Britain's best football supplement comes alive on Times Online
You can subscribe to a feed of posts at:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame
Click here to read Patrick Barclay's column in its entirety
 Patrick Barclay, Chief Football Commentator
No wonder Fabio Capello, far from sharing the concern of most England followers, looked relieved at the Khalifa International Stadium late on Saturday night. One of the most devilish tasks facing the national team manager of a country of England’s scale is that of whittling his squad down to 23 for a World Cup — and Capello’s selection process had just been made a lot easier.
To the margins, on the stark evidence of his reserves’ merciful defeat by a Brazil near full strength, had been consigned Darren Bent, Joleon Lescott, Jermaine Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips; they ought to make contingency plans for holidays next June. As for the families and close friends of Matthew Upson and James Milner, the best advice would be to book something in South Africa, but avoid game-drives on match days.
Neither the result nor the performance in Doha will have bothered Capello unduly; the former was predictable, given the sides’ relative strengths, and the latter owed much to the heat of the Qatari capital.
England’s distaste for playing in very warm conditions, although largely psychosomatic — as if Brazilians or anyone else do not prefer the cool — does tend to affect the quality of their pressing and the speed of their counter-attacking.
Continue reading "Debate: Can England win the World Cup? Could Capello outwit Brazil in South Africa?" »
Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent
On the day that England’s bid to reach the 2018 World Cup finals was lurching towards crisis point last week, the temptation arose to check out the competition, starting with the "extremely impressive" campaign that has the joint Spanish-Portuguese bid emerging as favourite.
Guess what. Its website is not up and running yet. "Pagina web en construcción" — or, to put it another way, "pagina web em construção". Spain and Portugal did not even launch their bid until last month, five months after the English bid, but they are in no rush, it seems, to make up for lost time. Mañana, presumably.
Clearly, a bid should not be judged on whether or not it has a website, but, given that this is a competition in which England has been criticised for some trivial mistakes (sending Mulberry handbags to the wives of the Fifa committee members, deliberating over whether to meet the huge cost of getting David Beckham to next month’s World Cup draw so that he could flash a few smiles), it does seem rather an oversight.
Continue reading "Is England's World Cup bid really lagging behind the rest?" »
 Tony Cascarino
What is it about English forwards and their eagerness to be defenders, Wayne Rooney in particular? They get admired for their workrate when they should be slated for doing something so pointless. They run back, tiring themselves out, and, say they get the ball, what next? There’s no one upfield to give it to.
No shame in second string’s defeat by Brazil
Collectively, the England second XI who lost to Brazil are not good enough, but so what? They won’t all be playing at the same time in South Africa. Two or three of the team from Saturday may have significant roles next year, and they will probably do fine. There’s no need for England to worry about the result or performance in Doha.
Scotland in danger of losing public’s support
Big problems for Scotland. One look at the crowd in Cardiff for the 3-0 defeat by Wales tells you how dangerous it would be for them to let the Scottish public lose faith and interest. Less than 14,000 was a pitiful attendance for a nation that used to pack out the Millennium Stadium five or six years ago.
Striker’s injury puts Wenger’s title hopes on ropes
Have Arsenal’s title hopes gone up in smoke now that Robin van Persie is injured? It was just about the worst possible news for Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. Van Persie has been brilliant and he’s arguably Arsenal’s most important player after Cesc Fàbregas. He’s also the best dead-ball specialist in English football, now that Cristiano Ronaldo’s gone.
Dagenham still have capacity to deliver miracles
It’s miraculous that Dagenham & Redbridge are top of League Two. In the shadow of West Ham, they’ve got the smallest average attendance in the division — less than 2,000 — and they can’t hold on to their best players for long. What a great job John Still has done there. They’re outperforming clubs such as Notts County and Bradford City.
Phill Jupitus
When exactly did Brazil become synonymous with footballing excellence?
The florid South American imagery is a copywriter’s dream. Would that I could have had a pound for every time I read the word "samba" or "carnival" in a match report over the years. I would have nearly 30 quid. As a child with a passing knowledge of football, even I knew that Brazil were the best. At the age of 8 in 1970, as part of a desperate attempt to fit in, I spent 12p on a packet of Panini stickers and was despised almost immediately for getting Pelé in my first batch.
In that spring, we acquired our first colour TV and I vividly remember sitting with my face pressed up against the screen looking at the tiny red, green and blue dots that made this miracle of the age possible. I recall the disappointment of discovering Bugs Bunny actually was grey.
Even though the 22in beast was confined to the dump decades ago, I wish we still had it, if only so I could experience the satisfying "Ka-chunk" of the buttons we had to depress into their faux teak housing. Four buttons, three channels . . .
Continue reading "Greatest England v Brazil game will always be history" »
Bill Edgar
52: Percentage of Arsenal league games started since summer of 2006 by Robin van Persie, now injured again
0: Times England have scored one goal in a match during Fabio Capello’s 21 games in charge
3: Left-footed Manchester City players in the England team against Brazil: Wayne Bridge, Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry
35,000: Empty seats at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, for Greece’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine (39,045 were there)
3: Occasions that Huddersfield Town have scored six or more goals at home this season
Kidderminster 3 (Matthews 2, 52, Barnes-Homer 18)
Oxford United 1 (Constable pen 30)
Walter Gammie, Aggborough
If they had not known it before, Oxford United were made painfully aware on Saturday that being long-time league leaders has made them a target. Kidderminster Harriers reacted to their failure to reach the FA Cup first round by using the free weekend to good purpose in building up to a contest that Oxford won only in supporter numbers, by supplying 2,009 of the crowd of 3,569.
