Today's Rubbish

[STEVIEG]

I read these every day from bbc.co.uk/sports

Gonna start posting them from now on as they can be sometimes funny
Today's one isn't the best, besides Harry's quote
i wonder does he mean Clive Wodward?


Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to leave out Rio Ferdinand in favour of Sol Campbell for England against Austria on Saturday. (Various)

Eriksson believes that his assistant Steve McClaren should eventually replace him as the national boss. (Daily Express)

David O'Leary could be set to replace Brian Kerr as Republic of Ireland boss having held talks with the FAI. (The Sun)

David Beckham has handed the England penalty-taker job to Frank Lampard. (Daily Mirror)

Harry Redknapp says an English manager, or if not then Sir Alex Ferguson, should replace Sven-Goran Eriksson if the team fail to reach the World Cup. (The Sun)

Tottenham are considering a £2m swoop for Real Mallorca striker Juan Arango. (The Sun)

Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann has demanded talks over a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Former Liverpool and Spurs defender Christian Ziege is set to retire after suffering ankle trouble at Borussia Monchengladbach. (The Sun)

Rangers signing Brahim Hemdami hopes to make his debut next week against Dundee United. (Daily Record)

Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha intends to quit international football if Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup. (The Sun)

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce could be set for a £750,000 bid for Wycombe striker Nathan Tyson. (Daily Express)

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has threatened to quit the club in January is he is not given a regular place in the team by boss Rafael Benitez. (Daily Telegraph)

Dundee United boss Gordon Chisholm says he hopes striker Lee Miller will be spurred into action after being dropped by Scotland. (Daily Record)

[Teknique]

anyone see Juan Arango's winning goal of the month in La Liga?..Pretty impressive

The one where he kicked it over his head/shoulder! unreal
he said something like that was the easiest option open to him at the time!

[MonTheHoops]

Seeing as it's rubbish:

Here's the Etims Rumour Mill (http://www.etims.net/index.php?option=con tent&task=view&id=1066&Itemid=29)

[STEVIEG]

And the scintilating (sp) news from today is.......


Michael Owen says only Brazil have a stronger squad than England going into the World Cup finals. (The Sun)

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes he has 10 of the world's top-50 players in his squad. (Daily Express)

England fans are likely to be offered only around 3,000 tickets per match at next year's World Cup in Germany. (The Sun)

Paul Gascoigne is expected to be named as Kettering player-coach when a consortium takes control of the club from current chairman Peter Mallinger. (Daily Express)

AC Milan have told Chelsea's William Gallas they do not want to sign him, despite the defender's pleas for a move to the San Siro. (The Sun)

England players are likely to earn a £300,000 bonus each if they win the World Cup in Germany next summer. (The Sun)

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to pocket a cool £1m if he guides the team to glory. (Daily Mail)

Borussia Dortmund are keen to take Barcelona's former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson on loan. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny is in disagreement with the club over a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are targeting 18-year-old Leeds midfielder Simon Walton. (Daily Mirror)

Jan Tomaszewski, the former Poland keeper who famously prevented England qualifying for the World Cup with a string of saves in 1973, believes Sven-Goran Eriksson should be sacked immediately.

Midfielder Aiden McGeady, 19, may quit Celtic if he cannot force his way into the first team by Christmas. (Daily Record)

[MonTheHoops]

And the scintilating (sp) news from today is.......


Michael Owen says only Brazil have a stronger squad than England going into the World Cup finals. (The Sun)

Borussia Dortmund are keen to take Barcelona's former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson on loan. (Daily Mirror)

Midfielder Aiden McGeady, 19, may quit Celtic if he cannot force his way into the first team by Christmas. (Daily Record)

1. Of course that's right Michael. No surprise that the Sun is once again building up its own players.

2. The article goes on to say that Larsson has only played four games for Barca this season. Considering they've only played 5 league games………

3. McGeady doesn't say he wants to leave but does say he isn't enjoying life on the bench. For Daily Record, see The Sun, except more right wing & sensationalist. MON won a huge settelment against them & Lennon did too

[Fat Tom]

For Ireland's sake MacGeady needs to move to the premiership it's the only way he is going to improve as a player.

He needs to be playing and earning his trade against top class opposition.

[MonTheHoops]

For Ireland's sake MacGeady needs to move to the premiership it's the only way he is going to improve as a player.

He needs to be playing and earning his trade against top class opposition.

For someone so knowledgeable about what McGeady should and shouldn't do you would do well to get his name right at least.

McGeady can't make it into the Celtic team at the moment through no-one's fault but his own. Fact of the matter is he is not playing against any opposition at present so you obviously haven't been keeping an eye on the Scottish game and certainly aren't in a position to comment. McGeady thinks he's done it at Celtic but he's not even close. His positioning is poor, his workrate is poor, his decision making is rubbish but his potential is amazing. He can be huge. Instead of commenting which leagues are poor or not, try doing a bit of research.

Perhaps instead Robbie Keane needs to move to Spain or Italy. He needs to be "earning" his trade against top class opposition. Top class opposition like who?

Ireland's sake? Give me a break. Let's start with removing the current manager for Ireland's sake and work from there.

[Fat Tom]

The oppostion in the Premiership is certainly better than than in Scotland.
Playing with better players against better opposition would do McGeady no harm at all and with better coaching.
Celtic are notoriously poor for developing underage players.
Name one who went on to be a leading light in the team in recent years.
Their spending policy and not giving youngsters the chance is the reason the likes of Healy and Miller had to look elsewhere for first team football.
McGeady would do well to do the same - otherwise I feel he will never reach his full potential.

[MonTheHoops]

1. The oppostion in the Premiership is certainly better than than in Scotland.
2. Playing with better players against better opposition would do McGeady no harm at all and with better coaching.
3. Celtic are notoriously poor for developing underage players.
4. Name one who went on to be a leading light in the team in recent years.
5. Their spending policy and not giving youngsters the chance is the reason the likes of Healy and Miller had to look elsewhere for first team football.
6. McGeady would do well to do the same - otherwise I feel he will never reach his full potential.

1. Your first sentence I agree with.
2. What part of "not making it into the current Celtic side" do you not understand? He's certainly not going to move on to a bigger club than Celtic if he's not doing it at Celtic is he? Better coaching? Do you stand on the sidelines of the Premiership clubs and then compare your checklist with Celtic's coaching? Who are Celtic's coaches? Ewhat training methods do the Celtic players go through daily. Please, save me from comments like that.

