Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor has signed a new short-term contract with Alex McLeish's side.
The 27-year-old Scotland international, who has endured an injury-ravaged recent spell with the club, has penned a six-month contract with the option of a further six months.
O'Connor endured double hip operations last season that forced the former Hibernian star to miss most of the campaign.
McLeish said:"Garry's had a chronic groin and hip injury and it probably goes back to his Hibs days and the days he spent in Russia when he played on a synthetic surface. Having two hip injuries simultaneously wasn't easy for him.
"If you imagine him fully-fit without those problems then that's what we've got to see – what Garry can produce without these hiccups. Successful operation and barring major breakdown there's no reason why he can't go on to have a successful career."
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O'Connor has found the net 11 times in 26 starts and 30 substitute appearances for the Blues since arriving at the club from Lokomotiv Moscow three years ago.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Staying up late most nights this week to watch my beloved Manchester United take on various ‘soccer’teams from the US -and Celtic- hasn’t been the most exciting of times if I’m perfectly honest. While the game against Celtic was entertaining the subsequent ones against Philadelphia Union and those other footballing titans Kansas City Wizards have been fairly dull and raised a few questions that a week ago I neither felt the need nor the inclination to address.
With Dimitar Berbatov producing the sort of performance everyone knows he’s more than capable of against Celtic, there were already murmurs of whether Sir Alex Ferguson may start him next season in a return to the old 4-4-2 formation that was once United perennial modus operandi. Then there was the game against Philadelphia Union, where despite playing well below-par United still managed to triumph- if you can call a friendly win in the US a ‘triumph’- mainly due to the poor quality of the opposition. Sunday night’s game against the Wizards of Kansas City was even more dissapointing than the one against Philadelphia as United succumbed to a side that had only ten men for half of the game. Of course this wasn’t a full-strength United side, mind you unless Wayne Rooney is on the pitch it never is, this was a team made up of reserves and youngsters. However despite this, a few questions have already been raised by certain sections of the press, in this game and the previous two.
Chris Smalling’s penchant for costly errors, which seemed to afflict him as soon as he signed for United, raised its ugly head against Celtic, which was quickly seized upon by the media as another example of a catalogue of mistakes the youngster has made in the past six months. Roy Hodgson joked that Smalling was “getting hismistakes out of the way” at Fulham, let’s hope from a United perspective he’s merely doing the same in pre-season. Although he’s hardly shone, certain apsects of Smalling’s game have impressed me, not least his arial ability and his obvious pace.
Kiko Macheda’s anonymous performance against Union-or is ‘the Union’, raised a few question marks as to just how much United can rely on him next season, while Rafael Da Silva’s and Mame Diouf’s, not to mention Darron Gibson’s, lacklustre displays against the Wizards- or is it just Wizards-had certain Fleet Street members doubting their ability to be first-team players this season.
There’s already a bit of semi-hype about Javier Hernandez’s debut and how important it will be. Now I for one don’t think you can garner too much insight into any players ability from a friendly game in a different climate, against barely professional standard opposition- no offence Celtic fans. Yes, you can judge a player’s fitness and see how well certain partnerships are developing but by and large I think their fairly pointless in terms of player assessment.
Two seasons ago in pre-season both Frazier Campbell and Chris Eagles looked great, scoring goals and giving the defences of Kaizer Chiefs, Portsmouth and Espanyol no end of trouble. Fergie rewarded both youngsters by showing them the Old Trafford exit not long after.
Last year’s pre-season saw some at Old Trafford arguing the case for Anderson to be given free-kick taking duties following a cracker against Boca Juniors- I know, it seems unthinkable now.
With news that Fergie’s undecided as whether to include Anderson and Owen Hargreaves in the squad he submits to the Premier League though, it gives the pre-season friendlies an added edge as it could well be a chance for one of the youngsters on the fringes of the squad to stake a real claim.