Oxford were hit hard when Robbie Matthews scored after 90 seconds. Matthew Barnes-Homer helped to set up the goal, scored spectacularly from 30 yards from a short free kick, and laid on Matthews’s second when Kidderminster repeated their fast start after half-time. Matthews wasted a chance for a hat-trick when Ryan Clarke saved his penalty after Steve Kinniburgh had been shown a red card.
A penalty by James Constable was Oxford’s only retort, but Chris Wilder, the manager, said: "The roof hasn’t caved in. I can’t knock the players — we’ve lost only two of 19 matches." The demand of Mark Yates, the Kidderminster manager, was simple. "More of the same, please," he said.
Believe it or not, there was a time when post-match football chat wasn’t all about cheating, diving, video technology and the referee’s fitness level. Followers of the beautiful game actually talked about, well, the game.
Fans devoted their time to discussing the finer points of crunching tackles, daredevil saves and, best of all, goals.
Greg Heaton has been in touch suggesting a place in Room 4-4-2 for memorable goals and gets the ball rolling with Dennis Tueart’s strike that sealed the League Cup final for Manchester City against Newcastle United in 1976.
City had taken an early lead through Peter Barnes before Alan Gowling equalised. Early in the second half Willie Donachie launched a ball into the Newcastle penalty area and Tommy Booth headed across goal.
Tueart, with his back to goal, hit the ball over his head past Mike Mahoney and into the bottom left corner of the net for the winning goal.
The much-travelled forward had two spells at Maine Road and in 224 matches scored 86 goals. He played six times for England, scoring twice.
Are there any wonder goals you would like to see in our museum of memories? Send you suggestions to room442@thetimes.co.uk
Words by Calvin Shulman
In today's e-mail bulletin, we asked: "Does Sir Alex Ferguson's punishment by the FA suggest he holds too much sway in the English game?"
Nick Szczepanik responded: "The two-match touchline ban imposed on Ferguson for criticizing the fitness of Alan Wiley sends a comforting message to the Manchester United manager from the footballing authorities: 'Carry on as normal - you are more or less above the law as far as we are concerned'. "The point has been well made by my colleague Alyson Rudd that this derisory punishment will only undermine the authority of referees at every level of the game in this country when thousands of them are walking away by the year. And even at the top level, referees will get the message that the pressure is still on when they officiate at Old Trafford - make sure Fergie gets the result he wants or he'll be after you, secure in the knowledge that a slap on the wrist is the worst he can expect. "But it is not only match officials who are short-changed by the craven attitude to Ferguson of those who control football. You, the Times reader, are also adversely affected. "A couple of seasons ago, I reported on Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Watford. We won't even mention the fact that Ferguson spent most of the final few minutes standing on the pitch, a couple of feet inside the touchline, ignoring the half-hearted entreaties of the referee's assistant to return to his technical area. "No, let's focus on the post-match press conference. Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, in answering one reporter's question, said: 'There's a guy [Ferguson] coming in later who has far more experience of these things than I have.' "Now, we have to excuse the ignorance of Boothroyd, who was a rookie Premier League manager then, but if he seriously expected Ferguson to drag himself all the way to the eyrie-like press room at Vicarage Road just to talk to members of the media, he was the only person present who did. The United manager can seldom be bothered to speak after league games, even at Old Trafford, and the press are forced to make do with some anodyne quotes from MUTV, the club's official television channel. "Of course, he still refuses to talk to the BBC, although he often deigns to address ITV after Champions League games. Sky are usually favoured with a few words, but then Ferguson understands how much of the game's income comes from that lucrative source. "The written press get access at Uefa-organised press conferences, where the coach's attendance is mandatory, and sometimes at the baggage carousel on European trips. Ferguson also conducts a weekly press briefing on Fridays, but these have to do for any midweek games the following week. Suffice to say that every other Premier League manager is far more accessible. "The media are not the real victims of this contempt. The victims are football fans, including those of his own club, who would rather like to know the opinions of the most decorated manager of modern times rather than those of Mike Phelan, or to hear Ferguson asked the occasional searching question by a neutral journalist rather than being invited to share his views with us by an MUTV interviewer. "Why is nothing done? Because it is not in the Premier League's interests to do anything. Ferguson is good for business, and they must wonder how his eventual retirement will affect their product. They certainly do not want to hasten it by making Ferguson feel that he doesn't need the aggravation. "Ferguson's Manchester United are highly successful, have millions of supporters worldwide, and play football that many people want to see. So their continued success in the Champions League helps to cement and even increase the prestige of the Premier League. Their presence at or near the top of the table keeps their fans happy and sells Premier League TV packages abroad. And while Ferguson is happy, he will stay at Old Trafford, sending his United team out to play cavalier attacking football, secure in the knowledge that referees will play on and on until they score. "Carry on Fergie..." We also reported on John Terry's race to be fit to captain England against Brazil and Robbie Savage's embarrassing passport mix-up. Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
City warned Robinho replacement will cost £36m - Daily Mail
Benfica have placed a £36 million price tag on Angel Di Maria after hearing Manchester City have made him their top target to replace Robinho, should Barcelona succeed in prising the Brazil forward away from Eastlands.
Lucas up for sale ... at £14m - Daily Mirror
Rafael Benitez wants an amazing £14m for Brazilian Lucas Leiva after a couple of top European sides inquired about his availability.
Roy eyes Brazil goalkeeper - The Sun
Fulham have scouted Palermo's Brazilian keeper Rubinho who is rated at around £3m.
Plane crazy - The Sun
The Football Association could face a £900,000 compensation bill from Chelsea after the Premier League club claimed Frank Lampard suffered a thigh injury while on board the "cramped economy jet" that flew the England team to Doha.
