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Messages - takenoprisoners

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1
Football / Re: Baygo boy (Andy Salandy) passed on....
« on: October 28, 2009, 08:20:17 AM »
RIP Baygo. Condolences to the family.

2
May very well be a loophole- not sure if it's directly addressed in the laws of the game but in a dead ball situation where there's often a need to man-mark, I find it difficult to see how it's fair to allow players to directly receive the ball coming in from an out of bounds position, unless they make it onto the field before the play is restarted...Next thing we'll see men making runs behind the goal ice hockey style and defenders hadda keep their eyes players sneaking on and off the field lol  :D

It seems prefectly fair to me.
Nothing prevents defenders from covering a man who has stepped over the line.

To me it is pure folly to ignore and not cover a man just because he on the other side of the line.


Interesting points here, but how is this different from an offensive player positioning himself inside the goal during a corner? He is off the field of play.  Can he not subsequently cross back into the field of play as soon as  the corner was taken and make a pass or score.

BTW why merge this thread?

3
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: September 05, 2009, 10:59:30 AM »
Djourou suffers injury blow
Gunners defender undergoes knee surgery

Last updated: 5th September 2009


Djourou: Out of action

Johan Djourou is facing up to six months on the sidelines after undergoing a knee operation.

The Arsenal defender went under the knife in Geneva on Friday, with the Swiss football federation confirming the procedure had been carried out on their official website.

The 22-year-old had been hoping to push for a regular starting berth with the Gunners this season, following the summer sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City.
However, on the advice of medical staff, he has opted to have surgery in an effort to rid himself of a niggling ailment.

The Switzerland international was forced to pull out of his country's clash with Italy last month after struggling with a recurrence of a knee problem.

Djourou is hoping to be back in action by March 2010 and is still hopeful of being involved at next summer's World Cup finals - should Switzerland qualify.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5539672,00.html

4
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: August 31, 2009, 09:42:09 PM »
Uefa tells Arsenal there can be no plea for mercy over Eduardo
• Uefa report damns Croatia forward for diving against Celtic
• Arsenal submit strident 19-page defence ahead of hearing

David Hytner
guardian.co.uk,    Monday 31 August 2009 20.56 BST
Article history

Eduardo is facing a Uefa disciplinary hearing after this incident in the Arsenal v Celtic Champions League play-off. Photograph: NewsPics Ltd/ITV

Arsenal have submitted a strident defence of Eduardo da Silva to Uefa ahead of the striker's disciplinary hearing tomorrow and they hope it can persuade the governing body to spare him a suspension of two European matches.

The London club believe that Uefa's process in arriving at the decision to charge Eduardo with "deceiving the referee" after his tumble earned a penalty against Celtic in the Champions League play-off last Wednesday has been flawed.

Arsenal were stunned to learn of the charge on Friday and were left to digest the wording of a fax from the Uefa general inspector, Gerhard Kapl, which appeared to point to conclusions already formed. In the fax outlining the charge and the surrounding circumstances, Eduardo is said to have "succeeded in deceiving the referee, who was influenced by the player's gross unsporting behaviour". It added: "There are no exceptional circumstances that would justify a plea for mercy."

Eduardo is also said to have won the penalty with an "obvious dive" and "through the act of cheating", while the referee's observer is quoted as saying that there was "not the slightest interference with the player", with regard to the Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc's challenge. It is implied that Eduardo ought to have immediately told the referee, Manuel Mejuto González, that he did not feel a penalty should have been awarded.

One of Arsenal's complaints, in their 19-page submission, is that, having also studied the video evidence, they feel that there was some element of contact from Boruc. They believe that this is shown in the footage that Uefa has sent them and, therefore, there is inaccuracy in the governing body's analysis. They have urged Uefa to scrutinise the flashpoint again.

Moreover, Arsenal contend it is impossible for Uefa or anybody to read any intention to deceive into Eduardo's tumble. They have pointed out he did not appeal for a foul and they have also stressed Eduardo's blemish-free disciplinary previous and the fact that, following his horrific leg break at Birmingham City in February 2008, he is generally mindful of the need to pull out of potential collisions.

Arsenal have drawn attention to what they believe is inconsistency in Uefa's application of Article 10 (1) (c), which gives them the opportunity to revisit incidents containing alleged deceptions, even if the referee has seen and acted upon them. Even though the article entered the rules in 2006, Uefa's retrospective charging of Eduardo has been the first time that it has applied it and Arsenal argue that there have been countless other occasions when it could have been employed.

