Wenger - Why I want to sign Andrei Arshavin

Wenger - Why I want to sign Andrei Arshavin

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has finally revealed exactly why he wants to sign Andrei Arshavin.The Arsenal manager has remained as tight-lipped as possible during his pursuit of the 27-year-old midfielder from Zenit St Petersburg. That has been difficult as the issue has pretty much dominated every press conference during January.

However the dénouement is now close. The transfer window slams shut on Monday. Arsenal’s interest in Arshavin is now common knowledge but only on Friday did Wenger discuss why he was going for the Russian.

``He's a guy who can go past people in the final third,” said the manager. “He can have the key, individually and collectively. “He is an experienced player, 27, a good age and we are a very young side. We will not have Fabregas in the next six to eight weeks, we will not have Walcott in the next five weeks, Rosicky in the next eight weeks.

“You can see with the replay of the FA Cup we have the desire to do well in every competition and one more body could help us.”

Man United Set To Hijack Real Move For Valencia?

Man United Set To Hijack Real Move For Valencia?

Submitted by Jake Briggs on Thu, 2009-01-29 16:44. Manchester United, Wigan Athletic Premiership Transfer News
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Manchester United are set to step up their interest in Real Madrid transfer target Antonio Valencia at Wigan Athletic, with the Premier League Champions ready to hijack any move by the La Liga giants for the Latics winger, according to the Daily Mirror.

Los Merengues along with United, have held a long-term interest in 23-year-old Valencia, with reports on Thursday claiming that Wigan have demanded £18million from Real in order to let the Ecuadorian International leave the JJB Stadium.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped to wait until the summer before making any move to bring Valencia to Old Trafford, but with new Madrid coach Juande Ramos desperate to recruit a winger to the Bernabeu in January, Ferguson is understood to have asked for first option and an asking price for Valencia.

United are believed to be favourites to land Valencia, with Ramos reportedly wanting to take the winger on loan initially from Wigan and make the deal permanent in the summer, which is not a viable option for the Premiership club.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce does not want to lose Valencia in January, having already seen Emile Heskey leave for Aston Villa this month and Wilson Palacios join Tottenham Hotspur.
However, despite Bruce being desperate to keep Valencia at the Latics. In reality should United or Real offer somewhere near Wigan’s valuation then another departure from the JJB in January looks ever more likely.

Arsenal no closer to signing Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal no closer to signing Andrei Arshavin

Times Online

Arsene Wenger insists he is no nearer to signing Andrei Arshavin, the Russia forward, but he remains hopeful that a deal can be completed before the transfer window closes.
Arshavin's proposed move looked to have gone through earlier in the week, when Maxim Mitrofanov, the Zenit St Petersburg general director, claimed on Monday that a £15 million deal had been agreed.

However, when asked if Arsenal had agreed a fee with Zenit, Wenger said: "No, and we have not applied for a work permit yet for Arshavin or anybody else.
"Whether we are close or not has little meaning - it does not matter how close you are, what is important is that you agree. At the moment, we have no agreement with anybody for any transfer.

"We are always confident, we try our best and respect our budget. If we can find an agreement, we will do it, if we cannot we will not overspend what we have planned to do."
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Wenger, though, indicated there could yet be movement ahead of the midnight deadline on Monday.
"These kind of stories sometimes develop in the last minute on the final day of the transfer window," he said. "It is very difficult to predict. I can only give you the way we think on our side. I cannot give you what other people think."

Arsenal Boss Wenger Not Concerned About Top-Four Premiership Finish?

Arsenal Boss Wenger Not Concerned About Top-Four Premiership Finish?

A top-four finish seems to be of no immediate concern to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who believes his side can achieve a Champions League place.
The Gunners are currently placed fifth in the English Premier League table, eight points adrift of leaders Manchester United and five points behind Aston Villa, who currently occupy the fourth-spot.

A finish outside the top-four would see the Emirates side missing out on the Champions League, but Wenger is certain his young side can maintain their ‘big four’ status.
"Finishing outside the top four does not worry me at the moment because we have a very good opportunity to be in there," said Wenger.

"I am very positive and believe very strongly in my squad - why should we consider all of the negative aspects of the season?
"If I ask you what does it mean if your house will burn down, you will tell me 'why should my house burn down?' That is exactly the same for me.
"I never worry, I try to give my best and put my players in a condition where they believe in their strengths.

"We have a very young team who are doing well, but why should we always face a catastrophe?
"We have all the positive reasons to believe in our future.
"If at the last day of the season, we are not in there, then I will take all of your questions, and [accept] all of my responsibilities.

"I do not want to prove everybody wrong, I want to prove that I am right to believe in my players and in my squad, that is all."

Chelsea Confirm First Transfer Signing After Sealing Deal With Bayer Leverkusen For Gökhan Töre

Chelsea Confirm First Transfer Signing After Sealing Deal With Bayer Leverkusen For Gökhan Töre

Chelsea have confirmed their first transfer signing of the January transfer window after signing Turkish youth International Gökhan Töre from German side Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee.

The 17-year-old German-born attacking midfielder, joined Bayer Leverkusen as a youth player in 1999, but although having featured at both Under-17 and Under-19 level for 'The Werkself' hasn't featured for the senior team.
Töre has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Luis Felipe Scolari's side, which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2012.

Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool Tracking 'Edu'?

Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool Tracking 'Edu'?

Nigerian international Striker Chinedu Ogbuke known also as Edu has impressed for Germany’s surprise package and early pace setters in the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim, with the 22-year-old reportedly being tracked by Premier League Champions Manchester United as well as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

The striker first came to prominence for Norwegian club Lyn Oslo where both Ogbuke and fellow current Chelsea player John Obi Mikel signed for the club at the same time. After scoring an impressive 14 goals in 29 appearances, Ogbuke made the move to Germany, where he has maintained his impressive scoring ratio of 18 in 39 games since signing in August 2007. Six of those have arrived this season.

