Vucinic goal drought continues

Mirko Vucinic has now gone nine League games without a goal for Italian champions Juventus.

The former Roma player is back in the Juve side after injury and illness, but he’s been unable to ripple the net.

Vucinic began the 3-0 win over Torino on Saturday night, but his Bianconerogoal drought continued against their city rivals.

The Montenegro international has just two League goals this season and those came in Week 2 and 3 against Udinese and Genoa – a penalty – respectively.

Vucinic has four goals in total with his other strikes coming in the Italian Super Cup Final and versus Nordsjaelland, his last to date, on October 23. He’s played in 17 games in total this term.

Fabio Quagliarella and Arturo Vidal are the side’s top scorers this term with nine goals apiece, Sebastian Giovinco has seven

Italy return delights Maresca

Enzo Maresca is happy to be back in the world of Italian football after signing for Sampdoria in the summer.

The midfielder left his homeland in 2005 after opting to join Spanish clubSevilla following a season at Fiorentina. He then enjoyed spells atOlympiacos and Malaga.

“After seven years away, I wanted to come back to Italy as I missed my family,” the 32-year-old commented.

“I’m putting myself at the disposal of this young team and I hope that I can help them with my experience.”

Samp have had an up and down campaign to date, but they collected a credible 2-2 draw against Fiorentina on Sunday.

“It was an important draw for us after two wins,” he stated. “We are certainly getting consistent results again.

“Now we need to think about the Udinese game as that will be a fundamental encounter for us.”

Doria, who had gone on a seven game losing streak, are twelfth in the table thanks to 17 points from 15 games. That should actually be 18, but they began the term with a one-point penalty

Agnelli hits out at Superga banner

Andrea Agnelli has criticised the Juventus fans who unveiled a banner mocking the Superga tragedy during the derby against Torino.

In May 1949, almost all of the Grande Torino side which dominated the Italian game were killed when their plane crashed on their return from Portugal.

“I don’t believe that the supremacy of supporters should be manifested by remembering the tragedies of others,” Juve President Agnelli noted.

“You see these banners in stadiums all over Italy with gratuitous insults that absolutely have to be condemned.

“It is a shame to see that in a stadium where the atmosphere is noted by the Curva – they have the power to give personality to an arena.

“Tragedies, as far as I am concerned, don’t have club loyalties

Turning to the playing side of things, Agnelli was pleased with the win over Toro and looked forward to this week’s Champions League game at ShakhtarDonetsk.

“It’s very pleasing to win a derby thanks to two players, Sebastian Giovincoand Claudio Marchisio, who grew up in our youth system,” he continued.

“The most satisfying thing of the night was that from 10.30pm onwards, I didn’t hear from half of my friends…

“Shakhtar? Our concentration, determination and anger must be strong enough to get the result that we need to qualify.

“It’s a game that can give us different results. We could come first or, if we don’t face it in the correct manner, there could be elimination.”

A win will see Juve top the group, a draw will see them come second and a loss – coupled with a Chelsea victory – will see the Old Lady demoted to theEuropa League.

Newcastle look to end run of four straight defeats against Wigan

Alan Pardew’s beleaguered Magpies have lost their last four league games on the bounce, winning just one of their last nine to leave them 14th in the table and just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Their position is a stark contrast to where they were this time last season, when they sat sixth in the standings and only two points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.

The Toon’s latest setback came at Stoke last week, when they led by Papiss Cisse’s opener only to be pegged back by two late goals.

Wigan also enter the Tyneside clash on the back of defeat after they were beaten 2-0 at home to defending champions Manchester City last Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez’s side have lost three of their last four encounters to leave them level on 14 points with Newcastle and a place behind in 15th.

Chicago Fire’s Sean Johnson training at Stoke ahead of Everton stint

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson is enjoying the experience of playing in England after agreeing to train with Stoke and Everton during the Major League Soccer off-season.

The 23-year-old, capped twice for the United States national side, is currently at the Britannia Stadium taking in a stint with the Potters.

He will then head to Merseyside on December 10th to train with Everton for a second successive year after spending time with the Toffees last winter.

Johnson is relishing his time at Stoke, where he has been catching up with international team-mates Maurice Edu and Geoff Cameron.

He told Chicago Fire’s official website: “I’ve hung out with both of them. I’m actually staying with Maurice at the moment.

