, I have watched him many times because he grew up in Manchester and someone let him go for almost nothing.

Instead of focusing on his players excellent performance against Valencia last night, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas ensured the focus was on his war of words with the media.

The Blues managed to defeat their Spanish opponents 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, meaning that not only did they qualify for the next round of the Champions League, but they also topped their group.

Winter is stupid. Why do we tolerate it? It's the John Terry of seasons. And I don't mean simply because it tries to make everything white.

I had the alarm chill problem this morning. The alarm went off. I stuck my hand out for another 9 minutes of blissful snooze which made me feel the chill in the air which made me want to not get up.

Liverpool's success this season has been built on a foundation of hard work and a strong team spirit, according to boss Kenny Dalglish.
The Anfield giants can move up to fifth in the Premier League with a convincing victory over Fulham on Monday night, and are unbeaten in five matches against Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea so far this term.