Spurs Make Approach To Bring Back Keane From Liverpool

Spurs Make Approach To Bring Back Keane From Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur are understood to have made an initial enquiry to Liverpool about the possibility of bringing former Spurs striker Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane, according to Sky Sports News.

28-year-old Keane arrived at Anfield in a £20million deal from Tottenham last summer, but has failed to reproduce the form on Merseyside that prompted Reds manager Rafa Benitez to pay such a handsome transfer fee to their Premier League rivals just six-months ago.
Despite featuring in 17 Premiership games this campaign, Keane has scored just 5 goals in the league, with the Republic of Ireland International often having to settle for a place on the bench under Benitez, which is believed to have left the former Inter Milan player unsettled at Liverpool.

Keane was left out of the squad altogether for the FA Cup clash with local rivals Everton at the weekend, which fuelled speculation that Keane’s days on the Red half of Merseyside were numbered, with a number of Premier League clubs ready to offer the Irishman a way out of his Liverpool nightmare.

Manchester City and Everton have been linked with a move for Keane, with Toffees boss David Moyes keen to take the striker on loan, while City boss Mark Hughes, who is a long-term admirer of Keane is also reportedly willing to offer the forward a way out of Liverpool.
Tottenham have also been linked with a move for their former charge, having not wanted to sell Keane to Liverpool in the first place, with it now being claimed that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has made an approach to Liverpool regarding the possibility of ending Keane’s six-month exile from White Hart Lane.

However, should Liverpool be willing to sell Keane. It remains to be seen if the Reds can recoup the £20million paid to Tottenham last year or accept a loss on the player in order to move on.

Adams To Turn To Old Friend Wenger As Arsenal Duo Set For Portsmouth Loan?

Adams To Turn To Old Friend Wenger As Arsenal Duo Set For Portsmouth Loan?


Portsmouth manager Tony Adams wants to bring Carlos Vela and Fran Merida to Fratton Park on loan from his former club Arsenal after revealing that Pompey were no longer interested in Argentine, Javier Saviola at Real Madrid, according to reports.

Despite signing for the Gunners in 2005, 19-year-old Vela had to wait until this season before making his debut for the Premier League club due to work permit issues, which resulted in loan spells at Spanish sides Salamanca and Osasuna. Vela has made 8 appearances for Arsenal in the Premiership this season, but has limited opportunities of late and has been linked with Hull City and West Bromwich Albion in the past.

Adams is ready to offer Vela the chance of more regular football on the South coast, with it understood that the Mexican International will be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium, should the North London club be successful in the long running saga to finalise a deal for main transfer target Andrei Arshavin.

However, Portsmouth are also said to be interested in former Barcelona starlet Merida, who Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described as a “late developer” and claimed a need for patience after the midfielder attracted attention with his performances in the Carling Cup this season.

Like Vela, 18-year-old Merida has also spent time out on loan in Spain, with the Spanish Under-21 International making 14 appearances for Real Sociedad in the Spanish Segunda Division last season.

Arsenal are expected to let some of their youngsters leave on loan this month, with Pompey boss Adams looking set to reap the rewards of his relationship with Wenger, having played under the Frenchman at Highbury for six-years as Gunners captain before retiring.

Cuaca Futsal Tak Menentu

Assalamualaikum

Semalam berlangsungnya acara futsal yang "cuaca"nya tak menentu. Kali ini kedatangan pemain-pemain import dan tempatan agak berkurangan. Pemain Ij tihad iaitu Chef beraksi begitu hambar dan seringkali melepaskan peluang untuk menjaringkan gol walaupun beliau sering duduk di tepi tiang gol lawan.

Begitu juga pemain pelatih dari Celtic iaitu saudara Sidi, yang memakai baju M.U cuba melakukan larian solo dan terjahan keras ke atas Moderator. Begitupun beliau tidak dapat menjaringkan gol melebihi 10 gol.

Mungkin kerana cuaca yang agak kering ataupun pemain-pemain agak keletihan (maklumlah semuanya dah senior), maka persembahan agak hambar.

Apapun tahniah kepada penganjur dan rakan-rakan yang membantu menjayakan Futsal semalam. Diharap semuanya akan kembali turun menyertai futsal kita. Ayuh sihatkan badan dengan ke Futsal.


BOYCOTT ISRAEL PRODUCT!!

STANDARD BOLASEPAK MALAYSIA STANDARD KAMPUNG?

Di tulis oleh MAT BOLA MAHKOTA (emel dar pembaca yang dihantar ke Mec10_centre@yahoo.com)



Apalah nak jadi dengan skuad Malaysia. Tak sudah-sudah di timpa "Bencana Bolasepak". UAE sebuah pasukan yang rankingnya jauh dari Korea dan Jepun boleh membelasah kita sampai 5 - 0. Entah apa pula alasan kali ini. Jurulatih Malaysia sebelum ini bukan main mempertahankan pemain-pemainnya. Tetapi bila kalah mulalah mempersoalkan tahap mutu bolasepak malaysia bukanlah bolasepak yang sebenar.


Habis kalau bukan mutu bolasepak sebenar, ianya mungkin mutu "Kekampungan". Tukarlah jurulatih yang ada walau seribu kali, Malaysia tetap main macam budak kampung. Kalau kalah 1-0, 2-0 atau 3-0 mungkinlah boleh kita terima. INI tidak, kekalahan sampai 5-0 sangat memalukan. Mak kata Malaysia ni tak cukup padang latihan dan sebagainya nampak sangat tak logik.

Bagi saya, Malaysia kalah bukan sebab jurulatih tetapi sebab pemain yang manja dan berlagak. Baru main kebangsaan, sudah perangkan rambut. Ada pula yang tak berdisiplin. Main macam budak-budak gaya sudah mengalahkan pemain dunia yang hebat.


Saya merasa sangat kecewa. Rombaklah pasukan yang ada. Bawaklah budak-budak yang berumur 18 tahun. Kalau kalah pun takpe sebab diorang masih muda. Buang sahaja muka-muka senior. Buat sakit hati sahaja.

