Football News: Review Of The Day 8th December 2018

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Review of the Day

Rafa Thanks Newcastle Fans

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has thanked the fans after they called off a planned protest followinhg Mike Ashley's latest claim he is about to sell the club. Deja vu anyone? This feels like the last time the fans were protesting and he came out and made claims he was about to sell the club, only to reject out of hand all the offers without even actually coming close to listening to them. Hopefully this time it will be different and one of the 4 interested parties will actually get the (censored) out of the game. Benitez has thanked the fans as he feels the players need their support. Benitez said: "You have been asking me in a lot of press conferences about that, and I have to say thank you to the fans because my message has been very clear all this time. This group of players, they deserve support because they work so hard until the last minute in every game that I think it's fair for them. If the fans appreciate that, then they want to support the team in the way that they were supporting before, but even more because everybody will be even more focused on not wasting too much time with these questions and answers and if it is affecting the team or not. I think it will be good, it will be positive and hopefully we can get three points and everybody will be happy."

Forest Appoint DoF

Evangelos Marinakis has moved another asset over from his Greek club Olympiakos to his English club Nottingham Forest. This time it is director of football Kyriakos Dourekas, who has replaced Luke Dowling, after the sporting director joined West Bromwich Albion. Dourekas had been employed by Olympiakos for 25 years.

Reading Sporting Director Follows Clement Out Of The Door

Just a day after manager Paul Clement was sacked, Italian sporting director Gianluca Nani has also left the Royals. Nani, who had also worked for West Ham United, Watford, Brescia and Al Jazira in a similar role, had only been with Reading for 4 months, replacing Brian Tevreden.

Angel Extends Hoops Stay

QPR's former Swansea City right back Angel Rangel has extended his stay with the Londoners until the end of the season. The 36 year old had originally only joined on a deal that ran until January following his release after 11 years with the Welsh club.

Levein Wants VAR Over Paid Referees

Heart of Midlothian boss Craig Levein believes that VAR is the answer to improving officiating in Scottish football, not full-time referees. While many have been calling for referees to be paid and full-time in the role, Levein stated that VAR would be more help. Levein told the BBC: "VAR, for me, is the answer to the problem. As it is just now, you just get one shot at it. With VAR, you get a review. It happens in rugby." After it was pointed out that money is a stumbling block to using VAR he suggested a solution: "I read recently that Ajax gave up their European money to take up the plastic pitches and put down grass pitches for the rest of the clubs in the league. Maybe the Old Firm will give up their European money to put VAR in for everybody. Somebody bought Hampden, so maybe somebody would help to put VAR in."

Sinclair Hits Out At Ignorant Racial Abuse

It is hard to believe I am writing this story as we head into 2019, but a moron in Glasgow filmed himself shouting a racial slur at Celtic winger Scott Sinclair after the English winger had his penalty saved against Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup final. The moron, Robert Anderson of Tolcross, then shared the video, leading to a community service order. Sinclair said, after seeing the video: "Just seen the video from Sunday's game. Absolute disgrace for the ignorance of the uneducated fan shouting racial abuse." Last year a man was convicted of a racist chant, also aimed at Sinclair.

Wenger Gets LMA Award

Arsene Wenger has received an LMA Service to Football Award after the Frenchman left Arsenal after 22 years in charge of the Gunners. LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "The LMA is proud to recognise Arsene's remarkable career in football management. The role of the football manager has changed beyond recognition since Arsene's first match at Highbury in 1996, but his profound influence on the game over the past 22 years means he truly deserves the admiration of his fellow practitioners in football." Wenger himself joked: "Since I don't compete any more, I get a trophy every week. How stupid was I not to understand that earlier?"

Warnock Admits Sala Interest

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has admitted an interest in Everton target Emiliano Sala, as well as a Marseille player. Warnock was in France during the week watching the Nantes striker play against Marseille and said: "He [Sala] has scored some good goals this year. He didn't have a very good game the other night, but he's done well. And the Marseille lad did well as well. It could have been a full-back or a midfielder but, if I told you the name, it wouldn't be as interesting a story then, would it?"

Holding's Season Over

A day after Bournemouth lost young English midfielder Lewis Cook to an ACL injury, Arsenal have lost English defender Rob Holding to a similar injury and will have to make do without him for the rest of the season. The 23 year old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee during the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday. An Arsenal statement read: "Rob will undergo surgery in the coming days and rehabilitation is expected to take between six to nine months. Everyone at the club will now be working as hard as we can to ensure Rob is back on the pitch as soon as possible."

City Set To Add Goalkeeper

USA international goalkeeper Zack Steffen is set to leave Major League Soccer to move to Premier League side Manchester City. The 23 year old, who made his US debut earlier this year, currently plays in MLS for Columbus Crew.

Arsenal Players To Be Spoken To

After footage emerged of four Arsenal players, Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, inhaling from balloons alleged to contain nitrous oxide (so-called hippy crack, which is not, as I had previously thought, a posh equivalent of builder's cleavage), Arsenal are to speak to the four. The players are to be reminded of their responsibilities, according to a spokesperson for the club.

Killie Midfielder Leaves On Free

Current SPFL leaders Kilmarnock have allowed Irish midfielder Jack Byrne to leave on a free transfer to join Shamrock Rovers. The 22 year old Manchester City youth academy graduate only signed for Killie in the summer.

Written by Tris Burke December 08 2018 05:49:16