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CONTINUATION OF MATCH PREVIEW


''They come in to work hard and I'll always reward players who do that.

''There's no rocket science behind it - you've got to come in and work hard and earn your money.

''And that's what the players are doing. Every single day they give everything and that puts them in with a chance of playing. It's the players who pick the team really.''

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is set to miss out after sustaining a sprained ankle. The 24-year-old, who has scored nine goals already this season, limped out of training with the problem.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has to decide whether to stick with Jon Flanagan at left-back.

Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone will go head-to-head with one of his Holy Trinity of childhood heroes when he takes on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on Sunday.

With the Tigers suffering back-to-back defeats and losing a previously unbeaten home record against Crystal Palace last weekend, the high-flying Reds head to the KC Stadium as firm favourites.

Free-scoring forward Luis Suarez is an obvious danger but Huddlestone's task will largely involve taking control of the midfield area and winning his personal battle with England captain Gerrard.

And the former Tottenham midfielder makes no secret of the esteem in which he holds his opposite number - who, alongside Eric Cantona and Marcel Desailly, captured a young Huddlestone's imagination.

"Gerrard has been a top-class player for the last 15 years," said Huddlestone.

"Growing up it was him, Cantona and Desailly as my three idols.

"He's got everything. He's quick, he can head the ball, tackle, one of the best passers around, he scores goals.

"There's been times when he's single-handedly won games for Liverpool in the league and in Europe.

"I'm under no illusions about how big a test it will be.

"You've got to treat it as a normal opponent, as much as possible, but it probably keeps you more concentrated knowing that you've got to perform an extra five or ten per cent better than you would against anybody else."

Despite his praise for Gerrard, Huddlestone has no plans to sit back and admire his work when they face off on Sunday.

Hull's positive start to the campaign has drifted slightly in recent weeks, not least when 10-man Palace completed their late smash-and-grab job, and giving Liverpool a bloody nose would go a long way to setting them back on track.

"Hopefully, collectively, we can all do our job better than we have done recently," said Huddlestone.

"When teams are more open against us, attacking-wise that's when we're at our best.

"Hopefully Liverpool will attack us and it'll leave a few more gaps we can try to exploit.

"The last couple of games have been pretty bad, to be honest.

"But playing the big teams in your next game makes it easier for the manager as the players can get themselves up for it even more.

"We've played well against teams who have come and attacked us, whereas Palace sat back and we found that difficult.

"I think we've just got to stick to the game plan and hopefully put one of our chances away."

Hull must alter their defence once again after Paul McShane tore a hamstring against Palace. Alex Bruce is likely to replace McShane.

Midfielder Stephen Quinn (hamstring) and forward Sone Aluko (Achilles) are out but defender James Chester should be fit enough for the bench after two months on the sidelines.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he is finding it difficult to give some of his fringe players pitch time because his first-choice side are playing so well.

On-loan Chelsea forward Victor Moses this week spoke about wanting more of a run in the team but he is not alone in that respect.

Last season's young star Raheem Sterling has been relegated to a bit-part player, summer signing Luis Alberto has made only sporadic substitute performances while even the experienced Kolo Toure and £16million centre-back Mamadou Sakho have found themselves in and out of the side.

''The boy (Moses) has been really happy here. Of course he wants to play but the team has been doing very well and the change in structure meant him coming out of the team.

''Victor is a talent and is happy to be in the squad, he wants to improve and I communicate regularly with him.

''He has never said a bad word about Liverpool since he's been here.

''Him and the other players have every opportunity to play because I assess them in training and pick my team from that.''

Keeping everyone happy is not easy but Rodgers knows there is a balancing act to be done and heading into the busy December period he is more than likely going to need some of those squad players to fill gaps and give others a rest.

''I always say that it's the hardest part of my job,'' he added. ''I recognise with the players and acknowledge to them that with just one game a week it's difficult.

''Luis Alberto is getting better every day - he's adapting and adjusting to the physicality of this great league and the game in this country. He's getting better all the time.

''There's young Raheem Sterling, who has been excellent in training and in his working but because of the form of the team it's been hard to get some of these guys on the field.

''So it's my job to help them and show that there's a pathway for them here at the club.

''For me it was very important to establish a culture of work on a daily basis and that's what we have got from the players.

