Michezo magazetini leo...

[Rutashubanyuma]

Simba kuingia kambini Krismasi

Imeandikwa na Mwandishi Wetu; Tarehe: 13th December 2010 @ 23:30

IKOSI cha mabingwa watetezi wa Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara, Simba kinatarajiwa kuingia kambini Desemba 25 kujiandaa na mzunguko wa pili wa Ligi Kuu.

Mzunguko wa pili wa Ligi Kuu unatarajiwa kuanza Januari, Simba inaongoza msimamo wa Ligi kwa kuwa na pointi 27 ikifuatiwa na Yanga yenye pointi 25 na Azam inashika nafasi ya tatu ikiwa na pointi 20.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari Dar es Salaam jana, Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Simba Geofrey Nyange ‘Kaburu' alisema wanatarajia kufanya maandalizi ya kutosha kwa ajili ya kumaliza ngwe ya lala salama ya ligi.

Alisema siku ambayo timu itaingia kambini itacheza mechi ya kujipima nguvu na Ulinzi ya Kenya ili kujiweka sawa baada ya mapumziko ya takriban miezi miwili.

"Wachezaji wetu wote wameshapewa taarifa na kocha wetu Patrick Phiri anatarajiwa kuwasili leo mchana (jana) kutoka Zambia,"alisema.

Simba inatarajia kuanza mzunguko wa pili wa ligi Januari 15 dhidi ya Ruvu Shooting kwenye Uwanja wa Jamhuri Morogoro.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

MWANAMUZIKI mkongwe wa nyimbo za Injili nchini Faustine Munishi, Jane Miso na Victor Aaron ni miongoni mwa wanamuziki watakaopamba tamasha la aina yake la kuchangisha fedha kwa ajili ya kusaidia yatima na wanaoishi katika mazingira magumu.

Tamasha hilo la muziki ambalo limepangwa kufanyika Desemba 26 kwenye viwanja vya Posta Kijitonyama, Dar es Salaam limeandaliwa na taasisi ya kulea watoto yatima na wanaoishi katika mazingira magumu ya Keep a child alive ya Dar es Salaam.

Akizungumza na HABARILEO Dar es Salaam jana, Mratibu wa tamasha hilo Petro Magige alisema maandalizi kwa ajili ya tamasha hilo ambalo litafanyika Desemba 26 mwaka huu yanakwenda vizuri.

Magige alisema taasisi yake inakusudia kusaidia watoto wapatao 150 ambao wataanza shule ya msingi januari mwakani.

Mratibu huyo aliwataja wasanii wengine nyota ambao watapamba tamasha hilo kuwa ni Leonida Komba, Martha Mwaipaja na kwaya maarufu Tabata Mennonite ‘Wana kunyatanyata' na New Life in Christ, Tabata ‘Sipati Picha' na vingundi vingine vingi.

"Kutakuwa na waimbaji wengi siku hiyo na wote wapo kwenye maandalizi kuhakikisha tamasha linakuwa la baraka kwa kila atakayehudhuria.

"Tumechagua Desemba 26 kwa sababu ni siku nzuri yenye maana ya kutoa zawadi hivyo, itakuwa siku nzuri kujitolea kwa ajili ya watoto wenye mahitaji hivyo, tunawaalika watu wengi kuja kwa wingi kushiriki tamasha ambalo kiingilio ni Sh 5,000 kwa viti vya kawaida na 10,000 kwa VIP," alisema.

Munishi ni mwanamuziki mkongwe ambaye wimbo wake wa ‘Malebo' umeendelea kutamba kwa miaka kadhaa sasa.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Tevez returns to City training

Published 13:46 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Unsettled Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned to the club's Carrington training ground on schedule.
Tevez was due to undergo a session this afternoon following a four-day break in Tenerife.
The Argentina striker sat out the victory at the weekend against West Ham, which emphasised City's title credentials, as he was banned.
But following the win news broke that Tevez had handed in a written transfer request - which has been rejected by the club.

