Nike release new-look Cristiano boots

Global sports brand Nike have released a new line of boots for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal captain's signature Nike CR Mercurial Vapor IX boots have been released in a new colour pattern of neon yellow, orange and white.



Nike have kept the former Manchester United player's logo 'love to win, hate to lose', which is a heart with a cross through it, on the heel, as well as his squad number seven.



The 28-year-old has netted 40 goals for club and country this season.

Torres ready for action

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has said that he is fully rested following a layoff over the international break.

The Spaniard was left out of Vicente del Bosque's squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France as he continues to struggle in front of goal.



Despite being disappointment at his exclusion, Torres stated that he is ready to get back to business as the Blues take on Southampton at St Mary's this afternoon.



"It was relaxing, but everyone wants to be involved with the national team and not have this time available," Torres told the club's official website.



"It was a good break and I enjoyed it with my family and had some rest, and now I'm ready for the next challenge."



The 29-year-old has scored just seven goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season.

Rodgers eyes 'new Carragher'

Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool may have no other option than to buy in the necessary character to replace retiring defender Jamie Carragher.

Jaime reacted after Liverpool win a penalty versus Spurs.

The Reds boss has regularly praised the leadership qualities of his 35-year-old vice-captain, who will bring his 16-year professional career to an end in May.



Carragher had been a peripheral figure for the first half of the season but Rodgers brought him back into the starting line-up in January as he felt the side required more steel.



Since then the veteran centre-back has been a virtual ever-present, although his absence through injury for defeat at Southampton a fortnight ago gave Rodgers more food for thought on a suitable replacement.



"We missed his leadership qualities at Southampton and he will come back into the squad for the weekend," said Rodgers of Carragher's likely return to face Aston Villa on Sunday.



"He is a real role model for all the players - the young and the senior ones - but he has eight games left, let's not write him off yet."



Carragher will leave a considerable gap when he quits but even with Denmark captain Daniel Agger, Slovakia international Martin Skrtel and Uruguay centre-back Sebastian Coates at his disposal Rodgers admits he may have to look elsewhere.



"It is something we will have a look at but there is no doubt he will be a miss," said the Reds boss, who has been heavily linked with a move for Wales captain Ashley Williams of his former club Swansea as well as Feyenoord's Stefan de Vrij.



"I will miss him because he is a good man, a lover of football and he puts everything into training every day.



"We are going to be light in that area so between now and the end of the season we have to assess it as that is the one area of the field where we haven't brought anyone in.



"Naturally we are going to lose Jamie. There is no player who is ever irreplaceable but he is a big loss because you can see his experience and how he leads the line.



"You need someone in there who is vocal and organises the line and he does that remarkably well.



"I also have really good players here - Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel - and between now and the end of the season we know we need to strengthen the group and that is what we will look to do.



"If it is not something we have in the group then we may need that type of character in there who can organise and lead."

Lambert: Star duo stay at Aston Villa

Paul Lambert insists in-form Aston Villa strike duo Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann will remain with the club next season.

Lambert knows keeping hold of the pair and other key players is vital as part of his long-term project to rebuild Villa - and he has the backing of club owner Randy Lerner.



It will be a reversal of Villa's trend in recent seasons of selling leading performers such as Gareth Barry, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young.



Benteke has scored 17 goals since his £8million move last summer from Genk and the Belgium international has been linked with a host of clubs.



Weimann has netted 11 goals in his first full campaign of top-flight football and has been offered a new deal by Villa.



Lambert said: "Do I think Weimann and Benteke will be at Villa next season? Yes, yes. I think they want to be here. I've spoken to the lads as well and they've been great with it.



"There is no point in trying to build something if it (players) keep on going away.



"There is no point in coming in for one year and, after that, the lads go away again. I don't think that is building for any sort of future.



"Do I have the final say on it? Oh yes. I've got to - but Randy (Lerner) has been great with me.



"Everyone knows the situation. If players do well, then teams speak about them. Everyone knows the situation. Whether it is true or not or agents fabricate things remains to be seen.



"When I first came in here, we sat down and explained what I thought. Randy was right behind it, no problem at all.



"He has been excellent with us. There is no point in building something, if a year later it (a player) goes. I don't want to go back to square one."



Weimann has only 15 months remaining of his current contract.



Lambert said: "I spoke to Andy's agent a couple of months back.



"I know what is happening and Andy knows what is happening.



"His agent knows what is going on. There is no problem at the minute. Am I confident Andy will sign? Yes."



Lambert hinted Benteke may also be offered a new deal this summer after his successful debut season.



He said: "I might give him a fiver more. Being Scottish, that is generous!



"I think you do that (reward players) with most lads who are performing well for you.



"You just don't want people to become comfortable or lose that hunger. I don't want a monetary thing to over-rule success."

Fergie eye Mourinho record in 2005

Sir Alex Ferguson would be happy if Manchester United won the title with a deflection off someone's backside, as "winning is the only issue".

Speaking to a US radio station earlier this week, Ferguson suggested United's target for the remaining nine games was to match the Premier League points record of 95 amassed under Jose Mourinho in 2005.



With a 15-point lead over nearest challengers Manchester City, it seemed prudent of Ferguson to find additional challenges beyond merely lifting a record 20th title.



Yet, ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland, the United boss dismissed his own lofty talk.



In the final analysis, all he cares about is winning the prize he has almost made his own for the past two decades, but which was snatched away from him with virtually the very last kick of the previous campaign.



"I don't care what I win it by," said Ferguson.



"It could be a dodgy goal off someone's backside in the last minute of the last game of the season.



"It doesn't bother me one bit. Winning the league is the issue."



As they prepare to visit the Stadium of Light for the first time since they stood by the side on the pitch, their own season over, to discover Sergio Aguero had sent City into ecstasy, Ferguson can have no complaints at how his players responded to that setback.



With just two draws and three defeats, United have been virtually foot-perfect, far too good for a City side who struggled to regain their previously high standards.



"These things are hard to take," said Ferguson.



"For about 20 seconds we thought we had won it and it was snatched away from us.



"But what we have done well this season is dusted ourselves down and made a real good challenge of the league.



"The concentration levels, the commitment of the players and the team spirit have been fantastic.



"In that respect we have answered the only way we can."



