Aston Villa have agreed to postpone Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Bolton, due to Fabrice Muamba’s health problems.
The Trotters midfielder collapsed in his side’s FA Cup fixture against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday, and is now in critical condition in hospital.
With the Bolton players obviously not in the right frame of mind to play the midweek fixture, Villa have agreed to postpone it until a later date.
“The thoughts and prayers of Aston Villa Football Club are with Fabrice Muamba and his family,” a statement on the Midlands club’s official website reads.
“Our thoughts also extend to his teammates, the management staff and all at Bolton Wanderers Football Club at this terrible time.
“The club, without hesitation, has agreed to Bolton’s request to postpone our Barclays Premier League game scheduled for Tuesday at Villa Park.
“We also wish to thank our supporters for their expressions of sympathy and support for the Muamba family and all at Bolton Wanderers,” it concluded.
Villa boss Alex McLeish also expressed sympathy for Muamba’s plight, and spoke of the player’s excellent calibre and attitude.
“Like everybody, I am shocked and saddened by what happened to Fabrice during Bolton’s FA Cup game at White Hart Lane and subsequent developments.
“I have worked with Fabrice as a player at Birmingham and he has always been a terrific lad, nothing other than the perfect professional.
“I can say that in my experience he trained every day the way he went to play in games, full of intensity and enthusiasm.
“He is a manager’s dream in terms of his commitment to the team and to his club and I know that Owen Coyle will feel the same way about him.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“My heart goes out to his family and it is overwhelming to think what they are going through right now.
“The massive response throughout Europe and the world of football underlines how everybody has been touched by this tragic development and I pray that Fabrice is able to pull through,” he confessed.
Arsenal and its fans are experiencing a problem of the most frustrating nature and a strange atmosphere has consequently ensued around the Emirates which seems to have seeped into the players. It seems inexplicable that a team full of quality players capable of beating Manchester United, Chelsea and even Barcelona can stoop to the lows seen throughout the current season.
With a real chance of the Premiership and as Manchester United’s only challengers at the time Arsenal proceeded to throw FOUR goals away at Newcastle which sort of sums up The Gunners’ season. Tottenham twice, failing to score against Blackburn and Sunderland at home, not to mention the Carling Cup Final. But why has the same mistakes been allowed to happen time and time again?
Yes, there have been injury problems but less than previous seasons and no more than their title challengers. You could say that they lack leadership but Arshavin is Russia’s captain, Vermaelen is Belgium (and former Ajax) captain, Aaron Ramsey, despite his tender age is Wales captain and Tomas Rosický is captain of the Czech Republic. Along with the captains that Arsenal already have; Fàbregas, Van Persie, and Nasri that makes a team of players who know what it means to be a leader. Although these players aren’t veterans it still goes some way to dispelling the lazy ‘lack of leadership’ argument which they are often accused of.
It seems apparent that it is a mentality problem rather than a cliental problem. Wenger said after the defeat to Stoke City that “something has gone.” The players do not look like they are playing for the manager any more; the self-belief in the total football cause seems to have slipped away. Even taunts from the Stoke crowd of “boring, boring Arsenal” and “3-1 to the rugby team” couldn’t even spur them on.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
Once again Arsenal have one last chance to win their fans back at home with a win over Aston Villa this weekend much like they did against Manchester United two weeks ago. Many questions remain about the manager’s stubbornness and many fans are at odds with one another in the Emirates stadium with some backing the manager fully and others suggesting it might be time for a change. Arsenal’s 4-3-3, the same formation that was so prolific at the start of the season has now been sussed out and Arsenal don’t seem to have a response. Teams are finding it all too easy to defend in two banks of four, forcing the Gunners’ out wide to put wayward crosses and failing to get enough players in the box.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The manager has failed to make the necessary changes on the pitch when it has been needed, he has failed to manage the game all too many times and the fans are frustrated. It is not a case of simply buying players in summer, the players need a mentality change; there is no doubt that they have the talent but they do not seem to share a collective mentality. A win next week will paper over some cracks in the immediate future but there is no doubt that there are some big questions hanging over the club.
