Shaun's Saturday X B*ll*x
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:10 amSHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS is gunning for Chelsea today - and the Xbox nut has had plenty of target practice.
The Manchester City winger has been shooting old team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard online in hit game Call of Duty and is now ready to wage war on the pair at Eastlands.
He said: "I still speak to lots of Chelsea lads like John and Frank. I love Call of Duty on Xbox and I play them on it. It's quality. It's great banter and when I was at Chelsea there were lots of competitions between the players on the consoles. I'm really competitive and once I get into a game you can't get me away from the screen. I have friends at Chelsea but I'm a City player now and want to do well for them."
The England hopeful spent three seasons at Chelsea but struggled to cement a first-team slot.Now back at City for a second spell, he is ready to remind the Blues why they paid £24million for him in 2005, as his club look to end a run of seven league draws. Wright-Phillips added: "I didn't have a real chance, so when City came back for me I was happy. We can break into the top four but must beat teams like Chelsea to show we're serious."
An unmissable glimpse inside Manchester City, Ireland and Newcastle's dressing rooms with Shay Given
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z0YnuGTVTt
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Manchester City will move for AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso after he turned down a new contract.
Daily Mirror
Manchester City and Chelsea are not interested in signing Gennaro Gattuso, according to the Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani. The 31-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window, but Galliani has played down this suggestion. "I am not aware that Manchester City is interested in him," he said. "I have also spoken to [Chelsea manager Carlo] Ancelotti and Rino [Gattuso] is not in his plans."
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told City they will never get their hands on John Terry. (Daily Star)
Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is set to leave Manchester United in the summer.
Bordeaux say they have no intention of selling striker - and Arsenal target - Marouane Chamakh in January.Daily Mirror
Former Manchester United target Adam Ljajic is "in psychological shock" after the club pulled out of a £9m deal to sign the Serbian.The Guardian
Scholes predicts bright future for City
Paul Scholes has no doubt Manchester City are going to be a footballing force - he just does not want them to begin their march next month. As a nine-time Premier League title winner with Manchester United, Scholes has experienced most events in his illustrious footballing career, but the 35-year-old will get the taste of something new when City tackle the Red Devils in the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final. He said: "There is a bit of a way to go before you think of Manchester City as a main rival in terms of the league and the Champions League. But they are definitely going forward and with the players and money at their disposal, I am sure, given time, they will be right up there." Scholes is realistic enough to acknowledge that any club willing to spend £120million in a single transfer window, as the Blues did last summer, is eventually bound to be a success.But he is eager that United do not play a part in them achieving it "These games are certainly something to look forward to," he said. "Both matches will have great atmospheres and it would be fantastic to get through to the final by beating City."
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, are having trouble refinancing part of the club's £700m debt.
The Times <Snigger>
Tottenham have overlooked Ledley King's knee problems to offer the defender a new £70,000-a-week contract.The Sun
Liverpool believe a persistent groin injury may deprive Fernando Torres of the chance to play for Spain at the World Cup.
The Times
MORE HANDSHAKE BOLLOX
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger hits out at Mark Hughes's conduct after handshake row
Arsène Wenger has revealed that he took the decision not to shake hands with Mark Hughes before half-time during Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final as a direct response to the Manchester City manager's touchline conduct.
According to Wenger, the more serious issue is the behaviour of Hughes, who clearly shouted angrily in the direction ofthe Arsenal manager after walking in front of his technical area.
Wenger regarded the remarks to him as improper and said his subsequent decision to walk straight down the tunnel on the final whistle had nothing to do with the 3-0 defeat.
Asked if he would shake Manchester City manager Hughes's hand again, Wenger said: "I will when people behave properly, but I am not a slave of the ceremonial. I have my freedom and my views. I feel the ceremonial is important but it's not the most important. The most important is how you behave.
"I do not regret one second of what I did. When I do something, I know what will hit me afterwards but it's more important that I feel I behaved like I think is right. I don't deny that I am a bad loser but on this occasion I would have done exactly the same if we had won. I knew at half-time what I would do. Sometimes in England you feel the ceremonial is more important than the real thing. In this case, I am the only one who is questioned. I am here for 13 years, nobody wonders why I reacted like that. That means you can say what you want, insult everybody but if, at the end you do what is [expected], you are perfect."
Hughes has denied swearing at Wenger, but shrugged off the incident. "It's a working environment and industrial language is used – which I didn't – but there you go," he said. "There are no hard feelings on my part. I love the guy! It is certainly over from my point of view." Wenger would not be specific about what Hughes had said but did express his disappointment that he highlighted the spat after the game. "In my opinion he was not in a very strong position to go public," said Wenger. "I do not want to make a fuss. I am managing my 500th game at Arsenal and I believe I have shaken hands 497 times.