The anger Ferguson felt at the Sunderland fans' over-the-top celebrations has evidently subsided, meaning there is no talk of revenge as United look to claim three of the 13 points from nine remaining fixtures to clinch title number 20.



"I don't have any issues with the Sunderland fans," he said.



"I don't think Sunderland fans wanted Manchester City to win it any more than we did.



"It goes back to modern society. You see it from supporters every week. In a corner, wherever your supporters are, the opposing fans vent their spleen at each other.



"That is what happens in modern-day football."

Ancelotti: Beckham could stay

Paris St Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti would welcome the opportunity to extend David Beckham's short-term contract.



Beckham arrived in France amid much fanfare in January, signing a deal which is due to run until the end of the season.

He is now 37 years of age and has spent much of the last five years away from Europe in the American MLS.

The former England captain has, however, not looked out of place at a club pushing hard for the Ligue 1 title and readying themselves for a UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Ancelotti sees no reason why Beckham could not play on past the end of the current campaign, and hopes he can be convinced to prolong his stay in the French capital.

He said: "I would really like Beckham to extend his contract but, once again, it's a decision the player has to take in agreement with the club. But I'm in favour of it."

Beckham has faced criticism from some quarters for heading to China during the recent international break as part of an ambassadorial role, but Ancelotti claims the veteran midfielder headed to the Far East with PSG's blessing.

He added: "If he went to China, it's because everyone agreed that he could go. There's no problem. Not for me, not for the club, not for the players. I also agreed.



"I didn't understand that debate provoked by his trip. He had commitments before signing for PSG. Some had a holiday, he went to China."

Ben Arfa boost for Newcastle

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has revealed Hatem Ben Arfa could return from injury before the end of the season.

After 12 weeks out, the Frenchman returned to action earlier this month in the first leg of United's Europa League last-16 tie with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, but lasted only 64 minutes after being forced off with a hamstring injury.

The former Marseille winger was then ruled out for the rest of the season, but having returned to France to work on his fitness, Pardew has revealed he may be back to action sooner than planned.

Speaking to the Newcastle Chronicle, Pardew said: "We're getting more optimistic he could be involved again before the end of the season."

Pardew has previously insisted he will not take any risks with Ben Arfa but it would be a major boost for Newcastle if he can return for the run-in as he is a player who the manager feels brings a different dimension to the team.

"He's a massive player at this level. He's our Suarez - he's that different player, someone who in a tight game can create something out of nothing," Pardew said last month.

"He's a fantastic player, tremendous technique and a great mentality to be one of the best players in the world.



"That's what he wants to be. That's his target and all I am trying to do is drive him towards that goal."

Rodgers: Suarez happy

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has played down renewed speculation over the future of striker Luis Suarez.



The Uruguay forward appeared to suggest he would be willing to leave Anfield to join a Champions League club in the summer during an interview in his homeland ahead of last week's World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre insisted Suarez had been misquoted, and Rodgers believes the last round of rumours are of "no great relevance to Liverpool".

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, Rodgers said: "I haven't spoken to Luis yet. He was back late on Thursday and we just ran the medical team over him and he trained on Friday.

"All I am aware of is we have an outstanding player who has given everything for the club and he is very happy here.

"Every time he goes away, there is always something. I always say to players I have a simple rule: when you are with Liverpool just talk about Liverpool and when you are away with your international team concentrate on your international team so there is no drama.

"So what he says when he is with Uruguay is of no great relevance to Liverpool."

Rodgers has also played down claims from Ajax technical director Marc Overmars that Liverpool scouts have been making "regular" checks on midfielder Christian Eriksen.



"If you read what he says, he says we've had scouts there - but we could have been watching any of them, we could have been watching players from the other team," Rodgers added. "I won't speculate on anything."

Things I Can't Forget

  Have you ever had an epiphany where you realized that not everyone around you shares your same beliefs? That absolutes aren't applicable in real life? Welcome to Kate's conundrum. She finally has a chance to have a real relationship and real friends, but in order to have all that, she must figure out what she believes. This review is based on the advanced readers copy provided by Sourcebooks via Netgalley.

Description: Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Review: Miranda Kenneally's latest novel in the Hundred Oaks series, Things I Can't Forget, explores one teen's struggle for self-identity and faith. Kate is spending her summer working as a counselor at a church-run camp. She's still reeling from her decision to help her best friend Emily in a desperate situation that went against her beliefs and ruined their friendship. Kate hopes that in the mountains of Tennessee, she will get a sign that God forgives her. Summer camp brings new experiences and challenges for Kate. She is constantly, unfairly singled out by the camp director for doing something wrong and she doesn't fit in with the other counselors who, according to Kate's opinion, don't act very Christian.
  Kate is a very hard person to approach and like at first. She comes across as very judgmental. She only believes in absolutes, those dictated by her church, the same church that ostracized Parker in Stealing Parker.  Kate's sheltered world view is well-drawn and believable. As a reader you realize that her provincial outlook at life is constructed by only what she has been taught and blindly followed. The crux of the book is Kate's hesitant first steps on her spiritual journey to find out what she believes in and her relationship with her faith. Though religion plays a large part in this book, it is never heavy handed. There is a wide range of people who differ in their beliefs and their relationship with God, no true way is emphasized. The  more Kate begins to understand that faith is personal to each person, the more she comes out of her shell and becomes a real person. You get to witness her developing friendships with other counselors, particularly Parker who helps her sort out her confusion on what to make of her blossoming and incredibly sweet relationship with Matt, the boy who gave Kate her first kiss years ago at camp. Kate's character growth is a testament to Kenneally's skill as a writer. I loved watching Kate grow as a person, a girl who is more self confident in herself and willing to vocalize her needs.
  In addition to Kate, Matt is a very interesting love interest. He is incredibly charming, sweet and clearly crazy about Kate, but he's also a contradiction in Kate's eyes. He attends church but has no problem drinking beer with his frat brothers. The way Matt makes Kate feel contradicts everything she's learned in church where sex is concerned. The best thing in my opinion about Matt and really all of the love interests that Kenneally has created is that they accept their girlfriends for who they are. Matt accepts and acknowledges the boundaries that Kate sets, even though he may not understand and agree. He gives her space and time to sort things out.
  Though there are other important issues only touched upon in the book such as parental abuse and gay relationships, which I would have liked to see explored more, the book never loses its focus. Kenneally has given us an honest and realistic story about a teen's exploration of her own sexuality and faith. I applaud her in taking a big step in writing about sensitive topics in a sensitive and introspective manner. As always, I thoroughly enjoy her work and I can't wait to read her next book.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, underage drinking, and strong sexual content. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Blind Faith by Ellen Wittlinger, Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante

Riera: 'Galatasaray fans are 12th man'

Galatasaray left-back Albert Riera has praised Galatasaray's fans and has said that they are able to "win games" with their support.

