Euro 2012 Play-off Preview: Estonia v Republic of Ireland

By Laurie Fitzgerald

The Republic of Ireland go into their Euro 2012 play-off battle with Estonia knowing that they have their best opportunity to reach a major tournament for the first time in ten years.

Since an excellent showing at the 2002 World Cup that saw them miss out on the quarter-finals to Spain on penalties, it has been qualification heartache ever since.

They have not topped a qualifying group in five attempts, and suffered the cruellest of fates when a clear handball from Thierry Henry set up the goal that knocked Ireland out of the World Cup play-offs, at the expense of France.

But fortune returned when Giovanni Trapattoni‘s men overcame a tricky group that included the likes of Slovakia and Macedonia to clinch a runners-up spot behind Russia in Group B.

They face an Estonia side that were the surprise package of the qualifying campaign, doing the double over Northern Ireland and pipping Serbia to finish as runners-up in a group that also included Italy and Slovenia.

So Trapattoni will be well aware that his team cannot afford any complacency going into the first leg tomorrow night in Tallinn followed by the second leg at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.

For the experienced Italian, the biggest issue is overcoming the injury problems that have arisen, with the likes of Shane Long ruled out and John O’Shea very doubtful.

West Brom striker Long is out with a knee injury, while Sunderland defender O’Shea is a big doubt due to a hamstring problem.

In the absence of Long, Trapattoni has called up Newcastle striker Leon Best for the first time to boost his attacking options along with Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox and John Walters.

The Republic will look to their experienced spine to take a lead back to Dublin, with the consistently brilliant Shay Given in goal, Richard Dunne at the heart of defence, Damien Duff in midfield and Keane up front.

What is important is to not underestimate the Estonians; they are not afraid to play an attacking style and particularly in the first leg, they know their best chance of qualification is taking the game to the Irish.

They have plenty of experience too; the trio of Raio Piiroja, Kristen Viikmae and national legend Andres Oper have over 300 caps between them and will provide the nucleus of the side. 

Despite not having any stars in the squad there is a togetherness that has given them plenty of belief going into the play-offs.

For the Republic of Ireland though, their fate is very much in their hands. Considering the other teams in the play-offs they have been given the best chance to make it to Poland & Ukraine next summer – and ending ten years of hurt in the process.

So what do you think? Will the Republic oif Ireland qualify for Euro 2012? Leave a comment and let us know your views.

Will this be the most exciting transfer deadline day ever?

Will Torres give up on Liverpool today?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

It’s that time of the year when the rumour mill goes into overdrive; Lionel Messi has just been seen in a Little Chef off the M25 ordering an all-day breakfast, Lassana Diarra has been seen waving for a taxi at Manchester Airport, and Cristiano Ronaldo has just checked into a Travelodge in Birmingham.

Yes, welcome to transfer deadline day. When you refuse to believe your manager when he says that there will be no more signings, tuning into Sky Sports News with reporters standing outside club gates for 18 hours as they try to peer through a window, hoping that a deal hasn’t been confirmed yet because “the paperwork is still in the fax machine at the Premier League headquarters,” and continually refresh your club website well into midnight, in the hope that the picture of a top player appears with the words, ‘deal agreed’ underneath it.

While the majority of the time a transfer deadline day turns out to be a huge hyperbole of nothingness, with a couple of signings for reasonable fees and a whole host of loan signings by Football League sides, this year’s close to the January transfer window may turn out to be the exception to the accustomed waste of time.

Despite most clubs usually unwilling to lose their prized assets at this time of year, either saying that they would rather listen at the end of the season or putting a hugely-inflated price on their players, there are a host of big-name players whose futures remain very uncertain going into the last 24 hours of the window.

The biggest of which seems to be Fernando Torres. It would have seemed almost unthinkable that the 26 year-old would think about leaving Liverpool right now with his form re-invigorated under the Kop legend Kenny Dalglish, but it seems the Spaniard’s head may have been turned by a £35 million bid by Chelsea, understandably rejected by the Reds.

Torres has since handed in a written transfer request with his heart set on talking to the West London side, but it seems it didn’t tug at the heartstrings of the decision-makers at Anfield, who flatly rejected this request. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea come back in with an offer they can’t refuse or wait until the summer, or whether Torres gets on with the job in hand or starts throwing a strop for the rest of the season.

It’s incredibly frustrating for Liverpool fans, who are celebrating the signing of a top-class striker in Luis Suarez in a £22.8 million deal from Ajax. They shouldn’t be in fear of losing a top-class striker in the process, as their hope was that Suarez was brought in to partner Torres, not to replace him.

