Birmingham – Burnley

Birmingham are finishing very successful season for them. However, they’re in a bad run of results with eight games without a win and four consecutive draws at home. In previous round, lost a derby game vs. Villa, despite very good display. If they fail in last two games, theoretically could lost four places. Side-back, Stephen Carr, is banned for one match in light of the gestures he made at Aston Villa. Striker Christian Benitez may feature after a six-game absence.

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Burnley booked their ticket to Championship long time ago. Their Premiership story came to end when Owen Coyle left the club. Everything after that have been just torturing the fans. Chairman Barry Kilby said, thankfully to this season they won’t have any financial worries in next 10 years. If it was a target, ok then. Regarding their performances, without Coyle they’re just an average Championship squad. With new manager, Brian Laws (have picked up just 7 points from a possible 48 since he took the charge) they’re even less than that. They stopped winning at home, while on the road have 16 defeats of 18 games (goal difference 16-50)! Haven’t noticed a clean sheet in 25 games and need to concede against Brum to equal Wimbledon's Premier League record from 11 years ago. Defender Clarke Carlisle is absent again. 

This is the last home game for Birmingham and I think after unfair defeat in derby game, they’ll want to put some effort and play for the fans. Difference in quality are big as well. Burnley will play for the scouts and I can’t see any improving. Bet is Birmingham -1 ah @ 1.92 Pinnacle.

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are keen on Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who is thought to be interested in such a move, with Manchester United's Patrice Evra a back-up target if the Spanish club fail to land the England international.(Daily Mirror) 
Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo, who is a target for Arsenal, could be on his way out of the Italian club after arguing with fans during the draw with Siena last weekend.(Daily Mail) 
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has told midfielder David Beckham, who had been on loan at the Italian club from Los Angeles Galaxy, he can return next year if he wants to after recovering from his Achilles tendon injury. (Daily Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will be out for a month after undergoing groin surgery.(The Sun) 
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could be back from his hamstring injury for the game against West Ham this weekend after missing the last two matches.(Daily Mirror) 
Burnley have already started their search for a new manager as current boss Brian Laws is on the brink of getting the boot at Turf Moor.(The Sun) 
Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi says he is unimpressed by the success of English clubs in the Champions League as there is nothing English about them. He also says Italy's top teams are similarly unrepresentative of the country.(Daily Mail) 
Uefa president Michel Platini is still keen on adding extra officials. "Either we add referees or we use replays. I'm for the human option," he told an Italian television show.(The Independent) 
Defender Calum Davenport has played his last game for West Ham after agreeing a £250,000 pay-off.(The Sun) 
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson's injury could result in Blackburn recalling goalkeeper Mark Bunn from loan at Sheffield United - and he may make his Premier League debut against Chelsea on Sunday.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United could be forced to make major cutbacks if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.(Daily Mirror) 
Ipswich manager Roy Keane locked his players in the dressing for 90 minutes after the 2-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday night. (The Times)

AND FINALLY

He may not be playing at the World Cup but England midfielder David Beckham could still be in South Africa after receiving plenty of television offers for the tournament.(The Sun) 
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson could be at the World Cup as manager of the Ivory Coast but faces competition from ex-France coach Philippe Troussier.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United defender Gary Neville, 35, is hoping for a shock England recall in time for the World Cup, three years after winning the last of his 85 caps.(Daily Mirror)

