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Showing posts with label :. Show all posts
Monday, 27 January 2014
Friday, 10 January 2014
Fulham V Sunderland at Craven Cottage : Match Preview
Fulham V Sunderland - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Meulensteen focussed on 'huge' game
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen is all too aware of the importance of overcoming relegation rivals Sunderland in a match which could see captain Brede Hangeland return after a three-month absence.
It has been a season to forget so far at Craven Cottage, with a topsy-turvy campaign featuring far more troughs than peaks.
The Whites had looked to be heading towards almost certain relegation under Martin Jol, but successor Meulensteen is starting to steer the ship back on course.
There have still been bad points - notably a 6-0 mauling at Hull - but victory over West Ham on New Year's Day means another win against Sunderland on Saturday could propel them away from the bottom three.
"[That gap] is why it is hugely important," Meulensteen said.
"West Ham was hugely important, which we came out from really, really well. We had a great result and a good performance.
"Sunderland is likewise. It is a huge game for us, it is a huge game for them, but we are being positive, have been working well and working hard.
"The quality has been there and it is starting to pay off. Hopefully that will be the same against Sunderland."
Such is the magnitude of Saturday's clash on the banks of the Thames that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet admitted the importance is not far off a cup final.
"I can see exactly where he is coming from, absolutely," Meulensteen said. "But it is 90 minutes-plus where you need to turn up.
"It is good for us that is played at home because it gives you that slight advantage with your own fans, so hopefully that will help us get the win."
The Black Cats head to west London buoyed by an impressive 2-1 Capital One Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.
Fulham have also received a boost ahead of the match, with news that captain Hangeland could make his first appearance since the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on October 21.
The 32-year-old centre-back underwent surgery in December to clear sciatic nerve trouble and is now back in full training with the Whites.
"Brede is coming with full training with us, so he is up for selection in that respect, so he has done really, really well and is progressing nicely," Meulensteen said.
"It is up for us to decide whether he is okay to start. We haven't made our mind up completely, but I am very happy that he is up there for selection.
"But when people come back from a long injury, the last thing you want is to come back and then go again. We want him to come and stay, so we will be very, very cautious."
Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg could also return and will have an ankle complaint assessed before the match, while full-back Kieran Richardson is available after hamstring tightness to face his former club.
Bryan Ruiz may well be left out of the squad after Meulensteen confirmed the Costa Rica international can leave in January, with Real Betis and a return to Holland among the possible destinations.
Sunderland boss Poyet believes midfielder Adam Johnson can play a "massive" part in the Black Cats' bid to claw their way out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Poyet's men head to Fulham on Saturday still on a high from their midweek heroics against Manchester United, in which Johnson played a crucial role in coming off the bench to win the penalty which secured a famous win.
Johnson's positive performance followed on from his match-winning display in the FA Cup third round win over Carlisle last Sunday and suggested he could be ready to rediscover the form which convinced the club to sign him for B#10million from Manchester City in August 2012.
Poyet said: "When you have got a player like Adam who is on good form the chance that you will stay in the Premier League is massive.
"Adam has started the year fantastically and he made my day the other day so I am looking forward to seeing him stay on that level.
"I have seen him happier and more relaxed and really going for it. When we told him what we wanted him to do we didn't know if it was going to be possible, but he gave us all we wanted to see."
Johnson could have earned himself a place in the starting line-up for the trip to one of his side's chief relegation rivals which Poyet conceded could go some way towards determining the respective fates of the two sides this season.
Striker Steven Fletcher is set to keep his place in Sunderland's starting line-up after shrugging off a slight knock sustained against Manchester United.
Meulensteen focussed on 'huge' game
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen is all too aware of the importance of overcoming relegation rivals Sunderland in a match which could see captain Brede Hangeland return after a three-month absence.
It has been a season to forget so far at Craven Cottage, with a topsy-turvy campaign featuring far more troughs than peaks.
The Whites had looked to be heading towards almost certain relegation under Martin Jol, but successor Meulensteen is starting to steer the ship back on course.
There have still been bad points - notably a 6-0 mauling at Hull - but victory over West Ham on New Year's Day means another win against Sunderland on Saturday could propel them away from the bottom three.
"[That gap] is why it is hugely important," Meulensteen said.
"West Ham was hugely important, which we came out from really, really well. We had a great result and a good performance.
"Sunderland is likewise. It is a huge game for us, it is a huge game for them, but we are being positive, have been working well and working hard.
"The quality has been there and it is starting to pay off. Hopefully that will be the same against Sunderland."
Such is the magnitude of Saturday's clash on the banks of the Thames that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet admitted the importance is not far off a cup final.
"I can see exactly where he is coming from, absolutely," Meulensteen said. "But it is 90 minutes-plus where you need to turn up.
"It is good for us that is played at home because it gives you that slight advantage with your own fans, so hopefully that will help us get the win."
The Black Cats head to west London buoyed by an impressive 2-1 Capital One Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.
Fulham have also received a boost ahead of the match, with news that captain Hangeland could make his first appearance since the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on October 21.
The 32-year-old centre-back underwent surgery in December to clear sciatic nerve trouble and is now back in full training with the Whites.
"Brede is coming with full training with us, so he is up for selection in that respect, so he has done really, really well and is progressing nicely," Meulensteen said.
"It is up for us to decide whether he is okay to start. We haven't made our mind up completely, but I am very happy that he is up there for selection.
"But when people come back from a long injury, the last thing you want is to come back and then go again. We want him to come and stay, so we will be very, very cautious."
Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg could also return and will have an ankle complaint assessed before the match, while full-back Kieran Richardson is available after hamstring tightness to face his former club.
Bryan Ruiz may well be left out of the squad after Meulensteen confirmed the Costa Rica international can leave in January, with Real Betis and a return to Holland among the possible destinations.
Sunderland boss Poyet believes midfielder Adam Johnson can play a "massive" part in the Black Cats' bid to claw their way out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Poyet's men head to Fulham on Saturday still on a high from their midweek heroics against Manchester United, in which Johnson played a crucial role in coming off the bench to win the penalty which secured a famous win.
Johnson's positive performance followed on from his match-winning display in the FA Cup third round win over Carlisle last Sunday and suggested he could be ready to rediscover the form which convinced the club to sign him for B#10million from Manchester City in August 2012.
Poyet said: "When you have got a player like Adam who is on good form the chance that you will stay in the Premier League is massive.
"Adam has started the year fantastically and he made my day the other day so I am looking forward to seeing him stay on that level.
"I have seen him happier and more relaxed and really going for it. When we told him what we wanted him to do we didn't know if it was going to be possible, but he gave us all we wanted to see."
Johnson could have earned himself a place in the starting line-up for the trip to one of his side's chief relegation rivals which Poyet conceded could go some way towards determining the respective fates of the two sides this season.
Striker Steven Fletcher is set to keep his place in Sunderland's starting line-up after shrugging off a slight knock sustained against Manchester United.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Nottm Forest V West Ham at The City Ground : Match Preview
Nottm Forest V West Ham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Cox: Hammers a good test for us
Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox is relishing the prospect of a taste of the top flight against West Ham in the FA Cup.
Forest will face Premier League opposition in a competitive match for the first time in almost 18 months when Sam Allardyce's team arrive at the City Ground on Sunday.
The last time was in August 2012 when Wigan won 4-1 on the banks of the River Trent in the League Cup - a game which saw Cox score the Reds' consolation goal.
Forest harbour realistic ambitions this season of ending their 15-year absence from the top flight and Cox sees the visit of the Hammers as a taste of what might be.
"It's going to be a tough task but if we get to the Premier League next season we'll be going up against this sort of team week in, week out, which obviously is what we want to be doing," said the Republic of Ireland international.
"You don't necessarily like to play sides from your own league because it can feel like any other game, but this is a match everyone is looking forward to. It'll be a good test for us."
Midfielders David Vaughan, on loan from Sunderland, and Djamal Abdoun will be checked on after both missed the Championship draw at Reading on New Year's Day.
Striker Darius Henderson will be available for selectionafter completing a three-match suspension.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce still believes in the magic of the FA Cup - but his side's current league form means the third-round trip is not high on his list of priorities.
The Hammers travel to the City Ground languishing in 19th place and having collected just two points throughout the whole of December.
A 3-0 home win over Fulham on November 30 was the last time West Ham managed to take three points from a league game, although they have progressed to the final four of the Capital One Cup with a two-legged semi-final against Manchester City to come.
Those two factors dictate that Allardyce will not be focusing too much on Forest but he feels they will not be the only club taking the competition a little lightly.
"There is no change from my point of view in terms of the competition," he said.
"It is a fantastic competition and has great history and tradition, there is no doubt about that. But if you're in a position where we are and with the injuries we have there is only one major priority at this football club from all levels.
"From all levels, I mean from the owners all the way down, that priority lies with the Barclays Premier League and that won't ever change for any football club, irrespective of who they are.
"At this stage of the season, when we face the third round on the back of a heavy, heavy schedule then it becomes less of a priority to all of the other competitions you are involved in, certainly if three days later you have a semi-final against Manchester City up at the Etihad Stadium."
Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, James Collins, Winston Reid, James Tomkins and Ricardo Vaz Te are all injured and skipper Kevin Nolan is suspended.
Cox: Hammers a good test for us
Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox is relishing the prospect of a taste of the top flight against West Ham in the FA Cup.
Forest will face Premier League opposition in a competitive match for the first time in almost 18 months when Sam Allardyce's team arrive at the City Ground on Sunday.
The last time was in August 2012 when Wigan won 4-1 on the banks of the River Trent in the League Cup - a game which saw Cox score the Reds' consolation goal.
Forest harbour realistic ambitions this season of ending their 15-year absence from the top flight and Cox sees the visit of the Hammers as a taste of what might be.
"It's going to be a tough task but if we get to the Premier League next season we'll be going up against this sort of team week in, week out, which obviously is what we want to be doing," said the Republic of Ireland international.
"You don't necessarily like to play sides from your own league because it can feel like any other game, but this is a match everyone is looking forward to. It'll be a good test for us."
Midfielders David Vaughan, on loan from Sunderland, and Djamal Abdoun will be checked on after both missed the Championship draw at Reading on New Year's Day.
Striker Darius Henderson will be available for selectionafter completing a three-match suspension.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce still believes in the magic of the FA Cup - but his side's current league form means the third-round trip is not high on his list of priorities.
The Hammers travel to the City Ground languishing in 19th place and having collected just two points throughout the whole of December.
A 3-0 home win over Fulham on November 30 was the last time West Ham managed to take three points from a league game, although they have progressed to the final four of the Capital One Cup with a two-legged semi-final against Manchester City to come.
Those two factors dictate that Allardyce will not be focusing too much on Forest but he feels they will not be the only club taking the competition a little lightly.
"There is no change from my point of view in terms of the competition," he said.
"It is a fantastic competition and has great history and tradition, there is no doubt about that. But if you're in a position where we are and with the injuries we have there is only one major priority at this football club from all levels.
"From all levels, I mean from the owners all the way down, that priority lies with the Barclays Premier League and that won't ever change for any football club, irrespective of who they are.
"At this stage of the season, when we face the third round on the back of a heavy, heavy schedule then it becomes less of a priority to all of the other competitions you are involved in, certainly if three days later you have a semi-final against Manchester City up at the Etihad Stadium."
Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, James Collins, Winston Reid, James Tomkins and Ricardo Vaz Te are all injured and skipper Kevin Nolan is suspended.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Blackburn V Man City at Ewood Park : Match Preview
Blackburn V Man City - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Pellegrini: Cup important for team
Manuel Pellegrini is determined to keep Manchester City firing on all fronts, even though he will make changes for Blackburn this weekend.
City begin their fourth trophy challenge of the season as they travel to the Skybet Championship side in the third round of the FA Cup.
They are well placed in all the others, being second in the Barclays Premier League, through to the last 16 of the Champions League and into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.
Pellegrini wants to add the FA Cup to his list of targets but after four games in 12 days over Christmas, and a League Cup date with West Ham next Wednesday, he must utilise his squad.
He said: "We are going to make changes because we are playing too often in the last (few) weeks.
"We are going to try to have a good squad and to win the first game in our FA Cup (campaign) because for our team it is an important cup.
"I said from the beginning of the season if we are going to play in every competition we must play with exactly the same importance.
"The FA Cup is a very traditional competition here in England and in every country of Europe the cup is always an important competition.
"I just told the players it an important test for us, not only for the team but for individual performances.
"Some players will have the chance to play now in the FA Cup.
"As I said with the Capital One, both cups finish at Wembley and to finish at Wembley with a final is important for every team."
City boast a powerful squad and multiple changes for different competitions have barely affected their momentum in recent weeks.
Pellegrini made eight changes for last month's League Cup quarter-final at Championship high-flyers Leicester but a team containing Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Jesus Navas, David Silva and Edin Dzeko came through 3-1.
Pellegrini believes a similar test could await his side at Ewood Park.
He said: "All the teams playing at home are very difficult teams.
"Maybe Blackburn are not in the best moment in the Championship but, playing at home and playing against us, they will be very motivated and try to win.
"Maybe (it will be) a similar game to that we played against Leicester - a difficult game.
"If we think, 'We are in Premier League and they are in Championship - we are going to win', it is an important mistake.
"We must play with concentration, with intensity and with the tempo we need if we want to win."
Pellegrini is pleased with where his side stand at the midpoint of the season, but knows there are more important tests to come.
He said: "I am very happy because in all the competitions we are playing, we are in a good moment.
"It was a good first half of the season to prepare for what we must win, but we must win important things in the second (half) to be a successful season."
With Martin Demichelis currently injured, City have little other cover at centre-back for first-choice pair Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, who have both had injury problems this season.
When asked further if Joleon Lescott could be loaned out, Pellegrini said: "At this moment, we are not considering. We will see in the future, during the transfer window, what will happen."
Midfielder Jack Rodwell will miss the Blackburn game with a hamstring injury.
Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer admits everyone at the club is looking forward to welcoming City to Ewood Park.
The 42-year-old has called upon players and supporters alike to enjoy the occasion but is under no illusions about Rovers' chances of progressing.
He said: "You can look at it two ways, you can meet the challenge head on or you can sit back and worry about this player and that player.
"We've decided to go the other way and enjoy it and measure where we are against them, and why not.
"We're just going to approach the game in the right manner and pay the respect to Manchester City but, at the same time, ask our players to express themselves. No one is expecting us to win, so it's a chance for us to go and enjoy ourselves.
"We're fully aware of the fact that for us to beat Manchester City we're going to need a hell of a lot of luck, we're going to need our players to be on top of their game and we might need Manchester City to have a really bad off-day because they've got some talent.
"If they rest some of the stars they've got then they're replacing them with other world-class stars.
"The opportunity to come and watch world stars - and that's what we're talking about - is very rare for the Blackburn public now because of the fact that we're not in the Premier League.
"We're hoping they'll come out in their thousands and make it a really good atmosphere and a really good day."
Bowyer is boosted by the availability of Tom Cairney and Rudy Gestede after both players made their loan moves permanent on Friday.
Bowyer will check on midfielder David Dunn, who has missed his side's last three matches with a hamstring problem. Jason Lowe returns from suspension and Corry Evans (ankle) remains doubtful.
Pellegrini: Cup important for team
Manuel Pellegrini is determined to keep Manchester City firing on all fronts, even though he will make changes for Blackburn this weekend.
City begin their fourth trophy challenge of the season as they travel to the Skybet Championship side in the third round of the FA Cup.
They are well placed in all the others, being second in the Barclays Premier League, through to the last 16 of the Champions League and into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.
Pellegrini wants to add the FA Cup to his list of targets but after four games in 12 days over Christmas, and a League Cup date with West Ham next Wednesday, he must utilise his squad.
He said: "We are going to make changes because we are playing too often in the last (few) weeks.
"We are going to try to have a good squad and to win the first game in our FA Cup (campaign) because for our team it is an important cup.
"I said from the beginning of the season if we are going to play in every competition we must play with exactly the same importance.
"The FA Cup is a very traditional competition here in England and in every country of Europe the cup is always an important competition.
"I just told the players it an important test for us, not only for the team but for individual performances.
"Some players will have the chance to play now in the FA Cup.
"As I said with the Capital One, both cups finish at Wembley and to finish at Wembley with a final is important for every team."
City boast a powerful squad and multiple changes for different competitions have barely affected their momentum in recent weeks.
Pellegrini made eight changes for last month's League Cup quarter-final at Championship high-flyers Leicester but a team containing Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Jesus Navas, David Silva and Edin Dzeko came through 3-1.
Pellegrini believes a similar test could await his side at Ewood Park.
He said: "All the teams playing at home are very difficult teams.
"Maybe Blackburn are not in the best moment in the Championship but, playing at home and playing against us, they will be very motivated and try to win.
"Maybe (it will be) a similar game to that we played against Leicester - a difficult game.
"If we think, 'We are in Premier League and they are in Championship - we are going to win', it is an important mistake.
"We must play with concentration, with intensity and with the tempo we need if we want to win."
Pellegrini is pleased with where his side stand at the midpoint of the season, but knows there are more important tests to come.
He said: "I am very happy because in all the competitions we are playing, we are in a good moment.
"It was a good first half of the season to prepare for what we must win, but we must win important things in the second (half) to be a successful season."
With Martin Demichelis currently injured, City have little other cover at centre-back for first-choice pair Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, who have both had injury problems this season.
When asked further if Joleon Lescott could be loaned out, Pellegrini said: "At this moment, we are not considering. We will see in the future, during the transfer window, what will happen."
Midfielder Jack Rodwell will miss the Blackburn game with a hamstring injury.
Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer admits everyone at the club is looking forward to welcoming City to Ewood Park.
The 42-year-old has called upon players and supporters alike to enjoy the occasion but is under no illusions about Rovers' chances of progressing.
He said: "You can look at it two ways, you can meet the challenge head on or you can sit back and worry about this player and that player.
"We've decided to go the other way and enjoy it and measure where we are against them, and why not.
"We're just going to approach the game in the right manner and pay the respect to Manchester City but, at the same time, ask our players to express themselves. No one is expecting us to win, so it's a chance for us to go and enjoy ourselves.
"We're fully aware of the fact that for us to beat Manchester City we're going to need a hell of a lot of luck, we're going to need our players to be on top of their game and we might need Manchester City to have a really bad off-day because they've got some talent.
"If they rest some of the stars they've got then they're replacing them with other world-class stars.
"The opportunity to come and watch world stars - and that's what we're talking about - is very rare for the Blackburn public now because of the fact that we're not in the Premier League.
"We're hoping they'll come out in their thousands and make it a really good atmosphere and a really good day."
Bowyer is boosted by the availability of Tom Cairney and Rudy Gestede after both players made their loan moves permanent on Friday.
Bowyer will check on midfielder David Dunn, who has missed his side's last three matches with a hamstring problem. Jason Lowe returns from suspension and Corry Evans (ankle) remains doubtful.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Gillingham V Wolverhampton at MEMS Priestfield Stadium : Match Preview
Gillingham V Wolverhampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Gills to check on several
Gillingham manager Peter Taylor continues to monitor several players ahead of Friday night's visit of promotion-chasing Wolves.
Chris Whelpdale returned to action in last Sunday's 2-2 draw against Walsall after a spell on the sidelines but was feeling pain in his ankle late on.
He was due to be assessed ahead of the New Year's Day trip to Stevenage, which duly fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, and will now be checked over again - along with Danny Hollands (knee), Amine Linganzi and Myles Weston (both hamstring), who have missed out altogether of late.
Striker Danny Kedwell is not expected to feature having been scheduled to undergo a hernia operation on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has added to Wolves' injury woes.
Ikeme has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a fractured bone in his hand, forcing Kenny Jackett to recall Aaron McCarey from his loan spell at York to provide cover for Wayne Hennessey, who is now expected to start at Priestfield.
Wolves' 1-1 draw at Tranmere on New Year's Day proved a costly one as Ethan Ebanks-Landell also sustained a knee injury and is set to miss out at Gillingham, while fellow defender Richard Stearman was sent off and is now suspended.
Wanderers were already without Jack Price (knee), James Henry (groin), Matt Doherty (hamstring) and Liam McAlinden.
Gills to check on several
Gillingham manager Peter Taylor continues to monitor several players ahead of Friday night's visit of promotion-chasing Wolves.
Chris Whelpdale returned to action in last Sunday's 2-2 draw against Walsall after a spell on the sidelines but was feeling pain in his ankle late on.
He was due to be assessed ahead of the New Year's Day trip to Stevenage, which duly fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, and will now be checked over again - along with Danny Hollands (knee), Amine Linganzi and Myles Weston (both hamstring), who have missed out altogether of late.
Striker Danny Kedwell is not expected to feature having been scheduled to undergo a hernia operation on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has added to Wolves' injury woes.
Ikeme has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a fractured bone in his hand, forcing Kenny Jackett to recall Aaron McCarey from his loan spell at York to provide cover for Wayne Hennessey, who is now expected to start at Priestfield.
Wolves' 1-1 draw at Tranmere on New Year's Day proved a costly one as Ethan Ebanks-Landell also sustained a knee injury and is set to miss out at Gillingham, while fellow defender Richard Stearman was sent off and is now suspended.
Wanderers were already without Jack Price (knee), James Henry (groin), Matt Doherty (hamstring) and Liam McAlinden.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Arsenal V Cardiff at Emirates Stadium : Match Preview
Arsenal V Cardiff - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Gunners without Giroud and Gibbs
Manager Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are "on alert" for a "special" forward addition as the transfer window opens, but stressed the club are not looking to replace lead man Olivier Giroud.
The Gunners head into 2014 top of the Barclays Premier League by just a single point from Manchester City, but will host Cardiff on New Year's Day without Giroud, who has an ankle problem, and full-back Kieran Gibbs (calf). However, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere are all understood to have shrugged off minor injury concerns and so will be available for selection.
While Wenger is confident his squad does have the needed strength in depth to finally last the distance in the title race, the Arsenal manager maintains anyone who is brought in will have to be the right calibre of player - with Atletico Madrid frontman Diego Costa one reported January target.
"We are like many clubs, certainly (we are) on alert," Wenger said.
"If something special turns up we will not turn it down, but we are not as well desperate because we have a big depth in our squad.
"We have shown that because our midfield at West Ham and at Newcastle was completely different, we changed three players and we still managed to have a very strong team."
