Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
A collision on Saturday night caused two fatalities and the 18 year old was arrested after a silver Mercedes and a red Nissan Micra collided in Manchester.
The crash left a 32 year old man and 37 year old woman dead, while two teenagers believed to be 15 and 16 were left with serious head injuries.
It is believed that Meppen-Walter was driving the Mercedes while the 32 year old man was driving the Micra. Another 19 year old has also been arrested who was driving a grey Volkswagen.
Meppen-Walter signed for City in 2010 but has yet to play for the Premier League champions; he is an England under 17s international.
A Manchester City spokesperson said, “It is a devastating tragedy for this family and also for the Greater Manchester community at large.
“Manchester City Football Club offers its heartfelt condolences to the family and all affected by the events of yesterday evening.”
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Blackburn boss Steve Kean is reported to be on the verge of the sack, after failing to meet the target of 16 points from the initial seven games that the Venky’s demanded.
Blackburn are second in the championship after some big money signings, but does he really deserve the bullet?
Without a doubt, of course.
Blackburn fans must be rejoicing in the streets of Lancashire, as it appears the owners are finally set to boot the headless chicken known as Kean out of the coop. Unfortunately, it has come along 12 months too late, but for Rovers fans, better late than never. For the vast majority of the fans, Kean has been the catalyst for Blackburn’s demise to the depths of the Championship. Of course the Venky’s are not excluded from their wrath either. (No-one will forget the chicken on the pitch)
Since his highly controversial full-time appointment in January 2010, one which helped oust his former friend and manager of Blackburn in Sam Allardyce, Kean has been an absolute disaster for the former league champions. His statistics speak for themselves, with a meagre 28.38% win record for Rovers, Kean has not only not set things alight at Blackburn, he has wound up dampening things with a wet cloth.
There have been some highlight moments during his tenure, the thrilling 4-3 win over Arsenal last season a particular highlight. For every minimal, and rare highlight though, accompanies a large selection of disasters that would make the worst of managers wince. His man management is appalling, as situated in the Samba transfer last season, adding to that his admittance that he had not seen any of his deadline day arrivals play before. On top of that, his use of transfer money is pretty diabolical too.
He may have banged goals in for fun at Huddersfield in League One, but if any fan in England can say that Jordan Rhodes is worth £8 million, has been obviously smoking a very potent drug.
Some fans may say it’s harsh to place all the blame on Kean, the Venky’s are wildly regarded as some of the worst owners to ever claim control of a formerly Premiership club. They have proven themselves to be extremely incompetent since their arrival at Ewood park, originally claiming to want to bring in the likes of Ronaldinho , to effectively selling off all their stars.
However, Steve Kean has proven himself to be just as incompetent in the management of a club that boasts a Premier League trophy to their name. His ineptitude at the basics of football management, has turned a once great club, into the laughing stock of England.
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Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has indicated that he will consider letting Connor Wickham go out on loan to get some games under his belt.
The England Under-21 striker has yet to make an appearance for Sunderland this season, and hopes a temporary move away from the Stadium of Light will secure a run of first team games.
Since his £8 million move from Ipswich, Wickham has only scored one goal for the Black Cats in 18 appearances.
“If he came to me and asked me if I could afford to lose him for a month because he wanted to go out and get three or four games, I’d give it some consideration,” O’Neill told The Mirror.
Former club Ipswich would be happy to bring him back to Portman Road on loan, as the Tractor boys are struggling so far this season, however his wages would prove to be a stumbling block.
A place in the Sunderland team is proving difficult for Wickham, with new signing Steve Fletcher starting the season off in fantastic form scoring five goals.
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Despite not making an appearance for the Sunderland first team this season, 19-year-old Wickham has been playing at under-21 level for England so his fitness is up to pace according to O’Neill.
PSV Eindhoven youngster Riechedly Bozoer has been urged to snub the advances of Premier League teams by the club’s sporting director.
The 16-year-old defender has been attracting the attention of Newcastle, Manchester City and Arsenal, but Goal revealed that he has been advised to choose football over money.
Bozoer is widely regarded as one of the finest talents in his homeland and has become a key part of the Dutch youth teams.
Speaking to Goal, Marcel Brands instructed the youngster to stay put:
“We have offered him a professional contract now he has turned 16. I speak with the family, the boy and his agents. We hope we will get an answer soon.
“What is his intention? Is it to develop or go for bigger money in England? You have to ask him and his agent which clubs are interested in him. I don’t know and it doesn’t matter.
“It is his choice and the agent will do their best for the player. The only thing we can do is offer him good possibilities in terms of coaching and prospects.