3 & 4. Notoriously poor - that is such a throwaway comment that I can't believe you manage to stand upright without help each morning. Let me name a few - Maloney (current player of the month incidentally), McManus (currently playing every game centre half), Beattie (currently keeping Hartson out of the team, Burchill was a shining light, Miller was a shining light. Need I go on? Celtic's U19s and U21s have won their respective leagues the last few seasons so something is obviously wrong somewhere (I'm being sarcastic here Thomas).

5. Spending policy - this season we left go of 13 players that I would consider mostly squad players and signed 7 players that will make a bit of an impact. Guys like Aliadiere who is playing in a better league against better players were released because our own young bhoys are of such high quality in Strachan's eyes. Healy was good for Ireland and pure rubbish for Celtic. He's gone on to greater things hasn't he (again, sarcasm). And Miller was a first team regular Thomas - hence the Man Utd bit. Certainly moving to the Premiership and facing better opposition (Exeter???????) has improved his game no end (again I am being sarcastic)
6. McGeady would do well to stay at Celtic and try get into the first team before complaining. Or if you like Thomas, I can give Wenger a ring and see if he's interested in throwing him into the first team next weekend.


Seriously, a small bit of research would do you no harm at all.

[Fat Tom]

Celtic winning U19 amd U21 leagues in Scotland is harldy a massive achievment.
Training with better players would make McGeady a better player, I'm not saying coaching structures are better in England but training and trying to break into a Liverpool, Man U or Arsenal side would be better than the situation he is in right now.

Even if he does progress onto the Celtic side where does he go from there.
The boy has amazing ability, I agree with your comments on him.
But when he does break into the Celtic team he is never going to develop much more around poor players against poor players.
This is why I feel he needs to move one.

Maloney, Burchill etc certainly aren't anything to write home about in terms of underage development.
I mean Chelsea who are poor for underage development still have the likes of Carlton Cole who isn't even good enough for their first team but is a far better player than those you have mentioned.

Arsenal have let the likes of Jerome Thomas, Bentley, Upson go - again churning out quality players on a regular basis. It Speaks volumes for their underage develpoment and again I feel McGeady would benefit better in one of these environments.

The players you name as success stories speak volumes for the current talent of the Celtic squad. You'd do well to have someone like Aliadiere there and give him a chance. Ye mightn't be trailing hearts in the league then.
With regards spending policy i ment bringing in guys like Henchoz, Varga, etc Premiership flops, and then Zurawski(excuse spelling), Camara etc without giving underage a chance.

[dotty]

think as MonTheHoops mentioned earlier McGeady is as much to blame for his prolonged benchwarming as anyone else

have only seen bits of him over the past 18 months and i must admit i was impressed so was looking forward to seeing him in the flesh at the u-21 game at the cross few weeks ago but he was absoluting shocking - just didnt look interested after bout half hour,his workrate was terrible and his decision making when in possession left a lot to be desired.

[Langer Dan]

For Ireland's sake MacGeady needs to move to the premiership it's the only way he is going to improve as a player.

He needs to be playing and earning his trade against top class opposition.

ya because Liam Miller and Colin Healy's careers just took off after moves south of the border, didnt they?

[Fat Tom]

Healy has been blighted by injury and Miller is at the wrong club.
Still my point is they'd be better off at Sunderland, Birmingham etc than at Celtic.

[Langer Dan]

Healy has been blighted by injury and Miller is at the wrong club.
Still my point is they'd be better off at Sunderland, Birmingham etc than at Celtic.

so they can rot in the reserves at an average team before having their contract terminated or dropping down a few divisions?

sorry but thats nonsense.
A player of Maccers age could with a few more years development at celtic before moving to a premiership side.

The list of washed up teenagers who failed to get the breaks in the premiership far exceeds the possibility of him needing to make the grade at an average premiership side.

[MonTheHoops]

Celtic winning U19 amd U21 leagues in Scotland is harldy a massive achievment.
Training with better players would make McGeady a better player, I'm not saying coaching structures are better in England but training and trying to break into a Liverpool, Man U or Arsenal side would be better than the situation he is in right now.

Even if he does progress onto the Celtic side where does he go from there.
The boy has amazing ability, I agree with your comments on him.
But when he does break into the Celtic team he is never going to develop much more around poor players against poor players.
This is why I feel he needs to move one.

Maloney, Burchill etc certainly aren't anything to write home about in terms of underage development.
I mean Chelsea who are poor for underage development still have the likes of Carlton Cole who isn't even good enough for their first team but is a far better player than those you have mentioned.

Arsenal have let the likes of Jerome Thomas, Bentley, Upson go - again churning out quality players on a regular basis. It Speaks volumes for their underage develpoment and again I feel McGeady would benefit better in one of these environments.

The players you name as success stories speak volumes for the current talent of the Celtic squad. You'd do well to have someone like Aliadiere there and give him a chance. Ye mightn't be trailing hearts in the league then.
With regards spending policy i ment bringing in guys like Henchoz, Varga, etc Premiership flops, and then Zurawski(excuse spelling), Camara etc without giving underage a chance.


Tom - where else are Celtic underage teams supposed to win these tournaments. As it happens, Celtic have competed and finished very high in the past two years in tournaments in Italy (they won), France (4th), Japan (2nd) and in the States (can't recall where). The likes of Arsenal, Inter, Napoli, Ajax and Bruges were involved among others.

Other people have played at Celtic and it did them no harm. Paul McStay, Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton etc etc. And how many European finals have Arsenal players been in of late? Would Arsenal turn their noses up at getting to the final of the Uefa Cup? I think not.

Chelsea have Carlton Cole. Is he setting the Premiership alight? Tom, you're clutching at straws. And yes....you did mention coaching standards in England vs Scotland.

Miller is currently training with the likes of Keane, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Smith etc. Is he a better player now than he was 2 seasons ago? Two seasons ago he was playing & scoring against Lyon & Anderlecht in the Champions League. His last contribution against United was? McGeady to move on? Move on to what? Arsenal? Liverpool? United? Get real would you. If he can't make an impact at Celtic, which he isn't, how is he going to get a move to a bigger club. Answer that one.

