Poyet unhappy about festive period fixtures

Sunderland Manager Poyet unhappy about their festive period fixtures and has supported calls for a winter break. Poyet believes the Christmas break will benefit the professional game in England and that footballers are asked to play too much games during the festive period. Sunderland could possibly play a total of 12 games stretching through a 39 day period if they go through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Poyet is however not complaining about their two legged semi final fixture against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup having knocked out Chelsea in the previous round. Poyet says he knew they were going to meet a premier league club in the semis and also if they are going to win the cup they will have to go through a tough semi final and probably a tougher final.

Source

Arsenal players suit up for christmas

Arsenal players dressed in different famous characters costumes at their annual christmas party on Wednesday. The Gunners have every to be in high spirit sitting on the top of the premier league table. Ozil dressed up as Super Man, Sagna as Rambo, Szczensy as Robocop, Carzola as Mario and Miyaichi as Fred Flinstones. Amazing pictures. More below. The Gunners play Chelsea in what is going to be an exciting fixture Monday night.

   

 Source

Swansea play down Landrup link to Spurs

Swansea AFC have played down links of their Manager Michael Landrup to Tottenham Hotspurs. Landrup is among a number of Managers linked to the London club which on Monday  relived Manager Andre Villas Boas of his duties. Swansea assistant Manager Morten Wieghorst believes the club shouldn't be worried despite the rumor links. Wieghorst says Landrup has been linked to vacant positions in the past and the Dane has always responded by staying.

Source

Iniesta signs new contract

Spanish maestro Andres Iniesta has signed a new three year contract which would keep him at Barcelona till 2018.  Barcelona president Sandro Rosell confirmed the deal. Iniesta has won all the major titles in football including the world cup with Spain in 2010 and three champions league titles with Barca.

Source

Liverpool open talks over new contract with Suarez

Sky sources understand Liverpool has opened talks about a new contract for Suarez. Liverpool managing director flew to Barcelona on Wednesday to speak to the Uruguayan's agent. Liverpool wouldn't want a repeat of the fiasco in the last transfer window. It is understood the Club needs a long term commitment on the part of Suarez in addition to signing a new contract.

Source

AVB sanctioned transfers - Les Ferdinand

Tottenham coach Les Ferdinand says AVB agreed to the transfers that were made by the club.  He explains that most of the transfers could have been suggestions made to AVB but he agreed to those suggestions. The rumor around is that Sports director Franco Baldini had sanctioned the signings in place of AVB. Which ever way, I felt they could've spent more wisely in the transfer market, probably buy fewer players.

Source

Wilshere deserves only one-game ban - Arsenal

Arsenal are unhappy about the two match ban given to Wishere by the FA as a result of the hand gesture incident that took place after the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday. They feel one-game ban is more appropriate as Suarez of Liverpool was given this for a similar gesture to Fulham fans at Craven Cottage two years ago. Gunners do have a lot of options in midfield, I felt Wiltshire was poor at times in the game against city. They shouldn't worry too much, though Wiltshire would've been an asset in the game against Chelsea next Monday at the Emirates. The 21 year old is expected to miss out on the next two games against Chelsea and West Ham as a result of the ban.

Source