History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

STRAUSS: I WILL MAKE HARMISON FIRE

Andrew Strauss has marked Steve Harmison as England’s main weapon of attack and is hopeful that the Durham quick can reproduce his career-best haul of 7-12 in the Caribbean once again.

The 30-year-old has been dogged by poor form since achieving those figures in the first Test against the West Indies in Jamaica almost five years ago. But Strauss, the new England captain, believes that Harmison can propel his country to victory – not only in the upcoming Test series, but also in the summer’s highly-anticipated Ashes clash on home soil.

“If Steve Harmison is bowling well and at 90mph, he's the first name on pretty much any team sheet in the world,” said the Middlesex opener before his team flew out to the Caribbean on Wedsnesday morning.

“Clearly he's as frustrated as anyone that he hasn't been able to do that as consistently as he'd like. I've spoken to him a couple of times since we've come back from India [following former captain, Kevin Pietersen’s resignation] and he has a clear understanding of where he needs to go to bowl consistently at that sort of pace.

“I'm happy with what he's said to me in terms of how he's going to get there. I'm confident. He's a very important player for us in terms of the threat that he gives us on the pitch.

“We all feel this could be a really big tour for him and looking forward to the Ashes if he can hit his straps on this tour we're in a good position.”

Strauss added that Pietersen, shorn of his responsibilities as skipper, would continue to be a key figure. “He is going to play a very big role,” he added of the Hampshire batsman, “but he has had a lot on his plate recently and it’s very important that he has got the ability to concentrate on his batting and get the runs that we all know he can.”

Labels: Andrew Strauss, England, Kevin Pietersen, Steve Harmison, West Indies

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:53 pm | Permalink | Comments

JONES HOPING QUINS “BUILD A HEAD OF STEAM”

Having already qualified for the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup, the pressure has decreased for Harlequins ahead of their final Pool Four game against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday at The Stoop. But Welsh prop Ceri Jones knows that if the London club are march further in the competition, it is important to defeat the Welsh region and gain a home advantage for the last eight – especially after a run of four games in all competitions without a win.

Last Saturday Quins lost 21-10 to Ulster at Ravenhill, in conditions that the coach Dean Richards described as the worst he has ever seen. Jones agrees, saying: “It was pretty difficult in those treacherous conditions, particularly in the second half – the crosswind was virtually unplayable. But Ulster played well and we did have opportunities to get back in the game.

“We have had some tough games in the last month – against Bath, Leicester, Wasps and a good Northampton side. It has not been easy. But I think we are playing well and are perfectly in place to push on from here.

“I think this is a perfect weekend for us, because the pressure is off and it is not all dependent upon qualification – we have already done that. We have a big game against the Scarlets to see if we can do an even better job of qualifying – we are hoping to get a home draw.

“But no matter who you play in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup it is going to be a tough game. They were saying that if the results stayed as they were we could play [reigning champions] Munster at Thomond Park, which most people were thinking would be a tough game – but I think it is an exciting prospect.”

Jones, who won two caps for his county in 2007, signed for Quins in February 2003, initially on loan as cover for injured props Jason Leonard, Laurent Gomez and Bruce Starr. After impressing he put pen to paper on a permanent deal and has play over 150 times for the club – through relegation-battles, in National League Division One, and now in Europe.

“It’s brilliant,” says the 31-year-old, “I’ve gone full circus at Quins. Since I have been here I have seen everything you can see in rugby. It’s been a real roller-coaster ride, but at the same time it has been very enjoyable. Quins are a great club to be part of and the way things are going, with the team constantly developing, there are exciting times ahead.

“We are only two wins off top spot in the Guinness Premiership, and whoever we play in the last eight of the Heineken Cup we are going to go out there and give it our very best. And who knows? We could play very well and get to the semi-final, and perhaps even further. You can’t help but get drawn in by these exciting times.”

Scarlets pulled off a terrific 36-17 win over Stade Francais at their new ground, Parc y Scarlets, last weekend. And Jones expects the game will be far from a foregone conclusion, especially with some of the players the Llanelli side have at their disposal.

“Regan King is a fantastic ball player and he is on top form – we will have to watch him carefully,” he adds. “His partnership in the centre with Jonathan Davies is really flourishing. Steven Jones is a class No10 – he can do it all. And even with the injuries they have got they have some very exciting backs and experienced forwards. They are a class team and, after their performance against Stade, I’m sure they are going to come out with much more confidence and wanting to do a job against us.

“We are very excited about the game, too. We don’t want to go into the quarter-finals on a defeat – we want a win and to get as many points from our group as possible. We want to go through to the last eight with a head of steam.”

Labels: Ceri Jones, Heineken Cup, Llanelli Scarlets, London Harlequins, Ulster

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:51 pm | Permalink | Comments

WASPS HOPING NOT TO GET STUNG

London Wasps head to Castres next weekend hoping that Leinster, who they beat 19-12 at Twickenham on Saturday, slip up against Edinburgh, in order to qualify for the last eight of the Heineken Cup.

Though equal with Wasps on 16 points the Irish team will advance thanks to their 41-11 win over Wasps in October – but their losing bonus point could have been cancelled out had Wasps chosen to gamble for a try rather than let Dave Walder slot a penalty.

“There was a little bit of discussion – it’s one of those decisions,” said prop and captain Phil Vickery following the win in which Danny Cipriani also kicked 11 points and Serge Betsen crossed for a try. “Should you have gone for the corner or stuck it over, you could talk about it forever.

“You can go on about ifs and buts, but if we’d lost the ball we could easily have been talking about something different. I wouldn’t be surprised if Edinburgh beat Leinster. So we can’t worry about anyone else, it’s about what we do.”

Harlequins had their 100 per cent record halted by Ulster at Ravenhill. The Irish won 21-10, but Dean Richards’s team’s passage to the quarter-finals is assured.

Meanwhile, in the European Challenge Cup Saracens defeated Viadana 36-19 at Vicarage Road on Sunday to secure their advancement to the last eight. Similarly London Irish, for whom Peter Hewat scored five tries in a 75-5 win over Connacht, are also through.

Labels: Daniel Cipriani, Dean Richards, Edinburgh, Ian McGeechan, Leinster, London Harlequins, London Irish, London Wasps, Phil Vickery, Saracens, Serge Betsen

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

FLOOD TARGETS OSPREYS' HOOK

England fly-half Toby Flood is relishing the chance to go head-to-head with Wales No10 James Hook when Leicester Tigers take on Ospreys on Saturday in the decisive match in Pool Three of the Heineken Cup.

