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Preview of Round 18 of the Premiership
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Saturday 16 December 2006
Charlton v Liverpool
Liverpool are on the rise, and Charlton are sinking. It should be a comfortable Liverpool win.
Charlton boss Les Reed said, "Saturday's is a big game all round. For Liverpool to remain in contention at the top, they have got to win every game. We will take every advantage we have got - and if there is pressure on Liverpool, then that can only be good from our point of view."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on Charlton's position in the table, "When you're at the bottom of the table you are desperate to win every game, so this game is dangerous. People think it will be easy, but these are not easy games. Only when you are winning a game 3-0 can you say it is easy."
Arsenal v Portsmouth
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp on his side's injury problems, "We have just got to get on with it this weekend. Arsenal are a fantastic side, playing at a fantastic new stadium and with fantastic fans. But we are not just going to their new place to lie down. I know the rest of the players will give it everything as usual. They don't want to waste the great start we have made to the season."
Newcastle v WatfordNewcastle manager Glenn Roeder said, "In a strange way you could argue the injuries we have had have actually made the squad stronger. They are a tight-knit squad anyway, they do get on ever so well around the training ground and some of them socialise outside the training ground. You can sense a real willingness from the injured players for the team to win the next game."
Watford defender James Chambers said, "The key for us is to stay positive. When you are at the bottom of the table, it is easy to feel sorry for yourself, and I have been through that before at West Brom. At times like these, you need to keep your spirits up and dig in, because it really does only need one result to turn around a season."
Reading v BlackburnReading boss Steve Coppell on Blackburn's lowly league position, "I look at their squad and think that their time will come. They have too many good players for them to be where they are and I'm sure they will, with time, climb their way up the table."
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said, "Winning against AS Nancy in midweek and the good performance in the second half against Newcastle bodes well for a hard game against Reading. We've got a big period coming up, some difficult games against good opposition. But there are other matches where we feel we have a real chance to get points on the board. I've no worries, we're a good team."
Wigan v Sheff UtdStand-in Wigan captain Leighton Baines said, "It's going to be another tough test, but it's one we're really up for. They've done well this season but the mood in our dressing room is excellent at the moment and we want to build on Wednesday's performance. Although we lost against Arsenal there are a lot of positives that we are taking into the Sheffield United game."
Sheffield United defender Leigh Bromby said, "I feel we've grown as a squad. There's more confidence about the place, especially after the last three games. We're creating chances, scoring goals, and we've proved we can play in this league. There is belief in the squad. Now we want to build on the run we're on, and although it's going to be a difficult game as is every away game in this league, we're going there full of confidence."
Aston Villa v Bolton
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill said, "If we can get a bit of confidence at home and get the crowd stirred up that would be great. We need to raise the level of the players. The supporters have seen us at Sheffield United, they know we're battling like men. Now for the first time, it's up to the crowd to lift us. The supporters can play a huge part."
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said, "First and foremost it is about not losing. It is unlikely we will score as many at Villa as we did last weekend when we beat West Ham 4-0. But if we can emulate what we were doing earlier in the season when we were winning away, I will be happy."
Sunday 17 December 2006
Everton v Chelsea
Now is the time to see how tough Chelsea really are. 5 points behind Man U, they are in an unfamiliar position. Everton away is a tricky match.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard said, "Chelsea are the champions on merit and so we will have all hands to the pump and see where we go. It is key for us to get on top early, as you saw when we played Arsenal, even though we ended up with a draw, it makes the game that much easier. It will be a very difficult match. Not too many people have taken points off Chelsea and there's a reason for that. We just have to make sure we grind out a result."
Chelsea winger Arjen Robben said, "Everton away is always difficult. It is a tough place to go and we have to get our minds again on that game. We can't afford to lose points because last Sunday, of course it was a difficult game against Arsenal, but we lost two points there. Last Wednesday was an important win so we have to continue that."
Man City v Tottenham
Tottenham captain Ledley King on trying to record a first away win in the Premiership this season, "It's been a problem this season and something we want to put right as soon as possible. It's a tough place to go, we got a good result up there last season and, with the way it is starting to come together, we will be confidence again. City are a good side at home and it could take some doing to win there."
West Ham v Man Utd
Man U at the moment are flying high and they need the points to keep Chelsea at bay. West Ham, having sacked Alan Pardew, might very well be heading to the Championship League next season. Let's see what Curbishley can do.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley ahead of his first game in charge, "I do not think I will change things too much this weekend and I have not got any pre-conceived ideas. However, the players all owe Alan Pardew a performance, because there has been a lot of criticism of them. It would be great if that was with a win as well on Sunday."
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson on Alan Curbishley being appointed West manager this week, "You always wonder what kind of effect it will have in the dressing room. We're expecting it to be difficult. Players will have a desire to do well and impress the new manager. It will be hard and we've got no illusions about that, but we have a good record at Upton Park."
8:01 AM
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