Ahead of TheGame: Cisse heading for Sunderland

The news in 60 seconds

CISSE HEADING FOR SUNDERLAND
The Marseilles striker is set to join Sunderland on a season-long loan deal, according to Pape Diouf, the French club's chairman. He claims the clubs have reached an "agreement in principle" over the former Liverpool player, but added that "several details remain to be sorted out to make the loan official". Roy Keane seems to have taken up Harry Redknapp's role as the No 1 wheeler and dealer in football this summer.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/sunderland/article4573886.ece

GIGGS WARNS OF CHELSEA THREAT
The Manchester United winger has told his team-mates they dare not fail to match Chelsea's hunger for success over the coming season if they are to complete a hat-trick of league titles. "Chelsea did not win the Premier League last year," he said. "I have been in that position. You are hungry and determined, and you want to win it, simple as that."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article4573305.ece

RIISE HAD TO MAKE EUROPEAN MOVE
The Roma defender turned down the chance to secure first team football in England because of his loyalty to Liverpool. "There was no way I was going to be comfortable playing for another English club, and I had plenty of offers from other clubs in the Premier League," the Norwegian said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4573065.ece

BOSNICH OPEN TO ENGLISH OFFERS
The former Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder has signed a short-term deal with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia, but would consider a move back to England. "I feel very, very fit," he said. "I've still got a long way to go fitness-wise and I think that will come with match practice. I'm looking forward in the next three weeks to getting back to a certain level that is comparable to where I was in the past."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4573982.ece

MOWBRAY STICKING TO PRINCIPLES
The West Brom manager will not compromise his beliefs about playing free-flowing football to survive in the Premier League. "We can't go and kick lumps out of anybody," he said. "We haven't got that type of player."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/west_brom/article4574171.ece

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FANTASY FOOTBALL - TWO GREAT GAMES
The game you love is back, and this year it's double the fun. We've got two top games for you to play - the classic Times Fantasy Football with £100,000 in prizes, and the more advanced management experience of PlayTheGame. So who are you: John Lambie or Roy Hodgson? Click on the url below to find out more.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/fantasy_football/

FREE MOBILE SERVICE TRIAL
Try our football alerts service free of charge for 14 days and get match-day team sheet, goal alerts, half-time updates, full-time results and league position for your team.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/mobile_times/article4541324.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes

Fanzine Fanzone has returned for a new season with even more fervent and forthright opinion. After nearly being arrested at the Stadium of Light for greeting an old friend in an excitable manner, our Liverpool expert is unhappy with the behaviour of police at matches: "Isn't it about time they stepped out of an 1980s mindset and actually started to treat us as human beings?" Have you had a similar experience? Leave your comments.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/08/football-poli-2.html

We're still looking to expand the best football forum on the planet. Oh, yes it is. So if you're ballsy, biased, passionate and provocative, send an e-mail to sport@timesonline.co.uk and tell us why you should be your chosen club's outspoken representative.

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Scream team - The Sun
1) Fans have picked a fantasy XI of the worst Premier League players ever. 2) The side includes more Manchester United players than from any other club. 3) However, the survey of 1,000 fans by Top Up TV saw Titus Bramble receive the most votes. 4) The poor old Wigan defender gets so much stick, but we bet that none of it is ever said to his face.
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>>>>>OUR RIVALS: THE TOP FIVE<<<<<

Unease at FA over Capello's decision - The Daily Telegraph
The England coach's choice of John Terry as England captain instead of Rio Ferdinand has upset members of the game's hierarchy.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/2587555/Unease-at-FA-over-Fabio-Capellos-decision-to-make-John-Terry-England-captain---Football.html

'I'll have the drop on Terry' - Daily Express
Terry has been told by Capello that he is not untouchable after surprising him with the role of captain.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/57599/Fabio-I-ll-have-the-drop-on-Terry-

Bosses seem to like me - Daily Mail
The Chelsea skipper has defended his credentials by stating that all his managers have awarded him the captain's armband.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1047120/Chelsea-star-Terry-handed-England-armband-Capello-joins-fan-club.html

Personality plays key role in a choice lost in translation - The Independent
Capello has been conspicuously short on insight in his explanation of why the Chelsea defender is his lieutenant on the pitch.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/personality-plays-key-role-in-a-choice-lost-in-translation-902772.html

'This game is to show Russia you can bomb us but you will never stop our people' - The Guardian
Georgia players have risked life and limb to make their international friendly against Wales in Swansea tonight.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/20/georgia.walesfootballteam

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36
David Wheater's Actim Index rating, making him the highest-rated English central defender in the Premier League. West Ham's Calum Davenport is the next best on 23 points. Ferdinand and Terry are nowhere to be seen. They're not still playing tug-of-war with the captain's armband, are they?
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In TheGame

The Debate: Martin Samuel responds
Our Chief Football Correspondent has replied to your comments on who should be picked to play up front for England. Our Chief Football Correpsondent explains why Capello should take a leaf out of Scolari's book and he can't believe the suggestion from one reader that Leroy Lita can do a job for the national team.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/

Gabriele Marcotti column: what is the rush with England?
Our European Football Correspondent believes in the long, slow route for developing young players. "While watching the England Under-21 side last night, the commentator made reference to the fact that James Milner has spent more than four years at under-21 level without making an senior England appearance. I think that's a good thing."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/gabriele-marcot.html

Wednesday's transfer gossip: Arsenal turn Silvestre's head
A round-up of today's rumours, including Arsene Wenger hijacking Manchester City's move for the Manchester United defender, a swap deal involving Sunderland and Fulham for two journeymen and an Ipswich player letting slip about his future plans on Facebook.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/wednesdays-tr-2.html

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

"I’m not a one-eyed Scouser, just a daydreaming Spurs fan, but I still think Gerrard is a better England captain. I think the captain’s role generally is under-appreciated in football. He’s not just a figurehead, someone who leads by example. A captain should run the game, dictating both verbally and physically the speed of play, organising the defence, alerting people to momentary dangers, keeping people in position and concentrating. Roy Keane is the model. Or Martin Johnson. If you’re playing away to Russia on a plastic pitch in a crucial European Championship qualifier, and you concede an equaliser, you need your captain to settle and organise the team to prevent a second. The manager can’t do everything from the sideline.

"Terry is a great captain for sure, but there are young centre halves out there who are going to threaten his position in the team this season, let alone in 2010. I think Terry has been flattered by having the quality of Carvalho beside him, Cech behind, and Makele Essien and Lampard in front. He’s great in the air, has good anticipation and is a clever, seasoned defender, but he’s a few steps too slow and his distribution and technique on the ball are poor. Assuming Ledley King remains injury troubled, and Carragher stays in retirement, it’s still hard to pick between Terry and Woodgate. Then there’s Lescott, Richards, Upson, Wes Brown, Davies, Knight, all young (for centre halfs), and maturing rapidly with each new season. I guess Capello is wanting experience at the moment."
Reuben Anderson makes a fine effort to promote the Liverpool skipper, but is Stevie G much of a verbal communicator? Have you ever seen him organise the defence? He tends to play his own (usually excellent) game and let others exhort their team-mates to greater action.

"Good heavens. I know we were strapped for cash but I had no idea we were so skint that we would have to settle for a ManU reject. Be afraid, be very afraid, fellow Gooners."
Glum in Sussex baulks at the idea of Mikael Silvestre joining Arsenal, but the man who changes his name to match his mood has got it in a nutshell: beggars can't be choosers.

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And expect...

Paul Ince to give Bosnich a trial at Blackburn so he can help Robbie Fowler with his shooting practice.