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[Rutashubanyuma]

Lehmann to help young Gunners


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Updated Mar 18, 2011 10:14 AM ET
Jens Lehmann hopes some of his 'Invincibles' aura can rub off on Arsenal's young squad as they look to finish the season on a high note.
The 41-year-old has rejoined his old club on a short-term monthly rolling contract to aid an injury crisis after Wojciech Szczesny joined Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone in the treatment room.

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Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Lehmann is set to provide experienced back-up to Manuel Almunia, whom he duelled for the number one jersey before leaving in 2008, and will be on the bench at West Brom on Saturday.
Former German international certainly brings plenty of kudos with him - having played in every one of Arsenal's 38-match unbeaten run to the title in 2003/2004 as well as lifting the 2005 FA Cup and helping the team reach the Champions League final in the following season, where he was famously sent off after just 18 minutes.
Lehmann is looking forwards to helping the squad anyway he can as they look to recover from the bitter disappointment of defeat in the Carling Cup final at Wembley before then crashing out of both Europe and the FA Cup.
"I have got that - in terms of experience, I am still good, so I need to give that onto the young lads," Lehmann told Arsenal TV Online.
"I hope we will be successful in getting the trophy, to give that extra bit of conviction to the players - that is why I am here and why the boss has asked me to come."
Lehmann had retired following two seasons back in Germany with Stuttgart, and was working as a media pundit in the Nou Camp.
It was the finger injury to Szczesny which would ultimately lead to an SOS from Gunners boss Arsene Wenger - one which Lehmann revealed it took some time to get his head around.
"When Szczesny went out, I crossed my fingers for Manuel to do well, and he had a great game, but it never occurred to me that there was a lack of goalkeepers which could end with a request for me," said the German, who had been set to spend some time working with the Arsenal reserves this month as he started on his coaching badges.
"I got a text when I got back from Barcelona, it was (goalkeeper coach) Gerry Peyton and at first I did not recognise it because I was very tired, then on the second text I realised he wanted me to get my gloves out again
"Later Arsene Wenger called me to ask if I was available, and I said 'let me talk to my wife' - now I am here.
"I am happy about it, for an exciting finish of my career and I will try to get the best out of it."
Despite what has certainly been a testing few weeks for his young Gunners, Wenger firmly believes there are plenty of reasons to be positive.
"If you look at what this team has given in the last three months, the players do not get the recognition of the effort and quality of the performance we have put in," he said.
"In fairness, we have not had many off days.
"We are on a remarkable consistent run in the Premier League, have gone out in the Champions League in special circumstances while at Old Trafford, we could have got a result, but were still a bit affected by Barcelona.
"We just want to keep belief high, togetherness high and give our best shot until the end of the season."
Arsenal currently trail leaders Manchester United by three points, but with a game in hand, as they head to The Hawthorns.
Wenger believes it is now a straight two-horse race for the Premier League crown.
"If we do not do it, it will be Manchester United because certainly the other teams are too far away," he said.
"Unless Chelsea beats Manchester United and wins all their games, they might have a chance, but mathematically it is in our hands or Manchester United hands.
"The other teams can only come back if Arsenal or Man United do not take their opportunities, so it is down to our results."
Wenger, meanwhile, must decide whether to appeal the one-match touchline ban imposed by UEFA following his spat with referee Massimo Busacca at the Nou Camp, where striker Robin van Persie was sent off for kicking the ball away only a fraction of a second after the whistle was blown.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Houllier: Bust-up no distraction