Ferdinand gets the needle as injury mystery deepens - The Guardian
Rio Ferdinand has seen a specialist about his back issues and been placed on a new course of treatment to try to spare the Manchester United and England defender a significant lay-off.
Aurelio adds to Liverpool's woes - The Guardian
Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio has been forced to pull out of Brazil's squad to face England and is the Premier League club's latest injury worry. Steven Gerrard, Fernado Torres, Glen Johnson, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera are already struggling with injury.
 Tony Cascarino
Raymond Domenech was jeered by some of the crowd when he went to the Paris Masters tennis tournament on Monday with a few of the France squad. “The whole place just booed him and his own players laughed at him,” Richard Dunne, the Ireland defender, said. Dunne even called Domenech “a man who seems intent on messing up” world-class players.
That wasn’t simply trash-talking from an opponent - most of the French public would agree. I can’t understand why Domenech is still the France manager. Since France reached the World Cup final under him in 2006, results have been patchy to say the least.
Euro 2008 was a disaster – beaten by Italy, thrashed 4-1 by Holland, and a goalless draw with Romania to round off their interest in the tournament. Yet he was not sacked. He must be the luckiest manager in Europe. Any other big nation would have given him the boot long ago.
Continue reading "Hapless Raymond Domenech could give Ireland an edge" »
In today's e-mail bulletin, Mark Doig asks: "Andy Ford resigned as manager of Welling United after defeat in the FA Cup at Dover about a month ago. Since then Lee Protheroe, who was his assistant, has stood in as caretaker player/manager. Welling have now appointed Jamie Day as manager. What has happened at the club and will this appointment affect the club's future?" Walter Gammie, our non-league expert, responded: "Welling United are a classic case of a club who soared to heights of which Graham and Barrie Hobbins could hardly have dreamt when they were launched in parks football by Sydney Hobbins, their father, in 1963. They spent 14 seasons in the Conference between 1986 and 2000. And, naturally, everything that is now taking place at Park View Road is judged in the light of those glory years. The problem for Welling is that the footballing landscape has since changed dramatically. "There seems little prospect of a club with a limited fan base regaining their previous status in a league that has become dominated by well-supported ex-Football League clubs since the Conference won the right to two-up, two-down promotion and relegation in 2002-03. The experienced Andy Ford, who established a fellow Kent club, Gravesend and Northfleet - now Ebbsfleet United - in the Conference in a memorable seven-year spell, was called in to preserve Welling's place in the Blue Square South in January 2008. He did so, took them to seventh last season but increasingly found, in the difficult financial climate, that pushing the club higher was an unenviable and frustrating task. "It sounded like a fresh direction was needed. And Welling clearly hope that by appointing Jamie Day, a 30-year-old who had been playing for Dartford in the Ryman League, that they will be given renewed impetus. If you are going to appoint a first-time manager, the club clearly believe that you could not do much better than a man who knows the place inside out from his own playing days there and had his early schooling at Arsenal. And he can still play a bit, too." And as England prepare to play Brazil in a friendly on Saturday, we also report on Wayne Rooney's call to his England team-mates to help improve the national team's performances against the world's best sides.
Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
Rafa
could move for Roman - Daily Mirror
The Liverpool manager has spent the international break considering his
options for reinforcements in the January transfer window. The Spanish coach
has sounded out advisors for Roman Pavlyuchenko, who indicated yesterday
that he will press to leave the London club in January.
Two-tier
Premier League plan faces rejection - Daily Telegraph
Plans for a radical overhaul of the English football pyramid based on an
expansion of the Premier League to cover two divisions and the inclusion of
Celtic and Rangers are expected to get a lukewarm reception from Premier
League chairmen on Thursday.
England
can win the World Cup, says Kaka - The Guardian
The England team to play Brazil in Saturday's high-profile friendly may be
missing several first-choice players through injury, but Kaká says the
five-times World Cup winners face a difficult and significant challenge
against a side he believes can win next summer's tournament in South Africa.
Continue reading "The Rivals: Liverpool could move for unsettled Pavlyuchenko" »
 Matt Hughes
The only surprise regarding Luke Young’s decision to reject an England call-up yesterday is that it was regarded as a surprise at all. The Aston Villa defender had his own compelling personal reasons for retiring from international following the tragic death of his brother in August, but his decision was also down to a recurring sense of doubt that many players on the fringes of international football could empathise with. What did he have to gain?
Young won seven caps, all under Sven-Goran Eriksson, during a stop-start England career, though as the last of those was four years ago in a match also featuring Paul Konchesky he knew in his heart of hearts that his time had been and gone. The 30-year-old was called up by Fabio Capello for the friendly defeat in Spain earlier this year, but never came close making an appearance, after which he concluded that he may as well call it a day. Why, he thought to himself, should he put himself through the additional training sessions, wearying travel and needless separation from family and friends for so little tangible reward?
Continue reading "Luke Young had little to gain from England call-up" »
 In today's e-mail bulletin, we asked: "Mark Hughes says Manchester City will not be selling Robinho in January, but wouldn't it be more sensible to cash in on the want-away forward and fund a move for, say, Franck Ribery? Isn't Robinho more trouble than he is worth?"