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The former Liverpool winger said that football means everything to the Turkish side's fans and that he expects up to 15,000 to make the trip to the Bernabeu for the quarter-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid.



"Galatasaray's fans are the most fanatical [of all the clubs I've been at]," he told Marca. "If I had to choose just one of them, for their craziness and fanaticism, I'd stick with Galatasaray's.



"I've never seen anything like it in my life. These guys win games, I'm telling you. If the club is given 40,000 tickets then 40,000 fans travel plus a few more.



"They're talking about between 10,000 and 15,000 Turks travelling to Madrid and I believe them. It's insane how they live their football and what this tie means to them. Right now it means everything."



The first leg takes place in Madrid on Wednesday night.

Christian Eriksen linked with Liverpool

Marc Overmars has confirmed Liverpool have been 'frequent visitors' to Ajax this season amid reports Christian Eriksen is Brendan Rodgers' top summer transfer target.

Eriksen has long been regarded as one of the brightest talents in European football and the Denmark international only has one more season to run on his Ajax contract.



The 21-year-old confirmed last week that he was uncertain about his long-term future at the Amsterdam ArenA as he had not received a 'detailed' offer of a contract extension.



Reports in the Dutch and English media have subsequently claimed that Liverpool are favourites to snap up Eriksen in a transfer worth around €20million (£16.9m).



Ajax technical director Overmars would not comment on the transfer rumours, but acknowledged that Liverpool have regularly had scouts watching their games.



"We have a list of scouts from foreign clubs who have visited us and Liverpool have been a frequent visitor," Overmars told De Telegraaf.



Eriksen has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among the other clubs to have a reported interest.



Meanwhile, speculation has also suggested that Shakhtar Donetsk's Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa are alternatives for Rodgers if the Liverpool manager fails to land Eriksen.

Ferdinand angry at alleged racist chanting

Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at alleged racist chanting directed at him and brother Anton by England supporters during the 8-0 victory over San Marino.

The chanting was said to be directed towards Manchester United defender Rio, who pulled out of the England squad, and QPR centre-back Anton.

"You expect and accept banter from fans on the terraces as it's part of what makes the game great," Rio tweeted.

"But racism is not banter and from your own fans - WOW."

However, the 34-year-old former West Ham and Leeds player said: "Always a small minority who ruin it for others."

He later added: "Let's not jump to conclusions and assume though, as it might just have been banter. We'll see after the investigation."

Ferdinand's comments came after the football anti-racism network Fare filed a complaint to world governing body Fifa on Thursday.

The Press Association reports that some England fans sang a song suggesting the brothers should be burned on a bonfire.



It has been claimed the song had racist overtones because Anton was racially abused by former England captain John Terry.

Diaby season over

Abou Diaby will be out for up to nine months after tearing a cruciate ligament.



A statement on the Arsenal website confirmed the midfielder, who has a long history of injury problems, damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in training on Wednesday.

The statement read: "Following consultations with specialists, Abou will undergo surgery to repair the injury in the near future. Abou is expected to be out for around eight to nine months.

"The thoughts and best wishes from everyone at Arsenal are with Abou, and we all wish him a successful recovery."

Diaby's latest injury means another long spell out of the game for a player who has been beset by problems since his ankle was broken in a challenge from Sunderland's Dan Smith in May 2006.

The France international was restricted to just five appearances last season, and a promising start to the current campaign was ruined by a thigh injury suffered against Chelsea in September.

Speaking in November about Diaby's ongoing problems, Arsene Wenger said: "I can tell you he has been everywhere in the world to be assessed. There is an explanation.



"He is quick, strong, has good stamina but his muscle strength is not good enough to deal with that. Sometimes little fibres go in his muscles, this is basically his problem.

"The second reason for his problems, of course, is his ankle. Since Sunderland, his mobility in his ankle has been affected."

Blog Tour: Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

   I'm absolutely delighted to participate in a blog tour for Miranda Kenneally's latest release, Things I Can't Forget. Many thanks to Sourcebooks for allowing me to part of this blog tour and to read an advanced reader's copy of the book via Netgalley. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my review of the book! Below is a guest post by Miranda on what inspired her to write Things I Can't Forget. 

“Why Different Beliefs and Values Fascinate Me”

When I was sixteen, one of my closest friends got pregnant. At the time, I certainly hadn’t agreed with her decision to have sex, especially with a guy who wasn’t her boyfriend, but she was still my friend, so I wanted to stick by her. A lot of kids at my school ridiculed her and made fun of her, especially guys. I remember being shocked that one boy was particularly hurtful to her, and I couldn’t understand it because I knew he was trying to convince another friend of mine to have sex. The whole situation was crazy, especially when other kids started teasing me for being friends with a girl who was pregnant.

Still, I knew I had to stand by her, so I spoke to a woman at my church and we found a special home my friend could go away to so she could have the baby, put it up for adoption, and stay in school. My friend ended up never coming back to my high school.

I was proud of the decision I had made, to help my friend and stay by her. A couple years later, when I was 18 and still in high school, the same friend got pregnant again. This time by a different guy. And this time, she wanted to have an abortion. Her parents refused to help her, so my friend turned to me again. She didn’t need money, but she needed someone to drive her to the abortion clinic and bring her home after.

I was so pissed at her. I knew her parents wouldn’t let her go on birth control (!!!), but I’d told her to buy condoms. Still, this was a friend who had stuck by me through high school and had been my friend even when she was much more popular and prettier than me, but ultimately I decided I couldn’t help her. It wasn’t that I was against abortion – honestly, I’d never much thought about it, but I worried what other people would say if they found out I helped her get an abortion. My parents would be pissed. Kids at school would tease me again, just like when my friend got pregnant the first time. My church would be totally upset.

I had no thoughts of my own.

