There is no doubt that Aaron Ramsey's performances have improved drastically lately and he is now one of Wenger's first names on the Arsenal team-sheet. The Welshman believes that this is simply because Wenger has started playing him in his natural position in the centre of midfield.
"I'm delighted with the way I'm playing and how the team is playing," Ramsey said.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. So Geoff Cameron decided to make his EPL
debut a memorable one.
On Sunday, the Attleboro (Mass.) native earned Man of the Match honors after helping Stoke
City's hold off Arsenal for 90 minutes during a 0-0 draw at Britannia Stadium.
The Reds are so desperate to get rid of Andy Carroll that Fenway Sporting Group's cable TV
network, NESN jumped the gun by announcing Clint Dempsey's signing on their website. Liverpool it
read had, "added Clint Dempsey to a team that game (sic) within a game of winning the FA
Cup."
Fulham completely denied the story saying Liverpool made no such offer and Clint Dempsey was not
for sale.
Newcastle make nine changes form the side that drew with Sunderland on Sunday at the Stadium of Light. Sammy Ameobi starts, as does Papiss Cisse and as expected Gael Bigirimana and Cheick Tiote are paired together in central midfield. And it looks like Newcastle will play a 4-3-3 formation tonight, with Vurnon Anita making up [.
One of the good things about the game yesterday was the form of both Vurnon Anita and 18
year-old Gael Bigirimana, with Anita looking good both in central midfield and at right back,
and Gael having a very solid game in the middle of the park in the biggest test of his career so
far on Tyneside.
With the news yesterday that Vurnon Anita was brought in to fortify the central midfield for
Newcastle, there were question about who he would challenge for a first team spot, since both Yohan
Cabaye and Cheick Tiote are already two of Newcastle's very best players. Vurnon Anita will play in
central midfield Alan had [.
Coach Ben Olsen was honored on Saturday night with a banner on the DC United Hall of Tradition for his years of excellence as a player. He began his career with United with energy to burn, a fierce desire to beat his man to win games, and the wisdom to constantly learn. He adjusted to the adversity of a severe ankle injury which moved him into a holding central midfield role.
No, Connor Lade did not get on the scoresheet, nor was he directly involved with either of the
New York Red Bulls' goals Friday night, but his contribution was definitely felt in the club's
important 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.Â
The versatile Lade, who got the start at right back, helped lock down in-form Houston forward
Mac Kandji, played a vital role in the clean sheet and was his usual active self up and down the
flank to earn SBI MLS Rookie of the Week honors.
Nine months after claiming the Eastern Conference crown, the Houston Dynamo are finally on the
verge returning to the top of the ladder.
Riding four consecutive wins, the Dynamo will face the New York Red Bulls Friday night with
sights on extending the streak and passing their conference foe for first place.
The New England Revolution could not hold onto a 1-0 half-time lead as they ended up losing 2-1
to the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night at PPL Park.
Saer Sene's swerving long-distance drive opened the scoring in the 12th minute and the Revs
(6-10-5, 23 pts.) maintained their lead until the 59th minute when Freddy Adu converted from the
penalty spot to pull the Union (7-10-2, 23 pts.
The Gavin Wilkinson era for the Portland Timbers in MLS begins Saturday evening on the NBC Sports
Network as they play host to MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy. The Timbers come off a 3-0 loss at Real
Salt Lake last weekend, the last game in charge for John Spencer.
All the misery seems misplaced now. Central midfield problem? Not when the back-up back-up plan can run a game against decent opposition. Chris Baird and his messier partner, Steve Sidwell, proved once again that at a stable club no single player is indispensible, no five players even. We can lament the mislaying of Dempsey, Dembele, Murphy, Etuhu and all the other stalwarts of days of yore, but there is much to be excited about, too.
All the misery seems misplaced now. Central midfield problem? Not when the back-up back-up plan can run a game against decent opposition. Chris Baird and his messier partner, Steve Sidwell, proved once again that at a stable club no single player is indispensible, no five players even. We can lament the mislaying of Dempsey, Dembele, Murphy, Etuhu and all the other stalwarts of days of yore, but there is much to be excited about, too.
