ENGLAND TO BID FOR 2018

The rotation policy is out the window opening the way for England to bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Gordon Brown is for it, the Government is for it and the fans are for it. But, there's always a but, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg have already formally tabled a joint bid.

So in my humble opinion why waste the money bidding for something that we are not going to get? Fair enough, we won the Olympic bid but how much has it already cost us? And they won't even let us field an English football team!

Use the money that will be put aside for the bid to improve grass roots football in this country, so enabling us to maybe win the damn World Cup sometime in the future!!

Gazza

The Top Ten

The Top Ten

P W D L F A GD Pts

1 Manchester United 11 8 2 1 19 4 15 26

2 Arsenal 9 8 1 0 21 6 15 25

3 Manchester City 11 7 1 3 15 13 2 22

4 Chelsea 11 6 3 2 16 8 8 21

5 Liverpool 9 5 4 0 16 5 11 19

6 Portsmouth 11 5 4 2 19 12 7 19

7 Blackburn Rovers 9 5 3 1 13 8 5 18

8 Newcastle United 10 5 2 3 17 13 4 17

9 West Ham United 10 4 2 4 12 9 3 14

10 Aston Villa 9 4 2 3 13 12 1 14

So Man Utd gain their rightfull place at the top of the league(until at least 6 o'clock today!) with a great result against Middlesborough. But the result of the day, as much as I hate to say it, was Chelsea's 6-0 drubbing of Man City. Good day all round then!!

A little mention for Leeds United. 4-2 winners at home to Millwall. That takes them 6th in the league, still unbeaten and with 15 points harshly deducted!! Brilliant !

Who Will Succeed Jol??

WHO WILL SUCCEED MARTIN JOL?

The overwhelming favourite to succeed Martin Jol is, of course Juande Ramos. The Sun reports that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy contacted Ramos after their 3-1 defeat to Newcastle on Monday, and told him it was 'now or never if he wanted to take over'.

Indeed, Ramos' technical director at Sevilla Ramon Rodriguez Monchi was in London, and at the game against Getafe on Thursday negotiating the switch. Gus Poyet is expected to be appointed as Ramos' assistant, largely because of the winning combination of being a former Spurs player, and being able to act as a translator for Ramos, whose English is apparently fairly basic.

But will Dennis Wise and Leeds let him go?

If for whatever reason Ramos doesn't take the job Mark Hughes has been widely touted as a potential replacement. However, Blackburn will be very reluctant to let him go, and after the way Jol was treated, Sparky will probabley think twice, or three times..or four times....!

Gazza

They finally got rid!!

Ha...They finally got rid of the man they never even wanted!!

Lets have a look at his stats while in charge At Spurs:

Martin Jol was in charge of Tottenham for 112 Premier League games, winning 47 times but, significantly, only once this season.
He spent £77.8 million and received £41.75m
Spurs drew 30 games and lost 35 times, giving Jol a final win ratio of 42 per cent, the best of any manager in the club's Premier League history.
Tottenham leaked 143 goals, with his team's worst defensive performance coming in his first match, a 5-4 home defeat by Arsenal.
Spurs scored 166 times, even outscoring the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, in 2007.
Tottenham accrued 65 points in the 2005-06 season, the best haul by Spurs in the Premier League era, and despite falling eight points short of that last season they finished fifth for the second year in succession.

Timeline of events
June 2004: Jol arrives as assistant manager from Waalwijk.
Nov 2004: Jacques Santini departs. Jol is made caretaker for one game, then head coach.
Dec 2004: Named Manager of the Month.
May 2005: Spurs finish ninth.
May 2006: Spurs go into final game needing a win to finish fourth. But players fall ill, and they are pipped by Arsenal.
July 2006: Michael Carrick sold to Manchester United for £18.6m. Dimitar Berbatov arrives for £10.9m.
April 2007: Spurs lose to Sevilla – and Juande Ramos – in Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
May 2007: Fifth in Premiership. Gareth Bale arrives.
June 2007: Spurs sign Darren Bent for £16.5m.
August 2007: Photographs of Spurs officials meeting Ramos appear in Seville newspaper.