"There are incidents on the touchline but you never heard me ever say anything about another manager. If the world has no bigger problems than this then it is not so bad."
Indeed, Wenger is actually far more concerned about Arsenal's on-field problems, particularly after consecutive Premier League defeats following the ankle injury to Robin van Persie.
"In our job, if you're a good loser, you don't go very far," he said. "Our job is to win football games. It's more self-inflicting pain. Champions keep going when normal human beings stop. That is what we want to show."
With Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott all unavailable to face Stoke on Saturday, Wenger knows he must find an urgent solution to the team's sudden goalscoring difficulties.
In January, he will be looking for a new striker, but accepts that two of his potential targets – Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh – may be difficult to recruit.
"Let's not dream too much – in January you need to find a world-class player, who has not played in the Champions League, so we need a very good Christmas," said Wenger. "I will be in the market but that doesn't mean I will buy. Chamakh is not available, their chairman says. Bordeaux are top of their group in the Champions League. Why should they sell him now?"
Of Dzeko, he added: "I like the player, but they fly too high now – price-wise."
Wenger also flatly denied any interest in Mario Balotelli, while Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, said he would be resistant to any interest in Kenwyne Jones.
WAG OF THE DAY - Rosaria Cannavò
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2 ... ia-cannavo
WORLD CUP BOLLOX
The World Cup draw has given England the "best group since the Beatles" according to one newspaper as they face Algeria, Slovenia and the US. The Sun
US star Landon Donovan says he will wind up LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham ahead of their two countries' World Cup group clash.The Sun
And Beckham is also facing flak from Luis Figo, who says the joint Portugal-Spain bid for World Cup 2018, which he fronts, will beat the former Manchester United star's campaign to host the tournament in England. (Daily Express)
Beckham may have cause to sweat, as some reports liken the England 2018 bid's promotional video to "a budget version of South Park".The Independent
Slovenia, meanwhile, have chosen Wayne Rooney as their wind-up target, according to defender Bostjan Cesar. The Guardian
FINAL BOLLOX
SWP and Man City team-mate Wayne Bridge are ambassadors for children's charity, Education for the Children Foundation, helping educate the poorest children in Central America. Donate at justgiving.com/eftc
David Moyes says he is considering naming himself in the Everton team to face Tottenham, as the club's injury crisis mounts.
The Independent
The Manchester City winger has been shooting old team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard online in hit game Call of Duty and is now ready to wage war on the pair at Eastlands.
He said: "I still speak to lots of Chelsea lads like John and Frank. I love Call of Duty on Xbox and I play them on it. It's quality. It's great banter and when I was at Chelsea there were lots of competitions between the players on the consoles. I'm really competitive and once I get into a game you can't get me away from the screen. I have friends at Chelsea but I'm a City player now and want to do well for them."
The England hopeful spent three seasons at Chelsea but struggled to cement a first-team slot.Now back at City for a second spell, he is ready to remind the Blues why they paid £24million for him in 2005, as his club look to end a run of seven league draws. Wright-Phillips added: "I didn't have a real chance, so when City came back for me I was happy. We can break into the top four but must beat teams like Chelsea to show we're serious."
An unmissable glimpse inside Manchester City, Ireland and Newcastle's dressing rooms with Shay Given
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z0YnuGTVTt
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Manchester City will move for AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso after he turned down a new contract.
Daily Mirror
Manchester City and Chelsea are not interested in signing Gennaro Gattuso, according to the Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani. The 31-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window, but Galliani has played down this suggestion. "I am not aware that Manchester City is interested in him," he said. "I have also spoken to [Chelsea manager Carlo] Ancelotti and Rino [Gattuso] is not in his plans."
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told City they will never get their hands on John Terry. (Daily Star)
Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is set to leave Manchester United in the summer.
Bordeaux say they have no intention of selling striker - and Arsenal target - Marouane Chamakh in January.Daily Mirror
Former Manchester United target Adam Ljajic is "in psychological shock" after the club pulled out of a £9m deal to sign the Serbian.The Guardian
Scholes predicts bright future for City
Paul Scholes has no doubt Manchester City are going to be a footballing force - he just does not want them to begin their march next month. As a nine-time Premier League title winner with Manchester United, Scholes has experienced most events in his illustrious footballing career, but the 35-year-old will get the taste of something new when City tackle the Red Devils in the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final. He said: "There is a bit of a way to go before you think of Manchester City as a main rival in terms of the league and the Champions League. But they are definitely going forward and with the players and money at their disposal, I am sure, given time, they will be right up there." Scholes is realistic enough to acknowledge that any club willing to spend £120million in a single transfer window, as the Blues did last summer, is eventually bound to be a success.But he is eager that United do not play a part in them achieving it "These games are certainly something to look forward to," he said. "Both matches will have great atmospheres and it would be fantastic to get through to the final by beating City."
