Ron feels Real free at Madrid

CRISTIANO RONALDO insists he has more freedom at Real Madrid than he ever did under Alex Ferguson.
And the £80million world record buy believes he is surrounded by better players at the Bernabeu.

The ex-Manchester United star, 24, said: "You feel more pressure at Madrid but I love that, it drives me on.

"My coach Manuel Pellegrini is clearly different to Sir Alex Ferguson. In fact I'm much more free here, free to roam around the pitch in certain matches.

"Not only will I use that to become the same player I was at Old Trafford but even better. I feel like a new-born baby - I'm reborn.

"Just because I won everything with United and was voted Ballon D'Or and World Player doesn't mean I've reached the top.

"In fact I feel like my career is just starting."

Rafa: We’ll bounce back!

RAFA BENITEZ sends his side into Euro battle tonight roaring: "We'll bounce back and save our season."
Liverpool face Lyon in a rut of three straight defeats - and no goals scored - for the first time in two years.

Another flop following the beachball farce against Sunderland would leave them deep in crisis ahead of Sunday's Manchester United clash.

But Benitez insisted: "This week can change everything for the positive.

"I'm sure we will soon be winning again . . . and as soon as we play well in one or two, everyone will be thinking 'maybe he's right'."

Steven Gerrard returns tonight but Fernando Torres misses out again with a groin strain and the striker is also a doubt for the United clash.

Benitez refused to use the beachball incident as an excuse and spoke to his players on Sunday about their disappointing display on Wearside.

But the Kop chief added: "I have seen the mood in the dressing room and it is very positive.

"We are at home in the Champions League, with the fans behind us. We know we have to win but also know we have three more games after this.

"Two years ago we only had one point and needed to win every game. I understand we have to win against Lyon, but it's not the same as then."

Robinho’s a Barca moaner

ROBINHO will ask for a January move away from Manchester City if he fails to get a regular place back in Mark Hughes' first team.
Given the form of Craig Bellamy, there is every chance it will be a struggle for the forward to regain his spot.

Robinho, 25, will demand a switch to Barcelona as he cannot afford to jeopardise his place in the Brazil team ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The player's representatives are already pushing for the move to the Catalan giants and Champions League holders.

And Barca are ready to match the £32.5million City paid Real Madrid for him last year in a British transfer record.

Robinho has been out with a stress fracture of his ankle since August.

In that time, Bellamy has been sensational, playing as an attacking left winger or second striker.

The Welsh international scored once in the 4-2 victory against Arsenal, twice in the Manchester derby loss and netted the equaliser in City's last outing against Aston Villa.

Robinho returns from injury in a week but faces a huge battle to regain his position.

He started the first three games of the season but was substituted in each one.

In his first campaign with the club, he scored 14 league goals - 11 at home.

Robinho often went missing in physical games and his displays away from home left a lot to be desired.

Fabio in Rio crisis talks

RIO FERDINAND has been given a double rocket by England boss Fabio Capello over his defensive nightmare in Saturday's defeat against Ukraine.
The Manchester United star was grilled TWICE by Capello after his early blunder led to keeper Robert Green being sent off for conceding a penalty.

Yet Ferdinand will still keep his place for tonight's final World Cup qualifier with Belarus at Wembley.

Capello said: "I spoke with Rio on Monday and I spoke with him again. I asked him what happened against Ukraine and I spoke with him about the moment when we conceded the penalty.

"And I'll make him watch the DVD of the game again to understand what happened and I will see the mistakes we made."

Ferdinand's Ukrainian blunder condemned England to a 1-0 defeat and was the latest in a series of high-profile errors by the defender this season.

He was also at fault for Dirk Kuyt's goal during England's 2-2 draw in Holland and again when Craig Bellamy scored in last month's Manchester derby.

Capello insisted: "I only spoke with Rio about Saturday's game, not the one in Holland or any other.

"But I was not tempted to leave him out against Belarus. He is fit and will be in the starting XI because he is one of the best defenders in England.

"He is a really good man, a big man, an important player for England and for United."

Heskey: I'll have to quit Villa

EMILE HESKEY admits he may have to leave Aston Villa to keep alive his World Cup dream.
The striker, 31, finds himself in the bizarre situation of being first choice for country - but not club.

And England boss Fabio Capello says any player not getting regular games will not make his South Africa squad.

Heskey said: "If things don't change, I will have to think about my next move but you would have to ask the Villa manager why I'm in the England team and not his. I don't know."

Heskey has failed to establish himself in boss Martin O'Neill's first team this season having moved to Villa from Wigan last January for £3.5million.

He has started only three games this season, coming off the bench four times, and has not scored for club or country.

And targetman Heskey says things will have to change before the January transfer window.

He added: "You always think about those kind of things but, like I said, I will just have to try to address it when the time is right.

"But I'm never going to give up, it's just another hurdle I have to get over."

Barcelona eye Rob & Fab

BARCELONA have admitted both Robinho AND Cesc Fabregas are top of their January shopping list.
Asked about Barca's interest in Manchester City's Brazilian striker Robinho, Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "He is a very interesting footballer and could play for us in the Champions League."

And the Nou Camp executive insists his club have not given up their pursuit of Arsenal's Spanish skipper Fabregas, 22.

Begiristain said: "He's a player who fits the Barcelona profile.

"He was born suckling on football here and one day he will end up at the Nou Camp, I am sure."

Fergie: I'm sorry for ref rant

ALEX FERGUSON has issued a grovelling apology for branding ref Alan Wiley "unfit".
The Manchester United boss hit out at Wiley after his side's 2-2 with Sunderland last weekend.

Ferguson raged: "He was not fit enough for a game of that standard. The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit.

"He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous."

However, Ferguson today issued a statement to admit he was wrong to make the comments.

He said: "I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to The FA for going public with my views.

"In retrospect, I accept that this could be deemed as expressing those views in an inappropriate forum.

"It was never my intention to bring the focus of intense media attention on Mr Wiley.

"I intend to contact him personally after I return from a trip overseas during this international break.

"I would wish it to be noted that I have always respected Mr Wiley's integrity.

"My only intention in speaking publicly, was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels."

City set for £65m Ribery bid

MANCHESTER CITY will go all out for Franck Ribery in January even if they must double the British transfer record.
City hold the record with the £32.5million they paid Real Madrid for Robinho.

But it could take up to £65m to get French winger Ribery from Bayern Munich - and City are ready to go for it.

Munich are desperate to keep Ribery.

If successful the move would take City's spending under Mark Hughes to £315m in 20 months.

Unsettled Ribery has criticised Bayern coach Louis van Gaal.

He said: "There is no feeling between us."

Sudoku

What is Sudoku

Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and verticl rows,evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each.Intead of word clues,each puzzle's solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in.Your solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed,each row and each square will have all the numbers from 1to 9,each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

All three elements of the sudoku puzzle must be considered simultaneously,the horizontal rows,the vertical rows,and the 9 squares.You need to fill in eachsquare with the numbers 1 through9,but their location depends on where along each vertical and horizontal row these numbers already appear.Remenber each number can be filled in only once on each horizontal and each vertical line.

Start by examining the "clue",those numbers already fiiled in.They determine where each of the numbers may and,more importantly,may not be fiiled in.Often by using a process of elimination, you can rle out where certain numbers can't go and therecy narrow the choices for where they can go.It isn't necessary to start with the number1 or even with the firt square,but rather with the number taht appear most frequntly in any given sudoku,since you will find it easier to narrow down the remaining spaces in which will appear in.

As you work through each puzzle,the final nubers will come more easily, and give you the experience needed for the progressively harder puzzles you'll encounter as you work your way through the book.

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