Pellegrini says his side's victory at Southampton proves they are capable of challenging Chelsea for the Premier League title.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says his side's victory at Southampton proves they are capable of challenging Chelsea for the Premier League title.

City climbed to second in the table with a 3-0 win over Southamptonand are six points behind the unbeaten Blues.

"We can complain about a lot of things from this team this year," he said.

"But the only thing we cannot complain about in the squad is the spirit, the personality, the character and the ambition to continue winning."

Pellegrini is confident there is enough time to catch Jose Mourinho's side, who were held to a 0-0 draw away to Sunderland on Saturday.

"We have to play 25 games more. It is a lot of points and nobody knows what will happen in the future," he added.

Play media"In football in one week you can change your position. Chelsea are playing very well and we will see what will happen. We must try to concentrate just on [Wednesday's game against] Sunderland."
Play mediaStriker Sergio Aguero was crudely upended in the penalty area by Jose Fonte in the game's first meaningful action, only to be booked for diving, but Pellegrini played down referee Mike Jones' glaring error.

City have lost twice in the league this season, but were comfortable winners at St Mary's as they leapfrogged Southampton in the table and closed the gap on Chelsea.

Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy scored the goals to secure City's triumph, with the visitors making light of Eliaquim Mangala's red card, and also being denied a clear penalty.

"I saw that it was a penalty but I am not the referee," said Pellegrini.

"Sergio never dived, but the referee is human and everyone makes mistakes.

"Maybe if we had drawn 0-0 we would be talking more about this, but we got the result and that's all that counts."

Pray for us Keshi requests!

“The game of football has changed, people are growing, nations are growing. So we have to grow too and we have to continue with whatever we are doing that we think will make us good and strong,” Keshi told Goal.

“Our game against the Congo national team was not bad. Two good sides played the match and I think in the second half we could have had more goals. We lost some chances in the second half but I give glory to God that we got the three points we needed in this match.”

Nigeria welcome Bafana Bafana to Uyo in Wednesday’s must-win final Group A game.

“As regards the last qualifying match against South Africa, Nigerians should pray for us, they should pray for the players and they should be patient and they should come out en masse to support their team to win the match. They should pray for the boys to be in good health and that they should respond well in the match,” Keshi urged.

Its a decider I am praying for Nigeria as Keshi has requested and hope you do to.

Keshi to go African with Congo in a must win match.

The Big Boss is set to do away with fancy European play when the Nigerian squad travels to Pointe Noire for this weekend’s crunch clash against the Red Devils

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is set to adopt a more practical ‘African’ style in order to beat Congo in this weekend’s crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Pointe Noire.

The Super Eagles need to win by at least two goals in order to keep alive hopes of defending their title at next year’s Afcon, before their final game against South Africa in Uyo.

Keshi has urged his foreign-based players to drop their fancy European guile and play the hard African way to be able to outwit their opponents in order to avenge September’s 3-2 defeat in Calabar.

Keshi said that it is the only way the Super Eagles can beat the Red Devils on their ground.

“I have told my players to play the African way when we meet Congo Brazzaville on Saturday. We need to play hard to get the result we crave for and we should drop the European style or method and play the African way,” Keshi disclosed.

The trainer also expressed confidence in the ability of his players to weather the storm in Congo while declaring that the spirit was high in the camp which points to victory for the Nigerian team.

“My players have really stepped up the gear and the spirit in camp is very high. The boys have been showing the hunger and urge to get victory against Congo and by the grace of God we will get victory. Nigerians should also rally round this team and support the team with prayers and we will come back with victory,” Keshi stated.

Congo lost 2-0 to South Africa in their last game at home and would be keen to stop the Eagles from conquering them as well.

South Africa lead Group A with eight points followed by Congo and Nigeria with seven and four points respectively. Sudan are rooted bottom with three points out of four matches.

An interview with on of the prolific midfielders in the premier league

Fresh from his goalscoring exploits midweek, Nemanja Matic sits down with the official Chelsea website to assess his role in a team which is undefeated in 16 matches so far this season. The tall Serbian has featured in each and every one of those games and so it’s no wonder we find him on jovial form at our Cobham training ground.

In the Premier League and in Europe Cesc Fabregas has been his ever-present partner in midfield, with the duo earning plenty of plaudits for their performances together. When asked what it is like playing alongside the Spaniard, a smile breaks out across Matic’s face. He can’t resist a joke.

‘He’s terrible,’ laughs Matic. ‘One of the worst I’ve ever played with!

‘Seriously though in every moment of the game he knows what he needs to do,’ he explains, now carefully considering his midfield accomplice’s attributes.

‘He’s a great player; he’s a player with a lot of experience having played at Arsenal and Barcelona. We have a good relationship on the pitch and it’s easy to play with him.