Personally, even though by Spur's standards Jol has done well, I think that they couldn't wait to see him out the door. Martin Jol, an honourable man, has been treated disgracefully by the board, the fans and Tottenham Hotspur as a whole.

Anybody connected with Spurs should be bloody ashamed of themselves!!

Keep Smiling

Gazza

A Bit Of Gossip.....

This courtesy of http://Football365.com

SWP OUT OF CHELSKI
It all sounds a little tenuous to us but The Sun reckons that Shaun Wright-Phillips is 'considering his Chelsea future again last night following a shock Euro snub by Avram Grant'.
'The Chelsea winger was furious after boss Grant left him out of the 18-man squad that beat Germans Schalke. And this latest blow could signal the end of SWP's turbulent Blues career.' Blimey. A little strong, surely?
Not so, insists the Sun. According to the newspaper, 'Wright-Phillips, 26 today, was convinced he was going to START on the right all the way up to kick-off then found out he was not even on the seven-man bench.' Inevitably, Manchester City and Tottenham are touted as possible destinations.

BRADY WANTS IRELAND JOB
Liam Brady has emerged as David O'Leary's main competition for the vacant position of Republic of Ireland manager after reportedly telling Arsene Wenger that he wants to replace Steve Staunton.
Brady is the Gunners' head of youth development and has held the position for over ten years. 'Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] does not want to lose Brady, who has presided over a system that in recent years has produced Ashley Cole, David Bentley and Steve Sidwell among others,' reports The Guardian. 'But Wenger would not stand in Brady's way were he to be offered the chance to succeed Staunton.
It is thought unlikely that Brady would be able to combine his current job with that of Ireland manager because of the potential conflict of interest.'

Not a great night for the british!!

Not a great night in Europe for the british teams last night although Avram Grant and his Chelsea team seem to have found that fire in their bellies again. They ran out 2-0 winners at home to Schalke to stay top of their group. But Liverpool's woes in Europe continue. The former European giants went down 2-1 away to Turkish outfit Besiktas to go bottom of their group with only 1 point and a seemingly impossible task to qualify now.


Celtic continue to show us their dreadful away form in this competition by going down 1-0 to the Portugeuese giants, Benfica.

After Tuesday nights results it all came as a bit of a letdown last night didn't it?

Never mind, it's not all over yet (apart from Liverpool maybe) and there is still plenty to play for yet - keep cheering boys...and girls!!

Keep smiling

Gazza

The home boys did us proud!!

This morning I have got blisters on my thumb from flicking backwards and forwards between channels last night. No, not between Corrie and some other soap dross but the mighty Man Utd and Arsenal.

Two superb performances in Europe yet again.

All the more so as Utd have an untold amount of injuries at the moment and to add to them Evra and Scholes had to pull out at the last minute more or less. And what about the Rooney - Tevez partnership? Awesome I'd say, What do you think?

Keep Smiling

Gary

Football Gossip...or not!? (courtesy of http://www.football365.com/)

LYON IN FOR DROGBA

Lyon have confirmed they want to sign Didier Drogba. With the Chelski striker indicating that he is ready to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season as a result of Jose Mourinho's departure, the French champions have become the first club to express a firm interest in signing the Ivorian.

'Mourinho broke Chelsea's transfer record to sign Drogba from Marseilles three years ago, but Lyons, the French champions have targeted the forward on several occasions since. Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyons president, has described it as a "dream" to sign him,' reports The Times.

'"Everything is possible in football," Aulas said. "Didier Drogba is an exceptional footballer who loves France. We had an asset [to make him come] here, Florent Malouda, who was playing for us. Unfortunately, he has left for Chelsea. If we had to sign both of them, it is maybe beyond our means."'

