Alan Pardew insists that new signing Shefki Kuqi is not a replacement for departed striker Andy Carroll.

The 34-year-old Finn, who signed on a free transfer on Thursday morning, goes straight into Newcastle’s threadbare squad for the game with Blackburn on Saturday.

Newcastle star Carroll left the club last week to join Liverpool for 35 million pounds but his late exit in the transfer window meant that the Magpies did not have enough time to react to his sale.

And this woe was compounded when striker Shola Ameobi broke his cheekbone at Fulham, leaving Pardew with just Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and youngster Nile Ranger in his frontline.

“Shefki brings us valuable cover – what he can bring is experience and presence,” Pardew said.

“With Shola injured we lack a bit of presence. Shefki is a guy who is a real gentleman and a character and anybody who has worked with him will know that. That was important.”

“We needed to bring in somebody that might be able to handle the group that we’ve got. We have a group that are honest and if you don’t do something right you will be told.’

“Not just by the coaching staff but the players as well.”

Pardew admits he has reviewed the enthralling 4-4 draw with Arsenal and still can’t believe that his side clawed a point out of the game.

‘I think even Arsenal’s coaching team were the same as us when they looked back on it – looking back in disbelief,” he said.

“It was an amazing day and we’ve come out the right end of it.”

“We ended the game on a positive but you’d hate to be on the other end of that.”

“We didn’t start well and we documented those reasons.’

“The comeback and the character that we showed was magnificent.”

Pardew has made the headlines this week for tearing into his team so loudly that it was even heard in the Arsenal dressing room.

“I said at half-time what any Newcastle fan would have said at that time,” he revealed.

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‘There was a couple of tactical things in there but not too many. It’s a day that will live long in the memory. Not just what happened in the dressing but what happened on the pitch because it doesn’t matter what’s said in the dressing room, it’s the reaction on the pitch.”

“You need to see people respond to criticism and adulation in the same way.”

“We did that and it was a joy to watch in the second half.”

Newcastle head to Blackburn and could even be unchanged from the side that drew with the Gunners.

Best has been passed fit to play but defender Steven Taylor must wait another fortnight to make his return from a hamstring injury.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been handed a four-match suspension for headbutting Tottenham assistant Joe Jordan.Gattuso fronted UEFA’s disciplinary committee with a charge of gross unsporting conduct following the ugly incident, which occurred in the aftermath of Milan’s 1-0 loss at home to Tottenham last Tuesday.The defeat left Milan on the brink of Champions League elimination, with the Serie A leaders set to visit Spurs for the return leg of their last-16 tie next week.Gattuso was already suspended from the trip to White Hart Lane having received his third caution of the competition in the first leg.The ban will apply to four UEFA club competition matches following next week’s return leg, meaning Gattuso will be available for the Champions League final at Wembley should Milan progress that far.A statement on UEFA’s official website said the 33-year-old was found to have ‘assaulted’ Jordan after the match. The Italian later blamed his outburst on racist remarks allegedly made by the Spurs assistant coach, a charge Jordon denied.Gattuso has three days to lodge an appeal.

If you fancy a flutter on any of the Premier League action this weekend then look no further. There is a full Premier League programme for a change so there are plenty of opportunities to have a bet, so here are some of the odds to consider…

The early kick off in the Premier League is an all Midlands affair as Carling Cup winners Birmingham City – yes, you read that right – host neighbours West Brom at St Andrew’s. Not the biggest ‘derby’ on the calendar by any means, but two teams that are still in relegation trouble.

Roy Hodgson has overseen two 1-1 draws since his move to the Hawthorns and the Baggies have certainly defended better as a unit since his arrival. However, Birmingham are the kings of set-pieces and everybody knows Albion can’t defend them – Roger Johnson over to you.

Arsenal and Sunderland meet at the Emirates with both teams carrying a host of injuries. This time last week Arsenal were 6/1 to win nothing this season, but they’re now trading at odds-on (8/11) to do just that. The Gunners were helped big time by Chelsea in midweek and we’re 8/1 that the title is decided by goal difference.

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The big game on Sunday is at Anfield and it’s sure to be a hard fought affair. Sir Alex wasn’t too happy in midweek and he’s 8/5 to leave Liverpool with all three points, but their very average away record would put me off a meaty bet at that price.

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Gerard Houllier has taken plenty of stick over his team selection at Eastlands, and 1 clean sheet in the last 18 will hardly encourage punters to back Villa at the Reebok at 11/5, but Ashley Young has found the net the last five times that he’s faced Bolton and the Midlands side can pinch a point here.