“They’re great guys to be around and it’s just good to see familiar faces and make most of the time you have with your friends while you’re over here.”

He added: “Training with their goalkeeper coach and getting the chance to play and train with the guys at the top level. Just seeing how another team operates gives you perspective.”

“I think it’s been a great experience working with guys like Thomas Sorensen, Asmir Begovic and Carlo Nash.”

Opportunity

Johnson is looking forward to linking up with USA No.1 Tim Howard and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods again at Everton.

“Having been in with the national team a lot more this past year, training with Chris and Tim again here is a fantastic opportunity to keep some continuity and show how I’m growing,” he said.

“To be in that environment day-in and day-out and make yourself a better goalkeeper will do wonders for me as a player.”

Martin O’Neill urges Sunderland to fight for victory against Chelsea despite poor run

Martin O’Neill has urged Sunderland to fight for victory against Chelsea on Saturday despite a recent disappointing run of results.

The Black Cats hover one point above the relegation zone having recorded only one win at home since March.

But O’Neill believes determination will prove vital in helping his side change their fortunes.

“It takes a strong player to play here for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, I have often thought that,” O’Neill told the Sunderland Echo.

“There are clubs up and down the country where it’s tough playing at home. I managed a team up in Scotland for five years where you had to be a really decent player, with a strong mentality.

“I think it was the late Tommy Burns who said it was harder to play for Celtic than to play against them. I know exactly what he means.

“Here, it’s demanding and you have to have plenty of courage and ability to play here. You have to have a good mentality and a bit of self-confidence.

“And then you need to go and win some football matches and put on a performance. That’s very, very important.”

Ryan Giggs insists Man United need to turn around their derby form

Ryan Giggs admits that Manchester United’s failure to win the title last season can be traced back to their derby loses to Manchester City.

The first Manchester derby of the season headlines this weekend’s Super Sunday as United travel to the Etihad Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men lost both matches last term, including a 6-1 hammering at Old Trafford before losing 1-0 at City, which many feel kick-started their charge to the title.

And Giggs admits those two loses proved crucial, telling Sky Sports: “If we had drawn the game [at City] we would have won the league.

“Those two games were probably the difference so hopefully we can get the result and that will be the difference at the end of the season.”

Giggs admits that the Manchester derby is now as big as any in the league.

“Over the last few years, City – the money they have spent and the quality they have brought in – it has got bigger and bigger.

“Derbies are always big but with them winning the league now and the quality they have, it is a huge game, and a massive build-up beforehand.”

Sagna to stay, Walcott concern

Arsene Wenger is confident Bacary Sagna will sign a new contract with Arsenal but is frustrated by the lack of progress in talks between the club and Theo Walcott.

Sagna was reportedly disappointed with the terms of the 12-month extension offered by Arsenal, with the full-back said to be seeking a longer deal and more than his current £60,000-a-week wages.

However, Wenger maintains those reports are misleading and the France international is on course to sign a new contract with the Gunners.

“I do not understand these speculations,” Wenger said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Brom at Emirates Stadium.

 “He has one-and-a-half-years of his contract to go, and we are in negotiations with him to extend the contract which are very positive, so I am quite amazed by these statements because it is completely opposite of the feelings we have with the player, and with the negotiations we have about his extension.”

However Wenger admitted he is frustrated about the lack of progress in tying down Walcott on a new deal.

The 23-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the season and there has been speculation that he may be sold in the January transfer window.

Wenger said: “With Theo, I have no news. I personally am not involved in that directly, indirectly of course yes, but at the moment we have not made any progress

Gibson is vital to Everton’s Champions League hopes

Gibson, who has returned to action in recent weeks after two months on the sidelines with a thigh injury, has yet to play on the losing team when he turns out for Everton.

The 25-year-old was inspirational in Everton’s dramatic 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday and Jagielka believes the former Manchester United man is key to their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.

“Gibbo is massively important for us,” Jagielka told the Daily Post.

“It’s important to have someone who can keep the opposing defence on their toes purely knowing if he does get a bit of time, he can be like our quarterback and start putting in some fantastic passes.

“Maybe Gibbo hasn’t scored that many since he has been here, he’s not a dribbler and not what you’d see as a fancy dan sort of player.

“But if you filmed his role in the team and watched it back there’d be some fantastic passes, great tackles and some clever football.

