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[Rutashubanyuma]

Spurs face losing three defenders for Everton trip

Published 15:46 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Alan Hutton and William Gallas are injury concerns for Tottenham ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Everton.
Hutton suffered a foot injury against Fulham and is rated as "touch and go" by manager Harry Redknapp while Gallas is nursing a tight hamstring.
Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul are suspended while Carlo Cudicini (shoulder), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Gomes, Pletikosa, Hutton, Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Palacios, Jenas, Bale, Lennon, Bentley, Modric, Dos Santos, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Keane






​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Angola succumb Iran in Doha friendly

Angola will face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday

Angola lost 1-0 to Iran in a international friendly match played in Doha on Sunday.
An injury-time goal by Javad Nekounam gave Iran the victory in a game that served a warm-up ahead of the Asian Cup which kicks off on 7 January.
Nekounam found the bottom corner of the goal with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area.
The Palancras Negras are back in action on Tuesday when they face Saudi Arabia in another friendly.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Fergie defends Pulis' Potters




Updated Jan 4, 2011 4:50 AM ET
Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Arsene Wenger's criticism of Stoke ahead of Manchester United's clash with the Potters on Tuesday.
Ferguson has praised Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis for the way he prepares his side and also for the way in which he copes with the occasional question marks rival bosses raise against it.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Wenger, who Ferguson has enjoyed some memorable years of sparring with, was named by the Scot as one such manager.
"People have criticised their physical style of play but they stick to what they do best," said Ferguson of Stoke.
"I suppose Arsene Wenger has been one of their main critics, but then he does go off on a tangent at times. For instance, he criticised our pitch after they lost here before Christmas and I was at a loss to understand why.
"I have a great admiration for Tony and the wry way he rides the criticism levelled at his team. If anything the criticism galvanises the players."
Wenger has previously accused Pulis's side of employing "rugby style" tactics and suggested some were "cowards" after a bruising encounter in 2008.
United have won all five of their Premier League games against the Potters but Mike Phelan says they give his side as much food for thought as the top clubs in the league.
"Stoke, for us, is as big a game as playing Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool, purely because they demand a high level of attention to detail," Phelan told United Review. "They are a very good team. They've sustained their Premier League status for a third successive season now and are a competitive side.
WHAT A YEAR!

Take a pictorial look back at an incredible year in soccer with the 2010 Year in Pictures gallery.

"They certainly give you a run for your money. We respect Stoke a lot for the way the club is run and for what they have achieved. One thing we do know is that we have to be fully focused when we play them."
Stoke have been thumped 5-0 and 4-0 in their two previous league meetings at Old Trafford and Pulis is hoping his side won't be quite so generous again this time.
Stoke go into the match on the back of a 2-0 victory against Everton and Pulis said: "We will go to Old Trafford and give it our best shot.
"We have run them close at our place but not at Old Trafford. We have struggled there. Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves."
Pulis has Robert Huth available again after suspension while Ricardo Fuller is looking to retain his place up front alongside Jones ahead of Jon Walters.
Meanwhile, Pulis is looking to do a little bit of business in the transfer window.
He added: "If we can bring in one or two in we will. It lifts everyone but they have to be right."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

West Ham worry over Behrami and Jacobsen fitness

Published 15:41 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

West Ham will check on Lars Jacobsen and Valon Behrami ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle.
Full-back Jacobsen has been struggling with a heel injury and midfielder Behrami has been out for a month with a hip problem, but both were expected to train today.
Midfielder Mark Noble is in line to start after returning from his hip injury as a substitute against Wolves, but Kieron Dyer (thigh), Herita Ilunga (leg), Benni McCarthy (calf), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Green, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera, Stanislas, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Boffin.


​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Week 21​

Final

WBA​

1-2

Manchester Utd​

Match Stats

Final

Liverpool​

2-1

Bolton​

Match Stats

Final

Manchester City​

1-0

Blackpool​

Match Stats

Final

Sunderland​

3-0

Blackburn​

Match Stats

Final

Tottenham​

1-0

Fulham​

Match Stats

Final

West Ham​

2-0

Wolverhampton​

Match Stats

Final

Stoke City​

2-0

Everton​

Match Stats

Final

Birmingham​

0-3

Arsenal​

Match Stats

Final

Chelsea​

3-3

Aston Villa​

Match Stats

Final

Wigan​

0-1

Newcastle​

Match Stats

Tue-01/04

Manchester Utd​

vs.