‘It’s very important to play a lot of games next to somebody, because as more and more time passes you get to know them better and better. We’ve improved together as a pair and I think that’s good for the team too because the midfield is such an important part of the pitch.’

The 26-year-old says he has also improved as an individual since his move to Stamford Bridge in January; something he puts down to the high-quality football the team has been playing this season.

At the heart of that outstanding attacking play has been Fabregas, who already has nine Premier League assists to his name. Jose Mourinho has regularly praised his decisive impact on matches, but the manager has been quick to highlight Matic’s important contributions alongside Fabregas too, noting in particular the speed with which he moves the ball and his ability to operate in the right spaces when we don’t have possession.

‘My job is to play defensive midfielder; going forward is his responsibility as well as the other players that play in front of us. I just try to do my job. If once or twice per game I can go forward I will do that but my main job is to keep the balance in the midfield and if we lose the ball then try and kill their game. Of course I also want to give Cesc and the other attacking players the ball when I have it.

‘No, it was Inzaghi-style that one. I said before my job is to play defensive midfielder, to do what the coach asks of me, but of course if I have the chance I will try to score.

‘In this moment I have three goals and I hope I don’t stop. I expect some more goals this season. I will be happy with 10; I have set myself the target of 10.’

Having already netted in Merseyside this season Matic might well be hoping to repeat the trick at Anfield today. However, if we are to return south with all three points it is likely to be more important he reproduces the domineering all-round midfield performance we witnessed from him at the same ground in April, at Man City in February and, more recently, at Old Trafford.

‘It’s always special when you play big games,’ he points out. ‘It’s different.

‘I cannot say every game is the same. A derby is a derby for example; it gives you a special motivation. I like to play in these kinds of games like everyone.

‘I’m really happy because we have another big game today. Liverpool are a good, strong team but we are ready to compete again.’

And who’ll be leading our challenge in the middle of our pitch, as the most recent Chelsea terrace chant goes? Matic.

By Rupert Cane

BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014 shortlist

The five-man shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014 has been revealed.

Title holder Yaya Toure has been nominated for the sixth consecutive year, along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Yacine Brahimi, Vincent Enyeama and Gervinho.

The winner will be decided by fans of African football, who have until 18:00 GMT on Monday, 24 November to vote for their choice.

You can vote online here.

Or to vote for BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014 by SMS, text the number of the player you wish to vote for to +447786202008.

• Text 1 for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
• Text 2 for Yacine Brahimi
• Text 3 for Vincent Enyeama
• Text 4 for Gervinho
• Text 5 for Yaya Toure

Standard international text rates apply. Please check with your service provider. SMS votes are limited to one vote per mobile phone number.Terms and conditions apply.

The winner will be announced on Monday, 1 December.

Four of the nominees played at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, where for the first time in the tournament's history two African sides made it out of the group phase.

Goalkeeper Enyeama played in the last 16 of the tournament with Nigeria, while Brahimi reached the same stage with Algeria.

Enyeama, 32, went into the event off the back of an outstanding campaign for French club Lille - he kept 21 clean sheets for them last season.

In Spain, forward Brahimi's efforts for Granada led to him being named best African player in the country last term and earning a move to Porto.

Both players carried their excellent club form into the showpiece finals and caught the eye with superb performances - as did Ivory Coast forward Gervinho.

The Roma player has been a revelation in Italy since leaving English Premier League side Arsenal, scoring 10 goals in 39 games for the Serie A side.

He and his compatriot Toure did not make it out of their group in Brazil, but on a personal note both have enjoyed impressive seasons.

Midfielder Toure helped guide Manchester City to their second Premier League title in three years. He also won the Capital One Cup.

Although striker Aubameyang did not play at Brazil 2014 - because Gabon did not qualify - he makes the shortlist for the second year in a row thanks to his club form.

The 25-year-old has settled in his second season with German side Borussia Dortmund and his improvement has been particularly noticeable in the Champions League, where he has already scored three times in the current campaign.

Previous winners of BBC African Footballer of the Year award:

2013 - Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)

2012 - Chris Katongo (Henan Construction & Zambia)

2011 - Andre Ayew (Marseille & Ghana)

2010 - Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana)

2009 - Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast)

2008 - Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2007 - Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)

2006 - Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)

2005 - Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2004 - Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2003 - Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2002 - El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal)

2001 - Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana)

2000 - Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon)

Arsene Wenger: no team is currently capable of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes no team is currently capable of catching Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The Gunners lost 2-1 at Swansea on Sunday to slip 12 points behind Jose Mourinho's unbeaten side.

Chelsea have won nine of their 11 games this term and have 29 points - four more than second-place Southampton.

"If they keep that up nobody will touch them," Wenger said. "It doesn't look like anybody is capable of challenging them at the moment."