With each game being something of a subsitute merry-go-round not to mention some shocking refereeing its seems a bit harsh to try and judge whether someone is ready for the United first-team based on these outings. However with the clock ticking as to when Fergie has to make a decision on his 25-man Premier League squad and it still being uncertain as to whether Hargreaves and Anderson will be fit enough to be included, the previously ‘pointless’ friendlies could actually go some way to dictating United’s season.
While that may seem a tad melodramatic, whoever is chosen for the squad will no doubt play some part in the upcoming months. With Fergie’s preference of constantly changing his starting XI as well as United’s ridiculously bad luck with injuries- though not as bad as Arsenal’s before any of you Gooners start- it’s obvious every member of the squad will have an important role. Last season’s two-point title costing deficit had many United fans- myself included, lamenting every dropped point and wondering how failing against the likes of Burnley and Blackburn could have cost The Reds the title.
With two more friendlies, plus the Charity, sorry ‘Community Shield’- am I alone in dreading a trip to Wembley to see Chelsea bragging about winning both trophies?- before the season starts then four Premier League games before the squads need to be submitted, the next two games could prove vital to Fergie’s thinking. After all he may be reluctant to try and assess young players in the opening few league games, with every point being vital and weakened United sides failing to deliver in the past.
I just hope that with the heat, the added pressure, the poor refereeing and the brevity of some of their time on the pitch, some of the young United players out in the US manage to do themselves justice.
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Read more of Justin Mottershead’s work on his blog ‘Name on the Trophy.’
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
Harry Redknapp is one of the more entertaining football managers out there and here we honour him with a selection of some his finest work.
1. Spurs have just drawn with Leeds in the FA Cup and Harry gets asked if a replay was wanted, and gets a worthy answer:
[youtube jLM7Vids8ng]
2. Harry Redknapp shows his foreign imports how it’s done:
“Samassi Abou don’t speak the English too good.”
3. If only Redknapp’s current crop of injury prone players could be cured as easily as his then Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones:
“He took a knock on his ankle but we played him some Bob Marley reggae music and he was fine.”
4. After qualifying for the Champions League, Redknapp’s squad show him some appreciation:
[youtube t2VCyWLh2og]
5. Of all the strikers Harry has managed, and that’s a lot, it is safe to say that Darren Bent wasn’t one of his favourites:
“You will never get a better chance to win a match than that. My missus could have scored that one.”
6. Redknapp is thankful for the consideration shown by Arsenal’s frontman after the Gunners were reduced to ten men against Harry’s Saints:
“Van Persie obviously thought ‘why take the piss out of poor old Southampton? I’ll get sent off and make a game of it’.”
7. Redknapp knew Benjani needed some help with his finishing at Pompey, but it didn’t all go to plan:
“After shooting practise yesterday, I had to drive up the M27 and collect four balls.”
8. Redknapp relives some of his best times with Paolo Di Canio, featuring his best Italian accent:
[youtube hgAbu4zOxg4]
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9. A somewhat modest Harry comments on his worth in that great Hammers side of the sixties:
“Even when they had Moore, Hurst and Peters, West Ham’s average finish was about 17th. It just shows how crap the other 8 of us were.”
10. An interview on the training ground and shooting practise nearby…
[youtube zRZTna7tRHk]
I may or may not be as funny as Redknapp, find out by following me on twitter.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez was ecstatic to see his side hit back after recent setbacks to register a shock 1-0 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane.
A late strike from Hugo Rodallega proved decisive in north London, as the Latics made up for a 9-1 drubbing in this fixture last season and heavy defeats in their opening two games of the new Premier League campaign.
Martinez told the club's official website:"The fans were hurt after this fixture last season and so the feelings we have now are for them.
"I'm delighted with the reaction the players have shown. When you talk about mental tests in football this one was massive.
"After the result here last season and the one against Chelsea last week and also with what has happened within the team, there was a lot to overcome. But we looked like a new squad ready to go on to a new level.
"I said to the players before the game that nobody expected us to do anything against Spurs and that it was an opportunity to show that team spirit and togetherness you need in any sort of performance.