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Updated Mar 18, 2011 10:22 AM ET
Gerard Houllier insists team morale has not been affected by Richard Dunne and James Collins' recent bust-up with Aston Villa coaching staff.
The centre-half duo are understood to have been fined two weeks' wages in the wake of their actions during a team bonding session at a health spa in Leicestershire last week.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Yet Houllier is adamant the two-day exercise was an overall success and that Villa are in the right frame of mind as they prepare for Saturday's vital home clash with Wolves.
Houllier said: "I don't think team morale has been affected.
"As far as I am concerned, the rest of the team trained well and is ready and prepared for the Wolves game.
"We need to keep that [the incident] to one side and prepare for the Wolves game and the rest of the season. The rest of the team enjoyed the two days and it was a good exercise in terms of commitment, energy, enjoyment.
"It is an important game for us. We are at home, we've got our fans, it's a derby and players know what a derby represents for the fans.
"The nine games we have got left will be played with the same quality in terms of commitment and will to win."
Houllier believes there will be more pressure on Wolves than Villa going into the derby, with Mick McCarthy's men second-bottom of the Premier League.
He said: "Wolves are a good team, I like Mick McCarthy and he has done extremely well and his side have beaten some big guns like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
"But I think there is more [pressure] on them than on us.
"We know the position we are in at the moment but we are not going to forecast on what is at stake. It is best to concentrate on our assets and the [league table] will take care of itself."
Villa, two points above the drop zone, are without four key defenders for the match.
Dunne, Collins and Luke Young are all unavailable through injury while Ciaran Clark starts a two-game ban for picking up 10 bookings.
Houllier played down the absences, however, saying: "That happens to all clubs. Even to Manchester United. Sometimes you have an injury crisis.
"We had that in the middle of the season with Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell from midfield.
"Now it happens at the back and the suspension of Clark doesn't help. But we will be all right. The option we have will be good and the players will respond positively and will show something.
"In any case, defending is not about two or three players, it is the matter of the whole team.
"At top level, your defending starts wherever you lose the ball, wherever it is on the pitch."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Rooney rubbishes United exit talk


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 10:39 AM ET
Star striker Wayne Rooney hopes to be at Manchester United for many years to come and has rubbished questions over his commitment.
Reports had suggested the England forward would be on his way out of Old Trafford in the summer amid an ongoing fall-out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, despite signing a new five-year contract in October.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

That deal would keep him at Old Trafford until the age of 30 - but he claims he will not only see that out but remain there longer still.
"I saw (those reports), but I've never seen such rubbish in my life," he said. "My relationship with Sir Alex has no problems whatsoever.
"I'm enjoying my football here and if I was going to leave in the summer I wouldn't have signed a new contract when I did. I've signed it and I intend to see it through to the end.
"You get angry when people question you. On Sunday I was on the way home from training. I stopped off at the garage to get petrol and a few people asked me if I was leaving in the summer.
"I didn't know where it had come from. I said 'Where did you hear that?' and he said it was in the newspapers. But I'll be here until I'm well into my 30s.
"I signed a new contract to stay here and unless I'm ever not wanted then I'll be staying here, that's for sure."
October's new deal represented a dramatic u-turn after Rooney initially stated he wanted to leave the club, claiming they could not match his ambition.
But he said: "I admit I made a mistake, like I've said lots of times, by saying I wanted to leave but I've committed my future to United and I'm happy and my family are happy so there's no reason for me to want to move elsewhere.
"I want to try and win more trophies and bring more success to this club."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Fergie decides not to fight ban


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 1:27 PM ET
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will not appeal his five-game touchline ban, and the FA have agreed it can start immediately.
Ferguson received the punishment for his comments about referee Martin Atkinson following the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Ferguson has been critical of the Football Association's decision to ban him, but the FA confirmed on Thursday that the United boss will not appeal.
The governing body have also accepted a request for his suspension to begin immediately, which means he will not be in the dugout for Saturday's Premier League game against Bolton at Old Trafford but would be able to return for the potentially crucial league game away to title challengers Arsenal on May 1.
Ferguson will be banned from the touchline for the Premier League games against Bolton, West Ham, Fulham and Everton as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.
An FA statement read: "The FA can confirm that Manchester United will not be appealing Sir Alex Ferguson's five game touchline ban.
"Manchester United have also requested that the ban starts with immediate effect. This has been accepted by the FA."
Ferguson, who was also fined £30,000, hit out at the punishment earlier on Thursday.
His decision not to appeal comes after waiting for the written reasons for the decision to be received at Old Trafford.
"It is disappointing," said Ferguson in his morning press conference. "It is the only industry you can't tell the truth in.
"I have not made up my mind about whether to appeal but I don't want to say anything.
"It is in the past and it is not worth it."
Feeling aggrieved at Atkinson's performance in his side's 2-1 defeat, Ferguson said at the time: "You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that.
"I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
The feeling persists that Ferguson might not even have been charged had Wayne Rooney been punished for elbowing Wigan's James McCarthy at the DW Stadium three days earlier.
However, such is the ill-feeling towards the outspoken United manager in some sections of the football community that the stringent punishment has generally been welcomed, with many feeling Ferguson has been able to escape sanctions for too long.
It is not a view shared inside Old Trafford obviously, although given the trouble he has found himself in, possibly explains Ferguson's reluctance to attend post-match press conferences, when emotions are running high.
At least the United manager can be reasonably certain Thursday's observations will not land him in any further trouble despite Ferguson's clear dislike for the way he has been treated.
Even Chelsea counterpart Carlo Ancelotti believes the length of the ban is harsh.
"I think that, my opinion, is that Ferguson has always had good behaviour and I think five games now is too much," he said.
"There is no reason he has to be out for five matches and I do not think that can change their strength and the power of Manchester United.
"I know what he said after the game. Obviously it was not good behaviour but five games is too much."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wales recall Bale, Bellamy and Ramsey for England qualifier