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Moyes faces a tricky selection dilemma after the hammering of Bayer Leverkusen, leaving the Scot to decide whether to break up a winning team.

Marouane Fellaini is definitely available after suspension, while Moyes claims both Nemanja Vidic (concussion) and Robin van Persie (groin) ''have a chance'' of being available.

Jan Vertonghen thinks Tottenham's critics are making a mistake by writing off their season.

Andre Villas-Boas' position as Spurs boss has come under scrutiny this week after his team followed up their loss to Newcastle with a humiliating 6-0 reverse at Manchester City.

Tottenham will slip closer to the bottom half of the table if they lose to in-form Manchester United on Sunday, but Vertonghen sees no reason to panic even though the team have already lost four times.

The Belgian remembers how Tottenham and Villas-Boas came under pressure at roughly the same time last season following three straight defeats.

Spurs responded by losing just one of their next 16 league games and Vertonghen is hoping the team can go on a similar run this term.

"You cannot write us off," the Spurs defender said.

"We did not do well in this period last year with losses against Wigan and City and Arsenal. But we had incredible months in December and January and I think that is what we are aiming for now.

"We want to do well in those two months and then I think we can be back easily because the top half of the table is so strong that everybody can win."

Tottenham's confidence increased on Thursday night when they beat Tromso 2-0 in freezing conditions deep inside the Arctic Circle.
Still, the performance was hardly vintage Spurs and you do not have to be a football expert to know that United will pose a much stiffer challenge than Tromso, who were relegated from Norway's top-flight three weeks ago.

The Norwegians have no-one who is anywhere near as good as Wayne Rooney, who had a helping hand in four of United's five-goal blitz in Leverkusen in midweek.

Rooney will have taken encouragement from the way Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo tore Tottenham's flat defence apart last weekend.

Vertonghen thinks the Spurs back four may be in for an even tougher ride this weekend when they come up against Rooney and Robin van Persie.

"Rooney and Van Persie are quite similar to the City strikers," the former Ajax man said.

"They move well and play better and better together now.

"They are at least the same level as Negredo and Aguero. They are unbelievable.

"They are the most important players of the team but the strength of Manchester United is that they have always been stronger as a team together."

Vertonghen insists Tottenham will not be petrified about the prospect of facing Rooney and co, however.

The defender believes confidence has been restored somewhat following the victory in Tromso.

"It was important for the group to come away with a win in difficult circumstances," he said.

"We are so motivated to do well on Sunday, especially after the City game.

"I am very confident for that game because the supporters will be behind us and we will be so motivated to do well after such a loss."

Villas-Boas is expected to recall the likes of Jermain Defoe, Kyle Walker and Paulinho, who were rested for Thursday's win over Tromso but striker Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt because of a groin injury.

Manager David Moyes is happy to massage Nani's ego if it makes the Manchester United winger more consistent.

It has been a rather strange few months for the Portugal star. For the latter half of last season, it appeared certain Nani would be on the move as agreement over a new United contract looked impossible. Amazingly, once the transfer window closed and Nani was still at Old Trafford, he quickly signed a five-year extension.

That raised a few eyebrows and the fact he had made only six appearances prior to Wednesday's Champions League rout of Bayer Leverkusen has done little to settle the debate over Nani's future.

However, the 27-year-old was an integral presence in Germany as United romped to their biggest European away win since the Matt Busby era, and Moyes is wanting to see those same skills on show more often.

''Nani is a talented player,'' Moyes told www.manutd.com.

''We are trying to give him the feeling that he is important. It's something he needs - to get back to that consistency which gives him the reason to say: 'I'm the man. I can do that job regularly'.''

Moyes certainly feels Nani has all the attributes needed to have a major influence on his reshaped Red Devils outfit.

''He works hard enough at his game,'' said the Scot.

''He is happy to do all the leg work and his shooting with both feet is almost as good as anybody I've ever seen.

''He's incredibly talented and there is a chance he can improve. We want to give him the opportunity.

''You have to accept skilful players are going to be a bit indifferent.

''They are keen on showing you what they have got and, when it doesn't come off or work, it looks bad. That's the balance you have got to get right.''

