Friday 30 December 2011

Landon Callin!!!


I'll start by replacing my Journalistic, professional and appropriate head with a more excited, animated and giddy one... "YESSSSSS! He's back... Landon is back!!!". 

Phew, now, I know what you're thinking, 'Why on earth is Adam getting so excited about the news of the return of a 29 year old Striker from the American MLS?'

Donovan in action for the USA

My reply would be 'Because I'm an Evertonian'.  And if you'd been blessed with watching the previous six transfer windows go by with little or no introductions and quite a few exits (!!) then I believe you too would share my joy. 

I do realise that Mr. Landon Donovan may not propel my beloved Blues up the Table and into a comfortable 5th place finish... I'm realistic enough to not get over-optimistic about his impact during the 2 months he will spend on Merseyside. However, for myself and other Everton fans we are very happy to see anyone pass through the doors at Goodison Park (in the right direction). 

When asked about his return to Everton and the Premier League, Donovan replied, "...I know exactly what is expected of me and hopefully I can fit in." 



I hope he does. Generally, at this time of the year Everton decide to put a run together and tend to shift further away from the dreaded relegation places.  Only time will tell how much impact the seven-time 'Honda Player of the Year' will have on the fortunes of the 'Toffees', but it's nice to see him back.

Twitter Banter
Although, I won't be 'holding my breath' whilst waiting for another new face at Finch Farm this January.




Written by Futera TV Presenter Adam Partington - @AdamPartington

Heroes welcome?


After week’s of speculation, Arsenal’s all time record goal scorer Thierry Henry is set to return to the club in which he sealed his reputations as one of the best strikers in the world. In nine years with the Gunners the speedy striker won seven titles, including the European championship with France. So, in the face of both Gervinho & Marouane Chamakh heading off to the African Cup of nations, it’s logical to use the services of the clubs all time record goal scorer?



Shevchenko in action for the Ukraine
But does absence make the heart grow fonder? Henry was at the Emirates a few week’s ago revealing a statue of himself and was reduced to tears. At 34 he returns after two successful years for the New York Redbulls. But will Henry be able to roll back the years and torment defenses like he used to? I decided to look at the history books to look at some players who have returned to clubs after time away.

Andriy Shevchenko - AC Milan.

Milan’s second all time goal scorer Andriey Shevchenko, is recognised as one of the greatest Eastern European footballers of the modern age. In his first spell with Milan he bagged 127 goals in eight seasons. In between his return to the San Siro spent a miserable season at Chelsea where he endured a torrid time, having just scored 9 times in 48 starts. But a lifeline came in a loan deal from his former club who welcomed back the prodigal son with open arms. However it wasn’t the return that many had hoped for. Shevchenko only scored twice in twenty six appearances and only started on 9 occasions. He was promptly shipped back to Chelsea and then out of the club back to Dynamo Kiev.



Ian Rush - Liverpool

Liverpool’s record all time goal scorer Ian Rush returned back to England from Juventus, after one disastrous season in Italy. Rush joined a number of English players heading to Italy in the mid to late 80’s with the likes of Luther Blisset, Ray Wilkins & Tony Dorigo. It’s alleged that Rush claimed that living in Italy was ‘just like living in another country’. But the Welshman returned back to Anfield for a record fee of 2.7 million in 1988 and picked up from where he left of scoring a total 90 goals in his second nine year stint with the club.




Hernan Crespo - Parma

The Argentine striker is coming towards the end of a formidable career having played for both Inter Milan, AC Milan & Chelsea. However he still has a soft spot for his first European club Parma. Crespo joined from Argentine giants River Plate in 1996, in four seasons he went on to lift the Copa Italia and the Uefa Cup with the The Parmigiani, before being sold to Lazio for a then record transfer fee of £35 million. 

Despite leaving in controversial circumstances Crespo has always had a soft spot for Parma, and after 10 years away from the club retuned in the January transfer window last season. He has continued to score for Parma and is looking to add to his tally as Parma’s top goal scorer with 93 goals for the club so far.



Produced by Mitch Freely - follow Mitch on Twitter @mitchos
25 Dec





















Monday 19 December 2011

Where will Becks go next?


David Beckham may not join French side PSG his advisors have told reporters in France. 

The French media claimed that Beckham had arrived in the French Capital of Paris on Saturday.

Beckham, now 36,  is attracting plenty of interest after reaching the end of his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy.

The former England International wants nothing more than to continue playing at a highest level and would like to be considered for Team GB at the London Olympics this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are still believed to be monitoring the situation.

Where do you think 'Becks' will make home next, leave your comments below...

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Champions League Preview: Wednesday 7th December 2011

A mouth watering night ahead in the UEFA Champions League as both Manchester Clubs have it all to do if they want to progress into the knockout stages of Europe's elite Competition.

Manchester United travel to Switzerland in search of three points. Anything less may see Sir Alex Ferguson's men crash out at this stage of the Tournament for the first time in five years.

Alternatively, triumph against Basel may catapulte the Red Devils into a first placed finish if Benfica fail to beat minnows Galati.

Ironically, Roberto Mancini & his Team will look on in envy at the challenge that faces their cross City rivals in Group C, they will depend on other results to qualify when Group winners Bayern Munich travel to the Etihad Stadium tonight.

If City succeed against the German's, they will also be hoping for Spanish strugglers Villarreal to complete a successful conquest over Napoli. If that doesn't happen the Italian's will snatch second place.

Inter Milan have already confirmed 1st place in Group B. However, only one point separates CSKA Moscow, Lille & Trabzonspor meaning it's all to play for as we head into the closing group fixtures.

Group D is all but complete, Real Madrid 'rule the roost' and Ajax have mastery over second place. The two teams meet at the Amsterdam Arena with Ajax assured that even a defeat may not block their root into the knock-out stages.

French side Lyon head into their encounter with Dinamo Zagreb aware that anything other than demolition of their Croatian counterparts is needed.



Tonights encounters & my predictions are as follows:

Group A        
Manchester City 2 v 1 Bayern Munich
Villarreal 1 v 3 Napoli    

Group B       
Inter Milan 4 v 0 CSKA Moscow
Lille 4 v 1 Trabzonspor  

Group C        
Basel 1 v 1 Manchester United
Benfica 2 v 1 Otelul Galati       

Group D       
Ajax 1 v 1 Real Madrid   
Dinamo Zagreb 0 v 3 Lyon

Article produced by Futera TV Presenter - Adam Partington

What are YOUR Predictions for tonights encounters? Leave YOUR comments below...