Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are prepared to let Brazilian forward Robinho leave the club, with Barcelona his likely destination, if they can bring in French midfielder Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich as a replacement.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham are lining up a £5m move for Club Brugge defender Vadis Odjidja in January.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon will leave the Blades in January after rejecting a new £20,000-a-week contract. The £4m-rated 25-year-old is wanted by Wigan, Bolton, Celtic and Middlesbrough.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to avoid a touchline ban for his remarks about referee Alan Wiley's fitness by citing as his defence the precedence that no manager has been banned for post-match comments and that they were made away from the technical area.(Daily Mirror)
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to leave Notts County and take up the Sweden managerial post - only three months after joining the Magpies as director of football. (Daily Mirror) 
Eriksson, though, has apparently already spoken to the Swedish FA about the national team coaching vacancy behind Notts County's back, according to his agent Lars Sternmarker. "(Swedish FA president) Lars-Ake Lagrell has talked both to Sven and me," said Sternmarker. "But what we talked about and further quotes about this you have to ask Mr Lagrell."(The Sun) 
If Eriksson does quit Notts County for the Sweden national job he will be forced to take huge pay cut on his £10m-deal with the League Two side.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he plans to remain in football as long as he lives and cannot imagine ever retiring from the game. "If I have health, I want to work as long as I live but adapt to my potential," said Wenger.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton will be offered the job at St James' Park on a permanent basis this week - with owner Mike Ashley also preparing to take the club off the market.(Daily Mirror) 
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni is ready to steal Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill from under the nose of England boss Fabio Capello. Cahill, who has featured in a number of Capello's England squads but has yet to play, qualifies for Ireland via one of his grandparents.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny will use Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro's escape from a drugs ban as part of his defence in Tuesday's appeal against a nine-month suspension for taking prohibited substance ephedrine. Cannavaro failed a drugs test after using cortisone to prevent an allergic reaction to a bee sting but was given a reprieve.(Daily Mail) 
Former Hull striker Dean Windass wants to replace Mike Newell as the new Grimsby manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson has agreed terms on a new two-year contract with the club.(Daily Express) 

AND FINALLY

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey incurred the wrath of Fabio Capello last week by flouting the England manager's rule on mobile phones. The 31-year-old was caught texting at the dinner table. (The Sun) 
England coach Capello's patience may also be tested by photos of Tottenham striker Peter Crouch out partying in a nightclub with teammates in the aftermath of Spurs' 2-1 victory over Portsmouth last Saturday.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool will search Manchester United fans ahead of this Sunday's clash between the sides at Anfield for any items, including beach balls, which could be thrown onto the pitch and potentially cause a repeat of the "freak" goal scored against the Reds by Sunderland's Darren Bent last Saturday.(The Guardian)
www.bbc.co.uk

Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth are ready to make a move for Tottenham forward Giovani dos Santos.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett's talks with a Saudi firm to sell part, or all, of his stake in the club are "on hold" despite his visit to the Middle East last week, an official from the FC investment vehicle has claimed. (Daily Telegraph) 
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been ruled out for three weeks after tweaking medial ligaments in his knee during a challenge by Birmingham defender Liam Ridgwell on Saturday. (Daily Star) 
The Swedish Football Association want Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson to become the new manager of their national team. (Daily Mirror)
Referee Mike Jones is set to be withdrawn from next weekend's Premier League fixture list after allowing Sunderland striker Darren Bent's winner against Liverpool to stand when it deflected in off a beach ball thrown on to the pitch by a supporter.(The Sun) 
Stoke defender Robert Huth looks certain to be charged by the Football Association and may face a three-match ban after appearing to aim a punch at West Ham defender Matthew Upson on Saturday.(The Sun) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he turned down a move to Real Madrid last summer because he wants to win the Champions League with the Gunners.(The Sun) 
Fifa president Sepp Blatter will reiterate that England is the spiritual home of football and deserves to host the 2018 World Cup finals when he takes on a role with the world's oldest club on Monday. Blatter will officially accept the honorary presidency of the Sheffield FC Foundation.(The Times) 
Mike Ashley has spoken publicly for the first time about retaining control of Newcastle United in the event of the club's long-running takeover saga failing to reach fruition.(The Times) 
Ashley has told local businessman Barry Moat to offer £80 within a seven-day deadline if he wants to buy the Championship club. (Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is set to become football's first billionaire, earning £16,000 per minute. The former Manchester United star is being offered £1.5m a game by foreign tycoons to show off his skills in a series of friendlies. (Daily Star) 
Cheeky Manchester United fans plan a rendition of the pop classic 99 Red Balloons when they arrive at Anfield for Sunday's Premier League match against Liverpool. (The Sun) 
The inflatable off of which Bent's strike veered into the net was official Liverpool merchandise, part of a beach set recently reduced to £10 in the club shop. (Various)
David Beckham's healthy food range has been kicked into touch by shoppers. Just £633 worth of microwave dishes - picturing the LA Galaxy midfielder and promising low fat pasta, noodles, omelettes and fish sticks - were sold last month. (Daily Star)
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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce believes he has found the long-term replacement for striker Benni McCarthy - Standard Liege's Congo star Dieudonne Mbokani, rated at £4m.(News of the World) 
The threat of selling star trio Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano cannot be ruled out unless Liverpool sort out their debt problem.(News of the World) 
Nani is fighting to save his Manchester United career after being left on the bench on Saturday and Sir Alex Ferguson may offload him in January if he can buy David Silva from Valencia.(News of the World) 
Steve Bruce plans to raid north-east neighbours Newcastle in January to bring left-back Jose Enrique into the Premier League.(News of the World) 
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is monitoring midfielder Yossi Benayoun's situation at Liverpool as he prepares for the January transfer window.(News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