James Ducker responded: "That's a very salient point. On Ribery first, Mark Hughes covets him above probably any other player in world football but he hasn't been given much encouragement in his pursuit of the forward. That may change if City become a Champions League club but for the time being at least, Ribery may be just beyond their reach. "On Robinho, where do I start? To cut a long story short, City want to keep him, at least until the end of the season, but the Brazilian wants out, ideally as early as January. His public demeanour might not suggest it, but according to those close to him both he and his wife are unsettled in Manchester and want to return to Spain, with Barcelona the most likely destination. "It's probably going to end up being a battle of wills. Robinho is not stupid. It's a World Cup year and he's not going to want to isolate himself at City if he can't get a move to Barcelona. City are in the fortunate position of being so rich that they don't have to indulge even a £30m-plus player. "I'm sure if Robinho becomes a disruptive influence Hughes will reconsider things, but City seem determined to ride this out. The situation may change again if Barcelona make an attractive offer but City hardly need the money and, it must be pointed out, don't need to sell one £30m player to buy another."
We also reported on Luke Young turning down a place in the England squad and Roman Pavlyuchenko's unhappiness at warming the Tottenham bench.
Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
Tom Dart Don't know about you, but I reckon the pace of the modern game just gets faster and faster. Take Nawaf Al Abed, a 21-year-old striker for Al Hilal, last Saturday. Not for Al Abed a careful, patient build-up or some cautious possession football to ease his side into their Prince Faisal bin Fahad Cup tie against Al Shoalah.
No, his team-mate touched the ball to him at kick-off, he dribbled two yards into the opposition half and launched a left-footed punt from the halfway line that soared high into the net over the goalkeeper, who retreated too slowly from the edge of his six-yard box. The goalkeeper punched his left-hand post in frustration. He'll be disappointed with that.
Continue reading "Saudi striker scores world's fastest-ever goal" »
Depleted Liverpool join chase for Carlton - Daily Mail
Liverpool are among the clubs planning a £12m raid on West Ham to sign Carlton Cole in January.
Birmingham bring in the Fraud Squad - Daily Mirror
Police and Fraud Squad officers are due at Birmingham in the next week to go through the Premier League club’s books. New owner Carson Yeung employed a top criminal law firm after probing City’s finances following his £80million takeover.
Moses is lined up to land at Spurs - Daily Mirror
Harry Redknapp will run the rule over Victor Moses, the Crystal Palace striker, at a behind-closed-doors friendly this week.
Fergie joins Kjaer chase - Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has got up close and personal with one of Manchester United’s top transfer targets. Ferguson sat at the next table to Palermo’s Danish defender Simon Kjaer at an awards ceremony in Copenhagen on Monday night.
Walking on the Toon - The Sun
Sting has backed the bid from the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust to buy the club from Mike Ashley. Actors Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy have also lent their support.
Everton to open contract talks with Saha - The Guardian
Everton intend to open talks with Louis Saha over a contract extension that would prevent the former France striker becoming a free agent at the end of this season.
Dive ref is axed - Daily Mirror
Referee Peter Walton will not officiate in the next round of Premier League games after awarding Liverpool the controversial penalty which gave them a draw with Birmingham on Monday.
Gabriele Marcotti
There isn't much I can add to this story.
Thoughts and prayers go to Robert Enke's friends and family. And, with them, the hope that football learns something. Compared to other employees, footballers are scrutinized, tested and observed more than any other worker. One can only hope that enough attention is paid to their mental state as well. It may not have made a difference in Enke's case, it may make a difference to somebody else down the line.
Continue reading "Enke's mental state should be a lesson to all" »
George Caulkin
The emails were dispatched at 2am on Tuesday morning. All 40,000 of them, which the Newcastle United Supporters Trust [NUST] believes might just make it the biggest-ever mail-out to football fans. In spite of the bleary-eyed hour, within the first 20 minutes, 120 people had signed up for more information and pledges of financial backing had come from as far afield as Australia.
There was a humbling message from an orphanage in Ghana, where the NUST have previously sent Newcastle shirts to disadvantaged children, kids whose lives put notions such as sport, victory and defeat into its proper perspective, with an offer to invest £5. In emotive terms, a value could not be placed on their gesture and at that moment, their challenge felt that bit more manageable.
Continue reading "Newcastle fans launch takeover campaign" »
In today's e-mail bulletin, we asked: "In the wake of David Ngog's dive to win a penalty at Anfield last night, is it time to introduce retrospective punishment, in the form of bans, to stop this kind of thing damaging the game?"
Gabriele Marcotti responded: "Yes it is. It is certainly feasible, in fact they introduced it in Italy a couple of seasons ago. The only way to make it work would be to have an independent panel that could say 100 per cent that the player cheated and his intention was to cheat. What they found in Italy was that there were very few cases where that actually happened. "Last night for example, although Ngog went over without being touched, you would have to prove that he was intending to deceive the referee and that is more difficult. If he argues 'I leapt over Carsley to get out of the way of his tackle' then it is very difficult to prove him wrong. Just because there hasn't been contact doesn't mean it is not a foul. "Things like this make it very difficult to judge whether there has been cheating or not. It is certainly worth having retrospective action, especially to punish the extreme examples, but if it is introduced we should be aware that there are so many grey areas. "In many ways it would be easier to introduce video evidence at the match. If you are talking about giving people retrospective bans you have to prove that the person was cheating. If you are doing it at the game, your objective isn't to punish the player but to get the right decision. If you take last night's example it would have taken a second to see that Ngog was not touched and the resulting decision would have had an immediate effect on the game. The burden of proof is a lot lower if you use video evidence at the game. Retrospective action would require a much higher burden of proof, because you are punishing a player, not righting a wrong. "It will still be some time before we see video evidence used at matches. The political will isn't there from Fifa and Uefa and they are the ones who would make that kind of decision." We also reported on Darren Ferguson's dismissal at Peterborough and footage of the dirtiest player alive. Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
There may have been a few Birmingham City supporters who were worried that with David Sullivan's departure from the club they wouldn't have a lairy coat to giggle at during lulls in the action. Fear not, Blue Noses, the future looks bright after Carson Yeung's decision to step out at Anfield in his £30,000 limited-edition Gucci overcoat (that the club tell us he bought in Paris two years ago): 
Continue reading "Birmingham's flamboyant tradition upheld by Carson Yeung" »
Graham Spiers
Some final thoughts on the annual Old Firm hijacking of the poppy, as crass and contrived and insensitive as it all is.