• Gary Speed hopeful of an upset
• Captain will be named next week

• Stuart James
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 March 2011 22.00 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Craig Bellamy has been called up for Wales' match against England in Cardiff on Saturday. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Gary Speed has named Gareth Bale, Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey in his squad for next Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium, where he hopes Wales can take inspiration from Northern Ireland's surprise victory over the same opponents six years ago and cause an upset of their own.
  The Wales manager, who will be overseeing his first competitive match in charge since he was appointed as John Toshack's successor in December, will watch Bale play for Tottenham Hotspur against West Ham United today with a view to starting him against England next week. With Bellamy and Ramsey also available provided they come through this weekend's matches without injury, Speed should be able to call upon Wales's three most talented individuals to face Fabio Capello's side.
  "We've got a chance, there's no doubt about that," said Speed, who revealed that Ryan Giggs plans to "pop in" to the team hotel next week to give the players a timely boost. "The form book, the bookies &#8211; everyone would have England down for a win and rightly so. But Northern Ireland beat them [at Windsor Park] so it's doable. If we are as good as we can be and England have an off day, we've got a chance of winning."
  Although Speed feels "a little bit too much" has been made of how Fabio Capello has handled England's captaincy, the response the Wales manager gave to a question about which player will lead out his own team in Cardiff revealed he has dealt with things far better. "I have decided. But I can't tell you who it is because the players don't know yet," he said. "It would be unprofessional of me to tell you before telling anybody else. When we get together next week they'll know."
  Bellamy is not under consideration for the role after telling Speed that he felt someone else should be captain because of the injury problems that restrict his involvement in friendlies. That leaves Aston Villa's James Collins, who should be fit for the England match despite carrying a calf injury, and Swansea City's Ashley Williams as the frontrunners, although when Speed spoke of a "long-term" appointment it was tempting to wonder whether he might turn to Bale or Ramsey.
  Speed described Bale, Ramsey and Bellamy as "matchwinners [who] can be the difference between a draw and a win" although he is acutely aware that England have plenty of players who fall into the same category. "I've noticed things we can exploit but they've got quality throughout the team," he said. "[Wayne] Rooney is coming back into form &#8211; he's obviously a threat. And I watched Darren Bent and Ashley Young the other day and they were very good."
  Wales squad to face England
  
  Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (West Brom), Price (Crystal Palace), D Collins (Stoke), J Collins (Aston Villa), Eardley (Blackpool), Gabbidon (West Ham), Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Nyatanga (Bristol City), Taylor (Swansea), Williams (Swansea), Allen (Swansea), Bale (Tottenham), Crofts (Norwich), King (Leicester), Ledley (Celtic), Ramsey (Arsenal), Vaughan (Blackpool), Bellamy (Cardiff), Church (Reading), Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Evans (Sheffield United), Eastwood (Coventry), Morison (Millwall), Robson-Kanu (Reading)
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wales recall Bale, Bellamy and Ramsey for England qualifier