A multi-national consortium, Intermarket Group, has launched a £100m to bid to buy troubled West Ham. They are confident of handing Gianfranco Zola a substantial budget for the January transfer window. The consortium is made up of wealthy West Ham fans and is led by Wall Street mogul, Jim Bowe.(News of the World) 
Meanwhile, Zola faces a battle to hold on to some of West Ham's biggest young stars after a massive wage discrepancy emerged. Some of the youngsters in the first team are being paid just £400 a week.(News of the World) 
Brazil will be paid 10 times as much as England in the Qatar friendly in November. The World Cup favourites are set to earn £4m from the match while England will collect just £400,000.(Sunday Mirror) 
Two gambling firms which sponsor Premier League clubs have been condemned for offering live betting on academy games, with fears it puts teenagers at risk of corruption. Isle of Man-based 188bet and SBObet offer online betting on under-18 games, largely to satisfy their huge client base in the Far East.(The Sunday Telegraph) 
Sir Alex Ferguson could be banned from the touchline for five matches. Key figures inside football believe he should not get away with his outburst against referee Alan Wiley, whom he branded as "unfit" following United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland two weeks ago.(The Mail on Sunday) 

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello stunned his England stars when he hurled a metal food tray against a hotel wall after spotting a player texting on his mobile phone during a meal while the team were in the Ukraine.(News of the World)
www.bbc.co.uk

Keano go fishing!

Blackpool 2 - 0 Plymouth

Ian Holloway's Blackpool recorded their fourth consecutive home win to leave his former side Plymouth struggling at the foot of the table.
Marcel Seip, on loan from Plymouth, opened the scoring with a glancing header from a Charlie Adam free-kick as Blackpool dominated the first half. 
The visitors improved after the break before David Vaughan made it 2-0 with a fine shot from the corner of the box. 
Plymouth never gave up hope but rarely threatened to get on the score sheet. 
The two sides' contrasting fortunes were shown by their approach to the game in the early stages.

m

m

k

k

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....

Ipswich 1 - 1 Swansea

Under-fire Ipswich boss Roy Keane is still searching for his first win of the season after being held by Swansea.
Craig Beattie put the Swans ahead with his first goal for the club after seven minutes, smashing the ball past debutant keeper Asmir Begovic. 
But that lead was cancelled out eight minutes later when Pablo Counago side-footed home from close range. 
Ipswich looked threatening from set pieces but could not find a way through as Swansea held firm. 
It means Keane's side have failed to win any of their opening 12 Championship games and remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
www.blackpoolfc.co.uk

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Ipswich Town - Swansea City

Ipswich's longest ever winless start to a league season has now reached 11 matches. Considering their performances, they deserved first win a couple of rounds ago. Two goals late in stoppage time left them without three points against Sheffield United (3-3) and in last round vs. Barnsley (1-2). The weakest link certainly was goalkeeper Richard Wright. That problem has been solved with new on-loan signing, Asmir Begovic, goalie from Portsmouth. Skipper Alex Bruce is expected to return from a groin injury, while all others are fit and available to Keano. Dressing room atmosphere is fine, fans and management give a full support to Keano.

Swansea is in great run of five games without defeat and only one goal conceded. Despite that, my impression is they’re limited side with average players and can not see them higher than middle of the table. They have also some injury problems. Striker Gorka Pintado and midfielder Joe Allen will face late fitness tests. Defender Fedde Bessone should be fit but striker Guillam Bauza and another defender Albert Serran are likely to be missing.

Shortly, it’s time and nice opportunity for a first win for Ipswich. Pinnacle offer 2.20, home win.

