New recruit Clare Duffin was sent to Manchester to interview old hand Steve Marsh prior to this week's match at the Nou Camp his thoughts . . .
"I expect a tough game this week. Barca like to keep the ball and play at a high tempo. I do feel we can get a result against them though and with Marco Van Basten firing again a win isnt out of the question. Yes we have had some big changes in personel over the last week or 2 but I'm very happy at the players weve brought in. I felt we had become too predictable especially after last seasons triumph and wanted to be able to keep the ball better and play a more controlled kind of football. The big signings of Franz Beckenbaur and Ruud Gullet were vital to my plans and whilst I was surprised to capture franz we are obviously delighted. As for Jurgen, we were sorry to see him go but with 2 world class cf's and stoichkov arriving he felt his chances would be limited. I will shake his hand before the game....and after if he doesnt score."
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Juan Ramon - not leaving
Juan Lap0rta has issued a statement this evening indicating that playmaker Juan Ramon Riquelme will not now be leaving in any potential capacity. Laporta added that speculation over Riquelme in recent weeks had reached fever pitch with several clubs interested in the Argentinian but the player has shown with his performances on the pitch how valuable he is to this club. Manager Rich Skeen added that Riquelme and Xavi would not be split up this season unless injury or suspension intervened and that he would be sticking with the two in midfield system and indeed was possibly looking at adding to his options in the middle of the park especially with Modric set to go out on loan to Liverpool.
Ramos to sign?
Rumours surrounded the club are that Sergio Ramos has signed from Lazio in a straight cash deal. No one at the club was able to respond to the news, although Leon Probst manager of Lazio did admit talks were at an advanced stage, with the Rome club in severe financial distress and Ramos recently heard berating the manager on Italian TV it would not be a surprise for the deal to happen.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Week 7 Preview.
Week 7 sees the Catalan giants take on Manchester United in the league and River Plate in the SC Cup, both tough games but easily winnable.
New recruit Clare Duffin has been to catch opinions from Steve Marsh at Manchester United . . whilst Siguita Bonse fresh from her grilling with Jurgen talks shop with Stuart the Orange Murray, boss of under achieveing River Plate, we hope to bring their thoughts sometime before the game.
Anyways manager Rich Skeen spoke openly about both fixtures and comments on speculation linking John Barnes with a move away from the club.
"Afternoon all. Yeah tough games, I'm not going to discuss them in great detail, United we know a lot about having matched them all last season only to stumble at the end, credit to Marsh he's created a world beating side their and of course proven that he can actually win games aswell create sides. It will be an interesting game as United's form so far has been patchy similar to our own, they have however picked up in recent weeks so I expect them to be nearing top form, I also expect them to play their usual attacking style which is good for us in a way, both teams prefer to play passing football and like to keep the ball, I guess on the day it depends who does this better. It will also be interesting to see if he sticks Beckenbauer into the limelight it will surely be an interesting debut for the Kaiser back at Barcelona. It's a game we need to win if we have title aspirations but a draw would not be a disaster.
River on the other hand are a substantial unknown quantity and of course it's a cup game so it's pretty much anyone's guess what will happen. We need to keep Batistuta quiet however and that is a fact, if we do that then I have confidence we will win easily, defensively River are weak and we need to impress on that. With both Xavi and Riqeulme in midfield I expect us to overrun them in midfield and if we keep it tight I expect us to win, although we may have to work very hard for the result. There manager is slightly mad and excitable so we need to ensure we keep him sour faced and grim.
Lastly I'm not going to comment on any possible transfer speculation coming out of the club, as usual when a deal is signed we will discuss it openly, all I will say is we have irons in several fires and although I'm looking at a couple of legends it's likely they will not be introduced for a couple more weeks, thank you, have a nice day."
New recruit Clare Duffin has been to catch opinions from Steve Marsh at Manchester United . . whilst Siguita Bonse fresh from her grilling with Jurgen talks shop with Stuart the Orange Murray, boss of under achieveing River Plate, we hope to bring their thoughts sometime before the game.