For those of you unfamiliar with this scene, the problem is rooted in the cultural and political narrative surrounding Celtic FC. Increasingly, Celtic boasts a multi-dominational fanbase, in which some estimate that up 25 per cent of the club's support is now Protestant, but this hasn't stopped a core of political hardliners from objecting to the wearing of the poppy, given what they see as its symbolic link to a previously corrupt and cruel British political regime.
Continue reading "Old Firm bigots show true colours on Remembrance Day" »
 Chelsea
back in the hunt for Ribery - Daily Telegraph
Carlo Ancelotti has made Franck Ribery his top transfer target and hopes to
sign the France international when the January window opens. Premier League
club have been given the go-ahead to buy after the Court of Arbitration for
Sport granted their request for a 'stay' on the transfer ban imposed by
Fifa.
Bayern
Munich prepared to sell Ribery - The Independent
Manchester United and Manchester City will rival Chelsea after Bayern Munich
decided to cash in on the France winger.
Robinho’s
£6million loan - The Sun
Barcelona are close to agreeing a deal for Robinho, the Manchester City
forward. The European Champions will pay a £6m "arrangement fee" to take the
player on loan in January, before the player makes the move permanent in the
summer.
Notts
County on brink of winding up proceedings - The Guardian
Notts County's parent company will be wound up next week unless a six-figure
tax debt is paid. The League Two club are the subject of an order scheduled
to be heard at the bankruptcy division of the high court on 18 November.
City
hot on Ranger trail - Daily Mirror
Mark Hughes, the City manager, wants to bring highly rated Raheem Sterling,
the 14-year-old QPR striker, to Eastlands. Hughes is willing to offer the
London club £1m plus two of his fringe players on loan.
United
run the rule over Chamakh - Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson has run the rule over Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh. The
Morocco forward was courted by Sunderland, West Ham and Arsenal in the
summer but failed to land his dream move to the Premier League.
Click
here to download the podcast
Click
here to subscribe via iTunes
Click here
to subscribe via RSS
Gabriele Marcotti, Oliver Kay and Nick Szczepanik join Phill Jupitus to
discuss:
Chelsea v Manchester United
- Sir Alex Ferguson has cried 'wolf' too many times about referees but the
team reckon he has a point, the goal did have dubious elements to it and the
referee's position was dodgy.
- Didier Drogba did not look anything like the player he has been in previous
games, although being pole-axed by Jonny Evans can't have helped him.
- Manchester United played well according to Oliver and Nick, despite losing.
- Nick mentions that United often string an incredible run of victories
together in the spring to nab the title but that might not be the case this
season.
Continue reading "TheGame Podcast: could this be Arsenal's season?" »
In today's e-mail bulletin we asked, "After five consecutive draws, is Mark Hughes right to ask the Manchester City fans to be patient?" Russell Kempson responded: "Time waits for no man, especially Mark Hughes. As the City manager takes his fringe squad members for a few days rest and recreation in Abu Dhabi during the international break, he might reflect on that.
"Hughes has had multimillions to spend on new players and, as a result, has even less time than the average Joe Manager to find success. Average Joe has usually got until tomorrow to lift his first silverware; Mark Hughes should have won it yesterday.
"That is the reality of life at the top table and, as he soaks up the Gulf sun by a swimming pool this week, it might be gently pointed out to him. A record of one defeat in 14 matches in all competitions this season looks fine. On the face of it.
"Yet scratch the surface and it doesn't seem quite so rosy. Is five successive league draws against Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Fulham, Birmingham City and Burnley really that good?
"OK, the 1-1 result at Villa Park was not to be sneezed at. But begging the pardon of the other opponents, should not oil-rich City be galloping past them with all the power of a gushing geyser? Sorry, Sparky. It's got to improve. The clock is ticking." We also reported on David Beckham's withdrawal from the England squad and Oliver Kay assesses Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction to Manchester United's defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
 Hughes tells City fans to be patient - Daily Mail
The Manchester City manager insists his team have performed well since Sheikh Mansour's investment in the club, despite their fifth successive draw against Burnley on Saturday. "We have done well given the small amount of games the players have played together," Hughes said, after supporters had booed his side at half-time. "The more we play, the better we’ll be."
Ancelotti praises big-game mentality - The Sun
The Chelsea manager was delighted with the victory over Manchester United, saying his side's improved results against the "big four" could be crucial in their bid to win the title. "We beat a very good team," he said. "It's important to get results against the big teams and we have now won against Liverpool and United."
Gomes calls Bent a cheat - The Sun
The Tottenham goalkeeper claims the Sunderland forward dived to win a penalty - which he missed - during the London club's victory at White Hart Lane on Saturday. "I don't know why Darren fell over," Gomes said. "I think he kicked me."
Pulis will talk to 'hurt' Tuncay - Daily Mail
The Stoke manager insists he made the right decision to withdraw the forward only seven minutes after he came on as a substitute in the defeat by Hull, though Pulis understood why the player was upset. "It is pride and everything that goes with it," he said. "I am aware of his feelings. Iit is not about him or me, it is about the team."
