EPL Gossip Thread [Archive] - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

sinnacle

May 9th, 2008, 03:08 AM

Below are some rumors from British newspapers in bold. My opinions are under it. Feel free to add your own if it interests you.

Alexander Hleb�s agent Nikolai Shpilevski says the player is to leave the club. He said: �He is leaving Arsenal even though they want to offer him a new long-term contract and better conditions.� (Belarusian newspaper Pressball, 0720 BST)

Football agents are just about the lowest life form there is. Guess Hleb wasn�t going out for �Ice Cream� in Milan.

Liverpool have knocked back a �25m bid for captain Steven Gerrard from Inter Milan. (The Sun)

Liverpool knows full well that it can�t sell Gerrard. Since the player himself hasn�t expressed a desire to leave, Inter would be better off looking elsewhere.

Arsenal�s problems could also be exacerbated by Emmanuel Adebayor wanting a massive wage rise to stay with them. (Daily Mail)

At some point Arsenal will need to put there foot down on these types of matters.

Juventus are ready to table a �15m bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. (Daily Mail)

And Liverpool are ready to accept a �15m bid for Xabi Alonso. That is a nice price for a defensive midfielder.

Tottenham are ready to match Blackburn�s �15m valuation of David Bentley and bring the ex-Arsenal midfielder to White Hart Lane. (The Daily Express)

Spurs are also ready to beat Newcastle to the signing of Celtic winger Aidan McGeady. (Mirror)

Unless Tottenham are interested in selling Aaron Lennon I can�t see both happening. I don�t think McGeady wants to leave Celtic yet. There is a better chance signing Bentley but it won�t be cheap. Spending �16 on new signing Luka Modric and another �15m for David Bentley is a lot to spend on your midfield when the real issue is defense.

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is angry at the club�s �15m valuation of him. (The Sun)

As he should be but what is Rafa Benitez going to say? It would be foolish to announce that you are willing to sell Crouch on the cheap.

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart has two years left on his contract and has rejected a new deal. (The Sun)

Smart move, I wouldn�t sign a new deal either with all the turmoil currently at Manchester City.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has delivered a hands-off message to any clubs thinking of signing Kenwyne Jones or Craig Gordon. (Times)

Last week Keane send no one was untouchable. Watch want you say to the press.

mhayer10

May 9th, 2008, 01:02 PM

WOW inter milan trying to grab Stevie G? are they crazy, Steven gerrard is liverpool they would never sell him

sinnacle

May 10th, 2008, 04:55 AM

EPL Gossip Saturday May 10th

Liverpool describe as �fantasy� suggestions that they have had a bid from Inter Milan for Steven Gerrard. (Press Association, 0439 BST)

Well that explains that rumor that came out of the blue yesterday.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has agreed a three-year deal with AC Milan to link up with boss Jose Mourinho, who is likely to replace Carlo Ancelotti next season. (The Daily Mirror)

It�s easy for A.C Milan to strike a deal with Drogba. It won�t be so easy to strike a deal with Chelsea that would allow the transfer to happen.

Chelsea are ready to bid �20m to take striker Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. (Daily Express)

As stated many times before I�m all in favour of Tottenham cashing in on Berbatov. I would look to ship him to an non EPL team mind you.

Ajax forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will be a �16m target for Manchester United if they cannot lure Berbatov from Spurs. (Daily Express)

The press are going to report Manchester United with 20 targets come the summer transfer period. Sometimes I think the press just picks out names out of a hat and go with that as the headline.

Frank Lampard has been given a �take it or leave it� offer on a new contract, with Inter Milan joining the queue of clubs keen to take the England midfielder. (The Sun)

Nothing will decided while the season is still ongoing one way or another. My gut feeling is that Lampard decides to take up a new challenge next season.

krash322

May 11th, 2008, 10:20 PM

Every off season these rumours get started. Some are totally outrageous. I think it's mostly agents starting all this crap so that clubs end up paying more to keep players. So far we know Ronaldinho is going to AC Milan. Flamini is going to AC Milan too. They better get into the 4th spot or else it's gonna be funny that they don't even get to play in the Champions League. Stevie G ain't going nowhere. They would burn the town before that happens. It's like Man Utd selling Ronaldo, it just ain't happening. Lampard ain't moving either. He's just a greedy buffoon like Terry. His agent is just stringing all the clubs along so that he gets another pay raise from Chelski. Arsenal is looking like there's gonna be some shakeup though. The locker-room is divided and there is no leadership. Too many foreigners with no heart.

sinnacle

May 12th, 2008, 04:10 AM

Manchester United are set to step up their bid to sign �20m-rated defender Micah Richards from local rivals Manchester City. (Daily Mail)

This transfer if true won�t be easy and I doubt will get done. City fans are already mad about what is happening to Sven, losing they best player to their bitter rivals would be another cruel blow. Besides where in Richards going to play? Are you going to play him at right back and drop Wes Brown since I don�t see him over taking Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić in the middle.

Tottenham could be beaten to the signing of Samuel Eto�o after Inter Milan launched a �32m bid for the Barcelona striker. (Daily Mirror)

Eto�o was never going to Tottenham anyway quite frankly.

West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been offered �3m to leave the club. (The Times)

I wish my employer offered me that amount of money not to come into work anymore.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is to launch a �4m bid for Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos who plays for AEK Athens. (Daily Mirror)

I�m sure English play by play announcers are thrilled with prospect of having to pronounce Papastathopoulos

sinnacle

May 13th, 2008, 03:09 AM

Michael Owen could leave Newcastle if they try to cut his wages as part of a new deal, with Everton among the possible contenders to sign him. (Daily Mail)

Well Owen did grow up as an Everton fan. Would still be weird seeing a former Liverpool player join there cross town rivals.

West Ham will make another big to sign Reading defender Nicky Shorey but boss Alan Curbishley has been told he must sell before he buys. (Daily Express)

4 million pounds would get it done this time around. When you go down the teams that stay up circle around like vultures.

Manchester United have earmarked Sevilla�s Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano as their top summer target. (Times)

I�m sure this will change several times in the coming weeks. I don�t think Fabiano will enjoy only playing 20-25 games, many of them coming off the bench.

Richard Dunne�s sending-off at Middlesbrough could cost Manchester City their Uefa Cup place via the Fair Play League, with Fulham in contention to replace them. (Times)

I could be lead to believe that Dunne got himself set off on purpose.

sinnacle

May 14th, 2008, 03:40 AM

May 14th Gossip from Across the Pond.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba looks certain to leave the club this summer, with either AC or Inter Milan his preferred destination. (The Times/The Sun)

I really can�t understand why Drogba wants to leave Chelsea. I could only make sense of it if he wishes to play for Jose Mourinho. At Chelsea, Drogba is the man. If he goes to another team all it would take is a bad month and he�d be on the bench ala Thierry Henry.

However, Chelsea are poised to land Barcelona wonder kid Giovani dos Santos, who has been dubbed the new Ronaldinho. (The Sun)

dos Santos is good, the new Ronaldinho he is not. If Chelsea doesn�t play dos Santos he�d be the new Shaun Wright Phillips.

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is sweating on a new contract, with the Frenchman having only one year left on his current deal. (Sun)

Just don�t ask for Rio Ferdinand money and you�ll be taken care of Evra.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen could turn his back on English football and Japan could be a possible destination. (Daily Star)

Maybe on holidays would Owen set foot in Japan. Former Liverpool coach gets hired by a Japanese football team and floats the Owen rumor around. Of course papers pick up on it like Owen is going to pack up half way around the world to play football.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has stepped in to try to broker a �15m move for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto�o. (Star)

Meanwhile, Tottenham could bid for Blackburn winger David Bentley, who would cost about �15m. (Sun)

Spurs are also lining up Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, with Paul Robinson moving in the opposite direction. (Daily Mail)

The White Hart Lane club are also keen on Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who is also valued at �15m. (Daily Express)

See this is why most media outlets bug me. They know that Tottenham spending cap is about 15 million pounds. From there they basically attach a name to the price tag hoping that it becomes fact. The only one that would make sense is Joe Hart since Tottenham glaring need is in goal since Paul Robinson is out of favour.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is hopeful of signing Manchester City captain Richard Dunne for about �6m. (Daily Express)

At least that is realistic. Dunne doesn�t have long left on his contact so if he wants out Manchester City will be forced into selling him instead of losing Dunne for nothing.

Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith is wanted by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate. Smith joined Newcastle for �6m in 2007. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle must be thinking, �really, Alan Smith, you sure?� Smith didn�t exactly have the best of years at Newcastle.

Aston Villa are keen on Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. (Mirror)

I would be keen on Mendes as well. Clearly he is second choice now at Portsmouth but Mendes was key in keeping them up two seasons ago.

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has given a bizarre reason for handing in a transfer request, claiming that London is too noisy for him to settle down in the city. (Sun)

Milan isn�t the country side either you know.

sinnacle

May 15th, 2008, 03:15 AM

Liverpool are lining up a �10m move for Chelsea winger Flourent Malouda. (The Sun)

This has tricky transfer written all over it. I�m sure Chelsea would listen to offer for Malouda just not so sure they would sell him to Liverpool. What is it with Liverpool wanting players from the other big four teams anyway? Last year it was Manchester United Gabriel Heinze and this year Malouda from Chelsea.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill is considering a �5m bid for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. (The Guardian)

Perdo Mendes would be a cheaper and better option. Sidwell is not worth a 10 million transfer fee and another 5 million annual contact.

Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin is wanted by German outfit Bayer Leverkusen. (The Sun)

Voronin is a striker who lacks scoring touch. He may hustle out there but he is far from clinical in front of goal.

Chelsea misfit Andriy Shevchenko is a target for Turkish side Fenerbache. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea misfit Andriy Shevchenko is not going to play in Turkey.

Aston Villa are the latest club to be linked to a move for Blackburn winger David Bentley. (Daily Express)

Bentley on one wing and Ashely Young on the other could one day vault Aston Villa to the Champions League.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is hopeful of securing a �5m move to Sunderland following a loan spell with the Black Cats. (Daily Express)

Just keep him away from any Christmas parties and he�ll be fine.

Charles N�Zogbia�s bust-up with team-mate Abdoulaye Faye has thrown his future at Newcastle into doubt. (Daily Telegraph)

N�Zogbia is another player who when on is a great player. The only thing holding N�Zogbia back is N�Zogbia himself since the talent is there.

Tottenham have moved a step closer to signing Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni after the Spanish club themselves signed Cristian Alvarez. (Daily Express)

This also makes more sense compared to the rumors yesterday. Kameni has a pretty low release clause at Espanyol. Tottenham wouldn�t have to shell out big time money in order to get a pretty good number one goalie.

FYI In Spanish and Brazilian clubs, players contacts have a minimum release clause where if another team bids X amount for that player the team must allow the players agent to speak with that other team about a transfer. Players playing in other countries sometimes have a release clause as well but in Spain and Brazil minimum release clauses are the norm.

West Ham look set to land Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano for �4m. (Daily Mail)

Just what West Ham need, another player who is often hurt.

sinnacle

May 16th, 2008, 02:44 AM

Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted he may reconsider his future at Old Trafford after the Champions League final. (various)

I don�t think Pele had to deal with the daily transfer rumors back when he was playing at Santos. Would I dismiss Ronaldo leaving out of hand? No, I wouldn�t but I would also think its unlikely he will decide to move on. My own opinion is that if Ronaldo does leave its due to the United owners wanting to sell him to pay down some of that massive debt than Ronaldo requesting to leave.

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho also says that he is unsure whether he will be at the Blues next season. (various)

Carvalho will look around this summer to see if something else interests him. Maybe then Branislav Ivanovic can come out of the witness protect program and actually suit up for Chelsea next season.

Dutch side Feyenoord are interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Express)

Chelsea would drive Ben Haim to the airport the second a decent transfer request is made.

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has put the entire squad up for sale. (Daily Express)

If Micah Richards as a price tag on his head I�d pay it. Manchester City would be foolish to sell him. Since Manchester City seems to be run by a fool it may happen.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has reassured fans he is not planning to join Real Madrid. (Daily Express)

It�s bad enough for Barcelona fans to see their local product move on to Arsenal it would be even worse to see him play for Real Madrid.

sinnacle

May 17th, 2008, 03:40 AM

Cesc Fabregas is close to signing a new contract at Arsenal after the Gunners warded off Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Daily Telegraph)

Fabregas is the man at Arsenal. Smart move if and when he does agree to a new contact. The grass is often not greener on the other side of the fence.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha admits he will be put up for sale after the Champions League final. (Various)

He is never fit. United patience has had to run out by now.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will make a �5m bid for Newcastle midfielder James Milner if he fails to keep Gary O�Neil. (Sun)

I don�t see the talent in Gary O�Neil maybe its just me. Milner in my opinion would be an upgrade when if O�Neil stayed on the team.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is the latest to target Manchester City�s Irish international defender Richard Dunne in a �2.5m deal. (Daily Mirror)

This is where wanting a 50 million pound transfer budget comes back to haunt you. For one Dunne is worth way more then 2.5 million. Secondly if other teams know you have money to spend they will try to bleed every cent dry out of you. Manchester City is not going to sell Dunne for so little when Sunderland have so much to spend.

Arsenal are ready to move for Werder Bremen midfielder Diego, 23, if Alexander Hleb leaves the Gunners. (Daily Mail)

I have often mentioned how wise Porto is in the transfer market but letting go of Diego was one of their few missteps.

Mathieu Flamini says he would still be an Arsenal player if they had offered him a new contract last summer. (Sun)

Flamini is right, Arsenal really have only themselves to blame for losing him.

flexwong

May 17th, 2008, 05:24 PM

i'd sell ronaldo for 100million. any bid by real that is less then that, f off.

sinnacle

May 18th, 2008, 03:49 AM

Also talking 100 million Euros here that is like 150 million Canadian. If United wanted to put a dent in that debt load they carry I can see them selling if and only if they win the Champions League. Real would make most of the money back within a year or two so I could also see why such a high fee would still make sense to them.

sinnacle

May 18th, 2008, 03:51 AM

Everton want to bid �11m for Valencia winger Joaquin. (News of the World)

Joaquin and Arteta running up and down the flank will cause trouble for any EPL team. If Joaquin is unhappy at Valencia he may see Everton as a lifeline.

Chelsea are being strongly linked with a move for departing Barcelona midfielder Deco. (News of the World)

Only way Deco comes to Chelsea is if Lampard leaves. The Chelsea midfield is already crowded with Ballack and Lampard.

Thierry Henry could be tempted to follow David Beckham into Major League Soccer with a �5.2m-a-year offer to join new club Seattle Sounders. (Various)

I would like to think that Herny will one day end up playing in the MLS. I just can�t wrap my head around him playing for Seattle. An east coast team I could see. A west coast team with no talented players around him I can�t.

Juande Ramos wants �8m-rated Sevilla defender Adriano Correia added to his Tottenham squad this summer. (News of the World)

The last thing Sevilla want to do is sell anyone to Tottenham and there former coach Juande Ramos.

John Arne Riise is ready to snub a move to Newcastle for the lure of Champions League football next season with Schalke emerging as favourites to sign him. (News of the World)

Arne Riise needs to get himself out of Liverpool. The Liverpool fans will always see him as the player who gifted Chelsea an own goal in the Champions League.

Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne has set his heart on a summer move to Tottenham despite efforts by Sven-Goran Eriksson to keep him at Eastlands. (Mail on Sunday)

Quite confident in the fact that Richard Dunne will not be in a Manchester City jersey come next season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to raid his homeland, France for three players to make up for the loss of Mathieu Flamini. Wenger has identified Lille midfielder Jean Makoun, St-Etienne right-back Mahamadou Dabo and Marseille�s Samir Nasri. (Sunday Telegraph)

Nasri is not going to come cheap. I think the press like to link up every young French player with Arsenal. Last week Hatem Ben Arfa this week Samir Nasri.

Tottenham have emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto�o after making a �24m bid. And they have also made their interest in West Ham�s Dean Ashton clear to the Hammers. (News of the World)

The last thing Tottenham need is another striker never mind two of them.

Villa have reached agreement with Chelsea for midfielder Steve Sidwell. The fee for the former Reading star is �7m. (News of the World)

The world has gone mad if someone sees Steve Sidwell as a 15 million dollar player.

Chelsea are poised to ditch Nicolas Anelka and set up the ninth transfer of his career. (Sunday Mirror)

That was quick. If I were Sunderland I�d give Chelsea a call to see if there is any truth to this.

Derby want former England boss Steve McClaren to take them back into the Premier League. (News of the World)

As I mentioned in my article a couple of months ago, Steve McClaren better make sure his next job in football is a good one or else it could be his last job in football.

sinnacle

May 19th, 2008, 03:46 AM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will swoop for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz if Emmanuel Adebayor leaves to join Barcelona. (The Times)

I don�t envision Adebayor being dumb enough to leave Arsenal. I also don�t envision Arsenal could sell that transfer to its fans by replacing Adebayor with Roque Santa Cruz.

Liverpool could turn their attention to Stewart Downing if their proposed move for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry falls through. Reds boss Rafael Benitez is prepared to pay �12m for the Middlesbrough winger. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool could use Downing racing up and down that left hand side. Downing scoring a goal at Anfield this season also didn�t hurt his stock.

Barcelona have agreed a �6m fee with Manchester United for 21-year-old defender Gerard Pique, who arrived at Old Trafford from the Catalan club in 2004. (Daily Mail)

Makes sense for both teams. Pique has a world of talent but he won�t feature much next season provided Ferdinand and Vidić stay healthy. Even if one of them did get injury Sir Alex Ferguson would more then likely turn to Wes Brown or John O�Shea ahead of Pique. With Pique contact coming up this time next year the smart thing to do is to cash in on Pique where he will feature heavily in what appears to be Barcelona's youth movement next season.

Harry Kewell is also on his way out of Anfield, with Portsmouth prepared to give the midfielder a �50,000-a-week deal. (Daily Mirror)

If Harry Redknapp does sign Kewell, Nico Kranjcar will be allowed to join Arsenal for �10m. (Daily Mirror)

There is no way Portsmouth is going to let Kranjcar go if they sign Kewell. While Kewell still has talent a team simply can not trust him to stay on the field for an entire season.

Fulham captain Brian McBride, whose contract expires this summer, is wanted by MLS sides Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire. (The Times)

While age is working against McBride he is still useful from set pieces and Fulham would be wise to lock him up for another season.

England midfielder David Beckham could be set to scale Mount Kilimanjaro after been asked by U2 frontman Bono to help raise funds for children�s charity Unicef. (The Sun)

Can�t Bono just ask Beckham to autograph a few things inside of climbing a mountain?

NDman

May 19th, 2008, 12:47 PM

Good reads. Thanks for the round-up, sinnacle. Not sure where you found the tidbits, but it's nice to read the summarized version. Much better than the soccernet crap (for the msot part). BBC isn't bad sometimes though

sinnacle

May 20th, 2008, 03:59 AM

Thanks for the kind words and your feedback about this thread NDman.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will join Inter Milan after the Champions League final on Wednesday. (Various)

If Lampard is smart he�ll read the writing on the wall and leave. He needs a new challenge at this point. If the current tread continues he�ll not only end up playing second fiddle for Chelsea but second fiddle in the England set up as well.

Chelsea will appoint Guus Hiddink as Avram Grant�s managerial successor for next season. (The Daily Star)

Another case of the press playing pin the tail on the donkey. Just this time its matching up a big name coach with a big name team. Yesterday it was Inter�s coach Roberto Mancini taking over, today its Guus Hiddink. This rumour doesn�t make sense on many levels. The main one being that Hiddink main focus will be on the Russian national football team that he�ll be coaching come Euro 2008. While the Arsenal�s and Manchester United will be sniffing out transfer targets Chelsea will be left behind with Hiddink�s other commitments.

The Champions League final is causing things to get heated on the NBA scene. Cleveland Cavaliers star Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a Manchester United fan and accused Boston�s Kevin Garnett of being a fake Chelsea fan. But Garnett said: �I straightened him out - I let him know I wasn�t a fake fan.� By the way, Boston have just beaten Cleveland 4-3 in the seven-match series. (The Daily Star)

If Kevin Garnett was a Chelsea fan during the Dennis Wise, Gianfranco Zola, Marcel Desailly era I�d have a lot of respect for him. Didn�t come across many Chelsea fans on this side of the Atlantic in the 1990�s.

Arsenal are close to completing the �13.5m capture of Samir Nasri from Marseille. (Various)

If Marseille are willing to sell someone as youth and talented as Masri for �13.5m I don�t know what the hold up would be. If I was running Arsenal I�d personally deliver that cheque in order to bring Nasri to North London.

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger faces talks with Kolo Toure, who does not want to play second fiddle to William Gallas, while Sporting Lisbon�s Miguel Veloso could be drafted in to replace Mathieu Flamini. (The Sun)

Or, Roma �12m-rated midfielder Alberto Aquilani is being tipped to come in to replace Flamini. (Various)

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in Fiorentina keeper Sebastian Frey. (Mirror)

It sometimes can make your head spin with all this rumours.

polak4life

May 20th, 2008, 10:39 AM

I for one am a huge arsenal fan and it is sad to see Hleb go. He was a great player but if he wants to leave so badly he can do so.

I think Wenger finally realized he has to dish out some $$$ rather than try and raise the players from within the organization

Sebastian frey wouldnt be a bad signing but they have Fabianski the Polish goalkeeper which showed some life this year. They definitely need to upgrade over almunia and lehman

As for replacing Hleb and Flamini, as long as Fabregas and Rosicky stays along with Adebayor and Walcotts rise to the first team, Nasri would be a good choice. Would fit the young talent that they already have and his playmaking style would fit arsenal perfectly.

I would rather see Diego come but i would not be disapointed if Nasri was the one to sign.

Thanks for the updates, i read them every time they are up, keep up the good work!

sinnacle

May 21st, 2008, 03:41 AM

Thanks polak4life. Good luck to Poland at Euro 2008.

Manchester United have made bids for French youngsters Jeremy Helan and Darnel Situ. Helan is a 15-year-old Rennes left-back, and one of the most sought after teenagers in European football, while French Under-16 captain Situ could also make the switch to Old Trafford from Lens. (Daily Mail)

Those players should stay with their current clubs. One day I�m going to get to writing an article about this however I feel it effects the balance of football having these players move on to top teams at such a young age. Within a year or two each player could feature for Rennes and Lens. While Rennes are now in Ligue 2, if Helan could crack the Lens lineup in the next 18-24 months he�ll be playing in one of the top leagues in the World.

United already have a ton of young talented players who careers are stalling such as Danny Simpson, Chris Eagles, Gerald Pique, Danny Welbeck, and Jonny Evans who can�t get a regular game.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is ready to sell Dean Ashton and Anton Ferdinand in a bid to fund moves for Everton striker Andrew Johnson and Newcastle defender Steven Taylor. (Daily Mirror)

Those moves will neither improve or worsen West Ham.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson wants to bring back old boy Steve Finnan from Liverpool, who are believed to be willing to sell him for �2m. (Daily Mirror)

At that price I could see why Hodgson would want to bring in Finnan. Be a tough sell trying to get Finnan to move away from Liverpool.

Middlesbrough and Bolton are back on the trail of Sporting Lisbon striker Simon Vukcevic. (Daily Mail)

Vukcevic hasn�t put it all together yet but he is only 22 and the talent is there.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has targeted Real Zaragoza�s �10m-rated striker Diego Milito after failing with an audacious bid to land Barcelona striker Samuel Eto�o. (Daily Mirror)

It was only a year ago at this time Milito was Barcelona bound. Forward 12 months later Milito is currently on a team that was regulated from La Liga.

Spurs boss Ramos is also keen on Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano from his old club Seville. (Daily Mirror)

As mentioned before and I�m sure will be repeated often. Seville will not sell anyone to Tottenham. The only way Ramos gets a hold on Fabiano is if he over pays for the privilege.

Manchester City have offered �12m for Zenit St Petersburg striker Andrei Arshavin. (The Sun)

Manchester City like many of us saw Arshavin shine at the UEFA Cup finals against Rangers. Only a matter of time before Zenit were to receive transfer offers after that performance.

Manchester City have stepped up their attempt to lure Luiz Felipe Scolari to the club, with another approach to the Brazilian coach, but their �3.2m-a-year offer falls short of the �3.9m Scolari is thought to be holding out for. (Times)

Scolari isn�t holding out for anything. If Scolari didn�t take the England job back in 2006 which would of paid more then �3.9m he isn�t going to decide on Manchester City or anyplace else after his commitments to Portugal are complete.

NDman

May 21st, 2008, 03:31 PM

krash322

May 21st, 2008, 06:17 PM

Great updates. It's a blast reading all these rumours here and all over the web. Certainly the big 4 sports here in North America doesn't even compare to the English press. I just love how you can buy up the best players from other clubs. This is a true capitalistic system. Now if we can get Micah Richards to play right-back, and then another striker who's willing to play 20-25 minutes as a backup, we'd be set next season as well.

sinnacle

May 21st, 2008, 10:46 PM

Is Sven officially sacked yet? I know it's just a matter of formality. But has Saskin made the announcement yet? Not a big fan of Sven towards the end of his England reign but it sucks for him this time, really

Not officially. Sven is really handling this with class. After the EPL season is over Manchester City are on a tour of Thailand. He could of totally said well i'm being fired I'm not going half way round the world but Sven is there leading City in a bunch of friendlies. After that tour is over the official announcement will be made.

sinnacle

May 22nd, 2008, 03:45 AM

Liverpool want �16m from Juventus for midfielder Xabi Alonso but will call off any deal if they fail to land Aston Villa�s Gareth Barry. (The Sun)

Liverpoool is going to make sell Alonso at some point this summer. They have depth in his spot with Javier Mascherano, Lucas and 20 year old Damien Plessis

Villa are to call off their plans to sign keeper Scott Carson after failing to agree a fee with Liverpool. (The Daily Telegraph)

I can understand Liverpool wanting top dollar for their players. They do need to be careful since Carson could return and rot on the bench or be loaned out for another year which wouldn�t be beneficial for any parties involved.

Arsenal face competition from Marseille for the signature of Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa. (The Daily Star)

If Arsenal are a big club and they are. Marseille will be no competition for Arsenal in the transfer market.

Meanwhile, Arsenal want to add Frenchmen Clement Chantome, from PSG, and Laval�s Francis Coquelin to their ranks. (Various)

If you are young, talented and French naturally you�ll be linked to Arsenal.

Manchester United have held talks with the owners of Carlos Tevez about turning the striker�s loan into a permanent �20m move. (The Daily Express)

Sign him. United don�t need the Flamini like distraction next season.

sinnacle

May 23rd, 2008, 04:07 AM

Thanks by the way to the people who have checked out my site. Hope you like it. If not thanks anyway for giving it a chance.

Juande Ramos is set to bring Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet to Tottenham for �2.5m. (The Sun)

Coupet is a fine goalie but he is also 35 years old. If Tottenham can�t find there long term solution in goal then Coupet is a good 1-2 year stop gap.

Bolton boss Gary Megson is battling Aston Villa to sign Spurs keeper Paul Robinson in a �5m deal. (Daily Star)

There is no battle. Unless Bolton offers a boat load more money than Villa for Robinson, the soon to be former Tottenham goalie will decide to play for Aston Villa.

Chelsea could sign Barcelona�s talented Mexican teenager Giovani Dos Santos in a swap deal for �14m-rated Florent Malouda. (Daily Telegraph)

Dos Santos will get eaten alive by the British press. He�ll be better suited saying at Barcelona for another year or two. Yes Barcelona are a big team but it�s also Messi�s team. The expectations are a lot less as suppose to if he moves on to Chelsea a big money transfer.

CSKA Moscow�s Brazilian striker Jo has arrived in England and is expected to complete a move to Manchester City despite reported interest from Everton. (Daily Mail)

Jo will be a success in England. Big and strong and knows how the find the back of the net. City will do well to sign him.

Manchester City hope to finance a �12m deal for Zenit St Petersburg�s Andrei Arshavin by selling defender Richard Dunne and midfielder Stephen Ireland, with Roy Keane�s Sunderland leading the chase. (Daily Mirror)

Makes sense. Selling both would command roughly the 12 million that is making the rounds as the fee needed to sign Andrei Arshavin.

Chelsea have decided to sell striker Didier Drogba, with the club�s patience snapping with the petulant star after he was sent off in the Champions League final. (Daily Mail)

Drogba will only start to realize how good he has it at Chelsea when or if he decides to move on.

Portsmouth trio Sean Davis, Lauren, and Milan Baros could be on their way of Fratton Park after it was revealed that none of them turned up for the FA Cup winners� parade through the town on Sunday. (Independent)

Milan Baros was on loan anyway. He also didn�t score a goal for Portsmouth in his half season there. Pretty much assuring that Portsmouth won�t make the loan move permanent.

Tereno

May 23rd, 2008, 12:40 PM

I think Chelsea have more to lose in Drogba than the other way around. Tell me honestly, all their other strikers can't even come close to touching him. No doubt his attitude does prove to be problematic, they'll definitely find it tough replacing him I think. Of course with them, money is not a problem.

kramerz80

May 23rd, 2008, 06:47 PM

great thread! :D

sinnacle

May 24th, 2008, 03:44 AM

Thanks for the comment Tereno. As well thank you for checking out the thread kramerz80

Tottenham will make a straight �15m cash offer for Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and �10m for right-winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. (Daily Express)

Both figures sound about right. Now I don�t think Chelsea will pull the trigger on any transfer deals in the near future since they haven�t decided what to do with Avram Grant. If they let him go the new coach may decide to keep both Anelka and Wright-Phillips. If the coaching situation stays with the status quo then I could see Chelsea getting rid of Anelka at the same fee they purchased him from Bolton for. While I don�t think Shaun Wright-Phillips is worth 10 million pounds, that is the going rate in England for a player with his talent.

If Spurs fail to land Anelka they will concentrate their efforts on Real Zaragoza�s Diego Milito. (Daily Express)

For the life of me I can not understand why Tottenham appears so focused on signing a striker.

Newcastle have tried to offload striker Obafemi Martens to Liverpool, alerting Arsenal and Chelsea to the Nigerian�s availability. (The Sun)

I doubt they are trying to offload Martens. It�s simply really, Newcastle have depth in striker and lack quality everywhere else except for goal. To fund other transfers they are willing to sound out other teams on Martens and I�m sure Owen as well.

Arsenal have clinched an �11m deal for Marseille�s Samir Nasri, clearing the way for Alexander Hleb to join Inter Milan. (Daily Mirror)

Nasri has all the tools to be a world class player. Nasri is twice the player of a Shaun Wright-Phillips in what appears to be the same price range.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate hopes to agree terms with Dutch club Heerenveen for USA midfielder Michael Bradley. (Daily Mirror)

Michael Bradley�s game would fit hand in glove within the EPL. Perfect player for that league.

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is set to rejoin Barcelona after he claimed talks with the Catalonian club were �at an advanced stage�.

Look for this to happen any day now.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and former coach Jose Mourinho have shared three �cosy chats� in the last six weeks, but Frank Rijkaard remains favourite to replace Avram Grant. (The Sun)

It makes a good story but that is all. Mourinho shouldn�t go back to Chelsea. Besides the sequel is rarely as good as the original.

sinnacle

May 25th, 2008, 04:41 AM

Slow day today

Arsenal are to begin negotiations for St Etienne duo Mouhamadou Dabo and Blaise Matuidi and Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez. (Mail on Sunday)

The media are really just throwing names out there hoping some will stick. Gomez won�t be an easy transfer nor inexpensive. This summer will be very important for Arsenal as there has to be that pressure to close that gap on Manchester United.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will listen to offers for Alvaro Arbeloa, Jermaine Pennant and Steve Finnan as he looks to raise funds for new signings. (Mail on Sunday)

Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch, Scott Carson and John Arne Riise are also available as Benitez hopes to raise �50m in sales to bolster the �20m he has been given to spend by the club�s owners. (News of the World)

Liverpool are in the same boat. I wish Benitez luck if he thinks those players will bring in 100 million to the club.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is set to pay �3.5m for Aston Villa striker Luke Moore and �2.3m for Hearts hit-man Roman Bednar. (News of the World)

I like Luke Moore. He got caught up in a numbers game at Aston Villa. He should feature for West Brom as they will look to avoid the drop next season in the EPL.

sinnacle

May 26th, 2008, 03:38 AM

Chelsea will continue to pursue the players sacked boss Avram Grant wanted to sign this summer - and will pay up to �50m for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. (Daily Mail)

This can�t happen nor will it. Even if one Liverpool owners agrees to the deal I�m sure the other won�t just to spite him. The real reason this won�t happen is this. While the number sounds about right. Liverpool would at least consider it from any non English club they still can not sell Torres.

Currently Liverpool make up one of the teams in the big four in press clippings only. This is an important summer for both Arsenal and Liverpool as there is a gap forming between Manchester United/Chelsea and Arsenal/Liverpool. Not only would selling Torres to Chelsea kill Liverpool�s chances in the epl from a fans viewpoint but also the players still left on Liverpool as well.

Arsenal want to seal a �11m deal for Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri before he plays for France in Euro 2008. (Various)

It still strikes me as odd that Marseille is selling Nasri so early in the transfer season and at that price. Nani cost Manchester United �17m and I would rate Nasri as good if not better then Nani.

Newcastle, Manchester City and Arsenal all want Thierry Henry but new Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola will not let him leave. (Daily Star)

I really think teams like Newcastle and Manchester City float these rumors out to the press for players that have no interest in playing for them. That way they can at least convince themselves or there fans that they are trying to sign a big name.

Barcelona want to sign Chelsea forward Florent Malouda. (Daily Telegraph)

Doesn�t matter what Barcelona wants at the moment. Until a new coach arrives on the scene decisions on players like Malouda will be on hold.

Portsmouth could sign Lyon striker Sidney Govou for �7m and Lazio midfielder Gaby Mudingaye for �8m and are also watching PSG star Amara Diane. (Daily Mirror)

Hope Govou works out better for Portsmouth than the last striker that came from Lyon. That being Milan Baros.

The consolation for sacked Chelsea boss Avram Grant is that he will replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as Manchester City manager. (Daily Star)

Finally a move that would make sense for Manchester City.

sinnacle

May 27th, 2008, 03:25 AM

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to spend his �50m summer transfer budget within the next fortnight, with Micah Richards and Sevilla�s Brazilian duo Luis Fabiano and Daniel Alves top of his wish-list. (Daily Mirror)

United would need to cough up more then the �50m in order to sign those three players. Richards and Alves alone would eat up most of that �50m budget. I can understand United adding a 3rd striker but I don�t understand why United wants to ticker with the back line. Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and Brown made up the backbone of the United team. Add Gary Neville, Danny Simpson, and John O�Shea even the cover is pretty good.

While Alves/Richards are better then Brown, what message does that send to Brown who signed a new contact? Where will Brown play next season? Evra is going into the final year of his deal and once he hears what either of the new players make you know he is going to call his agent right away.

Having a newspaper throw big names out there looks good in print. The resulting effect on a team is often over looked.

Real Madrid are prepared to pay an estimated �150m to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. They will pay Man Utd �39.8m as well as offering Robinho, Sergio Ramos and Mahamadou Diarra in exchange and will pay the Portuguese winger �7.6m a year. (Daily Express)

If you haven�t noticed I don�t post most of the Ronaldo rumors that seem listless. Quite frankly it bores me. It�s all conjunction at this point.

Blackburn midfielder David Bentley has snubbed a new contract at Ewood Park clearing the way for Tottenham and Chelsea to launch �15m bids. (Various)

Bentley must feel that if he is to crack the England starting 11 he�ll have to leave Blackburn to do so.

Arsenal are lining up a �20m move for Real Mallorca striker Dani Guiza, 27, and Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red, 22. (Daily Star)

De la Red would be a good signing for Arsenal. Guiza 27 goals last year is bound to attract interest but I don�t think he�d come close to repeating that goal output his first year in the EPL.

Aston Villa are interested in Manchester City�s �4m-rated defender Richard Dunne. (Daily Mail)

Villa boss Martin O�Neill is also keeping tabs on Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell and Man Utd goalkeeper Ben Foster. (Daily Mail)

It would be a shame if Richard Dunne could be had for less than Steve Sidwell.

Spurs are favourites to sign Barcelona�s Giovani Dos Santos after discussing a �7m deal. (Daily Mail)

Dos Santos is clearly angling for a new contact from Barcelona. He would only leave the Spanish Giants if they play hard ball. Dos Santos would be foolish to leave Barcelona at any rate.

Man Utd assistant manager Carlos Queiroz wants reassurances he will succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford or he will leave the club, (Daily Star)

If and when Sir Alex Ferguson retires this is how his replacement will be named.

a) If at the time of Sir Alex Ferguson�s retirement Manchester United are coming off a successful season then United will look to continue in that same vain and Queiroz would be promoted from within.

b) If at the time of S.A.F retirement United are coming off a disappointing season the board are going to look towards bringing in a new face hence Queiroz would be left out in the cold if that is the case.

Nettles

May 27th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Micah Richards and Dani ALves are both right full backs so don't think they'd get both of them, maybe Richards, Alves would be too expensive.

Also I never believe a rumour if it says Arsenal are going to offer �20m or something for a player. One of the reasons Wenger still has his job after so many recent dissapointing seasons is because he doesn't spend much of the boards money.

Also, Hiddink probably will not coach Chelsea but the Italian newspapers say Inter are close to hiring Mourinho.

SuSHi

May 27th, 2008, 08:27 PM

sinnacle

May 28th, 2008, 04:04 AM

Real Madrid have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign Arsenal�s �15m-rated midfielder Alexander Hleb. (Various)

If Arsenal are smart and history has proven that, look for them to sell Hleb sooner rather than later and avoid creating a distraction.

Peter Crouch has told Rafa Benitez that he will stay at Anfield to see out the remaining year of his current contract in protest at his �15, price tag. (Daily Star)

Good for you Peter Crouch. We both know you aren�t worth �15 million. Tell Rafa that you don�t want him holding you back anymore.

Tottenham have won the race to sign Barcelona wonderkid Giovani Dos Santos and will arrive at White Hart Lane in a �12.5m deal. (Daily Star)

Now who will win the race to sign Tottenham current midfielder Aaron Lennon.

Sir Alex Ferguson will fly out to Portugal�s Euro 2008 training camp in Switzerland to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

It�s doubtful that Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari will be sharing a bottle of wine during this trip.

Bolton have been told they will need to pay at least �16m for Sporting Lisbon�s Miguel Veloso. (The Sun)

There is no way that Bolton will ever sign Miguel Veloso.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is lining up a �3.5m bid for Newcastle�s Charles N�Zogbia. (Daily Mirror)

If N�Zogbia grows up whatever team he is on will have a great player on there hands. Top 4 talent but quite immature.

Arsenal are bracing themselves for tough contract talks with Cesc Fabregas after it emerged that his new agent is Darren Dein, son of former vice-chairman David Dein. (Daily Telegraph)

Whatever Fabregas wants Arsenal should pay him. He is the heart and soul of that Arsenal team . Fabregas is one of a few players in today�s game you just can�t replace.

sinnacle

May 29th, 2008, 03:40 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo could make a definitive step in forcing his exit from Manchester United by putting himself on the transfer list. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 0815 BST)

Consider the source here. Marca is basically the mouth piece of Real Madrid. Sure, Ronaldo could request a transfer but Marca has as much inside knowledge of Ronaldo�s plans as I do.

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is still in contention to take over at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Express)

For the love of god why? If Chelsea got rid of Mourinho partly basically Roman Abramovich wanted Chelsea to play with more offensive flare, the last thing in the world you�d want to do is bring in Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Chelsea�s England wide-man Shaun Wright-Phillips is a �10m target for Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp. (The Sun)

Wright-Phillips needs to move on. He was just starting to get regular playing time under Mourinho before he left. Wright-Phillips then turned into an after thought under Avram Grant. The last thing he should want to do is start all over again with another coach. Playing at Portsmouth he will play week in and week out.

Tottenham are on the verge of signing Sevilla winger Diego Capel after agreeing to match an �11.5million buy-out clause. (Daily Mail)

When will Tottenham a central defender that won�t break down time and time again? (Looking at you Ledley King)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is on the verge of joining Juventus for �16m. (Various)

Good going Liverpool if you can get Juventus to pay that kind of money for Alonso.

Aston Villa will launch an �8m bid to sign England�s rising goalkeeper Joe Hart from Manchester City. (Daily Star)

Aston Villa will be linked to just about every EPL goalie during the summer transfer window.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane wants to sign Newcastle�s Damien Duff, Reading�s Stephen Hunt and Aiden McGeady of Celtic. (Daily Mail)

Just like every French player gets linked to Arsenal. Every Irish player gets linked to Sunderland.

NDman

May 29th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Sunderland manager Roy Keane wants to sign Newcastle�s Damien Duff, Reading�s Stephen Hunt and Aiden McGeady of Celtic. (Daily Mail)

Just like every French player gets linked to Arsenal. Every Irish player gets linked to Sunderland.

Strong presentation as usual, sinnacle. But this one in particular got me going this morning. Almost spilled my coffee reading this! That was clever

sinnacle

May 29th, 2008, 02:52 PM

Strong presentation as usual, sinnacle. But this one in particular got me going this morning. Almost spilled my coffee reading this! That was clever

Thanks, I can see why Sunderland like each player (well maybe not Duff) but pulling the trigger on signing them would be another thing altogether. It doesn't shock me that every Irish player not named Robbie Keane gets linked to Sunderland.

sinnacle

May 30th, 2008, 03:20 AM

Tottenham have agreed a �12m deal for Barcelona�s Mexican 19-year-old wonderkid Giovanni Dos Santos. (The Sun)

I would wait until either Tottenham or Barcelona confirm this but wow Dos Santos must really be hungry for the money if he wishes to leave Barcelona. At Barcelona, Dos Santos would be playing in the Champions League year in and year out. At Tottenham, they throw a parade in North London if the Spurs ever cracked the top four.

Manchester City defender Richard Dunne is also on the brink of signing a �5m deal at Tottenham, a move that could spark a player exodus from Eastlands. (Daily Express)

Way to listen to what I had to say yesterday. (Yeah I know they don�t read this but I�ll take credit for it none-the-less)

And Man City midfield playmaker Michael Johnson, 20, is a shock �8m target for Everton. (The Sun)

City could use a player of Johnson�s talent. They have creative wide midfielders in Cahill, Pienaar, and Arteta. They don�t have that touch of quality who can play went behind the strikers. Johnson would be a good fit in that area for Everton.

Arsenal expect to complete the �12.8m signing of Marseille�s attacking midfielder Samir Nasri before next week, according to the player�s agent Jean-Pierre Bernes. (The Times)

This will be wrapped up before Euro 2008. Should be a matter of crossing the t�s and dotting the i�s.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has put �5m-rated defender Anton Ferdinand up for sale as part of his summer clear-out. Spurs have bid for the 23-year-old in the past. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham have over 30 players in there squad. That is way too much for a club the stature of West Ham.

Fulham want Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood but face competition from Rangers and Stoke. (Daily Mail)

Harewood didn�t start all that often at Villa but he was the perfect change of pace striker. Harewood always seemed to cause some havoc when he entered into a game last season.

One of England�s most popular footballers - a Premier League star and England international - owes a staggering �1m in gambling debts. (Daily Express)

I wish I knew who he liked in tomorrow�s games.

NDman

May 30th, 2008, 03:23 AM

Dang cliff hanger. Did they even speculate or drop hint on who that footballer might be? Rooney? But he's not that well-liked :P

sinnacle

May 30th, 2008, 04:21 AM

Dang cliff hanger. Did they even speculate or drop hint on who that footballer might be? Rooney? But he's not that well-liked :P

Nope, they was all they give away. Rooney has said he quit gambling when it became public knowledge. Michael Owen is another one who never meet a bet he didn't like.

sinnacle

May 31st, 2008, 03:44 AM

And Liverpool have finally backed down over their �15m asking price for striker Peter Crouch� paving the way for the England international to join Portsmouth next week. (The Sun)

What do you mean finally? The season only ended two weeks ago. At �15m no one will come calling for Crouch services. At �10m, a half dozen teams would be interested.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is on the verge of hijacking central defender Richard Dunne�s �5m move from Manchester City to Spurs. (The Sun)

All I know is that Dunne is going somewhere. He soured on Manchester City the second half of the season.

Sunderland are plotting a �4m swoop for unsettled Aston Villa striker Shaun Maloney. (Daily Mirror)

If Sunderland have long term plans of getting into Europe, Maloney won�t be the kind of player that will take them there. Not a bad player, just not fit to be a regular starter on a a top 6 EPL team.

Savvy defensive midfielder Yaya Toure - younger brother of Kolo - could be joining Arsenal as part of the deal that takes Alexander Hleb to Barcelona. (Daily Star)

Maybe then that can keep his brother Kolo happy.

Liverpool are ready to unload left-sided attacking full-back John Arne Riise with Newcastle likely to target the Norwegian. (Daily Star)

Liverpool were ready to unload Arne Riise the second he hit the top of the net against Chelsea. If that was a striker people would be applauding the form taken in that header.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos has put �12m-rated Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo at the top of his hit-list of replacements for Dimitar Berbatov. Ramos is sending one of his top spies to watch the powerful Benfica hitman, 25, in action for his country against France on Saturday eveing. (Daily Mirror)

If Benfica can make a profit from Cardozo, sell him. He didn�t exactly stand out in big games for them this season. Good player mind you, he is good in the air and he no trouble scoring with either foot in front of the net.

David Beckham is the shock contender to captain England in Sunday evening�s international friendly against Trinidad & Tobago as boss Fabio Capello continues his auditions. (Various)

Why it is a shock? The man handles himself with class, good with the media and can still deliver on a set piece like few in this world can.

Patrice Evra is close to ending the uncertainty over his future at Manchester United after reaching an informal agreement over a new five-year contract. The French international full-back, 27, is in line to earn more than �60,000-a-week plus bonuses though manager Sir Alex Ferguson is still keen to sign defensive reinforcements. (The Times)

Hope he gets every last penny out of United. Over came a rocky start to his United career to become one of the best left backs in the world.

thug-life

May 31st, 2008, 02:37 PM

Also Liverpool is ready to offer ₤20m for Ribery.

The French international, widely tipped to star for Les Bleus at EURO 2008 next month, has catapulted himself to superstardom since his arrival in Bavaria last summer.

The 25-year-old journeyman is now recognised as one of the most dangerous wingers in the game, alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

His performances for Bayern have alerted some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and reports from Germany claim Liverpool will offer ₤20 million for the former Marseille man.

Benitez is keen to strengthen his attacking options over the summer, and has been monitoring a number of wide players, including La Liga stars Maxi Rodriguez and Albert Riera.

Ribery�s ability to play right across the pitch will no doubt attract the former Valencia boss, as will the Frenchman�s supreme understanding with Bayern hitman Luca Toni.

Benitez is planning to build a team around star striker Fernando Torres, and Ribery could prove a stunning addition alongside Dutch youngster Ryan Babel and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the Reds� 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, as Bayern paid around ₤17 million for the former Marseille man only a year ago, Rafa and co may have to up their bid if they wish to prise one of Europe�s most exciting talents away from the Allianz Arena.

LINK---->http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=717666
PS. Im a big Liverpool fan so i will keep ypu up to date with Liverpool, if i can.

sinnacle

May 31st, 2008, 04:04 PM

Made mention of the Ribery rumor on my site. I have European news and EPL Gossip. Since the European news day was somewhat light yesterday decided to add it there.

Anyway this is what I had to say on my site regarding the goal article.

Not nearly enough and Rafa Benitez should of had the foresight to go after Ribery last year. Bayern Munich are not going to be pushed around in the transfer market. Plus Bayern pays top dollar and are always a force in their home league and in Europe. Liverpool would be better off looking elsewhere, like Porto for example.

Thanks for checking out the thread b.t.w T.L

maebach

May 31st, 2008, 04:54 PM

My take on the rumours:

Gareth should not leave Villa. As a Villa fan, we're desperate to keep him. Let Liverpool chase the other fishes in the pond. Will he leave? I dont think so. I tihnk MON will show Gareth Villa's targets and plans in the next few years and Barry will stay.

Harewood - he can leave. He had 2 important goals last year, but we need more .
Goalie - I would say MON should sign Carson for 10m. He will only go up in value. Also, Guzman from the MLS is suppose to be one of the top targets for MON.

Chelsea - Will go for Inter Milan manager (forgot his name)

Ribery - Will not leave Bayern. Bayern gave up Hargreaves for Ribery basically and they need him on midfield.

Nasri - He will be a gunner soon. Wenger almost always gets his ways with young french stars.

Also:

Benitez is on crack. He values Barry as 10m, who is an English star, but values Carson as 10m as well. And then Crouch as 15m? Barry could rip Crouch to shreds. It doesnt make sense.I would value Carson at 8m, and Crouch at 7m. Barry is about to book his place in the English midfield, and Crouch floats in and out of games for England.

thug-life

May 31st, 2008, 10:08 PM

Also:

Benitez is on crack. He values Barry as 10m, who is an English star, but values Carson as 10m as well. And then Crouch as 15m? Barry could rip Crouch to shreds. It doesnt make sense.I would value Carson at 8m, and Crouch at 7m. Barry is about to book his place in the English midfield, and Crouch floats in and out of games for England.

Well said, being a liverpool fan, i strongly agree with you. But then again take a look at our owners. Wont support us with any money, so we gotta sell crouch for a lot. As for Barry, and carson, rafa is high as for what hes offering them. Your price range is good. For crouch, id want him to leave for 15 mil. More money for us in the off- season

sinnacle

Jun 1st, 2008, 04:59 AM

Manchester United will make a record-breaking offer for Lyon�s French striker Karim Benzema in a deal that could top �30m. (The People)

I�ll wish them luck with that. Benzema has always maintained he is happy at Lyon and if he were to leave he�d rather be to Spain. It�s doubtful he�d jump at the chance to join a team that he wouldn�t be a lock to play for week in and week out.

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb will join Barcelona this week in a �12m deal. (Sunday Mirror)

Good move by Arsenal getting this done sooner rather than later. Now they can focus on other targets.

Arsene Wenger is ready to raid Hamburg for midfielder Piotr Trochowski to replace the departed Matthieu Flamini. (The People)

This will excite the masses.

Newcastle want to hijack Portsmouth�s bid to sign Liverpool�s Peter Crouch and will offer �8m for the England striker. (The People)

Crouch making his way to Newcastle should mean the end for either Owen or Martins at Newcastle.

Juande Ramos is planning a summer clearout at Tottenham with Paul Robinson, Darren Bent, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gilberto, Younnes Kaboul, Adel Taarbet and Jamie O�Hara all set to be axed by the Spaniard. (Sunday Mirror)

They just signed Gilberto is the last transfer period. If this is correct, Tottenham sure did sour on him quick.

Spurs are also hoping to hijack Liverpool�s bid for Blackburn winger David Bentley and are prepared to offer �7m plus Aaron Lennon and Hossam Ghaly. (The People)

I�d consider it. I like Lennon. He isn�t that much of a downgrade from Bentley. Of course I�d try to squeeze some more out of Tottenham.

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand is set for a �6m move across London to join Tottenham. (Various)

Anton Ferdinand/Younnes Kaboul = no difference. Both are big, strong and molded like the perfect center back but both make too many errors.

Arsene Wenger will leave Arsenal when his contract expires in 2011 to become president of French side Paris St Germain. (Sunday Telegraph)

Really, you mean Arsene Wenger is already planning what he is going to do three years from now? Rolls eyes.

Liverpool are officially the best team in Europe. The Anfield club top the official Uefa rankings that are based on European performances over the last five years. AC Milan are a point behind in second, Chelsea make into third while European champions Manchester United only make it to seventh. (Sunday Express)

I�m sure Liverpool fans would still prefer winning one EPL title in the last five years.

flexwong

Jun 1st, 2008, 05:24 PM

sinnacle

Jun 2nd, 2008, 03:26 AM

Slow day today.

Liverpool have been put on red alert after �15m-rated Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma declared he wants to leave the club. (Metro)

Anyone with half a mind would of known that Quaresma would be looking to leave Porto this summer. If Liverpool are interested they should of already picked up the phone. This would make perfect sense for Liverpool. Babel and Quaresma racing up and down the flanks setting up Gerrard and ultimately Torres up front. Still consider Quaresma going to Liverpool doubtful.

Frank Lampard has been offered �130,000 a week to stay at Chelsea in an effort to fend off interest from Inter Milan. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea should of offered that contact to Lampard 18 months ago. Now it just might be too little too late. If Lampard wants to give his England chances a boost, moving to Inter Milan would do him good.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is ready to raid managerless Chelsea for winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and defender Wayne Bridge. (Various)

Portsmouth is quickly becoming home to Chelsea’s fringe players. Wright-Phillips and Bridge would join ex Chelsea players Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra.

A record �350m will be bet on this summer’s European Championships, despite no Home Nations being involved. (Various)

Speaking of which I’ll have an article up shortly regarding my prop bets.

kramerz80

Jun 2nd, 2008, 10:18 AM

Liverpool are officially the best team in Europe.(Sunday Express)[/B]

These UEFA/FIFA rankings are all bs IMO... who really cares how the team played 5 years ago... they should be based on more recent results... there have been so many changes and transfers in the last 5 years, so how can you base what team is best based on a completely different team? You know who the best team in Europe is? Man U at the moment, obviously... any ranking system that says otherwise is bs...

They can say Liverpool are officially the best performing team over the last 5 years, but to say they are the best team period right now is whack...

sinnacle

Jun 3rd, 2008, 03:17 AM

Manchester City will step up their bid to sign Ronaldinho from Barcelona and are prepared to offer the Brazilian �200,000-a-week. (Daily Mail)

I wish Barcelona would decide what they want to do with Ronaldinho that way I don�t have to read this nonsense. Ronaldinho moving from Barcelona to Manchester City is like Angelina Jolie dumping Brad Pitt to date me.

Manchester United are preparing a �15m bid for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (The Sun)

That would be a nice return on the �3.5 million that Blackburn paid for him last season.

But Mark Hughes wants to take Santa Cruz and team-mate David Bentley with him when he becomes the new manager of Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Mark Hughes better be careful what he wishes for. I could understand him leaving to Chelsea if that job came up but Manchester City? He must of saw what happen last year with Sven. Hughes is in a good spot with Blackburn and the grass may not be greener if he jumps to City.

Former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is being lined up as Hughes� replacement at Ewood Park. (Various)

Perfect replacement right there. Allardyce has always got the most out of his players. If Sinnacle was around this time last year I would of said his appointment by Newcastle was a mistake. That team and Allardyce�s style were never a fit. Allardyce and Blackburn however would fit like hand in glove.

But Mark Hughes wants to take Santa Cruz and team-mate David Bentley with him when he becomes the new manager of Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

If this is the case I hope Blackburn squeezes every last dollar out of Manchester City.

Gareth Barry has made it clear he wants to quit Aston Villa for Liverpool and striker Peter Crouch may head in the opposite direction. (Daily Star)

Barry must be at a crossroads. I�m sure he loves playing for Villa but if he doesn�t make the step up to Liverpool he�ll always think what if for the rest of his career. I could of said I wouldn�t want to be in his shoes but then again Barry�s new contract from either team would no longer make me feel for the player.

maebach

Jun 3rd, 2008, 04:45 PM

Gareth Barry has made it clear he wants to quit Aston Villa for Liverpool and striker Peter Crouch may head in the opposite direction. (Daily Star)

Barry must be at a crossroads. I�m sure he loves playing for Villa but if he doesn�t make the step up to Liverpool he�ll always think what if for the rest of his career. I could of said I wouldn�t want to be in his shoes but then again Barry�s new contract from either team would no longer make me feel for the player.

If Barry leaves us, I want Villa to get every penny out of Liverpool. 10m is too little for Barry. Liverpool need to keep Gerrard happy, and Gerrard is desperate for Barry. I hope Villa does not get Crouch, Agbonlahor is much better. If I were MON, I'd pull a Benitez (over value players) and value Barry for 18m. They signed mascherano for 18m last season, and Barry will probably be taking his spot or Xavi Alonso's.

flexwong

Jun 3rd, 2008, 05:40 PM

sinnacle

Jun 4th, 2008, 01:23 AM

you missed United signing much coveted 17 year old left midfielder Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff. Liverpool and Arsenal were also in the hunt for his services. The term includes sending Ramsey back to Cardiff city on loan next season.

I know sorry about that, most of my stuff is updated over night since the time difference between Toronto and England works out for me. Middle of the night here is early morning there and that is usually when things break. Cardiff agreeing to a transfer fee for Ramsey I just missed out on and was going to wait until tonight to touch upon it.

Hell I'll touch upon it now. It's not a done deal yet but getting the chance to train with fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs and learn from Paul Scholes can't hurt the kid. It will be a big step up for Ramsey but if he signs with United they do have a great track record of molding young talent.

sinnacle

Jun 4th, 2008, 01:34 AM

If Barry leaves us, I want Villa to get every penny out of Liverpool. 10m is too little for Barry. Liverpool need to keep Gerrard happy, and Gerrard is desperate for Barry. I hope Villa does not get Crouch, Agbonlahor is much better. If I were MON, I'd pull a Benitez (over value players) and value Barry for 18m. They signed mascherano for 18m last season, and Barry will probably be taking his spot or Xavi Alonso's.

Good job, a Villa fan. Don't see too many fans of non big four clubs this side of the Ocean. Good job with your club donating the shirt sponsorship to a charity this year instead of 32red

sinnacle

Jun 4th, 2008, 03:42 AM

Roma manager Luciano Spalletti and Cesare Prandelli of Fiorentina are the latest Italian names to be linked with the vacant manager�s job at Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti committed his future to AC Milan. (Various)

Great, just what Chelsea fans want. A coach that is already used to losing against Manchester United in the form of Roma�s coach Spalletti.

Jose Mourinho has made Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole his top target after becoming the new manager at Inter Milan. (Daily Star)

Papers are going to link every player that currently wears a Chelsea jersey to Chelsea. Pretty soon Andriy Shevchenko will even be linked to Chelsea. Ok, wouldn�t go that far but will take a trip down memory lane and post this youtube clip.

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he will quit Manchester United within a year to realise his dream of becoming a Real Madrid player. (Various)

Wonderful, now I have to read about this for another year.

Arsenal and Tottenham will do battle over Valencia striker David Villa, who has been made available for around �17m. (Daily Telegraph)

He�ll sign for neither. Arsenal will not cough up that type of coin and Tottenham wouldn�t be considered a big enough club for David Villa.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez will make an improved offer worth around �15m for the England midfielder. (Daily Mail)

If I was running Villa this would be a hard decision. �15m for a 27 year old defensive midfielder is tough to turn down but on the flip side if they do sell him what kind of message does that send to the rest of the club?

Mark Hughes has agreed a three-year contract worth �9m to take over as manager of Manchester City. (Various)

Guess Hughes feels that he took Blackburn as far as they can go. Sam Allardyce felt the same way at Bolton and his next step wasn�t exactly a successful one.

Rick Parry�s position as Liverpool chief executive could be under threat after co-owner Tom Hicks approached Man City�s Alistair Mackintosh about taking over at the Anfield club. (Various)

I don�t think its news that Rick Parry�s job is under threat. Parry most likely got that message when Hicks publicly asked him to quit two months ago.

Arsene Wenger has said Arsenal can win �everything� next season. (Daily Express)

But will end up making excuses like blaming the ref, blaming the other team for gasp playing defensive football. Basically pointing the finger at anyone but him or his team team if they come up short yet again.

NDman

Jun 4th, 2008, 12:36 PM

I still think Sheva is gone. He doesn't seem like a fit for English football. Not just the manager's style. He's just not adapting life in UK, it seems.

On the Barry front, if Villa is selling Barry for 10M, MO'N deserves to be sacked. That's an outrageous price. Of course, being a Reds fan, it'd be a fantastic steal. But I just don't see it happening.

flexwong

Jun 4th, 2008, 01:46 PM

Mark Hughes has agreed a three-year contract worth �9m to take over as manager of Manchester City. (Various)

Guess Hughes feels that he took Blackburn as far as they can go. Sam Allardyce felt the same way at Bolton and his next step wasn�t exactly a successful one.

stupid move by mark hughes. he's a future united manager, why go and manage city?!

sinnacle

Jun 5th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Just wanted to drop a line and say I enjoy reading your opinions ND, Flex and the previous people who have added to this thread.

Roma manager Luciano Spalletti has joined fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti in rejecting the chance to manage Chelsea. (Daily Star)

Good move by Spalletti if this is indeed the case. He�s comfortable at Roma and vice versa. Spalletti could easily be at Roma for the next five years. He could be out of a job at Chelsea after five weeks if things don�t go the right way.

Liverpool will unveil �7m-rated left-back Andrea Dossena as their second summer signing on Thursday. (Various)

Neither against Dossena but I do have an issue with Liverpool�s transfer policy. Most of the players that Rafael Ben�tez brings in have won little before with the exception of F�bio Aur�lio. Players like Dossena, Voronin, Benayoun, Crouch, and even Torres are all quite frankly used to losing. Taking nothing away from those players since all can bring something to the table, I want to see Liverpool sign a player like Claude Mak�l�l�. A player that is used to winning and will do anything to win. Makelele was the big reason Chelsea transformed themselves to the team they are currently. Liverpool is missing that piece of the puzzle. The Reds need to stop signing players from lesser teams and bring in a player that knows how to win a domestic championship.

Juventus have agreed terms with Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso but have to agree a fee with the Reds, who want �16m compared to the Italian club�s �14.5m offer. (Sun)

If the two teams are that close, something is going to happen sooner rather than later to make this deal come to life.

Sporting Lisbon have put a �23.5m price tag on Portugal midfielder and Arsenal target Miguel Veloso. (Sun)

Arsenal will now look elsewhere. Shame really since a Veloso, Cesc Fabregas midfield pairing would be great to see.

Manchester City will sign Brazilian pair Jo, who plays up front for CSKA Moscow, and Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho. (Various)

Something is wrong with this headline. Oh yes, placing the signing of Jo ahead of �the signing� of Ronaldinho almost like its an after thought.

NDman

Jun 5th, 2008, 12:20 PM

sinnacle

Jun 5th, 2008, 12:32 PM

As annoying as it has already been, this is still newsworthy

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=542983&cc=5901

So he finally said it, or so the press claimed. Pretty peculiar timing given Portugal is in a full lock-down mode when it comes to questions not related to the Euro 08. 10 bucks says "he's been mis-quoted and we have no further comment on the development" from Ronaldo's camp within 3 days

PS. This thread has quickly become part of my morning coffee routine. Thanks sinnacle

Thanks,

It's pretty clear that Ronaldo is tempted by the fruit of another as the squeeze song goes. He could of dismissed the rumours but never did so its clear what his intentions are. How United end up handling it is the real story.

This will play out for awhile longer and I usually stay clear of the daily "updates" that aren't really updates while waiting for something tangible to occur one way or another.

hobophobe

Jun 5th, 2008, 12:48 PM

sinnacle

Jun 5th, 2008, 12:59 PM

With all this going on, I have a gut feeling it will affect his performance in the next couple of weeks negatively. All this hype and expectations for him to really show his dominance in this euro to peak his career is just mounting a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Whether or not he's just in the background laughing away at his and his agents tactics, who knows.
I want to see Portugal win it this summer, but I think we might need to look for another star to take them there. In my eyes, guys like Carvalho and Ferreira deserve some glory, I hope Ronaldo doesn't let them down.

I don't think it will negatively effect his performance one way or another. At the very least I don't believe this will be the reason Portugal won't win the summer. Sadly not that I think they will anyway but I do hope so.

Ronaldo likes being the centre of attention where most superstars shun the spotlight. He seems to enjoy being public enemy number one. An entire nation hated him after the World Cup and he won player of the year at the end of the season as an example.

hobophobe

Jun 5th, 2008, 01:52 PM

flexwong

Jun 5th, 2008, 03:49 PM

maebach

Jun 5th, 2008, 04:00 PM

Everyone should have seen that comming. He said a few years back that he wanted to play for Real. His mom wants him to play for Real as well (always listens to mom).

On another note its hard to convince someone to dosomething if they dont want to do it. If Real want him, and Ronaldo wants Real, Man U can do little but put a high price tag on him.

I just hope Barry stays with Villa.

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 01:45 AM

Ronaldo will leave, good fcking riddance: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3654140,00.html

now give us our 100+ million and let us go after karim benzema!

i hate players who have no loyalty towards their clubs, especially a united club that helped ronaldo through so much. he was the #1 hated person in all of england after the world cup, fans across the premiership hated him and united fans all stood behind him, watching him in awe, breaking records and what not. he's just another money grabbing greedy footballer. let him go join the has beens and die there, like many other footballers.

You can't have it both ways. You want to take other teams best players but the reserve happens you guys call foul. This is just how the game work. Sure United fans supported him after the World Cup but guess what he repaid that by winning back to back player of the year and back to back EPL titles. If he didn't display that form United fans wouldn't cheer for him like they have.

When United bought Ronaldo from Sporting I didn't hear to many United fans complain about it at that time. Considering that Sporting put a roof over his head, help develop the kid from Madeira and gave him his first taste of professional football. No one cries foul then about the state of the modern player or game in that case.

Sorry but kids playing on the streets of Maderia don't grow up dreaming about playing for Manchester United. Kids on the streets of Manchester do but the days of United or any English club featuring home grown talent are long gone.

United fans shouldn't question anyone loyalties. The modern game is cutthroat and few understand it better then United. Roy Keane gave everything to that club but the second Keane was on the downside of his career he was brushed aside. David Gill didn't even remember how long Keane played for the club. Keane has to correct him and say he played for 12.5 years. Below is a link regarding that.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/04/05/ufnkeane105.xml

If Ronaldo wants to leave that sucks and personally I think its the wrong decision but in the same light clubs think about themselves 99.9% of the time so I'm not up in arms anymore if a player is just as greedy as a club is.

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 01:47 AM

I agree that he likes the spotlight, but what I mean is that everyone now has such high expectations of him to absolutely dominate the tournament. If he has one bad game, say this weekend, he just might not recover from it. All speculation in the end though.

Agree with your point. He is bound to fail at some point but that is just life. Media make too much out of a good game and on the flip side make to much out of a bad game. These things just happen in sport.

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 03:21 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he wants to join Real Madrid if the Spaniards are prepared to meet Manchester United�s valuation. (Various)

This isn�t news or is it anything new. Ronaldo has always said he wish to play for Real Madrid �one day.� The day that Real Madrid actually makes an offer or Manchester United accepts an offer will be news but that day is still far from happening.

But Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hoping to lure Milner to Anfield. The Reds boss wants either Milner or Espanyol star Albert Riera to add more width to his team. (The Sun)

See my point from yesterday. Milner I wouldn�t fancy as any better then Jermaine Pennant.

Chelsea want to offload �7m flop Khalid Boulahrouz to Marseille. (The Sun)

Good, always had a hate on for Boulahrouz ever since he put his spikes through Ronaldo�s thigh during the last World Cup.

Chelsea plan to interview Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini next week although the Blues have not yet spoken directly to either coach. (The Sun)

Can�t go wrong with either coach. It would be a dream to see Mancini and Chelsea facing off against Mourinho and Inter in the Champions League.

hobophobe

Jun 6th, 2008, 08:56 AM

Remember the days when Milner was expected to become one of the stars in the EPL?
He hasn't had his breakout season yet, and if that season does come along, it doesn't seem like it would happen with a Newcastle shirt on. He's a hardworking player no doubt, but since he was absent for the team's climb out of the relegation zone he seems expendable. So i'm not sure where Keegan sees Milner in his plans.

Toon fan here so I'd hate to see him go, but it looks like its in the cards.

Edit: By the way, is Keegan going to toss out Alan Smith? Now this is a player I despised from the very moment he stepped on SJP. Haven't really heard of anything in the works (can you confirm sinnacle?), then again who would want to buy him after last season.

Nakuruin

Jun 6th, 2008, 09:19 AM

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 10:39 AM

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 10:40 AM

NDman

Jun 6th, 2008, 12:31 PM

Edit: By the way, is Keegan going to toss out Alan Smith? Now this is a player I despised from the very moment he stepped on SJP. Haven't really heard of anything in the works (can you confirm sinnacle?), then again who would want to buy him after last season.

Alan Smith always seemed to rub me the wrong way. I just can't stand him. He sure was brilliant at times, but he's never consistent. The freak injury didn't help. My biggest gripe with him is that he's such a loose cannon. Anytime a hard tackle comes his way, just about everything single soul in the stadium would expect a terrible retaliation from him. If Ferguson couldn't tame him (see Rooney), I don't know who else can. His temperament will always doom him.

Anyways, back to the gossip. Sorry for digressing, s.

sinnacle

Jun 6th, 2008, 12:54 PM

Alan Smith always seemed to rub me the wrong way. I just can't stand him. He sure was brilliant at times, but he's never consistent. The freak injury didn't help. My biggest gripe with him is that he's such a loose cannon. Anytime a hard tackle comes his way, just about everything single soul in the stadium would expect a terrible retaliation from him. If Ferguson couldn't tame him (see Rooney), I don't know who else can. His temperament will always doom him.

Anyways, back to the gossip. Sorry for digressing, s.

I like your opinions feel free to add them here or my site if you ever view it. Either way I enjoy reading "most" peoples opinions. (Man Utd rules, Arsenal sucks just because I'm a United fan. Those type opinions I can generally live without)

flexwong

Jun 6th, 2008, 01:41 PM

Why would you bash Ronaldo for being unloyal and then want Karim Benzema to go to your club? (Tough luck btw)

Benzema is as loyal as they come, he has pledged his future with lyon and won't even consider leaving until he wins the champions league with Lyon.

And everyday i'm praying that Nasri won't leave us for Arsenal. :( (it seems we know where his loyalties lie, obviously not for his childhood club)

Btw there have been no links of Khalid Boulahrouz going to Marseille... pure rumour imo. (no mention of it in l'equipe.fr)

Ribery- will not leave Bayern... just won 2 silverware with them and Bayern had to pay a lot to get him. letting ribery go would also leave a huge hole in Bayern's midfield.

if benzema wants to come, then i don't mind. if he doesn't, no matter what united do it won't be enough to pry him away. benzema isn't going: i will leave if united offer me money. ronaldo is simply saying: yeah sure, i want to play in madrid if they offer united big money. thats the difference.

and contrary to popular belief, ronaldo did not "win us" our premiership title and champions league title. he was brilliant all year long but our MVP has to be our back 4, which stood its ground every single game. i watched every single premiership match and every single champions league match that united featured in so i know that without our back 4, we wouldn't have won squat. football is a team sport, 11 players on the pitch. not 1.

sinnacle

Jun 7th, 2008, 04:19 AM

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has flown to Italy in an attempt to convince AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti to move to Stamford Bridge for a stunning �8m-a-year contract. (Daily Mirror)

Sure I can see why Chelsea likes Ancelotti. He does have two Champions League titles on his resume. He also has A.C Milan as of today playing in the UEFA Cup next year as well.

Emmanuel Adebayor is set to be rewarded with a new contract after pledging his future to Arsenal despite interest in him from AC Milan, Inter and Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

I�d still sell him if someone came calling with a 40 euro offer. Adebayor didn�t exactly show great loyalty the last couple of months to Arsenal.

Manchester City are set to hijack Aston Villa�s proposed �6m move for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. (Daily Mirror)

A prime example of what is wrong with the EPL right here. Teams in the top four spend so much on transfers it rises the prices on fridge players. Since City are hard pressed to sign true top four level talent players they need to over spend for players like Sidwell.

Uefa president Michel Platini has said England will not be missed at Euro 2008 and that the influx of overseas investors into the Premier League is ruining football. (Daily Mirror)

Personally I think Platini has done a good job running UEFA. Usually people in his position cater to the elite of Europe but Platini looked out for the small/mid size countries in UEFA most.

Others believe former Chelsea assistant Henk Ten Cate is battling with MK Dons boss Paul Ince in the race to be the next manager of Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Mirror)

If anyone saw Ten Cate coach Ajax would know they he isn�t a top level coach. Not only did Ten Cate fail to get Ajax into the Champions League but also failed to qualify Ajax in the UEFA Cup. Ajax gave up goals at will. He was bought into Chelsea to bring that offensive game to west London like his Barcelona days where he was Frank Rijkaard number two and he failed at that too.

England�s failure to reach Euro 2008 has cost the Football Association an estimated �40m. (The Sun)

I�m sure Steve McClaren will omit this fact when applying for coaching jobs.

flexwong

Jun 7th, 2008, 10:47 AM

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has flown to Italy in an attempt to convince AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti to move to Stamford Bridge for a stunning �8m-a-year contract. (Daily Mirror)

Sure I can see why Chelsea likes Ancelotti. He does have two Champions League titles on his resume. He also has A.C Milan as of today playing in the UEFA Cup next year as well.

Manchester City are set to hijack Aston Villa�s proposed �6m move for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. (Daily Mirror)

A prime example of what is wrong with the EPL right here. Teams in the top four spend so much on transfers it rises the prices on fridge players. Since City are hard pressed to sign true top four level talent players they need to over spend for players like Sidwell.

Uefa president Michel Platini has said England will not be missed at Euro 2008 and that the influx of overseas investors into the Premier League is ruining football. (Daily Mirror)

Personally I think Platini has done a good job running UEFA. Usually people in his position cater to the elite of Europe but Platini looked out for the small/mid size countries in UEFA most.

milan are a joke and won the champions league when they never should have even been allowed to play in the first place.

sidwell was quality, until he got greedy and joined chelsea. shouldve stayed with reading, couldve done better things there. don't be shocked if city make a few big splashes this offseason (hint ronaldinho).

michel platini is the worst thing to happen to football (in terms of management). he calls out the premiership for ruining the game, what about the italians (match fixing, constant diving, BORING ASS GAMES) or the spanish (taping up players from all over ie. ronaldo's case). the sooner platini and that load of crap named sepp blatter get out of the head offices of uefa and fifa, the better it will be for the game. platini should take a lesson from fellow frenchmen eric cantona.

sinnacle

Jun 8th, 2008, 04:13 AM

Chelsea have offered AC Milan a world record �transfer fee� of �20m in an attempt to bring their manager Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge. (Sunday Express)

I�ve been saying that it�s good A.C Milan have been loyal to Ancelotti. That loyalty has a price and 20 million pounds sounds about right.

Sir Alex Ferguson has desperately been trying to speak to Cristiano Ronaldo while on holiday in France but the Manchester United winger will not answer his manager�s calls, increasing Ferguson�s fears that the winger will join Real Madrid. (News of the Word)

Sources close to the Manchester United boss have ridiculed reports that he has been barred from a private meeting with Ronaldo, insisting Ferguson never had plans to break his family holiday. (Mail on Sunday)

No idea what is going on with this story but I�d love to be a fly in the wall as someone from the Portuguese FA has to tell Sir Alex Ferguson that Ronaldo doesn�t want to speak to him.

Jose Mourinho has made Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard a �30m summer target but the Inter Milan boss has been told he would be wasting his time making an official bid. (News of the World)

Better off looking elsewhere. Even if Liverpool was a sinking ship, Gerrard wouldn�t want to leave.

Barcelona midfielder Deco is poised to sign for Chelsea in a �15m deal that is likely to clear the way for Frank Lampard to leave Stamford Bridge for Inter. (Mail on Sunday)

Barcelona must be happy with the game Deco had yesterday. A good month at the Euro�s and Barcelona can get an extra couple of million for the player.

Robin van Persie will consider his future if any more stars are allowed to leave Arsenal, saying he wants assurances that no-one else will leave before he signs a new deal. (News of the World)

Arsenal should consider van Persie future solely because he has Louis Saha syndrome. van Persie can speak about Arsenal when he is able to play two games in a row for them.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been promised up to �200m over three years and a chunk of that money looks certain to bring Barcelona�s Ronaldinho to Eastlands. (News of the World)

I�d love to know where that money came from. Must be nice once running a country and skimming from the top.

Arsenal are lining up a �3.5m bid for Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given. (News of the World)

No way Newcastle lets him leave at that price.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has been advised by his key aides to drop Kevin Keegan and appoint Dick Advocaat as his new manager. (Sunday Express)

Ashley�s key aides should be fired them. Ashley was the one who bought Keegan back to the club and since then Newcastle has done nothing by handcuff Keegan.

Manchester United�s number two Carlos Queiroz is being lined up as the new boss of French club Lyon. (News of the World)

If Queiroz thumbed his nose at coaching Benfica he�ll most likely decline any offer from Lyon.

flexwong

Jun 8th, 2008, 05:57 PM

Jose Mourinho has made Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard a �30m summer target but the Inter Milan boss has been told he would be wasting his time making an official bid. (News of the World)

Better off looking elsewhere. Even if Liverpool was a sinking ship, Gerrard wouldn�t want to leave.

steven gerrard gerrard, he kisses the badge on his chest, then hands in a transfer request, steven gerrard gerrard.

hobophobe

Jun 9th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Arsenal are lining up a �3.5m bid for Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given. (News of the World)

No way Newcastle lets him leave at that price.

That's just a slap in the face. Keegan should go make a bid for Fabregas for 2 million and insist that's fair.

sinnacle

Jun 9th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich is to speak to Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini on his yacht this week about becoming the Blues� next boss. (The Sun)

Abramovich has been in Switzerland watching Euro 2008 and is likely to turn to whichever coach excels at the tournament. (The Independent)

How Abramovich gets his yacht into Switzerland is beyond me.

AC Milan are closing in on a �18m swoop for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba but have been told his Blues team-mate Andriy Shevchenko is not for sale. (Various)

That is like saying the 3rd car that nobody drives and just collects dust in the garage is not for sale either.

Chelsea hope to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto�o for �22m but face a battle with former boss Jose Mourinho, who wants him at Inter Milan. (The Sun)

If Chelsea bid 22 million pounds for Eto�o the player is theirs. That fee will price Inter out.

Bayern Munich have told Chelsea they will have to pay �31m to sign France midfielder Franck Ribery. (Daily Mail)

Surprised that Ribery even has a price. If I was a Russian Billionaire I�d open up the chequebook for Ribery.

Jussi Jaaskelainen has verbally agreed a three-year deal to stay at Bolton rather than join Aston Villa. (The Sun)

Guess Jaaskelainen is going to stick around for a couple more years. Figured his Bolton days were over after last year.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is closing in on a �3m deal for Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough and Heerenveen have a history with the Alves transfer. Great price for Bradley who should be a good fit for just about any EPL team.

Blackburn delegates are to fly to Euro 2008 for talks with former striker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer about becoming their next boss. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn will play in the Championship within two years if they bring Shearer in.

Henk Ten Cate, Sam Allardyce and Paul Ince are also in the frame. (Daily Mirror)

Two out of the three would be good for Blackburn. Ten Cate would be another disaster.

Roberto Mancini, Steve McClaren, Dick Advocaat and Avram Grant are the other candidates for the Ewood Park post. (The Times)

Roberto Mancini wouldn�t even return Blackburn�s call if they asked to speak to him about the job.

sinnacle

Jun 10th, 2008, 05:30 AM

Arsenal have won the �5m race for Cardiff star Aaron Ramsey ahead of Manchester United and Everton, with boss Arsene Wenger proving influential for the 17-year-old. (The Sun)

Great, now Wenger gets to have another 17 year old sit for two years much like Walcott. Sinnacle comments aside Arsenal would properly be a better place for Ramsey than United. At Arsenal Ramsey could feature in 15-20 games he if sticks with the team. He�d be lucky to get that if he went and stayed at United.

Aston Villa�s Gareth Barry has demanded that boss Martin O�Neill lets him leave the club to sign for Liverpool. (The Sun)

Gareth Barry should demand Rafa to cut a 15 million pound cheque first.

Liverpool have opened negotiations with Roma over the possible �5m sale of attacking left-back John Arne Riise. (The Independent)

What negotiations? If Roma offer five million pounds all Liverpool will do is say yes.

And Goodison Park boss David Moyes is planning a daring raid on Sporting Lisbon to snatch Portugal�s �16m-rated Joao Moutinho from under the noses of Manchester United and Arsenal. (The Sun)

Joao Moutinho should ask Hugo Viana what happens if you leave for a non top four EPL team too early. It would be great for the game to see Everton crack i the top four but if they finish worst then 5th this year it would be Moutinho, Everton�s expensive signing that would shoulder a great deal of the blame.

Newcastle have stepped up their pursuit of St Etienne and France forward Bafetimbi Gomis by lodging a �10m offer. Arsenal and Bolton are also interested. (The Times)

Newcastle need to make a splash soon in the transfer market. They have come out of the gates slow and Newcastle fans will want to see some hope going into next year.

But Capello has also urged Chelsea star Lampard to consider a move to Inter Milan, suggesting it could make him a better player. (Daily Mail)

Sinnacle and Capello think alike. I�m sure that is where the similarities end however.

sinnacle

Jun 11th, 2008, 05:13 AM

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has revealed he is �angered� by reports linking him with a move to Bayern Munich. (Press Association 1000 BST)

If anyone has any right to be angered here it�s Arsenal. Don�t see how being linked to one of the world�s best clubs can anger someone.

But Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has hinted that he may be ready to �live and work in another country�, increasing speculation he could be about to join Chelsea. (Daily Mail).

Six years in charge of one country is considered a lifetime in International football. Would be a sad day personally when/if he leaves. Most Portuguese fans won�t realize how good they�ve had it until he is gone.

Liverpool will clinch the �15m signing of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry in the next 48 hours. (Various)

Was only a matter of time sadly. The clock is running out for Barry to play Champions League football. Would enjoy it if Villa can somehow top Liverpool in the standings next year.

Ricardo Carvalho has told Chelsea he wants to leave the club to join former Blues manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. (Various)

I�ll wish Carvalho luck getting Chelsea to sell him to Mourinho and Inter. Chelsea will be loath to see any of their players link up again with Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Pascal Chimbonda has been told he can leave Tottenham for �2m with Aston Villa, Fulham and Rangers all interested. (Daily Mail)

At that price more teams should be interested. 18 months ago Chimbonda was considered one of the best right backs in England and was attracting interest from Chelsea.

Alan Shearer is said to be unsure on whether to start his managerial career at Blackburn Rovers who are said to be keen on the former England striker. (Daily Telegraph)

Sam Allardyce is back in the running to replace Mark Hughes as manager of Blackburn. (The Sun)

One of these people would look good on the headlines. One of these people would make their team look good in the standings.

NDman

Jun 11th, 2008, 02:30 PM

How Chimbonda's stock had fallen, really! Was he being misused, or what? I haven't followed him or Spurs too closely. It's amazing how he's fallen from being the one of the hottest things in the league to almost nobody in one full season.

sinnacle

Jun 12th, 2008, 06:20 AM

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari will be handed a �100m transfer kitty to lure the best players in the world to Stamford Bridge. (Various)

Scolari will target AC Milan star Kaka and will spend �55m on the midfielder. (Daily Mirror)

The appointment of the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge could see the arrival of Barcelona midfielder Deco. Scolari could also convince Ricardo Carvalho to stay at the club. (The Sun)

Scolari will be handed a blank cheque to bring in new players and will spend up to �50m on Brazillian star Kaka. (Daily Express)

David Villa is the most wanted striker in Europe with Scolari favourite to land the �25m Spaniard. (Daily Mirror)

Yesterday most newspaper had no clue how close Scolari was to becoming the Chelsea coach. Today they now know who his transfer targets will be. If someone plays well today watch that player become a transfer target for Scolari and Chelsea tomorrow.

Aston Villa have rejected an improved bid for Gareth Barry from Liverpool. (Aston Villa.com 1035 BST)

Get every last dollar Villa. The transfer window ends in August wait until the very last day if you have too.

Liverpool could beat Villa to the signing of Newcastle winger James Milner with Jermaine Pennant likely to leave Anfield. (Daily Mirror)

Sinnacle has always said (yes I�m talking about myself in the 3rd person) that we like Pennant. May not be a top four player but would be a useful player week in and week out for many EPL teams.

Portsmouth have ended their interest in striker Milan Baros who failed to impress at Fratton Park last season. (The Sun)

Portsmouth ended their interest in Baros right after the FA Cup ended. That is what happens when you don�t score a goal.

Norwich are keen on Newcastle striker Andy Carroll after ending their interest in Shola Ameobi. (Daily Star)

Last year Carroll was one of the young players to watch out for. This year he may find himself sent off to a championship club.

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is being targeted by Manchester City. A move for the German is likely to cost City �20m. (The Times)

Would of cost half of that before his two goals against Poland. Gut feeling is he stays and gives former German coach J�rgen Klinsmann another year to give him the playing time that Ottmar Hitzfeld didn�t.

sinnacle

Jun 13th, 2008, 05:07 AM

Scolari will target Fernando Torres, Frank Ribery and Kaka with the Chelsea boss prepared to pay �60m for the AC Milan star. (Various)

Torres no chance, Ribery can be had for a near world record fee and Kaka no chance again. Every big name in world football not named Ronaldo will be linked to Chelsea over the next two months.

Ronaldinho has sent out a come and get me plea to fellow Brazilian Scolari as he looks for a move away from Barcelona. (The Sun)

I�m shocked that Ronaldinho hasn�t jumped at the chance to play for Manchester City. Scolari go and get Ronaldinho.

But Scolari will make Ronaldinho�s Barcelona teammate Deco his first signing at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

The Brazilian has told the Chelsea board to break the bank to keep Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Star)

One of these two reports are correct. Deco comes in and Lampard goes is my guess.

Real Madrid will tempt Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu by offering him �182,000-a-week. (Daily Telegraph)

I hate these reports that are just there for a catchy headline. Ronaldo is already tempted by Real Madrid. It�s Real Madrid who have to tempt Manchester United that is the real story.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is eager for a move away from the Emirates Stadium with AC Milan his preferred destination. (Daily Telegraph)

Adebayor will regret leaving. He is the main striker for Arsenal, at A.C Milan he could find himself on the bench with a couple of bad games.

Tottenham are targeting PSV Eindhoven�s Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes as a solution to their goalkeeping problems. (Daily Mirror)

Won�t come cheap as PSV have already rejected a 20 million dollar offer for Gomes previously.

Sunderland are eyeing up a bid for Tottenham striker Darren Bent. (The Sun)

This will come cheaper then Tottenham 16 million pound fee for Bent last summer. Bent at Sunderland makes sense for both player and team.

Arsenal�s hopes of signing Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri could be hijacked by Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Love to hear Wenger excuse if he lets Nasri slip away.

Aston Villa are to hold out for around �20m for Gareth Barry after rejecting a second bid from Liverpool. (Daily Star)

20 million pounds is just crazy talk now. The same fee that Manchester United paid for Michael Carrick should be the fee that Villa seeks for Barry.