ARSENAL EYE £40m LYON DUO

Staying on the subject of Lyon, The Sun says that Arsene Wenger is targeting their £40m duo of Karim Benzema and Hatim Ben Arfa.

'The Gunners boss had both aces watched in Lyon's 3-1 win over Monaco at the weekend - Benzema found the net and Ben Arfa impressed,' it reports.

Also wondering who exactly they are? Well, The Sun helpfully asserts that 'Striker Benzema, 19, has taken the French league by storm with 11 goals in as many games' while 'Left-winger Ben Arfa, 20, has also broken into the France senior team.' However, Lyon will be reluctant sellers and 'The French champs are notorious for hiking up prices and they know Wenger has a £70m war chest.'

They do? Since when did anyone think that Wenger had a £70m war chest?

Super Leeds United - The Forgotton Club!!

Played - 12

Won - 10

Drawn - 2 Points - 17

Lost - 0 Position - 12

What an amazing story at Elland Road! The Forgotton Club!

After being ludicrously deducted 15 points before the start of the new season, Leeds United have quietly got on with what they are paid to do...play football. It's not been pretty at times but when you have so much ground to make up who cares? 3 points are 3 points and we have seen the grand old dame of football slowly but surely climb the table. Hell, if the table was how it should be then Leeds would be 9 points clear, and at such an early stage of the season.

Most of the credit must go to Dennis Wise And Gus Poyet and their 'never say die' attitude and of course the now outdated, or seems to be, work ethic of their players.

Leeds to win their league? Don't bet against it!!

Berbatov - Jol Rift??

OOPS WE'VE DONE IT AGAIN!!

Martin Jol's unstable standing as Tottenham boss was further eroded on Monday night when a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle was compounded by an apparent rift with a dissenting Dimitar Berbatov.
The striker, demoted to the substitutes' bench due to a 'slight injury', was seen to ignore Jol on three occasions when his manager ordered him to warm up. The Bulgarian eventually heeded the command to replace Steed Malbranque.
"I've heard about this and it's rubbish - there was no problem," Jol insisted afterwards. "Dimitar knows exactly what the schedule is for him and he is fine. I don't know who this rubbish is coming from."
But according to The Guardian, 'Jol's words were somewhat undermined by the actions of Tottenham's press officer, who, clearly nervous about the subject, attempted to block questions on Berbatov before Jol overrode him and answered regardless.'
The Dutchman has plenty of questions to answer about Spurs' early-season form, too. After a fifth league defeat of the season, they remain rooted in the relegation zone.
Asked if confidence was a problem, he said: "You could say that was from the start of the season, but I cannot agree with that because if you lack confidence, you cannot lead 2-1 against Liverpool, come back from 4-1 down to 4-4 (against Aston Villa), be 3-1 up against Fulham and could have scored five.
"I feel if we get one result, the confidence will be there. But after the Liverpool game, they all went away on international duty and then we had to come to Newcastle, so the schedule doesn't help."

Bit of advice Martin...If international matches bug you then don't sign international players!!

What the Papers Say Today

Not a lot of football in the headlines so here's what there is.....


THE SUN: Lewis Hamilton brushed aside his world title misery and vowed: "I'll bounce back even stronger.'' The Formula One whizkid made it a hat-trick of heartache for England after our rugby pain in Paris and soccer misery in Moscow. Brian Ashton's job is in the balance despite taking England to the World Cup final.

DAILY MIRROR: Lewis Hamilton revealed the agony of another sporting dream slipping away after a day of drama here in Brazil. Brian Ashton returns home to an uncertain future today despite leading England to the Rugby World Cup final.

DAILY MAIL: Lewis Hamilton suffered world championship heartbreak at yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix to complete a miserable weekend for England. Australian Stuart Dickinson, the video judge at the centre of the Rugby World Cup final controversy over Mark Cueto's disallowed try, yesterday defended his decision.

