Ahead of the game: Pearce gets England role
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Wednesday, January 30
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The news in 60 seconds
PEARCE GETS ENGLAND ROLE
Stuart Pearce has been given a coaching role with the England senior team. Psycho will continue to look after the Under-21s. Fabio Capello said, "He will sit next to me on the bench.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3277955.ece
SPURS LAND HUTTON
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the £9 million signing of Alan Hutton, the Rangers right back. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, reckons it's an "excellent" deal for Spurs. Pascal Chimbonda is less convinced.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article3277207.ece
GRANT BACKS COLE
Avram Grant says Ashley Cole is ready to play against Reading at Stamford Bridge tonight despite having his private life hauled through the tabloid ringer. The full back is reportedly willing to play away from home, too.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3273370.ece
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEWS
Nemanja Vidic has a virus and is unlikely to play for Manchester United against Portsmouth, but Milan Baros could make his debut for Harry Redknapp's side. Plus all the breaking news on tonight's matches.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3263431.ece
And, remember, you can follow the action live with our match tracker:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/
BECKS: I'M READY
David Beckham went for a run along a beach in Brazil yesterday adamant he is fit to win his 100th cap. Goldenballs has been sending bulletins to Fabio Capello telling him the same. That might have have worked with Sven. . .
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3273489.ece
KEEGAN GIVES UP ON TRANSFERS
The Newcastle United manager says hes unlikely to sign any new players in the transfer window. Yes, Kevin, but how many will you bid for?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3277959.ece
BUTCHER DEFECTS
Terry Butcher has confirmed he would want Scotland to beat England now that he is the Scots' assistant manager. The former England captain added, though, that he would sing both of their national anthems. That'll go down well at Hampden Park. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3276509.ece
ARSENAL RAMPANT
Martin Samuel says the margin of their 3-0 defeat at Highbury should concern Newcastle United less than the superiority Arsenal enjoyed. Read all of Martin's brilliant report to get a proper idea of the task that confronts Kevin Keegan. Non-Geordies will love it. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3273994.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes
THAT LUCKY BUTCH
As sport editors grappled today with the latest development on Terry Butchers defection, AOTG got to wondering about his curious career path.
Since our Tel turned to managing, the old bruiser has been sacked by a litany of middling clubs: Coventry City, Sunderland, Brentford, even Sydney FC. The only side he left of his own accord were Motherwell, albeit amid rumours the board there were ready to whack him too, having lost faith after his one successful managerial stint turned sour.
At the same time, he has carved an overplayed niche as chief reviler of an England set-up possibly not that bothered by his defection to their auld rivals. McClaren's side? Watching them, according to Butch, was like suffering a nagging toothache. Sven? Shied away from the big decisions. Um, Alan Thompson? Shouldn't have been dropped after one match.
Yet none of this seems to concern George Burley, the new Scotland head coach and hitherto a man of sound judgment. Burley apparently hopes to have the former England captain by his side when his squad meets at Loch Lomond this weekend, confirming Butch is the luckiest coach alive. Right? Email sport@timesonline.co.uk
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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Ace's M1 nap ban - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Derby County's Bob Malcolm walked free from court despite having a snooze on the M1. 2) The Scot parked across the middle and fast lanes because he was tired after playing Plymouth Argyle. 3) He was twice over the alcohol limit. 4) The court banned him from driving for 20 months and fined him £750. 5) He thought he was on the hard shoulder.
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A quickie before you go, sir?
TIME FOR A VIDEO BREAK
You will have read by now about how Arsenal ruthlessly carved up Newcastle United. Time then to watch the best bits from the game, including Mathieu Flamini's stunning 30-yard strike, plus highlights from all of last night's other Premier League fixtures. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece
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Minutes Daniel Cousin played for Lens in the summer before joining Rangers. Fifa have blocked his move to Fulham because a player cannot turn out for more than two clubs in a season.