It is understood he is unlikely to travel to Turin tomorrow with the squad ahead of the Europa League match against Juventus.
Manager Roberto Mancini apparently made that decision before the weekend, knowing the game was a dead rubber.
Mancini is currently back in Italy for a minor operation and will probably not speak to Tevez before Friday.
City do not have a Barclays Premier League match until next Monday when they face Everton at Eastlands.
Mancini's first thoughts on Tevez will come tomorrow when the Italian hosts a press conference in Turin.
City and Lech Poznan are already through to the next stage of the tournament with Juventus, now second in Serie A, eliminated.
Tevez is one of a number of senior players who are expected to be rested. His absence could leave City short of attacking options as Roque Santa Cruz is not included on their squad list.
Mancini has already indicated that former Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli will travel, even though he was racially abused by some Juventus fans last season.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

City ready for court battle with wantaway Tevez

Published 23:00 13/12/10 By David McDonnell

Manchester City are ready to sue Carlos Tevez for up to £50million if he goes through with his threat to quit football.
As the fight between the two parties turned ugly, it emerged City are prepared to take legal action against Tevez and his agent Kia Joorabchian, should the striker retire.


City are adamant they will not bow to Tevez's demand for a move next month, following their star player's formal transfer request and claim his relationship with the club's executives was "beyond repair".


Tevez, in turn, has threatened to quit football altogether if City refuse to let him leave next month. But City are ready to call the Tevez camp's bluff by standing firm and testing the validity of that threat by suing for breach of contract.

With three-and-a-half years left on his current deal, City would stand to lose around £50m from the potential sale of Tevez - their prized transfer asset - were the 26-year-old to take the ultimate step and quit football altogether.
Were that to happen, City have indicated they would pursue the matter through the courts, to recoup the huge outlay they would be entitled to receive from the sale of Tevez, while he remains under contract to them.
Ideally, City want Tevez to see out this season and have pledged to review his situation next summer, senior figures indicating that the club would be willing to consider selling him if were still of a mind to go.
Tevez is set to train with City today having returned from a four-day break in Tenerife last night. City boss Roberto Mancini has also returned from a trip to Italy and is expected to sit down with his star player in an effort to talk him round.
City remain convinced Joorabchian is behind Tevez's transfer request, a move taken because of the agent's perceived loss of influence and power at the club following the appointment of football administrator Brian Marwood.
Joorabchian, it is claimed by senior figures at City, has seen his agents' fee slashed by around 50 per cent at Eastlands, meaning he stands to gain little in the way of commission from renegotiating a new contract for Tevez.
And with his power base having been effectively eroded at City, it has been claimed Joorabchian is keen to move Tevez on to a more lucrative contract elsewhere, ideally in Spain with Real Madrid.
Sources close to Joorabchian emphatically deny any suggestion he has driven a wedge betweenTevez and City, insisting that the player wants to leave for his own reasons having become disillusioned with life in Manchester.
That, the Tevez camp claim, rather than any perceived desire by Joorabchian to earn more money by moving him to another club, is the real reason behind the Argentine's desire to leave City.
Tevez wants either a return to Argentina, where he launched his career at Boca Juniors, or Spain where his wife and family would, according to his camp, be happy to join him because the language and culture is more akin to their homeland.
"Carlos just wants to be happy and back with his family," said a source close to Tevez. "And he simply doesn't enjoy going into work at City every day."




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[Rutashubanyuma]

Man City win race for former Barca wonderkid

Published 08:26 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Manchester City have won the race to sign 19-year-old Israel midfielder Gai Assulin.
Assulin, who was available on a free transfer after leaving Barcelona in July, had been chased by several clubs but City moved first to snap him up on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
He said: "I had heard a lot about City, and as soon as I saw the club I wanted to stay.
"I'm at a great club and I hope to be here a long time. I have to take my opportunity and learn every day in training."

Assulin, who became the youngest player to be capped by Israel two weeks before his 17th birthday, revealed former Barca player Yaya Toure had played a part in his decision to move to Eastlands.
"I speak with Yaya every day - and I hope to be playing alongside him.
"I hope to show I can play at this level."



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Stone handed first team role at Newcastle

Published 14:58 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Steve Stone has been promoted to Newcastle's first-team coaching staff as new manager Alan Pardew pieces together his backroom team at St James' Park.
Stone is joined by Willie Donachie, who moves up from the club's academy to become development coach while Andy Woodman arrives from Charlton to become the club's new goalkeeping coach.
Peter Beardsley continues as reserve team manager.
Newcastle are also looking to make a further coaching appointment to work solely with the first-team squad.

