Inconsistency has plagued the Blues this season and speculation has surfaced of a rift between the boss and the players, who are thought to be unhappy with his tactics and team selections.

Villas Boas has already admitted that he fears for his job when he compares his current position with the likes of previous managers who have been sacked from Stamford Bridge in the past and he has had little public backing from the club Roman Abramovich leading bwin betting to predict that he will be sacked before the end of the season.

Billionaire owner Abramovich held talks with the manager and squad in the wake of their defeat at Everton earlier this month, fuelling rumours all is not well behind the scenes.

But veteran keeper Cech, who was awarded the Czech player of the year prize for 2011 on Monday, insists that meeting was misrepresented by the media.

He told isport.blesk.cz: “Everyone has been talking about a meeting between the team and Abramovich.

“The truth is elsewhere and the picture of that meeting was misrepresented.”
Pressure

He added: “Chelsea has been under huge pressure from the media and if we are not doing well then the pressure mounts.

“The media uses that to form some nonsense theory or speculation, and we have to live with that.”

Chelsea currently sit outside the UEFA Champions League places on goal difference and are not the stan james favourites to qualify but Cech is confident of them securing a top-four finish, and is hoping to go one better.

“We still have a chance to finish third but our aim is to finish fourth as the worst case scenario. That’s clear,” he said.

“I still believe things will turn for the better and our season will be successful.

“Everybody has been doing their best to change the situation. But what happens in training we are not able to take into competitive games. People can hardly say we’re not putting in enough effort.”

Post from: Keeper Skool

Cech Backs Boas!

The Premier League champions have been searching for a replacement for the retiring Edwin Van der Sar, who played his last game for the club in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League final last month.

The 25-year-old put in a spectacular display against United in the Champions League and earned plaudits for his commanding presence as the Premier League side looked to over-run Schalke.

But Ferguson admitted defeat in his attempts to sign Neuer after the game, admitting the there was little he could do about his move to Bayern.

“We’re very happy to have acquired one of the world’s best goalkeepers and we’re happy about the long-term partnership,” sporting director Christian Nerlinger told Bayern’s official website.

The goalkeeper, who starred for Germany at the World Cup, recieved less than a warm welcome from supporters of his new club however after some carried banners with the slogan “No Neuer” because of the rivalry between the two clubs.

Win big on Fruit Machines!

Post from: Keeper Skool

Neuer completes Bayern move

David De Gea, Atletico Madrid’s number 1, has all but completed his £17 million switch to Manchester having been speaking to United for almost two months, and will be confronted with the prospect of filling in for the man who has achieved what most thought was impossible – silencing the voices of discontent that were calling for the days Peter Schmeichel prowled around the Old Trafford area.

Ferguson certainly believes he has the right man for the job, and believes his organisation and composure are remarkably similar his predecessor.

“We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for. He’s young, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar.” He commented after Gary Neville’s testimonial game against Juventus.

“We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David de Gea is very similar that way.” He added.

Craig Gordon, who helped frustrate those in Celtic shirts before his record British transfer fee for a goalkeeper was paid by Sunderland, will know all about the pressure being a goalkeeper with a large price tag brings.

But does that mean he is a ready-made replacement for  Van der Sar? The £17 million fee is the second highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper behind Buffon, and yet the 20-year-old is yet to win a cap for Spain.

But that won’t be a concern for Ferguson, with Pepe Reina, one of the finest keepers in the world struggling to get a game for his country while Iker Cassillas holds on the gloves. What will be a worry for Ferguson however, is the presence the Spaniard has. Van der Sar was always excellent at patrolling the area and organising his defence, but will a 20-year-old be able to corral the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic into a cohesive unit?

The benefit of his age is obviously that he could be around for a long time and more than repay the £17 million United paid for him. But Guardian journalist summed u the worries that surround De Gea when he wrote on his Twitter page: “He is very, very good but I’m not convinced he is *that* good. Yet.”

It may well be that De Gea can prove his doubters wrong and grow into a winning United side having come from a less successful Atletico Madrid team. It remains to be seen whether he is good enough, but United had a stark reminder of what they could have had in the Chmpions League earlier this season.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Is De Gea the right man for Man Utd?

The Polish keeper suffered the injury attempting to save a Dani Alves free-kick early in the first half and was replaced by Spanish keeper Manual Almunia, who pulled off a string of impressive saves in the face of an impressive Barcelona attacking performance.