On Saturday Flood inspired the Tigers to a 52-0 mauling of Italian side Benetton Treviso while Hook’s team fell 17-15 to Perpignan in the south of France.

The defeat leaves the Welsh club four points behind the Tigers, who won the European Cup in 2001 and 2002.

If the Ospreys are victorious against Leicester they could book their place in the last eight of the competition – and Flood is determined to not let that happen.

“We know what a tough test it will be – they have pretty much a full international side,” said the 23-year-old. “It is massive for us.

“After the Treviso game we were listening to the Ospreys game and we were thinking ‘happy days’ when Perpignan were 17-0 up. Then the Ospreys did really well to come back 17-15 and get the losing bonus point.

“We need to go there and do the same thing, but of course we are going there for the win. With the quality that they have got it will be good preparation for the Six Nations.

“It’s going to be difficult, a big challenge mentally for us – it is a tough place to go to. It is fantastic that it comes down to one-off games. We need to deal with the noise and the ferocity which will almost be like a Test match.”

Flood reasons that Hook, 23, will be the man Leicester have to stop. He added: “He is a fantastic player, I have to admit.

“He has everything you want from a 10/12 – like me he has played a lot at 12 as well. He is a good distributor, has a great step, a good fend and he is a good defender, too.

“He is the type of player that you realise is great on and off the ball. So it will be difficult. You never want to talk someone up when you are playing them next, but you have to give credit where it is due and he is a world-class player.”

Labels: Heineken Cup, James Hook, Leicester Tigers, Ospreys, Toby Flood

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:00 am | Permalink | Comments

TIGERS MAUL TREVISO AHEAD OF BIGGER OSPREYS TEST

Leicester Tigers' 52-0 mauling of Italian club Benetton Treviso at a packed Welford Road took them four points clear at the top of Heineken Cup Pool Three on Saturday. But with the second-placed Ospreys, who fell 17-15 to Perpignan in the south of France, still to play in Swansea next week, this seven-try victory could have been a little too easy. Passage to the last eight of Europe’s top club competition is still not secured for the 2001 and 2002 winners.

Two tries each for wing Scott Hamilton and former All Black and captain Aaron Mauger, and 17 points for England fly-half Toby Flood before he was withdrawn with 30 minutes left, were the headline-grabbers of a clinical display, especially in the first-half. Leicester knew this would be an easy win, having defeated their opponents 60-16 at the Stadio Communale di Monigo in October.

Hamilton, the blond New Zealander, got the Tigers’ wheels rolling after only four minutes, capitalising on the first cluster of Treviso mistakes that would punctuate the game.

Following a penalty scrum the left wing cut in on a scissors move and swatted aside four would-be tacklers to score to the left of the posts. Flood, the England No10, laced the conversion.

The Italian visitors, without 12 first-team players, including former Wasps centre Fraser Waters, struggled all afternoon in their luminous yellow strips.

The only thing they seems to highlight was the gulf in class between them and last year’s Guinness Premiership runners-up, as passes went to ground, kicks were miscued, lineouts lost, and tackles not executed.

Hamilton ambled across the line again on 14 minutes after fullback Geordan Murphy’s introduction in the Leicester back line had created an overlap that the Italian defence simply ignored.

A converted score for centre Mauger in the 26th minute, following a penalty try, saw the Tigers ensure their bonus-point win with 55 minutes remaining.

When travelling skipper, prop Franco Sbaraglini, hopped off 10 minutes before the break, things could not have been much worse for Treviso.

Tigers’ right wing Matt Smith went over in the corner a minute later and Flood converted from the touchline before Mauger bulldozed over for another seven-pointer, taking the score to 40-0 at the interval.

On the rare occasions Treviso managed to run the ball out of their half possession was turned over. To their credit, when they won penalties, they opted for quick taps and scrums. But it proved a fruitless venture against the relentless and unforgiving Tigers.

Following a 40–yard break by 19-year-old scrumhalf Ben Youngs, Flood crashed over after 49 minutes. After slotting his conversion – his sixth out of seven attempts – the 23-year-old was substituted.

And, bar replacement Johne Murphy’s try with just under half an hour left, Leicester, with their seven substitutes all used, failed to turn the screw. Even when flanker Marco Filippucci was sin-binned with seven minutes left the Tigers had taken their foot off the pedal to the point where it seemed as though they didn’t want to score again.

Of note, however, was the lively performance of man-of-the-match Youngs, making his first European start, as well as the return of Tigers’ prop Martin Castrogiovanni, the Guinness Premiership’s player of the season two years ago.

And while it proved the perfect tonic to remedy the disappointment of last weekend’s 17-13 loss to Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership, coach Richard Cockerill, still standing in for the absent Heyneke Meyer, will know that the Ospreys, packed with their Welsh internationals, will be a completely different proposition next Saturday.

Leicester Tigers Tries: Hamilton (S) 2, penalty try, Mauger 2, Smith, Murphy (Johne)
Conversions: Flood 6 (7), Hougaard 0 (1)
Penalties: -
Drop kicks: -

Benetton Treviso Tries: -
Conversions: -
Penalties: -
Drop kicks: -

Leicester Tigers: G Murphy; S Hamilton, S Rabeni, A Mauger [capt], M Smith, T Flood, B Youngs; M Castrogiovanni, G Chuter, J White; M Wentzel, B Kay; T Croft, B Woods, J Crane
Replacements: B Kayser, B Stankovich, M Corry, B Deacon, J Dupuy, D Hougaard, J Murphy

Benetton Treviso: B Williams; A Vilk, M Horak, M Neethling, E Galon, M Goosen, T Botes; F Sbaraglini, D Vidal, P di Santo; A Pavanello, C Van Zyl; M Gilbride, H Louw, D Kingi
Replacements: E Ceccato, A Ceccato, M Filippucci, M Barbieri, S Orlando, A Marcato, A Lucchese

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)

Labels: Heineken Cup, Leicester Tigers, Treviso

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 10:58 am | Permalink | Comments

TORRES: I WILL FIRE LIVERPOOL TO DERBY DELIGHT

Fernando Torres has urged his Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to play him for a full 90 minutes against Everton - as he believes he can fire the Reds to victory in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

Spain's Euro 2008 final match-winner has been struggling to shake off a hamstring injury and last played a whole game in November.