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not stand in the way of captain Cesc Fabregas if he wants to leave England and join Spanish side Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.( imscouting.com) 
Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin says he would understand if team-mate Cesc Fabregas leaves the Gunners for Barcelona in the summer, but hopes the midfielder will stay at the Emirates.(Daily Mail) 
Nadir Belhadj is an unlikely target for Barcelona after the Portsmouth defender was singled out for praise from Barca midfielder Xavi Fernandes.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan will use striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar as bait to land Manchester United's wantaway defender Nemanja Vidic.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City and Chelsea are on alert after Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano refused to rule out a move to the Premier League.(The Sun) 
Chelsea are plotting a £70m spending spree this summer to rejuvenate their squad with Borussia Dortmund's Serbia centre-back Neven Subotic, winger Angel Di Maria, of Benfica, Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger their main targets.(Daily Express) 
Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara is ready to quit the club in a bid to further his career. The midfielder is currently on loan at Portsmouth. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock will ask the FA to take into account the stress he is under working for a club in administration when investigating the comments he made about assistant referee Trevor Massey after the FA Cup match against Aston Villa last Sunday. Warnock labelled Massey a "disgrace" after the decision to wrongly award Villa a corner from which they scored a late equaliser at Selhurst Park.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright says he would be tempted to return to Selhurst Park as a coach if Ron Noades takes over the cash-strapped Championship club.(The Sun) 
Wolves chairman Steve Morgan believes Liverpool would be debt-free had his 2004 bid for the Merseysiders been accepted.(The Times) 
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has offered Birmingham chief Carson Yeung £500,000 to end their dispute - but the Hong Kong billionaire has rejected it.(Daily Mirror) 
Hull manager Phil Brown is ready to gamble on midfielder Jimmy Bullard to play in his side's crunch relegation clash at West Ham on Saturday.(Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is officially the highest paid player in the world, according to a recent list published by Portuguese marketing agency Futebol Finance. The former Manchester United star picks up a basic gross salary of £11.3m. Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the Premier League's highest earner on £7.4m, according to the list.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is now managing Inter Milan, says the Blues would have won more trophies under him had he not left the club in 2007.(Daily Mail)
Burnley boss Brian Laws has scotched rumours of a bust-up with Clarets midfielder Joey Gudjonsson, insisting the player still has a role to play in the club's battle against relegation.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Liverpool's Glen Johnson has won every major trophy with the Reds - on Championship Manager. The right back has become a big fan of the computer game while recovering from his knee injury. "I'm sick of TV now," he admits. "When you're confined to the couch you'll look at anything. Thankfully, Championship Manager got me through."(Daily Mail) 
Queens Park Rangers are on the verge of signing reality TV star Hicham Abdellah. The 17-year-old striker has made it through to the semi-finals of Football's Next Star, whose winner gets a place at the Inter Milan academy.(Daily Mirror)

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Nottingham F. 1 - 0 Sheffield U.

1 - 0 R. Earnshaw 4.min.

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AC Milan 2 - 3 Manchester U

1 - 0 Ronaldinho  3.min.
1 - 1 P. Scholes  36.min
1 - 2 W. Rooney  66.min.
1 - 3 W. Rooney  74.min.
2 - 3 C. Seedorf  85.min.

Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Stipe Pletikosa's move from Spartak Moscow to Tottenham is back on as the Croatian keeper's knee injury has improved.(Daily Mail) 
Everton manager David Moyes has been on a personal scouting mission to check out Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo, who is also attracting the attention of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Blackburn. (The Sun) 
Moyes is also tracking Nuremberg left-back Javire Pinola but faces competition from Stoke for the Argentine. (The Sun)
Strikers Kris Boyd of Rangers and Aiden McGeady of Celtic are on Birmingham's shopping list as boss Alex McLeish looks to strengthen.(Daily Mail) 
Striker Jon Stead's move to Coventry from Ipswich has put on hold because of his pregnant wife.(The Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

The Premier League is considering having play-offs for the final Champions League slot for the clubs that finish fourth to seventh. (The Guardian) 
Striker Carlos Tevez is set to miss Manchester City's match against Liverpool on Sunday because he has flown home to Argentina to be by the side of his pregnant partner.(Daily Mirror) 
Burnley boss Brian Laws is letting exciting Ecuador winger Fernando Guerrero leave because he does not fit into the club's survival fight.(Daily Mirror) 
Fulham are ready to open talks on a new contract for Swedish striker David Elm. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Derby midfielder Robbie Savage has blasted Birmingham's Roger Johnson after the defender told him "I'll be drinking the champagne tonight" after the Blues beat Derby in the FA Cup.(Daily Mirror)
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Bolton - Burnley

Six points game. Bolton are second from the bottom, but just one point far from the clubs outside the relegation zone. Club’s management made an interesting move and decided to spend the money on new manager (3 mill. pounds) instead on new players (it should meen they believe in their quality). Owen Coyle arrived from tonight’s opponent and it will be a big advantage as he knows everything about ex-players. He made a debut against Arsenal and noticed two defeats although team made a decent display (in both games). In FA Cup came a first win against second tier side Sheff.Utd. (2-0). With a win tonight would skip at least Burnley. However, Coyle has fitness concerns over four important players. Davies,Gardner, McCann and Taylor are all doubtful (considering the importance of this game, I guess some (maybe all) will play), but on-loan midfielder Vladimir Weiss (Man.City) will make his debut.

 

Burnley are typical home side as they noticed 19 points (from total 20) at home. Coyle’s successor Brian Laws started with a Cup defeat on the road against Reading (0-1). In every of their eleven games on the road they conceded at least twice. They look good until got first, then collapse and got more. However, key striker Steven Fletcher will return after missing the FA Cup game, while another striker Frederic Nimani has joined on loan from Monaco and should appear (probably on the bench). Burnley have the worst record in the division against bottom-half opponents, earning seven points from nine matches.