Beckham: Kaka Doesn't Need My Advice On City Move

Beckham: Kaka Doesn't Need My Advice On City Move

English international David Beckham insisted that there was only one team in Manchester, according to him and that was his former club Manchester United.
With the Kaka transfer to United's Premier League rivals Manchester City from AC Milan saga continuing, Beckham, who has joined the San Siro side on loan from LA Galaxy declared that what happens at City is no concern of his.

"I only care about Manchester United personally," the former Old Trafford favorite said in The Sun.

"City have been bought by a company now and there’s a lot of money there. But for me, United are the only team in Manchester."

The former England skipper is amongst top players that have urged Kaka to refuse to move to the Eastlands Stadium, despite the huge money being offered by the Premiership side.
However, Beckham claimed that the Brazilian will decide what would be best for him and would not need any advice on whether to leave the Rossoneri.

"Kaka doesn’t need my advice. He will decide what he wants to do," the England midfielder added.

"It’s not always about money. It’s about playing for the best team, playing with the best players in the world and winning trophies and being successful.

"He’s one of the best players in the world and every Milan player is there to support him and encourage him, but we will see. We want him to stay."
33-year-old Beckham rubbished reports claiming that Kaka's gesture of waving his hands to the crowd, when AC Milan beat Fiorentina 1-0 on Saturday, was his way of saying goodbye at the San Siro.

Beckham said: "That was because it was a tough night. Kaka was showing that he appreciated them."

Eduardo - Now I am ready for the first team

Eduardo - Now I am ready for the first team

Eduardo has sent out an ominous warning to Premier League defences by declaring: “I am ready”. The Brazil-born striker completed his first 90 minutes since last February when he lined up for Arsenal Reserves in their 2-2 draw against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night. After hitting the post in his first ‘comeback’ match against Portsmouth Reserves in December, the Croatian international went even closer against the Potters but saw his 87th-minute strike ruled out for offside. Despite that minor disappointment, the 25-year-old is delighted with his progress and is confident that it will not be long until he finds the net again.

“The goal is coming,” Eduardo told Arsenal.com. “I am happy because I have got the chances, and that is not easy. Only when I get a chance can I finish it. “It has been a long time since I’ve played 90 minutes and now I feel better knowing that I can play a whole game. I feel much stronger than I have and I am very happy now “The plan against Portsmouth Reserves was to play an hour but we decided with the small injury that I should go off because of the risk in continuing the game. But I am happy now, I played 45 minutes of that game which was good for my confidence.”

The next step now of course is turning out for the first team again and Eduardo has no doubts that he is ready. “I think I am ready for the first team but you would have to ask the boss,” the striker said. “I feel very well and I’m training hard every day. Of course I want to come back quick and strong. Now, every game for me is a big step.

“In my head and everything I am ready. I am happy with the 90 minutes tonight on a very hard pitch with all the hard rain. I needed time in the Reserves to get my match fitness back. “But playing my first game for the first team, I am ready now and I am just waiting for my chance.”

Asia Qualifications: Malaysia 0 UAE 5: SYABAS!!

SYABAS!!

Malaysia kalah lagi. Seperti cerita lama. Malaysia 0 UAE 5....EMMM!! Kalau tambah lagi 5 dan jadikanlah 10 - 0 barulah lebih baik. Inilah standard bolasepak tempatan.

Aku ingat kalau hari-hari kita buat benda yang sama mesti kita dah taraf professional. Yelah, seorang mekanik kereta kalau dah hari-hari pegang kereta dah tentu jadi expert. Dengar bunyi je dah tau rosak kat mana.

Samalah macam tukang buat roti canai (yang Khairul suka makan tu). Hari-hari buat roti canai dah tentu terer buat. Cium bau pun dah tau apa yang kurang.

Tapi tang pemain bolasepak kita ni. Hari-hari main bola tapi bila lawan team luar, semua macam budak sekolah je levelnya. Penyokong kita pula pergile menyokong bermati-matian. Ye le. Hujan ke kabus ke, gerimis ke penyokong Malaysia akan pegi le ke stadium. Ada yang tak sempat makan malam lagi terus ke stadium. Yang lebih malang ada yang tak sempat sembahyang maghrib dah terpacak kat stadium. Lebih malang lagi bila kalah, disebabkan tension sangat balik terus tidur tak sembahyang Isyak.


Persoalan yang selalu timbul....SALAH SIAPA MALAYSIA DIBELASAH TERUK?? Untuk pemain Malaysia, tahniah kerana dah berjaya mencemarkan imej negara. Teruskan mengalahkan diri sendiri. Aku nasihatkan yang mana rasa dah hebat main kat Malaysia ni mintaklah gaji RM 100 ribu seminggu. Barulah setaraf dengan Ronaldo yang dibayar dalam Pound.


Akhir kata Selamat Dibelasah Lagi Pada Perlawanan-Perlawanan Akan Datang!!!


ADIOS

We're still in a very good position, insists Liverpool boss Benitez after Kop flop

We're still in a very good position, insists Liverpool boss Benitez after Kop flop

Defiant Rafa Benitez refused to concede the pressure is beginning to tell on Liverpool after they missed out on a return to the top of the Barclays Premier League at Anfield last night.
Leading through skipper Steven Gerrard, just four days before his court appearance on an assault charge, Liverpool blew their big opportunity as Everton's Tim Cahill headed a dramatic 87th-minute equaliser.

It allowed Manchester United to remain leaders on goal difference, but Benitez waved away suggestions his side are beginning to feel the heat after all the distractions of his outspoken attack on Old Trafford counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson

'If someone offered me this position at the start of the season, I would have accepted it. Level on points with Manchester United at the top and still in the Champions League is something to be positive about. United are not dropping points at the moment but, if they do, I will be pleased.
'People talk about pressure but conceding from a set-piece three minutes from the end has nothing to do with pressure.'

Benitez also defended his decision to substitute Fernando Torres just two minutes before Cahill scored, saying: 'He was really tired, so it was the sensible thing to do. 'We can't change what happened but we are in a very good position and have to be positive.'