Stoke City​

3:00 PM ET

Tue-01/04

Fulham​

vs.

WBA​

3:00 PM ET

Tue-01/04

Blackpool​

vs.

Birmingham​

3:00 PM ET

Wed-01/05

Arsenal​

vs.

Manchester City​

2:45 PM ET

Wed-01/05

Aston Villa​

vs.

Sunderland​

2:45 PM ET

Wed-01/05

Newcastle​

vs.

West Ham​

2:45 PM ET

Wed-01/05

Wolverhampton​

vs.

Chelsea​

2:45 PM ET

Wed-01/05

Everton​

vs.

Tottenham​

3:00 PM ET

Scores » | Fixtures »

Scoring​

Goals​

Arsenal​

42​

Assists​

2 teams tied​

32​

Shots​

Chelsea​

334​

Goalkeeping​

Goals Allowed​

Manchester City​

16​

Saves​

Birmingham​

91​

SOGF​

Blackpool​

120​

Discipline​

Yellow Cards​

Newcastle​

46​

Red Cards​

WBA​

6​

Fouls Committed​

Bolton​

284​

Complete Stats »

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Donovan opens door for Everton






Updated Jan 4, 2011 9:24 AM ET
Landon Donovan counts himself as an "Evertonian for life" and would never close the door on a return to Goodison Park at some stage.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Donovan enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Blues at the start of the year and had been linked with a return this month.
But speaking in the middle of December, he said: "While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this off-season as opposed to going on loan."
The Los Angeles Galaxy forward now insists, though, that he hasn't closed the door permanently.
Speaking via podcast to Everton fans' website Followtonians Podcasts, the 28-year-old said: "I thought to myself a lot, 'If you say no, then what's going to happen next year? Are they going to let you back?'
"That was hard, because I don't want to close that door, I always want the opportunity (to go back). If I don't have the opportunity... I mean I'm an Evertonian for life now."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Macheda relishing Samp spell




Updated Jan 4, 2011 5:59 AM ET
Manchester United striker Federico Macheda is sure he will benefit from a loan move to Sampdoria and return to Old Trafford a better player.
Macheda has been a peripheral figure for United this season after bursting on to the scene with a number of crucial goals in the 2008/09 campaign.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Ferguson therefore decided the 19-year-old needed regular playing time and Sampdoria have edged out Macheda's former club Lazio to take him on loan until the end of the season.
The Italy Under-21 striker told Gazzetta dello Sport: "There are still a couple of faxes (to be sent) but sometime between Wednesday and Thursday I will be in Italy.
"Genoa is a beautiful city and I am happy."
Macheda is hoping a spell in his homeland will make him a better player.
"I am only playing 10-20 minute spells in games currently and that is not helping my growth.
"Ferguson is of the same opinion," he said.
"In this regard, we are all happy because in six months' time, Manchester United will get a stronger player."
Samp moved for Macheda after Antonio Cassano's controversial departure for AC Milan following a row with club president Riccardo Garrone.
But the Rome-born youngster was keen to stress he should not be viewed as a direct replacement for the former Real Madrid star.
WHAT A YEAR!

Take a pictorial look back at an incredible year in soccer with the 2010 Year in Pictures gallery.

"Cassano is a champion while it's the first time I will have played in Serie A," he said.
"Cassano and I are players with very different characteristics and on two different levels.
"I know there is a lot of expectation on me but the responsibility does not scare me. If I don't play I won't mature.
"Here the football is very tactical but I have no fear."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

West Ham worry over Behrami and Jacobsen fitness

Published 15:41 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

West Ham will check on Lars Jacobsen and Valon Behrami ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Newcastle.
Full-back Jacobsen has been struggling with a heel injury and midfielder Behrami has been out for a month with a hip problem, but both were expected to train today.
Midfielder Mark Noble is in line to start after returning from his hip injury as a substitute against Wolves, but Kieron Dyer (thigh), Herita Ilunga (leg), Benni McCarthy (calf), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle) remain sidelined.
Provisional squad: Green, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Jacobsen, Barrera, Stanislas, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Spector, Boa Morte, Cole, Obinna, Piquionne, Sears, Reid, Faubert, Boffin.