But the former Atletico Madrid hotshot wants to help Liverpool to prove that they are the best side in the city, in a game that is "more than a football match".

"I am well up for playing from the first minute after recovering from the hamstring injury," said the 24-year-old, who scored the winner in the same fixture last year and netted 33 in his first season in England. "But it is the manager who decides who plays.

"I already know what the atmosphere will be like having played in the Anfield game last year and it has the same feel of the Atletico-Real derby in Madrid.

"It is lived in the streets throughout the week and for us it is more than a football match. It is important for us to win for the fans and so we continue leading the Premier League."

While Benitez's team are second / first in the table after Manchester United won / drew / lost at Bolton, David Moyes' Everton are also riding high in sixth. Midfielder Mikel Arteta has been in sparkling form for the Toffees - but Torres thinks it would be wrong to just focus on his countryman.

"Both teams are doing well at the moment, so that will add extra excitement and emotion to the game," Torros continued. "It is necessary to demonstrate that we are the rightful leaders and win every match.

"But to win against Everton, our eternal rivals, would give us a great morale boost. We must play with our heads because this type of match can be complicated from the first moment to the last.

"It would be an error to think that the Everton's only threat is Mikel Arteta. The truth is that the Spaniard is playing very well at the moment, but the Toffees have many other attacking options that we will have to be careful about."

Labels: David Moyes, Everton, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Mikel Arteta, Rafael Benitez

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:42 pm | Permalink | Comments

EVERTON LOOK TO REKINDLE MOUTINHO DEAL

David Moyes will relaunch a bid to sign Sporting Lisbon star João Moutinho, according to the Portuguese media.

The diminutive 22-year-old playmaker was chased by Moyes throughout the summer, but Sporting's valuation for the player - £15m - was too much for Everton's liking.

But now Moutinho, who has 19 caps for his country, has admitted he could move in the January transfer market, and would like to play in the Premier League.

Moyes is believed to be negotiating a deal that would see Moutinho move to Goodison Park initially on loan, as the club have limited funds at the moment.

Labels: David Moyes, Everton, Joao Moutinho, Sporting Lisbon

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:40 pm | Permalink | Comments

HALFPENNY RELISHING BLUES CHALLENGE

It has been a whirlwind eight months for Leigh Halfpenny, beyond the realms of the most of the farthest-fetched Hollywood plots. The fresh-faced three-quarters, who only turned 20 three days before Christmas, was plucked from the obscurity of the Cardiff Blues' academy before making his first XV debut in May and, seven games later, found himself thrust opposite Bryan Habana and his World Cup-winning South African team-mates at the Millennium Stadium.

“It was amazing, the stuff that dreams are made of,” says Halfpenny, who still lives with his parents in the small town of Gorseinon, six miles north of Swansea. “Last year, 2008, was unbelievable, a dream come true. I didn’t expect anything like that to happen. But now, having played against the Springboks and the All Blacks – the best in the world – and not embarrassed myself, it has given me the confidence to believe I can play against anyone.”

Halfpenny, whose amusing moniker is ‘Pence’, joined the Blues in the summer of 2007 after being released by his childhood club Ospreys. While the disappointment was a kick in the teeth, it made him all the more determined not to let another chance go begging.

“I wanted to prove the Ospreys wrong,” he says. “I wanted to show them what they were missing. My dream was to become a professional and, when the Ospreys let me go, it just felt like my whole world had crashed down. At that point I started looking beyond rugby with my studies – I finished my A-levels and considered going into dentistry or pharmacy.

“But then the Blues offered me a place in their academy I wanted to give it another go – I knew that I could always go back to my studies later. (Indeed Halfpenny added the biology A grade required to secure a place in medical school last term to his three other A’s achieved the previous year.) Looking back on it, it was definitely the right decision and I’m very pleased that I can look at the Ospreys and think: ‘You didn’t give me a chance’.”

Blues coach Dai Young handed Halfpenny the chance to shine in the final game of last season, a Magners League dead-rubber against Ulster. He caught the eye with his searing pace and also knocked over three conversations in the 26-17 win at Ravenhill.

But it was last summer, following a star turn for Wales Under-20 in their successful World Cup campaign on home soil, when things really began to click. In the inaugural competition Halfpenny’s team reached the semi-final before being defeated 31-6 by eventual champions New Zealand. But, more significantly, it was in that tournament that Halfpenny was played on the wing as opposed to fullback, where he had featured up until then in matches. It proved a masterstroke.

Back when he was in the Ospreys academy, the coaches had been impressed with Halfpenny’s speed and in training he would sometimes play on the wing, much to his annoyance. “I wasn’t that keen on it to begin with,” he smiles, “because at the time fullback was the only position I had played and that was where I had wanted to play for the rest of my career. But I appreciate now that they just wanted to make me a bit more of a rounded player.”

With All Black Ben Blair playing out of his skin at fullback for the Blues, it is just as well that Halfpenny is happy on the wing – though his long-term aim is to make the Wales No15 shirt, currently occupied by Ospreys’ Lee Byrne, his own. He continues: “I had been making a career for myself as fullback, but at international level I think wing would probably be better for me at the moment. I’d like to think I can make a few appearances in that No15 jersey for my country.”

After being promoted from the Blues’ academy in pre-season Young was forced to used Halfpenny at the start of the season due to injured personnel – and he has played so well that has been impossible to drop him. Wales coach Warren Gatland was so impressed by Halfpenny’s performances, in which he had been likened to his hero Shane Williams, he had no hesitation in calling him up to the national squad for the autumn internationals.

When his secretary fired Halfpenny a text informing him of his international call-up, the youngster was convinced it was a prank. “I just couldn’t believe it,” he grins. “I was reading it, thinking it was a wind-up by one of my mates!”

Four coach-loads of proud family and friends, including his paternal grandfather Malcolm – the former hooker who, ironically, taught his grandson how to kick on endless afternoons – tripped from Gorseinon to Cardiff to witness Halfpenny’s international bow, a 20-15 loss to South Africa in November. And the winger was welcomed in by his Welsh team-mates with open arms – after the game they greatly applauded the tipsy tyro’s rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s Walking in Memphis.

