Fernando Torres Calls For Support

Fernando Torres has hit out at claims that he is about to quit Liverpool in the wake of a sacking of another Liverpool manager.  The Spaniard has called for the fans to get behind the team and all pull together.

Roy Hodgson was sacked yesterday after a dismal run in the league. KOP Legend Kenny Dalglish has been put in temporary charge and it was thought that senior players like Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina might look to initiate a move away from Anfield.  It would perhaps only take one player to start this particular stack of dominoes falling.

Yet Torres has made an early intervention to dispel any rumours. Both he and Reina have been linked with a transfer to Manchester United.  However, Torres has categorically rejected any talk of leaving and said, "More than ever, we need to stick together. We must live in the present, from match to match."

In a statement to the press which must have come as a relief to the management of Liverpool, he added: "We need to add more points, win matches and improve our standing in the table. That is our challenge and I demand the total help of our supporters in doing that."

Whether he instigated this public call for support himself or was asked by Dalglish remains unknown.  However, the Spanish player has effectively quashed rumours of his departure from the team.  "My head is in Liverpool and on helping save our season. I am professional and I always fulfil my deals." he said today.

Torres went on to add; "I haven't considered leaving, although in football that depends on the club. Liverpool had a lot of success under Rafa Benitez and that is difficult for anyone to follow. Even if the ball hasn't always dropped our way this season, we have missed out in a lot of matches."

Liverpool remains a team in crisis. However, unless Torres does a Rooney this statement will go a long way to relieving management, players' and fans' fears.

Harry Redknapp: Beckham Deal a "No Goer"

Spurs Manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that David Beckham’s proposed loan deal at White Hart Lane is a “no goer” although he expects the former England captain to train with his side for two months.

Last season when David Beckham went out on loan to Milan, he picked up an Achilles injury. The possible insurance issues has prevented Beckham from playing for Tottenham this time around.

I don't think it's going to happen," Redknapp said.

"I spoke with the chairman and I think there are big problems with insurance issues and everything. He got injured last year at Milan; I think there were issues there with insurance."

However Beckham is likely train with the team, in hope of keeping fit and available for selection for England.

"What's going to happen, David is welcome to come and train here for a month or so, which I think he would like to do and we're pleased to have him come and train".

Redknapp also added; "It will be nice to have him here training with us for a month and I think he'll be great to have around the place and he'll be a good influence on everybody and I look forward to him coming. But I think as far as playing goes it looks like it's a no-goer."

Speaking on the disappointment of not been able to have Beckham available to play, the Spurs boss said; "For sure. It would have been nice. It would have been good to have him here available to play for us. But it couldn't happen, so it's not a problem, you just get on with it."

Theo Walcott Admits Diving

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has admitted that he dived intentionally to win a penalty in today's FA Cup game against Championship side Leeds United. Theo Walcott’s initial plea for a penalty was waived away.

But moments later Walcott was fouled in the area, which Cesc Fabregas levelled from the spot to equalize squaring the game up at 1-1.

Walcott was quick to apologise for his behaviour after the match. He said; I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived. I was trying to win the penalty,' the 21-year-old admitted.

'I said to one of their players "would you have done it?" and he said he probably would have. I am not the sort of player to do it but I own up to it and apologise. It is something I don't want to see in my game.'

Walcott added he had even joked with the referee about it being his first dive and asked fans to respect him for having the guts to apologise.

While club-colleague Jack Wilshere has backed Theo’s action and on his twitter page.  'Fair play to Theo for apologising! Takes a Real man to apologise!' the teenager, who was rested for the cup tie, tweeted.

Andy Flower: Strauss Was Instrumental

England Team Director Andy Flower has said that England Captain Andrew Strauss was instrumental in leading the team that retained the Ashes in Australia and rounded off nicely with a series win, beating Australia in the Fifth test by an innings and 83 runs.

The England camp celebrated after succeeding in a first series win in Australian for some 24 final Test at the SCG on Friday.

"I'd rather talk about the cricket, but the celebrations were good, and well deserved by the players," Flower said.

"We had a good time and I think the guys are reflecting on a job well done and a job that they are very proud of.

"All sorts of things go into what makes successful sides and Strauss' leadership is very influential factor in that success.

"He is very strong in the dressing room and in the middle with bat or marshalling the troops.

"He's grown in stature in this series, and considering the high position he started, that's saying a lot about him."

Speaking on Alastair Cook, Flower said; "He's overcome most challenges that have been put in front of him, which is testament to that strength of character and, considering that people were calling for his head not so long ago, it is an outstanding riposte.

"Although that's not why he did it, it was because of the pride he has in his own performance and because he is very proud to play for England.

"I am very happy for him personally, and we're all thankful that he made those contributions to the team for us."

Liverpool Sack Roy Hodgson

Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson has left his post at Liverpool with Kenny Dalglish taking over until the end of the season.  His sacking comes at the same time that Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in a FA Cup tie. Senior players in the team already thought Roy wouldn't be in charge.

Hodgson joined England's most successful club from Fulham in July last year and had been under intense pressure from fans in recent weeks after defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers

Hodgson knew his reign as Liverpool boss was over and that he was on borrowed time at Anfield. He cancelled a media conference yesterday and refused to speak about his future when questioned on an in-house TV station.

An inside source said, "In fact, making him lead the team out at Old Trafford would be humilating.

"Everyone thinks Roy spent yesterday negoiating his pay-off terms".