Middlesbrough are proposing a swap deal involving winger Gary O�Neil and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard. (Daily Mail)

Fulham would be foolish to let go of Bullard. He was the heart and soul of that team and kept them up with some key free kicks late in the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari are already at war with the Manchester United manager telling the Brazilian to stop talking Cristiano Ronaldo into a move to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Still fuming inside over Scolari leaving but his war of words with S.A.F will entertain me this upcoming season. These two have never liked each other.

hobophobe

Jun 13th, 2008, 08:34 AM

Scolari will target Fernando Torres, Frank Ribery and Kaka with the Chelsea boss prepared to pay �60m for the AC Milan star. (Various)

Remember when the top transfer fees in the EPL were like under 10m? Things changed FAST!

sinnacle

Jun 13th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Remember when the top transfer fees in the EPL were like under 10m? Things changed FAST!

And I remember when Chelsea actually sold Tore Andre Flo to Rangers for 12 million pounds back in 2000 thinking Rangers were out of their minds.

flexwong

Jun 13th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Scolari will target Fernando Torres, Frank Ribery and Kaka with the Chelsea boss prepared to pay �60m for the AC Milan star. (Various)

Torres no chance, Ribery can be had for a near world record fee and Kaka no chance again. Every big name in world football not named Ronaldo will be linked to Chelsea over the next two months.

Ronaldinho has sent out a come and get me plea to fellow Brazilian Scolari as he looks for a move away from Barcelona. (The Sun)

I�m shocked that Ronaldinho hasn�t jumped at the chance to play for Manchester City. Scolari go and get Ronaldinho.

But Scolari will make Ronaldinho�s Barcelona teammate Deco his first signing at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

The Brazilian has told the Chelsea board to break the bank to keep Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Star)

One of these two reports are correct. Deco comes in and Lampard goes is my guess.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is eager for a move away from the Emirates Stadium with AC Milan his preferred destination. (Daily Telegraph)

Adebayor will regret leaving. He is the main striker for Arsenal, at A.C Milan he could find himself on the bench with a couple of bad games.

Aston Villa are to hold out for around �20m for Gareth Barry after rejecting a second bid from Liverpool. (Daily Star)

20 million pounds is just crazy talk now. The same fee that Manchester United paid for Michael Carrick should be the fee that Villa seeks for Barry.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari are already at war with the Manchester United manager telling the Brazilian to stop talking Cristiano Ronaldo into a move to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Still fuming inside over Scolari leaving but his war of words with S.A.F will entertain me this upcoming season. These two have never liked each other.

scolari is dreaming. he has no chance at all to pry ribery from bayern, torres from the scousers and kaka from ac. oh and if kaka were to leave, he wouldn't be going to chelsea.

no one wants ronaldinho, which is a bit sad and hilarious. i always saw him as an overrated player. he's good, and he did have a few top of the world years but its all been downhill since. he should fit in nicely at man ****** and then let his career end there, playing for a middle table team in the uefa cup if lucky.

lampard will not stay if deco comes in i think. a move to inter would sound right. oh and if scolari does all of this, chelsea would be even more screwed if the 6+5 rule were to be initiated.

im guessing milan won't be getting drogba so adebayor seems a reasonable target. maybe wenger is clearing way for walcott?

good job to villa. they are in the position to set the price and set it as high as possible. yes barry is not worth 20 million but he's also not worth the ridiculous low prices that the scouse shits have offered.

scolari is a piece of **** disturber if he is constantly trying to lure ronaldo to madrid. he just wants an easier job when he steps in. unfortunately for him, united have quality through and through the lineup. losing ronaldo isn't going to hurt us as badly as everyone thinks it will. oh mind you, should we lose ronaldo, we would be getting about 100 million back in return, so we could very well see kaka playing for us.

sinnacle

Jun 14th, 2008, 08:07 AM

Real Madrid star Robinho is the shock new name at the top of new Chelsea boss Phil Scolari�s shopping list. (Daily Star)

Rolls eyes. These newspaper have the same insider information as I have regarding Chelsea transfers and that is none. In a couple of days Pato from A.C Milan will be the new hot rumour.

Chelsea are aiming to take advantage of a cash crisis at AC Milan by luring Brazilian midfielder Kaka from the San Siro. (Daily Mail)

The Italian PM owns A.C Milan. They�ll be alright cash wise. No Leeds United fire sale will happen.

Frank Lampard has edged nearer the Stamford Bridge exit door with Portugal playmaker Deco set to arrive for �15million from Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

Lampard might as well pack his bags now.

Chelsea will battle with Manchester City to capture Brazil star Ronaldinho, who Scolari managed at the 2002 World Cup. (Sun)

There is no battle between Chelsea and Manchester City. If Ronaldinho really wanted to play for Manchester City he would of signed. Ronaldinho is hoping for a lifeline with a top European club and it appears he may of found it.

Barcelona�s Samuel Eto�o is another possible target for Scolari, although they could face a battle with AC Milan. (Daily Telegraph).

No enough space in London for the egos of both Eto�o and Drogba.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to go back to Tottenham with a �25million bid for striker Dimitar Berbatov. (Sun)

Better ways to spend 25 million. Where is Berbatov agent claiming top clubs are after his player. It�s been all quiet on that front for awhile.

Manchester City will offer Ronaldinho �120,000 a week to come to Eastlands. (Sun)

They can offer him a big pizza pie too but it won�t lead to any amore.

Newcastle have moved for Zenit St Petersburg�s Russia striker Andrei Arshavin, who is available at �11million. (Daily Mirror)

This would be a great move for Newcastle. A team who is known for not making great moves or having awful luck depending on your viewpoint, in the transfer market.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has lost interest in Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson. (Daily Star)

Haven�t we all

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso�s expected move to Juventus is likely to go ahead now a fee of �14million has been settled. (Daily Telegraph).

I like Alonso but that is a good piece of business by Liverpool.

sinnacle

Jun 15th, 2008, 07:24 AM

Scolari will shake-up Chelsea’s midfield and attack with moves for Deco, Ricardo Quaresma, Ronaldinho and David Villa, with Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka among those likely to leave. (Sunday Times)

Just can’t see Quaresma playing for Chelsea however I’m sure Porto would love to have Chelsea drive up his asking price. He is the kind of player that drives Scolari wild.

Rafa Benitez could persuade David Villa to sign for Liverpool, according to the striker’s Spanish team-mate Carlos Marchena. (Mail on Sunday)

Have fun persuading the owners of Liverpool to cough up the coin needed to make a run for Villla.

James Milner has pleaded with Newcastle not to block a “dream” �7m move to Liverpool. (Various)

At 7 million pounds the price is right. I like Milner at Newcastle. I also think Milner will end up getting lost in the mix at Liverpool.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes hopes to sign Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra for �8m. (News of the World)

I hope Diarra rents and doesn’t buy. City may try as they might but Diarra will start the season for Portsmouth next year.

But United won’t be bullied into offering Ronaldo a bumper new pay deal to persuade him to stay. (Mail on Sunday)

Wouldn’t matter anyway, a year later these same rumours would start again.

sinnacle

Jun 16th, 2008, 04:08 AM

England midfielder David Bentley has opened the door for a �15m transfer after admitting he wants to quit Blackburn - and Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all keen to sign him. (Various)

That door has always been open. Since the middle of the season Bentley has openly admit that he wants to play elsewhere.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool over Stewart Downing, saying the England winger is �not for sale�. (Daily Express)

If Liverpool can snatch up Gareth Barry who is the heart and soul of Aston Villa they can also purchase Stewart Downing. Still waiting for the day that Downing puts in a good sting of games together.

Barcelona are preparing a �25m bid for Tottenham�s striker Dimitar Berbatov, who wants to leave White Hart Lane this summer. (Various)

Berbatov is not Barcelona class. If this rumor had some legs to it Gio Dos Santos would of been used as a make weight in a deal that would of sent Berbatov to Barcelona.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is ready to break the club�s transfer record to bring in Celtic winger Aiden McGeady. (The Independent)

12 million pounds will get it done. It wouldn�t shock me at all if McGready suits up for Sunderland next year.

Paul Robinson�s days at Tottenham could be numbered as Spurs boss Juande Ramos is chasing Manchester City keeper Joe Hart and France stopper Gregory Coupet. (The Independent)

What do you mean could be numbered? It was numbered the second Ramos took over and soon placed Robinson on the bench.

Liverpool have accepted an offer of �4m for John Arne Riise, while negotiations about Xabi Alonso�s sale to Juventus are ongoing. (The Guardian)

Which player will Liverpool now try to sign with those funds. The current transfer budget seems to be set aside from Barry. It will interesting to see which player the sale of Riise/Alonso and possible Crouch will fetch.

England are locked in a head-to-head battle with Russia to stage the 2018 World Cup, with Fifa president Sepp Blatter saying he wants the competition to return to Europe. (Daily Mirror)

England is not going to be awarded the World Cup anytime soon. A) There is an anti England backlash within FIFA due to the EPL�s rising power. B) More importantly with the summer Olympics coming to London, FIFA will be loath in following the IOC footsteps and awarding the World Cup to England so soon afterwards.

sinnacle

Jun 17th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Manchester City are negotiating with Ronaldinho�s sponsors, Nike, over signing the Brazilian. (Daily Express)

Keep on selling this pipe dream to your fans Manchester City. Fact of the matter is if Ronaldinho really wanted to play for Manchester City he would of done so by now.

Liverpool�s John Arne Riise is expected to complete a �5m move to Roma this week. (Daily Mail)

He will not be missed. Well maybe Chelsea fans will miss him.

Sunderland are ready to smash their transfer record with a �10m swoop for Celtic�s Aiden McGeady. (The Sun)

Come on, make it 12 million pounds that way I can look smart.

Wigan are close to signing Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic on a free transfer from Werder Bremen. (Daily Mirror)

Another pipe dream that is unlikely to happen.

Tottenham are hoping to offload right-back Pascal Chimbonda to Aston Villa and defender Younes Kaboul to Portsmouth. (Daily Mirror)

Chimbonda to Villa make sense. Kaboul to anywhere would make sense in the fans of most Spurs supports.

Aston Villa are set to buy misfit Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell for �5m. (Daily Mail)

Villa have been �set� to buy Sidwell since this site open. This rumour has dragged out way too long over a mid level player at best.

Oliver Kapo could be on his way out of Birmingham City, with Wigan and Newcastle both interested in signing the midfielder. (The Times)

Sinnacle likes Kapo. He can hit the back of the net from outside the box. Birminghan�s woes started soon after Kapo got hurt.

Sunderland are monitoring striker Carlton Cole�s position at Premier League rivals West Ham. (The Times)

Why? Cole will show glimpses of top level talent but then fade away for a month at a time. Roy Keane may go mad managing since an inconsistent talent.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is furious with Manchester United�s fixture list for 2008/09 as his side face away trips after all six Champions League group games. (The Sun)

Sir Alex Ferguson will always find something to be mad about. Even if he was happy with the fixture list he�d find an excuse to claim the fixture list for Arsenal/Chelsea/Liverpool was better.

Uefa will have to spend �157,000 to replace the turf at St Jakob-Park in Basle following last Wednesday�s torrential downpour during the Switzerland-Turkey match. (Daily Star)

I�m sure they can swing it after UEFA claims they will rake in about 250 million US in profit over the next month hosting Euro 2008.

sinnacle

Jun 18th, 2008, 04:06 AM

Frank Lampard, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, will have face-to-face talks with new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari before deciding his future. (Various)

Lampard : I�d like to play for Inter Milan now.

Scolari : No problem, there is the door. Have fun.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sanctioned a �24m move for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor in a bid to beat off competition from AC Milan. (Daily Mail)

No clue about the likelihood of this but if I were Arsenal I�d be on the lookout for a replacement with the 24 million that Adebayor would be sold for.

Everton are targeting Blackburn winger David Bentley as a replacement for Mikel Arteta if he leaves for Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mail)

Like for like replacement as they say across the pond. Don�t see Arteta going to Atletico despite having an interest last year. Atletico have a ton of midfielders as it is.

Roma are ready to take Luis Saha on loan with a few to signing the Manchester United striker on a permanent deal. (Daily Mail)

Always had this feeling that the second Saha leaves United he�ll be fit for an entire season and pop in 20 goals with his new team.

Portsmouth are set to launch a �10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch this week. (Daily Telegraph)

This was said last week and the week before that. Most likely will be said next week too.

Former Chelsea assistant manager Henk Ten Cate could make a Premier League return as manager of Blackburn, despite agreeing to take over at Greek side Panathinaikos. (The Guardian)

If Blackburn really wanted him as a manager they�d step in before Ten Cate got the Panathinaikos job. Aside from his days as the Barcelona number 2, Ten Cate leaves alot to be desired.

sinnacle

Jun 20th, 2008, 03:53 AM

Manchester United winger Ronaldo has talked up his chances of joining Real Madrid this summer after saying that �the possibilities� of a transfer were �great�. (Various)

Ronaldo might as well walk around the streets of Funchal with a Real Madrid shirt on at this point.

Arsenal could attempt to sign Russia�s Andrei Arshavin as a replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor, should the Togo striker move to Barcelona or AC Milan. (Daily Telegraph)

How is Arshavin a replacement for Adebayor. A perfect replacement for Hleb, yes but Arshavin and Adebayor are two completely different types of players.

Arsenal are back in the hunt for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins but are refusing to pay the �15m asking price. (The Sun)

When the Darren Bent�s of the world sign for 16 million pounds it�s only natural for Newcastle to ask 15 million for Martins.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wants Spain midfielder David Silva, who is currently playing for cash-strapped Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

Well atleast Silva will know what it�s like to play for a cash strapped team.

Dutch playmaker Rafael van der Vaart says he will not consider a move to Manchester or Chelsea until his country�s Euro 2008 campaign is over. (The Sun)

As he should, it�s a long summer and there is only alittle over a week left in Euro 2008 anyway.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is considering a move for French midfielder Peter Luccin, who could be released by relegated Real Zaragoza. (Daily Mail)

Luccin was one of the biggest busts last year at Zaragoza. As a free transfer however it�s of little risk to Keane and Sunderland.

Deportivo centre half Fabricio Coloccini is a target for Newcastle and West Ham. (The Sun)

Good enough to crack the Argentina national team, good enough to play for either Newcastle and West Ham. Still only 26 years old too.

Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge, with Portsmouth favourite to secure his signature. (The Independent)

Wright-Phillips should of left on his own before he was pushed out. Never could crack the starting 11 for long periods of time at Chelsea.

roccco

Jun 20th, 2008, 06:48 AM

The Beckham madness continues states-side

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1312010.ece

Portugal's Ronaldo has uttered those words

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1316827.ece

sinnacle

Jun 21st, 2008, 05:25 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to face the �hairdryer treatment� from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in a one-on-one meeting before he can force a move to Real Madrid (Daily Mail).

For Ronaldo�s sake hope there isn�t any soccer boots around during that meeting.

Tottenham are preparing a double swoop on Spain by buying �10m Argentine hitman Diego Milito from Zaragoza and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (Daily Star)

The king of the tap ins will not be leaving Real Madrid to play for Tottenham. Milito can easily be hard is Tottenham so desires.

Barcelona claim they have agreed a stunning �25m deal to sign Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Star)

Gotta love a player who one day is all about Arsenal and then the next when dollar signs start flashing has one foot out the door. Hleb I can respect, he wants out and made it clear. Helb didn�t talk out of both sides of his mouth like Adebayor this summer.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill is leading the chase for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after being thwarted in two previous attempts. (Daily Express)

Villa are also in the running for Blackburn winger David Bentley, but the England man is more likely to go to Chelsea or Tottenham. (Daily Express)

They have a better chance trying to sign Wright-Phillips. Bentley won�t come easy nor cheap.

Roma have been linked with Manchester United duo Louis Saha and Mikael Spaletti. (Daily Telegraph)

lol�.that Mikael Spaletti must be one hell of a player for Roma to be interested. Of course I�m sure they mean Mika�l Silvestre

maebach

Jun 21st, 2008, 12:43 PM

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill is leading the chase for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after being thwarted in two previous attempts. (Daily Express)

Villa are also in the running for Blackburn winger David Bentley, but the England man is more likely to go to Chelsea or Tottenham. (Daily Express)

They have a better chance trying to sign Wright-Phillips. Bentley won�t come easy nor cheap.

Roma have been linked with Manchester United duo Louis Saha and Mikael Spaletti. (Daily Telegraph)

lol�.that Mikael Spaletti must be one hell of a player for Roma to be interested. Of course I�m sure they mean Mika�l Silvestre

I must agree, Wright Phillips would be easier, and he would provide a right winger as we rely heavily on Ashley Young down the left. I thin MON is trying to keep the fans happy by signing players before we get hit with the 'Barry is gone news'. It's odd though, since Gardner just last week said that he doesnt tihnk Barry will leave.

I too was thinking who this Spaletti was, lol.

sinnacle

Jun 22nd, 2008, 05:14 AM

Dutch forward Rafael van der Vaart will trigger a �15m scrap for his services between Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. (News of the World)

They will be more teams looking at the services of van der Vaart. One thing is for sure Hamburg will sell him to the higher bidder in the coming weeks.

Arsene Wenger will authorise the �25m sale of Emmanuel Adebayor later this month - while seeking to buy Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn. (The Mail on Sunday)

You can�t say no to that amount of money. Despite the message it sends that is still a good piece of Business on Arsenal�s part.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is preparing a �6m swoop for Tottenham�s out-of-favour winger Aaron Lennon. (News of the World)

This would be a great move for Newcastle. At his best there is little difference between Lennon, Bentley and Wright-Phillips. The latter two costing much more.

Milan Baros tops Bolton�s wanted list, with the Trotters set to spend �4.5m on Lyon�s Czech striker. (News of the World)

Lyon will gladly accept that transfer fee for Baros. He is not in their plans as they say.

England�s top clubs are set to declare war on Europe over the alleged tapping-up of their players. (Sunday Express)

Cry me a river when United basically steal 16 year old Davide Petrucci out from under the noses of Roma.

sinnacle

Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:11 AM

Barcelona midfielder Deco is set to become new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari�s first signing in a �12m deal. (The Sun)

But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has told Scolari to forget signing the Portugal midfielder as he is ready to sanction a �20m bid for Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin. (Daily Star)

I�ve been impressed with Arshavin since his Uefa Cup performances but playing double the transfer fee that Arshavin would of commanded based on two games isn�t smart business. I would also love to be a fly on the wall if Abramovich has told Scolari no to something not even a week into the job.

Everton boss David Moyes wants to sign Tottenham striker Darren Bent for around half of the �16m Spurs spent on the former Charlton player a year ago. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham is not going to throw in the towel on Bent a year after spending so much to sign him. A team would have to cough up 10-12 million pounds in order for Tottenham to cut their losses.

Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho, who has been told by Barcelona that he is free to leave, has admitted he would love to play in the Premier League but refused to say whether he fancies Manchester City or Chelsea. (Various)

If he fancied Manchester City he would of signed there by now. Ronaldinho would only go to City if its the last option open to him.

The transfer of Brazilian striker Jo to Manchester City has hit a few contractual snags as the CSKA Moscow player is subject to the same ownership issues as Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. (The Times)

When a transfer is this close to happening something will be worked out within the next couple of weeks.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is ready to pay �2m for Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will not be ready to accept only two million for Kaboul. The Spurs will swallow a bit of a loss on Kaboul but not that much.

sinnacle

Jun 24th, 2008, 04:21 AM

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is demanding �50m to secure the transfers of Daniel Alves, David Silva and Gareth Barry. (The Mirror)

Liverpool needs to find a way to make a splash this summer. United depending on what happens with Ronaldo can see themselves taking a step back. Key players are looking for a way out at Arsenal and Chelsea will be lead by a coach for has never coached in England before. Perfect chance for Liverpool to leapfrog some times at the top if they can get their house in order

Jose Mourinho has cut short his summer holiday to personally take charge of Inter Milan�s pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. (The Sun)

I don�t understand what is holding Lampard back at this point. A move to Italy would do Lampard some good.

Arsenal could move for Valencia midfielder David Silva if as expected Alexander Hleb moves to Barcelona. (The Sun)

While Arsenal can afford Silva, it�s not Arsenal�s stance to pay top dollar so I don�t see Silva applying his trade at Arsenal anytime soon.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has failed with a �9m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Star)

Liverpool is going to take its sweet time deciding Crouch future. With a year left on his contact Liverpool will decide at some point to cash in on Crouch.

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson is a �4m target for Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle could do a lot worst than Dawson. He�d go along way to patch up a back line that needs a ton of work.

Spurs manager Juande Ramos will pay �8m for Seville winger Diego Capel. (The Independent)

Ramos would have to up its bid by a small amount. Capel release fee with Seville is 12 million euros. Seville will not sell any player to Ramos without him meeting the release fee.

Fulham could trade midfielder Jimmy Bullard for Middlesbrough defender Luke Young. (The Times)

Fulham would be foolish to sell or trade Bullard. Heart and soul type of player that a club like Fulham would need years to replace. Skillful from set pieces as well.

Aston Villa have had a �15m bid for David Bentley rejected by Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Mail)

Signing Bentley would go along ways into convincing Villa fans to forget about Barry. Convincing Bentley to sign for Villa is another matter altogether.

maebach

Jun 24th, 2008, 11:23 AM

Fulham could trade midfielder Jimmy Bullard for Middlesbrough defender Luke Young. (The Times)

Fulham would be foolish to sell or trade Bullard. Heart and soul type of player that a club like Fulham would need years to replace. Skillful from set pieces as well.

Agree 100%. Fulham need him most. I still remember the freekick he scored against Villa late in teh season to give Fulham, the 2-1 win.

Aston Villa have had a �15m bid for David Bentley rejected by Blackburn Rovers. (Daily Mail)

Signing Bentley would go along ways into convincing Villa fans to forget about Barry. Convincing Bentley to sign for Villa is another matter altogether.

Very true, I would be delighted to see Bentley for Villa. Bentley down the right and Young down the left would be great. I would still rather have Barry in the middle, but Bentley would definetely do teh trick. MON wants Champions league or atleast UEFA Cup, and for that we need top class players.

flexwong

Jun 24th, 2008, 10:05 PM

Arsene Wenger will authorise the �25m sale of Emmanuel Adebayor later this month - while seeking to buy Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn. (The Mail on Sunday)

You can�t say no to that amount of money. Despite the message it sends that is still a good piece of Business on Arsenal�s part.

England�s top clubs are set to declare war on Europe over the alleged tapping-up of their players. (Sunday Express)

Cry me a river when United basically steal 16 year old Davide Petrucci out from under the noses of Roma.

poor wenger. santa cruz has had one solid season, with an injury riddled past. overrated and arsenal will overpay for his services.

as much as i don't like this "tapping-up" business, come on. if petrucci really wanted to stay in roma, nothing united couldve done would be able to convince him to join them. i mean, petrucci had a first team opportunity coming up at roma next season, he'll be in the reserves and MAYBE get a few call ups to the first team (although i doubt it with welbeck AND manucho both waiting in the wings). he'll easily spend his next 3 season at our youth or reserves team.

flexwong

Jun 24th, 2008, 10:08 PM

sinnacle

Jun 25th, 2008, 04:00 AM

Harry Redknapp says he won�t be held to ransom by Liverpool in his pursuit of striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Star)

Just a cat and mouse game. Much like in real life where you don�t say yes to the first offer that comes your way, it appears to be the same in Football. I�m sure Liverpool would first want to create a bidding war between Villa and Portsmouth before giving the green light to any Crouch transfer.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is hoping to sign Switzerland striker Eren Derdiyok from FC Basel for �6m. (Daily Mirror)

Derdiyok scored against England in their friendly during Capello�s first game in charge of England. It would still be considered a big risk spending six million pounds for a 20 year old that is far from a sure thing.

Arsenal have identified Real Mallorca striker Daniel Guiza as a replacement for Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mail)

Daniel Guiza = One season wonder. Besides Fenerbah�e has the inside track of Guiza at this point. I would think Arsenal would go after Guiza if other transfer transfers are out of reach.

Tottenham are closing in on PSV Eindhoven keeper Heurelho Gomes. (The Independent)

Make it happen Tottenham. There are a lot of silly rumors when it comes to Tottenham but this one makes sense.

New Blackburn boss Paul Ince has slammed Ronaldo for �souring� United�s success of last season. (Various)

Despite having a Manchester United connection, Paul Ince should worry about his star players and not being drawn into this tiresome Ronaldo will he or won�t he debate.

Paul Ince has warned interested clubs that striker Roque Santa Cruz is not for sale. (Daily Star)

Paul Ince isn�t going to put up the for sale sign. Despite what he says Blackburn are a selling team. If they can turn a huge profit on both Bentley and Santa Cruz they will. Continuing with the what ifs. If I was the Blackburn chairman during the interview with Ince I would clearly ask what would be his plans to rebuild the team after losing Bentley and Santa Cruz. For Blackburn�s sake next year, Ince better have a good plan in place.

Germany keeper Jens Lehmann says he would �give his life� to reach the final of Euro 2008. (The Sun)

Manuel Almunia wouldn�t be shedding a tear.

hobophobe

Jun 25th, 2008, 09:36 AM

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is hoping to sign Switzerland striker Eren Derdiyok from FC Basel for �6m. (Daily Mirror)

I'm beginning to question what's going on in Keegan's mind here. Last month he dropped 4 defenders from an already weak back line (Ramage, Rozehnal, Diatta and Carr). You would think he'd be scouting for some new ones, but here he is trying to sign Derdiyok, scouting Gomis, Cardozo and Diane.

I do hear that Derdiyok can fill a centre back position, (don't ask me how a striker can play centre back) but I've never really see him do this.

sinnacle

Jun 25th, 2008, 10:06 AM

I'm beginning to question what's going on in Keegan's mind here. Last month he dropped 4 defenders from an already weak back line (Ramage, Rozehnal, Diatta and Carr). You would think he'd be scouting for some new ones, but here he is trying to sign Derdiyok, scouting Gomis, Cardozo and Diane.

I do hear that Derdiyok can fill a centre back position, (don't ask me how a striker can play centre back) but I've never really see him do this.

Part of me doesn't blame Keegan. I don't even think he knows what his transfer budget is. Mike Ashley wants to either cut or dump anymore making $40,000 pounds a week. Then you have the chairman Chris Mort leaving his post. Things haven't been done right at Newcastle for awhile now. I have heard that Newcastle likes Michael Dawson from Tottenham, he'd atleast be a good fit with Taylor at the back.

flexwong

Jun 25th, 2008, 12:00 PM

Part of me doesn't blame Keegan. I don't even think he knows what his transfer budget is. Mike Ashley wants to either cut or dump anymore making $40,000 pounds a week. Then you have the chairman Chris Mort leaving his post. Things haven't been done right at Newcastle for awhile now. I have heard that Newcastle likes Michael Dawson from Tottenham, he'd atleast be a good fit with Taylor at the back.

Cheer up Kevin Keegan,
Oh what can it mean,
To a sad geordie b******,
And a shite football team

hobophobe

Jun 25th, 2008, 12:09 PM

I have heard that Newcastle likes Michael Dawson from Tottenham, he'd atleast be a good fit with Taylor at the back.

Only problem is Michael Dawson does not like Newcastle. Dawson dismissed rumours of any transfer to Newcastle last month. Not sure if he's changed his mind since then.

maebach

Jun 25th, 2008, 12:27 PM

I love how Sneijder said he doesnt want to play for Man Utd

flexwong

Jun 25th, 2008, 12:59 PM

I love how Sneijder said he doesnt want to play for Man Utd

that's his loss. madrid are prepared to sell at least 6 of their players to finance the ronaldo buy.

sinnacle

Jun 26th, 2008, 03:46 AM

Arsenal are lining up a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch as a replacement for Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool wouldn�t mind selling Crouch to the Aston Villa�s and Portsmouth of the world but unless Arsenal pay top dollar. Something they aren�t exactly known for, Liverpool will be loath to sell Crouch to a top four rival.

A deal to bring Adebayor to AC Milan is �70-80%� likely according to Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito. (Various)

However, the Gunners striker will stay at the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal treble his wages to �120,000. (The Sun)

Now Arsenal have 120,000 reasons to sell Adebayor. A quarter million dollars a week for Adebayor is pretty steep.

Tottenham will offer Blackburn Aaron Lennon in a �15m player-plus-cash offer for midfielder David Bentley. (Daily Mirror)

I�d send Bentley on the first train out to London. Lennon at 21 currently can easily turn into the player that Bentley is currently at 23.

Wigan are planning an �8m move for Everton striker Andrew Johnson. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland have already made a �10m offer for the England striker. (Daily Mail)

Wigan�s offer will come up short. At �10m with James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe waiting in the wings I�d cash in on Johnson and use those funds in other areas.

Wigan are close to signing Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas, who is the current South American Player of the Year. (Various)

You see Cabanas on TV and you�d think this player is fat and lazy. Then he is 1v1 with the goalie and finds the bottom corner with regularly. How that translate to the English game would be interesting.

Sacked Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been offered the coaching job of the Georgian national side. (Daily Mail)

No idea what would insult me more. Being hung out to dry by Chelsea or being offered the coaching job at Georgia.

hobophobe

Jun 26th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Arsenal are lining up a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch as a replacement for Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mirror)

What's Wenger trying to do? Match height for height? I just can't see Crouch in a Gunners jersey. No way will he be able to keep up to the pace of Arsenal the way Adebayor managed to.

Tottenham will offer Blackburn Aaron Lennon in a �15m player-plus-cash offer for midfielder David Bentley. (Daily Mirror)

So its Aaron Lennon + 15m = David Bentley?
Bentley is good but this just doesn't seem quite fair to Tottenham (and Lennon's esteem).

You see Cabanas on TV and you’d think this player is fat and lazy. Then he is 1v1 with the goalie and finds the bottom corner with regularly. How that translate to the English game would be interesting.

Never seen him or Club Americas play, but I imagine in order to get that many 1v1s with the goalie like you say, he would need good supporting players to pick him out. Don't see Wigan's midfield being able to support him.

flexwong

Jun 26th, 2008, 05:09 PM

A deal to bring Adebayor to AC Milan is �70-80%� likely according to Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito. (Various)

However, the Gunners striker will stay at the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal treble his wages to �120,000. (The Sun)

Now Arsenal have 120,000 reasons to sell Adebayor. A quarter million dollars a week for Adebayor is pretty steep.

Sacked Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been offered the coaching job of the Georgian national side. (Daily Mail)

No idea what would insult me more. Being hung out to dry by Chelsea or being offered the coaching job at Georgia.

120,000 is not a quarter of a million, fyi.

avram grant could do better. or maybe not. he should take the job. lol

NDman

Jun 26th, 2008, 05:19 PM

120,000 is not a quarter of a million, fyi.

avram grant could do better. or maybe not. he should take the job. lol

120k pounds IS roughly a quarter million dollars

[EDIT: though I was thinking the exact same thing when I first read it. Had to do a double take]

flexwong

Jun 26th, 2008, 05:22 PM

120k pounds IS roughly a quarter million dollars

ah, i see.

flexwong

Jun 26th, 2008, 10:50 PM

slightly off topic but still football related:

barcelona have approached zenit st. petersburg for russian striker arshavin.

roberto donadoni has been fired by italy and marcello lippi has been rehired. big surprise there *sarcasm*

sinnacle

Jun 27th, 2008, 12:20 AM

120k pounds IS roughly a quarter million dollars

[EDIT: though I was thinking the exact same thing when I first read it. Had to do a double take]

Good catch, sorry for the confusion

sinnacle

Jun 27th, 2008, 12:22 AM

So its Aaron Lennon + 15m = David Bentley?
Bentley is good but this just doesn't seem quite fair to Tottenham (and Lennon's esteem).

That offer looked too good to be true when I read it. Take it for what you will be latest I've read about the offer is that it's between 8-10 million pounds plus Lennon for Bentley which makes more sense.

sinnacle

Jun 27th, 2008, 04:08 AM

Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho will reject a move to Manchester City as the 28-year-old wants to stay at Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

Shocking

There is some good news for City fans however as the club will clinch the �18m signing of Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow on Friday - free of third-party complications. (Daily Express)

Jo can�t do any worst than Nery Castillo. Still remember Jo and Vagner Love (great name) putting on impressive performances against Inter Milan in the previous Champions League. Jo has all the physical tools to succeed in the EPL.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is ready to fight Liverpool to keep �12m England winger Stewart Downing. (Various)

Southgate is lucky that Downing signed a contact extension at the end of last season. In doing so Middlesbrough can at least ask top dollar for Downing. If Liverpool really want Downing, Middlesbrough may fight the good fight but in the end they will sell.

Blackburn chairman John Williams has said David Bentley�s future at Ewood Park will be decided when the midfielder comes back for pre-season training on 7 July. (The Sun)

Speaking of fighting the good fight and selling at the end, we have Blackburn. Keeping an unhappy Bentley at Blackburn when he doesn�t want to be there would sabotage Paul Ince reign at Blackburn.

Everton will reluctantly sell �10m-rated striker Andy Johnson in a bid to generate urgently-needed transfer funds. Sunderland, West Ham, Wigan, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Middlesbrough are interested in the 27-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Why would they reluctantly sell Andy Johnson? 10 million pounds for your number two striker you should gladly sell. If Andy Johnson wasn�t English and didn�t play in the EPL he�d be worth half what Sunderland are offering for him.

Arsenal have made an approach for Portugal midfielder Miguel Veloso, according to the Sporting Lisbon player�s agent. (Various)

For the love of god Sporting Lisbon does not exist. It�s Sporting Clube de Portugal. Even if you want to white wash it just call it Sporting. Arsenal are not going to pay top dollar for Veloso. This is just Veloso agent trying to dump up business for his client.

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has written to the Blues players who were not involved in Euro 2008 telling them to cut short their holidays - because he is starting work a week early. (Daily Mirror)

To bad he didn�t give the courtesy of writing the Portuguese players that their holidays were starting a week early when he took the Chelsea job.

maebach

Jun 27th, 2008, 09:58 AM

"Andy Johnson is not for sale - it is that simple,"
-Moyes

"I have three more years with Arsenal, I have a good team there, I have a good contract.

"The most important thing is to keep enjoying myself. Of course (I am staying) I have three more years.

"When I was young I had a dream to be a good footballer and play for a big team. I was born in Togo so I never cared about playing for money, my happiness was to play to enjoy myself. That's what I've been doing until now.

"You can see people changing clubs because of money, because they want a change of atmosphere or to get their names in the big leagues. I just play football to enjoy myself. I play because I love it.

-Adebayor

from skysports

sinnacle

Jun 27th, 2008, 10:47 AM

-Moyes

-Adebayor

from skysports

Got the Adebayor thing posted on my site, came out after my previous post. Still call B.S on Moyes. With Vaughan and Anichebe pretty much ready Johnson will at some point become the odd man out anyway.

sinnacle

Jun 28th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the brink of a remarkable U-turn to declare his allegiance to Manchester United as he is unhappy with Real Madrid�s public quibbling. (Daily Express)

Real will ask Ronaldo to take a pay cut to leave United . The Spanish club are only prepared to offer the winger a �5.5m-a-season deal, leaving him �1.5m out of pocket. (Daily Star)

This is no closer to being resolved one way or another today as it was yesterday which is why I often don�t include Ronaldo stories here. Added this one over the story that Madrid would ask Ronaldo to take a paycut. I�d be like you kidding me? You are willing to offer United 100 million in a transfer fee and then ask the player to take a paycut. This story can�t be true.

Inter Milan have reportedly agreed on a deal for England midfielder Frank Lampard, although Chelsea sources maintain they have yet to receive an offer from the Italians. (Various)

Lampard has agreed in principle to a four-year deal worth �6m a year, with Chelsea receiving a �7m transfer fee. (Daily Mirror)

Good as gone at this point. Been saying since day one that the best thing for Lampard�s career is a move away from Chelsea.

But Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has asked chief executive Peter Kenyon to sign AC Milan�s Kaka and Bayern Munich�s Franck Ribery before the club go on a pre-season tour of Malaysia, China and Moscow. (Daily Mail)

They mention it so matter of fact. Like Scolari is asking Kenyon to pick up a loaf of bread of the grocery store. Kaka has already said he doesn�t want to leave Milan and isn�t the type to be motivated by money. If Kaka wanted to leave due to A.C Milan not being in the Champions league we�d all know it by now.

Despite on Friday declaring his intentions to stay at Arsenal, Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has changed his stance and is now welcoming interest from Barcelona and AC Milan. (Various)

Adebayor is simply not worth the hassle. If I were Arsenal I�d make up Adebayor mind for him and sell him to the highest bidder.

Paul Ince wants to make Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini his first signing as Blackburn boss. (The Sun)

Don�t get this at all. Brad Friedel is not only one of the leaders of this team but one of its better players last year as well. You can still make the case that Friedel is a top 5 EPL goalie. Yes, Friedel is up there in age but it isn�t like Cudicini is that young either.

Tottenham will need special dispensation to sign Heurelho Gomes because the Brazilian goalkeeper has not played in the required 75% of international matches during the past two years. (The Times)

He�ll get it, maybe on appeal but he�ll get it. If you are good enough to crack the Brazil national team you are good enough to get a work permit to play in England.

Galatasaray have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje for �2m, scuppering Scott Carson�s chance of a quick exit from Anfield. (Daily Mail)

Itandje won�t be missed. Liverpool will gladly accept that transfer fee.

Arsenal will sign Oguzhan Ozyakup from AZ Alkmaar when the midfielder turns 16 in September. (The Times)

Liverpool are close to signing Danish youngster Nikola Saric, 17, on a three-year deal from Herfolge. (The Sun)

Few things bug me more than these signings. Forget about the 6+5 rule, Fifa and UEFA need to way a find to stop this talent drain. I�m still waiting for Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle to become the next Zidane and Henry.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is ready to make a move for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland. (The Sun)

Just keep him away from the Christmas parties. Oh and hopefully this transfer would work out better than the last player purchased from Manchester United that being Alan Smith.

Striker Fernando Torres believes Spain will dominate world football for years to come after breaking their major championship jinx by reaching the Euro 2008 final. (The Sun)

Easy there, first focus on winning against Germany before taking over the world. B.T.W need you to score on Sunday since I have a Torres more goals then Ronaldo at Euro 2008 prop that I�d like to cash in. Thanks.

sinnacle

Jun 29th, 2008, 04:42 AM

Chelsea will hijack Barcelona�s move for Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin. The Blues also hope to sign Franck Ribery and Kaka. (The Sunday Times)

Still see no sense in paying double what you would of a month ago for a 27 year old player. Ribery and Kaka make a nice headline but the reality is both players have little desire leaving their current clubs.

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is a �10m target for Manchester United and Chelsea. (Daily Star)

Schweinsteiger sure didn�t hurt his stock this past month that�s for sure. Bayern Munich will not even return a call for someone willingly to pay 10 million pounds for Schweinsteiger much less accept an offer.

Spanish holding midfielder Marcos Senna could move to Arsenal as a replacement for Mathieu Flamini . (The Sunday Telegraph)

The 30 and over crowd usually move away from Arsenal and not to Arsenal.

Martin O�Neill has blown his chance of keeping Gareth Barry, Villa�s captain is furious that his manager has found time to be a pundit at Euro 2008 but not to talk to him about his future. (News of the World)

O�Neill could of moved next door to Barry and the two could have breakfast everyday. Still wouldn�t stop Barry desire for a Liverpool move.

Liverpool want to swap Peter Crouch for Spurs striker Robbie Keane in a player-plus-cash deal. (News of the World)

This is a new rumor. Can�t see Keane wanting to jump ship and can�t see Tottenham being able to replace him despite their lavish spending this off season.

flexwong

Jun 29th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Liverpool want to swap Peter Crouch for Spurs striker Robbie Keane in a player-plus-cash deal. (News of the World)

This is a new rumor. Can�t see Keane wanting to jump ship and can�t see Tottenham being able to replace him despite their lavish spending this off season.

hahahahah. liverpool isn't getting robbie keane. he's a spurs man through and through. and tottenham have a better chance of winning something then liverpoo does.

knickerbocker

Jun 29th, 2008, 08:01 PM

and tottenham have a better chance of winning something then liverpoo does.

Now that's funny.

Steinbok

Jun 29th, 2008, 08:53 PM

hahahahah. liverpool isn't getting robbie keane. he's a spurs man through and through. and tottenham have a better chance of winning something then liverpoo does.

Hmm...lets see if the stats back your claim?
Other then FA Cup, no way near! :lol:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/489/32705383sy4.png

flexwong

Jun 29th, 2008, 09:33 PM

Hmm...lets see if the stats back your claim?
Other then FA Cup, no way near! :lol:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/489/32705383sy4.png

premiership teams trophy count for 2007/2008

manchester united: premiership title, champions league
tottenham: league cup
livershite: nothing
arsenal: nothing
chelsea: nothing

liverpool fans, stop living in the past. your club are has beens and have been a cup team for the past few seasons. always the same old story with them, in august they say they have a chance to win the league, by christmas they know its all gone so they focus solely on champions league.

si18

Jun 29th, 2008, 10:46 PM

and tottenham have a better chance of winning something then liverpool does.

Haha biggest JOKE i have heard for a while....
Flexwong you must be living in Mars for a while... :cheesygri

si18

Jun 29th, 2008, 10:48 PM

[QUOTE=flexwong;7031000]premiership teams trophy count for 2007/2008

tottenham: league cup

Lol, only if winning the league cup means anything these days!!! :confused:

flexwong

Jun 29th, 2008, 10:55 PM

Haha biggest JOKE i have heard for a while....
Flexwong you must be living in Mars for a while... :cheesygri

ramos > fat man benitez

and no, i haven't been living on mars like all liverpool fans who still think they're a big club who can win domestically.

what ship has never docked in liverpool? the premiership!

i really can't wait for the premiership to start again, saturdays and sundays are boring without premiership football. i seriously think this year one of the big 3 + 1 will be knocked out of the top 4. and that team will be liverpool. portsmouth, everton and tottenham (as long as they start properly and with ramos managing, i don't see why they can't) will pose a serious challenge to the scouse shites.

Steinbok

Jun 29th, 2008, 10:56 PM

premiership teams trophy count for 2007/2008

manchester united: premiership title, champions league
tottenham: league cup
livershite: nothing
arsenal: nothing
chelsea: nothing

liverpool fans, stop living in the past. your club are has beens and have been a cup team for the past few seasons. always the same old story with them, in august they say they have a chance to win the league, by christmas they know its all gone so they focus solely on champions league.

you're hilarous! lol
by that argument, other then Man U and spurs, no one is a credible team in England! Its not living in the past dude, its called having a rich history and being proud of it!

Liverpool may not be winning the league, but hey...atleast we are finishing higher then Spurs, playing in the champion's league and havent lost to Spurs since 2004!

I have got nothing against spurs, heck, i was hoping for them to win rather then chelsea. But saying that they have a better chance then liverpool...now thats just being hopeful! :lol:

But whatever floats your boat...i dont want to take over this thread.

flexwong

Jun 29th, 2008, 11:07 PM

you're hilarous! lol
by that argument, other then Man U and spurs, no one is a credible team in England! Its not living in the past dude, its called having a rich history and being proud of it!

Liverpool may not be winning the league, but hey...atleast we are finishing higher then Spurs, playing in the champion's league and havent lost to Spurs since 2004!

I have got nothing against spurs, heck, i was hoping for them to win rather then chelsea. But saying that they have a better chance then liverpool...now thats just being hopeful! :lol:

But whatever floats your boat...i dont want to take over this thread.

its not really "taking over" this thread, we're still talking about the premiership.

and no, im definitely not saying that spurs are a credible team. but i hate liverpool with a passion and their fans live in the past thinking they are still one of the best teams in the world when they're not. and the fact that they are murderers.

si18

Jun 30th, 2008, 12:12 AM

[QUOTE=flexwong;7031335]
but i hate liverpool with a passion and their fans live in the past thinking they are still one of the best teams in the world when they're not.

Maybe not the best team in the world, but certainly in 2005 they were at least the best team in Europe (CL winner), and in 2007 the top 2 teams (CL finalist) and 2008 the top 4 teams in Europe (CL semi-finalist).... :D

So as much as you hate LFC, the facts are facts!!! :rolleyes:

flexwong

Jun 30th, 2008, 12:51 AM

Maybe not the best team in the world, but certainly in 2005 they were at least the best team in Europe (CL winner), and in 2007 the top 2 teams (CL finalist) and 2008 the top 4 teams in Europe (CL semi-finalist).... :D

So as much as you hate LFC, the facts are facts!!! :rolleyes:

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! your logic is flawed. winning champions league does not make you the best team in europe. fc porto were hardly the best team in europe when they won it in 2004. if liverpool were truly the best team in europe, why did they finish FIFTH in england that year and thus, forced uefa to change the rules to let their sorry asses back into the champions league for next year? winning champions league does not make you the best team in europe. if you do nothing domestically, you are only a cup team. liverpool were out of the title race by christmas as usual and every champions league match week they would rest main starters in their league game while other teams who were fighting for the league had to keep playing their players. winning a domestic league takes much more ability then winning a group + knockout tournament. you can't fluke a 38 game season.

elty

Jun 30th, 2008, 01:17 AM

Saw them on BBC, I hope it is not a repost...

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is close to agreeing a new contract following the intervention of owner Mike Ashley. (Press Association 1507 BST)

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill is reported to be lining up a move for Tottenham�s �5m-rated goalkeeper Paul Robinson. (Birmingham Mail 1227 BST)

Wesley Sneijder has ruled out a move to Manchester United as part of the deal that brings Ronaldo to Real Madrid, saying he wants to stay at the Bernebeu. (mirror.co.uk 1128 BST)

Barcelona have made the capture of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor their top priority. (Marca 1008 BST)

Tottenham are preparing to bid �20m for Valencia striker David Villa. (Marca 0919 BST)

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has already seen the personal terms of his Real Madrid contract. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid hope to announce the signing of Ronaldo on 7 July. (Daily Mirror)

Harry Redknapp says he won't be held to ransom by Liverpool in his pursuit of striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Star)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is hoping to sign Switzerland striker Eren Derdiyok from FC Basel for �6m. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland could launch a bid for Sheffield United's �5m-rated striker James Beattie (Daily Mirror)

Lukas Podolski has asked Bayern Munich if he has a future at the club. Tottenham are said to be interested in the striker. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough have tabled a �3.5m bid for Reading midfielder James Harper. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have identified Real Mallorca striker Daniel Guiza as a replacement for Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mail)

Mallorca themselves are keen on Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. (Daily Mail)

Bordeaux have conceded defeat in their attempts to sign Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre. (The Independent)

Tottenham are closing in on PSV Eindhoven keeper Heurelho Gomes. (The Independent)

Chelsea striker Ben Sahar is set to join Portsmouth on loan. (The Times)

Derby will launch a �500,000 raid on Cardiff for defender Darren Purse. (The Mirror)

Highly rated Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith could join Sheffield Wednesday on loan. (The Mirror)

Wigan forward Antoine Sibierski has been told he can leave the club on a free transfer. (The Sun)

Stoke are closing in on Jamaican midfielder Rudolph Austin who is currently at Portmore United. (Daily Express)

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is closing in on a �5m double deal for Newcastle's Shola Ameobi and Swansea's Ferrie Bodde. (Daily Express)

Bolton hope to secure the record signing of Toulouse's Johan Elmander before the end of the week. (Daily Mirror)

Paul Ince has warned interested clubs that striker Roque Santa Cruz is not for sale. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth are preparing a bid for Reading defender Nicky Shorey. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers have accepted a �300,000 offer from Norwich for midfielder Alan Gow. (Daily Star)

Lazio and Lecce are trying to pinch Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras from under the nose of Celtic. (Daily Record)

Rangers are not prepared to meet Fulham's �4m asking price for midfielder Steven Davis. (Scottish Sun)

Malmo have cleared the way for ex-Rangers forward Jonathan Johansson to leave Sweden and join Hibernian. (Scottish Sun)

Darlington and Oldham are interested in Hibs striker Clayton Donaldson. (Scottish Sun)

Huddersfield may win the race for out-of-contract Dundee United midfielder Mark Kerr. (Scottish Sun)

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has not ruled out replacing Luis Felipe Scolari as Portugal's national boss. (The Independent)

si18

Jun 30th, 2008, 01:21 AM

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! your logic is flawed. winning champions league does not make you the best team in europe. fc porto were hardly the best team in europe when they won it in 2004. if liverpool were truly the best team in europe, why did they finish FIFTH in england that year and thus, forced uefa to change the rules to let their sorry asses back into the champions league for next year? winning champions league does not make you the best team in europe. if you do nothing domestically, you are only a cup team. liverpool were out of the title race by christmas as usual and every champions league match week they would rest main starters in their league game while other teams who were fighting for the league had to keep playing their players. winning a domestic league takes much more ability then winning a group + knockout tournament. you can't fluke a 38 game season.

You can say what you want, but by winning the EPL, you can call yourself King of England, and when you win the Champions League, you can claim yourself as King of Europe... :cheesygri

si18

Jun 30th, 2008, 01:30 AM

[QUOTE=flexwong;7031294]

ramos > fat man benitez

QUOTE]

Can you please support your claim?

How many La Liga titles has Ramos won? 0, 2 for Benitez

How many CL titles has Ramos won? 0, 1 for Benitez

How many UEFA Cup has Ramos won? 2, 1 for Benitez

BTW CL > UEFA Cup.... :lol:

sinnacle

Jun 30th, 2008, 07:46 AM

Ok, that little flare up was interesting.

New Tottenham signing Giovani Dos Santos, 19, has revealed he turned down Man United, Chelsea and Ajax to sign at White Hart Lane from Barcelona. �I also had good offers [from them], but I loved Juande Ramos� ideas. I am going to do great things with the Spurs,� he said. (Setanta Sports, 1110)

Once he does great things for Spurs he is then going to want a transfer to a bigger team. Dos Santos should walk around the streets of London with a shirt saying that getting playing time for Tottenham is just a stepping stone for bigger and better things. He�ll spend two years at Tottenham, three tops.

Barcelona are being linked with a loan move for Chelsea�s unwanted striker Andriy Shevchenko, a deal which could suit both parties. The Spanish club would not have to pay a transfer fee and while the Londoners could remove the Ukrainian�s wages from their books. (El Mundo Deportivo, 1140)

A Shevchenko, Henry partnership would be a dream pairing in 2004.

Arsenal are poised to move for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins - if Emmanuel Adebayor is sold. Nigerian striker Martins has a �13m release clause in his contract if he requests a move. (The Sun)

Martins to Arsenal has been mentioned for a year now but nothing has ever happen. Somewhere Michael Owen must be wondering when his transfer rumors will flare up again.

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is considering a �27m swoop for Real Madrid�s Brazilian forward Robinho, who is unhappy at the lack of movement on an improvement on his �30,000-a-week deal at the Bernabeu. (Daily Mail)

Kaka? Ribery? little too no chance. Robinho however Chelsea can convince Real Madrid to sell. I wonder if Robinho is going to come out and say. �If you want me to play like Raul, pay me like Raul.�

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill has told Gareth Barry he can have his dream move to Liverpool - but that the Anfield club will have to splash out �18m to land the midfielder. (The Sun)

At this point Christmas points will not be exchanged between the two.

Arsenal are weighing up a move for Werder Bremen�s French-born midfielder Amaury Bischoff. (The Sun)

Perfect Arsenal target. Talented yet a year or two away from fulfilling his promise so Arsenal can then sign him at a lower fee before all the other big clubs come calling.

An estimated record 300 million TV viewers worldwide are believed to have watched the Euro 2008 final in which Spain beat Germany 1-0 in Vienna. (Daily Express)

sinnacle

Jul 1st, 2008, 04:06 AM

Manchester United want Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov and are ready to bid �23m, despite Spurs slapping a �30m price tag on the Bulgarian. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will do no favours for United regarding Berbatov, unlike United quest to sign Michael Carrick who only had a year left on his contact at the time. With Berbatov, Tottenham has him locked up for up to four years.

Spurs� strikeforce is the flavour of the month as Robbie Keane has told the club he wants to join Liverpool, who want to trade Peter Crouch and �5m for him. (The Sun)

Can�t understand why Keane wants to leave. If there is something going on behind the scenes with Tottenham I could understand but at Tottenham he is beloved. At Liverpool Keane may find himself coming off the bench if Rafa decides to stick with a 4-5-1 formation.

Midfielder Deco�s arrival at Chelsea from Barcelona now means Frank Lampard will leave the Blues to join Inter Milan. (Various)

Couldn�t possible think of a way that Ballack, Deco and Lampard could get enough playing time to make all of them happy. One has to go and its clear which one is the odds on favorite to move on.

Leeds and Leicester are vying to sign Blackpool striker Ben Burgess. (The Sun)

Who would of pictured it ten years ago that Leeds and Leicester would be fighting it out over a player from Blackpool.

Michael Ballack had a row with German general manager Oliver Bierhoff after the Euro 2008 final loss to Spain. Bierhoff wanted the midfielder to hold up a banner thanking the country�s fans for their support but Ballack refused, saying the banners were cheap and nasty. (The Sun)

I�ve had friends that have said the same thing about certain sections of Hamburg.

flexwong

Jul 1st, 2008, 10:19 AM

Manchester United want Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov and are ready to bid �23m, despite Spurs slapping a �30m price tag on the Bulgarian. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will do no favours for United regarding Berbatov, unlike United quest to sign Michael Carrick who only had a year left on his contact at the time. With Berbatov, Tottenham has him locked up for up to four years.

Midfielder Deco�s arrival at Chelsea from Barcelona now means Frank Lampard will leave the Blues to join Inter Milan. (Various)

Couldn�t possible think of a way that Ballack, Deco and Lampard could get enough playing time to make all of them happy. One has to go and its clear which one is the odds on favorite to move on.

ugh, i hope we don't go after berbatov. i don't really like him even though he is a good player. he will cause too much trouble in the united dressing room b/c there's no way in hell he starts regularly ahead of rooney and tevez. i'd rather we go after a rising talent (either sign one like huntelaar, or use our own youngsters like welbeck or manucho) OR use a fully fit louis saha (which is never).

ballack, deco, lampard and essien. lamaprd would be the last person i could see leaving chelsea but he will leave i think. peter keynon is dumb.

sinnacle

Jul 2nd, 2008, 03:50 AM

Everton boss David Moyes may swoop for Real Zaragoza�s �7m-rated Argentine star Pablo Aimar - once his summer spending budget is finally confirmed. (The Sun)

Good player at the right price. Aimar, who was one of many players to be dubbed the next Diego Maradona and one of the many players to never live up to that hype.

Are you also telling me that has of July 2nd a team hasn�t finalized there transfer budget for next season? It isn�t like Everton been busy doing other things since the season ended.

Manchester United are tracking �15m-rated Columbian scoring sensation Falcao as an alternative to Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov. (Daily Mirror)

Falcao is not United class yet. At the end of the day if Manchester United really want Falcao they will sign the player but what is best for the player is to take the same route Anderson took to United. South America, to Porto for a year or two and then one of the World�s biggest teams afterwards.

Liverpool have launched a new bid of �17m for Gareth Barry and told Aston Villa that it is to be their final offer. (The Sun)

Juventus are ready to raise their offer to �16.5m for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso after missing out on Roma�s Alberto Aquilani. (Daily Mail)

The two are connected. If Villa accept the Barry bid then Liverpool will turn around and tell Alonso to brush up on his Italian.

Aston Villa see West Ham�s Robert Green as their potential new goalkeeper but would have to pay around �6m for his services. (The Guardian)

Green should be the England number just for the sole fact he can save penalties. Not a bad goalie overall either.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is ready to make Darren Bent the highest paid player in the club�s history as he prepares to launch a �10m bid for the Tottenham striker. (Various)

Keane is also willing to pay Bent �50,000 a week up from the �35,000 he makes at Tottenham. Must be nice to be considered a bust and still get a pay increase.

Premier League new boys Hull City aim to land midfielder Geovanni, who is a free agent after quitting Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Geovanni literally went into hiding the second he scored against United in City�s 1-0 win at the start of last season.

Werder Bremen have confirmed the departure of Portugal Under-21 international Amaury Bischoff, clearing the way for a move to Arsenal. (Daily Express)

Wonder if he will stay an Portuguese international or flip flop back to playing for France again when he links up with Arsenal. Good and typical Arsenal signing.

sinnacle

Jul 3rd, 2008, 03:54 AM

Chelsea have offered Frank Lampard �140,000 a week to try to persuade the midfielder to reject Inter Milan’s advances and sign a new deal. (Daily Express)

That contact should of been offered two years right after Chelsea signed Ballack and the striker formerly known as Andriy Shevchenko were signed to big money deals.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is leading the chase for Russia and Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin. (The Sun)

It is not Wenger style to sign a player whose stock will never be higher after Arshavin Euro 2008 performance. Wenger is the type to buy low and sell high when it comes to his transfer targets.

But Arshavin is actually on his way to Chelsea, who have had a bid accepted by Zenit and the player is now London-bound to hold personal talks. (Daily Mirror)

This however is classic Chelsea at work.

It’s a typically busy summer at Stamford Bridge with the club’s board being told to sell striker Didier Drogba by new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. (The Sun)

Scolari also wants to offer Florent Malouda to Barcelona as part of a deal to sign striker Samuel Eto’o from the Nou Camp outfit. (The Sun)

Chelsea Patience with Drogba’s antics have to be running out. Mourinho understood Drogba and treated him with kid gloves something that Scolari will not do. In the case of Malouda, he never quite found his form once Grant took over.

Portsmouth will make a final �10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Mirror)

The official transfer season opened up 3 days day. Nobody is making a real final offer at this point.

Blackburn midfielder David Bentley still wants to leave the club after new boss Paul Ince failed to convince him to stay. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn will be this years Bolton in the EPL. Hopefully Paul Ince won’t suffer the same faith as the over matched Sammy Lee did.

Ronaldo’s possible switch to Real Madrid could be scuppered if he needs to undergo ankle surgery. (Various)

I’m sure Ronaldo’s ankle is going to scare Madrid off. Nothing short of Ronaldo losing his foot will lead to Madrid backing off before the transfer deadline.

sinnacle

Jul 4th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Liverpool will not pay the �18m Aston Villa want for Gareth Barry but will include add-on clauses to the �15m bid for the midfielder. (The Sun)

Something will get done at some point. At the end of the day both managers will agree to a deal that will let each save face.

Villa boss Martin O�Neill will use the Barry cash to help fund moves David Bentley, Steve Sidwell and Anton Ferdinand as well as a keeper. (Daily Star)

Villa will have to do a tough sell to convince Bentley to make the switch to a non Champions League Team. Sidwell wants Chelsea to pay him off before agreeing to a deal with Villa and Ferdinand has claim he is happy at Upton Park.

The Gunners are prepared to sell the Togo international and have targeted Blackburn�s Roque Santa Cruz as his replacement. (Guardian)

Part of me thinks Santa Cruz is a one year wonder but with the talent in Arsenal midfield and Santa Cruz eye for goal that a Santa Cruz-Arsenal partnership would work well.

Ronaldo has not helped his relationship with the Red Devils by telling Portugal to appoint United assistant Carlos Queiroz as their national team boss. (Daily Mail)

What does United expect? Ronaldo plays for United but he is as committed to them as Alex Rodriguez was to his marriage. Ronaldo will always be Portuguese hence will always put the needs of his national team first.

Tottenham have had a �10m bid for Spartak Moscow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko rejected by the Russian side. (Daily Mirror)

Pavlyuchenko had a good Euro 2008 but in my mind he missed his fair share of Mario Gomez like chances in front of goal.

maebach

Jul 4th, 2008, 12:23 PM

sinnacle

Jul 5th, 2008, 06:04 AM

England striker Peter Crouch will move to Portsmouth after the south coast club relented over his valuation and had a �10m bid accepted by Liverpool. (Daily Mail)

Best for both parties. Crouch isn�t old but he isn�t young either. At this stage of his career, Crouch being in his prime wants to play week in and week out something Liverpool could not assure him of.

Barcelona are the favourites to land Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor for about �30m. (The Independent)

Arsenal fans won�t miss him the second they sign his replacement.

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is targeting a move to Arsenal this summer. (The Sun)

An example of that right here.

Atletico Madrid are poised to move in for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta. (The Sun)

Old story being bought back to life. Just can�t see it happen. Atletico already have Ra�l Garc�a, Maxi Rodr�guez, Luis Garc�a, Jos� Antonio Reyes (albeit he is the black sheep at the moment) Ignacio Camacho and Simao who can all lay claim that they deserve to start.

Chelsea are set to sell defender Branislav Ivanovic to Juventus. (Daily Mirror)

We hardly knew you.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is set to buy Olivier Kapo from his old club Birmingham in a deal worth �3.5m. (Daily Mirror)

Kapo clearly wants to put of life in the Championship as he didn�t show up for pre-season camp with Birmingham.

Galatasaray are interested in West Ham defender Lucas Neil. (Daily Mail)

West Ham would agree to let him go since Neil makes a ton of money and the hammers would love to get rid of that commitment. Would Neil pack up and move to Turkey? History with English players says no.

flexwong

Jul 5th, 2008, 10:02 PM

according to skysports:

united are interested in klass-jans huntelaar.

and according to tsn and sportsnet:

ronaldo to miss the beginning of the premiership season.

sinnacle

Jul 6th, 2008, 03:56 AM

Arsenal are ready to launch an �18m bid for Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. (News of the World)

Perfect striker to make them forget about Adebayor. Huntelaar however did mention his desire to play for United recently.

Arsenal have emerged as favourites to sign Andrei Arshavin after Chelsea ended their interest in the Russian playmaker. (Sunday Telegraph)

This race is not near the finish line. There are some aces to be played before the final hand is completed.

Didier Drogba has said he is still desperate to leave Chelsea and he could be replaced at Stamford Bridge by Barcelona striker Samuel Eto�o. (The Observer)

Teams haven't exactly been jumping out of the wood work taking to take Drogba off Chelsea hands.

Sunderland want �10m Everton striker Andrew Johnson after failing in an attempt to sign Darren Bent from Tottenham. (The People)

But Black Cats boss Roy keane has been told he will need to offer �12m for the striker after both they and Wigan had �10m bids rejected by Everton. (News of the World)

Just crazy to think that Andrew Johnson can command the same if not more of a transfer fee than Peter Crouch.

New Chelsea signing Deco has pleaded with Frank Lampard to stay at the club so they can form a dangerous midfield partnership. (The People)

I don�t think Ballack is going to make the same statement.

Newcastle, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Sunderland are all chasing Reading striker Leroy Lita. (News of the World)

Lita and Reading coach Steve Coppell had a falling out last year. At the right price I�m sure Coppell would send Lita on his way.

Stoke City are targeting Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson. (Mail on Sunday)

This may be the only option Carson has since Villa aren�t exactly moving quickly to sign him from Liverpool. My opinion is that Carson and 15 million pounds will go Villa's way for Barry.

Paul Ince has made James McFadden his top target for Blackburn and will offer �5.5m for the Birmingham striker. (News of the World)

Paul Ince is starting to make sense with this transfer target. McFadden can score goals and he isn�t a happy camper looking at life in the Championship with Birmingham.

Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda could join up with former boss Martin Jol at Hamburg if the German club meet Spurs� �4m valuation of the player. (News of the World)

This would be a positive step in Chimbonda�s career. A career who has stalled over the last 12-18 months.

Arsene Wenger has said Arsenal need to sell every year and buy less expensive players to replace them in order to pay the club�s �24m-a-year bill for the Emirates Stadium. (News of the World)

Wasn�t the point of the Emirates to make money for Arsenal? Why build it if it was going to tie up all your cash? Stop making excuses Wenger in my special one voice.

maebach

Jul 6th, 2008, 01:03 PM

I hope BEntley doesnt go to to the Spurs as Villa need him more. Bentley down the right and Young down the left would help us forget about Barry, kind of.

sinnacle

Jul 7th, 2008, 03:58 AM

Chelsea are ready to bid �75m for AC Milan�s Brazilian playmaker Kaka after their initial �astronomical� bid was turned down. (Daily Express)

I have no idea why A.C Milan�s Adriano Galliani opened his mouth to reveal this offer. This is the first time I can remember someone unsettling a player on their own team.

Another Brazil superstar, Barcelona�s Ronaldinho, has turned down a move to Manchester City, despite the offer of a salary of �200,000 a week. (Various)

Won�t be right all the time. May not be right most of the time but knew there was no way that Ronaldinho will join Manchester City no matter how money they throw at him.

Ronaldinho will join AC Milan, says Brazil boss Carlos Dunga. (Daily Mirror)

Dunga also said that Dida is the best goalie in the world so I don�t think he is of sound body and mind lately.

Liverpool hope to tempt Aston Villa to part with Gareth Barry by adding Steve Finnan to their existing �15m offer for the England midfielder. (Telegraph)

Villa could use Finnan but can�t see a 32 year old clinching this deal.

Manchester United and Arsenal are locked in an �18m battle to sign Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. (Daily Star)

Arsenal will try to go 2 for 2 in signing players out from under United with clinching Aaron Ramsey�s signature previously.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp will now sell striker David Nugent to Hull for �3m. (Various)

Redknapp soured on Nugent almost from the second he signed him last year. A move would do Nugent career some good.

Newcastle fans have reacted furiously after learning that relatives of Osama Bin Laden are among the front runners to buy their club. The Bin Ladens, who own a Saudi Arabian building firm, are set to bid �300m for the Premier League club. (The Sun)

Newcastle already have a hard enough time trying to convince players to move North East. They might as well forget it going forward if this ever saw the light of day

hobophobe

Jul 7th, 2008, 11:08 AM

Newcastle fans have reacted furiously after learning that relatives of Osama Bin Laden are among the front runners to buy their club. The Bin Ladens, who own a Saudi Arabian building firm, are set to bid �300m for the Premier League club. (The Sun)

I wish I had �301m at my disposal.

sinnacle

Jul 8th, 2008, 04:24 AM

Arsenal winger Alex Hleb says he has fallen out with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and would like to play for Barcelona next season. (Daily Mirror)

Hleb is looking to speed this along by bad mouthing Arsenal. Smart move if you think about it. Cuts down on the offer-counter offer games that are played.

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari wants Lampard to stay and the England midfielder is also looking for a new deal with the Blues but is yet to be offered a new contract. (The Independent)

Scolari doesn�t want to be known that he is the man to push Lampard out the door. This is why he is making nice to the press about Lampard being on the team.

Chelsea are demanding �24m for want-away striker Didier Drogba but are yet to receive any offers. (The Independent)

Nor will they if they keep the price that high. Strikers are like NFL running backs. They can go from All Pro to on the bench in a hurry.

Fenerbahce�s Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos, 35, claims Chelsea want to sign him. (Daily Star)

Surely not as a player.

Blackburn are willing to sell England winger David Bentley but have told Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa that their asking price is �17m. (Daily Mirror)

Smart move by Blackburn to admit that every player has a price. Coaches who say player A won�t be moved at any price insult me.

Tottenham have offered an assortment of players, including striker Darren Bent, goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defender Anthony Gardner, in part-exchange for Bentley. (The Guardian)

Bent makes too much. Robinson isn�t any better than what they have currently and no one outside of the Gardner household gets excited to see him play.

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was intrigued when he walked into the dressing room at the club�s training ground on his first day in charge and found a game of darts going on - he had only ever seen the game being played on TV before. (The Sun)

Wouldn�t surprise me if he left the mid game to take up a new challenge at the pool table.

flexwong

Jul 8th, 2008, 12:21 PM

what utter bs from scolari. he doesn't want lampard to leave yet he brings in deco and is now trying to bring in kaka. lampard, just leave chelsea and join ur lover mourinho at inter.

klaas jans huntelaar would fit in nicely at united. =D

sinnacle

Jul 9th, 2008, 03:39 AM

sinnacle

Jul 9th, 2008, 03:40 AM

Frank Lampard is furious Luiz Felipe Scolari said at his unveiling as Chelsea boss that the England midfielder would be staying at the club. (Various)

Talk is cheap here. If Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea he�d sign a contact extension. Something he hasn�t done in the past two years.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill has demanded �17m plus defender Steve Finnan for Gareth Barry and wants the money to be paid in two installments over two years. (Daily Mirror)

Another day, another Barry update.

O�Neill will use the money from the Barry sale to buy Portugal right-back Miguel from Valencia for �11m. (Daily Mirror)

Miguel would at least be interested in jumping ship from Valencia. One of the best right backs in the world two years ago but attitude problems not to mention the fact he is a pack a day smoker killed any interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Wigan are confident of capturing Johnson, who is believed to be unwilling to uproot his family from the north west, for a club record fee of about �11m. (Daily Telegraph)

That is a lot of money for a very average striker.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is trying to do a cut-price �6m deal for Real Zaragoza�s Argentine forward Pablo Aimar. (Daily Mirror)

Aimar is not going to Portsmouth to become a 3rd striker behind Defoe and Crouch.

Paul Ince�s transfer kitty has received a �3m boost after Jack Walker�s family, who still own the club, renewed their backing. (Daily Mirror)

That amount is a drop in the bucket in today�s transfer market.

Blackburn Rovers could be the next Premier League club to come under American ownership after a consortium from the United States registered its interest in buying the club. (The Times)

Which is why sale rumors will always float around clubs with long time British based ownership.

maebach

Jul 9th, 2008, 08:26 AM

O'Neill should use the money from selling Barry to buy Bentley

sinnacle

Jul 10th, 2008, 03:38 AM

Arsenal midfielder Alex Hleb has agreed a four-year-deal with Barcelona and is set to sign for �15m. (The Sun)

It will be a loss for Arsenal but unlike most North American sports, soccer gets it. If a player isn�t happy it�s best for all involved to cash in and move forward.

But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will use the cash to complete a �11.5m deal for Marseille�s Samir Nasri. (The Sun)

Have a feeling that Nasri will be considered one of the transfers of the season when it�s all said and done next year.

Arsenal are thought to have bid �19m for Andrei Arshavin but his club Zenit St Petersburg want �24m. But his agent hopes a deal can be struck. (Star)

Arsenal shouldn�t pay a dime more then what they sold Hleb for. I wouldn�t rate Arshavin a better player than Hleb.

Benitez�s transfer plans have taken a further knock after Juventus hinted they will not pay �15m for midfielder Xabi Alonso.

That could affect Liverpool�s chances of raising the cash to sign Aston Villa�s Gareth Barry. (The Sun)

Liverpool will be hard pressed to find another team willing to meet that same price tag for Alonso. They would also be hard pressed to fit Barry into the picture without letting go of Alonso.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is ready to offload a whole team of players - plus five substitutes. Sixteen players, including Robbie Keane and Pascal Chimbonda, could be sold as Spurs look to raise �15m to sign Blackburn�s David Bentley. (The Sun)

Tottenham better get moving. They have added players but no one has been shown the door yet and except for Chimbonda nothing looks to be close either.

Fulham are poised to complete a �6m deal for West Ham striker Bobby Zamora on Thursday. (Various)

Wouldn�t pay 6 million for Carlton Cole who is a better striker than Zamora. I doubt West Ham spent much time pondering this transfer. This transfer will help out West Ham since they won�t be spending like last year.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists he can lead the club into the Champions League. (The Sun)

Don�t know about that but Middlesbrough do have a youth team full of potential with the likes of Adam Johnson, Seb Hines, and Josh Walker all ones to watch out for in the future.

maebach

Jul 10th, 2008, 09:02 AM

Arsenal are thought to have bid �19m for Andrei Arshavin but his club Zenit St Petersburg want �24m. But his agent hopes a deal can be struck. (Star)

Arsenal shouldn�t pay a dime more then what they sold Hleb for. I wouldn�t rate Arshavin a better player than Hleb.

I agree, 19m is alot for a player who did well in the Euro Cup and UEFA Cup with a mediocre side. Its hard to compare the 2 because I watch alot of premiership football so I know the Hleb is quality, but Arshavin has only just showed up within the last few months.

Benitez�s transfer plans have taken a further knock after Juventus hinted they will not pay �15m for midfielder Xabi Alonso.

That could affect Liverpool�s chances of raising the cash to sign Aston Villa�s Gareth Barry. (The Sun)

Liverpool will be hard pressed to find another team willing to meet that same price tag for Alonso. They would also be hard pressed to fit Barry into the picture without letting go of Alonso.
[B]

I hope Alonso get's sold,. we need Barry out to bring transfer funds in. Villa bid 10m for Bentley yesterday and are going to go for Milner if Bentley doesnt come. Barry doesnt want to play with Villa, and Villa doesnt want him either. I tihnk Oneill should take the 16m plus Finnan and let Barry leave. Then put that 16m straight to Bentley.

flexwong

Jul 10th, 2008, 03:48 PM

malaujai

Jul 10th, 2008, 04:37 PM

Hey there,

First post in this thread. Liverpool supporter through and through!

Any LFC fans here belong to the LFC Supporters Club (Scallywag's)?

flexwong

Jul 10th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Hey there,

First post in this thread. Liverpool supporter through and through!

Any LFC fans here belong to the LFC Supporters Club (Scallywag's)?

YNWA - You'll Never Win Again!

malaujai

Jul 10th, 2008, 06:32 PM

YNWA - You'll Never Win Again!

thanks for the warm welcome, you must be from manchester or the blueshites

sinnacle

Jul 11th, 2008, 12:56 AM

thanks for the warm welcome, you must be from manchester or the blueshites

You are right about Manchester. Thanks for checking out the thread btw

si18

Jul 11th, 2008, 02:30 AM

Hey there,

First post in this thread. Liverpool supporter through and through!

Any LFC fans here belong to the LFC Supporters Club (Scallywag's)?

Always a nice welcome to a fellow LFC fan .... :cheesygri

flexwong will always make negative comments related to LFC... better get use to it...

Those red devils... :twisted:

sinnacle

Jul 11th, 2008, 05:46 AM

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to team up Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar to replace exit-bound Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Star)

More than likely will say this a couple of times because this won�t be wrapped up anytime soon but Huntelaar would be a perfect fit for Arsenal style of play. Arsenal should get Dennis Bergkamp to give Huntelaar a call.

AC Milan midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is being used as bait to finance part of the cost of Adebayor. (Daily Express)

Gourcuff has already been sent out on loan to Bordeaux for the year but seems to be the type of player that Wenger wouldn�t mind working with.

Frank Lampard has left Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich stunned by rejecting a �140,000-a-week deal over four years. (Daily Star)

It�s not about money at this point. Lampard just wants to move on. This will be his 3rd coach in one year plus Deco will be the apple of Scolari eye next season.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince is ready to offer ex-Liverpool team-mate Robbie Fowler a deal if the striker, who has been offered a new one-year deal by Cardiff, can prove his fitness. (Daily Mirror)

This will have as much impact as Andy Cole�s move to Sunderland last season.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and Aston Villa counterpart Martin O�Neill will battle it out to try to sign Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel. (Daily Mail)

Why Blackburn is open to a Friedel transfer is beyond me. He still has another year or two left in him.

Everton are keen on Sporting Lisbon keeper Vladimir Stojkovic as back up for first choice Tim Howard. (Various)

Everton can have him if they really want him. Stojkovic made me laugh earlier this year by saying he is the best goalie in Europe in an interview.

flexwong

Jul 11th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Always a nice welcome to a fellow LFC fan .... :cheesygri

flexwong will always make negative comments related to LFC... better get use to it...

Those red devils... :twisted:

i'll try to be as nice as i can.

FYI: Portsmouth signed Peter Crouch.

United 2nd man Carlos Quieroz has left United to become the manager of Portugal. Brian McClair and Eric Cantona are thought to be potential candidates for the now available United assistant job. IMO cantona would do a great job. he can learn under Fergie for another 3 years and then take over when he retires. it would be magical to have the King back at Old Trafford.

Tofu Drift Shinji

Jul 11th, 2008, 10:39 PM

i'll try to be as nice as i can.

FYI: Portsmouth signed Peter Crouch.

United 2nd man Carlos Quieroz has left United to become the manager of Portugal. Brian McClair and Eric Cantona are thought to be potential candidates for the now available United assistant job. IMO cantona would do a great job. he can learn under Fergie for another 3 years and then take over when he retires. it would be magical to have the King back at Old Trafford.

Eric Cantona did once say he was never going to manage United while the Glazers owned the team.

flexwong

Jul 11th, 2008, 11:48 PM

Eric Cantona did once say he was never going to manage United while the Glazers owned the team.

i know. =( a man can dream can't he? maybe he'll change his mind.

sinnacle

Jul 12th, 2008, 04:51 AM

Manchester United have bid �20m for Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov and hope to tie up a deal within a week. (Various)

Being a 3rd striker most weeks will not keep Berbatov happy for long. Its been alittle too quite on the transfer front for United. Last year they struck quickly with their signings of Anderson and Nani.

Arsenal have made an 11th-hour bid to hijack Liverpool�s protracted move for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry. (Various)

I would love to see Rafa try and explain this to Liverpool fans.

Liverpool will use funds from the sale of Peter Crouch, Danny Guthrie and the imminent departure of Scott Carson to try and raise funds to buy Spurs striker Robbie Keane. (The Times)

Just do something Liverpool. They�ve been linked too Keane, Barry, Silva, Villa and so far only Andrea Dossena and Diego Cavalieri. The latter very much the backup this upcoming season.

Chelsea�s new signing Deco has left with a less than glowing reference from Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who said it was �great business. In the previous two seaons Deco was one of the players with the lowest level of performance.�

Laporta should be concerned with other things right now. Most importantly keeping his job as his job in charge of Barcelona is very much on thin rope.

flexwong

Jul 12th, 2008, 04:23 PM

sinnacle

Jul 13th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Frank Lampard will sign a pre-contract agreement with Inter Milan on 1 January in a deal worth �160,000-a-week. (News of the World)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to lose �16m to keep Lampard at Stamford Bridge next season. The Blues will lose out on a �10m transfer fee and will pay his �6.1m-a-year wages. (News of the World)

The best thing Chelsea can do is let Lampard move on. Letting him rot on the bench will disrupt the team for an entire season. With a new coach trying to make his mark it�s just not worth it.

Manchester United have struck a �24m deal with Tottenham for striker Dimitar Berbatov but the transfer is on hold until the north London club can find a replacement. (News of the World)

24 million will buy you a pretty good replacement. Berbatov was never quite happy at Tottenham and if Spurs are to have success this upcoming season they need all their players on the same page.

Blackburn�s Roque Santa Cruz has been lined up to replace Berbatov at White Hart Lane. (News of the World)

Pretty good replacement right there. Cruz will get the service and he�ll know how to find the back of the net.

Blackburn have targeted Valencia winger Joaquin as a replacement for David Bentley and will pay �16m for the Portuguese international. (The People)

I wish Joaquin was a Portuguese international but sadly he is Spanish. That is all you gotta say about this rumor.

Portsmouth midfielder Nico Kranjcar is another Arsene Wenger target and would cost the club in the region of �15m. (Sunday Express)

Sulley Muntari could also be on his way out of Fratton Park with Juventus keen to sign the midfielder for �12m. (Sunday Mirror)

Portsmouth have been lucky so far in the transfer season. As seen with Aston Villa once you take the next step up bigger teams come calling for your best players. Will be interesting to see how Portsmouth handles such interest.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is lining up Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho as a replacement for Lampard. (The People)

Moutinho is just not ready for the step up. He needs to have a consistent season first for Sporting before being ready to move on.

Reading left-back Nicky Shorey has also been linked with a move to Pompey. (Sunday Telegraph)

Reading will face an uphill battle if they intend to keep Shorey in their bid to win promotion from the Championship.

Jermaine Pennant has been told he can leave Liverpool and Blackburn are ready to bid �3m for the winger. (The People)

Forget Joaquin he�ll never make a move to Blackburn but the Rovers signing Pennant at the price will be a wise move.

Newcastle midfielder Charles N�Zogbia has said it would be a dream to play for Arsenal. (Sunday Telegraph)

N�Zogbia has all the talent to succeed at Arsenal but he really needs to mature in order to fulfill his potential.

Uefa president Michel Platini wants to ban all transfers involving players under 18 years of age to stop Premier League clubs poaching players from academies. (Various)

Something needs to be done to prevent this and hopefully this comes to pass.

knickerbocker

Jul 13th, 2008, 09:34 PM

When does the transfer window close?

Good work Sinnacle, I enjoy reading your posts.

flexwong

Jul 14th, 2008, 12:09 AM

Manchester United have struck a �24m deal with Tottenham for striker Dimitar Berbatov but the transfer is on hold until the north London club can find a replacement. (News of the World)

24 million will buy you a pretty good replacement. Berbatov was never quite happy at Tottenham and if Spurs are to have success this upcoming season they need all their players on the same page.

Uefa president Michel Platini wants to ban all transfers involving players under 18 years of age to stop Premier League clubs poaching players from academies. (Various)

Something needs to be done to prevent this and hopefully this comes to pass.

again, until i hear or read anything official from sky or united's website, i'm not going to believe it.

michel platini, go suck a nut. i am sick and tired of platini and sepp blatter's constant attacks on english football. his dream would be to make sure english football becomes obsolete.

sinnacle

Jul 14th, 2008, 04:06 AM

When does the transfer window close?

Good work Sinnacle, I enjoy reading your posts.

Hey thanks for checking out the thread and the European summer transfer window closes on August 31st. It re-opens again January 1st until January 31st.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Same goes to anyone else.

sinnacle

Jul 14th, 2008, 04:07 AM

Tottenham aim to clinch the �17m signing of Blackburn midfielder David Bentley and send goalkeeper Paul Robinson to Ewood Park as part of the deal. (Daily Mirror)

With Luka Modrić, Giovani dos Santos, Heurelho Gomes already signed Tottenham have far outspent any other team so far this transfer season. If Bentley does move to White Hart Lane along with Modric and dos Santos the question will be how will Arron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas fit in Juande Ramos plans next season.

Bentley�s move will spark a transfer merry-go-round, with Aston Villa ready to sign veteran Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel. (Daily Mirror)

Guess where there is smoke there is fire. New coach, new ideas and for some reason Friedel isn�t in those plans.

Manchester United have put a �25m limit on their pursuit of striker Dimitar Berbatov and told Spurs they can take it or leave it after the Londoners rejected an initial offer of �20m. (Various)

United should take care of two pieces of business that they can control this off season. One is locking up Tevez long term and the other is a 3rd striker. Just don�t think the Bulgarian Nicholas Anelka is the answer.

Winger Alex Hleb will be unveiled by Barcelona on Monday after completing his �15m move from Arsenal. (The Sun)

Now will Arsenal tip Arshavin as Hleb replacement?

Barcelona will this week offer Samuel Eto�o plus �15m to Arsenal in a final attempt to lure Emmanuel Adebayor to the Nou Camp. (Daily Star)

Barcelona and Arsenal sure do have a long history of doing transfer deals with each other. A lot of money have flown between the two clubs.

El-Hadji Diouf may still be playing at the Reebok Stadium next season as Bolton have yet to receive any bids for the wantaway Senegal striker and he still has a year left on his Trotters contract. (The Sun)

Shocking that teams are not lining up for Diouf. It�s one thing being a head case but playing well. It�s another when you are still a head case and your game has dropped in the last 12 months.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will make a �6m bid for Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul. (Daily Mirror)

Sounds about right. Tottenham will take a small loss and cut their ties with Kaboul who had way to many Titus Bramble moments

sinnacle

Jul 14th, 2008, 08:50 AM

Hey thanks for checking out the thread and the European summer transfer window closes on August 31st. It re-opens again January 1st until January 31st.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Same goes to anyone else.

Just in case someone wanted to get technical, players can change teams up until Aug 31st. Come midnight September 1st the transfer window closes.

flexwong

Jul 14th, 2008, 10:51 AM

manchester city has put a 25.5 million euro bid to barca for ronaldinho.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3818030,00.html

milan also want his services, will be interesting to see who ronaldinho signs for.

sinnacle

Jul 15th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Didier Drogba will be offered a huge new deal to keep him at Chelsea for life as new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is desperate to hold on to the striker. (The Sun)

Drogba hasn�t been vocal lately in his wishes to leave. Add to that a market that is lukewarm at best in attempting a move for Drogba. All of this could mean that his future may still be at Stamford bridge.

Chelsea target Robinho is set to join the Blues for �48m after the Real Madrid forward claimed it would be a dream to work with Scolari. (Various)

Could see this one happening. Robinho will never live up to the expectations set upon him at Real Madrid. A fresh start with a new team would do Robinho some good.

It is a busy time at Stamford Bridge, with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp closing in on the �5m signing of Chelsea and England left-back Wayne Bridge. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth is quickly becoming the Chelsea B team under Mourinho with the likes of Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra both players of quality already featuring for Portsmouth.

Tottenham have told Manchester United that Dimitar Berbatov can only go for �30m but United refuse to go above �24m for the striker and are ready to play a waiting game. (The Sun)

Did Tottenham really say this with a straight face?

Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to sign former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha on loan, with a view to a �3m permanent deal for the striker. (Daily Star)

How many more favours is Roy Keane going to ask from his old boss?

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill has confirmed that Arsenal have made enquiries about wantaway captain Gareth Barry. (The Sun)

I�m sure Martin O�Neill would love to sell Barry to Arsenal just to spite Liverpool and make Rafa Benitez look foolish.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto has rejected the chance to stay in the Premier League with Everton and will sign for Panathinaikos when he returns from his summer break on Wednesday. (Daily Star)

Winters will be much nicer in Greece than London at least.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is ready to make an audacious bid to sign West Ham duo Lucas Neill and Craig Bellamy. (The Sun)

Why is this audacious? West Ham regretted signing Neill almost from the second they got him from Blackburn in 2007 and Craig Bellamy spent almost all of last season hurt.

Manchester City are ready to sell Georgios Samaras to Celtic in a knockdown �1m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Good piece of business for Celtic at that price.

Manchester United are planning to land Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento, Cristiano Ronaldo�s friend and former team-mate, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson�s new assistant. (The Sun)

Don�t think United are in any rush to name a replacement for Queiroz. That being said it wouldn�t be a bad move for Bento who could learn a thing or two million from Sir Alex Ferguson.

flexwong

Jul 15th, 2008, 11:45 AM

Tottenham have told Manchester United that Dimitar Berbatov can only go for �30m but United refuse to go above �24m for the striker and are ready to play a waiting game. (The Sun)

Did Tottenham really say this with a straight face?

Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to sign former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha on loan, with a view to a �3m permanent deal for the striker. (Daily Star)

How many more favours is Roy Keane going to ask from his old boss?

Manchester United are planning to land Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento, Cristiano Ronaldo�s friend and former team-mate, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson�s new assistant. (The Sun)

Don�t think United are in any rush to name a replacement for Queiroz. That being said it wouldn�t be a bad move for Bento who could learn a thing or two million from Sir Alex Ferguson.

30 million pounds is robbery. tottenham can go suck a nut.

keano, give up the sunderland job and join fergie as his assistant. then you won't have to ask for players. =D

don't know anything about bento but would much rather see a former legend at the assistant post. doesn't worry me though, since this line was quoted from the sun, probably the least reliable source for any sort of football news.

malaujai

Jul 15th, 2008, 12:02 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo is facing an angry backlash from Manchester United fans who waved a banner demanding: "Ronaldo slave out".

Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been thrown into further doubt after a demonstration against him at a reserve friendly fixture at the weekend.

