playing farm-A ball, he said. He is ahead of the game. Just his organi

There may not be must-win matches in mid-August, but one can certainly make the argument there are not-lose matches.For all the subplots surrounding Saturdays marquee match and home opener for reigning champions Leicester City against Arsenal at King Power Stadium, one fact is sure to have captured both teams attention:Only the 1992-93 Manchester United side have won the title in the Premier League era after starting the season with back-to-back losses, an unenviable position either side could face if the other emerges victorious.For all the memorable moments Leicester City created in their stunning run to the top of the table, they had a forgettable one last weekend at KC Stadium. The Foxes became the first defending champion in the Premier League era to lose their season opener, falling 2-1 to a promoted Hull City side facing a spate of distractions and a lack of match-fit bodies -- the Tigers didnt use any of their allotted substitutions.Riyad Mahrez scored Leicesters lone goal, a penalty shortly after intermission, but Jamie Vardy failed to display the razor-sharp finishing skills that propelled the Foxes to the league title and a spot for him on Englands roster for the Euros this summer. He missed three opportunities, and the Foxes also missed departed midfielder NGolo Kante and suspended defender Robert Huth as they conceded goals on either side of halftime.Newcomer Luis Hernandez, again expected to partner with Wes Morgan in central defence as Huth serves the last of his three-match ban, is expecting his team not to panic and show the same kind of resolve that made them title-winners in the spring.I think now after we lost our first game its important to stay calm, Hernandez told LCFC TV. I know its not easy to lose the first game but we need to be calm because the league is about 38 games.Its a difficult game because Arsenal are a big team with really good players but were at home with our supporters. We know that Arsenals attacking players are really good with good technique. So it will be difficult for us but we need to play together like last season with high intensity and if we do that I think we can win.Mahrez also finally ended the drama surrounding his possible exit before the transfer deadline, putting pen to paper on a new four-year contract Thursday. The Algeria international reportedly had many suitors, including Saturdays opponents, but the 2016 PFA Player of the Year opted to remain Vardys running mate as the Foxes embark on their first Champions League adventure.Im happy to continue my adventure with Leicester City, he said. Its been a pleasure to be here the last two-and-a-half years, so Im going to keep going here. Ive achieved good things with this club.Im excited to see whats going on in the Champions League with big clubs and big players -- we will see. Its for everyone, not just for the players and not just for the club, but for the city and everyone thats behind Leicester City. Its the first time that we play in the Champions League, so its fantastic.While Champions League is old hat for Arsenal -- they will be in group play in Europes top club competition for the 19th straight year -- some of their shortcomings that also are old hat have already surfaced to put heat on manager Arsene Wenger.The Frenchmans inability to finalise a deal for Vardy after triggering the release clause in his contract rankled an already-agitated fan base. And those Gunners supporters were further unnerved with a 4-3 loss at home Sunday to Liverpool, prompting chants of You dont know what youre doing directed at Wenger as the lack of summer signings exacerbated an injury-hit squad also trying to rest players who appeared in the European Championships.Buying calms the fans down, but its important to spend but even more important to spend the right way, Wenger said Thursday. You do not sign players because you think it is important or not. It is about the availability of players … to find the players that will strengthen your squad is much more difficult.One of those three summer signings, 20-year-old defender Rob Holding from relegated League One squad Bolton Wanders, was clearly out of his element along with central defender Calum Chambers during a torrid 18-minute stretch in which a one-goal lead became a three-goal deficit with a half-hour to play.Holdings disastrous performance and the lack of bodies at the position may force Wengers hand to bring back Laurent Koscielny back into the lineup as Arsenal are reportedly trying to pry either Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia or possibly Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid. Gimenez is believed to have a release clause of ￡56 million, and it may take a minimum transfer fee of ￡40 million to land the 21-year-old Uruguayan.We are working very hard, Wenger insisted. You are absolutely convinced that I dont want to spend the money, but I would like to reassure you that we are ready to spend the money we have. As always, not the money we havent got (because) its not my money.Koscielny had resumed practice only last week after helping Les Bleus reach the Euro final, and both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel will miss four months and six weeks, respectively, due to injuries.German midfielder Mesut Ozil and French striker Olivier Giroud were also held out for rest, but Ozil could also be pressed into duty since Aaron Ramsey was forced from the loss to Liverpool with an injury just after the hour mark. Giroud, meanwhile, could be a more effective target forward who would let Alexis Sanchez play in his customary spot on the wing.Arsenal handed Leicester City two of their three league losses last season, including a 5-2 victory in the 2015-16 corresponding fixture. It was a wild end-to-end affair in which Vardy scored a goal, hit a post and dented the crossbar in the first 20 minutes and Sanchez bagged three goals in a contest devoid of defence.The Gunners then completed the double -- and extended their league unbeaten streak over the Foxes to 19 matches (13-6-0) -- with a 2-1 victory on Valentines Day. Denny Welbeck scored in the 95th minute as Leicester were unable to scrape out a point despite playing almost all of the second half with 10 men after Danny Simpson was sent off with his second yellow card on 54 minutes.Vardy converted from the spot in that contest, and Wenger is expecting another tough match from a Foxes team that now has a championship pedigree.They have exactly the same qualities they had last year and they are a team who are very quick on the break and defend well as a unit, he said. We have to address our defensive weaknesses from last week without compromising our style of play.We need to continue being very dangerous going forward and accept the way we play.