The Torres saga may have a negative impact on any other business Chelsea were hoping to conclude today. They’ve already been entangled in one drawn-out transfer this month, with their efforts to sign Benfica’s Brazilian defender David Luiz seemingly doomed to fail.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side seeked a work permit for the crazy-haired 23 year-old, but were unable to do the important thing and actually agree a deal with the Portuguese giants, with the club telling their national stock exchange they have called off talks to sell Luiz.

Keane's bench-warming days look set to be over

Chelsea and Liverpool aren’t the only ones playing their part in a potentially explosive transfer deadline day. Aston Villa were the side that brought this window to life when they made the stunning signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland, and they have been linked with signing Jermaine Jenas from Tottenham to add to their earlier midfield addition of Jean Makoun from Lyon.

Of course it wouldn’t be the end of a window if deadline day specialists Tottenham weren’t involved. Whether it’s memorable transfers (Dimitar Berbatov, Rafael Van der Vaart) or slightly forgettable ones (Grzegorz Rasiak anyone?) Spurs always seem to leave their dealings in and out of the club until the very last minute.

Today probably won’t be different. This weekend saw the club have a £23 million bid for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll rejected, with the Magpies making it clear they have no intention of selling their top goalscorer any time soon. Whether a higher bid from Spurs will change their mind remains to be seen.

Since then, they are reported to have made British transfer record bids for Sergio Aguero and Fernando Llorente, but it looks like they are set to end in disappointment too. But drama in N17 shouldn’t be too far away today.

While Carroll and co looks set not to come to White Hart Lane, another striker definitely looks set to be plying his trade elsewhere. Robbie Keane is probably made for life from signing-on fees alone, and he will get another windfall after joining West Ham on loan until the end of the season. The Hammers are one of 132 teams who were linked with the Republic of Ireland forward this January.

Will Adam get his move?

Another player to be linked with several clubs is Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam. The Scottish international has been one of the stars of the season for the Tangerines, and has been the subject of bids from Liverpool, Aston Villa and Birmingham, none of which have met the satisfaction of manager Iain Holloway.

Adam has since handed in a transfer request, but if one of the trio of clubs mentioned come in for him again, then the seasiders have to decide whether a potential £8-10 million gain will not sacrifice a £50 million gain from Premier League survival come the end of the season.

Sebastian Larsson is another player whose future is up in the air. The Birmingham winger’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the Blues have had to decide whether they should sell him now or let the Swede leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has already said he is willing to wait until the summer, leaving Birmingham fans wondering if Larsson will be all that bothered if they go down while he moves to their fierce rivals.

Let’s not forget the ramifications of the deal that started off the drama of this transfer window. While Darren Bent settles into his new surroundings in the Midlands, Sunderland now need to find a replacement for the Sandra Redknapp-wannabe with their striking options left a little short.

The Wearsiders agreed a fee with Stoke for their striker Ricardo Fuller, which would complete a transfer triangle with Villa letting John Carew join the Potters on loan until the end of the season after their signing of Bent.

But talking of triangles, it seems this transfer may have disappeared in one around Bermuda as a fee was agreed 10 days ago, and a deal still isn’t concluded. Although Sunderland’s claims that they haven’t made a bid for Fuller may be more of a logical reason for any potential transfer being held up.

Of course, all of these mysteries and sagas will be revealed throughout the course of the day. It may turn out to be the biggest disappointment in the history of transfer deadline days, but whether deals collapse or conclude, Monday 31^st January 2011 may go down as the most exciting deadline day yet.

What do you think? Does the transfer deadline day excite you? Do you think it’s a waste of time? What deals do you feel will happen today, especially involving your clubs? Let us know

Who does your club need in the transfer window? ( A-L)

By Tony Alvarez

A we are around midway into the January transfer window we decided to look into what types of players each club needs, I will also put forward my opinion of the ideal players to fulfil the roles and how likely it is to happen.

Arsenal- Arsenal are a few players away from being truly great, this may be a bit biased as an Arsenal fan so I may rate us a little higher than other readers. It is blindingly obvious we need a centre back and some would say a keeper. From sources inside the club Wenger is so scared of losing Szczeny that we will not sign anyone that will push him down the pecking order.

 As Wenger has openly admitted he will try and sign a centre back who has Premiership experience it narrows down his targets immensely, I cannot see him spending the money needed to get Cahill or Jagielka and personally although I will get a lot of stick for this I think we could do a lot worse than Chris Samba. Its not a necessity but I wouldn’t mind bids for Connor Wickham and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be made.

Aston Villa- although they have a lot of promising youth coming through in Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrigton Villa still look light in most areas to me, keeping Agbonlahor fit will be massive for them as he can lead a line.