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Considering Arsenal have been eliminated from three cup competitions over the last few weeks, there has been a magnifying glass held over the Emirates to find the ‘how, what and why’ this season could be the club’s 6th year without a trophy. Although manager, Arsene Wenger has urged fans to keep the faith in the team for a successful season with the Premier League title still to fight for, the defeats at the Nou Camp and at Old Trafford have certainly harmed confidence.

Whilst the popular focus tends to be on the squad’s ‘maturity’ in big games, there has been less attention on the coaching staff at the North London club. Arsenal fans have nothing but praise for assistant manager Pat Rice who’s been Wenger’s right hand man since he joined in 1996 having previously been the Youth Coach for 12 years.

Rice, also a former skipper of the Gunners side that won the double in the early seventies, is the one barking orders from the dugout and keeping up team morale whilst Wenger works on his analysis of the game. And although they have achieved success in the past, is the time coming that the duo has become too comfortable at the club?

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It’s not just Pat Rice who’s been with Wenger since the start. First-team coach, Boro Primorac joined in 1997 and still fulfils the same role and Reserve team coach, Neil Banfield has been in his current role since 2004 having previously been the Youth team manager. The only addition of late has seen former defender, Steve Bould take charge of the youth sides, but should there be more of a shake-up?

In comparison to Arsene’s main rival in his 15 years in the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson has had various changes to his backroom staff and I believe it’s played a huge part in their consistency. Since Wenger and Rice began in ‘96, Fergie is now on his 6th assistant manager (Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren, Jimmy Ryan, Walter Smith, Carlos Queiroz and currently Mike Phelan).

Whilst it’s important for a club to keep familiarity with coaches in order to build solid foundations and create a strong identity, there is a danger of complacency. I believe Fergie’s changes of assistant manager have been very important to his success and things may have been different had he kept the same man for 15 years.

Steve McClaren was praised by players for his coaching ability, whilst Carlos Queiroz provided Ferguson with a more up-to-date view on European football and most noticeably there were changes in Manchester United’s formation and tactics.

So, would Arsene Wenger benefit from a few changes? There could be a danger of his current staff being ‘yes men’ to Wenger’s decisions and actions while someone new could challenge Wenger and give him a different insight.

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One criticism I heard of Wenger since the two recent defeats has been that Arsene chooses his team’s tactics at the start of the season, whilst everyone else chooses them every game. It may be harsh as Arsenal have been one of the best teams to watch over the last decade and a half but this third generation squad seem to lack the ability to win ugly.

Arsenal still have a chance of winning the Premier League title but he faces a tough task in getting his squad in the right mind set for the remaining games if they are to go on a winning streak. A positive from the United defeat, was the side were still creating chances, there wasn’t a lack of effort and if the team keeps persistence there could be a silver lining.

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Manchester United fans have already made up their minds when it comes to Gabriel Obertan – most of them anyway. Having watched him play, the general consensus is that he’s simply not ‘United quality’, or that he doesn’t have the stones to make it in the Premier League. Whilst I understand where these opinions have come from (and understand that they are, to some extent, justifiable) I’d like to try and formulate a defence of the lad with an eye to seeing how he progresses.

I grant that Obertan has failed to make the most of his limited chances in the first team. Even so I think flickers of his talent have occasionally glistened through the gaping cracks in his game. It’s clear that he requires confidence – the kind of confidence nurtured by playing on a regular basis. The trouble is that he’s done very little to merit the increased playing time. I expect however, that we’ll see Obertan get a few more shots in the Manchester United first team next season and I further expect that it will be next season where he begins to earn the begrudging respect of the fans.

He is a skilful player – that’s clear for all to see. If you’ve been following the reserves, you’ll also know he has a decent goal-scoring ability and links up well with other attackers. Whilst Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba are the two Manchester United reserve team players that get the most media focus and are promoted as being ‘The Hope for United’s Future’, I’d argue that Obertan has been just as impressive within the reserve set-up – if not more so.

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Of course, not everybody makes the jump from being successful in the reserves to being successful in the First team. But those who have proven themselves to be exceptional in the reserves set-up at least deserve a fair-shot at proving themselves at the top of the game. Can United fans honestly say that Obertan has been given ‘every chance’ to prove himself? If he had the full confidence of both the fans and the manager, could things be different?

I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson won’t give up on him so easily. Obertan will get plenty of chances. It’s important to remember, however, that this is a man without confidence who is trying to break into one of the best teams in world football. As patronising as it may sound, I think he would thrive with the full support of the crowd – at least then we could see if he’s really cut out to make it Old Trafford.

Article courtesy of Harry Cloke at This Is Futbol

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If Obertan can’t cut it at Man United, then maybe this man can…

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At the Bernabeu on Tuesday night, Emmanuel Adebayor did what he does best and that is scoring against Tottenham Hotspur. The Togolese forward now has ten goals against the Lilywhites, with eight of them coming whilst playing for fellow North London outfit Arsenal. While Adebayor is netting braces on Europe’s biggest footballing stage, previous employers Arsenal find themselves struggling to score against the likes of Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, let alone to claim any silverware from a season that promised so much just a month ago.