The Blues fought back from a goal down tobeat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday and Wenger believes they are team full of confidence.

"Look at the season and Chelsea are on course for 105 points. Look at the number of points they have today and if they keep that up nobody will touch them, that's for sure.

"They have had a good start and as long as you don't lose you don't question yourself," the Frenchman said. "Maybe a little bit more extra spirit in the team helps them when it gets tight."

Wenger added that he was disappointed to see his own side ease up after taking the lead at the Liberty Stadium and throw away victory.

The Gunners went ahead through Alexis Sanchez before Gylfi Sigurdsson and substitute Bafetimbi Gomis turned the game around for the Swans.

The defeat caps a poor week for Wenger after a Champions League collapse to draw 3-3 with Anderlecht on Tuesday.

"It's disappointing to throw a game away like we did," said Wenger.

"We were 1-0 up and had to be tight defensively and wait for that second chance. But you have to credit Swansea who didn't give up.

"We eased off at 1-0 and let them back into the game."

Arsenal, who drop to sixth in the table, have lost more points from a winning position than any other Premier League team this season.

The Struggle continues has Mourinho criticizes players of complacency.

Jose Mourinho accused his Chelsea players of complacency after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenian minnows Maribor in Champions League Group G.

The Blues went behind to Agim Ibraimi's goal but Nemanja Matic equalised before Eden Hazard missed a penalty.

"Many times surprises happen when people are not fully focused, when they believe the game can't be a difficult one," said Mourinho.

"Only when Maribor scored did the players realise the danger."

Match facts
Chelsea have not lost a competitive match since the semi-final of last season's Champions League in April
The Blues have won just one of their last six away games in the Champions League
Chelsea conceded for the first time in 230 minutes away from home in the competition

The result leaves Chelsea three points clear in Group G, needing to win one of their remaining two matches to guarantee qualification to the knockout phase.

Chelsea had thrashed Slovenian champions Maribor 6-0 at Stamford Bridge in their previous Champions League game.

And despite having talked up his opponents in the pre-match news conference, Mourinho admitted he must take some of the blame for his players' attitude in a lacklustre first half.

"If I cannot convince the players that the game is difficult and you have to play from minute one, obviously it's my responsibility," he said.

Mourinho also expressed his frustration with Italian referee Daniele Orsato and his fellow officials.

The Blues were denied a penalty early in the second half when Oscar appeared to be tripped and his fellow substitute Diego Costa had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

Mourinho hinted that he had history with Orsato from his time at Inter Milan, adding: "We scored two goals, two very good goals. The second goal, the referee decided to disallow but it's a clear goal.

"Normally we should win because we scored two goals. But we have to accept it.

"The referee's team did not have a good night."

Man City Continue low perfomance in the champions league by Phil McNulty

Yaya Toure apologised on Twitter after the game for his first red card for City

As the Bonfire Night fireworks designed to set the mood faded away and a heavy mist descended on Etihad Stadium, Manchester City and manager Manuel Pellegrini were lost in the fog of failure and uncertainty that engulfs them in the Champions League.

The last time the pyrotechnics flew over this stadium in celebration of 5 November, City were experiencing one of the few real joys they have had in this tournament as a 5-2 victory over CSKA Moscow secured a place in the last 16.

Fast forward exactly 12 months and those same opponents, dismissed so comfortably last season, won 2-1 to illustrate how City's apparent mental block in the Champions League has taken them backwards to the brink of an exit at the group stage.

City are virtual strangers to the highs the Champions League has to offer - and this was their lowest ebb.

The loss means that City could still be eliminated even if they win both of their remaining games - at home against Bayern Munich at home, where they will be without Fernandinho and Yaya Toure who were sent off on Wednesday, and Roma away.

City have a narrative of failure in the Champions League and the story does not change - although it has several strands and sub-plots running through it.

Pressure on Pellegrini

If City do fail to progress the scrutiny and pressure on Pellegrini will increase, simply because a club with this scale of ambition makes big demands on a manager.

There is no appetite, however, to question his position even if they go out at the group stage, although it is believed City's Abu Dhabi-based owners regarded the quarter-finals as a realistic target this season.

They feel it will take City five years to reach full fruition in the Champions League - but there can be no question they would have expected better than no wins and just two points from four games, topped off by a home defeat to the side regarded as the weakest in Group E.

A squad reduction imposed by Europe's governing body Uefa after failing to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, which also hit at their powers in the transfer market, is seen as a factor in their struggles. This still does not fully explain how they appear to have regressed so much.

City were fined £49m, £32m of which was suspended, and could only name a 21-man squad for the Champions League. Another sanction meant City were limited to spending £49m on players this summer, as well as any transfer fees they received, and their wage bill for 2014-15 had to stay the same as last season.