Pardew said: "I am delighted to bring Steve, Willie and Alan on board and am sure they will do a tremendous job for the club.
"Keeping Peter with the reserves is important too as he has done a terrific job with the younger lads this season."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

I couldn't resist call of my country, says new Wales boss Speed

Published 14:20 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

New Wales boss Gary Speed admitted the opportunity to manage his country was too good to turn down after being unveiled as John Toshack's successor this afternoon.
The 41-year-old was given permission yesterday by Sheffield United to speak to the Football Association of Wales after they identified him as their preferred candidate.
"It's something that's very difficult to turn down when your country comes calling. I'm a very proud man at this moment to be asked to be the manager of Wales," Speed said after being presented to the media at a press conference at the Vale of Glamorgan hotel.
On his departure from Bramall Lane, he said: "These things happen in football, where the timing's not always great.

"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United because I feel I had a job to do there and was fully committed but obviously when your country comes calling it's a tough decision you have to make. I feel in my heart it's the right one.
"To be fair to them they've been fantastic throughout and made the decision really easy for me.
"I'd like to thank Sheffield United for the opportunity I've been given there both as a coach under Kevin Blackwell and then as a manager."
Looking ahead, Speed is relishing the task of getting the best out of Wales' young players.
"I think that's the part of the job which I'm really looking forward to," he said. "The group of players we've got, they're of an age where they can be together for a long time and improve and grow for a long time.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of putting things in place to try to be successful."
The former Wales midfielder's aim is to make his country regular contenders to qualify for major events.
"I think we need to consistently compete on a world stage and not just come close to qualifying every now and again, every 12-15 years," he said.
"It's my job to make sure the structure in Welsh football is such that we're consistently competing.
"As a player I've been part of campaigns where we've just missed out, but in between those campaigns there were gaps of eight to 10 years.
"It's my job to make sure this country develops in a way so we can consistently compete on a world stage."
Speed follows in the footsteps of his former Wales team-mate Mark Hughes, who was in charge for five years from 1999 and came close to qualifying for Euro 2004.
Wales' hopes of making the European Championships in 2012 are already over but Speed is hoping he can restore the confidence that the team exhibited under Hughes.
"We enjoyed great times under Mark and as a player it was fantastic to play in that team," he said. "We felt, on our day, we could beat anybody.
"It's important for me to try to get that feeling back. Hopefully that experience I can learn from and take the team a step further.
"It's difficult but it's a challenge and we're in this game for challenges. I'm really up for the challenge and I'm going to give it 100%."
Speed confirmed he has taken a pay cut to manage his country, but added: "I don't think that's important when a job of this magnitude comes up. I've never been in the game for money, I'm in the game because I enjoy it and love what I do."
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford is hoping Speed can rejuvenate the game at all levels in Wales.
He said: "Gary's now the manager of footballing Wales, not just of the national team. I see him as the figurehead for football in this country, and of course we want to make sure we put football very much back on the map where it deserves to be."
Speed's appointment meant disappointment for under-21 coach Brian Flynn, who took charge on a caretaker basis following the departure of Toshack in September.
"Brian is of course disappointed and gutted not to be appointed as the national team manager," said Ford. "Brian is an existing employee of the association, he is the manager of the intermediate teams and, ultimately, I'm sure Brian will be looking to take those forward."








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[Rutashubanyuma]

Stone handed first team role at Newcastle

Published 14:58 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Steve Stone has been promoted to Newcastle's first-team coaching staff as new manager Alan Pardew pieces together his backroom team at St James' Park.
Stone is joined by Willie Donachie, who moves up from the club's academy to become development coach while Andy Woodman arrives from Charlton to become the club's new goalkeeping coach.
Peter Beardsley continues as reserve team manager.
Newcastle are also looking to make a further coaching appointment to work solely with the first-team squad.

Pardew said: "I am delighted to bring Steve, Willie and Alan on board and am sure they will do a tremendous job for the club.
"Keeping Peter with the reserves is important too as he has done a terrific job with the younger lads this season."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mandaric's Sheffield Wednesday takeover approved

Published 12:26 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Sheffield Wednesday's shareholders have approved Milan Mandaric's takeover of the club.
Mandaric, 73, completed an £8million takeover at the end of November which saved the Owls from potential administration and a winding-up order issued by HMRC.
And he has now won the support of 99.7% of those shareholders that voted at an emergency general meeting this morning and officially takes over from Howard Wilkinson as chairman.
Mandaric said: "I thank you for your votes and your trust.

