Football fans’ willingness to show their dedication comes in all shapes and sizes. One such way is to splay their dedication over their body in the form of a tattoo. I can understand why somebody might choose to tattoo their footballing allegiance onto their body. Whilst women come and go, a football team is for life. It’s the manly man’s equivalent of getting “I love mom’ yet a tattoo is a big commitment, so it’s important to get it right. As you can imagine, this process isn’t always a success.
Below are the top 10 Liverpool tattoos to be found on the net – the good, the bad and the plain ugly – click on image below to unveil gallery:
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Have you got a better Liverpool tattoo? Football FanCast would like to invite the readers to submit their own entry via our Facebook Page. The winning entries will go forward to our grand competition to find the best tattoo in the Premier League.
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Joe Cole has been heavily linked to Arsenal this summer after Chelsea announced that he will not be staying at the football club. However he allegedly wants in excess of £120k a week and it begs the question as to whether Arsenal should be meeting his demands.
Whilst Arsenal are said not to be willing to meet those demands outright, they are reportedly prepared to give Cole a basic £80,000 a week, three-year contract laden with bonus such as getting in the top four, winning the Premiership and winning the Champions League.
Although Cole is a good player, he isn’t of the calibre to command a wage in line with the highest earners at the football club, like Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas is a world class player and could walk into any side in the world with ease; he has contributed to Arsenal immensely over the last few years and is their captain. Cole in contrast has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place during his seven years at Chelsea. He has had to overcome a lot of injury problems and should have to prove his fitness before gets such a high-wage contract. Arsenal won’t want to be in a situation where they are paying Joe Cole a huge amount of money without him being in a fit state to play.
The big question is if they can keep Cole fit then he could make a big impact for the side. He is a very adaptable player as he can play on both flanks, behind the striker and is able to use both feet. Although a gifted player he can consider himself lucky to have made the England squad for the World Cup as he hasn’t played too much football for Chelsea this season and most of his appearances have been a substitute. However this is also testament to his ability that Fabio Capello picked him despite not too much playing time because he knows just how good Joe Cole can be.
Arguably most of Arsenal’s attacking players haven’t had as big an impact on their season as they should have and Cole could bring some much needed vitality to the side, however at what price? Is he worth his massive wage demands, or should Arsenal be looking for a cheaper alternative elsewhere?
Do you think Joe Cole deserves the quoted wages?
Message me on Twitter with your thoughts
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No one envies Norwich City this weekend as they travel to Old Trafford. As far as the bookies are concerned it is in merely a question of how many goals United will score this weekend not what the result will be. However, Paul Lambert and Norwich City have to believe they can get something at Old Trafford after all United have drawn their last two games.
So was this all in mind I’ve had a look at some things that appear to be favourable for Norwich City going into the game. That could see the Canaries grabbing a draw or even a shocking victory.
Norwich has previous
The prospect of Norwich City beating Manchester United seems a little bit far-fetched, doesn’t it? Well, maybe not cast your mind back to 2005. No one gave Norwich City a chance when the two sides met at Carrow Road in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson was similarly complacent and decided to rest some of his key players.
Unfortunately for Ferguson, Norwich were right up for this game and ended up winning the game 2-0 thanks to goals and Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie. Of course, repeating the feat at Old Trafford would be a much harder task. However, Paul Lambert will be keen to remind his players that anything is possible.
United has their injury problems
It may be clutching at straws a little bit to talk about Manchester United’s current injury problems. Everyone knows that despite the players that are out Manchester United have an incredible squad to choose from and can easily field a very strong side against Norwich City.
That being said Manchester United will be without key players that definitely includes Wayne Rooney and will probably also include Javier Hernandez. Clearly Manchester United would want a full squad to choose from and not having certain players available will encourage Norwich.
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Norwich City is in form
Norwich City is starting to enjoy life in the Premier League and have hit some form at just the right time. The club is run of two straight wins following success over Bolton (away) and Sunderland at home. Some people might argue that the pressure is off for the visit to Old Trafford. The team do not need to be scared about going to United and losing, so they can go to Manchester and express themselves.
Paul Lambert will go and attack the champions
During his time at Norwich Paul Lambert is not known for his defensive or negative management. Teams in the past the gone to Old Trafford and effectively written off the game before they have even begun. While others have setup with a very defensive systems in order to try and contain Manchester United.
Norwich City though will do neither. Paul Lambert will put out a team that can go and win the game against United, and will look to attack. If Norwich can keep it tight in the first half and then have a real go in the second half then who knows what result we could have.
United look vulnerable at the back
Manchester United has looked like an impressive side going forward this season. Ashley Young is clearly a very useful addition to United’s attacking options. However, the Premier League champions have been less convincing at the back. The goalkeeper David De Gea has already been prone to some mistakes this season.