Liverpool Sign Promising Young Talent

Liverpool Sign Promising Young Talent


Liverpool FC have confirmed that they have offered the first professional contract to skillful Swedish midfielder Alexander Kacanaklic.
The Reds have been impressed by the performance of Kacanaklic during the past year with the Liverpool Under-18 team.

"Kacaniklic was brought into the Academy in the summer of 2007 from Helsingborg and has performed well for the under-18 team this term," a statement on Liverpools official website read.

Kacanaklic has been offered a contract with the first team until the summer of 2010.

Agent: Arshavin Should Join Arsenal This Week

Agent: Arshavin Should Join Arsenal This Week

Russian International Andrei Arshavin’s agent Dennis Lachter has revealed that the playmaker should join Premier League club Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg this week, with a fee in the region of £15million enough to secure the signature of the EURO 2008 star.

27-year-old Arshavin had been on the verge of joining the Gunners local rivals Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but Spurs were unable to agree on a fee to bring the Russian to White Hart Lane, with Arshavin now looking destined to end up at the Emirates Stadium in this transfer window.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is eager to recruit Arshavin to the North London club, despite having an offer of £10million already turned down by Zenit, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis being invited to Russia by Zenit to finalise a deal to bring Arshavin to the Premiership.
Now Lachter has revealed that he expects the deal to go through next week, with Arshavin wanting to join the Gunners, Arsenal wanting the schemer at the Emirates and Zenit accepting that they have to sell.

“The deal should go through this week,” Lachter said.
“Andrei wants to go, Arsenal want him and Zenit accept they have to sell.
“It's just a matter of sorting out the sums but the indication is it'll happen soon, perhaps within days.”

Arshavin has been at Zenit since 2000 and has scored 71 goals, with 107 assists in his 312 appearances during his eight-years at the Petrovsky Stadium. Arshavin made his debut for Russia in 2002 and has scored 15 goals in 41 caps for the national side.

Main City Target Kaka Prefers Arsenal & Man United

Main City Target Kaka Prefers Arsenal & Man United

With Manchester City’s reported £107million offer for Brazilian International Kaka being considered by AC Milan, Kaka has revealed that Premier League Champions Manchester United along with Arsenal are the sides that play the football he admires in the Premiership.

The decision on whether Kaka leaves the San Siro for the Eastlands Stadium in a world record deal seem to rest with the former FIFA World Player of the Year, who is a firm favourite with the Rossoneri faithful and has always maintained that he will only leave the Serie A giants for footballing reasons and not money.

This leaves City boss Mark Hughes with the task of convincing Kaka that the ambitions of the Blues match his own, with the playmaker already settled at Milan, Kaka wants to be sure that City have more ambition behind them than just money and can become one of the top sides in Europe.

However, Kaka has conceded that he finds most of the football in England predictable, with the former Sao Paulo player identifying the Red Devils along with the Gunners as the two sides in England that play the expansive football suited to his style.
“Arsenal and Manchester United are different from the other English teams. They play a bit more and are more open,” Kaka told The Sun.

“They are different from the typical English teams who have a tall striker and hold on to the ball.
“That’s more typical of Liverpool and Chelsea, who are very tactical sides - more English.
“Man United and Arsenal are more agile. They let other teams play and they play, too.”

Whether Kaka joins City or not is said to hinge a lot on the views of his father and agent Bosco Leite, who has been a pivotal figure in guiding the Brazilian through his career, with Kaka revealing that he will also take advice from friends, coaches and players before deciding on joining the Hughes revolution in the Blue half of Manchester.

“He has helped me with all my professional decisions and has always given me good advice,” added Kaka.

“Obviously, my wife and my mum are always at my side, and there are friends, players and coaches.

“I listen to them all. If the advice is good, I take it on board. If it’s not, I put it to the side.”

Chelsea Planning World Record Bid For Barca Star?

Chelsea Planning World Record Bid For Barca Star?

Chelsea are understood to be considering making a world record bid for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, with Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari keen to lure the Spanish International away from the Nou Camp, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

24-year-old Iniesta has been identified by the Premier League club as the player to turn around, what has been a disappointing first season in charge at Stamford Bridge for former Portugal and Brazil coach Scolari. Chelsea are 2nd in the Premiership, but have performed poorly against other teams of the ‘big four’, which was highlighted in their 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea reportedly made an offer of £42million two-years ago to bring Iniesta to England and are now set to reignite their interest in the EURO 2008 winner in a bid to get their faltering season back on track.

Barca allowed Deco to leave the Blaugrana last summer for Chelsea, with Iniesta, who has been at Barca since 1996, proving a more than adequate replacement for the Portuguese International. Deco has struggled to regain his early season form at Stamford Bridge, which has led Scolari to Iniesta, with it remaining to be seen if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic will bankroll the purchase of Spaniard after refusing to go above a certain point with both Robinho and Dani Alves last summer.

Sport claims that Chelsea are preparing an offer for Iniesta, with it also understood that should Barcelona allow the midfielder to leave. They would expect a fee in excess of the £46million that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.

Chelsea Boss To Axe Drogba For Cup Replay

Chelsea Boss To Axe Drogba For Cup Replay

Chelsea ace Didier Drogba will not be travelling with the squad that faces Southend United in their FA Cup replay at Roots Hall.

Ivory Coast international Drogba, is the first in the Chelsea squad to receive any backlash from Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari after their below par performance against Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

According to Scolari, Drogba is not as vicious as he used to be in front of goal and has turned towards Nicolas Anelka to deliver the goods upfront.

"I have looked at many games with Anelka and I have looked at the last few games with Didier," said Scolari.
"I have my opinion and I will put my opinion on the pitch every game.
"All the players have had their chance. I have given every player at least five or six games to impress.
"Now we will start with one team against Southend United, and maybe I will start with the same team against Stoke City. But I need answers from the players. I will give them their chance and I need answers.

"If I have given players only one chance then maybe some of the players will complain that they have only had one opportunity.

"But when I have given four or five chances then there is no room for questions, it is my decision to play this or that player, and finish."

Spurs Force Man United’s Hand In Race For Palacios?

