Tag: Season


Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 – Newcastle United

Write-up by David Walker

Newcastle United

Odds: a hundred and fifty/one

Previous Five Seasons2005/06 – seven (Premiership), 2004/05 – 14 (Premiership), 2003/04 – 5 (Premiership), 2002/03 – three (Premiership), 2001/02 – 4 (Premiership).

2005/06 Cup ProgressIntertoto Cup Semi Ultimate vs Deportivo La Coruna – lost four-2 on aggregate.FA Cup Sixth Round vs Chelsea (a) – lost one-.Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Wigan Athletic (a) – lost 1-.

Leading Aim Scorer 2005/06: Alan Shearer (striker) – 14 goals.

Players InDamian Duff (Chelsea – £5,000,000)

Players OutMichael Chopra (Cardiff City – £500,000), Lee Bowyer (West Ham United – Totally free), Robbie Elliott (Sunderland – Totally free), Daryl Smylie (Livingston – No cost), Allen Picken (Walsall – Free), Tony Caig (Launched), Martin Brittain (Released) Alan Shearer (Retired)

Newcastle United enjoyed a new lease of life subsequent the caretaker appointment of Glenn Roeder as manager in February which led to the former West Ham United boss currently being offered the role full time in Might.

Below Graeme Souness, the Magpies struggled, but the side’s transformation with Roeder at the helm was outstanding. He liked an unbeaten run in his initial 6 matches in cost and the last 7 games of the season also went without defeat, culminating in a 1- defeat of champions Chelsea on the final day of the period.

Although Roeder has allowed many squad players to depart, which includes Lee Bowyer, Robbie Elliott and Michael Chopra, he pulled off some thing of a coup in luring Chelsea winger Damien Duff to St. James’ Park for a knockdown £5 million.

Duff was thought to have turned down equally Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in favour of a move to Newcastle and signed a 5 yr offer. Duff joined Chelsea from Blackburn Rovers three many years back for £17 million and made 125 appearances, scoring 19 goals. The Republic of Ireland global won two Premiership title medals for the duration of that time.

Significantly will be anticipated of the Magpies this season but they will begin with a shortage of strikers. Veteran Alan Shearer retired, Michael Owen is a prolonged term casualty following an injuries picked up for the duration of the Entire world Cup whilst Michael Chopra joined Cardiff Metropolis in the summer season. Goal scoring duties will be left to Spaniard Alberto Luque, who ultimately broke his objective scoring duck in opposition to Sunderland in April and Shola Ameobi, who observed the net four instances in his previous six appearances previous time.

VerdictThe Magpies will be aiming for European qualification this time but they want one more established target scorer to fill the void left by Shearer and the injured Owen. If they qualify for UEFA Cup their thin squad could be stretched too significantly to make the influence in the Premier League they have been capable of previous time.

About the Author

David Walker runs Unibet totally free wager and football betting methods web sites. A no cost e mail course: “Seven Days to Much better Betting” is obtainable at the two of these websites.

Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 – Middlesbrough

Write-up by David Walker

Middlesbrough

Odds: 500/one

Final Five Seasons2005/06 – 14 (Premiership), 2004/05 – 7 (Premiership), 2003/04 – 11 (Premiership), 2002/03 – 11 (Premiership), 2001/02 – 12 (Premiership).

2005/06 Cup ProgressUEFA Cup Last vs Sevilla (n) – misplaced four-.FA Cup Semi Last vs West Ham United (n) – misplaced one-.Carling Cup Quarter Final vs Blackburn Rovers (h) – lost one-.

Best Target Scorer 2005/06: Yakubu (striker) – 19 goals.

Players InJulio Arca (Sunderland – £1,750,000), Herold Goulon (Lyon – Undisclosed).

Players OutJimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink (Charlton Athletic – Free of charge), Franck Queudrue (Fulham – Free of charge), Brad Jones (Sheffield Wednesday – Loan), Danny Graham (Blackpool – Mortgage), Doriva (Released), Colin Cooper (Introduced).

Middlesbrough’s league kind endured very last time due to their involvement in the later stages of numerous cup competitions, like producing the ultimate of the UEFA Cup wherever they misplaced out to Spanish outfit Sevilla.

