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

VELOSO WILL NOT BE SPURS' SAVIOUR

Tottenham target Miguel Veloso has ruled out a move to the Premier League.

The £16m-rated Portugal midfielder was top of Juande Ramos' wish list and had also attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton.

But the 22-year-old has vowed to see out his contract with Sporting Lisbon, which runs for another five years.

Veloso admits he was tempted to move to the Premier League in the summer but, after failing to agree a deal with an English club, he has promised he will be staying put in the Portuguese capital.

"I signed a contract until 2013 and I would like to fulfil it until the end," said the seven-cap star. "Any player or human being would wish to evolve and to make the jump - anyone who says otherwise is lying.

"I know that I am at a great club and that I must be thankful to Sporting. It's true that I had a chance to escape to England in the summer but we could not close a deal.

"From now I will always give my everything to Sporting."

Labels: Miguel Veloso, Portugal, Premier League, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

ENGLAND UNDER-21S ADVANCE TO PLAY-OFFS AFTER SUCCESS OVER PORTUGAL

Stuart Pearce's Under-21s ensured their safe passage to the play-off stages of qualification for the European Championship by defeating their closest rivals Portugal 2-0 in their final Group three game. With England only needing a draw to progress, James Milner's penalty and Gabriel Agbonlahor's second-half strike left the visiting Portuguese dead and buried.

For many of the England youngsters it was the first time they had run out on the hallowed turf of New Wembley, and Pearce had predicted it would be an inspiration. Under the gaze of 28,000 supporters it was the visitors, however, who, in an unseasonable drizzle, started the brighter. But they would be made to pay for their profligacy.

Knowing only a win would do, the Portuguese attacked with relish and took only five minutes before testing England stopper Joe Hart. Miguel Veloso's corner found the head of Adelino Freitas but the Manchester City man instinctively clawed the ball from the goal from point-blank range, showing why senior coach Fabio Capello rates the 21-year-old so highly.

Three minutes later Ricardo Vaz Te flashed a shot over the bar as the England defense were caught napping again. On 23 minutes Bruno Gama should have done better but scuffed his shot wide. A couple of minutes later Paulo Machado had time and space to run from midfield and fizzed a shot past Hart's right post.

Only after half an hour did England start firing, and alarm bells rang for Portugal. Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone, playing in central midfield, dinked in a free-kick from deep on the left and centre back Michael Mancienne headed the ball into the side netting.

On 32 minutes Agbonlahor chased what seemed a lost cause, but the Aston Villa man out-paced then out-muscled two defenders before pulling back for Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson, who had scored in the reverse fixture which had ended 1-1. He could not be the hero this time, however, as his shot skidded wide.

After more England pressure, Machado was caught in possession in his own penalty area by Fabrice Muaba, who was charging in to collect Agbonlahor's pull-back. The midfielder could only connect with Muamba's foot, and the penalty was given.

Milner, making his record 38th appearance for the U-21s, stepped up and slotted the ball in the bottom left-hand corner, sending goalkeeper Rui Patricio the wrong way.

After the interval England started as they had left off, finding space in the middle of the pitch. The Portuguese defense did not know how to cope with the pacy Agbonlahor, and he soon got his reward. Mark Noble threaded a delightful ball for the striker to run on to, and he obliged, tucking the his finish under Patricio on 63 minutes.

The win extended England's win at U-21 level to 25 games in normal time, and completed an impressive qualifying campaign which reads: played eight, won seven, drawn one and conceded only one goal. Pearce's side will feature in a play-off game next month, but have ambitions on improving on their semi-final finish last summer, if they do play in next year's tournament in Sweden.

Labels: England Under-21s, Portugal, Stuart Pearce

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:05 am | Permalink | Comments

NOBLE AIMS FOR TOP SPOT

England Under-21s midfielder Mark Noble can't wait to play on the hallowed New Wembley turf for the first time on Friday when he takes on Portugal Under-21s in the crucial European Championships qualifier.

The West Ham man played at the old Wembley twice - once for his school and once for his district in finals - but lost both games. The 21-year-old, who has scored two goals in the qualifiers so far, is hoping to make it third time lucky against the Portuguese.

With this final game to play, England currently top Group three, ahead of Friday's visitors by six points, and need only a draw to ensure a play-off place for the Championships, which begin in Sweden next May.

Noble said of England's home of football: "We have just trained here [at Wembley] and it is a great surface, the atmosphere is going to be great. Hopefully we can do it justice - we want to put a show on for the fans.

"This will be the first time I have played at New Wembley. I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley a couple of times with my school and district. I lost both times and they were finals. So I hope it's third time lucky!

"The most import thing is winning - we have to win and finish our group campaign off with a bang. We know we are nearly though but we want that top spot."

Labels: England Under-21s, Mark Noble, Portugal

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:57 pm | Permalink | Comments

WEMBLEY WILL BE VITAL EXPERIENCE FOR U-21S - PEARCE

Stuart Pearce, the England Under-21s Head Coach, believes that playing at Wembley will help inspire his players to victory over Portugal on Friday night, in the final game of their European Championship qualifying group.

The 46-year-old, who won 78 senior international caps for England, is positive that it is important for the development of his young chargers that they gain experience of playing on the hallowed turf, as for many it will be for the first time.

The former Manchester City manager, who has been in charge of the Under-21s since February last year, said: "It is vital that the players get some experience of Wembley. We spoke at The FA many months ago about bringing the game here. It will be a fantastic experience for them.

"What we really don't want is a group of players, if any of them are lucky enough to break into the seniors, to step out for the seniors and for it to be the first time they have played at Wembley.

"So when they step out on the big stage, maybe for the seniors in months, or maybe weeks, to come it is not new to them; it doesn't daunt them - it is their home. It should be treated as a home ground. I expect my players to come here and raise their game."

Pearce has steered the Under-21s to the top of Group Three and they need only a draw to ensure a play-off game en route to the European Championship finals which will take place in Sweden in May next year. But he insists that his players will be working their socks off to be sure of the full three points against Portugal.

"We have got a nice team spirit and camaraderie in the camp and this is our home pitch and should be treated in that manner," Pearce added.

"The players like each others' company when they get together on a monthly basis.

"Our aim is winning the whole tournament, and we know what that will entail. So there won't be any relaxation from the players on Friday.

"This is another step of the way - our first aim was to get out of the group and it will be good to knock the Portuguese out, if we can, as they are a strong team."

Labels: England Under-21s, Portugal, Stuart Pearce

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