“It’s difficult in England to reach the first team of the big clubs after joining out of the youth academy.
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“A lot of young players from Holland went to England and have not yet played in the first team. Many of them ended up being loaned out to other clubs.
Due to his age, Bazoer would be free to join another club if a £296,000 compensation fee were paid to PSV.
The debate over the selection of black footballers who refused to wear the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign t-shirts over the weekend, should encompass so much more than just the garment they were wearing. But it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
The decision of the likes of Jason Roberts, Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott to shun wearing the t-shirts during their respective fixtures on Saturday, signified something of a landmark moment in the fight against racism. For them, there was far more to catalyzing change then simply taking a backseat in a campaign that they clearly felt was pedestrian in its stance and let down in its actions.
Yet perhaps only in the Wild West world of English football, could those instigating change be mistaken for some form of sinister rogue presence. The likes of Ferdinand and Roberts have somehow been maligned in some quarters as ‘wrong’, ‘self-serving’ and ‘counter-productive.’
Having an opinion or a belief that even dares goes against the grain of popular Premier League opinion, doesn’t appear to go down too well with our governing bodies. The way in which players who refused to wear the t-shirts were treated as some form of anti-conformist entity, spoke volumes about attitudes within the English game, and until the likes of the FA, the PFA and the Premier League can manage to get over themselves, don’t expect it to change, either.
Even on a very superficial basis, it feels difficult to get around the initial dismay in some quarters, that a certain group of footballers wouldn’t wear the Kick It Out t-shirts. It’s almost as if some were unable to distinguish the difference between actually wearing the garment, and what it represented. Surely the wearing of the t-shirts amounts to nothing more than an empty gesture, if those wearing it don’t believe enough is being to done to support the cause?
You wouldn’t have thought it though. From the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson demanding, “every player should adhere,” to supporting the PFA backed campaign, to the quite unbelievably patronizing comments from Sports Minister Hugh Robertson, stating that “We were all 20-odd once…but this is a moment for cool heads, not hot ones,” is simply unbelievable.
This notion that every player should conform to something and blindly support it goes against the whole idea in the first place. The fight against racism has not been damaged by some players’ decision to not wear a simple t-shirt. Wearing a t-shirt with a slogan on it during a warm up -which barely many people are likely to see -sends out a positive message, but it is not going to slay the looming shadow of racism in football overnight. Real, decisive and affirmative action, which is what those who refused to wear the t-shirts were instigating for, is what is needed. But the way some are acting, you wouldn’t have thought it.
No one is denying that Kick It Out have made real strides in the fight against racism, but it is the reaction of those at the top, such as Robertson and the chairman of the campaign itself, Lord Ouseley, that are most disheartening. Lord Ouseley recently said:
“The issue is that the T-shirts have become the story whereas the actual grievances of black players, both current and former, have not come out in the open.”
It’s comments like this, which is why the t-shirts are the issue. Instead of the logical suggestion that black players quite clearly weren’t happy with the efforts of the various governing bodies in the fight against racism, all people seemed concerned with was the actual gesture, that they hadn’t worn them. Again, everything revolves around gestures, as opposed to understanding.
Similarly with Anton Ferdinand’s decision to shun the handshake of John Terry, no one gave credence as to why he had done it. No one seemed to give gravitas to the fact that a handshake is an open gesture of equality and trust, as opposed to some Premier League devised shtick for the cameras. Ferdinand didn’t respect Terry, so why would he shake his hand? Yet, similarly with his brother’s decision to not wear the Kick It Out t-shirt, all that was focused on was the fact he didn’t do it, not why he didn’t do it.
Footballers shouldn’t’ be quelled from having an opinion. No institution, including the Kick It Out campaign, can ever be devoid of improvement and the medium of debate, critique and analysis is important in ensuring that the fight against racism is moving in the right direction.
There is of course a fine line between criticism of both the constructive and negative kind and as vital as it is that those unhappy with Kick It Out air their grievances, it is also necessary that it is not portrayed as a harmful factor. All parties must work together and in tandem to both improve the fight and move forward together. Devising a breakaway group is hardly showing a united front and that’s not what is needed right now. People must remember that Kick It Out’s powers are limited – the real buck stops with the FA.
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But it’s time that football’s governing bodies stopped reactively floundering and started understanding. When flashpoints like what we saw at the weekend occur, there can’t be anymore finger pointing, endless politicking and covering of backs when people dare to start asking questions. The questions, like the abandonment of t-shirts, are being asked for a reason.