The Boro will start the new campaign beneath new management, with veteran defender Gareth Southgate taking more than in spot of Steve McClaren, who became the new England supervisor at the stop of Sven Goran Eriksson’s tenure.Southgate stamped his authority on the team quickly by appointing George Boateng as captain following the Dutch midfielder’s choice to indicator a new 3 year deal in the summer time. He also showed there would be no “previous pals act” when he took the choice to release veteran duo Doriva and Colin Cooper, although also not supplying Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink a new contract.

Defender Chris Riggott showed his help for Southgate’s appointment by signing a new four yr contract soon after creating himself as a normal starter final time. He arrived from Derby County in a joint £3 million deal with Malcom Christie in 2003 and even wore the captain’s armband sometimes very last phrase

Middlesbrough beat off curiosity in Espanyol to sign midfielder Julio Arca from rivals Sunderland for £1.75 million. Arca joined the Black Cats from Argentinos Juniors six a long time in the past for £3.five million and created 177 appearances for the club.

Teenage Lyon midfielder Herold Goulon joined the club on a three 12 months deal following 3 a long time at the French National Football Academy in Clarefontaine while the club are also interested in bringing Chelsea defender Robert Huth to the club on an original loan offer. Despite speculation linking him with moves to equally Arsenal and Manchester United, previous season’s top target scorer Yakubu is nonetheless at the club.

VerdictWith no involvement in Europe next time, rookie manager Southgate can focus exclusively on the Premiership and attempt to emulate the seventh positioned complete of two seasons in the past.

About the Writer

David Walker runs Gamebookers totally free bet and fruit machine cheats websites. A free of charge email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is accessible at equally of these web sites.

Flitcroft: Blackburn owners should not be judged until next season

Flitcroft: Blackburn owners need to not be judged until eventually next time
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers legend Garry Flitcroft believes the club’s new owners cannot be judged until eventually following time. He insists even though tiny can be examine into a combined run of benefits in the course of the start off to the new period and believes Venky’s and supervisor Steve Kean have to be given a complete summer time at the helm ahead of a judgement can start to be created. “When Rovers lost Sam Allardyce it was a real …

Jones agrees new Blackburn agreement
Arsenal Blackburn Rovers Chelsea Phil Jones is signing a new agreement with Blackburn Rovers . The Mirror says Rovers have persuaded Jones to indication a bumper 5-year offer in a bid to destroy off curiosity from Chelsea and Arsenal . Jones, eighteen, has signed a new contract extension nine months soon after previous committing his future to Rovers. Rovers entrepreneurs Venky’s have convinced Jones to sign a offer that will …

Jones indicators new Rovers offer
Phil Jones has turn into the most recent Blackburn participant to commit his potential to the club following signing a one particular-12 months agreement extension.

League Two Season Preview 2006/07 – Grims Town

Report by David Walker

Grimsby Town

Odds: 14/one

Previous Five Seasons2005/06 – four (League Two), 2004/05 – eighteen (League Two), 2003/04 – 21 (League One particular, Relegated), 2002/03 – 24 (Championship, Relegated), 2001/02 – 19 (Championship).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup 1st Spherical vs Bristol Rovers (h) – lost 2-1Carling Cup 3rd Round vs Newcastle United (h) – lost 1-.Football League Trophy Northern Area Initial Spherical vs Morecambe – lost four-three on penalties right after a one-1 draw following extra time.

Top Objective Scorer 2005/06: Gary Jones (striker) – 17 ambitions.

Gamers InIsaiah Rankin (Brentford – Free), Phil Barnes (Sheffield United – Free), Gary Harkins (Blackburn Rovers – Free).

Gamers OutRob Jones (Hibernian – Totally free), Thomas Pinault (Brentford – Cost-free), Steve Mildenhall (Yeovil Town – Free), Jean-Paul Kamudimba (Yeovil Town – Free of charge), Andy Parkinson (Notts County – Free), Marc Goodfellow (Bury – Cost-free),

Grimsby Town had one particular of their most exciting, if not heartbreaking, seasons in a prolonged time during 2005/06. Soon after spectacular Champions League chasers Tottenham Hotspur by beating them 1- in the Carling Cup, the Mariners seemed to clinch automated marketing for a lot of the period. Nevertheless, Russell Slade’s side hit an inconsistent patch of kind for the duration of March, slipped out of the reckoning and suffered defeat in the play-off last in opposition to Cheltenham Town.