Next followed a 34-13 win over Canada – a game in which he truly announced his talent to the rugby world by scoring two tries. Whereas before he could walk down his local street and no-one would bat an eyelid, now, “I can’t even go over to Ireland and not be recognised!”

Not that celebrity status fazes Halfpenny, who firmly has his feet on the ground, and says: “It has been mad, and I enjoy it. But I want to be known for the things I do on the field. I’ll be working hard for the Blues, looking to cement my place, helping them in all competitions. And then, if I’m lucky enough, I’ll be selected for the Six Nations.”

The immediate focus is on Cardiff’s trip to Gloucester this weekend, knowing that a victory will seal their place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. “It’s going to be a massive challenge – they have a team packed with internationals,” Halfpenny adds. “Kingholm is never an easy place to get a result and their fans are going to have very high hopes of getting a win. We had to play at our best to get a result against them at home (37-24), so I hope we can do the same. It would be a great achievement for the Blues if we get through to the last eight of the Heineken Cup.”

Labels: Cardiff Blues, Leigh Halfpenny, Six Nations, Wales, Warren Gatland

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:42 pm | Permalink | Comments

BROWN HOPING TO PROVE QUINS' CANDIDACY

Mike Brown believes that if Harlequins can defeat Irish giants Ulster in their own backyard, at the intimidating Ravenhill, then it will further prove to the rugby world that he and his young team will have come of age. A victory on Saturday for the full-back and his pals would ensure passage to the quarter-finals of Europe’s biggest club competition, and a continuation of a sparkling campaign.

Quins go in to Saturday's match atop Heineken Cup Group Four, having achieved a memorable double over European behemoth Stade Francais – results that made doubters of the ability of Dean Richards’s team eat their words.

“People outside didn't really take us seriously before then,” says the 23-year-old, capped thrice for England, of Round three’s 15-10 win in Paris. “They still saw us a young Quins team who could win the odd big game but who were still progressing. That win showed everyone that we can do it on the biggest stage. The guys in the dressing room had belief beforehand that we could beat Stade - and that's what counted.

“But now it puts it puts us in the position where we go away and teams really want to beat us because of what we have done to Stade. That puts a lot more pressure on us but I'm hopeful that we can live up to that and keep playing the way we have been.

“It was an amazing spectacle at Stade Francais, though I didn't get a chance to see any of the entertainment beforehand. It was quite difficult to block it all out as there was so much going on.

“It was very surreal for me as it felt so much like an international and I was there playing with my Harlequins mates. It was such a fast, physical game, and very strange for me. There were just under 80,000 people watching at Stade and that is very rare in club rugby. It was amazing for all the guys to get that experience.”

The star man on that day in France’s capital, and the following week when Quins eked out a 19-17 win, was All Black Nick Evans. The 28-year-old masterminded the Londoners’ attack, and – as he is also a handy No15 – Brown admits that he is learning a lot from the New Zealander.

He continues: “Nick is such a good player and when he is playing No10 it helps everyone in the back line because he does play an expansive game, as all Kiwis do, and he runs the game well. It is good for me – if I have some queries about playing full-back, because I am still learning, then he can help me as he has played at the top level in my position.

“He is always willing to help me out positionally, he has ideas in defence, knows when a full-back should come in to the line and when we are on the counter-attack he knows what to look for.”

When Ulster visited the Stoop back in October, a good first half showing from the home team paved the way for a convincing 42-21 victory. Brown crossed for a try – one of six so far this season – but he is expecting Ulster to be much less of a push over on home soil.

“We are not taking them lightly,” he says, “as we know they are a good team, especially at home. They would love a win over the English boys, too, so we know Ravenhill will be a hard place to go and play.

“I've only played there once before, on a sopping wet Friday night for the Saxons, so I know what to expect. The closest thing to the atmosphere we can expect is that found at Gloucester's Kingsholm. It will be very intimidating but the boys are very much looking forward to that.”

Quins fly to Dublin having not won since the heroics against Stade Francais – a draw with Leicester, defeats to Northampton and Wasps followed. And last weekend’s game over struggling Worcester was frozen off. So Brown is desperate to post a ‘W’ against Ulster.

“We are raring to go for this weekend,” he adds. “It was disappointing to have the game against Saracens called off, but on the plus side some guys who have played a lot of games get a rest.

“In our last game it was disappointing to lose to Wasps as we thought we would have a good chance of turning them over. But they came out firing and in the first half we were very poor. We were trying to force things too much. But the vibe inside the camp is good – all the boys are enjoying their rugby and we are still very confident in our ability.”

Labels: Heineken Cup, London Harlequins, Mike Brown, Ulster

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 10:29 am | Permalink | Comments

ARSHAVIN CLOSE TO MOVE?

Andrei Arshavin has told Zenit St Petersburg he will boycott training if the UEFA Cup winners do not sell him to a big European cup in the January transfer window – good news for Arsenal and Manchester City, who are leading the chase for him.

Zenit director Maxim Mitrofanov has revealed that he has negotiated “an agreement in principle” with Arshavin. And until next Tuesday, when the deal will be finalised, he will not say more, though he did admit: “We are negotiating with a number of English clubs.”

The 27-year-old forward phoned manager Dick Advocaat to say that he expected to be sold immediately, and is frustrated that Zenit are believed to be holding out for a fee of €18m.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is understood to have had a bid of €13m (including €3m in performance-related bonuses) turned down – and as a result Manchester City have entered the race to sign one of the stars of Euro 2008.

Dutchman Advocaat has resigned himself to losing the influential player, though he would not comment at length about who was closer to signing him. “This is a private matter between the player and the club,” he said.

Russian sources believe that a bid of €15m would secure Arshavin’s services – but Zenit want to make sure that they recoup as much money as possible, as agents are in line to receive €5m and Arshavin himself is due to be handed the same amount.

Labels: Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal, Manchester City, Zenit St. Petersburg

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:11 pm | Permalink | Comments

SHEPHERD COOLS ON MALLORCA?

Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd's bid to buy top Spanish side Real Mallorca looks to have hit another snag. Corruption charges surrounding the out-going president have caused Shepherd to re-consider his offer.

The 66-year-old, who stepped down as Newcastle chairman in July 2007, was expected to fly in to Palma on Monday to finalise a €1m deal - but he failed to show.

Sources close to the businessman suggest that he has been horrified by recent allegations that the club's former long-term president and shareholder, Vincente Grande, was involved in corruption.