Another weekend, another Manchester United lead thrown away, another draw for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, another Wayne Rooney being dropped story doing the rounds, another ‘we’re still unbeaten’ argument being put forward by a few and another reason why it’s time to stop making excuses. Yes United are unbeaten but they’re also in fourth place, have drawn more games than they’ve won and can be trusted to hold on to a lead about much as a Korean chef.
So what exactly did the latest disappointing result from United tell us other than Owen Hargreaves is still not match fit? Well despite doing the best to ‘look on the Brightside’ it’s now time to be a little more critical if United really want to win back ‘their’ trophy. Unlike previous draws which came away from home against established Premier League sides, the latest points dropped at Old Trafford to newly promoted West Brom have left more than a few fans calling for drastic measures. While ‘Fergie needs to go’ type hysteria is as ridiculous as it is embarrassing-certain things need to be addressed.
Wayne Rooney should have figured more than 20 minutes- as a striker. Let’s not ignore the obvious or pussyfoot around it. The decision to drop Rooney backfired as not only did United fail to win what should have been an easy game, but subsequently all the headlines were full of the usual drivel about the striker either being Madrid-bound or ready to meet Fergie in the car park for a bit of a straightener. There’s even been talk of the noisy neighbours being his next destination- although that talk probably emanated from everyone’s favourite nonsense merchant Gary Cook- or someone equally as deluded. The recent stories surrounding Rooney’s ‘I’m fit’ comments, which went against what the United manager had been saying were a little over-the-top for me as everyone knows the striker would say he’s fit to play if he was hopping around with his amputated left leg tucked under his arm.
However Fergie’s decision to not only start Rooney on the bench but to then bring him on with just over 20 minutes left and stick him out on the left wing, have only encouraged the Chelsea fans of Fleet street to pour more fuel on the ‘Rooney Fergie Rift’ fire. Regardless of the negative press connotations the fact is that for this game with United looking for a goal, Rooney should have been brought on a little earlier and played upfront. Personally I thought starting Cheech-a-ree-toe -just for a few commentators who seem to be oblivious- and Dimitar Berbatov was not a bad idea as I genuinely felt they’d do the job. However with a two goal lead thrown away, either striker could have been substituted for last season’s top scorer to fit into his natural role and finally, maybe silence a few critics.
Edwin Van Der Sar is human and not to blame. Fergie got it spot-on when he claimed the ‘keepers clanger which gifted the visitors the equaliser was not the real reason behind United’s failure. While it was a real cock-up of Massimo Taibi proportions, VDS is more than anyone entitled to the -extremely- rare mistake and it really shouldn’t have mattered. This wasn’t the final minutes against Chelsea, it was with a good 35 minutes left on the clock at home to a team that finished second in the Championship last season and have been beaten 6-0 by the champions already. Roberto Di Matteo’s men may have improved a lot since their hammering at Stamford Bridge but they should still not have been too much trouble for United to overcome with such a large portion of the game still left to play. Van Der Sar’s error merely highlighted the fact that United seem to have lost that ability to dig deep and carve out results when the game turns against them. If Bolton was frustrating, West Brom was infuriating.
Resting the central midfield is a step too far. Giving Paul Scholes a break was risky, doing the same to Darren Fletcher for the same match was a recipe for disaster. Without the creativity of Scholes United looked less effective in the middle of the park and bereft of Fletcher’s engine they also lacked their energy and drive. West Brom were able to expose United’s midfield deficiencies with great effect in the second half and although Scholes was brought on with twenty minutes to go, it was too little too late. Darron Gibson was absolutely anonymous for United when he replaced-the injured Ryan Giggs. Take away Gibson’s shooting and he does nothing, which is acceptable if he’s banging in 20yard screamers but not so much if he’s not even having a go. Carrick is fast becoming United’s favourite fall guy but despite not really getting a firm grip on the match, he was probably a little less cr*p than Anderson and Gibson.
Time could be running out for Anderson.- a lot faster than he is.