​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Houllier set to stick with his Stamford Bridge heroes

Published 15:37 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the home Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland tomorrow evening.
Houllier is considering whether to keep faith with the side which earned an impressive 3-3 draw with champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Youngster Ciaran Clark is likely to keep his place at left-back in place of axed England defender Stephen Warnock after scoring a last-gasp equaliser.
Midfielder Fabian Delph and right-back Luke Young are still sidelined with knee problems.

Villa (provisional squad): Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Clark, Downing, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Marshall, Albrighton, Pires, Delfouneso, Bannan, Lichaj, Herd, Hogg, Warnock.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

West Ham use 'home' advantage to tempt Becks

Published 16:44 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Avram Grant today offered David Beckham the chance to come "home" and sign for West Ham.
The former England captain is said to be considering a move back to the Premier League on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, with Tottenham apparently leading the chase.
But Grant has now put the Hammers forward as a potential destination for 35-year-old midfielder Beckham, who was born close to Upton Park in Leytonstone.
"There are other teams who want him, he's a big player and a big personality," said Grant.

"But if David Beckham wants to come to West Ham he is welcome.
"I like him as a player and as a person, and he's a local lad.
"Many clubs want him but if he wants to come to West Ham I would be happy."
Grant was less eager to talk about Robbie Keane, Michael Owen, Wayne Bridge and Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba, who have all been linked with January moves to the Hammers.
Steve Sidwell has passed a medical and agreed terms on a switch from Aston Villa, although he is now thought to be considering offers from elsewhere.
Grant said: "I like Steve. I worked with him at Chelsea, he never let me down and he's a good person.
"But January stories, part of them are true and part are not. I have nothing to say until the deals are done.
"We have followed many players like many clubs, we are following players to make us strong, but we will not bring in 15 players, not even five."
The mood at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground has certainly improved following their festive results which have seen them climb off the bottom of the table and up to 16th place.
Next up is a trip to face Newcastle and former West Ham boss Alan Pardew, with Grant looking to build on a run of four games unbeaten.
"The feeling is good but there is a long way to go," Grant said.
"We did well in the last 10 days and we are very happy because we needed points and we felt we deserved points.
"The atmosphere is the same, the spirit is good and of course the players are happier. At the end of the day football is about results.
"There is a long way to go and we know we will have good days and not so good days.
"We will face tough times and good times until the end of the season. But want to continue our good momentum.
"It will be an interesting game, Newcastle are a very good team but we are concentrating on what we have to do."
Mark Noble is expected to return to the starting line-up after a hip injury, alongside former Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker.
But another former Newcastle player, Kieron Dyer, is still sidelined with a thigh injury.


​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Nº
Team
GP
W
D
L
GF
GA
+/-
Pts
Home
Away