Spurs Force Man United’s Hand In Race For Palacios?

Manchester Utd are considering placing a £14 Million bid for the combative Wigan Athletic midfielder Wilson Palacios after Spurs had an initial £10m bid turned down, according to The Sun.
It is understood that the Reigning Premiership champions,were holding out for the Honduran International until the summer before firming up their interest. However, Tottenham Hotspur’s strong interest in Palacios and resultant bid for the player may end up forcing Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s hand.

Indeed United had been linked with both Palacios and fellow team mate Antonio Valencia during the latter stages of last season when ex united assistant boss Carlos Queiroz was spotted at the Latics games scouting.

However, interest cooled with both the club and players insisting that they would stay put until the end of the 2008-2009 season.Wigan chairmen David Whelan confirmed a bid had been rejected from Spurs and that a valuation of Palacios had been quoted to their Premier League rivals, who are expected to return with an improved bid.
It is expected that Palacios will fetch a transfer fee of around £14million, with the midfielder doing his cause no harm at Old Trafford during their 1-0 defeat in a re-arranged Premiership game with an excellent performance.

Latics boss Steve Bruce confirmed after the game that should a suitable offer arrive, the club will not stand in the player’s way, with him being tipped to become “as good a midfielder as there is in a couple of years.”

Liverpool Chasing Spanish International?

Liverpool Chasing Spanish International?


Liverpool are considering making a €7million bid for defender Fernando Navarro at La Liga club Sevilla, with Reds manager Rafa Benitez keen to add the Spanish International to his squad at Anfield, according to reports on Spanish radio.

The Premier League club are already believed to be talking to the Rojiblancos, with Sevilla reportedly interested in Liverpool duo Jermaine Pennant and Xabi Alonso. While Pennant could be used in some form of swap deal it is unlikely that Alonso will leave the Premiership club this month, despite being heavily tipped to leave Anfield last summer, Alonso has been a pivotal figure in Liverpool’s table-topping season to date.

However, Pennant is understood to have already turned down a move to Spain with Real Madrid and has stated recently that he intends to stay at Liverpool and fight for his place, with Serie A giants AC Milan also said to be interested in the winger.

If Pennant were to refuse to be part of any swap deal for Navarro then Benitez would have to raise funds from elsewhere in his squad to buy the former Barcelona player, with it well documented that Liverpool will have to sell before they can buy in this transfer window.

26-year-old Navarro has only been at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since joining from rivals Real Mallorca last summer for a fee in the region of €5million, with the left-back winning his first cap for Spain last year and was part of the triumphant Spanish EURO 2008 squad.

Spurs, Arsenal & City To Wait For Veloso?

Spurs, Arsenal & City To Wait For Veloso?

Portuguese International Veloso has been at the centre of intense media speculation linking him with a move away from Sporting Lisbon to a host of Premiership clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and big spenders Manchester City.
European and Premiership champions Manchester United had been strongly linked with 22-year-old Veloso throughout the course of last season and have already signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from the Portuguese club in recent years.

Veloso had been expected to move away from the José Alvalade stadium after EURO 2008, with AC Milan and Fiorentina along with the interest from the Premier League, linked to the midfielder.

However, a Sporting spokesman told SkySports.com that any club seeking to enter negotiations would be futile in doing so. Veloso is rumoured to have an agreement in place to remain at the Portuguese giants until the summer.

Veloso has been at Sporting since 2000, coming through the youth ranks to make his senior debut for the Leoes in 2006 and his International debut for Portugal in 2007. Despite reports of a bust-up with coach Paulo Bento, Veloso looks destined to remain with Sporting until the summer at least, with there sure to be no shortage of suitors at the end of the season.

Wenger: Arsenal Close To Arshavin Signing

Wenger: Arsenal Close To Arshavin Signing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still confident that Russian International Andrei Arshavin will sign for the Premier League club this month from Zenit St Petersburg, having already had a £10million offer for the playmaker turned down by the Russian side.

27-year-old Arshavin has been heavily tipped for a move to the Emirates Stadium from Zenit, with the EURO 2008 star declaring recently that he would like to wear the No10 shirt at the North London club, which is currently occupied by William Gallas.

Wenger is expected to ask the Arsenal board to make an improved offer for Arshavin this week as he looks to fill the void in the Arsenal midfield left by injured captain Cesc Fabregas. Zenit are understood to want in the region of £20million for Arshavin, with the Gunners chief conceding that although a deal is far from finalised he is hopeful of completing the capture of the Russian schemer before the transfer window closes.

“We are not close to signing anybody, but we know what we want to do,” said Wenger.
“We are not close to making a signing today, so we have no new news. We are in negotiations but we want to respect our principles.

“I am very hopeful. Days? Yes, because the transfer window will close and we have already crossed halfway. It will be days. But, if it doesn't happen then it doesn't happen.
“We want to continue to improve and focus on what we can improve here with the players we have.”

United set for Asia summer tour

United set for Asia summer tour

Manchester United will break new ground this summer when they visit Indonesia as part of their four-match Asia tour.

Although the Red Devils have visited the continent six times previously since 1995 and won the Club World Cup in Tokyo last month, they have never been to Indonesia, a country with a large United fanbase in a population of 200million.
The match in Jakarta against the Indonesia Super League Select will be played on July 24 and forms the third leg of a four-leg trip that begins in China on July 18 and heads to Seoul before the long flight south.

UNITED WILL CONCLUDE THEIR TOUR AGAINST A MALAYSIA XI IN KUALA LUMPUR ON JULY 26.

That match makes up for the abandonment of a planned trip two years ago as part of Malaysia's 50th anniversary celebrations.
The trip had to be scrapped after objections from the Asian Football Confederation as United's game would have coincided with the Asian Cup that was being played in the region at the same time.

Arshavin: I Want To Be The Arsenal No10

Arshavin: I Want To Be The Arsenal No10

Russian International Andrei Arshavin has revealed that he hopes his transfer to Premier League club Arsenal goes through after Zenit St Petersburg rejected a £10million bid from the Gunners recently for the playmaker.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to ask the board at the North London club to make an improved bid of around £12million for Arshavin as he looks to replace his injured captain Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium.

