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

AINSWORTH HOPING FOR "UNBELIEVABLE" OLD TRAFFORD RESULT

Gareth Ainsworth hopes that an "unbelievable" result against reigning European and English champions Manchester United on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup Fourth Round will help convince Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore that he is the right man for the manager's job on a permanent basis.

The 35-year-old caretaker boss, who took over from Iain Dowie at the end of last month, is currently QPR's longest serving player and has impressed in his first few games in charge.

And he will put another superb entry on his short managerial CV if he can mastermind a famous Rangers victory at Old Trafford.

Ainsworth, who saw his team defeat Cardiff on Saturday, said: "I'm enjoying it a lot and at the moment I am taking it day by day. Flavio Briatore and the fans have given me their backing so far. As long as that is going on I am a happy man - I'm proud to be at the helm of QPR.

"I've been here a long time and I just want the club to do well. If Flavio does decide to put me in charge then fantastic. If he doesn't then I will stay in some capacity. I'm really enjoying pitting my wits against managers.

"I'm in at the deep end but when troubled times do come I can look back at this and say: 'We got through that OK. We can keep together and get through anything now.'

"It's been a real baptism of fire. We have moved into the top six in the Championship, defeated the top-of-the-table team Birmingham and now we have a trip to Old Trafford to play the European Champions in the Carling Cup."

Ainsworth added: "I've faced United twice as a player, in the 1999/2000 season when Wimbledon were relegated. But we drew twice, so perhaps that bodes well.

"Playing in the Premier League against sides like United was the highlight of my playing career. Some of the boys can have a taste of what that is like tonight. It will be a fantastic experience and opportunity for them.

"I don't need to get them up for it - what more motivation do they need when they are playing the European and Premier League champions at Old Trafford? If they can't get up for it then they shouldn't be in my squad.

"I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan through and through. I was a season-ticket holder and I did my apprenticeship there. I'm sure everyone in Blackburn will be very happy if we manage the unbelievable and get a result against Manchester United."

Labels: Carling Cup, Championship, Gareth Ainsworth, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:15 pm | Permalink | Comments

WATFORD CAN BE TOP THREE - AINSWORTH

Lionel Ainsworth, Watford's man-of-the-match in the shock Carling Cup win over Gianfranco Zola's West Ham, believes that a Premier League scalp was all they needed to kick-start their Championship campaign.

The 20-year-old winger thinks that if Aidy Boothroyd's team, currently 17th in the table, continue to perform as they did in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road, then a top three finish is a certainty.

England Under-19 star Ainsworth is confident that despite the fact that there are a number of injuries, he and his young team-mates can emulate what Arsenal?s kids did, and hit Sheffield United for six at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

He said: "West Ham are big team - they have been in the Premier League for a number of years - and I like playing the bigger teams. We more than gave them a run for their money - we played them off the park. We have to take that into the League now.

"After the weekend, with the phantom goal, it was good to get some luck to go our way. Even if we didn't get the own goal [conceded by Hayden Mullins], I thought we could get a goal anyway because the movement of the midfield and the attack was very good. In defence we looked solid too - you can't ask for much more.

"Sheffield United are a big side too, but hopefully we can go there and do a job and hit them like Arsenal hit them.

"We have had players out and the youngsters have stepped in and showed what we can do. We can start building momentum now and if we play like we did against West Ham we will be in the top three, no doubt."

Labels: Carling Cup, Lionel Ainsworth, Watford, West Ham United

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:35 pm | Permalink | Comments

WATFORD POP ZOLA'S WEST HAM BUBBLE

Championship club Watford gave new West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola his first dose of defeat as they overcame their Premier League opponents by a solitary goal at Vicarage Road in the Carling Cup Third Round. Aidy Boothroyd's side, victims of a "phantom goal" against Reading in the League on Saturday, were the benefactors of fortune themselves thanks to Hayden Mullins's second-half own goal.

Italian Zola, who earlier in the day had learned that his new employers would have to pay a significant amount in compensation to Sheffield United - the figure £30m had been reported - had selected a young team, but it was experienced substitute Scott Parker who made the game's telling mistake.

