The coming together of Liverpool and Manchester United is one of the Premier League’s titanic clashes and you have the opportunity to watch all the action from the Legends Lounge at Anfield this Saturday lunchtime.
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Win VIP tickets to the titanic clash at Anfield
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It will come as no shock to anyone that Mr Bargain Deal himself Harry Redknapp is looking to enter into the January transfer window. What may come as a shock is that instead of looking to get a cut price deal for a player, Harry is considering what can only be described as a marquee signing – someone who is a little bit ‘special’ and who would cost the big bucks.
Yet do Spurs really need such a big signing to show people the progress that they have made in the recent seasons – becoming actual title contenders this time around. The progress that Spurs have made since Redknapp took charge, and even since the signings of Parker, Friedel and Adebayor in the summer have meant that the North London side have begun to wake up from being one of football’s biggest sleeping giants, and can make a claim for a top four spot this season with ease.
The special player that has been talked about is Carlos Tevez, yet Redknapp seems doubtful over this, and that can only be described as a good thing, with Tevez a disruptive force where ever he seems to go, and Spurs need that like a hole in the head.
It is partly their collective mentality and team ethos that has seen them do so well, and the signing of a big name – and with that will come big egos – could well rock the boat in a way they do not want.
Another thing that must be acknowledged is the fact that they managed to retain Luka Modric in the summer, and this is more of a signal of new times to come for Spurs – being a club that no longer has to sell big names – than a big January signing which could more than likely be a flop – just think back to Carroll and Torres!
Spurs this season are not only financially secure but are also more than looking decent prospects in the league. Couple this with the fact that they are playing good football in attack and have finally learnt how to shore things up at the back, and you have a very good team and a very bright future.
People are sitting up and taking notice of Redknapp’s side, and adding an overpriced and overpaid ‘star’ in January will not make much difference to this. Yes, if the right player at the right price comes along, Spurs are more than entitled to go for it, but buying for the sake of having a ‘star’ on their books is something that would do far more harm than good.
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Juventus striker Amauri could be on his way to the Premier League after two unnamed English clubs bid for the player, according to Sky Sports.
The Brazilian-born Italy international is out of favour at Juventus and spent the second half of last season on loan at Parma, scoring 7 goals in 11 appearances. He signed for Juventus as part of a complex swap deal in the summer of 2008 but has only scored 24 goals for the Turin-based club.
Amauri’s agent is yet to reveal the clubs interested in his client but Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is rumoured to be keen on the 31-year old. Redknapp is hoping to overhaul his attacking options after an inconsistent season and is believed to be willing to listen to offers for Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermaine Defoe.
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Parma, who originally brought the player to Italy in 2000, are yet to make a move for player on a permanent basis. However, Lazio and Napoli are rumoured to be after the 6ft 1in target man. Amauri has one year left to run on his contract but Juve are keen to recoup some of the money they invested in the player.
Liverpool have agreed a fee for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, the Anfield club revealed on Wednesday.Downing, 26, has reportedly been a target of two previous bids from Liverpool during the English Premier League off-season, and it now appears that the Reds are close to landing the England midfielder.
A statement on Liverpool’s website announced a bid had been accepted for Downing, with Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner telling The Guardian that Downing had handed in a transfer request to help push through the move.
“I can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received earlier today and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing, and have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player,” he said.
“We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad ahead of the coming season, and we are in discussions as such. We are also working hard to conclude a deal for a goalkeeper, who we believe can also strengthen the side.”
Downing joined Villa in 2009 in a package worth 12 million pounds from boyhood club Middlesbrough.
His arrival at Liverpool would be the latest big-money buy for manager Kenny Dalglish.
Strike duo Andy Carroll (35 million pounds) and Luis Suarez (22.8 million) joined in January, while midfielders Jordan Henderson (16 million) and Charlie Adam (seven million) have been off-season arrivals.
The morning after the night before and Ellis Short now has the task of finding the right man to take the reins at Sunderland following the dismissal of Steve Bruce yesterday. Mark Hughes and Martin O’Neill are the early favourites for the post with polls suggesting that supporters would prefer the Mackems to move for the latter.