For West Brom’s first goal, Anderson’s lack of pace was woefully exposed and it isn’t just due to match fitness as he also looks a little out of shape. The Brazilian’s always been a bulky type of player but for me he seems a tad heavier than usual and it showed in his performance. If he’s not crashing his car, or supposedly falling out with Fergie, or making noises about wanting to leave, then Anderson can be a quality player but he needs to step it up. Time is rapidly running out for a player who was once deemed one of the brightest young stars in world football and the excuses are sounding more desperate. I’m aware he’s just returned from injury but he’s been at United for long enough now to have staked his claim as a truly United-class player, yet he still hasn’t done that. If Anderson doesn’t score or create goals, then running with the ball and putting the tackle in are really the least we can expect. However the shape he’s in at the moment Anderson doesn’t look fully capable of doing either of those things, and while talk of his longing to return to Portugal may have been slightly misinterpreted, the time may be arriving where Fergie’s more than happy to pay for his ticket.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It’s time for the return of Carlos Queiroz. It sounds daft to argue that a different assistant manager could have made a difference against West Brom but does Fergie need a less sycophantic right hand man to challenge his decisions? Mickey Phelan is doing an admirable job, one imagines, but there’s no denying that over the past ten years the best United teams have had Queiroz as the coach. The reason Saturday’s game highlighted the need for the former Portuguese national teams manager to return, is that he may have been able to convince Fergie to make the necessary changes sooner- or possibly even start with a stronger side. Ferguson has supposedly trusted Queiroz with input into team selection in the past and with United relying more and more on the ability of Nani, could his fellow countryman be the perfect coach to get the best out of him? Admittedly this final suggestion is based on a lot of conjecture but with no option to buy anyone for another three months- even then its doubtful depending on whether or not you believe David Gill, then Fergie’s only possible signing could be the one that saves United’s season.
Follow me on twitter or read my blog ‘Name on the Trophy’
With the January transfer window closing a couple of weeks ago, the lack of excitement on the hotly anticipated ‘Deadline Day’ made me cast my mind back 12 months, when AFC Bournemouth’s tough tackling midfielder Marvin Bartley was snapped up by Burnley, with seconds to go.
The Cherries were still sat in the top 6, despite a recent promotion and selling strikers Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid to Championship sides. The only player to come into the club during this period was Mathieu Baudry from Troyes, in France, on a free transfer while the club netted around £1.6 million in transfer fees. Selling players was nothing new to the Cherries faithful, but it was extremely disappointing, after a great start, to see 3 players go and no replacement bought in, although they were fortunate with the emergence of Danny Ings.
At the end of the season, AFC Bournemouth was a touch fortunate in finishing in the top 6, after a small slide down the table; they encountered Huddersfield in the Play Offs. After two great entertaining matches, the sides couldn’t be split and Huddersfield were the victors of a penalty shootout, which left a talented squad in League 1 with a lot of vultures circling above Dean Court.
Over the summer period, a lot of work went on in and around the ground by the Chairman’s company. The place looked a lot better, but the lack of incoming transfer activity left fans frustrated. By the end of the summer transfer window, The Cherries had sold 6 more of their squad including young Danny Ings to Burnley for a fee that potentially could reach £1 million, bringing the transfer income to potentially around £3.7 million. Along with loan signings returning to parent clubs and 2 players retiring, the Cherries squad was a tad bare and lacking some quality. Just 2 outfield players came in for a total of £100,000 before the window closed. On the field, a dismantled Cherries squad were uninspiring and poor and 6 defeats in 7 games, with a young and inexperienced management duo, left the Cherries fans seething. Most believed the Chairman was lining his pockets and he was accused of asset stripping and Lee Bradbury didn’t have the backing of the supporters. This all came to a head when a slightly drunk looking Eddie Mitchell came onto the pitch after a dismal 0-3 home defeat to Chesterfield and was subject to abuse, before offering to ‘take on’ a fan.
There was clearly a reason for the previous events as investment from a Russian businessman who was a friend of Eddie Mitchell was secured a few weeks later. Maxim Demin bought 50% of the club, with supporters split as to whether this was a good or bad thing. Maxim was the 3rd Russian interested in acquiring shares in AFC Bournemouth after Mitchell rejected 2 other bids on a basis of lack of evidence over funds. Unfortunately, one of those groups had recently acquired Portsmouth FC and I think that was a lucky escape.