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Manchester United should have won their Champions League game this week very comfortably. Two quickfire goals in the first half saw United 2-0 up. However, Basel came back into the game and were leading 3-2, after they put United defence under some pressure. This is certainly promising for Norwich City, because it shows if you put the Manchester United defence under pressure they can concede goals. Whatever the result enjoy the game.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his side’s 2-0 win over Wolves was a crucial step forward following their shock result against Newcastle.
Wenger’s side threw away a 4-0 lead at St James’ Park last weekend, conceding four goals in the last 22 minutes to draw 4-4. But on Saturday they were back to their best, with a Robin van Persie enough to secure all three points against Wolves.
“It wasn’t easy to read about the Newcastle result in the media and we needed a response today,” Wenger said.
“With the number of chances we created and the quality of our game, we did that. We were defensively solid and that was important after the four goals we conceded last week.”
“We created many chances and if there is one criticism maybe it is we did not score enough goals but I think that is down to their goalkeeper and all the keepers who are inspired here. (Wolves ‘keeper Wayne) Hennessey had an outstanding game.”
Wenger said the win would give his men confidence as they prepare to tackle the toughest job in world football – a Champions League clash with Barcelona at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
“We had to stay focused. For us it is important to go in strong against the best team in the world,” he said.
“It is important for us to go in strong because psychologically it builds confidence and as well gives us a strong position in the league.”
“We are not favourites in this game but I think we can do it.”
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made no excuses for the defeat, admitting his side were completely outclassed by the Gunners.
“There was a murder going on out there and we were the recipients of it unfortunately,” McCarthy said.
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“We’ve come and tried everything but they were better than us from one to 11.”
“They were better than us and have slapped us but we did try everything whether it be personnel, shape or formations. They were better than us and turned us over and I have not one complaint at all.”
The result, coupled with West Ham’s 3-3 draw with West Brom, leaves McCarthy’s men locked to the foot of the table.
We have probably all signed our fair share of contracts in our time. Whether that be for a new house, a new mobile phone or when starting a new job, contracts are a formal way of committing to something. They are proof that you have come to a mutual agreement with another party, stating that you will abide by all of the said terms and will not breach any agreements reached in your contract.
In football, we see some of the most coveted contracts signed by some of the most high profile individuals for enormous sums. The contracts signed are normally much talked about and very much kept in the eye of the public. We all know how much half of the Man City team earn a week for example, and how little lower league players earn in comparison.
Unless you live under a rock, or have been on media lockdown of late, you will know that we have recently seen Arsenal Captain Robin Van Persie announce on his personal website his desire to leave the club regardless of the contract he is currently under. With a year left on his current deal, he still spoke out against the terms he was subject to, effectively cutting all affiliation with his current employees, and putting himself in the shop window for any other club to secure his services.
Should this turn into a growing trend, there is a serious concern for the way our beautiful game could be heading. The security that a contract offers a club of keeping hold of its best players from big money moves could count for nothing, as individuals speak out anyway and make their position at clubs virtually untenable.
However, the problem is just as much that of the clubs as it the players. The fact of the matter is, a team of Arsenal’s organisational stature shouldn’t be letting a star player such as Robin Van Persie get down to the last year of his contract in the first place. In this specific example, the Gunners could learn a thing or two from their North London rivals Tottenham, who sensibly tied down the services of star players Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker on long term contracts this summer, and have since remained committed to the club.
Robin Van Persie is not the first example of this we have seen, nor will he be the last. Gareth Barry, Pierre Van Hooijdonk and even Wayne Rooney have all put their clubs in these positions, a predicament of whether or not to sell the player in question. Thus proving the consistent inability of clubs to wisen up to the motives of the modern day footballer. Now more concerned with monetary wealth than domestic triumphs, clubs need to adapt to what the modern day footballer has become and not assume that they possess such loyalties that they may have done in a former era.
Whilst the reaction to Robin Van Persie’s statement may provoke anger amongst the Arsenal faithful due to the way he went about his business, technically he has done nothing wrong given the freedom of his contract. His club however, should have possessed the authority to sell him for maximum profit sooner or renew his contract long before the situation arose.
As financial prowess is just as important as sporting ability in football nowadays, those clubs faced with losing players to their more money laden rivals need to adapt their own models suitably to keep their prospects alive. The security of a contract needs to be the first port of call, and keeping individuals subject to the demand of the club can only be achieved with a long term deal honoured by both parties. Should an agreement not be reached long in advance, a transfer for maximum profit is surely the next priority, with minimal impact on the rest of the team. The recent comparative successes of Tottenham can, to some extent, be seen thanks to strengths in this department of their clubs management.