Grande's construction company has gone in to administration and the club are believed to have debts of around €34m, which Shepherd had initially been willing to cover. But this figure may rise to €50m.

Chasing up an Inland Revenue report, an anti-corruption prosecutor believes that Grande owes taxes of €540,000 - an issue that is being further investigated by Palma magistrates.

There may be other related charges against the Public Treasury, too, and according to Spanish sources this could be the tip of the iceberg.

Shepherd, fearing he would be buying a poisoned chalice, has cooled his interest in Mallorca, who are second-bottom in La Liga, having not won in two months.

Source: Diario de Mallorca (Spanish daily newspaper)

Labels: Freddy Shepherd, La Liga, Mallorca, Newcastle

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:35 pm | Permalink | Comments

JACKSON FOR ENGLAND – JONES

Martin Johnson should name Glen Jackson, the Saracens fly-half, in his England squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday. That’s the view of Jackson’s head coach, Eddie Jones, who witnessed his New Zealand-born No10 kick 15 points in his side’s 37-13 Guinness Premiership bonus-point triumph over bottom-club Bristol.

Australian Jones believes that the 33-year-old, who became the first man this season to reach 150 points yesterday (SUN), would act as the perfect mentor for tyros Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood.

“England should really consider having him in the squad,” the former Wallabies coach said. “His goalkicking was good, and his out-of-hand kicking is just wonderful.

“If they are going to have (Danny) Cipriani and (Toby) Flood as their major stand-offs maybe they should have someone like Jackson, who understands the game exceedingly well, in the squad to teach these younger guys how to play because I think they need a mentor.”

Italian prop Matias Aguero and centre Brad Barritt scored for Saracens to take the score to 23-7 at the interval. Ben Skirving and England captain Steve Borthwich ensured the result with second-half scores.

Jones praised lock and club captain Borthwick, who signed from Bath in the summer, adding: “He's been good for us from the first day he walked in the door and we're a much better side when he's playing.

“He gives us the lineout leadership, he's tough around the ruck and he scored the try. He doesn't even score tries in training so he's pretty chuffed about that one.”

The victory meant that Saracens leap-frogged Harlequins in to sixth, though their London rivals’ game with Worcester Warriors at the Stoop was postponed due to the frozen pitch. Similarly, Wasps’ match at Bath’s Memorial Ground was called off.

Labels: Bristol Rugby, Eddie Jones, England, Glen Jackson, London Wasps, Martin Johnson, Saracens, Six Nations, Steve Borthwick

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:06 am | Permalink | Comments

QPR SAVED BY BLACKSTOCK'S LATE HEADER

Dexter Blackstock saved Queens Park Rangers’ blushes with an equalising goal only three minutes from time against ten-man Coventry at Loftus Road. The away side thought they had nicked the winning goal when Danny Fox fired in a free-kick against the run of play with 17 minutes remaining, following team-mate Steven Wright's first-half dismissal. But leading scorer Blackstock bravely chased a through ball and rose above the onrushing goalkeeper, Keiren Westwood, to nod home.

QPR had the better of the first half, though while they enjoyed the majority of the possession they found little end product. After seven minutes Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson, whose loan deal from Bolton Wanderers was made permanent in the week, swiveled and shot in the Coventry area, though his stike was weak and easily gathered by Westwood in the away goal.

Helguson had another chance nine minutes later when the ball dropped to him on the area’s edge, though the 31-year-old was wasteful again and laced his half-volley high over the bar.

Wayne Routledge, the former England Under-21 winger, soon began to show why QPR shelled out £600,000 in the week, as he menaced Coventry down the left flank. He gave right-back Aron Gunarsson a torrid time. When Routledge, who turned 24 on Wednesday, skipped past him after 25 minutes, centre back Wright had to come across and foul him on the edge of the area.

Though QPR failed to make the free-kick count, a booking was dished out, and that should have calmed Wright down. But, nine minutes later, his challenge on Helguson – a studs-first assault that reached Helguson’s stomach – warranted a straight red card from referee Keith Stroud, and should have changed the game’s complexion.

In injury time before the interval QPR, with their tails up, managed their first meaningful shot on Westwood’s goal – left-back Damian Delaney fizzed a shot that the goalkeeper did well to parry.

After the break QPR huffed and puffed but still found Coventry hard to break down, missing the influence of creative midfielder Lee Cook who was sidelined with injury. Ten minutes in to the half Mikele Leigertwood looped over a pass that beat the away side’s offside trap and, with the goal gaping, Blackstock could only scuff his shot wide left.

With Routledge now on the right, QPR tried to change the angle of attack, but the home crowd were getting restless at the lack of real chances. With just over 20 minutes remaining Helguson was profligate once again, when he failed to poke in Deleney’s driven cross.

And those wasted chances cost QPR dearly as, when a frustrated Helguson fouled Michael Misfud after losing possession, he conceded a free-kick 30-yards out, slightly to the right. Danny Fox, the left-back who is a set-piece specialist, stepped up and coolly placed his effort inside the right-hand post of Radek Cerny’s goal.

Helguson, anxious to make amends, proceeded to miss two more gilt-edged opportunities – one which sliced out for a throw in. Luckily his strike partner, Blackstock, was more fortunate, and put his head in bravely in the 87th minute while chasing substitute Emmanuel Ledesma’s hopeful punt. He headed in the leveler and the relief was palpable for the home side. While they took their unbeaten run at home to six games, question marks will remain over their potency up front.

Labels: Champions League, Coventry, Dexter Blackstock, Paulo Sousa, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:46 pm | Permalink | Comments

SKINNER READY FOR WORCESTER CHALLENGE

Will Skinner, the Harlequins captain, will relish the challenge of facing former team-mate Hal Luscombe, who is making his debut for Worcester Warriors today (SAT) having left the Stoop in the summer.

At the half-way stage of the season, 24-year-old Skinner knows that a win over Luscombe's side will propel Quins, currently sixth in the Guinness Premiership, towards a play-off place. Further, it will give them the confidence going in to their final Heineken Cup group games later in the month.

Centre Luscombe, 27, has won 16 caps for Wales and spent two years at Quins, but he has not played for the past nine months thanks to a knee injury.