Gary Mason - Former British Boxing Champion - Dies in Bike Accident

Gary Mason, the former British boxing champion has been killed in a cycling accident.  He was riding his bike in the Wallington area of South London when he collided with a van.  Paramedics were called to the scene in Sandy Lane South but Mason was pronounced dead at the scene.

Although his death has yet to be confirmed by the police it is understood that the driver of the van has already been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.  The vehicle, a Vauxhall combi van, white in colour, was stopped at the location of the collision.

There will be a post-mortem in the near future followed closely by an inquest at Croydon Coroner’s Court.
A veteran of almost forty professional bouts between 84 and 94, Mason was known as a hard chinned, tough fighter who won 37 out of his 38 professional bouts.  The only one that he lost was in 1991 when Lennox Lewis downed him at the Wembley Arena.

Known as one of the nicest guys in boxing the sport will greatly miss this excellent sportsman who was British champion between January of 1989 and March 1991.

FHM - the Bionic Issue - Out Now

£1 off FHM



You want some fitness advice and wait – and then all of a sudden four athletes come along with something to suggest for you.  It may not quite sound like real life, and to be sure it isn’t.  With the new issue of FHM we are talking bionics!

No less than four sports stars have given their tips for the new year and it is all available to read in the new issue of FHM which is out right now.  The rest of the articles are as juicy as ever with plenty of full colour features to get your teeth in to.

There is a plus, too. If you are more inclined to read things online then click on the link at the top of this article.  Not only can you read this issue of FHM online but you can get a quid off the price by doing so.  The future of magazine reading is probably this format, so give it a go!  You never have to miss an issue again.

You can find out more about this issue – yet again another brilliant one – by clicking this link - http://www.fhm.com/nicole.  There is plenty to read – to say the least.

Lionel Messi, the Barcelona and Argentina ace has an exclusive interview in FHM this month – something which readers of this blog may certainly love.  In it he talks about what it took to get where he is today (something that many would like to know, that’s for sure) as well as running through what a typical training session for his team entails.  You might need to breathe in once you have read it.

Plus England’s top fly-half Toby Flood will show you how to succeed in the three vital areas needed for success in rugby.  You might not be a rugby player but you can fit them in to your own regime easily and these tips will help you get quicker and stronger.

On top of that you get a one-to-one training session with European Championships athlete Jessica Ennis.  Work on your mental readiness as well as you physical abilities with this supreme personal trainer.  

The magic four is complete with a revelation about from Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping about how to succeed in the brutal and challenging world of MMA.

Wait a moment.  How many issues are we talking about here?  It’s all in the same issue, together with the rest of the best of what you expect from FHM.  Out today – go get it!  You might just be inspired to get bionic yourself!

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Kenny Jackett Squashes Morison Rumours

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has played down rumours linking star striker Steve Morison with Fulham, Mark Hughes was reported to have tabled a three million pound offer for the Welsh forward. But Kenny Jackett has been quick to squash such rumours by saying there has been no contact at all with the Cottagers.

Steve Morison has picked up where he left off last season for Millwall by netting eleven times this season grapping the attention of other clubs in the Championship and Premiership Leagues.

"We haven't had any contact from them," Jackett said of the reported interest from Fulham.

"There's a lot of speculation but as a manager I don't want to sell him and I know my chairman and board feel the same."

Also Kenny Jackett is keen to secure the services of Southampton’s Jason Puncheon who has impressed the manager while spending the month on loan at the Den.

“His loan is finished now and we have been in touch with Southampton on numerous occasions over the last few days," added Jackett.

"We haven't had any success yet but we do feel Jason has fitted in well and he's a player we will try and take if we can."

Spurs Move For Beckham

Spurs are hoping to loan former England Captain David Beckham from Los Angeles when the MLS season closes. Harry Redknapp has declared his interest and has confirmed that he has been in talks with LA Galaxy and Beckham’s representatives.

Should the Midfielder decide to join Spurs, Beckham will line up against former side Milan in the Champions League's last 16 and will help Spurs title chances.

"At the moment we are waiting on the decision of LA Galaxy with regards to a loan move," the spokesman said.

"The loan would be a short one until the start of the MLS season. David would then return and play a full season with the Galaxy.

"Tottenham are one of many clubs who are interested but as yet we have not got into any detailed conversations as we are waiting on LA Galaxy's decision."

The spokesperson continued: "The loan is part of David's desire to keep fit and make himself available for England again."

Dance Central on Xbox 360 - Get Your Dancing Shoes On!

Xbox Dance Central



 

If you are like me and you have two left feet then sometimes the thought of hitting the dance floor seems like a good idea at the time – and then you are left feeling like you should have done some practice in front of the mirror first.

 

Well, forget about the mirror.  With Dance Central on the Xbox 360 you can get in to the groove and work on those personal dance moves before you hit the floor in the club.  You might even decide to stay in and share the fun with your friends and family.

 

Personally, my own dance experiences are not so good.  I always think that I can pull something off but when it comes to the crunch my legs decide that they are not going to work. With the new Kinect gaming feature used by Dance Central on the Xbox 360 you get a score – and then work on beating it.

 

Take a look for yourself at how practice at home can turn in to fun on the real dance floor.

 

 

The great thing about this game is that it isn’t solo.  You can play with your buddies or members of your family – and you don’t have to worry about complete strangers pointing and laughing! By the time you get to the club you will be completely in control of your dancing!

 

So, instead of just wishing that you were a better dancer you can improve in the comfort of your own home – and then impress your friends when you are out.  This is the game that you have been waiting for when it comes to improving your dance techniques!

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