Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are piling the pressure on Arsenal, with the Spanish giants planning a £40m summer swoop for midfielder Cesc Fabregas.(The Sun) 
Barcelona are also interested in another Gunners player, midfielder Emmanuel Eboue. (The Sun) 
Fulham are to battle it out with Arsenal for QPR's 15-year-old striker Raheem Sterling.(Daily Mirror) 
Crisis club Portsmouth face the loss of striker Aruna Dindane in the next week - if French side Lens do not receive the £3.5m owed for his transfer.(Daily Mirror) 
Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen will consider his future at the club if he is dropped in favour of new arrival Asmir Begovic on Saturday. (The Sun) 
Birmingham midfielder Gary McSheffrey will make his loan move to Leeds permanent if the Elland Road outfit are promoted to the Championship this season. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United's England Under-20 midfielder Matty James is set to join Preston on loan. (Daily Mirror) 
Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery has set a March deadline for deciding his future at the club. Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all shown an interest in the winger. (The Times) 
Preston defender Sean St Ledger has blasted club chairman Derek Shaw for denying him a dream move to Celtic.(Daily Record) 
Liverpool are hoping to bring 14-year-old Danish forward Alexander Jacobsen, who is at FC Copenhagen, into their academy. (Daily Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello will give Chelsea defender John Terry the chance to quit as England captain following newspaper revelations about his private life.(The Sun) 
Capello's hopes of having Owen Hargreaves fit for the World Cup finals have suffered another blow after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson removed the midfielder from his Champions League squad. (The Times) 
Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, who has so far lent Portsmouth £20m, is exercising his right to seize control after the cash-strapped club failed to honour their repayments to him.(The Sun) 
Chainrai has taken over the 90% shareholding held by Ali Al Faraj to become Portsmouth's fourth owner in a year. (The Guardian) 
Manchester City have rejected Real Madrid's claims that they scuppered a last-minute £16.3m transfer for midfielder Fernando Gago.(The Independent) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes team-mate Wayne Rooney is about to join Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid duo Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in being seen as the best players in the world. (Daily Star) 
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan, has signed up for an Italian cookery course. "It's something I've always wanted to do," said the former England captain. (Daily Star)
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Middlesbrough 0-1 Plymouth

Gordon Strachan's Middlesbrough tenure got off to a bad start as Jamie Mackie scored the only goal of the game for strugglers Plymouth.
Boro fell behind 19 minutes into the second half, when Mackie slotted past Brad Jones from 12 yards. 
The hosts should have levelled when Kari Arnason fouled Sean St Ledger in the box, but Adam Johnson drilled the resulting penalty wide. 
Argyle held on for three points despite seven minutes of stoppage time. 
Home fans at the Riverside Stadium endured another dismal performance in Strachan's first game in charge, and victory was no less than Plymouth deserved following a spirited display which belied their lowly league position.

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan:

"It was frustrating. It always is when you lose. But it was nice to be back. I enjoyed it, not the game but the experience.
"It will take hard work for us to find a winning formula. In terms of creating chances and getting the crosses in we don't have a problem but that formula in terms of scoring goals is just not there. Maybe a bit of that is in the head. 
"You can only do it by hard work in training and hard work on the pitch. 
"We need to finish the chances but then we all know what's wrong. You don't need to be a Uefa qualified pro to see that. We'll put it right." 
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock told BBC Radio Devon:
"There has been a lot of work put in over the last week, I thought the shape and organisation of the team was different class. 
"They showed again today that they are willing to work hard as a unit. 

"I have always known Yoann (Folly) has had the ability and he showed today how influential he can be."