Wenger continued: "I am quite confident with our squad.
"As has been mentioned, maybe up front we are a bit shorter with specialised people because most of the big clubs have three specialised central strikers, we have only two because (Yaya) Sanogo is not ready yet, so maybe if that something special opportunity turns up, we will not turn it down, but everywhere else we are in no need at all (to buy)."
Giroud's second-half header secured victory at Newcastle to end his mini-goal drought.
Arsenal hope Giroud's lay-off will not prove significant, with the forward having already targetted a return against Tottenham in the FA Cup third-round clash this weekend.
Full-back Kieran Gibbs (calf) is sidelined, while midfielder Aaron Ramsey (thigh) will be out for around three weeks and the full extent of German playmaker Mesut Ozil's shoulder problem is still being assessed, so the news several other key men were able to train on Tuesday will have come a timely boost.
Lukas Podolski, who scored on his return from a four-month injury lay-off at Upton Park, or Nicklas Bendtner are likely to lead the attack in Giroud's absence.
Cardiff still hope to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new manager, despite reports the former Manchester United forward has turned down the Welsh club.
Solskjaer, in charge of Norwegian club Molde, was instantly installed as favourite to take over at Cardiff City Stadium when Malky Mackay was sacked on Friday following a series of disputes with owner Vincent Tan.
Chairman Mehmet Dalman has stated he has one candidate in mind and refused to deny he had held discussions with Solskjaer, saying: " I might have and I might not have".
There have been suggestions Solksjaer has turned down Dalman's overtures, but Press Association Sport understands Solskjaer has yet to reject the chance to take over in the Welsh capital, and that Dalman hopes the promise of funds to spend in January and assurances regarding the working structure at the club will convince the 40-year-old to make the move to the Premier League.
With Dalman's recruitment hunt ongoing, Mackay's assistant David Kerslake and first-team coach Joe McBride remain in charge of the Bluebirds for the daunting New Year's Day trip to leaders Arsenal.
Kerslake insists he knows nothing about the ongoing hunt for a new manager, but has called on the club's fans to get behind the next boss.
"The new manager will have to have a big personality," he said. "They are big boots that Malky has left. But I am sure the owner and the board of directors will select correctly.
"It is certainly going to take them into a new direction and the supporters need to get on board and support whatever they do."
Taking a side to the Emirates in the Premier League should rank as one of the biggest days in Kerslake's career but he admits it will feel slightly surreal as he considers Cardiff to still be Mackay's side.
He said: "I don't feel it is my side. I am going there and doing the job the club have asked me to do. Of course it is the Premier League, a great stadium and something I am looking forward to."
Cardiff will at least avoid coming up against Aaron Ramsey. The Wales midfielder scored twice in a 3-0 Arsenal win when the sides met in Wales but has been ruled out with a thigh problem.
Gunners without Giroud and Gibbs
Manager Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are "on alert" for a "special" forward addition as the transfer window opens, but stressed the club are not looking to replace lead man Olivier Giroud.
The Gunners head into 2014 top of the Barclays Premier League by just a single point from Manchester City, but will host Cardiff on New Year's Day without Giroud, who has an ankle problem, and full-back Kieran Gibbs (calf). However, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere are all understood to have shrugged off minor injury concerns and so will be available for selection.
While Wenger is confident his squad does have the needed strength in depth to finally last the distance in the title race, the Arsenal manager maintains anyone who is brought in will have to be the right calibre of player - with Atletico Madrid frontman Diego Costa one reported January target.
"We are like many clubs, certainly (we are) on alert," Wenger said.
"If something special turns up we will not turn it down, but we are not as well desperate because we have a big depth in our squad.
"We have shown that because our midfield at West Ham and at Newcastle was completely different, we changed three players and we still managed to have a very strong team."
Wenger continued: "I am quite confident with our squad.
"As has been mentioned, maybe up front we are a bit shorter with specialised people because most of the big clubs have three specialised central strikers, we have only two because (Yaya) Sanogo is not ready yet, so maybe if that something special opportunity turns up, we will not turn it down, but everywhere else we are in no need at all (to buy)."
Giroud's second-half header secured victory at Newcastle to end his mini-goal drought.
Arsenal hope Giroud's lay-off will not prove significant, with the forward having already targetted a return against Tottenham in the FA Cup third-round clash this weekend.
Full-back Kieran Gibbs (calf) is sidelined, while midfielder Aaron Ramsey (thigh) will be out for around three weeks and the full extent of German playmaker Mesut Ozil's shoulder problem is still being assessed, so the news several other key men were able to train on Tuesday will have come a timely boost.
Lukas Podolski, who scored on his return from a four-month injury lay-off at Upton Park, or Nicklas Bendtner are likely to lead the attack in Giroud's absence.
Cardiff still hope to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new manager, despite reports the former Manchester United forward has turned down the Welsh club.
Solskjaer, in charge of Norwegian club Molde, was instantly installed as favourite to take over at Cardiff City Stadium when Malky Mackay was sacked on Friday following a series of disputes with owner Vincent Tan.
Chairman Mehmet Dalman has stated he has one candidate in mind and refused to deny he had held discussions with Solskjaer, saying: " I might have and I might not have".
There have been suggestions Solksjaer has turned down Dalman's overtures, but Press Association Sport understands Solskjaer has yet to reject the chance to take over in the Welsh capital, and that Dalman hopes the promise of funds to spend in January and assurances regarding the working structure at the club will convince the 40-year-old to make the move to the Premier League.
With Dalman's recruitment hunt ongoing, Mackay's assistant David Kerslake and first-team coach Joe McBride remain in charge of the Bluebirds for the daunting New Year's Day trip to leaders Arsenal.
Kerslake insists he knows nothing about the ongoing hunt for a new manager, but has called on the club's fans to get behind the next boss.
"The new manager will have to have a big personality," he said. "They are big boots that Malky has left. But I am sure the owner and the board of directors will select correctly.
"It is certainly going to take them into a new direction and the supporters need to get on board and support whatever they do."
Taking a side to the Emirates in the Premier League should rank as one of the biggest days in Kerslake's career but he admits it will feel slightly surreal as he considers Cardiff to still be Mackay's side.
He said: "I don't feel it is my side. I am going there and doing the job the club have asked me to do. Of course it is the Premier League, a great stadium and something I am looking forward to."
Cardiff will at least avoid coming up against Aaron Ramsey. The Wales midfielder scored twice in a 3-0 Arsenal win when the sides met in Wales but has been ruled out with a thigh problem.
Stoke V Everton at Britannia Stadium : Match Preview
Stoke V Everton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Hughes out for revenge
Stoke boss Mark Hughes wants his side to right the wrongs of Goodison Park when Everton visit the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday.
It is only a month since the Potters were hammered 4-0 by fourth-placed Everton in a one-sided clash on Merseyside.
Hughes said: "They're doing very well and we've had recent experience of the quality that they're showing.
"Obviously we were well beaten at Goodison, 4-0, and it could have been more if we're honest. We've got a quick opportunity to turn that round.
"It was very difficult for us, Everton on the day were very good and deserved to win comprehensively, but this is our home game and our home form's good so we want to put in a better showing than we did at Goodison.
"We're enjoying playing at home at the moment, we're getting great support and we want to carry on our good run at the Britannia."
The defeat at Goodison actually came in the middle of a decent run for Stoke, their only loss in seven league games that included a victory over Chelsea.
Their last home outing brought a win against Aston Villa, and Hughes' team have only lost one Premier League match at the Britannia all season.
They will be relieved to get back home after back-to-back away fixtures that could barely have gone any worse.
Stoke lost 5-1 against Newcastle and then 3-0 at Tottenham, with the club unhappy at refereeing decisions in both games.
Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson were both sent off in the first half at St James' Park while Hughes was charged by the Football Association with improper conduct after kicking a ball in frustration at the former's dismissal.
Midfielder Whelan and defender Wilson served their bans at White Hart Lane so will be available again for Everton, meaning Geoff Cameron can revert to full-back.
Hughes said: "That will help us. I think that certainly had an impact at Tottenham so we'll welcome back the likes of Glenn and Marc."
Cameron's stand-in Andy Wilkinson misses out with a heel injury, though, and joins fellow defender Robert Huth (knee) and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (broken finger) on the sidelines.
Hughes, keen for Stoke to put the past two games behind them, took over from Tony Pulis in the summer and set about changing Stoke's style to be less direct.
After the first half of the season, the Potters sit 12th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Despite the Goodison Park result a month ago, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez is wary of the trip to the Britannia Stadium.
"You look at the last two results and it was a little bit of a freak performance against Newcastle (losing 5-0) and that affected them going into Spurs (a 3-1 defeat)," he said.
"They are unbeaten in their last six at home and we know when they play at the Britannia they are an extremely difficult team."
Sylvain Distin is expected to recover from a minor hamstring problem but fellow centre-back Phil Jagielka will be sidelined for a few weeks with a similar injury.
Midfielder Gareth Barry and goalkeeper Tim Howard return from one-game suspensions.
Hughes out for revenge
Stoke boss Mark Hughes wants his side to right the wrongs of Goodison Park when Everton visit the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday.
It is only a month since the Potters were hammered 4-0 by fourth-placed Everton in a one-sided clash on Merseyside.
Hughes said: "They're doing very well and we've had recent experience of the quality that they're showing.
"Obviously we were well beaten at Goodison, 4-0, and it could have been more if we're honest. We've got a quick opportunity to turn that round.
"It was very difficult for us, Everton on the day were very good and deserved to win comprehensively, but this is our home game and our home form's good so we want to put in a better showing than we did at Goodison.
"We're enjoying playing at home at the moment, we're getting great support and we want to carry on our good run at the Britannia."
The defeat at Goodison actually came in the middle of a decent run for Stoke, their only loss in seven league games that included a victory over Chelsea.
Their last home outing brought a win against Aston Villa, and Hughes' team have only lost one Premier League match at the Britannia all season.
They will be relieved to get back home after back-to-back away fixtures that could barely have gone any worse.
Stoke lost 5-1 against Newcastle and then 3-0 at Tottenham, with the club unhappy at refereeing decisions in both games.
Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson were both sent off in the first half at St James' Park while Hughes was charged by the Football Association with improper conduct after kicking a ball in frustration at the former's dismissal.
Midfielder Whelan and defender Wilson served their bans at White Hart Lane so will be available again for Everton, meaning Geoff Cameron can revert to full-back.
Hughes said: "That will help us. I think that certainly had an impact at Tottenham so we'll welcome back the likes of Glenn and Marc."
Cameron's stand-in Andy Wilkinson misses out with a heel injury, though, and joins fellow defender Robert Huth (knee) and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (broken finger) on the sidelines.
Hughes, keen for Stoke to put the past two games behind them, took over from Tony Pulis in the summer and set about changing Stoke's style to be less direct.
After the first half of the season, the Potters sit 12th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Despite the Goodison Park result a month ago, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez is wary of the trip to the Britannia Stadium.
"You look at the last two results and it was a little bit of a freak performance against Newcastle (losing 5-0) and that affected them going into Spurs (a 3-1 defeat)," he said.
"They are unbeaten in their last six at home and we know when they play at the Britannia they are an extremely difficult team."
