Posts Tagged ‘England International’

City do United a favour

Ferdinand must step up or face losing his place, says Ferguson

• ‘He’s not had many sticky spells but he will get through it’
• Ferguson to recall goalkeeper Van der Sar in place of Foster

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Rio Ferdinand that he needs to “step up” or run the risk of losing his place for both Manchester United and England. Ferguson is concerned about Ferdinand’s “uncharacteristic errors” this season and his recurrent fitness problems, admitting that the England international was going through the most difficult period of his seven years at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand was dropped from United’s last home game against Sunderland, with Ferguson admitting that he is finding it increasingly difficult to leave out Jonny Evans. Now three weeks from his 31st birthday, Ferdinand has also been troubled by back and groin injuries, playing in only 20 of the last 42 games for his club and national team, and only four internationals in the last year.

“I don’t think he’s had any spell like this since he joined the club, that’s for sure. So it’s an unusual experience for him,” Ferguson said. “I’m sure he’s taken it on board, the criticism he’s had, and with his ability and experience he should be coping with that type of thing. We all go through little phases where we need to correct our game or take a step up and I’m sure he’ll do that. I think all players worry about their form and if they’re making mistakes and getting criticism they have to [worry]. They wouldn’t be human if they didn’t.”

Ferguson was asked whether he considered it to be over the top that Ferdinand’s place at the World Cup next summer had come into question but the United manager accepted it was a legitimate issue. “Well, he has to get good form. That’s an important issue for the coach [Fabio Capello] because I think probably in defence you [England] have more options than any other position. So he will need to get his form right.”

Capello has spoken to Ferdinand about the improvements he expects and Ferguson added: “I don’t know if it’s overconfidence. I think there’s always been a casual part in Rio’s game ever since he was a kid. It’s been an advantage to him at times. At other times, though, particularly in his younger days, it was a weakness but in his time with us his development and maturity has brought about some outstanding form, consistently, for quite a long time.

“Maybe the point made about missing games [is right]. It takes a little bit away from you but that is the challenge now. He’s played his two games for England [against Ukraine and Belarus] now and if he gets into a run of games I’m sure the rhythm will come back. Games will definitely help, there’s no question about that. He’s not had many [sticky spells]. But he will get through it, I’m sure of that.

Ferdinand is expected to return to the team when United take on Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford today but Wayne Rooney will be missing because of the calf injury he suffered while on international duty. “We are trying to get him fit for Wednesday [the Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow] but I have my doubts,” Ferguson reported. “He should be fit for Liverpool next weekend and we won’t take any chances in Moscow.”

The Bolton game will also see a fit-again Edwin van der Sar making his first appearance of the season, with Ferguson suggesting it is “not a bad thing” for Ben Foster to be taken out of the spotlight after his erratic performances deputising for the Dutchman.

“I still think he is the best English goalkeeper around. But Edwin has the experience. He and [Peter] Schmeichel have been the two best goalkeepers in the history of this club. I’m sure now Edwin is back that will give the players in front confidence about who’s behind them.”

Ferguson has submitted his explanation to the Football Association for his criticisms of the referee Alan Wiley after United’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland a fortnight ago. An announcement is expected next week about whether he will face a disciplinary charge and Ferguson refused to discuss the matter.

Tranmere sack Barnes and McAteer

• Barnes had won just two of his first 11 league games
• Team have conceded a division-high 26 goals so far

John Barnes’s disastrous tenure at Tranmere Rovers ended today when the former England international and his assistant, Jason McAteer, were sacked with the club languishing 22nd in League One. The club’s physiotherapist, Les Parry, has been placed in temporary charge.

Barnes and McAteer arrived amid much fanfare at Prenton Park on 15 June but their reign has proved a calamity. Tranmere have lost eight of 11 league games, winning just twice, under the former Liverpool duo and exited the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at League Two Bury on Tuesday when, despite Tranmere leading 1-0 at half-time, the majority of an estimated 400 travelling support chanted for the manager’s removal. Last weekend brought Rovers’ heaviest defeat since 2004, a 5-0 reverse at Millwall, who were the division’s lowest goalscorers before kick-off but were 4-0 up inside 27 minutes.

Barnes had just finished a press conference for Tranmere’s next match when the club announced that his and McAteer’s contracts had been terminated. The chairman, Peter Johnson, confirmed: “Unfortunately results have not gone our way this season and we are at the wrong end of the table. We must now focus on finding the best possible candidate to help us climb the division. I urge all supporters to get behind Les, Shaun [Garnett, reserve team manager] and the team on Monday night when we play at home to Stockport County.”