• Gary Speed hopeful of an upset
• Captain will be named next week

• Stuart James
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 March 2011 22.00 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Craig Bellamy has been called up for Wales' match against England in Cardiff on Saturday. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Gary Speed has named Gareth Bale, Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey in his squad for next Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium, where he hopes Wales can take inspiration from Northern Ireland's surprise victory over the same opponents six years ago and cause an upset of their own.
  The Wales manager, who will be overseeing his first competitive match in charge since he was appointed as John Toshack's successor in December, will watch Bale play for Tottenham Hotspur against West Ham United today with a view to starting him against England next week. With Bellamy and Ramsey also available provided they come through this weekend's matches without injury, Speed should be able to call upon Wales's three most talented individuals to face Fabio Capello's side.
  "We've got a chance, there's no doubt about that," said Speed, who revealed that Ryan Giggs plans to "pop in" to the team hotel next week to give the players a timely boost. "The form book, the bookies – everyone would have England down for a win and rightly so. But Northern Ireland beat them [at Windsor Park] so it's doable. If we are as good as we can be and England have an off day, we've got a chance of winning."
  Although Speed feels "a little bit too much" has been made of how Fabio Capello has handled England's captaincy, the response the Wales manager gave to a question about which player will lead out his own team in Cardiff revealed he has dealt with things far better. "I have decided. But I can't tell you who it is because the players don't know yet," he said. "It would be unprofessional of me to tell you before telling anybody else. When we get together next week they'll know."
  Bellamy is not under consideration for the role after telling Speed that he felt someone else should be captain because of the injury problems that restrict his involvement in friendlies. That leaves Aston Villa's James Collins, who should be fit for the England match despite carrying a calf injury, and Swansea City's Ashley Williams as the frontrunners, although when Speed spoke of a "long-term" appointment it was tempting to wonder whether he might turn to Bale or Ramsey.
  Speed described Bale, Ramsey and Bellamy as "matchwinners [who] can be the difference between a draw and a win" although he is acutely aware that England have plenty of players who fall into the same category. "I've noticed things we can exploit but they've got quality throughout the team," he said. "[Wayne] Rooney is coming back into form – he's obviously a threat. And I watched Darren Bent and Ashley Young the other day and they were very good."
  Wales squad to face England
  
  Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (West Brom), Price (Crystal Palace), D Collins (Stoke), J Collins (Aston Villa), Eardley (Blackpool), Gabbidon (West Ham), Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Nyatanga (Bristol City), Taylor (Swansea), Williams (Swansea), Allen (Swansea), Bale (Tottenham), Crofts (Norwich), King (Leicester), Ledley (Celtic), Ramsey (Arsenal), Vaughan (Blackpool), Bellamy (Cardiff), Church (Reading), Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Evans (Sheffield United), Eastwood (Coventry), Morison (Millwall), Robson-Kanu (Reading)

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mario Balotelli set to be dropped by Manchester City for Chelsea clash

&#8226; Roberto Mancini loses patience with Italian striker
&#8226; Italy also likely to axe Balotelli after red card

• Daniel Taylor
• The Guardian, Saturday 19 March 2011 <li class="history">Article history
  