Sylvain Distin is expected to recover from a minor hamstring problem but fellow centre-back Phil Jagielka will be sidelined for a few weeks with a similar injury.
Midfielder Gareth Barry and goalkeeper Tim Howard return from one-game suspensions.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
St Johnstone V Dundee Utd at McDiarmid Park : Match Preview
St Johnstone V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
United can handle rough stuff
John Rankin has told Dundee United's Scottish Premiership rivals that heavy-handed tactics will not work against their talented teenagers.
The Arabs saw a six-match winning streak ended by a painful 4-1 Boxing Day defeat to St Mirren in Paisley.
Saints skipper Jim Goodwin had to be substituted by Buddies boss Danny Lennon before he was sent off after clattering into a string of young United players, while Conor Newton and Marc McAusland were also guilty of heavy challenges that saw them booked.
While St Mirren finished the game with a full compliment, United saw Keith Watson sent off for a crude lunge on Sean Kelly just seconds before Jason Naismith grabbed the home side's crucial third goal.
But Rankin insists it was not St Mirren's tough tackling that kept the likes of Ryan Gauld, Andrew Robertson and Stuart Armstrong quiet.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's league trip to St Johnstone, the midfielder said: "Can they young lads handle the rough stuff? Well they are used to it Monday to Friday, so I don't see any reason why they can't stand up to it in a match.
"I don't think the St Mirren defeat was caused by their physical approach. Okay they had the impetus in the first half after going in front, but we were saying to each other that a quick goal at the start of the second and we would be back in it.
"But their keeper has had some game and then the sending off for Keith and the third St Mirren goal have swung it away from us.
"We haven't been sitting tearing our hair out after that game though. We were on a good run but now it's come to an end. Now we will just move on to the St Johnstone match."
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright did not bat an eye when Sunday's opponents Dundee United came crashing down to earth on Boxing Day with a 4-1 defeat by St Mirren in Paisley.
While Saints were losing narrowly 1-0 at home to leaders Celtic, the free-scoring Taysiders were tasting defeat for the first time in eight games in a more emphatic way.
However, asked if the result at St Mirren Park had been a surprise, the Northern Irishman said: "No. Anything can happen in this league.
"There is not a lot between the teams and I think most managers will agree with me.
"Dundee United have been good but there have been a lot of good teams this season and St Mirren scored four against us earlier this season (to win 4-3).
"Quite often it is the team who gets the first goal who go on to win the game although I know Dundee United had a player sent off."
The McDiarmid Park manager does not believe United's defeat will give his side a boost as they try to remain in the top half of the table.
"We have to go out and play," he said. "We have to look after ourselves.
"If we play to our capabilities then we can beat any team in the league and that is what we will try to do on Sunday.
"It is a Tayside derby, there will be a big crowd there and we want to get back to winning games because teams are closing in on us for a top-six place."
Wright insists his players did enough in their defeat to the Hoops to be able to take confidence into the United match.
"Celtic are the best team in the country but aside from the goal, I thought we defended well and we got better as the second half went on," he said.
"We kept the ball better and turned them which pleased me, although I was disappointed by the result.
"So there are positives we can take and it is good that we have a game a few days later.
"The beauty of the Christmas period is that there is a lot of football played and so you don't have time to reflect on the previous game."
United can handle rough stuff
John Rankin has told Dundee United's Scottish Premiership rivals that heavy-handed tactics will not work against their talented teenagers.
The Arabs saw a six-match winning streak ended by a painful 4-1 Boxing Day defeat to St Mirren in Paisley.
Saints skipper Jim Goodwin had to be substituted by Buddies boss Danny Lennon before he was sent off after clattering into a string of young United players, while Conor Newton and Marc McAusland were also guilty of heavy challenges that saw them booked.
While St Mirren finished the game with a full compliment, United saw Keith Watson sent off for a crude lunge on Sean Kelly just seconds before Jason Naismith grabbed the home side's crucial third goal.
But Rankin insists it was not St Mirren's tough tackling that kept the likes of Ryan Gauld, Andrew Robertson and Stuart Armstrong quiet.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's league trip to St Johnstone, the midfielder said: "Can they young lads handle the rough stuff? Well they are used to it Monday to Friday, so I don't see any reason why they can't stand up to it in a match.
"I don't think the St Mirren defeat was caused by their physical approach. Okay they had the impetus in the first half after going in front, but we were saying to each other that a quick goal at the start of the second and we would be back in it.
"But their keeper has had some game and then the sending off for Keith and the third St Mirren goal have swung it away from us.
"We haven't been sitting tearing our hair out after that game though. We were on a good run but now it's come to an end. Now we will just move on to the St Johnstone match."
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright did not bat an eye when Sunday's opponents Dundee United came crashing down to earth on Boxing Day with a 4-1 defeat by St Mirren in Paisley.
While Saints were losing narrowly 1-0 at home to leaders Celtic, the free-scoring Taysiders were tasting defeat for the first time in eight games in a more emphatic way.
However, asked if the result at St Mirren Park had been a surprise, the Northern Irishman said: "No. Anything can happen in this league.
"There is not a lot between the teams and I think most managers will agree with me.
"Dundee United have been good but there have been a lot of good teams this season and St Mirren scored four against us earlier this season (to win 4-3).
"Quite often it is the team who gets the first goal who go on to win the game although I know Dundee United had a player sent off."
The McDiarmid Park manager does not believe United's defeat will give his side a boost as they try to remain in the top half of the table.
"We have to go out and play," he said. "We have to look after ourselves.
"If we play to our capabilities then we can beat any team in the league and that is what we will try to do on Sunday.
"It is a Tayside derby, there will be a big crowd there and we want to get back to winning games because teams are closing in on us for a top-six place."
Wright insists his players did enough in their defeat to the Hoops to be able to take confidence into the United match.
"Celtic are the best team in the country but aside from the goal, I thought we defended well and we got better as the second half went on," he said.
"We kept the ball better and turned them which pleased me, although I was disappointed by the result.
"So there are positives we can take and it is good that we have a game a few days later.
"The beauty of the Christmas period is that there is a lot of football played and so you don't have time to reflect on the previous game."
Bradford V Swindon at Coral Windows Stadium : Match Preview
Bradford V Swindon - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
McArdle back for Bantams
Bradford will be boosted by the return to contention of defender Rory McArdle for the visit of Swindon following suspension.
Centre-half McArdle missed the Boxing Day defeat to Rotherham as he served a one-game ban for reaching five yellow cards and boss Phil Parkinson must decide whether to recall him or stick with Carl McHugh.
Teenage striker Ollie McBurnie made his first start for the club against the Millers and he could resume up front in the continued absence of senior strikers James Hanson (calf) and Andy Gray (dead leg).
Forward Alan Connell, winger Mark Yeates and midfielder Jason Kennedy provide Parkinson with options should he wish to rest some of his players.
Swindon manager Mark Cooper is set to welcome back three regulars.
Jay McEveley (dead leg), Dany N'Guessan and Ryan Harley (both illness) all sat out the 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Boxing Day but are expected to return to action.
Cooper will hope their availability can freshen up his side, after they surrendered the lead twice at Griffin Park and slipped five points adrift of the play-off places.
The Robins go into the clash striving for consistency having won two and lost two of their previous four league games.
McArdle back for Bantams
Bradford will be boosted by the return to contention of defender Rory McArdle for the visit of Swindon following suspension.
Centre-half McArdle missed the Boxing Day defeat to Rotherham as he served a one-game ban for reaching five yellow cards and boss Phil Parkinson must decide whether to recall him or stick with Carl McHugh.
Teenage striker Ollie McBurnie made his first start for the club against the Millers and he could resume up front in the continued absence of senior strikers James Hanson (calf) and Andy Gray (dead leg).
Forward Alan Connell, winger Mark Yeates and midfielder Jason Kennedy provide Parkinson with options should he wish to rest some of his players.
Swindon manager Mark Cooper is set to welcome back three regulars.
Jay McEveley (dead leg), Dany N'Guessan and Ryan Harley (both illness) all sat out the 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Boxing Day but are expected to return to action.
Cooper will hope their availability can freshen up his side, after they surrendered the lead twice at Griffin Park and slipped five points adrift of the play-off places.
The Robins go into the clash striving for consistency having won two and lost two of their previous four league games.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Aston Villa V Swansea at Villa Park : Match Preview
Aston Villa V Swansea - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Lambert: We're a million miles off
Paul Lambert admitted Aston Villa are "a million miles away" from where he wants the club to be.
Lambert's side head into Saturday's clash with Swansea looking to halt a run of four successive defeats that has seen them slide to within three points of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.
Home form has been the biggest problem, with Villa picking up only seven points and scoring just six goals, the worst record in the top four divisions.
They have found the net in only one of their last six home matches and the fans made their feelings clear as Villa slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
Lambert conceded expectations are not making life easier, saying: "The lads are edgy on certain things but we have to work on that.
"You can't turn round and be critical of the crowd, that's for sure. It's too big a club.
"It's probably not helping in terms of us trying to play our game at certain times but they pay their money and they're entitled to voice their opinion.
"Football is about giving people something to cheer. We're doing everything we can to keep building what we want to try and do. I'm a million miles short of what I want to do with the club.
"Personally I know what it's like because I've played with big clubs as a footballer. I was never exempt from criticism.
"I remember my first few games at Celtic, I lost them. People were saying go back to Dortmund, 60,000 or whatever it was. Until I bedded myself in and got a grip of it, then it went reasonably okay.
"I know criticism. For the team, when they're young, they need that support through thick and thin.
"Some people talk about bravery of going in for a tackle that's 10 feet high and blood, guts and thunder. Bravery's taking the ball in front of 40,000 or 50,000 in an area where people will just shy away from it.
"As long as they never do that - that's the one thing I can't accept, trying to hide. As long as they keep trying to do the right things, then I'll never criticise them.
"I don't want to be sitting like this every time. It's a challenge I'm not going to wilt under. I've never wilted. You fight it, you don't run away from it."
Michael Laudrup's Swansea sit a point above Villa and are also not in good form having gone five matches without a victory.
"Even if you don't win in one, there's pressure," said Lambert. "Football now, you get one or two games. If you've not won two games, there's a crisis, it's getting shorter and shorter.
"Swansea are on that same kind of run, I'm pretty sure if you asked Michael he'd say the exact same thing. It's a big game for both teams."
Midfielder Ashley Westwood returns from suspension but Lambert is limited in his options, with top scorer Christian Benteke and defender Ron Vlaar still injured.
Meanwhile, captain Ashley Williams has called on Swansea to turn the momentum in their favour before the year's end when they visit Villa.
A 1-0 loss at Chelsea on Boxing Day followed a defeat to Everton and means Swansea have one win in six Barclays Premier League matches and 10 points from the last 10 games.
The 11th-placed Swans are just four points better off than 18th-placed Fulham, who occupy the final place in the relegation zone, entering their second match in 48 hours against a Villa side beaten at home by Crystal Palace on Thursday. Villa, who are one point behind Swansea in 13th, have lost their last four games.
"We have lost the last two, so it's going to be a massive game for both teams," defender Williams said on swanseacity.net.
"It's very important. Every game is in this league.
"They lost to Palace at home on Boxing Day, and they will be desperate to make up for that particularly as they are at home again.
"Villa Park is a very tough place to play but we know we are capable of winning there and bouncing back from these back-to-back defeats."