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As cliché as it sounds, the beautiful game has changed considerably from what it was twenty or thirty years ago. No longer can clubs rely on player’s loyalty, as individual talents now focus their attention on financial imperatives rather than pledging allegiance to a club they love being a part of for the right reasons. Until clubs realise and catch on to a growing trend amongst players, the sanctity of a contract might not offer the safety net it once could unless agreed long in advance and with the willingness of the player.
The fact that players can announce their ambitions to move elsewhere, and within the freedom of their contracts, is a dangerous precedent we are yet to escape. It is something clubs will need to put a stop to in order for our game to remain an entertaining, competitive and compelling one.
Sporting Lisbon winger Simon Vukcevic has agreed to join Blackburn Rovers for £2 million, The Sun understands.
The Montenegrin international has signed a three-year deal at Ewood Park to become Kean’s fourth summer signing.
Rovers are now hoping he will receive international clearance in time to make his debut against Everton on Saturday.
Kean told The Sun: “Hopefully he’ll be back in the country some time tomorrow.
“It’s going to be difficult for him to be involved against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup tomorrow because he has not even trained with us.
“But if he comes back with all the appropriate paperwork then he will train with us on Thursday and Friday in preparation for the Everton game.”
The Rovers boss has so far managed to bring in David Goodwillie, Radosav Petrovic and Myles Anderson this summer.
At £2 million Kean believes he signed one of the bargains of the summer with Vukcevic boasting extensive Champions League and international experience.
“He is an exciting player who can play wide on either side.” He said.
“When you meet him he is a very focused guy who takes his football very seriously.
“He likes to take people on, to be the guy who makes a difference, a bit of a match winner.
Kean added: “He is a very good player with lots of international games under his belt for a country in the top 20, so he has performed at that level at a consistent basis.
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“He will give us a different dimension.”
The 25-year-old will certainly provide Rovers with a massive boost after a terrible start to the season saw them lose their first two games of the season.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is expected to be fit for the derby against Manchester United on February 12.
Balotelli, 20, is in the United States to visit specialist Bill Knowles as he attempts to overcome a long-term knee problem.
The Italian has struggled with a knee injury since joining City from Inter Milan in the close season.
He missed nine weeks after aggravating the knee in September and has been out of action after the problem flared in City’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa in December.
“He is continuing to work and maybe he can come back to play in three or four weeks,” City boss Mancini said.
“It is important he shows his talent here. For his future it is important for him to improve and this is the best championship in the world.”
Balotelli, no stranger to controversy during his short career, recently made the bold statement that he was a member of the best attacking line-up in the world.
He also claimed United forward Wayne Rooney was ‘not even the best striker in Manchester.’
The comments have angered the red half of the city, but Mancini believes the outspoken Balotelli should be taken a little less seriously.
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“I haven’t read the interview so I don’t know what he has said. But he likes to joke sometimes and these things are jokes,” Mancini said.
“We live in a free world. If someone wants to say something, it is better that he does. I respect every opinion.”
“We are not in a war. We are free to say what we want.”
Zaha is better than Beckham, and is going for gold at the Olympic Games.
It’s official, Zaha is better than Beckham! Well, this is what I was going to write if Stuart Pearce had included him in the Olympics squad.(at the time of writing both Zaha and Beckham are rumoured to be on the ‘backup list’.)
Golden Balls announced his own failure to make the Olympic team last week, usurping the official announcement on 1st July. I am a massive David Beckham fan, but was it really necessary to make it all about him, and gazump the announcement of the men’s team this week, and the ladies last week?
The cynic in me comes to two conclusions:
1. Either Beckham’s PR manager was working overtime, ringing around everyone from Jack Rodwell to Robbie Savage asking for support;
2. or Seb Coe is a genius in whipping up interest in an Olympic competition which the majority of Great Britain doesn’t give a monkey’s about (with the exception of Beckham, Bale, Pearce and a selection of officials from ticket sellers to sponsors).
It does beggar the question, what is the point of Olympics Football?
The Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius” , or “Swifter, Higher, Stronger” for those of you that didn’t go to grammar school. I’m confident that there are several GB players that can surpass Becks in all three of those categories! Having tweeted last week, questioning the outcry over Beckham’s exclusion, and pedantically asking if they’ll be tears if Seb Coe is left out of the 1500m, it was pointed out to me that Coe hasn’t run for a long time. But Beckham hasn’t played elite football for a long time either!
For me the Olympics should be the pinnacle of the sport that is involved, and for the vast majority of sports, London 2012 will be the biggest stage since Beijing in 2008. Football however has the World Cup, and it really doesn’t need the Olympics does it?
In fact the Men’s Olympic Football isn’t even an elite tournament with the under-23 restriction and 3 ‘over-aged’/over the hill players, basically ensuring there are no players in their prime competing.
I know that other countries such as Nigeria and Argentina have used the Olympics as a springboard for future success at elite level, but with our weird English/Welsh hybrid team, will this really work for Team GB?