Premiership rivals Manchester City are on standby to make a move for 27-year-old Arshavin, should Arsenal not be able to agree a fee with Zenit for the Russian schemer. It is believed that any new offer by the Gunners could include add-ons to top it up to nearer the £20million valuation of Arshavin by the Russian side.

However, Arshavin seems to have set his sights on a move to the Gunners and has revealed that he would like to wear the No10 shirt at the Emirates, which is currently occupied by William Gallas, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal this month.

Arshavin told the Daily Telegraph: “I would prefer my present No.10, but in the team where I hope to move it's not vacant. So I'm ready for any number they are going to offer me."
“In some games last season, we [Zenit] played football which was very similar to that of Arsenal.”

Ronaldo Agrees €115million Real Deal?

Ronaldo Agrees €115million Real Deal?

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has made an agreement to join Real Madrid next summer with Los Merengues president Ramon Calderon, according to guillembalague.com.
23-year-old Ronaldo, who has just been crowned FIFA World Player of the Year had been heavily tipped to leave Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in the summer. After a drawn out saga of ‘will he, wont he’ leave the Premier League Champions last summer for the La Liga giants.
Although no deal has been made with United, who are adamant that Ronaldo will stay in the Premiership. It is claimed that Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have come to an agreement for the Portuguese International to leave England for Spain at the end of the season.
Calderon is understood to have sanctioned the structure of the move, according to the Spanish website, which will smash the previous world record transfer of Zinedine Zidane to Real from Juventus in 2001 for £46million.

Real are believed to have set aside €85million for the transfer itself as well as an additional fund of €30million to cover any add-ons, signing fees and clauses, which could take the total cost in luring Ronaldo to the La Liga side to as much as €115million. Ronaldo is said to be in line for €12million a year, while his agent Mendes stands to pocket a cool €8million from the deal.
Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, will find it hard to resist any such offer for Ronaldo, but if the winger has indeed agreed in principle to end his time at Old Trafford and leave for Real Madrid. Then Ferguson has already shown in the past by allowing Jaap Stam and David Beckham to leave United that no player is bigger than the club.

Spurs Chasing Czech Striker - Agent

Spurs Chasing Czech Striker - Agent


Roman Bednar could be leaving West Bromwich Albion this month, with Tottenham Hotspur along with other Premier League clubs interested in the Czech striker, according to his agent, Pavel Zika.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is understood to still want another forward at White Hart Lane, despite securing the return to Tottenham of England International Jermaine Defoe from Portsmouth last week and has now set his sights on Bednar.
Zika has confirmed the interest from Spurs, but wouldn’t be drawn as to which other clubs in the Premiership were keen on Bednar, who has 1 cap for the Czech Republic.
“We know of the Tottenham interest, of course, but there are also other Premier League clubs who want Roman,” Zika told iDnes.cz
“I cannot be more specific now.
“In terms of scoring, Bednar has joined players like (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Frank) Lampard or (Steven) Gerrard, who have scored only a few more goals than him.
“And, as there is always interest in skilful scorers, Bednar's move from West Brom during this transfer window is not ruled out.”
25-year-old Bednar joined the Baggies from SPL side Hearts for £2.3million last summer after spending the previous season on loan at the Hawthorns and was a pivotal figure in the Midlands club winning the Championship last season, scoring 13 goals for West Brom.

Arsenal Turn Towards Boca Juniors Star Sebastian Battaglia After Deal For Zenit's Arshavin Flounders

Arsenal Turn Towards Boca Juniors Star Sebastian Battaglia After Deal For Zenit's Arshavin Flounders

Arsenal are now hoping to seal a deal with Boca Juniors for their highly-rated midfielder Sebastian Battaglia during the January transfer window, as the much debated move for Russian ace Andrei Arshavin now looks to be in serious doubt.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to bring in some new faces to his midfield, especially after the injury to Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas which has ruled him out for some time, and was hoping that Arshavin would be the perfect replacement.

However, with his club Zenit St Petersburg determined to fetch no less that £20million from the transfer, Arsenal have now started looking elsewhere.
Argentinean international Battaglia is a highly-rated player in Argentina. However his below par performances during the 2004/05 season with Spanish side Villarreal put a serious dent in his prospects.

However, the Gunners boos is said to be following the progress of the 28-year old, who is also said to have attracted interest from Italy.
The transfer of the Argentine could cost Wenger around £4million, which may prove to be too high a price-tag for the Gunners boss to agree to.

Record MU paling menarik untuk ditatap!!

Khas untuk Khairul:

Lowest ebb: Relegated to the old Division Two in 1974 . To make matters worse, former hero Denis Law scored against them - with a back-heel - for Manchester City on the day their fate was sealed


Kaung...kuang..kuang!!!!

Benzema may be off to England if Lyon fail to get past Barcelona

Benzema may be off to England if Lyon fail to get past Barcelona


Challenging words: Benzema (right) is desperate for Lyon to make an impact in Europe
Manchester United and Chelsea target Karim Benzema says his future at Lyon may be entirely dependent on their success in this season's Champions League.
The 21-year-old France striker has a contract with the reigning seven-time French champions until 2013, but there is speculation he will leave either at the end of this season or in the summer of 2010.
Benzema insists he is happy at Lyon but wants to see the club make the step up on the European stage after years of under-achievement in the Champions League.
In this season's competition, Lyon take on Barcelona - one of the tournament favourites - in the last 16 and a defeat to the Spaniards over the two legs could make Benzema reconsider his future.

"I have reflected a bit on this subject during the winter break," he told French newspaper 10 Sport. "I'd like to keep my opinion to myself before speaking about it to my family and my agent. But yes, we will have to see what happens after Barcelona.

"We have to stop all this talk about Lyon (under-achieving) and to do that, we need to get past the quarter-finals. I love this club. I want to stay. But I would also really like it if we stopped getting knocked out in the last 16."
When asked if he was going to be at Lyon next season, Benzema added: "Honestly, I don't know. We will see. For the moment, I am finishing the season here.