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Preston North End - Middlesbrough

After a run of three games without a win and especially after London humiliation against Queens Park (0-4), Preston put a decent display on the road and beat Sheff.Wed. (2-1). John Parkin scored a winner for a desperately needed win and staying in the top six. They have almost the same team from the previous season (finished sixth), all lines in the squad are well balanced, harmed dignity has been recovered and in my opinion they’ll be (along with Cardiff) the most serious threat to ex-Premiership crew (Newcastle, WBA and Middlesbrough). Only missing is departure on loan of excellent Sean St Ledger to ‘Boro (won’t play against own club) because the financial reasons. Good news came from medical service as Lilywhites have been boosted by the news that skipper Callum Davidson (defense) should make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury. Also, absence of the key midfielder Paul Parry seems finished as he was an unused substitute at Sheffield and he should play. No new injury or suspension worries for boss Alan Irvine and best eleven should appear.

Middlesbrough started the season in Championship with clear intention for returning in the Premier League. And all started well as club was placed at the top of the table. Then crisis at Riverside and three consecutive home defeats without a single goal scored (WBA 0-5, Leicester City 0-1 and Watford 0-1). 'Boro bounced back at mid-week against Derby County as midfielder Adam Johnson scored twice for a 2-0 win. Then public was hit by the news that Gareth Southgate has been sacked. Well, it’s not about his capability to lead one team on 'Boro’s level, I first claimed he should chose more appropriate profession. The problem is the moment that seems wrong. Team finally won at home, players were pointing the team spirit, fans promising full support and I expect at least missing of positive reaction at Deepdale. Future boss (will be appointed in coming days), Gordon Strachan, will watch the game, but I doubt he’ll see too many good things. Team that will be led by coach Colin Cooper will miss mentioned defender Sean St Ledger, another centre back Seb Hines is a doubt, while skipper defender Emanuel Pogatetz could return after his knee injury. 

This will be the clash of two serious contenders for Premiership. Usually I would ignore any tought about betting on such game, but moment when it happens gives an advantage to the lads from Deepdale. And defense line without St Ledger (and maybe Pogatetz) will have a lots of problems to stop outstanding John Parkin. Home win (Pinnacle 2.70) should be considered as a gamble, while my advise is dnb (1.90 also Pinnacle). 

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a transfer target for Celtic boss Tony Mowbray.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea have agreed in principle to sign 17-year-old Croatian goalkeeper Matej Delac from Inter Zapresic for about £2m. However, unless the Blues win an appeal over their transfers ban, they will not be able to sign him until January 2011. (Daily Mail) 
Wigan striker Marlon King has been linked with a loan move to Championship side Sheffield United (Daily Mirror) 
Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball is being targeted by Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson. The 29-year-old is currently without a club. (Daily Mirror) 
Preston defender Sean St Ledger will be recruited to help strengthen Middlesbrough's rearguard in a £3m deal.(Daily Mirror) 
Roy Keane's Ipswich are hoping to agree a loan deal for Bolton's Nigerian defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor could be handed a six-match ban by the Football Association for his clash with Robin van Persie, who claims he was deliberately stamped on, and the goal celebration in the game against the Togo international's former club Arsenal. (Daily Star)
Or Adebayor's punishment may consist of a four-match suspension.(Daily Mirror) 
Reading may be the next club in line for a big-money takeover, with chairman John Madejski weighing up a £80m deal to sell the Championship club to a Middle Eastern consortium. (The Sun) 
George Burley is poised to axe assistants Steven Pressley and Tommy McLean if he keeps his job as national manager after a review by the Scottish FA. (The Scotsman) 
Rangers manager Walter Smith saved Madjid Bougherra from a second red card by telling the defender to say sorry for the outburst that led to him being sent off against Motherwell on Saturday. (The Sun)
St Johnstone defender Dave Mackay has accused St Mirren midfielder Stephen McGinn of cheating by diving to win a penalty in Saturday's 1-1 draw. (Various) 
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson has complained that his side have had novice referees in three of their four games this season. (The Sun)
Hibernian striker Colin Nish, who was sent off in injury time in the 2-0 defeat by Hamilton, claims he is being targeted by referees. (The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