THE GUARDIAN: An inquiry into the temperature of the petrol in the cars that finished fourth, fifth and sixth in yesterday's Brazilian grand prix briefly threw the outcome of the race and the final world championship standings into doubt late last night, opening the possibility that Lewis Hamilton might yet be handed the 2007 world championship. Brian Ashton will have to wait several weeks to learn if he is to remain as England's head coach, despite steering his country to a Rugby World Cup final within 10 months of taking the job.

THE TIMES: Lewis Hamilton, the brilliant young British driver, who had led the Formula One world championship since June, endured a nightmarish afternoon on the baking tarmac of Interlagos yesterday and could finish only seventh in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: It was not meant to be. Once the tears have dried and the sun comes up on another day, Lewis Hamilton will look back on a season of high achievement and dreadful luck when the chips were down. The Australian video referee who controversially ruled out Mark Cueto's try in England's World Cup final defeat by South Africa said yesterday he was "100% happy'' he had made the right decision, but admitted problems with French television producers had made it take time to call.

DAILY STAR: Lewis Hamilton's world title dream blew up in his face yesterday. A gearbox glitch in the Brazilian Grand Prix saw him miss out to Ferrari's race winner and new world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Mark Cueto last night insisted he had been "robbed'' of the try that could have won England the World Cup.

THE INDEPENDENT: History repeated itself in a classic Brazilian Grand Prix confrontation yesterday, as outsider Kimi Raikkonen came through to snatch the world championship from McLaren's grasp in a race when everything went right for Ferrari and everything went wrong for erstwhile series leader Lewis Hamilton.

DAILY EXPRESS: Lewis Hamilton drove down heartbreak avenue along with the England rugby team as car trouble wrecked his Formula One title dream.Australian TV official Stuart Dickinson made his fateful call to rule out Mark Cueto's World Cup final `try' without the freeze frame picture he needed because of language difficulties with French broadcasters.

Bit Late Now!!

Aston Villa striker John Carew has resumed light training after four weeks out injured and could be back in contention for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash at Bolton.
The Norway international has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage during last month's home clash with Everton after scoring his first goal of the campaign earlier in the game.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "John is on course with his comeback and he has been doing some light work already. At the very worst, I would imagine John would be back for the Derby game in two weeks but, if things progress nicely, then maybe he will be in contention for next week against Bolton."
He added: "The timing of his injury was unfortunate because John was showing signs of rediscovering the form he had shown last season and the goal against Everton would have been a real confidence boost."

His physical presence and power offers Villa an alternative to the pace of fellow frontmen Gabriel Agbonlahor, Luke Moore and Ashley Young.
Carew's return may be timely as O'Neill hinted he may decide to make changes following Saturday night's 4-1 home reversal by Manchester United.
The Irishman said: "I decided because we got the result against West Ham that we would go in against Manchester United with the same personnel.
"We might start to change things around a little bit now. We've not got that many to choose from but we will see."
O'Neill will have to make at least two changes for the trip to the Reebok Stadium as midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and goalkeeper Scott Carson will be suspended after being sent off against United.

My Manchester United!!

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to hit Dynamo Kiev with a classic counter-attacking punch in his side's Champions League clash on Tuesday night.
United headed out to the Ukraine on Sunday in confident mood following their 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa, and have the upper hand following victories in their opening two Champions League encounters with Sporting Lisbon and Roma.
"Kiev's defeats mean they will have to beat us, which is good," Ferguson told Manchester United Radio. "It means we can set out our stall to play counter-attack. We expect a tough game but our two wins mean we are in a good position."
Once again, Louis Saha has been ruled out even though Ferguson was hopeful the injury-plagued French striker was in line to make the trip to the Ukraine despite missing the win at Villa Park with a long-term knee problem.
However, Saha has not made the Red Devils' travelling party, along with England duo Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves.
There was some good news for United, though, with Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic fit to make the trip even though Ferguson remains unconvinced the former Spartak Moscow player will be available after suffering concussion during the Barclays Premier League win over Wigan immediately before the international break.
Ferguson is mindful of the fact United also won their opening three group games last season and were then forced to scramble through in their final match after losses against Copenhagen and Celtic.
And the Scot has not forgotten early exits in the previous three seasons, which is why he is determined the Red Devils should maintain their early momentum as they look to do better than their semi-final appearance last season.
"The name of the game is to win the group," he said. "We looked much like our usual selves in the second half against Roma last time and we will be looking to continue that in Kiev..
"Dynamo Kiev have always been a difficult side to beat," he said. "They have also always been a club that has produced good young players. We drew 0-0 against them there a few years ago and they will be a handful again, that's for sure."