With Wilfred Zaha included in Stuart Pearce’s shortlisted squad of 35, and potentially on stand-by for the final 18, it’s another feather in the cap for Palace’s famous academy, even if he didn’t make the cut. It’s a shame that Nigeria haven’t qualified as Victor Moses could have featured. There was a slim chance that Nathaniel Clyne could have been included, and Antonio Pedroza could have been involved through his Mexican heritage too.
Zaha’s inclusion would have certainly meant more interest in the tournament for Palace fans, myself included. Like Beckham, Zaha doesn’t have the benefit of playing at the highest level at the moment, but if the Olympics is going to be treated as aid to developing young talent, then it would have been a great opportunity for the player. He broke into the England under-21 squad towards the back end of the season, and this was another opportunity to add to his experience.
With Senegal and Uruguay in the GB’s group, he would have been able to pit himself against some talented and developing teams, who might also be able to match him for flair. Not sure what sort of opposition UAE will present, but they are historically much weak at senior level.
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It’s a shame Pearce did not pick him. Perhaps the Olympics came a year too early for Wilf. At least Palace can claim to have aided the development of one of those selected. Scott Sinclair made 6 appearance on loan from Chelsea in 2008, scoring 2 goals. In fairness, he’s not a dissimilar player to Wilf, but ahead in the development curve and age.
So Beckham is consigned to history, having made a significant impact on England’s football heritage. If Wilfred Zaha can have half the impact that Becks has done on the global stage, he’ll have done alright. But for now, Wilf will have to make do with destroying the Championship and Manchester United full backs instead.
Oh, and Psycho, if you’re reading this, “He’s just too good for you…”
For anyone that’s interested, check which countries will be playing the Euro2012-format here: http://www.london2012.com/news/articles/london-2012-olympic-football-tournament-draw-made.html
According to the Daily Mirror, Inter Milan are ready to offer their Brazilian attacking right-back Maicon in part-exchange for want-away striker Calos Tevez.
Much has been made of the Argentine’s ‘chance’ meeting with Inter’s director of football Marco Branca whilst in holiday in Italy, and since then it has been presumed the Italian club lead the chase for Tevez, whose deal to return to Corinthians of Brazil fell through.
Inter, who are yet to make a marquee signing this summer, see Tevez as the ideal target to lead them in their challenge to reclaim the Serie A title from neighbours AC Milan. It was thought that Manchester City were offered the opportunity to take on Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o in any part-exchange deal, but that seems to have changed with Maicon now on offer.
Maicon, who has been Brazil’s first-choice right-back for a number of years despite the presence of Barcelona’s brilliant Daniel Alves, has only one year remaining on his current contract with Inter, and the Italian giants are thought to be considering cashing on the player, who is now 30-years old.
However, any straight swap deal involving Tevez would interest the Italian’s, with no actual cash changing hands, but with City setting Tevez’s value at £40 million, and Maicon valued at around £15 million, there’s a £25 million shortfall.
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Ironically, it was the current Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, who signed Maicon whilst in charge at Inter, 5-season ago.
Four second-half goals saw Bayern Munich romp to a 5-1 victory over Kaiserslautern in Saturday’s Bundesliga action.
The performance from Louis Van Gaal’s side was the highlight of the day’s play in the German top flight, with Mario Gomez striking a hat-trick in the triumph.
Both sides entered the game in form, with Bayern unbeaten in six while Kaiserslautern had not lost in five.
Arjen Robben opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when he made the most of Thomas Mueller’s assist and just a minute after the break, Gomez doubled the hosts’ lead.
Kaiserslautern were entertaining thoughts of a comeback when Jan Moravek pulled one back just after the hour-mark, but Gomez’s second with just 10 minutes remaining wrapped up the result.
The in-form striker snared his treble five minutes later, making it a remarkable 22 goals in his last 17 matches in all competitions for Bayern, before Mueller added the fifth in injury time.
League leaders Borussia Dortmund remain 13 points clear at the top of the standings, despite sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Stuttgart.
Mario Gotze put the table-toppers in front on the stroke of half-time but Dortmund were made to pay by Pavel Pogrebnyak who struck with five minutes remaining.
Hannover failed to take advantage of Dortmund’s slip-up as they were beaten at home by Schalke by a solitary goal.
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Despite sitting a whopping 12 points behind Juergen Klopp’s side on the league table, Hannover found themselves in the usual position of second before kick-off.
But their league position counted for nothing as Raul struck the sole goal in the match after 33 minutes after good build-up work from Lukas Schmitz.
In other matches, Simon Kjaer’s 82nd minute goal gave Wolfsburg a 1-0 away win at Mainz while Julian Schieber’s equaliser gave Nurenburg a point in a 1-1 draw with Freiburg.