With 20 minutes remaining the former England midfielder handled on the left of his own box gifting the home side a free-kick from a dangerous position. Lee Williamson swung a cross over and it deflected in off Mullins's knee into the net to hand Watford their first victory at home against the Hammers in 23 years.

Watford started the brighter in an open first half, and it took only three minutes for Aidy Boothroyd's side to create their first meaningful chance. From the left Tommy Smith picked out Ross Jenkins on the edge of the box with a drilled cross, but the forward could only fizz his header wide right of Jan Lastuvka's goal.

In the absence of rested forward Carlton Cole, Fred Sears, the 18-year-old of which so much is expected at Upton Park, had been handed the chance by Zola to stake his claim to a regular first team spot and let loose a shot only two minutes after Jenkins's wayward header.

The diminutive striker, given his first start of the season, foraging alone in attack, wriggled clear in the left side of Watford's area, but he, like Jenkins, could only fire wide. On nine minutes Sears's team-mate Matthew Etherington cut in from his left wing and cracked a shot goalwards, though Scott Loach, deputising for the injured Mart Poom, clung on well.

In wasn't until 20 minutes before the interval that the best chance of the half arose, when Sears released West Ham's central midfielder Mark Noble with a clever ball behind the static Watford defence. The England Under-19 international played in the charging Noble with a pass between two defenders, but Loach was positioned well and stayed big for Noble's close range strike. He parried the shot, snuffing out the danger, and the Premier League side rarely threatened for the remainder of the half.

Four minutes before the break the home side mustered one last significant effort, when striker Will Hopkins pulled the ball back on the left-hand-side of the West Ham box. Smith raced on to rocket a low shot on target but Lastuvka was up to the task.

The contest continued to be a ding-dong affair in the second half, with Etherington again causing problems for Watford on their right and West Ham's inexperienced team allowing the Championship side time and space that manager Zola will not have been pleased with.

On 58 minutes home central midfielder Williamson clipped in an enticing delivery from the left byline, but Smith, unmarked, could only direct his powerful header towards Lastuvka, who parried the ball to safety.

The next thing the visiting team's goalkeeper had to do, however, was collect the ball from his net, as, from another dangerous Williamson delivery, Mullins deflected into his own net.

Zola's side almost levelled immediately, but Etherington's header arrowed agonisingly wide. Boothroyd's side, currently 17th in the Championship, held on for an impressive win, while Zola will hope for a fast improvement in the weekend's Premier League visit to Fulham, who also stumbled in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Labels: Carling Cup, Watford, West Ham United

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:32 pm | Permalink | Comments

OUR KIDS CAN BE AS GOOD AS ARSENAL'S

Whatever Arsenal's youngsters can do, Watford's can do better - that's the view
of Jay DeMerit, the Championship side's captain.

While Arsene Wenger's kids hit Sheffield United for six on Wednesday night in
the Carling Cup, Aidy Boothroyd's nippers defeated West Ham United 1-0.

And this Saturday they too play Sheffield United, this time in the
Championship, glowing with confidence.

Boothroyd has been forced to utilise his youngsters with over 10 injuries to
first-team players.

But they are rising to the challenge, 28-year-old skipper DeMerit believes.
"Youngsters coming through and performing is really what we need, and what's
happening," said the American.

"We have a small squad anyway, but with so many injuries there is only one
thing that can help us, and that is young guys stepping up and doing the job.
We have more than enough confidence that these guys can do that.


"Adrian Mariappa (21) has done a really good job coming in at right back and
Jordan Parkes (19) impressed. Scott Loach (20) in goals made some good saves
and Ross Jenkins (17) and Lionel Ainsworth (20) played very well against West
Ham too.

"Will Hoskins (22) , who was filling in for Tamas Priskin and Grzegorz Rasiak,
did a magnificent job. We needs to keep that going, because competition is
never a bad thing, especially in a small squad like this."

On Saturday's game at Bramall Lane DeMerit added: "Cup runs can always spur on
League runs, so that's what we'll be looking to do on against Sheffield United.