1

Manchester United
19
11
8
0
41
18
23
41
9-1-0
2-7-0

2

Manchester City
21
12
5
4
33
16
17
41
6-3-2
6-2-2

3

Arsenal
20
12
3
5
42
22
20
39
6-0-3
6-3-2

4

Tottenham Hotspur
20
10
6
4
30
23
7
36
6-4-1
4-2-3

5

Chelsea
20
10
5
5
36
18
18
35
7-2-1
3-3-4

6

Sunderland
21
7
9
5
24
22
2
30
6-4-1
1-5-4

7

Bolton Wanderers
21
7
8
6
33
28
5
29
5-4-1
2-4-5

8

Stoke City
20
8
3
9
25
24
1
27
5-2-4
3-1-5

9

Liverpool
19
7
4
8
23
24
-1
25
6-2-2
1-2-6

10

Newcastle
20
7
4
9
29
31
-2
25
3-3-4
4-1-5

11

Blackpool
18
7
4
7
26
30
-4
25
2-2-2
5-2-5

12

Blackburn Rovers
21
7
4
10
26
34
-8
25
4-3-3
3-1-7

13

Everton
20
4
10
6
21
24
-3
22
2-4-3
2-6-3

14

West Brom
20
6
4
10
26
36
-10
22
4-2-4
2-2-6

15

Aston Villa
20
5
6
9
23
37
-14
21
4-4-2
1-2-7

16

West Ham
21
4
8
9
22
33
-11
20
3-4-4
1-4-5

17

Wigan Athletic
20
4
8
8
17
32
-15
20
2-5-4
2-3-4

18

Fulham
20
3
10
7
19
24
-5
19
2-5-3
1-5-4

19

Birmingham
19
3
10
6
18
24
-6
19
3-5-2
0-5-4

20

Wolverhampton
20
5
3
12
20
34
-14
18
4-2-4
1-1-8


Soccer Stats Glossary

Places 1-3:
Direct entry to Champions League Group Stage.


Place 4:
Direct entry to Champions League, Playoff Round.


Place 5:
Direct entry to Europa League, Playoff Round.


Place 6:
Direct entry to Europa League, Third Round of Qualifying.


Place 7:
Possible entry into Europa League depending on results of FA Cup competition. *


Places 18-20:
Relegation to English Championship




Premier League Standings
3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, no points for a loss.
If two or more teams have equal points the following tiebreakers shall be employed: Goal Difference, Goals scored, Play-off at neutral venue (champion or relegation places only).
Premier League Tiebreakers
* If the Domestic Cup winner has also qualified for the Champions League, then the Europa League spot gets to the Cup runner-up. If that team has also qualified for the Champions League, then the Europa League spot goes to the next highest placed team in the league standings

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wenger: Gunners full of belief




TEAMtalk Media Group







Updated Jan 4, 2011 7:16 AM ET
03/01/2011 17:46 +0100

The Gunners are just two points behind leaders Manchester United following their emphatic 3-0 victory over Birmingham on New Year's Day. Arsenal's famed flowing football has won many plaudits - but no titles since their unbeaten campaign in 2003-04. But Wenger is convinced his current squad have the ability to change that. "You can see we have the belief in our game now. That is what will make the title race really interesting," said Wenger. "It takes a kind of bravery to get the ball down and play. That is always the most important thing and why I was most pleased on Saturday. "After the Chelsea game the team was on a high because we got that burden out of the way. "We were quickly down again because we dropped two points against Wigan - but I am pleased we were quickly back up again. "This team could see the positive effect of the Chelsea win. It was there for all to see on Saturday." Arsenal's England full-back Kieran Gibbs could be back in the first-team squad in time for the weekend's FA Cup third round tie against Leeds. Gibbs, 21, has been sidelined since injuring his ankle against Partizan Belgrade on December 8 and is poised for a return to training tomorrow. "Kieran Gibbs is very close," Wenger told Arsenal TV. "He could be in full training again on Tuesday and there is a little chance he is available for Saturday."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Moyes admits anxiety over Everton's struggles

Published 16:36 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

David Moyes claims Everton's performances remain good despite their bad results - but would happily see the situation reversed.
Moyes' inconsistent side have slipped back since an encouraging win at Manchester City on December 20, drawing at struggling West Ham and losing to Stoke.
The Toffees have laboured for little reward all season and have won just four of their 20 Barclays Premier League games.
Moyes said: "We're anxious, I think the crowd are anxious.