Continue reading "The Rivals: Mark Hughes asks unhappy fans to show patience" »
 Patrick Barclay, Chief Football Commentator
Stadium naming rights are not something we should always froth about. If Arsenal want to move to a new and improved stadium, and, to help with costs, call it the Emirates Stadium rather than New Highbury, well and good. If, on the other hand, Mike Ashley uses naming rights as just another way of tormenting the supporters of Newcastle United, that’s not so good. It depends on the stadium and the people involved.
The announcement that St James’ Park will be renamed the "sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park Stadium” until the end of this season, when an auction will be held in the hope of raising £5 million a year from a company appending its name or slogan to the ground’s time-honoured title, is probably the worst of all the awful things that have befallen Newcastle since Kevin Keegan left in 1997 (the only really good thing was the Indian summer of Sir Bobby Robson). Worse, even, than Ashley’s takeover and the installation of Dennis Wise alongside an unwilling Keegan in his second spell as manager.
St James’ Park is St James’ Park and should be so until the fans say otherwise. Anything else is bad business, quite apart from the insult it delivers to the sensibilities of those who give not just the stadium but the city in which it is near-centrally situated a rare and wonderful form of footballing life. And for the Football League to stand by and say nothing — just as, to be fair, the Premier League would probably have done had Newcastle not been relegated last season — is yet another illustration of how loosely the game is regulated, for all the improvements to which both Leagues justifiably point.
Continue reading "Debate: Would you be happy to have your club’s stadium renamed?" »
Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent
There is a certain perception of Phil Brown: year-round tan, Britney Spears headpiece, natty dress sense. Likes: sound of own voice, talking people down from suicide spots, karaoke. Dislikes: spitting.
It is a caricature that Brown has been happy to live up to since he first led Hull City on to the Premier League stage 15 months ago. By his own admission, he enjoys the limelight, having concluded, just as Sam Allardyce did when they were together at Bolton Wanderers, that he should take every opportunity to publicise himself and, by extension, his club.
The irony is that, in an age in which image has assumed such importance, Brown should be regarded as someone whose authority has been weakened, rather than enhanced, by his self-projection. Brown is characterised as football’s answer to Icarus — and not merely because of the tan. Having flown so close to the Sun — and the Mirror, but also The Times and every other media outlet — he is in danger of being burnt. Having established himself as the focus of the Hull City story, he is the fall guy when things start to slip.
Continue reading "Beneath the façade, Brown must be quite some manager" »
 Tony Cascarino
Sir Alex Ferguson failed to outwit Carlo Ancelotti’s AC Milan a few years back and he was trying to be too clever against Chelsea again yesterday. Manchester United played well, but with a five-man midfield they are no threat. They play too narrowly, without the conviction of a 4-4-2. Fergie’s a great manager, but not the greatest tactician.
2: Ronaldo’s departure a greater loss than it appeared
Of course, this is a United attack without Cristiano Ronaldo. In years to come, I think Ferguson will look back and reflect that Ronaldo’s departure was even more of a devastating loss than it seemed at the time. United are nowhere near the same team going forward. They don’t look like scoring. There isn’t the same swagger without Ronaldo, or the same expectation.
3: Burnley highlight weakness of City’s rearguard
Get ready for Manchester City to buy big in January. They need a new left back, for sure. Wayne Bridge was awful against Burnley. Mark Hughes’s biggest failing has been the back four he’s put together. Against Burnley, it was impossible to tell which side’s defence cost tens of millions and whose was put together cheaply.
4: West Ham need new blood to prevent relegation
West Ham must keep Carlton Cole and Robert Green, and preferably Matthew Upson, in January. But that’s not enough. Everyone’s talking about how they could be sellers in the window, but they must be buyers. They need an injection of new blood because it’s too risky to rely on young players in a relegation battle. West Ham could easily go down.
5: Strachan’s troubles show fault is with the players
Middlesbrough have lost their first two games under Gordon Strachan. Nothing against him — it just shows that there is an underlying problem at the club that was not any fault of Gareth Southgate’s. The players simply are not good enough. Mark Schwarzer opted to leave for Fulham last year and, yesterday, he was man of the match, which says it all, really.
26: Goals in a row for Chelsea at home in all competitions, the same as in January-February 2007
1: Manchester United point from past six league games away to "big four" rivals
3: Scots who scored for Burnley against Manchester City: Graham Alexander, Steven Fletcher, Kevin McDonald
57: Years since City last had five top-flight draws in a row. It follows 18 games without a draw.
2: Wolves, against Arsenal, were the first side for six years to score two first-half own goals in the top flight
Phill Jupitus
With football being but one of a veritable kaleidoscope of interests in my life, I have always very much taken it on face value. I relish the simplicity of 22 men running around a field trying to establish which half of them is better than the other. And when I need to be absurdly analytical about it, there’s room for that, too. But as one who has hitherto maintained a tenuous relationship with regular physical exercise, I feel I have never truly understood what players go through.
Oh, sure, we can all see what they go through. The rough challenges, the sheer effort of keeping going for 90 minutes. But in my own small way, I have started to view performing in a West End show ([Hairspray)] as being a bit like playing in a football game. For a start, there are two halves. Yes, as far as the similarities go, that’s the main one, but I am running around a bit getting incredibly sweaty, and at Saturday’s matinee, a ball even got kicked into the crowd! You get a damn good talking-to from the resident director (manager), then the dance captains and musical director (coaching assistants), and the stage manager (magic sponge) reminds you not to run into things.
There’s even a quite demanding pre-show warm-up. OK, so mine consists of walking around in a suit and hat watching bendy young men and women work their supple bodies to the tune of Superstylin’ by Groove Armada, before singing "Fluffy fluffy puppy" for ten minutes. But at least I’m getting in the zone.
You’re probably wondering how the jarring clashes come into such a tightly choreographed show packed with talented young professionals.