Jerome Thomas, Bentley & Upson? Can you please tell me what any one of them has done at their respective clubs? I think you'll find we left John O' Shea go too. At least he's won a Championship medal. You mention Arsenal churning out players as if they were akin to the Ajax of the mid 90s. But don't they also have a spending policy? Don't be idiotic and think you can create a team solely of youth players. The last team, and only team, to win anything with local players was……….oh yeah, Celtic - a European Cup in 67 with 11 players all born within 30 miles of Parkhead but sadly that is no longer possible in the game Thomas.

For the record, Aliadiere is shit in training i.e. he arses about and does nothing. He's certainly set the heather on fire at West Ham hasn't he And isn't there a 40 year old playing ahead of him? And we haven't lost since getting rid of Aliadiere, so there goes your trailing Hearts in the league theory Tom.

Henchoz - he made a handful of appearances for us and is now plying his trade in - you guessed it - the far superior Premiership. He was out of his depth with us, slow & cumbersome yet he's up there with the big boys now isn't he. Michael Gray - not more that 5 appearances with us and is Blackburn's first choice left back. Camara - a complete flop at Celtic and now plying his trade with Wigan (a top 8 team if there ever was one). Varga - hasn't seen the starting eleven since the start of the season. As it happens, McManus (a youth player) is his replacement.

To put an end to this - McGeady isn't good enough to make the current Celtic side. That is due to no one but McGeady. If you think that warrants a move to a bigger Premiership club then why not get Arsenal to sign Aliadiere who is currently warming West Ham's bench. Oh wait a second…………..

[STEVIEG]

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has told striker Djibril Cisse to stop moaning about his squad rotation policy. (The Sun, Daily Mirror)

Austria defender Paul Scharner is set to move to Birmingham for a reported £2m in January. (The Sun, Daily Mirror)

David Pleat is the favourite to replace Velimir Zajec as director of football at Portsmouth. (The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail)

Arsenal are interested in giant Nuremberg striker Stefan Kiessling, the Bundesliga's answer to Peter Crouch. (The Sun)

Chelsea are considering a move for Turkey midfielder Nura Sahin - they may buy the 17-year-old midfielder in January but leave him at Borussia Dortmund for the season. (Daily Mirror)

Former Blackburn and Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood is heading a consortium that is trying to buy Spanish club Malaga. (Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph)

West Ham are ready to offer manager Alan Pardew a new £1m-a-year deal. (Daily Mirror)

Stockport defender James Tunnicliffe will be given a trial by Liverpool next week (Daily Mirror, Daily Mail)

Manchester United are losing patience with winger Cristiano Ronaldo's stalling over a new contract. (Daily Mail, Mirror)

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is hoping to sign Millwall midfielder Dave Livermore on a loan deal. (Daily Mirror)

Stewart Downing starts light training for Middlesbrough - the winger is on schedule for a January return and is aiming for a World Cup place. (Daily Express, Daily Telegraph, The Sun)

Paul Scholes says he cannot imagine ever playing for any club apart from Manchester United and will stay until he is shown the door. (Daily Express)

David Dunn plays for Birmingham reserves on Tuesday in a bid to prove his fitness for Saturday's derby versus Aston Villa. (Daily Express)

Everton boss David Moyes is thinking about a January offer for Nottingham Forest's £5m-rated Kris Commons. (The Independent)

Neil Mellor has rejected a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday in an attempt to prove himself at Liverpool. (The Times)

Rainer Bonhof may sign a new contract to stay in charge of Scotland Under-21s. (Daily Record)

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura will be plunged into a club versus country row if he is called up for Japan's friendly against Ivory Coast in November. (Daily Record)

[MonTheHoops]

Can't you see the trouble you've already caused?

[STEVIEG]

Heh heh
In other news Gallas threatens to leave at the end of the season and Jay Z wants to buy Arsenal!

[11 league titles]

Chelsea are considering a move for Turkey midfielder Nura Sahin - they may buy the 17-year-old midfielder in January but leave him at Borussia Dortmund for the season. (Daily Mirror)

Didn't the same newspaper say that United are interested in this young fella too?

[Teknique]

Paul Scholes says he cannot imagine ever playing for any club apart from Manchester United and will stay until he is shown the door. (Daily Express)




I always thought he wanted to finish his career at oldham , similar to Roy and Celtic ,supported them as a boy or summin

[STEVIEG]

Na, has maintained for quite some time now that United is the only club for him.

[Rebelred]

I always thought he wanted to finish his career at oldham , similar to Roy and Celtic ,supported them as a boy or summin
still does,he can often be found in the crowd at oldham home matches,whenever it doesnt clash with a united game.donated a large sum to them too a few years back to help them during out of administration

[STEVIEG]

Liverpool will make another bid for Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa in January - the Portuguese club may take £9m but only if they are out of Europe. (The Mirror)

Shola Ameobi is begging Newcastle boss Graeme Souness for another chance to prove himself. (The Sun, Telegraph)

David Nugent could be sold by Preston to Portsmouth for £1.5m to help ease the club's debts. (The Guardian, Sun)

Matt Holland is set to ask Alan Curbishley if he can leave Charlton on loan in order to get some first-team action. (Daily Mail)

Dexter Blackstock is set to leave Southampton for Sheffield Wednesday on a three-month loan with a view to a permanent deal. (Daily Mail)

Steve Bruce has come out in defence of his under-fire Birmingham players ahead of this weekend's derby against Aston Villa. (Daily Express)

Wigan manager Paul Jewell is chasing Huddersfield's highly-rated defender Nathan Clarke. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he is sticking with his 4-3-3 system. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United are hoping to sign two midfielders, Michael Ballack and Didier Zokora, in January. (The Times)

St Etienne, however, say they will not sell the talented Zokora until next summer. (The Independent)

Liverpool will make another work permit application on behalf of Chile winger Mark Gonzalez in January. (The Times)

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has confirmed he is interested in signing Brondby striker Johan Elmander. (The Independent)

Craig Gordon's agent rubbishes claims the Scotland keeper is set to move to Palermo and reveals new contract talks with Hearts will start in the spring. (Daily Record)

Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron fears he will never play an international for Scotland again. (Daily Record)