"They're not happy with the way we are playing, which is totally understandable.
"I'm not that unhappy with the style or the way we are trying to play. If anyone said that I would have to question it.
"But we are not winning.
"A lot of teams are not playing well but winning. In a lot of games I'm seeing the best team isn't always winning.
"I think we're playing not bad but not winning.
"We have to change that round - maybe get back to not playing well but winning.
"If we do that then maybe things would change."
Everton face a tough test tomorrow as they host a buoyant Tottenham, a side not only challenging for Champions League football again, but even starting to be viewed as dark horses for the title itself.
Harry Redknapp's side are enjoying a fine season both in Europe and domestically and their pacey, counter-attacking style has won many admirers.
In recent years Spurs have been bracketed with Everton in a cluster of clubs chasing the traditional big four, but Moyes accepts a gap has now opened up.
The Scot said: "They're having a great season and are probably getting more coverage than any other team in the Premier League at the moment, and rightly so.
"At the start of the season I thought there were a few teams who could have a good go at winning the Premier League and I think Tottenham have shown that.
"It is something which has been coming, the club has continually invested in players.
"I think you would expect them to come through.
"We have been competing with them over a few years, finishing fifth or sixth, but I think Tottenham have always had that financial clout that comes from being a big club in London.
"They have got a massive squad. Look at the spending they have put into the club over the last few years.
"They're probably as big spenders as most clubs, including Chelsea. Not as big as Man City, obviously, but up there with the best."
Spurs are hoping to recruit again in this month's transfer window and have made clear their desire to bring in former England captain David Beckham on loan.
Moyes has no money to spend but has long since accepted the situation.
He is looking for loan signings and was linked with Beckham himself last month but that interest came to nothing and he feels it may even be difficult now to complete any temporary deals.
Moyes said: "We are not in the market to buy players, we might be in the market to loan.
"We would like to strengthen but 90% of managers don't have a lot of cash to deal with, especially in the period we are in just now.
"It is part of the job, to work with the players we have got and try to get the best out of them.
"I think over the years we have tended to do that."
Moyes' top priority is to find a reliable goalscorer following Tim Cahill's departure for the Asian Cup.
The inspirational Australia midfielder has hit nine goals this season, three times as many as forwards Ayegbeni Yakubu, Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford combined.
Moyes said: "It's a great return for a deep-lying forward or attacking midfielder.
"He's really been the only one that has contributed with a serious goal tally.
"We've had people like Bainesy [Leighton Baines] getting a couple of goals which is not bad but, in truth, we have not had any of the other main people stepping up to the mark.
"We have got to get some of other players in the team to."
Everton are without England defender Phil Jagielka, who struggled through his return from a thigh strain in the New Year's Day loss to Stoke.
John Heitinga could take his place if he passes a fitness test on his knee but otherwise Tony Hibbert will deputise. Seamus Coleman is a doubt after a blow to the ribs.



​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

There's no stopping City claims Barry

Published 16:32 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Gareth Barry is adamant success is inevitable for Manchester City providing their Abu Dhabi-based owners remain committed to the club.
It is estimated Sheikh Mansour has spent more than £1billion on the Blues since he bought the club from Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008.
From the signature signing of Robinho on the day the deal went through to the anticipated £27million purchase of Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg, City have been in the forefront of the transfer market.
Although not every purchase has been a success, the club have advanced quickly on the top reaches of the Barclays Premier League and head to Arsenal tomorrow looking to confirm their status as title contenders.

Manager Roberto Mancini believes City are presently fifth favourites but Barry can only see one outcome if Sheikh Mansour continues to pursue his dream.
"It is all about the owners and whether they want to keep the ambition going," the England midfielder told talkSPORT. "You have seen what happened at Chelsea since Roman Abramovich came in.
"He has stayed interested and if it carries on like that for us, we can expect some big things. We have signed some unbelievable players already. If that continues there will be no stopping us."
Relatively speaking, turnover of players has reduced markedly over the past six months.
The six new arrivals last summer were all of the highest quality and while full-backs Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov have had their injury problems, the six have played a significant role in City's blossoming campaign so far.
"Things have settled down a tiny bit this season," Barry added. "When I first joined the club it was manic, with new signings coming in and other players not sure whether they were coming or going.
"Now the fans realise the potential is there. They have waited so long for a trophy and they know there is one just round the corner."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Arsenal: No new injury worries for City crunch

Published 16:28 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Barclays Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Left-back Kieran Gibbs misses out, but should be available for the weekend's FA Cup tie with Leeds after recovering from an ankle injury.
Midfielder Abou Diaby (calf), goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) and centre-back Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) remain out.
Team (from): Fabianski, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin, Song, Nasri, Wilshere, Denilson, van Persie, Squillaci, Eboue, Bendtner, Szczesny, Rosicky.



​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Blackburn make bid for Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho

Blackburn want Ronaldinho and are also competing for David Beckham (right)


Blackburn have made a move for AC Milan playmaker Ronaldinho by offering him a deal worth about £20m over three years.
Venky's, the company that bought Rovers in 2010, says its Brazil office is in talks with the 30-year-old's manager.
"He is keen to play in the EPL [English Premier League] and I think that goes in our favour," Venky's chair Anuradha Desai told BBC Radio Lancashire.
Desai also revealed that Rovers had made attempts to sign David Beckham, 35, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.
She added the club were "open whenever he is ready to come".
Beckham has been the subject of much transfer speculation, with several Premier League clubs waiting to hear whether LA Galaxy will release the former England captain on a loan deal during the Major League Soccer off-season.

