Arsenal hold Season Ticket prices again Arsenal hold Season Ticket prices again

Though it may not be the best thing to do businesswise but it is the least they could do for the fans with all they have put up with this year. Fans may take offense to some of what Chief executive Ivan Gazidis has stated, most likely the comment of “it does not match with the rising costs that the Club are experiencing” which may lead to the fans questioning what he means when they know it hasn’t been going on big names or big wages for the likes of Robin van Persie. The fans may also not take lightly that Gazidis pointed out that they have held prices for four out of six years as fans may point out that general admission prices have, the prices of food, drink and merchandise has as well as not having bought suitable replacements for players that have left and haven’t won a trophy during that time.

You can watch what he has said in full over at the Arsenal website for free but if you don’t want to watch it here is a round up of what was said.

“We recognise the tough economic environment that our fans are in. Our season-ticket holders are our most loyal fans. We have never priced season tickets according to supply and demand, we have always tried to look at what is fair and balanced.” Before adding “We have this need to drive revenue in order to compete at the highest level but at the same time our relationship with our fans is a long-term one which needs to be managed appropriately and fairly. That is why, in four of the last six years, we have held our season-ticket pricing flat and will be doing that again this year.”

However prices for club level season ticket holders is going to see a rise of 2%. Regarding this Gazidis said “we are increasing prices in our Club Level by 2%, which is a relatively modest, and we think, appropriate increase well below the inflationary rate.” Going on to say  “Again it does not match with the rising costs that the Club are experiencing, both in terms of off-the-field costs, general operating costs, but also in terms of the continuing, escalating spiral that we see in player costs.”

In regards to these rising prices the Chief executive said that part of the broader strategy is to develop our other revenue so that the club become less dependent on ticket sales as a main source of income

But while season ticket holders now know where they stand, unfortunately the average fans has to wait for a decision on the general admission prices with Gazidis saying “We have not made a final decision on general admission yet.” Adding “The objective there has been to make those tickets more affordable for fans. We have been consulting with our fan groups as we develop those proposals and they will be announced towards the end of the season.”

How do you feel about this? have your say!

JD Sports & Nike pick England’s future stars for ad campaign: Make it Count

JD Sports has joined up with Nike for Nike’s “Make it Count” campaign and have chosen rising stars Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Josh McEachran.  Check out the JD website and also the Facebook page for the campaign for all the information.

Oxlade-Chamberlain tweeted that he had just finished another photo shoot for Nike’s Make it Count

Alex Chamberlain @Alex_OxChambo

Just finished the Nike shoot, all good so far…hopefully ends up looking as good as the last one bit.ly/wU9p2i #makeitcount

 

It must reassuring to rising talents like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Josh McEachran when companies like these choose them as the faces of these campaigns but with the abbreviations for Make it Count being mic I am surprised they didn’t use musical artists like they have used in the past, it seems like it would be more fitting.

England Squad announced with one or two surprises

 

Goalkeepers

Carson, Hart Green

 

Defenders

Baines, Cahill, Cole, Johnson, Jones, Richards, Smalling, Walker

 

Midfielders

Barry, Cleverly, Downing, Gerrard, Johnson, Milner, Parker, Walcott, Young

 

Strikers

Bent, Campbell, Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck

 

I am surprised and a little upset that Oxlade-Chamberlain has not received a call up to the England Senior side, especially when Walcott has. No offense to Walcott, but Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out performing him by some distance. The biggest shock has to be the inclusion of Frazier Campbell, I honestly dont think anyone saw this coming. I am also a little surprised at Cleverly being called up. I understand that Pearce is giving players he has worked with a chance in teh team so with that I am not surprised but I think there are other eligible players in the Premier League that maybe deserved a call up more than him, Leon Britton comes to mind.

At times like these I wonder how players feel when they are not included and are overlooked by managers and “rising talents” are picked ahead of them. Frazier Campbell is not a regular starter for Sunderland, where as Danny Graham at Swansea is the second highest English Premier League goal scorer this season – Rooney being the first. The same could be said for Grant Holt who is joint third highest behind Rooney and Graham while being level with Darren Bent on 9.