And flanker Skinner, whose side have not won since achieving a memorable Heineken Cup double over Stade Francais last month, said: "It'll be Hal's first game for Worcester, and he'll be looking to stamp his authority - especially against his old team.

"It'll be good to go up against him, but we will have to watch him carefully as we all know what a good, physical player he is.

"Worcester are a good team and should be higher than tenth in the table. Towards the end of last season they started to play some really good, exciting rugby and they have some great players up there.

"They are also very good away from home - and they have shown that this season. They are definitely a team not to take lightly. We have got to be on top of our game to get the result we want."

The former Leicester No7 continued: "We have a good history against Worcester and more importantly we have to get our Premiership campaign back on track. We are definitely in touching distance of the top four.

"We are looking for an important win this weekend, a win that will give us confidence going in to our last two Heineken Cup group games against Ulster and Scarlets, which are also very tough matches and very important in our European campaign.


"Our next three games, starting with Worcester, are crucial to our season - both in the domestic league and in Europe. Harlequins have to put in good performances if want to progress in both competitions."

Labels: Guinness Premiership, Hal Luscombe, London Harlequins, Will Skinner, Worcester

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:00 pm | Permalink | Comments

VILLANUEVA HOPING GOAL WILL PROVIDE EUROPEAN MOVE

Carlos Villanueva hopes his winning goal for Blackburn against Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup on Monday will catch the eye of would-be European suitors.

The Chilean midfielder and dead-ball specialist joined the Premier League club in the summer on a season-long loan but has failed to secure a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old has only featured 12 times this season, but he is desperate to remain in Europe when his time in the north west ends.

Villanueva, who is on loan from Chilean club Audax Italiano, said: "I was very happy to get the goal and pleased it was the winner to take Blackburn to the Fourth Round.

"The manager, Sam Allardyce, congratulated me and told me to keep up the good work. This is very positive for me and gives me more morale to continue working hard.

"I know Blackburn have informed my club that they will not buy me at the end of the season, which has dented my confidence.

"But I want to take advantage of the minutes available in the field and show that I can play well in Europe.

"It has been very difficult to do well in the few minutes that Blackburn give me, but I need to show my quality on the pitch.

"I want to continue playing in Europe because I think it would be good for the development of my game."

Labels: Blackburn, Carlos Villanueva, FA Cup, Premier League, Sam Allardyce

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:59 pm | Permalink | Comments

KABOUL TURNS DOWN AC MILAN OFFER

Younes Kaboul has snubbed an offer to join Italian giants AC Milan so that he can help crisis club Portsmouth out of their current mess.

The France Under-21 defender wants to stay loyal to manager Tony Adams - because he believes that under the former Arsenal captain's guidance he will soon break into his senior national team.

The decision is bound to please Pompey fans who have been hit hard by the departure of star striker Jermain Defoe who was paraded as a Tottenham player ahead of their Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley.

Milan are in the market for a young defender and were impressed by Kaboul's performance in November's 2-2 draw in the Uefa Cup - he scored the game's opening goal with a bullet header.

The former Auxerre man, who turned 23 on Sunday, has been sidelined since that game while Portsmouth have only won two points in their last six league games.

But a source close to the player said: "Younes is fit to play this weekend and he is happy to stay at Portsmouth despite everything that is going on.

"He is sorry to see Jermain leave, as they are good friends - both from Portsmouth and before when they were at Tottenham last season.

"But Younes believes that only players who are willing to fight for the club with all their heart should be at Portsmouth.

"Milan have been sniffing around Younes and they called asking about his situation. But he is not interested in moving as he wants to remain at Portsmouth for a long time.

"He feels he is learning so much from Tony Adams and his defending is improving the longer he stays at the club. With Tony's help he thinks it is only a matter of time before he gets in to the France team - and he is sure he will get into their World Cup squad.

"Younes thinks that Tony is the best coach he has played under and it is only a matter of time before the team start picking up points."

Labels: AC Milan, Portsmouth, Premier League, Tony Adams, Younes Kaboul

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:58 pm | Permalink | Comments

VYVYAN RELISHING SECOND-ROW CHALLENGE

Hugh Vyvyan is relishing the competition with All Black Chris Black and England captain Steve Borthwick for the two spaces in London Saracens' second-row. But with that calibre of players in the team the 32-year-old believes the club should be higher than seventh in the Guinness Premiership at the halfway stage of the season.

Whether he is selected to start on Sunday against Bristol or not, the former Newcastle Falcons captain knows that his team need to beat the bottom-placed club if they have any hope of making the play-offs - though he thinks Richard Hill's team position belies their ability.

"I have watched videos of Bristol's last few games and I can't believe they are at the bottom of the table," said 6'6" Vyvyan. "They have got some good players and they play a good, aggressive style of rugby. They have a very good lineout and their scrummaging is handy.

"We know Bristol will be very, very difficult to beat and we are expecting a tough physical battle. But we need to focus on ourselves and make sure we are playing well - if we do that then the result should take care of itself."

Guilford-born Vyvyan, who won his one and only England cap against Canada in 2004, started in last Saturday's 22-16 defeat to Gloucester as Borthwick was rested as part of the agreement with England's Elite Performance Squad. And Vyvyan said of his 28-year-old club skipper: "Steve has been great for the club - he works so hard on and off the field. He is a good leader and a great player.

"The second-row is in really good shape as we have Chris as well - he is probably the best lock I have played win. And though those two have been packing down recently, the competition is good for me and pushes me along too. I'm enjoying the rugby at the moment and it is good to have two world-class players in my position - it means I can't ever rest on my laurels. Hopefully over the course of the long season I will have my fair share of games.

"Our squad are all enjoying the rugby and we have grown in confidence and we are understanding how we want to play, and improving more every week. Each week we get a little better in every aspect of our game."

The ginger giant said of the Gloucester loss: "It was a game that was there for the taking and the type of game that, if we want to do well in a competition, we must win. We were leading at half-time and there was very little between the teams but Gloucester ended up winning, which is not ideal for us as we want to be in the top four at the end of the season.

"I don't think there is anything between the top seven sides, and you can include Wasps in that list too, now. It was a good win to beat London Irish in what was another close game (16-13) - but that showed that there is nothing between us and the top side.

"We have played 11 games now, exactly halfway through the season, so it is important to really make sure we win the games we should. We have lost four games narrowly - we also lost to Gloucester at home 25-21 and we should have won; Sale Sharks beat us 18-15 thanks to a drop goal in the last second; and Quins defeated us 21-24 in our first game of the season.