The Portuguese winger has been given a stark reminder of how his summer spent courting a move to Real Madrid has angered supporters who once idolised him.

Fans chanted their frustration at Ronaldo and held up their banner during a friendly against Burscough, which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won 3-1, watched by 500.
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Ronaldo is the subject of ridicule after last week agreeing with FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he was a "slave" for being held to his contract at United, rather than being given the green light to make a �70million move to the Bernabeu.

If the weekend demonstration spreads and represents the majority view of Old Trafford fans then Ronaldo will face a struggle to win back the terraces - if he plays for United following injury.

The latest flare-up could push United a step closer to cashing in on the 42- goal star, who only 54 days ago helped United lift the European Cup and immediately insisted: "I stay."

But boss Sir Alex Ferguson is determined not to be ruled by the wishes of one of his players and has the backing of the Old Trafford hierarchy, including the Glazers, to ensure Ronaldo serves out at least part of the three years remaining on his contract.

United fan Johnny Hampton said: "The fans are the slaves not the players. I started work at four this morning and come straight here to watch the Reds.

"I've not finished paying for my trip to Moscow yet and I will have to work Saturday and Sunday until September.

"It takes me seven years to earn what Ronaldo gets in a week and although he is a great player it is time for him to go, and go soon."
Cristiano Ronaldo slave

Ferguson has called off a meeting in Lisbon today in which he was due to hold talks with Ronaldo and will instead prepare his squad for a three-game tour of South Africa. The pair are due to meet at United's Carrington training base on July 28.

The 23-year-old has had an ankle operation that will keep him out for the first part of the seaon, but Madrid still want to seal a contract worth �160,000 a week. The Portuguese national team physiotherapist confirmed last night that he will be out for at least three months.

Last week Blatter said: "I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere."

Ronaldo has found himself ridiculed for saying he "agreed" with Blatter, adding: "There is no agreement with Real Madrid and I still don't know where I will be playing next season."

Ferguson refused to respond to Blatter's assertion that Ronaldo is a "slave", saying only: "We're here to talk about football."

Ferguson will take his squad on tour to South Africa later this week and says he will not make any quick decisions over replacing assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, who has taken charge of Portugal's national side.

He said: "It's certainly disappointing to lose Carlos, but when national teams come in, the attraction was too big.

"Carlos did a great job for us, though, and that's what we have to remember.

"There is no search underway as yet. We will just take our time as we always do. We will wait and see how things unfold."

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m3/jul2008/2/1/206FB00A-9DF0-5370-1DD01AA8B743FD15.jpg

Source (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/07/14/slave-ronaldo-told-to-go-by-angry-manchester-united-fan-protest-89520-20643100/)

sinnacle

Jul 16th, 2008, 04:13 AM

Wayne Bridge�s new contract at Chelsea will be worth �16.6m over four years as manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has made keeping the left-back at Stamford Bridge one of his top priorities. (The Sun)

There goes that rumor of him going to Portsmouth that appeared yesterday.

Stoke are poised to shatter their transfer record with the �4.5m signing of Reading striker Dave Kitson. (The Sun)

Good move by Stoke. If they have any shot at staying up, Stoke will need to find players who can score goals. Kitson had a pretty good success rate scoring goals for Reading last season in the EPL with his 10 goals.

Hull boss Phil Brown is ready to break the club�s transfer record with a �5m bid for Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell, whose goals during his loan spell last season played a part in securing their promotion to the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

While this is nitpicking one of the few issues I can take with United is that unlike their great history of brining up young players to the first team lately the glass ceiling has started to form. Danny Simpson finds it hard to get a game. Gerald Pique left for Barcelona and players like Campbell, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson keep being sent out on loan. If the Manchester United youth system is to keep on producing world class players, their young players have to see that they is a shot at actually being able to crack the United lineup at some point.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso�s failed move to Juventus means Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has abandoned plans to buy David Villa and David Silva from Valencia - and may have to give up hope of signing Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. (Daily Mirror)

I can understand why Alonso would want to stay at Liverpool. He is surrounded with fellow countrymen and is settled there but if I was Rafa Benitez I�d be telling Alonso what the deal is going to be. Alonso wasn�t a first team regular the latter half of the season and I�d make it clear to Alonso that staying in Liverpool will mean a lot of time on the bench. Not being able to cash in on Alonso will effect Liverpool�s transfer plans the rest of the summer.

Arsenal expect to be in a position to make an offer for Barry this week when they finally close the deal to sell their former captain Gilberto Silva to Panathinaikos (The Independent)

Gilberto to Panathinaikos is pretty much a done deal. Gilberto should of saw the writing on the wall when he wasn�t given the captaincy last year.

Lucas Neill moved a step closer to joining Manchester City after West Ham agreed a deal with Lazio right-back Valon Behrami. (Daily Mail)

West Ham haven�t exactly be masters of the transfer market in recent years but signing Behrami would be a great piece of business.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has blasted the summer transfer market as out of control. He said football is living in a fantasy world during a time the business community is heading for recession. (The Sun)

Again poor Arsenal. Raising the price of season tickets, playing in a new stadium with all the extra revenue, not to mention playing in a league with the largest television rights deal. Besides there hasn�t even been a transfer this season that I would say is even financially irresponsible. Blackburn can cry poor and I would feel sorry for them. A team the size of Arsenal I don�t.

sinnacle

Jul 17th, 2008, 04:15 AM

Real Madrid and Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder has said the Spanish champions do not need Cristiano Ronaldo as he will “disrupt” the squad. He also accused the Portuguese winger of going missing in big games and said his wages will cause a dressing room revolt at the Bernabeu. (Various)

Let the Gal�ctico part two era begin. Happy times, Happy times.

Frank Lampard will be allowed to leave Chelsea if Inter Milan stump up �20m for the England midfielder. (Daily Star)

That would be a nice return on a 30 year old player entering the last year of his contact who openly wants out.

Newcastle and Everton are battling for Tottenham full-back Pascal Chimbonda who will cost about �4m. (The Sun)

Talent has always been there with Chimbonda. Usually when teams are willingly to sell a player at a knock down rate attitude becomes a question mark.

Claude Makelele will be the first high profile name to leave Chelsea this summer as he eyes a move to Paris St Germain. (The Sun)

You can argue that with all the money Chelsea has spent on transfers, Makelele’s move from Real Madrid was the most important one in their history.

Sevilla winger Diego Capel has admitted he would consider leaving the Spanish club to join Tottenham who have been linked with a �12.5m bid for 20-year-old. (Various)

If Seville refused to let Tottenham speak to Capel even after meeting his release fee with the Spanish club that would be a pretty good sign that Seville has no intention of selling him to Tottenham.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan has also had a �3m bid for Blackburn full-back Stephen Warnock rejected. (The Times)

Seems to be open season on Blackburn players with the departure of Mark Hughes.

Fenerbache goalkeeper Volkan Demirel has been linked with a move to Manchester City. (The Times)

What about Joe Hart? He was fine as Manchester City’s number one last season. Demirel is the Turkish number 1 right now. Sure he’d love to play in the EPL but not as a backup.

A group of Man City fans who hired a trawler to take them to watch their side’s Uefa Cup qualifying game in the Faroe Islands had to abandon their trip due to stormy seas. After an eight drive to Aberdeen, followed by an overnight ferry to the Shetland Islands, the group were forced to turn around as the eight-foot Atlantic waves got the better of them. (Various)

Now that is dedication

West Ham’s players are said to be angry after being forced to fly economy class in two separate planes for a friendly in Canada against MLS team Columbus Crew. The MLS had told West Ham they would be flown business class but the travel firm they were using went bust. (The Sun)

Shocking a British newspaper saying something bad about the MLS. I’m convince most British journalist are just bitter and negative people.

hobophobe

Jul 17th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Newcastle and Everton are battling for Tottenham full-back Pascal Chimbonda who will cost about �4m. (The Sun)

If Chimbonda leaves it should be to Everton. Don't know why Keegan is interested in him after the fight he instigated in the Tottenham-Newcastle game in 2007.

Claude Makelele will be the first high profile name to leave Chelsea this summer as he eyes a move to Paris St Germain. (The Sun)

I hope this happens. It would be nice for him to finish his career back at home.

What about Joe Hart? He was fine as Manchester City�s number one last season. Demirel is the Turkish number 1 right now. Sure he�d love to play in the EPL but not as a backup.

Agreed. We saw the beasting that was inflicted on City last time Isaakson played over Hart. Granted it wasn't entirely his fault, he still couldn't get his defense organized the way Hart did for most of the season.

West Ham�s players are said to be angry after being forced to fly economy class in two separate planes for a friendly in Canada against MLS team Columbus Crew. The MLS had told West Ham they would be flown business class but the travel firm they were using went bust. (The Sun)

Well at least West Ham are going to get a bit of a treat when they come to BMO for the All-Star game. Majority of the RPB are supporting the Hammers rather than the TFC-empty starting XI for the MLS. Quite a lot of West Ham fans in Toronto going to the game too.

flexwong

Jul 17th, 2008, 03:15 PM

A group of Man City fans who hired a trawler to take them to watch their side�s Uefa Cup qualifying game in the Faroe Islands had to abandon their trip due to stormy seas. After an eight drive to Aberdeen, followed by an overnight ferry to the Shetland Islands, the group were forced to turn around as the eight-foot Atlantic waves got the better of them. (Various)

Now that is dedication

ROFL! a MASSIVE club indeed.

sinnacle

Jul 18th, 2008, 04:44 AM

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced he will land Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the start of the season. (The Sun)

Law of the jungle applies to football as well. If the Manchester United’s of the world want a player from Tottenham badly enough they will get him.

Ferguson has met United winger Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in almost two months in a bid to stop the player joining Real Madrid. (The Guardian)

Just don’t start crying foul about how the system works when the tables are turned. Also Ronaldo causing quite a stir in Los Angeles recently it seems.

Cristiano Ronaldo hobbled into a nightclub on crutches and partied with stars including Paris Hilton. (The Sun, Daily Mirror)

One example right there.

Chelsea have rejected Barcelona’s offer of a swap deal involving Samuel Eto’o and Blues forward Didier Drogba. (The Sun)

Reminds me one of those basketball deals where one team trades their problem child for another.

Liverpool will sell Andrei Voronin to a German club for around �3m to help finance the signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. (Daily Mirror)

Voronin didn’t set the world on fire last year. To compound matters his form kept dropping as the year went on.

England goalkeeper Scott Carson will join West Brom from Liverpool after rejecting a move to Stoke. (Daily Mirror, Daily Star)

I saw another article today saying Stoke pulled out of the race to sign Carson. In my mind I kept thinking you didn’t pull out of the race, Butterfingers just didn’t want to play for your team.

Wigan plan to make Everton an improved offer for Andrew Johnson after having a �9m bid for the England striker rejected. (The Guardian)

With the interest and money being throw out there for Johnson I’d find it foolish if Everton at some point won’t cash in on a player that isn’t even their best striker.

Newcastle have had a �2m bid for England left-back Stephen Warnock rejected by Blackburn. (Daily Mirror)

A �2m for an above average English left back is almost insulting. Should be double in order for Blackburn to even consider the offer.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has told chairman Niall Quinn he wants money to spend on top players. (Daily Mirror)

But what top players want to play for Sunderland? Grabbing a quality player like Craig Gordan from Hearts last year are rare. They will be players that want to play for Sunderland but the trick is to find players with near top 4 talent. Those are hard to come by even less with Aiden McGeady signing an extension with Celtic yesterday.

West Ham stars are fuming at their tour from hell after a travel firm went bust. The Hammers squad are being flown economy class to their pre-season matches in Canada in two separate planes after being led to believe they were flying business class. (The Sun)

More on yesterday’s news story. It’s not like it wasn’t a direct flight from London to Toronto. Plus when I think of flights from hell I think of nears misses in the air, turbulence or losing luggage etc none of which happens.

hobophobe

Jul 18th, 2008, 04:34 PM

Ferguson has met United winger Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in almost two months in a bid to stop the player joining Real Madrid. (The Guardian)

Comfirmed this morning by Ferguson that Ronaldo will not be moving prior to the 2008/2009 season. If Ronaldo gets into good form by January, I think he will make the move then.

sinnacle

Jul 19th, 2008, 06:44 AM

Inter Milan will make a move for Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso if they fail in their bid to prise Frank Lampard away from Chelsea. (Channel 4 Football Italia, 1103 BST)

Liverpool must be happy that interest in Alonso is flaring up again after Juventus couldn’t close the deal.

Chelsea are set to sign AC Milan’s world player-of-the- year Kaka for a world-record fee of €100m (�79.2m). (The Guardian)

I love headlines that make such a difficult process seem so easy. Look at Ronaldinho and how long that transfer took. Compound that with Ronaldinho who wanted to play for A.C Milan and Barcelona were willing to sell the player. Neither of which are so easy here with A.C Milan wanting to keep Kaka and the player himself not wanting to leave.

Sunderland have had a �23m bid for Younes Kaboul, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio accepted by Tottenham. (Various)

However, the deal could be jeopardised after Kaboul’s agent said his client would not join Sunderland “even if there was an earthquake”. (Various)

I must admit that quote from Kaboul agent made me laugh. Not a bad return in Tottenham case for four players who will not start for them when the season starts.

Chimbonda also looks set to snub the Black Cats in favour of a move to either Newcastle or Everton. (Daily Mail)

Like I said about Sunderland, having money to spend on is one thing. Finding the right players who have both the quality and desire to play for you is another.

Aston Villa expect to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel next week as Rovers boss Paul Ince faces a tough task keeping hold of his players. (The Sun)

Paul Ince have better of seen this coming. Ince must have had a plan in place with players he was going to bring in or else Blackburn will make a swift drop down the standings next years.

Arsene Wenger has blamed Arsenal’s lack of silverware last season on pure bad luck. (The Sun)

Makes for a better story then the fact that Arsenal couldn’t hold leads in key games against Liverpool in the Champions League, Manchester United and Chelsea in the league. Those weren’t performances of champions as the special one would say.

sinnacle

Jul 20th, 2008, 06:55 AM

Chelsea�s world record bid to sign AC Milan forward Kaka will cost the Blues anything from �50m to �119m with 10% going to the player himself, but the Serie A side insist he is not for sale. (Various)

If I was Ronaldo I�d make sure Madrid pays Manchester United a million more in a transfer fee just to be vain.

Real Madrid forward Robinho could be another Brazilian heading to Chelsea after his agent revealed the club have proposed a firm offer. (Sunday Telegraph)

Joe Cole must be loving these recent events.

Juventus are ready to launch a �15m bid for Arsenal�s Robin van Persie, who they see as an ideal replacement for Pavel Nedved. (News of the World)

After losing Hleb there is little chance that Arsenal will want to sell van Persie.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha is wanted back at Fulham, while Sunderland and Wigan are also interested in the Frenchman. (News of the World)

Just have this weird feeling that the second Saha leaves United he�ll be fit for an entire season.

Sunderland have failed with a �4m bid for Man Utd midfielder Darren Fletcher and may increase their offer to �5m. (News of the World)

Fletcher is only 24. That should mean he�ll be happy with his role on Europe's best team for another 2-3 seasons before pulling a Nicky Butt and moving on to find first team football.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has said he is looking at offloading five or six players to finance a bid for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. (The People)

Hull City hope to make Portsmouth�s Sean Davis their seventh signing of the summer for around �2.25m. (News of the World)

Another 10 million to go.

Dimitar Berbatov has been fined a week�s wages by Tottenham manager Juande Ramos for being moody on the club�s pre-season jaunt to Spain. (The People)

Shocking, a Tottenham fan should see Keane as a better loss than Berbatov.

flexwong

Jul 20th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Sunderland have failed with a �4m bid for Man Utd midfielder Darren Fletcher and may increase their offer to �5m. (News of the World)

Fletcher is only 24. That should mean he�ll be happy with his role on Europe's best team for another 2-3 seasons before pulling a Nicky Butt and moving on to find first team football.

ha, 5 million what a joke. fletcher is worth more then that. the boy is quality, a very underrated player. he will probably never be a world class star but he is the type of player every team needs, a great squad player. united have a lot of these wonderful squad players that make us so much better then chelski and the rest (o'shea, park, fletcher)

maebach

Jul 20th, 2008, 03:33 PM

united have a lot of these wonderful squad players that make us so much better then chelski and the rest (o'shea, park, fletcher)

Won the league by 2 points and champions league final in shootout. Not sure those are signs of so much better. Anyways, I find Ferguson to be very hypocritical for chasing berbatov when the spurs told him not to, and then saying that he'll report real over the ronaldo feud for just about the same thing.

flexwong

Jul 20th, 2008, 05:06 PM

Won the league by 2 points and champions league final in shootout. Not sure those are signs of so much better. Anyways, I find Ferguson to be very hypocritical for chasing berbatov when the spurs told him not to, and then saying that he'll report real over the ronaldo feud for just about the same thing.

spurs never told fergie not to chase after berbatov. they basically stuck a price tag on berbatov and united didn't offer as much as they wanted. ronaldo was never "for sale".

sinnacle

Jul 21st, 2008, 03:58 AM

Brazil striker Robinho has told Real Madrid he is desperate to join Chelsea. (The Sun)

Ronaldo goes to Real Madrid = Robinho being sold to Chelsea to recoup some of that transfer money spent on Ronaldo.

Ronaldo stays at United = Real Madrid offers Robinho more money to make him happy.

But forward Didier Drogba looks to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after he was left out of the club�s tour to China. (Daily Mirror)

Barcelona are thought to be preparing a �22m bid for Drogba. (Daily Express)

Drogba should be happy at Barcelona for at least one season before the moody Drogba of last year sets in.

Inter Milan are prepared to wait for England midfielder Frank Lampard�s contract at Chelsea to run out before signing him next season. (Daily Telegraph)

Still can�t see Lampard playing out the final season of his deal in limbo. I�m sure Lampard is going to love playing in every league cup game for Chelsea next year.

Aston Villa could be back on the trail of Newcastle winger James Milner after abandoning their attempts to sign Blackburn midfielder David Bentley. (Daily Telegraph)

While it still won�t be easy Villa will have a better chance of striking a deal for Milner than Bentley.

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos will spend the �57m from the sale of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov on strikers Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spartak Moscow) and wingers David Bentley (Blackburn) and Diego Capel (Sevilla). (The Sun)

Out of that list can only see Milito and maybe Bentley realistically playing for Tottenham next season.

The Toffees are ready to smash their transfer record to land �18m-rated Sporting Lisbon playmaker Joao Moutinho. (Daily Express)

Moutinho is in an interesting spot here. He isn�t good enough yet to move on to the A.C Milan�s, Barcelona�s of the world as each gave Moutinho a look before passing. He can either stay at Sporting Clube de Portugal (Damn British press, it�s not Sporting Lisbon) play in the Champions League and improve as a player in a league and team he is comfortable with. On the flip side he can go to Everton, take the money, play in the biggest league in the world but a league that isn�t a perfect fit for his style of play.

Sunderland remain hopeful of clinching a �23m deal for Tottenham�s Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda, Younes Kaboul and Teemu Tainio. (Times)

Cue the earthquake I guess.

Brazil legend Pele has told England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney he needs to �learn how to defend himself, not attack his opponent�. (Various)

Pele is alittle out there.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told striker Theo Walcott to establish himself in the first team this season. (Daily Star)

All Wenger needs to do is show faith in Walcott by starting him 3-4 starts in a row no matter how he plays. Once Walcott stops thinking that he�ll be nailed to the bench after every bad game his potential will start to show.

sinnacle

Jul 22nd, 2008, 03:15 AM

Blackburn are willing to sell Bentley - but only if an offer of more than �18m comes in. (Times)

�18m million seems to be the magic number. First with Villa and Berry, now with Bentley. Could only imagine a foreign club calling about Bentley and laughing once that 18 million number is thrown. Not because Bentley is a bad player, just because with so much money pouring into the EPL British players become inflated.

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has given up hope of signing Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. (The Sun)

Somehow I don’t think this story is over yet. It would be foolish to let Lampard rot on the last year of his deal. Chelsea should either find a way to sign him or send him on his way.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich invited AC Milan representatives on to his personal yacht - but the Italian club still refused to sell Brazilian playmaker Kaka. (Sun)

Maybe those AC Milan representatives just finished watching the Sopranos episode where Tony and crew took Big Puss out on a boat cruise.

Aston Villa are after 6ft 7in Valencia striker Nicola Zigic. He is available for �5m. (Sun)

No clue why Villa need another striker with Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Marlon Harewood but I do like Zigic. He had a great season two years ago in La Liga playing at Racing but never seem to fit in at Valencia last year.

Villa will sign Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel for �2m as a short-term solution before snapping up Wayne Hennessey from Wolves in a year’s time. (Daily Mirror)

Top Five Goalies in the EPL (I think someone here will have a difference of opinion.)

1. Petr Cech
2. Edwin van der Sar
3. David James
4. Pepe Reina
5. Brad Friedel

Sorry Chris Kirkland (Hurt too much) Joe Hart (give it another year) Craig Gordon (see Joe Hart) Shay Given (toughest choice to leave out)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has been told to increase his �16m offer for Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin. Zenit want �21.5m. (Sun)

The market for Arshavin has been drying up. Barcelona have gone with Hleb and haven’t gone all out to sign Arshavin. Chelsea hasn’t made a move either. Quite frankly Arshavin is just too old for that kind of transfer fee. There is no re-sell value there like signing a 23-24 year old.

Defender Lucas Neill says he is not leaving West Ham, despite being linked with a move to Galatasaray. (Sun)

That isn’t welcomed news to West Ham who want to dump his large contract. Could of gone to Liverpool in the January 2007 transfer window but signed with West Ham who doubled what Liverpool was willingly to pay so they have no one to blame but themselves.

Kevin Keegan is at loggerheads with the Newcastle board, who are ready to sell James Milner for more than �10m. (Daily Star)

King Kev appears to have his hands tied so far in the transfer market.

Newcastle boss Keegan is confident Charles N’Zogbia will stay at St James’ Park. (Daily Mirror)

But will N’Zogbia be happy at Newcastle?

Keegan is thought to be pondering a bid for former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who has fallen out of favour at Atletico Madrid. (Guardian)

Mentioned this many months ago but if Reyes hated life in London he’ll loath living in Newcastle. Worth taking a gamble on however if Reyes is willing to come back to England.

Former Colombia keeper Rene Higuita’s ’scorpion kick’ has been voted football’s greatest trick in an online poll. His audacious effort in a friendly against England at Wembley beat Ronaldinho’s ‘elastic dribble’ into second place. Cristiano Ronaldo’s step-overs tied for third. (Daily Mirror)

Forgot about this. Gotta love the Rick James haircut. (Clip posted on site)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has backed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s stance against Real Madrid over winger Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing the Spanish club of being “irresponsible”. (Daily Mirror)

Don’t agree with Wenger on a lot of fronts (not that he is losing sleep over this fact) but I do agree with him here. Teams should work the phones when trying to sign a player instead of trying to work the press.

hobophobe

Jul 22nd, 2008, 10:03 AM

Kevin Keegan is at loggerheads with the Newcastle board, who are ready to sell James Milner for more than �10m. (Daily Star)

Newcastle boss Keegan is confident Charles N�Zogbia will stay at St James� Park. (Daily Mirror)

I would much rather see Milner stay and N'Zogbia leave, but the way things are going it looks like it's the opposite. Charles has had a phenomenal pre-season, but he usually does, once the team has a tough run, his "i want out" attitude doesn't help. Milner on the other hand is the type of player who would stick with a team day in day out regardless of the results. However, sad to say it, but I think Newcastle is holding back Milner's potential.

Keegan is thought to be pondering a bid for former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who has fallen out of favour at Atletico Madrid. (Guardian)

Mentioned this many months ago but if Reyes hated life in London he�ll loath living in Newcastle. Worth taking a gamble on however if Reyes is willing to come back to England.

Would absolutely love to see this happen. Was my favourite EPL striker back when he sported the Gunners jersey. But then he disappeared into Spain and also lost his international spot to David Villa. Although it seems like a long shot to bring him to the Tyneside, crossing my fingers for this.

sinnacle

Jul 23rd, 2008, 04:06 AM

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is set to make a shock bid to bring former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, now at Marseille, back to the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Makes sense, new signing Jo is off to play in the Olympics for Brazil and Benjani is an injury doubt. Mark Hughes is going to want depth at the striker position to ensure City gets off to the best possible start.

However, others say Hughes will make a �15m move for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Various)

Blackburn should sell Santa Cruz. The is a nice return for a striker that cost 3 million last year. Last year Blackburn kept Benni McCarthy despite Chelsea snooping around, a year later Blackburn has to have some regret not cashing in on McCarthy. The same could easily apply 12 months from now with Santa Cruz.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is set to shatter his signing record with a �10.75m bid for Everton striker Andrew Johnson. (Various)

Andrew Johnson will be no better than Brian McBride. That is a lot of money for a very average striker.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has offered �5m plus Charles N�Zogbia for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady. (The Sun)

For which Celtic will say no too. N�Zogbia attitude won�t fly with the Celtic faithful and McGeady has committed himself to Celtic.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is to offer Fulham �3m to bring back old favourite Jimmy Bullard to the JJB Stadium. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham can�t lose Bullard. It could of been easy for Bullard to be resigned to his faith at Fulham, not only coming back from a horrible injury but kept fighting until the last game to keep Fulham up. Teams such as Fulham need players like Bullard.

Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop is the subject of a �6m bid by Stoke City. (Daily Express)

I find it hard to believe that Marton Fulop could cost almost double what West Brom paid to sign Scott Carson.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has taunted new Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari by telling him he has no chance of matching Jose Mourinho�s efforts at the Stamford Bridge helm. (Daily Mirror)

I�m sure Mourinho has sent Ferguson a thank you card and some wine for that. Scolari needless to say has some big shoes to fill.

sinnacle

Jul 24th, 2008, 03:55 AM

Tottenham are ready to let striker Dimitar Berbatov join AC Milan for a cut-price �25m to stop the Bulgarian going to Manchester United. (The Sun)

Don’t exactly consider �25m a cut rate price. Makes sense that Tottenham would love to give Manchester United the finger after signing Michael Carrick and now unsettling Dimitar Berbatov.

Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel is in limbo over his �2.5m switch to Aston Villa. The American’s transfer hinges on Rovers getting the green light to sign Spurs’ Paul Robinson. (The Sun)

Robinson has some big holes to fill. Yes he is younger and a former England number 1 but made too many mistakes both at Tottenham and for England. Mistakes that Friedel has rarely made playing for Blackburn.

Emmanuel Adebayor fears he has blown his move to Barcelona as the Spanish club are unimpressed by the Arsenal striker’s attitude and will not pay the �37.5m asking price. (The Sun)

Wouldn’t you also be unimpressed with his attitude? He has strung Arsenal along all summer flip flopping on almost a daily basis.

Furious Everton boss David Moyes will delay Andy Johnson’s �10m move to Fulham until he finds a replacement after the striker pulled out of a pre-season friendly at the last minute. (Daily Star)

But Moyes is already planning to spend the money from the Johnson sale on �20m-rated CSKA striker Wagner Love. (The Sun)

Would love to see Wagner Love play in the EPL just to be able to say Wagner Love more often. Just a great name.

Liverpool and Aston Villa remain at loggerheads over the transfer of Gareth Barry, with Villa boss Martin O’Neill maintaining that he still wants �18m straight cash for the England midfielder. (Daily Express)

Neither side appears to be blinking anytime soon. Martin O’Neill can’t back down in this spot. He’ll need to get every last penny for Barry or else it will set the example in the dress room that Aston Villa is a stepping stone to a top four team and not a team that itself can become a top four team.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is making a �6m move for Celtic’s Ireland winger Aidan McGeady. (Daily Mirror)

About two weeks to late. Stiliyan Petrov cost Villa �6m and that was two years ago. You can easily make the case that McGeady is worth double then what they received for Petrov.

West Ham plan to offer teenage striker Freddie Sears a long-term deal in a bid to stave off interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. (The Sun)

West Ham produces some of the best young British players. Too bad most of them end up playing for other teams.

Keile

Jul 24th, 2008, 06:45 AM

[B]West Ham plan to offer teenage striker Freddie Sears a long-term deal in a bid to stave off interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. (The Sun)

West Ham produces some of the best young British players. Too bad most of them end up playing for other teams.

Sears didn't really impress during the U19 European Championships.

sinnacle

Jul 25th, 2008, 04:08 AM

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is to continue his ambitious summer recruitment plans by bidding up to �7m for Taye Ismaila Taiwo, the Marseille left-back who was named African young player of the year in 2006. (The Times)

Guess Keane can’t spend all his transfer budget on Tottenham players.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has told one of his closest pals - Portugal and Real Madrid centre-half Pepe - that he wants to join him and move to the Bernabau. (The Sun)

You know Ronaldo and Pepe aren’t really that close. One was a rising star of the Sporting youth system and the other came up through the lower ranks of Portuguese football before making his way to Porto. Plus Pepe has only been with the national team since the fall of 2007. Friends? sure. The best man at each other’s wedding? Unlikely.

Russian ace Andrei Arshavin risks pricing himself out of a dream move to England with wage demands of �100,000 a week, along with club Zenit St Petersburg’s �16m price tag. (Daily Mirror)

Arshavin should really have a long look at his advisor’s. You have to strike when the iron is hot and his stock will never be hotter as it was last month.

If Redknapp sells Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari to Inter Milan for �12m, he intends to splash the cash on Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. (Daily Star)

Sounds about right. Just like Redknapp sold Benjani to fund the purchase of Jermain Defoe it appears the same can be said about selling Muntari to make a move for Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Tottenham have accepted a bid of around �3m from Blackburn Rovers for their goalkeeper Paul Robinson. (The Independent)

Robinson stock sure has crashed from even a year ago.

Newcastle’s increasingly desperate hunt for a new central defender has caused them to look again at the Argentinian international Fabricio Coloccini, a mainstay of the Deportivo La Coruna team. (The Independent)

Good player and at only 26 he still has plenty of good years left. Coloccini has been rumored to leave Deportivo La Coruna almost every summer since joining from A.C Milan back in 2004.

sinnacle

Jul 26th, 2008, 06:01 AM

Manchester United are set to break the British transfer record by paying �35m to seal a permanent deal for Carlos Tevez before the start of the new season. (The Independent, The Times)

Smart move by United. Not trying to take credit for it but did mention last month that United�s main objective in this transfer window should be to lock up Tevez now before it becomes a distraction in January and to sign another striker. Despite the price tag good to see United recognizing the value of Carlos Tevez.

Aston Villa have been given permission to speak to Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel but Manchester City have made a late enquiry about the American. (The Independent)

With Paul Robinson now at Blackburn it would be foolish for Friedel to pass up a chance to play for Aston Villa.

Everton will use the proceeds from the impending �10.5m sale of Andy Johnson to Fulham to fund a bid for Sporting Lisbon striker Joao Moutinho. (Daily Express)

The Toffees have already begun talks with Sporting over an �18m deal for Moutinho. (Daily Star)

Still not sold that Moutinho game will fit into the EPL style.

Portsmouth have beaten Sunderland in the race to sign Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul. (The Sun)

Not surprising if this does happen. The player has mention previously this summer that he�d like to play for Portsmouth.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hopes to sign Tottenham striker Robbie Keane in time for him to face Rangers on 2 August. (The Sun)

Keane is due to arrive at Anfield next week for a medical before completing his �18m switch. (Daily Mail)

Just sign someone who isn�t on a free transfer or 18 years old and won�t feature on the first team for another couple of years.

Liverpool will bid for Valencia winger David Silva if they fail to land Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.(The Sun)

No offence to Barry but that is like saying I�m going to buy a Ferrari if I can�t manage to purchase a Nissan 350Z.

sinnacle

Jul 27th, 2008, 07:51 AM

Real Madrid hope to sign Arsenal�s Cesc Fabregas after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo. (News of the World)

Madrid acts like a chicken with it�s head cut off in the transfer market. First Ronaldo, then Kaka, now Fabregas. With the season a mere couple of weeks away and Fabregas firmly an Arsenal player, nevermind cheering and playing for Barcelona as a boy, needless to say this would be unlikely.

Ferguson is considering signing Barcelona�s Samuel Eto�o, Blackburn�s Roque Santa Cruz, Valencia�s David Villa or Lyon�s Karim Benzema instead of Berbatov. (Sunday Times)

Shocked they didn�t put Pele of Santos on the list. Eto�o and Santa Cruz can be had. Villa and Benzema just make a nice headline, nothing more.

Liverpool are ready to abandon their chase of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and will spend their money on Tottenham�s Robbie Keane instead. (News of the World)

The sale of Keane to Liverpool will allow Tottenham to chase David Villa, who is valued at �25m. (Sunday Telegraph)

I�m not going to jump on the Tottenham bandwagon but a case can be made that the Spurs have every bit of talent that Liverpool does.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart wants talks with Mark Hughes after the Eastlands boss tried to sign new Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel. (The People)

Foolish move by Hughes. Hart is a fine goalie and should be the number one without having to worry about his job going into the season. Why wreck a young players confidence?

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given�s future is still in doubt, with Arsenal believed to be interested. (News of the World)

Given is one of those players that a lot of teams have always been interested in but thus far no one has tried to make a move.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants his former assistant, new Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz, to be his successor as manager at Old Trafford. (Sunday Express)

That�s nice but really it�s not his choice. Hopefully Sir Alex Ferguson has many years left in the game.

maebach

Jul 27th, 2008, 10:59 PM

Where is Keane getting all this money from? Both Sunderland and Hull are spending like mad.

sinnacle

Jul 28th, 2008, 03:37 AM

Having cooled his interest in Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a shock �15m bid for Barcelona�s ex-Arsenal forward Thierry Henry. (Daily Star)

Much like the Michael Owen to United rumours of last year, just can�t see Henry ever deciding to play for Manchester United after so many great years at Arsenal.

United, meanwhile, are ready to sell their injury-prone forward Louis Saha to Paris St Germain, freeing up funds for new arrivals. (Daily Mirror)

If you are French, over 30 (in Saha�s case 30 come August) you have a home at Paris St Germain along with Claude Mak�l�l� and Ludovic Giuly.

Striker Robbie Keane is expected at Liverpool for a medical to seal his �20m move from Tottenham. (Daily Star)

Keane better of been told that Liverpool will feature a 4-4-2 throughout the season or else he�ll end up seeing as much action as Peter Crouch last season.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hinted he may be interested in a move to Real Madrid but not this summer. (Various)

Don�t care how many good young players Arsenal has, the one player they can�t lose is Cesc Fabregas. He makes that team go.

Newcastle are prepared to pay �7m for Real Madrid�s former Arsenal forward Julio Baptista, although the Spanish club want closer to �12m. (Daily Telegraph)

Baptista much like Reyes previously wasn�t fond of life in London, nevermind life in Newcastle. The player must surely prefer a move to Champions League bound Roma before Newcastle.

Sunderland will complete the signing of El-Hadji Diouf from Bolton for �2.5m on Monday (Various)

Diouf and Roy Keane will make an interesting clash of personalities. Guess at only 2.5 million it�s worth taking a flyer on a player with Diouf�s talents.

Manchester United have moved quickly to finalise the details of Carol Tevez�s �32m British record transfer after Real Madrid were among those enquiring about his availability. (Daily Mail)

United are not dumb, they would want to lock Tevez up before the January transfer window to prevent other clubs from speaking to the player.

malaujai

Jul 28th, 2008, 02:05 PM

Welcome Robbie Keane!!
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160674080728-1837.htm

flexwong

Jul 28th, 2008, 02:55 PM

bad move robbie keane... bad bad move.

maebach

Jul 28th, 2008, 07:26 PM

bad move robbie keane... bad bad move.

+1

knickerbocker

Jul 28th, 2008, 10:26 PM

Henry would be forever despised by Gunner fans if he made the switch to United.

And Cesc can't leave. If he leaves then its a sign that Arsenal have to change their policy. I.e. More money on wages, and tap up more English players, although English soccer is converging towards the path of Scottish soccer.

flexwong

Jul 28th, 2008, 11:19 PM

sinnacle

Jul 29th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Tottenham want striker Roman Pavlyuchenko but have had a �10m bid rejected by Spartak Moscow. The London side is also confident of signing Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito, who would cost around �8m. (Daily Mirror)

Trying to convince Spartak Moscow to sell Roman Pavlyuchenko won’t be easy after his Euro 2008 performance. Tottenham would have a better chance of convincing Real Zaragoza who were demoted from La Liga last year to cash in on Diego Milito.

Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan is close to tying up a �7m deal for Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo La Coruna. (Daily Star)

Don’t think it’s close. The player himself has said he is happy at Deportivo. Smart move on Newcastle’s part targeting Coloccini however.

Aston Villa are poised to make a �4.5m bid for Reading’s England international left-back Nicky Shorey as manager Martin O’Neill sets about bringing in at least five new players before the new season starts. (Daily Star)

Direct result of Wilfred Bouma injuring his ankle. For a squad that doesn’t feature a lot of depth, Villa should look to make a move for Shorey right away.

Chelsea are cooling their interest in the Brazilian forward Robinho because Real Madrid keep changing their asking price, and are now considering giving Shaun Wright-Phillips another chance to prove himself. (The Independent)

Real Madrid signing Ronaldo = Robinho to Chelsea - Real Madrid not signing Ronaldo = Robinho stays.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is closing on a �5m swoop for Chelsea’s Tal Ben Haim and will offer the defender a four-year deal worth around �60,000 a week. (The Sun)

Chelsea selling Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell for a combined 10 million is a pretty good return for players who were signed as free transfers the previous season.

However, Everton are poised to test Tottenham’s nerve with a move for Darren Bent funded by the �10.75m they will bank from Johnson’s transfer. (Daily Mail)

Everton sure has bad timing. At the start of the transfer season Darren Bent could be had. With Keane moving on and Berbatov wishing to do the same Tottenham would be unwilling to sell another striker.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told by owner Roman Abramovich that he not only has to win but do so in style - like rivals Manchester United. (Various)

You hired the wrong coach then.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has insisted the onus is on clubs outside the top four to “get their houses in order” if the perceived lack of competition in the Premier League is to be addressed. (Various)

Right thing to say, wrong person to say it. People are just going to roll their eyes at someone from Chelsea with all there money telling other clubs to get better.

sinnacle

Jul 29th, 2008, 05:03 AM

Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan is close to tying up a �7m deal for Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo La Coruna. (Daily Star)

Don�t think it�s close. The player himself has said he is happy at Deportivo. Smart move on Newcastle�s part targeting Coloccini however.

Maybe I am wrong with the above statement.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=558164&sec=europe&cc=5901

si18

Jul 29th, 2008, 11:25 AM

bad move robbie keane... bad bad move.

-1

Robbie Keane is a LFC Fan. Great move for him... :cheesygri

flexwong

Jul 29th, 2008, 01:33 PM

-1

Robbie Keane is a LFC Fan. Great move for him... :cheesygri

funny how all players say that when they move, that they've been a "fan" for life.

wayne rooney, once a blue, always a red.

si18

Jul 29th, 2008, 03:26 PM

funny how all players say that when they move, that they've been a "fan" for life.

wayne rooney, once a blue, always a red.

FYI, Torres, Voronin, Crouch, Babel never cliamed they were a LFC fan before. Keane is from Dublin, Ireland, across the Irish sea is Liverpool, so there are lots of LFC fans in Ireland. I wouldn't doubt he's lying.... :D

sweeper

Jul 29th, 2008, 06:08 PM

FYI, Torres, Voronin, Crouch, Babel never cliamed they were a LFC fan before. Keane is from Dublin, Ireland, across the Irish sea is Liverpool, so there are lots of LFC fans in Ireland. I wouldn't doubt he's lying.... :D

http://englishuniverse.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/torres.jpg

I'm sure many a player would love playing for a massive club liek Liverpool, what better way to win the hearts of supporters by stating they were boyhood fans? If im not mistaken even Zlatan said he supported Inter when he joined them after the Calciopoli Scandal.

sweeper

Jul 29th, 2008, 06:09 PM

bad move robbie keane... bad bad move.

+2

Keane is an icon at Spurs, at Liverpool hell be caught up in Rafa's messed up rotation system, gg playing time.

si18

Jul 29th, 2008, 07:46 PM

http://englishuniverse.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/torres.jpg

I'm sure many a player would love playing for a massive club liek Liverpool, what better way to win the hearts of supporters by stating they were boyhood fans? If im not mistaken even Zlatan said he supported Inter when he joined them after the Calciopoli Scandal.

I knew Torres had the YNWA tag on when he was at A. Madrid, but he never claimed he was a LFC supporter since childhood.

For those who want to hear it from Keane's mouth....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7530485.stm

si18

Jul 29th, 2008, 07:49 PM

hahahahah. liverpool isn't getting robbie keane. he's a spurs man through and through..

Flexwong you got it wrong here.... :D

He's a YNWA fan through and through....

flexwong

Jul 29th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Flexwong you got it wrong here.... :D

He's a YNWA fan through and through....

well yeah, i guess he is a YNWA fan through and through. You'll Never Win Again that is. he won fck all with spurs, and he'll do the same with the scousers.

sinnacle

Jul 30th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Tottenham will splash out �36m to bring Blackburn�s David Bentley and Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg to White Hart Lane. (Various)

Best course of action to get Tottenham fans to forget about Robbie Keane is to strike quickly in the transfer market and make a deal for a high profile player.

Manchester City have made a �6m offer for Liverpool�s Yossi Benayoun and are considering a swoop for Fulham keeper Antti Niemi. (Daily Mail)

Never understood what Liverpool saw in Benayoun to begin with. It�s not that he is a bad player but Benayoun isn�t a game breaker either.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has set �13m Spurs duo Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul a 24-hour deadline to join his club. (Daily Star)

Can understand what Kaboul doesn�t want to commit yet since other teams are chasing his signature but Steed Malbranque should jump at this chance. With the reinforcements Tottenham has made to their midfield this summer it would be unlikely that Malbranque would see any first team action next season.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is chasing Stuttgart forward Mario Gomez and is set to agree a �15m fee. (The Sun)

Be quite a coup if Fulham can land Gomez. Had a great season in the Bundesliga last year but still can�t forget the chances he missed at Euro 2008. Still find it doubtful that Gomez would jump ship to Fulham regardless.

Chelsea have accepted a �5m bid from Manchester City for Israel defender Tal Ben-Haim, who has been offered a four-year deal. (The Times)

My favorite Tal Ben-Haim Chelsea moment was when he ripped Avram Grant over playing time and Grant basically replied with, �What did he except when he signed here? Did you think you were going to overtake John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.�

Midfielder Keith Andrews is set to complete his �2m transfer from MK Dons to Blackburn. (Daily Express)

That is a lot of money for a player who played in League Two last year.

Paul Gascoigne is said to be considering a coaching job with Newcastle. (The Sun)

Love to see a meeting of the minds between Gascoigne and Joey Barton.

sinnacle

Jul 31st, 2008, 03:33 AM

Gareth Barry will demand that Aston Villa sell him to Liverpool after Villa last night said the Merseyside club had missed a deadline to sign the midfielder. (Various)

It is rubbing salt in the wound telling the press that Liverpool missed the deadline by 10 minutes.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince will try to complete a deal for �6m-rated Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. (Daily Mail)

Pennant would make the jump in order to play first team football and Liverpool would take that 6 million pound fee and spend it elsewhere.

Tottenham are poised to complete a �50m double swoop for Russian strike duo Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin. (Various)

These are two players that the English press didn�t even know of a year ago.

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is wanted by Paris St Germain but is holding out for his testimonial at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)

Been at United for nine years and you get a testimonial after 10 years. Always like the whole idea of holding a testimonial game in honour of a player�s career.

Chelsea are unlikely to allow Andriy Shevechko to rejoin AC Milan on a free transfer. (The Times)

Well, would you allow a 60 million dollar transfer two years ago to walk away for free?

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is being targeted by CSKA Moscow to become their new manager. (Daily Mirror)

If Redknapp didn�t walk away from Portsmouth to take the Newcastle job after they offered more money there is little chance that Redknapp will pack up for Russia. Besides Redknapp has put in too much work into building this Portsmouth team to walk away.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley says he�s not a gambling man after finding himself as the favourite to be the first Premier League boss to be sacked this season. (Various)

One would of made a nice return betting on Jose Mourinho to be the first manager let go last year. Sadly I think Newcastle will get tired of Kevin Keegan quickly if King Kev doesn�t get his team off to a good start.

sinnacle

Aug 1st, 2008, 03:45 AM

Chelsea are preparing a �25m swoop for Werder Bremen�s Brazilian midfielder Diego. (Daily Star, Daily Express)

Despite Diego joining the Brazilian national team for the Olympics against Werder Bremen�s wishes they would still be keen to hang onto Diego for another season. Aside from the age difference both Diego and Deco are very similar players anyway.

Tottenham�s bid for Andrei Arshavin has stalled as Russian side Zenit St Petersburg want �24m, not the �16m Spurs are offering. (The Sun)

I�ll wish Zenit St Petersburg luck getting �24m out of a 27 year old player.

Arsenal are closing in on a �10m deal for Udinese�s Swiss midfielder Gohkan Inler. (Daily Star)

That is a lot of money for Arsenal in the transfer market. Arsenal do need another player to shore up the midfield after losing Gilberto and Mathieu Flamini in the off season.

Everton boss David Moyes wants to get rid of left-back Leighton Baines just a year after signing him for �6m. Moyes wants to trade him for Blackburn�s Stephen Warnock. (The Sun)

Didn�t help Baines cause that soon after he arrived at Everton he got hurt.

Everton have enquired about the availability of Club America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, according to the player�s agent. (The Times)

Ochoa is a great goalie in football manager at least.

Portsmouth hope to conclude a deal for Tottenham centre-back Younes Kaboul in the next few days. (The Times)

Kaboul size and strength fits the mold that Harry Redknapp has been adding to Portsmouth over the last year.

Jens Lehmann has warned Emmanuel Adebayor he would be making a huge mistake if he left Arsenal this summer. (Various)

Don�t think there will ever be a day where Jens Lehmann will stop talking about Arsenal.

New Spurs signing David Bentley says he wants to entertain the White Hart Lane faithful just like Paul Gascoigne used to. (Various)

Hopefully that is the only way Bentley takes after Gascoigne.

sinnacle

Aug 2nd, 2008, 05:53 AM

Zenit St Petersburg still expect Tottenham to return with another bid for Russia striker Andrei Arshavin, despite the London side initially being put off by a �24m price tag. (The Times)

If I was Tottenham I�d just wait this out. It�s not like many other teams are currently on the chase for Arshavin. At this point it would be like bidding against yourself.

Fulham are trying to renegotiate the transfer of Andrew Johnson after complications with the Everton striker�s medical. (The Times)

Maybe Fulham at the 11th hour realizes that the 12 million pound transfer fee is way too high. Portsmouth signed Defoe and Crouch for less than that and both are miles better than Johnson.

Newcastle look poised to sign Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabrizio Coloccini this weekend. (Various)

Kevin Keegan did promise Newcastle fans a new signing in the next 48 hours. Unless Deportivo pulls anymore last minute tricks this transfer should go through.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince will ask his former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson if he can sign full-back Danny Simpson. (Daily Mirror)

On loan maybe since Simpson will have a hard team cracking Wes Brown and Gary Neville this up coming season.

Tottenham, who reported Liverpool and Manchester United over the alleged tapping up of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, have been branded �hypocrites� by Sevilla for the way they lured boss Juande Ramos. (Various).

Can�t argue against that. Also Tottenham threw Martin Jol under the bus in the process as well.

Everton boss David Moyes is the bookies� favourite to be the first Premier League boss to be sacked this season. (Independent)

Alan Curbishley must now be happy to hear this news.

sinnacle

Aug 3rd, 2008, 06:32 AM

Real Madrid are preparing a final bid of �60m for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (News of the World)

The amount is getting lower and lower. Personally I don’t think an English paper has any idea what the amount that Real Madrid will finally offer for Ronaldo. Nice headline however.

Tottenham must pay �19m to sign Zenit St Petersburg striker Andrei Arshavin as well as make him the highest-paid player in the world. (Mail)

Did Arshavin agents really say the last part with a straight face?

Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon is set to reject a move to Newcastle. (News of the World)

Foolish, if Tottneham do swing a deal with Arshavin then Lennon should move on to a club that can offer him regular playing time.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes midfielder Gareth Barry will join Liverpool. (News of the World)

Will give O’Neill credit if Aston Villa get the 18 million pounds wanted for Barry . O’Neill would also win the public relations war over this drawn out saga as he wasn’t bullied into selling Barry and only did the transfer on his terms.

Tottenham look set to fail with an �18m bid for West Ham striker Dean Ashton, who the Hammers insist is not for sale. (News of the World)

Ashton has grown on me as a player. Didn’t think much of him at first but one could admit when he is wrong. With the proper service Ashton can be a near World Class striker.

Everton manager David Moyes will bid �3m for Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. (News of the World)

Why insult Manchester United with that fee. Everton are not going to over spend in order to sign Fletcher which means the only reason United would sell the player is if Fletcher himself wanted to go.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants Everton striker Andy Johnson but for less than the �10.5m asking price. (Mail)

The fee was agreed upon, keep your word. Anyone could of told Fulham that the fee was too high to begin with.

Newcastle want to sign Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and have been told he will cost them �10m or �7m plus goalkeeper Shay Given. (Mail)

Senderos broke down mentally at the end of last season. That alone would make me look elsewhere.

sinnacle

Aug 4th, 2008, 08:29 AM

Portsmouth hope to sign Reading left-back Nicky Shorey and Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul before Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester United. (Press Association, 1157 BST)

That would just about cover the money Portsmouth got from selling Sulley Muntari to Inter Milan recently.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on the brink of signing Liverpool’s �16m-rated midfielder Xabi Alonso. (Daily Star)

That will come back to haunt Liverpool at some point. Rafa may win the P.R battle at first explaining that he needs to selling Alonso to sign Barry but if Xabi has a better season than Barry which could easily happen Rafa will have a bulls eye from the press.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry’s hopes of completing his �18m move to Liverpool now lie in the hands of the Anfield club’s American owners. (Daily Star)

If it’s at that point you might as well rubber stamp the sale.

Fulham have stunned Everton by slicing �4m off their valuation of Andrew Johnson - they will not pay more than �8m after his medical showed signs of an old knee injury. (Daily Mail)

But Everton will give Fulham 48 hours to seal a �13m deal for the striker - or order him to return to Goodison Park. (Daily Express)

Wouldn’t blame Everton if the swear words started to fly the second Fulham pulled such a trick. Not only does it effect Everton with there own transfer plans but if they take back Johnson now the player is unsettled from having one foot out the door.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes wants to sign Marseille striker Djibril Cisse on loan. (Daily Mirror)

City need another striker with Jo at the Olympics coupled with some injuries. Somewhat surprised they haven’t signed anyone yet.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari reckons Blues misfit Nicolas Anelka has a big part to play for the club this term after a successful pre-season campaign. (Various)

That is what happens when you score 4 goals in a friendly game against A.C Milan coupled with Drogba missing the start of the season due to injury.

sinnacle

Aug 5th, 2008, 04:15 AM

Tottenham are ready to smash the British transfer record in a �32m swoop for Valencia�s David Villa - and will sell Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United to fund the move. (The Sun)

Smart move all things considered but there is one big if which relates to David Villa even wanting to play for Tottenham. That isn�t a given.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is on the verge of completing an �8.5m swoop for Manchester United striker Louis Saha. (Various)

Not a bad return when you consider that Saha is near 30 and rarely fit. Sunderland is willingly to take that gamble since Saha when fit is an elite level goal scorer.

Everton are sizing up a cut-price �1.5m deal for Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith. (Daily Star)

Alan Smith may end up seeing playing time up front in place of Andrew Johnson. Newcastle already have three strikers and have used Smith as a midfielder last year in what was a forgettable year.

Tottenham look set to splash more cash as they are on the verge of a shock �9.5m move for Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka. (Various)

Manchester City are not a selling team, well at least not selling to a team like Tottenham. Corluka being young and already proven in the EPL will lead to City holding on to him.

Hull are set to make a bid for Benfica�s Portuguese striker Ariza Makukula. (The Mirror)

Smart move on Hull�s part. Makukula could be had for about two million euros. Not exactly graceful but he is built for the premier league and can hold up play with his frame.

Eduardo hopes to play for Arsenal before Christmas as he continues his recovery from a horror leg break last February. (The Sun)

Wish him the best of luck. Arsenal season with downhill the second he got hurt last year.

sweeper

Aug 6th, 2008, 12:55 AM

where is tottenham getting all this cash? :lol:

sinnacle

Aug 6th, 2008, 04:16 AM

Striker Robinho is desperate for Real Madrid to let him join Chelsea. (The Sun)

Ronaldo also seems to be desperate to join Real Madrid but one won’t happen without the other. With Real Madrid already losing Wesley Sneijder for three months they are not going to sell Robinho without having a direct replacement.

Aston Villa have targeted Arsenal’s Justin Hoyte, Luke Young of Middlesbrough and Chelsea’s Paulo Ferreira to fill their full-back berth. (The Times)

Ferreira is a no go he signed a new five year deal earlier this season. Now why did Chelsea offer Ferreira a five year contact when he will be wielded to the bench is anyone’s guess but he won’t be leaving yet. Arsenal lacked cover towards the end of the season so they will be in no mood to sell Hoyte. Which leaves Luke Young. Aston Villa has been looking to fill that right back spot for awhile now. Still remember them last year going after Jose Bosingwa and Miguel.

West Ham are the latest club linked with Manchester United striker Louis Saha, but they are delaying any approach after the former Fulham forward aggravated a knee injury. (Daily Mail)

Why does West Ham go after players with a history of injury troubles?

However, Saha has expressed an interest in joining Sunderland. (The Independent)

Which is not going to happen with Rooney being ill.

West Ham have decided to release winger Freddie Ljungberg after just 12 months, a move which will cost them �6m. (Daily Mail)

Case in point.

Everton are chasing Newcastle striker Alan Smith, who is likely to cost around �3m. (The Sun, Daily Mirror)

More realistic price tag. With Newcastle owner Mike Ashley looking to trim the wage bill they just might cut their losses with Alan Smith.

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has explored the possibility of selling up, putting the long-term future of the club in doubt. (Daily Mail)

Exactly what is wrong with Foreign ownership and no I do not blame foreign ownership. The ones who should take the blame are the previous British owners who are all too willingly to cash any big cheque that comes their way.

RayK

Aug 6th, 2008, 04:21 AM

where is tottenham getting all this cash? :lol:

I have no idea, but I'm assuming they are planning on using the 30m they will receive from selling Berbatov on David Villa...They always splash the cash though and it doesn't do much for them, so we'll see if they can even come close to the top 4 next season...

sinnacle

Aug 6th, 2008, 04:23 AM

where is tottenham getting all this cash? :lol:

Most likely they have a decent sized debt load like many teams that don't have a Russian owner but Tottenham do sell players to fund some of their transfers.

Keane, Chimbonda, Paul Robinson, Tainio, Malbranque and soon enough Kaboul have all be shown the door which should raise between 40-45 million extra pounds to use in the transfer market.

flexwong

Aug 6th, 2008, 10:35 AM

real madrid aren't going to get ronaldo. they just signed rafael van der vaart.

sinnacle

Aug 7th, 2008, 04:55 AM

Liverpool could have raised some of the cash to finance a move for Gareth Barry with the sale of Dirk Kuyt - but the Reds scared off Hamburg with their �16m valuation of the Dutch striker. (Daily Mail)

More like caused Hamburg to laugh out loud at that price. I respect the work rate of Dirk Kuyt but he is nothing more than a Dutch Alan Smith.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is set to test Blackburn boss Paul Ince�s resolve with a �7m bid for Ewood Park striker Benni McCarthy. (Various)

The price is right in my opinion. Blackburn should sell a 30 year old Benni McCarthy to any team willingly to cough up that dough. The trouble is who has Paul Ince targeted since taking over at Blackburn. He�ll need to work the transfer market like Mark Hughes if Blackburn have any shot of a successful season.

Aston Villa are close to securing the signature of Middlesbrough right-back Luke Young for about �5m and Reading left-back Nicky Shorey for �4m. (Various)

Luke Young signing on would at least make me feel smarter after narrowing him as the only realistic transfer target that were mentioned in yesterday�s EPL gossip.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan insists Alan Smith still has a future at the club, despite reports linking the striker with a move to Everton. (Daily Star)

Saying a player has no future at a club only decreases his player and will effect his confident if a transfer doesn�t occur.

Deportivo La Coruna claim they have agreed to sell centre-back Fabricio Coloccini to the Magpies. (The Times)

For a team that haven�t exactly been masters in the transfer market they should have a keeper in Coloccini.

Tottenham are lining up a bid for Rangers� �12m-rated defender Carlos Cuellar. (Scottish Sun)

How much money does Ranger stand in lose in Champions League revenue after losing to the mighty FBK Kaunas? Yep you guessed it �12 million pounds. Nice to see a paper make up a number and connect it to a paper but this time not out of the blue.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes wants talks about the situation at the club following reports that owner Thaksin Shinawatra wants to sell the Eastlands outfit. (The Sun)

Maybe Mark Hughes and Sam Allardyce will meet one day for tea and discuss how one wrong move can serious damage ones reputation.

sinnacle

Aug 8th, 2008, 04:10 AM

Liverpool’s owners have failed to raise the cash to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and now the move could be off - again. (Daily Mirror)

You’d think even with the back and forth between the two teams that Liverpool would have enough money left in case a deal could be made for their top transfer target.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is set to incur the wrath of boss Kevin Keegan by demanding forward Alan Smith be sold to Everton. (Various)

Things are not right at Newcastle. It goes deeper than Alan Smith but with previous chairman Chris Mort leaving this summer. Kevin Keegan getting hired then Newcastle bring in Dennis Wise to oversee transfers. Something Kevin Keegan figured was part of his job. This fragile partnership will snap at some point.

Everton boss David Moyes will up his bid to �13m for Joao Moutinho as he spends the money generated by the sale of striker Andy Johnson. (The Sun)

Teams in the top four can bully the likes of Sporting when it comes to a player. Teams like Everton will need to overpay for top young talent. That figure will not make Sporting blink.

Tottenham will switch their attentions away from Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin if his club do not lower their �19m asking price. (Daily Express)

Take it or leave it offer should be made. With Barcelona out of the picture it’s not like many teams are fighting it out over Arshavin. Either Zenit accept the offer or have an unhappy players on their hands.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is interested in bringing Reading striker Kevin Doyle to the club. (Daily Mail)

Kevin Doyle, you’ll guessed it is Irish. Shocked this is the first time I have heard this rumour.

Blackburn will wrap up a deal for Ghanaian midfielder Anthony Annan after he impressed on trial from IK Start but they will miss out on a move for MK Dons captain Keith Andrews. (Daily Mirror)

How Blackburn miss out on signing a player from league two is beyond me. That is like the Toronto Maple Leafs failing to sign a player from the ECHL.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says that the number of foreigners in the Premier League is not to blame for England’s problems on the international front. (Various)

He is right, it’s not like England were winning anything from 1967-1996 before the European invasion in the EPL started to take place.

sinnacle

Aug 9th, 2008, 06:23 AM

Fit-again Gary Neville accepts he has a tough battle with Wes Brown and John O�Shea to win back his Manchester United place. (PA Sport, 0900 BST)

Neville should accept that he will see the majority of his playing time come from FA and League Cup games.

As well as Dimitar Berbatov, Valencia�s David Villa, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Ajax and Lyon�s Karim Benzema are all on Sir Alex Ferguson�s four-man hit-list of new Manchester United strikers. (PA Sport, 0924 BST)

It�s either Berbatov or Huntelaar who has an outside chance. The English press just can�t seem to understand that Benzema has no desire to leave Lyon and the French Champions have no desire to sell him.

Brazilian striker Robinho is still desperate to join Chelsea after Real Madrid rebuffed the Blues� opening �21m offer. (Various)

It is a low ball offer all things considered. It would take 35 million pounds for Madrid consider it.

The Toffees are closing in on Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito while Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho is also a target. (Daily Mail)

Milito can be had a lot easier than Moutinho.

Freddie Ljungberg is considering an offer to join David Beckham at LA Galaxy in a bid to crack America. (Daily Mirror)

Unless Ljungberg can play defence it won�t help LA much.

sinnacle

Aug 10th, 2008, 05:44 AM

Liverpool�s American owners will put in an �18m bid for Valencia winger David Silva, who starred for Spain at the European Championships. (News of the World)

a) 18 million pounds wouldn�t be enough for Silva and more importantly b) If Valencia do wish to sell then Barcelona would be in the picture. I�d wish Liverpool luck at that point convincing the player to play in Liverpool instead of Barcelona.

And Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is not ruling out the sale of Xabi Alonso as he still wants to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. (Observer)

Love how Rafa recently said that Xabi can go at the right price. I wonder what triggered that? Oh, maybe because the entire summer you have been trying to peddle him to other European teams.

AC Milan star Kaka believes he could be a Chelsea player by the end of the month. (Observer)

A.C Milan is already in a mess after losing to 5-0 against Chelsea last week and 1-0 against Manchester City the other day. The last thing they are going to do is incur the wrath of their fans by selling Kaka.

Everton are set to sign Brazilian striker Vagner Love from CSKA Moscow in a club-record deal. (Various)

Just love that name. Love proved in the Champions League that he can score against top teams. (Had a couple of good games against Inter Milan) Considering he is a Brazilian International, Everton could do a lot worse in the transfer market.

Arsenal are ready to make an �8m move for Michael Johnson after the young central midfielder rejected a new deal at Manchester City. (Sunday Express)

I�d want to ship jump as well. Manchester City is not a well run football club. Their the Los Angeles Clippers of the EPL.

There�s more turmoil at Manchester City� the club�s hierarchy have agreed the sale of midfielder Stephen Ireland to Sunderland without telling Mark Hughes. (Mail on Sunday)

Case in point

Portsmouth will unveil Younes Kaboul on Monday after he agreed a �6m move from Tottenham. (News of the World)

Perfect team for a player of Kaboul talents. His size and strength will fit hand in glove within the Portsmouth set up.

sinnacle

Aug 11th, 2008, 04:09 AM

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to rule out a move for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, as Tottenham are stalling over the sale of Dimitar Berbatov. (Various)

Henry is just a smoke screen. Just can�t see him playing for Manchester United. Berbatov is the player United really have an eye out for. It makes them stronger while at the same time weakening a rival.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos has told Berbatov he will make him stay at the club. (The Sun, Daily Telegraph)

Ramos is use to selling his top players from his days at Sevilla. It may appear he�ll have to get use to that again with Tottenham.

AC Milan�s Brazil star Kaka is set to join Chelsea before the end of the month in a world-record �78m deal. (Various)

Newspapers make it sound so easy. So much work has to go on behind the scenes to make even the smallest transfer happen. Never mind one of this size. Without Kaka, Milan may not even see itself playing in the UEFA Cup come 2009.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has now decided he will see out the remaining two years on his contract at Stamford Bridge. (Various)

By November Drogba will make nosies about leaving again.

Arsenal are considering a move for Udinese�s Gokhan Inler and Real Madrid�s Ruben de la Red. (Daily Telegraph)

Arsenal have always been considering those two players. I�ll give Arsenal credit for this. In the transfer market they don�t leak out much in the press trying to unsettle players. They�ll deal directly with the club in question until a deal can be worked out.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has finally won the race to sign �6m defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham. (Various)

Good cover for Sol Campbell and can also feature in midfield. Campbell looked every bit his age during yesterdays Community Shield.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is ready with a �5m bid for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor. (The Sun)

Why? The last position Newcastle need to strengthen is in Goal.

Everton are close to signing Brazilian striker Vagner Love. (The Guardian)

Looks like Vagner Love will be coming on a one year loan with an option to buy.

Toffees boss David Moyes will also wrap up a deal for Newcastle striker Alan Smith this week. (Daily Mail)

Worth the gamble if Everton can sign him at the reported 3 million pound price tag. His dreadful season wasn�t down to lack of effort last season. Maybe a new team will do Smith some good.

Corluka has insisted he wants to join Tottenham despite Man City issuing a statement saying he was staying at Eastlands. (The Sun)

Just brilliant Manchester City. Way to lead one of your best young players out the door.

Aston Villa are to make a move for Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar. (Various)

With Rangers out of Europe entirely teams will start calling about Cuellar who had a terrific season leading the back line.

Stoke want to sign 6ft 8in Valencia hitman Nikola Zigic. (The Sun)

Big fan on Zigic. His game is more suited towards the EPL style anyway. Quite a coup if they can sign the Serbian international.

Dubai International Capital are still interested in buying Liverpool from American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. (Daily Telegraph)

Perfect timing for Dubai International Capital to let this rumor leak out a week before the start of the EPL season.

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has refused to return to Thailand to face corruption charges - further harming his chances of releasing �800m of frozen assets. (Daily Mail)

If Shinawatra bought a team in the NFL, MLB or NBA there would be no way that his ownership application would be approved. The NHL will accept anyone not named Jim Basille. Cash on hand or clear criminal record not considered an issue.

Pascal Chimbonda risked upsetting Sunderland boss Roy Keane by parking his car in the manager�s space on his first day at his new club. (Daily Mirror)

Would love to see the look on Roy Keane as he drove into the parking lot.

Former England skipper and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker says Cristiano Ronaldo is the most talented footballer he has ever seen. (The Sun)

There you have it from the man who played against Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup Semi Finals.

Generally don't shill for my site except for the link at the bottom but by the morning part one (of five) of my EPL preview will be online. The link if you wish to read is already provided in my signature.

Again thanks to all who check out and add to this thread.

maebach

Aug 11th, 2008, 09:30 AM

Liverpool are so messed up. How can they say Barry is over priced when he's replaced Carrick and Hargreaves on the ENglish team. Carrick cost man utd. about 18m as well. It seems they want to sell Kuyt for 16m (8m at best) and Alonso for 16m and replace Alonso with Barry who they want to pay 12m-16m for. If you're going to replace a player with a better player you usually have to pay more.

sinnacle

Aug 12th, 2008, 04:49 AM

Barcelona look set to block a move by Manchester United for Thierry Henry by playing the former Arsenal striker in the Champions League on Wednesday. (Daily Star)

In case anyone is wondering, Henry playing for Barcelona in the Champions League would block him from appearing for Manchester United in the Champions League. Stranger things have happen but this rumor just makes a catchy headline. The reality of it is Henry has too much devotion towards Arsenal fans to make such a move.

Former Arsenal star Ian Wright said he would not blame Thierry Henry if he chose to join the Gunners� rivals Manchester United. (The Sun)

Don�t think many Arsenal fans would be of the same mind set.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to land Spain�s Euro 2008 star David Silva from Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

But Spanish forward Silva has delivered a huge snub to Liverpool and United by insisting he will not move to the Premier League. (Daily Star)

I know the whole Ronaldo saga had an effect on United transfers plans but it is unlike Manchester United to watch until the final weeks of the transfer market to make a move. Last year�s move for Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves were wrapped up shortly after the season ended. Even Carlos Tevez was a United player by the start of training camp.

Manchester United are determined to complete the signing of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the start of the season but relations between the two clubs remain frosty. (The Times)

Frosty is putting it mildly. Tottenham want to consider themselves a big team in European football. When you are forced to sell players to Manchester United and Liverpool it puts a damper on elite team status. That and finishing 13th last year didn�t help.

Chelsea will step up their bid to land Real Madrid striker Robinho by upping their offer to �25m. (Daily Mirror)

Offer Porto �25m for Ricardo Quaresma, problem solved. Chelsea is not going to force Real Madrid�s hand in the transfer market.

Chelsea�s Joe Cole is demanding assurances over his future after Liverpool declared an interest in buying the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

Little late in the transfer season for Liverpool to declare an interest in Cole. With a new coach in place their are no assurances. Cole will be given his chance, if he plays well Cole will stay in the starting 11. If he doesn�t he�ll be quickly replaced.

The Blues are preparing to cut their losses by selling defender Branislav Ivanovic to AC Milan. (The Times)

Many fond memories of the Ivanovic era and his zero appearances for Chelsea.

Roque Santa Cruz is set for crunch talks at Blackburn in an attempt to resolve his future as the striker wants to leave for Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

This rumor is two weeks behind. Where is Manchester City going to raise the funds for Santa Cruz? It doesn�t help that Thailand is freezing over a billion dollars in assets from team owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

Newcastle are closing in on a deal for Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock. (Daily Mail)

Yesterday made mention that a goalie is the last thing Newcastle could use. On the flip side a steady defender like Stephen Warnock can always come in handy.

Sunderland have launched a fresh bid for Leighton Baines from Everton for �6m. (Various)

Should be good enough for Everton. They in turn can use that transfer fee in other places. When Baines did return from injury it seems that he didn�t do enough to impress Everton boss David Moyes.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is set to snap up Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan has had success tapping the South American market with Antonio Valencia and Steve Bruce is of the same mindset as he found current Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios while he was coach at Birmingham.

Hull�s proposed move for Claudio Pizarro has stalled over the player�s wages. (Daily Telegraph)

The Tigers have asked Roman Abramovich to help fund the deal for the striker, who earns �3m a year. (Daily Star)

Pizarro couldn�t do anything even with the service provided to him from the Chelsea midfield. Why would Hull think he will be a success with the service from Hull's midfield. Pizarro is a striker that is just not cut for life in the EPL.

sinnacle

Aug 13th, 2008, 04:00 AM

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov after tabling a bid believed to be about �28m. (Various)

Knew Henry was just a smoke screen and Berbatov was the transfer target United have been locked in on all along. Personality aside Berbatov is a striker who has a proven track record of success in the EPL.

United have even delayed having their official team photo so they can include the Bulgarian. (Daily Mirror)

Or maybe Ronaldo is making sure his hair looks just right?

Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock, 26, has handed in a transfer request to push through a �4m move to Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

Money aside could see why Warnock would want to leave Blackburn. He signed there because of Mark Hughes now he has to start over with a head coach that has no experience coaching in the top flight of English Football

Rovers have told Manchester City that striker Roque Santa Cruz, 26, is not for sale. (The Sun)

They said the same thing about David Bentley three weeks ago.

Aston Villa have renewed their interest in Newcastle midfielder James Milner who is valued at �6m. (Daily Mail)

Despite the whole Gareth Barry, Villa have quietly gone about their business in the transfer market and added quality players at reasonable prices with Sidwell, Guzan, Shorey, and just recently Carlos Cuellar.

Chelsea captain John Terry has hit back at Man Utd claiming that the Premier League champions have hit their peak and that his side are capable of overtaking them this season. (Various)

All due respect to John Terry but before you speak out and try to take a shot at United you should focus on earning redemption. Nobody is really going to take you seriously until then. After all during the biggest kick of you life you did end up falling on your ass.

Blackburn have installed a prayer room at Ewood Park, becoming the first Premier League club to do so. The room replaces a toilet block and includes prayer mats and religious texts so supporters can worship. (The Sun)

Blackburn will need to pray to a high power if they are to even repeat there EPL position of last year. They need all the help they can get.

kramerz80

Aug 29th, 2008, 02:00 PM

We miss the updates Sinnacle!

flexwong

Aug 29th, 2008, 03:58 PM

We miss the updates Sinnacle!

lol, the season's already started mate, transfer news are interesting anymore.

krash322

Aug 30th, 2008, 02:29 PM

There's still a few days left in the transfer window. Two big names could yet move, Robinho and Berbatov. Though I think both are over-rated.

sinnacle

Sep 2nd, 2008, 05:34 AM

We miss the updates Sinnacle!

I still post them on my site. Even today which is the day after the transfer window. I figured people just got bored of it and I didn't wish to clog up the board. I'd be happy to still post them here if you people are interested.

Thanks for the kind words by the way.

Below are stuff from today.

Everton manager David Moyes was turned down when he made a cheeky enquiry about taking Newcastle�s former Liverpool striker Michael Owen back to Merseyside. (The Sun)

The order of this transfer session was Everton being turned down left and right. I�ll reserve judgment on the 15 million pound transfer of Marouane Fellaini but my initial opinion was that it�s a last minute panic buy. An expensive one at that.

But the Toffees have agreed a record �12m deal for CSKA Moscow�s Brazilian star Vagner Love - but he will not arrive until January as CSKA have demanded that the forward stays until the end of the Russian season. (Daily Mirror)

Reasoning makes sense. CSKA Moscow already let go of follow Brazilian striker Jo to Manchester City in this transfer window so it�s possible that they seek to hold on to Vagner Love until the end of their season.

Abu Dhabi United Group considered buying Arsenal, Liverpool or Newcastle before choosing Manchester City. (The Sun)

More like Manchester City choose them. Right place at the right time as former owner Thaksin Shinawatra needed the money and needed it A.S.A.P and one thing the Abu Dhabi United Group have in large supply is money.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is battling to be fit for England�s World Cup qualifying match against Andorra on Saturday after injuring a thigh muscle. (The Sun)

You know Lampard is going to do everything possible to be fit for that game. With Steven Gerrard hurt he�ll get to cover his preferred central midfield by himself. This will be Lampard�s best chance to impress England coach Fabio Capello. In a choice between Lampard and Steven Gerrard odds are Capello would go with Gerrard ahead of Lampard.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane, who has recruited nine players this summer, has admitted the influx of new faces into his club has to stop. (The Telegraph)

Has no other choice now that the transfer window has closed until January.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed he wants to manage the Anfield club one day and knock Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson �off his perch�. (Daily Mirror)

Wish him luck with that. It is on Carragher watch as a player that Manchester United have blown by Liverpool in the past ten years.

RayK

Sep 2nd, 2008, 11:50 AM

You forgot about Keegan leaving Newcastle...didn't expect that to happen so early haha

sinnacle

Sep 2nd, 2008, 12:30 PM

You forgot about Keegan leaving Newcastle...didn't expect that to happen so early haha

It's been on the site for 6 hours

http://www.sinnacle.com/2008/09/02/keegan-out

It happen after I posted my EPL Gossip Thread which I do around 3-4 AM EST which is usually when the daily papers come online England. Anything after I just leave up on the site.

Not that I except anyone to be dying for my opinion but this is what I had to say.

Keegan Leaves Newcastle?

According to BBC Radio Newcastle, Kevin Keegan has left Newcastle United this morning after a meeting with club owner Mike Ashley�

Article (http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=845826)

Yes I know I�m jumping the gun here. This wouldn�t shock me at all however. Keegan has a history of quitting teams he wasn�t committed too or felt ownership wasn�t committed to him. This was a shaky partnership from the day Newcastle hired Keegan only to insert Dennis Wise as his boss a week later without Keegan knowledge.

If Keegan does leave I�ll pat myself on the back in advance.

From my July 31st EPL Gossip post.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley says he�s not a gambling man after finding himself as the favourite to be the first Premier League boss to be sacked this season. (Various)

One would of made a nice return betting on Jose Mourinho to be the first manager let go last year. Sadly I think Newcastle will get tired of Kevin Keegan quickly if King Kev doesn�t get his team off to a good start.

Link (http://www.sinnacle.com/2008/07/31/epl-gossip-thursday-july-31st)

Ok, so the reasoning behind why Keegan will be let go is a tad off.

NDman

Sep 2nd, 2008, 01:22 PM

I still post them on my site. Even today which is the day after the transfer window. I figured people just got bored of it and I didn't wish to clog up the board. I'd be happy to still post them here if you people are interested.

Absolutely! I also have been checking the site too, but not as often as I check RFD. :) Thanks for the updates

sinnacle

Sep 2nd, 2008, 02:19 PM

It's been on the site for 6 hours

http://www.sinnacle.com/2008/09/02/keegan-out

It happen after I posted my EPL Gossip Thread which I do around 3-4 AM EST which is usually when the daily papers come online England. Anything after I just leave up on the site.

Not that I except anyone to be dying for my opinion but this is what I had to say.

Keegan Leaves Newcastle?

According to BBC Radio Newcastle, Kevin Keegan has left Newcastle United this morning after a meeting with club owner Mike Ashley…

Article (http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=845826)

Yes I know I’m jumping the gun here. This wouldn’t shock me at all however. Keegan has a history of quitting teams he wasn’t committed too or felt ownership wasn’t committed to him. This was a shaky partnership from the day Newcastle hired Keegan only to insert Dennis Wise as his boss a week later without Keegan knowledge.

If Keegan does leave I’ll pat myself on the back in advance.

From my July 31st EPL Gossip post.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley says he’s not a gambling man after finding himself as the favourite to be the first Premier League boss to be sacked this season. (Various)

One would of made a nice return betting on Jose Mourinho to be the first manager let go last year. Sadly I think Newcastle will get tired of Kevin Keegan quickly if King Kev doesn’t get his team off to a good start.

Link (http://www.sinnacle.com/2008/07/31/epl-gossip-thursday-july-31st)

Ok, so the reasoning behind why Keegan will be let go is a tad off.

grrrrr after what I said above.

Official: Keegan Staying!
Kevin Keegan will remain as manager of Newcastle United despite reports throughout today suggesting that the former England boss had been sacked from his role at the club.

Weird day.

RayK

Sep 2nd, 2008, 02:39 PM

Weird day.

Indeed, thanks for your opinions!

sinnacle

Sep 2nd, 2008, 03:18 PM

Indeed, thanks for your opinions!

No worries, thank you for checking out the thread and adding to it.

elty

Sep 2nd, 2008, 05:28 PM

New boss at Man City said they are going to bid 130 million pounds on C. Ronaldo next January.

sinnacle

Sep 3rd, 2008, 03:54 AM

We dedicated this post to you Kevin Keegan.

Kevin Keegan�s row with the Newcastle hierarchy centred on owner Mike Ashley trying to sell striker Michael Owen and midfielder Joey Barton without the manager�s consent. (Various)

Keegan is being forced out of Newcastle after a bitter rift over transfers with executive director Dennis Wise. (Various)

Keegan is consulting his legal team and could launch a claim for constructive dismissal against Newcastle owner Ashley. (Daily Mail)

Keegan is facing the end of his Newcastle reign and a multi-million pound compensation battle with the club�s hierarchy.(Various)

Wise and his former assistant at Leeds, Gus Poyet, who is now first-team coach at Tottenham, are in line to take over at St James� Park if Keegan�s departure is confirmed. (Various)

Typical Newcastle. I actually have a soft spot for Newcastle fans who stay so passionate about their team and receive so little in return. Newcastle as a club is like the guy on the block who dreams big, has big plans but everyone knows that it�s not going to get off the ground. Something bad along the way will happen that will crush those dreams. Well that is Newcastle in a nutshell. They mean well and I really do believe they want to win but have no idea how to go about it.

Manchester City�s new owners will follow up a �135m bid for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo with offers for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Arsenal midfield man Cesc Fabregas. (The Times)

You know it wouldn�t be long before the papers ran with that headline. It�s not like I know Ronaldo personality but he doesn�t seem to be the type solely motivated by money. He wanted to play for Real Madrid because it was closer to his home/family in Madeira, weather/lifestyle and Ronaldo felt he accomplished everything possible at Manchester United. Unless Manchester City can find a way to move closer to sunny Spain this is just a fantasy that will never come true.

As for Torres and Fabregas both are tied to the hip of their coaches. Provided Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger are on board neither player has shown a desire to look elsewhere.

Everton pulled out of a deal for Newcastle striker Alan Smith on deadline day after discovering his price tag had increased from �2.8m. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle should of took that �2.8m million pound fee and cut bait. Considering his salary compared to his production Newcastle would of been wise to let Smith go. He�ll have a hard time becoming the player he was at Leeds and at Manchester United before he snapped his ankle.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has demanded significant funds to strengthen his squad in January after losing out on Robinho to Manchester City. (The Times)

Scolari is feeling �angry and let down� by Chelsea�s failure to sign Robinho. (The Sun)

Even with significant funds there will be a lack of quality players available come the January transfer window. Most of the big name player movement happens before the season gets going.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett could be ready to sell to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed. (The Times)

For the sake of Liverpool fan�s this is one headline they don�t need right now. The best thing Hicks and Gillett can do is not even entertain thoughts of selling the club until the season is over and publicly state that.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley�s future is in doubt after he was unhappy at the deadline day sale of defender George McCartney to Sunderland. (Various)

Losing Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to Sunderland without replacing them will leave them thin on defense until the January transfer window.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher�s book reveals how Sven-Goran Eriksson offered dating advice to England�s players when he said: �There�s no need to have girls in the team hotel. If you see someone you like, just get her phone number and arrange to go to her house after the game. Then we will have no problems.�

Sven's a player. That is one wise man right there.

krash322

Sep 4th, 2008, 01:04 AM

The EPL and the British press is a match made in heaven.

sinnacle

Sep 4th, 2008, 03:52 AM

The EPL and the British press is a match made in heaven.

Al Strachan would be in heaven over in England if he knew anything about soccer.

sinnacle

Sep 4th, 2008, 03:54 AM

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic heads the shortlist to become West Ham�s new manager after Alan Curbishley�s resignation. (Various)

However, Bilic would prefer to continue as Croatia coach. (The Times)

Bilic has doubts about the strength of West Ham�s squad, but the Hammers remain confident they can persuade him to join them. (Independent)

Why would Bilic leave Croatia now? He could of left after Euro 2008 since he would know that he�d be at the top of most teams coaching list down the road but stayed on with Croatia despite knowing that more money would of been out there waiting for him.

Former Lazio and Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is also on West Ham�s shortlist. (Daily Mirror)

Love it when teams float a big name coach that would have no interest in taking over in order for the team to seem big and important in comparison.

Don�t worry the papers didn�t forget about you Newcastle.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will only stay at the club if Dennis Wise�s role is redefined. (The Guardian)

Keegan has delivered an ultimatum to Newcastle, declaring he will leave if Wise is not sacked. (Various)

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will face a player revolt, led by Michael Owen, if Keegan leaves. (Daily Telegraph)

What has Dennis Wise ever won? Sure you can say the same about Keegan the coach but he has the respect of the fans and it seems like the players as well.

Manchester City are determined to capture Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy in the January transfer window. (Telegraph)

Not a chance that Ruud would leave mid season. End of season maybe if Real Madrid can find replacements up front.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is looking for a billionaire to buy club and help them compete with the likes of Manchester City. (Various)

One would think Billionaires grow on trees in the EPL.

Brazil legend Pele believes new Manchester City signing Robinho needs �counselling� for turning his back on Chelsea and moving to Eastlands instead. (The Sun)

Maybe so but one thing Robinho won�t be needing is a loan anytime soon.

sinnacle

Sep 5th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Somewhat of a slow day as the teams prepare for World Cup qualifiers tomorrow.

Brazil legend Zico and former Juventus coach Didier Deschamps are other names in the hat to succeed Keegan. (The Daily Telegraph)

Zico would be a disaster in the EPL. Deschamps at least makes sense has he made public back in January he was interested in taking over at Newcastle.

West Ham have drawn up a shortlist of contenders to succeed Alan Curbishley as manager, with Zola, Slaven Bilic, Roberto Donadoni, John Collins, Michael Laudrup, Roberto Mancini and Gerard Houllier all making the cut. (Various)

Zola, and Collins can be had. The rest just don�t see them jumping at the chance to coach West Ham.

Former Hammers boss Alan Pardew, now at Charlton, is a surprise contender for the post. (Daily Star)

Sure hire back the coach that tried his best to get West Ham regulated back in 2006-07. Also was the coach that kept Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano on the bench when both were West Ham players.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists he will be in charge of the players who come into Eastlands, despite the huge riches of the new Arabian investors. (Various)

Sure he is. Much like he had no idea about the Robinho transfer until it happened.

Robbie Fowler is ready to accept a cut-price pay deal with Blackburn in order to get a one-year deal. (Daily Mirror)

It�s not like many EPL teams are calling for the former Liverpool striker�s services.

Theo Walcott is set to start for England against Andorra on Saturday, in place of David Beckham. (Daily Mirror)

I could have a good game against Andorra. Would be good for Walcott�s confidence to have a good 90 minutes against Andorra mind you.

sinnacle

Sep 6th, 2008, 05:44 AM

The newspaper must love Newcastle for giving them so much to talk about during the International break.

Alan Shearer has ruled himself out of becoming the next Newcastle manager because he wouldn�t be able to work with a system that didn�t allow him the control of buying new players. (Sun)

Shearer distanced himself from the Newcastle job when it was last available back in January. Should shock no one considering Newcastle current state that Shearer has repeated that stance.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is preparing to sell the club for �250m after accepting he�s lost his popularity with the fans after Kevin Keegan�s departure. (Daily Mirror)

That would be over a 100 million pound profit from what Ashley paid for Newcastle last year.

Tottenham assistant coach Gus Poyet is the bookies� favourite to get the Magpies job. (The Daily Telegraph).

Poyet would be setting himself up for failure taking that job. If a coach makes a mistake with his first head coaching job it could end up being his last.

Kevin Keegan stunned owner Mike Ashley by asking for �200m to bring in David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard to Newcastle before he quit. (Sun)

Somebody from inside Newcastle is trying to discredit Kevin Keegan with that one.

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, is due to fly in for an interview with West Ham on Saturday. (Daily Express)

Maybe he wishes to shop in London.

Aston Villa have been told they must increase their offer to �18m to buy Dean Ashton from West Ham in January. (Daily Mirror)

If Aston Villa are within striking distance of the top four by January they just may pull the trigger provided that offer is still on the table by then.

krash322

Sep 6th, 2008, 12:52 PM

LOL @ Keegan wanting $200M to buy Becks, Henry and Lumpy :lol:

Seriously, do they think people believe everything that they print? Is the Sun not afraid that they will be ridiculed?

sweeper

Sep 6th, 2008, 03:55 PM

EPL is turning into a joke. The Billionaires Playground.

sinnacle

Sep 8th, 2008, 05:35 AM

Owner Mike Ashley said in an interview with Newcastle’s official magazine in August that only players with Kevin Keegan’s approval would be bought - contradicting the club’s recent statement about their ex-manager. (Various)

The more I think about it, the more I think Keegan must brought in mainly as a public relations exercise. Keegan by that point was out of the coaching spotlight when he was bought back. Soon after he was undercut with not having the power to run his own ship which lead to this messy divorce.

Bilic says he is “not going anywhere” and has ruled out becoming manager of either West Ham or Newcastle. (The Sun)

The Croatian Football Federation has threatened legal action if West Ham try to speak to Bilic before the game against England on Wednesday. (Daily Mirror)

Don’t think one has another to do with the other but it is curious timing to say the least.

Plymouth are keen to seal a loan deal for Stoke midfielder Glen Whelan. (Daily Mail)

So much for Whelan being my key player for Stoke this season.

Chelsea midfielder Deco believes the only reason Robinho swapped Real Madrid for Manchester City could be money-related. (Daily Mail)

Not exactly the smartest thing to say right before Chelsea and Manchester City are to meet. Not exactly wrong either however.

Manchester City’s prospective new owners ADUG want to create club-branded energy drinks, fast-food outlets, phone cards and even cars and scooters. (Daily Mail)

Thinking about eating a burger and fries doesn’t lead me to think about Manchester City. Something is off with the marketing.