“He came from a great club in Man United and it proves that way with the time he finds on the ball and the confidence he has in those long-range passes

Begovic flattered by interest

Asmir Begovic admits it is flattering to be linked with other clubs but insists he is focused on Stoke.

Reports suggest the Potters goalkeeper has emerged as a target for Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool with the player himself acknowledging he has personal ambitions.

“It’s very flattering,” Begovic told Sky Sports News

“It’s positive feedback from other teams that people are looking at you and mentioning you with those teams.

“It’s no secret that everyone has their own ambitions and they want to be playing at the highest level possible.

“But right now I’m just focused on taking Stoke forward and I think the club here has a lot of ambitions; the chairman, the manager and everyone else included.

“So we just want to keep pushing this club forwards and see how far we can take it.”

The 25-year-old Bosnia international kept his eighth clean sheet of the campaign at Aston Villa on Saturday and claims it is a record he is proud of.

“It matters a lot to us, especially us at the back,” he added.

“It’s what we work for and that’s our main goal of the game

Eden’s heaven is Real

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE has revealed his pal Eden Hazard dreams of playing for Real Madrid.

Aston Villa strike sensation Benteke spoke openly about the Chelsea star’s ambition — and his claims will add spice to today’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Benteke confessed Hazard’s secret in a recent interview in Belgium where he spoke about his relationship with Chelsea’s £32million summer signing that dates back years.

The two met while playing for Belgium at youth level — Hazard the provider, Benteke the target man — and have been close ever since.

Benteke said: “I am not surprised at Eden’s success with Chelsea — and he can do even better. He has the qualities needed to become an even greater player. His dream is to join Real Madrid — so I don’t see why he can’t join them in a year or two.”

This will not be welcome news among Chelsea fans who have taken the playmaker to their hearts since his summer move from Lille.

In fact, it will be particularly worrying given Benteke’s closeness to Hazard.

Benteke, 22, added: “We used to play together in Belgium junior teams. He would play No 10 and I was No 9 and there was an understanding between us straight away.

“He has a bit of fantasy about him and so do I. We are good mates.”

Hazard and Benteke have another big pal in Everton ace Marouane Fellaini. The Premier League trio are inseparable every time they get together to play for their country

Steven Gerrard vital for Liverpool – Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to extend Steven Gerrard’s contract after saying the influential captain has “still got so much left”.
Gerrard’s current deal at Anfield expires at the end of the 2013-14 season and Rodgers is eager to secure the 32-year-old’s future.
The England midfielder has scored 153 goals in 609 appearances for the Reds.
“I don’t think there’s any question [we want to extend his contract],” Rodgers told Liverpool’s website. “It’s vital.”
Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and captained the club to Champions League glory in 2004-05. He has also won the FA Cup twice, League Cup three times and Uefa Cup.
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Steven Gerrard on his memorable Liverpool career
He has played in every minute of Liverpool’s 18 Premier League games since Rodgers took charge at Anfield in the summer, scoring in each of the last two matches against Aston Villa and Fulham.
Gerrard has turned down opportunities to leave in the past, including a move to Chelsea in 2004.
“Steven has a real hunger to succeed. He’s 32 years of age but he’s still got so much left,” Rodgers added.
“He’s still been making the runs and his influence within the team has been outstanding.
“His influence for me, especially once he’s started to understand what I’m looking for, has been absolutely first class.
“He applies himself every day, he eats well, rests well, recovers well, works well.
“This is a guy who has led his life focused purely on being a footballer. And that allows you to go on playing well into your 30s.”
“He’s been an inspirational captain for us.”
Gerrard won his 100th England cap in the 4-2 friendly defeat away to Sweden on 14 November.
He wore the captain’s armband in Stockholm as he joined Billy Wright, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and David Beckham as only the sixth England player to reach a century of appearances for his country.
Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Neil Mellor told BBC Radio 5 live: “He has played and carried Liverpool for so long now.
“For me he can never leave Liverpool, it would be terrible if he did and I hope that he stays until the end of his career like Paul Scholes has done at Manchester United

Newcastle look to end run of four straight defeats against Wigan

Alan Pardew’s beleaguered Magpies have lost their last four league games on the bounce, winning just one of their last nine to leave them 14th in the table and just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Their position is a stark contrast to where they were this time last season, when they sat sixth in the standings and only two points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.