Rangers boss Alex McLeish has been given his second vote of confidence within a month from Ibrox chairman David Murray. (Daily Record)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will run the rule over Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc in Poland's match against England at Old Trafford. (Daily Record)

[STEVIEG]

Arsenal hope to have injured pair Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell back in action against Manchester City on 22 October. (The Sun)

Thomas Gravesen could be on his way back to Goodison Park - Everton have a buy-back clause in the deal that sent the Dane to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Michael Chopra wants to leave Newcastle on loan in a bid to get some first-team action. (Daily Mirror, The Sun)

Aston Villa will sign Chelsea defender Robert Huth in the January transfer window. (Daily Express, Mirror)

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle is hoping to sign Charlton midfielder Matt Holland on loan. (The Sun)

Matt Holland is also being chased by Hearts manager Craig Burley, who knows the player from his Ipswich days. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are believed to head a list of English clubs chasing Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade. (The Guardian, Daily Mirror)

Andy Johnson is on the verge of leaving West Brom for a month-long loan move to Coventry. (The Sun)

West Ham are lining up a £2m bid for Stoke's Belgian star Carl Hoefkens. (Daily Mail, Mirror)

Aston Villa head a number of Premiership clubs interested in signing Ajax midfielder Tomas Galasek. (The Independent)

Djibril Cisse has once more voiced his frustration about life on the bench at Liverpool. (The Sun)

Scotland will bid to host a four-nation European Under-19 qualifying section in April. (Daily Record)

Hearts midfielder Julien Brellier is in contention to face Celtic on Saturday following a rib injury. (Daily Record)


The Engerlund are gonna defo win the World Cup ones will no doubt follow tomorrow!

[MonTheHoops]

The Engerlund are gonna defo win the World Cup ones will no doubt follow tomorrow!

Followed very closely by the building up of English players so they can be knocked from high again. The Scum would love to see them fall at the first hurdle.

Possible headlines soon: -

Glen Johnson says England can do it.
Neville - why I'm World Class.
Look Roos Talking Now
Are Roo f***ing serious?
I Nev-er handled it.
We was Rob - inson'd

Eejits.

[STEVIEG]

"Sven the going gets tough, the tough get going"

[MonTheHoops]

"Sven the going gets tough, the tough get going"

I could actually punch you for that one :-D

[STEVIEG]

Sir Bobby Robson is set to replace Brian Kerr as the new Republic of Ireland manager. (The Sun)

HEH HEH HEH

Arsenal and Liverpool will lead the chase for Southampton's 16-year-old winger Theo Walcott if the south-coast club falter in their ambitions to rejoin the Premiership next season. (The Times)

Aston Villa are close to signing Robert Huth on loan from Chelsea. (The Independent)

Middlesbrough have revived their interest in Tottenham midfielder Sean Davis. (The Independent)

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is likely to make an offer for Porto striker Benni McCarthy in January. (The Independent)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock is lining up a cut-price bid for Poland's Tomasz Frankowski. (The Sun)

Former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld could move to the Premiership next season. (Daily Mail)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is confident the club will sign Polish keeper Artur Boruc on a long-term deal. (Daily Record)

Rangers defender Marvin Andrews could miss two games against Celtic in November if he is called up by Trinidad for their World Cup play-off with Bahrain. (Daily Record)

Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane are being targeted to manage the Republic of Ireland. (Irish Independent)

[Rebelred]

Sir Bobby Robson is set to replace Brian Kerr as the new Republic of Ireland manager. (The Sun)

HEH HEH HEH

Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane are being targeted to manage the Republic of Ireland. (Irish Independent)
all funny!

[Sound]

FAI target Ferguson and Keane to lead Ireland into brighter future in the aftermath of the disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign under Brian Kerr

THE FAI are targeting a dream team of Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane to succeed Brian Kerr at the helm of the Ireland soccer team.

Association chiefs are prepared to wait until the end of the Premiership season next May in the hope that they can entice Ferguson to become manager with Keane as his assistant.

With Ireland set to be fourth seeds for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and the FAI needing to generate millions from the sale of corporate boxes and premium seats to pay their contribution towards the cost of the new Lansdowne Road stadium, the FAI desperately needs to ensure that interest in the national team remains at its current high levels.

They believe that Ferguson, the most successful manager in the history of the English game with 27 major trophies including a Champions League title, is the man for the job and can have the same impact that Jack Charlton had when he was appointed in 1986.

After 19 years at the Manchester United helm, Ferguson is coming to the end of his managerial campaign at club level and his former assistant Walter Smith will be leading their native Scotland into the Euro 2008 campaign.

The fact that Scotland will be seeded fourth along with Ireland in the draw for the Euro 2008 qualifiers is also likely to help the FAI pull Ferguson.

Another big factor in the FAI's favour is Ferguson's long-standing friendship with FAI Chief Executive John Delaney and his father Joe, the former FAI Treasurer.

Delaney senior, on behalf of the FAI, sounded out Ferguson ten years ago to be Jack Charlton's replacement and was politely turned down although the United boss left the door open.

At the time, Ferguson said he was flattered but that the time wasn't right for him to accept the job, even on a part-time basis.

With John Delaney now in the Chief Executive's seat in Merrion Square, Ferguson can be assured of the full and unbridled support of the association.

In addition, Kerr has ensured that the Irish squad's set-up is on a par with any top Premiership club.