There were no draws in the Premier League this weekend and there have only been three in the 46 top-flight matches played in England so far this season. (The Sun)
John McVeigh is to appeal against a four-year touchline ban from the junior FA after allegedly hitting a referee with his own notebook, after which the former Partick Thistle and Airdrie boss resigned as Lanark United manager. (The Sun)
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Sheffield United - Preston North End

Semi-final, play-off, re-match. First game ended 1-1 and that result set the home side as a favorite for the final. As it was expected, we watched a tough game at Deepdale. Blades put very solid performance, started with attacking attitude with a clear intention to finish the job in the first game. Jamie Ward missed a big opportunity to took his team in a lead and punishment came in 20th minute after a tragic mistake by defence line. Blades consolidated after that and in the rest of the game were the better side. Midfielder Brian Howard scored at the start of the second half and just thankfully to not-serious reactions of Craig Beattie (twice), result stayed the same. Tonight full Bramall Lane will support the lads who are in clear advantage. I think that Blades deserved a direct promotion, they're the most quality team in play-off, mentally very strong and they are the main candidate to reach Premier. But, to make a situation not so perfect, there are some injury problems for Kevin Blackwell. John-Joe O'Toole is injured, while Darius Henderson, Jamie Ward and David Cotterill are under the serious doubt.

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Lillywhites made their run into play-off zone with four wins from last four league games. In the first game, excellent left-back Sean St.Ledger scored for a lead, team played with 100 percent of potential, making even some opportunities for double it. But, it has to be said, it wouldn't be fully deserved. Their performance is not consistent, play in warm-cold shape. They lost at home, for example, against Blackpool 0-1, but in the next home game humiliated Cardiff 6-0! Their progression would be a first class surprise, but if the host underestimate them everything is possible. That's the beauty of play-offs, however. Lee Williamson is missing as he completes a three-game ban, while Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart remain on the injured list.

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This is a play-off, I don't believe in underestimating, though won't be an easy game surely. I expect a cautious game in the first half (and will place a gamble ht/ft, X-1), but don't doubt we'll watch the Blades at Wembley (and in Premier, next season). Bwin offers 1.90. Home win.

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Preston 1-1 Sheff Utd

Brian Howard's goal 21 seconds into the second half earned Sheffield United a draw in their semi-final, first-leg Championship play-off tie with Preston. 
Preston had taken a first-half lead when Sean St Ledger latched on to a free-kick to convert from close range. 
The home side almost doubled their lead but Jon Parkin headed Ross Wallace's corner against the post. 
The Blades had several chances to equalise but it was Howard's volley from 10 yards that rescued them. 
The visitors started brightly with Jamie Ward going close in the fourth minute. 
Ward received the ball with his back to goal and turned his marker superbly before firing a low drive against the outstretched legs of keeper Andy Lonergan.
Preston manager Alan Irvine: 
"There were times when we played well so that makes me positive. 
"We are still in contention and I said that was the most important thing ahead of the game. 
"We know it will be a difficult game at Brammall Lane but we've played difficult games all season and still won. 
"We hoped to test Paddy Kenny more but once we got the goal we didn't push on from there." 

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell: 
"We had to make sure we went back to Brammall Lane with something to play for and we have. 
"I've got a great set of players. They didn't panic, we kept the ball well and I'm delighted with the response of the players. 
"I was disappointed with the goal but at half-time I said to the players to continue as they had left off and it was great to get the equaliser so soon." 

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick, McKenna, Carter (Nicholson 70), Wallace, Parkin, Mellor (Brown 77).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers, Elliott. 
Booked: Carter. 
Goals: St. Ledger 21. 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard, Stephen Quinn, Halford, Henderson (Beattie 54), Ward (Lupoli 74).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Cotterill, Bromby. 
Booked: Kilgallon, Montgomery, Lupoli. 
Goals: Howard 46. 

Att: 19,840 
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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