Tofu Drift Shinji

Sep 8th, 2008, 09:12 AM

Nice to have you back, Sinnacle! I, for one, really appreciate the daily updates!

sinnacle

Sep 8th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Nice to have you back, Sinnacle! I, for one, really appreciate the daily updates!

Thank you. I enjoy doing it and the feedback I get.

sinnacle

Sep 9th, 2008, 06:32 AM

Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet is on the brink of becoming Newcastle�s new manager after the 40-year-old Uruguayan met club officials in London. (The Sun)

I�ll wish Dennis Wise former number two at Leeds luck if he becomes the next Newcastle head coach. It�s not like Poyet is having a world of success with Tottenham.

Gianfranco Zola, Didier Deschamps, Roberto Mancini and Slaven Bilic are believed to be the names on Newcastle�s managerial shortlist. (The Guardian)

It�s almost amusing seeing these newspapers still including Mancini and Bilic on any teams short list.

Zola will be offered the manager�s job at West Ham today after a second round of talks between the 42-year-old Italian and Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury. (Various)

Who doesn�t like Gianfranco Zola is all I can think about. Classy player on and off the field and one of the first international players to make the move to England.

World player of the year Kaka has said he will not leave AC Milan to join Manchester City. The 26-year-old Brazilian is a reported target for the club�s new owners, but Kaka says he will never ask to leave Milan and is happy to stay at the club. (Gazzetta dello Sport, 1014 BST)

Really don�t know how many times Kaka needs to say it. Despite what his agent may want he is loyal to A.C Milan.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also keeping an eye on 21-year-old Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, who impressed for Italy during the Olympics. (The Times)

Wenger is unlikely to cough up the cash for Giovinco and Juventus would be foolish to sell him for anything less than 15 million pounds.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, 25, could be out for six months after injuring his cruciate ligaments playing for Ghana on Friday. (The Sun)

For as great as Essien is he is still under rated. When Chelsea had injured players the last two years it was Essien who filled in at Centreback and Rightback over the last two seasons. Now is the time to see if John Obi Mikel can step up.

New Man Utd striker Dimitar Berbatov has moved into the Presidential Suite of the Lowry Hotel in Manchester for the next 12 weeks at a cost of �42,000 while he searches for a new home in the north west. (Daily Star)

Why don�t they also release his room number and check in name while at it?

Manchester City�s new owners, the Arab United Group for Development, plan to turn the club into one of the most recognisable brands in the world. The plan includes marketing soft drinks, cars, fast food restaurants and credit cards. (Daily Star)

The daily star is one day late with this.

sinnacle

Sep 10th, 2008, 07:22 AM

Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that he has accepted an offer to become West Ham boss and the club will announce his appointment on Wednesday. (Various)

Hopefully West Ham will afford rookie head coach Gianfranco Zola some time as with any new coach there will be a trial and error process.

Poyet is reluctant to go to St James� Park because he is aware of the hostility between Magpies fans and the Newcastle hierarchy. (Independent)

Smart man. Wouldn�t want my first head coaching job in such a matter. From the onset you�d be behind the 8 ball.

Manchester United and Chelsea are fighting to sign 16-year-old Danish defender Nicolai Boilsen from Brondby. (Daily Express)

Where soon after you�ll never hear of Nicolai Boilsen again. A few years training in the youth set up. A few years out on loan with a Championship club then either sold off or released is what usually happens.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says Steven Gerrard could be fit to face Manchester United on Saturday after missing England�s World Cup qualifiers this week. (The Sun)

If this happens and I was in charge of England it would be a long time before Gerrard would crack the starting lineup again.

Manchester City�s prospective new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, could replace the club�s current executive chairman Garry Cook with MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Guides or Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon. (The Guardian)

Manchester United fans sure know that Peter Kenyon can be had at the right price.

sweeper

Sep 10th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Manchester City’s new owners, the Arab United Group for Development, plan to turn the club into one of the most recognisable brands in the world. The plan includes marketing soft drinks, cars, fast food restaurants and credit cards. (Daily Star)

The daily star is one day late with this.

City Burgers :lol:

MCFC have already got a legion of glory seeking plastics supporting them. :lol:

sinnacle

Sep 11th, 2008, 10:07 AM

Newcastle want Blackburn boss Paul Ince to be their new manager. (Daily Mirror)

Last year Harry Redknapp this year Paul Ince. Can�t Newcastle look for a coach that doesn�t already have a job. Besides Paul Ince would be a fool to take the job at this point so soon after agreeing to coach Blackburn. It would be close to career suicide since once he is let go from Newcastle what owner is really going to trust Ince with another coaching job.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley wants a new boss installed in time for Saturday�s home game against Hull City. (The Sun)

Well he better get moving on that.

Tottenham first-team coach Gus Poyet, Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat and Russia coach Guus Hiddink are all under consideration for the Magpies post. (Daily Telegraph)

Silly newspapers. There is no way that Guus Hiddink is going to leave Russia for Newcastle.

Liverpool�s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are ready to sell the club but want �300m more than Sheikh Mohammed�s valuation of about �450m. (Daily Mirror)

That is not wanting to sell the club. That is the phrase everyone has a price coming into play. �750m is close to �500 more than Hicks and Gillett paid for the club.

Manchester City are spending �150,000 on a private plane to bring quartet Robinho, Elano, Jo and Pablo Zabaleta back from international duty in South America in time to face Chelsea on Saturday (The Sun).

Don�t think fuel prices are too much of a concern for the owners of Manchester City.

sinnacle

Sep 12th, 2008, 04:01 AM

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blasted Manchester City�s new owners and told them he would not sell midfielder Cesc Fabregas, even for �135m. (The Sun)

Not that I think there is anything behind Cesc Fabregas going to Manchester City but history does shown that Arsene Wenger has a price on every one of his players.

Arsenal are being linked with Brazilian midfielder Mineiro, 33, who left Hertha Berlin this summer. (Daily Mail)

That will stir excitement in the hearts and minds of Arsenal fans.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce admits he fears losing Emile Heskey for free when the England striker�s contract ends next summer. (Various)

If Heskey doesn�t sign a new deal with Wigan by January that is a sure sign that will be look to play elsewhere come next season.

Arsenal may leave new England sensation Theo Walcott on the bench for their game against Blackburn on Saturday. (Various)

However, they will also offer him a massive pay increase to fight off the threat of big-money bids. (Daily Express)

I�m sure leaving him on the bench will convince Walcott to commit his long term future to the club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has mocked Manchester City�s signing of Robinho: �What is worrying is that a player signs somewhere and the next day he doesn�t know where he has signed.� (The Sun)

It was kind of funny that during Robinho press conference he made mention of being happy signing for Chelsea instead of Manchester City.

sinnacle

Sep 13th, 2008, 07:34 AM

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley�s bid to lure back Kevin Keegan ended in stalemate and talks look unlikely to be resurrected. (Various)

Not sure why these talks lasted for 8 hours. Kevin Keegan would only come back if he is in charge of football affairs. That is something which Mike Ashley seems not willing to grant his former coach.

Blackburn manager Paul Ince has insisted he is �very happy� with his current job as speculation mounts he is a target to replace Keegan at Newcastle. (Various)

As he should be happy. He�d be shooting himself in the football long term if he took another job so soon after taking the Blackburn job.

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is one of several stars considering their futures at the club because of the managerial uncertainty. (Sun)

I think Michael Owen has already started to pack his bags since it�s unlikely he�ll sign on for more of the same with Newcastle.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has accused arch-rivals Tottenham of inflating the fees they got for Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. (Various)

Wenger should really be more concerned with his own team.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari insists his assistant Steve Clarke is making a �big mistake� by opting to move to West Ham under new boss Gianfranco Zola. (Daily Mirror)

Steve Clarke survived the transition from Mourinho to Grant last year which can only mean that Mr Clarke either didn�t like Scolari personally or didn�t like his role coaching the club.

sinnacle

Sep 13th, 2008, 09:37 AM

Enjoy your day Liverpool fans.

jr!

Sep 13th, 2008, 07:42 PM

Enjoy your day Liverpool fans.

I know I did!
The Reds' win coupled with Borussia Dortmund's incredible comeback from 3-nil down in the Ruhr Derby & I am a happy camper today!!

si18

Sep 13th, 2008, 10:34 PM

Enjoy your day Liverpool fans.

Yes enjoying every minute of it.... :D

sweeper

Sep 13th, 2008, 11:00 PM

lol @ robinho. hes gonna regret not signing for the chelsea rent boys once he realizes City are a hopeless case.

sinnacle

Sep 14th, 2008, 10:17 AM

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will put the club up for sale, with a rich individual from China and a consortium from the north-east having expressed preliminary interest in buying him out. (Mail on Sunday)

Ashley is ready to tell fans baying for his blood: Give me �1,000 each and you can run the club yourselves. (News of the World)

There should be more clubs in England that have fan ownership. There are no billionaires making a move for Barcelona or Real Madrid because the fans who own those teams will never sell it.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill wants to sign Wigan striker Emile Heskey for �3m but faces competition from the forward�s former club Liverpool. (News of the World)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will bid �6m for Middlesbrough striker Mido in January. Bruce wants the Egyptian to replace Heskey, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave at the end of the season. (The People)

The last line says it all. Heskey can walk away for nothing at the end of the year. With Amr Zaki stealing the spotlight with his goal scoring Wigan may do business for Heskey come the new year.

Arsenal will go head-to-head with Manchester United for �16m-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. (News of the World)

Arsenal is not going to go toe to toe in the transfer market. Atleast not at that price. Besides every top club was linked with Veloso and none made a move. With Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick hurt quite a bit United may decide to bring in another midfielder next season.

Chelsea have reignited their interest in Gareth Barry and are ready to bid for the Aston Villa midfielder in January. (The People)

Aston Villa fans must be going not this again.

Sunderland will have to smash their record transfer fee and pay �13m to make French striker Djibril Cisse�s loan move permanent. (The People)

Cisse is just about the best striker that would be willingly to play for Sunderland but that still doesn�t make him worth 13 million pounds.

Striker Alessandro Del Piero has hinted he might seek a move to the Premier League when his contract with Juventus expires in 2010. (The Observer)

Can�t think of a player that is more unsuited to life in the Premier League than Alessandro Del Piero.

sinnacle

Sep 15th, 2008, 03:46 AM

Director of football Dennis Wise and managing director Derek Llambias will also leave the Magpies once owner Mike Ashley finds a new buyer. (The Times)

Don�t think they will be many Newcastle fans that would shed a tear if this became a reality.

The Dubai royal family and Indian billionaire Anil Ambani are the favourites to buy the St James� Park outfit. (Daily Express)

Chinese property developer Xu Rongmao is keen on the north-east club, with a view to exploiting the commercially valuable land surrounding the stadium. (The Guardian)

Members of Newcastle�s management team have been in Dubai over the weekend seeking a buyer for the club. (The Times)

Is there not an English billionaire around that is willing to purchase a football club?

Chelsea have told West Ham that they will need to pay �1.2m in compensation if they want to prise assistant boss Steve Clarke away from Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

But the Hammers believe a figure of �600,000 is more realistic. (Daily Mail)

Clarke�s proposed move to work with new West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could end up in court, with Chelsea seeking up to �5m in compensation. (Various)

West Ham are willing to pay up to �1m to secure Clarke�s services but the collapse of their shirt sponsors XL has left them with little room for manoeuvre. (The Independent)

From 600 000 pounds all the way to up 5 million pounds. One thing is for certain Chelsea wants something in return for letting Clarke out of his contact.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent much of the summer angling for a move to Real Madrid, believes the Old Trafford faithful will forgive him when he returns to action. �I�m already in the history of the club,� he said. �When I play the fans will love me again.� (Various)

He�ll need to make a minor edit to that. When he scores the fans will love him again. After United�s loss to Liverpool the pressure will be on Ronaldo to perform against Chelsea.

xopt1js

Sep 15th, 2008, 10:35 PM

Thanks and keep up the good work sinnacle. :)

krash322

Sep 15th, 2008, 11:44 PM

God, we need some healthy bodies back!

sinnacle

Sep 16th, 2008, 01:59 AM

Thanks and keep up the good work sinnacle. :)

And thank you for reading the thread.

sinnacle

Sep 16th, 2008, 02:02 AM

God, we need some healthy bodies back!

Big game this upcoming Sunday with Chelsea. Was always curious to see how a game between a Sir Alex Ferguson side and Scolari side would play out since the two never got along when Scolari was coaching Portugal. Come Sunday I'll have a better idea.

sinnacle

Sep 16th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Ronaldo - the original Brazilian version, who is battling to overcome a serious knee injury - claims to have been offered a contract by Manchester City. �It is the best offer I have received and it will be very interesting to play with Robinho. Together we can score more than 50 goals.� (Various)

Only if Robinho can score 49 goals because with Ronaldo there can only be one ending. He�ll play a couple of games before one body part or another will break down. Ronaldo would only go to Manchester City for one thing and that is money. I�ll hope Ronaldo will rediscover his passion for the game but I doubt that will be the case at Manchester City.

Arsenal have cooled their interest in out-of-contract Brazilian midfielder Mineiro, clearing the way for Birmingham and Chelsea to pursue the 33-year-old. (Daily Star)

Hmmm Birmingham or Chelsea I wonder what Mineiro�s decision would be? If Chelsea are serious about adding Mineiro then he�ll sign on with Chelsea.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has been assured that he is not expected to deliver Champions League football this season. (Daily Mail)

Juande Ramos also wants to reassure Tottenham fans that he is not going to deliver Champions League football this season either.

Chelsea had to settle for a figure of about �1m in compensation for their long-serving assistant boss Steve Clarke joining West Ham. (Various)

Not a bad amount for a member of their backroom staff.

Liverpool may offer centre-back Daniel Agger a new deal, with the Danish international growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities. (The Times, Daily Mirror)

Agger has been moth balled on the Liverpool bench every since he got injured last season. Wouldn�t be shocked if he too moves on next season.

Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie may face an additional Football Association ban for his tackle on Hull striker Craig Fagan. (Various)

These types of things happen when you break a guy�s leg. Classless move taking out your frustrations on another player.

jr!

Sep 16th, 2008, 10:17 PM

Agger is going nowhere. He's currently out of game shape & Skrtel has been steady of late. Agger & Skrtel are the centre backs of the future with Liverpool FC, and Agger when healthy is a far superior player to Skrtel.

sinnacle

Sep 17th, 2008, 03:56 AM

Owner Mike Ashley is asking for �481m for Newcastle - a profit of �230m. (Sun)

What happens if someone offers �480 million for Newcastle. Is that one million going to make or break the deal? Why is Mike Ashley wanting such a weird amount in the first place?

A consortium linked to Dubai Sports City has emerged as the frontrunner to take over Newcastle. (Daily Mail)

Zabeel Investments, part of Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Maktoum�s Dubai Holding, have told Ashley to lower his �480m asking price. (Star)

However, Zabeel may only be showing an interest in Newcastle in order to force Liverpool�s owners to sell. (Guardian)

Zabeel is trying to force Liverpool�s hand with Newcastle? Really? That is like going to a Porsche dealership and threating to buy a Honda instead if they don�t accept your asking place.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has turned his back on a �1m a year move to Arsenal. (Sun)

Lawwell will take on the role, and the appointment will be confirmed on Thursday. (Times)

One of these reports are way off.

The Premier League wants to introduce a new rule next season which will mean every club must include two under-21 players from their academy. (Daily Telegraph)

Not the worse idea that the Premier League has ever considered. Would at least make UEFA and FIFA happy. Unlikely the uproar caused last year with the 39th game being played overseas.

The Abu Dhabi United Group will complete their �200m takeover of Manchester City in the next 24 hours and will immediately give manager Mark Hughes a vote of confidence. (Times)

Avram Grant was given votes of confidence as well. Manchester City will need to make a deep run in this year�s UEFA Cup and finish in the top six in order for Hughes job not to be on thin ice.

sinnacle

Sep 18th, 2008, 03:38 AM

David O�Leary could take temporary charge of Newcastle while the club sorts out its future. (The Sun)

The key word for Newcastle fans there is temporary. O�Leary�s glory days coaching Leeds United seem to be a million years ago considering all that has happened at Leeds since then.

Hull striker Craig Fagan may take legal action against Danny Guthrie over his broken leg. (Daily Mail)

Former Manchester United youth player Ben Collett won a 4.3 million pound court judgment when his career was ended by a broken leg. You had to have known that other players would consider following suit if the same occurred to them.

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos says Dimitar Berbatov�s last-gasp move to Manchester United was their biggest blow as it left them no time to sign a replacement. (Daily Mirror)

Stop making excuses. Ramos knew for an entire summer that Berbatov wasn�t happy and Manchester United were interested. Plus didn�t Tottenham sign a replacement in Roman Pavlyuchenko anyway?

West Ham striker Dean Ashton will be out for up to four weeks after twisting his ankle in new manager Gianfranco Zola�s first training session. (The Sun)

If Dean Ashton could only stay fit he�d be a regular England international.

Aston Villa�s Stiliyan Petrov is such a big star back in Bulgaria that his wedding was shown live on national television. (Daily Star)

The second highest rated TV show in Bulgaria is when happy go lucky Dimitar Berbatov wears his goth gear and introduces music videos by the Cure.

sinnacle

Sep 19th, 2008, 04:30 AM

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Keegan for quitting as Newcastle boss and Alan Curbishley for leaving West Ham �because they went on a matter of principle�. (The Sun)

Arsene Wenger also echoed the same statements and both are right with their opinion. Keegan and Curbishley were each set up to be the fall guy and neither were going to go for that without having a say in player personnel.

England striker Emile Heskey, whose contract expires next summer, insists he is happy with life at Wigan, despite being linked with a move away from the JJB Stadium. (Daily Star)

What is Heskey going to say? �I�m going to wait til the end of the season and sign for the highest bidder.� Not exactly the smartest thing to go about saying.

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt could make a January switch to Hamburg after admitting he would love to play for Jol. (The Sun)

No way Liverpool let�s Kuyt go this season. He is too important in Rafa Bentiez game plan to let him go mid season.

Manchester United players admit that falling nine points behind Chelsea with defeat at Stamford Bridge this weekend would make winning the title almost impossible, even at this early stage of the season. (Daily Express)

Wouldn�t be impossible but it would mean that Manchester United would need to take all six points when Liverpool and Chelsea come to Old Trafford.

sinnacle

Sep 20th, 2008, 06:30 AM

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari lit the fuse for Sunday�s clash with Manchester United by confessing he would love to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. (Various)

Going to love how the media are going to get carried away with this one over the next 48 hours. Sure Scolari would love to sign Ronaldo. Not only is he a really good player but they are really good friends as well. The likelihood that United would ever sell him to Chelsea. Very small.

Striker Obafemi Martins fears the growing crisis at Newcastle could lead to a player exodus. (The Sun)

I�m shocked that Martins isn�t leading that exodus himself. In the proper environment Martins can be a top class striker game in and game out.

New West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola believes his old Chelsea team-mate Dennis Wise is getting a raw deal by being singled out by Newcastle fans in the wake of Kevin Keegan�s departure. (Times)

Don�t shed a tear for Wise. He knew what he was getting into at Newcastle and he must of known what the reaction was going to be coming in so soon after Keegan was given the top job.

Unsettled Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, 23, is a �6m target for Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

Can�t think of a reason why Barcelona would want him. Could think of many reasons why Chelsea would want to cut their losses on Kalou.

Damien Comolli�s future at Tottenham as sporting director is secure after the club refused to blame him for the departure of Dimitar Berbatov. (Daily Telegraph)

Comolli isn�t to blame for Berbatov leaving. He is to blame for Tottenham being bottom of the table with 1 point in four games however.

Havo

Sep 20th, 2008, 11:24 AM

God, we need some healthy bodies back!

I agree... with CR7 back in the line up we'll have our offensive force once again. I'm surprised SAF didn't start Berbatov for CL seeing as how he assisted on the lone goal against Liverpool. I guess he doesn't think he is reliable enough. I'm not a fan of the 4-3-3 formation that he tried to run during that game. Since CR7 is back I think he is going to return to his 4-4-2 formation which is much better in terms of the defensive end. We desperately need to beat Chelsea tmr if we are to stay in contention for the league title. Need to complete that three-peat.

sinnacle

Sep 21st, 2008, 08:28 AM

Newcastle�s search for a new manager to replace Kevin Keegan continues with eight managers already rejecting the chance to take over at St James� Park. (Sunday Mirror)

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has joined former Leeds and Aston Villa boss David O�Leary on owner Mike Ashley�s shortlist. (Sunday Express)

Make that nine coaches who have turned down Newcastle. Houllier expressed previous interest in taking over Newcastle when Sam Allardyce left but it is highly unlikely Houllier would still have an interest with all that is going on in Newcastle.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is a target for Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton. The 28-year-old�s contract expires in the summer and is free to talk to clubs in the new year and he would be available for a knockdown �4m in the January transfer window. (News of the World)

Good as gone. Owen has kept his lips sealed during all of this but you have to feel that he will leave when given the chance.

Manchester City want to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who is yet to sign a permanent deal at Old Trafford, and will pay �30m for the 24-year-old Argentina striker. (News of the World)

United need to tie up Tevez long term to avoid stories like this to become common place over the next six months.

Valencia winger David Silva has admitted he would consider a move to Man Utd, but his preferred destination would be Barcelona. (The People)

Silva could of gone anywhere after his Euro 2008 performance and while Manchester United placed a bid on him Silva decided to sign an extension with Valencia.

Villareal striker Giuseppe Rossi is a target for Sunderland, with manager Roy Keane prepared to pay �11m for the 21-year-old former Manchester United striker. (The People)

Unless Sunderland could make it into Europe next year this would be a step back for the former Manchester United player.

Turkey international Arda Turan is being watched by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but he could be put off by Galatasaray�s �15m asking price for the 21-year-old winger. (The People)

Coukd be put of? Turan is another player who could of punched his ticket after Euro 2008 but decided to stay in Turkey.

Roy Keane has said that his toughest moment in charge of Sunderland came just four games into his reign when he discovered his team listening to ABBA�s Dancing Queen prior to a 3-1 defeat to Ipswich. (Sunday Mirror)

Love to be a fly in the wall during that moment.

Beleaguered Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has lost �300m after betting on the shares of bank HBOS, losing �800,000 for every penny the share price dropped. (Sunday Mirror)

Hasn�t been a good year for Ashely.

sinnacle

Sep 22nd, 2008, 05:20 AM

Very little in the way of EPL news to post/comment on so going to flip the switch and post here my EPL review instead. EPL Gossip will be back tomorrow. If you really wish to check it out, it is posted on my site.

- If someone told Manchester United that they would walk away with a 1-1 result against Chelsea most would of been content with the scoreline. With the game unfolding it as it did however United can�t be pleased with the result and Chelsea can be after their fine second half display. Rooney was no where to be found in front of goal. Ronaldo isn�t 100% yet and for the second straight week after scoring first United let up which isn�t like them. Manchester United second half performance was poor to the point that Chelsea could of easily and possibly deserved all three points.

- Manchester City isn�t as good as that display shown yesterday and Portsmouth isn�t as bad as that display. Harry Redknapp should burn all video of that performance and not give that game another thought.

- Not shocking that Liverpool got a bogey against Stoke. After emotional highs in beating Manchester United and then having a tough Champions League game mid week dropping points to a team like Stoke is not unexpected. Disappointing yes but if Liverpool fans were told before the United game that they would take 4 points over the next two games with 3 of them coming against United most fans would of taken that.

- The problem isn�t Robbie Keane's lack of goals. The problem for Liverpool is that Fernando Torres also isn�t scoring. Carlos Tevez took seven games to score for United and no one questions that transfer. Keane, Torres and Gerrard will need to get the best out of each other if Liverpool are to challenge for an entire year.

- Scary as this might be for Newcastle fans but they might go down to the Championship the longer it takes Mike Ashley to sell the club.

- Congrats on your first win Gianfranco Zola. Most games going forward won�t be so easy.

- Tottenham still bottom of the league. For all the talent on that team it would still be best to blow that squad up come the end of this season. Can�t blame Paul Robinson for this mess any longer.

sinnacle

Sep 23rd, 2008, 04:44 AM

A Nigerian consortium planning to bid for Newcastle needs to raise an �extra �50m to �100m� to buy the club, with owner Mike Ashley holding out for �400m. (Daily Mirror)

If successful, they would make Everton striker Yakubu their top target. (Daily Mirror)

Somewhere at Portsmouth Kanu is jealous. Again I ask myself the question why don�t more British people/companies step up and purchase these teams. Just about ever EPL team that is on the market has been scooped up by a foreign investor.

Outgoing City owner Thaksin Shinawatra stands to make �50m profit after selling the club to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, just over a year after he bought it. (Daily Mail)

Case in point. The fraud didn�t do to bad with his investment in Manchester City.

Tottenham and Bolton are on alert after Sporting Lisbon�s Montenegrin striker Simon Vukcevic, 22, admitted he wants to leave the club. (Daily Mirror)

More trouble than he is worth. Vukcevic is unhappy at being on the bench at Sporting, well he�d never even see the bench at Tottenham. Bolton he could feature at however.

An independent tribunal, set up to look into the Carlos Tevez affair at West Ham and Sheffield United�s relegation from the Premier League, has found against the Hammers who could be forced to pay the Blades �30m in compensation. (Various)

Good for Sheffield United. The FA clearly wanted to sweep this under the rug where anyone could see there was something wrong with Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano suddenly being registered as West Ham players.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has blasted Manchester City�s new owners for not really caring about the club and questioned the reasons why they have bought the club. (Daily Mirror)

Arsene Wenger should continue to focus on his own club. It�s been three weeks now and he still has Manchester City on his mind.

A confidential letter given to all Arsenal�s players ahead of their 3-1 at Bolton was left lying around the team�s hotel. In it manager Arsene Wenger stresses the importance of being a team, before listing 14 bullet points all about the team�s ethos, including: �Believe in the strength of the team�, �Be fresh and well prepared to win�, and �Stay grounded as a player and as a person�. (Various)

Sadly we are Champions was no where to be found in that letter but starting next week we are in first place can be.

sinnacle

Sep 24th, 2008, 03:34 AM

New West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola could be forced to sell some of his star players like Dean Ashton and Rob Green to pay Sheffield United compensation over the Carlos Tevez affair. (Daily Star)

How badly run would West Ham be if this proves to be true? When West ham was sold last year the new owners must of known about this dark cloud hanging over their heads. Everyone knew something shady went on during the 2006/2007 season. This should of budgeted in the case of such a ruling.

Magpies striker Michael Owen says a successor to ex-boss Kevin Keegan must be appointed as soon as possible to end the club’s problems. (The Sun)

Poor Michael Owen. Been a tough four years since he has left Liverpool. First he was never quite able to make the grade at Real Madrid and at Newcastle his either been hurt or secretly sick to his stomach over the way this club operates.

Former Magpies boss Kenny Dalglish has ruled himself out of a return to the North East. (Daily Telegraph)

Not even managers who have been away from the game for many years want to take over Newcastle.

Arsenal and Chelsea are locked in a battle over 14-year-old Barcelona boy wonder Gerard Deulofeu. (Daily Mirror)

Take more issue with this then Manchester City paying 42 million euros for Robinho. Look for Arsene Wenger at a school yard near you with flight tickets to London in hand.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz for his horror tackle on Rodrigo Possebon in Tuesday’s Carling Cup match. (Various)

It was an ugly tackle and in the middle of the field too. Welcome to English football Rodrigo Possebon.

Former Real Madrid and AC Milan striker Ronaldo - who has been linked with a move to Manchester City - has returned to full training with Brazilian side Flamengo after seven months out but is still a free agent. (Daily Telegraph)

Ronaldo is also still fat to go along with being still a free agent. Always thought that Ronaldo was a victim of his own talent. Despite everything he has done in the game people always excepted him to do more.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko faces a ticking off from Spurs after falling behind schedule in his attempts to learn English. (Daily Telegraph)

Yet his manager can’t conduct a post game press conference 12 months into the job. Poor Gus Poyet week after week needs to stand in and face the heat. I’ll bet that once Tottenham starts winning Juande Ramos English suddenly improves.

sinnacle

Sep 25th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Venables is set for talks with the Magpies and will let them know on Thursday whether he wants to become their caretaker manager. (Daily Mirror)

The Magpies have also contacted another former England and Tottenham manager, Glenn Hoddle, about the post. (The Times)

Despite the state Newcastle is in both would be foolish to turn down this opportunity if offered. Teams haven�t been exactly lining up to hire each coach. Venables was passed over for the Ireland job within the last year and can�t even remember the last time Hoddle was seriously considered for a major coaching position. Pulling off a minor miracle in getting results for Newcastle would do a lot to repair their reputation.

Sheffield United will spend any windfall they get from the Tevez ruling to bid for Wigan midfielder Michael Brown and Hull star Peter Halmosi. (Daily Mirror)

This is like winning the lottery and buying a tricked out Honda Civic.

Manchester City are ready to bid �48m for Atletico Madrid�s Argentine start Kun Aguero to trigger a release clause in his contract. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea were ready to trigger Aguero release clause this summer and Aguero didn�t even think twice about leaving Atletico Madrid. Consider the way Atletico is playing Aguero is not going to uproot himself midseason to learn a new language and join a new team.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says his side need to beat Everton in Saturday�s Merseyside derby to prove they have enough character to win the Premier League title. (Daily Star)

Reina is right Liverpool do need to put the Stoke result behind them and pick up three points this weekend. Great game to be waking up to Saturday morning.

sinnacle

Sep 26th, 2008, 04:27 AM

Terry Venables turned down the Newcastle job as he said it needs too much dedication to be done on a short-term basis. (Daily Telegraph)

Glenn Hoddle is also reluctant to take the Newcastle job on a short-term basis for the same reasons as Venables. (Daily Star)

But David O�Leary remains keen. (Guardian)

Oh good news there for Newcastle, David O�Leary is still interested.

Obafemi Martins will be out for another six weeks after injuring his knee in his comeback game. (The Sun)

Martin and Dean Ashton, both talented players who can never seem to stay on the pitch for an extended period of time.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola says their Premier League survival cannot be put down just to Tevez�s efforts. (Daily Mirror)

Not that Gianfranco Zola is biased or anything in that opinion. What you can�t disprove is when Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley kept Tevez on the bench West Ham were at the very bottom of the table. Once Curbishley threw Tevez on the field West Ham managed to survive. Nigel Reo Coker improving his midfield play not exactly the cause of West Ham�s survival.

The agent of Sao Paolo defender Aislan says he expects Liverpool to make an offer for him when the transfer window opens. (Guardian).

Agents would say that wouldn�t they.

Cesc Fabregas says he knows Arsenal�s youngsters are gunning for his place in the team but he is happy with the competition. (Daily Express)

That is because Fabregas knows there is no real competition for his spot. You can pencil Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas for every big Arsenal match.

sinnacle

Sep 27th, 2008, 06:00 AM

Joe Kinnear claims he is keeping the Newcastle manager’s seat warm for the dream team of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer, once a Nigerian consortium takes over at St James’ Park. (Various)

That is all it will be, a dream and nothing more. Sometimes I believe papers overlook recent history. When Ashley took over the club last year he wanted to bring Shearer into the fold with Kevin Keegan. Shearer wisely said no. Don’t think that is about to change anytime soon.

Paul Ince says offering the job to Terry Venables on a short-term contract was an “insult” to the former England manager. (Various)

Ince is right but it isn’t like Venables currently has a list of teams to chose from for his next job.

Several Newcastle players had to be told who Kinnear is on hearing of his appointment. (Sun)

Must admit that name came from out of the blue.

West Ham are tracking Blackburn’s out-of-favour Georgian defender Zurab Khizanishvili. (Daily Mirror)

They can have him. Even I can race by him on the wing to put a cross in.

Portsmouth will attempt to sign Jermaine Pennant from Liverpool for �3.5m when the transfer window re-opens. (Daily Express)

Don’t understand why Pennant doesn’t force a move. He’ll never been seen as a starter in Rafa Benitez’s eyes.

Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne believes “everyone will want to play for City in three or four years” following the club’s Abu Dhabi cash injection - and new Blues star Robinho has hired his own father to be his agent. (Times)

This coming from the guy who didn’t want to play for City three or four months ago.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes it is Steven Gerrard’s “destiny” to complete his century of goals for the Anfield club in the Merseyside derby. (Times)

One could say that Gerrard should of scored his 100th goal against Stoke last week. Stoke caught themselves a break with that earl disallowed goal.

sinnacle

Sep 28th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Manchester City and Manchester United will go head-to-head for the �80m signature of Lyon striker Karim Benzema in January. (News of the World)

British newspapers are a funny thing. Last week Lyon's president dismissed any transfer inquiries for Benzema by slapping a 100 million euro price tag. Now both Manchester teams are supposedly racing to sign him. Lyon is not a team that will be selling any of their top players mid season.

Arsenal will see off Chelsea�s interest in their teenage star Jack Wilshere by offering him a professional deal worth �15,000 a week - 200 times his current wage - when he turns 17, on New Year�s Day. (News of the World)

This shocks me as currently Wilshere is making 75 pounds a week. Bet Wilshere can�t wait for 2009.

But if Tottenham�s sporting director Damien Comolli doesn�t rejuvenate his transfer policy, he will lose his job, following a �100m spending spree which has left Spurs at the bottom of the Premier League. (Mail on Sunday)

Shocked that Comolli still has his job. He was the main man behind Martin Jol firing last year. With Jol gone Comolli should be the next one who has to answer for Tottenham�s poor start.

Daniel Agger is refusing to commit to a new deal at Liverpool until manager Rafa Benitez confirms whether the Dane has a first-team future at the club. (News of the World)

Victim of the numbers game currently as Liverpool are doing just fine with Jamie Carragher and Martin �krtel playing well at the back.

Alan Shearer has rubbished claims by Joe Kinnear that he will join up with Kevin Keegan once new owners take over. (Mail on Sunday)

Alan Shearer is no fool and it would be foolish to come anywhere near Newcastle at this point.

Steve Bruce admits that he and Mark Hughes, former team-mates at Manchester United, are not friends and have not spoken for years. (Various)

Guess these two won�t be having a post match glass of wine together after today�s game.

sinnacle

Sep 29th, 2008, 04:01 AM

Back by poplar demand. Ok, nobody at least hated it last week so with that is my EPL review

- So much for my prediction of Hull finishing bottom of the table this season.

- Any more games like that and there goes my prediction that Arsenal will finish the season in first as well.

- Arsenal can have no excuse with Saturday�s result. All the credit in the world should go out to Phil Brown and his Hull players. Instead of doing what so many teams continue to do and that is play 10 man behind the ball hoping for a draw Hull played with three up front and took the game to Arsenal. The Arsenal defenders didn�t close off Geovanni and he made them pay with a wonder strike. Daniel Cousin winning goal came as a result of a perfectly executed set play. Cousin header to the top corner was top notch. Even after Hull took the lead they still tied to pass the ball around keeping Arsenal at bay. Yes, the gunners had there chances with Carlos Vela not able to react when the ball was right in front of him and Robin van Persie rocketed a shot that narrowly missed.

- Which brings me to Arsene Wenger. Unless Arsenal can win with style they can�t win. I�ll take a manager like Sir Alex Ferguson who if their team can�t win pretty will go to plan B and somehow find a way to win even if it is ugly. More on United later. Every year I hear about the great future Arsenal has in front of them. It�s one thing to win 6-0 in the Carling cup midweek, like the loopsided defeat they handed to Slavia Prague last year beating them 7-0 in the Champions League. At some point the future has to be now for Arsenal. I�m not impressed with early season beatings of smaller clubs. I will be impressed when Arsenal manages to win 1-0 in a hard fought match late in the season. That�s the type of result that has been missing for the last three years.

- Everyone could see that wasn�t a penalty on Ronaldo and while Bolton can feel hard done by Manchester United were the better team and deserved the three points. As suppose to Hull City Gary Megson sent Bolton out there to play in a defensive shell and hope that Manchester United don�t score. What type of message does that send to your players? It pretty much says I have no faith in your talents and that your a second rate team. Not exactly an attitude that will inspire his players.

- Great win by Liverpool this weekend. No one will say a word about Robbie Keane�s lack of goals when Torres is scoring and Liverpool is winning. Good to see Rafa Benitez do away with his rotation policy of last year.

- It was highly unlikely that Stoke City were going to grab points in back to back games against two of the big four and Chelsea made sure of it. 2-0 result was pretty much how most had drawn it up.

- Wigan has come along way in one short year. A year ago this time Wigan were a team going no where under Chris Hutchings and after their 2-1 victory over Manchester City Steve Bruce has this team going places.

- Going to be another long year for Tottenham and Newcastle fans. Still amuses me that Joe Kinnear was given an 8 week contact to coach this team but Newcastle ownership didn�t realize that Joe Kinnear still had a two match ban to serve from back in 2004.

flexwong

Sep 29th, 2008, 06:33 PM

maebach

Sep 29th, 2008, 10:49 PM

Villa in 3rd place, doesnt get better than that!

mhayer10

Sep 30th, 2008, 01:20 AM

not a penalty, BUT ronaldo did NOT dive b/c there was contact. minimal contact, yes, but there was still contact. as a united fan though, i can assure you that shouldn't have been called a penalty and most united fans will say the same thing. but rooney's goal was class.

wasnt a pentalty, and ronaldo wasnt even looking for the call, he didnt even protest to his credit

sinnacle

Sep 30th, 2008, 04:04 AM

Nice to see the comments while I was away. Thank you for your contribution flex, maebach, mhayer10.

Everton will make another move for Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

Yes, Sinnacle is leading today’s EPL Gossip with a Tom Huddlestone rumor which I’m sure sparked everyone’s interest out there. With the glut of midfielder players currently at Tottenham, Huddlestone often finds himself on the outside looking in come game day. A move to Everton wouldn’t be the worse move Huddlestone can make and Everton need to do something in the next transfer window to make up for their poor showing in the previous transfer window.

Chelsea have signed 12-year-old French schoolboy Jeremy Boga - dubbed “the new Zinedine Zidane”. After weeks of talks with the boy’s parents, Chelsea have reached an agreement for the midfield prodigy to join them when he turns 16. (The Sun)

I do give Arsene Wenger flack for this but really it’s an issue that every top European team exploits. I wonder how many players will be dubbed “the new Zinedine Zidane” before the next Zidane becomes a reality if even possible. For example every young attacking midfielder from Argentina has been dubbed “the next Maradona” with only a handful even coming close to living up to the comparison.

Middlesbrough have stepped up their effort to sign Belgium midfielder Steven Defour, 20, who captained Standard Liege to last season’s title and was Belgian Footballer of the Year. (Daily Star)

Middlesbrough don’t many many moves in the transfer market but the players they have considered all have the right quality. Be with Afonso Alves or Didier Digard who ended up joining Boro or Michael Bradley who they missed out on.

Former Spurs boss Terry Venables has blamed former striker Dimitar Berbatov for Tottenham’s disastrous start to the season. (The Sun)

With this logic it doesn’t shock me that Venables is out of a job. Tottenham should of sold Berbatov before he become a distraction instead of waiting until the last possible minute to finally agree to let him go which the entire world knew they would be doing. Tottenham have many issues, laying the blame on one player doesn’t go to the root of the problem. Besides if Berbatov was the problem surely Spurs play would of improved once the dark cloud that was Berbatov was removed.

Tottenham are in an even bigger hole than Derby were this time last season. The Rams had four of their eventual total of 11 points after six games, while Spurs have so far mustered just two. (The Sun)

Answer to a future trivia question. Who did Derby record they only league victory against last year? You’d be correct if you said Newcastle. In fact Derby got four out of a possible six points from Newcastle last year. Sorry Newcastle fans it would of felt weird if I didn’t spend a day talking about your team.

maebach

Sep 30th, 2008, 10:38 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7644211.stm

Ashley cuts the price tag of Newcastle from a ridiculous 450m to 300m pounds. Still pretty steep for a team that is in a total mess.

polak4life

Sep 30th, 2008, 07:18 PM

flexwong

Sep 30th, 2008, 10:28 PM

beeeeeeeeeeeerbatov.

sweeper

Oct 1st, 2008, 12:30 AM

come on you spurs.

sinnacle

Oct 1st, 2008, 12:32 AM

loved arsenal today, i was so disappointed after their result against Hull City, today they completely destroyed Porto, wasnt much of a game.

Villareal is really strong this year too, watch for them to challenge for the Spanish league this year

Had a feeling me talking smack about Arsenal this week was going to come back to haunt me when Porto came to town. Impressive performance.

polak4life

Oct 2nd, 2008, 03:22 AM

Had a feeling me talking smack about Arsenal this week was going to come back to haunt me when Porto came to town. Impressive performance.

That's always been the problem with the young team, on some nights they play as a team and there is no way of stopping them, on other nights when their one touch passing goes south, they completely tank.

Well against Hull City the result was not totally a fair one, if anyone saw they game Arsenal just couldn't finish, but that is still no excuse for a team of their caliber.

I was watching the Chelsea game today and came out very disappointed at their level of play. In the epl they have been playing very strong but today they just seemed to have an off day. They had a few chances here and there, but nothing clear. It seems like Drogba will be injured for a while again.

sinnacle

Oct 2nd, 2008, 03:32 AM

That's always been the problem with the young team, on some nights they play as a team and there is no way of stopping them, on other nights when their one touch passing goes south, they completely tank.

Well against Hull City the result was not totally a fair one, if anyone saw they game Arsenal just couldn't finish, but that is still no excuse for a team of their caliber.

I was watching the Chelsea game today and came out very disappointed at their level of play. In the epl they have been playing very strong but today they just seemed to have an off day. They had a few chances here and there, but nothing clear. It seems like Drogba will be injured for a while again.

Agree with your point about Arsenal. It also looks like Drogba will be out for six weeks. The draw won't hurt Chelsea too much provided they get the job done against Roma which won't be easy but that was always going to be their litmus test in this group.

sinnacle

Oct 2nd, 2008, 03:33 AM

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill will allow Marlon Harewood to leave the club as part of a �10m deal to land Reading striker Kevin Doyle. (Daily Mirror)

Kevin Doyle is not worth �10 million nor should a team spend that amount of money for a 3rd striker. Personally I�d debate moving Harewood straight up for Doyle. The only way I�d pull the trigger is if Harewood is unhappy with not being able to unseat Carew and Agbonlahor in the starting lineup.

Michael Owen, out of contract next summer, has put talks over a new deal on hold with crisis-hit Newcastle until the end of the season. (Daily Mirror)

In other words thanks but no thanks Newcastle and really who can blame him?

Manchester United are trailing �5m-rated Turkish striker Sercan Yildirim, 18, of Bursaspor. (Various)

Keeping an eye on a player and pulling the trigger are two different things. I�m sure United scouts 100�s of players but only a handful will United make a move for.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is keeping tabs on Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas. (Daily Mirror)

With things not going so well in London maybe Jenas will decide that living in a fishbowl again isn�t so bad. (Jenas famously once said that life in Newcastle was like living in a fishbowl.)

Jose Mourinho offered to let a lively Italian reporter the chance to select the Inter team for their Champions League game against Werder Bremen on Wednesday.

�I would if you gave me part of the nine million euros you earn,� said the scribe. Mourinho shot back: �It�s not nine, it�s 11 and with sponsors it comes to 14.� (Daily Mirror)

Had to add this. God bless the man for entertaining me for so long. Love him or hate him there is no other coaching figure in world sport quite like him.

maebach

Oct 2nd, 2008, 10:04 AM

Agree with your point about Arsenal. It also looks like Drogba will be out for six weeks. The draw won't hurt Chelsea too much provided they get the job done against Roma which won't be easy but that was always going to be their litmus test in this group.

Roma did lose to the Romanian team

Havo

Oct 2nd, 2008, 05:17 PM

Mourinho is really animated... rather entertaining but sometimes overly dramatic and it gets annoying.

As for Chelsea getting out of the group and beating Roma... I see it happening. CLUJ is not rollover... they did draw Chelsea and they did beat Roma. I'd be amused if Roma didn't make it out of the group stages but even more amused if Chelsea didn't ahahaha.

As for Michael Owen wanting to leave Newcastle... I'm surprised they still want him considering his injuries. Owen rarely ever plays because he spends most of his time resting injuries. Although he is still quite young and he can perform well when healthy, I wouldn't want to take the risk with him. There are better alternatives out there.

sweeper

Oct 2nd, 2008, 09:11 PM

owen should never have left liverpool for real madrid.

flexwong

Oct 2nd, 2008, 09:30 PM

owen should never have left liverpool for real madrid.

owen never should have left real madrid. he did good when he played.

sinnacle

Oct 3rd, 2008, 05:44 AM

Real Madrid are preparing to launch a bid for Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger in January. (Various)

Have fun with this one Liverpool fans. You know Agger and his agent are smiling ear to ear upon hearing of Real Madrid�s interest. Rafa Bentiez is struck between a rock in a hard place in this spot. Currently Liverpool are rolling along quite nicely with Martin �krtel and Jamie Carragher playing well together. Jamie Carragher is not getting any younger so I�m sure Liverpool envision a future partnership of Skrtel and Agger but its doubtful that Agger will remain that patience with Real Madrid interested. This is the second last thing Liverpool needs short of Hicks and George Gillett fighting again.

Stoke are lining up a �3m bid for Liverpool�s 25-year-old winger Jermaine Pennant. (Various)

Somebody save Jermaine Pennant from a future of late game substitute appearances and Carling/FA Cup starts.

Chelsea are trying to sign French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, 18, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane. (Daily Mirror)

Second time in four days the press has dubbed a young player the next Zidane.

The Blues are also keen on Seville striker Luis Fabiano.

Luis Fabiano is the player the press turns to when strikers on big clubs get injured. Last year it was Real Madrid supposedly having interest and now Chelsea.

Tottenham will try to replace manager Juande Ramos with Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and have sounded out the Welshman with a �20m five-year deal. Spurs hope Hughes will agree to join them during next week�s international break. (The Sun)

Surely this sun article can�t be serious? Why would Hughes want to leave Manchester City now? It�s like finding out your girlfriend won the lottery and then dumping her.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear launched a blistering defence of his short reign at St James� Park when he managed to squeeze in 52 swear words in a five-minute media conference on Thursday. (Various)

That is one swear word per every six seconds. Pretty fu*king impressive.

sinnacle

Oct 4th, 2008, 06:39 AM

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has opened the door for a sensational swoop to bring former arch-rival Patrick Vieira to the club from Inter Milan. In his playing days at Manchester United, Keane had some monumental tussles on the pitch with the then Arsenal midfielder. (Various)

Don�t think Patrick Vieira pictured his storied career ending at Sunderland nor do I think it would happen. Press loves to pick up on stories like this due to Keane/Vieira past as rivals.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has admitted he has Middlesbrough�s Egyptian striker Mido in his transfer sights. (Daily Mirror)

Natural that Wigan would be interested. Mido is still young at only 25. Maybe its because he has bounced around so many teams but always figured he was older than that. Oh well back to the point I�m sure Steve Bruce would love to pair Mido up with fellow Egyptian Amr Zaki.

Aston Villa�s London-born midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has told pals he has no intention of signing a new deal with the Midlands club and is considering a return to the capital next summer. (Daily Mirror)

Reo-Coker would be a fool if he wanted to leave Villa. He is in a much better position now than when he was public enemy number with West Ham fans. Start the Reo-Coker to Tottenham rumors now.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that England boss Fabio Capello should leave recently-injured striker Wayne Rooney out of the England team to face Kazakhstan next Saturday. (Daily Star)

Wouldn�t be an international break without Sir Alex Ferguson complaining about something.

Ferguson has also admitted he regrets calling Paul Ince, who once played under the Scot at United and is now Blackburn manager, a �big-time Charlie�. (Various)

Interesting timing considering that they are going to face off in a matter of hours.

flexwong

Oct 4th, 2008, 08:33 PM

sinnacle

Oct 5th, 2008, 01:00 AM

wayne rooney is back in a good way. lets hope he can keep the scoring up. that 2nd goal today was beautiful. first united goal was a bit questionable but i think it was fair b/c the blackburn defender seemed to push vidic into the keeper anyways.

Good win for United. Blackburn isn't the easiest park to play at and the weather was typical Blackburn weather. Kept a clean sheet which was also a bonus.

sinnacle

Oct 5th, 2008, 09:12 AM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will offer �10m plus out-of-favour winger Jermaine Pennant for Wigan�s Ecuadorian attacking midfielder Antonio Valencia. (News of the World)

The press linked Manchester United with Antonio Valencia late last season. All was quiet on the Valencia until last week�s strike against Manchester City has the press jumping around to link Valencia with another team.

Fulham and Stoke are both plotting to make a bid for Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia. (News of the World)

Don�t think Hyypia will leave mid season even if he is way down in the pecking order. Next summer the long serving Liverpool defender might then decide to leave.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari wants to sign Bordeaux�s Gabriel Obertan, 19, but the Blues� interest has prompted Manchester United to send scouts to watch the winger. (News of the World)

Somewhat shocked that I didn�t see the next Zidane or next Henry in this article. He can�t be that good then.

Tottenham are ready to offer Terry Venables a shock return to White Hart Lane as senior figures at the club see the former manager as the perfect man to replace under-fire sporting director Damien Comolli. (News of the World)

But others believe former Chelsea boss Avram Grant is top of Tottenham�s shortlist of candidates to replace Comolli should the Frenchman leave White Hart Lane. (Sunday Telegraph)

One of these make logical sense and it�s not the Venables rumor.

Everton boss David Moyes will pen a five-year deal worth over �17m after his lawyers spent the last two days thrashing out the details. (News of the World)

This only took six months to complete if and when Moyes finally does sign.

Sir Alex Ferguson has banned Manchester United players from holding their own Christmas party. The United boss has ruled out a repeat of last year�s private gig when they bussed in groups of women to a luxury hotel in Manchester city centre. (News of the World)

Jonny Evans being questioned in connection with a rape allegation didn�t help matters either.

sinnacle

Oct 6th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Week in review time as we head into the International break.

- Liverpool fans must be a happy bunch right now with yesterday�s come from behind win against Manchester City. They may leave it late but Liverpool is playing with a ton of confidence and even down 2-0 on the road they didn�t panic or lose focus.

- Manchester City should learn a lesson from this. It�s one thing to talk about being a big club and it�s another to go out and play like one. Pablo Zabaleta foul was just silly, you may debate if it was a red card or not but one can�t debate that it was a stupid foul in the middle of the pitch. Liverpool could feel the tide turning once Manchester City were down to 10 men.

- With the way Martin Skrtel went off injured, Daniel Agger should be getting the playing time he has been looking for.

- That�s it I�m calling it now Juande Ramos needs to go. Tottenham is a collection of 11 players on the pitch who have no clue how to play together. Sadly it is a lot easier to fire the coach instead of blowing up this team. Both Ramos and Director of Football Damien Comolli need to go. Take away Tottenham beating of Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi finals then the victory against Chelsea in the finals and you�ll find a team that has been nothing but average under Ramos.

- Hull City must be having a laugh in the EPL. They walk into Arsenal and Tottenham and come away with a full six points.

- It was almost scaring how this Chelsea team disposed of a very good Aston Villa team. Chelsea's first half performance left no doubt who was going to take the three points.

- I�m not going too be hard on Arsenal drawing against Sunderland. If the Hull result didn�t happen last week most fans would accept that Sunderland at home could take a point against Arsenal.

- United fans must be happy winning comfortably against Blackburn in a typical rainy Blackburn afternoon. I�m sure United fans will hope that Rooney�s scoring touch remains after the international break.

sinnacle

Oct 7th, 2008, 03:40 AM

Tottenham are set to fire sporting director Damien Comolli, who has angered manager Juande Ramos with his transfer dealings. (The Sun)

The international break usually means changes are in store. Last month it was Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley who walked away from their clubs.

But Ramos has been given a personal assurance by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that he will be given time to turn the club around. (Daily Mirror)

With Tottenham being tied into Ramos for nearly 10 million pounds over the next two years of his contact it appears that Tottenham want to give Ramos some more time before biting that bullet.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will make a new bid for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz in the January transfer window and Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings. Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is also among the targets. (Daily Express)

Roque Santa Cruz is quickly turning into this year�s version of Nicolas Anelka. Its only a matter of when, where and how much come the next transfer window.

Unsettled Stoke striker Dave Kitson is considering his future at the club after only three months at the Britannia Stadium because he is not enjoying life in the north. (Daily Mirror)

Neither are Stoke fans enjoying his performances after his near 6 million pound move from Reading this summer.

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is growing frustrated and mystified about why the club have not asked him to sign a permanent deal. (Daily Mail)

I�d be asking the same questions as well.

Manchester United are poised to make an �18m move for Wigan�s Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios. (The Sun)

A couple of years ago you could of brought Wigan for �18m pounds. Despite Palacios talent that dollar figure is laughable.

Spurs� �15m winger David Bentley is furious with Ramos because he feels his manager�s rotation policy is the reason he has been left out of Fabio Capello�s latest England squad. (Daily Express)

What did David Bentley expect? He gladly went to a team that featured similar players in Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modrić (or Luka Moderate as some have started calling him), Giovani dos Santos, and Jamie O�Hara. Considering where Tottenham is in the standings no one is interested in hearing a player moan about his playing time.

Liverpool�s Steven Gerrard and Chelsea�s Frank Lampard will get one last chance to prove they can play together in midfield for England in Saturday�s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan. (various)

Guess the last six years haven�t shown that the two have a hard time (putting it mildly) playing together. Even if they play well against Kazakhstan with all due respect it�s Kazakhstan. Against the big European clubs all Gerrard and Lampard have shown is the ability to get in each others way.

Former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce says Magpies owner Mike Ashley only ever bought the club to make money. (various)

Shocked it took til now for Sam Allardyce to get a few shots in at Mike Ashley.

maebach

Oct 7th, 2008, 10:15 AM

Put Gerrard and Barry in the middle. Ive never coached outside of volunteering and even I can see that this combo works.

flexwong

Oct 7th, 2008, 05:12 PM

Put Gerrard and Barry in the middle. Ive never coached outside of volunteering and even I can see that this combo works.

gerrard + hargreaves would work better as it frees up gerrard to attack more often. too bad hargo is injured though. =(

sinnacle

Oct 8th, 2008, 03:54 AM

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has opened the door for a return to his boyhood club Barcelona after admitting it would be a dream to go back to the Nou Camp. He said: �I�ve decided to give my all to Arsenal, although next year who knows?� (Daily Mirror)

Don�t think Arsenal fans should be worried here. I�m sure Fabregas would love a return to his boyhood team at some point but the hurdles and price tag that Barcelona would have to come with means it would be an uphill task. Not to mention that Barcelona have their own world class midfielders in Xavi and Iniesta.

Hull have put an �8m price tag on Geovanni and are ready to offer the Brazisponser lian a new double-your-money �40,000-a-week deal to stay at the KC Stadium. (The Sun)

Geovanni also had a pretty good early season run for Manchester City next season but faded once the weather turned cold. It will be interesting to see if Geovanni can piece it together for an entire season. Either way not a bad pickup considering he was a free transfer.

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has been reassured his move to Manchester United will be made permanent before the end of the year. (The Sun)

Despite the 30 million pound price tag United would be foolish not too lock up Tevez permanently.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been told he must sell players before he can buy. The club was left reeling when the bank run by their owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was taken over by Iceland�s government to stop the entire country�s finances from crumbling. (The Sun)

Hasn�t been a good month for the West Ham bean counters. First their shirt sponsor XL travel group goes into bankruptcy, then the Carlos Tevez verdict that went against West Ham and now this news.

Liverpool could lose Rafael Benitez, with the club�s American owners so far refusing to sanction an extension to their manager�s current deal, which now has only 18 months left to run. (Daily Mirror)

Can�t see this happening either. With Benitez guiding Liverpool to victories fans and the media aren�t focused on ownership. If Benitez goes all hell breaks loose. Besides 18 months is still along time in the grand scheme of things.

flexwong

Oct 8th, 2008, 11:39 AM

Liverpool could lose Rafael Benitez, with the club�s American owners so far refusing to sanction an extension to their manager�s current deal, which now has only 18 months left to run. (Daily Mirror)

Can�t see this happening either. With Benitez guiding Liverpool to victories fans and the media aren�t focused on ownership. If Benitez goes all hell breaks loose. Besides 18 months is still along time in the grand scheme of things.

wouldn't surprise me to see benitez leave. he won't win the league this year, that's what liverpool fans want the most. i wouldn't be surprised if some fans would be happy that fat man benitez was leaving and they put in someone who could help them win the league (although i doubt that will happen).

sinnacle

Oct 9th, 2008, 03:48 AM

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is lining up a January bid for Sampdoria�s Italian playmaker Antonio Cassano. (Daily Mirror)

Cassano could of called his shot this past summer with his exit from Real Madrid and decided to stay at Sampdoria. Even with Sampdoria�s slow start to the season look for Cassano to at least complete the year there.

City are keen to sign Rennes� Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia for �9.6m when the transfer window reopens. (The Sun)

This transfer rumor is more feasible.

West Ham are preparing to sell as many as eight senior players during the January transfer window. (Daily Telegraph)

West Ham should of sold more players in the off season as that team is way too big to begin with. Good luck however finding takers for the likes of Lucas Neill, Kieron Dyer, and Lu�s Boa Morte.

Scotland manager George Burley admits Saturday�s clash with Norway will be �win or bust� for his side�s hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals. (Daily Record)

No better time than this weekend for George Burley to get his first victory as Scottish coach.

Tottenham�s �15m winger David Bentley admits people are laughing at the club because they are bottom of the Premier League. (The Sun)

Spurs players held a crisis meeting and came out backing their under-fire boss Juande Ramos. (Daily Star)

Could never picture Tottenham having only 2 points so far into the season. Almost as shocking considering one of those points were against Chelsea.

Everton midfielder Phil Neville has not given up hope of an England recall. (The Sun)

Surely he is not going to get that recall when Everton are giving up close to two goals a game.

Former Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is favourite to replace under-pressure boss Colin Calderwood at Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest. (The Sun)

Leaving Bolton didn�t turn out so well for Sam Allardyce who was once considered a head coaching candidate for the England job.

sinnacle

Oct 10th, 2008, 03:44 AM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to make a �6m raid for PSV Eindhoven�s versatile 22-year-old midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who has 11 caps for the Netherlands. (The Sun)

Almost an insulting price tag for a very good young midfielder. There is no way that Afellay is worth 10 million pounds less than a David Bentley.

Manchester City are preparing to show off their new financial muscle with a mind-blowing �200,000-a-week offer to Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City has a little man�s complex where a shorter guy looks to pick a fight with anyone trying to prove he is tough. Well Manchester City throws out these silly fantasy league type rumors to convince themselves and everyone else that they are a big club too.

Juventus are weighing up a move for Arsenal�s utility man Emmanuel Eboue in January and will attempt to lure the Ivory Coast international with the prospect of regular first-team football. (Daily Mirror)

Don�t believe many Arsenal fans will shed a tear if they sold Eboue.

England coach Fabio Capello will start with a three-man attack consisting of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Theo Walcott against Kazakhstan on Saturday. (Various)

Emile Heskey must be loving life under Fabio Capello.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed to the club�s plc board, a move which was never granted to former favourite Jose Mourinho. (The Guardian)

To be fair Mourinho was never interested in being anything more than a coach. The business side of things was never his cup of tea.

The Spanish national football team have each received a reward of their body weight in beer for winning the Euro 2008 this summer, their first trophy in 44 years. (Daily Telegraph)

That beats a ring.

sinnacle

Oct 11th, 2008, 07:02 AM

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has made signing Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz his top priority in January. (Daily Mirror)

A rarity when it comes to Manchester City rumors as Santa Cruz linking up with former boss Mark Hughes makes sense.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is hopeful of signing loan striker Amr Zaki on a permanent deal from Cairo side Zamalek. (Daily Mirror)

Bruce better do it soon or else bigger teams will find a way to get into Zaki ear.

James Milner insists he is not frustrated at playing a bit-part since his �12million move to Aston Villa from Newcastle. (The Sun)

Nor should he be, Last week�s result against Chelsea aside Aston Villa are winning and playing well. Sometimes a player has to bide his time. At 12 million pounds Aston Villa is not going to make Milner sit on the bench for long.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has prepared a three-year business plan in a bid to convince boss Roy Keane he should stay at the club. (Sun)

Where is Keane going to go anyway? Neither of the top four jobs are likely to open up for another year or two. Celtic is in the same boat and even then it would be 50/50 that Keane would consider that a step up. Top clubs in Spain, Germany or Italy are not going to recruit Keane anytime soon. Quinn and Keane are pretty much married to each other until the United job comes open and is offered to Keane. If that where to happen there would be nothing Quinn could do to convince Keane to stay anyway.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie believes the days of massive transfer fees could be over as football begins to feel the full effects of the credit crunch. (The News, Portsmouth)

It may effect this upcoming transfer window but by the summer the money will still flow in transfer fees.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to have lost �12billion on the Russian stock exchange. Abramovich saw his fortune dwindle as the value of two of his companies, steel maker Evraz and mining company Highland Gold, plunged on the Moscow-based index. (Press Association)

But Abramovich�s advisers played down suggestions that the Chelsea owner�s personal wealth had been badly affected by the stock market crash. (Daily Telegraph)

Some weeks are better than others.

pavelbure10

Oct 11th, 2008, 09:53 PM

But Abramovich�s advisers played down suggestions that the Chelsea owner�s personal wealth had been badly affected by the stock market crash. (Daily Telegraph)

Some weeks are better than others.

If Jose mourinho was still at chelsea the stock market would still be fine

sinnacle

Oct 12th, 2008, 05:42 AM

If Jose mourinho was still at chelsea the stock market would still be fine

lol.....or +1 as they do here.

sinnacle

Oct 12th, 2008, 05:43 AM

Mark Hughes will spend up to �100m in January, with Gianluigi Buffon, Kaka and Fernando Torres all on Manchester City�s shopping list. (News of the World)

Good to see the sensible Manchester City rumors lasted all of a day. Buffon didn�t leave Juventus when they were a Serie B team you are telling me he is going to leave when they are now in the Champions League. Kaka couldn�t be bothered when Chelsea were sniffing around and Torres is tied to Benitez�s hip.

Wigan�s Wilson Palacios is a �15m target for Manchester United. (Sunday Express)

That is quite a jump for a player that was acquired by Birmingham for next to nothing 18 months ago.

Luka Modric�s spell at White Hart Lane could be a brief one, with Juventus keen to sign the Spurs midfielder in January. (The Observer)

Take a struggling EPL team with a struggling Serie A and the papers find themselves a transfer target.

Reading�s Kevin Doyle will sign for Aston Villa in January. The price tag - a mere �7m. (News of the World)

Fits the mold that Martin O�Neil likes in a striker being big, strong and causing defenders fits but nothing about that price tags says bargain to me.

West Ham have just a month to find a buyer or face the possibility of going into administration. (Various)

Congrats on that head coaching position Mr Zola.

sinnacle

Oct 14th, 2008, 03:51 AM

West Ham are close to agreeing a deal to sign former Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan, 32, who is now a free agent after a spell in Italian football. (Daily Star)

Nothing says your club is having financial troubles than bringing in a 32 year old player on a free transfer. At least the risk is minimal on West Ham�s part.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could still join Juventus as the Italians continue to be linked with manager Rafael Benitez. Current Juve boss Claudio Ranieri has one year left on his contract and former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and ex-Italy manager Roberto Donadoni are also on the Turin club�s shortlist. (Various)

Why is this rumor bring bought back to life? Alonso is playing and Liverpool are winning, besides Alonso was shopped around due to Liverpool wanting to bring in Gareth Berry. Thankfully those Berry rumor is dead and buried for the time being.

Djibril Cisse, currently on a season-long loan at Sunderland from Marseille, is set to become Roy Keane�s first �10m signing. (The Sun)

Good move on Sunderland�s part. Was never the biggest fan of Cisse but the price tag is fair. Strikers with his skills are a premium and would be hard to attract to Sunderland.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has expressed concern over his England place after once again failing to click with Frank Lampard on Saturday against Kazakhstan. (Various)

I�m convinced that Capello will play both Gerrard and Lampard together until the very end right or wrong. If he drops one of the two Capello along with the player who stays in the starting lineup will have to deal with the distraction of defending the choice.

Defender Vedran Corluka has admitted he is delighted to be on international duty with Croatia because it allows him to escape the misery of life at Tottenham. (Daily Express)

Sounds like Corluka is happy with the move from Manchester City last month.

sinnacle

Oct 15th, 2008, 04:03 AM

AC Milan are willing to offer France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff to Liverpool as part of a deal to entice Anfield defender Daniel Agger to the San Siro. Gourcuff is currently on loan to Bordeaux. (Daily Mirror)

Two nice goals by Gourcuff, one in the Champions League and a stunner against Romania in World Cup qualifying now makes Gourcuff a media darling. Rafa Benitez hasn�t fallen in love with many French players over the years and the only reason Agger were to leave Liverpool is if he forces a move away. With Martin �krtel out injured Agger playing time will increase which should keep him happy.

Manchester United are giving a trial to �Little Kaka� - 17-year-old Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic, who plays for Partizan Belgrade. (Daily Mail)

I read this and think that the Daily Mail couldn�t find a Serbian player to dub Adem Ljajic �Little insert player here� so they went with Kaka instead.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso has ruled out a �16m move to Tottenham. (Daily Mirror)

Can�t blame Veloso for having little interest in Tottenham. I�m still not sold on Veloso being a world class player but the talent is there. Within a year or two he could have his choice of a top European team so it makes sense to wait since a team like Tottenham will always be interested.

Manager David Moyes� new contract at Everton is worth a cool �16.5m. (Various)

Only took close to 10 months in order for this contract to be hammered out. Can�t help but think this contract delay played a part in Everton�s slow start to the season.

sinnacle

Oct 16th, 2008, 04:21 AM

Hasn�t been the best 24 hours I must say. With that here we go.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes claims he wants to sign old heads rather than superstars when the transfer window reopens in January. Roque Santa Cruz, Torsten Frings and Wayne Bridge are high on his list. (Daily Star)

Good to see the Daily Star make a list that is obtainable for Manchester City. Mark Hughes would rather sign the players mentioned because he can unlike players that have been mentioned over the last couple of weeks.

Tottenham have set their sights on �12m Brazil striker Vagner Love. Spurs are hoping to clinch the deal for the CSKA Moscow man with an early bid when the transfer window reopens. (Daily Star)

Maybe someone from Tottenham is reading this site (http://www.sinnacle.com/2008/10/03/sinnacle-takes-over-tottenham)

No, I don�t actually think someone does but I do pat myself on the back for mentioning that Tottenham should consider Vagner Love as an option when remaking this team.

Barcelona are eyeing up a �12m swoop for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - if they lose Toure. (The Sun)

Few would resist Barcelona but Alonso is already on a team where he doesn�t receive the playing time some feel like he should. At the very least Alonso isn�t an automatic in the starting 11. That situation would only get worst at Barcelona.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is set to make a �30m cash injection to sustain Martin O�Neill�s push for the Champions League. (Daily Mirror)

The key isn�t how much cash is available the key is how that cash is spent and on whom. So far Martin O�Neil has been spot on in identifying players that would not only come to Aston Villa but more importantly improve the club.

Ashley Young is poised to sign a new contract at Aston Villa worth about �45,000 a week. (Various)

Perfect example right there

Chelsea want to take Inter Milan youngster Mario Balotelli from their former manager Jose Mourinho. (Daily Mirror)

Wish them the best of luck with that. Both Inter and Mourinho would loath losing Balotelli to begin with. Never mind the message it would send selling their best young player to an English club.

West Ham utility man Valon Behrami is being targeted by Roma. (Daily Star)

When word leaks out that money may be an issue other teams will try to swoop in on a player at a discounted price.

West Ham are close to announcing the signing of a new �3.5m sponsorship deal. (Daily Mirror)

Hope this company doesn�t go broke.

Uefa are set to make a U-turn to give Atletico Madrid the go-ahead to stage their Champions League tie with Liverpool at home next week. (Various)

There goes that message being sent.

sinnacle

Oct 17th, 2008, 03:15 AM

Liverpool are lining up a sensational January swoop for their former striker Emile Heskey after his international renaissance. (Daily Mirror)

Take one part Torres suffering an injury for Spain, another part with Heskey playing well plus he�ll be a free agent at the end of the year. Top it off with Liverpool never replacing the Peter Crouch type forward who can hold up play in front of goal and you have a rumor.

Aston Villa are planning a �10m bid for Celtic star Aiden McGeady. (Daily Mirror)

Don�t think Aston Villa can pull this off mid season. Also don�t think that 10 million pounds will be enough. It�s a natural link to suggest that McGeady at some point will join his former coach in Martin O�Neil at Aston Villa.

Fabio Capello�s plan to blood young players in England�s upcoming friendlies could spell the end of Michael Owen�s international career. (Guardian)

Owen will be hard pressed to make it back to the English setup while still at Newcastle. Even if he does make it back Owen will more then likely have to accept a bench role since Capello doesn�t seem intent on playing Rooney and Owen together.

On-loan Portsmouth defender Armand Traore says he will only to return to Arsenal if he is guaranteed first-team football. (Daily Express)

In other words he won�t be an Arsenal player for much longer.

Craig Bellamy has offered to be a mentor to Arsenal�s 17-year-old Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey. (Daily Mirror)

Somehow I don�t picture Arsene Wenger being too thrilled at this idea.

maebach

Oct 17th, 2008, 09:29 AM

Craig Bellamy has offered to be a mentor to Arsenal�s 17-year-old Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey. (Daily Mirror)

Somehow I don�t picture Arsene Wenger being too thrilled at this idea.

Haha, what a joke. That would be the worst decision ever.

sinnacle

Oct 18th, 2008, 05:31 AM

Arsenal�s Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has not ruled out the option of playing for England one day. (Daily Mail)

Fabio Capello should rule it out for Almunia. The press would blow this story up and create a distraction that this English team wouldn�t need.

Morten Gamst Pedersen could be a target for Fulham, West Brom and Middlesbrough in January after hinting he is fed up with being subbed by Blackburn boss Paul Ince. (Daily Mirror)

One day I may do an article on over rated EPL players and if I do Morten Gamst Pedersen would be high up on that list.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has warned Emile Heskey he will put his dream of playing at the World Cup at risk if he returns to Liverpool and becomes a bit-part player. (Various)

Bruce has a point but Liverpool can also offer him Champions League play and a nice contract. Heskey isn�t getting any younger so no one can blame him if he looked after number 1 once his current deal ends.

Owen Hargreaves is close to a Manchester United recall after his tendinitis problems. (Daily Telegraph)

Wonder how long it will take Hargreaves to then get hurt again.

Angry Tottenham players have complained to boss Juande Ramos they are too hungry to perform after being ordered to follow strict dietary rules. (Sun)

Hopefully they are well fed tomorrow when they play against Stoke City.

hyperion

Oct 19th, 2008, 12:09 AM

Loving these Sinnacle.

sinnacle

Oct 19th, 2008, 06:46 AM

Loving these Sinnacle.

Hey, thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoy it.

sinnacle

Oct 19th, 2008, 06:49 AM

Manchester United are holding their breath over talks to determine the fee to make Carlos Tevez�s loan move permanent, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson anxious the Argentina striker stays at Old Trafford after reported interest from Real Madrid. (Sunday Express)

Tevez will start to see the writing on the wall one way or another if he doesn�t start midweek against Celtic.

And Ferguson is prepared to off-load Owen Hargreaves after becoming fed up with his inconsistency and constant niggling injuries. (News of the World)

Hargreaves played an important role in United�s double last season even playing at right back when needed. That being said Hargreaves can�t seem to stay fit which isn�t going to improve as he gets older.

Lionel Messi has urged Barcelona to break the bank to lure Arsenal�s Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp. (Sunday Express)

And Fabregas himself has rejected �90,000-a-week contract talks - paving the way for him to quit the Emirates at the end of this season. (News of the World)

Must be annoying for an Arsenal fan to always have to deal with Fabregas to Barcelona transfer rumors.

Roy Keane is on a collision course with Sunderland over his new contract. The Irishman�s current deal with the Black Cats ends in the summer and a new offer worth �3m-a-year is on the table, but Keane has been slow to commit. (Sunday Express)

Keane would be a fool to leave Sunderland. He is at the perfect team for this stage of his coching career.

Under pressure Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has seven days to save his job. (Mail on Sunday)

Ramos has been given a fair amount of rope I must say. Not many so called top clubs would of been this patience.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says only one man could replace current manager Sir Alex Ferguson: ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. (Mail on Sunday)

I�d love to witness that press conference. Be Champions everyone.

hyperion

Oct 19th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Tottenham's attrocious performance continues. Two red cards and a loss to Stoke...I have a feeling the players are the problem, not the manager.

sweeper

Oct 19th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Tottenham's biggest mistake was sacking Martin Jol. Two top 5 finishes then al of a sudden Levy and Commoli think their a top tier side.

sweeper

Oct 19th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Angry Tottenham players have complained to boss Juande Ramos they are too hungry to perform after being ordered to follow strict dietary rules. (Sun)

Hopefully they are well fed tomorrow when they play against Stoke City.

lol great post

flexwong

Oct 19th, 2008, 03:07 PM

Tottenham's biggest mistake was sacking Martin Jol. Two top 5 finishes then al of a sudden Levy and Commoli think their a top tier side.

ramos won a cup with tottenham though. ramos > jol imo. if anyone is to blame, it's robbie keane for leaving.

sweeper

Oct 19th, 2008, 04:14 PM

The Carling Cup is a tin cup competition :lol: .

Martin Jol occupied the last Champions League spot for the majority of his first season, until his food-poisoned squad lost to West Ham on the last day of the season, losing the last CL spot to Arsenal. After that season he had another 5th placed finish but started the 3rd season with a string of losses and draws. The Tottenham board suddenly thought they were Top 4 material and sacked him. Just look at Hamburger SV in the Bundelisga right now, top of the table with Martin Jol at the helm doing a fine job.

Robbie Keane left in the summer plus Tottenham literally bent over for Liverpool when they showed an interest in him.

Tottenham had plenty of time to find replacements, Berbatov was bound to leave as well, Tottenham just dragged it out and failed to actually search for an ideal striker to partner with Darren Bent.

Tottenham only have themselves to blame and it looks like they'll be playing Championship Football come next season.

Season / Club / Points / Finish

01 Bradford---5---20th
02 Leicester---5---20th
03 West Ham---5---18th
04 Wolves----2----20th
05 Palace----2----18th
06 Everton---3----11th
07 Derby-----4----20th
08 Spurs-----2-----?

Only Everton survived Relegation ^

sinnacle

Oct 20th, 2008, 02:28 AM

Nice to see the comments I must say.

- Usually I'm pretty patience when it comes to coaching changes. For the most part they usually do more harm than good but I can see no way Juande Ramos can turn this sinking ship around. In a game that called for a win Tottenham looked unprepared and uninspired losing to Stoke 2-1. Ramos looked like a man without answers on the sidelines with his Dimitar Berbatov like blank stare. This whole idea that Tottenham has too much talent to go down is silly and sadly the players are still buying into it. Tottenham are a deserved last place. Their are no major injuries to speak of, no bad luck and aside from Chelsea, Tottenham hasn't played a top four team yet. Ramos seems unable to gain the confidence of his players who to a man seem to have lost faith in the current coaching set up.

- Who knew watching a throw in would be so exciting? I could watch Rory Delap sling a ball into the box all day long. Chipped in with the winning goal as well. All and all not a bad day at the office for the Irishman.

- The more I think about it the more Carlos Tevez would be better served by leaving United. Unlike Ronaldo, Tevez holds all the cards when deciding his future. The player in a very short time has won what most players only dream of winning in England.

In the four headed monster which is Tevez, Ronaldo, Rooney, and Berbatov, Tevez will always be the odd man out at United. Ronaldo's name will be penciled in the starting lineup since it's unlikely Ferguson will feature Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez together. Rooney is the golden boy and currently in the form of his life so his place is set. United didn't spend 30 million pounds to sit Berbatov and watch him pout.

Carlos Tevez should also keep an eye on his place with Argentina. A new coach coming in could easily replace Tevez leading into the 2010 World Cup as Tevez and Sergio Aguero have failed to click thus far and with the depth that Argentina have combined with a lack of playing time at United could see Tevez on the outside looking in come 2010. Besides at Real Madrid, Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy are not getting any younger so Tevez would come in at the perfect time.

- Liverpool sure do leave it late. Soon enough this luck will run out but Liverpool fans must be loving their side sharing a deserved top spot in the EPL.

- No Torres, no problem says Dirk Kuyt

- Amr Zaki was 15 minutes away from grabbing the headlines with his performance against Liverpool. Be interesting to see if he can keep up this form over the winter months. One thing is for sure, Zaki is coming to into a lot of money in his next contract.

- Daniel Agger must be relieved that Liverpool came back to win. That was an awful give away to gift Zaki his first goal. Agger set up of Kuyt goal was top class stuff however.

- Hull City is proving their no fluke. They can hold a clean sheet and it's refreshing to see a team ignore suggestions that their second class and lucky to be in the EPL. Hull doesn't care what team there playing against where as so many teams come into matches already mentality defeated.

- What will be Everton's excuse now that Moyes has signed a new contact and still defensively Everton is poor?

- Loved how Scolari didn't make injuries an excuse going into the Middlesbrough game. So many coaches would of moaned about the international break but instead Scolari showed confidence in the team he fielded and they repaid him with a five goal beating of Middlesbrough.

Oct 20th, 2008, 09:28 AM

This is a rhetorical question but really who the F is Jonathan Woodgate - can't believe he ever played for Real Madrid :confused:

sinnacle

Oct 20th, 2008, 10:00 AM

This is a rhetorical question but really who the F is Jonathan Woodgate - can't believe he ever played for Real Madrid :confused:

lol....I love how Woodgate wiki page lists this.

"In July 2007, Woodgate was voted the worst signing of the 21st century by readers of www.marca.com, the website for Spain's biggest selling sports daily, Diario Marca. The 27-year-old was the runaway winner polling 37.11 percent of the votes cast.[6]"

sinnacle

Oct 21st, 2008, 03:43 AM

Spurs will sack director of football Damien Comolli next week but have told boss Juande Ramos he is safe - for now. (The Sun)

But the Tottenham hierarchy have encouraged Ramos to make changes in his backroom as there is a view at White Hart Lane the Spaniard is taking on too much. (The Independent)

Not sure when Tottenham will push the panic button but it appears to be happening soon.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is ready to make a cut-price double swoop for West Ham pair Matthew Upson and Scott Parker in January. (Daily Mirror)

Upson and Parker despite West Ham�s money worries will not be sold on the cheap come the next transfer window.

Defender Lucas Neill, whose contract with West Ham runs out at the end of the season, is facing a wage cut if he wants to remain at Upton Park as the Hammers are not willing to match his current �60,000-a-week wages. (Daily Star)

Lucas Neill on the other hand can be had for next to nothing.

Blackburn have rejected claims Manchester City target Roque Santa Cruz has an �18m release clause in his contract. (The Sun)

With or without that release clause can�t see Blackburn turning down a transfer deal in the range of 18-20 million for Roque Santa Cruz.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is ready to offer Marseille �8m for France number one Steve Mandanda. (The Sun)

Joe Hart must not be liking that rumor. Fans who champion young English players would also be upset since it would push Joe Hart who many consider England�s best young goalie down the pecking order.

Mikel Arteta says he could play for England on the five-year residency rule. Everton�s Spanish midfielder, 26, said: �I�ve been here four years so that possibility will exist.� (The Sun)

Just can�t picture Capello and England in general going after Arteta despite his talent.

Former Manchester United and Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has admitted he will be roaring on the Glasgow club when the two teams meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.(Daily Star)

What would anyone expect? Larsson is a Celtic legend, he only had a cup of coffee for United back in early 2007 before going back to his club team in Sweden.

flexwong

Oct 21st, 2008, 07:26 PM

when robbie keane left the wolves, they were relegated. when he left coventry, they were relegated. when he left the leeds scum, they were relegated (THANK YOU). catch my drift? lol. if tottenham get relegated this year, i can only pray that he leaves liverpool asap, then they'll be relegated. :D

sweeper

Oct 21st, 2008, 08:12 PM

Heaven forbid the Scousers win the Title this year. Hope their lucky bubble stops once Chel$ki bring them back to Earth.

sinnacle

Oct 22nd, 2008, 03:46 AM

Brazil striker Ronaldo, nearing full fitness after a serious knee injury, has pleaded with Manchester City to make another move for him, saying: �If City make their offer again, I�ll consider it.� (The Sun)

City should then say in return what would it take for you to actually sign a contract instead of considering it in order to avoid these silly back and forth games.

England striker Emile Heskey is looking for an �80,000-a-week deal elsewhere as he plays out his current Wigan contract, which may mean he could prove too expensive in the January window. (Daily Mirror)

That is a lot of money to pay for a player who gives it his all but doesn�t produce a high goal total.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill plans to use Marlon Harewood as bait to sign Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz in an �18m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Have always liked Harewood as a player but Blackburn have a similar type player already in Jason Roberts. Blackburn will want money and lots of it for Roque Santa Cruz.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have signalled that they are ready to sell their stake at Anfield after engaging investment bank Merrill Lynch to find a buyer for the club. (The Times)

Meanwhile, Liverpool�s owners reportedly intend to use the club�s profits to service interest on the loans they have incurred to buy the club. (Daily Telegraph)

Not exactly the type of news Liverpool fans want to see in the paper before facing Chelsea on Saturday. That will be a great game to kick off the upcoming soccer weekend. If anyone knows about finding a buyer for a troubled company in a short time frame it would be Merrill Lynch.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has promised to score against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday - and dedicate the goal to his former club Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool fans would counter that if Forlan scored goals for United he�d still be wearing an United shirt. If memory does serve me correctly to be fair I believe Forlan had his best game for Manchester United against Liverpool many moons ago.

sinnacle

Oct 23rd, 2008, 05:15 AM

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has said he is considering a last- minute swoop for England midfielder David Beckham who is set to move to AC Milan on loan from LA Galaxy. (The Sun)

Tough choice for Beckham here. Spending the winter months in Milan playing for one of the biggest teams in the world or on the south coast of England? Safe to say if it came down to Portsmouth or A.C Milan, Beckham will be heading to Italy.

Manchester City and Tottenham are both chasing CSKA Moscow�s �12m-rated striker Vagner Love, 24, who has admitted he fancies a move to the Premier League. (Various)

A reunion of Love and Jo for Manchester City I�m sure would appeal to the player. Either way by January look for Vagner Love to make the jump to England.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has admitted he made a mistake in not signing Egyptian striker Amr Zaki on a permanent deal after signing the 25-year-old on a season-long loan. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid are reported to be interested in signing Zaki who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League appearances for Wigan. (Daily Telegraph)

Safe to say it will be one year and done for Zaki and Wigan.

Reports in France say Manchester United are still interested in signing 20-year-old Lyon midfielder Karim Benzema, but they face competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Daily Telegraph)

Those French reporters must be bored. Carlos Tevez can�t even get a game in for United at the moment. I wish these Benzema to United/Real Madrid type rumors would stop because the player himself seems very happy at Lyon.

Blackburn manager Paul Ince has said Aston Villa cannot afford striker Roque Santa Cruz and that the 27-year-old striker will not be going anywhere in January. (Daily Star)

Paul Ince most likely is right about Santa Cruz being out of Villa price range. Not so sure Ince is right about Santa Cruz staying the entire year.

Tottenham midfielder David Bentley has admitted the Spurs players have not been together, but says they are slowly beginning to turn things around. (Various)

Don�t see how it can get much slower.

pavelbure10

Oct 23rd, 2008, 09:43 AM

flexwong

Oct 23rd, 2008, 07:48 PM

NDman

Oct 23rd, 2008, 08:05 PM

Beckham really needs to get out of the mls and come back to europe

He committed career suicide for money. I don't really pity him if getting a more prominent role in the English team is his main goal now. He could still ledge on for a bench role but his time to earn more cap is nearly over

sweeper

Oct 23rd, 2008, 08:47 PM

He nearly joined Arsenal after his first season with Real Madrid, playing for SAF is probably out of the question since he probably still holds a grudge over SAF kicking a shoe at him. :D

pavelbure10

Oct 23rd, 2008, 09:16 PM

He committed career suicide for money. I don't really pity him if getting a more prominent role in the English team is his main goal now. He could still ledge on for a bench role but his time to earn more cap is nearly over

still can be a valuable asset on the bench.....HE really did commit career suicide, i remember him having some outstanding games in the champions league for real Madrid before he bolted to Hollywood

flexwong

Oct 23rd, 2008, 11:32 PM

ac milan are has beens. why anyone would be willing to play there is a surprise to me. as much as i would welcome becks back to the united with open arms, i don't want that media circus that travels with him to be at all of our practices and what not. it'll be a huge distraction. really enjoy watching him play for england though. capello will be smart to be sure to include beckham in his squads.

sinnacle

Oct 24th, 2008, 03:48 AM

Newcastle striker Michael Owen, whose contract expires in the summer, is a target for Italian side Genoa. (Daily Mirror)

Owen will be in an interesting spot come this summer. Surely he can’t be thinking of resigning with Newcastle in their current state. Looking at the market out there, Chelsea is doubtful. Manchester United and Liverpool are a no. Arsene Wenger is allergic to players turning 30 so Arsenal is out. Real Madrid, been there done that. While I’ll be curious how Owen maps out his future few would think that Genoa would be his next stop.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also looking to sign 20-year-old Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is a also a target for Juventus. (Daily Mirror)

Score a goal mid week in the Champions League and all of the sudden you are a transfer rumor a few days later. Besides this is how the call would go

Txiki Begiristain (Barcelona director of Football) : Buenos dais

Arsene Wenger : Hellooooo, this is Arsene Wenger from Arsenal and I’d like to buy Sergio Busquets.

Begiristain : Aren’t you the one who stole Cesc Fabregas from our youth academy like a thief in the night?

Wenger : Yes, but that is in the past. Besides I sold you Thierry Henry last year.

Begiristain : Oh yes that has turned out real well for us also…..hangs up.

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has admitted it could take the players two years to get used to new manager Gianfranco Zola’s tactics. (Daily Mirror)

If it’s going to take Mark Noble two years to learn Zola’s tactics Noble will end up finding himself a new team. Most coaches do not get two years to get all their players on board.

Chelsea and England captain John Terry has hit back at fans who have doubted his commitment to playing for England by saying he will always put his country before club duties. (Daily Mirror)

His actions have proven otherwise.

fugazi11

Oct 24th, 2008, 09:24 AM

[B]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also looking to sign 20-year-old Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is a also a target for Juventus. (Daily Mirror)

Score a goal mid week in the Champions League and all of the sudden you are a transfer rumor a few days later. Besides this is how the call would go

Txiki Begiristain (Barcelona director of Football) : Buenos dais

Arsene Wenger : Hellooooo, this is Arsene Wenger from Arsenal and I�d like to buy Sergio Busquets.