Pellegrini was at a loss to understand how this campaign has gone so badly wrong again for City, saying he would "review a lot of things" and admitting "I don't understand why they cannot play in the Champions League."

If the solution to this puzzle has eluded him over two seasons, it is stretching reality to expect him to come up with the answer inside three weeks.

An exit means Pellegrini will come under the microscope more intensely than at any time since he succeeded Roberto Mancini and will need success in the Premier League to release the pressure valve.

Manchester City's recent European fortunes
2013-14: Champions League round of 16 - beaten by Barcelona
2012-13: Champions League group stage
2011-12: Europa League round of 16 (having finished third in Uefa Champions League group stage)
2010-11: Europa League round of 16
2009-10: Did not qualify for Europe
2008-09: Uefa Cup quarter-finals

Crisis of confidence

This was the phrase Pellegrini used to describe City's current state of mind -and it was evident almost from the first whistle on Wednesday.

When City should have been on the front foot, Toure's dreadful marking allowed CSKA's Seydou Doumbia to score after 96 seconds. Toure's equaliser gave false hope as Doumbia took advantage of more defensive slackness to score the eventual winner.

This gave CSKA the first away win by a Russian side in England in the Champions League since Spartak Moscow beat Blackburn Rovers in September 1995.

City should have been on the up after ending a mini-slump with a victory over Manchester United in the derby, but they were disorganised at the back, lacked domination in midfield and even the brilliant Sergio Aguero struggled to exert his influence.

Gael Clichy had a nightmare at left-back and CSKA cut through midfield into large gaps with City stretched all over the place in defence. The self-belief that made City champions at home appears to evaporate in Europe.

The mood of failure is insidious. It has made City's fans as anxious and pessimistic as their team, creating a subdued atmosphere inside Etihad that only enlivened with increased adversity for the nine men in the closing stages.

City have players of experience, talent and character. Sadly, they have not been good enough in the Champions League and Pellegrini has failed to crack the code for success.

Statistics tell the tale

City's Champions League record since returning in 2011 is - played 24, won eight, drawn six, lost 10. At home they have played 12 ,won four, drawn five and lost three.

They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their nine home games in the Champions League since the start of the 2012-2013 season and are winless in their last six games in Europe - drawing two and losing four - their last win coming away to Bayern Munich almost a year ago.

Cut this any way you like and it is nowhere near good enough for a squad that has had so much finance lavished on it by its owners.

After winning the Premier League twice in three seasons, the next logical step was to make a mark in Europe's biggest tournament. Barring a turnaround even their most optimistic fans will struggle to see happening, it will have to wait for another year.

Manchester City's Champions League struggles
City's first foray into the Champions League group stages saw them finish third in a group with Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal in 2011-12. Napoli edged them out for last 16 qualification by a point.	In 2012-13, having been crowned Premier League champions the year before, City finished bottom of their Champions League group which included Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Ajax.
They dropped in to the Europa League in the same season and were eventually knocked out on away goals to Sporting Lisbon in the last 16.	City eventually made it out of the Champions League groups last season, but were knocked out in the last 16 by Barcelona, 4-1 on aggregate.

Conspiracy theories

Uefa felt the full force of Etihad's anger - as did Greek referee Tasos Sidiropolous - at the final whistle, seemingly a combination of FFP penalties, the failure to allow City's fans to watch the behind-closed-doors game with CSKA in Moscow and some eccentric officialdom.

Sidiropolous had an odd night, especially when a case of mistaken identity meant he showed a yellow card to defender Sergei Ignashevich when it should have gone to midfielder Pontus Wernbloom, who had already been cautioned.

Pellegrini, to his credit, insisted he would not link the referee's performance to the result and this was one thing he did get right. Asked whether this reminded him of his night of rare rage when he claimed Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson favoured Barcelona in their 2-0 win,he would not concur.

This was not a night for excuses and Pellegrini avoided making any.

City, were disorganised and ill-disciplined. Fernandinho or Toure can have no complaints about the red cards that were not just damaging, but also for their hopes of beating Bayern Munich.

This was about City's failings rather than the officials. Any suggestion that the referee was not good enough can be matched by the assertion City were not good enough either.

Can City still get through?

Well yes, if they win those last two games. The maths may stack up but the logic does not.

City did not offer one shred of evidence here that they have what it takes to get through. This was a night to jog the memory of those City fans with a finely-tuned sense of black humour, shaped in the days when just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

The club have been masters of the unexpected in the past but if City struggle and slump to defeat to CSKA, can they seriously be expected to unseat Bayern?

There may be hope in that Bayern have already won the group but it is unlikely coach Pep Guardiola deals in weakened teams, although there may be a psychological impact.

So the chance remains, but the mood was sombre and resigned around Etihad as Pellegrini searched for Champions League answers that have eluded him and his players.

