Ahead of the Game

Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail

The news in 60 seconds

SVEN CUTS IT FINE
In the past hour, Manchester City have been granted work permits for Valerie Bojinov, the Bulgaria forward, and Vedran Corluka, the Croatia defender. Sven-Goran Eriksson is still hoping to squeeze in a deal for a new goalkeeper before the start of the season. More news on the Swede's frantic transfer activities as it happens…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/football

BRICK WALL FOR BATES
A meeting of Football League chairmen was unmoved by Ken Bates's impassioned pleas to overturn Leeds's 15-point penalty today. It's not all doom and gloom, though. "Leeds are starting the new season in League One as a valued member of the league's football family," Lord Mawhinney, the League chairman, offered by way of consolation.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2229014.ece

BARTON PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Newcastle's Joey Barton was in court today as he pleaded not guilty to assaulting former Manchester City team-mate, Ousmane Dabo. Barton, who "strenuously denied" the charge, spoke only to confirm his name and address and to enter a plea.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/article2228801.ece

McCLAREN'S FLYING VISIT
Don't all hold your breath at once. David Beckham could be fit to play for LA Galaxy tonight, but the England head coach shouldn't get too excited: he'll play only briefly and only if he can be bothered. US Editor Gerard Baker will report on the glitz and glamour first thing tomorrow.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2227484.ece

HOORAY FOR A HAPPY ENDING…
Breathe a sigh of relief: it's over and it will never happen again. Carlos Tevez is joining Manchester United and, in an exclusive interview with The Times, Richard Scudamore promises that we will never again have to fight off yawns while the Premier League navel gazes about the integrity of third-party owners and loan deals for goalkeepers.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/article2224776.ece

… WELL, ALMOST
Everton are chasing Manuel Fernandes, who is 50 per cent owned by an investment company, and goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to join Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/article2224974.ece

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* http://www.timesonline.co.uk/playthegame

If you've got another couple of minutes

A MATTER OF RESPECT
Ahead of the Game suggests that Scudamore should work on his interview technique, at this of all times. After admitting his position as Premier League chief executive has come under threat, he reveals that there has been talk about a job in Major League Soccer. "With respect, their television deal is worth as much as our chewing gum contract." Very respectful. 

COURTING DISASTER
Money, greed, self-interest and the courts: it could almost be a story from the Premier League. Burnley have decided that parachute payments are illegal and they will round up the boys from the B league before taking the issue to court.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/kevin_eason/article2224743.ece

£4,677.90
Price of a return ticket (Upper Class) to Washington to have a chat with Becks (Virgin Atlantic)

£5
Cost of an international phone card

A quickie before you go, sir?

SHIRT-SHIFTER
We could have saved McClaren the journey: here's how Becks is preparing for those crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers. Admittedly, he's not fizzing crosses across the six-yard box, but the camera loves him. Warning: this clip contains flash photography. Lots of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo4f2Kgf2eE

>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* West Ham step up chase for Shorey and Gudjohnsen - The Independent
* Terry's all bold: he'll be back for England - The Sun
* Tevez to make debut in Manchester derby - Daily Express

The transfer wrap

West Brom have completed a deal to sign Pele (that's the Southampton midfield player rather than the Brazil legend) … Man City, West Ham and Bolton are being linked with Antonio Cassano,  the Real Madrid forward … Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, is hopeful of signing Arsenal's Johan Djourou on loan but Mathieu Flamini is less interested in a move to St Andrews ... Birmingham face competition from Sunderland to sign Mido, the Tottenham striker … the Black Cats are set to beat Fulham in the race to sign Cork City striker Roy O'Donovan ... Middlesbrough insist Yakubu is not for sale, despite interest from Everton ... David Moyes, the Everton manager, may have more success landing Benfica's Manuel Fernandes … Derby County have been linked with Hamburg midfield player Benny Feilhaber, a US international … Newcastle United are being linked with Fulham's Papa Bouba Diop … Liam Rosenior could also be leaving Craven Cottage as Aston Villa step up their interest ... Charlton have wrapped up a £3.5 million deal for strikers Izale McLeod and Zheng Zhi …
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2229569.ece

>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
* Lewis in the driving seat: Formula One star laps up the fun with mystery brunette - Various
* What you need to know 1) Race ace Hamilton has set pulses racing with bikini-clad beauty. 2) The happy couple have been walking hand in hand along a beach. 3) Long-term girlfriend Jodia Ma appears to have been left on the grid. 4) In one photo, Hamilton appears to walk on water, which many of us already suspected.

Tomorrow's news today

- Eggert Magnusson lifts the lid on the controversies at West Ham
- Niall Quinn gives a frank assessment of his relationship with Roy Keane
- Reading's Stephen Hunt on how he has put the clash with Petr Cech behind him

And expect...

Following the lead of England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, Sir Alex Ferguson puts a gagging order on his players and tells them not to swear. Wayne Rooney is unable to comment.

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