Begiristain : Aren�t you the one who stole Cesc Fabregas from our youth academy like a thief in the night?

Wenger : Yes, but that is in the past. Besides I sold you Thierry Henry last year.

Begiristain : Oh yes that has turned out real well for us also�..hangs up.

Thats why he is one of the greats.....the man can spot talent. Although he should have sold Henry a year earlier for double the $$$$.

flexwong

Oct 24th, 2008, 11:34 AM

Thats why he is one of the greats.....the man can spot talent. Although he should have sold Henry a year earlier for double the $$$$.

there's only one arsene wegner
there's only one arsene wegner
with a packet of sweets
and a cheeky smile
wegner is a f****** paedophile

sweeper

Oct 24th, 2008, 11:45 AM

there's only one arsene wegner
there's only one arsene wegner
with a packet of sweets
and a cheeky smile
wegner is a f****** paedophile

sit down you paedophile
sit down you paedophile
sit down you paedophile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYPRtxHviqk&feature=related

:cheesygri

Anyways, Beckham to United wont happen since he probably still holds a grudge against SAF.

sinnacle

Oct 25th, 2008, 05:09 AM

After Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says his club�s interest in Manchester United�s Cristiano Ronaldo is over, Ronaldo says he hopes to play in the Champions League final against the Spanish champions. (Spanish sports paper Marca)

Sir Alex Ferguson would drink to that but things said in October are generally forgotten about come July.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill is to investigate claims John Carew was in a nightclub hours before his side�s Uefa Cup game against Ajax. (The Sun)

Maybe Carew and William Gallas were just talking about ways to piss off their managers as Gallas was recently pictured having a smoke which didn�t sit to well with Arsene Wenger.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is top of Tottenham�s list to replace Juande Ramos. (Daily Express)

This is a tough one for Redknapp. He was smart enough to avoid the Newcastle offer last year but with Portsmouth already capped out financially Redknapp may want to have a go with Tottenham.

Roberto Mancini, Roberto Donadoni, Terry Venables, Kenny Jackett and Sam Allardyce are in the frame to succeed Iain Dowie as QPR boss. (The Times)

Here I was thinking the rumor of Roberto Mancini to Fulham was laughable. Love it how a newspaper connects Italian ownership with a top Italian manager then thinks its on to something.

sinnacle

Oct 25th, 2008, 06:57 PM

This story is just breaking, Ramos finally got the sack and Redknapp might be heading back to London.

maebach

Oct 25th, 2008, 07:39 PM

redknapp for sure, spurs paid 5 million pounds for him.

pavelbure10

Oct 25th, 2008, 10:28 PM

whats the different between spurs and a triangle?

a triangle has three points. . . ..

gotta love im on setanta sports

sinnacle

Oct 26th, 2008, 05:50 AM

Arsenal look set to sign midfielder Yaya Toure, brother of Gunners defender Toure. (News of the World)

That is because Barcelona is looking to sell him for below market level. Transfer fee aside Yaya Toure would be a useful player in this Arsenal squad.

Liverpool will face a mutiny of their top stars, led by Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano, if manager Rafael Benitez leaves the club. (News of the World)

Steven Gerrard would still be happy. Besides where would Benitez go to? The only job I could see him leaving Liverpool for is Real Madrid and that job is safe for now.

Portsmouth are considering offloading striker David Nugent to Bolton in January. (News of the World)

That is like me saying I�m considering offloading a fruitcake I got for Christmas. Portsmouth would love to rid themselves out of their 5 million pound mistake.

Manchester City players are living in fear that their jobs will be taken by big-money imports brought in by the club�s new owners. (News of the World)

Not only should the players think that but Mark Hughes should as well.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has turned up the heat ahead of Sunday�s clash with Liverpool by insisting the Reds will never be considered great until they end the long wait for the Premier League title. (News of the World)

I do enjoy the mind games Scolari plays with other coaches. When playing Manchester United he made mention of his friendship with Ronaldo and alluded to him playing for Cheslea cause of it. Sure that will never happen but it must of gotten under the skin of Sir Alex Ferguson, the master of these media games.

West Ham striker Craig Bellamy says new boss Gianfranco Zola has transformed the club since he took over and claims he is already a better player under the Italian�s influence. (News of the World)

Nothing says keep me in the starting lineup like kissing up to your boss.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has earned �277 per minute since taking the reins at the club - despite having yet to guide them to a win. (News of the World)

It�s not like Joe Kinnear was taking over Brazil here. Also didn�t help that Michael Owen is going through his yearly injury phrase.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has become an official ambassador for Mercedes and they are considering using him to promote their luxury cars. (News of the World)

When I think of high class German engineering Wayne Rooney immediately comes to mind.

si18

Oct 26th, 2008, 06:11 PM

Steinbok

Oct 26th, 2008, 07:21 PM

Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool

CFC's unbeaten home record is finally broken!!! :D

The last team that beat Chelsea at home 86 games ago went on to win the PL (arsenal), so let's hope this is a good omen!!! :lol:

amen brother!

But i think all Liverpool fans (myself included) that it is still too early to get carried away. I think the players know that too this time around, so lets hope they maintain this form.

Glad that all doubters are being proven wrong that this team is all about Torres or Gerrard. I think the rest of the team is really starting to pick their weight... Kyut, Reira, Mash & Alonso are all starting to contribute and put in game winning performances.

Like i said, too early to get carried away...but not a bad time to be a red's fan!

flexwong

Oct 26th, 2008, 08:08 PM

si18

Oct 26th, 2008, 09:47 PM

for the sake of football, lets hope not. bloody murderers. :evil:

Typical jealous Red Devils fans reply.... :twisted:

I guessed you are not used to seeing your team 4 positions below LFC!!! :lol:

sinnacle

Oct 27th, 2008, 01:25 AM

- Tottenham leads off this week in review and for once it appears to be for the right reasons. Ramos had to go, the man simply ran out of ideas to lift this team out of its slump. Three wins since Tottenham Carling Cup victory is not going to get it done for a team with high expectations of itself.

- If I was a Portsmouth fan I�d be quite annoyed with Harry Redknapp at the moment. When he turned down Newcastle last year he went on and on about his love for Portsmouth and his desire to finish off his coaching career there. I can understand if things change but to leave a team in the middle of the season leaves Portsmouth at a huge disadvantage. What happens to Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, and Lassana Diarra? All three players Redknapp sold them his vision for Portsmouth only for Redknapp to get up and leave for London. What type of message does it send to the rest of the team? Harry Redknapp is basically saying to them that there are not good enough to move forward. Sure the five million pounds Portsmouth got for Redknapp will take the sting out of the sudden coaching change somewhat but the next man in charge will have to deal with a lot of player issues if he is going to continue leading Portsmouth in the right direction.

- Not that this will ever happen but if there is a transfer window for players maybe there should be a transfer window on coaches too. We all know Football is a dog eat dog world and nobody knows that better than Tottenham losing Keane and Berbatov but its a tough pill for Portsmouth fans to have to swallow losing their manager 24 hours before an match.

- Harry Redknapp is a good short term solution. The man is used to getting teams out of regulation but at 61 he isn�t the ideal candidate to be a long term manager.

- After winning 2-0 today against Bolton its just about proof positive that those Tottenham players quit on their coach. Don�t know who looks worst, the players who quit on their former boss and in turn the fans would paid good money to see lack luster performances or Ramos coaching methods.

- To think the former Tottenham management team figured Pavlyuchenko and Bent couldn�t play together. They didn�t seem so out of place yesterday.

- Enough about Tottenham as we move on to Manchester United against Everton. Classic tale of two halves. United had total control in the first half but couldn�t find that second goal to put it away. That left the door open for Everton who in turned controlled the second half and were unlucky only to walk away with a point but a fair result none the less. Maybe this will be the result that turns Everton�s season around?

- Far from sold on Fellaini as a top class player but that was a top class header which tied the game up. Not everyday you see an attacker beat Nemanja Vidić in the air.

- I�m sure Sunderland fans would love to see their team qualify for Europe next season but what they really wanted was a win against arch rivals Newcastle. Thanks to a beautiful free kick by Kieran Richardson that is now mission accomplished.

- Another week another three points for Hull City. Wonder how long it will be until other teams have current Hull manager Phil Brown on their radar when coaching jobs become open.

- No Torres, no problem again for Liverpool who snap Chelsea�s four year undefeated streak at home in the league. Liverpool fans will be walking into work with an extra spring in their step tomorrow morning.

- The sky is not falling on Chelsea, all good things have to end at some point. You can blame it on injuries which left Chelsea with very little depth but the reality is Chelsea couldn�t find a way to crack open a well organized Liverpool back line.

- I�d love to hear Mourinho�s opinion on Chelsea�s defeat but after dropping points to Genoa on the weekend it�s doubtful he�ll be in much of a mood to talk about his former team.

- Never a bad weekend to get a hat trick but with everything that occurred in the last 48 hours Robinho�s hat trick only gets mentioned down here.

- Good win by Arsenal against a West Ham team that usually gives top four teams trouble at home. Last year West Ham tripped up Liverpool and Manchester United at home so Arsenal walking away with all three points and keeping a clean sheet must please them.

flexwong

Oct 27th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Typical jealous Red Devils fans reply.... :twisted:

I guessed you are not used to seeing your team 4 positions below LFC!!! :lol:

jealous?! of what? the fact that you haven't won the premiership in 18 years? the fact that your team history is filled with murder and blood?

we won it 3 times
we won it 3 times
without killing anyone
we won it 3 times.

sweeper

Oct 27th, 2008, 09:12 PM

^

I've always found it fascinating that the Liverpool-Manchester Rivalry could manifest itself across the Atlantic to people who've actually never been to these cities.

sweeper

Oct 27th, 2008, 10:51 PM

sweeper

Oct 27th, 2008, 10:55 PM

Typical jealous Red Devils fans reply.... :twisted:

I guessed you are not used to seeing your team 4 positions below LFC!!! :lol:

There's certainly nothing a Manchester United FC supporter has to be jealous about regarding Liverpool. Despite one laughable, fluky and controversial 2005 European Cup Victory in Istanbul, The past two decades have shown MUFC is miles ahead of LFC (who simply concentrate on cups and never make any impact in the league, although this season seems different) In fact, if Manchester United win the title this year, the number of league titles with Liverpool's English record will be tied at 18. Oh ya, and MUFC isnt associated with the worst disasters to happen in football (Heysel Tragedy, Hillsborough)

I for one hope other clubs can start making a challenge at the top, I'm sick of seeing the Big 4 (Le Arse, Chelski, Scouse and ManWho) dominate everything.

flexwong

Oct 27th, 2008, 11:25 PM

^

I've always found it fascinating that the Liverpool-Manchester Rivalry could manifest itself across the Atlantic to people who've actually never been to these cities.

and how do you know that we've never been to the cities or watched games before? lol, airplanes do exist my friend!

pavelbure10

Oct 27th, 2008, 11:45 PM

Despite Chelsea's loss to Liverpool at Home, The Premier League contenders will most likely be Manchester United and Chelsea again.

But lets hope either Hull City or Aston Villa take Liverpool's CL spot. :D

As for Spurs I pray they will be playing Championship Football come next season.

still not putting liverpool in that race even though they beat both sides, i know its still early but this season seems different. I wanna see Hull city grab the fourth spot. Imagine Hull City in the champions league......

si18

Oct 28th, 2008, 12:10 AM

Haha haha this is so funny... :lol: 'laughable, and fluky'.... hmmmm lets us roll back to May 08' we all forgot how MU won the European Cup cos' JT flunk his PK....
Hmmm lets roll back further to 99' when some German team played you out of the park until the last 5 min.

My friend, all Cup finals are closely contested and a hairline decision makes and breaks a final....If we are fluky, you are DOUBLE fluky.... :twisted:

Despite one laughable, fluky and controversial 2005 European Cup Victory in Istanbul,

BTW my post was to bait flexwong out to do his usual slagging off, which did work....

Out of respect I will not use the same lowlife tactics to slag on your own bit of tragedy... :evil:

flexwong

Oct 28th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Haha haha this is so funny... :lol: 'laughable, and fluky'.... hmmmm lets us roll back to May 08' we all forgot how MU won the European Cup cos' JT flunk his PK....
Hmmm lets roll back further to 99' when some German team played you out of the park until the last 5 min.

My friend, all Cup finals are closely contested and a hairline decision makes and breaks a final....If we are fluky, you are DOUBLE fluky.... :twisted:

BTW my post was to bait flexwong out to do his usual slagging off, which did work....

Out of respect I will not use the same lowlife tactics to slag on your own bit of tragedy... :evil:

unfortunately for you, united contested on multiple fronts in both 99 and 08, where as liverpool finished 5th in the premiership when they won in istanbul. might i remind you that uefa had to change its rules in order to let them back into europe the following year?

si18

Oct 28th, 2008, 12:54 AM

unfortunately for you, united contested on multiple fronts in both 99 and 08, where as liverpool finished 5th in the premiership when they won in istanbul. might i remind you that uefa had to change its rules in order to let them back into europe the following year?

What has that got to do with the Cup Final game itself.... ??? :confused:

I'm talking about the game, NOT the season... Are you saying that MU won those 2 games by a wide margin??? Can you tell me when CR missed that PK in May, you weren't fearing for the worst???

sweeper

Oct 28th, 2008, 01:16 AM

pavelbure10

Oct 28th, 2008, 01:39 AM

I don't support Man United. Frankly I couldn't care less if they beat Chelsea 5-0 or if JT wasnt a slipping fool. Watching the 2005 Final was hilarious in the fact that Stevie G dived for the 3rd penalty, and Dudek cheating in the penalty shootout.

I tend not to jump on the glory-hunting band-wagon. Plastic. :D

Last time i checked if you get clipped by your opponent in the 18 yard box its a penalty, maybe you can go look at the replays and show where this dive took place. You could clearly see gatusso foot hit Gerrards

sinnacle

Oct 28th, 2008, 04:16 AM

New Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been warned off poaching any of his stars at former club Portsmouth. (Various)

Redknapp will offer Spurs winger Aaron Lennon plus cash to try to lure Pompey striker Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane as part of a massive �44m spending spree in January. (Daily Express)

Even if Tottenham over paid for Jermain Defoe, Portsmouth on point of principal alone shouldn�t sell any of there current players to Tottenham. Portsmouth players must already feel like second class citizens seeing their coach just walk out and leave within 24 hours. Selling your best players to Tottenham would be a further blow to the psyche of those still at Portsmouth.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to spend �3m on Greek wonder kid Kyriakos Papadopoulos in January. The 16-year-old defender plays for Olympiakos. (The Sun)

The kid should excel in the Greek league first before moving on. So many �wonder kids� by the time they turn 21 end of like Anthony Le Tallec.

Newcastle�s French winger Charles N�Zogbia is being lined up for a switch to Paris St Germain in the January transfer window. (Daily Mirror)

Most Newcastle fans won�t be shedding many tears if N�Zogbia does in fact leave at some point.

Tony Adams has already been appointed Portsmouth manager and will take charge of the club�s game at Liverpool on Wednesday. (The Sun)

I�m sure most Arsenal fans will wish Adams luck and that he beats his former boss.

Stiliyan Petrov thinks Aston Villa team-mate John Carew, fined �100,000 by Martin O�Neill for going to a lap-dancing bar, should do whatever he wants so long as he performs on the pitch. �We all motivate ourselves in different ways and maybe that is his way - he should go lap-dancing more often,� he said. (Daily Mail)

Stiliyan Petrov may have stumbled upon unique motivational method it seems for John Carew. Still a silly amount to fine a player. It isn�t like Carew negatively effected his team against Ajax last week. Personally I just think this is Martin O�Neil showing off to the media trying to prove that he is the boss. Players both on Aston Villa and from other teams usually remember over reactions such as these down the road.

flexwong

Oct 28th, 2008, 05:09 PM

What has that got to do with the Cup Final game itself.... ??? :confused:

I'm talking about the game, NOT the season... Are you saying that MU won those 2 games by a wide margin??? Can you tell me when CR missed that PK in May, you weren't fearing for the worst???

the ability to play one good game but suck for most of the season doesn't mean you're good. yes, united got lucky, but we also showed the most incredible form last year in all of england by winning the premiership as well. battling a 2 front war, having to fight with chelsea down to the wire for the premiership and then again for champions league. that means no resting players on champions league game weeks, unlike liverpool who have been able to do that for so many years now.

malaujai

Oct 28th, 2008, 09:47 PM

jealous?! of what? the fact that you haven't won the premiership in 18 years? the fact that your team history is filled with murder and blood?

we won it 3 times
we won it 3 times
without killing anyone
we won it 3 times.

where did we kill anyone?

you are gravely mistaken if you believe in the rag.

its also quite possibly the lowest of low and most disrespectful comments i think you can make.

flexwong

Oct 29th, 2008, 12:32 AM

where did we kill anyone?

you are gravely mistaken if you believe in the rag.

its also quite possibly the lowest of low and most disrespectful comments i think you can make.

actually there are much lower comments that i can make but i never make them out of respect for those who lost lives. that chant is not a shot at the ones who lost lives, so i do not see how it is low. liverpool fans disgust me. end of last year, a bunch of scousers brought model aeroplanes into old trafford, constant chants of munich and disrespecting georgie best's minute of silence.

if you really think liverpool's history is bright and glorious, and that liverpool fans have never "killed anyone" you are delusional mate.

malaujai

Oct 29th, 2008, 01:20 AM

actually there are much lower comments that i can make but i never make them out of respect for those who lost lives. that chant is not a shot at the ones who lost lives, so i do not see how it is low. liverpool fans disgust me. end of last year, a bunch of scousers brought model aeroplanes into old trafford, constant chants of munich and disrespecting georgie best's minute of silence.

if you really think liverpool's history is bright and glorious, and that liverpool fans have never "killed anyone" you are delusional mate.

i'm not looking to start some flame war with you so i won't make any comments with regards to how 'delusional' you are thinking i'm delusional.

fact is -- both clubs have their dark spots in history but how that reflects the current views of the general population is beyond me.

i dont mind if you hate all liverpool fans, in fact, you don't even need a reason -- but no reason is better than to base it on the actions of a few fans.

otherwise, i wish u luck against hull :)

sinnacle

Oct 29th, 2008, 03:46 AM

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams says he fears an exodus at Fratton Park after Harry Redknapp�s departure. (The Times)

Adams has also said that any player who is unsettled following Redknapp�s departure can leave Pompey. (Various)

While it has been proven you can win with kids, you�ll be hard pressed to win with players whose heart isn�t in it.

West Bromwich Albion are lining up a bid for Manchester United�s Angola striker Manucho and they are also interested in Real Mallorca striker Oscar Trejo. (Daily Mail)

It was always a stretch to believe that an unknown player from Angola was going to make the grade with Manchester United. Would make a good story however if Manucho did.

Emile Heskey has warned that he could make a decision on his future in the summer, by which time his contract with Wigan will be up. (The Sun)

Heskey mom didn�t raise no fool. Wait until the summer to play off one team against another.

Juande Ramos has blamed his sacking on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy�s decision to sell strike duo Robbie Keane and Juande Ramos (Daily Express)

Tottenham wasn�t exactly lighting up the league towards the end of last year even with Dimitar Berbatov and Keane.

Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas says north London rivals Tottenham would struggle to beat Arsenal�s Ladies side. (The Sun)

Not the type of quote Fabregas usually gives to the media which makes its even funnier.

flexwong

Oct 29th, 2008, 04:39 PM

i'm not looking to start some flame war with you so i won't make any comments with regards to how 'delusional' you are thinking i'm delusional.

fact is -- both clubs have their dark spots in history but how that reflects the current views of the general population is beyond me.

i dont mind if you hate all liverpool fans, in fact, you don't even need a reason -- but no reason is better than to base it on the actions of a few fans.

otherwise, i wish u luck against hull :)

im not looking to start a flame war either, nor am i flaming you. i just don't see how any liverpool fan can say "when did we kill anyone?" when the facts are right there.

so you choose to completely disregard your club's dark history.

point being in the end, liverpool fans can brag all they want about 5 european cups. but they will NEVER escape the fact that 39 people lost their lives because of the actions of certain liverpool fans.

Madchester

Oct 29th, 2008, 08:06 PM

That Bentley goal today was pure class.

flexwong

Oct 29th, 2008, 10:40 PM

guess harry redknapp is the new saviour of tottenham. portsmouth must be kicking themselves still.

sinnacle

Oct 30th, 2008, 04:22 AM

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has joined Arsenal in the race to sign Leeds� 17-year-old midfielder Fabian Delph for about �6m. (The Sun)

Another example of how far Leeds have fallen or how far Sunderland have risen. Eight years ago it would of been Arsenal and Leeds fighting it out to sign a player from Sunderland. Back to Delph it will always be tough for Sunderland to attract a player being in North East England when compared to London.

Everton manager David Moyes is considering making a �6m offer for Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt. (Daily Mirror)

Petr Cech won�t be thrilled to hear this news.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has lined up a �1.5m bid for Bolton defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Star)

Must suck living in England and going through life with such a last name.

Newcastle�s interim manager Joe Kinnear will seek a long-term contract if owner Mike Ashley fails to secure a quick sale of the club. (Various)

I kinda like Joe Kinnear only because I generally cheer for hopeless causes but for Newcastle to commit it�s long term future to Kinnear before the season is over would be foolish.

Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has pledged his future to the club following the departure of manager Harry Redknapp. (The Sun)

Now Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe can look forward to answering the same question.

NDman

Oct 30th, 2008, 03:11 PM

That Bentley goal today was pure class.

Crazy control! But Almunia made the goal looks much nicer. Hardly any keeper would be expecting a shot like that but he got caught way out in front. Sweet goal still!

maebach

Oct 30th, 2008, 11:30 PM

Great goal, but Im still not sure where Bentley fits. Last year he was amazing for Blackburn, and now (other than the one goal) he's vanished.

Im actually happy that we picked up Milner instead of Bentley, 7 million pounds cheaper and better (so far).

sinnacle

Oct 31st, 2008, 04:33 AM

Hull striker Dean Windass has called off his loan move to Leeds United after being promised a run-out at Old Trafford to face champions Manchester United on Saturday. (The Sun)

Or, Windass could make his Leeds United debut at Cheltenham on Saturday after Hull agreed to fund half his wages. (Daily Mirror)

You know it�s going to be a slow news day when the first thing I read was about Dean Windass. Scored a great goal in getting Hull to the premiership last year but even I could put up a fight in a footrace against Windass.

Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto wants to return to France with Paris Saint-Germain his preferred destination. (Daily Mirror)

I was all in favor of shipping Assou-Ekotto back in France in my Sinnacle takes on Tottenham article. I actually enjoyed writing that. Since I can�t think of another team yet to do my next article on if anyone has any ideas feel free to share.

Arsenal players were involved in a furious post-match bust-up following Wednesday�s 4-4 draw with local rivals Tottenham. (The Sun)

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger pulled no punches in a heated exchange with his Arsenal stars after their two-goal collapse to Spurs. (Daily Mirror)

I�d like to think this Arsenal team will learn from this slip up but I just don�t think they have the make up to do so. Arsenal have never replaced what Patrick Vieira brought to this team and in games like these it shows.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told he will have to sell in order to buy new players in the January transfer window. (The Times)

Who do Chelsea have to sell that always doesn�t currently feature in the first team? Wayne Bridge is always mentioned but he signed a new contract and could of forced a move in the summer if he really wanted to. Do Chelsea sell a good young player like Scott Sinclair? Even if they do how much would you really get in return for an unproven talent?

Besides for the most part the January transfer window is where bad teams over paid in order to make up for the mistakes in the summer transfer market. Top teams like Chelsea rarely bring in first team worthy players.

flexwong

Oct 31st, 2008, 10:33 AM

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told he will have to sell in order to buy new players in the January transfer window. (The Times)

Who do Chelsea have to sell that always doesn�t currently feature in the first team? Wayne Bridge is always mentioned but he signed a new contract and could of forced a move in the summer if he really wanted to. Do Chelsea sell a good young player like Scott Sinclair? Even if they do how much would you really get in return for an unproven talent?

Besides for the most part the January transfer window is where bad teams over paid in order to make up for the mistakes in the summer transfer market. Top teams like Chelsea rarely bring in first team worthy players.

cuz chelsea is horrible at finding talent. all they do is splash money at the most expensive stars. united brought in evra and vidic in the jaunary transfer window, and i'd say they both turned out quite well.

Oct 31st, 2008, 11:28 AM

cuz chelsea is horrible at finding talent. all they do is splash money at the most expensive stars. united brought in evra and vidic in the jaunary transfer window, and i'd say they both turned out quite well.

Apparently Abramovich - has taken a hit also in his personal finances - he's not destitute but he's lost a substantial amount due to drop in price of commodities

flexwong

Oct 31st, 2008, 12:03 PM

Apparently Abramovich - has taken a hit also in his personal finances - he's not destitute but he's lost a substantial amount due to drop in price of commodities

i hope he goes bankrupt and has to fire sell chelsea and they end up like leeds. he would deserve it, that russian gangster.

Oct 31st, 2008, 12:05 PM

i hope he goes bankrupt and has to fire sell chelsea and they end up like leeds. he would deserve it, that russian gangster.

+1 and to top it off if Cashley Cole and the other greed merchants had to take a pay cut

sinnacle

Oct 31st, 2008, 12:19 PM

cuz chelsea is horrible at finding talent. all they do is splash money at the most expensive stars. united brought in evra and vidic in the jaunary transfer window, and i'd say they both turned out quite well.

I knew I'd get that example. Correct, both were brought in during the 2006 transfer window but that year Chelsea was pretty much running away with the league so it was a good spot for United to overhaul things a bit.

Besides both players didn't exactly fit hand in glove during their first couple of months in Manchester. It took both some time to get settled with life in England.

Since then I don't recall Manchester making any major moves during the 2007 transfer window (aside from the Larsson short term loan) and no one was bought in during the 2008 winter window. Aside from a few players here oR there (most either from Russia or South America due to it being end of season) top teams wait until the summer months to reshape the team.

NDman

Oct 31st, 2008, 01:51 PM

Absolutely classic from the Arsenal-Tottenham match

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid958992159?bctid=1887841049

First thing that came to mind for the Arsenal fan on the first goal was "Oh... it's Bentley too...". The reactions were absolutely hilarious, especially after the game-tying goal.

sinnacle

Oct 31st, 2008, 01:56 PM

It will take some game to top that as match of the year in England.

maebach

Oct 31st, 2008, 03:39 PM

I hope Chelsea go bankrupt, Man Utd go bankrupt with Glazer and Hicks/Gilette kill each other. That would open up the league to the rest of the teams.

On a side note, its awfully nice of Ferguson to say that Villa are the only legit team that have a chance of breaking into the top 4.

sinnacle

Nov 1st, 2008, 05:42 AM

Luiz Felipe Scolari wants �more quality� signings to boost his Chelsea squad in January, and admits he was disappointed to miss out on Robinho over the summer. (Various)

The quality on the Chelsea side seemed fine until Liverpool walked into Stamford Bridge and came away with a 1-0 win.

Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead will demand a transfer from the club after an ongoing row with boss Roy Keane, dating back to a Carling Cup clash with Northampton in September, during which the former Manchester United star smashed a tactics board. (Daily Mirror)

I�m sure Roy Keane will have no problem trying to grant Dean Whitehead wish.

Meanwhile, Keane is planning a raid on Everton to take Joleon Lescott to the Stadium of Light for �8m. (Sun)

Nice transfer target as Lescott is a useful player but Everton won�t be selling a player currently starting during the season.

Mark Hughes will fly to Abu Dhabi later this month to discuss January transfer targets with Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour. (Various)

Aston Villa will try to lure young striker Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City once the transfer window opens. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa�s chance of landing Sturridge will depend on Manchester City chances of landing a striker after Mark Hughes meeting later this month.

Stoke defender Abdoulaye Faye has promised Arsenal a �physical� game when the two meet in Saturday�s game at the Britannia Stadium, and branded the Gunners one of the top flight�s �softest� teams. (Various)

Many people would agree, then again many people wouldn�t say it on the eve of a match against Arsenal.

Newly-installed Spurs manager Harry Redknapp will keep faith with blundering goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, despite his errors against Arsenal in midweek. (Independent)

He needs to keep the faith with Gomes until the transfer winter but a few more mistakes from Gomes and Redknapp is going to wish he still had David James in goal.

Nov 1st, 2008, 09:50 AM

flexwong

Nov 1st, 2008, 02:56 PM

arsenal... another year, another pile of dust growing on their trophy cabinet. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

stoooke =D

edit: SPURS!!! hahahahhhahahaa. and it begins.

pavelbure10

Nov 1st, 2008, 03:31 PM

anybody know a good place online to buy soccer jerseys?

sweeper

Nov 1st, 2008, 03:41 PM

hahahahaha Judas Keane still without his first league goal. yiddo! yiddo! yiddo!

sweeper

Nov 1st, 2008, 03:42 PM

anybody know a good place online to buy soccer jerseys?

subsidesports.com

maebach

Nov 1st, 2008, 03:51 PM

sweeper

Nov 1st, 2008, 03:55 PM

I cant belive Spurs beat Liverpool. There goes all the talk about Liverpool winning it all. As quick as the talk begun after beating Chelsea, its all thrown out the window now.

It was going to happen eventually

Robbie Keane whats the score? :D

pavelbure10

Nov 1st, 2008, 04:05 PM

subsidesports.com

thanks

pavelbure10

Nov 1st, 2008, 04:06 PM

I cant belive Spurs beat Liverpool. There goes all the talk about Liverpool winning it all. As quick as the talk begun after beating Chelsea, its all thrown out the window now.

And how about them Spurs? redknapp is making Ramos look like an amateur.

way to early for anyone to be a front runner to win it all. But is gonna three horse race between liverpool, chelski, man u. Should be very entertaining to watch. Can arsenal even hold onto fourth?

sweeper

Nov 1st, 2008, 04:15 PM

way to early for anyone to be a front runner to win it all. But is gonna three horse race between liverpool, chelski, man u. Should be very entertaining to watch. Can arsenal even hold onto fourth?

not if they keep blowing 4-2 leads in the 89th minute or losing to stoke. arsenal's better off concentrating on getting that 4th spot, since aston villa look more likely to be snagging it at the moment.

flexwong

Nov 1st, 2008, 05:19 PM

anybody know a good place online to buy soccer jerseys?

www.onionbag.com

shipping to canada takes a bit longer but i can guarantee it's all authentic. i can give you a discount coupon code as well if you need.

got a giggs united away jersey this year with the champions badges. not the plastic imitation badges/numbering/lettering, it's the felt ones. amazing.

flexwong

Nov 1st, 2008, 05:21 PM

way to early for anyone to be a front runner to win it all. But is gonna three horse race between liverpool, chelski, man u. Should be very entertaining to watch. Can arsenal even hold onto fourth?

a team's depth will come into serious play after Christmas, guaranteed that the big 4 are all in knockout stage of champions league.

pavelbure10

Nov 1st, 2008, 05:47 PM

www.onionbag.com

shipping to canada takes a bit longer but i can guarantee it's all authentic. i can give you a discount coupon code as well if you need.

got a giggs united away jersey this year with the champions badges. not the plastic imitation badges/numbering/lettering, it's the felt ones. amazing.

how much is the coupon for?

flexwong

Nov 1st, 2008, 06:09 PM

how much is the coupon for?

only 5%.

sinnacle

Nov 2nd, 2008, 07:28 AM

Manchester City will smash their own Premier League transfer record in January and buy 20-year-old Argentine striker Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid for �35m. (News of the World)

You know the transfer season is upon us when a silly Manchester City rumor starts floating around. Aguero said no to Chelsea in the summer time after they triggered his buy out clause. That would be a pretty good sign that he isn�t leaving Atletico Madrid yet. Plus it would also take more then �35m in order to even speak with Aguero about a move.

Everton are also poised to make a �6m bid for Napoli defender Fabiona Santacroce, but face competition from AC Milan and Barcelona. (News of the World)

Can�t believe someone wrote this headline with a straight face. Everton is no competition with the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona. Besides Napoli are having a great year in Serie A there is no reason for Santacroce to even want to leave.

Manchester United are ready to make Cristiano Ronaldo the highest-paid player in Premier League history by offering him a new �150,000-a-week contract to stop him joining Spanish giants Real Madrid. (Various)

Take that Frank Lampard.

New Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will collect a �4m bonus if he keeps Spurs in the Premier League. (Sunday Mirror)

Easy clause to hit. The Tottenham players would of played hard for anyone provided that Ramos was out as coach.

Former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce could head a consortium to buy League One side Nottingham Forest. (News of the World)

Which is interesting considering that Nottingham Forest are in the Championship and not League One. (Mind you they are at the bottom in the Championship)

canabiz

Nov 2nd, 2008, 08:18 AM

sinnacle

Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:13 AM

Hey D, sorry for going off-topic but is it me or does the boards on ogd9 not have as many NFL discussions as it should be ? I also looked at cappingthegame which i know a few covers members have migrated over in the past and it is a bit better but not much.

It's game-time Sunday bud, wondering where the action is at ?

Ogd switched forum software this week so posting is down in part of that (everyone had to reset their passwords) Soon enough there will be a post with most major touts service plays which most use to fade.

It's also not the shoot the **** type forum. It's a mix of offshore types, talking to some sharps (or so called sharps, always hated the term) and weekend gamblers mixed it. For other forums therx is very busy, tons of traffic/posters (warning your IQ may drop as a result) SBR is another one and I mod for gamblingiq so I'll plug them as well.

canabiz

Nov 2nd, 2008, 09:56 AM

Ogd switched forum software this week so posting is down in part of that (everyone had to reset their passwords) Soon enough there will be a post with most major touts service plays which most use to fade.

It's also not the shoot the **** type forum. It's a mix of offshore types, talking to some sharps (or so called sharps, always hated the term) and weekend gamblers mixed it. For other forums therx is very busy, tons of traffic/posters (warning your IQ may drop as a result) SBR is another one and I mod for gamblingiq so I'll plug them as well.

Thanks for the info D. I also frequent the Prescription, EOG, MadJackSports, among others...i agree with you the Rx is possibly the busiest of the bunch, lots of noise but some quality cappers there as well. It has been around for a number of years and I will give them credit for that.

I'll check out gamblingiq...i do not have as much time these days as in the past with a young family so I am looking for something that has a bit more content, if you will. I am still doing a lot of the legworks myself but it is nice to jump in something and find nuggets of info that you might have missed in the first place, due to time constraints.

Continued success!

Hugh Jass

Nov 2nd, 2008, 10:21 AM

I cant belive Spurs beat Liverpool. There goes all the talk about Liverpool winning it all. As quick as the talk begun after beating Chelsea, its all thrown out the window now..

Liverpool have beaten their main two contenders and are still level on points. When they start dropping points, then it will be time to talk about not winning it.

And how about them Spurs? redknapp is making Ramos look like an amateur.

Very true. He's a great motivator. But I do feel they were lucky v Arsenal and Liverpool. Their goals v Arse were fortunate ( bad 'keeping and lucky rebounds) and they should've been killed by a misfiring Liverpool in the first half, but fought back well. These results will propel them upwards for sure. They've too much quality to languish down the bottom. Same was said about Leeds though :)

flexwong

Nov 2nd, 2008, 02:08 PM

Same was said about Leeds though :)

yeah but leeds are munich chanting scum who deserved what they got.

Manchester United are ready to make Cristiano Ronaldo the highest-paid player in Premier League history by offering him a new �150,000-a-week contract to stop him joining Spanish giants Real Madrid. (Various)

Take that Frank Lampard.

why can't the papers drop the ronaldo topic? he's already openly stated he's not going anywhere as long as sir alex is at united.

Hugh Jass

Nov 2nd, 2008, 02:45 PM

why can't the papers drop the ronaldo topic? he's already openly stated he's not going anywhere as long as sir alex is at united.

Keeps them in a job. Sitting at their desk, nothing to write, make up a story about Ronaldo or whoever pops into their heads.

sweeper

Nov 2nd, 2008, 02:56 PM

Man City truly suck. Robinho, SWP, Jo, Richards, still can't string some wins together.

Hugh Jass

Nov 2nd, 2008, 06:17 PM

Man City truly suck. Robinho, SWP, Jo, Richards, still can't string some wins together.

Transfer window should be interesting though.....

pavelbure10

Nov 2nd, 2008, 06:47 PM

Transfer window should be interesting though.....

i hear there gonna buy ronaldo, kaka, buffon, messi, maybe even a new barber for robino:razz:

sinnacle

Nov 3rd, 2008, 01:47 AM

- These past five days haven�t been a high point in Arsenal�s history. Anyone who doesn�t display a blind loyalty towards Arsenal has pointed to the Gunners problems for a couple of years now. Saturday�s defeat to Stoke was the first time I�ve seen Arsene Wenger admit weakness in his squad. It was refreshing to finally see Wenger not come up with an excuse such as the refereeing or blaming the other team for not attacking.

Arsenal weakness last year was not overall talent, it was leadership. Arsenal went out and improved the quality on the team but did nothing to address the lack of leadership which is missing. William Gallas is not a leader. A fine player yes but any player who threatened to score in his own goal like he did at Chelsea is not a team first player. It was also interesting to see Patrick Viera score on the weekend for Inter Milan. I�d be hard pressed to believe that if Viera were still in Arsenal they would of given up two late goals to Tottenham.

That leads me to another issue regarding Arsenal. Generally I dislike comparing United to Arsenal but look at Patrick Viera who was shipped off to Juventus along with countless other players who the moment they are past their prime are sold off. At United players like Giggs, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes are treated as legends despite not being what they once were. To play for Arsenal is to be a mercenary, once you outlive your usefulness you will be sold. Some would say that is good business but others would point to the reason why players like Alexander Hleb try to force themselves out of Arsenal because why reward Arsenal with loyalty when they won�t return the favour?

This leaves me to Cesc F�bregas. I actually feel sorry for the player. It�s hard enough being a 21 year old, never mind being 21 and expecting the lead a world renowned football club. While I think Fabregas can lead Arsenal, he shouldn�t have too deal with the added pressure. Unfortunately for Fabregas when he looks around the Arsenal dressing room he sees no veteran influence that could guide him along. Wouldn�t it of been better to keep a Viera or someone from the invincibles era to guide these young Arsenal players instead of them all trying to figure it out on their own?

- Moving on, a mark of a good team is how they respond after a bad result. I�d say winning by a combined score of 8-0 in the last two games that Chelsea have responded well after losing to Liverpool.

- If you need a player to put the game away Nicholas Anelka is your man. If you need a player to break a deadlock Nicholas Anelka would be one of the last players you�d look too. Can�t remember Anelka scoring a goal for Chelsea to give them the lead this season.

- Not everyday you see a) A team walk into Old Trafford and score three goals and b) A team win a penalty decision at Old Trafford. It was fun seeing Hull give Manchester United a go. Maybe it wasn�t so much fun for the back line giving up four goals but it was a great game for a neutral to watch.

- Portsmouth haven�t responded well to life without Harry Redknapp grabbing just one point out of of possible nine. Hasn�t been the best of weeks for Papa Bouba Diop either who gave up penalties to Liverpool which cost them a point and again on the weekend against Wigan.

- Speaking on teams that have responded well we have Tottenham, who after being second best for most of the game came back to beat Liverpool 2-1. The Reds were due to drop points after coming back in so many games to grab points late already this season.

- Manchester City may have the nicest home jerseys in the EPL with the baby blues but those road jerseys are awful. It�s looks like the 90�s Nasty Boys WWF outfit.

sinnacle

Nov 4th, 2008, 03:49 AM

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he may be ready to sign a contract extension at Manchester United. (The Sun)

Still won�t stop the constant speculation regarding his future.

Striker Dirk Kuyt is hoping he will be rewarded for Liverpool�s fine start to the season with a new contract at Anfield. (Daily Star)

Kuyt must of found out how much Liverpool are paying Robbie Keane and now he wants his share fair. Liverpool wouldn�t be where they are now without the play of Kuyt this season. You can even argue that without Kuyt they may not of even been in the Champions League.

Chelsea are about to hand midfielder John Obi Mikel a new �15m five-year contract. (The Sun)

Don�t see it when it comes to John Obi Mikel. I�ve yet to watch a Chelsea game and think boy that John Obi Mikel is the best player on the pitch.

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant is being lined up to replace Adams should he fail at Portsmouth. (Daily Mirror)

Not a ringing endorsement of new coach Tony Adam if Portsmouth are trying to keep Avram Grant waiting in the wings. Also don�t believe that Grant�s next job would be at Portsmouth. Can�t see him going back there after his largely successful run at Chelsea.

Chelsea have already booked their hotel for this season�s Champions League final in Rome. (Daily Star)

I�m sure they got a discount for booking early. Have to keep expenses down these days.

maebach

Nov 4th, 2008, 09:58 AM

Chelsea have already booked their hotel for this season�s Champions League final in Rome. (Daily Star)

I�m sure they got a discount for booking early. Have to keep expenses down these days.

haha

BTW: Ashley Young is poised to sign a new 4 year contract with Villa!

flexwong

Nov 4th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Chelsea have already booked their hotel for this season’s Champions League final in Rome. (Daily Star)

I’m sure they got a discount for booking early. Have to keep expenses down these days.

how nice of them to want to watch united lift the trophy again. im sure they'll enjoy the game as spectators.

edit: so, who saw that amazing dive by steven gerrard today? what a tosser. gosh, gerrard is the biggest hypocrite ever. calls out other players for diving, yet he does it so frequently. typical scouse shite.

sinnacle

Nov 5th, 2008, 04:38 AM

Manchester United have been warned that Bosnian scoring sensation Vedad Ibisevic is not sale.

United have sent scouts to watch the striker who has scored 13 goals this season for German outfit Hoffenheim. (Daily Mail)

I�d love to see the look on Carlos Tevez�s face if another striker finds himself playing for Manchester United.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is lining up a bid for Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City defender Nedum Onouha could be used as part of the deal that brings Warnock to the club. (Daily Mirror)

Stephen Warnock can shore up a Manchester City back line that last year was considered a strength but this year has been considered a liability.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton could face an FA charge of racially abusing Aston Villa�s Gabriel Agbonlahor. (Various)

Won�t be the last time Joey Barton will be called upon to face an FA charge.

Defender Gary Neville was not amused after team-mate Anderson slipped a live mouse into his shirt at Manchester United�s Carrington training complex. (Daily Express)

I have nothing to add here. Slow gossip day which is why this makes the cut.

Hugh Jass

Nov 5th, 2008, 08:14 PM

edit: so, who saw that amazing dive by steven gerrard today? what a tosser. gosh, gerrard is the biggest hypocrite ever. calls out other players for diving, yet he does it so frequently. typical scouse shite.

It makes me sick that good players resort to this kind of muck.

We should have had a penalty for a handball about 30 mins before that, so some will say it evened itself out. But two wrongs don't make a right.

Drogba/Ronaldo/Gerrard et al, great footballers that dive. Shameful. They don't need to do this.

sinnacle

Nov 6th, 2008, 04:10 AM

Manchester City are lining up a �10m bid to bring Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra to the club in January. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City needs a midfield general in order to free up Robinho and let him focus on attacking the opposition�s goal.

Congo striker Tresor Mputu will fly to England next week for a trial with Blackburn after Arsenal�s interest ended when they refused to pay the �4m asking price. (The Sun)

Once Arsenal found out they actually had to pay in order to obtain Mputu�s services was the moment they walked away from the deal.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is set to make a �6m bid for 19-year-old Standard Liege midfielder Alex Witsel. (Various)

The last place a 19 year old should go to learn his trade is Bolton under Gary Megson. An attacking genius Megson is not.

The pressure on West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson to sell the club has been increased by the reported collapse of his main business - Samson Holdings - in Iceland. (Daily Mail)

It is kind of hard to fund a club that is debt no less when you are near financial collapse yourself.

Referee Martin Hansson has admitted he was wrong to award Liverpool a last-minute penalty which earned Rafael Benitez�s men a draw against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. (The Sun)

Still amuses/annoys me that Rafa Benitez felt the penalty decision was fair after the game.

kramerz80

Nov 6th, 2008, 05:04 PM

It makes me sick that good players resort to this kind of muck.

We should have had a penalty for a handball about 30 mins before that, so some will say it evened itself out. But two wrongs don't make a right.

Drogba/Ronaldo/Gerrard et al, great footballers that dive. Shameful. They don't need to do this.

People should stop blaming the players and start blaming the leagues/FIFA/refs. They allow it to happen, do nothing to stop it, so why shouldnt players keep doing whats been happening for countless years? If it gives them an advantage, they will do it. Why doesnt FIFA step in and make diving a yellow/red card? Follow it up with suspensions for repeat offenders! Makes sense to me... Soccer is the worst sport when it comes to officiating.

Hugh Jass

Nov 6th, 2008, 06:11 PM

People should stop blaming the players and start blaming the leagues/FIFA/refs.

The majority of professional players don't dive, just a few bad apples that make it look very bad.

I agree more needs to be done. On the field it's very hard to spot diving, as these cheats make it look like a real foul has been commited. So perhaps video evidence is the answer.

By your analogy, we should stop blaming thiefs for stealing things.

Hugh Jass

Nov 6th, 2008, 06:15 PM

[B]Referee Martin Hansson has admitted he was wrong to award Liverpool a last-minute penalty which earned Rafael Benitez�s men a draw against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. (The Sun)

The Sun will make up anything that casts a dark shadow on Liverpool.

The actual quote was �From my angle I am not sure that it was a penalty - I am not authorised by Uefa to talk about my decision�.

The linesman is the one that gave the foul, as he was closer.

kramerz80

Nov 6th, 2008, 06:37 PM

The majority of professional players don't dive, just a few bad apples that make it look very bad.

I agree more needs to be done. On the field it's very hard to spot diving, as these cheats make it look like a real foul has been commited. So perhaps video evidence is the answer.

By your analogy, we should stop blaming thiefs for stealing things.

Few bad apples? Not even close... you cant say its just a few bad apples when the MAJORITY of players have dived or are divers. I can agree that some do it more than others, but if you think its ok to do it just once in a while as opposed to doing it often that is also wrong. I doubt you will come across a player who has never dived in his career.

And your comparison to thiefs just doesnt add up. Stealing is against the law and it is enforced, not like this scenario. If the police would look the other way when they saw someone stealing, it would work, but they dont.

NDman

Nov 6th, 2008, 06:56 PM

Why doesnt FIFA step in and make diving a yellow/red card?

I agreed with what you and HJ said, and your post after too. But just so we are on the same page, "simulation" is considered unsporting and hence bookable.

Problem with that is, as HJ mentioned, it is extremely difficult to deem the player did indeed dive at game speed. The ref better makes damn sure that it was purely a dive if he was to give out a yellow card. That's why most of the time you only see the ref (if an incorrect foul was not given) just wave play on deeming the play was only "embellishing".

I still don't like the idea of having a replay though

kramerz80

Nov 6th, 2008, 07:24 PM

its not that hard, i mean just by watching in the stands/on tv you can tell, but then again the ref doesnt always have the perfect angle. But there have been too many occassions where you can clearly see a player dive, and the ref just wave him on just like you said. Instead of flapping his arms he can take out his card and show him the real foul committed here. Perhaps a second ref on the pitch would help as well...

The real point is they dont care to make this happen, because they dont think it is important. I really enjoy soccer, but this is the biggest reason it is not my favourite sport...

NDman

Nov 6th, 2008, 07:42 PM

You said it, watching on TV almost always get you the perfect angle. Not when you are on the field. Check out these 2 clips

http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/08LessonsLearnedWk6_clips/Clip%205%20Wk6.wmv

http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/08LessonsLearnedWk26_clips/Clip%204%20Wk26Diving.wmv

Both were CLEARLY dives. But without the benefit of replay and slow motion, can you say you can call that less than a second after it happened, especially the second clip? The ref's view was completely blocked, more in line with the TV angle. But that dive was worse than the first one, IMO

What I am saying is, while some referees can be bad, I think people give referees a lot less credits than they deserve. Players do a lot of things when they know the referee's view is blocked, or not watching. Referees at that level can tell the difference between a dive and embellishment. But if there's a hint of doubt that there *might* be a slight contact, it makes the decision to book the player much harder.

Anyway, that's not the point of the original problem now. Gerrard didn't fall without contact but he embellished it big time, which in my book is cheap.

flexwong

Nov 6th, 2008, 08:13 PM

Soccer is the worst sport when it comes to officiating.

disagree. north american sports leagues are just as bad. in the nba, all the big stars get preferential treatment. the slightest tap of lebron james will send him to the line, but if you do that to a no name, there's no call. if they don't call it for lebron, he goes to the ref and bitches and cries about it.

sinnacle

Nov 7th, 2008, 03:23 AM

disagree. north american sports leagues are just as bad. in the nba, all the big stars get preferential treatment. the slightest tap of lebron james will send him to the line, but if you do that to a no name, there's no call. if they don't call it for lebron, he goes to the ref and bitches and cries about it.

Agree with this, basketball is the worst. Stars get the foul calls but rookies have to earn respect for the refs as an example. Another example is that you can do just about anything you want to a player in the final minute of the game and a foul is rarely call. A foul at the start of the game should also be a foul at the end of the game but that's not the way it's handled in the NBA.

sinnacle

Nov 7th, 2008, 03:24 AM

Barcelona are ready to launch an immediate �30m bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, rather than waiting until the summer to re-sign the 21-year-old, who left the club six years ago. (Daily Star)

Another rumor that will never die. Slow news day? Just link Barcelona and Fabregas for the 106598th time.

Arsenal will never sell their top players during the middle of the year no matter how much money Barcelona comes at them with. Besides there are still some hard feelings on Barcelona�s part over the way Fabregas left. Finally Fabregas wasn�t even in the starting 11 for the majority of Spain Euro 2008 matches. The reason being Xavi and Iniesta (I know he just got hurt) who also do a fine job controlling the midfield for Barcelona. Maybe one day Fabregas will link back with Barcelona but it won�t be because of this Daily Star report.

Chelsea are lining up a January move for Michael Owen, with the Stamford Bridge club valuing the 28-year-old Newcastle striker between �3m to �5m. (The Sun)

However, they may face competition from Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is keen to bolster his striking ranks. (The Sun)

Was waiting for the Michael Owen rumors to start flying. Despite two victories in a row Newcastle is very much in a regulation battle. The chances of Newcastle keeping Owen past this year are slim but Owen�s transfer fee wouldn�t break the bank either. You seen Bolton suffer last year after they sold Anelka which almost got them sent down as a result. Keep Owen and his goals for the rest of the season.

Manchester United have joined the race to sign 19-year-old midfielder Alex Witsel from Standard Liege, with the Belgian club valuing him at about �15m. (The Sun)

Not only did Witsel's value jump from 6 million to 15 million pounds overnight the player has also gone from being linked to Bolton to now Manchester United.

Everton are planning to relaunch a bid for 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho after having a �12m offer rejected in the summer. (Daily Star)

Good luck with that. With Sporting advancing to the Champions League knockout stages Moutinho isn�t going to leave mid term when the eyes of Europe could be focused on him come 2009. Teams like Everton will always be interested, Moutinho goal is to attract top European teams for his services.

West Ham�s owners have admitted for the first time that are considering selling the club as they continue to feel the effects of the credit crunch but potential investors will wait for the outcome of Sheffield United�s Carlos Tevez appeal. (Daily Telegraph, The Independent)

Poor West Ham fans. The worst of this is far from over.

Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear has tipped controversial midfielder Joey Barton for a shock England call-up. (Daily Mirror)

Good to see that Kinnear�s sense of humor hasn�t diminished with his return to football.

Ahead of that clash, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has said he would not swap any of his team-mates for anyone in the United team. (The Sun)

It�s not like Adebayor is known as one of the games foremost footballing minds.

Manchester United have turned to a sleep expert in their bid for glory this season, with players receiving home visits and getting professional tips on how to sleep. (The Sun)

Just make them watch Fulham matches which should do the trick.

kramerz80

Nov 7th, 2008, 01:13 PM

disagree. north american sports leagues are just as bad. in the nba, all the big stars get preferential treatment. the slightest tap of lebron james will send him to the line, but if you do that to a no name, there's no call. if they don't call it for lebron, he goes to the ref and bitches and cries about it.

Ah yes, forgot about the NBA... the refs being buddies with players etc. I feel that soccer is just as bad though IMO, between the fouls/dives and offsides that are missed a lot too...

flexwong

Nov 7th, 2008, 11:02 PM

l'arse better be prepared tomorrow! here's to a united victory! :twisted:

sinnacle

Nov 8th, 2008, 04:28 AM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits talks over a new contract at Anfield are imminent. (Daily Telegraph)

Benitez is searching for a new five-year deal and wants it signed and sealed before the end of the month. (Independent)

Benitez is smart I give him that. He sure has picked a good time to talk up his new contact which he does deserve.

Everton are also lining up a �12m transfer window swoop for CSKA Moscow�s Brazil striker Wagner Love. (Daily Mirror)

Don�t know where Wagner Love will end up but I�m certain he�ll make his way to England come the new year.

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams is chasing Leeds wonder kid Fabian Delph as a possible replacement for Lassana Diarra who could leave in January. (Daily Mirror)

Saw Delph play yesterday against Northampton in the FA Cup. Sure it was Northampton but you can see why clubs are chasing after the kid. He has Premier League talent.

Manchester City�s Arab owners have drawn up a list of star names they wish to recruit, including Kaka, David Villa, Roque Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge. (Daily Mail)

I like Wayne Bridge but I couldn�t help but laugh seeing his name along side Kaka, and David Villa.

Hugh Jass

Nov 8th, 2008, 10:33 AM

l'arse better be prepared tomorrow! here's to a united victory! :twisted:

Ooops.

Great game of ball today. Good result for Chelski and Liverpool.

sinnacle

Nov 9th, 2008, 11:54 PM

- I’ve been hearing about how Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have proven their doubters wrong this past weekend with their win over Manchester United. All due respect to Arsenal it was an impressive win and I even had a few dollars on Arsenal but it didn’t prove any of the doubters wrong. Arsenal’s issue isn’t winning against the likes of Manchester United who will play with you. Arsenal has the talent to match up with any team in world football. The doubts will still linger until Arsenal grind out results against teams who won’t try to match up with them quality wise. When Arsenal consistently is able to do what Chelsea did this past week and win on the road against a team like Blackburn then the doubters will be proven wrong.

- In a game that features so many talented players it usually ends up with one player deciding the game and Samir Nasri won the hearts of Arsenal fans with his man of the match performance.

- I wonder if Wes Brown had to do it over again would he sign that extension with United last season? Talk about bing stuck between a rock and a hard place. In big games Sir Alex Ferguson will turn to Gary Neville and against the lesser teams Rafael will get the start.

- Speaking of that Chelsea result, yes I know after what I said about Anelka not scoring first last week he goes out and gets the first goal of the game. Not that he did anything but stand there as the ball deflected off him but he got the first goal none the less. With Anelka’s goal tally Chelsea hasn’t had to rush Didier Drogba back into the lineup.

- Mark Hughes may want to have a talk with Sam Allardyce about how this story will play out. When you are not the ownerships original choice you will always hear whispers about job security. Mark Hughes is a fine coach but it’s one thing over achieving with Wales and Blackburn, it’s another trying to get the best out of some world class players. You know agents from some big time coaches who would love to spend some of that Manchester City transfer money are trying to get in contact with the club about taking over the job of manager.

- Most people can’t help but cheer for Gianfranco Zola but he may be in over his head taking on West Ham with his first head coaching position. That was some let down by the West Ham players to concede three goals late in the game.

- I know this ship has sealed but Louis Saha is starting to find his scoring touch for Everton. If his knee wouldn’t blow out every couple of months Manchester United wouldn’t have had to spend 30 million pounds for Dimitar Berbatov.

- That was an awful late game tackle by El-Hadji Diouf to gift Portsmouth a late penalty. Must admit had a few dollars on that game too. Why Diouf would commit that tackle on the edge of the penalty area is beyond me.

- Portsmouth on the other hand deserve some luck grabbing that late win after losing last week on a late penalty decision against them.

- Every team could use a player like Tuncay. You know what you are going to get out of him week in and week out. Tuncay has this knack for scoring important goals for Middlesbrough.

Nov 10th, 2008, 09:31 AM

El Diouf has to be one of the premierships worst imports - hes absolute cR*p

flexwong

Nov 10th, 2008, 05:01 PM

- I wonder if Wes Brown had to do it over again would he sign that extension with United last season? Talk about bing stuck between a rock and a hard place. In big games Sir Alex Ferguson will turn to Gary Neville and against the lesser teams Rafael will get the start.

sir alex needs to stick with wes brown. gary neville should retire. by all means, he is one of my favourite united players but he's not the same player anymore. the back 4 had amazing chemistry last year but gaz is out of touch with the other 3 and he seriously made some big mistakes on saturday. brown and rafael should be this team's way forward at rb.

van der sar needs to reconsider staying with united. he looks old and tired this year, which is unfortunate. i hope that ben foster and tomas kuzcask each get some good runs in the upcoming months.

Hugh Jass

Nov 10th, 2008, 07:25 PM

sir alex needs to stick with wes brown. gary neville should retire. by all means, he is one of my favourite united players but he's not the same player anymore. the back 4 had amazing chemistry last year but gaz is out of touch with the other 3 and he seriously made some big mistakes on saturday. brown and rafael should be this team's way forward at rb.

van der sar needs to reconsider staying with united. he looks old and tired this year, which is unfortunate. i hope that ben foster and tomas kuzcask each get some good runs in the upcoming months.

I think Neville and Van Der Sar should stay a few more years. And that Rafael kid should be left to rot in the reserves :cheesygri

sweeper

Nov 10th, 2008, 09:13 PM

Tottenham out of the relegation zone. :cheesygri:D

flexwong

Nov 10th, 2008, 10:39 PM

I think Neville and Van Der Sar should stay a few more years. And that Rafael kid should be left to rot in the reserves :cheesygri

ha. funny. rafael is the way forwards, his goal on saturday was unbelievable. gaz, if you ever happen to read this, you are a legend but your time might be up. you've left us all with precious memories, especially this one:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GgaTWPeWk

gary neville is a red, is a red, is a red
gary neville is a red, he hates scousers!
:twisted::twisted::twisted:

sinnacle

Nov 11th, 2008, 04:47 AM

Aston Villa will attempt to sign Wigan and England striker Emile Heskey in the January transfer window. (Daily Star)

Wigan must know they are a long shot to keep Heskey once he is a free agent. Selling him however would cause a negative reaction within the rest of the Wigan locker room. Almost a pick your poison decision.

Everton have agreed a �2m deal to sign Egypt striker Emad Meteb in January. (Daily Star)

With Amr Zaki success at Wigan if you are Egyptian and a striker you will be given a look from English teams.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes could sell Elano, Michael Ball, Nedum Onouha, Dietmar Hamann and Darius Vassell in a January clear-out. (The Independent)

Only Elano and Onouha hold value. Hamann has had a great career but few teams will be lining up with checkbook in hand trying to acquire his services.

Cristiano Ronaldo is to be offered a new deal at Manchester United, if the winger proves his loyalty to the club. (The Sun)

Ronaldo�s agent Jorge Mendez is in talks with Manchester United�s hierarchy over a new �170,000-a-week contract for the Portuguese star. (Daily Mirror)

Newspaper have to get Ronaldo�s name in print somehow.

Former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole has announced his retirement from football. (The Times)

Newcastle fans won�t be mourning this news.

sinnacle

Nov 12th, 2008, 04:26 AM

Harry Redknapp is ready to rescue Richard Dunne from his Manchester City nightmare and bring him to Tottenham in January. (Daily Mirror)

Dunne nightmare is due to form. Now maybe part of his poor play this season is due to unhappiness with Manchester City but this would still be a hard transfer for Tottenham to pull off.

Manchester United have made Barcelona playmaker Xavi their top �20m transfer target. (Daily Star)

Xavi is another target that would be next to impossible to sign mid season. Looks good on paper but it would still take something special for Xavi to leave the only team he has ever played for.

And United have also joined the chase for Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, 19. Standard Liege want about �15m for the teenager. (Daily Mail)

Now this is more like the type of transfers that can happen during the winter transfer period.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill is the managerial target for a Middle East consortium in talks with Nottingham Forest about a multi-million pound takeover of the Championship club. (Daily Express)

Here you have the when pigs fly rumor of the day.

sweeper

Nov 12th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Yidda Yidda Yiddo Yiddo. :cheesygri
Spurs beat Liverpool 4-2 at the Lane.

Meanwhile, Chelski loses to Burnley :lol:

sinnacle

Nov 13th, 2008, 03:34 AM

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will be given unlimited funds by the club�s owners to sign new players in January. (The Times)

Mark Hughes may not even be Manchester City�s manager come December at this rate. Besides the players you want to spend �unlimited� money are on a) unlikely to be available mid season or b) would have little interest in playing for Manchester�s other team.

Just on a side note I�ve been waiting patiently for an Arshavin to Manchester City rumor to spring up.

Aston Villa are ready to pay whatever it takes to sign Newcastle striker Michael Owen in January. (The Sun)

Owen would fit in nicely at Aston Villa. Compared to Newcastle, Villa will seem like a haven for Owen.

Former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has been sounded out by Real Madrid as a possible replacement for manager Bernd Schuster. (The Sun)

Real Madrid is not going to turn to a coach who failed in England despite his success in Spain.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are unhappy with manager Rafeal Benitez after he made public their pledge to discuss a new contract with him. (The Times)

Real Madrid however would make a run at Benitez who could offer him one of the fewer jobs that is has a higher profile than Liverpool. Must say this about Benitez, he is good at using the media for furthering his agenda.

Gianfranco Zola�s position as West Ham manager is under threat after only nine weeks in the job, with talks believed to have been held at boardroom level. (Daily Express)

After seeing West Ham give up those three goals to Everton last weekend I�d have doubts as well.

sinnacle

Nov 14th, 2008, 03:29 AM

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is determined to fight for his future at Old Trafford. (The Sun)

Real Madrid are interested in the Argentina striker but he wants to stay with United. (Daily Telegraph)

Even if Tevez wanted to join Real in January, he would be unable to move because his contract at United forbids it. (Daily Express)

United want to sign Tevez - who is only on loan with the Red Devils - on a permanent contract. (The Independent)

The Red Devils hope to conclude the deal for the 24-year-old, which could cost them as much as �30m, before the Club World Cup in Japan in December. (The Times)

Lots of Tevez news today which should be the norm for the next couple of months. With Real Madrid losing van Nistelrooy and having the 30 million transfer pound fee still in their pocket from selling Robinho look for them to court Tevez heavily come January 1st.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will launch a �10m bid to sign Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez from Mexican side Santos Laguna. (Various)

Benitez should settle well in Wigan with fellow Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia currently staring for Wigan. Besides Bruce would be wise to start making plans at the striker position with Emile Heskey and Zaki edging closer to the exit door.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has warned he will not pay over the odds for players in January despite his club�s new wealth. (Daily Express)

Yes, I�m sure other teams are going to give Mark Hughes a break knowing that his job is very much on the line and he manages a team that has mentioned money is no object in the transfer market.

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra are top of Hughes� list of transfer targets. (Various)

But Wigan striker Emile Heskey, Stuttgart forward Mario Gomez, West Ham front man Craig Bellamy, Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings and Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock are also on Hughes� radar. (Daily Express)

You can pick a name and link them to Manchester City at this point.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will step up his efforts to offload out-of-favour Reds midfielder Jermaine Pennant in January and Blackburn are expected to make a bid for him. (The Guardian)

Pennant must have nine lives or pictures of Benitez to hang on for so long when all signs prove to Pennant being an unwanted player at Liverpool.

Middlesbrough and Bolton will fight it out for Deportivo La Coruna�s �2m-rated Canadian midfielder Julian de Guzman. (Daily Mirror)

Best player that Canada has produced that actually plays for Canada. Worth more then that 2 million pound figure as well.

Sunderland are chasing highly rated Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan. (Daily Mirror)

Garvan is Irish so naturally he fits the bill when it comes to Sunderland transfer rumors.

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is confident he will have money to spend in the January transfer window despite the Fratton Park club being up for sale. (Daily Mirror)

If Portsmouth has money to spend it will be because they have sold players currently in the squad. I find it highly unlikely that new money will be poured into this team mid season.

flexwong

Nov 14th, 2008, 10:10 AM

sinnacle

Nov 15th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Mark Hughes will be handed a whopping �200m transfer kitty by Manchester City�s Arab backers ahead of the January transfer window. (Daily Mirror)

I remember stories like these in the summer with Sunderland who the press claimed had 50 million pounds to spend. Having money is one thing, being able to attract the right plays especially mid season is another. Bring on Adriano, he is the best player that Manchester City can get.

David Moyes has warned Tottenham off making an approach for Everton striker Yakubu. (Daily Mail)

If I was David Moyes Id whisper in Redknapp ear hey I'm just joking about the warning. Give up some of that Berbatov money and make a bid for Yakubu.

Chelsea are planning a swoop for Spurs� 19-year-old playmaker Giovani Dos Santos in January. (Sun)

Can�t trust a player who left the perfect situation in Barcelona over money. Somebody (ie Dos Santos�s Agent/Father) has been feeding him bad advice.

Wigan striker Zaki is the shock name on Real Madrid�s January shopping list. (Daily Mirror)

Not really a shock, I�m sure after his performance most teams in world football have an eye out for Zaki.

Joe Kinnear, boss at Newcastle, has told Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp to forget a bid for goalkeeper Shay Given in January. (Times)

Somebody should award Shay Given a medal or something after all he has been through at Newcastle. To stay loyal through all those ups and many more downs says something about the man.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill has slammed the friendly between England and Germany as �pointless�. (Daily Express)

It wouldn�t feel right if an International week goes by without a club manager complaining.

Rafa Benitez has told star striker Fernando Torres that he has no automatic starting place at Liverpool. (Various)

Torres should of laughed and said �yeah right coach� in Spanish.

Dimitar Berbatov wants to mend relations with Spurs fans ahead of Manchester United�s trip to White Hart Lane next month. �They showed me the way in English football, I will never have anything bad to say about the club,� said the Bulgarian. (Sun)

Somehow I feel the Tottenham faithful won�t be returning the love when Berbatov comes back next month. Look for Tevez to get the start in that game instead of Berbatov also.

Former England star Terry Butcher says he will never forgive Maradona, newly installed as coach of Argentina, for his �Hand of God� goal at the 1986 World Cup. (Times)

Like Maradona cares. Even with a bloody band aids wrapped around Butcher�s head Maradona couldn�t pick him out of a police line up. Butcher shouldn�t forgive Maradona over his other goal where he went through the entire team and made England look silly.

Sir Alex Ferguson nearly emigrated to Canada to follow a career in toolmaking after reaching an impasse as a young striker at St Johnstone. (Various)

Now that is a cool story.

sinnacle

Nov 16th, 2008, 09:23 AM

Robinho has told Manchester City to launch an �80m bid for his Brazilian team-mate Kaka. (Daily Star)

I’ve love to hear Robinho talk up a move to Manchester City when the Brazilian team links up this week. “Hey, Kaka why don’t you come to Manchester where the weather sucks and join a mid table team like I did.”

North London rivals Spurs and Arsenal are both chasing Werder Bremen’s midfield ace Diego. (Daily Star)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will launch a �12m raid on former club Portsmouth for Niko Kranjcar. (Daily Star)

The last thing Tottenham needs is another midfielder and we all know Arsenal are not going to open up the wallet for Diego.

Arsenal are preparing a �6m January swoop for Cardiff starlet Joe Ledley. (Sunday Mirror)

This is more likely of a transfer target as Arsenal likes players who are still wet behind the ears.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has his eyes on Manchester United striker Manucho. (Various)

A loan move for Manucho would do the player some good.

Andrea Dossena may head for Juventus or Roma as Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez looks to cut his losses on the full-back flop. (News of the World)

It isn’t like Dossena has left me in awe but he has only been in England for three months. Give the man a year before labeling him a flop.

Robin van Persie has agreed a new, double-your-money contract with Arsenal - and is set to sign it by the end of the week. The deal keeps him at the Emirates until 2012. (Sunday Mirror)

Id say there is a 20% chance van Persie breaks a bone in his hand signing the contact and ends up to the injury list.

sinnacle

Nov 17th, 2008, 12:42 AM

- I�m going to spend very little time on Arsenal this week. Nothing has changed from what I said two weeks ago. Arsene Wenger is a rigged man whose beliefs on the way football should be played doesn�t go hand in hand with winning titles anymore.

- How about Aston Villa however? After Ashley Young missed penalty in the first half Aston Villa could of easily thrown in the towel thinking the breaks will not go their way today but isn�t they pressed on and got their slice of luck, scoring thanks to Gael Clichy well placed header.

- Despite all the hype Theo Walcott gets, Gabriel Agbonlahor stats look even more impressive when you compare them too the young Arsenal player. Seven goals in 13 premier league games for Agbonlahor compared to only one for Walcott in the same amount of games.

- I haven�t mentioned Liverpool a lot recently and that is a good thing. Teams don�t win championship by beating the other top clubs. Teams win championship by going on the road and getting a well deserved 2-0 win in places like Bolton.

- Dirk Kuyt showing the goal showing touch from his Feyenoord days. Few headers will match the quality of Kuyt goal this year.

- Which leads to this problem. What do to with Robbie Keane? When Torres is fulling fit despite what Benitez says he should be in the lineup. On form alone Kuyt deserves to be partnered with Torres up front instead of playing out wide. The problem there is what message does it send when you paid 20 million pounds to purchase a player only to have him become a third option? If Benitez cares about perception he�ll stick with Torres and Keane up front. If Benitez cares about winning he�ll partner up Torres and Kuyt in the upcoming stretch of games.

- Tottenham was due to come back to earth at some point.

- Heurelho Gomes won�t be long for England if he keeps making mistakes like he did over the weekend. Gomes errors are not due to lack of talent, they due to lack of concentration which makes it even worse.

- Danny Welbeck�s goal was just about to steal the headlines in Manchester United 5-0 victory over Stoke City. That was until Cristiano Ronaldo second free kick goal of the game put United ahead by 5.

- With Ronaldo scoring via a free kick now you know he is back in full form.

- Now the Portuguese superstar can look forward to a mid week trip to Brazil which I�m sure will make his coach happy.

- Titus Bramble sticks it to his former team with his last minute goal against Newcastle to earn a draw for Wigan. Usually Bramble has been known to stick it to his team with mistakes and lapses in judgment playing D but this weekend was an exception.

- With the possibility of goal difference coming into play later on this season I�m sure Manchester United was thrilled to see Chelsea score three against West Brom after they put five past Stoke. Chelsea has a +13 goal difference compared to United so far this season.

- Mark Hughes is on borrowed time it seems. He has two things going against him. The first is that he has 25 million pounds of talent on the bench in Jo and Elano who by this point have more then likely turned against their coach. Second and more importantly they can�t stop giving up goals. The foundation of every successful team is the ability to keep clean and Mark Hughes can�t field a starting eleven that can do so.

- You know who would of been well suited for this Manchester City job? Sven Goran Eriksson. The former coach had the respect of his players which is something that Mark Hughes may have trouble saying. His teams weren�t eye catching but they were able to keep a clean sheet. Besides the Manchester City experiment isn�t that much difference from his days at Lazio where Eriksson took a team not considered a giant in Italy but backed by an owner willingly to spend money and won a championship with them.

maebach

Nov 17th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Great result from Villa. Im very pleased with their showing, bring on UTD!

sinnacle

Nov 18th, 2008, 04:13 AM

Liverpool are said to be furious their captain Steven Gerrard was forced to travel 400 miles to prove he was unfit for England duty. (The Sun)

I am furious that Gerrard injury turned out to be legit which killed yesterday story about Capello questioning Gerrard�s injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is so good he could fill the first three places at the Fifa Player of the Years awards. (The Telegraph)

Nice to see Ronaldo going to the Jose Mourinho school of modesty.

Current Manchester City striker Robinho has urged fellow Brazilian Kaka to join him at Eastlands. (Daily Mirror)

Kaka in turn has urged Brazilian coach Dunga to have Robinho to stop bugging him about Manchester City.

Real Madrid are preparing a bid for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. (Daily Express)

Even with rumors of a cash short fall at Chelsea, Real Madrid would be better off looking elsewhere come January.

Arsenal are keen on Atletico Madrid�s defensive midfielder Koke Resurreccion. (Daily Star)

Only natural that Arsenal would go after a 17 year old player that wouldn�t be able to help them win this term.

Hugh Jass

Nov 18th, 2008, 06:35 AM

Liverpool are said to be furious their captain Steven Gerrard was forced to travel 400 miles to prove he was unfit for England duty. (The S*n)

Terrible treatment of a player, esp for just a friendly. Why not have the docs travel to Liverpool?

Kaka in turn has urged Brazilian coach Dunga to have Robinho to stop bugging him about Manchester City.

Hahahaha, lmfao.

polak4life

Nov 18th, 2008, 12:53 PM

I still can't believe Arsenal will not fork out some money for HELP!!. They obviously do not have a leader and need someone to step up.

Diego would be a nice fix in mid but they just refuse to spend money.

I've been a loyal supporter for many years but this whole "im going to buy 12 year olds, let them play, and eventually sell them of because they want too much money" is getting old.

Quite possibly the biggest blow is Rosicky being injured, im sure if he way playing Arsenal would be a much improved team.

You cannot blame that however, they just have no depth, Silvestre wasn't exactly the solution i was hoping for.

I pray that one day they splurge and go on a shopping spree (wishful thinking on my part)

sinnacle

Nov 19th, 2008, 03:48 AM

Arsenal star Theo Walcott could be out for 12 weeks with the dislocated shoulder he sustained in training for England. (Various)

Part of me wishes to make a joke about how Arsenal will replace Walcott with a 15 year old Finnish player playing in the second division but that would be wrong.

Spanish left-back Jose Enrique could leave Newcastle in January despite the Magpies� shortage of players. (Daily Star)

Highly unlikely that many Newcastle fans will miss Jose Enrique who never took to life playing in England.

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has told Israeli TV that he will consider leaving Anfield in January if his first team prospects do not improve under Rafa Benitez. (The Guardian)

Benayoun should of stayed at West Ham is he wanted to play every week. What did he except would happen when deciding to join Liverpool? He was always going to be a player to provide depth and nothing more.

Tottenham have sacked their goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is likely to recommend David Coles from his former club Portsmouth for the role. (The Guardian)

Doubtful that Hans Leitert will be sending any Christmas cards to Heurelho Gomes after his performances lead to Leitert losing his job.

West Ham�s future was plunged into fresh uncertainty on Tuesday after it emerged that Hansa, the club�s holding company, had begun the process of administration. (Daily Telegraph)

Some would say this is karma over the Carlos Tevez/Javier Mascherano saga. Interesting to make note when Media Sports Investment�s decided to bring Tevez and Mascherano to Corinthians in Brazil they ended up playing in the Brazilian second division soon after. West Ham could easily follow that trend.

Gerard Pique admits he used to get lost during team-talks by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, saying: �The gaffer used a very Scottish kind of English that might as well have been Chinese as far as I was concerned.� (Various)

Pique didn�t have to listen much anyway since he rarely got a chance to feature for Manchester United. No knock on the player who has made a fine transition playing for Barcelona.

sinnacle

Nov 20th, 2008, 03:39 AM

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill is ready to battle Arsenal for �8m-rated Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour. (Daily Mirror)

Eight million pounds is reaching the limit on what Arsenal will spend on a player that isn�t a sure thing unlike the Samir Nasri signing in the summer. With Aaron Ramsey, Nasri, F�bregas, and Jack Wilshere all able to play the attacking centre midfielder role Defour would be better off looking towards Aston Villa who could use a player with his talents.

Roque Santa Cruz is keen to leave Blackburn and accept an offer to join his former Rovers boss Mark Hughes at Manchester City in January. City could pay up to four times the �4.5m Rovers paid Bayern Munich for the Paraguay striker in the summer of 2007. (The Guardian)

Mark Hughes may not even be the Manchester City coach come January but one thing seems to be certain that Roque Santa Cruz will become this year�s version of Nicholas Anelka in the next transfer window. Just like Bolton could only hold on to Anelka for so long the same appears to be the case with Blackburn and Santa Cruz.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is eyeing West Ham�s goalkeeper Robert Green or a potential loan deal for Manchester United�s Ben Foster as he looks for a January replacement for the error-prone Heurelho Gomes. (Daily Express)

Since Robert Green hasn�t kept a clean sheet in over 6 months he�ll fit right in at Tottenham.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has failed in a �13m bid to buy Spanish side Real Mallorca and has been told it will cost him at least �12m more to clinch the deal. (Daily Star)

25 million pounds for a team who finished 7th in La Liga last year or 250 million pounds for a team like Newcastle as an example. I know which one I�d rather have money in.

Ashley�s hopes of selling the club have been hit by figures that show the Tynesiders are losing fans quicker than any other Premier League side. (Daily Telegraph)

Really who can blame them? Fans will accept losing if they see hope of things getting better down the road but that isn�t the case with Newcastle. It�s always one setback after another lately.

The Premier League winner�s medal that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho threw into the stand at Stamford Bridge after his side clinched the 2006 title has been sold for �21,600 at auction. (Daily Telegraph)

I�d never sell it but then again I�m shocked it took this long to be auctioned off.

sinnacle

Nov 21st, 2008, 04:13 AM

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not strip William Gallas of the captaincy following his outburst about his team-mates’ lack of courage. (The Guardian)

Or, yes he will - but not before the Gunners’ game against Manchester City on Sunday. (The Times)

Bad time for Gallas to make comments about Arsenal lacking courage. Not exactly wrong but it isn’t something a leader of a club should say publicly. Airing out dirty laundry in public isn’t the best way to set things right.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson insists there is no comparison between his mix-up with John Terry for Germany’s goal this week, and his disastrous performance against Croatia. (Various)

True, a week from now no one will remember what happen against Germany. For the rest of Carson career what happen against Croatia will be linked to him.

Capello earns �5.4m a year in his capacity as England boss, but has “lost” �1m of that converting it into Euros due to the economic crisis, in which the pound has fallen sharply against the European currency. (Daily Star)

Now Capello feels the pain most North Americans do when they have to convert Dollars into Euros.

Blackburn are trying to out-muscle Wigan in the race to sign Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez. (Daily Mirror)

After breaking his leg don’t think Blackburn and Wigan will be fighting too hard over Benitez.

Alan Shearer has already selected his backroom staff, should he be offered the Newcastle job on a permanent basis. Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee would become Shearer’s assistant, with former coach John Carver rejoining the club. (Daily Express)

Cue the Toronto FC message boards working overtime about Carver leaving. Most would say take general manager Mo Johnson instead.

Juande Ramos, sacked at Spurs earlier in the season, wants to return to the Premier League. (The Times)

It will take many years for other EPL owners to forget about his run at Tottenham. Wouldn’t look for Ramos in the EPL anytime soon.

While Fabio Capello basks in the glow of adulation from every single British back page, former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is sweating over his job as Mexico coach following an away defeat to Honduras. (Various)

Wonder what the Special One will have to say about this on the weekend. Doesn’t matter who the coach of Mexico would be the end result would still be the same. Second round World Cup exit, unless they host it then its the quarter finals.

NDman

Nov 21st, 2008, 01:10 PM

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not strip William Gallas of the captaincy following his outburst about his team-mates� lack of courage. (The Guardian)

Or, yes he will - but not before the Gunners� game against Manchester City on Sunday. (The Times)

Turns out, that didn't take long. That was fast, and I agree with Wegner's swift response.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=594795&sec=england&cc=5901

sinnacle

Nov 22nd, 2008, 05:27 AM

With skipper William Gallas stripped of Arsenal�s captain�s armband following his midweek criticism of his Gunners team-mates, left-back Gael Clichy will lead the side against Manchester City on Saturday. (Daily Telegraph)

Actually, Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will captain the side, and in any case the captaincy would have gone to Kolo Toure, had he been fit, or Cesc Fabregas, had he not been suspended. (Times)

Gallas, who has previously said he would like to return to France one day, could find manager Arsene Wenger hastening his departure back across the English Channel come January�s transfer window. (Daily Telegraph)

That�s fine by Gallas, who refused to travel with the team on Friday and has threatened to quit football for good. (Daily Star)

No, Gallas was told not to travel with the team by Wenger, who ordered him to stay at home for the game. (Sun)

William Gallas will now be used as a scapegoat for Arsenals problems. As mentioned yesterday what he said wasn�t wrong just not something a leader says in public.

Manchester City�s first big-money buy of the January transfer window will be a world-record �50m swoop for Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, despite the Italian club�s insistence that the 30-year-old is going nowhere. (Times)

Love how an English paper thinks a team with no real history to speak of in European football can just bully a team with the history and status of Juventus for one of their iconic players.

Richards has good reason to worry, with Hughes intending to sign Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, then bring former Blackburn colleague Roque Santa Cruz to the blue half of Manchester for �15m. Meanwhile, their bid for Buffon could go up to �63m. (Guardian)

Richards has no reason to worry. Nedum Onuoha and Daniel Sturridge on the other hand do.

Not wanting to be left out of the Manchester-based spending spree, Manchester United have been linked with Serbia�s �8m-rated midfielder Zoran Tosic. But the club need to convince the Home Office he is a regular for the national side, having only played six of his national side�s last 14 games. (Guardian)

United�s scouts in Serbia have been working overtime, because the club are chasing a second Partizan Belgrade star, Adam Ljajic - at 17 years old dubbed �the new Kaka�. (Daily Mirror)

Looks like Nemanja Vidić may have a fellow Serbia to show around Manchester come January.

Rafael Benitez also wants words with the FA and Capello, insisting he deserves an apology for the way Steven Gerrard�s withdrawal from the England squad was handled. (Various)

Benitez is right, the least he deserves is an apology.

polak4life

Nov 22nd, 2008, 02:46 PM

I was expecting a bad game from Arsenal after all the Gallas talk, but 3-0 beating from a team that has been playing terrible in recent weeks.

Arsenal need to regroup and fast. Right now its a sinking ship and it was obvious when Fabregas doesnt play, the team looks lost. Thank god they picked up Nasri, otherwise it would be a total disaster.

Bentner is a total useless forward in my opinion. He is not built or skilled enough for the english league. WHEN IS EDUARDO coming back:( and rosicky if you are out there......please recover.

This week will be make it or break it after they play Dinamo Kiyv in the CL.

pavelbure10

Nov 22nd, 2008, 05:12 PM

goodbye arsenal, there gonna blame everything on gallas

Nov 22nd, 2008, 09:45 PM

rey1867

Nov 22nd, 2008, 09:52 PM

I'd be happy for Wenger to leave Arsenal - in my minds he has worked miracles on a club that was struggling before he came. Without Man U's money he made them serious competition for many years, he has developed great players and got rid of the "boring Arsenal" tag. If he was to go/pushed who could replace him?

That said I think Arsenal don't have what it takes to win the Premiership this year or the Champions League -I really don' think a Carling or FA cup is worth that much these days (sadly)

I think it would be a little unfair to get rid of Wenger right now. It's obvious he's dedicated to the youth policy and in all fairness he has been pretty frugal with his spending except for Nasri. I think Arsene has gotten a little carried with his youth policy and has to look for experienced players.

Nonetheless, the current crop of young players are truly something special. Walcott, Fabregas, Nasri, Ramsey, Wilshere, Vela, Simpson, Djourou and Clichy are indeed something special. All the club really needs is some solid leadership and a back line to rival the Invincible days :D

Hugh Jass

Nov 23rd, 2008, 02:06 PM

....... chasing a second Partizan Belgrade star, Adam Ljajic - at 17 years old dubbed �the new Kaka�. (Daily Mirror)

That's him done for then. Everyonewho's ever been dubbed the 'the new.....' never lives up to the name.

Rafael Benitez also wants words with the FA and Capello, insisting he deserves an apology for the way Steven Gerrard�s withdrawal from the England squad was handled. (Various)

Benitez is right, the least he deserves is an apology.

Er, I think it's Stevie G that deserves the apology, as he was the poor clown that had to travel to London and back for a meaningless medical.

flexwong

Nov 23rd, 2008, 11:40 PM

freaking weird weekend. 0-0 across the board for united, chelsea and liver*, and arsenal get thumped by man ******. 0-0 isn't a really bad result at villa park, but for liver* to draw at anfield to fulham.. ha

sinnacle

Nov 24th, 2008, 02:55 AM

- Some weeks are memorable, last week was not one of them. Take away the Manchester City/Arsenal, Middlesbrough/Bolton, and Portsmouth/Hull contests and only 3 goals were scored in the other 6 matches. Those are goal totals you'd expect in France's Ligue 1.

- Last time Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all shut out on the same day was back in 1993. Let's hope it's another 15 years before that occurs again.

- Last week I mentioned "Benitez cares about perception he�ll stick with Torres and Keane up front. If Benitez cares about winning he�ll partner up Torres and Kuyt in the upcoming stretch of games." We saw how that turned out. Robbie Keane will shoulder the burden for Liverpool misfiring but it isn't like Torres is helping out his fellow strike partner either.

- Can't believe I'm championing Dirk Kuyt to be featured up front instead of a wide position. Last year the only thing I championed was for Dirk Kuyt to be benched.

- Have to love Wenger's excuses at this point. To say a scoreline flattered Manchester City is insulting to a team that quite frankly outclassed Arsenal.

- William Gallas isn't the only problem on Arsenal but he will shoulder the blame for Arsenal's downfall this season. There are a bunch of cancers on this Arsenal team. This Gunners squad have kids who haven't done a thing in football acting like world champions.

- The Joe Kinnear revolution moves forward with there 0-0 draw with Chelsea. Sure, the game plan was to park themselves in front of goal but it's still up to Chelsea to break through and they couldn't thanks to a strong performance from Fabricio Coloccini and some great saves from Shay Given.

- Manchester United had a chance to make up ground on Chelsea and Liverpool but couldn't break through against a strong Aston Villa side. While there is no shame is drawing Aston Villa, championship sides find a way to win in that spot.

- Wigan 2 Everton 1 tomorrow with a penalty decision costing Everton the game. After the weekend results I'm owed a couple of goals when watching a match.

sinnacle

Nov 25th, 2008, 04:16 AM

Slow day heading the Champions League games tomorrow.

Manchester City will move for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podoloski in the January transfer window. (Daily Telegraph)

Add two more to the Manchester City transfer list. Toure is going nowhere but Podoloski wants out so at least that is a possibility.

Midfielder Charles N�Zogbia could be leaving Newcastle for Paris St Germain in January but the Magpies are determined to hang on to goalkeeper Shay Given. (Daily Mirror)

Would be best for both club and player. While you can win with kids you�ll never win with players like N�Zogbia who is too much of a head case. With N�Zogbia moving back to France it will increase his profile when it comes to playing for the national team one day.