"I will do everything I can not to let you down. We are going to be in the same boat, we are going to be loyal. It's not going to be me - it's going to be us."
Wilkinson added: "It's time to start to think about the time when the club could begin looking to where Sheffield Wednesday should be, which is in the Premier League.
"Let's hope we go to where we want to go.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Why Man City cannot win the title if Tevez leaves

By Mark Lawrenson
Published 11:37 14/12/10

Manchester City are in a real mess. How do they replace the irreplaceable in Carlos Tevez?
I don't think they can. And if the Argentina star does not play for them again this season, City will not win the title.
The system Roberto Mancini has developed is so reliant on him. None of the other strikers Mancini has can fill his shoes in that 4-3-3 formation where Tevez makes runs and links the team together.
Even though money is no object, look around world football and you don't see many better. City are not going to get Lionel Messi from Barcelona even if they offer £100million.

Edin Dzeko at Wolfsburg, with a £36m buyout clause, is *probably the most sought-after striker in Europe but has never played in the Premier League. Didier Drogba is not the answer. Maybe Fernando Torres would be the best *alternative but would you pay £60m for him right now? I wouldn't.
City have become so reliant on Tevez and it's hard to see what they will do. Playing David Silva behind one of the strikers is an *alternative. Yaya Toure played well in the role against a poor West Ham on Saturday. Balotelli has the talent but is totally unreliable.
He might score a hat-trick and set up five one week, but get him on a wet night in Wigan and he will look like he has never kicked a ball in his life. And the Italian striker seems to believe no one has the right to tackle him.
To compensate for losing Tevez's creativity, Mancini might have to sacrifice one of his holding midfielders and switch to a 4-4-2 formation with two wingers and two forwards. City can still finish in the top four this season without Tevez but they can't finish first.
I can't see him changing his mind if the reason for his *disaffection is simply homesickness and the desire to be with his children.
It seems not to be about money. You have to take a man on his word. And if what he says is true, he cannot stay in England.
Maybe Manchester United fans can have a whip-round and put up a poster saying: Goodbye to Manchester.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Why Abramovich must keep his nerve or risk years in the wilderness

By Mark Lawrenson
Published 08:28 04/12/10

The last time Roman Abramovich messed around with Chelsea, Manchester United won the Premier League title for three years.
Abramovich is clearly a successful businessman, is ruthless and yet appears to be another who loses their senses when it comes to football.
Apparently Abramovich wants to make Chelsea like Barcelona. More like Barcelona? Barcelona is an institution, nine of the team which finished against Real Madrid were home grown and you can't just suddenly develop that overnight.
So what does Abramovich want to do? Bring in the sporting director. And what's he going to do?

It's just plain daft. Carlo Ancelotti has just won the Double for heaven's sake. Chelsea aren't Barcelona, they're not as easy on the eye as Arsenal who themselves are a poor man's Barcelona and Manchester United probably play with more flair.
But we shouldn't forget they can play some good stuff, they smashed everyone before them at the start of the season and the end of last.
They are more efficient than flair but, under Ancelotti, they are better to watch than in the era of Jose Mourinho.
They've also got great, talented and skillful players. Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka to name but three.
Any team would miss John Terry, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard. They are all to come back.
Chelsea will come again. But they must show some patience and realise what they have already is pretty special.
**
Mick McCarthy deserves some time and respect for the job he's done at Wolves.
By his own admission, the Wolves owner, Steve Morgan, of five years ago would probably have pressed the panic button by now.
But they have a strong relationship and understanding. That's why McCarthy will be afforded time to get things right - and they will

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Why Arsenal need to end their appalling record against the top sides or trophy drought will go on

By Martin Lipton in Laptop with Martin Lipton
Published 11:25 14/12/10

It was a better performance off the pitch than on it.
Arsene Wenger was far more threatening than his strikers, far more diligent than his midfield, far more defiant than his centre-halves, although not quite as sure-handed as his rookie keeper.
Even in defeat, the Gunners chief opted for the front foot approach, insisting it was wrong to try to draw any conclusions for the rest of the season from one game, maintaining his side are championship contenders, even suggesting the Old Trafford pitch was to blame for the quality of the match.
Wenger said: "I will look at this game, not draw the conclusions you want to draw.

