Football News: Review Of The Day 23rd October 2018

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Review of the Day

Lopetegui Looks To "Fight"

Julen Lopetegui has made the comments you tend to hear from a manager just before they get the sack. The Real Madrid coach has said: "Results haven't been great but we are going to turn this around. "What I've learned about this club is to fight, that is the DNA of this club. That's what we're going to do, fight, both the players and the coaching staff." Results haven't been great? Talk about an understatement! When Real Madrid lose 4 games out of 5 that is a major crisis, especially when it is part of the club's worst start for over 15 years and sees them sat in 7th place in a 3 team league!

Spartak Sack Manager

For the second time this season Rangers' next Europa League opponents have sacked their manager a few days before facing the Scottish club. Rapid Vienna relieve Goran Djuricin of his duties less than a week before facing Rangers and now Spartak Moscow have sacked their manager Massimo Carrera with just 3 days before they visit Ibrox. Spartak are sat in 7th in the Russian Premier League and have turned to fitness coach Raul Riancho as an interim manager.

Rowett Charged By FA

Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has been charged over his language and/or behaviour in the defeat by his former club Birmingham City. Rowett claims he was not abusive and never swore at the referee, which will be a first for him if true. Rowett said: "If I've been abusive or sworn at the referee I'm honest enough to say that I've done that but I didn't do that. I said to the ref 'that's two handballs, that's two penalties'. He's sent me off. He told me that I've said something completely different. It'll be my word against the referee and of course they're going to take the referee's side of it. What we've done is given the officials extra power to brandish a card at the manager in front of a whole stadium. For me, that incites the game more than a manager trying to articulate he doesn't agree." Of course they are not going to take your word for it as not one person who has ever met you or heard you on the touchlines is going to believe that is all you said and there was not one swear word used. If Mother Theresa had said she only used those words in those circumstances I would be dubious of believing her, let alone Rowett, to be fair.

Dumbarton Celebrate Duffy With Poetry

Scottish League One team Dumbarton's 'poet in residence' Stephen Watt has composed a poem to celebrate the arrival of their new manager Jim Duffy.
Where were you when
the new manager was appointed?
Counting calories in the crisps' aisle,
halfway through a driving lesson,
editing your Facebook profile,
wrapping the first batch of Christmas presents,
shaving in a new hairstyle,
attending yet another drizzly wedding,
fixing roofing tiles
or in a pub guzzling something effervescent.
Something changed. Alien. Sanguine.
It changed casuals into watercolours,
turned photographers snap happy,
cast groundskeepers as sculptors,
shaped tomorrow into poetry
then positivity restored itself in blood,
hope bracketed player's bones
and the epitome of supporter's aspirations
roosted on his shoulders
like wings to fly with
or the leaden avoirdupois some can never carry.
I am not sure which is the most ridiculous aspect of this story. Is it that they have a poet in residence, the poem itself or its ridiculous title of 'White Smoke At The Rock'? Maybe I am just an uncultured heathen who does not get poetry, but I really hope that is not one of his better works! Though I will give him his due, not many people could be arsed to write a poem about this, even the thought of doing so put me to sleep through lethargy.

Jose Escapes Punishment

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will not face any charges from the FA after he attempted to chase a Chelsea coach down the tunnel after the Blues equalised. The Chelsea coach, Marco Ianni, has been charged with improper conduct after he celebrated right in front of the Man Utd bench.

Yarmolenko Set For Lengthy Spell On The Sidelines

West Ham United's Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko has been ruled out for 6 months after surgery on the Achilles tendon he tore against Tottenham Hotspur. The 28 year old summer signing went down in agony with no players near him on Saturday, and tests revealed the serious nature of the injury.

Bolt Wants Too Much Money For Mariners

Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners have revealed contract talks with former sprint king Usain Bolt have broken down as the Jamaican wants too much money. The Mariners are now looking for partners to help them pay his wage demands. Just shows how much of his talk about just wanting to be a professional footballer are nonsense. A multi-millionaire with no need of money, he could easily just take the best offer the club could afford to get an opportunity to prove himself.

Dolberg Extends Contract

Ajax's coveted Danish forward Kasper Dolberg has signed a one-year contract extension despite interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United. Dolberg said: "We have been talking about a new contract for a while and I'm glad it's done. I am very happy at Ajax. I have the feeling that I am back on track and I have to continue what I have shown in the last few weeks."

Written by Tris Burke October 23 2018 06:13:30