Arsenal and Tottenham are keeping tabs on 18-year-old FC Copenhagen defender Mathais Jorgensen, who made his debut for Denmark in last week�s 1-0 loss to Wales. (Daily Star)

Would be par for the course for Arsenal to replace Gallas with an 18 year old.

Blackburn�s Martin Olsson says he �destroyed most things in the dressing room� in frustration after being sent off at Tottenham on Sunday - and boss Paul Ince told him it was better than not showing any emotion. (The Guardian)

It would of been best if Olsson didn�t commit the two silly fouls which got him sent off and put his team at a disadvantage.

pavelbure10

Nov 25th, 2008, 09:33 AM

[QUOTE=sinnacle;7774153]Slow day heading the Champions League games tomorrow.

Manchester City will move for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podoloski in the January transfer window. (Daily Telegraph)

Add two more to the Manchester City transfer list. Toure is going nowhere but Podoloski wants out so at least that is a possibility.
/QUOTE]

so now its ronaldo, kaka, buffon, fat ronaldo, torres, berbatov, toure, podolski, sounds like a fun team, they should all get a long quite well

sinnacle

Nov 26th, 2008, 03:34 AM

Striker Didier Drogba is on his way out of Chelsea - after he was revealed to have opened talks with Inter Milan about a January switch to Italy. (Various)

The move could be facilitated in a �30m swap deal with Brazilian striker Adriano. (Daily Mirror)

Even with Chelsea and Inter unlikely to send Christmas cards to each other, the possibility exists that these clubs may trade one team�s headache for the other.

Arsenal and Tottenham are bracing themselves for a �5m tug of war to land Wolves� 21-year-old Welsh international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. (Daily Star)

How come the media always link Tottenham and Arsenal with the same players?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has put Sevilla�s 21-year-old Argentine centre-back Federico Fazio on his January transfer wish-list. (Daily Mirror)

Dealing with Sevilla�s chairmen Jos� Mar�a del Nido is like pulling teeth. Good for him however making sure he gets top dollar for every player he decides to sell.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is to switch his striker search to Reading�s Kevin Doyle, with the Republic of Ireland star rated at �8m. (Daily Mirror)

The transfer fee for high end players I can understand but 8 million pounds for average players like Kevin Doyle leave me shaking my head.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are locked in a battle for the signature of �16m-rated Real Zaragoza striker Ricardo Oliveira. (The Sun)

One bad year at A.C Milan and Ricardo Oliverira career has yet to recover. Spending the winter in Madrid or Manchester another tough choice there.

Manchester City are plotting a �100m-plus transfer spending spree in the January transfer window with Chelsea and Arsenal defenders John Terry and Kolo Toure on the shortlist, along with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. (Daily Telegraph)

Add John Terry to the list.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres claims he wants to stay at the club for life. (Various)

Or until Rafa Benitez leaves whichever one is greater. I�ll say this however, to not like Torres is to not like ice cream. The man is everything you could want out of a star player.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill has told John Carew he is no longer an automatic first-choice pick as a striker. (Various)

All because of a lap dance the day before a UEFA Cup match last month.

maebach

Nov 26th, 2008, 10:43 AM

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill has told John Carew he is no longer an automatic first-choice pick as a striker. (Various)

All because of a lap dance the day before a UEFA Cup match last month.

I think MON is over that, its just that after Carew got injured, Gabby played up front by himself and did really well so now MON doesnt want to mess up the chemistry and momentum.

sinnacle

Nov 27th, 2008, 03:47 AM

AC Milan are lining up a �5m bid for Arsenal defender William Gallas and hope to tempt the Frenchman to the San Siro after his recent troubles at the Emirates. (The Sun)

Arsenal and AC Milan have done some business this year with the Philippe Senderos loan deal so it�s not impossible. For Arsenal to move forward it would be for the best to sell William Gallas and AC Milan would be an ideal destination.

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has accused William Gallas of smashing the Gunners� team morale with the public criticism of his team-mates last week that led to Gallas being stripped of the club captaincy. (The Sun)

Another reason why it would be best for all parties to move on.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is being targeted by Spartak Moscow, who will offer �5m for the Dane in January. (Various)

It�s funny how rumors pop up after a player scores a goal. No one was saying anything about Bendtner before his goal mid week. Bendtner is high on the list of players I think are over rated despite that Arsenal will not be selling him for 5 million pounds nor would Bendtner jump at the chance to play in Moscow.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will make an �11m offer for Middlesbrough�s England winger Stewart Downing in January. (Daily Mirror)

The first thing that comes to mind is why? For Downing to move south someone in that Tottenham midfield would have to leave. With Alan Hutton out for five months Tottenham will look to replace him come the transfer window.

Manchester City want to sign Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and will launch a �12m bid for the German, whose team they will be trying to beat in the Uefa Cup on Thursday. (Daily Mirror)

City boss Mark Hughes is set to make a �25m offer for Sevilla�s Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano. (Daily Star)

Neuer and Fabiano make their first appearances on the rumoured Manchester City wish list.

Chelsea boss Phil Scolari is willing to stake his �5m-a-year job on the Blues qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League after seeing his side held by Bordeaux. (The Sun)

Scolari�s threat to leave his post and go back to Brazil if Chelsea fail to get out of Group A was actually a joke. (The Times)

Joke or not Avram Grant would be thinking that coaches have gotten fired for less. Still a long shot that Chelsea loses at home even without Lampard to Cluj.

sinnacle

Nov 28th, 2008, 04:05 AM

Ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Arsenal�s former Chelsea defender William Gallas says the Blues were lying when they claimed in 2006 that he threatened to score an own-goal if he did not get a move. (The Sun)

Glad it took two years for Gallas to address those rumors. All I know is if someone had said something incorrect about me I wouldn�t of waited so long to address it.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has been told to forget about a January move for Roma defender John Arne Riise by the former Liverpool player�s agent. (The Sun)

Riise moving to Newcastle would be a huge step back for the former Liverpool player. With Roma on the edge of qualifying for the knockout stages in the Champions League I�m sure he�d want to press on with the club. Besides Rome isn�t half bad weather wise in the winter.

Hull�s �8m-rated Wales goalkeeper Boaz Myhill says he will stay with the Tigers despite being wanted by Inter Milan, Fenerbahce and Everton. (The Sun)

Aside from Fenerbahce who never know when Volkan Demirel will make a mistake to cost his team a goal, it would be unlikely that Myhill would end up as a starter at either Inter Milan or Everton.

Bolton boss Gary Megson says Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, a �3m target for Tottenham, will not leave the Reebok Stadium in January. (The Sun)

Teams could of had Jaaskelainen on a free transfer during the summer but must of been scared off with Jaaskelainen missing the second half of the season due to back surgery.

Arsenal have joined West Ham in the pursuit of 21-year-old Juventus midfielder Sebastian Giovinco. (Daily Telegraph)

Don�t see Juventus selling Giovinco and don�t see Arsenal interested in only a loan deal for Giovinco.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has been told he must sell before he can buy in January and will have to trim his 36-strong playing squad. (The Sun)

36 players is way too big for a club of Sunderland�s size. It�s not like they play in Europe so there is no need to carry more than 22 players.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be out until Christmas with the hamstring injury he picked up against Marseille on Wednesday. (Daily Mirror)

It is a credit for Liverpool to be this high in the standings without the services of Torres for most of the season.

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James will hug a tree in Exeter on Monday to show his support for National Tree Week. (Daily Mail)

David James has always been a strange one. My favorite David James story is a couple of years ago he wouldn�t do interviews with Sky Sports because it took a Sky technician a month to fix his Satellite dish. So until they fixed his tv he wouldn�t grant them an interview.

pavelbure10

Nov 28th, 2008, 11:26 AM

love the david james story sky sports one was hilarious

flexwong

Nov 28th, 2008, 11:54 AM

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres claims he wants to stay at the club for life. (Various)

Or until Rafa Benitez leaves whichever one is greater. I�ll say this however, to not like Torres is to not like ice cream. The man is everything you could want out of a star player.

minus the fact that he plays for the scousers.

maebach

Nov 28th, 2008, 12:12 PM

minus the fact that he plays for the scousers.

:lol::lol:

sinnacle

Nov 29th, 2008, 09:07 AM

One club looking ahead to the January sales are Aston Villa, with Gareth Barry happy to stay at Villa Park until at least the end of the season. A possible contract buy-out from the England midfielder is on the cards. �Window chopping� says the Daily Mirror.

Barry will stay on until the end of the season. Come the summer Barry holds most of the cards so it�s doubtful he�ll return. I�m sure Barry is happy with his performances for Villa, helping them to a Champions League spot right now. Despite that I�m sure he sees Liverpool spot in the standings and thinks he could of been able to push Liverpool over the top.

Festive headlines aplenty with the Daily Mirror claiming it is the �Season of Goodphil�. Boss Luiz Felipe Scolari thinks Chelsea will be Premier League champions if they are still in the top two by the end of the Christmas period.

He should think that, but maybe not think that out loud. Manchester United�s main challenge will be how they will cope with heading to Japan for the Fifa Cup World Cup in another month and Liverpool may crumble under the pressure.

While Spurs gaffer Harry Redknapp could be ready to splash the cash with a �12m cheque to Bordeaux for striker Fernando Cavenaghi. (Daily Mirror)

This one is a couple of days old. Cavenaghi said something to the effect that he is happy at Bordeaux but if Tottenham doubles his wages he will go.

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez continues to threaten to leave Old Trafford if his permanent move is not sealed by the end of January with Real Madrid waiting in the wings. (The Times)

Time to score Tevez or else no one at Manchester United will notice you are gone.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has politely declined an invitation from Joe Kinnear to join the coaching staff at St James� Park. (Guardian)

Couldn�t believe the papers believed Shearer would even consider going back to Newcastle. He has always stayed well clear of going back to Newcastle in its current form.

pavelbure10

Nov 30th, 2008, 03:35 PM

another home lose for chelsea, did grant even lose at home last year? 2 losses in the league for big phil

sinnacle

Nov 30th, 2008, 04:11 PM

another home lose for chelsea, did grant even lose at home last year? 2 losses in the league for big phil

Grant kept the Claudio Ranieri/Jose Mourinho undefeated home streak in the league alive while he was there. One of the few times you'll find United fans happy that Arsenal won.

sinnacle

Nov 30th, 2008, 11:48 PM

- I�d be very nervous if I was a Sunderland fan right about now. It�s clear all the money Sunderland spent in the off season hasn�t improved the team. What is even worst is the silly mistakes Sunderland were making on defence. Pascal Chimbonda couldn�t lift himself more than two feet off the ground for Matthew Taylor first goal. Kieran Richardson committed a silly foul which lead to the second goal. Danny Collins and Dean Whitehead continued with the school boy defending which lead to Bolton�s 3rd and 4th goals.

- This will be a true test of Roy Keane�s coaching makeup. It�s easy when things go your way and everyone loves you but the worst thing he can do is quit at this point. Keane helped create this mess, it should been on his shoulders to clean it up.

- A Villa fan can live with a 0-0 draw against United but for Aston Villa to crack the top four they need to pick up points against the likes of Fulham.

- Speaking of Fulham, 0-0 draws against Liverpool and now Aston Villa. Not exactly crowd pleasing but points are points.

- The biggest difference between Manchester United and Manchester City was that United featured Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov up front and City featured Benjani and Darius Vassell. The teacher gave another master class against the student as Mark Hughes couldn�t out smart Sir Alex Ferguson.

- Cristiano Ronaldo needs to grow up and stop acting out cause not every call will go his way. It was a deserved yellow card on his tackle from behind against Shaun Wright-Phillips. Acting out and mock clapping towards Howard Webb was going to place a bull eyes on Ronaldo�s jersey. Sure the second yellow card was soft but misunderstanding or not he should of kept his hands down.

- Nice to see Tony Adams having some success with Portsmouth who really got the shaft when Harry Redknapp left. Saw a 0-0 score at half and 45 minutes later 3-2 later against Blackburn. That must of been some second half.

- The true test for Adams however is if he can keep the core of his squad together come the Janaury transfer window.

- Everton losing Yakubu is another blow is what has been a struggle for Everton. I�m sure Everton had hopes on cracking the top four this year but with top goal scorer Yakubu gone for the season just making it to Europe next season would be acceptable.

- I wonder if Chelsea fans are secretly thinking that the Mourinho era will go down as the glory days for Chelsea football club. Mourinho use to live for these games and gave his team a swagger that hasn�t been there since Mourinho got the pink slip. It hasn�t been a good month for Scolari. Getting knocked out of the Carling Cup, haven�t processed to the knockout stages of the Champions League yet and now another home loss to Arsenal. One point out of three home games against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal is not going to get it done.

- Full credit for Arsenal on that win. Quick frankly didn�t think they had it in them but that was some come back in the second half. Now if Arsenal only played against the other top four they would be top of the league.

pavelbure10

Dec 1st, 2008, 02:38 AM

wheres the big boss for chelsea, when mourinho was there he didnt even let him breathe, but for some reason roman has kept quiet, a draw to man u losses to pool and the gunners he cant be pleased, unless hes on his yacht in the middle of the ocean with no tv

sinnacle

Dec 2nd, 2008, 04:45 AM

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening whatever time you read this as I'm personally doing a fist pump over Ronaldo winning the Ballon d'Or today. Happy times, Happy times.

Everton are lining up a shock move for 37-year-old striker Henrik Larsson, who is a free agent after ending the Swedish season at Helsingborg. (Various)

Don�t see this as a shock move at all. This is what happens when you have a team with no transfer money who loses their top goal scorer to injury. What would Larsson see in going to Everton is another story.

Arsenal are weighing up a �6m move for Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure, the brother of Gunners defender Kolo. (The Sun)

Making a move for Toure would go along way to pleasing Arsenal fans that they are truly committed to winning now and not just committed to developing young players.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill will be handed �18m to sign a new striker in January. (Daily Mirror)

With the way the Cleveland Browns suck, Villa owner Randy Learner should ask Martin O�Neill if he knows anything about the NFL.

Arsenal defender Armand Traore, who is on loan at Portsmouth, is wanted by Middlesbrough. (Mirror)

Middlesbrough made a previous play for another young Arsenal defender in Justin Hoyte so it wouldn�t be out of place to see Middlesbrough going after another Arsenal player.

Roy Keane could have only three games left as Sunderland manager - if he goes on to lose a fifth successive league game, his position could be untenable. (Various)

The same way Roy Keane would be foolish to leave Sunderland, the club itself would be foolish to fire Keane. Replacing the coach mid season could easily see Sunderland back in the Championship come the end of the season.

flexwong

Dec 2nd, 2008, 01:24 PM

Roy Keane could have only three games left as Sunderland manager - if he goes on to lose a fifth successive league game, his position could be untenable. (Various)

The same way Roy Keane would be foolish to leave Sunderland, the club itself would be foolish to fire Keane. Replacing the coach mid season could easily see Sunderland back in the Championship come the end of the season.

keane to united as an assistant. then when fergie retires in 3 years, he takes over. all is good. =D

sweeper

Dec 2nd, 2008, 11:35 PM

keane to united as an assistant. then when fergie retires in 3 years, he takes over. all is good. =D

Keane walked out on Man United, Celtic and Ireland. Now its looking like hes going to walk out on Sunderland after idiotically spending 80 million pounds on frankly useless signings (Chimbonda..Malbranque.. Spurs Rejects..)

sinnacle

Dec 3rd, 2008, 04:49 AM

Manchester City are determined to spend �70m to sign a �world superstar� in the January transfer window with Kaka, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Samual Eto�o all in the frame. (Independent)

Manchester City and Chelsea are leading the race to sign 26-year-old Valencia striker David Villa. (Mirror)

Manchester City as a football club bugs me in so many different ways. The first thing that bugs me is when people call Manchester City the biggest football club in the world. No, it is not. The people who own Manchester City may be filthy rich but none of that money was generated by owing Manchester City football club. Under the same theory Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan could buy your local mom and pop grocery store and now call it the largest grocer in the world?

Second let�s compared Manchester City to Chelsea. With the exception of Claude Makelele who left Real Madrid mainly due to a contract dispute, Chelsea were unable to buy the top stars from the very top clubs in 2004. No amount of money is going to convince the world�s top players to play for a club currently mid table. If it does those players are only going for the money and aren�t winners anyway.

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz wants a move to Manchester City in January. Rovers turned down a �12m bid from City in the summer, but are prepared to up their offer to �15m, with defender Nedum Onuoha thrown in. (Daily Mail)

I�ve always said Santa Cruz to Manchester City made sense. Blackburn may not want to sell Roque Santa Cruz but everyone knows for the right price they will sell.

City boss Mark Hughes is also contemplating a �6m bid for Italy�s World Cup winning left-back Fabio Grosso, 31, from Lyon. (Daily Mail)

Always liked Grosso, who in big games always seems to shine. Anyone who had the brass to take the 5th and deciding penalty kick in the world cup and nail it like Grosso did is a player you�d want on your side in big games. No slip in Grosso

Steve Bruce has been told there will be no money to spend in the January transfer window unless he sells first. (Sun)

A few managers will relate to this come January.

But the fact that Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United are eyeing �7m-rated winger Antonio Valencia could be good news for the Wigan boss. (Mirror)

Liverpool and Manchester United eyed Valencia last season and didn�t make a move so I don�t see what could change 6 months later. Villa isn�t exactly short on attacking midfield options either.

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he used to hate Manchester United before his �29.1m move to Old Trafford. �I couldn�t stand United when I was 21 because they used to win everything,� he said. �I said I�d never go there.� (Mirror)

100000 pounds a week could make me love a football club real quick

maebach

Dec 3rd, 2008, 10:06 AM

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he used to hate Manchester United before his �29.1m move to Old Trafford. �I couldn�t stand United when I was 21 because they used to win everything,� he said. �I said I�d never go there.� (Mirror)

100000 pounds a week could make me love a football club real quick

I lol'd at your comment, well said. :lol:

sinnacle

Dec 4th, 2008, 03:50 AM

I lol'd at your comment, well said. :lol:

Thank you

sinnacle

Dec 4th, 2008, 03:52 AM

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill is lining up a �3m bid for England and Wigan forward Emile Heskey. (Daily Star)

Everything about the above makes sense. Wigan is willing to sell Heskey before losing him for nothing in the summer. With discount in mind the transfer fee should come between �3m and �5m for Heskey�s services and the player himself would be interested in playing for Villa. The only thing I could think of that could derail this possibility is if Liverpool also come calling for Heskey.

West Ham striker Dean Ashton will be sold in the January transfer window, with the Hammers desperate to raise funds in light of the Carlos Tevez saga. (Daily Mirror)

The question is what team would be willingly to take on the super talented but always injured Ashton and more importantly at what cost would he command.

Other players set to be shown the door at Upton Park include Nigel Quashie, Lee Bowyer, Luis Boa Morte, Calum Davenport, Danny Gabbidon and Jonathan Spector. (Daily Mirror)

Good luck finding a buyer for Luis Boa Morte. Still find it hard to believe that a player who came up through the Sporting and Arsenal youth ranks could be so awkward on the ball. Boa Morte was one of several players West Ham overpaid for in the January 2007 transfer window when they were desperate to stay up.

Chelsea are also interested in Wigan striker Amr Zaki and Lyon forward Karim Benzema but may have to offload Wayne Bridge, Florent Malouda and Alex first. (The Independent)

Chelsea couldn�t buy Benzema�s right leg with the money received from selling Bridge, Malouda and Alex.

Manchester United defender Danny Simpson, who is currently on loan at Blackburn, says he will quit Old Trafford if he is not a first-team regular next season. (Daily Mirror)

Guess it will be a new team for Danny Simpson come the 09-2010 season then.

Tottenham and Newcastle are lining up Sporting Lisbon�s �20m Brazilian striker Liedson. (Daily Mirror)

Right off the bat I�m a big fan of Liedson who is in the mold of a classic striker. Give the ball to Liedson in the penalty area and he�ll know how to finish a scoring chance. With all that said at his age (31 in two weeks) no team is spending �20m for his services. I am surprised with his skills and goal scoring rate that bigger clubs haven�t come calling for Liedson in the 5 years he�s been at Sporting mind you.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane will decide today whether to continue as manager at the Stadium of Light. (Daily Mirror)

If Roy Keane has dreams of coaching a big club, walking away for Sunderland now will send a red flag to many of those teams.

One person who has not been affected by the economic downturn is Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, who has been given a �1m flat in Dubai in return for allowing developers to name a new apartment block after him. (The Sun)

Hope this place doesn�t get robbed like Gerrard�s house in Liverpool has been in the past.

sinnacle

Dec 4th, 2008, 06:56 AM

Keane has resigned from Sunderland according to reports. This better not be a Kevin Keegan thing where one minute he leaves, then comes back and then finally leaves.

sweeper

Dec 4th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Keane walked out on Man United, Celtic and Ireland. Now its looking like hes going to walk out on Sunderland after idiotically spending 80 million pounds on frankly useless signings

Absolutely disgusting behavior from Roy Keane. He spends loads of money on signings and doesn't even stick around to try to fix the problems he himself caused.

I seriously doubt Roy Keane will enter the management picture at Old Trafford, all he does is blame other people when he loses.

flexwong

Dec 5th, 2008, 12:46 AM

tevez quadruple means he's staying lol.

sinnacle

Dec 5th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Roy Keane became so elusive at the end of his reign as Sunderland boss that he resigned by text message. (Various)

Stay Classy Roy Keane. One shouldn�t dump a girl via text message much less leave a football club.

Keane felt he had lost the Sunderland dressing room but also believed the club�s board were no longer behind him following the arrival of millionaire American businessman Ellis Short. (Daily Express)

Short�s criticism of Keane�s spending spree of over �70m in the transfer market tipped the former Republic of Ireland international over the edge. (Daily Express)

If I bank rolled that amount of money for players with little resell value I�d be unhappy too.

Keane�s departure sparked celebration among the Sunderland squad. (Daily Telegraph)

Liam Miller can now show up late for practice anytime he wants.

Former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is keen on taking charge at the Stadium of Light. (The Sun)

Allardyce is the leading contender for the job and �friends� have confirmed he is interested. (Daily Mirror)

Allardyce would love to take Sunderland and he�d also be a great fit for the team. Allardyce left Bolton after feeling he�d couldn�t take them any further than 6th in the table. Sunderland has shown that they will support the manager with money. Allardyce with his track record could do what Keane failed to do and push Sunderland into Europe. Besides you have to know that Sam Allardyce would love to stick it to Newcastle and their fans.

Arsenal defender William Gallas is ready to quit the club in January after being stripped of the Gunners� captaincy and would welcome a move to AC Milan. (The Sun)

Gallas is so last week.

Chelsea are lining up a move for �3m-rated SC Braga striker Orlandon Sa. (Daily Star)

A couple of years ago Chelsea couldn�t find Sporting Braga on the map much less look to sign players from the club. Sa scoring a hat trick for Portugal�s under 21 team against Spain two weeks ago caught the eye of several clubs.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson will be given a �5m transfer kitty for the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Don�t spend it all in one place.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has slapped a �10m price tag on England striker Emile Heskey. (The Sun)

Laughable dollar figure to place on Heskey. Everyone knows the Wigan isn�t exactly dealing from a position of strength here.

Blackburn have accepted it will be difficult for them to hold on to striker Roque Santa Cruz - a target for former Rovers boss Mark Hughes at Manchester City - in January. (The Independent)

Blackburn will not say no to Manchester City once the correct dollar figure is given. Knowing Manchester City they will over pay and Blackburn will cash in on Santa Cruz.

Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann says he is �flattered� by the interest of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and says he fears for his future with the Royals. (Daily Telegraph)

Hahnemann is in the last year of his deal with Reading so I�d be somewhat worried too. Hahnemann wouldn�t be out of work for long however as MLS would always be an option.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Blackburn boss Paul Ince should be given time to turn things around at struggling Rovers. (The Sun)

Ince�s future at Ewood Park is under serious doubt after his side�s fall towards the bottom of the Premier League table. (The Independent)

What did Blackburn except when they signed a coach with precious little coaching experience and none outside of England�s League 2?

Injured Everton striker Louis Saha could return to action quicker than expected after his hamstring injury and is targeting his side�s game against Manchester City on 13 December for a comeback. (The Independent)

All headlines regarding Louis Saha should read �Permanently injured Everton striker Louis Saha�.� instead.

sinnacle

Dec 6th, 2008, 08:12 AM

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could place �20m striker Robbie Keane on the transfer list in January. Benitez will rest Keane against Blackburn with the former Spurs star struggling to find the net. (Various)

I wonder how much of a loss Liverpool would take on Keane if they decided to cut their losses?

However, Hughes could offload misfiring striker Jo to the Brazilian�s old club, CSKA Moscow. (Mirror)

Since Robinho wouldn�t be happy with his fellow countrymen leaving there is no way Manchester City will make their crown prince unhappy by selling Jo.

Left-back Herita Ilunga has labelled West Ham a *second-rate club and revealed he plans to use the Hammers as a stepping stone to get a move. (Daily Star)

To think it is one thing, to say it out loud is foolish.

Sunderland could try to lure Phil Brown away from Hull City to fill the managerial position vacated by Roy Keane. (Various)

However, Sam Allardyce is the bookies� favourite for the job. (Various)

Think Brown is happy at Hull besides with his success other teams will come calling at some point. Look for Brown to say no despite growing up a Sunderland fan which will set the table for his former boss Allardyce take over.

Arsene Wenger says he came so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo for Arsenal that he even had a shirt made up with the Portuguese winger�s name on the back. (Various)

But Wenger only managed to seduce Ronaldo�s mum, Maria Dolores - Ronaldo instead decided to join Carlos Queiroz at Old Trafford. (Sun)

No clue why this story gets mentioned every year. It�s not like Ronaldo was a sercet when he played at Sporting. Manchester United coughed up the most money to Sporting and Ronaldo which is why he signed with the Red Devils.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince says there is a campaign against managers like himself and Roy Keane by people �out to get us�. (Various)

I really don�t feel sorry for managers who got their break just because they were big names as players. Being Paul Ince has opened more doors in coaching than it has closed.

Ince faces the sack after Saturday�s game against Liverpool, with Graeme Souness in line for a return and Sam Allardyce lined up as an alternative. (Daily Mail)

Graeme Souness, why? He should belong to the Bryan Robson school of great players but bad coaches.

Manchester City striker Jo has revealed the real reason behind fellow Brazilian team-mate Robinho�s widely-reported bus trips around Manchester. �I�ll tell you why Robinho got the bus,� said Jo. �It�s because he hasn�t learned how to drive on the left-hand side of the road yet. He only knows how to drive on the right.� (Sun)

Knowing this now makes my life complete.

sweeper

Dec 6th, 2008, 01:05 PM

Arsene Wenger says he came so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo for Arsenal that he even had a shirt made up with the Portuguese winger’s name on the back. (Various)

But Wenger only managed to seduce Ronaldo’s mum, Maria Dolores - Ronaldo instead decided to join Carlos Queiroz at Old Trafford. (Sun)

Arsene likes little boys

flexwong

Dec 6th, 2008, 09:34 PM

Arsene likes little boys

you know the song:

there's only one arsene wenger
there's only one arsene wenger
with a packet of sweets
and a cheeky smile
wenger is a f***ing pedophile

on the other hand, united beat sunderland 1-0. almost thought we'd drop another 2 points but vida saves the day. and what a celebration!

sinnacle

Dec 7th, 2008, 06:55 AM

Harry Redknapp wants to bring �20m Liverpool flop Robbie Keane back to Tottenham Hotspur, and expects to pay just �5m to get him. (Various)

Recession or no recession there is no way Liverpool will take a 15 million pound loss and sell the player back to his former team.

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is also set to sign for Spurs in a deal worth �12m. (Mail on Sunday)

It really isn�t a winter transfer season without Stewart Downing going to Spurs rumors. Good player Downing is just don�t have him take penalty kicks with his two misses already this year.

Valencia striker David Villa�s agent will fly to England this week to seal a �52m January move to Manchester City. (News of the World)

Maybe Villa just wants to get away from Spain so he doesn�t have to endure the 4-0 beating at the hands of Barcelona again in the future.

City will also tie up a �20m deal for French star Franck Ribery next month. (Sunday Express)

Like this is all so simple. Not a chance Bayern Munich sells Ribery for �20m.

Blackburn manager Paul Ince will discover his future at Ewood Park within the next 48 hours. (Sunday Express)

The hook will come sooner rather than later. Blackburn should of expected this pairing up a team with Championship level talent with a rookie head coach.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari could be set for an almighty row with owner Roman Abramovich after the club edited Scolari�s criticisms of club transfer policy out of a transcript of a Q&A with fans earlier in the week. (Mail on Sunday)

Scolari is head strong, it�s his way or nothing. He can be charming with the media one minute and then act like a bull in a china shop the next.

Abramovich has seen his most important stock market investment, steel producer Evraz, rescued by a $1.8bn (�1.2bn) loan from the Russian government, as concerns grow about how hard the Chelsea owner has been hit by the credit crunch. (Observer)

But did Abramovich arrive on a private plane when he asked Putin for the loan is what the world wants to know.

Arsenal�s new chief executive Ivan Gazidis will consider tearing up long-term sponsorship deals with Emirates and Nike worth �112m when he starts at the club. Gazidis believes he can negotiate more profitable contracts. (News of the World)

Now�s not the time Ivan, doesn�t matter anyway it isn�t like Arsenal will spend it on world class players.

Milan striker Marco Borriello is said to be �hurt� after girlfriend Belen Rodriguez told a reality TV show he �fundamentally lacks intelligence�. (Observer)

Cut the cord Borriello. Saying your cash register is dumb on national television isn�t exactly intelligence either.

sinnacle

Dec 7th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Congrats maebach. That Villa-Everton game will be right up there as game of the season.

sweeper

Dec 7th, 2008, 01:18 PM

maebach

Dec 7th, 2008, 03:52 PM

Congrats maebach. That Villa-Everton game will be right up there as game of the season.

haha, after lescott scored I nearly flipped the couch over! Then a floormate told me theres still time for villa to score and then Young did it. Im in such a good mood

sinnacle

Dec 8th, 2008, 02:01 AM

- Roy Keane may of still been coaching Sunderland if they put up a performance in previous games like they did against Manchester United. Personally I�m ready to put this Keane thing to bed since it�s clear he took his ball and went home. What also seemed clear is that those Sunderland players did not enjoy playing under Roy Keane. Being serious all the time only leads to heart attacks and wearing out your players. I don�t recall ever seeing Roy Keane crack a smile or enjoying himself out there. Even the best managers you have the sense aren�t serious 24/7. I�m sure after the players put there work in they can crack a joke and have a laugh with Sir Alex Ferguson as an example. Roy Keane never seemed that type which not only caused him to burn out but caused his players to tune out.

- Nemanja Vidić reminds me of Ricardo Carvalho in the fact that both are in the shadow of England internationals and I�d say that both Vidic and Carvalho are better than their defensive partners. It�s not a coincidence that Manchester United's back line become solid as a rock soon after Vidic arrived in Manchester.

- Arsenal fans should be ashamed over their treatment of Emmanuel Ebou�. Granted I�m not the biggest fan of Eboue but even with his bad game he doesn�t deserve that treatment. By and large fans are the biggest hypocrites around. This is not only a case with Arsenal fans but with most fans of professional sport teams. It�s easy to love a team of players when you go 49 games unbeaten in the league but go through a rough patch and most fans are the first to turn on players and quickly call for replacements. Then they wonder why players are quick to exit once another team comes calling with more cash in hand.

- I�m going to give a round of applause for Rafa Benitez. It�s not easy to do what he did in benching Robbie Keane and playing what he felt were his best starting eleven. To be fair Benitez is one of the few managers who can bench a 20 million pound signing and not face stick from the fan base due to his popularity. Other managers would feel pressure in putting Keane out there to justify the purchase. Despite that it is still a credit to Benitez who not only benched Keane but didn�t start Andrea Dossena and Albert Riera his other two main summer signings for the overall good of the team.

- Gareth Barry is a fine player in his own right but give me Xabi Alonso any day of the week. Took Alonso awhile to adjust having Javier Mascherano playing along side him but his form this season has been top class capped off with a key goal against Blackburn to crack the game open. Every team could use a Xabi Alonso who works harder than Ronaldinho tooth brush out there.

- How about Deco showing a touch of class on his second goal against Bolton?

- Way to throw that game away Middlesbrough as Hull continues to make a fool out of me by predicting they would finish bottom of the league.

- Raise your hands up however if anyone outside of Hull predicted they would still be in 6th near the halfway mark.

- Note to Newcastle, you�ll have more success if you play the entire 90 minutes. That is what happens when you take the foot off the gas against any team.

- With Everton short on strikers Joleon Lescott should play up front. The man is better in the box than a lot of forwards currently playing in the EPL.

- Phil Jagielka seemed to be in the Christmas spirit a couple of weeks early with his back pass to Ashley Young who promptly put it pass Tim Howard.

- Remember this win Villa fans when sometime down the road luck won�t smile on you as these things usually even out over the course of a season.

- Yesterday�s game pretty much sums up Everton�s year. With only one home win in eight matches they are lucky to be in 8th spot.

- Last time Tottenham and West Ham faced off Spurs won 4-0. Don�t envision a repeat of that scoreline but goals should be in order. 3-1 Spurs will be my guess for today�s game.

sinnacle

Dec 9th, 2008, 03:39 AM

Dutch coach Co Adriaanse, currently in charge of Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, is high on Sunderland�s shortlist to replace Roy Keane as manager. (The Sun)

Surely the world has gone mad. Did they pick Co Adriaanse name out of a hat? This is the same Co Adriaanse who didn�t see the talent in Diego when the two were at Porto. Hiring a coach mid season with no EPL experience could easily spell doom for Sunderland.

Short is believed to favour a well-known, probably foreign, name as the Black Cats� new boss. (The Guardian)

Or Short favours a younger manager, preferably with top-flight experience, rather than former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce. (Daily Mail)

Take your pick those of you reading at home.

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier and ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson are in the frame for the vacant post at the Stadium of Light. (Daily Mirror)

Houllier is not going to give up his comfortable lifestyle in France to make a return coaching Sunderland.

Things haven�t gone smoothly for Sven since taking over Mexico so while I�m sure he�d consider jumping ship it�s unlikely Sunderland could convince him to do so.

Keane is adamant he will return to management in the future. (Various)

Keane is likely to be a strong contender should Gordon Strachan come to the end of his reign as Celtic boss in the summer or be poached by Sunderland. (Daily Mirror)

Poor Gordon Strachan, all he does is win in Scotland with a shoestring budget and every year he has to deal with rumors about his long term future at the club.

Valencia striker David Villa�s agent has flown to the UK for talks over the Spanish international�s �60m move to Manchester City. (The Sun)

Manchester City will definitely land Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz - and remain hopeful they can capture Barcelona frontman Thierry Henry. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City are set to launch a �15m bid for Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso. (Daily Mail)

These are your Manchester City rumors for the day.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has told Tottenham target Robbie Keane that the forward will not be leaving Anfield. (The Sun)

Rafa is not going to sell Keane back to Tottenham. He would have to admit the Keane signing was a mistake and coaches hate confirming mistakes to the press.

Lazio want to take Manchester City midfielder Elano on loan in January with a view to a permanent transfer. (Daily Mirror)

The two have done business in the past with Manchester City shipping out Rolando Bianchi to Lazio last year.

Everton are watching Zenit St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak as they look to solve their striker injury crisis. (Daily Star)

Everton doesn�t have the cash for Pogrebnyak. If they make a move for a striker it would either be a loan move or something on the cheap.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will walk out if the club�s Arab owners continue to attempt to interfere in team selection and tactics. (The Sun)

Would this threat really scare the Manchester City owners? You mean the man who coached the club to a 1-1 draw against Fulham on the weekend and has the club sitting 14th in the table behind Hull, Fulham, Wigan and Stoke might leave? Hide the women and children this would be awful news.

flexwong

Dec 9th, 2008, 11:23 AM

- Nemanja Vidić reminds me of Ricardo Carvalho in the fact that both are in the shadow of England internationals and I�d say that both Vidic and Carvalho are better than their defensive partners. It�s not a coincidence that Manchester United's back line become solid as a rock soon after Vidic arrived in Manchester.

disagree. rio ferdinand is class. both players compliment each other very well. when he arrived in united first, he made many rudimentary mistakes and rio was always there to cover for him. rio's play as a whole has been elevated by vidic obviously but it's a stretch to say that vidic is better then ferdinand.

Dec 9th, 2008, 11:37 AM

its too early to judge Keane - fact is LFC have had their best start to a season in years - Keane has been part of a "TEAM" - true he hasn't scored as many as he would like but if defenders are marking him tight - they leave spaces open for others. One big positive this season so far is that without Torres scoring many and Keane - the others have scored amongst themselves (spreading out the scoring) . All strikers have periods where they just can't score (even Rooney) ..give him time and confidence and he'll be netting em.

BTW Sinnacle like the website!

sinnacle

Dec 9th, 2008, 01:40 PM

sinnacle

Dec 10th, 2008, 03:53 AM

West Ham are willing to sell Wales striker Craig Bellamy to raise funds for new signings. (Daily Mirror)

I�m sure a lineup will be forming across the block for a striker who has one goal this year and is earning 80000 pounds a week. Another contract on West Ham's books that an accountant must cringe at.

West Ham midfielders Lee Bowyer and Nigel Quashie, plus defender Calum Davenport and forward Luis Boa Morte are also up for grabs as Zola looks to fund a bid for �7m-rated Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini. (Daily Express)

Pazzini is staying in Italy. Even with the connection concerning Zola coaching Pazzini at the under 21 level the player will stay in Italy in order to increase his profile for a spot in the Italian National Soccer team. Besides those West Ham players are by and large rubbish.

Redknapp plans to raid another of his old clubs by signing Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson for about �6m but will have to sell players first. (The Independent)

Don�t know how Johnson and Alan Hutton would co-exist once the Hutton returns from injury. Johnson making his way to Tottenham would be a clear symbol that Hutton would face a summer exit.

New Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos will return to his former club Tottenham to try to sign wingers David Bentley and Aaron Lennon in January. (Daily Star)

Still in shock over Ramos coaching Real Madrid. This is a silly rumor mind you. I�d love to see Ramos trying to convince the Real Madrid bean counters to spend money for any of his old Tottenham players. I�d be thinking are you serious with this request to sign players who guided your team to the bottom of the table in England? Besides Bentley played out of position for Tottenham and lashed out at Ramos in every interview during Ramos�s final days. The press just loves linking Lennon to any team it seems.

Chelsea are planning an �8m bid for Middlesbrough striker Tuncay in the new year. (Daily Mail)

Big fan of Tuncay whose work rate is top notch and scores key goals for Boro. Not his fault Middlesbrough often let leads slip away late in games.

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue is on the brink of quitting the club after being barracked by Gunners fans. (Daily Mirror)

Somehow this is still William Gallas fault.

Portsmouth striker David Nugent will turn down a move to Everton because he wants to prove himself at Fratton Park. (Daily Mirror)

Doesn�t spending close to 18 months nailed to the bench signal how the club feels about you?

Under-pressure Blackburn manager Paul Ince has been granted a stay of execution but will be sacked if his side lose at Wigan on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)

Ince has been told he has four more games to save his job. (The Sun)

Could of never guessed this would be ending badly for Ince and Blackburn.

Ince blames his side�s struggles on the club�s decision to sell star players goalkeeper Brad Friedel and winger David Bentley in the summer, without replacing them. (The Sun)

It was Ince who bought in former England number 1 Paul Robinson before shipping off Brad Friedel to Aston Villa. The club did replace David Bentley with Carlos Villanueva. It isn�t like many 15 million pound players would be willing to play for Blackburn so of course it makes sense for the club to pocket some of that Bentley money.

sweeper

Dec 10th, 2008, 11:17 PM

Portsmouth striker David Nugent will turn down a move to Everton because he wants to prove himself at Fratton Park. (Daily Mirror)[/B]

Doesn’t spending close to 18 months nailed to the bench signal how the club feels about you?

Under-pressure Blackburn manager Paul Ince has been granted a stay of execution but will be sacked if his side lose at Wigan on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)

David Nugent always make me laugh ever since he blatantly stole Jermaine Defoe's goal in a Euro 2008 Qualifier and celebrated it like douche.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujijaZHneJQ

. . .

"One cap, One goal, I'm claiming the goal"

You're a superstar David.

sinnacle

Dec 10th, 2008, 11:46 PM

David Nugent always make me laugh ever since he blatantly stole Jermaine Defoe's goal in a Euro 2008 Qualifier and celebrated it like douche.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujijaZHneJQ

. . .

"One cap, One goal, I'm claiming the goal"

You're a superstar David.

I was going to mention his one goal in his only cap too but forgot about the tap in back story. Can't blame him, I'd do the same thing knowing I'd never receive another call up.

sinnacle

Dec 11th, 2008, 04:34 AM

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is urging the Blues to make a �6m offer for Amir Zaki, currently on loan at Wigan from Zamalek. (The Independent)

It has been a nice rise for Zaki who was largely unheard of in European football circles and thanks to his strong start with Wigan now is attracting constant attention from some of the best football clubs in the world. Oh, that fee would not get it done if Chelsea were to make a move for Zaki.

Brazilian defender Alex has asked to leave Chelsea and AC Milan and Sevilla have already expressed an interest in the �10m-rated centre-back. (The Sun)

Alex was never going to crack the partnership of Terry and Carvalho in the starting 11. With Branislav Ivanovic now preferred in Carvalho absent must of been the last straw for Alex who Chelsea would gladly sell to raise transfer funds.

Celtic are set to make a cut-price �5m move for West Ham�s Wales striker Craig Bellamy. (The Sun)

Manchester City have also been alerted by the Hammers� decision to make Bellamy available for �6m. (Daily Mirror)

Look for West Ham to cut their losses and sell Bellamy to any team willing to take him.

City are poised to make a �50m offer for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres but accept the Spanish striker is unlikely to want to leave the Reds. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City should just save the fax paper (for some reason most official transfer bids are still made by fax) and look towards other targets.

Blackburn are stepping up their chase for Wolfsburg�s German international left-back Marcel Schafer, who is Warnock�s most likely replacement at Ewood Park. (Daily Mirrror)

Wolfburg didn�t flash the cash this summer to sign Cristian Zaccardo and Andrea Barzagli only to sell Schafer to the likes of Blackburn.

Former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos will raid White Hart Lane to take Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora to his new side Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Saying you like a player doesn�t exactly mean a move is going to be made. Zokora has never struck me as having Real Madrid type talent.

Ramos will turn his attention to Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra if he fails to snap up Zokora. (Daily Express)

Diarra however I could see him making the grade at Real Madrid. What were Chelsea and then Arsenal thinking last year when they were willingly to let him go?

West Ham captain Lucas Neill wants a pay rise to sign an extended deal at Upton Park but the Australian international defender is likely to have to accept a huge pay cut in order to stay at the club. (The Times)

Neill makes about 50000 pounds a week, Neill should be happy if his next contract was anything close to that amount. West Ham over paid for Neill in order to convince him to join West Ham instead of going to Liverpool.

Everton are looking at taking City�s Brazilian striker Jo on loan. (Daily Express)

I have no doubt Everton will go the loan or the cheap route for another striker but it would be unlikely that another EPL club will be the ones helping them out.

England captain John Terry hogged the karaoke machine at Chelsea�s Christmas party - bellowing out numbers by Luther Vandross, Biggie Smalls and Soulja Boy. (Daily Mirror)

How in the world do you go from Luther Vandross to then doing the Soulja Boy song and dance?

sinnacle

Dec 12th, 2008, 03:58 AM

Harry Redknapp is desperately trying to offload striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, but the Spurs boss fears he may be stuck with the �13.8m summer signing. (Daily Mirror)

If I was running a club and I found out an employee tipped the media off to a player I was trying to sell I�d fire him on the spot. These type of headlines only lessen Pavlyuchenko�s value since the interested team knows you want to sell.

Meanwhile, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has told former manager Juande Ramos he can only take winger Aaron Lennon to Real Madrid for �20m. (Daily Mirror)

For the life of me can�t see why Ramos would bring in any Tottenham player to Madrid. Aaron Lennon or Angel Di Maria hmmm real tough call there.

Chelsea will look to replace centre-half Alex with fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva, who will soon be out of contract at Fluminense. (The Sun)

A day late and a dollar short, it looks like Silva will be going to A.C Milan.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial job at Sunderland, telling French TV: �No, I�m not interested.� (The Guardian)

I could of told you that, in fact I did. Houllier has a pressure free thing going on for him over in France. He�d only give it up for a big club which Sunderland is not.

Spurs are monitoring Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni with the La Liga club ready to sell the �5m-rated 24-year-old next month. (Daily Mirror)

With Kameni having a low release clause (8 million euros I believe) always wondered why other clubs haven�t made a move as of yet.

Liverpool are tracking Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy, but the 22-year-old is also being monitored by Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

Bracelona would have Chygrynskiy well scouted after meeting Shakhtar Donetsk during the group stage of the Champions League.

Manager Rafa Benitez has written off Liverpool�s title chances, saying: �For us to win the league we need Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal to mess up their season. It is very rare that three teams all mess up.� (The Sun)

Rafa�s smart, he doesn�t want to get the Liverpool fans all excited when there is still along way to go. The more excitement surrounding Liverpool winning the title the likelihood increase that the Liverpool players will lose focus over all the madness/pressure.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has warned Premier League clubs to keep their hands off his young stars Chris Eagles, Kevin McDonald, Martin Paterson and Chris McCann. (The Sun)

I always love these warnings. I�m sure Premier League clubs will be backing off now that they have been set straight by Owen Coyle.

Arsenal�s Johan Djourou has revealed he loves smearing himself with mango-flavoured body butter. �I pay attention to hydrating my skin properly and to feeling good,� said the Swiss international.

Makes Nicklas Bendtner pink boots seem normal in comparison.

Hugh Jass

Dec 12th, 2008, 03:43 PM

Manager Rafa Benitez has written off Liverpool�s title chances, saying: �For us to win the league we need Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal to mess up their season. It is very rare that three teams all mess up.� (The Sun)

.

Don't believe a word from that rag. They just sit around and make ***** up, especially negative stuff about Liverpool.

flexwong

Dec 12th, 2008, 03:55 PM

Don't believe a word from that rag. They just sit around and make ***** up, especially negative stuff about Liverpool.

the real test will come when the champions league knockout stages begin. liverpool hasn't had to fight a 2 front war in a long time. gonna be interesting to see how well they cope. usually by knockout stage of CL, they're already long gone from the premiership chase. lets hope this bodes true for this year too. :D

sinnacle

Dec 13th, 2008, 06:12 AM

Joe Kinnear wants to make West Ham�s Matthew Upson his first signing at Newcastle United - but it will take over �6m to sign the defender. (The Independent)

Upson is one of the few West Ham players that they can turn a profit selling. Newcastle United would need to up that 6 million pound fee before West Ham bites.

Kinnear believes Michael Owen will leave the club when his contract runs out next summer. (The Sun)

With good reason, Owen is good as gone come this summer. Here a player use to playing at the highest levels of football with Liverpool, England, Real Madrid stuck on a team with no long term direction. I�m surprised Owen has been such a professional during all this mess.

Owen�s team-mates Shola Ameobi, Nicky Butt and Steve Harper are also set to discuss their futures. (The Sun)

Only player Newcastle would miss is Steve Harper who has been a model professional during his time with the club.

Defender Jonny Evans is set to sign a new four-year deal with Manchester United worth around �20,000 a week. (The Sun)

Luckily no x-mas party for Evans to get arrested at this year.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has told top scorer Amr Zaki to clear his head - and warned off potential suitors Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

I�d be telling Zaki to get a good financial advisor has he�ll be coming into a lot of money soon.

Boss Rafael Benitez claims that Liverpool will win the title if they are still heading the Premier League after Christmas. (Various)

That�s more like it. Still think it�s for the best to lessen exceptions until the finish line is in sight.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill rates hist striker Ashley Young in the same class as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and says: �You talk about Ronaldo and Messi. Is Young in that company? Yes. I�ve just put him in it.� (The Sun)

Even Ashley Young would think Martin O�Neill was on the sauce when making that comment. Young is a great player no doubt but let�s the kid win something before placing him among the games elite.

Havo

Dec 13th, 2008, 06:26 AM

the real test will come when the champions league knockout stages begin. liverpool hasn't had to fight a 2 front war in a long time. gonna be interesting to see how well they cope. usually by knockout stage of CL, they're already long gone from the premiership chase. lets hope this bodes true for this year too. :D

+1... Liverpool hasn't won the league title in so long. It eludes Stevie G til this day. I think he wants it bad though... he's not getting any younger and he wants to win it before he retires. They have a good chance but it will be hard for them to maintain a strong run in the CL and EPL as we always see. It will also be difficult without Torres.

sweeper

Dec 13th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Was so excited when Hull went 2-0 up, oh well stealing 2 points from the Scousers is good enough I guess.

Now for Tottenham to beat the Mancs. :twisted:

maebach

Dec 13th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Was so excited when Hull went 2-0 up, oh well stealing 2 points from the Scousers is good enough I guess.

Now for Tottenham to beat the Mancs. :twisted:

that would be great. Im happy with the win over Bolton today, I only hope that Villa can hold the 4th spot.

sweeper

Dec 13th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Yidda Yidda Yiddo Yiddo. :D

0-0 at the Lane. Harry Redknapp's Blue and White Army. :cheesygri

krash322

Dec 13th, 2008, 02:50 PM

Bah... the team has no fire without Rooney in the lineup

Hugh Jass

Dec 13th, 2008, 02:53 PM

Bah... the team has no fire without Rooney in the lineup

No one else willing to stomp on the opposition?

sinnacle

Dec 14th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Everton could make a shock move for Gary Neville when his contract expires at the end of the season (News of the World).

Wouldn�t be too much of a shock. I�m sure Gary wouldn�t mind finishing out his career with brother Phil. With Rafael getting more and more playing time Neville sees the writing on the wall.

Everton could move for Newcastle�s Michael Owen in the transfer window after losing Yakubu for the rest of the season. (Express)

Everton could make a move for any striker since they have none. Owen, 6 months away from being a free agent would be wise to see out his contract and then make a decision on where he wants to play.

Arsenal could open the door for William Gallas to leave by making a bid for Roma�s Philippe Mexes. (Express)

Mexes, very good defender but Roma would value him in the 15-20 million euro range and as we all know that it 10-15m more than Arsenal likes to spend.

Former Spurs boss Juande Ramos wants to take Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon and Roman Pavlyuchenko to Real Madrid. He is also interested in Aston Villa�s Ashley Young. (Telegraph)

I�d understand any player wanting to go to Real Madrid but Ramos only has a 6 month contract. A coaching change will most likely happen during the summer and all three players, who would normally not be linked to Real Madrid would then be nailed to the bench.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett must raise �50m within six weeks to pay off a loan he took out using his stake in the club as collateral. (News of the World)

I�m sure Gillett is hoping Rafa doesn�t ask for transfer money come January.

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is top of Sunderland�s managerial short-list. (Express)

Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster and former Barcelona chief Louis van Gaal are also in the frame. (Times)

None of these coaches would know how to find Sunderland on a map.

Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos says he find Tottenham�s revival since his departure �very hard to understand�. (Mail on Sunday)

If I was Juande Ramos I�d forget the whole Tottenham thing ever happen. Pretend it was a bad dream that when you woke up pockets full of cash were lying next to you.

maebach

Dec 14th, 2008, 10:25 AM

Former Spurs boss Juande Ramos wants to take Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon and Roman Pavlyuchenko to Real Madrid. He is also interested in Aston Villa�s Ashley Young. (Telegraph)

I�d understand any player wanting to go to Real Madrid but Ramos only has a 6 month contract. A coaching change will most likely happen during the summer and all three players, who would normally not be linked to Real Madrid would then be nailed to the bench.

Ashley Young wouldnt move yet, not for some mediocre manager who may not even stay there.

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is top of Sunderland�s managerial short-list. (Express)

Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster and former Barcelona chief Louis van Gaal are also in the frame. (Times)

None of these coaches would know how to find Sunderland on a map.

I totally agree, there is no way they would consider going to Sunderland.

Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos says he find Tottenham�s revival since his departure �very hard to understand�. (Mail on Sunday)

If I was Juande Ramos I�d forget the whole Tottenham thing ever happen. Pretend it was a bad dream that when you woke up pockets full of cash were lying next to you.

lol, its the only way to go. They've turned around quickly and effiiciently without him.

sinnacle

Dec 15th, 2008, 02:47 AM

- Jeremie Aliadiere gaining a small measure of revenge for the second year in a row as his goal split the points between Arsenal and Middlesbrough.

- The Riverside has always been a tough out for the big four during the last couple of years but after yesterday�s performance it�s pretty safe to save Arsenal will be playing for a Champions League spot next year and nothing more.

- Why doesn�t anyone notice Cesc Fabregas play slipping in the last year?

- I�m ripping this off a message board I came across, there should be a rule that only good Brazilian players get to be on a first name basis. With that being the case Den�lson should have to add a last name. Den�lson was woeful playing out wide and his passing, an Arsenal trademark was also quite poor against Middlesbrough.

- Didn�t the Liverpool players realize who they were playing against? Liverpool were in for a rude awakening going down 2-0 only to crawl back to earn a point. Hull isn�t a push over for any team in England. Belief goes along way in football sometimes.

- Does anyone score more own goals than Jamie Carragher?

- Will Mark Hughes make it until Christmas as Manchester City�s coach? Can anyone make valid points as to why he should be? Playing at home against a team with no strikers and losing 1-0 is a bad sign. Manchester City look disorganized and some of that is due to all the new faces but if you are bank rolling Manchester City can you really trust Hughes at this point?

- Manchester City is like the geek in high school who several years later becomes rich. Being rich, the geek is able to attract a hot girlfriend. Let�s call this girlfriend Robinho, now never having a hot girlfriend before the geek lavishes Robinho with money and grants every whim thinking it�s love. The moral of the story is that both the geek and Manchester City will be in for a shock a couple of years down the road.

- Roy Keane must of wondered why Sunderland never played like that for him this season. Sunderland players must feel a weight lifted from their shoulders without Roy Keane around.

- Paul Ince doesn�t see out the week as Blackburn coach. The board has lost faith in Ince and after yesterday�s 3-0 performance against Wigan it appears the Blackburn players have also lost faith in their manager.

- Their is only one difference between Manchester United of last year and this years version. Granted it�s a big difference and it stems from Ronaldo�s performances. Last year Manchester United could count on Ronaldo coming up with a moment of brilliance. Those moments are few and far between this year and no one seems to be capable of picking up the slack.

It�s easy to blame Berbatov but I�m still going to do it. Last year with Rooney and Tevez up front their were more than willing to track back and do some dirty work in the midfield which allowed Ronaldo to roam in the middle of the park. This year Berbatov is taking up that space which forces Ronaldo out wide. All of that would be fine if Berbatov were scoring goals but only two goals in 14 EPL games this season creates a problem. Keeping Frazier Campbell or playing Danny Welbeck surely could of gotten United the same kind of production.

- For a team known to make mistakes in the transfer market it appears Newcastle found themselves a gem in former Liverpool player Danny Guthrie.

- A couple of years ago the joke was �have you ever seen Chelsea win the league?� Soon enough it�s going to be changed to �have you ever seen Chelsea win at home?�

- The end of the Chelsea-West Ham game summed up Carlton Cole to a tee. Looks the part but will never be the real mccoy. Not an easy chance to be fair but a good striker with only the goalie in front of him finds a way to slide it home.

malaujai

Dec 15th, 2008, 03:14 AM

Carlton Cole should have won that one for WHU. Frrreaakin' hell.

sinnacle

Dec 16th, 2008, 04:19 AM

England striker Michael Owen must take a �25,000-a-week pay cut - from �105,000 to �80,000 - as part of the new three-year contract he has been offered at Newcastle. (Various)

But the 29-year-old former Liverpool striker is likely to delay any decision until January when he is allowed to start talks on a free transfer and wait to see if any of the �Big Four� - Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United - or even Tottenham, Manchester City and Everton are interested. (Daily Mirror)

Owen would be foolish to sign with Newcastle right now. Even with Newcastle showing good form, Owen bank account would be best served by seeing how much he is worth on the open market.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear wants West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson and Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock, although he may have to sell before he can buy. (Daily Mirror)

With Mike Ashley willingly to sell the club it�s highly unlikely he would want to dump more money into transfer fees come January.

Blackburn have upped their asking price for striker Roque Santa Cruz - a January target for City - towards the �20m mark. (Various)

This is what happens when you know a club funded by a billionaire is after one of your players.

Real�s former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos also wants Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and could return to his old club for Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley. (Daily Star)

It still amuses me that the British papers still link Tottenham players to Real Madrid. Why would Ramos want any of those players who got him sacked and bring them to Real Madrid where he has six months to prove himself?

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told he has no money to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

Scolari has accepted that he will not be able to sign a striker in January, despite having previously outlined plans to sign a new goalscorer. (Daily Telegraph)

Wonder how long it would take for Scolari to blame the club�s transfer policy if Chelsea season starts to go south?

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has been warned he needs to achieve a top-six finish in the Premier League this season to satisfy the club�s new billionaire Arab owners. City are currently 17th. (Daily Mirror)

Pretty much sums everything up, Even Stuart Pearce could of guided this Manchester City squad to 17th place.

Hugh Jass

Dec 16th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Wonder how long it would take for Scolari to blame the club�s transfer policy if Chelsea season starts to go south?

He would have somewhat of a point. Previous manager was given hundreds of millions for transfers, he's getting zero. Fair enough, there's a great squad to work with, but a manager always likes to bring in his own kind of players.

sinnacle

Dec 16th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Paul Ince out at Blackburn for the many Rovers fans who read this thread.

Hugh Jass

Dec 16th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Paul Ince out at Blackburn for the many Rovers fans who read this thread.

What a shocker ;)

Dec 16th, 2008, 09:18 AM

for the many Rovers fans who read this thread.

Yeah - both of them :lol:

Just need mark hughes out now and a trio of ex ManU players will have been chopped/changed ..

sinnacle

Dec 17th, 2008, 04:20 AM

England striker Michael Owen has received a four-year contract offer - not three years as has been reported - and at a salary believed to be about �90,000 per week, not �80,000. (The Independent)

All smoke and mirrors really, Newcastle needs to make an offer even it's only a token offer.

Owen has told his Newcastle team-mates he is hoping for Liverpool, Manchester City or Everton to make him an offer he cannot refuse. (Daily Mail)

Good to see those players ratting Owen out to the daily mail if this rumor is true.

Portsmouth have agreed to sell midfielder Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid in a club record �20m deal. (Daily Mirror)

However, Manchester City believe that Diarra can be theirs for �18m, while reports suggest the Spaniards have offered half that amount. (The Guardian)

Once Real Madrid entered into the picture, Diarra should only have his sights set on moving to Spain. Good for Diarra and good for Portsmouth making a healthy profit on Diarra.

Juventus plan a double swoop for Liverpool�s Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger and will make a bid to sign the duo in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

It�s hard to complain when Liverpool are top of the table but 18 months into life in England you�d except more out of the Babel.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester City are tracking Hull defender Michael Turner. (Daily Mirror)

These sort of things happen when you are rated as one of the best defenders this season in the EPL. Turner for England? Maybe one day.

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Newcastle�s French midfielder Charles N�Zogbia, whose future at the club has been in doubt, despite having signed a five-year contract last year. (The Independent)

Already stated my opinion on N�Zogbia, he is one of those El-Hadji Diouf type players whose attitude will over shadow his talents.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is to make a �7m swoop for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

I�d still be shocked to see Tottenham add to their midfield during the transfer season. The only way I could see Tottenham make a move in the midfield area is if they have plans to sell one of their current players in that position.

Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City are ready to start a bidding war for West Ham�s �10m-rated Dean Ashton as the striker is set to return from injury next month. (The Sun)

Gianfranco Zola may not be happy over this news but the West Ham accountants would be. When fit which admittedly is never Ashton can be a top ten EPL striker.

sinnacle

Dec 17th, 2008, 10:24 AM

For all the Blackburn fans who have asked me to keep them updated (sarcasm) congrats Sam Allardyce is your new coach.

sinnacle

Dec 18th, 2008, 03:45 AM

New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce only agreed to take over at Ewood Park if Roque Santa Cruz stayed at the club. (The Sun)

However, the former Bolton manager is prepared to offload the 27-year-old striker for about �20m to held fund a January spending spree. (Various)

Really don�t see a way Allardyce could keep or even want to keep Santa Cruz. The second option appears to be the better option. Allardyce gets to spend the majority of the Roque Santa Cruz transfer fee on other transfer targets who may actually want to play for Blackburn. With the allure of playing in Europe again, I�m sure Santa Cruz wishes to move on but is too classy to say it publicity.

A director at Real Madrid claims the Spanish giants have a �secret deal� in place to sign Manchester United�s Cristiano Ronaldo but clauses in the arrangement prevent the transfer being made public. (Various)

It�s not as if I couldn�t believe this to be true but it�s really a case where I�ve grown tired on the Ronaldo to Real Madrid rumors along time ago.

Tottenham have made enquiries about 28-year-old Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant and manager Rafael Benitez is interested in a swap deal involving Aaron Lennon. (Daily Mirror)

This is just silly, Pennant is not in the same league as Lennon and there is no way Tottenham would part with Lennon for a player warming up the bench at Liverpool.

Chelsea defener Alex, 26, will meet with owner Roman Abramovich to discuss his future after demanding to leave Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Can�t blame Alex for wanting to leave. He�ll never get the amount of games at Chelsea to make him happy. The two will meet, Abramovich should tell Alex to play out the year then promise to sell him during the summer.

Mark Hughes is still hoping he can persuade Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra to come to Manchester City, despite the 23-year-old Frenchman having agreed a deal to sign for Real Madrid. (The Sun)

I can�t see why a footballer would choose to play for Manchester City once Real Madrid comes calling.

Valencia defender Miguel, 28, has said he wants to leave the Spanish club with Chelsea thought to be his preferred destination. (Various)

Every transfer period Miguel is linked with a move to England. Chelsea has Jose Bosingwa so Miguel isn�t needed. Manchester United has never made a move for the player. Liverpool would be a fit but it�s unlikely to happen as I don�t see Liverpool spending come January.

Liverpool will offer Fernando Torres a new �6m deal to keep the 24-year-old striker at Anfield and fend off reported interest from Mancheester City. (Daily Star)

Heading into the final half of the season it would be wise making your star striker happy. It�s not like Torres hasn�t deserved a raise.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray wants to sign 23-year-old striker Leroy Lita on loan to help the Baggies avoid relegation. (Various)

Figured Lita to be a player when he helped Reading to a top of the table finish in their first year back in the EPL. The last two seasons however have seen Lita shipping out on loan multiple times after falling out of favour with head coach Steve Coppell.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said the club need to spend big in January if they harbour ambitions of a top-half Premier League finish. (Daily Mail)

Redknapp didn�t go to Tottenham without the promise of spending money I�m sure. Maybe this time Tottenham can get it right once they decide to spend big again.

Sunderland defender Danny Collins says that spirits have been lifted and communication improved since Roy Keane left the club. (Various)

Was only going to be a matter a time before a Sunderland player said it.

Spartak Moscow players have criticised the standard of Chelsea�s Cobham training ground after being lent the facilities to prepare for their Uefa Cup clash with Tottenham on Thursday.

Well that was rude, not exactly nice being guests and then trashing the place.

sinnacle

Dec 19th, 2008, 03:19 AM

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has emerged as the �20m hot favourite to join Chelsea after talks with Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin hit financial stumbling blocks. (Daily Star)

Fabiano has to be the king of players who are linked with a move away but always stays put in the end. Each transfer period Fabiano is linked with a Chelsea move, even last year Manchester City was linked with the player as I remember Fabiano�s agent saying a deal could be close with Manchester�s second team. Seville's president stepped in and informed the agent to be quiet and that the player has a contract with the team. That was the end of that, besides isn�t the Chelsea chequebook closed?

Elano�s Manchester City misery may end with a loan move to Spanish club Espanyol or Italian outfit Lazio. (The Sun)

Moving to Lazio would be a better fit than Espanyol which was the rumor earlier this week. A move to Lazio could see Elano help the club towards European play next season.

Portsmouth defender Lauren claims striker Jermain Defoe will make a sensational return to Tottenham and says England right-back Glen Johnson will also leave the south-coast club. (Daily Star)

Clubs are going to be circling around Portsmouth like vultures this transfer period. Pompey fans better enjoy that FA Cup of last season.

CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love, who is rated at �12m, has revealed that Everton are leading the race to sign him - but insists that he still wants to join Real Madrid. (Daily Star)

When Vagner Love says that Everton is leading the race for his services he really means Everton is the only one interested at the moment.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes he has unearthed his next young star and is duly keeping tabs on Boulogne defender Steven Mouyokolo after impressive scouting reports. (The Sun)

Wenger amuses me. He is like the person in the fairytale who tries to sell magic beans with the promise that they will grow. Who cares about 2-3 years down the road, deal with that during the summer.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray is making a move for Paris St Germain�s �1m French international striker Peguy Luyindula. (Daily Mail)

I love it when the press use �French international striker� for players who have barely played with the national team. Luyindula has made 4 appearances for France none in the last four years. Thierry Henry he is not. It would be like saying West Brom is interested in English international David Nugent.

Hugh Jass

Dec 19th, 2008, 06:24 AM

besides isn�t the Chelsea chequebook closed?

That could have been said just so clubs don't charge higher amounts just coz it's Chelsea they're dealing with.

sinnacle

Dec 19th, 2008, 06:28 AM

That could have been said just so clubs don't charge higher amounts just coz it's Chelsea they're dealing with.

You are right it could be, but it hasn't been Chelsea's style in the last five years. I could see them buying but I doubt it will be in the 20 million pound neighborhood.

sinnacle

Dec 19th, 2008, 06:29 AM

Hugh Jass

Dec 19th, 2008, 06:31 AM

WingerII

Dec 19th, 2008, 08:23 AM

Oh man, I'm excited. More than a little nervous, but excited nonetheless.

First knockout round goes February 24-25th. Barring another injury, we'll have Torres back by then.

Dec 19th, 2008, 10:13 AM

The Special One makes his return to England. Below is the Champions League Draw.

Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v Porto
Lyon v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v Roma
Inter Milan v Manchester United

Looks like England vs Italy in the draw ....most exciting last 16 draw I can remember

I am going for the following to get through

Juve
Villarreal
Bayern
Athletico
Barca
Liverpool
Arsenal
Inter

flexwong

Dec 19th, 2008, 10:29 AM

the following teams will go through:

Chelsea (unfortunately but i'd prefer them over the cheating scum)
Villarreal
Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid
Barcelona
Real Madrid (woohoo! liverpool first round gone! another trophyless year hopefully)
Roma
Manchester United (inter choke. that's all we need to know)

sinnacle

Dec 19th, 2008, 11:57 AM

The Special One makes his return to England. Below is the Champions League Draw.

Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v Porto
Lyon v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v Roma
Inter Milan v Manchester United

I'll join in on this just to look back in 3 months and go what was I thinking.

Chelsea
Villarreal
Sporting
Porto
Lyon
Liverpool
Roma
Inter

wesleyw

Dec 19th, 2008, 12:39 PM

Yeah..why the heck not.

Chelsea
Villarreal
Bayern
Porto
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Manchester United

NDman

Dec 19th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Some really great draws for the Round of 16! My take:

Juventus
Villarreal
Bayern Munich
FC Porto
Barcelona
Liverpool
AS Roma
Man Utd

Not as significant as the Special One but Ranieri makes a return at the Bridge. That should be fun.

sweeper

Dec 19th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Not EPL but Champions League draw for next round:

Chelsea vs Juventus
Villarreal vs Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon vs Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid vs FC Porto
Lyon vs Barcelona
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Arsenal vs AS Roma
Inter Milan vs Man Utd

Some cracking ties there.

Juventus (Chelsea Rent Boys haven't convinced at all this season against the big guns)
Villarreal (Don't know alot about Greek teams but still got my money on the Yellow Submarines)
Bayern (Bayern have more depth)
Atletico (Atletico have more depth)
Barcelona (Lyon can't match Barca)
Liverpool (even though I hope the Madristas pound the Scousers)
AS Roma (The little Gooners will fail)
Man Utd (This should be interesting, Mourinho's reception at Old Trafford will be quite the spectacle)

will go through.

pavelbure10

Dec 19th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Chelsea
Villareal
Munich
Porto
Barca
Liverpool
Arsenal
Inter (welcome back to england mourinho)

sinnacle

Dec 20th, 2008, 05:28 AM

Manchester City are weighing up an approach to West Ham for �7m-rated Welsh striker Craig Bellamy. (Daily Mail)

West Ham would pull the trigger on Manchester City�s offer in a heart beat. No clue if this rumor has some legs on it or the media is trying to create a link with Mark Hughes-Craig Bellamy having worked together previously.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has said that midfielder Jimmy Bullard could leave the club if he cannot agree a new contract beyond his current deal which expires in 2010. (The Times)

With Fulham doing pretty well in the league I find it curious why they would want to mess with one of their core players?

Tottenham are in talks over a �15m move for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. (Daily Mail)

Middlesbrough cashing in on Downing wouldn�t be the end of the world. With Adam Johnson waiting in the wings Boro can use that money elsewhere.

Portsmouth defender Lauren is being lined up for a move to AEK Athens after revealing that he wants to quit Fratton Park next month. (Daily Mail)

If a tree falls in a forest when no one is around does it make a sound? When a bit player leaves would anyone notice?

Sunderland�s stand-in boss Ricky Sbragia is two wins away from clinching the Stadium of Light job on a full-time basis. (Daily Mail)

I like how the Sunderland players nickname Sbragia the wig because they think he wears a hair piece.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill has called for the introduction of a mid-season break in England to reduce the risk of player burn-out. (The Guardian)

Never going to happen, The EPL�s broadcast partners want the games during the holiday season and money talks.

flexwong

Dec 20th, 2008, 10:18 AM

sweeper

Dec 20th, 2008, 06:17 PM

Congrats maebach, Aston Villa looking more and more likely to dethrone the Gooners for the 4th Spot.

West Ham, going down going down. :razz:

Dec 20th, 2008, 08:28 PM

I have to say I think Martin O'Neill is the the best home grown (if you consider NI home) manager in England - If Rafa was to leave or Wenger I think MON would be a very good choice for manager - he's done well wherever he has been

Hugh Jass

Dec 21st, 2008, 09:10 AM

utopianbl

Dec 21st, 2008, 10:02 AM

are they showing pool-arse anywhere in canada - free hopefully?

Hugh Jass

Dec 21st, 2008, 10:08 AM

are they showing pool-arse anywhere in canada - free hopefully?

Yep. It's on The Score at 11am EST. HD if you have it too :D

Dec 21st, 2008, 10:36 AM

Not exactly a Liverpool fan after last season's Barry fiasco. I reckon he'll replace Slur Alex.

I think Mourinho will replace "Taggart"

Hugh Jass

Dec 21st, 2008, 10:57 AM

I think Mourinho will replace "Taggart"

No way.

I think after Fergiescum's success, Utd will be looking for a long term repalcement, not a joker like JM that might stick around for a few years.

flexwong

Dec 21st, 2008, 01:55 PM

I think Mourinho will replace "Taggart"

No way.

I think after Fergiescum's success, Utd will be looking for a long term repalcement, not a joker like JM that might stick around for a few years.

i think you're both idiots. :D

SIR alex isn't going anywhere for another 3 years or so. maybe solskajaer will have had enough experience with the reserves by then and he'll take over. it would be a popular move with the fans.

wesleyw

Dec 21st, 2008, 06:30 PM

i think you're both idiots. :D

SIR alex isn't going anywhere for another 3 years or so. maybe solskajaer will have had enough experience with the reserves by then and he'll take over. it would be a popular move with the fans.

I remember reading somewhere he's hoping to retired in 2-3 years...forgot where but it might've been off ManUtd.com. Will try to dig it up...

flexwong

Dec 21st, 2008, 06:51 PM

I remember reading somewhere he's hoping to retired in 2-3 years...forgot where but it might've been off ManUtd.com. Will try to dig it up...

well, a number of sources have cited that fergie will retire in 3 years, by 2011 then prep for the 2012 london games as the manager of the Great Britain team.

Hugh Jass

Dec 21st, 2008, 06:54 PM

i think you're both idiots. :D

SIR alex isn't going anywhere for another 3 years or so. maybe solskajaer will have had enough experience with the reserves by then and he'll take over. it would be a popular move with the fans.

You're the idiot. Neither of us mentioned a timeframe.

flexwong

Dec 21st, 2008, 07:40 PM

You're the idiot. Neither of us mentioned a timeframe.

i was referring to the uses of "slur alex" "ferguscum". :D:D

sinnacle

Dec 22nd, 2008, 04:12 AM

- It�s easy to blame referee Howard Webb over Emmanuel Adebayor red card especially since the first one was soft but I still question why Adebayor went in that high when he was already on a yellow?

- Never was a big fan of the old school English football matches but yesterday Arsenal-Liverpool was a throwback to the 70�s-80�s. Hard tackling, intense crowd and both goals coming from long balls the defense couldn�t handle.

- Robbie Keane must feel a million times better today after his goal earned Liverpool a point.

- Not to rain on Sam Allardyce�s parade but he also got off to a roaring start for Newcastle. Despite that fact Blackburn jumped out in front early against Stoke and never looked back.

- I�m not here to suggest that Lassana Diarra didn�t try this weekend for Portsmouth but when you have Real Madrid calling are you really going to go all out against Bolton? If I was his agent I�d be praying Diarra didn�t injury himself over the weekend.

- At times it isn�t pretty but Fulham have come along way in the year Roy Hodgson has taken over. After Fulham�s 3-0 win over the weekend against Middlesbrough they find themselves on the brink of Europe in 8th spot.

- There was a time where a Leeds coaching change would be big news but after Gary McAllister�s dismissal over the weekend only a real hardcore fan would notice. Talk about dropping off the radar.

- If I was a coach on the hot seat (Mark Hughes) I�d be real worried right now. With the exception of Portsmouth which was a different circumstance every coaching change has lead to positive results. You saw what happen to Blackburn this weekend, Joe Kinnear has Newcastle fans on cloud nine, Harry Redknapp has Tottenham out of the basement. Add to that Ricky Sbragia guiding Sunderland to a 4-1 victory over a Hull. Sure the scoreline may of flattered Sunderland but those players pressed on and thanks for a bit of luck on Richardson goal won their second straight game. Even more telling during Sbragia�s BBC interview the players could be heard in the background screaming give him the job. If Sunderland can beat Blackburn on Boxing day how could you not?

- Manchester City in the bottom three heading into the Christmas season. The Manchester City board even today has said they are keeping their faith in Hughes which is more faith than I have in him. Each weekend it appears Manchester City fields a starting 11 that don�t know how to play together or even worst dislike playing together.

- Another reason Hughes should get tossed is Darius Vassell, the striker who doesn�t score plays week in and week out while Felipe Caicedo has been moth balled all season long. That was some back heel goal to tie it up against West Brom, it would of been the headline if Manchester City didn�t blow it on a final minute Roman Bednar header.

wesleyw

Dec 22nd, 2008, 09:07 PM

flexwong

Dec 22nd, 2008, 09:41 PM

I'm glad to see Chelsea failing to capitalize on the Arsenal/Liverpool draw by playing to a scoreless draw themselves. Is it just me, or has each of the big 4 lost more chances to gain grounds on each other this season compared with previous seasons?

yeah, seems when one big 4 team draws, the others do the same. united have struggled to gain ground too. =(

hopefully we've hit top gear now that we've won our first trophy of the year.

sinnacle

Dec 23rd, 2008, 04:25 AM

Arsenal are lining up a move for �20m-rated Russian forward Andrei Arshavin. (Daily Mirror)

I�ll believe this when I see it. Arsenal great need isn�t another attacking midfielder. A holding midfielder or centre back would be logical transfer targets for Arsenal.

But defender Kolo Toure could be on his way out of Arsenal, with Manchester City preparing a �10m deal for the defender. (The Sun)

Doubtful that Arsenal would be interested in selling Toure but at 10 million pounds they would at least consider it.

Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner has rejected a move to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow. (Daily Mirror)

Only reason foreign players go to Russia is for the money. Surely it�s not going to be for the weather.

Real Madrid have offered Wigan �14m for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Telegraph)

Fact or fiction Valencia has come along way since being shipped out on loan by Villarreal two years ago.

Manchester City look set to offload trio Elano, Tal Ben Haim and Jo in January. (Daily Mirror)

Tal Ben Haim sure has moved around the last 18 months. From Bolton to Chelsea to Manchester and maybe another club come January.

When talent like Elano and Jo not playing plus the team is struggling people are always going to assume they are set to leave the club.

Hughes is lining up a number of players, including Blackburn�s Roque Santa Cruz, West Ham�s Craig Bellamy, Chelsea�s Wayne Bridge and Villarreal�s Marcos Senna. (Daily Mail)

Marcos Senna is alittle long in the tooth and with Villarreal still in the Champions League it�s highly unlikely they would listen to offers for Senna. Besides after his Euro 2008 performance if Villarreal wanted to sell him they would of done so then when his market value would of been the highest.

West Ham defender Matthew Upson fears he could be sold as the club battle for financial survival. (The Sun)

Why does he fear it? West Ham is a club that could easy find themselves regulated this season.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen looks set to leave St James� Park on a free transfer at the end of the season. (Various)

Delaying his decision to the summer = catching the first ride out of town.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce hopes to raid former club Bolton and land midfielder Kevin Nolan. (Daily Telegraph)

That is what happens when current Bolton boss Gary Megson invited Allardyce to make an offer for Nolan.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas looks set to be out of action for three months with a knee injury. (Various)

You feared the worst when watching that tackle with Xabi Alonso on Sunday. It was a nasty looking collision.

Dec 23rd, 2008, 03:13 PM

Latest Prem betting by ladbrokes

Chelsea 11/10
Manchester Utd 6/4
Liverpool 4/1
Arsenal 25/1
Aston Villa 40/1

Hugh Jass

Dec 23rd, 2008, 03:29 PM

Latest Prem betting by ladbrokes

Chelsea 11/10
Manchester Utd 6/4
Liverpool 4/1
Arsenal 25/1
Aston Villa 40/1

Kills me to say it ( and I hope I'm wrong) but I'd put my money on Utd, they're the best at end-of-season run-ins. *cry*

You can get better odds than these, lads are a bit low on the prices. www.oddschecker.com gives a list of prices, in case you didn't know.

Dec 23rd, 2008, 03:35 PM

Kills me to say it ( and I hope I'm wrong) but I'd put my money on Utd, they're the best at end-of-season run-ins. *cry*

You can get better odds than these, lads are a bit low on the prices. www.oddschecker.com gives a list of prices, in case you didn't know.

Sadly you might be right though LFC in the lst 2 seasons have done really well in 2nd half of season (put togther a run of 10-11 games won on the trot) ...they are definately doing better against the other "three" then in previous seasons

wesleyw

Dec 23rd, 2008, 03:43 PM

Man Utd also has played their away league game vs. Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool already meaning they get all 3 teams at home for the second half - I like their chances at home.

Dec 23rd, 2008, 06:34 PM

John Terry sending off WARNING NSFW (due to song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ue4TQbL98

I would have sent him off

LOL at the xmas song

sinnacle

Dec 23rd, 2008, 07:21 PM

You knew it was an ugly tackle when Scolari couldn't even defend his player.

Dec 23rd, 2008, 07:33 PM

You knew it was an ugly tackle when Scolari couldn't even defend his player.

It was horrible - no where near the ball if the Everton player had kept his leg down planted in the ground - his leg would have been shattered

sinnacle

Dec 24th, 2008, 07:36 AM

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday�s everyone.

Real Madrid wanted to sign Jermaine Pennant from Liverpool but his wages demands were too high and he may now end up joining Wigan. (Daily Mail)

Still in disbelief that Real Madrid would know who Jermaine Pennant is. The only time he plays are in Carling Cup/FA Cup matches.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is considering Marcos Senna, Yaya Toure and Mark Noble as a replacement for the injured Cesc Fabregas. (Daily Mirror)

Already talked about Senna yesterday, Yaya Toure is always linked with Arsenal because of his brother but Noble does make sense. West Ham will be sellers plus Noble could feature for Arsenal in the Champions League.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is desperate for his board to give him some transfer money to buy a new striker. (The Sun)

A head strong coach and a head strong owner. At some point this will not end well.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is adamant Manchester City will not be able to offer enough money to sign Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Various)

Sam Allardyce is just playing the game. If he waives the white flag on Santa Cruz his price comes down.

However, Allardyce is keen to sign defender Tal Ben Haim from City for �3m. (Daily Mirror)

18 million plus Ben Haim for Santa Cruz�.there is your deal.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola will resist any attempts by his board to sell players in January - and could leave the club if they do sanction the sale of his top names. (Various)

In the end Zola doesn�t have the final say. Alan Curbishley didn�t want to sell George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand but the board did.

Dec 24th, 2008, 09:04 AM

sinnacle

Dec 24th, 2008, 09:42 AM

The same genius's that signed woodgate no doubt

Thanks for the thread Sinnacle = Merry Xmas and Happy new year to you and all lovers of the no.1 sport in the world

I hope this time next year LFC will be defending their Premier and Europeon Crowns!

Thank you, same to you as well. Thanks for the feedback you leave in this thread.

sinnacle

Dec 26th, 2008, 07:33 AM

Happy Boxing Day, enjoy the games or the shopping.

Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos has made Aston Villa winger Ashley Young his top transfer target and is willing to bid �25m in January. (Daily Star)

Ashley Young has been very quiet since Real Madrid�s interest became public. I wonder if Martin O�Neill has told Young to keep quiet regarding these rumours?

Benni McCarthy wants to leave Blackburn in January. Having been used sparingly by former Rovers boss Paul Ince, the striker was dismayed to be substituted by new manager Sam Allardyce when going for a hat-trick against Stoke last week. (Daily Mail)

McCarthy is another player whose talent is offset by his attitude. Blackburn should of sold him after the 2006-2007 when interest from the likes of Chelsea were there.

Spanish holding midfielder Marcus Senna is considering signing for Manchester City. The 32-year-old was one of the stars of Spain�s Euro 2008 success. (Daily Mail)

Can�t see this happening in the middle of the season. Over the summer? Maybe, at 32 the clock is ticking and that Manchester City contact would set Senna up for life.

Emile Heskey will rejoin Liverpool from Wigan in January for �4m - �2m less than he left Anfield for in 2004. (Various)

Heskey wasn�t going to be a free agent when he left Liverpool in 2004 either.

The Hammers have rejected a �6m bid by Tottenham Hotspur for Bellamy and will only sell the Wales international for around �15m. (Various)

I�m still dumbfounded that there is interest in Bellamy.

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland will not be moving on in January, despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool following a highly impressive first few months in English football. (The Sun)

Hangeland wouldn�t be the worst move Arsenal can make. With Hangeland at the back maybe Arsenal will stop conceding from set plays which has been a sore spot this season.

Mark Hughes believes Manchester City can still finish in the top 10 this season, despite currently languishing in the bottom three. (The Times)

To be fair to Hughes, Manchester City are only five points back from the top half of the table. Goes to show you how tightly packed the EPL is this year.

knickerbocker

Dec 26th, 2008, 11:24 AM

Any reason why Kolo Toure hardly plays for Arsenal...is it injury or form?

sinnacle

Dec 26th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Any reason why Kolo Toure hardly plays for Arsenal...is it injury or form?

Mostly form, he is in today as a late replacement for Johan Djourou however.

Dec 26th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Today was also officially the half way point of the season with most teams playing 19 out of the 38 games !

Less and less points for teams (arsenal) to catch the leaders

sinnacle

Dec 26th, 2008, 02:47 PM

- Isn�t it great having a full schedule of games to enjoy?

- I never thought I�d say this but my heart actually goes out to Arsene Wenger today. When people have all but buried Arsenal they have come up with a performance. First against Manchester United and then against Chelsea, Arsenal somehow kept their hopes alive like a hand rising up through the dirt. Today however Aston Villa buried Arsenal�s chance with their injury time goal to even the score up at 2. Despite being second best for the entire first half Arsenal got themselves a goal thanks to Denilson and found themselves up by two with some beautiful work by Emmanuel Eboue and Abou Diaby. Then it all fell apart William Gallas got booked for a questionable penalty decision and Zat Knight, yes Zat Knight rocketed a ball with precious little time left for Aston Villa. This result can lead Villa towards the Champions League while on the flip side just crush Arsenal who had some fine performances highlited by Bacary Sagna.

- Just a wonderful month for Aston Villa fans. First Ashley Young late winner against Everton, last week it was a stoke of luck against West Ham and now this week.

- If Manchester United end up winning the league this season they can thank Stoke�s Andy Wilkinson for his silly tackle from behind to earn him a red card. Every game can�t be a thing of beauty.

- Yes Chelsea got the win but long term just don�t see the partnership of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka clicking. Wonderful strike by Lampard on the second goal however.

- Robbie Keane has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse. It�s funny how things can change so quickly.

- There are times when I found myself getting carried away with new arrivals but it is premature to judge a player based on six months with a new team. It really does take 12-18 months before a judgment call should be made.

- Not that David Moyes cares but I remember giving him grief for his failure in the transfer market this summer. Where he isn�t failing is on the touchline. With no true striker to speak of they have gone three games without giving up a goal winning two of those. That is great coaching.

- You think Mark Hughes got his Christmas present after Manchester City 5-1 beating of Hull City?

- Being down 4-0 at half time Hull manager Phil Brown made his players run to their visiting fans and applaud them. Then sat them down on the grass and laid into them in front of those fans. Not exactly something you see everyday. I�m on Phil Brown side on this one. He rewarded his players with Christmas off which he didn�t have to do and many managers call players in for training on Christmas. They rewarded the coach by laying an egg against Manchester City.

- Wigan�s Ryan Taylor must love playing against Newcastle. Four goals in four games for the free kick specialist.

- Portsmouth are going to face a fight for regulation if they continue to play like they did against West Ham. The Hammers weren�t exactly flying high heading south to play against Portsmouth before their 4-1 win.

Hugh Jass

Dec 26th, 2008, 05:27 PM

The Hammers have rejected a �6m bid by Tottenham Hotspur for Bellamy and will only sell the Wales international for around �15m. (Various)

I�m still dumbfounded that there is interest in Bellamy.

Didn't do his transfer value any harm today :razz:

Dec 27th, 2008, 10:00 AM

Latest odds ladbrokes

Chelsea 11/10
Manchester Utd 11/8
Liverpool 4/1
Arsenal 28/1
Aston Villa 50/1

sweeper

Dec 27th, 2008, 12:36 PM

For all you EPL fans, heres a great website that shows BBC MOTD highlights.

http://www.footyfilms.com/category.php?cat=epl

Hugh Jass

Dec 27th, 2008, 01:13 PM

For all you EPL fans, heres a great website that shows BBC MOTD highlights.

http://www.footyfilms.com/category.php?cat=epl

Nice one.

sinnacle

Dec 29th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Morning Liverpool fans, while you were sleeping Gerrard got arrested for assault.