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, are having trouble refinancing part of the club's £700m debt.
The Times <Snigger>
Tottenham have overlooked Ledley King's knee problems to offer the defender a new £70,000-a-week contract.The Sun
Liverpool believe a persistent groin injury may deprive Fernando Torres of the chance to play for Spain at the World Cup.
The Times
MORE HANDSHAKE BOLLOX
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger hits out at Mark Hughes's conduct after handshake row
Arsène Wenger has revealed that he took the decision not to shake hands with Mark Hughes before half-time during Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final as a direct response to the Manchester City manager's touchline conduct.
According to Wenger, the more serious issue is the behaviour of Hughes, who clearly shouted angrily in the direction ofthe Arsenal manager after walking in front of his technical area.
Wenger regarded the remarks to him as improper and said his subsequent decision to walk straight down the tunnel on the final whistle had nothing to do with the 3-0 defeat.
Asked if he would shake Manchester City manager Hughes's hand again, Wenger said: "I will when people behave properly, but I am not a slave of the ceremonial. I have my freedom and my views. I feel the ceremonial is important but it's not the most important. The most important is how you behave.
"I do not regret one second of what I did. When I do something, I know what will hit me afterwards but it's more important that I feel I behaved like I think is right. I don't deny that I am a bad loser but on this occasion I would have done exactly the same if we had won. I knew at half-time what I would do. Sometimes in England you feel the ceremonial is more important than the real thing. In this case, I am the only one who is questioned. I am here for 13 years, nobody wonders why I reacted like that. That means you can say what you want, insult everybody but if, at the end you do what is [expected], you are perfect."
Hughes has denied swearing at Wenger, but shrugged off the incident. "It's a working environment and industrial language is used – which I didn't – but there you go," he said. "There are no hard feelings on my part. I love the guy! It is certainly over from my point of view." Wenger would not be specific about what Hughes had said but did express his disappointment that he highlighted the spat after the game. "In my opinion he was not in a very strong position to go public," said Wenger. "I do not want to make a fuss. I am managing my 500th game at Arsenal and I believe I have shaken hands 497 times.
"There are incidents on the touchline but you never heard me ever say anything about another manager. If the world has no bigger problems than this then it is not so bad."
Indeed, Wenger is actually far more concerned about Arsenal's on-field problems, particularly after consecutive Premier League defeats following the ankle injury to Robin van Persie.
"In our job, if you're a good loser, you don't go very far," he said. "Our job is to win football games. It's more self-inflicting pain. Champions keep going when normal human beings stop. That is what we want to show."
With Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott all unavailable to face Stoke on Saturday, Wenger knows he must find an urgent solution to the team's sudden goalscoring difficulties.
In January, he will be looking for a new striker, but accepts that two of his potential targets – Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh – may be difficult to recruit.
"Let's not dream too much – in January you need to find a world-class player, who has not played in the Champions League, so we need a very good Christmas," said Wenger. "I will be in the market but that doesn't mean I will buy. Chamakh is not available, their chairman says. Bordeaux are top of their group in the Champions League. Why should they sell him now?"
Of Dzeko, he added: "I like the player, but they fly too high now – price-wise."
Wenger also flatly denied any interest in Mario Balotelli, while Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, said he would be resistant to any interest in Kenwyne Jones.
WAG OF THE DAY - Rosaria Cannavò
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2 ... ia-cannavo
WORLD CUP BOLLOX
The World Cup draw has given England the "best group since the Beatles" according to one newspaper as they face Algeria, Slovenia and the US. The Sun
US star Landon Donovan says he will wind up LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham ahead of their two countries' World Cup group clash.The Sun
And Beckham is also facing flak from Luis Figo, who says the joint Portugal-Spain bid for World Cup 2018, which he fronts, will beat the former Manchester United star's campaign to host the tournament in England. (Daily Express)
Beckham may have cause to sweat, as some reports liken the England 2018 bid's promotional video to "a budget version of South Park".The Independent
Slovenia, meanwhile, have chosen Wayne Rooney as their wind-up target, according to defender Bostjan Cesar. The Guardian
FINAL BOLLOX
SWP and Man City team-mate Wayne Bridge are ambassadors for children's charity, Education for the Children Foundation, helping educate the poorest children in Central America. Donate at justgiving.com/eftc
David Moyes says he is considering naming himself in the Everton team to face Tottenham, as the club's injury crisis mounts.
The Independent