Tevez-Does anybody know??

Does anybody really know what is happening with Carlos Tevez? It seems that fleet street has no idea at all as every paper differs in its knowledge. For example;'Carlos Tevez will cost Manchester United an amazing £38million in wages and fees over the next five years. The Argie striker is poised to sign for boss Alex Ferguson after the Copa America. United are understood to be recruiting the hitman on an 'extended loan' from West Ham with Tevez, 23, earning around £110,000 a week in wages' - The Sun
And....
'Manchester United will pay businessman Kia Joorabchian £6million for the signature of Carlos Tevez. At the end of an initial two-year deal, United will have the option to buy the striker outright for £15m. The deal will be modelled on Javier Mascherano's move from Upton Park to Liverpool' - The Daily Mirror
And here....
'United have agreed in principle a two-year deal with Kia Joorabchian, the owner of the Argentine striker's economic rights, with an option to buy him outright in the summer of 2009. The club could make an announcement today confirming the deal, subject to obtaining the necessary paperwork and the player passing a medical when he returns from the Copa America in Venezuela later this month' - The Daily Telegraph
And even here...
'Carlos Tevez is set to sign for Manchester United in the next two days in a deal that could be worth up to £30m. The Argentine will fly directly from the Copa America in Venezuela to join up with United's pre-season tour to the United States on Monday. Tevez will sign a two-year deal at United with a "loan fee" of between £4m-£8m a year being paid. None of that will go to West Ham, even though they hold his registration and claim that he is "their player". Instead the money will be received by Joorabchian and the companies that control Tevez. United will then have an "exclusive option" in the second year of buying the striker out-right. That fee is expected to be between £14m-£22m' - The Independent
Seems that it remains a conundrum! but one thing is for sure-The FA will be looking at all the smallprint under an electron microscope!!
More soon...
Gary

Lampard-Who cares!!

Frank Lampard admits he has been happy to have a break from contract talks with Chelsea.
The midfielder has spent the best part of 12 months discussing an extension to his current deal, which has two years remaining.
He has been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona, while reports on Sunday claimed Lampard has turned down an offer to become Chelsea's highest-paid player. This from Sky Sports.

But really who cares?

This has become the most boring transfer story I have heard, even more so when you think how long it has been going on for!

Personally I do not rate Lamps that highly not when compared to Gerrard or even Owen Hargreaves( who incidentally has just completed his marathon transfer to Man Utd!) so why should I care if he wants to go-wants to stay? The answer is I don't, I'm hoping you do. Comments please.

Bit quiet on the transfer front today so I'll be back soon with more thoughts.