 

Coyle knows everything about Burnley’s players. But, on the other hand, he made from them an attacking team that plays in the same style on the road which provided great results in second tier, but in Premier it represents the suicidal tactic. But, even if I don’t consider Coyle as important factor, see Bolton as a physically strong side and with new manager effect (also, Megson wasn’t too popular person in the dressing room) I see them as favorites here. Home win and -1.5 handicap as a gamble.

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Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Wigan are in talks with Villareal about signing Argentine international striker Marco Ruben, who is thought to be keen to move.(skysports.com) 
Manchester City have offered £15m for West Ham's Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami.(Daily Telegraph) 
West Ham have offered £2m for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy, but the Lancashire side want more to part with the South African.(skysports.com) 
Striker David Nugent is happy to extend his loan spell from Portsmouth to Burnley until the end of the season but does not want to decide on his long-term future until then.(skysports.com) 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson says he has had no contact with Arsenal about £7m-rated former non-league defender Chris Smalling, and he would expect Arsene Wenger to get in touch personally if they were interested.(The Independent) 
Hamburg have joined West Ham and Tottenham in the race to sign striker Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid.( imscouting.com) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is interested in Real Madrid's Argentine midfielder Fernando Gago.(Itv.com) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

New West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have made a sensational swoop for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, offering him £100,000-a-week to move to Upton Park. (The Sun) 
However, Tottenham are now favourites to sign Dutchman Van Nistelrooy after the former Manchester United player rejected a big-money offer from the Hammers.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham, Sunderland and Manchester City are all chasing Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul, with Spurs putting together a £10m bid.(Daily Mail) 
Spurs are closing in on a £11m swoop for Palermo central defender Simon Kjaer, but the player's wage demands are proving to be a problem.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James's loan move to Stoke is back on as the clubs have renewed talks.(The Guardian) 
Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. The 25-year-old's agent says he is also talking to Tottenham.(Daily Mail) 
Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has promised Arsenal and Liverpool that he will make a decision about his future by the end of the month.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa have played down reports saying they are close to signing Rangers striker Kris Boyd.(The Independent) 
West Ham and Birmingham are both keen on signing AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on loan.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland are set to complete a £1.8m move for 32-year-old Aston Villa defender Habib Beye.(The Sun) 
Manchester City are weighing up a £5m move for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. Sunderland, Chelsea and Wolves are also interested in the 22-year-old.(The Sun) 
Burnley manager Brian Laws is hoping that Portsmouth see "common sense" and allow David Nugent to stay on loan at Turf Moor until the end of the season. (Daily Express) 
Wigan are looking to spring a surprise signing with a £5m bid for 23-year-old Villarreal striker Marco Ruben. (Daily Mail)
Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson will finally walk away from Notts County next week if the club cannot find fresh investment to stave off a winding-up order.(The Times) 


OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal defender William Gallas will not receive any punishment for his challenge on Mark Davies in the 4-2 victory over Bolton on Wednesday. After the game, angry Bolton boss Owen Coyle said the challenge "was closer to an assault than a tackle".(The Times) 
Bolton's anger over the tackle and the fact that the ball was not put out of play is showing no signs of diminishing, with Wanderers defender Paul Robinson saying: "It was a disgusting tackle. He's lucky he hasn't broken his leg. We deserved better and are disappointed not to have got anything."(Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players: "If anyone steps out of control, that's them dead." The Scot was talking at a lecture in Dublin. (The Sun) 
Cash-strapped Derby have placed every member of the squad on the transfer list as they try to raise £8m by the end of the month.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

So what did Carlos Tevez really say about his former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville in a South American radio interview? He's a "moron" (Daily Mirror and Daily Express), "idiot and creep" (Daily Star and Daily Mail), "stupid bootlicker" (The Sun) and a "bootlicking moron" (Guardian, Independent and The Times) are the general themes.