Slade departed this summer time to get over at Yeovil Town and took Spurs match winner Jean-Paul Kamudimba and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall with him. New manager Graham Rodger, who enjoyed an unbeaten 6 match temporary spell in cost at Blundell Park in 2004, has been left to select up the pieces.

Sheffield United’s previous Blackpool goalkeeper Phil Barnes has been brought in to substitute Mildenhall, whilst previous Arsenal striker Isaiah Rankin has joined on a totally free transfer from Brentford, by themselves play-off losers this period. This will be Rankin’s second spell with the club, getting had a mortgage spell during the 2003/04 campaign in which he scored 4 objectives in twelve appearances.

With Gary Jones, previous season’s top target scorer with 17 ambitions and former Sunderland striker Michael Reddy, second with 14, Rankin’s arrival adds further firepower to the squad which will be anticipated to push for marketing yet again up coming period.

Rodger is also holding faith with more youthful gamers at the club with four youngster presented new six month bargains. Midielder Ben Higgins and striker Danny North, both18, midfielder Paul Ashton and striker Danny North, both 19, have all put pen to paper.

Verdict

Previous season’s fourth put complete proves Grimsby have one of the greater teams at this level but it will be up to new manager Graham Rodger to push them that one stage additional than Russell Slade was able to do.

About the Author

David Walker runs a Ladbrokes totally free bet website. You can appreciate free dwell football throughout the the 2006/07 season.

League One Season Preview 2006/07 – Cheltenham Town

Write-up by David Walker

Cheltenham Town

Odds: 100/one

Previous 5 Seasons2005/06 – 5 (League Two, Promoted), 2004/05 – 14 (League Two), 2003/04 – 14 (League Two), 2002/03 – 21 (League A single, Relegated), 2001/02 – 4 (League Two, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Fourth Spherical vs Newcastle United (h) – misplaced 1-.Carling Cup Second Round vs Sunderland (a) – lost one-.Football League Trophy Southern Segment Semi Ultimate vs Colchester United (a) – misplaced 1-.

Best Objective Scorer 2005/06: Kayode Odejayi (striker) – 13 goals.

Players OutMichael Taylor (Halifax Town – Free of charge), Gary Bradshaw (North Ferriby United – Free), Scott Musgrove (Stamford – Free of charge).

Cheltenham City won promotion to League One via the play offs at the expense of Grimsby City and manager John Ward feels they are better equipped to compete in the division than previous time all around. The club’s only experience at this stage was in 2002/03 but they have been relegated straight back again to the dungeon after one season. Nonetheless, narrow defeats against Newcastle United and Sunderland in the FA and Carling Cup’s previous season will fill the club with optimism for following season’s problem.

Ward has been promised transfer funds by Chairman Paul Baker he also warned that a mass influx of gamers would not happen. At the time of writing, no new gamers have joined the Whaddon Road outfit, but a number of players and management have pledged their futures to the newly promoted club.

Assistant supervisor Keith Downing has agreed a clean contract extension, thought to be a three yr offer, although Ward not too long ago signed a new 5 year contract. The two have been courted by other clubs but have pledged their foreseeable futures to the Robins.

Striker Steve Guinan has also committed himself to a additional season at the club right after early negotiations appeared to break down and Guinan himself stated he was “anxiously unhappy” at the prospect of only a 1 12 months deal.

Defender Jamie Victory has also been offered a limited expression agreement as he methods up his recovery from groin surgical procedure and hopes he can extend his stay with the Robins.

1 player who has departed the club is defender Michael Taylor, who has joined Conference play-off losers Halifax City. The 23 year outdated, who started his career at Blackburn Rovers, spent two a long time at Whaddon Road and ended very last period with a mortgage spell at Forest Green Rovers.

VerdictArguably a single of the weaker teams in League One particular following time, Cheltenham City could emulate the 2002/03 marketing campaign which noticed them bow out after one particular time. You can back again them at 9/four to be relegated.

About the Author

David Walker runs UK Betting free of charge wager and UK poker sites. A totally free e-mail program: “Seven Days to Greater Betting” is available at equally of these sites.

Championship Season Preview 2006/07 – Plymouth Argyle

Article by David Walker

Plymouth Argyle

Odds: 100/1

Last Five Seasons2005/06 – 14 (Championship), 2004/05 – 17 (Championship), 2003/04 – 1 (League One, Promoted), 2002/03 – 8 (League One), 2001/02 – 1 (League Two, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Third Round vs Wolves (a) – lost 1-0.Carling Cup Second Round vs Barnet (a) – lost 2-1.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Paul Wotton (midfield) – 9 goals.