My friend found someone else to help her. She paid some random man to drive her there and back, which was totally unsafe. Our friendship kind of dissolved after that, but I often still think about what happened.

What if I had helped my friend? To this day, I don’t know if I made the right decision or not. At the time, it was a decision made based mostly on other people’s beliefs, not my own. Today, I probably would do whatever a friend asked of me, regardless of what I believe. It’s not my decision to make.

Things I Can't Forget, my third book, is about a girl named Kate, a devout Christian, who makes a decision to help her friend get an abortion, and afterwards she has to deal with the guilt and the resulting fall-out of their friendship. This book isn’t autobiographical at all – I was never as devout as Kate, but I feel this book gave me the opportunity to explore the guilt and to show that “your truth isn’t necessarily everyone else’s truth.”

I know that a lot of readers were shocked when I decided to include religion in my books Stealing Parker  and Things I Can't Forget (this will be my final book that explores religion), but religion is a big part of people’s lives here in America. The last census said that 78% of Americans claim they are Protestant. I wouldn’t call myself a Christian – I haven’t been to church in 12 years, but I still often think about what I believe, and I want teenagers and readers of all ages to know they can believe whatever they want to believe, regardless of what their parents and friends say. You need to make your own decisions.

Things I Can't Forget also aims to show that you can be friends with people who don’t necessarily believe what you believe, whether it’s about your idea of heaven, or Coke vs. Pepsi, or Mets vs. Yankees. This book is all about a willingness to be open.

If I could go back in time to my 18-year-old self, I wouldn’t tell myself whether or not I should help my friend get an abortion. I’d tell myself to do what I know in my heart to be right.

 Thank you for sharing, Miranda! Things I Can't Forget is such a thought provoking journey of self discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I really hope you all check it out! Things I Can't Forget will be published on April 1st, 2013 by Sourcebooks. 

 

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy… 

Children's Minireviews: The Day-Glo Brothers + Guyku

 I'm a bit behind on my children and middle grade reads, but I hope to catch up really soon. I find nonfiction books for kids really hard to circulate, but I've discovered some great titles that are fun, easy to read and educational. Both of the books below were featured on the Bluestem Book Award last year.

Description: Brothers Joe and Bob Switzer were quite different. Bob was a hard worker and planner who wanted to grow up to be a doctor. Joe dreamed of making his fortune in show business and loved magic tricks and problem-solving. When an accident left Bob recovering in the dark basement, the brothers began experimenting with ultraviolet light and fluorescent paints. Together they stumbled on a formula for colors that glows with an extra-special intensity-Day-Glo colors.

Review: I had no idea that fluorescent colors were created out of a bad experiment and business idea. Barton takes on the role of a cool and fun teacher and discusses how two brothers worked together to create the eye-popping hues. Joe Switzer figured out that using a black light to create a fluorescent glow could spruce up his magic act, so the brothers built an ultraviolet lamp. They began to experiment with various chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. Soon Joe used fluorescent-colored paper costumes in his act and word got around. Through trial and error, the brothers perfected their creation. The story is written in clear and simple language. It reminded me a lot of my favorite science shows, Bill Nye the Science Guy, that incorporates fun and education seamlessly. The book also has lots of whimsical cartoons. While endpapers are Day-Glo bright, most of the story is illustrated in black, white, gray, and touches of color, culminating in vivid spreads. The Day-Glo Brothers is a fun story that is sure to be enjoyed by those who love science.

Rating: 4 stars

Curriculum Connection: Inventors, Science

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 3 and up.

If you like this book try: So you want to be an inventor? by Judith St. George, How nearly everything was invented by Jilly MacLeod

Description: When you’re a guy, nature is one big playground—no matter what the season. There are puddles to splash in the spring, pine trees to climb in the summer, maple seeds to catch in the fall, and icicles to swordfight with in the winter.
     Nature also has a way of making a guy appreciate important stuff—like how many rocks it takes to dam up a stream, or how much snow equals a day off from school.
So what kind of poetry best captures these special moments, at a length that lets guys get right back to tree-climbing and kite-flying? Why, guyku, of course!

Review: Poetry is very hard to understand and write. Haiku seems like a terrific way to introduce poetry to young readers and in the case of Guyku- to boys though girls will gravitate to this title too. Haikus are  deceptively simple and very accessible to almost any reader. The poems in this picture-book collection capture natural moments that young readers have while playing outdoors. Each season is addressed, and moments associated with spring such as riding bikes with baseball cards attached to the wheels to mimic the sound of a motorcycle brings the book to life and almost define spring. The artwork created by pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations mirror the simplicity of each entry and capture the expressions of the boys and their adventures honestly and charmingly. This book could easily work with students learning about the seasons as well as teach them about poetry in a fun way.  

Rating: 4 stars

Curriculum Connection: Poetry and seasons.

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 1-3.

If you like this book try: Don't Step on the Sky by Miriam Chaikin, Song of the water boatman by Joyce Sidman

Ramos: The key to our success is unity

Real Madrid centre-back, Sergio Ramos is confident in his side’s chances in their crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against France on Tuesday evening in Saint-Dennis, as he feels their unity is what makes them such a successful team.

In his pre-match press conference, Ramos spoke about their approach to Tuesday’s match and will not allow Friday’s 1-1 draw against Finland dictate their performance.



“We’ll have to wait to see who’s in France’s starting team. What’s taken us to success is our philosophy, and we can’t change that.



“We’re a great national team; we’ve proved it in El Calderón. We don’t need to change.



“The Spanish national team has many alternatives and they shouldn’t be noticeable. The other day, against Finland, we didn’t know how to finish it off. It doesn’t motivate us more. We always want to win, we would have like to add a victory, of course, but we’re professionals, we move on from the bad things and we always keep in mind that we want to win and that we want to transmit that feeling.”



“The defence or any other position does not affect anything. The key to our success is unity and group strength.



“Football doesn’t have a memory, you need to prove who you are on a daily basis, what happened yesterday is of no use. No one is going to change that we’ve won two European Cups and a World Cup, no one has ever done that, you don’t beat anyone because of a coat of arms, you win because of the excitement, and we’re on the ideal track.”



Ramos, who will earn his 101st cap against France, has insight into opponent, Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema.



“Knowing Benzema so well might benefit us in this game, undoubtedly he’s a great football player, and you can’t get distracted for a minute because he might score a goal.”