Footballer Ricardo Ferreira handed 50-year ban after referee attack

A Switzerland-based amateur footballer has been banned for 50 years after kicking a ball in the referee's face and spraying him with water.

Portugal Futebol Clube defender Ricardo Ferreira has already served a 45-game ban for assaulting opposition players.

"I had expected one or two years maximum. But 50 years? Football's my life," Ferreira, 28, said.

The fourth-tier league's lawyer Robert Breiter said: "We do not want such a player in our league."

Speaking to Swiss newspaper Blick (in German),  Breiter continued: "Unfortunately we encounter such cases about once a year."

Ferreira had been an unused substitute in his team's match against SC Worb in the Bern league when he attacked the referee after the final whistle.

Ferreira will be free to return to footballing activity on 5 June 2064, by which time he will be 78.

The Single Act That Killed And Buried Mikel Obi’s Career In 2006

BY MANSUR ABUBAKAR

As Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was having a chit chat with manager Jose Mourinho before his introduction in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in Old Trafford everyone knew what the game plan was. I couldn’t help but cast my mind back to 2005 when Obi was only second to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in terms of attacking prowess and flair on the ball, now the only thing the former Lyn player is known for is being a “spoiler” and Mourinho’s number one “anti-football agent”.

Mikel ObiWhenever passionate football lovers who really want to see two teams play an attacking style, going at each other non-stop see Mikel warming up, waiting to be introduced (the players rarely get a starting berth these days) they feel sad for football and for the player himself, who had so much potential. 

Unfortunately a single act in 2006 changed his fortunes and is likely to see him end his career in Europe as an “also ran”, instead of the standout player we all knew he could be when he took the world by storm by representing Nigeria’s under-20 team at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, winning the Silver Ball for the second-best player at the tournament (behind Lionel Messi) as the Flying Eaglets finished runner-up to Argentina.

Mikel’s problems started in 2006 when he was faced with the option of either joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United (which he already had an agreement with) or joining Mourinho’s emerging Chelsea team when the Roman Abramovich revolution was massively taking shape with stars like Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele forming the core of the blues midfield at the time.

Like most African players who go to Europe in search of greener pastures, the Plateau State-born player signed for Chelsea, which offered more money but altered his position to a defensive midfield role instead of going to Manchester United which would have played him in his natural position and allowed his career to flourish.

That single signature confirming his contract with the London club in the year 2006 killed and buried Mikel’s career as far as most people are concerned because it meant he was no longer the stand out he had always been throughout his career, instead becoming someone only introduced to the game to stop others from playing and “killing” the game.

As part of the Super Eagles where Mikel is made to assume the attacking midfielder’s role, he finds it difficult to adapt, hence his below par performances which attract huge criticism from millions of Nigeria’s football followers.

Some might argue that Mikel has had eight trophy-laden years with Chelsea, which is the measure of success in football, but the stand-out players always enjoy every trophy more because of their massive contributions to the cause, as stated by Fernando Torres who admitted he doesn’t feel part of the success of Chelsea winning the UEFA Champions League in 2012, due to his bit part role in the team.

I keep wondering if Mikel, when alone and away from the entire buzz that comes along with being a high profile player, looks back that single act in 2006 and what might have been if he took a different direction in his quest to become world’s number one player.

Shortlist for Fifa world men's player of the year and Fifa coach of the year for 2014

Fifa world men's player of the year shortlist: Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Spain, Chelsea), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Angel Di Maria (Argentina, Manchester United), Mario Gotze (Germany, Bayern Munich), Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris St-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany, Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil, Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France, Juventus), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Netherlands, Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia, Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Manchester City).

Fifa coach of the year shortlist: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Antonio Conte (Juventus/Italy national team), Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klinsmann (USA national team), Joachim Low (Germany national team), Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City), Alejandro Sabella (Argentina national team), Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Louis van Gaal (Netherlands national team/Manchester United).

Harry Redknapp - One of the greatest managers in football

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Previous Clubs: AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Southampton, Portsmouth, Tottenham

Honours: FA Cup: 2008; First Division: 2003; Third Division: 1987;InterToto Cup: 1999

While some regard Harry Redknapp as the archetypal affable Cockney with an alchemist's touch in unearthing players of quality, others see him as an East End barrow-boy with a scattergun approach to transfers whose hit-and-miss career has been marked by moments of controversy.

Born in Poplar, east London, Redknapp the player began his career with West Ham United; he progressed through the youth system to eventually make 149 appearances with the Hammers. In 1972, the winger moved to Third Division outfit AFC Bournemouth where he spent four years playing 101 games. A short spell back in London with Brentford was followed in 1976 by three years in the United States where his playing days wound-down with the North American Soccer League's Seattle Sounders.