The Toon’s latest setback came at Stoke last week, when they led by Papiss Cisse’s opener only to be pegged back by two late goals.

Wigan also enter the Tyneside clash on the back of defeat after they were beaten 2-0 at home to defending champions Manchester City last Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez’s side have lost three of their last four encounters to leave them level on 14 points with Newcastle and a place behind in 15th.

Chicago Fire’s Sean Johnson training at Stoke ahead of Everton stint

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson is enjoying the experience of playing in England after agreeing to train with Stoke and Everton during the Major League Soccer off-season.

The 23-year-old, capped twice for the United States national side, is currently at the Britannia Stadium taking in a stint with the Potters.

He will then head to Merseyside on December 10th to train with Everton for a second successive year after spending time with the Toffees last winter.

Johnson is relishing his time at Stoke, where he has been catching up with international team-mates Maurice Edu and Geoff Cameron.

He told Chicago Fire’s official website: “I’ve hung out with both of them. I’m actually staying with Maurice at the moment.

“They’re great guys to be around and it’s just good to see familiar faces and make most of the time you have with your friends while you’re over here.”

He added: “Training with their goalkeeper coach and getting the chance to play and train with the guys at the top level. Just seeing how another team operates gives you perspective.”

“I think it’s been a great experience working with guys like Thomas Sorensen, Asmir Begovic and Carlo Nash.”

Opportunity

Johnson is looking forward to linking up with USA No.1 Tim Howard and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods again at Everton.

“Having been in with the national team a lot more this past year, training with Chris and Tim again here is a fantastic opportunity to keep some continuity and show how I’m growing,” he said.

“To be in that environment day-in and day-out and make yourself a better goalkeeper will do wonders for me as a player.”

Martin O’Neill urges Sunderland to fight for victory against Chelsea despite poor run

Martin O’Neill has urged Sunderland to fight for victory against Chelsea on Saturday despite a recent disappointing run of results.

The Black Cats hover one point above the relegation zone having recorded only one win at home since March.

But O’Neill believes determination will prove vital in helping his side change their fortunes.

“It takes a strong player to play here for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, I have often thought that,” O’Neill told the Sunderland Echo.

“There are clubs up and down the country where it’s tough playing at home. I managed a team up in Scotland for five years where you had to be a really decent player, with a strong mentality.

“I think it was the late Tommy Burns who said it was harder to play for Celtic than to play against them. I know exactly what he means.

“Here, it’s demanding and you have to have plenty of courage and ability to play here. You have to have a good mentality and a bit of self-confidence.

“And then you need to go and win some football matches and put on a performance. That’s very, very important.”

Ryan Giggs Insists Man United Need To Turn Around Their Derby Form

Ryan Giggs admits that Manchester United’s failure to win the title last season can be traced back to their derby loses to Manchester City.

The first Manchester derby of the season headlines this weekend’s Super Sunday as United travel to the Etihad Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men lost both matches last term, including a 6-1 hammering at Old Trafford before losing 1-0 at City, which many feel kick-started their charge to the title.

And Giggs admits those two loses proved crucial, telling Sky Sports: “If we had drawn the game [at City] we would have won the league.

“Those two games were probably the difference so hopefully we can get the result and that will be the difference at the end of the season.”

Giggs admits that the Manchester derby is now as big as any in the league.

“Over the last few years, City – the money they have spent and the quality they have brought in – it has got bigger and bigger.

“Derbies are always big but with them winning the league now and the quality they have, it is a huge game, and a massive build-up beforehand.”

Sagna To Stay, Walcott Concern

Arsene Wenger is confident Bacary Sagna will sign a new contract with Arsenal but is frustrated by the lack of progress in talks between the club and Theo Walcott.

Sagna was reportedly disappointed with the terms of the 12-month extension offered by Arsenal, with the full-back said to be seeking a longer deal and more than his current £60,000-a-week wages.

However, Wenger maintains those reports are misleading and the France international is on course to sign a new contract with the Gunners.

“I do not understand these speculations,” Wenger said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Brom at Emirates Stadium

Gibson Is Vital To Everton’s Champions League Hopes

Gibson, who has returned to action in recent weeks after two months on the sidelines with a thigh injury, has yet to play on the losing team when he turns out for Everton.