Ramos concluded by discussing the return of Xavi and the absense of captain and Real Madrid teammate, Iker Casillas.



“The captain’s words show values that Xavi and Iker represent. Xavi has made a huge effort to be here and Iker has travelled here. No one doubts that he’ll return soon.”

Fergie: Giggs can go on

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Ryan Giggs to become the oldest outfield player in Premier League history.

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The midfielder signed a one-year contract extension earlier this month that will take him past his 40th birthday.

That will see the most decorated player in English football join Gordon Strachan and former United team-mate Teddy Sheringham in an exclusive veterans' club.

And Ferguson believes that, given the Welshman's current fitness level, Giggs could well continue to rewrite the record books.

"Ryan is an exceptional human being," Ferguson told US radio station Sirius XM.

"He has never carried any weight, has never suffered a serious injury and never misses a training session. He is still at the head of the pack during pre-season.

"He just has this insatiable appetite to continue playing. He will play next year and who knows he could possibly play for another year after that.



"I am sure he will get to 41 and still be playing because he is such a fit lad."

Ince won't hurry Prem move

Tom Ince will only make a Premier League move when he feels ready amid reports Liverpool will renew their interest.



Ince, who came through the youth ranks at Anfield before joining the Seasiders in August 2011, was the subject of a Reds bid in January but the two clubs could not agree a deal.



Speculation has surfaced that Liverpool could make a fresh attempt to sign the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window.



England Under-21 international Ince has been in impressive form for Blackpool this season, picking up the Football League Young Player of the Year award last weekend.



The youngster, currently working under his father Paul at Bloomfield Road, wants to make sure the time is right before he moves elsewhere.



He told The Sun: "It's great having that speculation and it's very flattering.



"Every player wants to play at the top level but that comes with time and patience.



"I've just turned 21. I need to make mistakes and learn from them.



"I need to make sure that if I go to the Premier League, I am ready to go."



Ince has 20 goals in 40 game for Blackpool.

Montolivo labels Balotelli a "superstar"

Ricardo Montolivo has hailed Mario Balotelli as a "superstar" following his brace in Italy's 2-0 win over Malta on Tuesday.

The AC Milan forward grabbed both goals for Cesare Prandelli's side and Balotelli's club teammate Montolivo praised the ability of the former Manchester City man after the game.



"Malta were clammed up and it was tough to find spaces. Luckily we had that superstar in attack and he sorted it out for us," Montolivo told reporters.



"I think Mario has become fully aware of his abilities and has learned not to fall into the trap of provocation. He has had a remarkable impact on Milan too and I hope he won't stop.



"Balotelli is a centre-forward and is therefore the leading point of the attack. We can even give him the ball badly, as he is so physically strong that he can hold off defenders and find space. Right now, he is a complete player."



Balotelli has scored 10 goals for club and country since moving back to Serie A in January.

'I'm committed to Real Madrid for now'

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he is currently fully committed to Spanish outfit Real Madrid.

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The former Chelsea manager has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League at the end of the current campaign, with his services having been paired with the Blues as well as Manchester City and Manchester United.



However, when asked by Sky Sports News about his future, the 50-year-old replied: "I am in Madrid and I am very, very committed to the club's ambitions for the remainder of the season. People know that I am professional and for the moment I only think about my job in Real."



The Portuguese boss did go on to confess, though, that he had been partly responsible for the speculation.



"There is a lot of talk but people need to understand that I can be in London very often. We have a house here and we love it here. Being in London is a very normal thing for us," he added.



"Every time I come people start immediately making connections to a return. I feed it because I say every day that I love it and will return one day. To be fair I give a little contribution to speculation."



Mourinho spent three years at Stamford Bridge, where he won six major honours.

Cavani: 'Suarez wants me in England'

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has revealed that his international teammate Luis Suarez is constantly trying to persuade him to move to the Premier League.

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Cavani has been linked with a number of Europe's elite clubs, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City among those who are interested.



Despite frequently expressing his happiness in Italy, Cavani says that the Liverpool man is constantly on his case about a move to England.



"When I speak with Suarez, he often talks about his admiration for Liverpool and the Premier League", Cavani told Voetbal Primeur.



"He even encourages me to come and play in England",



Cavani has scored 27 goals in 33 games for Napoli this season.

Mourinho : I may comeback

Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports he loves London, he will return to the Premier League and, most intriguingly, he will not rule out a return to Chelsea.

The Real Madrid boss was in the capital after having attended Brazil's game with Russia at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.



Mourinho is widely expected to leave Real this summer, and suggested last week that he was ready to return to one of his former jobs, which many people took as a hint he would be back at Chelsea.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, he admitted he still loves English football and confirmed his passion for Chelsea remains.

"In this moment, I am completely independent of talks and speculations, and people who know me, know me well enough that I think about my job at Real Madrid," Mourinho said.

He joked that the current freezing weather conditions in England was not enough to put him off.

"I cannot deny that, despite this weather, I love it here, and as I said I have a house and I have big emotional connections with Chelsea and one day I think naturally I will have to be back to English football, or to Chelsea or to another club.

"Of course, Chelsea means to me differently than other clubs. Chelsea is in my heart as Inter is for example.

"One day I have to be back but again it is normal that I am in London. The same way I walk in my home city in Portugal, people see that as normal and this is normal, the same thing is normal when I am in London."

Also linked with the Manchester United and Manchester City roles, Mourinho does not expect either of those jobs to be available any time soon.



"I think Manchester is Sir Alex's kingdom and I would love that job to be his job forever, and for many more years and the other chair is Roberto with a contract," he added.

"He was champion two years ago so I don't think there is a move over there and I hope everything goes well for everyone. Even Benitez, I hope it goes well for him and I wish the same for them as me for it to go well."

Referee Halsey send to League One this weekend

Mark Halsey, the official who did not send off Wigan's Callum McManaman for his high tackle on Newcastle's Massadio Haidara, has not been given a Premier League game to referee this weekend.

Halsey did not issue a red card to the Wigan striker during his side's 2-1 win over Newcastle on March 17 because, he said later, his view of the challenge on Haidara was blocked.

Because of the international break, this weekend will be the first round of Premier League fixtures since the incident, and Halsey's only top-flight outing will be as the fourth official for Reading's trip to Arsenal.