Wayne Rooney has suggested that as he gets older and loses some of his pace, he plans to play in
central midfield. Having played there a few times last season when United were hit by injuries,
Rooney grew to enjoy the role, although would still prefer to play up front for the time being.
"I did my bit by dropping into a central midfield role when the team got hit by injuries
last season," Rooney said in My Decade in the Premier League, which is being serialised by the
Daily Mirror.
Maurice Edu's move to Stoke City is officially complete.
Edu signed a three-year deal with Stoke Thursday, and the club has been given the green light
by the English FA to finalize his work permit that will make him eligible for selection. According
to the club's official website, it is unlikely that will be completed ahead of this weekend's match
against Wigan Athletic, meaning that Edu will debut for the club following the international
break.
Maurice Edu has found a new home and when he gets there he will see a familiar face.
The U.S. national team midfielder/defender has signed with English Premier League squad Stoke
City, agreeing to personal terms with the club on Saturday. He joins the Potters just as U.
So a couple of days after Roberto Mancini calls out Manchester City's football administrator
Brian Marwood over the club's failure to sign any new players this summer, City finally sign their
first player: Everton reserve Jack Rodwell for £12m. The 21-year-old midfielder has signed a
five-year deal at City for in excess of £100,000-a-week.
It was announced this morning that Geoff Cameron's work permit has been approved and the former
Dynamo defender is now officially a member of Stoke City. Congratulations to Geoff on having the
opportunity to pursue this incredible personal opportunity and we wish him all the success in the
English Premier League.
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard believes that Thorgan Hazard brings his own unique quality to the
club as both brothers prepare for their debut season with the club.
The Blues first signed Eden in a blockbuster deal in June before also unveiling Thorgan earlier
this month. While the former has already become a big name at only 21 years of age, the latter, 19,
is also tipped to become a major talent.
Only one step remains before Geoff Cameron's transfer to Stoke City is done and dusted.
Cameron told the Houston Chronicle that he has agreed to personal terms with the Premier League
side and is joining the club in Orlando, where it is continuing its preseason tour of North America
with a friendly against Orlando City SC on Saturday.
I summarised by thoughts yesterday and having endured yesterday's transfer window, I have to say I
feel betrayed by the club. Â There is no other way of putting it. Â Defensively we are solid, up
front we are short with the failed Chamakh being relied on as 3rd choice, and central midfield is a
potential disaster zone.
Here are a few conclusions drawn on the basis of yesterday's match:
- Chamakh's miserable form seems permanent: A few good touches, but some horribly executed
moves from the Moroccan makes us wonder why Arsene Wenger hasn't got rid of him despite offers. Its
been 2 years at the club now - and with the signings of Giroud and Podolski, it's looks now as if
surely, he has ran out of time.
Here are a few conclusions drawn on the basis of yesterday's match:
- Chamakh's miserable form seems permanent: A few good touches, but some horribly executed
moves from the Moroccan makes us wonder why Arsene Wenger hasn't got rid of him despite offers. Its
been 2 years at the club now - and with the signings of Giroud and Podolski, it's looks now as if
surely, he has ran out of time.
Roger Espinoza's Olympic performance for Honduras is still lingering in the front offices of
clubs in England, and it appears as if one is eager to pry him away from Sporting Kansas City prior
to the close of the European summer transfer window.
According to reports from England, Premier League side Wigan Athletic is looking to make a move
for Espinoza, who is in the final year of his contract with Sporting KC and MLS.
Tonight's game at Columbus is not a season defining game, but it may well demonstrate whether
the first 17 minutes of last Sunday's match at Houston or the 73 that followed were. Coherence and
a small degree of dominance broke down when Bill Hamid was ejected and DC United failed to survive
the loss of one player.
Real Madrid have agreed to a transfer fee for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric
reportedly for around $52 million or £33 million.
It's a move that should benefit both sides as Spurs get money to rebuild their squad and Real
Madrid add depth with a highly regarded attacking midfielder.