After a stint as assistant coach of the Sounders, Redknapp returned to Bournemouth in September 1982 to become the club's assistant manager. By 1984 he was in sole charge of the Cherries and, as he wheeled and dealed, the club won the Third Division title in 1986-87. However, a tragic car accident in Italy during the 1990 World Cup, which killed five people, found a seriously-injured Redknapp increasingly disillusioned with the game. After returning from a forced period of convalescence he eventually quit Bournemouth at the end of the 1991-92 season.

He returned to football and West Ham, joining his old club as assistant manager. By 1994 he was the boss of the club he signed professional playing terms with as a 17-year-old back in 1964. After three seasons of stabilisation and mid-table finishes the fruits of Harry's labours were about to be born as he unearthed gems like Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and nephew Frank Lampard.

The Hammers finished eighth in 1998, then fifth in 1999 thereby qualifying for the InterToto Cup, a competition they won resulting in a UEFA Cup campaign the following season, although it had a negative impact on the club's league performances and Redknapp was asked to leave at the end of the 2000-01 season.

In summer 2001, Redknapp 'moved upstairs' becoming Director of Football at First Division Portsmouth, but he eventually returned to the dugout replacing Graham Rix as Pompey manager in March 2002. Backed by chairman Milan Mandaric's millions, Redknapp moulded a squad of youth and experience and was named the League Managers' Association's Manager of the Year after guiding Portsmouth to the Premiership.

Redknapp worked wonders as he kept Pompey in the top flight, but a storm was looming as Mandaric sought to remove Jim Smith as Redknapp's assistant and replace him with Velimir Zajec as Director of Football. Redknapp balked at the idea and eventually resigned in November 2004. The Pompey fans were devastated to lose the man who brought success, but disappointment turned to fury as Redknapp reneged on a promise not to join hated south coast rivals Southampton. However, the move was ill-fated and Redknapp failed to prevent Saints' relegation from the Premiership, before rejoining Pompey again.

Redknapp picked up the nickname 'Harry Houdini' as he spared Pompey from the drop in 2006 and then went about rebuilding the side, which resulted in a top ten finish in the 2006-07 season. Allegations of corruption marred Redknapp's career on the south coast, but they could not take the shine off his greatest triumph: winning the 2008 FA Cup final over Cardiff, to bring his first major title and Pompey's first FA Cup win in 69 years.

After a mixed start to the 2008-09 season, Redknapp chose to leave Portsmouth in late October and replace Juande Ramos as the man in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Bottom of the league and winless when he arrived, Spurs presented the chance that Redknapp has always longed for -- the opportunity to manage a genuine big club -- and he turned their season around, eventually finishing eighth and losing in the final of the Carling Cup.

He worked wonders again the following season as, building on his success, he led Spurs to the Champions League for the first time in their history. Although was unable to repeat the feat the following year as Chelsea won the competition and kept them out of the running and, with contract talks failing, he was sacked in June 2012.

Heading back to Bournemouth for an advisory role, it was not long before he was back in management and moved to QPR in November, with the side bottom of the league. Redknapp was expected to transform the club's fortunes but while results did improve, big-money signings in January struggled to quickly settle in and in the end the Rs fell through the trapdoor.

Many tipped Redknapp to immediately leave but he defied those who doubted his loyalty by promising to stay and take QPR back up at the first time of asking. At the end of 2013-14 he did just that as Bobby Zamora's goal in the Championship playoff ensured the club made an immediate return to the Premier League. 

Strengths: Transfer dealings on a budget have been his strong point, while his man-management and handling of the media have also been praised.

Weaknesses: Sometimes a bit too candid about his players, he has been criticised for failing to deliver in the big games.

Career high: Leading unfancied Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008.

Career low: Arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting in 2007, he was released without charge, but the incident may have cost him the England job.

Tactics: Usually favouring a 4-4-2, Redknapp loves traditional English wing play and has his sides ready to get behind the ball then counter attack with speed.

Quotes: "I sorted out the team formation last night lying in bed with the wife. When your husband's as ugly as me, you'd only want to talk football in bed". Harry Redknapp.

Trivia: Redknapp was given the Freedom of the City of Portsmouth in 2008 after bringing home the FA Cup.

Words: Jonathan Molyneux-Carter

A tale of bad administration in NFF; from frying pan to fire!

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the sack of Stephen Keshi as coach of the Super Eagles early on Thursday morning. He will be replaced, alongside his assistants Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu, by a consortium of local coaches led by former coach Amodu Shaibu who will handle the team’s remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches until a substantive trainer is employed. Keshi’s job had come under intense scrutiny since the start of the qualifiers in September when the team lost 3-2 to Congo at home before picking one point in a draw against South Africa in Cape Town. A further defeat in Khartoum to Sudan made his tenure look like coming to an inglorious end after a fairy tale year where he led the Super Eagles to victory at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa.