McManaman's tackle was greeted with outrage, but could not be punished in retrospect by the Football Association because one of Halsey's two assistants saw the incident, provoking a debate about the merits of disciplinary system.



Halsey will referee Friday's League One game between Coventry and Doncaster.



He will also be the fourth official for Reading's trip to Arsenal on Saturday.

GIF: Another angle of Callum McManaman’s horror high tackle on Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara.

United hire private jets to fly players home

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how Manchester United have hired a fleet of private jets to ensure their players away on international duty are back in time for this weekend's action.

United face two tough matches in 48 hours – first they play Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday before their trip to Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final replay on Easter Monday.



Ferguson may rest some of his stars for the Sunderland clash, but is ready to pay out in order to ensure the likes of Shinji Kagawa who is in Japan, and Javier Hernández in Mexico return to feature in his plans.



"Freshness is the name of the game now as we come towards the end of the season and the intensity of vital games coming in quick succession," Ferguson told the Mirror. "My role becomes even more important in selecting the right teams, with freshness the operative quality. It's not necessarily putting out your best team, it's picking the freshest.



"This will be a real problem when the players come back at the end of the international break after playing two games involving long flights, particularly with Chicharito in Mexico [to play USA] and Shinji Kagawa with Japan [who have a World Cup qualifier in Jordan on Tuesday].



"In fact, we're making arrangements for some players to fly home by privately hired jet after their matches, to make sure they get home as quickly and smoothly as possible.



"Tiredness is a great leveller but we will do our utmost to make sure we field the freshest possible teams. Private planes are going to cost the club an awful lot of money, but it is something we feel we have to do.



"The players who have missed the international trips, like Ryan Giggs, Anderson, Nemanja Vidic, Alexander Buttner and Rafael, will be key players in the run-in. Paul Scholes is back in training and will play a part in keeping us fresh."

The Fire Horse Girl

   Kay Honeyman's debut novel, The Fire Horse Girl, is a different kind of immigrant story. Instead of focusing on how immigrants try to assimilate to American culture, we are offered a different take of the immigrant journey where dreams and expectations are easily traded and sold in seedy places. This review is based on the advanced reader's copy I've received from the publisher via Netgalley. Thank you!

Description (from the Publisher): Jade Moon is a Fire Horse -- the worst sign in the Chinese zodiac for girls, said to make them stubborn, willful, and far too imaginative. But while her family despairs of marrying her off, she has a passionate heart and powerful dreams, and wants only to find a way to make them come true.
  Then a young man named Sterling Promise comes to their village to offer Jade Moon and her father a chance to go to America. While Sterling Promise's smooth manners couldn't be more different from her own impulsive nature, Jade Moon falls in love with him on the long voyage. But America in 1923 doesn't want to admit many Chinese, and when they are detained at Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West," she discovers a betrayal that destroys all her dreams. To get into America, much less survive there, Jade Moon will have to use all her stubbornness and will to break a new path . . . one as brave and dangerous as only a Fire Horse girl can imagine.

Review: Jade Moon was born in the year of the Fire Horse, a cursed year for girls. Her horoscopes dictates that she will be too bold, too brash, too stubborn, and she will bring nothing but sorrow and bad luck to her family. Jade Moon unsuccessfully tries to show her family and friends that she is not cursed, but things always go wrong. When a stranger named Sterling Promise shows up at her home in China carrying papers to America with her dead uncle's picture, a plan is hatched for Jade Moon, her father, and Sterling Promise to journey to a new country. Jade Moon is fully convinced that when she goes to America, her cursed label will be forgotten and that she, for the first time, will decide on how to live her life.
  The voyage to America is nothing like what Jade Moon imagined. It is perilous as she is being forced to spend desperate months on Angel Island waiting to be approved to enter California. She is completely taken aback on how poorly Chinese immigrants are treated. As she gathers clues, Jade Moon discovers that her father and Sterling Promise are using her for their own ends, she sets out on her own.
  I got involved with the story of Jade Moon right away. I really liked her character, but after a while I thought she became too much of a caricature. There was really no balance in her personality. She was just too stubborn, impulsive, and hot tempered, but I understood her desire to branch out on her own and make her own destiny. Sterling Promise, however, didn't really make that much of an impression on me. I never really trusted him as he keenly manipulated others to get his own way. There is a lot of potential for his character to become more. There is also hint of a romance along the lines of a love/hate one between him and Jade Moon, but it didn't really develop as much as I would have liked.
  The pace of the book is somewhat uneven. The first half of the book discusses Jade Moon's life in China and the build-up of the possible journey to America. The action stalls as we are given details on the life on Angel Island, but soon picks up when Jade Moon's path diverges from those of her father and Sterling Promises. The parts where she is forced to dress up like a boy and where no one notices for quite some time as well as get involved with the gangsters in San Francisco's Chinatown requires readers to suspend their disbelief. I wish we got to see more of Jade Moon become independent, but I did like how she grew and realized that who really wants to become is inside herself and not from what society expects from her.
  There are a lot of historical details including lots of facts of prejudice and injustice inflicted upon the immigrants on Angel Island that I was unfamiliar with before reading this story. The Fire Horse Girl is a different and refreshing take on the usual immigrant story.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and mention of brothels, prostitution, and gambling. Recommended for strong Grade 7 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Flowers in the Sky by Lynn Joseph, Thief Girl by Ingrid Lee, Learning to Fly by Paul Yee

Löw: Spain will certainly be in World Cup

German national team manager, Joachim Löw has no doubt that Spain will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, despite their misstep last Friday evening where they were held to a 1-1 draw against Finland, the worst team in their group.

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In an interview with French sports daily, L’Equipe, Löw admitted that ‘La Roja’ will face a difficult challenge in Tuesday evening’s qualifier against France, but has no doubt that they will be in Brazil in 2014.



“Spain are under pressure, but will most certainly be in the World Cup.



“The will immediately correct the situation, and if they are not in the top of the group and are to play in the playoffs, they will advance. When Spain really need to, they always know when to play with class.”



Germany will also be in 2014 World Cup qualifying action on Tuesday evening, as they face Kazakhstan, whom they beat 0-3 last Friday evening.

QPR's Park set to retire

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ji-Sung Park is set to retire from football at the end of next season.