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Blackpool - Plymouth Argyle

After 11 rounds, Blackpool hold 11th place and have been showing the quality for the top half of the table. While on the road they usually look harmless (two defeats in a row, Bristol City 0-2 and Crystal Palace 1-4), at their home they play like different squad. As a small stadium with fanatic fans, Bloomfield Road simply isn’t a place where other clubs like to be. Three wins (with two draws) in five home games, with just two conceded goals and three consecutive wins (Coventry 3-0, Newcastle 2-1 and Peterborough 2-0). Manager Ian Holloway can include on-loan Plymouth defender Marcel Seip, who has yet to make his debut. Talented winger Ishmel Demontagnac made a stupidity and got a red card in reserve match for violent conduct, which means automatically three game suspension. However, his ban does not yet come into force and he may feature. Defenders Danny Coid, Ian Evatt, and strikers Daniel Nardiello, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Stephen McPhee are all long term absentees for the hosts.

Plymouth remain as one of the main favorites for moving in lower division. With limited funds team couldn’t be strengthened during the transfer market and Pilgrims simply don’t have enough quality for something more than struggling to avoid relegation. A spot in the middle at the end of season would be a blessing. After incredible run of results with seven consecutive defeats(!), Plymouth made two 2-1 wins (Peterborough on the road and Scunthorpe at home). Despite the good run, I don’t think we’ll see more from that and see Plymouth in third tier next year. Only advantage that Pilgrims will have at Bloomfield Road is statistic that says they lost there just once in 13 years. Plymouth also have won two of their last three matches, claiming seven points out of nine. Argyle's on-loan defender from Aston Villa Shane Lowry will be assessed after returning from international duty, while defender Darcy Blake traveled with the squad after being passed fit. Defenders Chris Barker and Reda Johnson and midfielder Kari Arnason are all ruled out, along with long term absentee defender (on-loan from Man.Utd.) James Chester. Chester is the only player that is missing from the last fixture. Plymouth is the only team in Championship (beside Peterborough) without a clean sheet so far.

Considering all the facts that I could find, I don’t see any reason why this shouldn’t be a convincing home win. The Seasiders are much better side, international brake came in the right time for them to consolidate and today’s opponent is excellent for ending the crisis. This is my pick of the day and clear home win. Pinnacle offer 1.85. Handicap as a gamble.

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Can not promise, but should be one more analyze later. Ipswich first win in season and I still think about Cardiff and Portsmouth.

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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

European champions Barcelona will test Manchester City's resolve to keep Brazilian forward Robinho by offering to take the player on a six-month loan should the Blues reject a £32.5m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
Alternatively, Barca will offer City French striker Thierry Henry in exchange for Robinho. (Daily Star) 
Hull City boss Phil Brown is tracking Aarhus' Danish international midfielder Jakob Poulsen ahead of a transfer window move.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has insisted he will not be leaving Italy to join Tottenham this summer. (The Sun) 
Atletico Madrid have reiterated their desire to sign Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue, a move which could embroil them in a "tapping-up" row. (Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners also face a fight to keep hold of young Spanish midfielder Fran Merida who is wanted by Sevilla.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea will attempt to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson next summer if their appeal against their transfer ban, imposed for tapping up, is successful.(The Times) 
Leeds are set to sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes on loan until January.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke want defender Ryan Shawcross to sign a new four-year deal to ward off interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, who are all considering January bids for the player.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth are hoping to sign on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old's temporary deal at Fratton Park expires in January. (The Sun) 
Sheffield United are weighing up a £2m bid for Blackburn's third-choice keeper Mark Bunn.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon is being tracked by Bolton, Wigan and Burnley after contract talks between him and the Blades broke down.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has played his way into Fabio Capello's squad for next year's World Cup, as has Peter Crouch.(The Sun )
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has promised to go on an £80m spending spree next year with half available to manager Alex McLeish in January and half the following summer.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has admitted he wants to take the reins at St James' Park on a permanent basis.(Daily Mirror) 
The representative of referee's union Prospect says that Sir Alex Ferguson's apology to referee Alan Wiley for labelling him "unfit" shows that managers can no longer get away with abusing officials.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton have complained to referee's chief Keith Hackett that striker Kevin Davies is being victimised by officials because of his previous poor disciplinary record.(Daily Mirror) 
Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has warned his national coach Diego Maradona has got eight months to save the country from World Cup humiliation. Argentina scraped through to the 2010 finals in South Africa via a nervy 1-0 win over Uruguay last weekend.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has joked that his controversial decision to pick David Beckham as man-of-the-match for Wednesday's England match against Belarus was because two-goal striker Peter Crouch rejected a summer move to the Stadium of Light.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios is set to miss Spurs' game at Portsmouth on Saturday after Interim Honduras President Roberto Micheletti told the national team's players, including Palacios, to stay in the country and party following their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror)
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Bored with internationals

I really hate games of national teams. Pure wasting time and money. Real football will be for the weekend, and analyzes will follow. 

As usual, comments will be appreciated.

Stay tuned and thanks for visiting my corner.

Cheers,

Dule.