With Joleon Lescott not included but Richards and two other right-backs I would guess that maybe Richards is going to play in the centre of defence with Walker at right-back. Pearce knows what to expect from Walker as he was one of the best performing players for England at the U21 European Championships that England did so poorly at. I dont understand why Lescott should be left out as he is arguably in better form that Gary Cahill at the moment.

There has been no questions raised about Welbeck being included and definitely no problems with Sturridge as both have been in good form this season, with Sturridge in tremendous form at present. I hope that Sturridge gets a substancial amount of playing time and not a cameo role because in my opinion he deserves to be starting the game ahead of Bent or Welbeck and partner Rooney upfront, but maybe Pearce will go with a United front-line!

With Gerrard in the squad I presume that he is going to be captain, but there might be an outside shot for Parker or even Richards, he has captained City this season…

Pearce’s Press conference 

Pearce held himself well during the Press conference and dealt with all the questions thrown at him well. Issues of the England captaincy and England manager position arose and we all dealt with a calm and decisive manner. He started the Press conference by taking the time to acknowledge Fabio Capello saying “I would like to thank Capello and his staff for the education I received from them over the last 3-4 years, it’s been invaluable to me.”

The first question asked was about the inclusion of Frazier Campbell to which Pearce said “I know him quiet well” and that he has worked with him before adding that “he’s and exciting young talent” after saying that he spoke Martin O’Neill about him. Pearce was also asked about calling up Cleverly to the squad after his inclusion in the Previous sqaud that faced Holland which he said that like with Campbell he has worked with him with the U21′s and has “been to a major Championship with him, been on the road with him to tournament football” and knows what to expect from him. “he’s got a bright future”

Micah Richards being recalled to to the squad was then raised and he was asked if he was someone he particularly rated to which Pearce replied “Yeah, he makes me laugh” but then seriously said that he has given him his debut at club level and at one time people were talking about Richards being an England regular and said that “he’s had a smashing season”. Pearce was also asked about recalling Rob Green and whether he thinks he still has a role to play with England. Pearce said “100% i think his form this season has been oustanding this season.” He went on to say that he has been watching as many players as he can and talks to the players and managers and goes to as many games as he can and siad again that  Green had been “outstanding this season”.

The question of the England captaincy arose and when he was asked if he had thought about who was going to be captain Pearce said it “Yes I’ve been thinking about it” but also said he thought the “exposure over it” was “a little too excessive” . Pearce went on to say that he will look at how the players interact with each other and will choose a captain nearer the time.

Pearce was asked how the players that were not included took the news with Pearce saying that he believed that “they were quite thankful that they had a telephone call from me” and also said that he visited one player in person, but didn’t say who.. He said how he has been on the end of calls from various managers ranging from Venables and Hoddle about his inclusion and exclusion from squads and understands how it feels for both sides.

 

Piers V Frimpong Round 2!

The Piers v Frimpong war of words has started again with Piers relighting the fires on the whole situation by bring up something that seemed to have died down. Piers Morgan is a true antagonist, and has don’t what all real antagonists do and has riled someone up to such an extent that they are starting to look a fool. But what Piers Morgan and other antagonists done seem to understand, is that they make themselves look like a fool too!

A wise man told me don’t argue with fools, Cause people from a distance can’t tell who is who – Can anyone tell me the quote? A little bit of fun there, Artist and Song.

So here is what has gone down between Piers and Frimpong today

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

Fancy a bet, Mr Loyalty @Frimpong26AFC ? I predict you’ll leave #Arsenal for more money somewhere else, before I stop being a fan.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan I hope ppl read this and no am rude and u deserve every abuse I give u fatty go and run on the treadmill like I told u.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

I couldn’t give a damn what @Frimpong26AFC has to say. Much more interested in @Persie_Official staying than some rent-a-gob fringe player.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

I quite fancy becoming manager myself. First two actions: 1) Pay @Persie_Official whatever he wants to stay 2) Sell @Frimpong26AFC to Spurs.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC If only you were half as good on the pitch as you are with the cheap insults to #Arsenal fans, Frimpong. Pipe down, son.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

I hope people read way fat Morgan is saying wen I start being rude don’t tweet me saying Frimpong is disrespectful and rude.KMT

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC You were shockingly rude the other night. To a fan that pays your wages. I suggest you learn some humility. And how to spell.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

Right, off to the gym. Going to pretend my trainer is @Frimpong26AFC and give him a good hammering with the gloves. #Arsenal

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan Well done y don’t we meet and do it properly instead of pretending

 

It got to a point where some people had enough and was getting bored of it all. One of those people was Frimpong’s team mate, and friend, Jack Wilshere who tweeted

Jack Wilshere @JackWilshere:

Wonder when @piersmorgan and @Frimpong26AFC are going to kiss and make up?