Since the arrival of Maxim, the playing side has seen significant investment with proven players at this level coming in on loan with a view to permanent signings and some lower league talent also joined the ranks. Two bids for the stadium to be purchased have been rejected, the latest for £4.5 million and a new training facility, by the ground, has been given the go ahead by the council and work has started on that. The Cherries have gone on to lose just 4 of their last 22 league games and sit just outside the play off positions.
Rolling onto the January transfer window of 2012 and the Cherries fans were hoping to hold onto star players as it is a natural feeling. Marc Pugh had apparent interest from Championship clubs, but this year was going to be like no other in recent decades. The month saw no less than 7 permanent signings to bolster the squad, as opposed to the side decimated just last year, including the signing of Matt Tubbs from Crawley for a club record fee. Also Marc Pugh was still at the club, no star assets were sold. Unfortunately at times it was like a child in a candy store with bids going in for numerous players, but this was a new feeling for a lot of Cherries fans. It is much better feeling being linked to players coming in rather than lots of clubs linked to your players. Some met with optimism and some met with caution as to how much the club were spending. We are all too aware of how it can go horribly wrong.
Sometimes you have to take a step backwards in order to progress and AFC Bournemouth have enhanced their squad for a potential promotion push this campaign. The challenge is now set. Can they repeat last season’s great achievement and finish in the top 6, maybe even going one better and see them promoted to the second tier of English football for only the second time ever, after spending 3 seasons there under a certain Harry Redknapp.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If it is not achieved this season, will fans expectations soar and will they be demanding a top 2 finish next season? What a difference 12 months can make, but it looks like it could be an exciting period for the south coast outfit.
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle insists a couple of recent disappointing results does not mean their season has been a failure.Bolton fans were left deflated by the comprehensive 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat their side suffered at the hands of Stoke City at Wembley two weekends ago.
Although they bounced back in the Premier League with a fine 2-1 win over Arsenal, Bolton went down 3-0 at Fulham in midweek.
But they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday looking for the best possible end to the campaign.
“Our motivation is to finish the season as strongly as we can,” Coyle said on Friday.
“I never thought about getting into Europe, I just want to improve Bolton Wanderers from one season to the next.”
“I am flattered people thought we might qualify for Europe because we were favourites for relegation when I came into this job.”
“We were in the bottom three and for people to say we would do so well shows how much progress this club has made, having spent very little money.”
“There are huge clubs below us in the table who have spent over 20 million pounds so we are pleased with how the season has gone.”
“We now have to finish the season strongly then look for areas we can improve.”
Bolton will be shorn of a few players at Blackburn, but Coyle has done his best to patch up the side.
Those who are fit to play will know local bragging rights are at stake in this Lancashire derby.
“It’s fair to say that we will be short of numbers but the ones that are fit and available will be doing everything in their power to win a local derby,” he said.
“Mark Davies will have a scan on his ankle. He had a few problems last season but this year he had been doing ever so well, up until he turned it late on at Birmingham.”
“He hasn’t been right since and hasn’t felt quite 100 percent. We want to get to the bottom of it and nip it in the bud so that it is sorted out properly. Hopefully it won’t be too bad.”
“Unfortunately, Daniel Sturridge wasn’t quite fit for Fulham but he has responded to treatment – he will be touch and go. We don’t do anything detrimental to Daniel and we need to show consideration to his parent club Chelsea who have loaned him to us.”
“We have to do what is right by everybody. Yes we want him fit and available because he has been sensational for us, but we need to look at the bigger picture.”
“Gretar Steinsson is a big doubt. He has jarred his knee and at this moment I would say that it will be highly unlikely he will play at Blackburn. But he is the type of lad to play through the pain barrier, so we will wait until the last moment and take it from there.”
Defender Sam Ricketts (Achilles) and midfielders Sean Davis and Stuart Holden (both knee) will definitely not play.