Manager Arsene Wenger said he did not know how long Szczesny would be side-lined for. He said: “We have to check the tendon to see how much treatment it will need. We don’t know yet”.

The goalkeeping position has been a headache for Wenger this season, but looked to have settled on Szczesny, who played against the Spanish league leaders in the first leg game two weeks ago. Now the Frenchman will be forced to rely on Almunia after Lukasz Fabianski was recently ruled out after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier in the year, and has few options for an understudy should Alumina get injured.

An emergency loan may be an option if the situation worsens, but Wenger will be reluctant to add to his squad at such a late stage of the season and would require special permission from the Premier League. One possible option worth placing a free bet on is the recall of Vito Mannone, who is currently on loan at Hull.

His goalkeeping worries was just one of many headaches as Arsenal’s season, which threatened to end their six year trophy-less run, looks to be slowly coming undone. Having lost to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final last month, his side were dumped out of the Champions League last night by Barcelona having taken a 2-1 lead to the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi bagged a brace while Xavi rounded off a wonderful passing move to put the Gunners to the sword.

Free bets put them as underdog’s to succeed against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the next round of the FA Cup, and they currently lay three points behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s side with a game in hand.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Szczesny suffers dislocated finger against Barca

The Danish international moved to the club in 2008 and has played and established himself as their first choice keeper in their maiden season in the Premier League.

But he lost his starting place to Asmir Begovic and hasn’t played in the Premier League since October, but Pulis is keen to keep hold of the former Villa keeper. He said: We’re talking with Thomas now to try and get another contract sorted out,” Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke.

“He’s keen to get something done. We’ve spoken to his agent and the club will try and get something sorted out.”

The Potters can also call on the service of former Chelsea shot-stopper Carlo Nash.

Sorensen has played in the last four of Stoke’s FA Cup ties as he looks to fight his way back into the first team and Pulis is keen to keep the strength in depth that he currently has.

“We think we’ve got three good goalkeepers you know what goalkeepers are like, they love to stick together.” The Stoke boss commented.

“They’ve been competitive, obviously Thomas is disappointed at not playing, but the three of them are good for one another.”

Begovic looks set to keep hold of the number one jersey after an excellent performance against West Brom earlier in the week however,  Gordon Banks, who played in both England and Stoke football kits,  has been impressed with him so far this season.

“If he’s playing as well as this and he keeps on doing that, in two or three years’ time he will be something very special.”

“There’s some excellent goalkeepers around this country but if he keeps this standard up he’ll be up there with them, definitely.”

Post from: Keeper Skool

Sorensen in talks with Stoke over new deal

Current United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar is set to retire at the end of the season and manager Sir Alex Ferguson will likely be in the market for a replacement. Sports betting markets have made Reina the favourite to replace the Dutch keeper, and Ferguson is a known admirer of his talents.

Having seen fellow Spanish international Fernando Torres leave the club during the transfer window, Reina admits he is far from happy at Anfield and is tempted by a move away from the club.

“Yes, well Van der Sar will hang up his gloves in the summer so of course they are looking,” Reina told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“I can’t do anything. I can’t say anything logically as I have a contract with Liverpool.

“Of course one likes to fight for titles and be in a team that does that. We always fought to be in the Champions League and try to win the title.”

The Spanish goalkeeper has become disillusioned over the past two seasons at Liverpool as the club continue to struggle for a place in the Champions League. Having expressed a desire to compete in Europe’s top club competition again, Reina looks set to follow Torres out of the door this summer.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Reina hints at Anfield exit

Tottenham’s current goalkeeping options are Huerelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini, butbBoth have made high profile errors this season. Gomes was at fault for Manchester United’s second goal earlier in October, while Cudicini should have done better with Frabicio Coloccini’s goal for Newcastle in the 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Now Sky Sports reports that Harry Redknapp is interested in bringing Robinson back to the club after growing tired of Gomes’s liability to make errors in big games during his time at Spurs since signing from PSV Eindhoven in 2008.

However, those placing football bets believe that new Blackburn boss Steve Kean will be reluctant to lose his first choice goalkeeper having only recently taken over as manager of the club on a full time basis. Gomes is currently struggling with a minor injury, but is expected to be back in goal for Spurs for their upcoming FA Cup tie on Saturday against Fulham.

Tottenham currently lie in 5^th in the Premier League and are in with a distant shout of winning their first ever Premier League title, although their primary target will be securing a top four finish to ensure a place in the Champions League next season.