"I had a huge belief that things would click into place for us. The talent within the squad is incredible. Yes we're light in numbers, but you cannot question the ability we have.
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"All we had been missing was that desire and love to play for Wigan Athletic, but at White Hart Lane we showed that, which was the most pleasing aspect.
"We have a group of players who are desperate to play for this club and that's what counts. Until you have that commitment all the other aspects of your game are irrelevant."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is hoping that meticulous planning can help his side confound the critics and survive in the Premier League this season.
The Seasiders have started life back in the top-flight with a win, a loss and a draw and Holloway is eager to maintain the positive vibe at Bloomfield Road.
He commented:"We have just given the players a two-month schedule. My staff have produced it.
"They will know what day they are off and what day they are in. They know it will be morning and afternoon.
"The defenders will be doing certain things as will the midfielders and forwards.
"This is the most comprehensive document that I have ever produced in my career and I am looking forward to implementing it.
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"We want to leave a mark on this world, so that people remember how well our team played and how well the supporters behaved.
"The secret of this club is that the fans are embracing what we are trying to do. They are in their element. It is quite unbelievable. We want this great feeling to continue."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Stuart Pearce has suggested that Jack Wilshere could remain with the under-21s despite being named in the full England squad for next week's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro.
The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder is expected to feature in Friday's first leg of the under-21 European Championship play-off against Romania, before teaming up with Fabio Capello's full squad ahead of the Wembley qualifier.
That would have ruled him out of Tuesday's return leg for the under-21s, but manager Pearce has now suggested that Wilshere could remain in his squad instead.
"What we have tried to achieve, certainly at the younger age groups, is to upgrade the players if they're going to go in and play," he explained.
"If they are not going to play, leave them in the age group where they can actually play 90 minutes and get 90 minutes' experience.
"I will speak with Fabio and, inevitably, the decision on what happens to Jack will rest on Fabio.
"But whatever decision Fabio, and probably after discussions with myself, comes to, it is for the benefit of the player, really, and the advancement of the player.
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"Obviously if Fabio needs him the seniors take precedence."
Wilshere has made ten appearances for the Gunners this season and is now very much part of the first-team squad at the Emirates Stadium.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Wigan Athletic head coach Roberto Martinez was angry that Charles N'Zogbia had a first-half effort ruled out during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League loss at Blackburn Rovers.
The Spaniard was left to lament the 39th minute decision by referee Kevin Friend after he blew up for a foul on Morten Gamst Pedersen.
With the scores all-square at Ewood Park at the time of the incident, Martinez has spoken of his dismay, highlighting the Friend's call as a major turning point.
"(It's) really disappointing on the key moment of the game for me, is the goal disallowed from Charles in the first half," he complained.
"In games like these the first goal makes a huge difference, it allows your team to be more composed and in a way the other team has to catch up a little bit.
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"I'm extremely disappointed in that respect it didn't go our way today, but the performance in a way deserved a lot more and that's where we need to improve – when you are the better side and you create more chances than the local side you need to get the points."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Returning Fulham striker Andrew Johnson has admitted that he and his team-mates were gutted earlier this season when fellow frontman Bobby Zamora suffered a broken leg.
Zamora had just broken into the England set-up when he was injured in mid-September against Wolves, leaving the 29-year-old facing several months on the sidelines.
Johnson told the club’s official website:“I was absolutely devastated for Bobby. He had a fantastic season last year and was Player of the Season for me. He’s a top, top man.
“He didn’t have the best of luck during his first season, but he stayed strong. It wasn’t his performances, it just wasn’t happening in front of goal but that all changed last year.
“The fact that he broke into the England team – he could have had that spot. I still think he will have that spot, but the timing of his injury was gutting.
“Emile Heskey had just retired from international football and Bobby had just played his first game. He was cemented in that squad and should have been starting.
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“I can’t really express how gutted we all were for him.”
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The Liverpool circus continues to parade around the Premier league, and after the defeat away at Stoke City, if the media is to be believed, Roy Hodgson’s reign as the Anfield ring master could be coming to an abrupt end.