If we can get solid, reliable foundations and then sprinkle a little bit of magic on top of that, then fantastic


Blackburn manager Steve Kean

The MLS season resumes on 15 March, meaning the ex-Manchester United midfielder would be available to play up to 11 games on a short-term deal.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has already suggested that Beckham is keen to move to White Hart Lane, while Newcastle are another interested party.
Ronaldinho is in his native Brazil after leaving AC Milan's winter training camp in Dubai - a move that looks set to end his troubled stay at the San Siro.
He moved to Milan from Barcelona in 2008 but lost his place in the starting XI after the club signed forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho last summer.
Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Palmeiras and Gremio are all keen on Ronaldinho but Blackburn have tabled a bid to AC Milan and a tempting offer in terms of wages for the player.

"To be precise [it is] 7.6m euros (£6.5m) for the first year and about 8.5m euros (£7.2m) for the second and third years," confirmed Desai.
Rovers manager Steve Kean said the bid was a statement of intent from the club's Indian owners.
"I know there has been contact made by the owners to representatives of Ronaldinho but I don't know how far down the line it is and whether it will actually happen," he said.
"If any Premier League manager was asked if they wanted to sign someone who has been World Player of the Year twice they would be interested.
"Everyone should look as it as a positive, it has been a long time since we have been able to do that."
However, having had nine senior players unavailable since taking over from Sam Allardyce less than one month ago, Kean is more concerned with building a solid squad.
He said: "The way we are with injuries at the moment and the stability of the squad hopefully we can add four or five other players and then if we can get another big name like that [of Ronaldinho] it will be the icing on the cake.
"When we spoke with the owners we said if there was a potential marquee player - and there are four or five that spring to mind and two have been mentioned in Ronaldinho and David Beckham - we would love to have them here.

606: DEBATE
I'm beginning to like the idea of having a world class player at Ewood


ilovejasonroberts

"If we can get solid, reliable foundations and then sprinkle a little bit of magic on top of that then fantastic, but it certainly comes from a solid base."
Meanwhile, Desai went on to defend her role at Blackburn since the club was taken over in November by the Rao family in a £43m deal.
Rovers became the first Indian-owned Premier League club when a trust set up by the late former owner Jack Walker to own the club sold its 99.9% holding to the newly formed company Venky's London Limited.
And Desai added: "The impression is I've never watched a football match. I've not watched in a stadium but I have been watching the World Cup in India.
"I have watched hundreds of cricket matches but not live - it's all on TV. To say I don't have any knowledge would be wrong. I am a good listener.
"The fans have to trust us and give us some time and you will see for yourself that we are sincere people, very passionate about the football team and football club and our fans. We will not let you down."
Desai also told Sky Sports News that they were looking at a couple of other players.
"We're thinking of getting Damien Duff back," she said.
The Republic of Ireland and Fulham winger began his career as a trainee at Ewood Park and helped Rovers win the League Cup in 2002 before moving to Chelsea where he won two Premier League titles.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Charlton install Peacock as caretaker manager

Published 16:28 04/01/11 By Neil McLeman

Former Charlton assistant Keith Peacock will take temporary charge of first-team affairs as caretaker manager after the sacking of manager Phil Parkinson.
Peacock will be assisted by development coach Damian Matthew.
The board also confirmed that the process to find a new permanent manager has started.







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[Rutashubanyuma]

Meireles out of Liverpool's trip to Blackburn

Published 16:21 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has been ruled out of their Premier League match at Blackburn with an ankle injury.
The Portugal international was forced off in the first half of Saturday's victory over Bolton, and although the bruising on the bone is not as bad as initially thought he will not feature at Ewood Park.
Steven Gerrard, who played a pivotal role after coming off the bench to replace Meireles, appears the most obvious replacement but manager Roy Hodgson has admitted the likes of the captain and Fernando Torres could be rested in a busy January.
Midfielder Jay Spearing has returned to training after breaking a bone in his ankle in November.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Ngog, Gulacsi, Hansen, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Poulsen, Cole, Babel.