Players InSylvain Ebanks-Blake (Manchester United – £200,000), Barry Hayles (Millwall – Free).

Players OutMickey Evans (Torquay United – Free).

Plymouth Argyle have held their own in their two seasons in the Championship following their promotion from League One in the 2003/04 season. They improved on their first season by finishing in a comfortable fourteenth position at the end of last term.

The club has appointed former Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway as their new manager after Tony Pulis left to manage his former club Stoke City. Holloway was suspended by Rangers in February after persistent rumours linking him with the then vacant manager’s position at Leicester City.

Holloway has wasted little time in the transfer market replacing veteran striker Mickey Evans, who left Plymouth for the second time at the end of the season to join League Two outfit Torquay United. He signed Manchester United striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on a three year contract for a potential club record fee. The 20 year old striker joined for an initial fee of £200,000, which could rise to over £300,000 depending on the forward’s appearances.

Veteran striker Barry Hayles joined from relegated Millwall for a reported fee of £100,000. The 34 year old links up with Holloway again after they worked together at Bristol Rovers.

Dwight Yorke was also a transfer target but the Championship club were put off by the 34 year old’s salary of over £1 million a year. Holloway tried to persuade the former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers striker, now at Sydney FC, to return to England.

Player of the year David Norris committed himself to the club by signing a two year contract extension. The 25 year old midfielder’s current deal was due to expire at the end of next season but will now remain at Home Park until June 2009. Goalkeeper Luke McCormick has also signed a two year extension to his current contract. The 23 year old product from the youth system will also stay at the club until the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

VerdictNew manager Ian Holloway will relish getting back into management, especially at a club from his native West Country. However, it will be another tough season for the Pilgrims with survival their first priority.

About the Author

David Walker runs Totalbet free bet and football betting systems websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.

League One Season Preview 2006/07 – Gillingham

Article by David Walker

Gillingham

Odds: 25/one

Final 5 Seasons2005/06 – 14 (League One), 2004/05 – 22 (Championship, Relegated), 2003/04 – 21 (Championship), 2002/03 – 11 (Championship), 2001/02 – twelve (Championship).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Initial Round vs Burscough (a) – lost 3-two.Carling Cup 3rd Round vs Doncaster Rovers (a) – misplaced 2-.Football League Trophy Southern Part 2nd Round vs Wycombe Wanderers – misplaced 3-one on penalties with the score at two-2 right after added time.

Top rated Target Scorer 2005/06: Darren Byfield (striker) – 14 goals.

Gamers InGuylain Ndumbu-Nsungu (Cardiff City – No cost), Dean McDonald (Ipswich Town – Free), Mark Bentley (Southend United – No cost), Duncan Jupp (Southend United – Free of charge), Clint Easton (Wycombe Wanderers – Free of charge), Kelvin Jack (Dundee – Totally free), Gary Mulligan (Sheffield United – Free of charge).

Gamers OutJason Brown (Blackburn Rovers – Free of charge), Gavin Grant (Millwall – Free of charge), Darren Byfield (Millwall – Free), Richard Rose (Hereford United – Free), John Wallis (Hereford United – No cost), Chris Hope (Rushden &amp Diamonds – Totally free), Paul Crichton (Cambridge United – Totally free), Paul Shields (Livingston – Free of charge).

Soon after a hard initial time in League A single following relegation from the Championship in the 2004/05 season, Gillingham have made wholesale alterations to the squad which finished in mid table final phrase.

Supervisor Ronnie Jepson has revamped his attacking possibilities with the arrivals of Sheffield United striker Gary Mulligan, who impressed in the course of a thirteen match loan spell final time, Cardiff City frontman Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu and Ipswich City forward Dean McDonald on free of charge transfers.

Jepson also signed Southend United duo Mark Bentley, a midfielder and Duncan Jupp, a correct again and solved his goalkeeper crisis by signing Kelvin Jack from Dundee. Each Jason Brown and Paul Crichton left the club in the summer season leaving Jepson without an knowledgeable goalkeeper but the thirty year outdated Trinidadian joins fellow countrymen Brent Sancho and Ian Cox at the Priestfield.