Elsewhere in the news Carragher is keen on Wembley appearance; Newcastle in war of words, while Wenger wants to remain patient with Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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News
Sunderland sack Steve Bruce
City owner wants Premier League title
Carragher wants Wembley appearance
Wenger wants to give Oxlade-Chamberlain time
Ancelotti slams Chelsea team
Newcastle in war of words
Gunners ready to make club record bid
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Transfer Talk
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Hoilett and Anelka on Spurs New Year wish list – Metro
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City lie in wait as Paul Pogba stalls on new United deal – Independent
Moussa tells Arsenal to reunite him with Gervinho – Daily Mail
Lucho Gonzalez looking for move – Sun
Rovers and QPR eye PAOK midfielder Fotakis – Daily Mail
After what feels like no time at all, it’s time for football to take full control of the sporting agenda once again as the Football League kicks off this weekend. So, here’s why you should be excited about its’ return!
New Players – Unless you’re an Everton fan, you know what I’m talking about. What’s not exciting about seeing the new signing who’s supposedly going to tear up the opposition? That’s until he either gets injured or turns out to be shi….not very good.
Young Prospects – Last season, Jack Wilshere was the young player to really make an impact at the top, whilst Connor Wickham was the man in the Championship getting people talking. So which starlets will kick on and improve? Josh McEachran is hotly tipped to succeed at Chelsea whilst Marc Albrighton at Aston Villa is also set for a breakthrough season with the departure of Downing and Young.
Old Timers – Whilst seeing the next generation coming through is great, it is good to see the likes of Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Danny Murphy still plying their trade at the very top. Every young player can benefit from playing alongside experienced professionals, so it is important to keep a few knocking about.
Fantasy Football – No season is complete without Fantasy Football. Who to include? Who not to include? Will he be picked every week? Can Fernando Torres actually play football? Big questions. One thing’s certain. You will be left ruing at least one decision two weeks into the season, when that player you had serious thoughts about including in your side, you know the one with the dodgy knee, listed as doubtful for the beginning of the season, goes and bags a hat trick. Nice one.
Renewed Hope – We’ve got the squad and the manager. This year is the year. When we win the Premier League/ FA Cup/ Carling Cup/ Champions League/ Europa League/Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (Delete as applicable – Delete all if you’re a Wigan fan). Forget the relegation scrap last year, an anomaly. Keep telling yourself this on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke when you’re 2-0 down with 4 hour journey back to look forward to.
The Championship Is Back! – Yes, the Premier League, wow how exciting, Manchester United won the league again! Yawn. Move down to the Football League for a bit more entertainment, where anyone can beat anyone on any given day. The league though which is the scourge of all punters because of its unpredictable nature is the Championship. With plenty of teams backing themselves for promotion, the second tier will be more competitive than ever.
Pundits Old and New Return – Let’s face it, new Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville won’t exactly mince his words whilst Ray “#stayonyourfeet” Wilkins already provides great entertainment, not that its’ necessarily unbiased. Then there’s Chris “Unbelievable Jeff” Kamara. Words don’t do the man justice.
More Talk About The Game, Less About Transfer Sagas – If you haven’t managed to get out of the country since the end of the last season, then the never ending transfer sagas of Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric will be lulling you to sleep. Finally, we might have a bit more focus on what’s happening on the pitch.
Less Reports on Twitter – Don’t get me wrong. Twitter’s great. Something’s awry though when the press are printing Joey Barton quoting Nietzsche and George Washington.
The Pub Debate – Footballing issues need a platform for discussion outside the stadium. Where else can Goal Line Technology, Referees or what chant your side has prepared for Ryan Giggs this season be discussed?
So ensure you enjoy this season, win, lose or draw, just remember what Bill Shankly once said.
‘Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.’
Article courtesy of Archie Rhind-Tutt from his excellent site – Gone With The Rhind
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Kick-Off the Premier League season with Football FanCast’s NEW ScoreCast from 2.45pm
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Roberto Mancini has reportedly asked the Manchester City hierarchy for additional funds to strengthen his squad’s defensive options, as Vincent Kompany is set to learn his fate on Tuesday.
The Etihad Stadium skipper was dismissed for a challenge on Nani in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, which Mancini’s men have appealed against.
Kompany will find out whether the appeal has been successful or not on Tuesday, and if the red card is upheld will face four matches on the sidelines, as it is his second dismissal of the season.
The Telegraph indicate that Mancini has approached the club’s owners for additional transfer funds to buy a new defensive player in January.
As Kolo Toure is also unavailable through international commitments at the African Cup of Nations, Joleon Lescott and Stefan Savic are the club’s only recognised centre backs available for selection currently.
Meanwhile, City are being linked with a move for Real Madrid centre half Raul Albiol in an attempt to bolster their backline, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The Spain international as been frozen out at the Santiago Bernabeu, and risks missing out on Euro 2012 if he does not play more first-team football in the second half of the 2011/12 campaign.