WEEP! Weep - and while you're at it wail and gnash your teeth – for Hudd is a lilywhite no
more! Admittedly the veracity of the above does depend on a technicality, as the blighter has
departed only on loan for now, but apparently AVB deems him too slow for this post-Corluka era.
Maurice Edu's move to Stoke City is not complete yet, but Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed
that the move is still in the works.Â
"I'm led to believe the Maurice Edu transfer to Stoke is still ongoing," McCoist told Sky
Sports. "If and when that happens, he will go with our best wishes, but I don't think there has
been anything concrete done with that at the moment.
With a new void in his midfield, Arsene Wenger may turn yet again to another rising French star
to try and bolster his club.
Arsenal's interest in Stade Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila has reportedly been rekindled as the
close of the summer transfer window nears. If M'Vila were to sign with Arsenal, he would join a
group of young Frenchmen to sign with the club over the last few years that includes Samir Nasri,
Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and most recently Olivier Giroud.
Robin van Persie is a wanted man among Europe's top clubs, but Arsenal is maintaining their
ground before deciding to part ways with their star striker.
The Gunners have reportedly turned down a bid from Manchester United that is said to be not
close to one in the £20 million range that is being sought after for the 28-year-old Dutch
international.
"Defend, defend ... defend, defend, defend," the Manchester United fans cry in unison, as
the opposition launch a counter-attack, outnumbering the United defence by six to one. This is a
re-working of the elaborate "attack, attack, attack" chant that so often boomed out of the stands
in the seasons before, now a humorous, yet slightly concerned response to the signings of Shinji
Kagawa, some Chilean bloke and Robin van Persie from Arsenal.
Morning all, it's a gloomy Monday here but the countdown to the new season has well and truly
begun now.
We played our final warm-up game yesterday, running out 4-0 winners over FC Koln and in truth we
could have had plenty more than four. We've talked a lot this summer about Steve Bould and the
potential changes he'd make to the defensive side of our game, but the first goal had his
fingerprints all over it.
The Red Bulls were full aware that last week's performance against the Houston Dynamo was awful,
and not good enough for a team with championship aspirations. After an intense week of training,
the Red Bulls came out on Friday and showed that they are still very much one of the teams to beat
in the Eastern Conference.
The U.S. women's national team's Olympic campaign could not have started any worse, but after 14
nightmare minutes, the two-time reigning gold medalists restored order and opened group play with
three points.
Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach scored to eliminate an early 2-0 deficit, and early substitute
Carli Lloyd scored the game-winner on a long-range rocket to help the U.
La Liga is one of the best leagues in the development of young players and I've picked my top 4 that you should look out for in the next coming years. These are my picks and just who I think can go on to achieve great things in their careers. Some have been in and around La Liga for a while but there are some who are going to get the attention they truly deserve.
With all of the talent that Mikey Lopez had around him last season, it was understandable for
the U.S. Under-20 midfielder's contributions to get a bit lost in the shuffle at the University of
North Carolina.
The Missouri State Bear's have a double-header on tap Friday night.
The Lady Bears will lead off at 6:00 pm when they host Nebrask-Omaha. The Maverick's made the
move from D2 and the MIAA two years ago and is in the final year of their transition to D1 and the
Summit League. Coached by CBC grad Don Klosterman, a win Friday night would be his, and the
program's, 200th overall to go with one national title (2005 D2).
The U.S. Women's National Team exacted revenge and defeated Japan 2-1 in the gold medal match of
the 2012 London Olympic Games on Thursday at Wembley Stadium. The victory, which marks the U.S.'
fourth gold medal in women's soccer, comes 389 days after the U.S.' penalty kick loss to the
Japanese in last year's World Cup Final.
- -- QPR and England Goalkeeper Ron Springett Turns 77 --- - -- Birthday for Gary Bannister -- -
Flashback: Transfer Leak Infuriates QPR Chairman - - Woking Official Site Woking 1 Queens Park
Rangers 2 Pre-Season Friendly 21st July 2012 Another fine performance from the Cards, particularly
in the first half, ended disappointingly in a 2-1 defeat against a QPR XI – a result that hardly
reflected Woking's dominance throughout most of the game.
