Archive for April, 2009

Werder Bremen v Hamburg – live!

Uefa Cup: The second semi-final is an all-German affair. Follow the action with our popup match centre

James Richardson’s European newspaper review

Join James for a look at who made the Champions League headlines across Europe

Poll: Should Manuel Almunia play for England?

Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper could become a British citizen before the 2010 World Cup. After his heroics on Wednesday, should Fabio Capello call him up?

Bruce forced to pick Zaki against his will

• Wigan manager ‘upset and disappointed’ by on-loan striker
• Zaki’s head turned by interest from top European clubs

The Wigan manager Steve Bruce says he has been forced to pick his on-loan striker Amr Zaki because resources are too thin on the ground at the JJB Stadium for him to find a replacement.

The Egypt international angered Bruce when he repeatedly returned late from international duty, leading to his manager questioning his professionalism.

“We haven’t got umpteen forwards and I know what I would like to do with his behaviour, but it has not been possible so he is in the squad,” said Bruce. “Our relationship is OK. The one thing I don’t do in management is bear a grudge.

“But I am upset and disappointed with his behaviour and what happened because it does have a big effect on the dressing room.”

Bruce believes speculation that he was being tracked by Europe’s elite clubs distracted Zaki, who scored 10 goals in 16 league matches after his arrival from El Zamalek last summer. He has not been on the scoresheet yet this year.

“At the end of the day he has not scored in open play since October, when he scored twice against Liverpool,” added Bruce. “Then he is supposed to be going to every club in Europe – Real Madrid at one stage – and I think the whole thing turned into a circus and it affected him.

“He has not been the same since. If he had kept his head down, kept working away and been the player he was at the start of the year, rather than being what he was at the moment, then everything would be hunky-dory.

“I can’t leave him out of the squad because we haven’t got enough players.”

Zaki’s loan period expires at the end of the season and it seems unlikely Wigan will move to make his stay permanent, with Bruce admitting that the possibility had not been raised with the player.

“It hasn’t been brought up at all. That would be disrespectful to El Zamalek, the club that does own him,” he said “We have a month of the season to go and we’ll see what happens.”

Zaki may have to settle for a place on the bench again at home to Bolton on Saturday as compatriot Mido, on loan from Middlesbrough, is making good progress with a shoulder problem.

Bruce has given his backing to another struggling striker, Hugo Rodallega. The Colombia international was bought from Mexican club Necaxa in January after the departure of Emile Heskey but has toiled in getting to grips with the Premier League. He has not scored in 10 appearances but Bruce knows new players need time to adapt.

“He needs a goal but players take time to settle, especially from South America,” Bruce added. “He has definitely got good ability. Once he has had a good pre-season under his belt I’m sure he will be OK.”

Barça experience the Blues

Sean Ingle, Barry Glendenning and John Ashdown join James for more top pod action.

Barcelona and the Spanish press are incensed by Chelsea’s physical approach in the Champions League encounter, but could this be because La Liga is too lightweight? Sid Lowe is on the blower from Madrid with the answers.

United have a narrow lead over Arsenal in the other semi and the team discuss the likelihood of the Gunners being able to keep a clean sheet in the second leg and being able to find any magic in Arshavin’s absence.

It’s the final round of matches in the Football League and the Championship promotion chances of Reading, Birmingham and Sheffield Utd are assessed, while Neil Warnock and Norwich City are also on the agenda.

There’s also Celtic and Rangers joining the Premier League (again), competitive Kiwis and a competition to finish off one of Sean’s analogies.

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