 I think starting 11 the Villa side is not bad but the gap between squad players and the starters is huge.

Its hard to put your finger on names as I think they need players in most areas of decent quality, they are looking at Charlie Adam along with a few other clubs I think he would be a very good signing for Villa.

If they can some how get Stephen Ireland back to his City best that will be like a hue new signing for them.

Birmingham- The club have taken a huge step today in signing David Bentley for me he is an upgrade on Sebastian Larsson, although on paper their back five has no big names they are a decent unit and don’t need anyone brought in. I think the biggest problem is upfront there Is a lack of goals in the side, although Jerome got a few last season I think he played above himself, I think given a run of games Zigic could get a few goals but is frustrating as you can only play one way with him in the side. There are rumours that Birmingham are trying to sign Robbie Keane which I think could be a good move for them.

Blackburn- They have been linked with massive names such as Beckham and Ronaldinho but for me these are not the types of players they need, especially not Ronaldinho. Blackburn are a team of hard workers who play as a unit and make it very difficult for the team playing them. Again name for name they are not the greatest but are a unit. A loan bit for some one like Darren Gibson could be the type of player they need tough but creative and could add a few goals. 

Blackpool- for me if Blackpool hang onto the players they have they will of done well. Its well known that they have very little cash and can only really afford to buy from the lower leagues, with Holloway’s man management skills I think he could get the best out of many players its just finding someone who fits in with the teams spirit, I cant name a player specifically but personality will be as important as ability. 

Bolton-Owen Coyle has turned Bolton into a free flowing Footballing side, rumour has it that Bolton are favourites to take Carlos Vela on loan.

As an Arsenal fan I really do not rate the guy an don’t think he should get into the Bolton side ahead of Elmander or Kevin Davies but would be an excellent 3^rd choice striker for them, however I doubt Wenger will let him go to sit on a bench. For me Paul Robinson is one of the worst left backs in the Premier League, if I was Coyle I would have looked to sign Wayne Bridge when he was available.

Chelsea- ask me this question two months ago I would of said no one is needed on present form they need a new squad, with a balanced view I don’t think they ever replaced Ricardo Carvalho, another centre back even just to sit on the bench. Another replacement that wasn’t made was Michael Ballack, Ramieres so far hasn’t shown the physical strength to play in the Premier League a bullish central midfielder is needed. The final piece of the jigsaw I believe is a striker, there is nothing wrong with Drogba but when he is out of the side there is no goals in the team Sturridge does not cut it as effectively a second choice striker as if Drogba is out Anelka moves into the middle and Sturridge finds himself in the team.

Everton – Everton have had the same problem year on year for what seems like forever. They always start the season poorly and struggle for goals. Tim Cahill is their top scorer and is not a striker although he has been playing there.

Beckford is either not of Premiership class or just not settled yet. Again Robbie Keane would be worth a look, even an attempt to get Jo back could be worth a shout, he isn’t the greatest player but will get 5-10 goals between now and the end of the season which isn’t too bad. A more audacious bid would be a loan signing of Adebayor although I doubt Moyes would put up with his laziness and attitude although it does come with a quality footballer when he wants to be.

Fulham- Yet again they have a lack of goals in the side especially since Bobby Zamora’s injury Andy Johnson has a few goals in him but hasn’t really found full fitness.

It’s a tough one because if someone is brought in it holds back the likes of Zamora, Johnson and Dembelle when they get back to full fitness but they need someone who can get them goals until then.

A short term loan deal maybe even a month would be ideal but it is difficult to find a player for just a month as selling clubs will not be able to do anything with them once the window shuts.

Liverpool- Where o you start, a whole host of players are needed to get them back to the level they were 3 years ago but I believe that is unrealistic. They are decently placed along the back line except at left back where neither Konchesky or Aurelio are up to the task, again I am shocked Wayne Bridge was not looked at for the short term.

 In the middle I think is the main problem, Lucas has improved but is still not good enough for a club the size of Liverpool, they are very weak on the left wing as well, its fair to say they do not have a player in their squad who you would say the primary position is left midfielder.

 A player that I always thought would suit them is Shaun Wright Phillips although he is awful on the left I think Kuyt could put in a shift where ever he plays so he could be moved over there.

These are just the changes I think are needed to their starting line up I also think a host of decent quality squad players are needed. Benitez was traditionally good at signing squad players but tended to use them as first team regulars.

Let me know if you agree with my opinions or if you disagree who you would sign for your club or any of the clubs I have mentioned?

Teams from M to Z will be online in the next few days most likely on Saturday morning.

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