<a href="http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/alfredo-talavera-mexico-jersey/">Alfredo Talavera Jersey</a>. -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. <a href="http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/isaac-brizuela-mexico-jersey/">Isaac Brizuela Jersey</a>. -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. <a href="http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/eduardo-herrera-mexico-jersey/">http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/eduardo-herrera-mexico-jersey/</a>. The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. <a href="http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/rodolfo-pizarro-mexico-jersey/">Rodolfo Pizarro Jersey</a>. The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. <a href="http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/giovani-dos-santos-mexico-jersey/">Giovani dos Santos Jersey</a>. They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display.HOUSTON -- In recent years, Houston has been a stepping stone, a quick stop for up-and-coming coaches on their way to jobs seen as bigger and better.Art Briles was at Houston before leaving for Baylor. Kevin Sumlin started with the Cougars before moving on to Texas A&M, and last month Tom Herman left for Texas after just two seasons with the Cougars.On Monday, Houston introduced Major Applewhite as its latest hire and the 38-year-old first-time head coach insisted hes different than those who simply used the job as a springboard.I want to be here long-term, Applewhite said. I want to be here for the guys. I want to be here for the city and for the university ... I think at this point in time in the history of this football program I think it is important to develop continuity.The introduction of Applewhite was less a news conference than it was a pep rally. There were cheerleaders waving white and red pom poms, a band and scores of fans and dignitaries, which included Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and state lawmaker Sheila Jackson Lee. But the pomp and circumstance of the day couldnt hide the fact that the Cougars werent expecting to be introducing another new coach so soon.Seems like we just did this ... the players look a lot happier this time though, board of regents chairman Tilman Fertitta said with a laugh.Applewhite spent the last two seasons as Hermans offensive coordinator and takes over a program that went 22-4 in that time. The Cougars (9-3) wrap up the season on Saturday when they meet San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl.Houston got wins over Oklahoma and Louisville this season, but took a step back by losing to SMU, Navy and Memphis, and failing to qualify for the American Athletic Conference title game a year after winning the league championship. Applewhite said he expects better than winning nine games and hell work to get the team back to where it was last season when the Cougars finished 13-1.Nobody in this room will set a higher expectation for this football team than me. That is the facts, he said. Ive always been a winner, I will always be a winner and I will always set those expectations for our football team.He directedd his first practice as head coach on Monday morning and though hes waited for the opportunity to be in charge of a program for years, he downplayed the significance of the moment.ddddddddddddIt really hasnt sunk in, he said. Its very similar to when I was playing and I was in a backup role and then I was put in the game. Its just: Go do your job.Quarterback Greg Ward was chosen to introduce Applewhite to the group and it seemed to catch him a bit off guard.I appreciate that, Applewhite said. That was pretty solid.Ward, who worked closely with Applewhite over the past two seasons, raved about his coach.Regardless of any circumstance, hes going to be honest with you, Ward said. Hes also going to be more competitive than you if you let him and hes going to bring his `A game every single day.Under Applewhites direction, the Cougars gained more than 500 yards 11 times and passed the 600-yard mark four times. The offense piled up 40 points 12 times and scored at least 50 points five other occasions in the past two seasons.Applewhite spent seven seasons as an assistant at Texas before joining Hermans staff. He was the co-offensive coordinator in his last four seasons with the Longhorns after working as assistant head coach for the first three seasons. In his time with the Longhorns he focused on working with quarterbacks and running backs.Before joining the Longhorns, Applewhite spent the 2007 season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama, a season where he was the youngest coordinator in the FBS. It was there that he found his most important mentor among many who have influenced him as a coach.Working a year with Nick Saban. I just think hes in the major leagues and a lot of people are playing farm-A ball, he said. He is ahead of the game. Just his organization, that hand he has in everything, the way he distributes roles and gives everybody a sense of purpose and a sense of motivation when they walk in the office.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25.<a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '