10 Mar 2014 Search starts for 2014 National Skills Challenge champions The search has started for the 2014 champions of England Golf’s National Skills Challenge. This year’s competition, sponsored by FJ, the #1 Shoe and Glove in Golf, has just begun and the first official Challenge event of 2014 is underway. Over 800 clubs and ranges and 6000 juniors are registered to take part in this year’s National Skills Challenge – and there’s still time to enter. The top players who take part in the two official Challenges will be eligible to qualify for the 96 regional final places and the top 32 will go forward to the national final. FJ have supported this initiative since 2010 with products and prizes for all players who qualify for the regional and national finals. Russell Lawes, FJ Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to once again support the National Skills Challenge. Teaching junior golfers the key fundamentals of golf at an early age is extremely important to their development and understanding of the game. “The relaxed and enjoyable environment in which the National Skills Challenge is run is perfect for engaging juniors with the game of golf. We as always look forward to hearing how the juniors progress throughout the year and would like to wish everyone participating the very best of luck.” The National Skills Challenge is England Golf’s junior skills programme and consists of 10 challenges covering putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play and the long game. Registered clubs have the choice of taking part in the two official Challenge events – which take place between specific dates – or running own club challenges or simply incorporating the activities into their own junior coaching programmes. The 2014 club Challenge dates are as follows: Challenge 1: Saturday 1st March 2014 – Sunday 4th May 2014 Challenge 2: Monday 5th May 2014 – Sunday 6th July 2014 The regional finals will be held in August and the national final in September. Richard Flint, England Golf Club Services and Development Director, commented: “The National Skills Challenge provides golf facilities with a range of fun coaching activities, which help to encourage juniors to practice and develop their skills. All golf clubs and driving ranges are welcome to register and receive a variety of free resources including manuals, scorecards and certificates.” Dates and venues for the regional and national finals, together with the live online leaderboards, and information on how to register are available now at www.getintogolf.org/skills. The National Skills Challenge, supported by FJ, is an initiative provided by England Golf as part of the England Golf Strategic Plan 2014-2017. Caption: Some of the competitors at the 2013 National Skills Challenge final (image copyright John Thomson).
In this Friday, May 28, 1977, file photo, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Jack Ramsay autographs a basketball as the team arrived in Portland, Ore., as the trail Blazers trail the Philadelphia 76ers two games to none in their best of seven series for the NBA basketball title. (AP Photo/File)MIAMI (AP) — Jack Ramsay, a Hall of Fame coach who led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship before he became one of the NBA’s most respected broadcasters, has died following a long battle with cancer. He was 89.Ramsay’s death was announced by ESPN, for whom he worked as a broadcaster for many years.“Dr. Jack Ramsay has passed,” ESPN spokesman Chris LaPlaca wrote on Twitter early Monday. “A rare man. Loved and respected by all. Fascinating life well lived. An inspiration to so many.”Ramsay coached in the NBA for parts of 21 seasons before embarking on a second career as an NBA analyst. He was diagnosed with melanoma in 2004 and later battled growths and tumors that spread to his legs, lungs and brain, then later fought prostate cancer and most recently a marrow syndrome.In this Sunday, April, 14, 2002, file photo, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Jack Ramsay smiles during a special 25th anniversary reunion of the Trail Blazers’ 1976-77 championship team at halftime of their NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Shane Young, File)His affinity for fitness never wavered, though. Ramsay, who competed in at least 20 triathlons during his life, worked out regularly into his 80s, even as he battled the various forms of cancer that he was stricken with. He often spoke of his love of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico near his home in Naples, Fla., or jogging in a pool or from wall to wall in his hotel room when he was traveling on NBA assignments.“He’s probably forgotten more about the game than I know,” Miami Heat coach and president Pat Riley once said of Ramsay, whom he counted as a close friend.Ramsay also spent several years late in life caring for his wife, Jean, who was diagnosed in 2001 with Alzheimer’s disease. She died in January 2010.Ramsay had enormous popularity within the league, even until the final stages of his life. To commemorate Ramsay’s 89th birthday earlier this year, Portland coach Terry Stotts wore a loud checkered jacket and open-collared shirt for a Blazers’ game — a nod to how Ramsay dressed when he coached the club.“Jack’s life is a beacon which guides us all,” Bill Walton, who was on Ramsay’s 1977 title team in Portland, told USA Today in 2007. “He is our moral compass, our spiritual inspiration. He represents the conquest of substance over hype. He is a true saint of circumstance.”John T. Ramsay was born Feb. 21, 1925, in Philadelphia and enrolled at Saint Joseph’s in 1942, eventually becoming captain of the basketball team there for his senior season. He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949, explaining the “Dr. Jack” moniker that most players and fans simply knew him by.Ramsay’s biggest impact on Hawk Hill would be when he started coaching his alma mater in 1955. He was wildly successful there, going 234-72 and taking the Hawks to the NCAA tournament seven times, the Final Four in 1961 and to a No. 1 preseason ranking by Sports Illustrated in 1965.To Ramsay, the most significant part of the Saint Joseph’s years was this: “I met my wife there,” he said.He was a founding father of sorts for the growth of “Big 5” basketball, which is what the annual series between Philadelphia-area schools Saint Joseph’s, La Salle, Penn, Villanova and Temple was dubbed.“I felt a lot of personal pride and interest in the outcome of those games,” Ramsay told the AP in 2004. “There wasn’t as much interest in conference play. There wasn’t the impact of a national championship or conference championships like there is today. The Big 5 was clearly the biggest thing any of those schools were involved in at that point.”Ramsay took over as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968, moved on to the Buffalo Braves in 1972 and took his craft to Portland in 1976 — where he took a team with stars like Walton and Maurice Lucas and delivered an NBA championship in his first season, beating the 76ers in six games in the final series.“For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that I will cherish forever,” Ramsay in an 1997 interview.Indeed, that was his lone NBA title. Walton got hurt the next year, crippling Portland’s chances of getting back to championship form during that era. Ramsay coached the Blazers for nine more seasons without another trip to the finals, and spent the final three years of his NBA sideline career in Indiana — resigning from the Pacers in November 1988 after the team got off to an 0-7 start.Ramsay was 864-783 in his NBA career, being named one of the league’s Top 10 all-time coaches in 1996.When he left the Pacers, Ramsay carefully did not use the word “retire,” and began working as a television analyst on 76ers games. Eventually, he worked on Heat television broadcasts for eight seasons before moving full-time to ESPN for radio and TV commentating before the 2000-01 season.“So grateful that his path crossed ours,” his former Heat broadcast partner Eric Reid wrote on Twitter early Monday. “Hall of Fame coach and man.”
Story and photos by Rick GeffkenIt’s easy to miss the small white stone nestled between the flagpoles at Veterans Memorial Park in Highlands. The hill rising near the Shrewsbury River is dominated by the tribute to thousands of 9/11 victims: two imposing bas-relief sculptures, and four engraved boulders. If you happen upon the small white stone you’ll see a bronze plaque inscribed with these few words: “Dedicated to those who made the Supreme Sacrifice in World War II.” The names of 13 Highlands men who died during that long ago conflict follow the inscription.This unimposing tribute to a few deceased veterans did not escape the notice of Walter Guenther of the Highlands Historical Society. He found that the stone was originally in Huddy Park in the Water Witch section of town before it was moved to the park on the corner of Bay and Shrewsbury avenues. He strongly believes these patriots deserve to be remembered today, 71 years after the fighting stopped.Guenther grew up in Highlands after his family moved from Nanuet in New York to Marine Place in the borough in 1943. “It seemed like all the older Highlands men were vets in those days. We played Army as kids in all our parks. I walked right by these names, didn’t know anything about them.”After attending Cornell University and enjoying a career in corporate finance, Walt settled in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children. They returned to Highlands every summer to spend time with Walter’s siblings and his mother. A few years ago, he joined the local Historical Society where his parents had been charter members. When he asked other members about the names on the World War II plaque, he was surprised that very little was known about the men. “I’ve always respected vets, though I’m not one myself,” he says. “They gave their lives for their country