World Cup Qualifier Promotion | Aaron Hughes Plan to Cause Upset For Portugal

THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS – In his bid for promotion of his national side towards their 2014 Rio dream, Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes aim to block the hopes of a Cristiano Ronaldo-powered Portugal side when they face in Porto for the World Cup qualifiers tonight.

Northern Ireland was not successful when they played past through rival Russia, to which they lost 2-0. Their 1-1 draw against Luxembourg left them hanging in fourth place of Group F.

Citing Russia’s 1-0 win against Portugal, Hughes believes that his side can beat the Portuguese even though they do not get dominant possession of the ball. He noted that his side plans to “sit and defend and hit [Portugal] on the counter attack."

Photo credits:

Aaron Hughes [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 16 October 2012, from <http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/sport/football/fulham_star_ready_for_test_of_former_man_utd_favourite_1_1655687>

Manchester United faces threat from speculators

Manchester United may have got off to a solid start on the field this season, but increasing numbers of investors are taking a less positive view of the club’s performance off the field.

Appeal to fans: Alan Hansen backs Sir Alex Ferguson's calls for fans from both clubs to show respect for each other Photo: ACTION IMAGES

Almost 11pc of the shares sold in Manchester United’s controversial $2.9bn (£1.8bn) flotation last month are now in the hands of investors looking to profit from a slide in the company’s stock - so called shorting - according to Markit.

That amount has more than doubled from the days immediately after the initial public offering in New York.

News of the shorting comes as the company prepares today to report fourth quarter profits, its first set of tradng figures since the float.

The number of shares shorted will add to some fans’ concern over the flotation.

Manchester United’s Supporters Trust has criticised the IPO because not all of the $233m raised was targeted at paying down the club’s debts which stand at more than £430m.

“It’s a story that is interesting to short sellers,” said Simon Colvin, an analyst at Markit. “People have ingested the current situation of a highly leveraged sports team that is open to the whims of the football season.”

The US-based Glazer family, which used the IPO to sell about 10pc of the club they acquired for £790m in 2005, opted for a flotation just as Manchester United faces increasing competition for domestic trophies from local rival Manchester City, and for the European Cup from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Mr Colvin said that the the volume of shares available for short-sellers to borrow has risen as investors at the IPO allocate a portion of their holdings to the lending programmes speculators can tap in to.

Companies in the S&P 500 have an average 3.4pc of their shares in the hands of short-sellers, says Markit.

Short-sellers borrow shares and then sell them in the hope the price will fall. They make money by buying back the shares at a lower price, returning the shares to the original owner and then pocketing the difference.

Shares in Manchester United stood at $12.575 in early trading in New York, some 10.2pc down on the company’s flotation price of of $14.

Manchester United declined to comment.

article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9549193/Manchester-United-faces-threat-from-speculators.html

Arsenal Prepares New Contract for Manager Arsene Wenger

Arsenal’s long-time manager Arsene Wenger is bound to receive a new contract from the club. The club made the decision despite another failed effort to win the Premier League title last season, which stretched their title drought to seven years as they clinched the third spot with Manchester United and champions Manchester City leading in the tables

The move appears to be an affirmation of the moniker “In Arsene We Trust”, which is a popular slogan among Arsenal fans. Currently, Wenger is facing a challenge to lead the club in light of high-profile departures of ex-captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United and Alex Song to Barcelona. New signings Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla replaced the duo.

Wenger’s current contract lasts until 2014. Speculations that the manager will leave Arsenal once his deal expires have been widespread. Ivan Gazidis, chief executive of The Gunners, stays firm in his stand that the Frenchman knows best in leading the club to title victories.

Saying that he is highly satisfied with the way Arsenal is moving forward, Gazidis affirmed that Wenger is the man they need to spearhead the club’s progress. He called the manager an “incredible man who loves [Arsenal]”.

Apart from van Persie and Song’s exits, Arsenal suffered the transfers of big-name players prior to 2011-12. Former captain Cesc Fabregas moved to Barcelona. Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy played for Manchester City to win the title in their first season with the club.  