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup will make changes for the trip.
Striker Michu, midfielder Nathan Dyer (both ankle) and goalkeeper Michel Vorm (knee) missed the Boxing Day loss at Chelsea, along with defender Garry Monk (knee).
Leon Britton returned from a broken toe and could continue.
Lambert: We're a million miles off
Paul Lambert admitted Aston Villa are "a million miles away" from where he wants the club to be.
Lambert's side head into Saturday's clash with Swansea looking to halt a run of four successive defeats that has seen them slide to within three points of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.
Home form has been the biggest problem, with Villa picking up only seven points and scoring just six goals, the worst record in the top four divisions.
They have found the net in only one of their last six home matches and the fans made their feelings clear as Villa slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
Lambert conceded expectations are not making life easier, saying: "The lads are edgy on certain things but we have to work on that.
"You can't turn round and be critical of the crowd, that's for sure. It's too big a club.
"It's probably not helping in terms of us trying to play our game at certain times but they pay their money and they're entitled to voice their opinion.
"Football is about giving people something to cheer. We're doing everything we can to keep building what we want to try and do. I'm a million miles short of what I want to do with the club.
"Personally I know what it's like because I've played with big clubs as a footballer. I was never exempt from criticism.
"I remember my first few games at Celtic, I lost them. People were saying go back to Dortmund, 60,000 or whatever it was. Until I bedded myself in and got a grip of it, then it went reasonably okay.
"I know criticism. For the team, when they're young, they need that support through thick and thin.
"Some people talk about bravery of going in for a tackle that's 10 feet high and blood, guts and thunder. Bravery's taking the ball in front of 40,000 or 50,000 in an area where people will just shy away from it.
"As long as they never do that - that's the one thing I can't accept, trying to hide. As long as they keep trying to do the right things, then I'll never criticise them.
"I don't want to be sitting like this every time. It's a challenge I'm not going to wilt under. I've never wilted. You fight it, you don't run away from it."
Michael Laudrup's Swansea sit a point above Villa and are also not in good form having gone five matches without a victory.
"Even if you don't win in one, there's pressure," said Lambert. "Football now, you get one or two games. If you've not won two games, there's a crisis, it's getting shorter and shorter.
"Swansea are on that same kind of run, I'm pretty sure if you asked Michael he'd say the exact same thing. It's a big game for both teams."
Midfielder Ashley Westwood returns from suspension but Lambert is limited in his options, with top scorer Christian Benteke and defender Ron Vlaar still injured.
Meanwhile, captain Ashley Williams has called on Swansea to turn the momentum in their favour before the year's end when they visit Villa.
A 1-0 loss at Chelsea on Boxing Day followed a defeat to Everton and means Swansea have one win in six Barclays Premier League matches and 10 points from the last 10 games.
The 11th-placed Swans are just four points better off than 18th-placed Fulham, who occupy the final place in the relegation zone, entering their second match in 48 hours against a Villa side beaten at home by Crystal Palace on Thursday. Villa, who are one point behind Swansea in 13th, have lost their last four games.
"We have lost the last two, so it's going to be a massive game for both teams," defender Williams said on swanseacity.net.
"It's very important. Every game is in this league.
"They lost to Palace at home on Boxing Day, and they will be desperate to make up for that particularly as they are at home again.
"Villa Park is a very tough place to play but we know we are capable of winning there and bouncing back from these back-to-back defeats."
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup will make changes for the trip.
Striker Michu, midfielder Nathan Dyer (both ankle) and goalkeeper Michel Vorm (knee) missed the Boxing Day loss at Chelsea, along with defender Garry Monk (knee).
Leon Britton returned from a broken toe and could continue.
Hull V Fulham at The KC Stadium : Match Preview
Hull V Fulham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Bruce bemoans hectic schedule
Hull manager Steve Bruce was left to bemoan the "ridiculous" festive fixture programme after his side were struck by injury problems at the worst possible time.
The Tigers won praise for their wholehearted performance against Manchester United on Boxing Day, taking a 2-0 lead inside just 13 minutes before eventually being reeled in as the champions ran out 3-2 winners.
And if the result was hard to take, the physical effect on Bruce's squad simply rubbed salt into the wounds.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who collided with Ashley Young early on and never fully recovered, and in-form midfielder David Meyler both came off with knee injuries at half-time against United and appear to have no chance of taking part in Saturday's home clash with Fulham.
Alex Bruce finished the game but was not fully fit by the final whistle, while a number of other players carried on with knocks.
Having not won in five Barclays Premier League outings, Hull boss Bruce sees the visit of relegation battlers Fulham as a key fixture but could be forced to ring the changes.
"Both McGregor and Meyler have knee injuries," said Bruce.
"Meyler is a concern because it is the same knee he's injured before when he was out for a long time.
"McGregor's came from a challenge by Ashley Young that went unpunished. It looked late to me.
"He's got a nasty one. They'll both have X-rays and scans.
"Alex has a calf problem and there were one or two others with knocks at 90 minutes too.
"But we have to go again with this ridiculous schedule we have to play.
"Two games in 48 hours...it's ridiculous when we have so much at stake, but we have to recover and be ready for Fulham."
Meanwhile, Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen believes being a Premier League-winning captain and working for such a long period under Sir Alex Ferguson are two reasons Hull counterpart Steve Bruce is a well-rounded manager.
Meulensteen, who also spent several years working as a coach under Ferguson at Manchester United, takes his Fulham side to Hull looking to move out of the bottom three after a vital Boxing Day victory at Norwich.
Bruce won three Premier League titles during a nine-year spell at Old Trafford and was always highly regarded by Ferguson before moving into management himself in 1998.
Since then he has had spells in charge of Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland in the top flight before guiding Hull back in to the Barclays Premier League last season.
The Tigers sit 12th in the table after a 3-2 defeat at home to United on Boxing Day and Meulensteen feels Bruce's past experiences will continue to serve him well.
"Any manager that has worked or played under Sir Alex Ferguson will have remembered things that they will use," he said.
"I'm sure Steve will be no different at all, Sir Alex always wanted teams to play with a lot of endeavour and speed - you have to see what you have at your disposal but the intentions are there, you only have to look at Hull's 3-1 win over Liverpool.
"He has got his feet under the table in the Premier League, you have an experience of knowing how to play away at all the different grounds and it doesn't phase him any more.
"He has been there, seen it and done it, at different clubs and with different players - plus he has played in it himself which helps."
Meulensteen has reverted to playing Adel Taarabt as a lone forward in recent weeks to utilise his fit players as well as possible and believes Bruce is a master of chopping and changing his own side.
"I like Steve as a person and I know him really well, his transfers his charisma on to the pitch and into the players," he said.
"He has got them playing and isn't too afraid to experiment at times, with three at the back or the straight 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.
"What you can always say about Steve Bruce's team is that they are generally well organised and have a good energy about them and he gives them the freedom to play as well."
The late win at Norwich came with important players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Maarten Stekelenburg and Brede Hangeland missing through injury.
With the packed festive fixture list throwing up another game just 48 hours later, most of those ruled out at Carrow Road will still be absent at Hull but Meulensteen remains hopeful Berbatov could play some part at he KC Stadium.
"There is a chance that Berbatov will return," he said.
Bruce bemoans hectic schedule
Hull manager Steve Bruce was left to bemoan the "ridiculous" festive fixture programme after his side were struck by injury problems at the worst possible time.
The Tigers won praise for their wholehearted performance against Manchester United on Boxing Day, taking a 2-0 lead inside just 13 minutes before eventually being reeled in as the champions ran out 3-2 winners.
And if the result was hard to take, the physical effect on Bruce's squad simply rubbed salt into the wounds.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who collided with Ashley Young early on and never fully recovered, and in-form midfielder David Meyler both came off with knee injuries at half-time against United and appear to have no chance of taking part in Saturday's home clash with Fulham.
Alex Bruce finished the game but was not fully fit by the final whistle, while a number of other players carried on with knocks.
Having not won in five Barclays Premier League outings, Hull boss Bruce sees the visit of relegation battlers Fulham as a key fixture but could be forced to ring the changes.
"Both McGregor and Meyler have knee injuries," said Bruce.
"Meyler is a concern because it is the same knee he's injured before when he was out for a long time.
"McGregor's came from a challenge by Ashley Young that went unpunished. It looked late to me.
"He's got a nasty one. They'll both have X-rays and scans.
"Alex has a calf problem and there were one or two others with knocks at 90 minutes too.
"But we have to go again with this ridiculous schedule we have to play.
"Two games in 48 hours...it's ridiculous when we have so much at stake, but we have to recover and be ready for Fulham."
Meanwhile, Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen believes being a Premier League-winning captain and working for such a long period under Sir Alex Ferguson are two reasons Hull counterpart Steve Bruce is a well-rounded manager.
Meulensteen, who also spent several years working as a coach under Ferguson at Manchester United, takes his Fulham side to Hull looking to move out of the bottom three after a vital Boxing Day victory at Norwich.
Bruce won three Premier League titles during a nine-year spell at Old Trafford and was always highly regarded by Ferguson before moving into management himself in 1998.
Since then he has had spells in charge of Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland in the top flight before guiding Hull back in to the Barclays Premier League last season.
The Tigers sit 12th in the table after a 3-2 defeat at home to United on Boxing Day and Meulensteen feels Bruce's past experiences will continue to serve him well.
"Any manager that has worked or played under Sir Alex Ferguson will have remembered things that they will use," he said.
"I'm sure Steve will be no different at all, Sir Alex always wanted teams to play with a lot of endeavour and speed - you have to see what you have at your disposal but the intentions are there, you only have to look at Hull's 3-1 win over Liverpool.
"He has got his feet under the table in the Premier League, you have an experience of knowing how to play away at all the different grounds and it doesn't phase him any more.
"He has been there, seen it and done it, at different clubs and with different players - plus he has played in it himself which helps."
Meulensteen has reverted to playing Adel Taarabt as a lone forward in recent weeks to utilise his fit players as well as possible and believes Bruce is a master of chopping and changing his own side.
"I like Steve as a person and I know him really well, his transfers his charisma on to the pitch and into the players," he said.
"He has got them playing and isn't too afraid to experiment at times, with three at the back or the straight 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.
"What you can always say about Steve Bruce's team is that they are generally well organised and have a good energy about them and he gives them the freedom to play as well."
The late win at Norwich came with important players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Maarten Stekelenburg and Brede Hangeland missing through injury.
With the packed festive fixture list throwing up another game just 48 hours later, most of those ruled out at Carrow Road will still be absent at Hull but Meulensteen remains hopeful Berbatov could play some part at he KC Stadium.
"There is a chance that Berbatov will return," he said.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
St Mirren V Dundee Utd at St Mirren Park : Match Preview
St Mirren V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
McAusland hoping for recall
St Mirren defender Marc McAusland paid the price for a dire showing at Pittodrie when he surrendered his place - now he hopes to win it back after his team-mates were humbled by Motherwell.
The big centre-half was dropped by boss Danny Lennon for Saturday's Fir Park fixture after his blunder gifted Scott Vernon the opener in last week's 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen.
He was responsible for another four opportunities the Dons should have done better with and was punished as Lee Mair took his place against Well.