Notwithstanding the potential to set a dangerous precedent, Arsenal are perplexed that Uefa has effectively condemned Eduardo with video evidence while it continues to refuse to use it to help referees to arrive at their decisions. The case will be judged on the basis of written submissions from both sides. Eduardo is on international duty with Croatia


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/31/eduardo-arsenal-celtic-diving-allegation-uefa


The decision to grant a two game ban retroactively to a player not regarded as a chronic cheat is overkill. This infraction was dealt with on the field and should have been left there.

5
Football / Re: Man.United vs Arsenal 2009-2010
« on: August 30, 2009, 11:46:48 AM »
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3309222/

Rooney booted ball out of play before Alumina made contact. End of....

6
Football / Phantom goal costs Crystal Palace.
« on: August 17, 2009, 01:36:48 PM »
Stern's team gets Robbed.

Neil Warnock furious as 'phantom goal' costs Crystal Palace
• Freddie Sears shot hit stanchion and came back out
• Warnock calls for goal-line technology to help officials


Neil Warnock reacted with fury after officials in charge of Crystal Palace's match at Bristol City failed to notice Palace open the scoring after 34 minutes.

In a farcical situation which recalled last season's "phantom goal" in Reading's game with Watford, Palace striker Freddie Sears fired into the bottom corner, with the ball bouncing straight back out of the net after hitting a stanchion. As Sears raced away to celebrate, referee Rob Shoebridge consulted his assistant, then awarded a goal kick.

This season the new Europa League's group stages will feature a Uefa trial of additional referee's assistants on each goalline, an idea aimed at preventing such errors. But Warnock, who had to be restrained from remonstrating with the fourth official and on the final whistle refused to shake hands with opposite number Gary Johnson, called instead for goalline technology.

"We can put a man on the moon, time serves of 100 miles per hour at Wimbledon, yet we cannot place a couple of sensors in a net to show when a goal has been scored.

"I feel sorry for the referee because he didn't get any help. But how can I mark him after the game when he spoils a match with a mistake of that importance?

"I thought Gary Johnson and his players could have shown more sportsmanship because they knew it was a goal, like everyone else. But I'm 60 years old and maybe I expect too much.

"I have a transfer embargo on me and a group of young players working their socks off for the club. They didn't deserve that today. We were cheated. And I'm not saying that against the referee because he didn't mean to get it wrong."

Warnock's mood was not improved when Nicky Maynard struck City's 89th-minute winner from just outside the area after defender Jose Fonte had given the ball away.

Home manager Johnson was left to count his blessings: "In Neil's position, I would feel the same as he does. Sometimes as the away manager a big decision goes against you, the crowd get on your back and it's very hard to keep things under control.

"It was a goal, of course, but I don't see what I could have done about it at the time. I had my own team to think about because we weren't playing well in the first half. Neil didn't want to shake my hand and that's up to him. I can't say I was surprised after what had happened, but it's one of those things."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/15/crystal-palace-neil-warnock-freddie-sears

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/hH7hglNEIx0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/hH7hglNEIx0</a>

7
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: August 15, 2009, 03:55:31 PM »
Looks as if the Arsenal mode of over-playing the game, and sometimes over complicating the approach play

Does the 4-3-3 encourage a more direct game forward passes? Instead of overplaying the lateral passes in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 that extra forward in a 4-3-3 perhaps presents the midfielder with more direct upfield passing  options. Just a theory.
Fixed  ;D

8
General Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday Palos!!!
« on: August 15, 2009, 03:46:01 PM »
Happy Birthday Palos. Look like the  Gunners victory add some icing to yuh cake.  ;D

9
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: August 15, 2009, 03:22:47 PM »
As the american commentators say... Tim Howard is one of the best keepers in the world....  :rotfl:

Kiss of the goatmout commentators! I didn't see the match, but damn Everton geh 6? Weeey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hilites
Bendtner v Baines  :o

http://videos.sapo.pt/V5qBuRcGAhw3uaOGPJ1O

10
Football / Bruce thrilled by the new challenge ahead
« on: August 15, 2009, 04:05:57 AM »

Bruce thrilled by the new challenge ahead


9:05am Saturday 15th August 2009

Photograph of the Author By Paul Fraser »


FOURTEEN years after feeling new season nerves of expectation as a Manchester United player for the last time, Steve Bruce senses a similar excitement in the air ahead of his first campaign as Sunderland boss.