The decision represents a major setback to the former Celtic and Jamaica coach who, at his unveiling in June, insisted racial prejudice was a factor in his nine-year wait for a managerial role in Britain. His departure reflects badly on Johnson, who sacked the popular Ronnie Moore as manager last season despite Tranmere just missing out on the play-offs. The chairman cited falling attendances as the reason for Moore’s exit but is now confronted by the threat of relegation to League Two.

Wycombe, one place below Tranmere in the table, also parted company with their manager today when Peter Taylor left by mutual consent. The former England Under-21s coach won promotion from League Two last season but has paid for a dreadful start to this campaign.

Given slates Villa fans for baiting Barry

• Manchester City midfielder ‘deserved more respect’
• ‘Gareth deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done’

Shay Given has criticised the Aston Villa supporters who booed and taunted Gareth Barry on his return to his former club with Manchester City. Barry, who made 441 appearances for Villa over the course of 12 years before joining City in the summer, was heckled throughout Monday night’s 1-1 draw and also subjected to abusive chants, prompting Given to claim that the England international deserved more respect.

The City goalkeeper, who also suggested that opposition fans are “jealous” of the money that the club’s Abu Dhabi owners have made available to Mark Hughes, said that the Villa supporters were guilty of overlooking the contribution that Barry made during his time in the Midlands. He also pointed out that Barry, who appeared to be affected by the hostile reception that he received, had swapped Villa for City to “further his career” and pursue success.

“Gareth deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done at Villa,” Given said. “Getting booed was a bit harsh. He had been here for so many years and given them so much service and got the club £12m when they hardly paid a penny for him. I felt he deserved more than that. Gareth has come to us and is hoping to further his career and hopefully to win trophies and fans should respect that and move on.

“He was prepared for it [the reaction],” he added. “I think there will be fans who appreciate what he’s done but the majority were the opposite. There will be sections of supporters up and down the country who are a little bit jealous of Man City and the new owners and what they can bring to the club. But they should respect Gareth.”

While Barry was forced to endure an uncomfortable 90 minutes, Richard Dunne, who moved in the opposite direction in the summer, enjoyed a much happier evening. The Republic of Ireland international was named man of the match and enhanced his status among City supporters by choosing not to celebrate his opening goal.

“You could hear the Man City fans calling his name and thanking him for the great years of service that he gave them,” added Given. “I don’t think there are too many fans who would have a bad word to say about him. He was man of the match and rightly so. He got the header but he was fantastic at the other end of the pitch too.”

Walcott in race to impress Capello

• Arsenal forward returns to Arsenal squad on Sunday
• England manager will watch match against Blackburn

Theo Walcott will hope to impress the attendant England manager, Fabio Capello, on Sunday when he makes his long-awaited return to the Arsenal squad against Blackburn in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old winger has not played in a competitive fixture since his appearance for the England Under-21s in the European Championship final defeat against Germany in Malmo on 29 June.

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, granted him extended summer leave until 27 July because of his international exertions but, when he finally played in pre-season, for 45 minutes against Valencia on 8 August in the club’s final friendly, he over-stretched and pulled fibres in his lower back.

Walcott has endured a frustrating period, which was compounded when he suffered a reaction on his comeback to training two weeks ago. It meant Wenger could not consider him for the Premier League victory over Wigan Athletic on the Saturday before last.

But Walcott made a more successful return to full training last week and on Tuesday, before the Arsenal first team took on Olympiakos in the Champions League, he came through 60 minutes of a training-ground friendly against the Greek club’s under-20s.

Capello names his England squad on Sunday evening for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying ties against Ukraine and Belarus and it has been confirmed he will attend the Arsenal-Blackburn game, which kicks off at 1.30pm, before he crosses the capital to take in the 4pm match at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Liverpool.

The motivation for Capello to watch the game at the Emirates Stadium is surely Walcott, as he is Arsenal’s only England international and Rovers have no one in serious contention for the England squad. But Walcott, who is expected to start on the substitutes’ bench, knows that after next to no pre-season, he must play catch-up on his fitness.

“I think I might need five or six games to get back into it, to get my match fitness,” he said. “Perhaps I’m not fit enough to start yet but after four or five games I hope to be back to my best. I’m ready to go again.”

Wenger will also welcome back Nicklas Bendtner, with the striker fully recovered from his recent car crash, but another striker, Eduardo da Silva, aggravated his persistent thigh muscle problem against Olympiakos and will be unavailable. Manuel Almunia, the goalkeeper, is unlikely to return because of his chest infection.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have heard the influential Barcelona midfielder Xavi say that he would like to play alongside Cesc Fábregas at Camp Nou. Fábregas, the Arsenal captain and former Barcelona junior, has been linked to the Catalan club with wearying regularity.

“Cesc is a football player with Barça DNA and he is showing at Arsenal that heis on another level,” Xavi said. “I would love him to sign so that we could play together. Clearly a lot of his career is ahead of him and I think, in the future, that will be at Barça.”