Szczesny senior fumes at Wenger over son's poor progress

 

Wojciech Szczesny has found himself out of the Arsenal reckoning in recent weeks, with Arsene Wenger citing his mental state as the key factor.

But the keeper's father, who himself represented Poland during his playing career, has laid the blame squarely at the Frenchman's door.

The younger Pole, according to Szczesny senior, was made to play through a series of injuries by his manager and is now suffering the consequences.

Whatever the reasons, Maciej is certain that it is the master, not the pupil, who is at fault. 

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Pulis muscles in on Owen retirement

 

The circumstances which led Michael Owen to retire at Stoke City are a stark contrast to the blistering way the forward entered world football.

At 17 years of age, Owen burst onto the Premier League scene already armed with the ability to scare seasoned defenders with his searing pace and a sharp eye for goal. Just one year later, Owen was replicating his prowess on a global stage, and it's difficult to envisage another England youngster having an impact at a World Cup in the same way the Liverpool forward took France '98 by storm.

A persistent hamstring injury has blighted Owen's career since his time at Anfield, and at 33, with no Premier League starts this season, it's a low-key ending to a career that has been rich with high points - but Tony Pulis doesn't want Stoke to be airbrushed from his history. 
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No time for England in Rio's busy schedule

 

Rio Ferdinand turned down Roy Hodgson's call-up to the England squad because it interferes with his "intricate pre-planned programme" of fitness, put in place to prolong the 34-year-old's Old Trafford career.

The Manchester United defender himself was snubbed by the England manager in his squad selection for Euro 2012 because of "footballing reasons". His displays so far this season, though, have prompted the former West Brom boss to have a change of heart.

One minute he was in the squad, and the next he was out. The debacle once again highlights a lack of communication from Roy Hodgson with his players. The only winners out of this embarassing turn of events are Manchester United, and perhaps Rio's travel agent. 

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Villas-Boas at a loss as wheels come off Spurs bandwagon

 

It couldn't happen again, could it? Tottenham's bid for a Champions League place is threatening to unravel for a second successive season after the club slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Fulham on Sunday.

Alarm bells may be starting to ring for Tottenham fans who, under Harry Redknapp last year, saw their side secure just six points from a possible 27 between February 25 and April 21 and squander their hopes of sealing qualification for the Champions League.

It is now back-to-back losses for Andre Villas-Boas, a record which the 35-year-old has not experienced since November, and with Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all winning over the weekend, Spurs need to pick up their form in order to avoid a repeat of last season. 
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How does each generation see Birthdays

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