South American Dispatch: Boca’s Head Coach Deals Out The Backlash

Alves has commented on Boca’s poor start to the new season which has seen the club clock up a win and a draw and a defeat in their first three games of the 2010 Clausura.

“I want it to be known that if I have anything to say then I say it to my players first. Everyone in my squad understands that when they reach their limit they will be moved on.”

Alves has inherited an aging squad at Boca. The likes of Martin Palermo, Juan Roman Riquelme and Roberto Abbondanzieri remain his most consistent performers, but still the criticism of the average age of the squad remains.

“My duty is to put the best players on court, it is a shame that at the moment those players can’t get the win.”

After defeat at the weekend to Newell’s Old Boys veteran goalkeeper Abbondanzieri spoke out. The shot-stopper said that when the opposition “toss in a centre we tremble”.

Abel Alves has been brought in as a temporary measure by Boca president Jorge Amor Ameal but the new coach has been outspoken in his views of the club’s shortcomings.

“Every time the opposition put a ball into our box it's as if someone is raping our mother and robbing our house.”

Ahead of Boca’s home game with Atletico Tucuman this weekend Alves is looking to make changes to the starting XI. One change that is forced on Alves is the suspension of Gabriel Paleta following the defender’s sending off against Newell’s. The reshuffle could facilitate the debut of the Brazilian stopper Luis Alberto.

Alves sees the major problem at his club as being the team's lack of belief in each other.

“Boca have one of the happiest camps in Argentine soccer right now. We are going through a difficult time but that is because we are suffering from a lack of trust within the team.”

Fred Puts Transfer Talk To Bed

Fluminense striker Fred has hit out at speculation linking him to a move to Sao Paulo. With both the board of Fluminense, and now the player himself, denying any chance of a move, the Rio club will hope that the transfer talk will finally die out.

The former Lyon hitman referenced his impressive scoring record from last year to underline how happy he is at Fluminense.

“My goals draw attention. Last year I managed to score 13 goals in the 16 games I played for Fluminense.”

Fred’s goals for Fluminense helped the club not only avoid relegation but also reach the final of the Copa Sudamericana. His hot streak brought him back into contention for a recall to the national team.

The chance to shine in the Copa Libertadores with Sao Paulo would have surely brought the striker further into Dunga’s thoughts. However, yesterday Fluminense ruled out the possibility for Fred being transferred to another team in Brazil.

With the closing of the transfer window in Europe the forward’s current club are keen to draw a line under the threat of losing Fred. The striker himself insists he is concentrating only on recovering from injury and has no interest in resurrecting his career overseas.

“I spent three years at Lyon and won three French championships. I think I have proven myself in Europe already.”