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Pochettino defended his Polish number one and does not intend to start questioning the fluid, passing style he has introduced at the south-coast club and which has served him well so far this season - with his side sitting fifth in the table.

''As I said before, I don't see them as mistakes. I think these things can happen in football,'' he said.

''I don't ever really see them as mistakes. I think the feeling overall right now in the squad is a good feeling, it's a good atmosphere, but after the game the energy was quite low and we were angry and disappointed about what happened.

''We are going to continue playing the same way, we're going to continue playing with the same philosophy, with the same idea of how we execute our football.

''Because what that mistake shows is that we need to improve and we need to work even harder to improve how we play, how we reinforce that idea of quick passing of the ball and that includes Artur - that includes him in that set-up as well.''

Jack Cork and Gaston Ramirez will return for Saints. Cork missed the defeat at Arsenal with an ankle injury but is now fully fit whilst Ramirez is back in contention after also missing the loss at the Emirates Stadium after a late return from international duty.

Pochettino confirmed it is unlikely either Harrison Reed or Sam Gallagher will retain their places in the squad.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has asked Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey to take it easy on his side in Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting.

Former Bluebird Ramsey returns to Cardiff City Stadium with the Gunners enjoying the best form of his career.

The 22-year-old has scored 13 goals for club and country so far this term, marking himself out as a dominant figure in an Arsenal midfield including players of the calibre of Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil and putting the London club four points clear at the top of the table.

Mackay is not alone in being a keen admirer of Ramsey's talents, but made a request in jest that the playmaker give the club who started his career some respite.

Mackay said: "I hope he gets a great reception here and I am pretty sure he will.

"He is a fine young man, I met him a couple of weeks ago when the Welsh squad were here. He popped in and at that point I said to him to make sure that in a couple of weeks' time he goes easy with us.

"It's good to see a young British player grasping the nettle at Premier League level and actually being one of the main men at Arsenal.

"Sometimes maturity and experience comes at different parts of your career, but the biggest factor as far as he is concerned is the number of games he is getting on a consistent basis and he is beginning to show for club and country what a top young talent he is.

"We will deal with him as we deal with most teams and players, we have just got to concentrate on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition."

Mackay also outlined his respect for Arsene Wenger and the way the Frenchman remained calm amid talk of a crisis following their opening day defeat to Aston Villa, although the Scot will hope to wipe the smile from his face.

"I think that it was funny when you looked at it after the first week - after the Aston Villa game - people were calling for Arsene Wenger's head, saying there was a crisis at Arsenal," said Mackay.

"I think since that point he has just sat there with a big smile on his face, because I think he knows his squad and I think he knew what he was doing. He certainly did when he brought Mesut Ozil in.

"So I think going forward from there they have got a lot of quality players. He also has got players who have really stepped up to the plate. Look at Ramsey who has really come to the fore this season. It has probably surprised some people, even inside Arsenal, in terms of the way he has grasped the game. That's probably one of the bonuses for Arsenal.

"Overall a man that is experienced as him (Wenger) sits and smiles and keeps his own counsel when people want to get hysterical about the job he has done."

Wenger has challenged his Arsenal team to learn from the mistakes of Premier League title rivals Manchester United and Manchester City.

The Gunners could move seven points clear at the top of the table if they leave south Wales with a victory - something which United failed to do last weekend when Kim Bo-Kyung struck a deserved stoppage-time equaliser while City were beaten 3-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium in August.

Wenger, though, knows it will take a focused collective effort to get a positive result against Makay's well-organised side.

"They beat City at home and they played a very good game against Manchester United where possession was 50-50, so that is the challenge for us - to do better than these teams," said Wenger.

"We have the warning of their performances against the big teams, so we are in a position where we have a difficult challenge, but also a very exciting challenge because we can do better."

Wenger continued: "Cardiff look to have good solidarity, good togetherness and fantastic support as well.

"They are all on the same wavelength in the team and are very efficient at home on set-pieces.

"Even on Sunday when they were 2-1 down against Man United, many teams could have thought 'okay, it is Man United, we will not come back', but you always had the feeling that they don't give up.

"You could feel that they would come back. They have that special attitude and belief in the side - and that makes them dangerous."

Wenger will have England full-back Kieran Gibbs available again after illness ruled him out of the midweek Champions League win over Marseille, which all but secured safe passage through to the knockout stages.

luvola: must you beg for like ? Hull city will surely suffer and bear the brunt of the setback will had with everton.