Big-spending Malaga and Serie A giants Juventus have also been speculated with a bid for the 26-year-old.
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Chelsea defender John Terry has been reinstated as captain of the England football team.Terry, 30, lost the armband last year after reports he was involved in an affair with the former partner of his England and former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge surfaced.Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand filled Terry’s void, but England boss Fabio Capello said Terry has endured enough and proved he was a natural leader in his time in the side when he was not captain.”After one year of punishment, Terry will again be the permanent captain,” Capello said on Saturday.”I think one year’s punishment is enough. John, when he played without the armband, was every time a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room. He was really good every time.””Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader. This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room.” The decision was made ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on March 26, and Capello said the decision is not a risk and should please the players.”Sometimes the leader can make mistakes – not only him but I, you, all the people,” he said.”It is not a risk making Terry captain again. He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes. He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.””I also think the players will be happy. I think so. They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely.” It means that Ferdinand will revert back into the vice-captain role when he is fit again, with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who will also miss the Wales match through injury, Capello’s third choice for captain.Capello explained that Ferdinand ‘preferred not to meet’ him when the Italian manager was in Manchester on Wednesday, with reports earlier this week suggesting Ferdinand was upset to be losing this captaincy.
In the football world, the Euros is the biggest event happening this year, but there’s one particular sporting event later in the summer that’s going to completely overshadow it. The Olympics is coming to the UK and London will host the greatest sporting event in the world. The greatest athletes in their field will compete in their disciplines, but you also have the chance to show off what you’re good at.
No matter where your skills lie everyone’s best is worth celebrating, no matter what it is. While we don’t want to eliminate any particular skills, here we’d like to unearth the best footballers, or at least the ones with skills that they can show off. Whether that be that you’re adept at the crossbar challenge, amazing at keepy ups or can do something with a football that’s never been seen before, if you can wow the judges of Olympians then you’ll be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.
The prizes on offer include being featured in a TV advert for the Olympics that will be shown around the world closer to the time of the big event, but the big prize is winning a trip to London and tickets to the 2012 Olympics. Considering how difficult it is to get hold of these tickets, this prize is something special and you could even go to Wembley to watch Stuart Pearce’s Great Britain team attempt to lift the Olympics trophy.
Whatever your skill is, all you need to do is film yourself performing it with a camera or your smartphone and upload it for the judges to take a look at it. All the advice you need is to: keep it simple, keep it safe and, most importantly have some fun! Take a look at the video below for some more information and to find out how to enter…
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Birmingham City will welcome back five key players for their English Premier League relegation battle against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.Birmingham boss Alex McLeish should be able to call upon defenders Roger Johnson, Martin Jiranek and Stephen Carr, midfielder Barry Ferguson and on-loan striker Obafemi Martins.All five have trained in the past week and their return should provide the team with a boost after an FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Bolton Wanderers in their last match. “We had a right few missing last week and I said at the time if they had played there could have been a danger of them incurring muscle injuries and being out for the next month or even longer,” McLeish said.”It was good for them to get a regeneration of the batteries and also to get some much needed treatment.””Johnson, Ferguson, Carr, Jiranek, Martins all trained today and were declared fit by the medical staff.””(Nikola) Zigic, (Keith) Fahey, (Lee) Bowyer, (David) Bentley did some separate work with the physios so they are the doubts. It is good to get the experienced guys back.”McLeish believes the availability of certain players could dictate whether Birmingham survive in the top flight.”You need to persevere right to the very end but the experience could help as well, could be a factor, and we have that as well,” he said.”It would be nice to get the other players back on track as well … It would be good to have everyone available in the run-in.”McLeish does not expect Wigan to spring any surprises in regards to team selection or tactics at the DW Stadium. “We’ve got a pretty good idea of what side we are going to face,” he said.”(Wigan manager) Roberto (Martinez) will try and get his strongest team out.””We know he can change the system a bit but we know by and large how they are going to play and he will know the same about us.””There are no real secrets in the Premier League.”While a victory over their fellow strugglers would be invaluable, McLeish insists the clash with Wigan is not a must-win game.”There are a lot of big games this weekend and as a league we have come to the real business side of the season,” said McLeish.”We know that winning this game would give us fantastic confidence for the run-in.””If we don’t get the result we are looking for, the league is not finished. There will still be plenty of points to be played for.”