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

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

Chris Coleman on Panorama programme, from Fulham Press Conference, 21/9/06:

Was Sam Allardyce right to be implicated?

‘Bollocks. What did we see? A lot of provocation; a lot of ifs, buts and maybes. Sam’s name was mentioned a lot, but because his son Craig has been involved in deals – but I don’t know Craig so well. Sam has come out and said that he has never been involved in anything like that, and I’ve no reason to believe he has. I totally believe him 100 per cent. He’s one of the best managers we’ve got in the game… There was no hard evidence to say that Sam Allardyce has taken a bung.

‘Does it go on in the game? Maybe, it’s been talked about for years. But without hard evidence, what are we going to do?’

Have you ever been offered a bung?

‘No, never. I can honestly say that I have never been offered a bung.’

Harry tapping up?

‘If that’s tapping up a player, then I’m guilty of it also. How else do you sign a player? An agent says, “so-and-so is not happy at a club, do you like him?” Of course! What are you going to say? “ No, I’ll tell you if I like him when he becomes available.” No, you say, “I like him, he’s a good player.” That’s the way it goes. I can’t see that as tapping up a player. He’s not called up the player himself, and said: “Do you fancy coming?”, that’s tapping up a player, and he’s not done that. There’s a lot of bullshit if I’m honest.’

Nathan Porritt – youngsters being touted without your knowledge?

‘I’m sure it has happened, because we have had players touted to us from other clubs. Unfortunately that’s the murky world of it now. It’s not just football, it happens in all business – the rules are bent by most people. I’ve been touted players from other clubs, and I’m sure agents have touted some of my players. What do you do? I don’t know.’

Labels: Chris Coleman, football, Fulham, Quest, Sam Allardyce

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