Keshi led the Eagles to the AFCON title in 2013 in South Africa and he was in charge of the team to the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup both held in Brazil. He also supervised the CHAN Eagles to a bronze medal in their maiden appearance in the 2014 African Nations Championship held in South Africa. It was a competition meant for players who ply their trade in their domestic leagues. He led the CHAN Eagles to qualify for the competition also after the country had failed to pick a ticket for the past two editions.

The Big Boss also secured the Eagles’ first victory at the World Cup since France 1998 and it was during his reign that Nigeria picked a ticket to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after 16 years.

 In an interview with Goal, the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner who is now a lawyer Amasiemaka, said the NFF decision came at a wrong time questioning what the Amaju Pinnick led-board have it in mind to accomplish.

"Well, that is what happens to coaches, they are employed and fired. But in this particular case, I don’t know what Pinnick’s board intends to achieve, It really baffles me because if they had relieved Keshi of his appointment when we lost to Sudan in Khartoum, probably it would have made sense. Sacking him after yesterday’s victory doesn’t really make much sense it appears to me that the decision had been taken long before yesterday. The details of the communiqué would suggest that the decision to remove him had been taken before yesterday [against Sudan]".

He also frowned at the remark by the Nigeria football house telling the former Mali and Togo national team handler to go for more training, claiming it was an iniquitous remark.

"Second, it’s a good thing because learning is continuous process but to suggest Keshi and his assistants should go for further training is degrading. It was not a fair comment. Keshi is not a bad coach and further training is a good thing but in this circumstance, it portrays him as a bad coach. He is one of the best coaches in the world".

What a decision to make at this crucial point of qualifications where we have a little glimmer of hope.

Reaping the result of Bad management!

The Super Eagles got an unwanted reception by aggrieved fans at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, yesterday on arrival from Sudan. A lot of criticism as gone to Keshi the coach of the super eagles and the team but most of us have not really addressed the main issue.... this is the issue of very poor administration which we are reaping the result today....it would be a miracle if Nigeria qualifies for the next AFCON. we need to put our house in order to be able to progress....its high time we go back to the drawing board instead of pointing accusing fingers. 

A Yoruba adage says "the medication for headache is not cutting off the head" so sacking Keshi is not the answer to all this troubles we are presently facing.

Chelsea vs Arsenal; who is king of London.

Another London derby and arguably the biggest of the 2014-15 season so far as Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head after UEFA Champions League ties midweek.José Mourinho has every reason to feel the more confident of the two managers, going into this match with a six-point advantage over the opposition, whilst Arsène Wenger’s side were plagued by injuries.Chelsea were 6-0 winners in this match back in March but Kieran Gibbs had been sent off early on after the Blues raced into a two-goal lead.

Team News

ChelseaRamires and Didier Drogba are the two absentees for Chelsea this weekend. Neither had been first-choice for Mourinho this season. Diego Costa played 90 minutes again midweek. Despite Mourinho claiming he cannot do two games a week we’re starting to believe this may be mind games now. It would be a shock not to see the Spaniard start this game.ArsenalFull-backs Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal are both out. Midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are also out. Forward Theo Walcott is still not ready to return. Strikers Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo are both injured too.Jack Wilshere only made a late appearance midweek and is ready to go. Alexis Sánchez had ice on his ankle at the end of the Galatasaray game but the Chilean will be fit to start this one.

Predicted Lineups

This is José Mourinho’s strongest squad and we’re confident he’ll go with this XI. Willian appears to be winning the right wing battle with André Schürrle. The German international was wasteful midweek when he was given a start.This is the best lineup Arsène Wenger has available. He suggested Jack Wilshere will play is why we have stuck him in there. Also because Mathieu Flamini will be in need of a serious amount of help versus this Chelsea midfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player in form. Alexis Sánchez was surprisingly left out last weekend but he has to play this one, surely.

Key Matchups

Cesc Fàbregas vs Mathieu FlaminiThe former-Arsenal captain has been opening opponents up left, right and centre to start his Chelsea career. With how open the Gunners were at home to Tottenham last weekend, Cesc Fàbregas could have a field day on Sunday, particularly on any counter-attack should Arsenal bomb forward as they do. We’re not a big fan of Mathieu Flamini in the holding role – he gets exposed too often and has been at fault for a few goals this season already. Don’t be surprised if there are gaps in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield and for Jack Wilshere to receive at least one yellow card when he’s having to dive into tackles in an attempt to rescue possession for his side.Diego Costa vs Per MertesackerArsenal’s defence has been caught out on a couple of occasions this season and now they face the Premier League’s top goalscorer. Diego Costa is lethal in the six-yard box so if his widemen can supply him with chances then he’ll get himself on the scoresheet. We can see more of the opportunities coming from down the middle in this match though – Costa can also score one-on-ones from through balls. Either way, it doesn’t look good for the Arsenal defence.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vs Branislav IvanovićArsenal do have an attacking threat of their own and Chelsea have conceded a few goals this season. Although Mourinho’s side have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 league games at Stamford Bridge. Whether Branislav Ivanović will bomb forward in this match or be asked to stay back more often remains to be seen. Either way, if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts on the left he is capable of taking on the Serbian and being productive in this match. He scored the Gunners’ equaliser last weekend.
Prediction Chelsea 2-0 ArsenalWe’ll be conservative to avoid any backlash from Arsenal fans but we are expecting a comfortable Chelsea win, make no mistake about that. Arsenal’s defence and defensive midfield really does not match up well on paper to this high-flying Chelsea side. It’s just a matter of how conservative José Mourinho plays this one, and if his side do go up by one or two goals – does his sit on the lead or look to rub salt in the Arsenal wound? Home win