"It is a big frustration and a big disappointment but what is important is that we bounce back in our next game. Overall on what I have seen tonight there is no reason not to believe and we know we can play better offensively."
All well and good, until you recall what Wenger himself had to say two months ago, on the eve of the game at Chelsea.
Wenger was looking back to last season, when his side had dropped all 12 points from their games with Chelsea and United and finished 11 points adrift of the champions and declared it had to be different.
"If we are going to win the league this season, and I believe we can, then we have to win that mini-league," said Wenger then.
"The only team I've seen win the Premier League without winning the big games is Manchester United but they then had more wins than anybody else at home, which meant they could lose all the big games and still win the league.
"But they were the only team. For us, if we want to win the title, it is vitally important to win the big games and win the mini-league."
Instead, after two defeats from two games, Arsenal will struggle not to come bottom of the mini-league now - and could be assured of that wooden spoon by December 27.
The fact that Arsenal have earned just one point from their last 11 league clashes with their two most prominent title rivals explains, more than any prevarication from the manager, why the Gunners seem doomed to fall just short again.
Last night, while they looked to weave plenty of pretty patterns, there was no killer instinct, never a stage when you truly thought they were going to win the game.
Yes, Park Ji-Sung's improvised header was something of a fluke, especially as the deflection off Gael Clichy's heel when Nani centred could have gone anywhere in the first place.
But it was Wojciech Szczesny - more than just a fantastic Scrabble score, it seems, but a real keeper in the making - who was far the busier.
Had Wayne Rooney converted the late penalty, rather than finding Row Z of the Stretford End, there could have been few complaints and even with Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie sent on towards the end, Arsenal never really looked like they believed in themselves.
Of course, as Wenger understandably pointed out, it is not all over, but the omens are not great and, on current form, it could be that the real battle for the crown takes place between two noisy neighbours.
Only Manchester City - who have enough troubles of their own to deal with internally - with 15 points in an unbeaten seven game run, are close to United's return of 17 from the same number of games.
Arsenal, by contrast, have lost three of those games, Chelsea dropped 15 points and Spurs, despite just one defeat in their last seven, have still dropped nine points.
Those are facts, pure and simple. "Objective", as Wenger himself would say.
Now, more than ever, the Arsenal boss needs Chelsea to do him a favour on Sunday and also requires his own side to stand up to the challenge that will be posed by Stoke - and the build-up will doubtless concentrate on memories on last season's clash at the Britannia which ended with Aaron Ramsey's leg shattered by Ryan Shawcross and the sniping between Wenger and Tony Pulis.
Five years without a trophy and counting. It is not, for all Patrice Evra's wind-up efforts, a "crisis", not when a club is as sensibly run as Arsenal.
But it is eating away at the Gunners fans and it is hard to believe many of them will really find a Carling Cup crown acceptable recompense for all the angst they have gone through since that 2005 FA Cup Final penalty shoot-out triumph over United at Cardiff.
Last night, for all Wenger's attempts to suggest otherwise, looked like another signpost on the road to under-achievement.
And, in a five-way scrap for the top four places, with everybody dropping points, Arsenal have to show real resolve in the aftermath of risk being dragged into the sort of scrap when the spotlight falls on the team that falls short, rather than the one that succeeds.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

The not-so-young Gunners are still little boys lost in this man's world

By Oliver Holt
Published 22:52 13/12/10

It is not 11 men against 11 babies any more. Arsenal are out of their nappies. That much was obvious last night.
They are getting closer to the age of maturity, a lot closer, but they still have an embarrassing tendency to cut themselves shaving.
And even though they competed well with their hosts, Arsenal will be haunted by the realisation that they could not hurt a Manchester United side that is not what it was.
Many had expected Arsene Wenger's team to come to Old Trafford last night and end United's unbeaten record this season in the same way that United finally ended Arsenal's Invincibles 49-match unbeaten run here six years ago.