[STEVIEG]

Sir Bobby Robson has ruled himself out of the running to be the next manager of the Republic of Ireland. (The Independent)

Middlesbrough have joined Birmingham in the chase for Austria defender Paul Scharner. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry boss Micky Adams is close to signing his former Nottingham Forest left-back Alan Rogers. (Daily Mirror)

German Fredi Bobic, who left Hertha Berlin in the summer, will train with Hearts over the next three days in a bid to prove he is still a striker to fear. (Daily Record)

Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell fears for Gordon Strachan's relationship with Celtic - if the manager was not made aware of ex-boss Martin O'Neill's consultancy deal. (Daily Record)

West Brom have told defender Riccardo Scimeca he can leave The Hawthorns. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan boss Paul Jewell says that Henri Camara needs to show his team-mates a bit more respect after the striker threw up his arms and stormed down the tunnel following his substitution against Newcastle on Saturday. (The Sun)

Aston Villa boss David O'Leary faces a possible Football Association sanction after referee Graham Poll reported him for using offensive or insulting or abusive language after Sunday's 1-0 win over Birmingham. (Daily Telegraph)

[STEVIEG]

Yesterday

Jonathan Woodgate is not looking for a Premiership return, but wants to repay Real Madrid's faith in him. (The Sun)

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is ready to bid again for Fulham midfield star Steed Malbranque. (The Times)

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has been given assurances by boss Rafa Benitez over his future. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers boss Alex McLeish has asked his Celtic counterpart Gordon Strachan for tips on how to beat Champions League opponents Artmedia. (Daily Record)

David Bentley is keen to turn his loan from Arsenal to Blackburn Rovers into a permanent move. (The Independent)

England U21 boss Peter Taylor thinks Portsmouth midfielder Gary O'Neil could grab a place in England's 2006 World Cup squad. (The Sun)

Chelsea have offered Stockport £150,000 for young defender Harry Worley. (The Independent)

Christian Maldini, the nine-year-old son of Paolo and grandson of ex-player and coach Cesare, has signed schoolboy forms with AC Milan. (The Guardian)

Greece midfielder Angelo Basinas is a target for several Premiership clubs after being released from his contract by Panathinaikos. (The Independent)

Manchester City are lining up a move for young German striker Stefan Kiessling. (Daily Mirror)

West Bromich boss Bryan Robson has denied he is ready to send Junichi Inamoto and Ricardo Scimeca out on loan. (The Independent).

Everton and Fulham are both keen on Norwegian defender Erland Hanstveit, valued at £500,000. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds United are keen for ex-England and Arsenal star David Seaman to return to Elland Road as their new goalkeeping coach. (Daily Star)

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has denied reportes that Jim Leishman will become the first SPL managerial casualty of the season. (Daily Record)

[STEVIEG]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is lining up a £15m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres as he fears Thierry Henry is to leave. (Daily Mirror)

Freddy Adu, the 16-year-old Ghana-born striker, could be seeking a move to a top European club after a bust-up with his MLS team manager in the USA. (The Sun)

Crewe are ready to sell their Northern Ireland international striker Steve Jones - Preston and Plymouth are said to be interested. (Daily Mirror)

Rio Ferdinand is set to captain Man Utd against Spurs on Saturday. (Guardian)

Partick Thistle have blasted Scotland's bid to play a friendly international on the day they were hoping for a bumper gate against Gretna. (Daily Record)

Wigan are among several Premiership clubs watching midfielders Kristofer Hastad and Fredrik Stromstad who play for Norway's IK Start. (Independent)

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis will back manager David O'Leary with more cash to spend during January's transfer window. (The Sun)

Spurs striker Robbie Keane could join Everton in January. (Daily Mirror)

Everton may move to buy back former midfielder Thomas Gravesen from Real Madrid in January. (Independent)

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has assured fans that work on the club's new stadium will start on time in mid-November. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno wants the club to sign his Spain team-mate and Real Betis winger Joaquin. (Times)

Eidur Gudjohnsen has been assured of his importance to Chelsea by boss Jose Mourinho. (Independent)

Man City manager Stuart Pearce has told on-loan winger Kiki Musampa he needs to contribute more overall to stay in the team. (Daily Mirror)

Inverness striker Graham Bayne has been sparring with his team-mates in a bid to regain full fitness. (Daily Record)

[Sound]

Rio Ferdinand is set to captain Man Utd against Spurs on Saturday. (Guardian)



I dont think that the travelling Utd support will like that- not one little bit.

[jungle]

West Bromich boss Bryan Robson has denied he is ready to send Junichi Inamoto and Ricardo Scimeca out on loan. (The Independent).

This is his fourth season with a premiership team. How many games has he actually started in that time????

[Rebelred]

Stevie, what did you make of the game the other night?

[STEVIEG]

Rio is a lot more popular with United fans than people think and they are not exactly brimming with captains at the moment. United were poor against the well organised Lille and really missed Rooney. Ronaldo wasn't at his best (his mind is elsewhere) but i'm confident United will win the return match. Funny, when Park took the armband and the fans going "go on Robbo" for the rest of the game. Big game Saturday now though. United need to keep in the slipsteam before the Chelsea visit or we might aswell be watching Willy Wonka come Christmas time..........

[MonTheHoops]

Rio is a lot more popular with United fans than people think and they are not exactly brimming with captains at the moment. United were poor against the well organised Lille and really missed Rooney. Ronaldo wasn't at his best (his mind is elsewhere) but i'm confident United will win the return match. Funny, when Park took the armband and the fans going "go on Robbo" for the rest of the game. Big game Saturday now though. United need to keep in the slipsteam before the Chelsea visit or we might aswell be watching Willy Wonka come Christmas time..........


Few questions about the game:


1) Where's the pics?
2) Do United have a singing section/TIFO display?

[STEVIEG]

There's nothing worse than tourists taking pics at games! I was in the Stetford End i've usually sat elsewhere during the years but there was a good lot of singing considering the players weren't exactly setting the world alight. A lot less Irish/day-trippers than usual, (one good thing about Untied not dominating?) in fact i'd wager about 55,000 of the 60,000 were from the Greater Manchester area. Here's the one pic i took from my phone but i've done that whole picture thing a bit too much in my younger days.
I'd love to travel more but i reckon my work/house/impending marriage will mean twice a year for the moment............

http://tinypic.com/es6uk1.jpg

[MonTheHoops]

There's nothing worse than tourists taking pics at games! I was in the Stetford End i've usually sat elsewhere during the years but there was a good lot of singing considering the players weren't exactly setting the world alight. A lot less Irish/day-trippers than usual, (one good thing about Untied not dominating?) in fact i'd wager about 55,000 of the 60,000 were from the Greater Manchester area. Here's the one pic i took from my phone but i've done that whole picture thing a bit too much in my younger days.
I'd love to travel more but i reckon my work/house/impending marriage will mean twice a year for the moment............



I'm with you on that but I have a trusty sidekick who does the photography. I'd normally not take pics but been gutted on more than one occasion when I've met players (Celtic and Bayern/Juve) and been cameraless.