Anyways manager Rich Skeen spoke openly about both fixtures and comments on speculation linking John Barnes with a move away from the club.
"Afternoon all. Yeah tough games, I'm not going to discuss them in great detail, United we know a lot about having matched them all last season only to stumble at the end, credit to Marsh he's created a world beating side their and of course proven that he can actually win games aswell create sides. It will be an interesting game as United's form so far has been patchy similar to our own, they have however picked up in recent weeks so I expect them to be nearing top form, I also expect them to play their usual attacking style which is good for us in a way, both teams prefer to play passing football and like to keep the ball, I guess on the day it depends who does this better. It will also be interesting to see if he sticks Beckenbauer into the limelight it will surely be an interesting debut for the Kaiser back at Barcelona. It's a game we need to win if we have title aspirations but a draw would not be a disaster.
River on the other hand are a substantial unknown quantity and of course it's a cup game so it's pretty much anyone's guess what will happen. We need to keep Batistuta quiet however and that is a fact, if we do that then I have confidence we will win easily, defensively River are weak and we need to impress on that. With both Xavi and Riqeulme in midfield I expect us to overrun them in midfield and if we keep it tight I expect us to win, although we may have to work very hard for the result. There manager is slightly mad and excitable so we need to ensure we keep him sour faced and grim.
Lastly I'm not going to comment on any possible transfer speculation coming out of the club, as usual when a deal is signed we will discuss it openly, all I will say is we have irons in several fires and although I'm looking at a couple of legends it's likely they will not be introduced for a couple more weeks, thank you, have a nice day."
Friday, 14 March 2008
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Jurgen - “Time for revenge”
We have caught up with new signing Jurgen Klinsmann following his move from Manchester United, Jurgen one of the best forwards to grace the game signed for Barcelona last week in a deal which saw legendary sweeper Beckenbauer head to Old Trafford, Aldair also moved from Manchester to Barcelona in the deal. The two clubs meet this week and in her usual excitement stunning reporter Siguita Bonse caught up with Jurgen as he left the training pitch earlier.
Siguita Bonse: “Jurgen, how are you settling in?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “Very well thanks Siguita, it’s pretty natural playing alongside so many good players so I feel at home, plus it’s always nice to see your features!”
Siguita Bonse: “You devil you, It’s been a surreal week transfer wise with the Kaiser leaving, do you feel you have to live up to his character and stature?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “He was a legend, still is a legend. I cannot match up to him in that regard however I come here to score goals and win titles, I would not have signed if I didn’t think that was possible.”
Siguita Bonse: “How did you feel when Steve Marsh told you that you were leaving United?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “In a word delighted! No I loved my time working with him, he’s a fantastic manager and obviously winning the title last year is something not to forget. However it’s a new challenge now and although I’ll miss United, I am now 110% behind the challenge here.”
Siguita Bonse: “And what a game to start with?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “Ha yeah Siggy, it’s a belter. I think we need to exact revenge for last season. Even though I was happy at the time haha”
Siguita Bonse: “It’s been stated that you may not make the first eleven here, although with Baggio out this week you are likely to make your debut, how do you feel about that?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “I’m here to play obviously, but when you have players like Baggio, Totti, Xavi and Juan Ramon it’s tough to get in the side. I could have moved to a lesser club and been the captain, playmaker, tea-maker whatever but here is a challenge, which is what I want. I’m sure if I perform well the manager will struggle to leave me out, it’s up to me to make him drop one of the other guys.”
Siguita Bonse: “Yeah the manager is quite happy to mix up his main four attackers excluding the wide men, he’s stated he sees you as key in this as you can play TM. Is that a position you’d prefer?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “I’ve not thought about it, if the manager plays me, I’ll be over the moon and will repay his faith, the first eleven is that good it’s tough to get in the side, heck if he wanted to play me left back I’d play.”
Siguita Bonse: “Well thanks Jurgen for taking the time out, best of luck for next week”.
