Football will always benefit from tactical innovation. To continue to improve its necessary push the boundaries. Cologne’s Sporting Director Volke Finke looks to have provided new manager Stale Solbakken greater publicity and a bigger stage to showcase his ideas.

Prior to his arrival at the RheinEnergieStadion, the Norwegian Solbakken was at FC Kobenhavn between 2006 and 2011. He won the Danish league title in five of his six seasons at the club. Now in North West Germany, it will be interesting to see whether Solbakken’s zonal marking taken to the extreme can succeed in the long term.

Defensively, it should help Cologne but conceding five away to Schalke earlier this season illustrates more work is required. However, the new system has also allowed for fluidity going forward which was shown by their 4-1 thrashing of bitter rivals Leverkusen away from home. On their day Cologne are a formidable outfit.

This is the problem though. Despite the Billy Goats overcoming Hannover 2-0 at the weekend with a good performance Solbakken needs to find some consistency. His new side have won four, drawn one and lost four this season and if the team are to reach their potential, the new coach will need more from his side.

However, the players look like they adore their new coach and the importance of having the whole squad buying into the ideas of the coach cannot be underestimated. Lukas Podolski, a man who has struggled on the domestic scene over the last few seasons, has rediscovered some scintillating form. Having scored the second of his two goals on Sunday, he rushed, along with the rest of the team, towards Solbakken and embraced him.

Considering the short amount of time his new coach has been there, it demonstrates some show of affection. Perhaps with Podolski, it’s something to do with the added freedom he appears to have been given in the new system. If you also take into the account the supposedly volatile nature of the Cologne dressing room in past seasons, Solbakken is doing well so far to keep control.

After quite a few years of instability at the club, Cologne must ensure their new man is at the helm for many years to come. There is definite room for improvement in the team but most importantly for now, Stale Solbakken is making steady progress in the Rhine Valley.

Matchday 9 Results:

Werder Bremen 0-2 Borussia Dortmund – Jurgen Klopp’s team take the points thanks to goals from Ivan Perisic and Patrick Owomoyela. It means Werder’s 100% home record is over but Borussia move into the Champions League places.

Bayern Munich 4-0 Hertha Berlin – Die Roten obliterated their capital rivals with apparent ease – Jupp Heynckes’ side march on.

Mainz 0-1 Augsburg – Newly promoted Augsburg finally secure their first win of the season with a late penalty as Thomas Tuchel’s Mainz shouldn’t have had Nicolai Muller’s goal disallowed however but this is no excuse for their defeat.

Stuttgart 2-0 Hoffenheim – Shinji Okazaki and Pavel Pogrebnyak secured the win for Stuttgart as Die Hoffe are frustrated in the Mercedes Benz Arena.

Wolfsburg 2-1 Nurnberg – The Wolves move away from the relegation places after a double from Mario Mandzukic. Nurnberg meanwhile struggle for consistency.

Gladbach 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen – In the pick of the weekend’s games, Borussia will be disappointed they couldn’t hold on to their 2-1 lead late on. Stefan Reinartz nodded in for Bayer but Lucien Favre’s men came back strongly. Marco Reus and Patrick Hermann took two of many chances created by Gladbach. André Schurrle though curled in a great late equaliser meaning a share of the spoils.

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Schalke 1-2 Kaiserslautern – A surprise home defeat for the Royal Blues came thanks to a determined performance from the visitors. Kouemaha grabbed the winner for the Red Devils after two converted penalties and two sending’s off had kept the sides level.

Freiburg 1-2 Hamburg – Hamburg continue to show signs of life with an important away win. Thorsten Fink takes over on Monday. Ilicevic’s late goal settled this contest but Papiss Demba Cisse missed a late penalty for the home side.

Cologne 2-0 Hannover – The Billy Goats secure victory thanks to two goals from Lukas Podolski. Hannover were very unlucky to have a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside at 1-0. Slomke’s side failed to offer enough in the match to merit a result though.

Rank

Club

Matches

W*

D*

L*

G*

GD*

PTS*

1

FC Bayern Munich

9

7

1

1

25:1

+24

22

CL*

2

Borussia Mönchengladbach

9

5

2

2

11:6

+5

17

CL*

3

Borussia Dortmund

9

5

1

3

15:7

+8

16

CL*

4

VfB Stuttgart

9

5

1

3

14:6

+8

16

CL* Qual.