Despite managerial spells in charge of Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Wigan, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City, this time already feels different for Bruce – and he is the first to admit it.

When Sunderland open their Premier League campaign under the 48-year-old at Bolton this afternoon, it will represent the start of an examination of his credentials after a summer of spending.

In acquiring five new players since his installation in June, Bruce has invested an initial £24.5m, which could rise, depending on add-ons, to £40m.

And with an intention to sign at least one, probably two, new defenders before the end of the month, Bruce’s spending in his first few months is likely to eclipse what Roy Keane paid out during his two summers as a topflight boss. :o

Having been given substantial financial backing from the club’s American owner Ellis Short, who has texted his manager to say “congratulations”

after deals have been sealed, Bruce can’t wait for the campaign to start.

“The last time I felt this way before the start of the season was when I was a player. It was when I was at Man U and we had to go out and win the league. There was always a tingle,” said Bruce.

“I’ve just been told that there’s 5,500 supporters going to Bolton. That’s one of the reasons why I came here. That explains a lot.

“When you think about the recession, people being on holiday, being out of work, and we’re taking that amount of people away with us.

“It shows the expectation.

Now I just have to put a team together.

“But I genuinely haven’t been as excited about anything for a long, long time.

“I have never spent so much money in management.

“It shows the intention of where the owner wants to take us and what he wants to achieve.

“It’s there for everybody to see what I’ve tried to do.

“I’ve tried to give us a bit of strength through the middle of the park, through the spine.

“It’s cost a few quid, but I do believe we’ve got decent value for money.”

Of his five signings, Lee Cattermole and Darren Bent are certain to start, with Fraizer Campbell and Lorik Cana also in with a chance of making their Premier League debuts for the club.

Bruce, unlikely to call on centre-back Paulo Da Silva, who only arrived in the country yesterday after having his visa stamped, has been weighing up whether to play with one or two strikers at the Reebok Stadium.

And he will not make up his mind until later this morning, when he has carried out further assessments on Kenwyne Jones.

Jones, along with Carlos Edwards, only returned from international duty yesterday lunchtime and Bruce is not convinced the Trinidad and Tobago international will be fresh after playing 90 minutes against El Salvador on Wednesday.

“The biggest thing in my mind at the moment is how is Kenwyne Jones,” said Bruce.

“No matter whether they have been on holiday to the West Indies, never mind played a game, you have to assess what state they’re in,” said Bruce, knowing Cana played 45 minutes in Albania’s 6-1 win over Cyprus in midweek.

“I’m sure he’ll want to play but I’ll have to assess it. Kenwyne played the 90 minutes, that’s why I didn’t play him at Hearts last week. I knew that.”

Ideally Bruce would not have had such distractions, but it is with situations like that in mind that he wants to formulate a squad of 23 players which he can dip in and out of without worry.

And that is why he will be looking to move numerous players on before the end of the month, with Anthony Stokes to Hibernian and Daryl Murphy to Ipswich the deals most likely to happen.

“It’s inevitable there will be players going out, because it wouldn’t be fair to them to keep them here,” he said. “There will be more going out than coming in.”

One player Bruce is not considering offloading is Grant Leadbitter. Leadbitter, who was the subject of an offer from Bruce last January when he was at Wigan, had been linked with a move following the arrivals of Cattermole and Cana.

Bruce said: “I was very close to signing Grant. I’m a big admirer of his and he won’t be going anywhere. He is not for sale.”

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland/4548017.Bruce_thrilled_by_the_new_challenge_ahead/

12
Football / Re: Stern John suffers suspected broken arm.
« on: August 12, 2009, 07:54:36 AM »
De man elbow came outta a place and they put it back in ..he will be out fro about a week but his arm is not broken .He is doing fine right now it's just a lil sore .

you sure is 1 week for that dread?

when that happen to me i was in a cast for about 4 weeks plus real pain and rehab..

JOHN SUFFERS SURGERY SETBACK

Wednesday 12 Aug 2009
Crystal Palace striker Stern John is facing around six weeks out of action as he requires surgery to fix a dislocated elbow.