  Mario Balotelli is sent off for Manchester City against Dynamo Kyiv. Roberto Mancini said his challenge was 'stupid'. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images Mario Balotelli faces being dropped from the Italy squad as a punishment for his latest red card. A public apology is also unlikely to spare him from being dropped for Manchester City's match at Chelsea on Sunday. City's manager, Roberto Mancini, has made the frank admission that he no longer feels he can trust the striker for a game of such magnitude.
  "I don't know if I can rely on him for a game like this," said Mancini, who is usually Balotelli's most voluble supporter. Balotelli has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for City but he has also had two red cards and nine yellows and a training-ground fight with Jérôme Boateng. He has shown little sign that he will ever accept authority in his life. That feeling extends to the national squad, whose coach, Cesare Prandelli, plans to take a hard line and leave out Balotelli when he announces his squad on Sunday for a Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovenia on 25 March and a friendly against the Ukraine four days later.
  Balotelli, in short, faces an enforced spell out of the game as the two managers try to address the pattern of behaviour that led to what Mancini described as a "stupid" red card in City's Europa League tie against Dynamo Kyiv. Balotelli, in a carefully prepared statement, said he was "very sorry" but he will be fined and there are clear signs at Eastlands that his apparently magnetic attraction to controversy will no longer be tolerated.
  "I don't think he will be in the squad [against Chelsea]," Mancini said. "I'm going to chat with him in the next couple of days and we'll see. Mario is young but he needs to think about what he wants to do because he has everything he needs to become a fantastic striker. But he lost the [Kyiv] tie for us and I am angry with him, definitely. Important players cannot do what Mario did."
  Balotelli was also caught up in an incident after the match, when he jumped out of his car to remonstrate with a group of supporters who are said to have flashed V-signs in his direction. "I hope, every day, that he will change his behaviour," Mancini said. "But I can't understand his bad behaviour sometimes. Sometimes I can, but other times I can't. I just hope he can change."
  The 20-year-old did at least apologise to his team-mates after Thursday's game and he followed up with a statement on the club's website that expressed his regret for the way he rammed his studs into the chest of the Dynamo defender Goran Popov. It is also understood that Balotelli will travel to London, despite Mancini's threat.
  "It was not my intention to hurt anyone, I want to express my sincere apologies to Popov," Balotelli said. "I was trying my best for the team, as I always do. The ball was in the air and I went for it with my foot high. I never tried to make contact with Popov and I certainly didn't want to hurt him. In retrospect, however, the tackle was poor and I'm very sorry to my team-mates in particular that I got sent off so early in such an important game.
  "I should have showed more consideration, but I was so involved in the game. It was not a good way to repay the manager who has shown so much faith in me, or the owners and fans who have made me so welcome since I arrived from Italy. I hope they forgive me and see that I want success with Manchester City. From my injury on, I have had some difficulties. It is not an easy period for me but I will overcome it with the help of everybody."
  Balotelli, nonetheless, is in danger of losing the trust of the other players. "He is a young boy and he has to learn from his mistakes &#8211; I told him, and everyone told him," the Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong said.
  "He has to realise you have to change your mentality sometimes on a professional level. Mario is a talented boy but I've told him he's got to learn from his mistakes and he's disadvantaging his own team by doing these kinds of things. He needs to realise that he's always going to be a marked man.
  "We're going to sit with him and he's going to realise he has to change. We are there to help him, not to criticise or blast him away. He is still a young lad and has to learn. He was angry and he was disappointed. He let his team down in a way but he knows it, and it is a good lesson for him."
  Prandelli is also planning to leave out Daniele De Rossi as punishment for the Roma player receiving a three-match ban from Uefa for elbowing Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna during a Champions League tie last week, an offence that was missed by the referee Howard Webb. It is Balotelli's inability to curb his behaviour, however, that is causing the more concern.
  Gianfranco Zola, who coached Balotelli with the Italy under-21 set-up, said: "He can become as good as he wants. Everything is in place except the self-discipline. He is a skilful player, a strong player; he just needs to learn the self-discipline that is so important in achieving results."
  Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, added: "I cannot judge Balotelli as a person because I do not know him but he has had a lot of problems with his behaviour on the pitch, also in Italy. He's one of the best young players in Italy and Italian football needs this kind of quality. Everyone in Italy hopes he will improve his behaviour on the pitch. The Italian national team needs him in the squad, so we hope his behaviour improves."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Bayern target Hughes happy at Fulham


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 2:28 PM ET
Mark Hughes admits it is "flattering" to be linked with the Bayern Munich job but insists he has no intention of quitting Fulham.
Reports this week claimed Hughes was Bayern's number one target to replace Louis van Gaal.

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Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

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But the former Wales boss says he is loving life at Craven Cottage and does not want to leave this summer.
Hughes is reportedly top of a three-man shortlist to succeed Van Gaal - who was told last week his contract was not being renewed - and is up against Bayer Leverkusen's Jupp Heynckes and former Germany captain Matthias Sammer.
"It's very flattering but I'm quite happy doing what I'm doing at the moment," said the Cottagers boss, who played for Bayern on loan from Barcelona in the late 1980s.
"Sometimes, when a job becomes vacant then people look around to see whether there are any connections in terms of past playing careers or whatever.
"I think there's no more in it than that."
Hughes boasts an impressive managerial record, having boosted the fortunes of Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City, who controversially sacked him just over a year ago.
He has also overcome a difficult start at Fulham to stabilise them in mid-table in the Premier League, something which has not gone unnoticed.
The 47-year-old, who is under contract until the end of next season, admitted managing overseas was on his long-term agenda.
"If opportunities in the future present themselves, I think it would be part of my football education and something that I'd want to do," he said.
"But I'm not looking to do it at the moment.
He added: "I'm enjoying my work. I think it's a great club and we're going in the right direction.
"Certainly, if we can invest more in the players next year as well then I think we can kick on."

