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Sunday Life 07 AUGUST 2011

07 AUGUST 2011 Sunday Life

www.sundaylife.co.uk

SPORT | 107

UNBEATABLE FOR FOOTBALL EVERY SUNDAY

JEREMY BUTLER
ITS going to be impossible to stop Charlie Adam playing with a big smile on his face this season. Not just because he's finally wearing a Liverpool shirt, but because that's the only way Adam knows to play the game. Liverpool's new midfield signing is still pinching himself about the fact he is treading the magical grass carpet at Anfield this season. Having spent so long trying to prove he is a classy enough act to tread the Premier League boards, he intends to enjoy it. And to Adam there is only one way to do that. He said: It's easy to enjoy myself at the moment because I know in football things can

REDS ACE CANT WAIT TO GET UP AND ADAM

change so quickly. I'm at Liverpool now but I know that if I don't perform then I won't be here very long. I am a realist in that respect because I know from my own experience that football is a tough, tough school. That's why I try to enjoy every single minute of it. That's why I try to play with a smile on my face. You've got to enjoy it that's one thing Ian Holloway always said to me at Blackpool. Enjoy it because you never know whether the next game is going to be your last. It's the statement of man wiser than his 25-years but one that's not surprising from a player who has always drunk from the well of reality. Even when being hailed as a demi-god for his miraculous achievements at Blackpool he refused to be swept away by the gushing praise. How did it manage it? He focused on his conviction that Premier League football was well within his capabilities. Adam said: I've always been confident in my own ability to play at the highest level, but up until last year I had never been given the opportunity to prove it. There's no better feeling that walking out at three o'clock on a Saturday to play football. Every footballer would tell you that or they should do. It doesn't matter how much money you earn, playing on a Saturday is the most important thing. That's what I have looked forward to since I was a boy and hopefully I'll get the opportunity to do that and be successful here. I am looking forward to the challenge because this is a massive club with massive expectations. And people will expect more from me as well. I want to show that I can be a Premier League player on a consistent basis.

BUTLERS
EXTRA TIME

NET LOSS: Liverpool fans are seriously concerned about their sides defence

King Kenny has no case for the defence

RESULTS IN ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

Npower Championship Brighton 2-1 Doncaster, Bristol City 0-3 Ipswich Report, Burnley 2-2 Watford, Coventry 0-1 Leicester, Derby 2-1 Birmingham City, Middlesbrough 2-2 Portsmouth, Nott'm Forest 0-0 Barnsley, Peterborough 2-1 Crystal Palace, Reading 2-2 Millwall. Npower League One Brentford 2-0 Yeovil, Carlisle 0-3 Notts County, Charlton 3-0 Bournemouth, Huddersfield 1-1 Bury, MK Dons 2-2 Hartlepool, Oldham 0-2 Sheffield Utd, Preston 2-4 Colchester, Sheff Wed 2-0 Rochdale, Stevenage 0-0 Exeter, Tranmere 1-0 Chesterfield, Walsall 1-0 Leyton Orient, Wycombe 1-1 Scunthorpe. Npower League Two AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Bristol Rovers, Bradford 1-2 Aldershot, Gillingham 1-0 Cheltenham, Macclesfield 01 Dag & Red, Morecambe 01 Barnet, Northampton 0-0 Accrington Stanley. Port Vale 2-2 Crawley Town, Rotherham 1-0 Oxford Utd, Shrewsbury 1-1 Plymouth, Southend 1-0 Hereford, Swindon 3-0 Crewe, Torquay 2-2 Burton Albion. Scottish Premier League Dundee Utd 1-1 St Mirren, Dunfermline 3-3 Inverness CT First Division Ayr 1-2 Hamilton, Livingston 2-2 Queen of South, Partick Thistle 0-1 Dundee, Raith Rovers 1-0 Falkirk, Ross County 0-0 Morton. Second Division Airdrie Utd 3-0 Dumbarton, Arbroath 6-2 Albion, Brechin 2-0 Stenhousemuir, Forfar 2-2 Cowdenbeath, Stirling 1-0 East Fife. Third Division Annan Athletic 5-2 Queen's Park, Clyde 2-0 Peterhead, East Stirling 1-0 Montrose, Elgin 4-1 Berwick, Stranraer 2-3 Alloa.

HIGH HOPES: Charlie Adam

LITERARY FRAUD: Joey Barton

JOEY BARTONS attempts to come across all bookish on Twitter have been exposed. After providing Sky Sports News with most of their content this week by quoting authors like George Orwell, the Newcastle rebel came unstuck when tested out by one of Fleet Streets finest. When asking whether Barton was on The Road to Wigan Pier one of Orwells famous books he could only reply Lost me there mate. Maybe its time to put down the Blackberry and head off to the library. YOU have to feel for Bolton. Last season they lost Stu Holden as a result of a tackle from Jonny Evans that broke his leg. Then Lee Chung-yong suffered a similar injury at Hereford last weekend, and now Tyrone Mears is out for the campaign have suffered a leg break in training. All of them have one thing in common. They are decent fellas. They say it comes in threes, I do hope so. I would hate to see another one. TIGERS back. He may not be roaring like in the past but the interest in his return shows how important he is to golf's profile. I SAT down for a chat with Ian Holloway last week. The Blackpool boss opened his heart on the problems he has faced this summer dealing with a stubborn chairman who makes Alex Ferguson look like a soft touch. This wasnt the animated Ollie you may have seen clowning about on camera. It was a decent man talking sensibly about the game. If only the public could see what he is really like.