The 32-year-old was injured on his Eagles debut at the weekend and an MRI scan has shown up damage which necessitates an operation.

Palace physio Nigel Cox told the South London Press: "We've had an MRI scan and we've been informed there is some ligament and muscle damage which needs repairing.

"We're looking at around six weeks before he can return. We're devastated and the lad is devastated.

"He's been so keen to prove himself to Neil Warnock and the team since he's come here."


http://www.4thegame.com/club/crystal-palace-fc/news/243885/john_suffers_surgery_setback.html

13
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: July 24, 2009, 02:40:12 AM »
fans turned on him because his attitude on the pitch did no treflect the urgency or commitment we were begging

True, dais what it boils down to, hope he has learned that from this experience.

14
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: July 24, 2009, 01:35:03 AM »
Arsenal fans treated me unfairly, says Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor


Manchester City’s latest acquisition Emmanuel Adebayor insists his move to Eastlands is not motivated by money and has hit back at Arsenal fans who turned on him last season after several big European clubs had expressed an interest in buying him.
......

“I had played my heart out for that club and gave it my best and the way the fans behaved towards me was not nice at all. I was in the same position as Cesc. Every summer Barcelona tried to sign him, but the fans never turned on him.”

........

“I know a lot of people will be saying ‘He went for the money.’ However I would like to hear of any man, if he is honest, say he would refuse if he was earning £10 and someone offered £30,” Adebayor said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/5898495/Arsenal-fans-treated-me-unfairly-says-Manchester-City-striker-Emmanuel-Adebayor.html

15
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: July 17, 2009, 02:13:30 PM »

16
Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Re: MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT 50
« on: July 15, 2009, 05:50:33 PM »
Some new footage showing Michael's hair on fire during the Pepsi commercial in 1984.
Preliminary reports from his autopsy said that Michael was bald as a result of this incident, checkout the bare scalp as he is taken away.

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/video-michael-jacksons-tragic-commercial-accident-2009157

17
Football / Re: Confederations Cup Thread
« on: June 21, 2009, 01:24:26 PM »
allyuh see that dummy by robinho in de second goal  :rotfl: put ah man on he backside

I still in 2 minds about if that was a dummy or just a miss

He ketch me too!  :rotfl:

19
Football / Re: Confederations Cup Thread
« on: June 18, 2009, 07:46:02 AM »
WHERE Y'ALL GETTING TO SEE THESE CONFED CUP GAMES? SOME STARTIN AT 10AM PPL NOT WORKIN OR WHAT?

 ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
I feel like the only one salting here

Try this.
http://www.atdhe.net/

20
Football / Re: Download for the Mexıco game??
« on: June 16, 2009, 08:04:47 AM »
Scroll down the page, game starts at Part 3. Coverage ended at 20mins of second half. :beermug:


http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/mexico-vs-tr-tobago-full

21



Quote
Another thing too- KEON DANIEL SHOULD BE THE DESIGNATED FREEKICK TAKER IF HE'S ON THE FIELD. The man has proven himself to be the best freekick taker we have, and prob among the top 3 in our history- why the hell did Carlos(who is our best player for years now still) take that freekick around the Mexican pen area in the 2nd half- he pushed Keon away from the ball after he had lined it up, and proceeded to blast the ball into the far post of the imaginary goal next to the real one. I'm sure Keon would have at least gotten that on target. That is the same shit that caused the pen miss in EL Salvador- and why we only have 2 pts instead of 4.


Keon Daniel is the designated taker of ALL set peices.


Totally agree , could not help but  :banginghead: the location of that free-kick was tailor-made for a left -footed strike with the ability to dip at the end. Look at where the goalkeeper positioned himself, he was prepared for Carlos as he covered the far post, I am sure he was aware of Carlos's goal in Tobago. Carlos is a flat ball striker whereas Keon has the ability to bend and dip with pace. This was a missed opportunity and Latas has to address this issue of senior players pulling rank over the junior players ,especially with freekicks from the mid to right side of the penalty area where Keon has a natural advantage.

Because maybe Carlos just came off a game scoring a FK from similar position.

Maybe Carlos should have realized that he was scouted.

22
Football / Re: Its official - Ronaldo heads to Real Madrid!!
« on: June 12, 2009, 07:54:14 AM »
Expect a rush to the exit from the EPL. Because of the new taxation system and the collapse of the sterling compared to last year, the domination of the EPL clubs will cease because of financial  reasons.
If Ronaldo received the same pay in Spain as he did in England he would take home 25% more because of taxes.