Hugh Jass

Dec 29th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Morning Liverpool fans, while you were sleeping Gerrard got arrested for assault.

Read about this just before going to bed last night.

Sounds like a case of some idiot trying to 'have a go' at a star player.

After reading Roy Keane's book, you can see that it happens a lot to high profile players. He was constantly pestered everytime he went out for a quiet drink with a few mates.

EDIT

Early Tuesday morning GMT:

England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard was charged Tuesday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged nightclub brawl, Merseyside police said.

Bailed to Jan 23rd.

sinnacle

Dec 30th, 2008, 07:32 AM

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has hinted that his future may not be at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Drogba always say that every year and in the end his future will be away from Stamford Bridge but it will be on Chelsea terms not his.

Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari is lining up a �10m bid for Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. (Daily Mirror)

I�m no Business major but it doesn�t make a lot of sense for Marseille to sell a player for roughly the same money they bought him for over the summer. Besides it�s not exactly like Chelsea has had a lot of success with their last French signing of Florent Malouda.

Wigan themselves are interested in Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. (The Times)

I�d love to be at the press conference to hear Pennant explain why he turned down a move to Real Madrid in order to play for Wigan.

Arsenal are preparing a �8m bid for Newcastle keeper Shay Given. (Daily Express)

Another player Arsenal has always been linked with. Given could play goal for any team in the world which shows either how impressive or how curious his loyalty to Newcastle has been.

But Tottenham also want Given and could offer Gareth Bale as part of the deal. (Daily Express)

Press linking Tottenham and Arsenal again with the same player. I have all the respect in the world for Given but if Tottenham are willingly to part with Bale you make the deal.

Everton manager David Moyes is keen on Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini. (The Sun)

Pazzini is wasting away on the bench at Fiorentina and his 8 million euro price tag is within range for Everton to pull off.

Fulham face a three-way fight from Marseille, Paris St Germain and Borussia Monchengladbach for Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu. (The Sun)

Onyewu found himself in a bad spot for Newcastle but with his contact coming to an end Onyewu should be a player many teams will have a look at.

Bolton manager Gary Megson is lining up West Ham defender Calum Davenport. (The Sun)

After his rant at being subbed look for Davenport to be shipped out in January.

Dec 30th, 2008, 09:00 PM

[B]Arsenal are preparing a �8m bid for Newcastle keeper Shay Given. (Daily Express)

Another player Arsenal has always been linked with. Given could play goal for any team in the world which shows either how impressive or how curious his loyalty to Newcastle has been.

Shay kept the score to a "respectable"5-1 against LFC could easily have been 8 or 9 .....I gotta feel sorry for NUFC fans - very loyal to the club yet the owners have been absolutely brutal to the club for decades now

sinnacle

Dec 31st, 2008, 07:42 AM

Happy New Year to all who check out this thread.

Portsmouth have turned down a combined �30m bid from Tottenham for defender Glen Johnson and strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe. (The Guardian)

Pompey have slapped a �15m price tag on England striker Defoe, who is also a target for Aston Villa. (The Sun)

Or, Portsmouth will demand �20m for Defoe, who wants to rejoin Tottenham after leaving them for Fratton Park a year ago. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City have joined Spurs and Villa in the chase for Defoe. (The Guardian)

Liverpool remain confident of bringing England right-back Glen Johnson to Anfield in January. (Daily Mail)

Silly season opens up in 24 hours and Portsmouth seem to be at the centre of the storm.

Spurs have had a bid of �9m rejected for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing, but will return with a bigger offer by the end of the week. (Daily Express)

With Adam Johnson waiting in the wings look for Middlesbrough to cash in on Downing once Tottenham comes up with their best offer.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to bring in former Liverpool right-back Steve Finnan from Espanyol. (Daily Express)

With Espanyol near the bottom of the table in Spain I�m sure Finnan wouldn�t mind a return to England. He�s also be a good short term replacement for the injured Alan Hutton.

Arsenal will bid �12m to sign Everton�s Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta as a stand-in for the injured Cesc Fabregas, who is out for the next four months. (The Sun)

The only thing Arteta and Fabregas have in common is that there both Spanish. It wouldn�t be a like for like replacement. There is no denying Arteta class however and a move to Arsenal may finally see him crack the light of day with Spanish national team.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will bid �8m for Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, but will turn to Bayern Munich�s Philipp Lahm if the Blues refuse to sell. (Daily Express)

Never understood why Bridge decided to stay at Chelsea after they got Ashley Cole. Bridge is a good enough player to play week in and week out and just about any EPL side.

Another City target, Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, has demanded a move away from the Emirates after a bust-up with team-mate William Gallas. (Daily Star)

Despite Gallas goal on the weekend it should be him and not Toure that gets shown the door within the next six months. Toure has been a loyal Arsenal player where as Gallas has been nothing but a distraction for the last twelve months.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will consider stepping down if stars are sold without his consent in January. (Daily Mirror)

I�d wish Zola luck finding another head coaching role if he walks away from West Ham. Most would say he only got this job cause of his name.

sweeper

Dec 31st, 2008, 10:46 AM

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola will consider stepping down if stars are sold without his consent in January. (Daily Mirror)

I�d wish Zola luck finding another head coaching role if he walks away from West Ham. Most would say he only got this job cause of his name.

Funny, that's the exact same reason why Alan Curbishley walked away.

sinnacle

Jan 2nd, 2009, 09:37 AM

Mexican side Chivas declare their interest in Tottenham youngster Giovani dos Santos. (Setanta Sports 1236 GMT)

A) Dos Santos should of never left Barcelona to begin with and B) It does appear his days at White Hart Lane are numbered. Harry Redknapp has always preferred big, strong midfielders who can physically wear you down which Dos Santos is far from.

Chelsea have given permission for England left-back Wayne Bridge to talk to Manchester City over a possible �12m move. (Press Association - 1100 GMT)

With Shaun Wright-Phillips previously leaving one can make the joke that Chelsea is starting to become a feeder club for Manchester City.

Fellow United star Carlos Tevez has urged club chiefs to table a new contract and make his move to Old Trafford permanent. (Daily Mail)

I�ve always found this curious why United didn�t take care of this in the summer.

Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe is poised for a return to Tottenham in a �15m deal. (The Telegraph)

When Portsmouth said that Defoe has a price tag you know it�s only a matter of time before Defoe is on the move once again.

Bridge�s departure will pave the way for Chelsea to sign CSKA Moscow�s Yuri Zhirkov. (Daily Mail)

Forget Arshavin if I�m making a move for a Russian player it would be Zhirkov.

Hughes is also considering a bid for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker after the Hammers turned down a �12m offer for striker Craig Bellamy. (The Times)

However, Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has been assured that Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy will not be sold over his head during the transfer window. (Daily Star)

It doesn�t say a lot about your team when Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy are the key players you want to keep.

Manchester United have offered Leeds �10m for midfielder Fabian Delph. (The Sun)

Saw Delph play a Carling Cup game earlier this year and granted it wasn�t against top level talent but one could see what the fuss was about.

West Ham will allow defender Lucas Neill to leave the club for free, just to get him off the wage bill. (The Sun)

It still amused me that Neill still wanted a pay raise to stay at the club.

Hull are lining up a bid for Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who is also a target for Real Madrid. (The Mirror)

Hull and Real Madrid target should not be used in the same sentence. I don�t envision the bosses at Real Madrid having too many sleepless nights over Pennant turning them down.

Portsmouth are keen on France and Lyon midfielder Sidney Govou after Lassana Diarra left for Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Govou is not leaving Lyon for the mess that is Portsmouth.

New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce hopes to re-sign Tal Ben-Haim and El-Hadji Diouf. (The Times)

I don�t think either would be that hard. Maybe Allardyce should also make a move for Jay Jay Okocha while he is at it.

sinnacle

Jan 3rd, 2009, 10:28 AM

Manchester City midfielder Elano has revealed he is considering a move to Serie A giants Lazio. �I would not have any problem playing in Italy. And Lazio are a very good team,� Elano told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. (PA - 1353 GMT)

Despite a good start to his Manchester City career Elano play has left a lot to be desired over the last 12 months. A move away from Manchester City may do the player and team some good.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear wants to sign Scotland and Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. (PA - 1131 GMT)

Ferguson wasn�t a big hit in England during his Blackburn days, don�t see him thriving playing in England this time around either.

Boss Harry Redknapp fears Tottenham may be priced out of bringing Jermain Defoe back to the club after Portsmouth slapped a �20m price tag on the striker. (Press Association, various - 0622 GMT)

Something tells me that price will creep down as the month goes on.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has made an �8m bid for Arsenal�s unsettled Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure. (Daily Mirror)

But Toure has been told by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger he will not be allowed to quit the club after a training-ground bust-up with William Gallas last week. (Sun)

Another player who may benefit from a move away. Toure doesn�t move this month look for him to force a move come the summer if Arsenal don�t pick up a trophy this season.

Joe Kinnear admits the final decision over whether goalkeeper Shay Given leaves the club could be taken above his head. (Sun)

I understand that football is a business but if Newcastle receive a good offer for Given they should let the player leave consider all he has done for the club.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the signings of Partizan Belgrade�s Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic will end his January transfer dealings. (Various)

Two for the future, be interesting to see how they will fit in as the years go by.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says he will resist a proposed �9m bid from Portsmouth for midfielder Scott Brown. (Sun)

That�s a lot of money for Celtic to be turning down. Brown is class but he isn�t world class.

Manager Arsene Wenger insists his careful spending policy has protected Arsenal from the implications of the financial crisis. (Daily Telegraph)

It has also protected them from winning.

sinnacle

Jan 4th, 2009, 10:28 AM

Aston Villa are in talks with West Ham to sign Matthew Upson for �10m, but the Hammers want �15m for the defender. (News of the World)

Villa has been great with their transfer dealings the last couple of years but 10 million for a defender near 30 I�d question.

Manager Martin O�Neill is also ready to splash �5m to bring Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to Villa Park. (Sunday Express)

Sunderland paid 5 million to sign Jones and he has been far from a bust so it would take at least double that amount before Sunderland considers selling.

Glen Johnson will complete a �9m move to Liverpool this week. The Portsmouth right-back was apparently given a tour of the Merseysiders� Melwood training complex in the build-up to Christmas. (The People)

Johnson would be a solid piece to the puzzle as Liverpool look to stay on top.

Manchester City continue to pursue midfielder Arteta and are willing to offer Everton �12m for the Spaniard. (The People)

With Everton on a good run of form they are not going to be selling any of their core players mid season.

Juventus join the growing queue of clubs chasing Newcastle striker Michael Owen. (News of the World)

Uniforms look about the same. While I think Owen should look outside of England next season something tells me he will end up at Manchester City or Tottenham.

The Serie A club are also rumoured to be willing to pay �20m for Portsmouth�s Jermain Defoe - sparking a massive bidding war for the England striker. (Daily Mirror)

I�m sure Portsmouth loved hearing this news. Don�t think it�s anything more than a rumour however. A.C Milan already have a bunch of strikers, and Inter/Juventus would most likely spend that type of money elsewhere.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes he can beat the �Big Four� to the signing of Leeds United youngster Fabian Delph. (The Observer)

However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sees the Leeds midfielder as the long-term replacement for Paul Scholes and is putting together a �10m deal for the England Under-21 player. (Sunday Express)

Hughes is right provided he can come up with the cash and the playing time for Delph.

Aaron Lennon could be leaving Tottenham and the England winger may be on his way to Liverpool if Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is sold. (Sunday Times)

Lennon is another player who isn�t a typical Redknapp player. Lennon has long been rumoured to be moving on but come this summer look for it to happen.

On-loan striker Carlos Tevez is putting a permanent move to Manchester United at risk by demanding pay parity with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. (Mail on Sunday)

Enjoy Tevez�s last couple of months United fans.

Manchester United�s Gary Neville has claimed a kinder fixture list in the second half of the season makes United red-hot favourites to retain their Premier League title. (The People)

United do face Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal at home so Neville makes a valid point.

maebach

Jan 4th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Bayern want 10million for podolski. Common Villa! Go for german engineering once!

sinnacle

Jan 5th, 2009, 03:41 AM

Tottenham are closing in on Portsmouth�s Jermain Defoe, with Spurs set to pay �15m for the England striker. (Various)

At the end of the day it�s a good move for Tottenham but it�s still curious to see them pay 15 million pounds for a striker they sold for 7 million pounds 12 months ago.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also hoping to secure the services of Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda on loan. (The Sun)

On loan means short term to cover the loss of Alan Hutton but it�s doubtful Tottenham fans will fully embrace the return of Chimbonda.

But Tottenham and Redknapp have had a �12m bid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing turned down. (Daily Mirror)

Only a matter of time before this deal gets wrapped up it appears. Be interesting to see who Tottenham ship out in their crowded midfield.

Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel is ready to quit the club after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands. (Daily Mail)

Schmeichel did get a raw deal signing a new contact when he was starting last year then finding himself on the bench soon after.

Rangers have denied that Newcastle have made an offer for captain Barry Ferguson. (Daily Express)

Ferguson may be Rangers captain but he is also 30. With Rangers having a big squad and not playing in European it wouldn�t be a shock to see them trim their roster by selling Ferguson.

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown, who has been linked to Portsmouth and West Ham, insists he is not interested in a big-money move to the English Premier League. (Daily Record)

To be fair to Scott Brown I wouldn�t be too keen on Portsmouth and West Ham at this point in time either.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been assured he has a future at the club, despite Saturday�s shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest. (Daily Mirror)

If Manchester City was going to fire Hughes it would of been done after the loss to West Brom. Could only see Hughes getting the sack if Manchester City are in the bottom three with 8 games or so left in the season.

Midfielder Joe Cole will seek clear-the-air talks with Chelsea boss Phil Scolari after being substituted against Southend on Saturday. (Daily Express)

The only air that will be cleared in Scolari telling Cole to do what he tells him to do.

sinnacle

Jan 6th, 2009, 03:52 AM

Manchester City have made a �24m bid for Barcelona�s 25-year-old midfielder Yaya Toure and will double his wages to tempt him to Eastlands. (The Sun)

Wayne Bridge for 11 million pounds is foolish enough but Yaya Toure who is not even a regular currently at Barcelona for 24 million is laughable.

Tottenham�s bid to sign Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe is being held up by a �4m sell-on clause. (The Sun)

It is kind of silly for Portsmouth to accept a 15 million pound bid for Defoe then have to pay back 4 million to Tottenham cause of last year�s agreement.

Hull manager Phil Brown will tie up the �2.5m deal for Kamil Zayatte this week and then bid �4m for Sunderland striker Michael Chopra. Brown also wants Wigan�s 31-year-old midfielder Kevin Kilbane. (The Sun)

Zayatte and Michael Turner have made a fine partnership so it makes sense Phil Brown wants to keep the two together. Chopra and Kilbane on the other hand makes little sense and wouldn�t exactly set the hearts of Hull City fans on fire.

Liverpool and Tottenham will miss out on defender Glen Johnson, who will sign a new deal with Portsmouth. (Daily Star)

I�d be shocked that Johnson would sign a new deal with Portsmouth and then I�d be curious to see how much he�d be making under this deal.

Arsenal want Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar - and they have also made a move for Everton�s Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have also offered striker Nicklas Bendtner and �5m cash for West Ham defender Matthew Upson. (The Sun)

Was wondering when Kranjcar would be linked with a move away from Portsmouth considering everyone else on the team seems to be packing their bags. Bendtner on the other hand is not going to make Arsenal fans forget about the loss of Henry anytime soon.

Sunderland striker El-Hadji Diouf has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce. (The Sun)

If I was Sam Allardyce I�d pretend to be hard of hearing.

Winger Ryan Giggs has stunned Manchester United by hinting he could retire at the end of the season. (The Sun)

Will be a sad day for most football fans when Giggs does decide to hang them up.

sinnacle

Jan 7th, 2009, 04:11 AM

Manchester United are set to offload Carlos Tevez after the striker admitted he would love to play for Real Madrid. (The Sun)

And Real Madrid will hand Tevez the �25m, five-year deal he wants as United try to knock down the Argentine�s price. (Daily Star)

As with most things in life there has to be more than meets the eye here. Something was off going all the way to this summer regarding Tevez and Manchester United.

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin is on standby for a �12m move to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg. (The Sun)

Arsenal look set to miss out on Arshavin because of cash demands - the 27-year-old is currently on wages of about �100,000-a-week. (Daily Star)

But Arshavin has been shown around Arsenal�s London Colney training ground in an attempt to convince the forward that his future lies in north London. (Daily Mail)

Arshavin is a fine player and is picture perfect for Arsenal�s style of play but there pressing need isn�t exactly a 27 year old attacking midfielder/forward.

West Ham are considering Manchester City�s revised offer for midfielder Scott Parker, which includes youngster Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction. (The Times)

What is there to consider? Parker is always injured where as Michael Johnson has a lot of potential. If this offer was legit which I doubt, regardless West Ham should be all over it.

Blackburn have expressed an interest in Franco Semioli, a Fiorentina winger who has played for Italy three times. (The Times)

�.and would have no chance of playing for Italy a 4th time moving to Blackburn.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has failed to land Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing with a �14.5m bid. (The Sun)

How much more could Middlesbrough want for Downing? In the end this deal will get done it�s just that Boro want to win the public relations war when deciding to cash in. If they accept Tottenham offer now it would seem like they were bullied by Spurs for Downing.

Veteran Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is fast becoming the most wanted man in the January transfer window - Stoke, Fulham, Sunderland, Blackburn and Tottenham all see him as a cut-price option to bolster their defensive options. (Daily Star)

Considering that Liverpool actually have a chance at the title for the first time in along time a veteran like Hyypia would most likely want to stick around and see the year out.

Bolton are giving a trial to 31-year-old Brazilian winger Denilson - once the world�s most expensive footballer. (Various)

Also once an expensive bust for FC Dallas in 2007.

pavelbure10

Jan 7th, 2009, 08:33 PM

wow derby knocks off man u in the carling cup. I know upsets do happen in cup play but DERBY?????

flexwong

Jan 7th, 2009, 09:09 PM

wow derby knocks off man u in the carling cup. I know upsets do happen in cup play but DERBY?????

umm, there's still something called the second leg =P

pavelbure10

Jan 7th, 2009, 09:22 PM

umm, there's still something called the second leg =P

lol i forgot about that thought same rules applied as FA cup, but still DERBY??? Next game being at Old trafford MAn u should be fine

flexwong

Jan 7th, 2009, 09:43 PM

lol i forgot about that thought same rules applied as FA cup, but still DERBY??? Next game being at Old trafford MAn u should be fine

BURNLEY beat chelsea and arsenal. i still don't see your point lol.

also, please refrain from referring to united as "man u"

pavelbure10

Jan 7th, 2009, 10:36 PM

whats wrong with referring Manchester United, to Man u?

flexwong

Jan 7th, 2009, 11:11 PM

whats wrong with referring Manchester United, to Man u?

it's an insult. after the Munich Air Disaster, leeds scum and liverpool scum (i believe it was leeds first) began chanting Man U Never Intended Coming Home (MUNICH) when they played united. complete disrespect to those who lost their lives in Munich.

sinnacle

Jan 7th, 2009, 11:20 PM

whats wrong with referring Manchester United, to Man u?

Long story short and I'm not a United fan but it's a derogatory theme used by West Brom/Leeds/Liverpool fans dating back/referencing to the Munich air disaster. I'm sure a United fan could explain it better.

sinnacle

Jan 7th, 2009, 11:20 PM

Long story short and I'm not a United fan but it's a derogatory theme used by West Brom/Leeds/Liverpool fans dating back/referencing to the Munich air disaster. I'm sure a United fan could explain it better.

10 minutes late with this.

sweeper

Jan 7th, 2009, 11:39 PM

Ive heard "Manure"

flexwong

Jan 7th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Ive heard "Manure"

lol, that's just a play on words.

i know the whole man u thing doesn't seem like a big deal in north america, but as a dedicated united supporter, i take pride in educating people about the issue. =D

sinnacle

Jan 8th, 2009, 04:23 AM

After some fun reading the sportsbetting thread in the off topic section below are some EPL News/Rumours. Before some of you get fed to the wolves if you have any questions about it the pm button is below.

Barcelona are planning a sensational raid on Arsenal with a �45m double summer move for captain Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie. (Daily Star)

With all due respect to Fabregas where exactly does he fit into the Barcelona picture? They do have Xavi and Andr�s Iniesta who are just fine in the middle of the midfield. Besides if Arsenal where to sell Fabregas they might as well hang a sign outside Emirates stadium saying they are a small club.

Hull boss Phil Brown is poised to sign midfielder Kevin Kilbane from Wigan in a cut-price deal worth about �1m. (Daily Express)

A million pounds for a player like Kilbane doesn�t seem so cut rate to me. Even in the inflated world of English football a million seems on the generous side for Kevin Kilbane.

Manchester City have intensified their �15m bid to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers as manager Mark Hughes looks to reassert his authority over a demoralised squad. (The Times)

Hughes better reassert his connection to the Manchester City fan base who are quickly losing patience with the former Blackburn boss.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is considering a �4.5m bid for Lyon�s Brazilian striker Fred. (Daily Mirror)

Something is wrong with the English game when Jermaine Defoe is worth 15 million and Fred is out there less than half the fee.

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha is at the centre of a battle between Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham, Newcastle and French side Paris St Germain. (Daily Mirror)

Take a young player with talent, mix in the fact he is not able to get many games in because of establish starters and teams would be foolish not to be interested in the player.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate appears to be warming to the idea of allowing Stewart Downing to leave the club for nearly �15m in order to use the money to strengthen his squad. (The Times)

Like I said yesterday cooler heads will prevail and this deal with get done. Right now it�s all the game within the game that is being played.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson faces competition to land French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, 19, from Grenoble. Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested. (Daily Telegraph)

I�m sure it would be nice to be linked with United but a player like Feghouli needs to play for a club where he�ll get games in.

Hull City are in the verge of signing Luis Boa Morte from West Ham for a fee of around �2m. (The Independent)

Boa Morta works hard which is just about the nicest thing I can say about him.

Deco has blasted suggestions he is manager Luiz Felipe Scolari�s Chelsea �pet� and does not warrant a place in the team. (The Sun)

Deco is right, it�s not like he won two champions league titles with Scolari. When a team is going bad the press will always point to a new arrival and Deco fits that bill to a tee.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may be ready to axe David Bentley from his side, casting the �15m winger�s long-term future at the club into doubt. (Various)

I�m never liked Bentley and if he wasn�t British he�d be worth half what Tottenham paid for him. His constant talking up on replacing Beckham on the England squad turned me sour on Bentley. England places should be won on the pitch and not by talking to the press. Despite his stunner against Arsenal, Bentley doesn�t strike me as the type of player who�d want on your team.

Manager Harry Redknapp has decided that Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko will be his first-choice forward partnership for Spurs, starting at Wigan on Sunday. (The Times)

Makes sense, Pavlyuchenko is in form right now after grabbing goals against Wigan and Burnley the last two games.

Jan 8th, 2009, 07:52 AM

it's an insult. after the Munich Air Disaster, leeds scum and liverpool scum (i believe it was leeds first) began chanting Man U Never Intended Coming Home (MUNICH) when they played united. complete disrespect to those who lost their lives in Munich.

I can tell you having been bought up in England - that at school everyone referred to Man Utd as Man U or United - it had absolutely nothing to do with Munich (none of us were old enough to even have heard of Munich at the time)...it was just a short way of saying Manchester United Maybe back in the 70's or 60's it was used as that but for the vast majority of people its very innocent

Hugh Jass

Jan 8th, 2009, 09:39 AM

I can tell you having been bought up in England - that at school everyone referred to Man Utd as Man U or United - it had absolutely nothing to do with Munich (none of us were old enough to even have heard of Munich at the time)...it was just a short way of saying Manchester United Maybe back in the 70's or 60's it was used as that but for the vast majority of people its very innocent

+1.

I've literally known thousands of Utd fans, t'other side of the pond btw, that refer to their team as Man U.

pavelbure10

Jan 8th, 2009, 04:20 PM

Yah same a couple of my buddies are United fans and they always use Man u, never knew it was reference to the Munich disaster

flexwong

Jan 8th, 2009, 07:14 PM

+1.

I've literally known thousands of Utd fans, t'other side of the pond btw, that refer to their team as Man U.

Yah same a couple of my buddies are United fans and they always use Man u, never knew it was reference to the Munich disaster

i too, know many united fans who feel the same way i do and refuse to reference united as man u. i was talking to some of them before and they were saying how there was a group of american fans who had traveled to old trafford for a game a few years back and they managed to piss off a lot of the people around them because they kept chanting "we love man u". i can safely say it's not just me that sees this term as insulting.

wesleyw

Jan 8th, 2009, 08:04 PM

Good job explaining that flex...there are very few (especially on this side of the Atlantic) who are educated about this little bit of history.

sinnacle

Jan 9th, 2009, 04:46 AM

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes fears he will be priced out of a move for striker Roque Santa Cruz, who Blackburn are valuing at �18m. (Star)

But Hughes is set to make a �17m take-it-or-leave-it offer for Santa Cruz, which could be enough to seal the transfer. (Mirror)

Both teams have too much to lose by not making this deal happen. Blackburn could always use the money and it isn�t like another team will be coming around with 20 million in hand for Santa Cruz.

Real Madrid want to seal a �15m deal for Wigan�s Antonio Valencia. (Star)

For 15 million Wigan should also want to seal a move for Valencia.

Manchester United and Chelsea face a summer battle for Villarreal�s �12m-rated keeper Diego Lopez. (Star)

I could understand why United may look around for a goalie since Van de sar isn�t going to last forever but Chelsea? Petr Cech isn�t bad back there and while early to suggest but if Chelsea are really looking for another goalie wouldn�t that mean they would consider selling Cech?

Arsenal�s hopes of signing midfielder Niko Kranjcar have been dashed after Portsmouth insisted he will not be leaving the club in January. (Star)

Portsmouth need to keep some star players around as they will be in a fight for EPL survival the second half of this season.

Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill has told left-back Nicky Shorey he can leave the club, with West Ham and Tottenham both interested. (The Sun)

Shorey hasn�t exactly shown the form which got him an England call up while at Reading.

Tottenham have failed with a �6m bid to capture Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. (The Sun)

In this crazy market that offer is way too low for Jones. When he hasn�t been injured, Jones is always a threat to score.

Liverpool have offered Jermaine Pennant a new deal in order to prevent him leaving the club for free when his contract runs out in the summer - the winger has been linked with AC Milan and Real Madrid. (Various)

Why would Pennant sign a new deal with Liverpool? He has spent the last two years on the bench why sign up for more of the same?

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will ignore Nicolas Anelka�s pleas to play alongside striker Didier Drogba rather than the pair being alternated in the team. (Mirror)

Agree with Scolari, both players are too selfish to play well together.

TurboTropic

Jan 9th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Why would Pennant sign a new deal with Liverpool? He has spent the last two years on the bench why sign up for more of the same?

Because he's crap, and if he has any sense he'll sign to guarantee that he gets paid for the next few years. Apparently he doesn't want to play in England any more. I don't believe Milan are interested in him. He has problems being motivated enough to play for a top 4 EPL team - there's no way he'll even get out of bed for any other team.

sinnacle

Jan 9th, 2009, 02:21 PM

Jan 9th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Because he's crap, and if he has any sense he'll sign to guarantee that he gets paid for the next few years. Apparently he doesn't want to play in England any more. I don't believe Milan are interested in him. He has problems being motivated enough to play for a top 4 EPL team - there's no way he'll even get out of bed for any other team.

for LFC makes sense - if he's under contract - a crappy contract then they can sell him for a few million to anyone who wants him....sad that crap players still command millions in these days ..i remember Trevor Francis the first 1million pound signing back in 1979 by a certain Brian Clough

flexwong

Jan 9th, 2009, 03:06 PM

Manchester United and Chelsea face a summer battle for Villarreal�s �12m-rated keeper Diego Lopez. (Star)

I could understand why United may look around for a goalie since Van de sar isn�t going to last forever but Chelsea? Petr Cech isn�t bad back there and while early to suggest but if Chelsea are really looking for another goalie wouldn�t that mean they would consider selling Cech?

i call bull on this one. United don't need to be looking for a keeper, we've got both kuz and ben foster waiting to slug it out once van der sar leaves.

maebach

Jan 9th, 2009, 03:15 PM

for LFC makes sense - if he's under contract - a crappy contract then they can sell him for a few million to anyone who wants him....sad that crap players still command millions in these days ..i remember Trevor Francis the first 1million pound signing back in 1979 by a certain Brian Clough

Who is quite possibly the Greatest Manager ever.

Jan 9th, 2009, 03:35 PM

Who is quite possibly the Greatest Manager ever.

Very good manager indeed

would put him in a top 5 list

along with B Paisley
B shankley
A ferguson (pains me to say that) and
Matt Busby

sweeper

Jan 10th, 2009, 12:38 AM

Arsenal’s hopes of signing midfielder Niko Kranjcar have been dashed after Portsmouth insisted he will not be leaving the club in January. (Star)

Portsmouth need to keep some star players around as they will be in a fight for EPL survival the second half of this season.

F Tony Adams, silly gooner.

sinnacle

Jan 10th, 2009, 06:45 AM

Newcastle striker Michael Owen has agreed in principle to join Manchester City in the summer for around �90,000-a-week, if he stays fit between now and the end of the season. (Daily Express)

Always a big if with Michael Owen but finally a move on Manchester City�s part which won�t leave me shaking my head.

And West Ham are now expecting an offer of more than �14m from City for Bellamy. (The Times)

Which makes this even more curious. With Michael Owen possibly coming in on a free why does City want to pay 14 million for Bellamy who isn�t one tenth of the player Owen is.

Manchester City have failed in their �14m bid to sign Marseille�s left-sided player Taye Taiwo. (The Sun)

One of the few draw backs of having a rich owner. Taye Taiwo is in that price range but since Manchester City are rich Marseille will try to squeeze every last cent out of them.

Glen Johnson may have signed a four-year contract with Portsmouth this week but a �10m minimum-release clause could see him depart for Liverpool in the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

Good piece of business by Johnson�s agent getting that minimum release clause in Jonhson�s contact just in case Portsmouth go down or a big club comes calling.

City will have to offer �18m, or Daniel Sturridge, if they wish to sign Santa Cruz this month. (The Guardian)

Interesting twist to this often repeated rumor. Sturridge hasn�t been given an extend run of games for Manchester City but the talent is there. Sturridge plus 7.5 million for Santa Cruz should work for both sides.

Portsmouth have made a �6m bid for former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who is now at Valencia. (The Sun)

Don�t think Fernandes has many fond memories of Portsmouth after spending half a season there on loan in 2006.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been linked with the vacant Norway job, although he insists he is staying with the London club. (Various)

Why would he leave to take over Norway? Been there, done that with the likes of Finland.

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has revealed that he is a huge fan of the Rocky films, starring Sylvester Stallone. Apparently he has watched the movies over 100 times, plays the theme tune on his personal stereo and has named his new baby son Rocco in honour of the �Italian Stallion�. (Various)

Must admit I still have Living In America by James Brown on my IPOD.

TurboTropic

Jan 10th, 2009, 08:27 AM

Since I believe this is your first appearance in this thread, welcome and thanks for your time/input.

Thanks sinnacle. Indeed it is my first post in this thread.

By the way, I'm an Arsenal fan so I have a particular distaste for Pennant :twisted:

TurboTropic

Jan 10th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has revealed that he is a huge fan of the Rocky films, starring Sylvester Stallone. Apparently he has watched the movies over 100 times, plays the theme tune on his personal stereo and has named his new baby son Rocco in honour of the �Italian Stallion�. (Various)

Must admit I still have Living In America by James Brown on my IPOD.

Eye of the Tiger is still my fave.

flexwong

Jan 11th, 2009, 02:05 PM

3-0 baby!!!!!!!!!! liverpool, watch your backs. 2 games in hand, only 5 points behind!!!!!!

Hugh Jass

Jan 11th, 2009, 02:32 PM

3-0 baby!!!!!!!!!! liverpool, watch your backs. 2 games in hand, only 5 points behind!!!!!!

Very good win for Man U ;)

Chelsea looked the better team by a nose in the first half but never looked like coming back in the second.

I had my money on utd today and would've put money on them a month ago to win the title, but can't bet against my team.

flexwong

Jan 11th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Very good win for Man U ;)

Chelsea looked the better team by a nose in the first half but never looked like coming back in the second.

I had my money on utd today and would've put money on them a month ago to win the title, but can't bet against my team.

does it worry you that we could be top of the table after saturday? =D

wesleyw

Jan 11th, 2009, 06:26 PM

I had my money on utd today and would've put money on them a month ago to win the title, but can't bet against my team.

I was able to get United to win the title at 2:1 a month and a while ago with Chelsea AND Liverpool not winning it at 6:7 and 11:4 respectively. Talk about betting with my team and putting my eggs in one basket.

sweeper

Jan 11th, 2009, 10:03 PM

Anyone else think Rooney went a little overboard with the multiple kisses.

Was nice to hear "Are you watching Merseyside", Liverpool/ManchesterUTD at Old Trafford is going to be phenomenal.

edit: also, LOL @ Michael Ballack for the failed mind games.

sinnacle

Jan 12th, 2009, 01:30 AM

- Part of me is curious to know what Jose Mourinho was thinking watching Chelsea roll over against Manchester United? Nemanja Vidić goal right before half was a body blow Chelsea never recovered from. A bunch of warning signs are going off with regards to Chelsea. Their offence is hit and miss lately with Drogba having a horrible game yesterday in particular. Defensively, once a Chelsea trademark, now they are conceding way too many goals. This group looks like 11 individuals doing their own thing out there instead of playing as a collective. The standings may show Chelsea still in a decent position but this team has a lot of wrongs that need to be corrected if they are to achieve anything this term.

- You never want to lose but Manchester United�s midweek loss against Derby in the League Cup just may of been the wake up call all teams need once in a while. United controlled of yesterday game from start to finish in what has to be their best performance of the season.

- Nani could learn a thing or two from watching Park Ji-Sung bust a gut out there. Another impressive performance in a big game for the Korean international.

- One day Aston Villa�s luck will run out but it wasn�t on Saturday as they held on, nervously at times but held on none the less in their 2-1 victory over local rivals West Brom.

- Arsene Wenger come out yesterday in not so many words said the Premier League is boring. While he isn�t wrong, this isn�t anything new. Bolton was never going to play with Arsenal especially when hit by the injury bug but it is still up to the Arsenal�s of the world to break them down. A 1-0 win against a Bolton team that have been known to take points off Arsenal in recent years is still more impressive than a 3-1 display of beautiful football.

- The good, watching Marouane Fellaini head the ball. The bad, watching the linemen give a goal that was clearly offside. Everton keeps on winning despite a lack of attacking options up front as they send Hull to there fourth sent defeat with a 2-0 victory.

- Middlesbrough is dropping too many points this year as they drop another two points to Sunderland as a late Kenwyne Jones goal split the points.

- I wonder what Joe Kinnear thinks when he sees Andy Carroll corn rolls? For this week however I�m sure Kinnear will bite his tongue after Carroll goal drew Newcastle level with West Ham.

- Craig Bellamy sure knows how to pick the right time to get hot.

- Wigan has now picked up 18 out of there last 21 points after Maynor Figueroa late winner against Tottenham sealed the points in a game if you missed it, you didn�t miss much.

- Safe to say the honeymoon period between Harry Redknapp and Tottenham is over after Spurs find themselves in the bottom three again. Redknapp must drive home the point that Spurs can still go down, having talent on paper can only take you so far.

- Stoke must be doing something right holding Liverpool scoreless for a second time this second.

- I don�t think Rafa Benitez rant on Sir Alex Ferguson this week caused Liverpool to lose focus against Stoke but as the foot steps from United grow louder it will be interesting to see how Benitez and the Liverpool players handle it come seasons end.

flexwong

Jan 12th, 2009, 06:15 PM

- Nani could learn a thing or two from watching Park Ji-Sung bust a gut out there. Another impressive performance in a big game for the Korean international.

- Stoke must be doing something right holding Liverpool scoreless for a second time this second.

- I don�t think Rafa Benitez rant on Sir Alex Ferguson this week caused Liverpool to lose focus against Stoke but as the foot steps from United grow louder it will be interesting to see how Benitez and the Liverpool players handle it come seasons end.

park is an amazing player, very underrated. his finishing is iffy but hey, if he's out there busting a lung every single second, he deserves to play. i loved our midfield yesterday, fletcher and park, 2 players who DESERVED the minutes they were given. nani needs to mature a bit, he's got a lot of talent but he's got to grow up in order to utilize most of that talent.

stoke is doing some things right, but mainly it was liverpool doing most things wrong.

liverpool hasn't been in a 2 front war in a long time. im more interested to see how they fare in champions league, now that they're actually a threat in the premiership. United and chelsea have veterans who have dealt with this for the past few years, fighting for the premiership and for the champions league. liverpool, i wish you luck. see you from the top of the table on saturday. i hope i don't have to eat my words =(

pavelbure10

Jan 12th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Anybody think beckham will stay at AC milan permanently? I haven't seen any of there games but it seems everyone in Italy likes him. IMO he should never go back

flexwong

Jan 12th, 2009, 07:59 PM

Anybody think beckham will stay at AC milan permanently? I haven't seen any of there games but it seems everyone in Italy likes him. IMO he should never go back

no, his agent already confirmed he's going back to the states. if he wants to keep playing in europe, england is his best choice.

Jan 12th, 2009, 10:03 PM

Beckham = most over hyped player ever ...at best he is probably a little above average but world class NO WAY

pavelbure10

Jan 12th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Hes a decent player, nothing too special, but why would you chose the MLS vs the Serie A or epl. Yeah he gets more money but when your already loaded what difference does more money make?

flexwong

Jan 12th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Beckham = most over hyped player ever ...at best he is probably a little above average but world class NO WAY

disagree. one of the best free kick takers, creates some of the best crosses. people talk about him too much, that's the only problem.

maebach

Jan 12th, 2009, 11:04 PM

disagree. one of the best free kick takers, creates some of the best crosses. people talk about him too much, that's the only problem.

Disagree. He was one of the best free kick takers but I would only ever let him cross the ball. On the topic of free kick takers, Id rather have Juninho, Nakamura, Ashley Young, Ronaldo, Ballack or even Lampard (just to name a few) rather take free kicks. He doesnt compare to them right now imo

pavelbure10

Jan 12th, 2009, 11:10 PM

wesleyw

Jan 12th, 2009, 11:14 PM

flexwong

Jan 13th, 2009, 12:14 AM

Disagree. He was one of the best free kick takers but I would only ever let him cross the ball. On the topic of free kick takers, Id rather have Juninho, Nakamura, Ashley Young, Ronaldo, Ballack or even Lampard (just to name a few) rather take free kicks. He doesnt compare to them right now imo

in his prime? beckham in his prime vs c. ronaldo right now for free kicks, i'd take beckham. becks doesn't look to just score every single free kick, he actually tries to set up goals for his teammates as well.

You're saying right now..Beckham's prime in the past. During his times..he was one of the best. While I do agree he is definitely an overhyped player.

beckham was overhyped by people who don't know football, people talked about him constantly as a celebrity pretty boy, not as a footballer. as a footballer, i think beckham is more then just above average.

sweeper

Jan 13th, 2009, 12:38 AM

If Beckham had concentrated on his footballing and not his celebrity status, he would have been an all time great. Yes, his hype is mostly from his celebrity outings but he has shown time and time again how much of an asset he is to a squad. During Euro 2008 Qualifiying, Beckham provided vital assists when he was on the pitch (Peter Crouch-Croatia 2-2). And yes, Beckham's free kicks are amongst the best in the world, Ronaldo just belts the ball and hopes to get lucky.

I bet he regrets going to the MLS :lol: , linking up with a lame-ass like Landon Donovan and playing sides that couldn't even beat a struggling Championship club. Toronto FC probably couldn't even beat Huddersfield Town.

sinnacle

Jan 13th, 2009, 04:39 AM

City are expected to agree a deal to sign Craig Bellamy for about �12m this week after preparing an improved bid for the Wales striker. (The Times)

For those of you on the edge of your seat waiting for the latest Bellamy to Manchester City rumors. This would be another deal where I�d be shocked if it didn�t get done. Mind you I also believed Stewart Downing to Tottenham was a done deal and that appears to be in a holding pattern.

Redknapp is losing patience with left-back Gareth Bale and wants to sell him or use him as part of a deal to land Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing. (Daily Mirror)

Bale who is very talented is just weak defensively. Not being able to defend your position when you are a left back isn�t ideal for an EPL player.

Newcastle midfielder Geremi has emerged as a target for Turkish club Besiktas, while FC Porto midfielder Raul Meireles may be making a �4m switch to St James� Park. (Daily Mail)

I�m sure Newcastle would have no problem offloading Geremi to any team who comes calling. Meireles was touched upon yesterday and the fee is also too low.

Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano is said to be attracting interest from Fulham, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Newcastle. (Daily Telegraph)

Bresciano is a player who goes under the radar due to playing for Palermo but can be a useful player for most teams.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari�s job is on the line in the wake of an astonishing bust-up with Nicolas Anelka. The French striker is angry at being a substitute for the last three games. (The Sun)

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will decide on Scolari�s future over the next eight weeks. (Daily Express)

To be fair most coaches are only three weeks away from being fired. Scolari demands his players to buy into a family like mentality and it appears this philosophy is not going over so well for these Chelsea players.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho poured scorn on Scolari�s Chelsea when he claimed the team that lost 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday were unrecognisable from the side he built during his time there. �I didn�t see Chelsea,� said the Inter Milan manager. (The Independent)

To be honest I expected Mourinho to pull no punches after watching that Chelsea performance. I�ll assume he didn�t want to kick his former club when they are down.

Rafael Benitez�s contract talks are on the brink of collapse over the Liverpool manager�s demands for total control of Liverpool�s transfer policy. (Daily Star)

Rafa is no fool and he also doesn�t miss a step. I�d be shocked if he signed a contact before this summer as he keeps an eye towards Real Madrid.

Jan 13th, 2009, 07:13 AM

disagree. one of the best free kick takers, creates some of the best crosses. people talk about him too much, that's the only problem.

A world class player has to have more to him then the ability to take the occasional free kick or cross - if you are the free kick specialist in a team, you will likely score some specials - but he was never a player who could tackle, get round players or generally dictate the game

pavelbure10

Jan 13th, 2009, 09:35 AM

A world class player has to have more to him then the ability to take the occasional free kick or cross - if you are the free kick specialist in a team, you will likely score some specials - but he was never a player who could tackle, get round players or generally dictate the game

he essentially was not a game breaker, but still was a solid player to have on the sides of the midfield

maebach

Jan 13th, 2009, 11:21 AM

in his prime? beckham in his prime vs c. ronaldo right now for free kicks, i'd take beckham. becks doesn't look to just score every single free kick, he actually tries to set up goals for his teammates as well.

My mistake, I meant now. Thats why I said, 'was'. I should have bolded it but I was too lazy, lol.

sinnacle

Jan 14th, 2009, 05:08 AM

Two names are on every back page today - Kaka and Manchester City. The majority verdict seems to be that they will offer �100m with weekly wages of around �500,000. (Various)

I’m sure Ronaldinho tells Kaka everyday about how he regrets not moving to Manchester City over the summer which is why Kaka would love to play in England.

Middlesbrough are ready to offer Burnley �2m for Chris Eagles. (Daily Express)

Eagles was never going to see the light of day for Manchester United but he could provide balance on the right side of midfield for Middlesbrough.

Real Madrid could offer Wigan Javier Saviola, plus �15m for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Star)

Saviola is not going to sign off on playing for Wigan. Maybe he should but I’m sure he won’t.

A loan swap deal taking Tottenham’s Jermaine Jenas to Everton in return for Leighton Baines has fallen through. (Daily Mail)

Shame it fell through as this loan would make sense for both teams.

Giovani Dos Santos and Hossam Ghaly are also on their way out of White Hart Lane. (The Sun)

Dos Santos should thank his dad for being greedy and steering him away from Barcelona. Ghaly has been moth balled for over a year now, I doubt there is much interest out there.

Arsenal are considering a double swoop for Fulham pair Jimmy Bullard and Brede Hangeland. (The Sun)

Hangeland would solve a lot of Arsenal problems conceding goals on set plays. I’m sure Arsenal is only interested in Bullard if they can sign him for cheap.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has put Didier Drogba’s future in doubt by leaving the striker out of the squad for the FA Cup third round replay against Southend. (Daily Telegraph)

You knew that at some point Scolari and Drogba where going to clash. Drogba needs to be babied at times to be effective where as Scolari will set the record straight with an under performing player instead of sugar coating it.

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who wears number seven at Manchester United, has trademarked CR9 in Portugal. (The Sun)

Let the hysteria on message boards and web sites start.

Hugh Jass

Jan 14th, 2009, 06:23 AM

Two names are on every back page today - Kaka and Manchester City. The majority verdict seems to be that they will offer �100m with weekly wages of around �500,000. (Various)

That's insane money. I'd even play for Utd for that. Would score a few ogs though :razz:

[edit] I heard he rejected an offer of �91m with �250,000 per week. If he doesn't go for that, he ain't going anywhere.

wesleyw

Jan 14th, 2009, 10:10 AM

he essentially was not a game breaker, but still was a solid player to have on the sides of the midfield

Exactly. He was never a game breaker like CR, Kaka, etc who are world class, but he was definitely an asset on a team with the abilities that he provided to team.

flexwong

Jan 14th, 2009, 08:07 PM

beauty. top the top on saturday!

Hugh Jass

Jan 14th, 2009, 11:28 PM

beauty. top the top on saturday!

This is an English-speaking forum mate.

sinnacle

Jan 15th, 2009, 04:09 AM

AC Milan star Kaka will only move to Manchester City if he is given a series of get-out clauses as part of a world record �175m deal. (The Sun)

If he joins City, the Brazilian star wants written guarantees in his contract that Sheikh Mansour remains the club�s owner and continues to invest heavily, that City qualify for the Champions League within two years, that Robinho stays at the club and also that he retains control of his image rights. If any of those clauses are broken, Kaka would be allowed to leave for a predetermined transfer fee. (The Sun)

City will offer Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti the chance to take charge at Eastlands in the summer in a bid to improve their chances of signing Kaka. (Daily Star)

Kaka is committed to the Rossoneri but will listen to City if there is any indication that the Italian club are willing to accept the �100m on offer by the Eastlands club. (The Sun)

Milan are willing to sell Kaka but a deal will only be sanctioned if he wishes to leave the San Siro. (Daily Telegraph)

Kaka�s father and closest adviser Bosco Leite is flying in from Brazil to enter the negotiations. (The Sun)

City will present their proposal to Kaka�s representatives before the end of this week but Bosco Leite holds the key to whether the deal will go through. (Daily Mirror)

Kaka wants to meet Sheikh Mansour before he decides on his future. (Daily Mail)

Enough Kaka news for you? A.C Milan does have a history selling there best player at an over inflated price when they cashed in on Andriy Shevchenko and allowed him to play for Cheslea. Looking back that didn�t turn out so bad for A.C Milan. At the end of the day Kaka isn�t motivated by money, he has always been a religion/team first kind of player so even with an obscene amount of money thrown at him I�d give it less than 50/50 that Kaka will make the jump to Manchester City.

City will renew their efforts to sign Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon or AC Milan goalkeeper Dida in an attempt to convince Kaka of their ambitions. (Daily Telegraph)

This is like going to a car dealership and deciding to either walk away with a Corvette or a Cavalier.

Chelsea defender John Terry has emerged as another audacious target for City in the January transfer window. (Daily Star)

I can�t see Terry trading the Chelsea blue for the Manchester City baby blue.

Manchester United are planning a �14m bid for Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios after the Latics rejected a �10m offer from Tottenham for the Honduras star. (The Sun)

Always find it curious that Manchester United are often linked with a player right around the time his current team are about to play against United.

Liverpool�s hopes of securing defender Daniel Agger on a new long-term contract are fading after the Danish international�s agent travelled to Italy for talks with AC Milan. (The Guardian)

AC Milan are set to make a �7.5m bid for Agger, who is believed to have a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Anfield at the end of the season. (The Times)

Daniel Agger = John Arne Riise hopefully without an own goal on his way out the door.

Chelsea will sell striker Didier Drogba in the summer and are confident of signing Seville�s Luis Fabiano to replace him. (Daily Star)

I never quite understood why Fabiano is often linked with a top team. He is neither young and there is a difference in class making the grade at Seville than it is on a team like Chelsea.

Luis Boa Morte�s proposed �1m move from West Ham to Hull City has fallen through after the forward failed to agree personal terms. (Daily Express)

You know West Ham wanted to get rid of Boa Morte badly when his transfer fee was only a million.

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams wants to sign Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola on loan for the rest of the season. (The Sun)

Saviola has already been offered to Wigan when Real tried to sign Latics winger Antonio Valencia but the Argentine was reluctant to join the Latics. (The Sun)

If Saviola is reluctant to play for Wigan who are actually playing well then there is no chance of him playing for Portsmouth.

On-loan Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse - who has recently opened a clothes shop in Newcastle - is ready to commit his long-term future to the Black Cats and has rejected the chance of a move back to his parent club Marseille to ease the French side�s injury crisis. (Daily Star)

Luckily for the people of Newcastle Cisse didn�t open up a barber shop.

West Ham have rejected a new bid for Wales striker Craig Bellamy from Manchester City and have also turned down the offer of a straight swap for Darren Bent from Tottenham. (The Independent)

Bent turned down the chance to join West Ham back in 2007 and took less money signing for Tottenham. Doubtful Bent would change his mind two years later regarding West Ham.

Spurs are set to make a �14m offer for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones after their move for Inter Milan forward Adriano was scuppered by the Brazilian�s wage demands. (Daily Express)

The move was scuppered because the Brazilian has no interest in playing for Tottenham.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants Derby goalkeeper Roy Carroll as a back-up to Heurelho Gomes and could sign him for �250,000. (Daily Mirror)

A look back at my boy Pedro Mendes getting robbed of a goal thanks to a Roy Carroll error back in the day. (youtube clip on site)

Blackburn are holding out for �25m for Santa Cruz, who has told Allardyce that he wants to join City. (The Times)

Now we are just getting greedy there Blackburn. Take the 18-20 million and be happy.

Fulham have told Bolton that it will cost them �6m to sign England midfielder Jimmy Bullard. (Daily Star)

Wanderers boss Gary Megson has offered Fulham �5.75m and full-back Nicky Hunt in exchange for Bullard. (Daily Telegraph)

Look for Bullard's Fulham days to come to an end in the coming days.

Bolton could hijack West Brom�s bid to sign Benfica striker Ariza Makukula on loan for the rest of the season. (Daily Star)

A player with the size of Makukula could do well in England. You do not want the ball played to his feet but he can hold up the game well and knock a few goals in with his head.

Newcastle United have signed the new Gazza - former Magpies and England star Paul Gascoigne�s seven-year-old nephew Cameron Gascoigne, who has been snapped up after scoring 22 goals in a 30-minute junior match. (Daily Star)

Hope his knack for scoring goals is the only trait he picks up from his uncle.

flexwong

Jan 15th, 2009, 08:38 AM

This is an English-speaking forum mate.

typo, i meant to. =P

a little to happy united will finally (hopefully) be back where we belong, on top of liverpool.

elty

Jan 15th, 2009, 05:24 PM

The latest news is Milan allowed Kaka('s agent) to talk to City after receiving a 135 million GBP bid.

Don't they have better thing to do? Why not bail out Citi group then call it Sheikh Mansour Group or something?

pavelbure10

Jan 15th, 2009, 05:39 PM

City will have Kaka by next week, Who else do you think there gonna buy?

flexwong

Jan 15th, 2009, 11:47 PM

City will have Kaka by next week, Who else do you think there gonna buy?

doubt it. the only way kaka is going to city is b/c he's confused and thinks that manchester = united.

kaka's thoughts on going to manchester city: me sign with... manchester team? and play with anderson? and ronaldo? european champions want me?

then he gets a big shock when they hand him that dreadful baby blue kit at the press conference.

pavelbure10

Jan 16th, 2009, 12:34 AM

doubt it. the only way kaka is going to city is b/c he's confused and thinks that manchester = united.

kaka's thoughts on going to manchester city: me sign with... manchester team? and play with anderson? and ronaldo? european champions want me?

then he gets a big shock when they hand him that dreadful baby blue kit at the press conference.

it worked for robinho why wouldnt it work for kaka?

sinnacle

Jan 16th, 2009, 05:51 AM

Reports in Italy suggest the price Manchester City will have to pay for Kaka has now risen from �100m to �130m. (Daily Telegraph)

Other reports claim City will make a more conservative, yet still increased, bid of �108m for the Brazilian. (Sun)

Kaka is set to tell Manchester City he will sign for them but not until the summer, although AC Milan are considering a �75m offer plus �32m in other fees for the deal to go through in January. (Daily Star)

Kaka would join City for �108m, the agents involved would earn �18m and the player�s father �9m. (Guardian)

Mark Hughes is so confident of signing Kaka that he has already drawn up a new 4-1-4-1 system to accommodate the former world footballer of the year in his proposed debut against Newcastle on 28 January. (Guardian)

The 4-1-4-1 system can also resemble scores Manchester City will still lose by during Kaka�s first two games.

Real Madrid have made a fresh move to sign Liverpool winger Jermain Pennant on a six-month loan until May, when he will make way for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Mirror)

It still leaves me shaking my head how Jermain Pennant�s name can be linked any where near Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Portsmouth are confident of taking Pennant to Fratton Park and hope to open negotiations over the weekend. (Various)

At the very least Pennant would play for Portsmouth.

Manchester City are close to signing Hamburg�s Nigel de Jong with the Dutch holding midfielder valued at �15m. (Daily Mail)

With Dietmar Hamann injured a move for a player with de Jong skills which largely goes under the radar would be a wise move on Ctiy�s part. The again you can throw a dart at the team list of players and link them with Manchester City.

Spanish club Espanyol say they have a deal in place for their goalkeeper Carlos Kameni to join City. (Daily Mail)

As we see with this rumor.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to offer striker Nicklas Bendtner in a part exchange deal for West Ham�s former Gunners defender Matthew Upson. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham would be wise to hang on to Upson until the summer then sell him. West Ham are already weak defensively, with Upson gone the Hammers would be in a real dog fight at the bottom of the table.

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill is set to launch a �14m bid for Tottenham striker Darren Bent. (Daily Mirror)

Bent does fit the big and strong mode ala John Carew that Martin O�Neill likes in a player.

Spurs have won the race to sign Wigan�s �14m-rated midfielder Wilson Palacios. (Sun)

Spurs hope to conclude a �13m straight cash deal for Palacios, although midfielder Jermaine Jenas could be offered in a part exchange deal. (Guardian)

If true not bad of a return for a player Steve Bruce picked up from the scrap heap not once but twice last season.

Bolton are considering an approach for Benfica striker Ariza Makukula after he rejected a loan move to West Brom. (Daily Mail)

So much for me talking up Makukula yesterday.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is targeting Nuremberg striker Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winning goal for Greece at Euro 2004. (Daily Mirror)

Must thank the daily mirror for bringing up that sore spot for me again.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has pleaded with the Anfield board to make defender Daniel Agger an offer he can�t refuse amid speculation the Dane will leave for AC Milan. (Daily Mirror)

A useful player like Agger would be a) Hard to replace and more importantly b) Expensive to replace. Teams gunning for a title can�t sell off squad players mid season.

A Premier League footballer broke down in tears after blowing �1m at a casino in one night. (Daily Star)

Ouch, makes my Vegasmania VI experience not seem to bad in hindsight (I name my Vegas trips in the same fashion as Wrestlemania�s)

sinnacle

Jan 17th, 2009, 08:15 AM

Kaka has already issued a snub to Manchester City by revealing he prefers rivals Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sun)

Ronaldino has asked Kaka to turn his back on Manchester City and stay at AC Milan. (Daily Star)

AC Milan officials are expecting protests at the San Siro before Saturday�s Serie A clash with Fiorentina because of the club�s expected sale of Kaka. (Daily Mail)

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has hinted Milan are prepared for life without Kaka by insisting his team could cope without the Brazil star. (Daily Telegraph)

Kaka is expected to join Manchester City next week after he was railroaded into accepting the �108m move. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has advised Kaka to reject overtures from Manchester City and remain at Milan. (Daily Mail)

I�m waiting for this Kaka chase to be over one way or another but til then above are some recent news regarding the transfer of the century.

Craig Bellamy�s West Ham career looks to be over after the Wales striker stormed out of a training session because the Hammers refused to give him persmission to talk to Tottenham. (Various)

Never understood why West Ham really wants to keep him. Bellamy has been a distraction and even worse a locker room cancer on every team he�s been with.

Tottenham�s �14m move for Wigan�s Wilson Palacios is in danger of being hijacked by Manchester United. (Daily Mail)

A cynic would think Manchester United would bid for Palacios just to mess with Tottenham.

Jermaine Pennant is resisting a move to Portsmouth despite Liverpool accepting a �2m bid. (Guardian)

Shows how much Liverpool think about the player when they aren�t interested in offering Pennant a contact extension and accepted a bid of 2 million for his services.

Bolton have swooped for Benfica�s Portugal international striker Aziza Makukula who had a trial at West Brom before a move fell through. (Daily Mirror)

What I said about Makukula two days ago still applies. Look for him to be a hit at Bolton.

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho would be willing to offload strikers Adriano or Hernan Crespo to Tottenham but would want Jermaine Jenas AND Gareth Bale as part of the deal. (Channel 4.com)

Sometimes I do wish football had more trades to spice things up.

Rafael Benitez will walk away from Liverpool at the end of the season unless he is given total control of transfers. (Various)

Benitez pulled this type of power play at Valencia and everyone knows how that ended up.

sweeper

Jan 17th, 2009, 12:23 PM

So United are top of the table. Who else thinks Liverpool will draw their next game.

gunners1

Jan 17th, 2009, 12:30 PM

i dont understand how man.u score in last 5 minutes of every game to win it, this has happened so many times this yr wen it looks to be a draw and then get lucky at the end.

sweeper

Jan 17th, 2009, 12:32 PM

i dont understand how man.u score in last 5 minutes of every game to win it, this has happened so many times this yr wen it looks to be a draw and then get lucky at the end.

"That's why their Champions."

It's not luck its persistence.

EvertonFC

Jan 17th, 2009, 03:12 PM

i dont understand how man.u score in last 5 minutes of every game to win it, this has happened so many times this yr wen it looks to be a draw and then get lucky at the end.

I think Aston Villa have been the jammy little bast**ds of the season so far. For the past 6 matches or so they have won with own goals, penalties and last minute BS goals. Surely their luck will run out soon.

Come on you Blues! (Any other EFC supporters here?)

flexwong

Jan 17th, 2009, 03:51 PM

i dont understand how man.u score in last 5 minutes of every game to win it, this has happened so many times this yr wen it looks to be a draw and then get lucky at the end.

once or twice, it can be called luck. if you do it persistently, it's called being clutch. the team knows how to step it up a notch in the final minutes. chelsea under mourinho constantly pulled out last second winners as well.

Jan 17th, 2009, 04:44 PM

once or twice, it can be called luck. if you do it persistently, it's called being clutch. the team knows how to step it up a notch in the final minutes. chelsea under mourinho constantly pulled out last second winners as well.

Liverpool also did it earlier in the season...come on you REDS

flexwong

Jan 17th, 2009, 05:10 PM

I think Aston Villa have been the jammy little bast**ds of the season so far. For the past 6 matches or so they have won with own goals, penalties and last minute BS goals. Surely their luck will run out soon.

Come on you Blues! (Any other EFC supporters here?)

hope you guys beat liverpool on monday.

Mgz

Jan 17th, 2009, 08:05 PM

"That's why their Champions."

It's not luck its persistence.

yeah right :rolleyes: , this is like the 8-9 matches of MU that ends with 0-0 or 1-0

I am Barcelona FC fan and look at our score recently, 5 matches we have to come back from behind (0-1 or 2-1) and we always score in the last 15 minutes. Even if we are already leading 3-0 we are still hungry for goal. And that is persistence my friend ;)

sweeper

Jan 17th, 2009, 11:59 PM

yeah right :rolleyes: , this is like the 8-9 matches of MU that ends with 0-0 or 1-0

I am Barcelona FC fan and look at our score recently, 5 matches we have to come back from behind (0-1 or 2-1) and we always score in the last 15 minutes. Even if we are already leading 3-0 we are still hungry for goal. And that is persistence my friend ;)

Guess you've never heard of a good defense.

Barcelona and Persistence don't go together. I seem to remember a team wearing teal jerseys looking resigned in defeat at Old Trafford last year.

So when Manchester United score in the last 15 mins its luck, but when BArsenalona score in the last 15 mins its persistence. Hm. I see.

sinnacle

Jan 18th, 2009, 07:23 AM

Manchester City�s �107m move for AC Milan�s Kaka could be hijacked by Real Madrid, who are desperate to sign the Brazilian. (News of the World)

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has appeared to clear the way for Kaka�s transfer to City by saying it would be difficult for him to say no to the money being offered. (Independent)

And a top AC Milan official has declared Kaka�s world record move to Manchester City as �signed and sealed�. (Sunday Express)

Milan will use �40m of the �103m they expect to receive from City for Kaka to sign Arsenal pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Gael Clichy. (Telegraph)

However, Kaka�s move to City has been thrown into doubt after an adviser to the Eastlands club�s owner Sheik Mansour insisted reports of a �100m bid for Kaka are �absolutely ridiculous�. (The Observer)

David Beckham, on loan at AC Milan from LA Galaxy, has urged Kaka to stay with the Italians. (Mail on Sunday)

I can�t blame A.C Milan for cashing in on Kaka. It�s not like there in the Champions League this season so losing him midway isn�t a death blow for the rest of the season. A team can buy some really good players with 100 million.

Manchester City are set to hijack Tottenham�s bid to sign Wigan�s �13m-rated midfielder Wilson Palacios. (News of the World)

Didn�t really see United making a move for another midfielder after signing Zoran To�ić last week.

And City will also beat Spurs to the signature of West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, who will cost �13m. (Sunday Express)

Tottenham fans shouldn�t really be upset by this news if proven true.

One player who could be on his way out of City is 20-year-old striker Ched Evans, who looks set to join Celtic. (News of the World)

Celtic had good success in signing Georgios Samaras from Manchester City last season so hopefully lightning strikes twice with Ched Evans.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has opened the door for Didier Drogba to leave Stamford Bridge - as long as he gets a transfer fee for the striker. (Sunday Express)

One thing is clear and that is Scolari and Drogba are not on each others facebook friends list.

Arsenal are on the verge of completing a �17m deal for Russia star Andrei Arshavin. (News of the World)

The Gunners board have authorized a �15m bid for Arshavin. (Mail on Sunday)

It wouldn�t be the typical Arsenal signing but watching Arshavin play for the Gunners will be fun to watch.

Manchester United players have had a whip-round for Cristiano Ronaldo after he wrote off his new Ferrari - and have bought the world player of the year a �40 kid�s pedal car. (News of the World)

Big wheels still rule.

flexwong

Jan 18th, 2009, 03:22 PM

yeah right :rolleyes: , this is like the 8-9 matches of MU that ends with 0-0 or 1-0

I am Barcelona FC fan and look at our score recently, 5 matches we have to come back from behind (0-1 or 2-1) and we always score in the last 15 minutes. Even if we are already leading 3-0 we are still hungry for goal. And that is persistence my friend ;)

learn to play defence, then maybe you won't have to come back from behind. 10 straight clean sheets in the league means we're definitely doing something right. defence wins championships.

maebach

Jan 18th, 2009, 04:38 PM

sinnacle

Jan 19th, 2009, 06:12 AM

- Part of me does feel sorry for Bolton losing on late goals last week against Arsenal and again this week versus Manchester United but these things are to be expected when a team plays negative football. It was almost mission accomplish for Bolton but a late Berbatov header on a pin point Carlos Tevez cross took United to the top of the table.

- One will never know how close Scolari would of been to being sacked if Stoke held on for even a point. Frank Lampard comes up big again for Chelsea in what just might of saved their season.

- Sam Allardyce must of loved watching his Blackburn side stick it to former club Newcastle beating them 3-0. Sure, Blackburn's penalty against David Edgar was weak at best but with Benni McCarthy and Jason Robert clicking there was only going to be one result.

- During the game I saw some old Newcastle fan giving Joe Kinnear some grief. Never in my life have I seen a fanbase as clueless than Newcastle fans. They could have Sir Alex Ferguson as there number 1 and Arsene Wenger his number 2 and still they wouldn�t be happy. Newcaslte fans should be thrilled with the job Joe Kinnear has done saving the sinking ship that is Newcastle United. This was a job no one wanted three months ago and sure Newcastle found Kinnear off the scrap heap but considering all he has had to deal with, an owner wanting out, his best player wanting out, Joey Barton always acting like Joey Barton plus a rash of injuries, Kinnear has done a commendable job.

- Despite the win against Wigan, Kaka couldn�t come quick enough to a Manchester City team that plays like a bunch of individuals out there.

- At some point I figured Aston Villa run of luck will come to an end but after a straight red on a silly Ashley Young tackle, Villa is awarded a generous penalty to secure the three points against a Sunderland side that has slide down the table since Ricky Sbragia officially took over.

- I�ve given Arsenal slack for not rising up to the occasion this year but after last week�s late winner against Bolton and this weeks fight back against Hull credit should be given where it�s due. Samir Nasri�s goal to break the deadlock was clinical. Many a striker wouldn�t put it away as Nasri did picking the far corner.

- Still think Carlton Cole looks the part but doesn�t act the part of a striker but five goals in five games is impressive none the less.

- Wonder what David Nugent felt yesterday after scoring against Tottenham and former boss Harry Redknapp who soured on him soon after spending 5 million to sign Nugent from Preston North End back in 2007?

sweeper

Jan 19th, 2009, 06:38 PM

heh, as expected Liverpool draw against Everton. :lol:

flexwong

Jan 19th, 2009, 07:06 PM

thank you tim cahill!

sinnacle

Jan 20th, 2009, 04:56 AM

Robinho has had a big bust-up with Manchester City and walked out of the team�s training camp in Tenerife. (Various)

The core of Manchester City�s troubles is Robinho. Here is a player who only joined Manchester City due to wanting to leave Real Madrid so badly and of course for money. Basically he joined City for all the wrong reasons. Despite all his talents Robinho has a lot of growing up to do.

And for all City fans feeling a little glum this morning, The Times reminds them they may have lost the Brazilian superstar, but at least they have claimed the signature of Craig Bellamy.

This still makes me laugh. It�s like expecting Nintendo for Christmas as a kid and waking up to a Turbo graphics 16. Nothing says your a big club than signing Craig Bellamy.

Hamburg boss Martin Jol is interested in signing Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone. (Daily Mail)

Unclear as to why since Jol didn�t play Huddlestone week in and week out when the two were together at Tottenham.

After losing Lassana Diarra, Portsmouth are chasing Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen. (The Sun)

Despite being a bust for Juventus this year Poulsen is unlikely to pack up his bags and head to Portsmouth.

To help fund their move for Arshavin, Arsenal could offload Nicklas Bendtner to help find the extra few million pounds Zenit St Petersburg are after. (Daily Express)

Bendtner hasn�t hurt his value with his two goals off the bench recently.

Manchester United winger Nani could soon be fearing for his place with Sir Alex Ferguson lining up a bid for Wigan�s Antonio Valencia. (Daily Telegraph)

As Nani should be fearing for his place. His downfall if there is to be one occurred during the West Ham game late last year where United needed a victory to keep pace with Chelsea and got a red card for hitting out against Lucas Neil. Sure Manchester United were already ahead at the time but being force to spend an hour down a man thanks to Nani was foolish on his part.

After being on the sidelines by boss Luiz Felipe Scolari for the Southend and Stoke games, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is in line for a recall against Ipswich. �He�s trained well�, Scolari said. (Daily Mirror)

Scolari should of said �maybe this time Drogba will get the message� after clearly sending him one.

sweeper

Jan 20th, 2009, 10:07 PM

Albert Riera has just said Manchester United are luckier than Liverpool. Which is pretty amusing since the beginning of the season Liverpool were the ones scoring dramatic late equalizers and late late goals.

Damn, I'm not even a Man United fan and I hope they pip the hypocrites of Liverpool to the title. Another amusing Liverpool hypocrite, biggest one being Steven Gerrard, the diving ****.

pavelbure10

Jan 21st, 2009, 12:33 AM

sinnacle

Jan 21st, 2009, 04:14 AM

Manchester City striker Robinho is desperate to leave the club with Chelsea waiting to rescue the Brazilian. (The Sun)

I�m of two minds when it comes to Robinho. Long term Manchester City would be best served selling Robinho at a small profit and starting over since he is just about the last player you�d want to build a team around. A leader Robinho does not come across as. Then again selling Robinho creates a signal to the rest of the football world that Manchester City is a joke of a football club.

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda is being lined up by Spanish club Villarreal who are preparing a �9m bid. (Daily Mirror)

Malouda can go but I�m sure Chelsea will decide to do business with him come the off season. With Joe Cole on the shelf it�s unlikely Chelsea are going to sell Malouda right now.

Tottenham have clinched the signing of Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini for around �1m. (Daily Mail)

Cudicini always struck me as an interesting player. Here you have a player who back in 2002-03 was the best goalie in England then Petr Cech come along and seemingly was happy collecting a big cheque as a backup. When Cech would get hurt Cudicini hamstring would soon pull up lame and be on the shelf myself.

Chelsea manager Phil Scolari has been told he can use the �12m gained from the sale of Wayne Bridge for January transfers. (Guardian)

Good for Chelsea to tell Scolari this with only ten days left in the transfer window.

Sunderland and Newcastle are leading the race to sign unsettled Bolton defender Danny Shittu. (The Sun)

Who is 3rd and 4th in this race is what I�d be curious about? Also would these teams really be that disappointing losing out on Shittu.

Middlesbrough are tracking Hull striker Marlon King whose future at the club is in doubt after a row with Tigers boss Phil Brown. (Daily Mail)

When you are a striker on loan and there are tensions between you and the coach naturally questions regarding a players future will arise.

Arsenal�s hopes of signing Zenit St Petersburg�s Russian forward Andrei Arshavin appear to have collapsed. (The Times)

Manchester City could now join the race to sign Arshavin. (Telegraph)

Even going back to the summer this whole Arshavin to insert team x here saga has dragged on way too long. The bottom line here is that Arshavin wants the best of both worlds. He wants to play for a world class team like Arsenal and still wants to be paid the 90k a week like he is at Zenit. Those figures are something Arsenal is loathe to pay and we all know world class and Manchester City don�t go hand and hand.

Lyon are expected to complete the signing of West Ham winger Julien Faubert. (The Times)

My only memory of the Julien Faubert era besides tearing up his ACL during the 2007 pre season is French national team coach Raymond Domenech calling Faubert a damn fool for signing with West Ham.

Chelsea have joined the race to sign Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (The Independent)

This rumour is a direct result of Joe Cole�s injury.

Sevilla�s �20m rated left-back Fernando Navarro is being tracked by Liverpool. (Telegraph)

Not at 20 million pound they're not.

Newcastle pair Charles N�Zogbia and Andy Carroll have been involved in a furious training-ground bust-up and had to be dragged apart. (Various)

Don�t really care whose fault this is. Newcastle should really get the message and send N�Zogbia on his way.

sinnacle

Jan 22nd, 2009, 04:23 AM

Manchester City are targeting Chelsea�s unsettled �15m-rated striker Didier Drogba and that could trigger a transfer swap deal which would take Robinho to Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

With all the players that have been rumored to be moving between the two teams why don�t they save themselves some time and just become one team called Chelsea City or something.

Newcastle have told Manchester City they want at least �14m for goalkeeper Shay Given. (The Sun)

Another example of saying one thing to the press but the actual number Newcastle would sell Given for is less than 14 million.

City have taken the first steps in their attempt to bring Barcelona striker Thierry Henry back to the Premier League. (The Times)

The full extend of Manchester City�s difficulties in the transfer window were revealed when it emerged that the club had also tried and failed to sign David Villa, Gianluigi Buffon and Thierry Henry before their aborted �91m world-record bid for Kaka. (The Guardian)

While already clear Manchester City have no clue how to go about becoming �the biggest club in the world.� They just target the wrong players. Nigel De Jong is actually a good signing and exactly the type of player City needs. When your fans however are conditioned to look out for the Kaka and Henry�s of the world it puts players like De Jong at a disadvantage right off the bat.

Wigan and Bolton are chasing Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards for �5m. (The Sun)

Yes, Richards is having a bad season but there is too much talent there for Manchester City to sell him.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is checking on Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen who could be available for �2m. (The Sun)

Gudjohnsen has made it clear these last three years that he isn�t going to leave Barcelona despite not being a starter there.

Manager David Moyes could bolster his depleted forward line at Everton by signing Portugal international Hugo Almedia on loan from Werder Berlin. (The Sun)

Still doubtful Werder would allow Almedia to leave on loan. With Arteta able to pin point a cross right between Almedia eyes, his size and strength in front of goal could prove useful for Everton.

sinnacle

Jan 23rd, 2009, 04:24 AM

Aston Villa manager Martin O�Neill believes he has won the battle to sign Wigan striker Emile Heskey and expects to seal a �3m move on Friday. (The Sun)

With Wigan making a move for the oft traveled Mido yesterday it was only a matter of time before they threw up the white flag concerning Emile Heskey.

Manchester City have offered striker Didier Drogba a double-your-money deal worth �180,000 a week to quit Chelsea. (The Sun)

Makes more sense that Manchester City fruitless pursuits of the Kaka�s, Henry�s, Villa�s and Buffon of the world.

West Ham are close to agreeing a deal to sign Brescia�s Savio Nsereko for a fee that could total �10m after club executives spent the past two days in Italy holding talks. (The Independent)

That is a lot of money for a player in Serie B. Not only would he need to adapt to a new country but also a much higher standard of play.

Spurs are ready to revive their interest in West Ham�s Carlton Cole after they had an �8m bid for the striker turned down at the beginning of January. (Daily Star)

Why would Tottenham make a move when they have a similar player in Darren Bent is beyond me? Making a move for Cole should mean Tottenham would be interested in shipping Bent out.

Manchester City are ready to pay �19m for Sporting Lisbon and Portugal midfielder Miguel Veloso, who has been a long-term target for local rivals Manchester United. (The Sun)

Already talked about Veloso at length here but Manchester City just spent 14 million for Nigel De Jong who plays the same position. Can�t see City making a move for another holding midfielder.

Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who travelled to Hull City to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms on Thursday, is contemplating whether to become the Tigers� �5m record buy. (The Sun)

Sure seems like Fulham is doing everything possible to send Bullard a signal that his time at the club is coming close to an end.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich�s resolve to keep hold of the Stamford Bridge club could be tested with a �750m takeover bid by a group of mainly German investors. (Daily Star)

When you lose the vast majority of your fortune these rumours are bound to pick up stream.

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison thinks manager Gianfranco Zola is one of the best players at the club - even at 42. �Some of the things he does in training makes us look silly, to be honest. It�s just a joy to watch him out there,� said the 20-year-old. (The Sun)

If West Ham lose any more strikers Zola just might end up being their best option up front.

flexwong

Jan 23rd, 2009, 07:41 PM

sweeper

Jan 23rd, 2009, 08:05 PM

:lol::lol::lol:

Steven Gerrard faces 5 years in prison.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2009/01/23/1074303/gerrard-pleads-not-guilty-risks-five-years-prison

sweeper

Jan 23rd, 2009, 08:06 PM

there really needs to be a winter break. 9 united players out for the match tomorrow vs tottenham. that's ridiculous. and we're not talking about 9 bench warmers, we're talking about rooney, evra, rio, park, nani, anderson etc.

going for the quadruple this year!

The FA Cup tomorrow versus Tottenham is basically a youth team match.

Go Spurs youth.

maebach

Jan 24th, 2009, 12:39 AM

there really needs to be a winter break. 9 united players out for the match tomorrow vs tottenham. that's ridiculous. and we're not talking about 9 bench warmers, we're talking about rooney, evra, rio, park, nani, anderson etc.

going for the quadruple this year!

No break. its only handicapping the major teams that compete in many competitions which gives a bit of an edge to the championship teams who are in teh FA cup and league cup. upsets are great

flexwong

Jan 24th, 2009, 12:52 AM

No break. its only handicapping the major teams that compete in many competitions which gives a bit of an edge to the championship teams who are in teh FA cup and league cup. upsets are great

all other leagues have a break.

sinnacle

Jan 24th, 2009, 07:41 AM

Having brought Emile Heskey to Villa Park, Aston Villa boss Martin O�Neill will now try to lure Michael Owen from Newcastle. (Various)

Have found it curious that the Owen rumours have died down these last two weeks. My opinion is Owen will only decide on his future once the season is over.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists he is still in charge of transfer policy at the club, and will go back to Blackburn with a final bid for striker Roque Santa Cruz before the transfer window closes. (Daily Mail)

However, Hughes is not impressed that Rovers are asking �20m for the Paraguayan. (Daily Mail)

When you are a desperate team other clubs know this and will not do you any favours in the transfer market. Looks like Santa Cruz transfer will come down to the final hours.

Niko Kranjcar expects to leave Portsmouth in the summer, with Arsenal the probable destination. (Sun)

Kranjcar is not having the same type of season he was last year. Some of that isn�t his fault with the drama surround Portsmouth plus Kranjcar playing in Euro 2008 didn�t give him much of a break. Despite all that would be a good fit for Arsenal.

Sunderland are in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a swap deal which would bring Kenwyne Jones to White Hart Lane in return for �6m plus Darren Bent. (Daily Mail)

I�d make that deal if I was Sunderland. You can say Jones is a better than Bent but an extra 6 million could go towards bringing another quality player to Sunderland.

Bolton are trying to sign Sporting Lisbon star Miguel Veloso for �12m. (Daily Mirror)

Veloso would only step foot at the Reebok stadium as a visiting player.

Serbian Branislav Ivanovic expects to leave Chelsea for Fiorentina. (Sun)

Joining Ivanovic on the list of Chelsea players possibly bound for Italy is Florent Malouda, who has aroused the interest of Juventus. (Daily Express)

Chelsea are still in the title picture. It�s weird seeing so many players leaving but so few rumored to be coming in.

Leeds are demanding �8m for midfielder Fabian Delph, with Fulham desperate to sign him as a replacement for Jimmy Bullard. (Daily Mirror)

It wouldn�t be everyday a team like Fulham can sign a player with the upside of Delph.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are facing the prospect of striking a deal for the club worth �110m less than it would have been last July, as they try to sell to Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser al-Kharafi. (Guardian)

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been kept in the dark over the negotiations. (Sun)

Hick and Gillett always pick a bad time to turn up in the news. Liverpool would be best served if this all waited until after the season was done.

sinnacle

Jan 26th, 2009, 05:41 AM

Liverpool striker Robbie Keane is getting plenty of attention in Monday�s papers after he stayed away from Anfield for the 1-1 FA Cup draw against Everton.

The future of the �20m Republic of Ireland star is increasingly uncertain and on Sunday he endured the humiliation of Frenchman David Ngog replacing him on the bench. (The Sun and Daily Mail)

It does send a clear message from Rafa Benitez that he isn�t happy with Keane�s performance on the pitch and in training.

With the January transfer deadline looming, Sunderland�s Pascal Chimbonda is set to complete a �3m return to Tottenham. (The Sun)

Don�t think very many Sunderland fans would be sad to see Chimbonda go.

Meanwhile, Spurs are ready to exchange Mexican star Giovani Dos Santos for Brazilian Fred. (Daily Mirror)

Dos Santos was invisible as a second half sub except for a chance late in the game for Tottenham this weekend against Manchester United. Wouldn�t be the worst move for either team however still unsure that Dos Santos will want to pack his bags for Lyon.

Carlo Cudicini may yet still move to Tottenham if Chelsea can find a replacement number two. (The Guardian)

How hard could it possible be finding a backup goalie?

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams is on the verge of a �4m offer for Newcastle�s Joey Barton. (The Sun)

Why any coach is willingly to put up with that headache is beyond me. It would only be a matter of time before Barton yet again betrays the faith a coach has put into him.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is ready to write a cheque for �6m for Cardiff City�s Joe Ledley. (Daily Mirror)

These things tend to happen when Tottenham writes a �14m cheque for Wilson Palacios.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given is set for a �10m move to Man City with officials meeting on Monday to tie up the deal. (Daily Mirror)

You can only put up with only so much for so long. Besides long time Newcastle backup Steve Harper will hold his own between the sticks until the season is over.

sinnacle

Jan 27th, 2009, 05:47 AM

Tottenham hope Kenwyne Jones will reject a new contract with Sunderland to move to White Hart Lane after making a �15m take-it-or-leave-it offer for the striker. (London Evening Standard website 1020 GMT)

A move to Tottenham would really be a sideways move for Jones who plays week in and week out for Sunderland. With Harry Redknapp penchant for running hot and cold on players Jones could find himself on the bench after a few matches with Spurs.

Newcastle United may be the shock destination for Robbie Keane, whose career at Liverpool is in doubt. (Metro 0915 GMT)

Tottenham are interested in bringing Liverpool striker Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane but Manchester City also want the Republic of Ireland star. (Various)

Speaking of finding the bench we have Robbie Keane. His Liverpool career isn�t going so well but I doubt Keane is desperate enough to join Newcastle. Tottenham makes a nice story but by coming back Keane admits he couldn�t cut it on a top class team. Manchester City are involved with just about every player and linking up with Rep of Ireland team mate Richard Dunne is interesting but just feel like this is more fiction than fact.

Manchester City believe that a �19m bid may finally be enough to secure the signature of Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Independent)

Blackburn isn�t going to be foolish enough to turn down 19 million. Not often do teams come around with that amount of money for one of your players.

Chelsea�s out-of-favour centre-back Branislav Ivanovic is being targeted by Greek side Panathinaikos. (Telegraph)

Panathinaikos are in the Champions League knockout stage and have a storied history but it would say something about Chelsea�s status if they lose any squad player mid season to Panathinaikos.

Spurs have turned their attention to Lyon�s Brazilian striker Fred after Sunderland�s Kenwyne Jones rejected a move to White Hart Lane. (Mail)

Tottenham were interested in Fred last year with the striker deciding to stay put in France. His first choice would be going back to Brazil in order to be closer to his family but if Tottenham offers enough money Fred may decide to change his mind.

Portsmouth are set to sign Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola on loan. (Daily Star)

And Pompey boss Tony Adams is also hoping to sign AC Milan�s Brazilian midfielder Emerson. (Daily Mirror)

Would be quite a coup if Portsmouth could pull either off. Last week I gave it no chance this week I�ll bump it up to 50/50.

Hugh Jass

Jan 27th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Tottenham hope Kenwyne Jones will reject a new contract with Sunderland to move to White Hart Lane after making a �15m take-it-or-leave-it offer for the striker. (London Evening Standard website 1020 GMT)

Spurs have turned their attention to Lyon�s Brazilian striker Fred after Sunderland�s Kenwyne Jones rejected a move to White Hart Lane. (Mail)

.

Just shows the accuracy of the British press.

They sit there and make this stuff up on a daily basis.

maebach

Jan 27th, 2009, 11:15 PM

Another day, another win. MON you genius!

flexwong

Jan 27th, 2009, 11:36 PM

let's go wigan! beat liverpool tomorrow.

oh and that 5-0 dismantling of west brom... 11 straight clean sheets in the premiership. stunning. =D

sinnacle

Jan 28th, 2009, 05:03 AM

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sent his brother to run a personal check on Rangers teenage striker John Fleck. (The Sun)

Rangers would be loathe to sell Fleck who is one of the best prospects to come up through the Rangers system in years. I�m sure a team like United scout 100�s of players but with Ferguson�s Scottish background coming into play this rumor has gathered stream.

Aston Villa want to sign Newcastle striker Michael Owen on a free (Mirror)

These Owen rumors have heated up after saying his favorite strike partnership was with Emile Heskey back when both were at Liverpool.

Ex-Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann, who is currently at Stuttgart, is ready for a Premier League return. (The Sun)

Must admit kinda miss Lehmann taking shots at Manuel Almunia like he was doing week after week last year.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has warned Roque Santa Cruz�s suitors Manchester City that he has been unable to find a replacement for the striker. (The Sun)

Big Sam dragging this one out since the current strike partnership of Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts are in form with Matt Derbyshire a decent 3rd option off the bench.

Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro wants to turn his loan deal at Werder Bremen into a permanent one. (Daily Mirror)

Don�t think Chelsea would have too much issue granting Pizarro his request.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is looking to sign Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola on loan until the end of the season.

The Fratton Park boss is also looking to recruit AC Milan midfielder Emerson and Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood. (Daily Express)

With Emile Heskey playing for Villa it does make Marlon Harewood redundant. I�m sure if Villa can get close to the 3.5 million used on Heskey for Harewood they would do business.

Manchester City new boy Craig Bellamy said if he wrote a book one day it would be called �Don�t Google Me!�.

His fear is that a list of misdemeanours and bust-ups would spring up on the screen and hide the fact he is also a focused player. (The Sun)

It would be a funny title for a book.

sweeper

Jan 28th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Liverpool 1 - 1 Wigan Athletic

Liverpool drop points again.

flexwong

Jan 28th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Liverpool 1 - 1 Wigan Athletic

Liverpool drop points again.

oh the merseyside is full of ****.

sinnacle

Jan 29th, 2009, 02:40 AM

- No idea what to make of Liverpool at this point. A late season slip up wouldn�t of shocked me but this drop against largely mid table teams is perplexing. Torres hasn�t recovered his form yet since coming back from injury. There wouldn�t be transfer rumours regarding Robbie Keane if he was pulling his weight. Steven Gerrard could only do so much but his arrest wasn�t needed when Manchester United were still chasing them in the standings. Also troubling from a long term point of view, big money transfers such as Andrea Dossena, Albert Riera and even Ryan Babel have had their moments but overall more is needed if Liverpool are going to give Manchester United and Chelsea a fight.

- Another tip of the cap to Steve Bruce and the job he has done at Wigan. Losing two of your best players mid season is never easy but Bruce has replaced Emile Heskey with Mido who repaid his new coach with his goal from the spot against Liverpool.

- Speaking on Emile Heskey it doesn�t hurt the genius tag Martin O�Neill currently has when your new signing scores the only goal of the game to further solidify Aston Villa hold on 4th place.

- No shame in drawing against an in from Everton side for Arsenal. Robin van Persie injury time goal gives Arsenal some momentum going into the weekend but they can�t be comfortable looking up at the standings and seeing themselves 5 points behind Aston Villa.