Siguita Bonse: “Jurgen, how are you settling in?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “Very well thanks Siguita, it’s pretty natural playing alongside so many good players so I feel at home, plus it’s always nice to see your features!”
Siguita Bonse: “You devil you, It’s been a surreal week transfer wise with the Kaiser leaving, do you feel you have to live up to his character and stature?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “He was a legend, still is a legend. I cannot match up to him in that regard however I come here to score goals and win titles, I would not have signed if I didn’t think that was possible.”
Siguita Bonse: “How did you feel when Steve Marsh told you that you were leaving United?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “In a word delighted! No I loved my time working with him, he’s a fantastic manager and obviously winning the title last year is something not to forget. However it’s a new challenge now and although I’ll miss United, I am now 110% behind the challenge here.”
Siguita Bonse: “And what a game to start with?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “Ha yeah Siggy, it’s a belter. I think we need to exact revenge for last season. Even though I was happy at the time haha”
Siguita Bonse: “It’s been stated that you may not make the first eleven here, although with Baggio out this week you are likely to make your debut, how do you feel about that?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “I’m here to play obviously, but when you have players like Baggio, Totti, Xavi and Juan Ramon it’s tough to get in the side. I could have moved to a lesser club and been the captain, playmaker, tea-maker whatever but here is a challenge, which is what I want. I’m sure if I perform well the manager will struggle to leave me out, it’s up to me to make him drop one of the other guys.”
Siguita Bonse: “Yeah the manager is quite happy to mix up his main four attackers excluding the wide men, he’s stated he sees you as key in this as you can play TM. Is that a position you’d prefer?”
Jurgen Klinsmann: “I’ve not thought about it, if the manager plays me, I’ll be over the moon and will repay his faith, the first eleven is that good it’s tough to get in the side, heck if he wanted to play me left back I’d play.”
Siguita Bonse: “Well thanks Jurgen for taking the time out, best of luck for next week”.
Skeen talks shop - Season so far.
Just over a quarter over the way through the season, manager Rich Skeen spoke today on how he felt the season had started and how he expects it to pan out in the coming weeks:
“In a word improving . . . the first couple of weeks truth be told were desperate.
Week One we played Celtic a relatively mediocre side and were comprehensively beaten 2-1, this was entirely due to the fact we played an attacking system against the Bhoys, one which was good enough to beat Madrid at the back of end last season. It was a disappointing start and although I’m one for persevering with tactics felt that losing to such an inferior side signalled the end of the experiment. All credit to Celtic but I feel come the crunch they will do well to stay up so this was a hugely disappointing result.
Week Two yet again was depressing for some reason a managerial input meant Simic played at RB when it should have been Totti as TM, playing 5-2-3 is always going to affect you and yet again a defeat to an inferior side really angered me. The only positive to come out of the game was that Baggio made his debut and the player looks to have all the attributes to being a great at the Camp Nou.
Week Three was in a word better, we did however struggle past an abysmal Parma side but winning was the main thing. Dirk Kuyt’s goal was good reward for his hard work, the draw in the league against Juventus was a decent point against a fabulous side one of whom I expect to be challenging for all honours this season. We perhaps shaded the fixture so that alone convinced me we’d turned the corner.
Week Four, pleased me, Monaco are a candidate for relegation but as yet no other side has beaten them so to do so convincingly is encouraging, it felt like that the attack was beginning to gel and although Beckenbauer got himself needlessly sent-off 3-1 doesn’t flatter us. I would however expect most of the big teams to pick up points against them mind.
Week Five again pleased me, perhaps more so than the Monaco game, on paper Bayern have an excellent side and their recent win over Milan indicates they can mix it with the big boys but beating them twice in the week once in the league in a game in which Riquleme took the game by the scruff of the neck and then just as importantly away in the DC Cup shows we can compete with the very best in the league.