and we ought to know as much as we can about them.” Thus began his search to honor the service of the forgotten.Walt estimated that at least three generations have passed since World War II, and it was unlikely any of the parents of the 13 were still alive. Who else might know about them? Remaining relatives might not often think about the men who shipped off to the Pacific or to Europe in the 1940’s. Sad memories fade, people move away, old photographs and letter molder away in attics or basements. Maybe some of these servicemen were just summer residents or even unmarried and therefore would have had no family connections at all in the Highlands.Guenther visited the Highlands VFW and the American Legion Post to inquire about the names on the stone. “Nobody seemed to know. Same story when I went to Town Hall.” But he did discover that 265 men and five women from Highlands volunteered or were drafted for military service. “Thirteen deaths out of 270 seemed pretty high to me,” he recalls. Walter started digging in online resources like census records and newspapers. Obituaries for a few of the names yielded tiny biographical details. He found that all 13 were enlisted men, none were officers. One particularly heroic story emerged from Guenther’s investigations. That story revealed a Highlands family devastated by two tragedies.Try as he might, Guenther could not find any military records for Ernest Arnath who died while serving in the Navy. Cross-checking the last name, Walt found that the man’s first name had been transcribed incorrectly. He was Eugene Arnath, and he was a decorated hero.Arnath was a seaman on the USS Sculpin submarine patrolling the waters near Truk Island in the South Pacific in 1943. When a Japanese destroyer discovered it, the sub was subjected to a withering hour of depth charges. Forced to surface, the submariners were easy targets for the destroyer’s guns. The American crew scrambled to defend themselves. Eugene Arnath returned many rounds of fire from the sub’s deck gun until he was hit and killed. His heroism was rewarded with a Bronze Star. Many of his shipmates were killed, a lucky few captured.We can only imagine the devastation on Arnath’s mother, Clara Bloodgood Rugg Arnath, when she received the awful news back in Highlands. Her grief was compounded when, less than a year after Eugene’s loss, another son, from a previous marriage, Charles Rugg, was also killed in combat.Charles Rugg was a rifleman with the US Army’s 29th Infantry, one of the battalions which stormed Normandy Beach in France. Though he hasn’t yet discovered exactly where Charles died, Guenther believes Rugg made it off that beach during the famous invasion of 1944, but was cut down further inland just a few weeks later. Charles Rugg’s remains are with thousands of his comrades in arms in a U.S. cemetery in Normandy. We don’t know if Clara Arnath, a two-time Gold Star Mother – the designation used for women who lost sons during the war – was ever able to visit Charles’s gravesite.At a June meeting of the Highlands Historical Society at the new Community Center, Walt Guenther revealed the personal stories of these men and the seven other deceased soldiers and sailors he has researched. Each deserves mention here:Samuel Parker (Coast Guard), lost at sea in the North Atlantic in 1942George “Red” Hauber (Navy), died during Battle of Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands, 1942Michael “Oats” Patterson, killed in North Africa, 1943Willard Robertson (Army), tank battalion trooper, died in Normandy in 1944Lewis Mount (Army), killed during tank battle in Europe, 1944Edward Minor (Navy), salvage diver lost off Norfolk, Virginia in 1945Robert Matthew (Navy), aviation mechanic, MIA from aircraft carrier, Jan. 1946 (yes, records state his death as after the official armistice.)Guenther is not discouraged that he has uncovered little about Leroy Smith, John M. Greene, Kenneth Furey and John Ryan Jr. The very evening of his talk, a historical society member mentioned she knew relatives of one of the deceased. Someone else gave him a newspaper article with promising leads to follow.“Maybe someone who reads about this in The Two River Times will recall something, too. Or might recognize a last name associated with Highlands in those days,” Guenther says optimistically. Guenther is determined to pursue and publish the stories of these young, brave men.Walt Guenther intends to write a full report on all 13 for the Highlands Historical Society. President Russell Card is confident it will be a valuable document for the society’s archives and all borough residents. “Walt found out so much in such a short time, I just know he’ll do a comprehensive job.” Walt plans to record all he finds on a CD, maybe even a book on the contributions of the men from this small town. “I’m going to give copies to the VFW and American Legion. A couple of generations from now, they won’t have to start from scratch for information on these brave guys.”