An appearance on Soccer AM can signal only one of two things for a current footballer; an injury, or they have fallen out of favour with their respective club. Unfortunately for Jamie O’Hara, he seems to fall in both categories. Appearing on Saturday’s show with fiancé Danielle Lloyd and his new son Archie, one couldn’t help but think fatherhood is a welcome distraction for 24 year-old O’Hara.
Seemingly a huge part of Tottenham’s future when Harry Redknapp took the reins at White Hart Lane in late 2008, midfielder O’Hara has since struggled in north London and was loaned to Portsmouth last season. When O’Hara returned to Spurs at the beginning of the 2010-11 season he found the club in a very different position from when he left 9 months earlier, not least that Europe’s top club competition was returning to White Hart Lane for the first time in half a century. Whilst determined to make an impact in a very competitive squad, O’Hara’s chances of playing in Europe’s premier competition had a severe setback when it was revealed he would have to undergo surgery for a stress fracture in his lower back.
When Redknapp’s tenure at Tottenham began, O’Hara could do no wrong as Spurs attempted to rectify the mess Juande Ramos had left them in with the club on 2 points from 8 games at the beginning of the 2008-09 season. The young midfielder made 28 appearances that season including 15 in the league, scoring a memorable goal to wrap up victory in a 2-0 win over east London rivals West Ham at Upton Park. However, although Redknapp and the club clearly rated O’Hara, offering him a contract to keep him at the club until 2013, he was loaned out to Redknapp’s former club Portsmouth for most of the 2009-10 season, making only 3 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham.
Although impressing on an individual level in Portsmouth’s ill-fated 2009-10 season, O’Hara’s absence coincided with a resurgence at Spurs and the indomitable central midfield pairing of Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone emerging at the north London club. Having achieved a lucrative place in the Champions League, Redknapp will most probably use the money at his disposal, bolstering his squad in January, hoping for an assault on two fronts. With the transfer window drawing ever closer, O’Hara’s window of opportunity to prove his fitness and worth to the club narrows evermore.
O’Hara’s problem lies in the distraction of the Champions League for the club and its supporters, and with the north London outfit looking like they are regaining the form of last season in the league, there are not many bemoaning the absence of the 24 year-old at White Hart Lane.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
So with the transfer window opening in a little over two months Jamie O’Hara may well not only be looking over his shoulders at who’s coming into White Hart Lane, but also looking for an escape route, and with the news coming from east London this week that West Ham United and O’Hara’s former boss Avram Grant are preparing a bid for the midfielder in January, O’Hara would be ill-advised not to consider his ex-employer’s proposal.
QPR lifted themselves out of the relegation zone after beating Wigan at Loftus Road to leave them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
Mark Hughes’ first home league game in charge of the R’s couldn’t have gone any better as they swept aside a poor Latics side that must be fearing for their lives as they mad it seven games without victory. For Rangers it was their first win in nine games since a 3-2 success away at Stoke in November and only their second at Loftus Road all season. Roberto Martinez will be unhappy with his side’s first half display as they gifted the hosts two goals as Heidar Helgson and Akos Buzsaky struck before the break. Hugo Rodallega gave the visitors hope of a comeback but that soon killed off as Tommy Smith wrapped up the points up with nine minutes left.
Wigan started brightly with Rodallega failing to connect with two dangerous crosses before the home side got into their groove with Jamie Mackie and Luke Young both testing Ali Al Habsi at the other end. QPR quickly got on top and were gifted the lead after James McCarthy handled in the penalty area allowing Helguson to score from the spot just after the half hour. Buzsaky then forced Al Habsi into a fine save tipping wide the Hungarian’s well struck free kick. The Latics failed to heed the warning as the Hungarian curled in a sumptuous set piece that clipped the post before going in for his first goal since 2011 before he called Al Habsi into action again before the break.