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Spanish giants Real Madrid have joined the race to sign Crystal Palace's highly-rated 19-year-old striker Victor Moses.(Daily Mail) 
Under pressure Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil to bolster Rovers' midfield. (Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal and Real Madrid are competing to sign 18-year-old midfielder Sergio Canales from Racing Santander. (Daily Star) 
The Gunners are also considering a move for Lazio striker Mauro Zarate - but he will cost £17m. (The Independent)
Everton are thought to be lining up a bid for out-of-favour Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos. (Daily Mirror) 
New Burnley boss Brian Laws is hoping to sign Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon and is prepared to pay £1.5m and break the club's pay structure to land him. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are prepared to pay £14m to sign 23-year-old midfielder Aiden McGeady from Celtic, but the Scottish club are not keen to sell.(Daily Telegraph) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has set his sights on signing Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas from Mexican side Club America. (Daily Mirror) 
Bolton manager Owen Coyle wants to sign Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and will try to tempt the Magpies with a £2m bid. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United are considering an £18m bid for Porto defender Rolando, who has been outstanding in this season's Champions League. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink wants to take over as Liverpool boss if Rafael Benitez is sacked - but would want the blessing of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish would make a superb Liverpool boss, reckons former Blues chief David Gold.(The Sun) 
Striker Wayne Rooney will ask for £140,000 a week when a new contract at Manchester United is negotiated in the summer - a figure that could end his Old Trafford career. (The Sun) 
West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is on the verge of retiring after failing to return from a series of injuries. (Daily Mirror) 
Paul Hart has left his post as manager of QPR after just five games in charge of the London club. (The Guardian) 
Reading are considering rewarding caretaker manager Brian McDermott with a permanent contract after the club's FA Cup victory over Liverpool. (The Times)

AND FINALLY

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has followed in the footsteps of David Beckham by modelling underwear for Emporio Armani.(The Sun)

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Sheffield Wednesday - Swansea City

Owls have sacked the manager Brian Laws and appointed Sean McAuley as a caretaker. In his first statement he announced the intention to notice a win that should launch them in the middle of table security and return a part of self confidence in the dressing room. But, won’t be so easy. Currently Wednesday occupy 22^nd place, first below the line. They’re without a win in nine matches, have four consecutive defeats in a row, four consecutive at home and failed to score in last five games! No injury worries for McAuley and he’s expected to make some changes in starting eleven.

 

Swansea are tough Championship side which main characteristics are tight play and strong defense. Main problem for them is lack of scored goals lately and big boost is return of striker Stephen Dobie who’s fit again after an ankle strain. In the previous round Swansea have ended their unbeaten run of eleven home games, losing vs. Nott. Forest 0-1. On the road, in last seven games have just one defeat (against giants Newcastle 0-3). They have to bounce back to stay in play-off zone and they probably couldn’t find the better chance than today’s opponent. Boss Paulo Sousa will be again without skipper defender Garry Monk who has a calf injury, while midfielder Mark Gower is still sidelined with a knee problem. Will be stronger for mentioned Dobie and midfielder Tom Butler.

 

Home side isn’t a club that should relegate, but their recover can’t be immediate. Players are in mental crisis, new caretaker will probably make some improvements, but actually I can not imagine them winning today. My only concern about this game is the info Swansea have never won at Wednesday. So, dnb 2.

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Norwich 0-1 Sheff Wed

Jermaine Johnson's deflected shot earned a deserved away victory for Sheffield Wednesday and left Norwich a point clear of the relegation zone. 
The Owls took the lead when Johnson's strike deflected off defender Jon Otsemobor early in the second half. 
An anxious Carrow Road crowd saw David Mooney's 84th-minute equaliser ruled out after a foul in the build-up. 
But Wednesday clung on for the three points after defender Tommy Spurr was sent off for his second yellow card. 

Norwich manager Bryan Gunn: 
"To be honest we didn't play well in the first half, while at the same time Sheffield Wednesday played some relaxed football. 
"After the break I didn't think there was much in it but unfortunately they've had a shot which has taken a deflection to beat our goalkeeper. 
"There was no ranting and raving in the dressing room afterwards, because we need the players to believe that we can get enough points between now and the end of the season to ensure our safety." 

Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws: 
"I don't think anyone would disagree that we deserved to win. 
"We have been exceptionally good in our last four away games and deserved to win all of them in my opinion. 
"Today was no different and this time we got our just rewards. We dominated the first half, passed and moved really well and had 10 strikes on goal." 


Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Doherty, Bertrand, Croft (Lee 68), Clingan, Lappin, Carney (Smith 82), Gow (McDonald 82), Mooney. 
Subs Not Used: Nelson, Drury. 
Booked: Mooney. 
Sheff Wed: Grant, Buxton, Hinds, Wood, Spurr, Varney, McAllister, Potter, Johnson (Beevers 88), Tudgay, Jeffers (Sodje 82). 
Subs Not Used: Esajas, O'Connor, Simek. 

Sent Off: Spurr (89). 
Booked: Wood, Spurr. 
Att: 25,385 
Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).
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