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum During Saturday’s championship loss to Naomi Osaka, Williams got a warning from the chair umpire for violating a rarely enforced rule against receiving coaching from the sidelines. An indignant Williams emphatically defended herself, denying she had cheated. A short time later, she smashed her racket in frustration and was docked a point. She protested that and demanded an apology from the umpire, who penalized her a game.Many people, black women among them, echoed Williams’ contention that she was punished while men on the tennis circuit have gotten away with even harsher language.“A lot of things started going through my head in that particular situation. You know, first and foremost, what was going to be said about her the next day? The typical angry black woman, you know … when she really was just standing up for herself and she was standing up for women’s rights,” said former tennis champion Zina Garrison, who is black. “A woman, period, is always, when we speak up for ourselves, then you have the situation where people are saying, you know, they’re too outspoken. They’re acting like a man, all of that. But then a black woman on top of that, the angry black woman, who does she think she is?”Martin and others pointed to a cartoon by an Australian artist as the clearest example of the stereotype facing black women. Mark Knight of Melbourne’s Herald Sun depicted Williams as an irate, hulking, big-mouthed black woman jumping up and down on a broken racket. The umpire was shown telling a blond, slender woman — meant to be Osaka, who is actually Japanese and Haitian — “Can you just let her win?”“I was deeply offended. This is not a joke,” said Vanessa K. De Luca, former editor in chief of Essence magazine, who wrote a column about the U.S. Open furor.ADVERTISEMENT FILE – In this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Serena Williams, right, talks with referee Brian Earley during the women’s final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, in New York. Some black women say Serena Williams’ experience at the U.S. Open final resonates with them. They say they are often forced to watch their tone and words in the workplace in ways that men and other women are not. Otherwise, they say, they risk being branded an “Angry Black Woman.” (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)NEW YORK — When Serena Williams told the umpire at the U.S. Open final that he owed her an apology, that he had stolen something from her, and then she got penalized for her words, Breea Willingham could relate to her frustration and anger.Willingham isn’t a tennis star, but she is a black woman. She and others like her say Williams’ experience resonates with them because they are often forced to watch their tone and words in the workplace in ways that men and other women are not.ADVERTISEMENT San Beda overcomes late Letran fightback, improves to 11-1 Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award View comments Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil The cartoonist “completely missed the point of why she was upset,” De Luca told The Associated Press. “It was about her integrity, and anybody who doesn’t get that is perpetuating the erasure that so many black women feel when they are trying to speak up for themselves. It’s like our opinions don’t matter.”Some black women say they have to worry perpetually about how they’re coming across to make sure they’re not dismissed as angry or emotional.“It’s exhausting,” said Denise Daniels, 44, of the Bronx, who works in professional development for educators. “It does diminish from the work satisfaction that other people get to enjoy because it is an additional cost.”Willingham thinks that was part of Williams’ experience on Saturday as well, but that it was also about a career’s worth of frustrations that she has had to endure, such as when the French Open banned the type of catsuit she wore.“I felt it for her. I felt she was fed up, she was tired of this,” Willingham said. “How much is she supposed to take, really? How much are any of us supposed to keep taking?”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next And if they’re not careful, they say, they risk being branded “Angry Black Woman.”“So much of what she experiences we experience in the workplace, too,” said Willingham, a professor of criminal justice at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. “As black women … we’re expected to stay in our lane, that lane that has been created for us. Any time we step out of that lane, then we become a problem.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’The stereotype of the “Angry Black Woman” is alive and well, said Felicia Martin, 36, a federal employee who lives in Brooklyn. She recalls once seeing a white female co-worker cursing and throwing things and not facing repercussions, while she’s been told to calm down for expressing her own upset in a normal tone of voice.“If I’m upset about something, I should get to express that to you,” Martin said. Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title MOST READ Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title LATEST STORIES Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed deep concern over the construction of three major road projects, while simultaneously calling for the Auditor General’s Office to investigate them, as the contracts may contain areas to enable acts of corruption.Addressing the press at his weekly press conference, Jagdeo said these projects include road works taking place on the East Bank Essequibo, Port Kaituma and Mabaruma roads.The $1.2 billion East Bank Essequibo road rehabilitation project commenced in August 2017 but was delayed due to the obligatory removal of utilities. It is now back on stream.Some $213.2 million was awarded to KP Thomas and Sons in May 2017 for repairs to the Citrus Grove Main Road, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini).Meanwhile, a $110.2 million contract for the Mabaruma road project was awarded to Mohammed Ramzanalli Khan Construction. This project entails the installation of approximately 3500 feet of concrete road or rigid pavements and drains within the community.“We believe that the tender process was tampered with so as to inflate the contracts by hundreds of thousands of dollars in these road projects,” he said.However, the Opposition Leader explained that these costs are hidden through a different form of corruption through the layer of the asphalt. According to him, some are done through contract and others through force account.He said, “The asphalt is very expensive. So, if they put one inch instead of two inches on the specification that is about $50-60 million alone you can skim off the top… The earth works, through force account.”The former Head of State concluded therefore that may be the main reason why the Public Infrastructure Minister headed by Minister David Patterson “loves to do a lot of force account work.”“They don’t like awarding the tenders out directly and even when they do that, it’s a lot of corruption. So, they are three roads that are mired in corruption… And we are very concerned about the AG findings into these matters.”