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The 32-year-old has struggled since signing from Manchester United in a £2m deal last summer and is ready to call an end to his career even if QPR avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The South Korean, who signed a two-year contract at Loftus Road, has failed to find the fitness and form that saw him win a Champions League medal and four Premier League titles at Old Trafford.

His father Sung-jong Park said: "Nobody knows the future; maybe he could play one more year with a new team after next season. But I think [Ji-Sung] has made his mind up to retire. He thinks he's played enough.

"He's never had times like this with PSV Eindhoven or Manchester United. My son has had difficult times at QPR this season; it was a new experience to him.



"Ji-sung said it's difficult to keep his feel for the game as his playing time is inconsistent, but he doesn't have any hard feelings."

David Villa glad Tito's back at Camp Nou

Barcelona and Spanish international striker, David Villa is elated by the news that manager, Tito Vilanova is making is eagerly-anticipated return to the Blaugrana bench after undergoing two months of cancer treatment in New York.

In an interview with TVE, Villa discusses the return of Vilanova and is excited to see him back at work.



“We are excited to have him back with us as soon as possible with much improved health and overcome this hurdle in his life.”



Villa then discussed his own return to form after months of uncertainty following a devastating leg break in December 2011.



“I’m didn’t lose hope and took things day by day. I knew I had to recover well from this serious injury. All of the people around, supporting me directly or indirectly know who they are.”



One of those people who supported Villa was Spanish national team manager, Vicente del Bosque, who has put Spain’s all-time leading scorer back in the fold.

“It’s an honour for me; I have a lifetime of thanks to give him for the care he’s shown towards me.”



‘El Guaje’ then spoke about the national team and their upcoming match against France on Tuesday evening at Saint-Dennis.



“We have a defined playing style that we are not going to change. The style has given us slight scares like the other day [a 1-1 draw against Finland], but it’s also given us a lot of happiness and victories.



“This group has never changed. We are all very close going into a very difficult match.”

Reading wrap up Adkins deal

Reading have appointed Nigel Adkins as their new manager, the Englishman signing a contract until summer 2016.

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The 48-year-old was dismissed by Southampton in January after a three-year stint at St Mary's but takes over the Berkshire hotseat ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League match at Arsenal.

Adkins said: "I've joined Reading Football Club, (and) I want to be in the Premier League. First of all, I haven't been able to do this, can I take this opportunity to thank the people of Southampton, the people, staff, players and the supporters because we were all on a fantastic journey but we've all got to move on.

"I'm really pleased and (feel) priveleged to be Reading manager and yes we have to have a belief and a desire to take one game at a time and make sure this football club remains in the Premier League. That's why I've come.

"It's a good football club first and foremost and I was impressed when I met the owner, when I met Nick (Hammond).

"There's a stability, a future, I'm looking forward and excited about the prospect of being here."

Adkins will be assisted at the Madejski Stadium by Andy Crosby, his No 2 at Saints, and Reading owner Anton Zingarevich said: "I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us.

"He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels.

"This is an appointment we have made both with the short and long term in mind and Nigel can take our club forward.

"I know our supporters have been keen to hear news over the past two weeks and I am certain they will join me in saying it was worth the wait. I wish Nigel and Andy nothing but good luck and now we focus on eight hugely important games in the Premier League.



"Our supporters will also play a vital part in the finale to the season and I am certain Nigel will get an excellent reception from our fans at the Emirates on Saturday."

Vela desire to stay with Sociedad

Real Sociedad forward, Carlos Vela has recently reiterated his desire to remain with Real Sociedad on a permanent basis and has not interest in going back to Arsenal, should they activate the buy-back clause in his contract.

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In a recent press conference, Vela admits that the fact that his future is not concrete is unsettling, but is hopefully they can all work out some permanent arrangement, while he insists all of his energies are going toward helping the Basque’s reach European competition next season.



“Arsenal are a great team who gave me the opportunity to come to Europe and I have great affection for them, but right now, I’m not there, and when I was there, I wasn’t given the opportunities to grow and show what I could do.



“My head is only about playing well and helping Real finish the season well.



“I like peace of mind and stability, to know where I’m going to play, so we have to work to find an alternative solution with [Arsenal].



“I’m very happy here and if we can’t make it to Europe this year, I would like to stay and help them get there next year.”



Vela then praised former Mexican national team coach and current Espanyol manager, Javier Aguirre and isn’t surprised by the success the Catalans are having under his former mentor.



“[Aguirre] is a great coach. The team is in good form and has had great performances in order to get positive results.



“He lives for the match and his training sessions are intense, which is reflected in his teams.”

Rodgers: I trust Henderson

Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to the attitude and form of Jordan Henderson, admitting: 'I know I can always call on him.'

The midfielder has produced some of his best performances for the club under the stewardship of the boss, making 36 appearances and scoring three goals so far this term.



Though Henderson hasn't began a game since the Europa League clash with Zenit St Petersburg at Anfield in February, Rodgers has been delighted with his contribution and insists he'll have no qualms about recalling him to the starting XI when the time is right.



"It's just the balance and it depends on the opponent," Rodgers said. "Jordan has been excellent and his attitude has been great. The team has been winning as well.



"But Jordan has been excellent, he's a good player, he's improving tactically all the time and I know if I need to call on him he will be ready."

Lloris: No need to fear Spain

France captain Hugo Lloris says his side should have no fear when facing World Cup holders Spain in their Group I top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday.

France have only lost one of their eight competitive encounters with Spain (EURO 2012 1/4 finals).

France go into the game two points ahead of Spain with the opportunity to extend their lead at the Stade de France following their opponents' disappointing 1-1 draw with Finland on Friday.

France had no such problems with a 3-1 win over Georgia and Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris does not feel Les Bleus should change their approach against the side who beat them 2-0 at Euro 2012.

He said: "It doesn't change the way we'll be going into the game.

"We know how good Spain are and they are able to come here to win."

France face Spain following a win inspired by goals by Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Ribery at home to third place Georgia.



Another win for France on Tuesday would leave Spain facing a potential play-off to reach the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Vucinic: England's weakness

Mirko Vucinic claims to have found England's weak link, with the Montenegro captain unimpressed by their centre-halves.



Juventus forward Vucinic will lead the line f

or his country on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Victory for the hosts in Podgorica would make them strong favourites to top Group H and leave England scrapping for a play-off spot.

