Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists he has had no contact with Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.
The 24-year-old former Everton star has been linked with a January transfer window move to Eastlands after it was revealed on Tuesday that he was keen to leave Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Rooney did not want to sign a new contract, but when asked if there had been contact between City and the player, Mancini said:"No. Never.
"Rooney is a great player but I think he'll stay at United. He's a good player, he's an important player for United.
"He is a United player. It's not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players.
"It's not my problem. I'm City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It's important for me to focus on Thursday's game.
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"He is a strong player like (Fernando) Torres, like (Lionel) Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like (Mario) Balotelli. This is my opinion."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to accept his side had been complacent as they slumped to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United.
On a weekend when Chelsea were also beaten, the Gunners wasted a great opportunity to improve their chances of winning the Premier League title but, as in the 3-2 home defeat to West Brom earlier in the campaign, they once again came up short at the Emirates Stadium.
A downcast Wenger admitted after the match:"I think against West Brom we were complacent but not against Newcastle.
"In fairness the two teams who have beaten us here are good teams. They have shown that before and when we met them.
"I believe that we were never in full flow. We played against a good Newcastle team who are a team of men who are strong physically and mature.
"Overall I still believe we were very unlucky to lose the game. They had one shot on target and that was their goal. Apart from that they defended well and we were not sharp enough to get them out of position quickly enough.
"We were a bit unlucky because we hit the post two or three times and their keeper made a very good save. We put ourselves in a bad position just before half-time with the goal we conceded and after that we went close a few times.
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"Our home form is a concern because against Birmingham and West Ham they were struggling wins. Everybody comes here and plays very tight and when we are not in full form we have problems to play through the lines.
"When you score the first goal it is alright because teams have to come out but, as long as they can sit deep, we have a problem to play through when we are not on full power."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Fulham manager Mark Hughes believes Manchester City are good enough to win this season's Premier League title after watching his former team beat his current Cottagers side 4-1 on Sunday.
Hughes was axed by City 11 months ago and was replaced by Roberto Mancini who has often been criticised for an overly cautious approach.
However, after a weekend of matches that saw both Chelsea and Arsenal lose, City moved back into the top four after producing one of their best displays of the campaign.
After the rout, Hughes said:"If they have belief and there's forward-thinking, and maybe they can be more attack-minded – as they were today – on more occasions, there is no reason why they shouldn't be contenders.
"They were excellent. We were complicit in that with the time we let them have. But they've got as good a chance as anybody.
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"On a professional level I don't like being beaten in that manner by anybody. We just allowed good players too much time and space, and we can't afford that.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Since Manchester City’s takeover much talk has surrounded the idea that we are on the cusp of a power shift between City and bitter rivals Manchester United. For me I do not think it is too far from the truth, however I do see a power shift as more apparent in North London.
Tottenham have taken great strides forward since Harry Redknapp’s introduction as manager. If you ask me, Arsenal have been living off of reputation for far too long – what do they do these days to get this reputation? Everyone goes on about their pretty football but I’ve seen Tottenham play just as nice football.
Last season Redknapp guided Spurs to fourth spot in the Premier League table. Redknapp has done what many were starting to see as being impossible; a team other than Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool had finished in the top four placings of the Premier League. The North London club don’t appear to have stopped there either.
A near flawless Champions League campaign has seen Spurs qualify for the knockout stages and comfortably defeat the reigning European Champions. Their league form has stuttered slightly because of the added requirements placed upon them this year but at the time of writing Spurs sit in 5th spot only 5 points from the leaders.
Although still sitting behind Arsenal in the league, progress is certainly being made and is showing no signs of stagnating. Thus filling me with confidence in my opinion that we can forget Manchester as the setting for a shift of power and concentrate on London as Tottenham and Arsenal battle it out for top dog status.
Tottenham’s inspired comeback against Arsenal has furthermore added weight behind the premis that there is a potential power shift or one happening right in front of us right now.
We’ve all been hoping for a bit of variation in our top flight and at last it appears to be happening. Maybe the Arsenal contingency won’t agree with that nor welcome it. So tell me what you think, especially if you back Arsenal.
Id you like what I’ve wirtten why not follow me on Twitter
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West Brom are another side with a big opportunity this weekend, a win could catapult them in with a shout of the Europa League slots. It could have been even better the Midlands club; having ended a poor run of league results with back to back victories, the Baggies were unable to muster enough in the closing stages to avoid defeat against local rivals Aston Villa.
Another local derby arrives, and with Wolves flattering to deceive at the bottom of the league, Roberto Di Matteo will not be expecting too many compliments of the season as Wolves look to avoid the milestone of being bottom at Christmas.
Their hosts this weekend will tell Wolves, with some merit, that this tag need not be fatal, however having played so well for so few points this year Mick McCarthy will demand his players follow up last weekend’s win over Birmingham with another result. Putting points together week after week are the only things that will guarantee survival. The time for pretty performances has past.
Everton will have to make do without Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar when they host relegation battlers West Ham United on Saturday.
Cahill, Everton’s leading scorer, is still away on international duty with Australia – and will be through the weekend after the Socceroos reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup with a win over Bahrain.