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Hughes was confident his spending power would not be weakened by the club's latest accounts, which this week showed they had made a loss of £16.9million, up £10million from the previous year.
"Those losses I don't think were unexpected, so they'll be factored in," said Hughes.
"I don't think it'll have any impact on what I want to do in the summer."
Money is inevitably tight at Fulham and Hughes may need to get players off the wage bill to help raise cash to spend when the transfer window re-opens.
One man who appears surplus to requirements is Diomansy Kamara, who Hughes revealed today would be allowed to join Leicester on loan.
"I've obviously put the option to 'Joe' because he's out of the team at the moment and I think it's something that he's discussing with his advisors," Hughes said of the striker, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
"He's a little bit frustrated because he's not in the first 18 at the moment.
"He may feel that from now until the end of the season, he wants to play more games."
Kamara, who also spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic, has become more and more marginalised as Fulham's injured forwards have recovered, most recently Bobby Zamora.
Fellow long-term absentee Philippe Senderos has suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious Achilles injury, a hamstring strain meaning he will not be fit for Saturday's trip to Everton.
Midfielder Dickson Etuhu is also a doubt with a similar problem.

 

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Spurs boosted by Gallas news


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 12:30 PM ET
Tottenham have been boosted by the news that William Gallas has not suffered a new hamstring injury after pulling up in training on Tuesday.
There had been fears that the veteran centre-back could be sidelined for a month at a crucial stage of the season for Spurs.

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However, Harry Redknapp has been handed a welcome boost with a scan revealing no new damage to the former Arsenal and Chelsea man.
The club are still to reveal the full extent of Gallas' problem and it remains to be seen if he will be risked against West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.
A statement on the club's official website read: "A scan this afternoon (Wednesday) has reported that William Gallas has not suffered a fresh hamstring injury.
"The France defender had pulled up in training yesterday concerned about his hamstring.
"He will now be assessed over the coming days to determine his availability for this weekend's home Premier League fixture against West Ham United."
Redknapp's men are battling to secure another top-four finish in the Premier League and will learn their Champions League quarter-final opponents in Friday's draw.



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• Report Abuse Zidane510
  
  • 3/17/2011 12:11:33 PM
  Why do this keep occuring? Thats the second Spurs player to be feared for the absolute worse when in truth its just a ding. Are they trying to give Philly a heart attack?
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Pulis: Potters must beat Toon


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 12:34 PM ET
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has described Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Newcastle as a must-win game.
This weekend, the Potters turn their attentions from possible FA Cup glory to the battle for league survival.
Stoke reached the semi-finals of the cup for the first time in 39 years courtesy of last weekend's 2-1 win over West Ham and will face Bolton at Wembley next month.
With Manchester United or Manchester City waiting in the final, victory in the semi would almost certainly send Stoke into Europe, but for Pulis the priority remains ensuring they will play in the top flight for a fourth successive season.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Sat., Mar. 19​

Tottenham vs. West Ham
Aston Villa vs. Wolves
Blackburn vs. Blackpool
Man Utd vs. Bolton
Stoke City vs. Newcastle
West Brom vs. Arsenal
Wigan vs. Birmingham
Everton vs. Fulham