5

SV Werder Bremen

9

5

1

3

16:12

+4

16

EL* Qual.

6

FC Schalke 04

9

5

0

4

18:15

+3

15

EL* Qual.

7

Hannover 96

9

4

3

2

11:12

-1

15

8

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

9

4

2

3

12:13

-1

14

9

1899 Hoffenheim

9

4

1

4

12:9

+3

13

10

1. FC Köln

9

4

1

4

15:18

-3

13

11

Hertha BSC Berlin

9

3

3

3

12:13

-1

12

12

VfL Wolfsburg

9

4

0

5

11:16

-5

12

13

1. FC Nuremberg

9

3

2

4

10:12

-2

11

14

1. FC Kaiserslautern

9

2

2

5

7:13

-6

8

15

1. FSV Mainz 05

9

2

2

5

12:19

-7

8

16

FC Augsburg

9

1

4

4

7:16

-9

7

Play-offs

17

SC Freiburg

9

2

1

6

14:24

-10

7

Relegation

18

Hamburger SV

9

2

1

6

11:21

-10

7

Relegation

Table from Bundesliga Website

Every single transfer window, supporters in the Premier League seem to crave signings, expecting a number of players to come into the club and take them on to the next level. Players that come into a side in a transfer window always feel they have something to prove, whether it be repay the price tag or prove the doubters wrong.

If a club is playing well then what is the need for mid-season signings. I can understand a side in the bottom three feeling the need for something new but shouldn’t the summer signings and existing players be given a season to prove their worth? Historically, January signings are not as influential as the summer signings and there are many reasons for that.

A summer signing will have a pre-season with a new club behind him and time to get to know his new team mates and club before competitive matches, where he is ultimately judged. A January signing will have less than a week to train with the first team squad sometimes and learn how the club is run, something that is tough in any line of work, especially football with thousands of people watching you each week.

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The price of a player will also increase during January as clubs become desperate to land their preferred signings. An example of a signing such as Andy Carroll moving to Liverpool for £35million last January should be brought up in every board room after Christmas, highlighting the dangers of the January transfer market. Carroll’s lack of form could be to do with anything from moving to a new city, feeling the pressure of the price tag or getting used to the style of a different club.

Supporters should not expect big singings at the start of the New Year as it is not always a good idea to disrupt and add to a squad throughout the season. Is the grass always greener when new signings arrive? Spending money is becoming rare for some Premier League clubs and it should not take spending to satisfy fans who demand new blood in the dressing room.

The future of English football could also be in danger from transfer window’s that let clubs bring in players for two months of the season, seemingly dismissing youngsters looking to break through into the first team. If the January transfer window did not exist, I guarantee that more youngsters would be a success in English football. Long term injuries and poor form could prompt clubs into making unnecessary big money signings in January, whereas it would be a lot more refreshing to see youngsters getting a first team chance at the highest level.

If the club allows youngsters to play as cover for the 25-man squad that is registered then that is surely enough players to not have to indulge in spending money half way through a campaign. Give the youngsters a go and get rid of the January transfer window to enable English football to be fair through the season and giving youngsters a well earned break.

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David Beckham has dismissed Manchester City’s title chances this season. Becks believes that although City have an excellent squad, the experience of Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson will ensure that the Red Devils will pip their rivals this season.

Elsewhere in the news Enrique not looking for excuses; Clichy keen to play against Arsenal, while Bale wants to continue the good work of Gary Speed.

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News

Beckham dismisses City’s title chances

Enrique not looking for excuses

Clichy keen to play against Arsenal

AC Milan only interested in Tevez loan deal

Larsson slams Sunderland attack

Bale wants Wales to continue Speed’s work

Kean to meet Blackburn fans

Szczesny goes on the defensive

[divider]

Transfer Talk

[divider]

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United target Rasmus Elm – Daily Star

Liverpool offer trial to rookie Romanian keeper – Talksport

Tottenham sneak ahead of Arsenal in the race for Andy Najar – Metro

Arsenal tracking £20million-rated World Cup striker – Mirror

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Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu may return to Barcelona in the future according to the player’s agent, as the Spanish giants have reportedly a buy-back option in the youngster’s contract.

It is believed that the European champions have the right to bring the defensive midfielder back to the Camp Nou in the summer of 2012 or 2013 should they so desire, after selling the starlet to the Stamford Bridge club in the last transfer window.