Celtic not being in the ascendancy now is similar to United's position and last time I went over the seats were brilliant. Try to get over 4-6 times a year as it is but this season only been once. 2 more times after xmas and that's my lot this season. Season ticket (fingers crossed) next season.

[STEVIEG]

I'm with you on that but I have a trusty sidekick who does the photography. I'd normally not take pics but been gutted on more than one occasion when I've met players (Celtic and Bayern/Juve) and been cameraless.

Celtic not being in the ascendancy now is similar to United's position and last time I went over the seats were brilliant. Try to get over 4-6 times a year as it is but this season only been once. 2 more times after xmas and that's my lot this season. Season ticket (fingers crossed) next season.


Yes indeed, i have to say the one thing that pisses me off more than anything when talking about United is the impression that those who have never been have that it's not a hardcore local support. The estimated million people who lined the streets in 1999 proved differently. The really well supported Teams like United and Celtic and Liverpool draw their vast majority of match going support from their local area and anyone whos says different doesn't know the true story. Obviously, if the camera zooms to some drunken Irish guy with a leprechaun hat or a Chinese girl with a Ronaldo top (sorry bout the bad stereotypes) its gonna be more memorable than a local feen who blends in.

[MonTheHoops]

Yes indeed, i have to say the one thing that pisses me off more than anything when talking about United is the impression that those who have never been have that it's not a hardcore local support. The estimated million people who lined the streets in 1999 proved differently. The really well supported Teams like United and Celtic and Liverpool draw their vast majority of match going support from their local area and anyone whos says different doesn't know the true story. Obviously, if the camera zooms to some drunken Irish guy with a leprechaun hat or a Chinese girl with a Ronaldo top (sorry bout the bad stereotypes) its gonna be more memorable than a local feen who blends in.


When Celtic won the European Cup in 67, it's been written that R****** fans lined the streets with Celtic fans celebrating it. You can be guaranteed some of that million were City fans. I cheered myself when Utd's second goal went in against Bayern. You'll always have the "not from Manchester" tags thrown in your direction just like people will always associate Celtic with the IRA. *smack* Fact of the matter is, what United means to you is different to what United means to others and no matter how people try, they'll never change how you feel inside about your club. Celtic means more than a club to me, and no matter what people say it won't change my feelings towards them. Even just today I've been watching some very old clips and they still bring a smile to my face.

But obviously there are those out to knock others. Who cares? Hail Hail.

[KolaKubes]

Rio is a lot more popular with United fans than people think and they are not exactly brimming with captains at the moment. United were poor against the well organised Lille and really missed Rooney. Ronaldo wasn't at his best (his mind is elsewhere) but i'm confident United will win the return match. Funny, when Park took the armband and the fans going "go on Robbo" for the rest of the game. Big game Saturday now though. United need to keep in the slipsteam before the Chelsea visit or we might aswell be watching Willy Wonka come Christmas time..........

Christ, no, Rio's unbelievably unpopular in some circles, particularly the away match going reds.

I don't think there's much point in Utd worrying about Chelsea, at the moment they look unstoppable. That shouldn't be an excuse to not try but we should be looking on getting our house in order slowly but surely and set us up to challenge them over the next couple of years. That means making the most of the opportunity that "playing for second" provides in blooding quality young players like Rossi, Pique, Martin, Jones, Spector and clearing out the likes of O'Shea, Scholes, Miller, Saha. Who knows, in the interim, the Chelsea bandwagon might grind to a halt anyway.

[STEVIEG]

Manchester United have put Argentina hard man Aldo Duscher on their hit list of players to replace Roy Keane. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Villarreal's Brazilian midfielder Marcos Senna. (Daily Mirror)

Mikael Silvestre has accused his Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson of messing up by not signing Michael Essien. (The Sun)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger intends to make at least one signing in the transfer window after conceding that his squad is "unbalanced". (The Guardian)

Tony Adams claims he is ready to take over as manager at Middlesbrough or Southampton if either job becomes available. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa manager David O'Leary will step up his interest in Chelsea's Germany defender Robert Huth after Gary Cahill was ruled out for four months with an ankle injury. (Daily Mail)

Portsmouth are lining up a fresh bid for Chelsea striker Carlton Cole, who snubbed their £2.5m summer offer. (The Sun)

Spurs boss Martin Jol is eyeing a move for Viking Stavanger's Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland (Daily Mirror).

Arsene Wenger admitted to Arsenal's club AGM that he was interested in buying Paul Robinson, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick - three players who have since joined rivals Spurs. (Daily Mail)

Dozy Rio Ferdinand turned up for training with Manchester United this week - and was promptly told he had the day off. (Daily Mirror).


Remember this is gossip. The Rio one is true funny as fuck.

[STEVIEG]

I've got bored of doing these every day (no need to tell you who's dominating the news) but the Sun's one today made me laugh
and the Darren Fletcher one is not too shabby either!!!!!!!!!


Manchester United's players and top management had a crisis meeting - under instructions from owner Malcolm Glazer - on Thursday to discuss the team's performance and the fall-out from the Roy Keane affair. (Daily Mirror)

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson forced his players to sit through the "Keane Plays the Pundit" video and Keane spoke to all the players over his comments. (Daily Express, Daily Mail, The Sun)

There is a three-year-old MUTV video locked in an Old Trafford safe in which Keane also criticises team-mates, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming in for special attention. (The Guardian)

United want to bring in Valencia full-back Fabio Aurelio. (Daily Mirror)

Former Holland international Arie Hann is interested in the vacant Hearts manager post. (The Guardian)

Real Madrid centre-back Jonathan Woodgate and Manchester City keeper David James are on the verge of recalls to the England squad. (Various)

Everton have given manager David Moyes money to spend after good financial figures. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn are in talks to bring Norwegian youngster Karim Adouia to Ewood Park. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are after Denmark centre-back Daniel Agger from Brondby, but are reluctant to pay the £5m asking price. (Various)

Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman is to have his ponytail chopped off for charity. (The Sun)

Scotland manager Walter Smith has leapt to the defence of under-fire Darren Fletcher - as Manchester United fans tried to sell him on the internet for 1p. (Daily Record)

Falkirk boss John Hughes has told Darren Hill to grow up after the 24-year-old keeper admitted taking drugs. (Daily Record)

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies insists Rangers will not get Kris Boyd on the cheap. (Daily Record)