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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
Fergie pitch battle - The Sun
City blow up over balloongate - Daily Express
Liverpool profits wiped out by debt - The Independent
Wise will report to me, insists optimistic Keegan - The Guardian
McAllister has to take Leeds up or he goes - Daily Mail
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In TheGame
Martin Samuel has answered your contributions to his debate. Our Chief Football Correspondent insisted that no true football supporter swallows the Milton Keynes Dons' fairy story. The response was suitably heartfelt.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/the-debate-is-i.html
You have also commented on the England XI that Tom Dart selected based on statistics gathered by PlayTheGame, our innovative fantasy football game. The inclusion of Phil Neville is probably the most discussed. Go figure.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/the-playthegame.html
Who is the best Manchester United player of all time? George Best, if our poll is correct. The Belfast genius has so far won almost 30 per cent of your votes, with Eric Cantona in second on 17 per cent. Say your piece now in the best election outside the US.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/poll-who-is-the.html
In the Fanzine Fanzone , our Middlesbrough expert Stuart Young has written the final word on Jonathan Woodgate's stint at the club. Stuart is none too concerned at the depature of a player who has had "more injuries than Evil Knievel".
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/01/will-downing-fo.html
Bill Edgar has thought up another pearler for his daily trivia question. We'll publish the answer tomorrow but, sorry, no clues. http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/wednesday-trivi.html
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The transfer wrap
Sunderland are considering a £2.5 million move for Andy Reid, Charlton Athletic's 25-year-old Irish midfielder, possibly in a swap deal with Greg Halford. (Daily Mail )
Manchester City made a surprise £5 million bid for Portsmouth's Benjani, but the South Coast club are reluctant to sell their top-scorer until they find a replacement. (Daily Mail ) Portsmouth are hoping to sign Jonas Gutierrez, the Real Mallorca striker known for celebrating goals by donning a Spider-Man mask and pretending to shoot webs from his wrists. (Various)
Birmingham City have beaten Bolton Wanderers to snap-up Gary Cahill, the Aston Villa centre back, in a £4 million deal. (Daily Mirror) Bolton have been told they must increase their £2.2 million offer for Marko Babic, of Real Betis . The Spanish club want £4.5 million for the Croatian defender. (Daily Mirror )
West Bromwich Albion have released former Wales international striker John Hartson. The 32-year-old has not featured in Tony Mowbray's squad since the 1-0 home win over Cardiff City on February 20 last year. (PA)
Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle is set to join Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season, subject to passing a medical. The 26-year-old Scot will reunite with Mick McCarthy, who he worked under for two-and-a-half years at Sunderland. The loan will expire at the end of June, allowing Kyle to feature in the play-offs if required. (PA)
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox
"Steve Gibson is never afraid to speak his mind on agents and it's a shame that other chairmen don't back the Boro chairman. Actually it's more than a shame, it's scandalous. What on earth do agents bring to the game? Go on, think of something positive . . . exactly! So, could you please highlight Gibson's tirade against agents in today's AOTG."
With pleasure, Dave Earl. Here's a link to The Times story on Gibson's sharp words: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/middlesbrough/article3273306.ece
"'But look at Wise's record since Poyet left Leeds, and look at Tottenham's record since Poyet joined.' [Yesterday's AOTG] Might the fact that a certain Juande Ramos joined at the same time as Poyet have something to do with Spurs's record? Poyet is just a glorified translator."
Daniel Taylor takes issue with a fellow AOTG disciple. Did Poyet translate Wise's cockney tongue, too?
"In an attempt to crack down on dissent, the FA is considering banning all players except captains from speaking to referees from next season. Is this the beginning of the naughty step? It's worth mentioning in your email. Get support for it and we can wipe out the petulant muppets from the game."
Stuart Mennie wants football to introduce the rugby law that says a team that complains to the ref must retreat ten yards. The campaign starts here.
"Now the FA has decisively stamped its authority on the matter of the one-minute silence, it should step in to quash the possibility of Goldenballs getting his 100th cap. They should ban Beckham to avoid bringing the game into disrepute through inappropriate TV coverage. After all, just look at which parts of Ronaldo get all the close-ups since he got his golden boots!"
Tim , in Malta, reckons Becks is over-exposed. It's hardly a new argument but then originality was never part of AOTG's remit.
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Tomorrow's news today
- There is method behind the Newcastle board's apparent madness
- Fergie: Keegan's been out of management for three years . . . that's a long time
- Capello prepares to name his first England squad
- How Beckham ended up selling football to Brazil
And expect. . .
Capello to receive a postcard that shows Becks enjoying a kickabout in a favella.
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Anonymous tips, suggestions, funnies, fan mail and complaints: sport@timesonline.co.uk
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BY ROBERT DINEEN
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