With Romeu impressing in his first season in England, the player’s agent Javier Magico Diaz has revealed that it is his client’s dream to one day play for Barcelona.

“Will Romeu return? His dream before leaving was to be a Barcelona player and that still stands, but we cannot ignore the opportunity Chelsea have provided. We’ll have to see if it’s appropriate for the club and the player to return to Barcelona,” the representative is reported to have said in The Guardian.

“We need to know if he’ll keep developing at Chelsea and playing. Maybe it will be more convenient to stay for another year and then return in 2013.”

Despite Romeu’s dream of playing for the Catalan giants, Diaz admitted that the player feels indebted to Chelsea for the opportunity to play first team football at a high level.

“Oriol has made a name for himself in the Premier League and is playing regularly. We’re committed to the club and we cannot leave them hanging,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Every man and his dog has it in for the Europa League at the moment and, frankly, I can understand why. What used to be a great competition has become the European equivalent of the Carling Cup – not worth being in unless you get to the final. It’s sad to say that because I always thought the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – the competition’s first incarnation – was such an interesting idea and it holds some fond memories for me.

When I was a Chelsea player, I always considered it a great honour to represent London alongside Fulham’s Johnny Haynes and Tottenham’s Danny Blanchflower. Being a Londoner only added to the prestige for me – and you even earned a cap if you played five games for your adopted city. Back then, the deal was you got a cap after playing five games, but our clubs weren’t always keen to cough up – so most of us only ever made it to four. Eddie Bailey, who played for Spurs and was on the coaching staff when I joined them, would moan like hell about that.

The only fella we knew who won a cap was Jimmy Logie … and he was Scottish. Eddie would chunter: “I’m a Londoner born and bred, and those b******* won’t give me a cap. The only bloke who has one is from bloody Edinburgh.” But it was great to play with those players. the London XI got to the final in 1958 and played Barcelona over two legs. I scored the opening goal in the first game, a 2-2 draw, but didn’t play in the second. I’d like to think that was a factor in us losing 6-0, although an injury to our keeper Jack Kelsey didn’t exactly help.

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Barcelona knocking in six … things haven’t changed much. They were pioneering days in European football and none of us knew what the game would become. We used to get massive crowds, but with the advent of television and modern technology the game has moved on and grown. Had we had the TV coverage and scrutiny back then, I’m convinced you’d be reading a column penned by a European Cup winner. Spurs won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963, but we should have won the European Cup the season before.

I don’t care who sues me, but we were fiddled out of it by a referee and linesman. It was as bent as you could get and, fortunately today, that couldn’t happen with TV cameras and modern technology. When we played the first game against Benfica in Lisbon, there was only the radio commentary and no cameras – so no one could see what was going on. I beat the full-back to score and had a goal disallowed for offside. They scored their third goal where the ball was knocked down by one bloke’s hand and into the net by another’s fist.

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[divider]

Then at White Hart Lane in the second leg I must have been five yards onside, I ran through two defenders, knocked the ball in the back of the net and it was still given offside. Dodgy things did go on then, particularly in Europe. It wasn’t a sophisticated place and I think the word ”bung” was in regular use. Anyone who saw those games will say the same. The following year we won the Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the final after no one had given us a chance.

They were the holders and favourites but we played brilliantly and what enhanced it was that we were the first British team to win a major European trophy. Now we have the second-rate Europa League. Asking why UEFA continues with it is like asking why Europe continues with the euro. Who knows the answer to that? Anyway, a merry Christmas to you all and see you in 2012.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has confirmed that the club have received an offer for want-away defender Alex, believed to be from QPR.

The Brazil international handed in a transfer request earlier in the season after becoming surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, and is widely expected to leave the club in January.

QPR have recently appointed Mark Hughes as manager and owner Tony Fernandes has stated that the Loftus Road outfit will be busy in the transfer window.

Although not naming the team who have been in contact, Villas Boas has spoken of the bid for Alex’s services.

“From what I know from my chief executive, there has been an approach from a Premier League club,” the Portuguese trainer told The Telegraph.

“We have respected Alex’s transfer request so the market’s open for him.

“We’re just trying to reach the level of proposal we think is good for the player. Nothing has happened up to now, but we’ll listen to all offers.

“We’ll present anything to the player. He has to make a decision. He has generated interest from a lot of clubs,” he commented.

