Soccer Shorts

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Szczesny says Arsenal still in it

WOJCIECH Szczesny insists Arsenal are not about to throw in the towel as they battle to overhaul Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premier League – and declared the team owe their disappointed fans a response.

“It is still possible for us to win the title, but we have to say we dropped two points and it’s terribly disappointing. However, we’ve still to play Manchester United and they also have to play Chelsea – they will drop points.

“We believe we are good enough to win every game from now until the end of the season, so we believe we can do it.”

Hughton backs Carroll

CHRIS Hughton believes Andy Carroll has the potential to be England’s centre-forward “for many years” if he continues to develop along the current lines.

Hughton has first-hand knowledge of Carroll’s ability from his time as Newcastle manager before he was sacked earlier this season.

He feels the 22-year-old reaped the benefits of a full season with the Magpies in the Championship last term before moving to Liverpool in January.

“Andy has definitely developed and what was good for him was being able to play a full season in the Championship,” said Hughton.

“That was a big positive for him and he has gone on from there and adapted well to Premier League football. Even in Newcastle’s first game of the season, when we lost 3-0 at Manchester United, he was a big positive. Now he has gone to Liverpool and is playing well alongside (Luis) Suarez and I’m sure those two will complement each other very well.”

Savage and Co break up the party at Loftus Road

ROBBIE Savage put the brakes on QPR’s Championship promotion charge last night as Derby frustrated the leaders in a game that finished without a goal.

The veteran Welsh midfielder, who is retiring at the end of the season, succeeded where many have failed with a man-marking job on Rangers captain and top scorer Adel Taarabt. Savage followed the Moroccan’s every move, chipping at his heels and chirping in his ear and with their star kept quiet, Rangers could not find a way through.

They are already selling ‘We are Premier League’ t-shirts in the stalls outside the ground, and while that may be slightly premature, they should prove a sound investment with Paddy Kenny’s side nine now points clear of Norwich in third.

There is still the small matter of an FA charge hanging over the club regarding the transfer of Alejandro Faurlin, but a points deduction remains an unlikely outcome.

Certainly no one seemed too concerned at a sold-out Loftus Road last night, although they will have to wait a little longer for their promotion party.

Referees quit after threats

TWO soccer referees in Moldova have quit after being threatened with violence over the weekend. Vladislav Ivanchenko said he received an anonymous text message on his way to a match between Rapid and league leaders Dacia Chisinau. “I was told that if I don’t follow certain decision in that match something could happen to my family,” the 42-year-old said.

“It was a clear threat to my family so I decided to stop right away,” Ivanchenko said.

Gennady Sidorenko also quit after receiving a similar threat against his family.

Smith says he's open to offers

WALTER Smith has revealed he turned down the chance to return to the English top flight over the past 12 months as he declared himself open to offers when he leaves Rangers next month. Smith will make way for assistant Ally McCoist at the end of the season after going back on his initial decision to leave last summer.

“When you leave a job at 63 everyone assumes that it’s because of your age. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I am going to retire. If the right opportunity arose elsewhere, then of course I would consider it.”