Rangers failed to build on their advantage in the second half as Martinez’s men grew in confidence as they searched for a goal that would get them back into the game. Rodallega, who had scored just once this season, was the man to halve the deficit curling a superb free kick around the wall and past Paddy Kenny to give the Premier Leagues bottom club hope of a fight back. Connor Sammon went close to bringing the contest level before the hosts squandered an opportunity to regain their two goal lead with Helgsuon seeing his second penalty of the afternoon saved by Al Habsi following Gary Caldwell’s foul on the Icelandic striker. He then almost made amends for the miss in stunning style with dipping volley from range that just dropped wide of the post as Wigan continues to press for an equaliser. It never came and the game was killed off with nine minutes to go as Smith lashed the ball into the top corner from 25-yards to put the seal on Hughes’ first league win as QPR boss.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Deportivo La Coruna pulled clear of La Liga’s relegation zone, while Cristiano Ronaldo hit a sixth hat-trick of the season for Real Madrid.Deportivo’s upset 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao helped them leap from the clutches of the relegation zone to 14th, sending Real Zaragoza down to 18th as a consequence.
Athletic Bilbao – who could have all-but stitched up a Europa League spot with victory – took a third-minute lead when striker Gaizka Toquero finished crisply past former team-mate Daniel Aranzubia in the Deportivo goal.
But led by playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron, Deportivo found a way back into the match on 22 minutes when Adrian Lopez’s shot was deflected into his own net by Athletic midfielder Carlos Gurpegi.
Fernando Llorente hit the crossbar with a trademark header shortly before half-time, while the two sides traded efforts when the second half got underway.
But Deportivo was to claim all three points when Athletic defender Castillo only succeeded in sliding an Adrian cross past goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz as he attempted to clear.
The win puts Deportivo three points above the relegation zone with two games of the season remaining.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo took his goal tally in all competitions this season to 49 courtesy of another hat-trick – this time in a 4-0 win over struggling Getafe at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo’s treble was completed with of a 90th-minute penalty, with Karim Bezema having poked home in the 77th minute with his first touch of the game to put Real 3-0 up.
Real remain second and five points behind league-leaders Barcelona, while Getafe are just one point above the drop zone.
Atletico Madrid failed to do themselves any favours in their bid for Europa League football next season after losing 2-1 at Racing Santander.
Atletico took an 11th-minute lead through Mario Suarez, but goals either side of half-time from Swedish duo Kennedy Bakircioglu and Markus Rosenberg handed Racing the win.
They move to ninth on the table, while Atletico are in sixth and have Sevilla lurking just goal difference away.
In a match that meant little for either end of the table, Julio Baptista and Eliseu struck to propel Malaga to a 2-0 home win over Sporting Gijon.
The Football Association have charged Blackpool manager Ian Holloway with improper conduct in relation to his spat with referee Mike Dean following his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers.
The Seasiders' chief was fuming at a late winner in the weekend game at Bloomfield Road and exchanged views with Dean in the tunnel at the final whistle.
An FA statement confirmed:"Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been charged with improper conduct.
"The charge relates to his language and behaviour towards match officials at the conclusion of Blackpool's match against Blackburn Rovers on 25 September.
"Under The FA's new fast-track procedures, Holloway has until Friday 1 October to respond to the charge.
"No standard sanction is offered as Holloway has a previous incident on his disciplinary record from last season."
Holloway had earlier commented:"I thought the referee had a poor game and he is going to report me for what I said to him in the tunnel. I can't believe what he saw.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"I thought there were some unbelievably strange decisions out there.
"I waited for him in the tunnel. Never mind, I have got to learn and I should know better, but it is ridiculous."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
While Arsenal have had some wonderful players that have donned the Red and White of shirt over the years, there have equally been just as many who were anything but fit to wear it. For every Thierry Henry there is a Francis Jeffers; for every Tony Adams there was a Gus Caesar and for every Patrick Viera there was a Junichi Inamoto.
This article is a tribute to the worst Arsenal XI of all time and while I am sure there are many players that we all agree on, I am certain there are other players that many of you will believe should have been included on the list. Scan the gallery and my reasons for each player’s inclusion in the team; however please feel free to add any glaring omissions that I may have made in the comments below….
Click on the Famous Marble Halls to see Arsenal’s Worst XI of all time