The 25-year-old was inspirational in Everton’s dramatic 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday and Jagielka believes the former Manchester United man is key to their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.

“Gibbo is massively important for us,” Jagielka told the Daily Post.

“It’s important to have someone who can keep the opposing defence on their toes purely knowing if he does get a bit of time, he can be like our quarterback and start putting in some fantastic passes.

“Maybe Gibbo hasn’t scored that many since he has been here, he’s not a dribbler and not what you’d see as a fancy dan sort of player.

“But if you filmed his role in the team and watched it back there’d be some fantastic passes, great tackles and some clever football.

“He came from a great club in Man United and it proves that way with the time he finds on the ball and the confidence he has in those long-range passes.”

Begovic Flattered By Interest

Asmir Begovic admits it is flattering to be linked with other clubs but insists he is focused on Stoke.

Reports suggest the Potters goalkeeper has emerged as a target for Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool with the player himself acknowledging he has personal ambitions.

“It’s very flattering,” Begovic told Sky Sports News.

“It’s positive feedback from other teams that people are looking at you and mentioning you with those teams.

“It’s no secret that everyone has their own ambitions and they want to be playing at the highest level possible.

“But right now I’m just focused on taking Stoke forward and I think the club here has a lot of ambitions; the chairman, the manager and everyone else included.

“So we just want to keep pushing this club forwards and see how far we can take it.”

The 25-year-old Bosnia international kept his eighth clean sheet of the campaign at Aston Villa on Saturday and claims it is a record he is proud of.

“It matters a lot to us, especially us at the back,” he added.

“It’s what we work for and that’s our main goal of the game.”

Eden’s Heaven Is Real

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE has revealed his pal Eden Hazard dreams of playing for Real Madrid.

Aston Villa strike sensation Benteke spoke openly about the Chelsea star’s ambition — and his claims will add spice to today’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Benteke confessed Hazard’s secret in a recent interview in Belgium where he spoke about his relationship with Chelsea’s £32million summer signing that dates back years.

The two met while playing for Belgium at youth level — Hazard the provider, Benteke the target man — and have been close ever since.

Benteke said: “I am not surprised at Eden’s success with Chelsea — and he can do even better. He has the qualities needed to become an even greater player. His dream is to join Real Madrid — so I don’t see why he can’t join them in a year or two.”

This will not be welcome news among Chelsea fans who have taken the playmaker to their hearts since his summer move from Lille.

In fact, it will be particularly worrying given Benteke’s closeness to Hazard.

Benteke, 22, added: “We used to play together in Belgium junior teams. He would play No 10 and I was No 9 and there was an understanding between us straight away.

“He has a bit of fantasy about him and so do I. We are good mates.”

Hazard and Benteke have another big pal in Everton ace Marouane Fellaini. The Premier League trio are inseparable every time they get together to play for their country.

Benteke added: “Eden and Marouane are the two players I am with all the time when we are on international duty with Belgium.”

Hazard, 21, comes in for a bit of flak from his country’s media over his performances in the national colours.

But Benteke defended his pal, insisting he needs to be given time to work with his international team-mates.

Belgians place huge expectations on Hazard and see him as the leader of an exciting generation of talent that also includes Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany.

Benteke added: “People expect too much from Eden.

“They should not just focus on him alone.

“He will be able to make a difference and Belgium will be able to count on him.

“You must not expect him to do what he did when he played for Lille — he does not have the same level of understanding with his national team-mates.”

Hazard has spoken to Benteke about the huge pressure that comes with the whopping price-tag Chelsea coughed up to sign him. But the Blues wizard is up for the challenge.

Benteke continued: “He has already told me what his life is like with the high levels of expectation.

“He has been signed for many millions of pounds and he will always have the pressure of his price tag.

“He will forever have to do more than the others, he is condemned to always be at the top of his game.

“He realises this and he relishes the challenge. His fantasy football takes off some of the pressure on him. Eden dares to try things and is not afraid to face up to his responsibilities.” Benteke has earned rave reviews himself after netting eight goals since his £7m move from Genk on transfer deadline day.

And he will also be in the spotlight this afternoon as he leads the Villa frontline following his two-goal demolition job in last weekend’s 3-1 away win at Liverpool.

Villa boss Paul Lambert says Benteke will now have to deal with special attention from opposition defences.