The Kick It Out campaign doesn’t belong to any individual politician, Lord, manager or footballer, but to the whole of English football. And similarly the campaign is a lot more than billboards, slogans and printed t-shirts. All the components necessary need to be effectively in tandem in order for it to work. The last few days have the ability to catalyse forward progress in the fight against racism. Let’s hope it also helps fix football’s very acute sense of short sightedness.
How do you feel about the critique aimed at Rio Ferdinand and others in the light of the weekend? Let me know how you feel on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me all your views.
The appointment of Mick McCarthy should be good news for any Ipswich fan but not everyone is convinced that he was the right choice.
A lot of people are saying they would have preferred Ian Holloway from Blackpool and others say they wanted a younger manager like Karl Robinson. As I have mentioned before I am a huge fan of both Holloway and Robinson but I also believe that McCarthy was a great choice.
The main criticism of the new Ipswich boss stems from the fact that he has not always been successful in the Premier League. However, Ipswich have been a Championship club for over 10 years now so we desperately just need a manager that will be a success at this level and then we can build on that.
Additionally; how many managers with a decent record at both Championship and top flight level would like to come to manage Ipswich? As far as I know only Alan Curbishley would come close to meeting that criteria but he has been out of the game for a while now.
McCarthy is not only very experienced at this level after managing over 407 Championship league games but he also has an impressive win ratio. His current Championship statistics are: Won 185 Drew 115 Lost 107, which gives the former Wolves boss a win ratio of 45.4%, draw ratio of 28.3% and loss ratio of 26.3%.
Those statistics are as good as any and if you actually go through McCarthy’s career in depth you soon realise that he should be a great appointment.
Once he impressed at Millwall he took Ireland past the group stages of the 2002 World Cup without star player Roy Keane. After a few bad results in qualifiers he then moved on to manage Sunderland who at the time were already destined for relegation. The following season McCarthy took the recently relegated Black Cats to a 3rd place finish but missed out on promotion through the play-offs. He then won the Championship with Sunderland but could not do enough to keep them in the division and was sacked with 10 games remaining.
The former Ireland international’s time at Wolves was very similar to that at Sunderland. He took them over when they were in the Championship and led them to finish 5th, 7th and then 1st. He also kept them in the Premier League for two seasons and was perhaps harshly sacked in his last season at the club.
I firmly believe that McCarthy would have kept Wolves in the top flight had he not been sacked as at the time they were sitting in 18th place but were level on points with the teams in 16th and 17th with 13 games remaining.
It is clear to see that whilst McCarthy’s Premiership record may not be overly impressive, his Championship record is undeniably good. Other managers like Karl Robinson may have been a success but they would have been complete gambles and the club can’t take gambles like that given their current position.
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Perhaps Holloway or Curbishley would have been better choices. There is certainly an argument there but again Curbishley was too risky a choice to make because he has been out of the game for so long. Holloway may have been a success but there are certain stains on his Championship record like his time at Leicester that McCarthy does not have.
The bad news is that although the former Sunderland manager looks like the right man for the job I can’t see him turning things around straight away. Without a doubt he will give some of the players a much needed kick up the backside but we may need to wait until January before we see a drastic improvement. I am sure everyone will get behind him though and this is a great piece of news for the club.
Tottenham are stepping up their chase for Blackpool sensation Tom Ince but will have to pay up to £10 million for his services, according to The Sun.
The England u-21 winger has been in sensational form in the Championship this season and has been targeted by several Premier League clubs. Tottenham have sent coaches Les Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood to watch the 20 year old numerous times and the club now feel they know enough about the players progress to make a January bid.
Although Ince, son of former Premier League star Paul, has seen his transfer value increase dramatically in recent weeks, it is still thought that that their will be fierce competition for his signature.
Reports are suggesting that a move for the Blackpool winger could be Spurs preparing for life without Gareth Bale who is being touted by a number of European football giants.
Tom Ince began his career at Liverpool but failed to break into the first team. A loan move to Notts County was relatively successful before his move to Blackpool that has thrown him into the spotlight.
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It is one of the most nauseating signs a football fan can see these days. The players are accepted to be mercenaries taking home ludicrous sums of money and being more out of touch with the economic climate than ever. Is there any gesture they can do to prove their appreciation of the football club? Or is it about time they put the nostalgia to one side and kept their emotion away from their job?
This is definitely a conundrum for the modern day football supporters. They want to see their players illustrate their passion for the club, but such elaborate signs of love for a team can be seen as fake. A regular demonstration of this in the Premier League of this is Steven Taylor, the local lad that persistently kisses the badge and professes his undying affection for the Toon Army. The supporters get it but it’s boring if he is not delivering on the pitch. Then by the same token there is a reaction of disgust at Assou Ekotto admitting he only plays football for money and that this is his main motivation for playing.
