Ahead of TheGame: Benitez backs Keane to improve

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BENITEZ: KEANE WILL IMPROVE
The Liverpool manager has backed the forward to overcome his crisis in form. The £20million summer signing was substituted for the 15th time this season against West Ham last night. But Benitez said: "Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now. We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well."

CARRAGHER STAYS POSITIVE
The Liverpool defender has admitted that the club's form needs to improve but refused to be downhearted after the 0-0 draw against West Ham. "We're top of the Premier League," he said. "To do that when we aren't playing well and going through a rough patch is really positive." 

ROBINHO ESCAPES CENSURE 
Mark Hughes insists that criticism of his squad attributed to the Manchester City winger was taken out of context. Robinho reportedly identified his team-mates' lack of winning mentality, but the manager said: "Some of the comments were taken in isolation and sound a little damning. But when you see the full interview, I don't think people should place much emphasis on it."

NAPOLI FORWARD RULES OUT CHELSEA SWITCH 
Ezequiel Lavezzi insists he is not about to leave Napoli, despite reports linking him with a move to Chelsea. "I am happy at Napoli," the Argentinian said. "I like the city of Naples and the team. I will remain here, it's better here than going to England." 

INCE DENIES FOWLER REPORTS
The Blackburn manager has played down suggestions that the veteran forward is set to leave the club to join Grimsby as a player-coach. "He's good for the club," Ince said. "The lads love him and he's experienced. As far as Grimsby's concerned, I don't know anything about that." 

CARLING CUP PREVIEWS: SPURS TO REST KING
The Tottenham captain will sit out the quarter-final against Watford, while late decisions will be made on the fitness of Jermaine Jenas and Luka Modric. Martin Olsson is available to Blackburn again for their tie at Old Trafford after serving a suspension.

CITY TRIO FACE FITNESS TESTS
Mark Hughes could be without three key players for the Uefa Cup tie at home to Paris St Germain tomorrow. Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Micah Richards are all doubtful through injury. PSG will be without Stephane Sessegnon as he has strained a thigh muscle.

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If you've got another couple of minutes

Tom Dart: Clubs cash in on fans' naivety 
Our columnist isn't surprised that a new survey has found that Premier League clubs charge too much for a pint. But why, he asks, are supporters prepared to fork out for overpriced food and drink on match days? "Perhaps they think each Yorkie purchased will give a little boost to the manager’s transfer kitty, when the money is probably going straight to the caterers," he writes. "No doubt some feel that being tanked-up is the only way to cope with the excitement/disappointment/boredom of games."

Video highlights: Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
It was scoreless at Anfield last night but there were several impressive efforts on goal, including Craig Bellamy's curling shot from 25-yards that hit the post, Sami Hyypia's two point-blank headers and an opportunity for Dirk Kuyt that was created by Steven Gerrard's stunning cross-field pass. 

Audio: Keane loses his biggest fan
As Roy Keane's biographer, Eamon Dunphy has previously fiercely supported the Sunderland manager in the face of criticism. Not any more. In this typically uncompromising interview, the outspoken Irish writer and broadcaster says he started to realise 18 months ago that Keane was not up to his job at the Stadium of Light, suggests the former Ireland captain has lost the plot and has shown with his post-match "ramblings" that he believes in the "mythology" surrounding him. What AOTG would give to hear Keane's response.

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
On yer head, son - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) David Beckham's son Cruz performed a head spin during an LA Lakers basketball game. 2) Wielding an inflatable Lakers wand, the three-year-old also had a playfight with his two brothers when their dad briefly left his seat. 3) Did Beckham learn nothing from Sir Alex Ferguson about how to discipline famous kids?

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In TheGame

Podcast: Ronaldo is not world's best
Our team explain why the Manchester United forward did not deserve to win the Ballon d'Or and why his popularity is falling. They also examine the selection dilemma facing Luiz Felipe Scolari and ask whether Jose Mourinho would have allowed Chelsea to relinquish a lead against Arsenal. Plus, they look at Arsenal's title prospects after the win at Stamford Bridge.

Phill Jupitus hosts. Gabriele Marcotti, Alyson Rudd and Nick Szczepanik join him in the pod.

United Fanzone: Ronaldo v Messi
Our Old Trafford devotee puts a case for both players - including links to video footage showing the Barcelona forward at work - and asks you to decide: who is the best?

Does Benitez need to buy in January?
By drawing 0-0 with West Ham last night, Liverpool let slip a gilded chance to open up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League. As Martin Samuel writes, Benitez's side seemed to wilt under the pressure of their opportunity and looked deficient in attack without the injured Fernando Torres. Do they need to strengthen the squad in the transfer window? Read Samuel's match report.

Fulham Fanzone: The secret to our success
Our Craven Cottage loyalist has identified the tactic that has enabled Roy Hodgson's side to earn creditable draws at Aston Villa and Liverpool and victories at home to Spurs and Newcastle in their past four games. "Normally you push a team back by adopting a high line," he writes. "We can’t use a high line, so we push them back by slowing the game down."

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16
Goals that the Hunt brothers, Noel and Stephen, have scored for Reading this season.

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

True Blue Terri is a regular contributor to this forum. We once asked her to prove her gender with her driving skills: 
"Of course Ronaldo deserved to get sent off. He blatantly used both hands and probably raised his hands to protect his pretty face. Expect Ronaldo to invest in an Alexander Dumas-style iron mask to protect him on the pitch. Sorry, scrub that, he wouldn't be able to handle the indignity of being unrecognisable. (By the way, the reverse/parallel parking is fine.)"

Now, for the Russell Brand v Times Online debate. Yesterday, we reported how Brand wrote a column in The Guardian criticising us for ranking him second in our list of the 50 worst famous football fans. The article inspired a flood of responses. To read them all click here. For a selection, read on.

First up is Stephen, in the comedian's corner:
"It's true he launches an attack on the author of the column [Kaveh Solhekol] but he also reacts to being positioned next to Hitler on the list by comparing himself more to Obama and does so quite masterfully. It's true Brand's a clot sometimes, but he isn't half funny."

Next is Mike McCrorie, defending this parish:   
"There are people who you are glad exist, for the sole reason that they make you feel better about yourself. You thank god you are not them. Brand is top of my list of these people.

"To actually think his image looks good shows he is seriously deluded. The Times got it spot on when they described his football column as 'pathetic'. I love laughing at it. It is obvious he uses a thesaurus to come across as some sort of philosophical scribe."

And, finally, Lucas, providing a more balanced perspective:
"I don't really care much about Brand, and I don't really think it's worth anybody's time making silly articles like this in response. You are both as bad as each other. Apologise, shake hands and grow up."

Check out Solhekol's article:

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And expect...

Times Online to receive a phone call from Russell Brand suggesting a truce. Don't worry, we will answer it.