 

Which lead to Jack Whitehall to get involved and say that Frimpong should go on Piers Morgans show Life stories. Now that would be good watch but I don’t think Frimpong would be one to cry on the show.

Jack Whitehall @jackwhitehall

@JackWilshere: Wonder when @piersmorgan and @Frimpong26AFC are going to kiss and make up? Shud get frimpong on Piers Morgan lifestories!!

 

There is a divide on Twitter over this. there is a clear Team Frimpong and Team Piers with people tweeting their support

Frimpong retweeted

Matt @mattk_86

@piersmorgan your telling @Frimpong26AFC to pipe down yet your the one bringing up the issue.how many times u need telling, just support man

Piers Retweeted

Marcus @marcusmckech

@piersmorgan brilliant!! Stick to your guns.. Frimpong as a player should respect his fans not argue with them!! #norespect

 

And just when you though it was simmering down Piers came along with this Tweet

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

I’d watch this before you start giving it the large one @Frimpong26AFC: bit.ly/vWdLhX #Morganator

 

Piers in the ring with Manny Pacquiao, who does a good Scot accent by the way, and Freddie Roach…. Unfortunately piers takes a shot to the face, teaching him a lesson to always have his guard up, but then later clips Roach with an accidental punch. Cheap shot? Maybe he thought, but his hand didn’t get the message in time to stop.

From all of this I can’t help feel that Piers is saying and doing all of this with 50% truth and 50% jest but with 100% passion and intent but is Frimpong in on it, it doesn’t seem like it, maybe Piers should let him know.

If transfers never happened: Blackburn Rovers

logo courtesy of @yasindemirkale

Well this is not the most in-depth squad for Blackburn. Of course there were more players than what I have put down, but the players that are not down are players that are non league players for most of their careers. Bare bones would sum up the squad. There are good players in the squad but also some you may not have heard of – no offense to any of the players listed.

Goalkeepers

Gareth Stewart age: 31

Currently Steward is a player/coach at Yeovil Town. He never made appearances for Rovers and moved to Bournemouth in 1999 where he went on to make 179 appearances seeing relegations and promotions. After his time with Bournemouth he went to Dorchester Town and then Welling United and then in 2011 moved to his current club Yeovil Town.

Defenders

Marlon Broomes age: 34 CB/LB

Marlon Broomes made just over 30 appearances for Blackburn but during his time at the club he had three loan spells, one with Swindon Town, one with QPR and one with Grimsby Town. He transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in 2001 and then a year later moved to Preston North End where he experienced his most successful period. After PNE he moved to Stoke City where he stayed for three years before he moved to Blackpool. Near the end of his time at Blackpool he went on loan to Crewe Alexandra. Tranmere Rovers signed him in 2009 and he was there ‘til 2011 when he then moved to Clitheroe. Broomes Represented England at U20 and U21 level during his career.

Martin Taylor age: 32 CB/RB

He spent 7 years with the club before he was transferred to Birmingham City in 2004. During his time at Rovers though he impressed and made 88 appearances for the club. He also had two loan spells away from the club during this time, one at Darlington and another at Stockport County. For Birmingham he played Centre-Back but also at Right-Back and amassed over 90 appearances for the club. Taylor was involved in the tackle that broke Arsenal’s Eduardo in 2008. It was something that was out of character with many coming to the defence of the big defender. He was called up to England U21’s once. He won the Carling Cup in 2002 along with David Dunn and Damien Duff

Andy Taylor age: 25 CB

Taylor’s four year career ended without a league appearance and spent his career on loan. He spent time at QPR, Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town and Tranmere Rovers who he then signed for in a permanent deal. A year later he signed for Sheffield United who he still is currently playing for. Taylor had a promising start to his career and was called up at every level up to U20 for England.