23



Quote
Another thing too- KEON DANIEL SHOULD BE THE DESIGNATED FREEKICK TAKER IF HE'S ON THE FIELD. The man has proven himself to be the best freekick taker we have, and prob among the top 3 in our history- why the hell did Carlos(who is our best player for years now still) take that freekick around the Mexican pen area in the 2nd half- he pushed Keon away from the ball after he had lined it up, and proceeded to blast the ball into the far post of the imaginary goal next to the real one. I'm sure Keon would have at least gotten that on target. That is the same shit that caused the pen miss in EL Salvador- and why we only have 2 pts instead of 4.


Keon Daniel is the designated taker of ALL set peices.


Totally agree , could not help but  :banginghead: the location of that free-kick was tailor-made for a left -footed strike with the ability to dip at the end. Look at where the goalkeeper positioned himself, he was prepared for Carlos as he covered the far post, I am sure he was aware of Carlos's goal in Tobago. Carlos is a flat ball striker whereas Keon has the ability to bend and dip with pace. This was a missed opportunity and Latas has to address this issue of senior players pulling rank over the junior players ,especially with freekicks from the mid to right side of the penalty area where Keon has a natural advantage.

24
Football / Re: Darryl Roberts scored against Besiktas today??
« on: May 30, 2009, 03:52:03 PM »
http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=834682.html?cid=rssfeed&att=footballeurope/index


 At the bottom of the table, Konyaspor have taken the final relegation place, with Kocaelispor and Hacettepe SK long-since resigned to going down.

25
Football / Re: IF NOT WENGER, WHO?
« on: May 20, 2009, 09:06:12 PM »
Excerpt from an article by Tim Bradbury of Football fancast.

Was this all part of Wengers masterplan
.................My cynical brain tells me that it was all a clever ploy by the Frenchman, who subsequently got the reassurance he needed - the fans still worship him and the board are clearly set to play ball by backing him in the transfer market.
It is reassuring to know and I have believed for some time now that Arsene has been made to carry the can for far too long. The board have hid behind him, making statements suggesting that the lack of expenditure was simply down to Wenger, and not being accountable for the lack of resources. It was not right, and the fact that Usmanov came out early last week offering to finance transfers, on top of the news, that broke on Saturday, that Arsene will only be getting a budget of £13m suggests who are the real culprits for the apparent prudency at Arsenal. I wonder if this so called budget of £13m, plus the grief he got by a section of support at the shareholders meeting, was what tipped Wenger over the edge and to make this calculated Madrid outburst. It has certainly had the desired effect it would seem, and that can only bode well for the future.

http://www.footballfancast.com/blog/arsenal/was-all-a-part-wengers-masterplan/13304

26
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: May 20, 2009, 03:45:34 PM »


Walcott models Arsenal's new away kit.

27
Football / Re: Who is the most exciiting Trini footballer to watch
« on: May 15, 2009, 04:43:48 PM »
I'll throw out some names. Not thrown around on the thread.

Sammy Llewyn, Leroy DeLeon, Clebert Leonnard, Richard Sutherland, Brian John, Wendell Moore
Leroy Spann, Leonson Lewis, Nigel Clark

De Leon was one of the most feared mid-fielders in the NASL. :beermug:
Nobody mention Gally, like he kill priest.  ::)

28
Football / Re: Yorke-the forward
« on: May 15, 2009, 04:07:11 PM »
Just a question ...given the style of football we have been playing is there room to switch Dwight's position to partner with jones up front ?
The strikers instinct which seems to be lacking up front could be a big plus for T&T. lets face it we have gone two games without him at the back ,,can he better serve the team in scoring goals rather than trying to stop them ?
I believe a younger ball winner could be utilised to protect the defense and dwight could use kenwyn's speed and strength to form a very formidable pair. He would not have to expend as much effort up front as in defense especially against Costa Rica who play a quick short passing game.
lets face it we are stronger, taller and maybe a dwight yorke in the front could still terrify the opposition.
What do you all think ?

Hyland is that holding midfielder who is young, match fit, quicker and more mobile than Dwight, he could protect the back four alongside Birchall. I wouldn't use Dwight as a striker though but as an attacking midfielder in front of Hyland in a 4-5-1,with Carlos and Samuel/Keon Daniel on the flanks. If Dwight is on the bench then Keon can play his preferred attacking midfield position.





