22 sport Wednesday, January 20, 2010 D SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE Benitez tells Liverpool: I have done you proud LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has launched a staunch de- fence of his record as speculation continues over his future. The Spaniard insists there have been huge improvements since he took over in the summer of 2004 and that he has re- stored pride among the staff and fans. However, this season Liverpool have already suffered early exits from the Champions League and the FA Cup and are sev- enth in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Chelsea. Should the club not qualify for the Champions League his position would become increasingly fragile, and the names of potential candidates for his job are already cropping up. Russia coach Guus Hiddink and Inter Milans former Chel- sea boss Jose Mourinho have already been linked with the post and there is a growing campaign for Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish to be involved in a more hands-on role to help Benitez out of his current difficulties. The difference between the club before and now is massive in terms of money, the value of the squad and the pride of the fans, Benitez said of his time in charge. When I arrived here the club needed to win and the people had been talking about [winning] the championship for 19 years. We won the Champions League [in Benitezs first season] after 21 years and we are the only club in England that has the trophy to keep for five wins. As a club we have pride again and that is important. It is true we have improved from a six [out of ten] to an eight or nine. To go to nine/ten that is very difficult. Yesterday saw Reds legend Ronnie Whelan again call for Benitez to be sacked, with the former Ireland midfielder back- ing Dalglish to fill the vacancy until the summer. Kennys always watching football, and probably tells us more about players in Europe than wed know about, said Whelan. He wanted to go back. I still think hed go back. I would say if they get rid of Benitez, then give it to Kenny for the rest of the season, look at their options then. Then re-assess it. By David Kennedy Sorry Babel tells Rafa: I was a twit to tweet LIVERPOOL forward Ryan Babel has been restored to the squad by Rafael Benitez after apologising to his boss for revealing he had been dropped via Twitter. The Holland international found himself in trouble after saying on his Twitter page he was not in the party for Saturdays match at Stoke. Babel has accepted his error and will now fight for a place in the squad to face Tottenham at Anfield tonight. He came to my office and apologised, said Benitez. He knows he has made a mistake and for me that is enough and I dont need to talk too much about this. Ryan will be in the squad. On the defensive: Rafael Benitez is proud of his record Picture: Action Images As a club we have pride again and that is important No regrets: Smith joined Cavan Ulster rivals start league THE Ulster football derby between Derry and Tyrone will launch the National League on Saturday night, February 6. The GAA had originally planned to play two Division 1 ties on the night with Mayo also scheduled to host Galway. But an objection by locals to planning permission for floodlights at Mayos McHale Park has forced that game back to the Sunday afternoon. Mayo chairman James Waldron said: I think a game between Mayo and Galway under lights would have brought a much bigger crowd to Castlebar than an afternoon fixture. New nest a happy home for Smith GARETH Nesty Smith says he has no regrets about turning his back on Dublin to star for his parents county Cavan. The former All-Ireland Under-21 winner with Dublin scored seven points on his debut for Cavan in the McKenna Cup against Donegal last Saturday and will be back in action tonight against St Marys. And he will play for a St Declans College selection in a challenge against Dublin tomorrow. The 27-year-old says he would have no problem playing against Dublin in the Championship either. The Dubs had their chance to snap up the powerful Plunketts forward but overlooked him. I was on the [Dublin] OByrne Cup team last year but nothing happened this year, said Smith. Then I got a phone call from Tommy Carr, he said Do you want to come down? Well give you a fair crack of the whip. As a player thats all you can ask for. Its my turn now to repay that. Dublin could yet meet Smith and Cavan in the Championship and that would suit him just fine. Ive grown up with a lot of the Dublin lads and thered be five or six of them playing for Plunketts, added Smith. Theyre all great friends but in a game Id be trying to push Cavan on. Smith believes he can win an Ulster title with Cavan and bridge a 13-year gap for the Breffni County. Theyre well capable of winning an Ulster title, no doubt about it, he said. GAA GIANFRANCO ZOLA has been told his job is safe and that he has funds to bolster his struggling West Ham squad. He will also be able to hang on to key men like Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole. Quizzed on Zolas future, new owner David Sullivan said: West Ham need stability after the recent upheavals. We believe in our managers and give them time. Asked about a transfer kitty as the club looks to avoid the drop, Sullivan added: There will be some funds available this month. The club has such an unbalanced squad, players will have to come in. And joint chairman David Gold insisted the clubs stars will not be sold, adding: We can reassure fans terrified they were going to lose two or three of the best players, that is now not going to happen. Hammers takeover comes in nick of time New owners to give Zola time and money Safe: West Ham boss Zola EOIN MORGANS shooting-star status was confirmed yesterday when Royal Challengers Bangalore paid $220,000 (154,000) for his talents at the 2010 Indian Premier League auction. In the third year of the megabucks Twenty20 franchise operation, Dubliner Morgan will get the chance to show how far he has come after impressing first for his native Ireland and then in English colours. From what the impish left-hander has so far shown in three international Twenty20s and 38 one-day appearances, he certainly has the skills to make a name for himself alongside England team-mate Kevin Pietersen and former India captain Rahul Dravid under the bright lights of the six-week IPL. The 23-year-olds 67 from just 34 balls as England knocked South Africa out of their own Champions Trophy last September was doubtless the innings which alerted the money men at the IPL to his potential. Rising star Eoin hits IPL jackpot Big money buy: Morgan CRICKET DAVID GOLD admits his takeover of West Ham has been completed just in time to save the club from plunging down the divisions. Gold and business partner David Sullivan, who owned Birmingham until selling to Carson Yeung earlier this season, yesterday bought the Hammers in a bid to save them from relegation and possible extinction. The club have debts of 110million (125m) and are only out of the Premier League drop zone on goal difference. Gold said: West Ham are on the brink, the table shows that. Theres no doubt its been a disaster waiting to happen its very much the 11th hour. We are looking at a black hole if West Ham get relegated but I dont think it will happen now. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html