"I feel good at Lyon and I get on very well with president (Jean-Michel) Aulas and I have spoken to him about certain things, like about staying until 2010. But we have to have special aims in the Champions League."

At the start of the season, Aulas slapped a price tag of 100 million euros on Benzema, who has scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 this campaign.

Benzema said last month it was an ambition of his to play for Real Madrid but he was last weekend linked with a move to Manchester United.

Watch out, Rafa: He’s ‘disturbed’ says cock-a-hoop Man United boss Ferguson

Watch out, Rafa: He’s ‘disturbed’ says cock-a-hoop Man United boss Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson described title rival Rafael Benitez as 'disturbed' and 'ridiculous' after seeing his Manchester United team close the gap at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 3-0 dismantling of Chelsea.

Goals from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov gave United a deserved victory yesterday over a disjointed and dispirited Chelsea side.
If United beat Wigan at home on Wednesday and then win at Bolton on Saturday, they will leapfrog Liverpool and go top of the table for the first time this season.

Flying high: Jonny Evans (left) joins scorer Nemanja Vidic in celebration
Benitez's team play Merseyside rivals Everton a week tonight. Afterwards, Ferguson took the opportunity to respond to Friday's remarkable attack from Benitez, who had suggested that his rival considered himself above the law.

Ferguson said: 'I think you have to cut through the venom of what he said - and there was a lot of venom there - and hopefully he will reflect and understand that what he was saying was ridiculous.

'There was an angry man there. He is disturbed for some reason or another.' Benitez suggested on Friday that he was presenting 'facts' against Ferguson when he suggested that the United manager was allowed to get away with repeated verbal attacks on referees.

But Ferguson added: 'They are not facts. But I am not going into it. We should concentrate on chasing the leaders, who are Liverpool. We have games in hand and we must use them.'
With United now within a point of Chelsea and five behind Liverpool - with two games in hand on both - Ferguson said: 'We have some tough games coming up as Wigan are in great form and Bolton is always a tough place to go but I said January was going to be an important month and it is looking that way now.

'We have all the main teams to play at home now and we need to win those games. There are some hard games to come and it will be a big test for us.'
Referring to the victory over Chelsea, Ferguson went on: 'These games are normally so tight and it is usually hard to pick a winner. But the first goal made a difference and Chelsea had to chase it after that.
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Well done: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson applauds his side's win
'Chelsea had a lot of good possession but they did not really get a clear chance. We defended the 18-yard line very well. We had some very good chances and Petr Cech made three very good saves.'

Chelsea were left to rue a game that slipped away from them once Vidic scored from a corner in added time at the end of the first half. United went on to dominate after the break as Chelsea failed to respond to the challenge.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari was downbeat afterwards and warned his players that they must decide whether they want to mount a serious title challenge or accept failure.
Scolari said: 'This could do very big damage to us. We were thinking about winning this game. Now we need to think about the result and think about what has happened with some players.
'We need to change some things in the future. If we play like this three or four more times then, sure, we will not win it. But now, for me and the players, it's time to think about the future.
'We either lose everything or we are men and we improve. That's the only way. Maybe I am not the man for this and maybe the players are not the men for this.'

While Ferguson can claim to have pulled off a tactical coup by fielding Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher in the centre of midfield, Scolari was left asking himself why he chose Didier Drogba up front ahead of the Barclays Premier League's top scorer Nicolas Anelka.

The Chelsea coach also has to work out how to change a run of games that has seen his team take just one point from four matches against United, Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
One drawback for United was the late withdrawal of defender Rio Ferdinand, who trained all week but woke yesterday with a back spasm. Ferguson said: 'It's a big problem for us. This has been going on for a while now. We'll send him to a specialist for a scan.'

Arsenal To Make Improved Offer For Arshavin As Wenger Sees Signing As Key To Keeping Fabregas?

Arsenal To Make Improved Offer For Arshavin As Wenger Sees Signing As Key To Keeping Fabregas?


Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer for playmaker Andrei Arshavin at Russian club Zenit St Petersburg after Zenit confirmed that they have already turned down a £10million offer by the Gunners to bring the EURO 2008 star to the Emirates Stadium.

A Zenit spokesman has confirmed the bid by Arsenal and and also revealed that the North London club are the only team to have made an official approach for the Russian International. Despite recent reports that Premiership rivals Manchester City are hoping to hijack the deal.
Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov said: “I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin. It was rejected as insufficient.

“They offered about £10 million. No new offers have arrived from them since. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player.”
Gunners, manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to land a playmaker to the Premier League club this month due to the injury to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and is ready to go cap in hand to the Arsenal board in order to make an improved £12million offer for Arshavin this week.
Wenger reportedly sees the signing of 27-year-old Arshavin as the key to keeping hold of Fabregas at the Premier League club, who is understood to be the main transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona in the summer.

Arshavin had been on the verge of joining Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but a fee couldn’t be agreed, with the Russian side understood to have wanted in excess of £20million to allow the schemer to leave for White Hart Lane.

The present financial climate has taken its toll on transfer fees, with Zenit now willing to compromise on the price for their talisman. However, it remains to be seen if £12million will be enough to lure Arshavin to Arsenal, with Zenit understood to still want in the region of £15million for the versatile player

Arsenal Chasing Argentine International?

Arsenal Chasing Argentine International?


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to step up his efforts to sign Sebastian Battaglia from Argentine Champions Boca Juniors, with an offer for defensive midfielder being mooted, according to The News of the World.

28-year-old Battaglia has been at Boca for the best part of his playing career apart from a disappointing spell at La Liga club Villarreal, who he played for between 2004/2005. The Argentine International came through the youth ranks at the South American side and is the most decorated player in Los Xeneizes history, with 17 professional titles.

Wenger has been keen to add a ball winner to the midfield at the Emirates Stadium after the departure of Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan last summer. The need is now greater at the Premier League club due to the injury to Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas, who is out for the next three-months with knee ligament damage, which has made the Frenchman turn his attention to the highly-rated Argentine.