"I'm sure they won't read too much into the 6-0 result against Arsenal. It's
back to the Championship now.

"A defeat like that can go one of two ways - either it will kill their
confidence or they will make sure that they don't let it happen again. But that
is down to them, not us. Our job is to go out and play like we did against West
Ham."

Labels: Aidy Boothroyd, Carling Cup, Jay Demerit, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:29 pm | Permalink | Comments

DOWIE TAKES ON MENTOR O'NEILL AND "CREAM OF BRITISH TALENT"

QPR managerIain Dowie will put friendship to one side on Wednesday when he attempts to defeat his mentor, Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa in the Carling Cup. The former Northern Ireland internationals became good pals two years ago, while at the World Cup in Germany.

And elder statesman O'Neill, who made 64 appearances for his country, has offered advice and hot drinks to 59-cap Dowie in his fledgling management career. The 43-year-old Dowie said: "Martin and I spent a lot of time together at the World Cup in Germany and we got to know each other very well and are good friends.

"I always keep track of him and of course there is the Northern Ireland connection too. I've been for a cup of tea in his office a few times. He is a very busy man but he has been very helpful."

Dowie, who scored in the 1994/95 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park to force Manchester United to a replay against Crystal Palace, is envious of the firepower his opposite man can call upon, but tips his hat for O'Neill, 56, for building a young, British side. "Martin has put Gabriel Agbonlahor in, and bought in other English youngsters Nigel Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Nicky Shorey," continued the former Coventry manager.

"They are all good young players and in Martin Laursen, Gareth Barry, John Carew, Brad Friedel and Stiliyan Petrov he has some experienced players too. Martin's side have a very good balance and it is refreshing what he is doing in regards to selecting young Englishmen, when these days teams are packed with foreigners.

"In Ashley Young, one of the best natural wingers in the game, and Agbonlahor you have the cream of British talent. I went to watch them on Sunday against West Bromwich and they were a real potent attacking threat. I don't think I need to get my players up for it. If you are not up for playing against the best young British players in the country then you should not be in the game."

On the prospect of QPR, who sit fourth in the Championship, progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup, Dowie added: "We have a very pacy defence but it is difficult when Agbonlahor drops off and even if you hold a high line he can get behind you. And John Carew is a big part of his game and a good foil for him, so we will have to be on our game.

"Martin has a history of wanting to do well in this tournament and we will be very strong. Will not shut up shop at Villa Park either, so it should be an interesting game."

Labels: Aston Villa, Carling Cup, Iain Dowie, Martin O'Neilll, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:28 pm | Permalink | Comments

RAMOS TO CUT SHORT SPURS' SUMMER HOLIDAY

Juande Ramos is to cut short his Tottenham players' summer holidays in
the hope that they will come back sharper and fitter next season.

Ramos, never slow to stamp his authority, intends to organise some
friendly games after the current campaign has concluded, as well as
introduce an intensive pre-season training camp.

When the former Sevilla coach took over from Martin Jol in late October,
he was dismayed by the lack of fitness his players showed.

He completely changed the squad's diet and fitness ethic and it reaped
immediate rewards - the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Carling Cup was
Spurs' first silverware in nine seasons.

With his team 11th in the Premier League, with little to play for and
few players likely to feature in the summer's European Championship,
Ramos wants to ensure his charges do not return overweight and unfit.

The Spaniard said: "It is true that the season is ending quite early
because of the Euro Finals and two months without doing anything is
probably too much holiday for them. So to have friendlies would mean
that they will not have such a long time for rest.

"Two months (off) is not the best because it is too long. They are still
going to have a long enough time to enjoy their holiday."

On his pre-season plans, Ramos added: "Our intention is to look for
where the players can work and where we can stay and do this for 12-15
days.

"We are thinking of what is best for the team for next season. We are
not thinking about the past, but what is best for the team for the
future."