Meanwhile, Villas Boas also stated that a move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill should be completed in the near future.

“There is no real news and the negotiations are still ongoing.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t want it solved as soon as possible. We’re making good, solid progress. Hopefully it can be concluded soon and he will be a Chelsea player.

“It’s all part of negotiation. I’m sure all parties are protecting their interests and we’ll reach an agreement. I think soon.

“I feel it’s unfair for me to put the reasons for the delay into the public eye. The delay isn’t a negative. It’s just something that’s happening.

“It should be concluded soon and that’s a positive. Hopefully we can reach an agreement. It’s part of business. I’m okay with it.

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“But we kept a couple of other options available and we can act quickly if that’s the case. But I’m pretty confident it will happen,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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It’s becoming an increasingly rare occurrence for a weekend’s worth of Premier League fixtures to pass without at least one contentious refereeing decision. Challenges that 20 years ago would have received praise from fans, managers and pundits alike are now being frowned upon, as referees step up their stance on the ‘dangerous challenge’.

As a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the game of football, I am becoming a somewhat dying breed. A good strong challenge, or an heroic piece of defensive work, to me, is just as good to watch as almost any goal scored. So this change in stance is one that I find to be particularly worrying, as the effects of trigger-happy referees look to be slowly eroding the art of defending. It can’t be a complete coincidence that we are in the midst of one of the highest scoring campaigns for quite some time, during a spell when the powers that be are overhauling one of the oldest arts in the game.

The likes of Vincent Kompany, Rory Delap and Jay Spearing have all found themselves receiving their marching orders for challenges in which they have won the ball this term, highlighting a trend, which is frustrating many football fans. In the wake of Jack Rodwell’s red card in the Merseyside derby earlier this season, Everton boss David Moyes was particularly critical of the level of officiating:

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“I just thought the sending off ruined the game. You get lots of questions from people asking about derbies, tackles and sendings off but that wasn’t even a bad tackle.” Moyes told BBC Sport.

“I don’t even know if we can appeal. I would have been disappointed had it been a free-kick and if he had got a yellow card I think people would have asked ‘what’s that for?’

“There is often talk about the players not doing it right but it wasn’t the players today. Jack is obviously upset. He is a young boy making his way in the game and it was a big day for him.”

Moyes’ words echo the feelings of many football supporters who are becoming increasingly frustrated at the change in the way games are being taken charge of, and the blurring of what is a red card offense and what isn’t. Referees do have a tough job to do, with every mistake pounced upon, and very little praise garnished in the wake of a good performance, but the relinquishing of their power of interpretation for the ‘to the letter of the law’ method is having a major bearing on defensive players, who seem unsure themselves when entering into a challenge.

As a result defenders are walking a tightrope each time they enter the field of play, anxious before they even commit to a challenge leading to shaky performances and sloppy goals. Some may argue that more goals equals more entertainment, and in some cases that can be true, but defending and the sliding are some of the finest art forms of the beautiful game when performed correctly.

Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the safety players who enter the field of play, and don’t want to see a recurrence of incidents such as that of Aaron Ramsey or Djibril Cisse, but to remove tackling from the game would be just as detrimental as removing any attacking aspect.

Bad challenges do occur, and there will always be a risk associated with any contact sport. I just hope that this trend settles down, or we could be looking at the death of defending.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that his Manchester United squad’s injury list is getting shorter, as Nani is on the verge of returning to training.

The Portuguese winger has missed the Red Devils’ last three games, but the Scottish coach has revealed that he, and Phil Jones, are improving.

“There are no problems with injuries,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s much better now. There was Jones getting that bout of ‘flu but he’s back. Jones was actually back on Friday but we didn’t risk him on Sunday. He’ll be available.

“So they’re all training apart from Nani, who should not be far away and might start training this week, while Anderson and Michael Owen are the only other ones out.

“Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher are obviously still long term,” he concluded.

United will look to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League when they face Fulham on Monday night.

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By Gareth McKnight

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No seriously, how did you score THAT goal?

You all know the one that I mean. The 40 yard howitzer that stunned a nation ^.

(^Nation being people that watch the Carling Cup Quarter Finals, or YouTube…)

Ambrose is well known for wonderful goals, ask any non-Palace fan who our best player is and you’ll invariably get the response, ‘Darren Ambrose’. However Ambrose divides opinion amongst the Selhurst faithful, particularly this season.