But although this match was fiercely contested, there was not the same intensity about it as some of the classic encounters between these two sides down the years.
United are a weaker side without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
They are not the team that destroyed Arsenal in the "Men v Babies" Champions League tie the season before last.
But, on last night's showing, Arsenal are not quite ready to overtake them yet in the race for Chelsea's title.
They had their chances, particularly after half-time when they took the game to United and forced chances to score.
The best opportunity came 10 minutes after the interval when Edwin Van Der Sar could only parry Samir Nasri's shot into the path of Marouane Chamakh but the Moroccan could not force the ball over the line.
There was also a naivety about Arsenal defensively that continues to haunt them.
It was a strange game in which to give a debut to goalkeeper Wojciech *Szczesny and a measure of the problems that still beset the position at the club.
Szczesny was not at fault for United's strike four minutes before half-time but it was still a messy, scrappy goal to concede.
United should have doubled their lead the other side of the interval when poor defending by Gael Clichy allowed Nani clean through on goal.
If he had squared the ball to the unmarked Wayne Rooney, United would have been two up but Nani, sadly, is not that type of player.
Still, Arsenal played well enough to suggest that if the other leading contenders continue to stutter and stumble, they may yet have a chance of stealing the *championship.
This is a vintage season in terms of the openness of the title race but not in terms of the quality of the football being played by the top teams.
So even though Arsenal were top of the league before kick-off, there is a fluidity about the *division that made it feel likely they would not last long there.
That they are right in the mix in the middle of December though is testimony to the progress they have made and they were far from overwhelmed last night.
Sir Alex Ferguson has become progressively more generous towards Arsenal the less of a danger they have become but there was an edge to his praise before this game to suggest he may believe the north Londoners are a credible threat again.
Ferguson was effusive about Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his side but took care to point out that they are hardly the innocents their admirers suggest they are.
"Chelsea have been the team catching the eye as our main rivals over the last few seasons but Arsenal have never really been far away," Ferguson said. "It seems to me they are coming back with a renewed sense of purpose.
"They have suffered a few shock results this season but then we all have.
"Other managers and coaches tell me that the present Arsenal side are one of the toughest in the Premier League and the most physical since the days of Martin Keown
"Certainly they play nice *football and weave some *intricate patterns but there is an edge through their team that also accounts for their presence as title challengers this season. Wenger's boys are not the *lilywhites portrayed by their admirers."
Some of the early exchanges bore Ferguson out. Gael Clichy and Tomas Rosicky could easily have been booked by Howard Webb as Arsenal did a passable impression of trying to rough up United. Jack Wilshere took a lump out of Evra and before half-time, both Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin were both shown yellow cards.
Arsenal rode their luck when Rooney blazed a penalty wildly over the bar 15 minutes from the end but they could not find a way through United's defence.
The introduction of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott in the second-half showed they have strength in depth. But Chamakh is *struggling to impose himself on the Premier League, Arshavin's influence is too often marginal, Van Persie's injuries are robbing him of any rhythm and Wilshere needs time to develop into the player of authority and consistent *creativity he will undoubtedly become.
Arsenal face another test of their credentials against Chelsea after Christmas but the evidence suggests that even if they are getting closer and are not babies any more, as far as the big prize goes, they may not be quite ready yet.







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[Rutashubanyuma]

The only solution to the Carlos Tevez affair is a loan move to Cardiff - Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

By Derek McGovern in Betting Blog
Published 12:06 14/12/10

After slapping in a transfer request at *Eastlands, Carlos Tevez is in the unusual position of being despised on both sides of Manchester.
Welcome to my world, Carlos.
The South American says he's homesick and you would be too if your home was Manchester.
Pick up a book in most cities in England and people will ask "what are you reading?" Do likewise in Manchester and they'll ask "what are you reading for?"