Last week was again pleasing to an extent, I felt before the fixtures that both games would be our hardest tasks so far, Bayern had to bounce back from the previous weeks defeats and did so admirably so all credit to Duffin. Our 4-3 win was unusual but says more about our attacking abilities to score 4 past Bayern than the fact we conceded three at the back. The draw against Newcastle may well be points dropped in the long run, but Newcastle are a very stubborn side with an extremely good manager so a point is by no means a disaster.
Looking ahead to next week we play River Plate and Man United both difficult matches, I’ll offer more comment on both nearer the time, long term we have a great opportunity in the DC Cup, a draw against Nantes in the last eight will hold no fears and I expect us to beat them over two legs. The league is shaping up to being incredibly tight with Milan only two points ahead of us and although we’ve played some of the weaker sides in Celtic and Monaco we have winnable games coming up so I expect us to push on and really put the pressure on the clubs around us. Of the teams in the shake-up I expect Milan, Juventus and Man United to be our main challengers, although I wouldn’t at this stage rule anyone out bar perhaps managerless Monaco and turmoil ridden club Liverpool, Chelsea look to be rudderless aswell.”
So that was the manager speaking openly about the season so far. I’m sure we will hear more from the great supremo in good time.
“In a word improving . . . the first couple of weeks truth be told were desperate.
Week One we played Celtic a relatively mediocre side and were comprehensively beaten 2-1, this was entirely due to the fact we played an attacking system against the Bhoys, one which was good enough to beat Madrid at the back of end last season. It was a disappointing start and although I’m one for persevering with tactics felt that losing to such an inferior side signalled the end of the experiment. All credit to Celtic but I feel come the crunch they will do well to stay up so this was a hugely disappointing result.
Week Two yet again was depressing for some reason a managerial input meant Simic played at RB when it should have been Totti as TM, playing 5-2-3 is always going to affect you and yet again a defeat to an inferior side really angered me. The only positive to come out of the game was that Baggio made his debut and the player looks to have all the attributes to being a great at the Camp Nou.
Week Three was in a word better, we did however struggle past an abysmal Parma side but winning was the main thing. Dirk Kuyt’s goal was good reward for his hard work, the draw in the league against Juventus was a decent point against a fabulous side one of whom I expect to be challenging for all honours this season. We perhaps shaded the fixture so that alone convinced me we’d turned the corner.
Week Four, pleased me, Monaco are a candidate for relegation but as yet no other side has beaten them so to do so convincingly is encouraging, it felt like that the attack was beginning to gel and although Beckenbauer got himself needlessly sent-off 3-1 doesn’t flatter us. I would however expect most of the big teams to pick up points against them mind.
Week Five again pleased me, perhaps more so than the Monaco game, on paper Bayern have an excellent side and their recent win over Milan indicates they can mix it with the big boys but beating them twice in the week once in the league in a game in which Riquleme took the game by the scruff of the neck and then just as importantly away in the DC Cup shows we can compete with the very best in the league.
Last week was again pleasing to an extent, I felt before the fixtures that both games would be our hardest tasks so far, Bayern had to bounce back from the previous weeks defeats and did so admirably so all credit to Duffin. Our 4-3 win was unusual but says more about our attacking abilities to score 4 past Bayern than the fact we conceded three at the back. The draw against Newcastle may well be points dropped in the long run, but Newcastle are a very stubborn side with an extremely good manager so a point is by no means a disaster.
Looking ahead to next week we play River Plate and Man United both difficult matches, I’ll offer more comment on both nearer the time, long term we have a great opportunity in the DC Cup, a draw against Nantes in the last eight will hold no fears and I expect us to beat them over two legs. The league is shaping up to being incredibly tight with Milan only two points ahead of us and although we’ve played some of the weaker sides in Celtic and Monaco we have winnable games coming up so I expect us to push on and really put the pressure on the clubs around us. Of the teams in the shake-up I expect Milan, Juventus and Man United to be our main challengers, although I wouldn’t at this stage rule anyone out bar perhaps managerless Monaco and turmoil ridden club Liverpool, Chelsea look to be rudderless aswell.”
So that was the manager speaking openly about the season so far. I’m sure we will hear more from the great supremo in good time.
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