Whilst out of agreement goalkeeper Brown joined Premiership aspect Blackburn Rovers in a shock transfer, final season’s best goal scorer Darren Byfield left the club to join League A single rivals Millwall on a no cost transfer. Byfield’s departure is a blow to Jepson who was keen to preserve the striker who netted 14 objectives final season even with missing several weeks of the campaign due to harm and suspension.

Whilst chairman Paul Scally admitted he found it tough to motivate himself after relegation two years back he now thinks the club is excellent enough to make automatic promotion next time and praised the followers for the loyalty they have proven them.

VerdictPaul Scally may possibly believe his club are good ample for automatic promotion but the bookmaker’s think differently. An enhancement on previous season’s mid table finish is anticipated but a best 10 finish may be the finest the aspect can attain.

About the Writer

David Walker runs Ladbrokes free of charge wager and football betting systems internet sites. A free of charge e-mail program: “7 Days to Better Betting” is obtainable at each of these web sites.

Chelsea would be 10th in the Premier League if the season had begun in November – scoring less than West Brom

Chelsea would be 10th in the Premier League if the season had begun in November – scoring less than West Brom
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been worse than Blackburn and Stoke since start of November and more goal shy than West Brom.

Kean: Santa Cruz needs matches
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has played down fears that striker Roque Santa Cruz faces a spell on the sidelines.

Football transfer rumours: Roman Pavlyuchenko to Spartak Moscow?
Today’s Mill enjoyed the bit with the water gun As the Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy wakes up this morning to news that West Ham United are set to be named as the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium, he might be forgiven for wondering what it was all for. All that time and money wasted drawing up plans for a venue that will never be built and chasing Pele for a supportive quote. I …

Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 – Manchester City

Post by David Walker

Manchester Metropolis

Odds: 500/1

Very last 5 Seasons2005/06 – 15 (Premiership), 2004/05 – 8 (Premiership), 2003/04 – sixteen (Premiership), 2002/03 – 9 (Premiership), 2001/02 – one (Championship, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Sixth Round vs West Ham United (h) – misplaced two-1.Carling Cup 2nd Round vs Doncaster Rovers (a) – lost three- on penalties with the score 1-one after extra time.

Top Objective Scorer 2005/06: Andrew Cole and Darius Vassell (strikers) – 10 ambitions every.

Players InJoe Hart (Shrewsbury Town – £600,000), Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool – £400,000), Bernado Corradi (Valencia – Undisclosed), Paul Dickov (Blackburn Rovers – Totally free), Ousmane Dabo (Lazio – Free).

Players OutLee Croft (Norwich City – £600,000), Willo Flood (Cardiff City – Undisclosed), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Southampton – Nominal), David Sommeil (Sheffield United – No cost), Mikkel Bischoff (Coventry City – No cost).

Manchester Metropolis endured a disappointing time which even with an undefeated commence and profitable three of their opening five matches, capitulated in them dropping nine of their final ten video games and finishing 9 points away from relegation.

Manager Stuart Pearce has rung the changes in time for the new campaign and instilled Richard Dunne as the new club captain in spot of agreement rebel Sylvain Distin. Republic of Ireland global Dunne has made 288 appearances for City following his £3 million swap from Everton six many years back.

Pearce has opted for Serie A encounter this summer season with the signings of Bernardo Corradi and Ousmane Dabo. Valencia striker Corradi, formerly of Lazio, invested final season on loan at Parma in which he scored ten targets in 35 league appearances. Dabo is a former French international who turned down a new agreement offer from Lazio and signed a 3 12 months contract at the Metropolis of Manchester Stadium.

Former favourite Paul Dickov returned to the club subsequent his release from Blackburn Rovers. The former Arsenal striker initial played for City involving August 1996 and February 2002 and scored in the 1998/99 League One play off last which noticed City return to the 2nd tier.

Pearce also signed Dietmar Hamann on a no cost transfer right after the player signed a pre-agreement agreement to join Bolton Wanderers. Hamann produced 283 appearances for Liverpool in seven a long time at the club just before switching to Manchester.

VerdictCity require to get off to a excellent commence to banish the dire run of sort they encountered at the end of final time. It will be an additional challenging campaign for Stuart Perarce’s facet but they are unlikely to be concerned in a relegation battle. Mid table basic safety or obscurity, whichever way you seem at it.

About the Writer

David Walker runs Bet365 totally free bet and UK poker websites. A no cost e-mail program: “7 Days to Far better Betting” is offered at both of these websites.