HERE TO STAY: Charlie Adam with fellow new signings Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing as well as manager Kenny Dalglish

WHEN its football anthems you want to marvel at, the Kop has always been the place to seek out. And as the season comes into view, they need to warm up their throats and launch into a new tune. Namely, get your finger out Kenny! For whilst Liverpools parade of attacking stars this week has got fans licking their lips in anticipation of taking teams apart, its the other end they should worry about. Just like Kevin Keegan in his prime, Dalglish has been stocking up on more forward thinking stars than he can shake a stick at. Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson promise goals galore and a swash-buckling style that will whip the Kop up into a fever. But the smiles will quickly fall off their faces when opponents rush down the pitch and smash one past Pepe Reina. And that is destined to happen unless Dalglish hurries up and hauls in some of the top defensive talent England currently possesses. The Premier League is awash with top-notch stop-

TROUBLE IN STORE: Dalglish

pers. Liverpool are not. Ask Daniel Agger. The Dane piped up following the shambles in Norway to admit the Reds defence has more holes in it than a grubby string vest. Valeranga had to haul in some second division players to make up the numbers in the pre-season friendly and still managed to net three. That made it 15 goals conceded before last nights clash with Valencia all against

opposition that could not lace the boots of the teams Liverpool face in the top fight starting with Sunderland next week. So why is Kenny hanging around? Owen Coyle is begging for someone to take Gary Cahill (below) off his hands. The youngster is England class but his contract is running down and Bolton want to cash in quickly. Then there is Scott Dann down at Birmingham. Decent enough for Arsenal to check him out. A no-nonsense stick your head' in type player. Just the sort Liverpool need. And dont forget Phil Jagielka just down the road, a deal which may be hard to get done politically but one that would give Liverpool a leader at the back for a decade. That's not all. Ryan Shawcross at Stoke has a huge future. One that simply can't be fulfilled at the Britannia Stadium. All of them fit the criteria set out by owner John W Henry of young English players boasting a resale value.

Dalglish has already missed out on Phil Jones. He cant afford to miss out on many more. If he goes into the season with what hes got, baseball owner Henrys ambition of a top four finish is going to be smashed out of the ball park. The Reds are asking too much of Jamie Carragher to keep the worlds best strikers under control. Agger has never looked dominant at the heart of the defence, whilst the thought that Martin Skrtels could rival Nemanja Vidic as the Premier Leagues top hardman now looks laughable. And after that...well there is nothing. Compare that to United. If Vidic or Rio Ferdinand are out then theres Jones, Chris Smalling and our own Jonny Evans to slip seamlessly into place. That pool of talent is an indication of the strength in depth Sir Alex Ferguson believes you need to challenge for honours. King Kenny seems to disagree. I wouldn't.

PREMIER LEAGUE

PREDICTIONS

TOP FOUR MANCHESTER UNITED Head and shoulders above of their rivals. A 20th title is on its way to Old Trafford. MANCHESTER CITY Quickly becoming the real deal but a season too soon to push for United all the way. CHELSEA Rookie coach and an ageing team, but still enough quality to book a Champions League spot. LIVERPOOL No distractions from European football and an attacking bent will lift the Reds back into the top four. BOTTOM THREE SWANSEA If you think buying Leroy Lita is the answer then there is only one way you are going down. NEWCASTLE The Joey Barton saga shows what a mess this club is in. Internal wars will prove costly. BLACKBURN A lack of spending and a reliance on an over-promoted coach will take its toll.

BRIGHT START FOR GUS AND THE SEAGULLS

SAM HUGHES
SUBSTITUTE Will Buckley scored twice to christen Brighton's first competitive fixture at their new Amex Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Doncaster, despite boss Gus Poyet being sent to the stands after Billy Sharps opener for Rovers. But Buckley, a 1million summer signing from Watford, altered things with a game-changing effort from the bench, equalising in the 83rd-minute and stroking home the winner deep in injury-time. Birmingham began life back in the

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP
second tier with a morale-sapping 2-1 defeat at Derby, despite Chris Hughton's side taking the lead through Curtis Davies. Jason Shackell equalised before Steve Davies grabbed the winner. Promotion favourites Leicester kicked off their season with a 1-0 win at Coventry thanks to Lee Peltiers goal. Last season's losing play-off finalists Reading staged a remarkable comeback

Follow Jeremy Butler on Twitter @ jezbutler

WHERE THERES A WILL: Will Buckleys brace earned victory

in a 2-2 draw at home to Millwall. A brace from Mathieu Manset inside the last five minutes salvaged a point after the east Londoners led through Darius Henderson and John Marquis. Steve McClaren's reign at Nottingham Forest got off to an unspectacular start as they were held goalless by Barnsley at the City Ground, while his old club Middlesbrough had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth, for whom Luke Varney grabbed an injurytime equaliser. Newly-promoted Peterborough came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at

London Road as substitute David Ball grabbed the winner. Ipswich's 1.5m summer signing Michael Chopra enjoyed a dream debut as the Tractor Boys won 3-0 at Bristol City. The former Cardiff man scored in either half to sink the Robins, with Lee Martin netting Town's second. Sean Dyche was denied a win on his managerial debut for Watford as Burnley battled back for a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor. Craig Forsyth and Mark Yeates put the Hornets in command until Charlie Austin and sub Keith Treacy equalised.