[RedCityKid]

Might as well save you the hassle while I've got both sites open stevie

Monday's gossip column
All the latest football gossip from the day's papers.
Sunday's gossip
Teenage striker Theo Walcott is set to snub advances from Chelsea and Arsenal and stay on at Southampton. (The Mirror)

Newcastle striker Alan Shearer will fly to Munich on Monday to have a hernia operation but hopes not to miss a game for the Magpies. (The Sun)

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has asked fans to stop jeering at misfiring striker Peter Crouch. (The Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has denied having a bust-up with striker Hernan Crespo after not selecting him for the trip to Old Trafford. (The Times)

Former Hearts manager George Burley is being lined up by Rangers should they axe Alex McLeish. (The Mirror)

Meanwhile, Graham Rix has not signed a contract as the new Hearts boss despite speculation. (The Daily Telegraph)

Ruud van Nistelrooy is considering taking legal action against Patrick Vieira after the Frenchman called the striker a "cheat and a coward" in his autobiography. (The Daily Telegraph)

Leeds want to sign Bolton winger Fabrice Fernandes in a loan deal. (The Mirror)

Australia coach Guus Hiddink has emerged as a candidate for the Republic of Ireland job. (Daily Mail)

Wigan will seek to add South African midfielder Elrio van Heerden to their squad in January. (Daily Mail)

Roy Keane will not move into his £4m dream home in Cheshire but is selling it to former Man Utd team-mate Nicky Butt. (The Sun)

Hearts have been warned they face a revolt from fans if Graham Rix is announced as their new manager. (Daily Record)

Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady believes his club's biggest challenge this season will come from Hearts and Hibernian. (Daily Record)

[POL]

Man of the match Alan Smith, blasted Roy Keane on MUTV, said: “Roy is a proud person and told us what he said. As a player you have to accept criticism just as you accept praise, but Roy was wrong to go public, well, we showed the old man what we are made of today, maybe its time for Roy to step aside and let the younger players get on with it” (The Sun)

[Fat Tom]

Jean Makoun is the latest defensive midfielder to be linked with a move to Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's declaration that he wants to strengthen his squad in the New Year will spark fresh speculation regarding the identity of his chief targets, but much could depend on whether Lille progress from United's UEFA Champions League group.

Ferguson admits any team with aspirations of winning the European Cup will not want to lose their key players so Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack is highly unlikely to quit the Bundesliga champions before his contract expires next summer.

St Etienne's Didier Zokora and Deportivo La Coruna star Aldo Duscher are other names on the United manager's short-list but Makoun impressed against The Red Devils recently.

The Cameroon international has been watched by United spies since the goalless draw with Villarreal at Stade de France but Lille will resist any offers for the 22-year-old.

The African has only recently signed a contract extension that ties him to Les Dogues until 2010, and even a sizeable offer would not tempt his club to sell before the end of the season.

Reports from Spain have indicated that Duscher, meanwhile, is an €8 million (£5.4 million) target for Ferguson although Depor want at least €12 million (£8.1 million) for the Argentina international.

Newcastle United are also in the frame for the tough-tackling South American

[Fat Tom]

Man of the match Alan Smith, blasted Roy Keane on MUTV, said: “Roy is a proud person and told us what he said. As a player you have to accept criticism just as you accept praise, but Roy was wrong to go public, well, we showed the old man what we are made of today, maybe its time for Roy to step aside and let the younger players get on with it” (The Sun)
Smith
Manchester United star Alan Smith says recent intense criticism of the club inspired them to beat Chelsea 1-0.

The Red Devils came under fire after a dismal week which witnessed defeats to Lille and Middlesbrough as well as censored criticism from club captain Roy Keane.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men responded in superb fashion as they ended Chelsea's 40 game unbeaten streak, and man of the match Smith conceded that Keane's famously vicious interview had motivated the side to up their level of performance.

"I think everyone knows where it [the inspiration] has come from, we accept criticism when it comes and rightly so," Smith told Sky Sports.

"A club like Manchester United shouldn't be getting beat, and getting beat well off Middlesbrough, we are better than that and I think that showed.

"It's not just Roy, he's a proud person. He told us exactly what he said. All speculation about it in the papers was rubbish, and I think from the manager to all the players we went out there today and put in a good performance.

"Our commitment and our passion was there for everyone to see. I think today was a vital part of our season.

"As a player you accept criticism as you accept praise and I think you can only do your talking on the pitch, whichever player, and Manchester United try to do that.

"It's always been there [the performance], the gaffer never doubted us, we've never doubted ourselves as players.

"I think sometimes we need a reminder that we are at a big club, you're not at your previous club and people can't let their standards drop."

Rio
Rio Ferdinand has admitted Roy Keane was right to criticise him and his team-mates for their recent form.

Keane launched a scathing attack on his team-mates - including Ferdinand - last week in an interview that was pulled by in-house TV station, MUTV.

The Irishman hit out at the performance of a number of players following the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough at the end of last month, with Ferdinand coming in for criticism for his defending.

Ferdinand insists he has no problems with Keane's criticisms, but denied suggestions that Keane made a reference to Ferdinand's wages in his angry comments.

"Roy obviously said what he felt but what he said about me is nothing that I didn't think myself," Ferdinand told The Sun.

"I'm my own fiercest critic. He has every right to say what he did - he's the skipper.

"He talked about my position for the two goals [in the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough] and he was right.

"He was absolutely spot on with his comments. Nobody would argue with them."

Meanwhile, Ferdinand insists Sunday's win over Chelsea was for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson has found himself under pressure this season after some below-par performances, but Ferdinand revealed the players were determined to beat Chelsea for Ferguson.

"People were calling for his head, but that was absolutely ridiculous," added Ferdinand.

"We all know what a great manager he is and beating Chelsea was for him as much as anyone.

"It was a big, big win for the fans, the players and the manager.

"Everyone has been under pressure, but probably no one more than the gaffer.

"We have let the manager down, ourselves and the fans. The gaffer got us all together during last week and we had a good talk about things.

"Everyone has their say and we all had a long, hard look in the mirror

[Fat Tom]

Hull City chairman Adam Pearson has left the door open for young talent Paul Anderson to make a dream move to Liverpool.