“It’s an excellent day celebrating our 49th Republic anniversary. Our country is celebrating under some difficult circumstances where we have issues of upholding the Constitution so while we’re celebrating, we have to reflect on our challenges also.”– PPP presidential candidateBy Rupa SeenaraineSparkles, feathers and fantasy of colours personified Guyana’s 2019 annual Mashramani costume parade throughout Georgetown, in commemoration of the nation’s 49th Republic Day celebrations.Notwithstanding a late start during the morning hours which delayed some of the floats, spectators trickled in by the thousands during the midday period, as they embraced blaring soca renditions, energetic revellers and intricately decorated costumes.Revellers representing the Education Ministry as theycoordinated their dance movesA family sits on the roadway as they patiently wait to view theparadeAs customary, the traditions continued with whimsical masquerade dancers and steel pan, which defines the unique Guyanese culture. Moreover, it is one which the young and old look forward to during this season.In neat rows, the roisterers dusted their bodies and hair with glitter as they amused the crowd with choreographed dances, also in a bid to wow the judges and steal the winning prizes. Some of the criteria judged included safety, uniformity, display, clarity, craftsmanship and originality. Designers stood proudly in front of the floats, ready to answer any questions about the pieces and justifying why it was the best among the others.The procession emerged from the beginning of Carifesta Avenue, where Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton led the parade with his band, designed by Neilson Nurse and consisting of over 300 persons. Each was bedecked with a different colour of the Golden Arrowhead – our national flag – to endorse Guyana’s diversity.Speaking briefly with this publication, Norton encouraged all to get on board with the activities and posited that the event was going as planned.Dressed in an eye-catching shimmery headdress, the Minister said, “Everything is going fine. It’s going good and I’m enjoying myself. I want everybody to come out and enjoy themselves too.”The Public Health Ministry’s convoy followed and showcased a heart in their centrepiece float with revellers dressed as medical practitioners to promote the theme “Accessing Healthcare for All”. The band featured a live performance by the recently crowned Soca Monarch, Brandon Harding, who stole the crowd with some of his old and new hits.The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) were decked out in the signature red, black and yellow costumes and led by Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali; Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo; Member of Parliament Priya Manickchand and former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds.The presidential candidate expressed, “It’s an excellent day celebrating our 49th republic anniversary. Our country is celebrating under some difficult circumstances where we have issues of upholding the constitution so while we’re celebrating, we have to reflect on our challenges also.”He added, “This is a national event. It’s an event that is for all Guyanese and we’re out here to demonstrate to the Guyanese people that we believe in national unity and respect our national events.”Adding to that, Manickchand stated, “It is our Mashramani and it is something to celebrate nationally. I’m happy to be here on the road and people are enjoying it.”
In the first game on Friday night Whitecourt opened the scoring just over six minutes into the opening period. Fort St. John responded with the tying goal a minute and a half later and would deposit two more goals before time expired to lead 3-1 after 20 minutes.In the second period the score remained at 3-1 through the majority of the frame, but the Flyers finished very strongly with four goals in the final 7:13 of the second. There was no scoring in the third period.Scoring for the Flyers was John Herrington, John Herrington, Tyler Musgrove, Brophy Dunne, Nathan Brownlee, Quinn Disher, and Kurtis Lee.- Advertisement -Goalie Jordan Fairlie made 12 saves in the victory.In game two on Saturday the Flyers picked up right where they left off. They took a commanding 4-0 lead in the first period before Whitecourt scored in the final minutes of the frame.There was no scoring in the second period, but the third saw the Flyers tack on two more goals to make the final 6-1.Advertisement Goal scorers for the Flyers were Quinn Disher, Kurtis Lee, John Herrington, John Herrington, Zachary Peters, and Tyler Musgrove.Samuel Begg made 21 saves for the win.