Adebayor was hailed as the heir to Thierry Henry’s throne at Arsenal when he arrived, and with 62 goals in 143 games ‘Baby Kanu’ looked like he was just that. However, after a high profile exit to Manchester City, did Arsenal do enough to replace the former Togolese international?

Robin Van Persie is Arsenal’s most recognisable striker at present but the Dutch international plys his trade mainly in the treatment room. There is no question that when fit and on form Van Persie is a lethal finisher and over the seasons has scored some crucial goals, but Van Persie doesn’t offer the strength or aerial ability of Adebayor, which have often been attributes Arsenal have said to have lacked.

Nicklas Bendtner: “The biggest thing I miss because of football is that I really, really love to go on a skiing holiday but as long as I have my career, I can’t do that because of the risk of being injured.” This statement says it all about the big Dane. A continual frustration for Arsenal fans is the appearance of Bendtner, despite having a pretty decent goalscoring record for the Gunners, his lack of pace and the gilt edged chance he missed recently against Barcelona at the Nou Camp probably means he is heading for the exit door in the summer. Definitely not the top class striker Arsenal need.

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Carlos Vela, ignoring his uncanny resemblance to former striker Eduardo in looks and style of play, the Mexican international is a constant threat and live wire but Arsenal have players such as this all across the park. Vela isn’t going to loiter on the six yard box and give that physical presence that Arsenal are still searching for in a striker.

Marouane Chamakh, a free transfer from Bordeaux in the summer, had an impressive start for Arsene Wenger’s side filling in for the injured Van Persie. Chamakh offered an aerial prowess on a regular basis that has been missing since Adebayor’s turbulent exit. The jury is still out on the Moroccan forward, though, with his performances appearing to go ‘off the boil’ in recent weeks. He may still be the answer to Arsenal’s need for a top striker, but he needs time, something which Arsenal don’t have.

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Ian Wright was replaced by Thierry Henry, Henry was looking like he was replaced by Adebayor, but now who does Wenger bring in for the controversial figure that has without a doubt left a hole in Arsenal’s attack? One thing is certain though; Arsenal are desperate for a world class striker.

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Can Fergie complete a double this weekend? His horse What a Friend is 11/1 to win the Grand National. Make sure you don’t miss out on the biggest betting event of the year!

Marseille are a step closer to repeating as French champions after a 4-2 win over Nice moved them top of the Ligue 1 table on Wednesday.It was a family affair at the Stade Velodrome as Ghana international Andre Ayew scored a hat-trick and younger brother Jordan added another in the second half, ending Nice’s six-game unbeaten run in convincing fashion.

The win, four days after Marseille became the first team in history to retain the Coupe de la Ligue, moves Didier Deschamps’ men one point ahead of Lille on the table with six games left in the run-in.

Lille had to have feared this day was coming after taking just two points from their past three games, allowing their lead on the table to be whittled down as Marseille surged.

But perhaps the title hopefuls would have allowed themselves a small sigh of relief as Marseille went into the break locked in a 1-1 stalemate with Nice, after Abdou Traore cancelled out the elder Ayew’s goal on the half-hour.

Ayew was in no mood to be generous however, restoring Marseille’s lead on the hour on an assist from his sibling.

The younger Ayew, who had replaced Andre Gignac in the 58th minute, then found the net on his accord 12 minutes from injury time as Marseille took a commanding 3-1 lead.

Ayew’s hat-trick goal in stoppage time gave the hosts an insurmountable three-goal buffer, one that Argentinean defender Renato Civelli pegged back to two with a consolation goal before the final whistle.

Elsewhere, a late winner from France international Yoann Gourcuff handed Lyon a thrilling 3-2 win over visiting Montpellier in a seesawing battle at the Stade de Gerland.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson put Lyon ahead in the 23rd minute, but the hosts could only hold on to the lead for six minutes before Oliver Giroud struck for Montpellier.

The visitors, coming into the match on a low after losing to Marseille in the league cup final on Saturday, showed plenty of heart to get back into the contest once more after Lisandro Lopez found the net for Lyon 10 minutes after the break.

Souleymane Camara drew Montpellier level once more in the 84th minute, but there was still time for former Bordeaux midfielder Gourcuff to find the net once more for the hosts in the final seconds before stoppage time.

Lyon, third on the table, now sit within four points of Lille and five of the title, keeping alive their hopes of securing their eighth league trophy from under Marseille’s nose.