29
Football / Re: ARSENAL FOREVER
« on: May 14, 2009, 04:20:39 PM »
Angry Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger is fuming as dismayed fans get the knives out
By SIMON CASS Last updated at 10:40 PM on 14th May 2009


Arsene Wenger took a fresh swipe at Arsenal's negative fans after shareholders attacked him for yet another season without silverware.

The Frenchman was forced into an impassioned defence of both his record and his players during a stormy question-and-answer session in which defender Mikael Silvestre was branded a 'geriatric'.

Wenger, insisting a run of 21 games unbeaten proved his team's spirit, said: 'We have a young team and we need the supporters to be supportive.


Impassioned defence: Fuming Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was forced to defend his barren four year trophy spell during a stormy question and answer session

It is easy to sit in the stand and say that they are not up for the fight.

 
 'What they have done in this negative environment shows what they can do, it shows they can stand up to their responsibilities.'

Turning on the shareholder who claimed Silvestre was past it, Wenger hit back saying: 'I cannot accept what you say about our players. Are you a shareholder? I cannot accept that you speak about the players of your club like that. I don't agree with the terms you use.'


For sale: Uncertainty clouds Adebayor's Emirates future, with several clubs circling the striker

Accusations about Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue's record of diving were met with rounds of applause while the prospect of the Togo striker leaving in the summer was greeted with cheers of 'hear, hear' from some.

Having said earlier in the day that he would have no problem doing business with other top clubs - including Chelsea - if they came in for Adebayor, Wenger stood up for the striker.

'Adebayor has done fantastically well for the club,' he said.

'All the big clubs wanted him last summer and it will be the same again this summer. Some players have bad periods.

'If they don't do well it is because they have lost confidence. But the only way to help a guy who has lost confidence is to support him. Slaughtering him it does not help him.

'One day you will look back at this period and say it is not disastrous. I am not pretentious enough to think I do not make mistakes. But you have to give me one credit.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1181836/Wengers-fuming-dismayed-Arsenal-fans-knives-out.html?ITO=1490

30
Football / Birchall to join Beckham in LA.
« on: May 10, 2009, 06:59:06 AM »

Birchall to join Beckham in LA
Chris Birchall
Chris Birchall played in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago

Brighton's former Coventry and Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall could be playing alongside David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy next season.

Birchall, 25, is training with the American team, with a view to signing a four-year contract in July.

The Trinidad and Tobago international told BBC Radio Stoke: "From what I'm hearing, Beckham will be back in July.

"Hopefully if the deal goes through, it would be a privilege to play with him and I can learn a lot from him."

Birchall added: "For Trinidad, and even for Coventry, I've played with some good older pros, and you can only learn off people like that.

"I heard off my agent that LA Galaxy had been watching me. Playing in games for Trinidad against America, Mexico and other South American teams, it's been a chance for them to scout me.

"The interest is still there, and hopefully it will eventually go through in July."

Birchall started his career with Vale, and shot to prominence when he starred for Trinidad and Tobago in their run to the 2006 World Cup in Germany - their first appearance on football's biggest stage.

He was born in Staffordshire, but was eligible to play for the Soca Warriors because his mother was born in the Caribbean country.

A move to Coventry followed immediately after the tournament, but he did not enjoy a successful spell at the Ricoh Arena, and subsequently was sent on loan to St. Mirren, Carlisle and Brighton.

   
There's got to be sacrifices, but looking at the bigger picture, it will be well worth it

Chris Birchall on moving to America

He moved to the Withdean Stadium on a deal until the end of the season in January and will be free to find another club during the summer.

"They say it's a glamorous place to live, and the lifestyle is so different to what I'm used to, but I'm going over for the football," said Birchall.

"The hardest thing about the move is that I've just had a newborn son, so having to leave them behind to make a future for them is something that I've got to do.

"In the long run, I think my partner and my little baby boy will come over in about September if the deal goes through in July.

"The time of the deal is the hardest time to accept it, but it's something that I can't turn down. There's got to be sacrifices, but looking at the bigger picture, it will be well worth it."

Beckham, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, is expected to return to LA Galaxy at the end of the Italian season in June.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8042385.stm

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