Phil Jones age: 20 CB

Well there is not much to say about the player that many don’t already know since his move to Manchester United. His United career started well even playing in midfield or at right-back showing his versatility. H e has been called up to the England senior side and has represented England at U21 and U19 level. Jones broke into the side in 2009-2010 season making 12 appearances in total and was then a first team regular the following season where he went on to make 28 appearances.

Grant Hanley age: 20 CB

He trained with Scottish side Queen of the South and Crewe Alexandra before he signed with Blackburn Rover at age 16 and as there was no transfer fee involved he is included in this experiment of mine due to that small loop-hole. Hanley has made 3 appearances for Scotland and represented them at U19 and U21 level also. He made his first appearances in 2009-2010 season and in the following season made 9 appearances in all competitions. This season so far Hanley has made 19 appearances and is looking like he is going to have a bright future in the Premiership in years to come.

Midfielders

David Dunn age: 32 CM

At present Dunn stills plays for rovers though he did have sometime away from the club when he was turning out for Birmingham City over a period of four years. Dunn has made over 300 appearances for the club scoring 53 goals. He won the League Cup with Blackburn in 2002 beating Tottenham 2-1. That match only saw four players out of the 22 to have been trained by the club play for the club. David Dunn was one, Martin Taylor was another with Damien Duff the third for Blackburn and Ledley King for Tottenham was the fourth. Dunn has been capped once by the England senior team and has represented England at U18 and heavily at U21 level.

Neil Danns age: 29 CM

Danns started out with Blackburn but only managed seven appearances for the club before he moved to Colchester United in 2004. He spent time on loan at Blackpool and Hartlepool United during his two years at Blackburn. Danns had two successful years at Colchester which earned him a transfer to Birmingham who in his first year with the club won promotion to the Premiership. The following season though Danns chance for a place in the starting line up were shortened and only made 4 appearances for them and so the following season signed for Crystal Palace. He went on to make over 100 appearances for Palace but at the beginning of this season signed for Leicester City

Damien Johnson age: 33 CM

Johnson spent one season on loan at Nottingham Forest and the rest of his career at Blackburn was trying to get into the first team. In the end he made over 60 appearances for the club but couldn’t get a regular spot and so moved to Birmingham City later teaming up with ex- team mates David Dunn and Martin Taylor. He spent 8 years at Birmingham before he moved to Plymouth Argyle. He is currently on loan at Huddersfield Town

David Hoilett age: 21

Since making his debut in 2009 Hoilett has gone on from strength to strength, so much so there is a possibility that Blackburn could lose the player in the summer with a host of clubs interested in him. He had two loan spells in Germany as he couldn’t play in the country as he didn’t have a working visa. He was on loan firstly at SC Paderborn 07 and then St. Pauli.

Alan Judge age: 23

Judge only made 2 appearances for Blackburn but had two successful spells at Plymouth Argyle where he made 46 appearances and scored 7 goals. Judge signed for Notts County in 2011 and has gone on to make 42 appearances for the club and have scored 4. Notts County signed Judge on a permanent deal after impressing on loan. During his career he has made 11 outings for the Rep. of Ireland U21’s but has yet to be called up to the senior side.

Keith Treacy age: 23

Treacy currently plays for Burnley signing from Preston North End at the beginning of the season. Treacy signed for Blackburn in 2005 after his time with Irish club Belvedere FC. Belvedere are a Dublin based club that has just deals with youth teams. He made 22 appearances in total for Blackburn but also spent time on loan at Stockport County and Sheffield United. The winger signed for Preston North End in 2009 and made 58 appearances in all competitions but was unable to avoid relegation. Treacy has made 6 appearances for the Republic of Ireland as well as running out for Ireland at U21 level