Let's watch and see!

saymax: The Lady from the Hills. Ososo hills, Akoko-Edo L.G.A. Edo State!

We're from the same place! I rep Igarra, the HQ of your LG! One love.

oluseyioba: [color=#990000][/color[i][/i]
Am from Ekpedo in akoko edo local govt,edo state ....anyone from dre holla

From Igarra, in Akoko Edo!

tana4gud: Nice thread...my dad is from Estako east LGA, Iddo okpella 2 b precise n mummy is frm Ojah, Akoko edo L.G.A both in EDO STATE, . Pls were are my people...1 naija sha!

I'm from Akoko Edo, Igarra to be precise!

sexkillz: [color=#000030]Interesting. [/color]

Guy U don still show 4 dis thread?? Smh! What's interesting about AFARAID??

People are afraid to comment, because they are afraid of BAN for TROLLING!

What are all these??

remark D: You don't know how much I wish I can appear on your screen and gbosa you two dirty slaps at the very moment you type "Stella" and some nonsense on your keyboard....
someone should resign over doing the right thing, her job? or resign because some looters are not happy she is blocking their way and starts a campaign of lies against her? what is wrong with you people? hatred is really making y'all really really dumb & stupid.

What are you spewing??

Danhumprey: My phone is high on pepper soup.

Lol. Better low am ooo

Another Oshiomole's apology thread!

https://www.nairaland.com/1536259/oshimole-apologied

The man should just be in PDP and be updating us! January is the deadline.

Hull city will win! LIKE.

[quote author=Mynd_44]No need to curse na[/quote]Na prayers na! We're saying the governor is heartless to have said that, and the OP is here exhibiting the same heartlessness.

chidindufrank: This criminal and his devilish prayer

Just shut that trap, man!

Thank God we have a reasonable super-mod, even if some of our mods are not plausible! How can a mod move the thread showing Obasanjo in Aba during the civil war to sectarian politics?? Thenk God a reasonable person has brought it back.

MODs! Too many threads on Oshiomole's apology, try and close some of them, now!

https://www.nairaland.com/1536301/oshiomhole-apologises-over-comments-widow

https://www.nairaland.com/1536243/oshiomole-apologises-over-comments-widow

https://www.nairaland.com/1536251/oshiomhole-apologises-over-comments-widow

https://www.nairaland.com/1536258/oshiomhole-aplogises-over-comments-widow

If you do not accept his apology, even if you were not the victim, your sins would not be forgiven by the most high! OP! I want see your AMEN, now.

Danhumprey: Exactly!!!!!!!! What law did she broke to have warrant such derogatory and harsh statement?

Dan! I don't like this oooo!

FreeGlobe: in foreign countries oshiomole would have resigned over this crude and barbaric statement. we reject this apology. oshiomole must invite her to the govt house or visit her or make a statement of apology. Its not as if he has programs for widows.

Oshiomole should tender an unreserved apology to the woman personally, agreed! But has Stella resigned??

[quote author=MR. WHINNIG]In saner climes like the US and Canada he should have resigned honourably. I have totally lost my respect for this man.[/quote]Like how Stella resigned??

obalolaunited: Hez probably a nairalander it's too late to cry when the head is off

It's not too late guy! Can you compare this with the so-called apology letter one of our MODs wrote?? Was his letter not too late?? Did we accept it, or not??

That's what I wanted to hear! My comrade governor sir, go and sin no more! Your sins have been forgiven.

Exponental: i dont need it.

Good of you! What do you then need??

Bank Manager: Almost made an error when quoting someone.So i don't know who u're reffering to here..Or is it that lady called Desola who called Bianca Johnson ugly you wanted to reply.??

I was referring to you! You were the one that said, "she couldn't upload her pix on nairaland" na! That's why I said so.

Acidosis: Good!

We need a scape goat..

The top and first class thieves, thugs and barbarians think they can insult the office of the president and get away with it..

I ask, where were these genetic goats during the time of President Obasanjo?
Who among these goats is bold enough to criticize insult him back then?

GEJ is such an humble man with a commendable tolerance.

Calling people goats, won't solve your problem.