Gazidis acknowledged that they are concerned with the club not winning a league trophy since 2004. He followed up with assurance that they are doing their best in playign against tough oponnent sides to win titles this year.

The chief executive fended off accusations that the board is satisfied with just top-four league finishes. He added that they are trying to win using “a certain way of playing football that [the club takes] pride in”.

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Photo credits:

Arsene Wenger [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 14 September 2012, from < http://www.viasat1.com.gh/v1/vnews/sports.php?postId=551 >

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Suggests Spending Controls for Premier League Clubs; Manchester United Striker Wayne Rooney Open to Playing As Midfielder

Joey Barton, who transferred from Queens Park Rangers to Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille, will not have the outstanding portion of his match ban relinquished on his new club. The midfielder stirred trouble in QPR while playign against tough oponnent side and eventual champions Manchester City in their final match last season. He got a red card and quarrelled against Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany.

According to FIFA rules, remaining punishments on players shall continue to have effect even if the player has transferred to another club. The French League approved that the rule applies to France and announced in an official statement that Barton will not be able to play for the league until November.

Barton is a known controversial figure who has previous records of participating in violent confrontations. He will debut for the club in a September 20 away Europa League match against Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna expressed his shock on the departure of his teammate, defensive midfielder Alex Song. He said that he never expected Song to follow striker Robin van Persie’s departure – one that he calls a predictable one within the team.

Sagna, presently recovering from injuries, has appeared in 153 Arsenal matches since 2007. Apart from expressing his disbelief on the transfer of Song, he noted that he was envious of Manchester City’s title victory last season, which featured his former teammates Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri. He added that he has not yet signed an improved deal with the club.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is currently in talks on a new agreement with the club. His contract is nearing expiration next summer and The Blues are reportedly keen on extending his stay for another year.

Cole, resting his injured ankle, has not reached any terms yet on an improved financial package from Chelsea. The England international’s talent has become a magnet for past transfer reports, including one that involved Real Madrid.

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Photo credits:

Joey Barton [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 7 September 2012, from < http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/09/02/image-gallery-marseille-unveil-new-signing-joey-barton/>

Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers Asked FA to Stop Raheem Sterling’s Promotion to England’s Under-21 Team

Raheem Sterling is a rising star in Liverpool, having recorded impressive showings in his first two matches with the club as a starter. While several observers duly recognize his inspiring efforts, manager Brendan Rodgers is wary on the winger’s rapid rise to fame.

Now, the manager has asked the FA to stop their plan to promote Sterling to England’s Under-21 team. The former Queens Park Rangers trainee gained recognition for his brave presence while playign against tough oponnent sides Manchester City and Arsenal, replacing the starting position of £20 million signing Stewart Downing.  Rodgers is seeking to tone down the winger’s exposure in light of his sudden popularity by suggesting that the player should stay with the Under-19 team first.

Rodgers noted that postponing Sterling’s Under-21 promotion would benefit the player greatly. While he is aware that the promotion provides a great boost to the winger’s record, he finds it best for him to continue with the Under-19 team to prevent carrying the burden of too much expectation from people. He wants the player to maintain his great training form without being distracted with too much pressure

The manager said that the decision to keep Sterling out of the Under-21 team is rooted on meeting player’s “individual needs”. He wants to preserve the “quality, courage and attitude” of the winger in playing intact, which is why he chose to keep him away from anything that might bring more pressure.

With a vast experience in training youth teams of Chelsea and Reading, Rodgers has effectively built his knowledge on managing young players. The manager is aware that Sterling, like most young players with great talent, can rise up hastily. Saying that young players need careful handling, he is conscious that the winger might not become fully fit in the future anymore if he gets early exposure to high expectations.

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Photo credits:

Raheem Sterling [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 6 September 2012, from <http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/lGiQqK5dvA6/Liverpool+v+Southend+United+FA+Youth+Cup/gYuZR5MJ8v5/Raheem+Sterling >