- Who needs Robinho when you have Craig Bellamy? The Welsh international makes an instant impact scoring for what seems like his 10458th team in Manchester City 2-1 win over Newcastle

- Just about every coach are three games away from being fired. When you have gone 11 games without a win however the heat gets turned up even more as is the case with Gareth Southgate and his Middlesbrough side.

- I have no idea what to make out of the upcoming game between Chelsea and Liverpool. Liverpool are still in a funk and despite yesterday�s win Chelsea haven�t exactly been firing on all cylinders lately either.

- Even if they were the 4th and 5th goals of the game I�m sure Manchester United were happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo back on the score sheet.

- 11 clean sheets in a row. Nothing more needs to be said really. That is one impressive feat.

- Carlton Cole six goals in six games now and even whispers of an England call up are being mentioned. I�m also happy to see Gianfranco Zola having success with West Ham. Being a nice guy and a football coach usually don�t go hand in hand but I�ll root for Zola to buck that trend.

- Smartest move Zola made was bringing in former Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke as his number two. It also doesn�t hurt Clarke�s resume that his former club has suffered with loss of form since his departure.

- Sam Allardyce must not of been happy going down 2-0 against his former club Bolton but I�m sure he�ll see some positives with Blackburn�s fight back in the second hand to earn a tie.

sinnacle

Jan 29th, 2009, 04:52 AM

Tottenham are preparing a �20m bid for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mirror)

This news would be music to Sam Allardyce since he could now play off Tottenham with Manchester City to drive up Santa Cruz�s price.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will join Manchester City today in a deal thought to be worth �8.5m. (The Sun)

Never found anything wrong with current City number 1 Joe Hart but Shay Given is a top class goalie.

Wigan have slapped an �18m price tag on midfielder Antonio Valencia, who is wanted by Real Madrid and Manchester United. (The Sun)

Steve Bruce is going to hope February 2nd comes and goes without Real Madrid making a offer for Antonio Valencia.

West Ham are hoping to sign Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. (Daily Express)

I�m hoping it will stop snowing. Nether of which are likely to happen anytime soon.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has emerged as Real Madrid�s top summer target. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid doesn�t even know who it�s President, sporting director or coach will be next summer. Besides Real Madrid already bought a defensive midfielder in Lassana Diarra to go along with Fernando Gago and the currently injured Mahamadou Diarra.

Sol Campbell himself is unsure where is future lies, with Portsmouth yet to offer the defender a new contract. (Daily Mail)

Sol Campbell best days are long gone at this point. Even with Tony Adams as coach it�s likely Portsmouth will go in another direction this summer when it comes to Campbell.

American billionaire Robert Kraft has no intention of bidding for a stake in Liverpool, despite recent reports. (Daily Mail)

Despite Kraft�s friendship with George Gillett there is no way he is going to get himself caught up with the mess that is Liverpool�s ownership structure.

sweeper

Jan 29th, 2009, 08:38 PM

West Ham are hoping to sign Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. (Daily Express)

I�m hoping it will stop snowing. Nether of which are likely to happen anytime soon.

:lol:

West Ham may still owe Sheffield United 30 Million pounds for the Tevez fiasco, I doubt the Hammers board would be lining up a bid for one of the most talented young players in Italy (and World).

sinnacle

Jan 30th, 2009, 04:38 AM

Manchester City have offered Blackburn a final bid of �18.5m for striker Roque Santa Cruz. (The Guardian)

The Roque Santa Cruz chase is like the B team version of Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga. That chase dragged on to the final hours before Tottenham finally decide to sell Bernatov.

Tottenham are also keen on Santa Cruz and have offered striker Darren Bent as part of the deal to bring the Blackburn forward to White Hart Lane. (The Times)

You know you�re in the coaches doghouse when Harry Redknapp publicly said that his wife could of scored on a chance Darren Bent missed against Portsmouth recently.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is lining up a �10m bid for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch if Santa Cruz does leave. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth already sold Jermaine Defoe so it�s unlikely they are going to sell their only other main goal scoring threat.

Charles N�Zogbia says he will never play for Newcastle again after manager Joe Kinnear called him �insomnia� on TV. (Daily Star)

Even with Newcastle�s never ending string on injuries it was unlikely Kinnear was going to play �insomnia� much going forward anyway.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given is set to complete his �8m move to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

This was suppose to be completed every day for the past week. Get it over with already.

Kevin Nolan is set to complete his �4.5m move from Bolton to Newcastle on Friday. (The Sun)

A former Sam Allardyce favorite who was never able to win over current Bolton boss Gary Megson.

Manchester City will make one last bid for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and may offer Micah Richards as part of the deal. (Daily Mirror)

It would take Arsenal all of two seconds to say yes regarding any deal between Richards for Toure.

Chelsea and Manchester City have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. (The Times)

Tevez is not going to rock the boat regarding his future with Manchester United right now. Come the summer however he�ll shop himself around to the highest bidder.

Fulham are looking at Derby midfielder Giles Barnes as Jimmy Bullard�s replacement. (Daily Mirror)

Score two goals against Manchester United in the Carling cup and teams are bound to notice.

Bolton are resigned to missing out on Sporting Lisbon defender Miguel Veloso. (Daily Telegraph)

Shocking

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been warned the club face �financial armageddon� if they fail to qualify for next season�s Champions League. (Daily Mirror)

How much longer before Arsenal become a mid table team year in and year out? It was only less than five years ago the Invincibles went an entire season undefeated. That team seems so far removed when looking at Arsenal now.

Hugh Jass

Jan 30th, 2009, 06:23 AM

Chelsea and Manchester City have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. (The Times)

Tevez is not going to rock the boat regarding his future with Manchester United right now. Come the summer however he�ll shop himself around to the highest bidder.

Can someone refresh my memory on Tevez, does he belong to Utd or was that just a loan deal?

sinnacle

Jan 30th, 2009, 06:41 AM

Can someone refresh my memory on Tevez, does he belong to Utd or was that just a loan deal?

Loan deal which expires in the summer.

fugazi11

Jan 30th, 2009, 08:59 AM

[B]Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been warned the club face �financial armageddon� if they fail to qualify for next season�s Champions League. (Daily Mirror)

How much longer before Arsenal become a mid table team year in and year out? It was only less than five years ago the Invincibles went an entire season undefeated. That team seems so far removed when looking at Arsenal now.

This has been the most difficult and frustrating year being an Arsenal fan. Every week it feels like I am receiving another blow. No Champions League would mean the flood gates are wide open with players exiting.

Hugh Jass

Jan 30th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Loan deal which expires in the summer.

Thanks.

Any Utd fans think you should try and hang onto him?

I think he's a great player and a real asset to have at any club.

flexwong

Jan 30th, 2009, 11:01 AM

Thanks.

Any Utd fans think you should try and hang onto him?

I think he's a great player and a real asset to have at any club.

love tevez. he's an excellent player and we should definitely hold onto him. the fans who called for him to be sold would probably have had to kick themselves in the balls when rooney went down.

sweeper

Jan 30th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Is it because Manchester UTD don't want to pay MSI (Media Sports Investment), the shady outfit that owns Tevez's rights? (The same outfit that got Corinthians of Brasil relegated, almost relegated West Ham [and is still causing them grief over the Tevez/Mascherano affair])

sinnacle

Jan 31st, 2009, 06:53 AM

Russia striker Andrei Arshavin is flying to London from Dubai to wrap up a move to Arsenal. (Sky Sports News 0700)

With Arsenal�s form of late too bad Arshavin couldn�t of played today since of hopefully having this deal wrapped up.

Tottenham will step up their quest for a new striker after losing Jermain Defoe for at least three weeks with a foot injury. (Sky Sports News 0600)

Pretty much sums up Tottenham�s season. One step forward two steps back.

Manchester City have held talks in London that could secure the services of Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, Newcastle keeper Shay Given and Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. (Daily Mail)

The transfer deadline is Monday, you�d hope they would still be talking. Not much time left for Manchester City to make all this �big team� moves.

Striker El-Hadji Diouf was sold by Sunderland to Blackburn because of a dramatic dressing-room bust-up with team-mate Anton Ferdinand. (Various)

All the people you�d want to pick a fight with why choose Anton Ferdinand? Rio little brother only refers to age. That is a big guy.

Everton have made an attempt to seal the loan signing of Tottenham�s Darren Bent to ease their striker crisis. (Daily Mirror)

Bent is not in the doghouse that much for Tottenham to send him out on loan.

Tottenham have already sold Giovani Dos Santos to Portsmouth for �7m after the Mexican midfielder failed to impress at White Hart Lane. (Sun)

Would be a great move for Portsmouth and for once Dos Santos. He�ll get his career back on track at Portsmouth and much like Lassana Diarra it wouldn't be too long before a big team comes calling.

Alternatively, Megson has increased his bid for Sporting Lisbon�s Portugal midfielder Miguel Veloso to �14m. (Guardian)

Money is right, team is not. A player linked with the likes of A.C Milan and Manchester United would have to be foolish signing for Bolton.

Fulham are confident of completing the loan signing of Derby midfielder Giles Barnes. (Guardian)

A younger and possibly better long term answer to the departed Jimmy Bullard.

Manchester City have failed with their most audicious bid of the transfer window - luring Chelsea captain John Terry. (Times)

Audicious? Really? Like that whole Kaka mess was a pretty standard transfer for Manchester City.

Nicolas Anelka has embarrassed his boss Phil Scolari by insisting Sir Alex Ferguson is the big difference between Chelsea and Manchester United. (Sun)

Chelsea shouldn�t let Anelka near a microphone.

flexwong

Jan 31st, 2009, 11:08 AM

Manchester City have failed with their most audicious bid of the transfer window - luring Chelsea captain John Terry. (Times)

Audicious? Really? Like that whole Kaka mess was a pretty standard transfer for Manchester City.

Nicolas Anelka has embarrassed his boss Phil Scolari by insisting Sir Alex Ferguson is the big difference between Chelsea and Manchester United. (Sun)

Chelsea shouldn�t let Anelka near a microphone.

rofl, manchester city are scum.

and anelka speaks the truth. scolari is a pretty decent manager, he's got a lot of awards but they're all at the international level. managing at club level is a totally different story.

Hugh Jass

Jan 31st, 2009, 12:16 PM

rofl, manchester city are scum.

Have you lived in England? Manchester? How can you say these people are scum?

wesleyw

Jan 31st, 2009, 01:27 PM

Have you lived in England? Manchester? How can you say these people are scum?

Pretty sure he's referring to the team and not the actual city.

sweeper

Jan 31st, 2009, 01:34 PM

Manchester City officials have been acting rather ridiculously lately. The Kaka fiasco, the Palacios transfer, etc. etc.

Hugh Jass

Jan 31st, 2009, 02:29 PM

Pretty sure he's referring to the team and not the actual city.

I know that. I simply asked a question so I can see where he's coming from.

Hugh Jass

Jan 31st, 2009, 02:33 PM

Manchester City officials have been acting rather ridiculously lately. The Kaka fiasco, the Palacios transfer, etc. etc.

I quite agree. They're trying to throw their cash around.

flexwong

Jan 31st, 2009, 06:24 PM

I know that. I simply asked a question so I can see where he's coming from.

the team are scum. city are such a MASSIVE club.

sweeper

Jan 31st, 2009, 08:17 PM

the team are scum. city are such a MASSIVE club.

City are a big club. They've just been hopelessly mismanaged for decades.

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 10:22 AM

City are a big club. They've just been hopelessly mismanaged for decades.

You didn't answer my question.

pavelbure10

Feb 1st, 2009, 12:51 PM

Tooorrrrrresssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

Feb 1st, 2009, 12:55 PM

Tooorrrrrresssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a man crush on Torres! can i say that on an anonymous internet forum

sweeper

Feb 1st, 2009, 01:01 PM

You didn't answer my question.

I'm not flexwong :rolleyes:

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM

I'm not flexwong :rolleyes:

lol, yeah, clicked on the wrong 'quote' button. Sorry.

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM

I'm not flexwong :rolleyes:

Are you taking Robbie back?

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 01:10 PM

I have a man crush on Torres! can i say that on an anonymous internet forum

:D

I thought Benayoun was great when he came on. I find he`s better in that role, coz he seems to drift out of games when he starts.

Kuyt was terrible today. Made a mess of a few key moves with bad crosses and just bad decisions. Keane would`ve at least got some of them right ;)

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 01:11 PM

Terrible sending off btw.

sweeper

Feb 1st, 2009, 02:43 PM

Are you taking Robbie back?

Spurs fans are really divided on Keano.

Half of us believe that he was a great player for us who did his part and moved on. And half of us believe that he jumped ship way too fast to join his "boyhood" club as soon as they came calling.

Since it seems like Keane isnt really a part of Rafa's plans anymore, and Tottenham in need of strikers (Defoe injured, Bent is so/so), Keane coming back to Tottenham is starting to look more and more likely. Interesting to see the reception at White Hart Lane, Defoe got a warm reception but he had to leave since Juande Ramos hated him (probably because of his ******** hair cuts)

sweeper

Feb 1st, 2009, 02:45 PM

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tXbztuJuPXs&feature=channel_page

How is this not a red card ?

Hugh Jass

Feb 1st, 2009, 04:02 PM

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tXbztuJuPXs&feature=channel_page

How is this not a red card ?

I know. The linesman was right there too.

Gerrards yellow for diving was a classic. He totally deserved it. The game doesn't need divers.

gunners1

Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:27 AM

something is going on between the refs favouring liverpool, or just gettin way to lucky, this isnt a one or two time thing now, its disgusting, they dont deserve all the points they have:

everton: red card for cahill
wigan :red card for valencia and then 3-2 to them in the last minute.
man city:red card for garrido and then 3-2 in the last minute.
man united:red card for vidic and then 2-1 in the last minute.
arsenal:red card for ade.
chelsea:red card for lampard.

sinnacle

Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:52 AM

- Unless Scolari can somehow take Chelsea deep into the Champions League I just don�t see him coaching Chelsea this time next year. It�s clear watching him on the sidelines that he isn�t fond of many players in his starting 11 from week to week. On the flip side it also appears many Chelsea players are turning Scolari off. When it comes to replacing a multitude of players or the coach, it�s usually the coach who takes the fall.

- It didn�t help Chelsea chances when Frank Lampard get sent off after a questionable tackle. Could of it been a foul? Sure it could. Could of been a yellow card? Maybe, but given Lampard relatively clean history plus he got to the ball a red card seemed alittle harsh.

- Even with 11 men Chelsea never looked like they were going to break Liverpool down. Chelsea are quickly becoming a team with no flow out there. Just 11 different individuals out there.

- Nice dive Steven Gerrard trying to pick up another cheap penalty.

- How Jose Bosingwa karate kick late in the game goes unpunished is beyond me.

- Was that Steve Yzerman sitting next to George Gillett yesterday? I think it was. Good to have friends in high places.

- Not that I may agree but teams have a right to question double standards when it comes to refereeing. Rory Delap deserved a straight red for his kick to Shuan Wright Phillips gut but how could the referee miss Phillips kicking back towards Delap? At the very least that should be a yellow. David Beckham got sent off for less in the 1998 World Cup.

- What a sad defeat for Manchester City. Stoke City down a man basically man handled them for 90 minutes and Manchester City couldn�t come up with an answer.

- Welcome back to the EPL James Beattie. Two goals in three appearances is not a bad way to enduring yourself to the fans. A high degree of difficulty with his goal as he had to adjust his body then sling a header into the bottom corner.

- How much pressure to do think Arsenal is under to get Andrei Arshavin signed by tomorrow�s transfer dealine? Yes, Arsenal are without key players Cesc F�bregas, Tom� Rosick� and Eduardo but every club at the top of the table has had to deal with injuries. There was a time no so long ago where Arsenal couldn�t of cared less what Aston Villa did but now Arsenal finds themselves looking up to Villa in the standings.

- Won�t be one for Aston Villa�s end of year highlite DVD but still no shame spiting points with an in form Wigan side.

- From bad to worse if you're Tottenham. First you lose Jermaine Defoe for three weeks, then lose to Bolton on a late Kevin Davies winner. Now comes word Tottenham may lose points for fielding Wilson Palacios illegally as he was under suspension from his Wigan days.

- Good news for Portsmouth, David Nugent is scoring for Portsmouth. Bad news for Portsmouth, everything else as they go down 3-1 to Fulham.

- They can�t all be 5-0 thrillers but Manchester United still got the job down against an Everton side who are always a tough squad to breakthrough.

- Yes I know he scored from the spot but Ronaldo is now sitting second in goals this year. Nicolas Anelka with 14 goals is standing between Ronaldo and another EPL scoring title.

- Get ready for a crazy day of transfer rumours with the window closing today. Does Robbie Keane leave Liverpool? Will Manchester City and Chelsea swap one headache for another in the form of Robinho and Drogba (doubtful). Which team will over spend and end up regretting it a year later?

maebach

Feb 2nd, 2009, 10:09 AM

Micah Richards to Villa?

RIP Paul Birch

polak4life

Feb 2nd, 2009, 01:30 PM

We NEED arshavin, if Arsenal does not pick him up by by the end of the day i will be really disappointed. With Walcott, Rosicky, Eduardo all looking like they are getting back to form it would be great to see Arshavin join the midfield.

Having, Nasri, Rosicky, Fabregas, Walcott on in Mid, i cant wait to see the creativity from those guys

sweeper

Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:51 PM

Welcome back Keano...

Harry Redknapp seems to be planning a giant Spurs reunion. What's next, Berbatov back to WHL? We got Keane back, Chimbonda :| back, Defoe back, who next.

Hugh Jass

Feb 2nd, 2009, 06:21 PM

Welcome back Keano...

Harry Redknapp seems to be planning a giant Spurs reunion. What's next, Berbatov back to WHL? We got Keane back, Chimbonda :| back, Defoe back, who next.

Hoddle :)

Feb 2nd, 2009, 08:18 PM

Welcome back Keano...

Harry Redknapp seems to be planning a giant Spurs reunion. What's next, Berbatov back to WHL? We got Keane back, Chimbonda :| back, Defoe back, who next.

ossie ardiles

sinnacle

Feb 3rd, 2009, 05:36 AM

With no transfer news to speak of what so ever below is a recap taken from my site.

- Somewhere in London Arsenal and Arshavin�s agent are still trying to hammer out an agreement. I�m sure Arshavin is looking for 90k a week where as Arsenal counters with 50k a week. Then Arsenal improves there offer to 51k a week and so the process drags on. Neither side is looking good over the way this transfer has been handled.

- Robbie Keane just wasn�t a fit for Liverpool 4-5-1 style of play. In life it�s best sometimes to just cut your losses and move on. Rafa Benitez better hope Fernando Torres stays fit for the entire season now that Keane has gone back to Tottenham.

- Speaking of Tottenham despite him leaving I can�t see the fans booing Keane for very long. He always did the job there and didn�t publicly moan once it became clear his childhood club became interested. It�s still a panic buy on Tottenham�s part but one they had to make.

- On the subject of panic we have Chelsea. Considering Roman Abramovich wallet is closed picking up Quaresma on loan is about the best they can do. With Joe Cole out for the year if Quaresma can find some of his old Porto form he�d make a better option than Florent Malouda.

- Just don�t read much into the great partnership Quaresma has with Scolari. This was the same Scolari who left Quaresma out of the 2006 World Cup squad and was his 4th choice wide midfield players behind Ronaldo, Simao, and Nani when Big Phil was coaching Portugal.

- Good move by Everton rolling the dice on Jo who clearly didn�t endure himself to Mark Hughes.

- Speaking of Manchester City who despite huffing and puffing didn�t blow anyone over with there transfer dealings. A cynic may say City kept there wallet closed cause they don�t believe Mark Hughes is the man to take them forward and will let a new coach spend come the summer.

Below is a recap of yesterday�s moves.

Angelos Basinas [AEK Athens - Portsmouth] Undisclosed
Henri Camara [Wigan - Stoke] Loan
Michael Chopra [Sunderland - Cardiff] Loan
Olivier Dacourt [Inter Milan - Fulham] Loan
Calum Davenport [West Ham - Sunderland] Loan
Jo [Manchester City - Everton] Loan
Robbie Keane [Liverpool - Tottenham] �12m
Juan Carlos Menseguez [San Lorenzo - West Brom] Loan
Youssouf Mulumbu [Paris St Germain - West Brom] Loan
Charles N�Zogbia [Newcastle - Wigan] Undisclosed
Ricardo Quaresma [Inter Milan - Chelsea] Loan
Ryan Taylor [Wigan - Newcastle] Undisclosed

sinnacle

Feb 4th, 2009, 04:45 AM

With the transfer window closing look for this space to be quiet for the next couple of days at least.

Manchester United have failed to take up the first option to buy striker Carlos Tevez. (Daily Star)

If Manchester United wanted to sign Tevez they would of done so by now. Once they signed Dimitar Berbatov it sent a clear message that United were not interested in signing Tevez under the current loan agreement. If Media Sports Investments who control Tevez�s rights lower his asking price then Manchester Unite might reconsider.

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho made a late bid to bring Chelsea forward Didier Drogba to the club as part of the deal that took Ricardo Quaresma to Stamford Bridge on loan. (Daily Mirror)

You know Quaresma must of annoyed Mourinho with his willingness to loan him out to Chelsea. The Drogba rumours much like the Lampard rumours over the summer will be a daily thing until the player�s future is decided one way or another.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has urged striker Roque Santa Cruz to earn a summer move by saving Rovers from relegation. (Daily Star)

Allardyce will regret not cashing in on Santa Cruz who clearly wants to move on. Doubt Blackburn will get many offers worth 18.5 million over the summer.

Manchester City also missed out on a loan bid for Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski - as did Portsmouth. (Daily Mail)

Podolski is going back to FC Koln this summer. If Bayern wanted to get rid of him they would of let him go now instead of waiting until the summer for the transfer to become official.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is being nicknamed �Ronopoly� in reference to the board game Monopoly after buying a hotel in Portugal. Ronaldo already owns four houses across the world, including a �4m mansion in Cheshire. (The Sun)

Beats reading about news linking Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

sinnacle

Feb 6th, 2009, 04:09 AM

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams says he will not quit the club, despite facing a barrage of criticism from fans after the 3-1 defeat by Fulham. (Various)

Another loss or two by Portsmouth and Tony Adams may not have a choice when it comes to leaving Portsmouth.

However, former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has been lined up to replace Adams, with ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant also in the frame. (Daily Express)

You could make the case that Curbishley should of been hired all along. When you need a manager to finish comfortably mid table year after year Alan Curbishley is your guy with his stints at Charlton and West Ham. Grant will always be linked due to being Harry Redknapp’s assistant two years ago but it’s unlikely he’ll decide to start his coaching career again with Portsmouth.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has lifted the lid on the power struggle at Anfield and admitted the club’s American owners and manager Rafael Benitez are involved in a “tug of war”. (The Sun)

I’ve often repeated Rafael Benitez is a smart man. He plays the politics game well. When Liverpool where going well not a sound was spoken regarding Hicks and Gillett. Now that they are losing let’s start name dropping Hicks and Gillett since it must be their fault.

Wigan signing Charles N’Zogbia has hit out at former club Newcastle and believes they should sack manager Joe Kinnear as they need someone who can control the club properly. (Various)

No matter the coach, Newcastle is in a better spot without N’Zogbia who clearly wore out his welcome.

England manager Fabio Capello has hinted that he will hand midfielder David Beckham the chance to equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 caps in the friendly against Spain. (Various)

David Beckham or David Bentley for England? Not exactly a tough call there.

Hugh Jass

Feb 6th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has lifted the lid on the power struggle at Anfield and admitted the club’s American owners and manager Rafael Benitez are involved in a “tug of war”. (The Sun)

Hardly news. But XA shouldn't really come out and say it, unless Rafa told him too ;)

sinnacle

Feb 7th, 2009, 11:58 AM

Nicolas Anelka has delivered a scathing assessment of Chelsea�s title chances, saying his team are not good enough to overcome the Premier League�s big guns. (Various)

Anelka is right but he is still dumb to say such a thing out loud. Considering Avram Grant played Anelka out of position last year, I don�t see why he has taken these digs lately against Scolari who has played him week in and week out.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has warned young English footballers that they are in danger of being squeezed out of the game unless they match the hunger shown by African players. (Times)

Aren�t young English players already been squeezed out of the game?

Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis has begged Portsmouth not to sack manager Tony Adams. (Sun)

And Adams is ignoring newspaper speculation surrounding his future and insists he has no indication Pompey want to fire him. (Daily Telegraph)

When a coach has to answer questions about his future every day it clearly means the club is thinking about sacking him.

Keane, who has returned to Tottenham, says he would give away his medal if Liverpool won the Premier League. (Sun)

Don�t think Keane has to worry too much regarding what to do with that medal.

Danish defender Daniel Agger has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract worth around �70,000 a week. (Sun)

Agger is a good player but 70k a week is pretty rich for a 3rd central defender.

Hugh Jass

Feb 7th, 2009, 02:28 PM

Phew.

Never thought I'd say it but I was glad when Kuyt came on :D

pavelbure10

Feb 7th, 2009, 08:51 PM

once again TORRRRESSSSSSS, both game winner goals (chelsea, and portsmouth) identical goals

flexwong

Feb 7th, 2009, 11:04 PM

rey1867

Feb 8th, 2009, 12:55 AM

loving aston villa's rise to the top. ideally, the table will finish as follow:

1. Manchester United
2. Aston Villa
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool

but im being ridiculous, that won't happen. chances are arsenal will miss a champions league spot and liverpool will finish 2-3. chelsea will finish 4th and the gene hackman will be fired.

Chelsea's finishing 5th.... book it

no way are the gunners not finishing in the top 4

pavelbure10

Feb 8th, 2009, 01:30 AM

loving aston villa's rise to the top. ideally, the table will finish as follow:

1. Manchester United
2. Aston Villa
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool

but im being ridiculous, that won't happen. chances are arsenal will miss a champions league spot and liverpool will finish 2-3. chelsea will finish 4th and the gene hackman will be fired.

lol nice ideal standings, mine would look something like this:
1.Liverpool
2.Aston Villa
3.Chelsea
4.Arsenal
............
............
20.Manchester United

si18

Feb 8th, 2009, 01:51 AM

+1 ...

lol nice ideal standings, mine would look something like this:
1.liverpool
2.aston villa
3.chelsea
4.arsenal
............
............
20.manchester united

Hugh Jass

Feb 8th, 2009, 09:43 AM

loving aston villa's rise to the top. ideally, the table will finish as follow:

1. Manchester United
2. Aston Villa
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool

Blackburn were the better side yesterday in the first half. Villa got one against the run of play which knocked the stuffing out of Blackburn. Arse have fallen a bit behind, so maybe Villa can stay in the top 4.

I think table will finish like this:

1. Man Ure
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Villa

wesleyw

Feb 8th, 2009, 12:59 PM

United back to the top of the table...and what a goal by Giggs. While Arsenal continues their struggles drawing 0-0 with Tottenham.

evanx

Feb 8th, 2009, 01:15 PM

I think table will finish like this:

1. Man Ure
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Villa

That looks about right

sinnacle

Feb 9th, 2009, 05:08 AM

- For 12 million you�d think Alfonso Alves can find the back of the net against Manchester City. Four clear chances were nicely stopped by Shay Given making his Manchester City debut. Some credit should go to Given but still a top level striker needs to slot one of those chances home.

- Look foolish in picking Middlesbrough as my surprise team this season. They have surprised me alright but not as the team who could finish in the top half of the table.

- Mark Hughes is lucky Manchester City won this weekend. After Jo�s two goals for Everton the press would of been all over Hughes for not getting anything out of Jo when David Moyes can.

- First Arsenal, now Chelsea. Can Aston Villa now leap frog Liverpool for second spot after another win on the road against Blackburn?

- Speaking of Chelsea, yes Chelsea got jobbed on a hand ball in the box that wasn�t called but there was nothing in their display against Hull where one could say they deserved the full three points.

- Don�t really know how Scolari will turn this mess around. With Brazil and Portugal he can invoke national pride and build this family atmosphere where his players are altogether taking on the world. Even with a Brazilian clubs like Gr�mio and Palmeiras this bonding works since enough players at the club would of grown up cheering for the club. At Chelsea this style does not work. You�d be hard pressed to find five people from the top down who grew up cheering for Chelsea as a kid. These players are professionals, they play for Chelsea because of the money and their standing in world football. It�s highly unlike these players go out to a pub with each other after the game. The relationship with each other ends after the final whistle.

- I see Arsene Wenger played the blame the ref card after Sunday�s match against Tottenham. It�s a nice deflection and all but he really should be furious with Emmanuel Ebou� for just being dumb. On a yellow card why in the world are you kicking out like that? With Eboue contact running out this summer Arsenal may be best served just letting him go.

- Not the biggest fan of Manuel Almunia but his save in the dying moments against Luka Modric was a key moment if Arsenal are to sneak into a Champions League spot.

- Get better Joe Kinnear, who after Newcastle�s 3-2 win against West Brom should be feeling better this morning after being admitted to hospital for high blood pressure.

- Not a game to remember but Ryan Giggs turned back the clock and was the difference between Manchester United and a West Ham team who have always given United trouble through the years.

- By the time this is posted Tony Adams should be out of a job. What a way to lose a job is all I can think of. Being up twice only to lose in the final moments against Liverpool is a tough way to lose a job. What in the world is Peter Crouch doing passing the ball back like that to set up the first goal. Dirk Kuyt should not be scoring on the short side even if his shot was a rocket. Finally why in the world is Fernando Torres given that much space for the 3rd goal. He is only the best striker in England for crying out loud. Why he is getting a free header late in the game?

- You dodged that bullet there Rafa as you would of been questioned from here to next week about your team selection heading into the Portsmouth match.

- For a player who wants to play week in and week out, you gotta finish your chances Ryan Babel. Let�s be honest Captain Dan from Forrest Gump would of found a way to score in the same spot Babel missed with a wide open net.

- Jos� Bosingwa sure looks a lot like Bert from sesame street. (Pic on site, too lazy to link it.)

sinnacle

Feb 9th, 2009, 05:09 AM

That looks about right

Welcome to the thread as I believe the above was your first post.

Hugh Jass

Feb 9th, 2009, 06:20 AM

-

- By the time this is posted Tony Adams should be out of a job. What a way to lose a job is all I can think of.

Yep. Poor guy. You'd have thought after a decent performance like that, the team would get some confidence to build on. They lost coz of some childish mistakes.

- For a player who wants to play week in and week out, you gotta finish your chances Ryan Babel. Let�s be honest Captain Dan from Forrest Gump would of found a way to score in the same spot Babel missed with a wide open net.

I agree. If Robbie Keane missed a sitter like that, he'd be benched for a month. Kuyt said afterward that it was the pitch that made the ball bounce up. I couldn't see anything in the replays, just thought he misjudged the speed of the ball.

fugazi11

Feb 9th, 2009, 08:46 AM

-
- I see Arsene Wenger played the blame the ref card after Sunday�s match against Tottenham. It�s a nice deflection and all but he really should be furious with Emmanuel Ebou� for just being dumb. On a yellow card why in the world are you kicking out like that? With Eboue contact running out this summer Arsenal may be best served just letting him go.

I understand what Arsene was trying to do, but I think he too (as have all arsenal fans) hit the wall with Eboue inconsistency. Arshavin should be fit shortly and can fill the gap on the right side. I will be very pleased never to see Eboue in an Arsenal jersey again.

sinnacle

Feb 9th, 2009, 09:47 AM

I understand what Arsene was trying to do, but I think he too (as have all arsenal fans) hit the wall with Eboue inconsistency. Arshavin should be fit shortly and can fill the gap on the right side. I will be very pleased never to see Eboue in an Arsenal jersey again.

Good points. I remember Eboue driving me mad last year when Wenger kept starting him instead of Walcott. Granted Eboue work rate is high but that only takes you so far. He is just so un-Arsenal like. His touch is poorish and his decision making is lacking to say the least.

maebach

Feb 9th, 2009, 10:07 AM

sinnacle

Feb 9th, 2009, 11:42 AM

The ax has fallen on Scolari who got fired today from Chelsea.

flexwong

Feb 9th, 2009, 11:51 AM

I will be realistic and say that the chances of Villa winning the league is very unlikely. Im hoping for a 4th spot finish and some silverware either from the FA Cup or UEFA Cup. I believe we can beat Everton at Goodison but CSKA Moscow Im afraid of.

well, i don't think villa can win the league but a top 4 finish for you guys would be a great accomplishment already.

The ax has fallen on Scolari who got fired today from Chelsea.

and avram grant and gus hiddink are the rumoured replacements. this could become a yearly habit.

wesleyw

Feb 9th, 2009, 12:23 PM

well, i don't think villa can win the league but a top 4 finish for you guys would have a great accomplishment already.

+1. This is a great accomplishment for Villa to break the "top 4" and get themselves a Champions League berth.

nsx

Feb 9th, 2009, 02:00 PM

The ax has fallen on Scolari who got fired today from Chelsea.

Poor Sparky.

"Mansour" City will hire Big Phil to keep Robinho happy.

Big Phil out, Hiddink in @ Chelski. ;)

pavelbure10

Feb 9th, 2009, 04:02 PM

the gene hackman is out

sinnacle

Feb 10th, 2009, 04:47 AM

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti to replace the axed Luiz Felipe Scolari. The Italian has an agreement to leave the San Siro Stadium at the end of the season. (The Sun)

"Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich" tried to talk Ancelotti into the Chelsea job last summer. Carlo Ancelotti didn�t bite then nor do I see him jumping ship mid season to manage Chelsea now.

Roberto Mancini and Frank Rijkaard head the managerial shortlist as Chelsea only want an experienced coach currently out of work, allowing them to take over immediately. (Daily Telegraph, Times)

Roberto Mancini down fall with Inter Milan was the same as Avram Grant at Chelsea. Both failed to win the Champions League. Despite that little fact Mancini is a fine coach in his own right. Remember saying last summer Rijkaard was the man Chelsea should of looked to all long. His Barcelona teams played �beautiful football� while winning titles in Spain and more importantly the Champions League. Also up until the bitter end Rijkaard did a masterful job managing the massive egos that comes with coaching a club like Barcelona.

Scolari�s agent says Chelsea�s failure to sign Robinho contributed to his downfall. �He wanted Robinho but Chelsea didn�t want to spend the money,� said Acaz Felleger. (Daily Mail)

It didn�t help, that much is certain. Also losing Steve Clarke was a factor. Finally selling Wayne Bridge for 11 million pounds and not being able to spend it on another player all sealed Scolari�s faith.

Portsmouth are lining up former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to replace Tony Adams at Fratton Park. (Various)

Even with his shaky standing as the Mexican national team coach it�s doubtful Sven will want to save Portsmouth from the mess they're currently in.

Ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant and Alan Curbishley, the bookmakers� favourites, do not figure prominently in Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak�s thoughts. (Daily Telegraph)

Grant is another case of a manager unlikely to be interested. Curbishley would be good in this spot. During his time at Charlton were always comfortably mid table. Looking how far Charlton has fallen since he has left? Currently they are last in the Championship with a one way ticket to the third tier of English football. Plus he somehow managed to keep West Ham up in 2007. Then again he also had Carlos Tevez to call upon back then.

Liverpool striker Andrey Voronin, currently on loan at Hertha Berlin, says he would go back to Anfield to ease the striker crisis after the departure of Robbie Keane. (Various)

Don�t think many Liverpool fans are going �If we have Andrey Voronin we�d be top of the table.� Out of sight, largely out of mind.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is backing keeper Paul Robinson to become England�s number one once again, despite missing out on Fabio Capello�s squad to face Spain. (Express)

Despite Paul Robinson�s miss against Croatia which clouds things, he wasn�t really that bad of a number one for England.

Steven Gerrard�s wife Alex says the credit crunch has put a stop to extravagant spending by WAGs. (The Sun)

A rise in legal fees thanks for Gerrard�s recent arrest doesn�t help matters either. (Hey sorry the joke was there)

sinnacle

Feb 11th, 2009, 04:35 AM

Guus Hiddink could earn up to �2.5m for a four-month stint as Chelsea’s caretaker manager. (Various)

Other estimates suggest the Dutchman could pocket as much as �4m and he is expected to fly to England on Saturday to watch his new team in their FA Cup tie at Watford. (Daily Express)

Hiddink has agreed to manage Chelsea and Russia until the end of the season following Luiz Felipe Scolari’s dismissal as Blues boss. (Various)

Hiddink is just about the best Chelsea could do as a short term replacement. Long term however, here we have Hiddink who has bounced around from team to team pretty much his entire coaching career and renowned as an excellent national team coach. Hmmm where have I heard that one before?

Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon could be the next man to leave Stamford Bridge after he expressed a desire to see Scolari given more time. (Daily Mail)

Don’t think many Manchester United fans would be sad to see Peter Kenyon go, who in his defense has done a pretty good job at Chelsea.

Senior Chelsea players, including goalkeeper Petr Cech, midfielder Michael Ballack and striker Didier Drogba, met Abramovich before the 0-0 draw with Hull as the owner prepared to sack his club’s manager. (Daily Star)

Doesn’t shock me at all to see hear about players who wanted Scolari gone. In fact I’m shocked its only been three players thus far.

Pompey’s former technical director Avram Grant is set to be named the club’s new manager - unless Eriksson is sacked by Mexico this week. (Daily Star)

I’d be shocked if Grant would be foolish enough to coach Portsmouth. His hands will largely be tied once any club comes along with enough cash for his players.

Manchester City fear they will lose striker Daniel Sturridge at the end of the season because of the 19-year-old’s huge wage demands. (Daily Mirror)

When you play for a team who is willing to pay 100 million for a player it’s only natural you are going to ask for the moon come contact time. Besides if Manchester City doesn’t give Sturridge what he wants another club will come close enough to convince Sturridge into jump ship.

Joe Kinnear’s future as Newcastle manager is in doubt after doctors told him he needs an emergency heart bypass operation. (The Sun)

Sadly news to hear if Kinnear has to step down. His Joe Pesci type rant his first day on the job was one of my highlights this season.

maebach

Feb 11th, 2009, 10:31 AM

I thought they would have considered Bernd Schuster. He did very well at Madrid last year

flexwong

Feb 11th, 2009, 10:38 AM

I thought they would have considered Bernd Schuster. He did very well at Madrid last year

not a big enough name.

sweeper

Feb 11th, 2009, 01:30 PM

:lol:

Scolari was never going to continue as Manager if he kept losing to the "Big Four" clubs. Lost to Arsenal and Liverpool at home, even Avram Grant managed to do better against tough opposition at the Bridge. Not to mention the embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Manchester and the breakdown at Liverpool.

Hiddink @ Chelsea. Since winning the league is pretty much out of the question, a good run into the Champions League could be possible. He's done it at PSV in 2005 where they made it to the Semi-Finals against AC Milan only to suffer heartbreak at the last minute.

sinnacle

Feb 12th, 2009, 04:32 AM

Defender Daniel Agger has threatened to quit Liverpool unless he is handed a regular starting place. (The Sun)

Daniel Agger appears to be another player who just isn�t Rafa�s cup of a tea. It wouldn�t shock me if Liverpool pull an John Arne Riise and sell Agger to fund other moves.

Midfielder Niko Kranjcar has revealed he wants to quit Portsmouth to join a bigger club. (Daily Mirror)

Was only a matter of time before Kranjcar expressed an interest in joining the ever growing list of players who want out at Portsmouth.

Liverpool are trying to sign Barcelona�s teenage winger Gerard Deulofeu, who is only 14. (Daily Mirror)

Does Deulofeu have a younger brother who Arsenal can sign? Things must be calming down when rumors of some 14 year old are popping up.

Everton manager David Moyes will attempt to keep on-loan Manchester City striker Jo at Goodison Park permanently. (The Sun)

Easy now, Jo has only played one game for Everton. Yes, he scored two goals but a career that does not make.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has described former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari as the �weakest link�. (Daily Star)

So says the 32 year old midfielder who has always been the bridesmaid and rarely the bride over his career.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who parted company with Manchester City in June 2008 and is now coach of Mexico, has hinted that he may be open to a return to the Premier League, with Portsmouth keen on the Swede. (Daily Mirror)

Sven-Goren Eriksson may be available for work in England and any place else after Mexico�s dreadful performance last night. Sven may be on borrowed time in charge of Mexico.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he would give up winning every domestic trophy this season to clinch further Champions League glory. (The Sun)

One can make that claim when you have won 10 EPL titles but �only� (still impressive just winning one) Champions League title.

Hugh Jass

Feb 12th, 2009, 06:21 AM

Defender Daniel Agger has threatened to quit Liverpool unless he is handed a regular starting place. (The S*n)

Daniel Agger appears to be another player who just isn�t Rafa�s cup of a tea. It wouldn�t shock me if Liverpool pull an John Arne Riise and sell Agger to fund other moves.

Very sad. Agger`s a great player. Wouldn`t like to see him go.

Feb 12th, 2009, 07:13 AM

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he would give up winning every domestic trophy this season to clinch further Champions League glory. (The Sun)

One can make that claim when you have won 10 EPL titles but �only� (still impressive just winning one) Champions League title.

much as I hate to say it - Taggart has actually won 2 CL's 1999 and last year

sinnacle

Feb 12th, 2009, 09:35 AM

much as I hate to say it - Taggart has actually won 2 CL's 1999 and last year

Sorry awful wording on my part....I know he has won two just trying to make the point that even winning one was impressive.

sinnacle

Feb 13th, 2009, 04:47 AM

Hughes has told midfielder Elano that he can still have a big future at Manchester City but warned the Brazilian he must get used to the idea of not starting every week at Eastlands. (The Sun)

Mark Hughes wins the award for talking out of both sides of his mouth. How can a player have a bright future yet not play week after week? Do you think Hughes tells Robinho “Hey every couple of games I’m going to bench you so I can play Michael Johnson?”

Former Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet could be asked to perform a short-term firefighting role as Newcastle United manager. (Guardian)

Poyet is out of a job plus he was Dennis Wise number two at Millwall = Coaching rumour as Wise is still supposedly in charge of day to day affairs at Newcastle.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray will sort out the future of unsettled defender Marek Cech during the close season. (Daily Express)

Very little to sort out. Cech didn’t play much at Porto last year, playing even less at West Brom this year. Usually that signals an exit.

Sacked Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has said there were no special players in his Chelsea side. (Various)

You can make the claim that only Frank Lampard played up to his usually standards under Scolari. You could also lay some of the blame on Scolari himself for that fact.

Tottenham striker Darren Bent has said he will leave the club if he does not become a regular starter. (The Sun)

With Tottenham still in a regulation battle I don’t think Darren Bent’s happiness is high on the list of Harry Redknapp’s concerns.

CheapAssGuy

Feb 14th, 2009, 11:19 AM

http://i41.tinypic.com/2ah73gg.gif

:-0

NDman

Feb 14th, 2009, 11:58 AM

What is the latest update from the bookies on whether Hughes will be the next manager to be sacked? Yikes. 0-2 to the Pompey

Hugh Jass

Feb 14th, 2009, 01:22 PM

What is the latest update from the bookies on whether Hughes will be the next manager to be sacked? Yikes. 0-2 to the Pompey

He'll be very lucky to get to the end of this season. No way will he be in charge for next season. Can't find odds on it anywhere though.

sinnacle

Feb 16th, 2009, 04:16 AM

Arsenal�s Nicklas Bendtner does not believe Andrei Arshavin�s arrival will dislodge him as the club�s top striker. The Dane said he never watched the �15m Russian in action during Euro 2008. (Daily Mirror)

Wait, does Bendtner actually believe he Arsenal�s top striker? Once Eduardo returns to full fitness he won�t even be the second best striker at Arsenal. Also, if Bendtner watched Arshavin at Euro 2008 maybe he�d be more worried about his fragile place in the current Arsenal set up.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes Stewart Downing does not want to leave the Riverside - despite handing in a transfer request in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

Stewart Downing = a left footed David Bentley. Sure Downing is talented but with only one goal this season and Middlesbrough near the bottom of the table, some team is going to over pay for Downing and regret it soon afterwards.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has taken a swipe at former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari by insisting he can play as a second striker alongside Didier Drogba. (Various)

They would only now start to play well together thanks for Scolari comments. When both did play together previously neither lifted a finger to help the other out. Ask Andriy Shevchenko how well Drogba played off him during his time in England.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to offer new contracts to his backroom staff, as well as sort out his own future at Anfield. (The Guardian)

Benitez has revealed his ambition to return to Spanish giants Real Madrid at some time in the future. (Daily Star)

I think it�s pretty clear that Hicks and Gillett are waiting for any misstep from Bentiez in order to give them enough ammo to fire him without causing a fan uproar.

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant says he wants to return to English football and would happily fill the vacant Portsmouth role. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth could be plunged into a �25m financial crisis with the club�s bankers ready to pull out of football. (Daily Mirror)

Are you really sure you wish to sign up for this Avram Grant?

maebach

Feb 16th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Im gutted to say the least over the game against everton. I'd rather lose to CSKA and be out of the UEFA than lose to Everton in the FA. We actually had a chance to win the FA. Im dissappointed but we were without our captain and assisstant captain as well as our starting right back.

sinnacle

Feb 17th, 2009, 04:32 AM

Aston Villa will make another �8m transfer bid for Manchester City defender Micah Richards in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Most likely will lead to the same answer. Considering Aston Villa paid 8 million for Curtis Davis two summers ago, Manchester City by the off chance they�d sell would want at least 10-12 million for Richards.

Juventus have joined Inter Milan in the chase for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger. (The Independent, Daily Mail)

Agger is stuck between a rock and a hard place at Liverpool. Agger is too good to be a 3rd central defender but he doesn�t have the physical presence Martin �krtel and will not displace local boy Jamie Carragher anytime soon.

Tottenham want to sign Serbian playmaker Darko Lazovic after the 18-year-old impressed on trial at White Hart Lane. (Daily Mail)

I�m sure Lazovic and Luka Modric will become fast friends.

Newcastle�s injury-plagued striker Mark Viduka looks certain to move to Melbourne Knights at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

Always have a soft spot to see players finish up their careers back at home.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is ready to end the impasse at Anfield by finally signing a new contract - but only after going public with his frustration at the club�s hierarchy. (Daily Mirror)

Still stand by my original theory that neither Benitez nor Liverpool really want to see a deal get done before the summer.

Everton youngster Jack Rodwell is to disappoint the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United by agreeing to a new five-year deal. (Daily Telegraph)

Rodwell didn�t hurt his stock by scoring on the weekend against Aston Villa. The cynic in me only believes David Moyes played him on the premise Rodwell wraps up a new contract with the club.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko says he is struggling with certain aspects of life in Britain following his move from Spartak Moscow. The 27-year-old Russian has expressed his dislike for British food, women, referees and television commentators. (The Sun)

Certain aspects? Food, Women, Refs, and Press better sums up the entire life of a footballer. Only beer is missing from that list.

fugazi11

Feb 17th, 2009, 01:45 PM

What a return for Eduardo!!! Never thought he would step on the field again after watching that tackle last year. And what a classy way to celebrate his goals....kissed his wedding ring because of all the support his wife gave and then after the second goal he went to the support staff. Not many players celebrate a goal with the trainer, but he knows he wouldn't be playing with them....pure class

polak4life

Feb 17th, 2009, 03:32 PM

I love Bendtner comments about being top striker. Haha, i think Van Persie has a better right foot than Bendtner does.

I am yet to see him score a goal that is really worth quality. I am an Arsenal supporter but i never really like him all that much. He does not belong on a team like Arsenal.

With Eduardo coming back, i see him as a 4th option at best

sinnacle

Feb 18th, 2009, 04:54 AM

Manchester City look set to fail with a �50m bid to sign Spanish superstar David Villa as the striker�s agent says he does not want to move. (Daily Mirror)

Don�t really know how David Villa could make his stance more clear. Here you have David Villa who went through a miserable year last year under Ronald Koeman with Valencia and he didn�t leave then. This is also the same David Villa who played a major role in Spain�s Euro 2008 run. Finally, even with Valencia behind on player wages Villa commitment to the club is still strong.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is wanted by his former club Marseille, who say they will do everything they can to re-sign him. (Daily Star)

Drogba may need a fresh start to get his career going again but returning to Marseille would be taking two steps back.

Aston Villa�s Stilian Petrov believes the club will be able to hold on to midfielder Gareth Barry if they can qualify for next season�s Champions League. (Daily Star)

It would be ironic that if Aston Villa do qualify for the Champions League they deem Barry surplus to requirements and try to sell him over the summer.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has conceded the title to Manchester United who he has branded �untouchable�. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham may say something about that today. A team well organized at the back like Fulham may be able to hold United at bay.

Everton�s Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta has not ruled out playing for England when he becomes eligible for British citizenship next January. (Telegraph)

Good player, it�s bad luck he is shut out of the Spanish national team but there is no way Fabio Capello is going to take on such a distraction heading into the 2010 World Cup.

Hugh Jass

Feb 18th, 2009, 06:28 AM

It would be ironic that if Aston Villa do qualify for the Champions League they deem Barry surplus to requirements and try to sell him over the summer.

Highly doubt that. Did you see how much they missed him against Everton?

Good player, it�s bad luck he is shut out of the Spanish national team

It's tough trying to get a look in when playing for Everton. If he played for Barca or Madrid, he might have a better chance.

sinnacle

Feb 18th, 2009, 06:50 AM

Highly doubt that. Did you see how much they missed him against Everton?

It's tough trying to get a look in when playing for Everton. If he played for Barca or Madrid, he might have a better chance.

I know Villa won't sell him just would find it comical after wanting to leave last summer if O'Neill pushed him out the door this summer.

elty

Feb 18th, 2009, 06:49 PM

Apparently, Liverpool pwns MU:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/facebook/4630590/Married-man-travels-400-miles-for-Facebook-affair-only-to-discover-it-is-a-hoax.html

Stuart Slann, 39, made the nine-hour trip from his home in Sheffield to a remote farm in Scotland last month on the promise of meeting the woman he had been swapping suggestive messages with for several weeks.

However, after arriving at the deserted house and waiting for a further three hours in his car for "Emma" to finish work and show up, the two pranksters called him to confess.

Apparently he also took a picture with him sucking a dildo.

Feb 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Hugh Jass

Feb 18th, 2009, 07:41 PM

HAHHA saw the utube video

Just saw this one yesterday.

As much as I have a gripe with any fan going on and on about their team ( esp Man U), I really do think this was scummy.

Feb 18th, 2009, 07:54 PM

Just saw this one yesterday.

As much as I have a gripe with any fan going on and on about their team ( esp Man U), I really do think this was scummy.

come on the guy was travelling 400 miles to cheat on his wife in the hope he wouldn't get caught!

Hugh Jass

Feb 18th, 2009, 08:56 PM

come on the guy was travelling 400 miles to cheat on his wife in the hope he wouldn't get caught!

.....and? :lol:

Hugh Jass

Feb 18th, 2009, 09:19 PM

Just got off the phone with my bud back home and apparantly it was in the newspapers in UK, Ireland, France and Holland. One bit on a blog, is that someone suggested getting a big flag made up for the Liverpool V Man Utd game. Can you imagine? Funny as fook.

CheapAssGuy

Feb 19th, 2009, 12:11 AM

van der sar's face was pricless after Zamora's miss

http://i41.tinypic.com/vxhp45.gif

sinnacle

Feb 19th, 2009, 05:06 AM

Barcelona are ready to launch a �20m bid for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the summer and the Spanish giants are also plotting a move for Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas. (Daily Star)

All of this is stemming from Barcelona and Samuel Eto�o being at odds over a new contact. Barcelona would be wise to keep their options open with Adebayor just in case Eto�o keeps asking for the moon.

New Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink wants to bring CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov to Stamford Bridge and the player could arrive even if Hiddink does not stay beyond the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Maybe Zhirkov can join Roman Pavlyuchenko and possibly Andrei Arshavin (his girlfriend anyway) in recent Russian imports who struggle adapting to life in London.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is keen to sign 23-year-old Real Mallorca full-back Jesus Gomez for �4m, but he will face competition from Tottenham and Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Always annoys me when teams like Blackburn are linked with players on Real Madrid radar. Let�s be serious, if Real Madrid was serious about Jesus Gomez there is no way Blackburn will sign him.

Real Madrid manager Juande Ramos has questioned Rafael Benitez�s decision to sell striker Robbie Keane back to his old club Tottenham in January, saying he could have been a success at Liverpool. (The Sun)

A nice shot by Ramos against the coach who would be high on the list to replace him at Real Madrid.

Sacked Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has missed the chance to lead Saudi Arabia in the 2010 World Cup after demanding too much money. (Daily Mirror)

Scolari has coached in the middle east before many moons ago but at this stage of his career, Scolari is beyond coaching the likes of Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City striker Robinho has clubbed together with fellow Brazilians Elano, Glauber Berti and Jo to have a huge shipment of sand delivered to his Cheshire mansion so they can play beach football. (The Sun)

Considering the amount of money Robinho, Elano, and Jo make how much will Glauber Berti have to pitch in for this beach football field?

sinnacle

Feb 20th, 2009, 04:58 AM

Everton boss David Moyes is keeping tabs on CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love, but the 24-year-old Brazilian would prefer a move to Manchester City. (The Sun)

Was waiting for the Vagner Love rumors to start up again after his goal against Aston Villa on Wednesday. He made Zat Knight look like he was running in slow motion as Love breezed by him for CSKA Moscow�s only goal.

Love is happy to stay in Moscow and it would take a huge offer to tempt him away from Russia. (Daily Mirror)

A Brazilian isn�t going to play in Russia because of the weather. I�m sure Love earns a nice living playing for CSKA Moscow.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both keeping tabs on 18-year-old Bordeaux striker Henri Saviet. (Daily Mirror)

Henri Saviet is a favorite of many Football Manager players. It was only a matter of time before Saviet showed up on Arsenal�s radar.

Didier Drogba has lifted the lid on life at Chelsea under Luiz Felipe Scolari and said the Brazilian tried to divide the dressing room by blaming players for poor results and singled him out after the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United, making the striker train with the youth team. (The Sun)

To be fair Drogha looked like he could of cared less during that game against United.

Rafael Benitez has said Liverpool need to win all of their remaining games if they are to win the Premier League this season. (Various)

Realistic they need to win at Old Trafford against Manchester United to have a chance. If Liverpool can somehow win that game, then they have a chance. Lose that game and United would need to collapse in order for Liverpool or anyone else to win the league.

Sir Alex Ferguson says his Manchester United side are capable of an unprecedented quadruple after Arsene Wenger branded them the �untouchables�. (Daily Express)

All I keep thinking about is that Inter match up is tough for United. They better be up for it on Tuesday.

New Arsenal signing Andrey Arshavin will pay for his hairdresser from St Petersburg to fly to London to cut his hair because his wife does not trust British stylists. (Daily Express)

Nice to see Arshavin (or his girlfriend at least) adapting to life in London smoothly.

Hugh Jass

Feb 20th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Sir Alex Ferguson says his Manchester United side are capable of an unprecedented quadruple after Arsene Wenger branded them the �untouchables�. (Daily Express)

I got 50/1 on this bet last week, it's now down to 14/1
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/man-utd-specials/trophy-multiples

flexwong

Feb 21st, 2009, 05:22 PM

pavelbure10

Feb 21st, 2009, 10:21 PM

talk about an injury crisis in the back 4 for united:

vidic - suspended
brown - out
neville - out
o'shea - sore heel, might be ready
evans - injured today, might be ready

well, at least rooney is on fire. bring on the italians! :twisted::twisted:

honestly out of all of them Vidic is a huge blow, its gonna be hard for United to contain Ztlatan without vidic

Hugh Jass

Feb 21st, 2009, 10:34 PM

talk about an injury crisis in the back 4 for united:

vidic - suspended
brown - out
neville - out
o'shea - sore heel, might be ready
evans - injured today, might be ready

well, at least rooney is on fire. bring on the italians! :twisted::twisted:

If Evans is crock, who'll take the other central defence role with the druggie?

flexwong

Feb 21st, 2009, 11:02 PM

If Evans is crock, who'll take the other central defence role with the druggie?

if o'shea is healthy then my guess is o'shea gets to play CB. that is quite worrying, as much as i like o'shea. im guessing we will see: rafael, o'shea, rio and evra on the pitch tuesday.

ronaldo's goal today was sublime. shame about his dive though =(

Hugh Jass

Feb 22nd, 2009, 12:09 PM

ronaldo's goal today was sublime. shame about his dive though =(

Sublime? Hardly, the keeper made a hash of it.

Which dive? ;)

Hugh Jass

Feb 22nd, 2009, 12:12 PM

That's the league wrapped up then. If we can't beat the likes of a struggling Citeh side at Anfield then we'll never win the league. If only Yossi/Kuyt knew the goal was a little bigger, instead of whacking it at Given.

I never thought we'd win the league this year.

We're going to have to raise our game just a tad for Madrid game :twisted:

NDman

Feb 22nd, 2009, 12:41 PM

Yeah, it looks like it's a wrap. Too bad. This basically rendered the game at OT rather meaningless. They really need to step it up for the Champs League now!

flexwong

Feb 22nd, 2009, 02:05 PM

Hugh Jass

Feb 22nd, 2009, 02:13 PM

wow, you guys gave up hope fast. think rafa is gonna get the sack then?

Just being realistic. Utd are playing decent ball, Liverpool are just about drawing every opposition they come across.

I hope for new owners in the summer, coz the whole management control thing is overshadowing the team on the field.

maebach

Feb 22nd, 2009, 05:28 PM

I just hope Villa stay in 4th so we can keep Gareth.

Hugh Jass

Feb 22nd, 2009, 05:56 PM

I just hope Villa stay in 4th so we can keep Gareth.

You can keep him as far as Liverpool are concerned. He was garbage the last couple of games, Alonso is much better, IMO of course.

I don't think Liverpool will be buying too many 20m pound players that are over 27 ( he's 28 tomorrow btw) in the near future.

maebach

Feb 23rd, 2009, 12:16 AM

You can keep him as far as Liverpool are concerned. He was garbage the last couple of games, Alonso is much better, IMO of course.

I don't think Liverpool will be buying too many 20m pound players that are over 27 ( he's 28 tomorrow btw) in the near future.

I hope you're right about Liverpool not buying big. The last thing villa need is rafa rattling Barry by claiming his interest in him.

Besides, arent they different players? gareth is a central midfielder who can push up wheras Alonso is more of a holding midfielder? Mind you, I dont watch Liverpool play very often, just when I do Ive never seen him push into the box, he just launches his shots from distance.

sinnacle

Feb 23rd, 2009, 12:55 AM

- What is with all this praise for Guus Hiddink? Granted Aston Villa are a top team and a new coach can�t change the make up of this squad over night but that was a Mourinho era performance which wasn�t deemed good enough 18 months ago. Chelsea took an early lead then soaked up all the pressure Aston Villa could mount. A nice win going into their Champions League match against Juventus but I wouldn�t grant Guus Hiddink keys to the city yet.

- Sometimes I forget that Arsenal are without Fabregas, Walcott and Adebayor but there are a lot of players like Robin van Persie who claim to be world class and wish to be paid like world class players but often fall short when it�s time to prove it. Yes, Arsenal are undefeated in 12 games I believe but it doesn�t do much good when it seems like 11 of those games are draws. With Aston Villa losing, Arsenal had a great chance to close the gap which makes Saturday�s results even more disappointing.

- How in the world is Tom� Rosick� still injured? Even Eduardo has come back from his broken leg before Rosicky.

- When your last league goal was scored on January 10th you have problems. If Middlesbrough are to save themselves this season somebody needs to find the back of the net. No shame in grabbing a point against Wigan but Boro need wins in a hurry to avoid the drop.

- Speaking of goals James Beattie now ups his tally to four goals in five games for Stoke. In a game that was a bore to watch for 75 minutes turned into a roller coaster ride of emotions as Portsmouth jumped out in front thanks to Niko Kranjcar only for Stoke then take the lead and finally a Ryan Shawcross own goal split the points between another two teams hoping to avoid the drop.

- I know being a referee is a thankless job but if Howard Webb is the best referee England has to offer, it doesn�t say much about the other referee�s in England. It truly takes a special skill to annoy both coaches during a game. In the first half Johnny Evans goal was disallowed thanks to a soft foul against Ronaldo. An even bigger missed call was Rafael tug on Morten Gamst Pedersen in the box which wasn�t called a penalty. How that wasn�t called I�ll never know, United caught a huge break there.

- Credit to Blackburn, usually United don�t have to defend a lead late in games but Blackburn had the defending Champions on their heels for large parts of the game. If it was anyone else rather than Ryan Nelsen who struck the post for Blackburn they could of easily taken the lead.

- The facts of life told us, You take the good, You take the bad, You take them both and there you have the facts of life. Yesterday both the good and the bad of Nani were on full display. His pass to set up Rooney�s first goal caused havoc but his lack of focus caused Blackburn to score on the counter attack. Maybe one day what is between his ears will catch up to his god given talent. Needless to say look for Park Ji-Sung to start against Inter.

- The commentators during the game kept mentioning that Ronaldo was lucky to be still on the pitch after getting a yellow card for diving. The premise is all too simple really. Ronaldo should of got a yellow card for kicking out against David Dunn but on a yellow knowing that Howard Webb has no issue sending him off it�s doubtful Ronaldo would of taken that swan dive.

- Oh yeah, nice free kick Cristiano.

- What an ugly tackle by Kevin Nolan who should know better than to go in two footed.

- Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool. Why must you wait for the other team to take a lead before playing your best. If Liverpool would played the final 20 minutes for an entire game they would of won going away.

- Liverpool�s fatal flaw is the fact Ben�tez doesn�t like the Liverpool ownership structure and quite frankly the ownership doesn�t like Benitez. Hicks and Gillett are praying public opinion turns on Benitez one day so they can fire him and Benitez himself knows this. When everyone isn�t on the same page any team will have an uphill battle trying to succeed. The Glazer�s for example aren�t sitting around in Tampa hoping Sir Alex Ferguson retires so they can replace him.

Hugh Jass

Feb 23rd, 2009, 06:31 AM

An even bigger missed call was Rafael tug on Morten Gamst Pedersen in the box which wasn�t called a penalty. How that wasn�t called I�ll never know, United caught a huge break there.

.

It's Old Trafford. Say no more.

forzamilan

Feb 24th, 2009, 01:04 AM

limey scum gonna get pumped tomorrow. put u clowns in your place

sinnacle

Feb 24th, 2009, 04:43 AM

Wigan are ready to make a club record �6m bid for Ecuador striker Christian Benitez, who plays for Santos Laguna in the Mexican league. (Daily Mirror)

Look for interest in Benitez to heat up again from teams across the pond as he recovers from his leg injury suffered late last year.

Everton could renew their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho after learning Mikel Arteta will be out for the rest of the season. (Daily Mail)

Why? It�s not like Moutinho is going to play for Everton next week. It�s also unlikely that Moutinho will want to play for a non champions league team heading into (hopefully) Portugal�s run to the 2010 World Cup.

Midfielder Nico Krancjar has put contract talks on hold at Portsmouth and says he wants to join a Champions League team in the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

Portsmouth could consider themselves lucky being able to sign Glen Johnson recently to a new contact. It does appear this luck will not translate to Nico Krancjar who could use a change of scenery if he is to progress as a player.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas has told Arsene Wenger he is fit enough to play in Arsenal�s Champions League tie with Roma but the Arsenal boss will not risk his fitness after a knee problem. (Daily Star)

Yet Tomas Rosicky is still 4-6 weeks away from coming back from his knee injury.

Striker Craig Bellamy has dismissed talk he does not get on with Manchester City team-mate Robinho, saying he �adores him as a player�. (Daily Telegraph).

He may adore him as a player but it seems unlikely they adore each other as people. We are know Robinho is going no where so it will have to be up to Bellamy to make it work.

Paul Ince, who was sacked as Blackburn boss in December, could be in line for a return to management at Brighton. (Daily Star)

Would be a pretty big drop in class for Ince who took on more than he can handle when he made the jump from a league two MK Dons side to Blackburn this summer.

Bookmakers took a hammering on Saturday after punters placed heavy bets on Rushden to beat Weymouth, with the Terras being forced to field their under-18 side because of a pay dispute. Rushden won the game 9-0. (The Times)

I�m sure most of them will have no problem losing it all back in a matter of weeks.

sinnacle

Feb 24th, 2009, 04:45 AM

maebach

Feb 24th, 2009, 09:37 AM

Munich>Lisbon for sure

pavelbure10

Feb 24th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Arsenal
Inter
Barca
Athletico
Chelsea
Panth
Liverpool
Bayern

fugazi11

Feb 24th, 2009, 12:41 PM

flexwong

Feb 24th, 2009, 12:55 PM

I know we did this back in December but below are my picks in bold as to who will advance in the Champions League. Feel free to add your own picks.

Arsenal vs Roma
Inter Milan vs Manchester United
Lyon vs Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs Porto
Chelsea vs Juventus
Villarreal vs Panathinaikos
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Sporting Lisbon vs Bayern Munich

did you just close your eyes and randomly jab at the teams?

the most obvious problem is that you have the 2 favourites being knocked out, barca and united. those 2 teams are currently the best teams in europe and you think they'll BOTH be gone? HA.

oh and no english team advancing either... that's real interesting, albeit if i had my way chelsea, arsenal and liverpool would all be knocked out as well.

sinnacle

Feb 24th, 2009, 01:02 PM

The Lyon pick I'm being cute but at +400 I'm hoping they can make it a contest heading into the Camp Nou so I can back some of it back. I don't think we'll be seeing four EPL teams again in the semi finals needless to say.

Edit : Three teams in the semi finals.

Arzadon03

Feb 24th, 2009, 01:58 PM

Anyone know of any good streams to watch the games from?
All I know of is channelsurfing.net which is just decent quality.

sinnacle

Feb 24th, 2009, 02:05 PM

www.justin.tv will usually lead you to where you need to go.

NDman

Feb 24th, 2009, 02:21 PM

also www.atdhe.net

maebach

Feb 24th, 2009, 03:31 PM

http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/

fugazi11

Feb 24th, 2009, 04:37 PM

Good performance Arsenal...especially with a depleted squad.

rey1867

Feb 24th, 2009, 05:00 PM

Good performance Arsenal...especially with a depleted squad.

No excuses for their poor finishing though. Should've definitely scored a couple more

sinnacle

Feb 24th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Ebou� miss made me wanna throw up.

fugazi11

Feb 24th, 2009, 05:08 PM

No excuses for their poor finishing though. Should've definitely scored a couple more

Agreed, but with the way this season has gone....I will be happy with any win. Roma just looked flat. Should have easily been 2/3-nil.

flexwong

Feb 24th, 2009, 07:16 PM

united should have won by a couple. shame we couldn't put a single past cesar. all i can say is mourinho better watch out. if he thinks he can walk into old trafford and take the second leg... well, he should know better.

ryan giggs, what more can i say. his performance today was simply spectacular. not surprisingly, all defenders wept when they found out he signed on for another year.

side note, 20 straight unbeaten champions league games now. our last loss? at the san siro vs ac milan.

oh and TSN is fcking shite for showing curling every single year instead of champions league. at least last year they showed it on their alternate feed, this year it's on TSN2, which rogers doesn't fricken have yet. GRRRRRRRRr

Hugh Jass

Feb 24th, 2009, 07:36 PM

I thought this was an EPL thread. What's with all the Champions League talk?

;)

Feb 24th, 2009, 07:57 PM

I thought this was an EPL thread. What's with all the Champions League talk?

;)

champions league is almost like the EPL , 3 of the last 4 will prolly be english teams again

flexwong

Feb 24th, 2009, 08:40 PM

I thought this was an EPL thread. What's with all the Champions League talk?

;)

figured liverpool fans would want to talk more about the champions league, since you've already given up hope on the premiership.

pavelbure10

Feb 24th, 2009, 09:42 PM

sinnacle

Feb 25th, 2009, 02:34 AM

Doesn't even have to walk out of there with a victory a 1-1 draw will do.

sinnacle

Feb 25th, 2009, 05:35 AM

Everton could lead the chase for Portsmouth�s want-away Croatian playmaker Niko Kranjcar. (Daily Star)

What chase? As the next transfer window only opens up again in July. This is no more than the press linking a player with a team that could use someone of Kranjcar talents. Despite that a move to Everton wouldn�t be the worst move Kranjcar could make.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri, whose side face his old club Chelsea in the Champions League, says he knows he would have been sacked as Blues manager even if he had won the European competition. (The Independent)

From far the biggest fan of Claudio Ranieri but he has always handled the downs in his career as classy as the high points in his coaching career.

Middlesbrough have watched videos of goals they scored earlier in the season in an effort to lift morale as they have gone 14 Premier League games without a win. (Daily Mirror)

That video must of lasted all of a minute or two.

Everton striker Victor Anichebe will be out for at least four weeks after being injured against Newcastle. (Daily Express)

Looking at replays of that tackle from Kevin Nolan, Anichehe is lucky he isn�t out for longer.

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson could be facing Carling Cup heartbreak for the second year running. He missed the 2008 final because of injury and looks likely to be left out for this year�s final. (Daily Express)

Maybe it�s a good omen as Tottenham did just fine without him in last years final against Chelsea.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho had a bottle of wine worth 300 Euros delivered to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson�s hotel room before Tuesday�s Champions League game. (Daily Mail)

Oh to be a fly on the wall if those two shared a conversation over a glass of wine.

Hugh Jass

Feb 25th, 2009, 06:40 AM

figured liverpool fans would want to talk more about the champions league, since you've already given up hope on the premiership.

:)

I'm not too thrilled about todays game though. Walking into a Madrid team that are playing well, without our most influential player. A draw today would be like a win.

gunners1

Feb 25th, 2009, 06:10 PM

at the rate its going, looks like all 4 epl teams will be going to the next round,lol, however anything can happen second leg.

scousers got away well with an away goal, their luck continues in the cl, bayern scored 5 away goals!

need are starters back, eduardo, ade, walcott would have buried any of those misses by bendtner or eboue. bendtner has had tons of chances to redeem himself week after week but should not be starting or deserve to play. hopefully, can get a goal in rome or even a nil nil draw will be sufficient to progress.

sinnacle, looks liek only 1 or 2 of your picks will be correct.

Steinbok

Feb 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM

figured liverpool fans would want to talk more about the champions league, since you've already given up hope on the premiership.

Your ego as a Man U fan is justified, but all things considered, its a good day to be a Liverpool Fan as opppose to a Man U fan(based on Champion's League results).

I for one would not bet against the "Special One's" Inter, especially when an away goal can ruin the party for United.

flexwong

Feb 25th, 2009, 09:59 PM

Your ego as a Man U fan is justified, but all things considered, its a good day to be a Liverpool Fan as opppose to a Man U fan(based on Champion's League results).

I for one would not bet against the "Special One's" Inter, especially when an away goal can ruin the party for United.

i was disappointed United failed to score yesterday, after completely outplaying inter. but there were a lot of positives to take away from that game, such as not giving up a single goal with half of our starting back 4 missing. 2nd leg, back at old trafford, vidic is back, we should have our choice RB back as well, using a normal formation with rooney + berba up front... yeah, it's going to be fun.

Hugh Jass

Feb 25th, 2009, 11:00 PM

scousers got away well with an away goal, their luck continues in the cl,

Luck? Don't think so tonight.

sinnacle, looks liek only 1 or 2 of your picks will be correct.

He must play proline ;)

sinnacle

Feb 27th, 2009, 04:02 AM

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is being considered as a replacement for Rafael Benitez in case the Liverpool manager walked out of Anfield. (Various)

Mourinho would never go to Liverpool in these conditions. I could see why people dislike Mourinho but the man is no fool. When he replaced Robert Mancini, Inter fans grew impatience with him not being able to advance them in the Champions League. Liverpool fans don�t blame Benitez for their failure in England. They blame ownership for that so replacing him with Mourinho who they disliked while he was at Chelsea wouldn�t be the ideal next destination for the current Inter coach.

Guus Huddink is moving closer to becoming permanent boss at Chelsea with Blues owner Roman Abramovich looking to install Dick Advocaat as the new Russia manager. (Daily Mail)

They were ready to hand Scolari the keys to the city after two games as well.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is keen to be a future England boss. He said: �I would love to be England manager one day. I am 61 and once my job is done (at Spurs) I would have time left to be England manager.� (Daily Express)

Sadly for Redknapp it�s never going to happen. Even if Capello wasn�t around, having Tottenham in the bottom half of the table doesn�t help Redknapp hopes.

Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Saloman Kalou has revealed he dreams of playing for Arsenal. After the Blues� 1-0 win over Juventus in midweek, Kalou said: �I know every single player in the world dreams of playing for Arsene Wenger.� (Various)

What a moron Kalou is, who along with John Obi Mikel are vastly over rated. After coming up with a good performance against Juventus by setting up Drogba�s goal to then say such a thing isn�t the right way to win over a new coach.

Everton are lining up a move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutino in a �10m summer move. (Daily Mirror)

They offered �10m last summer which didn�t cause Sporting to blink then and wouldn�t now.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is doing all he can to keep hold of his skipper Danny Murphy, whose contract expires at the end of the season. (The Sun)

Whatever Danny Murphy decides to do this summer, Fulham fans should always have a soft for Murphy as his goal against Portsmouth on the last day of the season kept Fulham up.

Hugh Jass

Feb 28th, 2009, 11:41 AM

Talk about handing the title to Man U.......

We can beat a Madrid team that had won 9 in a row, but can't even get one point from a struggling Boro :confused:

Too many players that aren't capable of scoring a goal. El Zahr's miss was a joke. Turning point.

flexwong

Feb 28th, 2009, 12:07 PM

NDman

Feb 28th, 2009, 12:11 PM

Ouch. That really was the final dagger. This one hurts. (Focus is on) Champs League it is...

flexwong

Feb 28th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Ouch. That really was the final dagger. This one hurts. (Focus is on) Champs League it is...

nothing but a cup team.

Hugh Jass

Feb 28th, 2009, 01:28 PM

nothing but a cup team.

Yep. I have to agree. Although not the FA or Carling Cup ;)

pavelbure10

Feb 28th, 2009, 01:47 PM

we lose to boro but were able to beat real madird in spain, o well lol, we really need more depth at forward and actual forwards that can score on chances, not like kuyt and zaki

flexwong

Feb 28th, 2009, 01:56 PM

Yep. I have to agree. Although not the FA or Carling Cup ;)

still a cup team though, playing for 1 trophy every single year while other teams have been fighting on 3-4 fronts.

as much as i like the champions league, i've always been a firm believer that winning the champions league doesn't make you the best team in europe. case in point, when liverpool won it and finished 5th in the league. hardly best in europe in that case.

we lose to boro but were able to beat real madird in spain, o well lol, we really need more depth at forward and actual forwards that can score on chances, not like kuyt and zaki

shouldn't have sold robbie keane.

pavelbure10

Feb 28th, 2009, 02:02 PM

shouldn't have sold robbie keane.

He really didnt do much either, blew his chances most of the time

Hugh Jass

Feb 28th, 2009, 03:42 PM

He really didnt do much either, blew his chances most of the time

+1.

Shouldn't have bought him in the first place. But glad we cut our losses when we did. I love Robbie playing for Ireland, but he just didn't fit in at the 'pool. Not his fault either though.

CheapAssGuy

Feb 28th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Talk about handing the title to Man U.......

We can beat a Madrid team that had won 9 in a row, but can't even get one point from a struggling Boro :confused:

easier to play a game where the main task is to stop the opposition score and not lose the game than to play a game where the main task is to score and win the game.

Hugh Jass

Feb 28th, 2009, 08:48 PM

easier to play a game where the main task is to stop the opposition score and not lose the game than to play a game where the main task is to score and win the game.

True to some extent, but some of the Liverpool players couldn't finish their dinners.

sweeper

Mar 1st, 2009, 12:50 AM

man, if Spurs don't win the CC tomorrow against ManU's youth/senior team...

COYS!

Hugh Jass

Mar 1st, 2009, 01:03 PM

What a boring Carling Cup Final. And I can never understand how big teams ( incl international teams)
don't have penos down pat before a game that could easily go to spot kicks. I know you can't imagine
the pressure while practicing, but if a pro player can practice hitting the ball exactly where he wants
it 100 times, surely he can do it blindfolded by gametime.

Utd are now down to 9/1 to win the quadruple. I have a few bucks at 16s. At least if they do it,
I'll have get some cash to buy beer to cry into ;)

sweeper

Mar 1st, 2009, 01:07 PM

OH FOR FECKS SAKE OHARA AND BENTLEY :mad:

edit: Both Englishmen taking penalties missed............................................ ................

sweeper

Mar 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM

http://i33.tinypic.com/24ooha8.jpg

sweeper

Mar 1st, 2009, 01:13 PM

maebach

Mar 1st, 2009, 02:04 PM

flexwong

Mar 1st, 2009, 03:03 PM

They'll win the domestic treble. Inter to score an away goal.

nope. 5 trophies this year, if we count the club world cup. =D

Hugh Jass

Mar 1st, 2009, 03:44 PM

nope. 5 trophies this year, if we count the club world cup. =D

Not including the coveted Charity Shield? lol

flexwong

Mar 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM

Not including the coveted Charity Shield? lol

well, if you must. 6 trophies it is. hahahaha.

c7ronaldo

Mar 2nd, 2009, 01:19 AM

To be honest, I can see United winning the EPL and the FA Cup but the CL is what's going to be a tough one. As great as United is, slipping up in the CL is very easy especially when your playing against the world's best clubs.

Either way it's gonna be interesting to see if we can in fact win the quintuple.
:cheesygri:cheesygri:cheesygri

sinnacle

Mar 2nd, 2009, 04:26 AM

- Despite West Brom looking and playing like a team heading back into the Championship, Everton deserves credit for not letting their heads hang low after the loss of Mikel Arteta in there 2-0 win this past weekend.

- A team that does not shoot, does not score. Would never picture myself saying Arsenal is boring but that is exactly what this team has become.

- Frank Lampard saves the day again for Chelsea with his injury time winner against Wigan. One could only imagine the mess Chelsea would of been in if he left for Inter Milan over the summer.

- One time EPL sensation Amr Zaki hasn�t scored from open play since October. While Wigan has been in good form this year, Zaki will need to get back on the score sheet if he is to be considered one of the EPL�s best strikers.

- Typically Liverpool, they go to Madrid and pull out a 1-0 win and then look second best in their loss to Middlesbrough. Full credit should go to Gareth Southgate and his team who for one day anyway outclassed Liverpool.

- You think somewhere Robbie Keane is smiling knowing without Fernando Torres, Liverpool does not have a top class striker who can perform at a high level week in and week out.

- One game shouldn�t make a career but for a player who wants to consider himself the next Thierry Henry, Ryan Babel will need to do more when given his chance. He was another non factor in Liverpool�s defeat.

- One player who wasn�t a non factor was Tuncay. One of these days I�ll get around you coming up with an all under rated team and Tuncay would have to be on it. He works tirelessly for club and country and much like a goal he scored last year in beating Arsenal, Tuncay has a knack of scoring against England�s top clubs.

- One of the few right moves Paul Ince made in his time at Blackburn was signing his former player Keith Andrews from league two side MK Dons. Despite the huge leap in class Andrews has been a useful player for both Ince and now current coach Sam Allardyce this year.

- That sinking sound you are hearing is Hull slowly coming back to the drop zone in England.

- Knew at some point all the good luck Aston Villa received was going to even out. In a week which saw them lose to Chelsea and exit the UEFA Cup was topped off with Stoke scoring two goals in the final minutes to earn a 2-2 draw.

Brief Carling Cup thoughts.

- Wonder if Ronaldo who was going up 3rd much like he was in Moscow was thinking about that miss before calmly striking his penalty against Tottenham into the net?

- I do feel sorry for Jamie O�Hara today. He is one of the few players who has exceeded exceptions for Tottenham this summer. If they were more players like him Tottenham wouldn�t be near the drop zone.

- A couple of inches on Ryan Giggs penalty and it could of been a totally different story. Speaking of a couple of inches, Ronaldo�s strike near the end of regulation could of ended the game before it even went into extra time.

- One player who I don�t feel sorry for is David Bentley after his miss. Pretty sums up all that is wrong with Tottenham and even on a grander scale English football. Here you have a 17 million pound bust (so far to be fair) who believed his own press clippings. Signing from Tottenham didn�t mean you have arrived as one of Europe�s best midfielders, it only means you have put in that much more work in order to justify the hefty price which is a lesson Bentley clearly did not learn.

thug-life

Mar 2nd, 2009, 11:32 PM

Liverpools recent loss to Boro, is no surprise. Happens every year, start of strong, around transfer window slowly start to have poor performances, and then a loss to ruin their title run. Hope we do much better next season.

sinnacle

Mar 3rd, 2009, 04:38 AM

Tottenham defender Ledley King wants a new contract, despite his persistent knee injury. (Daily Star)

I wonder how much money Tottenham has paid King while injured? Loyalty is great but if I�m in charge here I�d be inclined to only give King a pay as you play type deal.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is looking to undertake a summer clear-out, with midfielder David Bentley set for the exit door. (The Independent)

Boy I wonder what brought about this rumour?

Aston Villa striker John Carew could be in line for a shock departure in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Why would it be a shock? Strikers are a temperamental bunch. When Villa brought Heskey it must of ruffled Carew who won't be happy long term playing 3rd choice striker. Besides I highly doubt the relationship between Martin O�Neill and John Carew is buddy-buddy after O�Neill fined and benched Carew for visiting a strip club before a UEFA Cup match.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is determined to halt Manchester United�s quest for five trophies this season in a rallying cry reminiscent of Kevin Keegan�s outburst during Newcastle�s 1996 title battle. (Various)

With the Blues seven points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United, the Dutchman has a message to Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Tuesday�s visit to Portsmouth: �I�d love to stop him. I hope we can stop him.� (The Sun)

Sends the wrong message to his Chelsea team if Hiddink conceded the title so it�s not a shock to see Hiddink still talk up their title chances.

Manchester United�s Carling Cup goalkeeping hero Ben Foster has earned a new four-year contract, with talks set to begin over a deal worth �1.5m. (Various)

Not a bad pay day for a goalie who has spent a lot of time injured or was a 3rd choice goalkeeper thus far for Manchester United.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez remains downcast after his side�s loss to Middlesbrough and injuries to key players such as Fernando Torres. (The Guardian)

Always hate the injury excuse. It does bear some reasoning but just about every top team over the course of a year suffers from injures.

maebach

Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:25 AM

Im beginning to get very worried that arsenal will catch us. After watching the Stoke game I felt sick to my stomach. Now I find out that they play west brom. Hopefully the west midland rivals will help us out and pull away with a draw. Common you Baggies!

Hopefully we will beat Man City as they are without robinho and bellamy.

flexwong

Mar 3rd, 2009, 01:39 PM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez remains downcast after his side�s loss to Middlesbrough and injuries to key players such as Fernando Torres. (The Guardian)

Always hate the injury excuse. It does bear some reasoning but just about every top team over the course of a year suffers from injures.

fahkt: you're nothing but a fat spanish waiter. i hope benitez stays with liverpool and keeps fcking them over. :D

sinnacle

Mar 4th, 2009, 04:18 AM

Arsenal and Bolton have been put on red alert after Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso revealed he will leave Portugal at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

After losing 5-0 to Bayern Munich last week Miguel Veloso pretty much threw in the towel regarding his future at Sporting. Have said it before and would say it again that Veloso would be a perfect fit for Arsenal but it will never happen.

Arsenal will also take on Chelsea for the signature of Atletico Madrid�s 16-year-old midfielder Sergio Marcos who is a free agent in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Now this is an Arsenal style transfer.

Tottenham want to take Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic on loan. The 18-year-old scored 10 goals last term but has failed to make an impact at the Nou Camp this season. (Daily Mirror)

Once former team mate Giovanni dos Santos gets word of this I wouldn�t be shocked if he places a call to Bojan and tells him to stay as far away from Tottenham as possible.

Fulham have opened talks with highly rated defender Brede Hangeland over a new deal. (Daily Star)

Fulham would love to tie Hangeland down to a new deal before the summer. Come the summer if Hangeland doesn�t sign a contact extension look for a slew of teams to tempt Hangeland away from Fulham.

Hull�s Geovanni has apologised to Tigers boss Phil Brown after the Brazilian striker shook his head and stared aggressively at Brown when he was substituted in the home defeat by Blackburn. (Various)

This is now the second year in a row that Geovanni�s game has slipped as the season goes on.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has hailed Titus Bramble as a top-class defender. Bruce said: �Titus now looks like the real deal everyone thought he could be.� (Daily Mirror)

Coaches have to talk up their players since it makes sense to boost their confidence. In Bramble�s defence he hasn�t made many errors this season. Despite this a best of video by a Newcastle fan will be displayed below.

(youtube video on site)

Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has called for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to stop moaning. Modric said: �He Really overdoes the theatrical bits.� (Various)

Modric isn�t exactly wrong but Tottenham didn�t exactly pay 15 million pounds for them to be two points away from the bottom three. Luka Modric should worry about his own play first before taking shots at Ronaldo.

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison has thanked boss Gianfranco Zola for giving him chance to shine this season. (Various)

One of my favorite things about Zola thus far is his faith in young players. Too many managers are simply afraid to play young players now. Zola has gone against this train of through and has utilized West Ham youth setup to his advantage. In return for the faith showed in them, players like Collison have been impressive this season.

RayK

Mar 4th, 2009, 05:49 PM

Villa lose again, they are really in poor form at the moment with a really tough schedule coming up (spuds, pool, united, everton, westham)

I'm still feeling confident Arsenal can get the 4th spot :cheesygri

sinnacle

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:16 AM

Manchester City are set to make a �100m summer move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. City owner Sulaiman Al Fahim is a huge fan of Argentine football and has not been put off by missing out on AC Milan�s Kaka. (The Sun)

Good to see the sun get a head start on silly Manchester City transfer rumours prior to the summer transfer window.

Redknapp looks certain to offload �16.5m flop Darren Bent this summer, while Roman Pavlyuchenko could also be on his way. (The Sun)

Pavlyuchenko didn�t endure himself to Harry Redknapp with his comments regarding loving to play for Manchester United prior to last weeks Carling Cup final.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba almost left Stamford Bridge in January after a personal feud with former boss Phil Scolari. The Ivory Coast striker was an �18m target for Manchester City and Inter Milan. (The Sun)

This makes the umpteen time Drogba has almost left Chelsea. One of these days Drogba and Chelsea are bound to part company. Chelsea will end up thinking that keeping Drogba happy just isn�t worth it anymore.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is the shock name topping the manager wish-list at Manchester City. The City owners have also targeted Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho and Croatia manager Slaven Bilic to replace Mark Hughes. (Daily Star)

Wenger and Mourinho will not leave established teams for Manchester City. Slaven Bilic will have the same issues as Scolari did at Chelsea learning the English game.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas claims if Wenger leaves the Gunners for Manchester or Madrid, he would consider quitting Arsenal too. (Daily Mirror)

Fabregas wouldn�t be the only one heading for the exit if Wenger every left Arsenal. Good or bad, just about every Arsena