But that line-up change failed to produce the result Lennon was looking for, with the Paisley men culpable for their own downfall in a 3-0 loss to Stuart McCall's side.
Now McAusland hopes that defeat may hand him a reprieve against Dundee United on Boxing Day.
"It's down to the manager at the end of the day," said the 25-year-old. "But if I'm performing well in training the gaffer will see that and hopefully it will be enough to get me back in.
"I had a poor game up at Aberdeen and that is why I was not picked for Motherwell. But the performance and the result there leaves a window for me to get back in.
"For a while when we were short on cover you knew you would be playing regardless of your performance but now we have great competition for places.
"They boys are all training well and that makes it harder to stay in the team. If you're not performing then you'll be dropped and that's what happened to me last week."
It took Saints eight games to finally register their first Scottish Premiership victory of the new campaign as they beat Hearts at Tynecastle at the start of October.
That Gorgie win teed up a run of nine games with just one league defeat - a 4-0 thrashing by United.
But having shipped five goals without reply against the Dons and Motherwell, McAusland says St Mirren can not afford to lose for a second time to Jackie McNamara's men if they want to keep their top six ambitions on track.
He said: "We had a challenging start to the season when we didn't pick up many points. But then we went on a wee run and moved up the table.
"But we've lost these last two games and we do not want to get dragged back down towards the bottom of the league again. Hopefully come Thursday we can turn it around."
However, McAusland admits he would rather the Buddies were not facing the red-hot Tannadice side next after watching United blast 22 goals while stretching their winning streak to six games,.
"United are a side you want to avoid right now," he admitted. "They are on form and scoring a lot of goals. They are hard to break down and hard to beat.
"But if we can apply ourselves and put a performance on we can definitely pick up points at home."
United's resurgence has been thanks largely to the efforts of youngsters like Ryan Gauld, Stuart Armstrong and Andrew Robertson.
Saturday's 1-0 win over Ross County saw them move into second place but McAusland does not believe they can rein in leaders Celtic - who top the table with a 10 point lead - just yet.
"It's brilliant for Dundee United's youth development system that these guys are coming through," he said. "They must be really proud of the lads they are bringing through.
"All credit to them, they deserve to be where they are in the table.
"They are all still young boys and if in seasons to come they can hold on to a few of them, they can definitely make a challenge to Celtic.
"Obviously money-wise, Celtic are a lot stronger but if Dundee United can keep going, then the boys are talented enough that I don't see many people stopping them.
"For me, Celtic will win the league this year but United and Aberdeen are the sides the rest of us have to look at catching."
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara believes his on-form side face as tough a Boxing Day fixture as they could get when they travel to St Mirren.
The Tangerines are riding high in the Scottish Premiership as they sit second following last weekend's narrow 1-0 victory over Ross County at Tannadice.
Danny Lennon's eighth-placed Buddies are their opponents on Thursday but while United are in a rich vein of form with six straight wins to their credit, McNamara is convinced their trip to Paisley promises to be a demanding 90 minutes.
McNamara said: "We will have every respect for St Mirren. They like to get the ball down and play like ourselves so it should be open in that respect.
"We're on a good run of form right now but we know what St Mirren are capable of on their day.
"We'll need to be wary of them and we will be because our aim is to keep this run going.
"There are no easy games in this division and that will definitely be the case when we go through there on Wednesday."
United have been attracting big crowds of late, with over 8,000 witnessing their win against County, so McNamara hopes they travel to Paisley in numbers to roar their side on to another victory.
He said: "We had a great attendance for the County game.
"They can be like an extra man by creating the sort of atmosphere the players respond to on the pitch.
"We're hoping to have a decent-size following through for the St Mirren game because it can make all the difference.
"They're liking what they're seeing from the lads so long may that continue."
United face a hectic festive period with games against St Johnstone and Aberdeen coming hard on the heels of Thursday's clash.
And McNamara said: "The players are relishing it.
"The games are coming thick and fast but we'll just focus on one at a time and see where that takes us.
"St Mirren will be tough to start with but we should be confident going into it given our recent results."
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven has a knock which forced him to miss training on Tuesday but United hope both he and full-back Keith Watson will be fit in time to face the Buddies.
McAusland hoping for recall
St Mirren defender Marc McAusland paid the price for a dire showing at Pittodrie when he surrendered his place - now he hopes to win it back after his team-mates were humbled by Motherwell.
The big centre-half was dropped by boss Danny Lennon for Saturday's Fir Park fixture after his blunder gifted Scott Vernon the opener in last week's 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen.
He was responsible for another four opportunities the Dons should have done better with and was punished as Lee Mair took his place against Well.
But that line-up change failed to produce the result Lennon was looking for, with the Paisley men culpable for their own downfall in a 3-0 loss to Stuart McCall's side.
Now McAusland hopes that defeat may hand him a reprieve against Dundee United on Boxing Day.
"It's down to the manager at the end of the day," said the 25-year-old. "But if I'm performing well in training the gaffer will see that and hopefully it will be enough to get me back in.
"I had a poor game up at Aberdeen and that is why I was not picked for Motherwell. But the performance and the result there leaves a window for me to get back in.
"For a while when we were short on cover you knew you would be playing regardless of your performance but now we have great competition for places.
"They boys are all training well and that makes it harder to stay in the team. If you're not performing then you'll be dropped and that's what happened to me last week."
It took Saints eight games to finally register their first Scottish Premiership victory of the new campaign as they beat Hearts at Tynecastle at the start of October.
That Gorgie win teed up a run of nine games with just one league defeat - a 4-0 thrashing by United.
But having shipped five goals without reply against the Dons and Motherwell, McAusland says St Mirren can not afford to lose for a second time to Jackie McNamara's men if they want to keep their top six ambitions on track.
He said: "We had a challenging start to the season when we didn't pick up many points. But then we went on a wee run and moved up the table.
"But we've lost these last two games and we do not want to get dragged back down towards the bottom of the league again. Hopefully come Thursday we can turn it around."
However, McAusland admits he would rather the Buddies were not facing the red-hot Tannadice side next after watching United blast 22 goals while stretching their winning streak to six games,.
"United are a side you want to avoid right now," he admitted. "They are on form and scoring a lot of goals. They are hard to break down and hard to beat.
"But if we can apply ourselves and put a performance on we can definitely pick up points at home."
United's resurgence has been thanks largely to the efforts of youngsters like Ryan Gauld, Stuart Armstrong and Andrew Robertson.
Saturday's 1-0 win over Ross County saw them move into second place but McAusland does not believe they can rein in leaders Celtic - who top the table with a 10 point lead - just yet.
"It's brilliant for Dundee United's youth development system that these guys are coming through," he said. "They must be really proud of the lads they are bringing through.
"All credit to them, they deserve to be where they are in the table.
"They are all still young boys and if in seasons to come they can hold on to a few of them, they can definitely make a challenge to Celtic.
"Obviously money-wise, Celtic are a lot stronger but if Dundee United can keep going, then the boys are talented enough that I don't see many people stopping them.
"For me, Celtic will win the league this year but United and Aberdeen are the sides the rest of us have to look at catching."
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara believes his on-form side face as tough a Boxing Day fixture as they could get when they travel to St Mirren.
The Tangerines are riding high in the Scottish Premiership as they sit second following last weekend's narrow 1-0 victory over Ross County at Tannadice.
Danny Lennon's eighth-placed Buddies are their opponents on Thursday but while United are in a rich vein of form with six straight wins to their credit, McNamara is convinced their trip to Paisley promises to be a demanding 90 minutes.
McNamara said: "We will have every respect for St Mirren. They like to get the ball down and play like ourselves so it should be open in that respect.
"We're on a good run of form right now but we know what St Mirren are capable of on their day.
"We'll need to be wary of them and we will be because our aim is to keep this run going.
"There are no easy games in this division and that will definitely be the case when we go through there on Wednesday."
United have been attracting big crowds of late, with over 8,000 witnessing their win against County, so McNamara hopes they travel to Paisley in numbers to roar their side on to another victory.
He said: "We had a great attendance for the County game.
"They can be like an extra man by creating the sort of atmosphere the players respond to on the pitch.
"We're hoping to have a decent-size following through for the St Mirren game because it can make all the difference.
"They're liking what they're seeing from the lads so long may that continue."
United face a hectic festive period with games against St Johnstone and Aberdeen coming hard on the heels of Thursday's clash.
And McNamara said: "The players are relishing it.
"The games are coming thick and fast but we'll just focus on one at a time and see where that takes us.
"St Mirren will be tough to start with but we should be confident going into it given our recent results."
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven has a knock which forced him to miss training on Tuesday but United hope both he and full-back Keith Watson will be fit in time to face the Buddies.
West Ham V Arsenal at Boleyn Ground : Match Preview
West Ham V Arsenal - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Gyan is on Hammers radar
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club have made tentative enquiries into the possibility of signing striker Asamoah Gyan in the January transfer window.
The relegation-threatened Hammers are short of attacking options due to Andy Carroll's long-term injury-enforced absence and Allardyce has said he will look for "one or two" additions in the new year.
Representatives of Gyan, who left Sunderland in 2012 to join Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, have hinted the east Londoners are keen on taking the Ghana international to Upton Park on loan.
And Allardyce has admitted he is a player on the radar.
"We'll be linked with anybody that's a centre forward that might be coming back into this country," said Allardyce.
"So if there's a player of any sort of quality we try and find out what the situation might be, but it is nothing more than that."
Asked if would not rule out a move but could not confirm an approach, Allardyce said: "Absolutely."
Captain Kevin Nolan will return after suspension for West Ham's home clash with Arsenal.
And Allardyce said his pivotal leader must now start weighing in with goals.
He said: "We've left ourselves with a massive programme by Christmas, and going into New Year with Premier League games, FA Cup games, a semi-final in the Capital One Cup, so we're going to be using the squad to its full extent.
"So the quicker I can get players back fit in January and find one or two additions as well, the better it will be for us.
"The most important thing we miss with Kevin is his goals, he's only scored one.
"We have to accept the criticism, take it on the chin and focus on how well we know we can play, and try to get back to the same level of performance - but when you're in command of a game, make sure you put the ball in the back of the net.
"Otherwise you end up where we are.
"We are where we are for one reason, because we haven't scored enough goals."
Allardyce has challenged his West Ham side to copy Chelsea, who shackled Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, holding Arsene Wenger's men to a 0-0 draw.
He said: "The fact Arsenal went an entire 90 minutes at home and only sneaked one shot on target I think shows you how well Chelsea defended all night, but maybe the weather had something to do with that.
"It's something we could do with doing against them on Boxing Day, blocking them out like Chelsea did and seeing what we can get from there."
Defender James Tomkins remains central to Allardyce's Christmas plans, despite his arrest on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer, one count of resisting arrest and one count of being drunk and disorderly in a public place after an incident outside the Sugar Hut Village nightclub in Brentwood.
Allardyce said: "He's a footballer we need and is a big player for West Ham, he's West Ham born and bred."
Jack Wilshere has revealed he stuck his middle finger up at a group of Manchester City fans because they abused him about his children.
The Football Association handed Wilshere a two-match for the gesture, which came during the second half of the Gunners' 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
The England midfielder missed Monday's 0-0 draw against Chelsea and he will also sit out the Boxing Day clash at West Ham.