"If in second half of the season we are in the same situations we have to win those games. We know there are going to be many more close games between now and the end of the season - we just have to hope we get the bounce of the ball. If we win 80 per cent of those close games then we are going to be at the top end of that table when it matters."

Labels: Chris Jack, Guinness Premiership, Hugh Vyvyan, Newcastle Falcons, Saracens, Steve Borthwick

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:56 pm | Permalink | Comments

FRENCH INTERNATIONAL TURNS DOWN POMPEY

Tony Adams has been dealt another blow after French international striker Sidney Govou turned down a move to cash-strapped Portsmouth.

The 29-year-old, who has won 37 caps for Les Bleus, says he has no intention of leaving Lyon for the South Coast club, but has not ruled out a move to another team.

Former manager Harry Redknapp also tried to sign Govou, who has been at Lyon for 13 years, before he left Pompey but the Frenchman said: "I am not interested in Portsmouth's offer - I would prefer to wait for other offers."

The news may alert Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who is also believed to be interested in Govou.

Labels: Lyon, Portsmouth, Premier League, Sidney Govou, Tony Adams

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:55 pm | Permalink | Comments

EVERTON CLOSE IN ON RACING SANTANDER "STAR"

David Moyes has been warned he will not be able to get Racing Santander's star striker Mohammed Tchité on the cheap.

The Burundi-born forward has been linked with an £8m move to Everton, but Santander chairman Francisco Pernia is determined to fight to keep hold of the 24-year-old.

Tchité, who scored a match-winning hat-trick over high-flying Valencia in La Liga in November, is believed to be wanted by a number of clubs as well as Everton.

He joined Racing in summer 2007 after scoring 21 goals in 30 games for Belgian giants Anderlecht.

And Pernia said: "Tchité is a star for Racing and is loved by the fans here.

"He is a player that many teams want, though I have not yet received anything in writing.

"But he is a mainstay and will not leave Racing unless there is a significant amount received."

Labels: David Moyes, Everton, La Liga, Mohammed Tchité, Racing Santander

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:52 pm | Permalink | Comments

GERMAN CLUBS IN FOR FULHAM MIDFIELDER

Leon Andreasen looks set to bring his disappointing spell at Fulham to an end and return to Germany in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who Roy Hodgson signed from Werder Bremen for an estimated £2.5m last January, is being chased by Bundesliga sides Hannover, Schalke04, Frankfurt and Dortmund.

Andreasen has played only 18 times for Fulham and is believed to want to leave London - and Hannover are in pole position.

Christian Hochstaetter, Hannover's technical director, confirmed his club's interest in signing the midfielder who has won 12 caps for Denmark.

Andreasen is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £2m, though as the Bundesliga does not restart until January 30 a deal will not be rushed.

Labels: Bundesliga, Fulham, Hannover, Leon Andreasen, Schalke 04

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:51 pm | Permalink | Comments

BROWN: IRISH MAULIUNG WAS WAKE-UP CALL

Gloucester rugby's 42-12 defeat to London Irish before Christmas served as a "wake-up call", believes second-row Alex Brown. And having received that, and improved in the 29-10 win at bottom-placed Bristol, the lock, capped thrice for England, hopes that on Saturday third-placed Gloucester can dispatch Saracens, who edged out Irish 16-13 last weekend.

"We were happy with the bonus-point win over Bristol - to get that at the Memorial Ground is never easy," said the 29-year-old. "They are a good side, even if the table does not reflect that. It was quite close in the game, up until the last 15 minutes, and then we opened them up a bit and did well to get the bonus point.

"It was important to get a result after the disappointing game against London Irish. They played very well at the Madejski but we had two good games against Calvisano before that in the Heineken Cup. We beat them twice but maybe we lost to Irish due to the fact that before them we were playing a weaker team and we allowed them to play too much. We can't be doing that as when the better teams come along we will be punished.

"We let in some very poor tries. But hopefully that was the wake-up call that we needed. It provided us with the realisation that we are capable of being beaten by lots of points and that we need to keep doing things right. Though the score did not look pretty and we were affected by a few late tries in that game, we know that we didn't do a lot of things right."

Brown knows that January will be a crucial month for Gloucester, and continued: "It is a huge month for us - it will decide a lot of things for our season. It will show whether we progress in Europe or not. The two games, against Biarritz away and Cardiff Blues at Kingsholm, are massive.

"In the Premiership we are playing Newcastle Falcons after Sarries. While Newcastle are struggling Saracens are flying high, so it is not going to be an easy month at all. It will probable etch out our season."

And on Saturday's visitors Brown added: "Sarries at home is always tough and when we played against them earlier in the season we were pleased with the 25-21 win, which we only just achieved. They will aiming for revenge and will targeting us after the loss to Irish. It is going to be interesting.

"Saracens have a pretty formidable forward pack - even if England captain and second-row Steve Borthwick is rested because of the Elite Player Squad rules. In particular they have a good front-row and a great scrum. It is going to be a very tough weekend, that's for sure. But we will have the Kingholm factor, which is always a big plus for us. We put a lot of things right after the Irish defeat and hopefully we can continue that at the weekend.

"There is underlying pressure on us to get a trophy this season which is increased by the media because we seem to lose in so many finals. That pressure is there, though, there is no point in hiding that fact. The simple fact is that we have not won. Since we won the Challenge Cup in 2006 there has been nothing, even though we finished top of the Guinness Premiership in the past two season. That has been very disappointing and something we have change that."

Labels: Alex Brown, Gloucester, Guinness Premiership, Saracens

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:39 pm | Permalink | Comments

PALMER HOPING WASPS CAN STING QUINS

Tom Palmer knows that January could be the make or break month for London Wasps' season - both domestically and in Europe. In their first game of the New Year Wasps host capital rivals Harlequins who, thanks again to the boot of Kiwi fly-half Nick Evans, drew 26-26 with Leicester Tigers last Saturday at Twickenham and remain sixth in the Guinness Premiership, 10 points ahead of Wasps, the reigning champions.

The England prop was one of eight internationals forced to be rested by Shaun Edwards in the 31-3 Boxing Day defeat to Sale Sharks - a loss that brought an end to Wasps' winning run of four games and, in Edwards's view, caused them to lose all momentum.