Spurs have set alight European football’s premier club competition this season, most notably with a spectacular 3-1 over the reigning European Champions Inter Milan. Punters interested in football betting have backed Spurs to repeat their heroics of last season and secure a respectable position in the league, although they are 80-1 outsiders to top the league come the end of the season.

Post from: Keeper Skool

Spurs in for Robinson

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been patiently waiting for Arsenal’s finances to recover following their multi-million pound move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006. But that has meant limited funds for players in order to balance the books and results have subsequently suffered.

The invincibles side of 2004 now feels like a distant dream to Gunners followers, who have seen their title rivals clean up ever since. As anyone who follows football live scores will tell you, a lack of a cutting edge has been to blame for the side’s failures.

Many appreciate and indeed admire boss Arsene Wenger’s stubborn refusal to put the club’s future in jeopardy by spending irresponsibly. But it is when they are repeatedly told that money is available but Wenger refuses to spend it that they let their frustrations boil over.

But with FIFA’s financial fair play rules set to come into force next season Arsenal appear best set out of any club in England. Wenger’s prudent approach means they continually turn a profit and soon will be able utilise the full money-spinning force of their 60,000 capacity stadium towards inward investment, rather than paying off debts like many of their rivals.

All this means little to the fans though, who have grown increasingly concerned at the club’s relative decline.  As promising as the future is, football is played here and now, and the fans crave success today.
Therefore the Carling Cup, despite being a much maligned competition, has taken on great importance for the Londoners.

A place in the last four of the Carling Cup against Ipswich and with Birmingham and West Ham in the other draw seems the ideal opportunity to break their duck and have something to cling onto before the FIFA financial revolution in a few years time.

It would also be a psychological boost by getting the increasingly heavy six-years-without-a-trophy millstone off their necks.

But in a performance typical of Wenger’s inconsistent young side they lost the first leg of the semi-final 1-0 to battling Ipswich Town this week. Although the result was a shock, anyone keeping an eye on the livescore wouldn’t have been too surprised by the way things turned out given the Gunners’ performance.

They are well capable of turning things around at the Emirates but a slow start and the nerves will creep in from fans to the players.

That step from nearly-men to champions is a small one but is often the hardest to make.

And for Arsenal that step is becoming increasingly harder to breach as each barren year rolls by.

Post from: Keeper Skool

The waiting is putting the strain on Arsenal

Edwin Van der Sar has done what most presumed to be impossible; if not usurping the Dane as King of the Old Trafford goal, then doing more than justice to his legacy in a position where plenty of decent keepers have fallen before him.

This is not to suggest they have similar keeping styles, far from it. Van der Sar is an agile shot stopper to Schmeichel’s bullish, imposing blocker. Both different, both clinically effective. Van der Sar represents a success in the Ferguson transfer policy of steering clear of marquee signings, although it took thirteen keepers before Van der Sar entered the fray.

One area that the Dutchman does have over the red-nosed Dane when it comes to wearing his Manchester United shirt is his longevity. It is nothing short of remarkable that Van der Sar entered his 40th year on this planet still one of the, if not the finest goalkeepers on earth. Young pretenders such as Joe Hart and Pepe Reina may be the future, but for now it is the United keeper who rules the roost. It was him, after all, who was crowned the best keeper in Europe in 2009.

But there is a blip on the horizon. Although showing no signs of ageing, Van der Sar looks set to hang up his gloves at the end of the season. Who on this earth could replace the man who Sir Alex Ferguson himself considers the best since the great Dane? Ferguson does have options; Gianluigi Buffon would be a fine replacement, but only a temporary one, the Italian is 32 himself and will not be in the game much longer himself.

Another option for Ferguson is Inter Milan’s Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar, once again an excellent keeper also with not much longer in the game; although if both were to emulate Van der Sar’s longevity then Sir Alex would be more than pleased. But with the boss reluctant to spend in the January transfer window and keen to find a long term solution to the problem, he may look to a younger model who would be cheaper than the two established stars. Finding a replacement is a headache Ferguson could have done without at a time where United find themselves in a state of flux.

The greatest challenge isn’t necessarily having the ability to play in goal for United, but to take up a mantle that is fast becoming as precious as the number seven shirt worn so illustriously down the years by United men. Edwin Van der Sar has done nothing but cause problems for United, they could have down without the headache of having to find the replacement for the man who filled Schmeichel’s boots; the man who has won almost everything; sympathy must lay with the next thirteen who try their hand at it.

Post from: Keeper Skool

The problem with Edwin Van der Sar