Tevez has spent four years in Britain, yet the only English phrases he can utter are "how much?" and "Yaya Toure – how f****** much?"
There's a school of thought that says Tevez's transfer request is a Wayne Rooney-type ruse to be paid top dollar.
If it works, all those studies that say attractive people are paid best will be made to look stupid. Then again, in Manchester, Rooney and Tevez are probably considered attractive. So he wants out, while City want him to stay – the only compromise is a loan spell at Cardiff.
He's a difficult man to read, is Tevez. He fell out with Fergie and he's fallen out with Roberto Mancini, yet never had a cross word with Alan Pardew, who picked Marlon *Harewood ahead of him.
Tevez is 5-2 with Hills to leave Eastlands during the January transfer window, but I'd sooner take the evens that he's still at the club on the first day of next season, probably still moaning.
Stan James dangle a tempting 2-1 that he's in the City starting line-up against Everton at home on Monday.
***
Roy Hodgson was yesterday backed down from 9-2 to 5-4 to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job – a few hours later Blackburn sacked Sam Allardyce.
I don't know who I feel more sorry for – the punters who did their dough or whoever next gets Allardyce. Barcelona, Real Madrid and West Ham have all been mentioned, but only the last one by someone other than Allardyce.
He was once backed to be the next England manager – but only by Paul Merson, Keith Gillespie, Matt Etherington and me.
There were whispers after the 7-1 drubbing at Manchester United that Sam's over-sized head was on the chopping block but punters reckoned for that to be true Blackburn would need a chopping block the size of the Eastern Bloc.
To be fair, football is the loser from Allardyce's sacking – it means we'll have to put up with him more often on Sky games.
Ladbrokes last night made Martin Jol the 5-1 favourite to take over at Ewood Park. Bet365 are more certain it's the season to be Jol-ly – they go 5-2.
***
Bet of the day
Here's an ace tip for bone-idle housewives. If your house is really in a mess and a stranger comes to the door, say to them: "Who could have done this? We have no enemies." Get on Hartlepool at 10-11 to beat Yeovil tonight.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Blackburn's new manager search: The contenders...

By Richard Aikman in Mirror Football Blog
Published 18:19 13/12/10

After Sam Allardyce's shock sacking by Blackburn's new Indian owners, MirrorFootball considers possible replacements.
MARTIN JOL
The early favourite is currently available having recently left his post at Ajax. Still highly regarded in England following his spell at Tottenham.
MARTIN O'NEILL

Another manager currently unattached, the former Aston Villa boss gets results although he does play a similar style of football to Allardyce.
ALAN SHEARER
High-profile, young and with a strong connection having won the title at Ewood Park as a player, Shearer would be an ambitious option for the new owners.
CHRIS HUGHTON
Unfortunate to lose his job at Newcastle recently after getting results on the pitch and endearing himself to fans and players alike, but possibly too low-key for Rovers' owners.
TIM SHERWOOD
Captained Rovers to the Premiership title in 1995 under Kenny Dalglish and currently coaching under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.
BOB HOUGHTON
Veteran Englishman currently in charge of India's national team. Previously managed Maidstone United and Bristol City, among others, and took Malmo to the 1979 European Cup final.
SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON
Took over at Leicester in October and has done a decent job with the Championship club. However, the former England boss will surely be keen to return to the Premier League as soon as possible

 

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Stelling vs Champagne Charlie, Big Sam's charades and stadium roof collapses

By Mirror Football in Football Banter
Published 15:13 13/12/10

Bringing you the best football videos on the web, every day at 3pm. Here's another pack of three.
1) With all those facts and stats at his fingertips Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling is a bit of a know-it-all isn't he? Well, tune in to the clip below to see Charlie Nicholas hit him right between the eyes with a top comeback worthy of Oscar Wilde himself. Take that Stelling. Zing! (Spotted on the excellent Who Ate All the Pies blog)

2) That other football figure famed for his Wildean wit and subtle command of the English language is Sam Allardyce. Judging by this next clip Big Sam clearly decided to get some practice in early for the annual, and no doubt fiercely contested, charades competition that takes place after the Queen's speech every Christmas in the Allardyce household. Four words? No eight words? Or is it 10 syllables? Well is it a book or a play or what? Oh never mind, do a 'sounds like' instead Sam.

3) Here are Manchester City fans celebrating a goal at West Ham by 'doing the Poznan', which involves turning their backs to the pitch and jumping up and down, a move they've copied from Europa League opponents Lech Poznan. Curiously enough, the home fans also spent mush of the game with their backs turned to the action, but were neither singing nor dancing at the time.

Bonus clip!
This is crazy footage from the USA where heavy snowfall caused the roof of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium to collapse.


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