Hull initially rejected The Reds' advances during October, but it appears that Rafa Benitez is not prepared to give up in his quest to sign one of the most promising wingers in English football.

Pearson admits that he is desperate to tie Anderson to a new deal, but he is now preparing himself for the 17-year-old's departure - in a potential swap deal involving England Under-21 midfielder John Welsh.

The Tigers chairman revealed: "An offer arrived on Friday. We are not happy with that because we don't want to sell the boy.

"But if the boy wants to go and the offer is substantial enough we will do it because John Welsh is an extremely good player."

Welsh is currently on loan at Hull, and he has become somewhat of a lynchpin in their midfield during his short time at the club

[Fat Tom]

MANYOO TO BUY EVERYONE
Thomas Gravesen, Didier Zokora and Aldo Duscher are all targets for ManYoo in the transfer window. The Glazers are set to give Sir Fergie a £25m January allowance, according to reports in The Daily Express. Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Carlos Queiroz will no longer give instructions from the touchline, a job that will instead fall to Mike Phelan, and that David Beckham has backed Roy Keane over the Irishman's stinging attack on his Manchester United team-mates last week. Not that it's got anything to do with him.


GRAVESEN BACK HOME?
And not home to Everton, but to Germany. If ManYoo miss out on the Real Madrid midfielder, The Daily Mirror reports that his former club Hamburg are keen to bring him back to the Bundesliga. Either way, he doesn't seem keen on a move back to Goodison Park, even though the Toffees have first refusal at the price they paid for him should Real decide to sell.


BUILDING BRIDGES
Former Newcastle, Sunderland and Leeds striker Michael Bridges wants to join Darlington on loan from Bristol City, according to The Sun. The former England Under-21 star has apparently 'become unsettled' at Ashton Gate.


AND THE REST
Bolton midfielder Fabrice Fernandes has turned down a loan deal to Leeds...Newcastle's Amdy Faye is likely to turn down a move to Wigan...Pascal Chimbonda wants an improved contract at Wigan, as more clubs begin to take notice of him...Hull City have rejected Liverpool's offer for 17-year-old Paul Anderson...Bolton will next month take a look at Australian seven-year-old Panos Armenakas, who has already turned down Barcelona's youth squad.

[Fat Tom]

ManYoo, Chelski and Arsenal are all preparing to be big spenders in the January sales, according to reports.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already indicated that he will be striving to add new personnel to his depleted squad when the transfer window opens in the new year, but his efforts may be hampered by reports from West London that Chelski will once again be opening Roman Abramovich's chequebook. As Sir Fergie recently complained, ManYoo are paupers in comparison to their London rivals and can only the buy players which don’t interest Chelski.

Fergie is believed to have been given approximately £10m to spend in January, and, according to The Daily Mirror, has added 'Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong to their transfer wish list after he failed to agree a new deal with Ajax.'

The Guardian also reports that 'United scouts watched the France Under-21 international left-back Lucien Aubey for the fourth time when his club Toulouse lost 1-0 to Lyon on Saturday. The 21-year-old has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Gabriel Heinze, who is out for the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.’

Chelski, meanwhile, are reputedly ready to march back into the transfer market due to lingering concerns over Arjen Robben and Hernan Crespo.

The Daily Mirror says that Jose Mourinho is 'so concerned about the problems he has put chief executive Peter Kenyon and super agent Pini Zahavi on red alert to move for new players.'

Robben has struck an increasingly disenchanted figure at Stamford Bridge and continues to be plagued by injuries. Crespo, meanwhile, is thought to be unsettled after being usurped by Didier Drogba as the club’s number one striker. The Argentine wasn't even a substitute at Old Trafford last Sunday.

'Crespo has declared himself fit for Argentina's friendly with England in Geneva on Saturday - even though he has supposedly been struggling with a thigh problem which caused a fall-out with Mourinho,' notes the Mirror.

Arsenal are also searching for a new striker and The Sun claims that manager Arsene Wenger is 'ready to bust the Arsenal transfer record in a bid to land teenage sensation Fernando Torres.

'Gunners boss Wenger has a £45million war chest to boost his squad and so can easily match Atletico Madrid's £20m valuation for the hitman dubbed the Spanish Wayne Rooney.'

The Gunners still fear that Thierry Henry will leave for Spain next summer, but they have been buoyed by the recent progress of Robin Van Persie and are set to offer the youngster a new contact

[Fat Tom]

MANYOO SET TO BID FOR BALLACK
Bayern Munich's decision to withdraw their contract offer to Michael Ballack has put ManYoo on what is vaguely described as 'high alert' and could result in the Old Trafford club making a formal offer for the German captain in January.

With Ballack's current deal expiring next summer, The Guardian says 'Bayern might now be tempted to part with the player in January rather than let him leave on a free transfer next summer.'

Bayern have grown exasperated by Ballack's stalling and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's annual general meeting: "What Michael told us today was that he hadn't come to a decision yet, [so] we formally withdrew our offer."

Unless the situation is resolved and Ballack agrees a new deal with his present employers then he would be entitled to sign a pre-contract agreement with prospective suitors in January. As The Guardian notes, 'Sir Alex Ferguson is rumoured to have been given £10m to spend in the transfer window, which should more than cover any demands Bayern might make to tear up Ballack's contract.'


VENABLES FOR IRELAND
Terry Venables is widely expected to be appointed Brian Kerr's successor as the Republic of Ireland manager.

The Daily Telegraph says that El Tel will accept the job 'if the terms and conditions are acceptable.'

However, the FAI appear to be in no hurry to make their move for Venables, with 'an associate' of the former England coach telling The Daily Mirror: "Terry wants this job. He sees it as a great opportunity and believes the Ireland team has a lot of potential. He hasn't met the FAI yet. He hasn't even spoken to them. And he definitely won't apply for the job.

"But if the people in charge come to him then he will happily sit down and talk. He is interested but they have to make the first move."


ROBBEN FOR BARCA
The Independent says that Barcelona are considering making a move for Chelski's Arjen Robben.

The young Dutchman has grown disenchanted with life at Stamford Bridge and the Indy says the Spanish giants 'are planning to make an offer for the left-winger if he remains unsettled next summer.'

With Thierry Henry still top of Barca's wanted list, the Catalans could be treated to a rather exciting forward line-up next season.