Steven Pienaar’s absence is more permanent, with the Bafana Bafana star sealing a transfer to Tottenham during the week.
After beginning the New Year with a 2-0 loss at Stoke City, Everton have reason to be cheerful following a 2-1 win over Spurs and a 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.
The Toffees occupy 12th place on the Premier League table with 26 points, two points adrift of the top 10 but a mere three points clear of Birmingham City in 16th.
Six points separate 10th-placed Blackpool from Wigan Athletic in the drop zone, and Everton need to ensure they put lesser opponents like West Ham to the sword to keep from plummeting down the table.
West Ham, meanwhile, have much to be concerned about, not the least their return to the bottom of the table following back-to-back losses.
The club’s owners were also forced into issuing a half-hearted backing of embattled manager Avram Grant this week after a reported move to replace the Israeli with Martin O’Neill fell through.
The Hammers are in turmoil, as evidenced by their 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Saturday, which ended in farcical scenes as Grant waved goodbye to West Ham fans only to be granted a reprieve days later.
These two sides last met in late December, with West Ham holding out for a 1-1 draw after Everton defender Tony Hibbert scored an early own goal at Upton Park.
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On the injury front, Everton boss David Moyes will be without Louis Saha (thigh) and Ross Barkley (broken leg).
West Ham have a rather more extensive injury list, with Lars Jacobsen (heel), Herita Ilunga (leg), Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Kieron Dyer (thigh), Anthony Edgar (knee), Jack Collison (knee) and Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) all unavailable.
Striker Benni McCarthy was unused against Arsenal but could make his return from a calf injury, while fellow attacker Victor Obinna is still serving a suspension.
Uzbekistan advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time with a 2-1 win over Jordan in Doha on Friday.
Both teams were aiming for their maiden semi-final berth at Asia’s premier soccer tournament and two goals in the space of three second-half minutes from Ulugbek Bakayev ensured his team will face either Australia or Iraq in the last four.
Jordan pulled one back through captain Bashar Bani Yaseen, but could not find an equaliser amid a frantic finale with plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov made five changes to the side which drew 2-2 with China on Sunday, opting for a more defensive line-up, but after an uninspiring opening, it was Uzbekistan who created the first chance.
On 22 minutes, Aleksandr Geynrikh, who scored a sensational long-range goal against China, forced an acrobatic save from Amer Shafee in the Jordan goal with another thunderous strike from distance.
Four minutes later it was Jordan’s turn to attack when Ahmed Abdelhalim launched a left-footed free-kick toward goal that almost caught out Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov, but he was equal to the challenge and clattered into the post to make a crucial stop.
Moments later Hassan Abdel Fattah flashed a crisp volley just wide of the upright as Jordan began to enjoy the better of the play.
Uzbekistan could have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when a great cross from Sanzhar Tursunov picked out Geynrikh in the box but the striker’s shot was well saved by Shafee.
Uzbekistan emerged a new team after the break, and took the lead immediately after the restart when a fine in-swinging free-kick from Server Djeparov found Bakayev who glanced a header past Shafee.
Two minutes later it was 2-0, when Jasur Hasanov fired an excellent cross to Bakayev and the striker’s first-time shot gave Sahfee no chance.
Jordan pulled a goal back after 58 minutes when a Shadi Abu Hashhash header forced a fine save from Nesterov, but Bashar was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Uzbekistan goalkeeper Nesterov was substituted on the hour mark, replaced by Temur Juraev, after failing to recover from his collision with the post in the first-half.
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The new gloveman was forced to make a great save almost immediately when Abdelhalim lashed a fierce left foot drive toward goal, but Juraev averted the danger.
Geynrikh was forced off with what appeared to be a knee injury on 68 minutes as Jordan continued to pile on the pressure.
But with more emphasis on attack, Jordan were left exposed at the back and Uzbekistan could have made sure of the result with eight minutes to play when Tursunov found himself clean through, but the winger could only fire his shot wide.
A late penalty from Lionel Messi handed Argentina a 2-1 win over Portugal in their international friendly in Geneva.
Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria gave Argentina the lead after 14 minutes, but Cristiano Ronaldo hit back for Portugal before Messi scored the winning penalty after Fabio Coentrao brought down substitute Juan Manuel Martinez in the box.
Messi was at his blistering best in the early going, and it was one of his trademark runs that unlocked the Portugal defence to create the opener.
The Barcelona star collected the ball on the right wing and beat Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles before supplying Di Maria who powered a shot past Genoa goalkeeper Eduardo.
Portugal fought back strongly as Hugo Almeida headed a cross from Joao Pereira into the path of Ronaldo who reacted quickest to slot the ball past Argentina gloveman Sergio Romero on 20 minutes.
Ronaldo almost scored a second immediately afterwards, with a strong run beating Javier Mascherano before his low shot flew wide following a deflection.
Argentina could have regained the lead six minutes before half-time when Marcos Rojo got forward and delivered a great cross to Ezequiel Lavezzi, but the Napoli striker sent his strike over the bar.