Sun., Mar. 20​

Sunderland vs. Liverpool
Chelsea vs. Man City

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

The Potters currently sit 12th and have not often been mentioned as potential relegation candidates but their cushion over the bottom three is only three points.
Victory on Saturday would move Stoke onto 37 points and above Newcastle, and Pulis has called on the club's fans to reprise the atmosphere that inspired them last weekend.
He said: "It's very, very important for the football club that we stay focused on the league and we've got a very, very tough game on Saturday against Newcastle. We've got to win it.
"They'll be up for it and what we've got to do is generate the same atmosphere we generated the other day against West Ham, both on the pitch and off the pitch. The support from both sides made the cup tie what it was, and that was a very, very exciting game.
"The supporters have to stay focused on the league. We've had a three-year plan and we're not through it yet. We have to get through it and at the end of the season I'll talk about those three years and why it was so important to get through them.
"Our aim right from the beginning of the season has been to get to 40 points as quickly as we can. That's never changed and that will never change.
"If we can do it in the next two games then brilliant. If not then the next three games, and if we can't do that then hopefully in the next four."
As well as sending a message to Stoke's supporters, Pulis has spent the week drumming into his players the idea that Saturday's game is if anything even more important than the quarter-final against West Ham.
"They were obviously very happy and delighted to achieve something that the club hadn't achieved for over 38 years," he said.
"It's a great feather in their cap but an even greater feather would be to retain Premier League status and to remain in one of the great leagues in the world."
There is a certain irony that, having been tipped for relegation for the last two seasons and survived comfortably, the Potters have slipped into danger largely unnoticed.
Pulis knows full well the danger of complacency, and he is determined any that has slipped into the club will be swiftly dispatched.
He added: "The longer you stay in the Premier League, people - whether it's people around the football club, whether it's people in the dressing room, whether it's people on the terraces - sort of become blase about the situation, and we can't afford to become blase.
"I think people have maybe taken their eye off the ball a little bit, especially with the great cup run. The important thing is we stay focused and get what we've tried to achieve from the first game of the season."
Stoke are likely to be without striker John Carew, who is still struggling with the back problem that forced him out of the cup clash.

 

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Completed Games

Today's Games Qualifier: 07/01/10 Qualifier: 07/08/10 Qualifier: 07/15/10 Qualifier: 07/22/10 - 07/23/10 Qualifier: 07/27/10 - 07/29/10 Qualifier: 08/03/10 - 08/05/10 First Round: 08/17/10 - 08/19/10 First Round: 08/24/10 - 08/26/10 Group Stage 9: 09/16/10 Group Stage 10: 09/30/10 Group Stage 11: 10/21/10 Group Stage 12: 11/04/10 Group Stage 13: 12/01/10 - 12/02/10 Group Stage 14: 12/15/10 - 12/16/10 Round of 32: 02/15/11 - 02/17/11 Round of 32: 02/22/11 - 02/24/11 Round of 16: 03/10/11 Round of 16: 03/17/11​

Thursday, March 17, 2011​

Round of 16​

City Of Manchester

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Manchester City​

1 : 0
Final

Dynamo Kiev​

Match Stats | Match Trax

(39') Aleksandar Kolarov
Goals

(36') Mario Balotelli

(45') Carlos Tevez

(61') Vincent Kompany

(72') David Silva

(78') Nigel De Jong

(90') Yaya Touré
Cards Atanda Ayila Yussuf (38')

Milos Ninkovic (43')

Leandro Almeida (50')

(71') Adam Johnson

Gareth Barry

(76') Edin Dzeko

David Silva

(88') James Milner

Aleksandar Kolarov

Substitutions Roman Zozulya (46')

Milos Ninkovic

Denys Garmach (62')

Andriy Shevchenko

Betao (90')

Andriy Yarmolenko

Parc des Princes

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Paris SG​

1 : 1
Final

Benfica​

Match Stats | Match Trax

(35') Mathieu Bodmer
Goals Nicolas Gaitán (27')

(71') Clement Chantome

(82') Sylvain Armand
Cards Pablo César Aimar (29')

Maximiliano Pereira (78')

(68') Ludovic Giuly

Mathieu Bodmer

(68') Guillaume Hoarau

Mevlüt Erding

(78') Jean-Eudes Maurice

Marcos Ceara

Substitutions Carlos Martins (64')

Javier Saviola

Cesar Peixoto (80')

Pablo César Aimar

Jardel (90')

Nicolas Gaitán

Anfield

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Liverpool​

0 : 0
Final

Sporting Braga​

Match Stats | Match Trax
Goals

(52') Andrew Carroll

(71') Martin Skrtel

(83') Meireles
Cards Paulao (52')

Vandinho (73')

(75') Jay Spearing

Maxi Rodríguez

(75') David N'Gog

Joe Cole

Substitutions Kaka (74')

Vandinho

Albert Meyong Zé (84')

Líma

Mossoró (89')

