Football News: Review Of The Day 19th March 2018

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Review of the Day

Stevenage Sack Manager

Stevenage join the huge number of clubs replacing their manager this season, as they sacked boss Darren Sarll. The 35 year old had been in charge for two years after initially replacing Teddy Sheringham in a caretaker capacity in February 2016. Managerial advisor Glenn Roeder has also left, leaving first team coach Nicky Shorey and club captain Ronnie Henry to take training today.

Colin Calls Derby A Disgrace Over Match Postponement

Not often I agree with Neil 'Colin' Warnock, but for once he had a point as his Cardiff City side's match at Derby County's Pride Park was postponed because areas surrounding the stadium were deemed 'unsafe', though it just happened to coincide with an injury crisis for the East Midlands club. In fact there were no other postponements in the Football League due to snow and Pride Park had been cleared of snow before the announcement. Warnock said: "We got to the ground and the car park was clear, the pitch was perfect. Absolutely disgraceful really. All week I have listened to comments from Derby, they have all been negative, and that's before the snow came down. They have been talking about the injury situation, yesterday the manager Gary [Rowett] said they only had 10 players training and if they could get away with this weekend's game, they would be fine. Things like that should be looked into. All the lads were raring to go and looking forward to it, but you can't blame Derby for wanting it off - you wouldn't want to play us at the moment. It's a complete shambles and we're on the end of that. The Football League now will try to make us play on the first available date which will be 17 April. That means we would go to Aston Villa on a Tuesday, Norwich on the Saturday and then Derby on the Tuesday, which is another disgrace. If it is replayed, it should be on the 24 April after we have had a home game." Is the UK the only country in the world with inhabitants that are deemed incapable of travelling in snow?

Ireland Call Up New Keeper

Uncapped Ross County keeper Aaron McCarey has been called up by the Republic of Ireland after the loss of Rob Elliot and Kieron Westwood through injury. Elliot has suffered a back problem, while Westwood has an ankle injury. There are eight uncapped players now in the final squad of 25 named by Martin O'Neill, cut from 30 initially called up, Kieran O'Hara, Matt Doherty, Declan Rice, Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams, Enda Stevens and Scott Hogan being the others.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Kieran O'Hara (Manchester United), Aaron McCarey (Ross County)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (both Blackburn Rovers), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), David Meyler (Hull City), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (both Preston North End), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Sean Maguire (Preston North End)

Transfers

Gustavo Scarpa has moved on a free transfer from Palmeiras to Fluminese.

Celtic Expect Tierney Return

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is expecting left back Kieran Tierney to be back to fitness after the international break. Tierney missed Celtic's game on Sunday with a calf issue and is going to miss Scotland's friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary as well, but Rodgers is hopeful of having him back to face Ross County. Rodgers said: "He had a slight issue with his calf towards the end of last week. It wasn't quite right. He couldn't play against Motherwell and we'll see how he is for Ross County. He won't be going with Scotland." Tierney has been shown to have played the most games of any professional player so far this season, with 53 appearances, he probably needs a break.

Motherwell Considering Red Card Appeal

Motherwell defender Cedric Kipre was sent off during the match against Celtic, in a decision that upset manager Stephen Robinson. Robinson said: "I think everybody in the room here knows that it wasn't a sending off. I know you all know that. Two people burst together. If there had been two yellow cards out of it you might have thought it was harsh. It's petulance from both of them. Scott Brown gives him a little shove, Cedric brushes his calf against him. I've seen it this time and I'm 100% certain of that. It wasn't a red card. Once I sit down and look at it [we will cosider an appeal]. I know it certainly wasn't a stamp as was being indicated. If that was the reason for the red card then it certainly wasn't that. But I'll sit down with the powers that be while me and Alan Burrows [chief executive] will speak with the board and we'll see where we take it. Five red cards from the same referee, and he's not sent off another Premiership player, you take out of that what you will. I'm not saying anything."

Sociedad Sack Manager Sacristan

Eusebio Sacristan has been sacked by La Liga side Real Sociedad after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Getafe. A club statement read: "Real Sociedad have decided to rescind the contract of first-team coach Eusebio Sacristan. The club went to thank Eusebio Sacristan for his contribution, professionalism and dedication that he showed during his time in charge of the first team, and at the same time wish him all the best for both his professional and personal future."

Matic Back Still Special One

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has backed manager Jose Mourinho, after he was the only player singled out for praise by Mourinho as "an island of personality" in the victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Now the teacher's pet has said: "He's special because he wants to win, always. You can see when we lose a game he cannot accept that. Probably that's why he won more than 20 trophies in his life. It's very difficult to work with him, because he always wants more and more. Even if you win the league, he wants to win again next season. He's like this and the players need to be ready for that. I like it when the manager always wants better and better, so you have to improve always, always do your best. I like this kind of work, this kind of relationship. At this high level at Manchester United, and where I used to play at Chelsea, the players need to be ready for that because the pressure is big. Everyone expects you to win every game. Obviously it's not possible, but supporters always expect. It doesn't matter if you're tired or not, supporters want high quality football. It's normal."