Damien Duff

In similar circumstances Duff also joined Blackburn from Ireland not from Belvedere like Treacy but did do from a youth club and again no fee was paid so it is fine. Duff made his first appearances in the 1996-1997 season and went on to make 223 appearances for the club scoring 35 goals. Duff won the League Cup with Blackburn in the 2001-02 season along with David Dunn and Martin Taylor Duff made a high money transfer to Chelsea in 2003. After Chelsea he joined Newcastle. Duff suffered relegation with Blackburn and also unfortunately with Newcastle. After spending 3 years with Newcastle he moved back to London and joined Fulham where he currently stills plays and has played 108 games. Duff has made over 90 appearances for the Republic of Ireland and is the fifth most capped player

Forwards

 

Jonathan Walters age: 28

Walters was unable to get any first team football and in the end moved to Bolton, but that only resulted in loan moves to Hull City, Crewe Alexandra and Barnsley. In 2004 Hull City signed the striker where he also saw a short loan move to Scunthorpe United. He did feature for Hull City heavily that season before he was on the move again signing for Wrexham and then a year later for Chester and then a year after that moved to Ipswich where he finally settled down. He spent three years at Ipswich which was his most prosperous time at any club and earned him a move to premiership club Stoke City. Walters has been called up to the Rep. of Ireland squad making 4 caps and has also represented Ireland at U21 level and the Rep. of Ireland “B” team.

Paul Gallagher age: 27

Gallagher made 75 appearances for Blackburn scoring 8. He had a successful loan spell with Stoke where he scored 12 goals playing 40 games and a loan spell at Preston North End and another stint at Stoke in the same year. A final loan move to Plymouth Argyle saw him score 13 in 40 games and the following season he moved to Leicester City where he currently plays. At Leicester he has gone on to make 118 appearances in three years scoring 27 goals.

Joe Garner age: 23

Garner currently plays for Watford but on his travels has also played for Nottingham Forest and Carlisle as well as Huddersfield and Scunthrope on loan.  With his chances at Blackburn limited he went out on loan to Carlisle United where after an impressive time moved there on a permanent deal. He had a successful time there but after one season moved on to Nottingham Forest. Though he had a decent start by the end he was out on loan to firstly Huddersfield and then Scunthorpe. At the beginning of this season Garner moved clubs again this time to Watford. Garner has made 4 appearances for the England U19 side.

How they would line up

Stewart; Broomes, Jones, Hanley, M.Taylor; Hoilett, Dunn, Danns, Duff; Walters, Gallagher

Piers Morgan and Emmanuel Frimpong’s Twitter Wars

Last night saw Arsenal player Emmanuel Frimpong and Piers Morag get into a war or words on twitter. With Piers expressing his frustration at Arsenal losing with another t have been the abysmal performance and suggesting that Arsenal need to part ways with Wenger, Frimpong took offence to Piers’ repeated bashing of the club, players and manager that he decided to take a stand.

Now it may not have been the correct thing to do, but as a hot header player on the field still needing to learn when and where to take his frustrations out, maybe it is fair to say that would be the case here. In saying that Piers really should know better because as he points out himself he is twice as old as Frimpong, but from reading the tweets you would imagine they are the same age.

On one hand it is nice to see a player defend his club and his manager, but I am sure the Arsenal fans would like to see this kind of fight and determination from 11 Arsenal players on the pitch.

During the exchange of word piers tweeted “I actually like @Frimpong26AFC and his passion – but his youthful arrogance and complacency sums up #Arsenal ‘s malaise.”

In the end Piers is the one who comes off looking more the fool, but he is voicing a very serious concern for many Arsenal fans and no doubt will have people that are agreeing with him over this.

In the end I think one thing needs to be addressed and that is the word supporter. If you look it up in the dictionary it says – roughly – a person or thing that supports; an adherent, follower, backer, or advocate. Many people can say they are a supporter, but surly that means actually supporting and not complaining. If someone if claiming Child Support they get money to help feed and clothe, they don’t negative abuse on how they could do things better….I’m just saying, if you are a supporter then shut up and support.