Labels: Carling Cup, football, Juande Ramos, Martin Jol, Premier League, Sevilla, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

CHELSEA MANAGER TIGHT-LIPPED OVER CARLING CUP TEAM SELECTION

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is keeping John Terry and Frank Lampard in the dark over their roles in Sunday's Carling Cup Final against Tottenham at Wembley. Grant has a full squad to choose from and will not be drawn on whether club captain Terry or influential midfielder Lampard, both now fit after injuries, will start.

Lampard scored his 100th goal for the club in last weekend's FA Cup fifth round tie against Huddersfield.

But neither he nor Terry featured in their goalless midweek Champions League draw against Olympiakos.

Grant, speaking at his pre-match press conference said: "We have training [on Saturday] and then I will tell the players the team. I will tell the players before the media.

"We need big players and it is never an easy decision who to select. I don't believe rotation is the way, but sometimes you prefer other players.

"It's not an easy decision because Terry is a great captain, even when he is not playing. He is also a great defender but I think the other two did a great job until now. "Alex and [Ricardo] Carvalho were very good on Tuesday, and before his injury John Terry was excellent. This is a very hard decision.

"But this is my job. I need to take these decisions and I will take them. Players are not computers. You need to respect them, but need to take decisions that are good for the club.

"When you have big players in a team like Chelsea it is always not an easy decision, it was not easy on Tuesday."

Grant added: "It was not a good situation when Terry and Lampard were out injured. But this is my life.

"I like it and I can't do without the pressure. It will be the same in the next three months."

Labels: Avram Grant, Carling Cup, Chelsea, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:47 pm | Permalink | Comments

ROBINSON HAPPY TO BE BACK IN SPURS TEAM

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson was pleased to be back in the Spurs starting XI and proved his worth with two excellent saves in his club's 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague at White Hart Lane. Robinson had been dropped by manager Juande Ramos in January after a handful of bloopers had cost his team goals.

But the stopper, recently overlooked by new England manager Fabio Capello in his first game in charge of the country against Switzerland, when asked whether he was happy to be back in the fold, said: "I just had to answer myself - I know the way that I have been playing; or not playing as the case may be.

"I just want to get back on track and get back in the team. I am delighted to be back in a team that is doing well."

Robinson was disappointed that his team did not add to their one goal in the first half. But he was pleased for young goal-scorer Jamie O'Hara, and continued: "We knew it was going to be a tough game and we couldn't take it lightly.

"We wanted to score a couple of goals in the first half so we could take it a little easier. But I think our second half performance was disappointing - we scored the first goal and then seemed to rest on our laurels a little bit. We should give them credit, though - they played well.

"[Jamie] has been doing well for us and the manager has brought him into the team. He was used only for a little bit at the start but he has been playing a lot more and starting games now and it was a delight for him to get his goal tonight." Robinson also added that he wishes to play in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday against Chelsea. "I would like to think that I will be playing at Wembley - I hope so," he said.

Labels: Carling Cup, England, Juande Ramos, Paul Robinson, Tottenham, UEFA Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:44 pm | Permalink | Comments

O'HARA HOPING FOR WEMBLEY STARTING BERTH

Tottenham's young midfielder Jamie O'Hara was over the moon to net his first European goal for his club, in only his second appearance in the UEFA Cup. The 21-year-old opened the scoring against Slavia Prague, but his team played badly in the second half and the Czech side fired an equalizer in the second half to put the skids under Spurs.

But Juande Ramos' side held on for a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane and advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, going through 3-2 on aggregate.

And goal hero O'Hara said: "It was brilliant to score - a great moment in my career.

"I think we are just happy to get through in the end because we were disappointing in the second half. We sat back on the game when we should have gone forward and got two or three [goals]. But that is the way it goes sometimes and we are happy to go through."

Spurs take on Chelsea in the final of the Carling Cup in Sunday, and the youngster wants to be involved and hopes he has done enough to convince his manager that he should be afforded a starting berth.

He added: "I definitely hope to be involved on Sunday - it would be a dream come true [to play]. If I can be involved it would be great. Stepping out at Wembley is a dream for any Englishman - I can't wait."

Labels: Carling Cup, Chelsea, Jamie O'Hara, Juande Ramos, Tottenham, UEFA Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:40 pm | Permalink | Comments