See you soon

Gary

Transfer merry go round

So they finally went and did it!! Spurs shelled out £16m for a certain Mr Bent! Now think of it this way.....Henry-£16m
Owen - £9m (possibly)
Torres-£27m
Now where does Darren Bent come in class compared to these three? Exactly! The only people who seem to agree that he is worth that kind of money are Spurs fans!
There's talk again of Gabby Heinze leaving Man Utd. There are rumours that Liverpool are going to put in a £7m bid for the Argy left-back. I personally do not understand why Fergie seems willing to let him go when he only has one world class left-back in Evra, and especially if he lets bitter rivals Liverpool take him. Shooting yourself in the foot isn't usually Fergie's way.
What by the way is Didier Drogba up to?
"You want to know if I will still return to Chelsea?" asked the Ivorian. "I will reply to that when I am ready. For now I am having a deserved vacation. "I love the English league and may not be in a hurry to leave England if you insist. "But it's difficult to really predict what I want to do in the next week." EH? What is he on? The premier League's highest scorer who said last year that "I will die if I leave Chelsea". Bring on the contract negotiations!!
Well Man Utd have finally got the exciting Brazilian,Anderson, his work permit at the second time of trying. Testimonials from the likes of Luis (Big Phil) Scolari helped to grease the wheels a little! It is definately going to be interesting to see where and how Fergie plays him in an already congested midfield.
Any comments guys..?
See you soon
Gary

Spanning the World: The Crazy Universe of Big-Time Sports, All-Star Egos, and Hall of Fame Bloopers

Another FREEBIE for you:
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, and contemporary commentary on the state of sports from the ultimate fan who has seen it all.
Berman has been a fixture on the New York City sports scene since the 1980s, but he is best know nationally for the sports bloopers he collects in his "Spanning the World" pieces on the Tonight Show. This collection of funny or unusual anecdotes draws from both "Spanning" video and his own memory bank. Along the way, Berman offers insights into such various sports figures as Bob Knight and Arthur Ashe, but it's the oddball stuff that will most interest readers, including the story of a practical joke played by Detroit Piston Rick Mahorn, who told a referee during a game that teammate Joe Dumars had just scored his twenty-thousandth career point. Dumars was actually 5,000 short, but Mahorn's deception generated an impromptu ceremony that interrupted the game. There are hundreds of similar stand-alone anecdotes collected here, loosely organized around themes. Try a couple of chapters at a time for maximum enjoyment. Expect Berman to generate his own demand with multiple media appearances.
Just click the link for your free copy, PDF download!
http://www.asiaing.com/spanning-the-world-the-crazy-universe-of-big-time-sports-all-star-egos-and-hall-of-fame-blo-2.html
Later,
Gary

More news from the transfer world

Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi could be set for a permanent switch to Parma.
The Italian club's president Tommaso Ghirardi claims to have made an enquiry about the availability of the 20-year-old, who spent five months on loan with the Serie A team last season.
"We spoke with the player, with the Manchester United chief executive [David Gill] and with Sir Alex Ferguson, too," said Ghirardi. "Now it's up to them to give us an answer."
The Parma supremo accepts it will not be easy to secure Rossi's services but insists the offer he has made United is fair.
"Certainly, it would be really difficult to keep the player, but we believe in this," Ghirardi said.
"From a financial point of view, we made our offer and I think it completely answers Manchester's expectations."
Not too sure about this one what with Man utd in the market for a new striker, give the boy Giuseppe a chance I say, he seems to be doing okay elsewhere!
For once ,as I have already mentioned, I do feel sorry for the Man City fans out there having to look forward to the arrival of Sven. Third choice at City and last I heard even the South Africans turned him down! Oops, looks like another big mistake on the blue side of Manchester!
Catchya later,
Gary

More news from the transfer world

The silliest report that I have read for a long time concerns Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. According to one of the tabloid newspapers Atletico are willing to let Fernando Torres go in exchang for Peter Crouch, with hard cash of course! I cannot think of any player at the moment who is so unlike Torres, as Crouch is, that I find that rumour hard to believe - Torres the proven goalscore for club and country, to be replaced by Crouch who cannot get a starting place for club never mind country!
Now we all knew that Thierry Henry was going to follow David Dein out of the Emirates door and Join Barca but what is surprising is the talk of Anelka being bought to replace him. This could just be Wenger's way of a quick fix but the Arsenal board obviously do not agree with him as reports suggest they are going to put a block on any possible bid. I for one cannot blame them; Anelka wasn't exactly loyal the first time out was he! Could this also be a test of Wenger's resolve to see the last year of his contract out? We shall see.
Here is sad news to me personally; Alan Smith is reportedly going to sign for Middlesborough for a paltry £6m( puts Darren Bent's £15m-£16m move to Spurs in perspective! ). Although Portsmouth are supposed to be interested as are Newcastle and Sunderland, I sincerely hope he keeps to his word and stays to fight for his place at The Theatre of Dreams!
On the other side of Manchester there are clouds gathering! Ok so they have been taken over and paid all their debts but, and here is the downside, Saucy Sven is more than likely going to be their next manager! I have talked to City fans in the pub and in various forums and not one fan has shown his pleasure at the possibility of Nancy..sorry I mean Sven-Goran Eriksson taking over the reins at The City of Manchester Stadium. I feel sorry for them all...not!
Thats about all today folks but there will be more!
Gary