Well, somebody found a way. During the finale the other day, I was descending a staircase in a red, sequined, floor-length evening gown moving rapidly towards American chanteuse Belinda Carlisle, who was in a bright yellow dress. I caught a trailing heel on the last step and thundered towards Carlisle, whose eyes betrayed genuine fear. Try to imagine a sparkly Jan Molby taking out a Norwich midfielder and you roughly get the idea . . .
OK, so it’s lame but it gets me through the shows. But I suppose the real drama of football is that you aren’t guaranteed a happy ending.
Richard Neale
Chelsea beat Manchester United in a Titanic tussle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to open up a five-point gap at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
John Terry’s controversial effort 14 minutes from time decided a match which spawned numerous talking points. Sir Alex Ferguson complained afterwards that Chelsea should never have been awarded the decisive free-kick for a foul by Darren Fletcher in the first place. He also complained about Didier Drogba pulling back Wes Brown and also attempting to make contact with the ball from an offside position before it ultimately found the net. Were any of these beefs legitimate?
Did the match tell you anything about the destiny of this year’s title race – few would argue that United were in fact the better side, but can they afford to let one of their nearest rivals steal such a decisive advantage?
United fans – are you concerned that they have now been beaten away from home in their two biggest games of the season – at Liverpool and now at Stamford Bridge.
Who was your man of the match, who failed to deliver - whatever your thoughts from Sunday’s match, this is the forum for you to get them off your chest.
The word "hero" is often bandied about when talking about football, but few could match the valour shown by the players of Clapton Orient, who deservedly enter our hall of fame. Alan Chandler, who nominated the club for Room 4-4-2, says: “Most people will be aware that the O’s were originally called Clapton Orient. At the outbreak of the First World War the entire staff of 41 volunteered for the 17th Middlesex Regiment, the Footballers’ Battalion. They lost three players in the conflict — Privates George Scott and William Jonas and Company Sergeant Major Richard McFadden.” The trio died in 1916. McFadden, pictured, had earlier written to the club saying: “Willie turned to me and said, ‘Goodbye, Mac, best of luck. Special love to my sweetheart Mary Jane and best regards to the lads at Orient.’ Before I could reply he was up and over. No sooner had he jumped up out of the trench, my best friend of nearly 20 years was killed before my eyes.” McFadden later won the Military Medal but died of wounds at the Somme. Leyton Orient fans, who often travel to the players’ graves, are raising funds for a memorial. Send you suggestions for Room 4-4-2 to room442@thetimes.co.uk Words by Calvin Shulman
Stars of the classic comedy-drama Auf Wiedersehen Pet have recorded a song as part of a charity DVD called A Knight To Remember, with the proceeds going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy's rendition of The Blaydon Races includes a new verse about the former Newcastle and England manager. Click here to visit the Foundation's website and make a donation.
Patrick Barclay answers our questions on the weekend's big game between Chelsea
and Manchester United.
How will the result of Sunday's match
influence the outcome of the season? PB: It could have a massive
impact. This is the best Chelsea team since the peak of the Jose Mourinho era
and if they were to take a five-point lead over United with a victory on Sunday,
it would have a significant influence on the destination of the Premier League
trophy. Chelsea will not lose many more games, but United will lose at
least two or three more unless their defence magically solidifies. So the result
could genuinely be an indication, no matter how early it is in the season, of
where the title will end up. Where will the match be won and
lost? PB: Up front there is not an awful lot to choose between the
sides, although Didier Drogba is probably the best centre forward in Europe at
the moment. Wayne Rooney is vying with him, especially as both players produced
outstanding performances in the Champions League in midweek. In almost
every other area of the field Chelsea are way ahead. How many United players
would get into Chelsea's midfield? Maybe Darren Flether or Ryan Giggs at a push.
On the other hand, you could name five Chelsea players - Joe Cole, Michael
Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Deco - who would all waltz into the
United midfield. If you look at the back four it becomes even worse for
United. Chelsea have a settled look to their defence. They have arguably the
best left back in the world in Ashley Cole and John Terry is one of the best
central defenders. United did, until six or seven months ago, have the best
central defensive partnership in the country. But as everyone knows they have
struggled to perform of late. Only in goal do United have a clear
advantage, where Edwin van der Sar is slightly ahead of Petr Cech this
season. Could a Chelsea victory start a power-shift at the top of the
English game? PB: It could. Back in 2005 when Chelsea first won the
league under Mourinho, everyone thought "goodbye Fergie". Since then United have
won three league titles and Chelsea one. United have won one Champions League
and Chelsea none, United have had one manager, and Chelsea, including Mourinho,
have had five. So you can never rule Sir Alex Ferguson out. But I do
think Chelsea will win and if they do they will be established as mine, and I
expect everybody else's, firm favourites for the title. We also reported on the suspension of Chelsea's transfer ban, Rio Ferdinand's injury situation and South Africa's investment in World Cup security, including prison trains.
Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
 Tony Cascarino
Everton don't normally have any reason to be grateful to Liverpool, but they should feel thankful that their rivals are struggling so much that their own problems are largely going unnoticed.
What's happened to the team that finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League in the past two seasons, the side that was probably the toughest to play against because of their hard work, spirit, organisation and enthusiasm for getting stuck in and doing the ugly stuff? The side that was flying last year even without any forwards, and reached the FA Cup Final?
They lost tamely to Benfica in the Europa League last night - the same opponents who thumped them 5-0 in Portugal a couple of weeks ago. Then there was that 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Arsenal on the opening day of the season. It's so unlike David Moyes's side to be such whipping boys. They haven't won since October 10.