Vucinic feels there are areas of the Three Lions side that Montenegro can look to exploit, with the experienced frontman of the opinion that Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott could be found wanting.

Smalling and Lescott turn out for Manchester giants United and City respectively at club level, but they are not considered to be guaranteed starters and are relatively inexperienced on the international stage.

"I certainly do see that as a source of weakness because, if they do not play for their own clubs, I don't see why their national coach should pick them for the team," said Vucinic.

Vucinic has been in fine form for Juventus this season.

Asked if he expected the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry to still be involved with the England set-up, Vucinic added: "The match would be better and more interesting if they played because they are certainly among the best defenders in the world today."

Cabaye reveals he battled depression

Newcastle United star Yohan Cabaye has revealed that he battled depression earlier this season after a gruelling debut campaign in English football.



The former Lille star joined Newcastle in the summer of 2011, and he had a sparkling year which ended with his appearance for France at Euro 2012.



But he admits that not having a winter break for the first time in his career took its toll on his body, which led to a bout of depression.



Cabaye, though, feels that the groin injury he suffered midway through this season in many ways helped him and he now feels he is getting back to his best.



"Depression? I am not afraid to say that. It was that," he explained to L'Equipe.

"I was reassured reading the books of Jonny Wilkinson and Rafael Nadal, who both talked about the same thing. They talked about post competition depression and the need to have a break."

Yohan Cabaye

"But I was reassured reading the books of Jonny Wilkinson and Rafael Nadal, who both talked about the same thing. They talked about post competition depression and the need to have a break.



"Euro 2012 was the first big international competition I had played. It is completely different than what you could experience in daily life with your club.



"My season was long in a league where the pace is higher than in Le Championnat. I started with Newcastle early in July 2011 and finished late in June 2012 and, for the very first time, I didn't have any winter break so then to resume in July 2012, it was very difficult. Maybe it is difficult to start again after a big competition such as the Euros, but my body didn't allow me to do what I wanted to do.



"On a morning when I woke up, I could still feel tiredness. I wanted to think about something else rather than football.



"I am lucky to earn a living with my passion, but it was the right moment for a break. So my groin injury at the end of the year was finally not such a bad thing. Maybe that is why I was back earlier than expected.



"I asked myself a lot of questions. As long as you didn't experience it [depression] you cannot understand. But I was not worried.



"My injury allowed me to have some rest, meet my family and friends in Lille. When I was back in Newcastle in December I knew I felt better, but I never complained to anyone but my entourage."

Back to his best

Cabaye insists that he feels so much better following the surgery on his groin and he is now loving football again.



He added: "When I underwent surgery, I never asked myself if I would find my best level. My only desire was to cure my adductors, not feel any more pain and to be back perfectly fit in 2013.



"Physically I feel perfectly fine now and I am keen to fight for the club. I want to give twice as much to save the club from the drop. I want to prove to the fans that they can trust me and I can defend the Newcastle colours.



"Now that episode is over, I have much more fun going to daily training sessions. I realise how lucky I am. I felt that enthusiasm could leave and that is most dangerous."

Gerrard ready for tough test

Captain Steven Gerrard admits England will need to be at their best when they lock horns with Montenegro in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

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Montenegro hold a two-point lead over Roy Hodgson's side at the top of Group H ahead of the pivotal clash in Podgorica after both countries triumphed - against San Marino and Moldova respectively - on Friday evening.

Gerrard, who missed England's 2-2 draw in Podgorica 17 months ago through injury, said: "We believe, if we play to our level, we are more than capable of three points and that's what we have come here for.

"We know we've got to play close to our maximum to beat this good team. We know if we play anywhere near our level, we will get the result.

"We are concentrating on what the manager wants of us, to be very good defensively and play attacking football when we get the ball.

"These are the big games you want to play in. These are the atmospheres and stages you want to perform on as a player and a team. We will get a lot of credit if we get the result."

Gerrard insists he will not be making any special speeches in the dressing room before the game.

"Will I say anything before game? Not really," he added. "I just say my piece along with anyone else who wants to speak as well. The manager gives all the players the opportunity to speak.

"I don't think this is a game for talking. All the players realise how important it is and we need to do our talking on the pitch

"I've got a lot of confidence in my team-mates. They've got some wonderful technicians but I've got confidence we are a better team if we play to our ability."

Gerrard also shrugged off the comments of Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic who branded England scared long-ball merchants who think they have already qualified.

"It just shows we've got them exactly where we want them," said the Liverpool midfielder.

"They seem to be more interested in saying things and doing all the talking. But talking doesn't win you football matches.

"I'm not really too interested in what they've got to say in their press conference. Or in ours, to be honest.



"I'm more interested in how the lads play in training and when the first whistle goes."

All the backpage headlines

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All the backpage headlines:



Roman Abramovich has told Jose Mourinho he wants him back at Chelsea - DAILY STAR



Jose Mourinho is close to a Chelsea return after Roman Abramovich agreed to swallow his pride and reappoint the 'Special One' - DAILY MIRROR



Real Madrid last night upped the stakes in their £45m bid to land Sergio Aguero from Manchester City - DAILY STAR



Bayern Munich are leading Juventus and Barcelona in the race to sign Luis Suarez this summer - DAILY MAIL



Chelsea captain John Terry has emerged as a summer target for Fenerbache - DAILY MAIL



Arsenal target Stevan Jotevic can set up a summer move to the Premier League - by wrecking England's World Cup dreams tonight - THE SUN



New Reading manager Nigel Adkins will have more than £30m to begin a massive rebuilding job - DAILY MIRROR



Adkins has been promised a £1.5m survival bonus this summer if he can save the Royals from relegation - THE DAILY TELEGRAPH



Sam Allardyce has been warned not to price himself out of a new West Ham deal - THE SUN



The Hammers are ready to begin talks with Allardyce this week over a new three-year contract - DAILY MAIL



Norwich striker Simeon Jackson is set to join Brighton on loan - THE SUN



Aston Villa will pull out all the stops to keep young Austria striker Andreas Weimann - DAILY STAR



Arsenal have joined the hunt for Birmingham's Koby Arthur - DAILY MIRROR



Fulham are keeping tabs on Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle - DAILY MIRROR



Manchester United scouts watched 25-year-old Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic play for Bosnia against Greece on Friday - DAILY MAIL