Infantino, a former deputy head of UEFA, was first elected in 2016 to succeed Sepp Blatter, when the scandal that engulfed the governing body of world football was at its height.The next presidential election will be held in Paris in June 2019 and Infantino has said he will stand.Infantino expressed his gratitude for the African backing.“It means a lot to me,” said the Swiss. “Since long before my election, I had said, and since I have done everything, to make sure that the future really is Africa.”Infantino is believed to have supported Ahmad when he ousted the long-time CAF president Issa Hayatou in March 2017.Infantino described the election as a “vote of change”.“It’s about taking football forward, it’s about making progress together,” Infantino told CAF delegates, calling for “a real impact.”According to reports, Infantino was investigated by the FIFA ethics committee for interfering in the CAF election when he removed leading members of the committee. He later sacked the chairman and members of the ethics committee, effectively ending the probe.Ahmad said that despite the failure of African nations during the World Cup in Russia, where none of the five African nations made it to the last 16, the continent needed “regular and increased” participation.“Deep analysis” makes it possible to “see more clearly the various problems that undermine African football,” he said.Ahmad said that participation (in the World Cup) “stabilises some of the national teams of our continent… and gives them experience.”0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000FIFA President Gianni Infantino is standing for re-election next year © AFP / MOHAMED EL-SHAHEDSHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, Sep 30 – African nations would support Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president, the head of the continental football federation Ahmad Ahmad said on Sunday.“I feel it is my duty… to announce this support from Africa,” Ahmad said at a special meeting of the Confederation of African Football Executive Committee, which Infantino attended, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
“When the squad is not big you have to always play with the same players,” Conte told reporters.“I made a lot of rotations this season. We reached the semi-final and if you see before who played in this competition, we played with young players.I have to do the same in the FA Cup, but then you risk going out. Against Norwich we risked this.“But it is not right to take only one game to make a decision to understand. There is a programme and a plan.“It’s wrong we have to make decisions only on one game. The situation has always been the same since the summer. I continue to work and I’m very happy with my players.”With Alvaro Morata out injured with a back problem, Conte started the match against the Gunners with Hazard as a false nine before Michy Batshuayi came on for Pedro, but the Belgian forward is increasingly looking out of his depth at Stamford Bridge and possibly set for a transfer away.The Blues have been linked with bargain-bin strikers such as Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, and Ashley Barnes, while Roma’s Edin Dzeko is the latest reported target.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000The Blues have been linked with bargain-bin strikers such as Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, and Ashley Barnes, while Roma’s Edin Dzeko is the latest reported target.LONDON, United Kingdom, Jan 25 – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he is happy to forego any January signings despite Wednesday’s League Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal.The Blues took the lead at the Emirates Stadium through Eden Hazard, but Antonio Rudiger’s own goal and a winner from Granit Xhaka saw the Gunners progress to the final, in which they will face Manchester City.
He is under contract at MLS side DC United until the end of the 2021 season but reports suggest his wife Coleen is homesick and has returned to Britain with their children.Reports of Derby’s interest in the former Manchester United star emerged shortly before the side, under new boss Phillip Cocu, opened their Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory at Huddersfield on Monday.“It’s literally only been a couple of days in the offing,” Derby owner Mel Morris told Talksport.“The starting point was that we understood he (Rooney) was keen to return to the UK and we decided to see if we could do something off the back of that.“It’s never done until it’s done and obviously we are very focused and keen to get this over the line.”Premier League side Burnley and second-tier West Brom have also reportedly declared an interest in Rooney, who is the record goalscorer for England and United.Rooney has engineered an upturn in DC United’s fortunes since he arrived from Everton and teammate Steve Birnbaum said he had had a major impact.“He’s changed everything, he’s changed the culture of the club,” Birnbaum told the Daily Telegraph.“The work ethic he puts in during practice and you guys see it in the games. We have this sort of confidence or swag going into games because of him.”Rooney gave short shrift to questions about his future last week.“Is that what was in the media? That my wife has got her own way?” he told AFP.“Those reports are a bit far-fetched. I’m concentrating on playing for DC United and trying to get them into the playoffs. I haven’t thought about anything beyond that.”Rooney has made no secret of his desire to move into coaching following contempories including Ryan Giggs, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville.“Coaching is something which I have thought about for a long time,” Rooney said.“I’m in the process now of going through my badges. It would be a shame for me to finish playing and just walk away from the game.“I have a desire to go into management and hopefully the right opportunity will come up.”0Shares0000(Visited 4 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Derby bound? Wayne Rooney is holding talks with the Championship side over a player-coach role © AFP/File / Ian KINGTONLONDON, United Kingdom, Aug 6 – Wayne Rooney could be on his way to Championship side Derby after owner Mel Morris confirmed on Tuesday that the club were attempting to finalise a move for the former England captain.The 33-year-old has been linked with a player-coach role at Pride Park, where his former England teammate Frank Lampard was given his first opportunity in management last year.