Leandro Salino

Dragao

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FC Porto​

2 : 1
Final

CSKA Moscow​

Match Stats | Match Trax

 

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Ibrox

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Rangers​

0 : 1
Final

PSV Eindhoven​

Match Stats | Match Trax
Goals Jeremain Lens (13')

(73') Madjid Bougherra
Cards Orlando Engelaar (84')

(46') Steven Naismith

David Weir

(66') El Hadji Diouf

Kyle Lafferty

(86') David Healy

Richard Foster

Substitutions Otman Bakkal (66')

Marcus Berg

Petrovsky

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Zenit St. Petersburg​

2 : 0
Final

FC Twente​

Match Stats | Match Trax

(16') Roman Shirokov

(37') Alexander Kerzhakov
Goals

(32') Danny

(46') Bruno Alves

(58') Aleksandr Anyukov
Cards

(46') Szabolcs Huszti

Fernando Meira

(64') Aleksandr Bukharov

Danko Lazovic

(70') Konstantin Zyryanov

Alexander Kerzhakov

Substitutions Ola John (72')

Emir Bajrami

Luzhniki Stadion

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Spartak Moscow​

3 : 0
Final

Ajax​

Match Stats | Match Trax

(21') Dmitri Kombarov

(30') Welliton

(54') Alex
Goals

(78') Faustino Rojo
Cards Eyong Enoh (77')

(67') Ari

Aiden McGeady

(84') Artem Dzyuba

Alex

Substitutions Aras Ozbiliz (46')

Miralem Sulejmani

Eyong Enoh (46')

Daley Blind

Dario Cvitanich (63')

Christian Eriksen

El Madrigal

Expand

Villarreal​

2 : 1
Final

Bayer Leverkusen​

Match Stats | Match Trax

 

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Chelsea v Manchester City, Premier League, 4pm Sunday 20 March

Andriy Shevchenko backs Chelsea's Fernando Torres to start scoring

&#8226; Former Chelsea striker knows the pressure of the price tag
&#8226; 'He must keep believing in himself and the goals will come'

• Jamie Jackson
• The Guardian, Saturday 19 March 2011 <li class="history">Article history
  
  Fernando Torres is backed by Andriy Shevchenko to start scoring soon after his £50m move to Chelsea. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Andriy Shevchenko has told Fernando Torres, who has not scored since joining Chelsea from Liverpool for £50m in January, that he must "keep believing".
  In 2006 the Ukraine striker was signed by Chelsea for £30.8m but in three seasons managed only nine goals in 47 league appearances. Torres has so far played four league games and two in the Champions League and the Spaniard is finding the move from Merseyside difficult.
  Shevchenko, now back at Dynamo Kyiv, said: "Torres must keep believing in himself and stay calm because the goals will come. He always works hard on the pitch and maybe he shouldn't think so much about scoring and try too hard to score because, if he relaxes, they will come naturally. Chelsea play football in a different way to Liverpool and he needs time to adapt.
  "Everyone expects a lot of him because the price tag was very high. I know what that is like. In England everyone puts a lot of pressure on you when you have cost a lot of money. But he just needs to relax. He has proved he is a top player who can perform and score at the highest levels in the game, so I'm sure the goals will come again."
  Shevchenko was back in England this week, playing for Dynamo against Manchester City in the Europa League. He had scored in the home leg and helped them close out the tie against a side whose next league match is at Stamford Bridge. He said: "People have said maybe he will be better next season and it's true he certainly needs time to settle but I hope he can score against [Manchester] City on Sunday and maybe if he does the goals will start to flow this season."
  Shevchenko had fitness problems while at Stamford Bridge and Torres has had a similar start there. "I had a hard time at Chelsea mainly because I was injured much of the time," Shevchenko said. "Every time I recovered from one injury I seemed to get a new one and it set me back again. Torres must not let the pressure get to him &#8211; the most important thing is to feel good. [But] I didn't leave Chelsea with bad memories though. I enjoyed my time there despite things not going so well on the pitch. I won a couple of trophies while I was there [the FA Cup and League Cup]. Chelsea is a big, ambitious club and I wish them well.
  "I still follow Chelsea's fortunes. It's an important game for both clubs on Sunday but I hope Chelsea win, of course."