Battaglia is valued in the region of £4million by Boca, with it remaining to be seen if the Argentine side are willing to let the midfielder leave the Estadio Alberto J Armando for the Premiership.

The Argentine has played nearly 200 league games for Boca during his two spells at the club and was a pivotal figure in the Argentines winning the Apertura in a three-way play-off recently. Battaglia has 8 caps for Argentina and was recently voted Boca’s best player in a poll.

Arsenal dan MU mencatat kemenangan bergaya, Liverpool Seri Lagi

Arsenal mengalah Bolton 1 gol berbalas kosong. Dalam perlawanan "One Sided" tersebut, Bolton menggunakan strategi "Old British" (ala-ala Chelsea zaman Mourinho). Dengan 6 perlawanan tanpa kalah berturut-turut, Arsenal dilihat masih berpeluang mencipta kejutan.

Liverpool yang diwar-warkan pasukan favourite menjadi juara EPL kali pertama bagi mereka semenjak EPL diperkenalkan, nampaknya terpaksa akur dengan kehebatan Stoke. Peminat-peminat Liverpool yang seakan terlalu over confident nampaknya lesu longlai. Panggilan serta sms telefon ketua penyokong Liverpool iaitu saudara Amrey tidak berbalas sehingga kini walaupun dilaporkan sebelum bermulanya perlawanan tersebut beliau telah menghantar 3 sms kepada saudara Zahir yang berbaur "ancaman bolasepak". Footballbola belum lagi mendapat sebarang komen daripadanya memandangkan ini merupakan kali kedua Liverpool seri dengan Stoke City.


Manakala malam tadi, Footballbola telah menghantar wakilnya untuk bersama-sama penyokong MU dan Chelsea. Penyokong MU yang diketuai oleh ketua penyokongnya saudara Khairul dan assistantnya saudara Sidi kelihatan berpeluh-peluh sewaktu perlawanan dilaksanakan. Begitupun tidak seorangpun penyokong Chelsea yang berani tampil untuk melihat pasukan kegemaran mereka di MAMAK Bukit Mahkota. Dengan berbekalkan roti canai 2 biji, kuah banjir Khairul dilihat lebih bertenaga dari awal sehingga penyudah. Sidi pula seringkali meminta pengadil memberikan penalti kepada MU walaupun tiada foul yang dilakukan oleh Chelsea.


Kami juga terasa ingin menghubungi pemain yang tidak hebat serta penyokong Ryn Gigs iaitu Chef Azmir yang baru pulang dari Mekah, namun dinasihatkan oleh Khairul agar tidak diganggu memandangkan sudah berbulan-bulan beliau tidak tidur di rumah.


Apapun, perlawanan semakin mendebarkan. Chelsea pula dikhabarkan menghadapi masalah dalaman yang mana gaji setiap pemainnya terpaksa dipotong separuh. Footballbola meramalkan tahun hadapan Chelsea bakal menjadi kelab yang miskin memandangkan Roman sudah tiada wang yang banyak lagi. Hasilnya, ramai pemain-pemain Chelsea yang akan berhijrah.


Semoga perlawanan-perlawanan akan datang tidak akan membosankan seperti perlawanan MU dan Chelsea.

Arigatooo!!

Football: Derby beat world champions United in League Cup

Football: Derby beat world champions United in League Cup
Wed 07 Jan, 10:11 PM

DERBY, England (AFP) - Championship strugglers Derby County, with new manager Nigel Clough watching from the directors' box, beat Manchester United 1-0 in the semi-final, first leg of the League Cup here on Wednesday.
Kris Commons 30th minute left foot shot past United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was enough to claim victory against the World, European and Premiership champions in Derby's first major semi-final since 1976.


It ended the Red Devils' 14-match unbeaten streak dating back to November 8 when Arsenal beat them 2-1 at the Emirates stadium.
Clough chose not to walk on the pitch and acknowledge supporters at Pride Park before kick off. A publicist he is not, but he surely played a part in creating what he hopes to be the second Clough dynasty at Derby County after his new team embarrassed the might of Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson has more than a grudging regard for Derby County's new manager and stated as much when the pair clashed in the FA Cup just over two years ago when Clough was manager of non-league Burton Albion. Little did he know they would turn out to be so prophetic.
The presence of Paul Jewell's permanent successor in the directors box had the predictable effect on the team languishing in 18th place in the Championship, but even he could not have envisaged the fact that he will renew combat in two weeks time with a first leg lead, thanks to Commons.

Only eight months ago, Derby were relegated from the Premier League with a miserable 11 points.

Despite bravado from Derby players, claiming they wanted to test themselves against the best United had to offer, prior to locking horns with the World club Champions, the sight of a United side with containing only two genuine regulars in Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic and the vastly experienced Paul Scholes, further energised the hosts and they can be assured to face a far more menacing line-up for the second leg.

Clough will not meet his squad of players until Thursday but he "popped" his head around the door of the home dressing room to wish them well and he clearly has a touch of his father's magic and sense of occasion.

Without the calming influence of Rio Ferdinand, Vidic and Tomasz Kuszczak were subjected to early moments of discomfort as United were unable to find any of their customary rhythm and it was hardly against the run of play when Derby deservedly broke the deadlock.
Reaching the semi-final stage cost Commons almost 1,000 pounds in purchasing tickets for his friends, but the fulminating 25-yard shot he guided beyond United's Polish keeper after 30 minutes was pure gold dust for David Lowe, elevated from youth team coach to temporary Derby manager for the evening.

United were so unconvincing that Ferguson's plans to rest all his key players ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with title rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge had to be abandoned after an hour.

They had barely registered a shot against their former 'keeper Roy Carroll's goal when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were introduced to cure the lethargy that gripped the overwhelming favourites.

What his dad Brian, who died in 2004 from stomach cancer, would have made of it all was a question Clough was expecting: "I haven't got the foggiest to be honest. He might have said don't be so stupid, but I hope it would have been a positive response. I just wish he was still around to give me some advice."