Here is a run down of last night’s altercation.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC  

@piersmorgan Stop chatting soo much rubbish you. UNO nothing about football u sit behind ur laptop nd just talk utter rubbish

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC Oh really, Mr Frimpon? Well truth hurts, sunshine. And I’m not afraid to tell it. (you can’t even get in THIS #Arsenal team)

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan just don’t bring ur ugly face to the emirates cus we as Arsenal are sick and tired of ur abuse towards players and coach

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC pipe down Junior, and go to bed. I’ve been following #Arsenal for 42 years – twice as long than you’ve been born.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan miles every weekend to support their team fans are the 60,000 ppl we have every sat fans don’t turn their back on their team

 

 Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC Big words, big guy. I suggest you focus on improving your game – rather than abusing loyal fans. Most of whom agree with me.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan Loyal?? Well in football u have bad and good times the LOYAL fans are the one that remember the Good times And wait for More.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC I’ve followed #Arsenal for 42yrs and own 4 season tickets. That entitles me to an opinion. Which is: we need a new manager.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan Loyal?? Well in football u have bad and good times the LOYAL fans are the one that remember the Good times And wait for More.

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC you’re so loyal to #Arsenal you went to Wolves. So put a DEEENNCH in it and stop pandering to the blinkered minority.

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan when was ur last game at the emirates? Instead of the Internet. What have u ever done for Arsenal in 42 years? Nothing

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC I’ve supported them. Nothing more, nothing less. And I want us to be competitive again, not perennial losers. #Arsenal

 

Emmanuel Frimpong @Frimpong26AFC

@piersmorgan ur entitled opinion of course u r but there are ways of doing it and tellin ur 2millfollowers rubbish we don’t need ain’t class

 

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC you started this by abusing a diehard fan who cares about his team. That demeans you Emmanuel, and I thought better of you.

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan

@Frimpong26AFC I genuinely believe it’s time Arsene moved on, and we had fresh blood as manager. I am not alone. #Arsenal

The future’s bright, the future is Oranje for Anzhi Makhachkala

The future’s bright, the future is Oranje for Anzhi Makhachkala as they hire Guss Hiddink as their new manager. With the recent resignation of Fabio Capello and the recently hired Anzhi manager Yury Krasnozhan departing the club, the rumour mill had Capello inline to takeover the Russian club, but in the end it seems that it was the Dutchman they wanted all along – I guess that rules him out of the England job.

Hiddink has had a very successful career, wining league titles with PSV and having a successful international career where he has managed Australia and South Korea to impressive finishes in the World Cup. You can read more about Hiddink’s success’ here

Russian life will not be new to Hiddink who managed the national side for just under four years where he reached the Semi-Final of the European Cup in 2008 – winning the 3rd place play-off to boot. This wouldn’t be the first time he has worked with a Russian owner who had a few Billion to spare as he had a successful time with Chelsea with fans and players wanting him to become the permanent manager but he carried on his managerial duties with the Russian national side like he said he would at the beginning of his contract.

On his appointment as manager Hiddink said “At the end of last year we had long discussions on Anji that’s why now I made a prompt decision. I’m glad to accept such an opportunity, to work not only in football team but also with my friends who invited me here. The most significant for me is that the club is building plans on football development in the republic. It’s as much important as the sports result of the first team and I ‘m going to pay special attention to this direction. We spoke much with Suleiman Kerimov about this after which I understood what a huge project I was invited to”. Adding “I know about ambitions of the stockholder, the club, fans, now it’s known to the whole world. I’ll do my best so that the team’s play would satisfy these ambitions.” – Statement via clubs official website http://www.fc-anji.ru

The appointment of Hiddink is a huge statement by the club. It really shows that they are looking to legitimately become a force in not just in Russian football but world football. Yes they have bought some talented players, but still the results haven’t really come, but now with a manager of Hiddink’s stature not only should results come but it will also increase the chances of signing better players.

Anybody involved in football knows what Hiddink will bring to the table. He is a well travelled, well loved, successful manager and from that statement looks to be excited in being involved in a much bigger project than just being head coach of a football team, but building a football and a surrounding environment for city.

Billionaire owner, Suleyman Kerimov, is not just looking to build a football club, but he is looking to rejuvenate his home city that is ravaged by violence and poverty. He is looking to change all that with a new stadium, sports complex and a whole host of other projects that will boost the local economy while making 100′s if not thousands of jobs.

With money available, world class players at the club and now a world class manager, things can only get better for Anzhi and I guarantee that they will be in the Champions League within two seasons.