On the one hand Ambrose is a match winner and big game player, scoring big big goals in important games. On the other, he is best described by the ‘gentleman’ who sits behind me in the Holmesdale Road stand, who we have affectionately nicknamed ‘F***k’s Sake’ due to his penchant for pessimism and expletive filled outbursts. Whenever Ambrose is brought on, or passes vaguely near the play, FS will shout one of the following:

“He won’t run.”

“’He’s not gonna challenge is ‘e?”

“Oh Ambrose can’t head it”

Ambrose is an enigma and can frustrate and delight in equal measures. One particularly frustrating game at Selhurst recently I said that could not understand how Ambrose continues to get in the team. It was politely pointed out to me that he is our top scorer and had set up something like 10 of of Palace’s last 12 goals.

Signed on a free from Clowntown in 2009 following their ignominious relegation into the lower echelons of the Football League, he proved to be an intriguing signing by then manager Neil Warnock. When I enquired about Ambrose amongst my Charlton associates, they were mildly disinterested that he had left them to join their most hated rivals. The feeling was that he had started well, and his Charlton career had petered out somewhat. He had been in the team that got relegated after all.

Ambrose had joined Charlton from Newcastle after his big money move there from Ipswich Town had largely fizzled out. Perhaps the same is now happening at Palace, he started well, so well and had two great seasons. I took much joy in posting on Facebook every time Ambrose slammed home goal after goal in his first season, to take his tally to 20 (more than he scored in four seasons at the Valley). Who could forget that massive goal he scored up at Hillsborough to keep Palace in the Championship?

Ambrose has had something of a stop-start season this year, and has struggled to find consistent form due to some niggling injuries, although has managed to play in 27 league and cup games. He’s also grabbed nine goals, to put him top of the Palace scoring charts. This has included goals in important games such as the equaliser away at hated Brighton and THAT goal at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup Quarter Final. I remember posting on Facebook at the Amex arena when Palace were a goal down and saying that we needed to get Ambrose on – he’s a big game player. Freedman sent him into the fray on 78 minutes. Wilfred Zaha equalised in the 79th, and Ambrose had grabbed the winner by 88.

The rumours of Ambrose moving away have always been there, and every time he wins a match he will be linked with a move to the Premier League or a bigger club. Neil Warnock, his former manager at Palace, is a constant suitor. Warnock tried to snaffle Ambrose away to QPR whilst Palace were in administration, but the incoming chairman managed to persuade him to stay.

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In my eyes, Ambrose will always occupy those two spheres of inconsistency and magic, but if you’ve got a player that can come off the bench and win you a game from a losing position, then it’s worth having him there!

My top five Ambrose moments that have written him into Palace folklore:

Incredible 37 yard free kick vs Aston Villa in the FA Cup Winner against Brighton at Amex Arena 45 yard screamer vs Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup Quarter Final The goal at Hillsborough on the last day of 2010 season to keep Palace in the Championship Just back from injury, Ambrose bent a wonderful curler from wide left, into the top right hand corner vs Watford at Selhurst in a run-of-the-mill league game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjB4Kppk21Y

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Chelsea interim boss Roberto Di Matteo has defended the tactics of his side of late, and feels criticism of the team is completely unwarranted.

The Blues have made it through to the FA Cup final and beat Barcelona 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last week, but have been demonised for a defensive outlook, time-wasting and diving.

Despite this, the Italian trainer believes that his team deserve credit for their achievements rather than criticism.

“From where I’m sitting I’m looking at it and we are just a few points behind two other teams with a game played more,” the former midfielder told reporters, recorded by Mirror Football.

“We’re in the final of the FA Cup and the semi-final of the Champions League, have lost one in 13. Yet we seem to be the worst team in England. That’s the way it feels sometimes.

“What we have achieved has come from the strength of character, the spirit of the group and the spirit of sacrifice by everybody in the squad to keep this positive momentum going.

“You can see the pride of this group, the drive and ambition to get up and fight every opposition we face.

“Getting good performances and results makes the players believe they can achieve anything.

“That’s the way we’re going. We have so many things to play for it keeps them focused and it’s great to see everyone putting in such big performances,” he concluded.

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Meanwhile, it is believed that Didier Drogba will be fit to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

By Gareth McKnight

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