Continue reading "David Moyes must quit to save his reputation" »
Harry's
a Van man - The Sun
Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened the door to a Premier League return. Harry
Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, is interested in the former Manchester
United striker who is out of contract at Real Madrid at the end of the
season and unlikely to be offered a new deal.
Benitez
is set to head for El - Daily Mirror
The Liverpool manager is lining up a January move for Eljero Elia, Hamburg's
Dutch midfielder.
Gordon's
Ad it - The Sun
Gordon Strachan fears he is powerless to stop Adam Johnson quitting
Middlesbrough. Sunderland are eyeing the £10million-rated winger, whose
contract expires next summer.
Bo's
knee op Blues - Daily Mirror
Jose Bosingwa, the Chelsea defender, could be out for a month after being told
he needs knee surgery.
Plan
for two-tier Premier League back on the agenda - The Guardian
Premier League clubs will meet next Thursday to discuss the proposal of a
two-tier Premier League, involving Scottish sides Rangers and Celtic.
In today's e-mail bulletin we asked "Rangers and Celtic sit bottom of their respective European groups. Is this a fair reflection of the standard of Scottish football?"
Graham Spiers responds: "Unfortunately, it is a fair reflection of the current state of Scottish football. The game in Scotland is going through one of those periods at the moment and the clubs are becoming very self conscious about how poor the quality of football has become.
"Rangers and Celtic, as the poster boys of the Scottish game, are bearing the brunt of that criticism. To make matters worse, Celtic have been on the end of a damning statistic from Uefa this week, which has them down as the most shot-shy of all the 48 teams in the Europa League. They have had 13 shots on target in their three games so far.
"It isn't any better for Rangers. It was humiliating to be at Ibrox for their 4-1 defeat by Unirea Urziceni - a real wake-up call for the game in Scotland. Walter Smith has said the Scottish game is in meltdown and it is hard to see any reason to go against that view. The self-esteem of the game in Scotland and of the Old Firm is at an all-time low, but the current results and standings in Europe, although cruel, is a realistic reflection of the state of the game."
We also reported on Newcastle's decision to rename St James' Park and how the design of modern footballs is increasing the number of stunning goals.
Sign up for free here to get the full version featuring the latest news, gossip and fun direct to your inbox every weekday lunchtime and you could be setting the agenda.
Fergie's
keen on an Angel - Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, is planning a £12m January
swoop for Angel Di Maria (pictured), Benfica's Argentine winger.
Premier
League clubs chase Moscow flyer Krasic - Daily Mirror
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are weighing up a January move for CSKA
Moscow winger Milos Krasic.
Rio's
out for six weeks - The Sun
Rio Ferdinand is out for up to six weeks after finally admitting defeat in his
battle with a long-standing back injury.
Handbags
back to haunt England's World Cup bid - The Guardian
The row over England 2018's £230 Mulberry freebie bags presented to the wives
of Fifa executive-committee members last month has returned to haunt the
Football Association after the organisation's vice-president, Jack Warner,
yesterday revealed he was sending back the promotional gift.
Merida
two stay - The Sun
Fran Merida, Arsenal's teenage Spanish striker, hopes to sign a new contract
despite interest from Atletico Madrid and a host of other La Liga clubs.
Sam
taking the Micael - Daily Mirror
Sam Allardyce hopes to strike a cut-price £4m deal for Nacional Madeira
midfielder Ruben Micael.
 Our Football Commentator replies to readers. He doesn't agree that King should be allowed to return to professional football and argues that the game needs higher moral standards.
Speaking as a human being I believe that no matter how abhorrent you may find King's offence, once he has served the time handed out for his offence then he should be allowed to resume his life and move on without discrimination. Speaking as a Middlesbrough fan though, I can safely say he is one of the worst centre forwards I've ever seen and that any team above Sunday League would be foolish to sign him for ability reasons alone. Ben Larder
Patrick Barclay: I simply don't agree that, having served his time, he should be able to resume as a footballer. By all means let him rebuild his life if he wants - even if his past suggests no desire to mend any of his ways - but not in a profession that implies a responsibility to set an example to youth. Let me put it this way: if a youth worker were convicted of a similar offence, we'd think twice about letting him near kids, even after he'd served his time.
The very fact he was a footballer contributed to his actions given we were told that his comments were "Don't you know who I am..." A look at King's list of past crimes surely tells you what type of person he is. Does he deserve another club? Well, it would say as much about the morals of the club that would employ him as much as those of the player. Brian
PB: Very much so. Clubs have a responsibility to look at the moral dimension of their employment decisions. If King were a first offender, I'd take a very different view. Everyone deserves a second chance. But a fourteenth?
Continue reading "Patrick Barclay responds: Would you be happy if your club signed Marlon King on his release?" »
Alex Brodie
David Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Paul Gascoigne have displayed their skills on countless occasions, but arguably the defining moments of all of their careers have come from dead-ball situations and involved their fantastic ability to curl a football. An arching free-kick, or subtle finish curled around a goalkeeper's
outstretched arm, can astound supporters at both ends of a ground and
those watching at home. The ability to do this is no fluke, but comes
from hours of extra work on the training ground and a dedication to the
art. Here is a selection of the finest examples of curling and swerving
shots from all over the world, including Beckham's dramatic goal
against Greece, Rivelino’s long-range free kick, with bend and dip, in Brazil’s 4-1 victory
against Czechoslovakia in the 1970 World Cup finals, Josimar's strike against Northern Ireland in 1986 and Roberto Carlos’s 35-yard free kick for
Brazil against France in Le Tournoi in 1997.
Continue reading "Swerving the issue: The best curling free-kicks and bending shots from around the world" »
|  |
|
Sign up for our free daily email, lunchtimes at 1pm