World Soccor mag for free!

Just a Quicky today!
I found this free e-book you can download at the above link.
No money will change hands you just register for free and away you go!
Have a read and tell me what you think!
Gary

Chelski Becoming Poorski??

Had a bad day today what with the weather among other things but what did cheer me up was hearing about Mourinho searching for bargain basement players the latest being Benni McCarthy from Blackburn. OK he was good when he played for the Special One at Porto but he has been around the block a bit since! Add that to Tal Haim, a possible free transfer from Bolton.....What is going on at Chelski??
More later....
Gary

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Is 'Psycho' the meanest motivator?

Stuart Pearce's side are in pole position to qualify as their destiny is in their own hands, while Italy and Czech Republic are hoping to capitalise on any England slip-up.
Two draws from their opening two games sees England placed second in Group B behind Serbia, who have already secured their semi-final place.
Pearce believes Italy will overcome the Czechs meaning England must win their game to assure progression in Holland.
"We feel if we don't win the game we go out of the competition. I think the Italians will beat the Czechs," stated the former Manchester City boss.
Hopefully Ferdinand will be sufficiantly recovered from injury as the heart of the defence has looked weak. Give Nugent enough of the ball to actually do something with it then the semis are next.
Go Psycho!!

Gary

The 'Special One' shows humility?!

Jose Mourinho has revealed had he not been mentally strong last season then he could have walked away from Chelsea.
The hugely successful Portuguese tactician's job was reportedly under threat last term following a much-publicised fall-out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
However, the pair are believed to have reconciled and the former Porto boss has lifted the lid on the exact goings on within the confines of Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho concedes Chelsea works in a different way to the traditional hierarchy at most football clubs and has stated it is he who needs to adapt to the situation - not Abramovich.
I couldn't believe my eyes when i saw the quote from the 'Portuguese Prince' showing that he could actually be semi- human afterall!

Gary

Coming and goings at Arsenal

WENGER PREPARES TO SELL HENRY
The Gossip has quietened down in recent days but it doesn't get much more dramatic than this: The Times claims that 'Arsene Wenger has signalled his willingness to sell Thierry Henry by entering into negotiations with Barcelona for the first time'. According to the newspaper, 'The Arsenal manager met Ferran Soriano, the Spanish club's financial director, in Paris this week for preliminary discussions, though both parties remain some distance from agreeing Henry's transfer. Wenger wants to sign Samuel Eto'o as part of the deal, but Barcelona are reluctant to allow the Cameroon striker to leave despite his problems at the club this season.' The Guardian also speculates that Wenger has opened talked with Barca and is more willing to believe that Eto'o could move to the Emirates: 'Wenger is an avowed admirer of the Cameroon striker, whom Barcelona are thought to consider surplus to requirements if Henry arrives.' Nonethless, as The Times writes, the bottom line appears to be that Wenger has accepted 'that he is running out of options, with Henry eager to take what many believe would be his final opportunity to move to Spain. Wenger may resolve to cash in on an unsettled player in any case, as he did when selling Patrick Vieira to Juventus two years ago.' As such, Henry may be offloaded for around £20m and Arsenal will confirm their status as a selling club.
BABEL EYES GUNNERS SWITCH
However, one player apparently willing to play for the Gunners is Ajax winger Ryan Babel. The 20-year-old forward has been watched by Arsenal while helping Holland Under-21s reach the semi-finals of the European Championships they are hosting, with Babel scoring against Portugal. "If I get the chance one day to train with Arsene Wenger it would be a dream," he said. From when I was young I supported Arsenal. I liked the style, the ambience, how they show themselves on the field - everything."
So then Alliadierre, Henry...who's next to leave The Emirates on the transfer merry go round?
More soon
Gary

The transfer merry go round!

"Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Darren Bent from Charlton Athletic.
The former Ipswich ace was always destined to leave The Valley this summer following Charlton's relegation.
Bent had been expected to join West Ham, with The Hammers reportedly willing to offer £17million to seal the deal, plus a lucrative pay packet.
Now sources close to the England striker have told Sky Sports News Spurs have expressed an interest in the player."
This supposedly from sky sports news! And the pay he is supposed to be offersd?..£75,000 a week!
All this for a player with less than 50% score ratio and only made one appearance (sub) for England in a friendly last season!!
More interesting though is.....

"Niall Quinn admits Sunderland are waiting for David Nugent to return from England duty before pushing on with a bid for the Preston North End striker.
Reports on Wednesday claimed that Sunderland had made an undisclosed cash offer for the forward, who is in Holland at the European Under 21 Championship.
Black Cats chairman Quinn was taken aback by the revelation, but confirmed the club are waiting for the opportunity to speak to Nugent.
"It was a surprise to us, the way the story broke out yesterday," Quinn told Sky Sports News.
"As far as we were concerned, the last time we spoke to Preston he had the tournament, which is very important for England Under 21s.
"I think the player himself said that and it was foremost in his mind. It's a waiting game until that's over.
"Our interest, as three or four other clubs are, is pretty well known at this stage."
Quinn also confirmed that the promoted side are working hard to add to Roy Keane's squad before the start of the Premier League season.
He added: "We're trying very hard. The type of player we are trying to bring in doesn't come cheap.
"We haven't gone for the cheap alternatives at this stage and we are still in there trying very hard for the ideal player that Roy Keane wants.
"We'll keep every stone turned and do everything we possibly can to bring the type of player in we believe will make Sunderland a better club.
"It's not as straight-forward as people expect you to do these things. It's very, very hard work, but we're getting there and we hope to have a bit of news soon."

Now Nugent is a player with fantastic potential...he's aggressive, quick and a proven goalscorer at any level as well as many,many assists.
I sincerely hope he does go to Sunderland as Roy Keane will surely get the best out of the young man!!

Gary

Is Beckham right to go to America??

Terry Venables believes Steve McClaren is 'wise' to not guarantee David Beckham his England place next season.
Beckham was recalled to the England fold for the recent games against Brazil and Estonia after failing to feature during the early months of McClaren's reign.
He impressed upon his return, creating three of England's four goals, but has not been assured of a role in the autumn Euro 2008 qualifiers.
With Beckham heading to Los Angeles Galaxy later in the summer, England assistant manager Venables has backed McClaren's stance on the midfielder.
"Some people were surprised Steve did not instantly guarantee David's place next season, but I thought that was wise," said Venables in his News of the World column.
"The next few months represent a step into the unknown for the manager and player, and we have to assess what impact the travelling and the different demands of Major League Soccer will have on David.
"If he can maintain his physical condition, his desire and his capability to influence matches, I do not see a problem."
Venables also praised the return to international action of Michael Owen, who scored against Estonia in his first competitive England appearance since injuring his knee at last year's World Cup.
"Nobody can doubt his fitness now," said Venables of the Newcastle striker. "Michael was tremendous against Estonia - his work-rate was almost too high.
"I began to wonder whether he would have the energy to get in the right position when it mattered.
"I need not have worried. He took his goal well and after a full close-season he will be back to his best next term."