Napoli winger Christian Maggio has rued his side’s 2-1 loss to Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday.Daniele Corvia put Lecce ahead four minutes after the break from the penalty spot, but Napoli hit back through Guiseppe Mascara on 67 minutes.

A Javier Chevanton goal two minutes from the end settled things in Lecce’s favour in a fiery affair, in which both sides had a man sent off by referee Paolo Valeri.

A win at Lecce, who are just two points outside the relegation zone, would have made sure of third place – and automatic Champions League qualification – for Walter Mazzarri’s side.

Now, however, they are just six points clear of fourth-placed Udinese and face difficult matches against Inter Milan and Juventus to close the season.

Udinese play Chievo Verona and new champions AC Milan in their final two matches, and would take third over Napoli should both teams finish level on points because of a superior head-to-head record.

To make matters worse, Napoli will be without top scorer Edinson Cavani – with 26 league goals this season – for the Inter game after he was sent off against Lecce, and Maggio said the team was disappointed not to beat the strugglers.

“That was definitely not the Napoli team we’ve seen in recent games, we certainly wanted to win in order to secure the third position but today it didn’t happen,” Maggio said.

“Now we only need to look ahead and think about next Sunday (against Inter).”

“We thought we would cause them more problems and we knew Lecce needed a victory to remain in Serie A next year so it was a very important game for them too.”

“In some parts of the game we were playing well and we had some good opportunities, but today we didn’t have much luck.”

Molineux will be no place for the faint hearted on Sunday with the threat of relegation in the air as Wolves host West Bromwich Albion.In-form West Brom have climbed to 11th after a late-season revival masterminded by new manager Roy Hodgson.

But Mick McCarthy’s Wolves have picked up just two points from their last five matches and are second from bottom.

And no one appreciates the importance of this Black Country derby more than Wolves defender Stephen Ward.

“At this stage of the season, with three games to go, we have to look at every game as a must-win,” Ward said.

“People are saying that Sunday (1-1 at Birmingham) was a must-win, but we have to take a point and move on.”

“Because it is so tight a point might keep you in there, but three points would be invaluable and that’s what we’ll be looking to get.”

Despite West Brom’s position of safety, Ward is under no illusions about the difficulty of Sunday’s task.

“I think it’s different if you’re playing a team that’s safe and might have one eye on the summer, but when it’s your local rivals they won’t want to lose to us,” Ward said.

“They’ll probably want to inflict a bit of pain on our fans and will be taking it just as seriously as we will. They’ll want to knock us out of the league.”

Two of Wolves’ three remaining matches are at Molineux and Ward believes that could be a key factor in securing their survival.

“If you look at our home form it’s been as good as anyone in the bottom half of the table,” he said.

“If we can continue that for the next couple of weeks and take something from our home games, then there’s no reason why we won’t pick up enough points.”

“This is probably the biggest derby for a while, and it’s probably bigger for us than it is for them.”

One of the key tactical questions will be how Wolves can stop West Brom’s in-form Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie, who has scored 14 league goals this season.

Assistant boss Michael Appleton believes this is only the start for Odemwingie.

“First and foremost, he needs to keep his feet on the ground, which I’m sure he will do because the gaffer, myself and the rest of the coaching staff will make sure of it,” said Appleton.

“Peter’s done really well this year but I expect him to push on because I think he can do even better.”

“I think he can save a lot of energy by sticking to what we’ve asked him to do and I’m sure that will improve and improve.”

Wolves comeback man Michael Mancienne is expected to be given the job of taming Odemwingie.

Mancienne returned to the heart of Wolves’ defence for the first time in a league game since September 2009 in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Birmingham.

And boss Mick McCarthy admitted the pacy Mancienne’s mainly positive return offered him food for thought for dealing with Odemwingie’s pace, despite being at fault for Sebastian Larsson’s equaliser.

“Yes of course – Mancienne has all of those attributes and he can handle those types of players,” McCarthy said.

Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart says he is keen to stay with the club next season.The former Ajax, Hamburg and Real Madrid star has already scored 13 goals for Spurs in the Premier League this campaign, but reports have linked the 28-year-old to clubs that will play in the Champions League next season.

Tottenham have not qualified for the Champions League, with van der Vaart’s club requiring a victory at home against Birmingham on Sunday to finish in fifth place and obtain a Europa League place.

But van der Vaart is not deterred by the lack of Champions League football at White Hart Lane next season.

“We always want to play in Europe. It is good to have the experience from the Europa League and it would be a nice title to win,” he told The Sun.

“I like to be playing every two or three days. Of course I want to be playing in the Champions League.”

“But I have only been here one year. I have enjoyed my year and we will see what next season will bring.”

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“It’s really important to be in Europe. You saw this season that being in the Champions League has helped us.”

“It is so important for players and that’s why we want to win our final game against Birmingham.”