Calls of ‘Kenny Dalglish’ were echoing around the Britannia Stadium as the supporters showed their discontent at yet another lacklustre performance. The loss but an end to the mini-revival and now fans once again have the familiar feeling of disappointment.
More worryingly for the Liverpool faithful is that Hodgson himself seems resigned to the fact his days may well be numbered. Although he tried his best to save face, his press conference was as depressing as his teams performance and you could clearly see the cracks in the normally bullish expression of the former Fulham manager.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “If the club decide they want to give the job to somebody else, then I’ll have to accept that, if that day comes.
“There is nothing I can do about it and I can only continue to do the best job I can do under these circumstances.”
Ironically, the pressure is building at a time where Liverpool are playing as well as they have done all season. There is no hiding away from how poor they were at Stoke, but previous to that Hodgson’s men were unbeaten in three, which included a win against Chelsea.
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It was as close to an impossible job as you could get when Hodgson took over and although every year fans expect Liverpool to compete for honours, no one should be surprised by the mess they find themselves in.
Rafael Benitez bought poorly and there was a lot of deadwood which needed clearing out. Furthermore, the club are never going to return to former glories if they continue to rely so heavily on two players, one of whom hasn’t been fit all season.
The one criticism of Hodgson this season is he hasn’t exactly replaced the bad with the good. Christian Poulsen has become a bit of a hate-figure with the fans, whilst Milan Jovanovic, Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky have hardly been able to get the Kop buzzing with excitement.
Losing to the likes of Northampton and Blackpool at home aren’t likely to strengthen the bond the manager has with the fans either, but there is no doubting his pedigree for management and in the long run, you have to expect Hodgson to at least steady a currently sinking Liverpool ship.
Before that happens, Hodgson needs to get his team playing the way he wants. At the moment, he seems to be compensating for having a squad of individuals not good enough to be competing in games which we are used to seeing Liverpool in.
The club has a proud and successful tradition, but it’s time fans stopped looking longingly back on the ‘good old days’ and focusing on the here and now. Do they have the right to feel disgruntled? At the moment, no, because the players aren’t nearly as good as they should be if they are to don the famous red shirt.
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Hodgson looks like a man on borrowed time, but with everyone pushing in the same direction, given a chance he could have Liverpool back competing with the best. Calls for Kenny certainly aren’t going to help.
In the summer of 2009 Liverpool football club thought they had successfully acquired a footballer that was going to light up the Premiership for years to come. How wrong could they be? Since Alberto Aquilani’s big money move from AS Roma to Liverpool the Italian has failed to reach any sort of form, and seemingly turned himself into arguably the Premier League’s biggest flop of the noughties.
Consequently, the midfielder now finds himself back in Italy playing his football with Juventus, slowly but surely rebuilding a career that seemed to have been destroyed during his short spell in England. It would be impossible to tell you whether his shocking time at Liverpool was the fault of then manager Rafa Benitez, the player’s injury proneness or simply just poor timing.
However, numerous factors have now changed, for example management on all levels, and the player is now fit and finding form again back in his home country. Given the creative ability he has shown in the past, was Hodgson’s decision to let him leave on loan during the summer a premature and ill judged one?
Bet on Liverpool to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Anfield at 7/1
Arguably Aquilani gained unfair critics during his time at Liverpool. The player was continuously compared to Kop favourite Xabi Alonso, and was furthermore played in positions less familiar. You could say the odds were stacked up against the boy from start.
One such fan believes Aquilani has the ability to produce defence splitting passes assisting the team’s strikers furthermore saying “Roy Hodgson plotted his own downfall the minute he loaned him out. Look at the effect Paul Scholes has on the game; he controls it from the centre circle, spraying balls to all areas of the pitch, mainly in the oppositions half. The goals are at each end of the pitch and we have two central midfield players in Lucas and Poulsen who only know how to pass the ball sideways, doesnt take a genius to work out where the problem is there.”
Is this fan alone in his opinion? Or would Aquilani’s return be unjustified giving his previous spell at the club?
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