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Why Spurs signing Beckham might not the no-brainer it first appears

By Steve Stammers
Published 15:45 04/01/11

On the face of it, the prospect of signing David Beckham is a no-brainer.
He has one of the sharpest football brains and his dedication and professionalism are an example to every player. He is worth millions and yet plays and trains with the appetite of a youngster eager to make his way in the game. Indeed, for the players of Real Madrid, he may have been TOO committed.
The story goes that when he arrived at The Bernabeu, they pulled him to one side and asked him to slow down because the effort and energy he was expending in training was making them look bad.
Those young hopefuls at Tottenham will only be impressed by the extra work that Beckham puts in after the training schedule is complete.

Even at the age of 35, he practices slavishly on dead ball delivery from corners and free-kick. He is never satisfied - and he maintains his appetite to reach perfection.
Off the field, Tottenham could not wish for a more respected ambassador to front their bid to take over the Olympic Stadium once the 2012 Games - which Beckham helped to bring the London - are complete.
The commercial spin-offs are self-evident. Shirt sales will rocket and Tottenham's profile will soar. That is what happens when you sign an iconic figure.
And yet ....
There is no such thing as a free lunch. The only possible drawback is the circus that Beckham attracts. Not his fault and it is not attention that Beckham has ever wanted. But it happens - and there lies the one danger.
Under Harry Redknapp, Tottenham have surged back into respectability. Forget all this wheeler-dealer nonsense - Redknapp knows a player when he sees one and loves football played with style. Hence the full houses at White Hart Lane, hence Tottenham's genuine threat to shatter the cartel of elite clubs who had the Premier League their own way for so long and hence Tottenham's arrival in the knock-out stages of the Champions League as group winners.
The foundations of Redknapp's achievements can be found in his appointment of top coaches like Joe Jordan, Tony Parks, Clive Allen and Kevin Bond and the formation of an esprit de corps within his squad that is second to none. There are no "big-timers" - just a resolve to battle for each other in all kinds of adversity.
That explains how a 3-0 deficit against Young Boys Berne was retrieved to prevent the European adventure coming to an end just 30 minutes into its baptism. How Inter Milan's 4-0 half-time lead was turned into a respectable 4-3 ... by ten men. And how Tottenham secured nine points in six days over Christmas and New Year despite playing the equivalent of one match a man short after the dismissals of Jermain Defoe against Aston Villa and Younes Kaboul against Newcastle.
Redknapp must now be on his guard that the arrival of Beckham and the attention it will inevitably attract does not de-stabilise the spirit he has worked so hard to create.
Limelight is a fickle animal. If the headlines at Tottenham become Beckham's sole property, there could be resentment. But Redknapp is shrewd. He believes that Beckham will blend in and be accepted without any disruption.
Certainly, Beckham will not stroll in as if he owns the place. That is not his style and that is not his nature. And he can still play, no question. With a punishing schedule ahead, he will be more than just an ornament.
It is his impact on the rest of the squad that will be important - or rather how they handle the spotlight attracted by his arrival. But if anyone can make it work, it his Harry Redknapp. But not even he can control human nature. Interesting times.






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[Rutashubanyuma]

Why McLeish is just being paranoid if he thinks only 'small clubs' are victimised by TV replays

By Steve Stammers
Published 15:33 04/01/11

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish complains that "bigger clubs" escape the disciplinary scrutiny suffered by their less-glamorous rivals - like Birmingham.
That came hours before Lee Bowyer was given a three-match ban for his blatant stamp on Bacary Sagna of Arsenal.
It was ugly and unnecessary and Bowyer is lucky it is only three. But only Birmingham and clubs of their standing? No - go back a few years and Tal Ben Haim of Bolton was tapped on the cheek by Wayne Rooney. A ten-year-old would have been embarrassed to show any reaction and yet the Israeli defender collapsed in an incident not seen by the referee.
Rooney was banned. Sir Alex Ferguson was his manager and Manchester United his club. No favouritism, there then after television showed the incident again and again and again.

Just one other point - if Bowyer had not have stamped on Sagna, he wouldn't have been banned, would he?