Sam Allardyce admits Andy Carroll’s next move could determine whether the striker’s career ends up being a success or failure.
Carroll has rediscovered his form since returning from injury, scoring five goals in his last eight matches to take the Hammers, whom he joined on loan from Liverpool, to the brink of safety.
“The next move is a critical one for him,” the West Ham manager said of Carroll, signed by Liverpool from Newcastle for £35 million.
“It’s about playing, improving and scoring goals. That next move has to implement all of that for the team he plays for and him.”
Portsmouth out of administration
Portsmouth have come out of administration and are now officially owned by the Pompey Supporters’ Trust (PST).
“We have cleared the final hurdle: all of the paperwork has now been signed and the sale concluded,” Trevor Birch, a partner at business services firm BDO, said on the Portsmouth website.
The PST’s purchase of the club ends 14 months of administration for Portsmouth, who last week were relegated to League Two, having been in the Premier League in 2010.
The Football League yesterday deducted ten points from Ports-mouth for officially coming out of administration.
Ferguson hails brave De Gea
Sir Alex Ferguson believes David de Gea’s performance at West Ham on Wednesday showed how much progress the Manchester United keeper has made since his arrival from Atletico Madrid.
“His first game last season was away from home against West Brom,” Ferguson said.
“The referee felt he was a young goalkeeper, who was not used to English football. There was a laxity in terms of protection for him.
“That has passed now but Wednesday was beyond the pale.
“Let’s be honest, there was an assault (from Andy Carroll) on him. But he stood up to it. He didn’t let it affect him. He was brave and got on with his job.”
Platt warning for City players
Assistant boss David Platt has warned Manchester City they will have to be ready for Gareth Bale and more at Tottenham today.
The outstanding Bale could return to action after a fortnight out with an ankle injury as City visit White Hart Lane in the Premier League.
Platt said: “When he did the injury they were saying this might be the game for which he comes back but Tottenham have some very good players regardless of whether Gareth Bale plays or not.
“They have very good players who can score goals, players who will take the ball, and White Hart Lane is quite a difficult place to go to.”
Terry snubs FA chairman
Former England captain John Terry refused to shake hands with FA chairman David Bernstein at Friday’s Champions League trophy handover.
Bernstein ruled that Chelsea defender Terry should be stripped of the England captaincy after being charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in October 2011.
Terry and club-mates Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic, Petr Cech and Fernando Torres were at the handover in London’s Whitehall when the trophy they won last year was presented to Britain’s Sports Minister Hugh Robertson by UEFA president Michel Platini.
Lambert: Petrov an inspiration
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert admits club captain Stiliyan Petrov is still inspiring his battling side as the Bulgarian midfielder continues his battle with leukaemia.
Petrov will cheer on his team-mates from the stands when Villa face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.
“I don’t think anyone could envisage what he’s been through, unless they have themselves. It puts everything in perspective,” Lambert said.
“The 19th minute of applause (Petrov’s squad number is 19) at the games is fantastic, from home and away fans.
“Thankfully, he’s doing great. He did a little bit of work with the fitness guys the other day. It’s great that he’s on that road.”
Reina pleased with improved form
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes he is back on form after admitting he had a rough patch at the start of the season.
Successive goalless draws may not have done much for the seventh-placed Reds’ hopes of reeling in the teams above them but the clean sheets are certainly welcomed by the Spanish inter-national goalkeeper.
“I’m happy because we’ve already kept more clean sheets than last season but there’s still plenty of room to improve it,” said Reina.
“As I said a few months back, there have been a few ups and downs.
“The start of the season was a bit rough to me: since Novem-ber/December I have probably turned the corner and picked the form up again.”