Wilshere, who has two children, admits he made a mistake in getting riled by the supporters who abused him, and he is braced for more barracking from the stands in the future.
Wilshere tweeted: "Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do....
"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back! #AFC"
Arsenal missed Wilshere on Monday evening.
The north London club looked flat and lacked a cutting edge against a well-drilled Chelsea team who sat back and showed little attacking intent.
The football on show was dull for large parts, and the main talking points from the match centred on refereeing decisions and late sliding tackles.
John Obi Mikel and Ramires were lucky to stay on the field after committing rash fouls on Mikel Arteta while Branislav Ivanovic and Mesut Ozil clashed after the former raised his studs perilously close to the German's face.
Theo Walcott was denied a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Willian - something which caused the Arsenal winger to run over and plead loudly to referee Mike Dean.
Walcott was happy to take a point from the game, especially as the blustery conditions in north London were extremely tough to play in.
"When you want to win titles, these are the games you can't lose," Walcott said. "Chelsea came with a negative attitude, but they did a job.
"We couldn't deal with the weather conditions, it was probably the craziest game I have ever been involved in.
"Considering the conditions I'm surprised everyone stayed on the pitch.
"It was the wind, I have never known anything like it. It was very difficult to judge everything. I could tell that both sets of players were struggling to get hold of the ball and slow the tempo down."
Although Arsenal missed the chance to move back to the top of the Premier League, Walcott feels the team stand a good chance of reaching the summit again soon.
He added: "It's so close, you can't really call it this year and it will go right down to the wire. We just have to make sure we win our next few games now.
"It will be a very good point come the end of this Christmas period."
Arsenal are braced for another intense physical clash against West Ham.
The Hammers have only beaten their neighbours at Upton Park once in the last 14 years.
But with West Ham just one point above the relegation zone, Walcott knows the east Londoners will not be easy opposition.
"It's going to be a good battle," the 24-year-old said.
"They had a good result against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup, we have to make sure we're ready.
"We'll make sure we recover well. In this period we can't train as much, so we have to make sure we sleep, recover and drink well."
Arsene Wenger will rotate his team for the London derby, but he is reluctant to throw Lukas Podolski back in to the starting XI given that the striker has been out for the last four months because of a torn hamstring.
"Podolski has not played a game at all since the second game of the season," the Arsenal manager said.
"He lacks a bit of competitiveness. He can only find that if I play him. But he has just two weeks' training.
"I have to make that decision whether I use him or not."
Gyan is on Hammers radar
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club have made tentative enquiries into the possibility of signing striker Asamoah Gyan in the January transfer window.
The relegation-threatened Hammers are short of attacking options due to Andy Carroll's long-term injury-enforced absence and Allardyce has said he will look for "one or two" additions in the new year.
Representatives of Gyan, who left Sunderland in 2012 to join Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, have hinted the east Londoners are keen on taking the Ghana international to Upton Park on loan.
And Allardyce has admitted he is a player on the radar.
"We'll be linked with anybody that's a centre forward that might be coming back into this country," said Allardyce.
"So if there's a player of any sort of quality we try and find out what the situation might be, but it is nothing more than that."
Asked if would not rule out a move but could not confirm an approach, Allardyce said: "Absolutely."
Captain Kevin Nolan will return after suspension for West Ham's home clash with Arsenal.
And Allardyce said his pivotal leader must now start weighing in with goals.
He said: "We've left ourselves with a massive programme by Christmas, and going into New Year with Premier League games, FA Cup games, a semi-final in the Capital One Cup, so we're going to be using the squad to its full extent.
"So the quicker I can get players back fit in January and find one or two additions as well, the better it will be for us.
"The most important thing we miss with Kevin is his goals, he's only scored one.
"We have to accept the criticism, take it on the chin and focus on how well we know we can play, and try to get back to the same level of performance - but when you're in command of a game, make sure you put the ball in the back of the net.
"Otherwise you end up where we are.
"We are where we are for one reason, because we haven't scored enough goals."
Allardyce has challenged his West Ham side to copy Chelsea, who shackled Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, holding Arsene Wenger's men to a 0-0 draw.
He said: "The fact Arsenal went an entire 90 minutes at home and only sneaked one shot on target I think shows you how well Chelsea defended all night, but maybe the weather had something to do with that.
"It's something we could do with doing against them on Boxing Day, blocking them out like Chelsea did and seeing what we can get from there."
Defender James Tomkins remains central to Allardyce's Christmas plans, despite his arrest on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was charged with one count of assaulting a police officer, one count of resisting arrest and one count of being drunk and disorderly in a public place after an incident outside the Sugar Hut Village nightclub in Brentwood.
Allardyce said: "He's a footballer we need and is a big player for West Ham, he's West Ham born and bred."
Jack Wilshere has revealed he stuck his middle finger up at a group of Manchester City fans because they abused him about his children.
The Football Association handed Wilshere a two-match for the gesture, which came during the second half of the Gunners' 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
The England midfielder missed Monday's 0-0 draw against Chelsea and he will also sit out the Boxing Day clash at West Ham.
Wilshere, who has two children, admits he made a mistake in getting riled by the supporters who abused him, and he is braced for more barracking from the stands in the future.
Wilshere tweeted: "Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do....
"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back! #AFC"
Arsenal missed Wilshere on Monday evening.
The north London club looked flat and lacked a cutting edge against a well-drilled Chelsea team who sat back and showed little attacking intent.
The football on show was dull for large parts, and the main talking points from the match centred on refereeing decisions and late sliding tackles.
John Obi Mikel and Ramires were lucky to stay on the field after committing rash fouls on Mikel Arteta while Branislav Ivanovic and Mesut Ozil clashed after the former raised his studs perilously close to the German's face.
Theo Walcott was denied a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Willian - something which caused the Arsenal winger to run over and plead loudly to referee Mike Dean.
Walcott was happy to take a point from the game, especially as the blustery conditions in north London were extremely tough to play in.
"When you want to win titles, these are the games you can't lose," Walcott said. "Chelsea came with a negative attitude, but they did a job.
"We couldn't deal with the weather conditions, it was probably the craziest game I have ever been involved in.
"Considering the conditions I'm surprised everyone stayed on the pitch.
"It was the wind, I have never known anything like it. It was very difficult to judge everything. I could tell that both sets of players were struggling to get hold of the ball and slow the tempo down."
Although Arsenal missed the chance to move back to the top of the Premier League, Walcott feels the team stand a good chance of reaching the summit again soon.
He added: "It's so close, you can't really call it this year and it will go right down to the wire. We just have to make sure we win our next few games now.
"It will be a very good point come the end of this Christmas period."
Arsenal are braced for another intense physical clash against West Ham.
The Hammers have only beaten their neighbours at Upton Park once in the last 14 years.
But with West Ham just one point above the relegation zone, Walcott knows the east Londoners will not be easy opposition.
"It's going to be a good battle," the 24-year-old said.
"They had a good result against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup, we have to make sure we're ready.
"We'll make sure we recover well. In this period we can't train as much, so we have to make sure we sleep, recover and drink well."
Arsene Wenger will rotate his team for the London derby, but he is reluctant to throw Lukas Podolski back in to the starting XI given that the striker has been out for the last four months because of a torn hamstring.
"Podolski has not played a game at all since the second game of the season," the Arsenal manager said.
"He lacks a bit of competitiveness. He can only find that if I play him. But he has just two weeks' training.
"I have to make that decision whether I use him or not."
Sheff Utd V Oldham at Bramall Lane : Match Preview
Sheff Utd V Oldham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Cuvelier boost for Blades
Sheffield United midfielder Florent Cuvelier is back in contention for the home game against Oldham.
The Belgian, who has not featured for the Blades since October, is expected to return to the bench after illness ruled him out of the goalless weekend draw at Stevenage.
Stephen McGinn returned to the starting line-up on Saturday and is expected to retain his place in midfield as the Blades bid to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
Boss Nigel Clough has no new injury or suspension problems and the likes of midfield trio Jamie Murphy, Conor Coady and Simon Lappin, plus winger Febian Brandy and striker Lyle Taylor are pushing for recalls.
Oldham have Jonson Clarke-Harris back from suspension when they make a trip to former forward Jose Baxter's club.
Clarke-Harris returns from a one-match ban after missing out against Colchester, a game which Latics lost 2-0 and boss Lee Johnson dubbed his "worst day in football".
Johnson has depleted options up front with Danny Philliskirk also a doubt due to a knee injury he picked up at Boundary Park on Saturday and Charlie MacDonald (thigh) definitely out.
Winger Mike Petrasso extended his loan stay from QPR on Moday but winger James Dayton (ankle), midfielder James Wesolowski (head) and defender Edijs Joksts (back) are all out again.
Cuvelier boost for Blades
Sheffield United midfielder Florent Cuvelier is back in contention for the home game against Oldham.
The Belgian, who has not featured for the Blades since October, is expected to return to the bench after illness ruled him out of the goalless weekend draw at Stevenage.
Stephen McGinn returned to the starting line-up on Saturday and is expected to retain his place in midfield as the Blades bid to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
Boss Nigel Clough has no new injury or suspension problems and the likes of midfield trio Jamie Murphy, Conor Coady and Simon Lappin, plus winger Febian Brandy and striker Lyle Taylor are pushing for recalls.
Oldham have Jonson Clarke-Harris back from suspension when they make a trip to former forward Jose Baxter's club.
Clarke-Harris returns from a one-match ban after missing out against Colchester, a game which Latics lost 2-0 and boss Lee Johnson dubbed his "worst day in football".
Johnson has depleted options up front with Danny Philliskirk also a doubt due to a knee injury he picked up at Boundary Park on Saturday and Charlie MacDonald (thigh) definitely out.
Winger Mike Petrasso extended his loan stay from QPR on Moday but winger James Dayton (ankle), midfielder James Wesolowski (head) and defender Edijs Joksts (back) are all out again.
Portsmouth V Dag Red at Fratton Park : Match Preview
Portsmouth V Dag & Red - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Double doubt for Pompey
Andy Barcham and Shaun Cooper are injury doubts for Portsmouth's Boxing Day clash with Dagenham.
Winger Barcham and full-back Cooper both had to be substituted after sustaining knocks during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.
Bondz N'Gala is suspended after collecting a fifth booking and fellow defender Danny East remains doubtful with the neck injury he suffered three weeks ago.
Striker Tom Craddock is still out with a knee problem and on-loan left-back Dan Potts has gone back to West Ham.
Dagenham are not expected to have any new injury or suspension concerns for the trip.
Defender Scott Doe and winger Medy Elito returned from a ban and thigh problem respectively for Saturday's disappointing 1-0 home defeat to struggling Torquay.
Luke Wilkinson and Josh Scott both dropped to the bench and they will be pressing for recalls at Fratton Park alongside the likes of Chris Dickson and Anthony Edgar should boss Wayne Burnett opt to make any changes.
Matt Saunders (ankle) and Billy Bingham (knee) both continue to miss out.
Double doubt for Pompey
Andy Barcham and Shaun Cooper are injury doubts for Portsmouth's Boxing Day clash with Dagenham.
Winger Barcham and full-back Cooper both had to be substituted after sustaining knocks during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.
Bondz N'Gala is suspended after collecting a fifth booking and fellow defender Danny East remains doubtful with the neck injury he suffered three weeks ago.