Though Edwards deemed the Elite Performance Squad stipulation of forcibly dropping England players as "bullshit", Palmer was more diplomatic. Further, he sees no reason why Wasps cannot pick up their game and - as they did last year - go on a devastating, all-conquering run.

The 29-year-old, who started England's ill-fated autumn international against South Africa, said of the EPS regulations: "It is difficult situation as they are the rules. It doesn't help teams like Wasps who have so many internationals. But that is why we need a strong squad.

"It was a real shame to lose against Sale because we were getting a nice run going. After two wins in the league and two in the Heineken Cup we were beginning to play some good stuff again and now we are back to square one, which is disappointing. Now it is very important to beat Harlequins.

"We have not given up on the Guinness Premiership at all. We have got to do as well as we can in both the league and the Heineken Cup. You can lose a game on the bounce of a ball so we are focused on every game we play.

"We know that if we lose a game in Europe, at the stage we are at, we will be out. So we cannot afford to concentrate on one or the other. In the league we have to work hard and keep aiming for the play-offs.

"In the Guinness Premiership I think we are a point better off this year than we were last, before we had that brilliant run. So don't write us off just yet this year!"

Palmer, who moved from Leeds Tykes in 2006 and has won 13 caps for his country, believes that to overcome Harlequins in Round 11 on Sunday they need to close down their half-backs - Evans and scrum-half Danny Care.

He continued: "Harlequins have two outstanding half-backs in Nick and Danny, so I think we have really got to put pressure them. As soon as they get the ball there has to be a defender straight on them so that they are not comfortable. We have got to make life difficult for them - if we give them an easy ride we know they will be incredibly dangerous."

Following the Quins game Wasps travel to league table-toppers Bath and then play their final Heineken Cup group games against Leinster at home and Castres away. A tough period, but one that Wasps will relish, says Palmer.

"January could be a defining month for us this season - we have four really tough games and each one is a big challenge," he said. "But that is what we play for at Wasps - we like testing ourselves against the best sides - and we are all really looking forward to it.

"A really good month for me should see me back in the England square for the Six Nations, so that is a reason for me to focus. Fingers-crossed I will be involved again, but I know I have to put in some big performances."

Palmer and a number of team-mates enjoyed New Year's Eve at hooker Joe Ward's house, where "a few interesting board games" were played. And the front-rower has revealed a rugby resolution for 2009. "I had a chat with England's nutritional expert, and I am going to do a couple of things to keep my bodyweight the same, while decreasing my fat and bulking my muscle mass up," added Palmer.

"I will start a new six-week programme in the New Year that focusses on me getting the right oils and vitamins. In the England training camp in the autumn Mark did some blood screening tests on all of us and it was revealing. The results of that caused a new nutritional plan to be put in to place - and it has really helped and I'm feeling much better.

"I had long-term issues with my back before but now that I am having more fish oils, omega oils, which I was low on, and it is great. I am low in something else too, and that means that I need a glass of red wine and a couple of squares of dark chocolate every night, which is not too bad! Now that my body has adapted to that diet we are changing it again."

Labels: Guinness Premiership, London Harlequins, London Wasps, Tom Palmer

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:37 pm | Permalink | Comments

SUPER-SUB RASIAK IS WATFORD'S FA CUP HERO

Gregorz Rasiak came off the bench to score the only goal of Watford’s FA Cup Third Round win over Scunthorpe United – and save manager Brendan Rodgers’s blushes as the Championship club failed to muster a noteworthy effort until the Polish forward’s second-half entrance.

League One club Scunthorpe, relegated from the Championship last season, had the better of the earlier exchanges and after 14 minutes Martyn Woolford cut in off his left wing and fired a shot that forced goalkeeper Scott Loach to make a good save low to his left.

Rodgers, the former Chelsea reserve team manager who took charge at Vicarage Road in late November, handed starting debuts to teenage loan players Gavin Hoyte, a right-back, and Jack Cork, a holding midfielder, but Watford found it tough to create any opportunities in the final third.

Rodgers waited until the 60th minute before switching to a more attacking formation – from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 – and introducing Polish striker Rasiak. And it took only seven minutes for the manager to get his reward for going more gung-ho.

Jobi McAnuff’s corner was swung in from the left and flicked on by centre-back Adrian Mariappa. It dropped at the back post and the 29-year-old, on loan from Southampton, showed his natural goalscoring instincts by poking home with his left foot. Rodgers’s team held on for the victory while Scunthorpe trooped home feeling hard done by.

“That is the contribution that Grzegorz can make – it was fantastic,” said Rodgers of the winner. “He has got game-changing goals all though his career.

“I like to play a 4-3-3 but I felt it was not working and that we needed more support higher up the field. I pushed Grzegorz up in to a 4-4-2 and I was very pleased.”

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins said: “We’re very disappointed. Defensively we looked very comfortable and offensively we had opportunities in the first half.

“It is very frustrating because we thought we should have come away with something. But that is the FA Cup – it just wasn’t to be.”

Watford (4-3-3):
Loach 6; Hoyte 6 (Bridcutt 6), DeMerit (c) 5, Mariappa 6, Harley 6; O'Toole 6 (Rasiak 8), Cork 6, Jenkins 7; Smith 7, Priskin 6 (Bromby 5), McAnuff 8.
Subs: Lee (gk), Bromby, Bridcutt, Rasiak, Doyley, Hoskins, Young.

Booked: O’Toole

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2):
Murphy 6; Wright 6, Byrne (c) 7, Pearce 6, Williams 6; Thompson 7 (Sparrow 6), McCann 6, Togwell 6 (Forte 5), Woolford 7 (Hurst 5); Hayes 6, Hooper 7.
Subs: Lillis (gk), Picton, Sparrow, Mirfin, Hurst, Forte, Crosby.

Booked: Byrne

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire)

Hero: Grzeorz Rasiak
The on-loan striker’s second-half introduction prove the winning catalyst for Watford.

Villain: John-Joe O’Toole
The young midfielder worked hard but was booked and substituted manager Rodgers switched to a more attacking formation.

Magic moment: Rasiak’s winner, from Jobi McAnuff’s corner. The Polish international was lurking at the back post and was able to steer the ball home.

Labels: Brendan Rodgers, FA Cup, Grzegorz Rasiak, Scunthorpe, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:06 pm | Permalink | Comments