Huge loss for Birmingham
If I’m honest, I don’t enjoy watching Birmingham. They are far too negative and play with just that one lone striker who is way too isolated to be any threat at all. In short, they are bit boring.
Admire
Having said that, there is a lot to admire about the side and their manager Alex McLeish. They are so well organised that they are really difficult to break down. They are definitely in a relegation battle, sitting just one point above the drop zone, but they have conceded only twenty-six goals in their twenty-one games. That is considerably less than most of the other teams down at the bottom.
One of the main reasons for their decent defensive record is the central defensive partnership of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann who have…
Chelsea s David Barnard believes a quarter-final against Manchester United could become another classic all-English Champions League clash.
West London club Chelsea have experienced some memorable European encounters with Premier League opposition, including a 7-5 aggregate win over Liverpool in 2009.
They will now take on United in a last eight re-match of the 2008 Moscow final, which Chelsea lost on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Obviously we ve got a great rivalry with Manchester United on the domestic scene, club secretary Barnard said.
But when it comes to the Champions League we re experienced in playing other English clubs like Liverpool, we ve played them four times, we ve played Arsenal in a quarter-final.
But the Champions League …
Cesar Azpilicueta knows that Spain will need to adapt quickly to conditions in Brazil to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup title.
Vicente del Bosque s side have been pitted against the Netherlands, Chile and Australia in Group B, with Azpilicueta keen to avoid a sluggish start like in 2010.
In South Africa, Spain lost their opening match against Switzerland, but recovered to claim their first World Cup triumph in Johannesburg against the Netherlands in the final.
Conditions in Brazil will be different to those four years ago and the Chelsea defender, who is playing in his first major international tournament, is relishing the chance to help Spain become only the third nation to retain the trophy.
For every player it s a dream to play in a World Cup, he tol…
Kevin Nolan has completed a transfer from Newcastle United to relegated West Ham for an undisclosed fee.
After passing a medical on Wednesday, Nolan, 28, agreed a five-year contract at Upton Park, where he will be reunited with his former manager at Bolton Wanderers, Sam Allardyce.
Attacking midfielder Nolan is expected to take the captain s armband at West Ham.
He could reportedly end up costing the club as much as four million pounds based on appearances clauses believed to included in the transfer.
The motivation behind Nolan s decision to step down a division has been questioned, with the player claiming West Ham s determination to acquire him was a major factor.
West Ham have shown a certain hunger and desire to make sure that I became t…