In a pulsating second period, both sides spurned good chances to take the ascendancy.
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Almeida missed several gilt-edged openings, while Javier Pastore and Rojo went closest for Argentina.
Ronaldo was replaced by Miguel Danny on the hour mark, prompting Argentina’s strongest spell for the game as a Pastore header thundered off the cross bar before Coentrao’s infringement allowed Messi to seal the win.
They say money can buy you anything in football, whether it is the top players or the best manager; but is it honestly a guarantee of success? While the likes of Roman Abramovich will tell you yes, given the way he has transformed Chelsea over the years, there are many others who have spent countless millions and yet have achieved nothing in return. Money can certainly bring all the ingredients of success to any football club, but that is only half of a winning recipe. You need team ethic and spirit to succeed – something that cannot be created by the writing of a cheque.
It was interesting to hear Rafael van der Vaart talk of the importance of team spirit in Tottenham’s dressing room and the significant role it played in their triumph at the San Siro. I know from my West Ham days that Harry Redknapp is the master of creating a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and geeing up the players who may be otherwise nervous before the game. You need to create that collective spirit and that ‘one for all’ attitude on the pitch. The Tottenham team stood up for each other on Tuesday night, despite the intense provocation, and that is what every team needs if they are to be successful. There is no ‘I’ in team and that is why this particular Tottenham side, led by Harry, is succeeding where a lot of their past ones have failed.
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Arsene Wenger is another manager who clearly understands the importance of maintaining team spirit. I know a lot of Arsenal supporters are frustrated at his cautious approach in the transfer market, but it is important that you bring in players that aren’t going to upset the harmony of the dressing room. You hear a lot say that Arsene needs to bring in Player X and Y because they are deemed to be world class, but as with football owners there is no guarantee that they will bring success. I am not suggesting that you don’t sign anyone on that basis, just suggesting that a big name signing is not always a guarantee that they are going to fit in with the current culture and spirit of the dressing room. Emmanuel Adebayor as a case point was an excellent player, but what kind of influence did he have on others in the Emirates’ dressing room? Is it any surprise that Arsene moved him on?
I am sure there are many of you who will look at Abramovich’s time at Chelsea as a counter argument on marrying spending and success. That is certainly true; however it is worth pointing out that when Roman moved in at the Bridge, Ranieri had already created a top three team and therefore the team ethic and foundation was already in place before Mourinho moved in. Jose only had to bring in two or three players, as well as adding his special voice to the dressing room, to ensure that Chelsea became champions and then embarked upon a very successful period in their history. I look at the current team now and the wretched run they’re on and can’t help but wonder the influence that Ray Wilkins actually had on the harmony and motivation of that dressing room, especially as there are some big egos in there. Have Chelsea lost some of their winning spirit since Wilkins’ departure from Stamford Bridge? I’ll let the Blues faithful decide on that one, although the time of their slump certainly tallies up.
Manchester City are obviously hoping with their massive outlay that success will prove to be forthcoming. I hear some City fans are growing impatient already, but they need to realise that to build and sustain success the foundations at the club need to be in place. You cannot bring in so many new players and expect them to hit the ground running straightaway. I really believe watching Man City that there are quite a few ‘I’s within this squad and it will take Mancini time to bring them all together as one unit before they can conquer the Premier League. Maintaining a good team spirit and togetherness is the key – it is the sole reason why Sir Alex Ferguson has been so successful in the last 20 years.
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Former Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham defender Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock is one of the great characters of English football. Razor has the same no-nonsense attitude off the pitch as he did on it.
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Uncompromising, controversial and outspoken, read more of Razor’s thoughts in his weekly column
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish says Arsenal’s trophy drought will be on their players’ minds ahead of Sunday’s Carling Cup final.Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005 and McLeish fancies his side’s chances in the Wembley showdown.”They haven’t won a trophy for five years so maybe that will be at the back of their minds,” McLeish said.”They will see it as a massive opportunity as well, but we will try our best to win it.””They haven’t won a trophy for five years so maybe that will be at the back of their minds.””They will see it as a massive opportunity as well but we will try our best to win it.””We have the will and desire to go right until the end in football matches.””There is a lot of experience in our squad so the players shouldn’t be fazed.”McLeish admitted Birmingham are the underdogs but suggested a fixture build-up for Arsenal could mean they are not at their best.”It’s my first cup final in England and I’d love to win it,” he said.”We know Arsenal are favourites but they have a bit of fixture congestion which might be on their minds a little bit.””The stadium will be half full of Birmingham fans whereas when we normally go down to London in the Premier League there are only a sprinkling of our supporters in the stadium.””It would be nice to win it with the formation and tactics we lay out before kick-off.”At the same time, they have got to express themselves and play their own game.””It’s my job to pick the team I feel will win the Carling Cup.””I’m not influenced by what the media say or whether I like one player more than another.””I pick fairly every week and I’ve already decided the nucleus of the team, I just have to flesh it out a bit.”Cameron Jerome has missed training but should be fit but Alex Hleb (knee) is a doubt.Martin Jiranek has shaken off a knock and should be available.