No One Will Be Compared To Me Says Ronaldo

As recent media reports have begun comparing Lionel Messi to Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo believes no one will be compared to him. Ronaldo said: "I don't see many people with my talent, dedication, my work, my ethic, my football. No one is going to be compared with me; no one is going to be Cristiano Ronaldo. You're going to be yourself, I'm going to be myself."

Milan Set To Extend Gattuso's Contract

AC Milan have been so pleased with Gennaro Gattuso's impact since taking over the role of head coach at the Serie A giants that they are looking to extend his contract. CEO Marco Fassone said: "We are very pleased with his work. Mirabelli was so convinced about him that I could not refuse to support him. Now he has gone beyond expectations and we'll surely find the right time to speak about his contract. I was expecting Rino to be like this, but I am impressed with his ability to manage the games. Important achievements await him as a coach."

Gracia Compares Unstoppable Salah To Messi

Clearly Ronaldo is right, as Watford manager Javi Gracia has compared Mohamed Salah to Lionel Messi, rather than the Portugese star, after Salah put the Hornets to the sword picking up four goals in a 5-0 hammering. Gracia was in charge of Osasuna when Barcelona thrashed them 7-0 with Messi notching a hat-trick and he said: "Many times it is not so important what your plan is, no matter how hard you work on it, because a player like that can change it in an instant. I remember that [7-0] game, you don't need to remind me! But I also remember I went there the next season and won! They are both incredible players - they were both unstoppable, yes. Honestly, both are fantastic, and now Salah is in a very good moment, one of the best in Europe. It is very difficult to play against them, because they can both score in any moment. That is the same with both, they have so many qualities, they can do it in a single moment. You can do everything right in your defence, and in one moment you are lost. You can have plans to stop them, you have to try and we did it [against Messi] with Malaga yes. But players are always the most important element in a game. Players like Messi and Salah, they make decisions, and they decide games. That is what happened with Salah. It is difficult for us stopping an individual like Salah like it is difficult stopping a team like Liverpool. Sometimes you just can't do anything. But not only Salah, the whole Liverpool team is one of the best teams in Europe right now. They have a high pressing level, higher level than Barcelona. But both teams are in this moment the best in Europe."

Valverde And Ter Stegen Hope Iniesta Stays With Barca

Barca living legend Andres Iniesta has admitted he is considering an offer from China as the 33 year old looks to a future beyond the Catalan club. The Camp Nou crowd chanted for him to stay, after the midfielder came on as a second half substitute in the 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and now head coach Ernesto Valverde and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen have added their voices to the calls for him to stay. Valverde said: "At the moment all we can do is wait and see what he decides. So far he has not made a choice in any way. You cannot put the bandage on before the injury. We know what he brings and we would all like to have Iniesta forever." Ter Stegen echoes the call for him to stay saying: "It's a personal decision but everyone hopes he will stay at Barca because he's a great person. We know we need to keep going as team until the end and we need him now and in the years to come. We're focused on the present and he will take his decision when he has to. I hope he stays but he's the only one that knows. We know what a great person he is, how important he is to the club and we have to try and keep him here. It's a personal decision. We're going to support him and of course we want our captain [here]."

Toure Gets Ivory Coast Recall

34 year old Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure quit international football back in 2015, after leading his country to the Africa Cup of Nations title, but decided in December to reverse his decision and once more made himself available for selection. Probably because he no longer needs to keep himself for club football, as he very rarely plays, even during an injury crisis at City. Despite playing very little club football, Toure has been recalled by his country. Toure has 100 caps for his country.

Weah Gets USA Call Up

PSG teenage Timothy Weah, the son of the great George, has been called up to the US squad for a friendly with Paraguay. If the 18 year old plays, it is believed he will become the first player in world football to play an international while his father is the head of state of a different country.

Depay Claims He Just Needs Consistency To Be Amongst The World's Greatest

Lyon's former Man Utd flop Memphis Depay has claimed he has all the ability to be numbered amongst the world's greatest footballers, despite the disaster of his time in Manchester. Depay said: "Of course, I want to be the best in the world, I want to play against big teams and against big stars. What am I missing to be the best in the world? Honestly, nothing in terms of quality, just consistency, and that's not arrogance. I cannot become the best in the world by staying in Lyon, that's clear. [Alexandre] Lacazette had to go to Arsenal to progress."

Written by Tris Burke March 19 2018 05:55:19