Striker Tom Craddock is still out with a knee problem and on-loan left-back Dan Potts has gone back to West Ham.
Dagenham are not expected to have any new injury or suspension concerns for the trip.
Defender Scott Doe and winger Medy Elito returned from a ban and thigh problem respectively for Saturday's disappointing 1-0 home defeat to struggling Torquay.
Luke Wilkinson and Josh Scott both dropped to the bench and they will be pressing for recalls at Fratton Park alongside the likes of Chris Dickson and Anthony Edgar should boss Wayne Burnett opt to make any changes.
Matt Saunders (ankle) and Billy Bingham (knee) both continue to miss out.
Cheltenham V Exeter at Abbey Business Stadium : Match Preview
Cheltenham V Exeter - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Elliott missing for Grecians clash
Cheltenham will be without defender Steve Elliott for the visit of Exeter.
The experienced centre-back has been ruled out for the Christmas period with an ankle injury which kept him out of their impressive 2-0 win over Fleetwood on Saturday.
It means Connor Goldson looks likely to retain his place having made his first start last weekend since signing on loan from Shrewsbury.
Mark Yates' squad, who will be given Christmas Day off in the build-up to kick-off, will include young midfielder Kemar Roofe after the West Brom loanee returned to training with his Robins team-mates on Monday.
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale is set to shuffle his pack as they look for their first Boxing Day win since 2007.
The Grecians, who suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Chesterfield on Friday night, look likely to recall influential playmaker Alan Gow and creative midfielder Matt Grimes, who both had to make do with substitute appearances against the League Two leaders.
But Tisdale remains without captain Danny Coles, who has undergone a knee operation, and midfielder Matt Oakley, who is targeting a February return from his ankle injury.
City lost both meetings against the Robins last season.
Elliott missing for Grecians clash
Cheltenham will be without defender Steve Elliott for the visit of Exeter.
The experienced centre-back has been ruled out for the Christmas period with an ankle injury which kept him out of their impressive 2-0 win over Fleetwood on Saturday.
It means Connor Goldson looks likely to retain his place having made his first start last weekend since signing on loan from Shrewsbury.
Mark Yates' squad, who will be given Christmas Day off in the build-up to kick-off, will include young midfielder Kemar Roofe after the West Brom loanee returned to training with his Robins team-mates on Monday.
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale is set to shuffle his pack as they look for their first Boxing Day win since 2007.
The Grecians, who suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Chesterfield on Friday night, look likely to recall influential playmaker Alan Gow and creative midfielder Matt Grimes, who both had to make do with substitute appearances against the League Two leaders.
But Tisdale remains without captain Danny Coles, who has undergone a knee operation, and midfielder Matt Oakley, who is targeting a February return from his ankle injury.
City lost both meetings against the Robins last season.
Monday, 23 December 2013
Arsenal V Chelsea at Emirates Stadium : Match Preview
Arsenal V Chelsea - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Szczesny feels benefits of axing
Wojciech Szczesny feels being dropped last season may have helped him get back on course to cement his place as Arsenal's number one goalkeeper.
The Poland international has kept 11 clean sheets this season for the Gunners, but could not do much as Manchester City romped to a 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
Szczesny will be out to help Arsene Wenger's side recover what had been the best defensive record in the Barclays Premier League when they host Chelsea on Monday night, in a match which could see Arsenal return to the top of the table.
The 6ft 5ins Pole has certainly produced some consistent displays this season, which has seen calls for Wenger to bring in an experienced goalkeeper fade away.
Szczesny, 23, believes being taken out of the firing line by the Arsenal manager for the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie away to Bayern Munich in March helped him regain some focus to return to top form heading into 2014.
"It is hard to tell (because) I don't know what it would have been like if I wasn't dropped, but looking at my own performances now it must have been a good decision from the manager because I feel better, I feel sharper and more confident in myself," Szczesny said in the January edition of the official Arsenal magazine.
"That little break away from the pressure meant that I could focus on my training to come back sharper, and so far it has worked out pretty well.
"I think I am very consistent now, I am a little bit more mature and the back four are helping me out as well, so I would say it is the most consistent run of my career - but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
"The experience I have had of playing 130-odd games for one of the biggest clubs in the world gives you that maturity and calmness.
"It probably makes a big difference in my performances as well.
"Maybe it comes with maturity but I do feel more focused during games."
Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere, who starts a two-match suspension. Centre-half Laurent Koscielny is a major doubt after suffering a gash to his knee in the defeat at Manchester City, but German forward Lukas Podolski is available again after three months out with a hamstring injury.
Jose Mourinho may have downplayed the significance of Chelsea's defeat of Arsenal in the Capital One Cup, but Fernando Torres and Juan Mata will take confidence from the victory into the clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Two days after Torres' late goal gave Chelsea victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, a Blues side showing 10 changes claimed a 2-0 win at Arsenal to advance in the League Cup with a sixth win from six games in October.
Now out of that competition following the midweek loss at Sunderland, Chelsea's immediate focus is on the championship and claiming a third successive win at Arsenal following last season's Premier League triumph.
Torres, who netted in the September 2012 win, said on chelseafc.com: "We know how important it is for us. It's a chance to overtake them in the table and we know how important that is for the fans.
"We're playing Arsenal, and it's a huge game for both sets of fans.
"We've beaten them once this season in the Capital One Cup at the Emirates, so we know what we need to do to win there.
"We just have to ensure we prepare for the game the best we can, and I'm sure we can go and do it."
A win in the first of four games in 10 days would take Chelsea above the Gunners and level in first place with a Liverpool side which visits Stamford Bridge on December 29.
Mata was on target in last season's Premier League win over Arsenal and in the Capital One Cup earlier this season, when he was out of favour.
The Spaniard, who is still to claim a regular starting place, told Chelsea TV: "They are playing really well at the Emirates, but we won there in the Capital One Cup this season.
"We'll try to play great football like we did that game and we'll try to get the three points to get to the top of the table.
"It's a team I enjoy playing against. They are a team that play with the ball and in a way they let you play with the ball as well.
"I've been lucky against them. I scored at Stamford Bridge twice in two games, I scored at the Emirates twice."
There will be familiar opposition facing Torres and Mata, if the pair are selected, with Spaniards Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Mikel Arteta in the Gunners squad.
"They are my friends," Mata added.
"Santi is an amazing player, he can play with both feet. Nacho is a very consistent left-back and Mikel is one of the most important players in the team because he's the centre of their football.
"In the midfield they have a lot of players that can play with quality. We will have to be careful with them."
Mourinho has an unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.
In eight meetings of Mourinho's first spell, the Portuguese won four times and drew four, while the Capital One Cup success enhanced his record.
The self-proclaimed Special One insisted the record was not relevant heading into the contest in which England left-back Ashley Cole is to be left "on the bench or at home".
The defender, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in controversial circumstances in August 2006, attended his former club's Christmas party last week and was already out of favour, having not played a Premier League game since November 2 at Newcastle.
Cesar Azpilicueta is preferred, with Branislav Ivanovic back following suspension.
Captain John Terry is to be joined in central defence by Gary Cahill or David Luiz.
Szczesny feels benefits of axing
Wojciech Szczesny feels being dropped last season may have helped him get back on course to cement his place as Arsenal's number one goalkeeper.
The Poland international has kept 11 clean sheets this season for the Gunners, but could not do much as Manchester City romped to a 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
Szczesny will be out to help Arsene Wenger's side recover what had been the best defensive record in the Barclays Premier League when they host Chelsea on Monday night, in a match which could see Arsenal return to the top of the table.
The 6ft 5ins Pole has certainly produced some consistent displays this season, which has seen calls for Wenger to bring in an experienced goalkeeper fade away.
Szczesny, 23, believes being taken out of the firing line by the Arsenal manager for the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie away to Bayern Munich in March helped him regain some focus to return to top form heading into 2014.
"It is hard to tell (because) I don't know what it would have been like if I wasn't dropped, but looking at my own performances now it must have been a good decision from the manager because I feel better, I feel sharper and more confident in myself," Szczesny said in the January edition of the official Arsenal magazine.
"That little break away from the pressure meant that I could focus on my training to come back sharper, and so far it has worked out pretty well.
"I think I am very consistent now, I am a little bit more mature and the back four are helping me out as well, so I would say it is the most consistent run of my career - but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
"The experience I have had of playing 130-odd games for one of the biggest clubs in the world gives you that maturity and calmness.
"It probably makes a big difference in my performances as well.
"Maybe it comes with maturity but I do feel more focused during games."
Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere, who starts a two-match suspension. Centre-half Laurent Koscielny is a major doubt after suffering a gash to his knee in the defeat at Manchester City, but German forward Lukas Podolski is available again after three months out with a hamstring injury.
Jose Mourinho may have downplayed the significance of Chelsea's defeat of Arsenal in the Capital One Cup, but Fernando Torres and Juan Mata will take confidence from the victory into the clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Two days after Torres' late goal gave Chelsea victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, a Blues side showing 10 changes claimed a 2-0 win at Arsenal to advance in the League Cup with a sixth win from six games in October.
Now out of that competition following the midweek loss at Sunderland, Chelsea's immediate focus is on the championship and claiming a third successive win at Arsenal following last season's Premier League triumph.
Torres, who netted in the September 2012 win, said on chelseafc.com: "We know how important it is for us. It's a chance to overtake them in the table and we know how important that is for the fans.
"We're playing Arsenal, and it's a huge game for both sets of fans.
"We've beaten them once this season in the Capital One Cup at the Emirates, so we know what we need to do to win there.
"We just have to ensure we prepare for the game the best we can, and I'm sure we can go and do it."
A win in the first of four games in 10 days would take Chelsea above the Gunners and level in first place with a Liverpool side which visits Stamford Bridge on December 29.
Mata was on target in last season's Premier League win over Arsenal and in the Capital One Cup earlier this season, when he was out of favour.
The Spaniard, who is still to claim a regular starting place, told Chelsea TV: "They are playing really well at the Emirates, but we won there in the Capital One Cup this season.
"We'll try to play great football like we did that game and we'll try to get the three points to get to the top of the table.
"It's a team I enjoy playing against. They are a team that play with the ball and in a way they let you play with the ball as well.
"I've been lucky against them. I scored at Stamford Bridge twice in two games, I scored at the Emirates twice."
There will be familiar opposition facing Torres and Mata, if the pair are selected, with Spaniards Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Mikel Arteta in the Gunners squad.
"They are my friends," Mata added.
"Santi is an amazing player, he can play with both feet. Nacho is a very consistent left-back and Mikel is one of the most important players in the team because he's the centre of their football.
"In the midfield they have a lot of players that can play with quality. We will have to be careful with them."
Mourinho has an unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.
In eight meetings of Mourinho's first spell, the Portuguese won four times and drew four, while the Capital One Cup success enhanced his record.
The self-proclaimed Special One insisted the record was not relevant heading into the contest in which England left-back Ashley Cole is to be left "on the bench or at home".
The defender, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in controversial circumstances in August 2006, attended his former club's Christmas party last week and was already out of favour, having not played a Premier League game since November 2 at Newcastle.
Cesar Azpilicueta is preferred, with Branislav Ivanovic back following suspension.
Captain John Terry is to be joined in central defence by Gary Cahill or David Luiz.
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