There needs to be a showing of something in between. I am always appreciative of a player coming over to an away end to clap the supporters, showing thanks for their travels to see them. It may be a sense of facing the music and apologising for a dior display. If the team has lost this doesn’t make it better but it helps. The fans need to see an understanding from the team and supporters that they are there and being heard. The manager is the one who usually shoulders the responsibility of talking to the fans in some shape or form consistently. There is always regular chanting at games for insert boss give us a wave as the fans pin their manager up as an idol for their hopes.
The players do have a responsibility too. This is not to be let your emotions boil over and cost your team. The fans of Manchester United definitely don’t see Rafael lunging himself into challenges failing to pick up the ball and instead a yellow card as passion. Again, the sulky Mario Balotelli act of storming down the tunnel after a display of petulance grows tiresome. The crucial element of endearing supporters is to show persistent desire to do well on the pitch and this will earn them respect with minimum fuss. This doesn’t mean that a touch of personality goes amiss. Davide Santon after arriving from Inter Milan told the Newcastle fans that he had never seen a Mackem in Milan alluding to a regular chant from the Magpies fans. These small little touches help. It is all about doing little things but often enough so the supporters notice.
There are cliché lines that footballers use when they fulfil their press conference and saying to join is a boyhood dream as you had supported the side as a kid is a line you can only use at one club. Robbie Keane has been noticeably guilty of saying such statements at Liverpool, Tottenham and Celtic making it hard to wash. There is a definite need to be careful of what is said and heard especially with foreign press which can lead to a complete misunderstanding from the English media. The player will ultimately be judged by his merits on the pitch, but an understanding of where the club is at and not providing sugar coated statements or actions that are over the top buy them time. The fans will celebrate a goal over exuberantly and kiss their badge plenty of times over, to cover the kisses for the players on the pitch.
At the end of the day the fans are not all that bothered if a player loves the club if he delivers on the pitch. There just needs to be a subtle awareness of the culture of the team they play for, being careful what they say and showing a keenness to play football. The fans may get over-excited in the moment of a goal and kiss the badge but they expect better of their players. They know that it is highly likely these players won’t see out their careers at the club, so they don’t need persuading that this is the team for them. Those who spend a whole career at one side are often mocked for their lack of ambition to carry themselves forward, such as Steve Harper.
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The answer is that actions on the pitch speak louder than those off them for the fans. So the toning down of this badge kissing culture wouldn’t be missed by anyone.
Michael Owen recently spoke openly about how being played so regularly at such a young age has severely stunted his later career, and maybe he has a point. This Premier League ‘Made of Glass’ XI is a collection of the English top-flight’s players who once verged on greatness but unfortunately never reached their best as they were plagued by injury, many of whom happen to be English and never got the chance to fully shine for their country.
This select XI is a homage to those who could have achieved more and reached the pinnacle of success had they not suffered set-back after set-back that dramatically limited their game, forcing many into early retirement.
Some we’re fantastic players, but could have been true legends, others were forced into early retirement before reaching their best, and a few are simply woeful tales of how misfortune and circumstance changed careers forever.
So read on to find out the Premier League’s stars that could have been, playing in a 3-4-3 formation.
Click on Tomas Rosicky below to unveil the XI
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David Moyes is looking forward to the January transfer window more than on previous occasions at Everton, knowing he can bring in new faces without needing to sell first.
In past windows, the Toffees boss has usually had to sell key assets in order to raise adequate transfer funds.
Injuries to Kevin Mirallas and Tony Hibbert have left Moyes eager to bolster his squad quickly, albeit the Scot knows his transfer kitty isn’t as high as at some other Premier League clubs.
“I’d like to (strengthen), but we know I’ve got a very small amount I could do anything with and I don’t think it will probably be enough to make a difference in what we would want to bring in,” Moyes told Sky Sports News.
“We will probably look and see if there is anything out there but I don’t think the situation with Mirallas and Hibbert would change that.
“We wouldn’t be letting anyone go, but we would like to add to it if we can, but we can only do that if the players were available and it was the right deal for us.”
On the Scot’s shopping list are thought to be Paris St Germain striker Kevin Gameiro and Toulouse’s current top goal scorer, Wissam Ben Yedder. A loan move for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has also been mooted.
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Meanwhile, CFR Cluj goalkeeper Mario Felgueiras has been linked with a move to Goodison Park as a possible understudy to Tim Howard.
The Portuguese shot-stopper drew praise for his performances during the Romanian side’s Champions League campaign.