Alan Padrew survives again.

Newcastle lost 1-0 to Stoke on Monday night, but Alan Pardew has survived until morning as owner Mike Ashley has yet to swing his axe.

Pardew's record in 2014 reads thus:L,L,L,W,D,L,L,L,W,W,L,W,L,L,L,L,L,L,W,L,L,D,W,D,L,D,L,L (P28, W6, D4, L18)but he is still in charge at St James'.

"I think we'll have some serious conversations before Saturday because he doesn't want to lose and nor do I," Pardew said after the match. "I think it's important I show to the team that I'm here to lead the team. I've never really been in this situation before. It's a bit unique, but I'm a professional football manager, that's what I do and that's what I'll continue to do."

Why Did Wenger bench Alexis Sanchez against Totteham?

Arsenal's disappointing draw with rivals Tottenham has left fans with several burning questions they'd love to put to Arsene Wenger. Firstly, in the light of Mathieu Flamini's critical error, does he regret the decision not to recruit a world-class holding midfielder? Secondly, why is he seemingly so reluctant to deploy Mesut Ozil in his preferred central role? And lastly, above and beyond all else, why was Alexis Sanchez not in the starting XI?

It's a valid query. Alexis has enjoyed a terrific start to the season. He's notched four times in his nascent Arsenal career and is the club's top goal scorer. There have already been some magical moments: he got the goal that saw Arsenal qualify for the Champions League, and side-footed home a beautiful volley against champions Manchester City. Throughout an underwhelming start to the campaign, the Chilean's performances have been an undoubted highlight.

- Wenger: Injury crisis baffles me
- Oxlade-Chamberlain: We must tighten up

After Alexis scored a breathtaking free kick against Southampton in midweek, there was understandable excitement about the prospect of seeing him start his first north London derby. Even the players seemed enthused by the idea. In the build-up to the game, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain eulogised about his colleague's remarkable work ethic in training. He said: "Alexis and Jack [Wilshere] played 90 minutes the other day, and they're usually on second-day recovery. But today Alexis really wanted to train, and people had to tell him to take it easy."

It seems Alexis shared the fans' excitement about pitting his talents against Tottenham. Instead, he spent the majority of the match on the substitutes' bench. It is difficult to discern Wenger's thinking.

His mistrust of Alexis might herald from the one quality that has seen him fall immediately for Danny Welbeck, and that is ball retention. After Arsenal's convincing win away to Aston Villa, Wenger was quick to praise Welbeck's star performance. However, he did not focus on the emphatic finish past Brad Guzan, nor the inch-perfect through ball to create a goal for Mesut Ozil. Instead, he drew attention to Welbeck's ability to keep the ball -- the England international completed a remarkable 97 percent of his attempted passes at Villa Park. Welbeck can't match Alexis' talent, but he offers greater continuity in the final third.

For all his gifts, Alexis is prone to giving the ball away. It's an inevitable consequence of his playing style as he attempts the improbable on a regular basis. Whether it's embarking on a mazy dribble or threading a perilous pass, he is not inclined to keep it simple. That maverick style is arguably what prevented him from ever quite fitting in at Barcelona as his risk-taking interrupted the hypnotic flow of tiki-taka.

However, that tendency to turn over possession is not enough to warrant Alexis' exclusion from the XI. To accuse him of carelessness is to misunderstand his game. He's not selfish -- he's a soloist. When Arsenal's passing game fails to function, he can still produce a magical moment to transform a draw to a win. Furthermore if he does lose the ball, few players will work quite so hard to win it back.

Alexis calculates that his drag-backs and dribbles are a chance worth taking. In future, Wenger must show similar courage in his team selections. Next week, he faces league leaders Chelsea. You can be certain that Jose Mourinho would be relieved to see Sanchez among the subs again.

Wenger must not give him the satisfaction. The time has come to rely on Alexis' unpredictability.