AHEAD OF THE GAME
Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail
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Monday, October 29, 2007. 1600 BST
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The news in 60 seconds
LIVERPOOL FEEL STRAIN
Rafael Benitez won't be selecting his best team - but for once it won't be his fault. Xabi Alonso (broken metatarsal) and Fernando Torres (torn adductor) will be out for at least three weeks after scans confirmed their injuries. Javier Mascherano is also injured but an X-ray showed it was only bruising.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article2764392.ece
POYET ON BOARD
Leeds United have confirmed that Gustavo Poyet will join Tottenham Hotspur as translator ... sorry, that should have read first-team coach ... after much speculation about his position. Juande Ramos will speak about this (and his own appointment) for the first time tomorrow.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2762583.ece
DEAL FOR 'ARRY
Probably the shrewdest piece of business done on the South Coast all year. 'Arry Redknapp, who 'as taken Portsmouth to seventh this season, 'as signed an extension to stay at the club 'til 2011. "It's a great place to be right now and I can only see that getting better," he said. No news on whether 'e's got an escape clause if England come calling.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article2764392.ece
WISE WORDS
Would you effin' believe it. Danny McDermid, the referee, has been charged by the FA after allegedly swearing at Dennis Wise, the Leeds United manager. Wise has been given a three-match touchline ban and fined £5,000 for his part in the unsavoury incident. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2764389.ece
FIFA DROPS ROTATION
It appears as though everyone (except Rafael Benitez) is abandoning the rotation policy. Fifa has ditched the policy of moving the World Cup finals between continents, opening the door for a bid by England in 2018.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2764022.ece
DE CANIO FOR QPR
QPR have appointed De Canio as their new coach. Sadly that's not the Paul Alcock-shoving, Fascist-saluting, tantrum-throwing Paolo, but the former Siena and Napoli manager Luigi. Mick Harford, the caretaker manager, has left the club with immediate effect.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2764257.ece
STAM RETIRES
Jaap Stam, the Ajax and former Manchester United defender, has been forced to announce his retirement after a string of injuries affected his motivation. The 35-year-old, who helped United win the Treble, said: "During games, I was more worried about myself than the opposition."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article2765150.ece
LEVY MISTAKES
Daniel Levy admits that he could have "handled things differently and better" over the sacking of Martin Jol. Surely that's what Paul Robinson should have said? Anyway, as understatements go it's a bit like Machiavelli admitting he was pragmatic.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article2759724.ece
HANDS OFF BARRY
Aston Villa have told Chelsea to keep their grubby mitts off Gareth Barry after reports of a £15 million bid. Martin O'Neill says he's "building a team, not dismantling one", although we suspect the rumours were probably only started to put the hurry up on Thin-Skinned Frank's contract negotiations.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2759697.ece
RANGERS FOR SALE
Any generous millionaires - particularly Scottish ones - looking to shell out a small fortune on a football club, look no farther. And no jokes about national stereotypes, please. The message from Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, is simple. "Wanted: wealthy entrepreneur to buy large football club, preferably Scottish."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2759698.ece
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
A former MLS executive has revealed plans to take a Premier League match across the Pond. Gabriele Marcotti looks at a venture that would give the Premier League a carbon footprint the size of Wayne Rooney's Hummer.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/gabriele_marcotti/article2759457.ece
EMPHATIC ENGLAND
England could still qualify for the next European Championships. That's the women, of course. Despite the absence of captain Faye White, they cantered to a 4-0 victory over Belarus - and that was without even playing their best. Hope Powell for England, anyone?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2759601.ece
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>>>>>FANTASY FOOTBALL WITH BRAINS<<<<<
* Register today for PlayTheGame, more entertaining than the NFL cheerleaders
* It's free and you can still enter
* Win monthly prizes and tickets to the Euro 2008 final
* http://www.timesonline.co.uk/playthegame
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If you've got another couple of minutes
FREE PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy Chelsea's episode of Six and the City, relish Wayne Rooney's blossoming relationship with Carlos Tevez, marvel at Simon Davies's 35-yard free kick and see Arsenal come of age against Liverpool. Premier League highlights from every match, free of charge.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece
SELLING OUT
Football executives be warned: it's not just the Dynasty-style shoulder pads that separate American football from real football. Even the sight of John Terry dressed up in a silly shirt for an NFL game at Wembley yesterday could not hide that fact. And while the bigwigs and bean counters may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of tapping into those transatlantic revenues, Martin Samuel has a word of warning in The Debate today. Our Chief Football Correspondent says any attempt to imitate the success of yesterday's venture by exporting a Premier League match to Florida misunderstands the tribal nature of soccerball: it would be an insult to those who invest a lifetime of devotion. What do you think? Should Premier League teams play league matches abroad?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/the-debate-nfl-.html
WHY POYET?
It's more intriguing than the identity of the "sex and drugs" blackmail royal and almost (but not quite) as baffling as why Bolton appointed Gary Megson: why Gus Poyet? So far, and despite grilling a colleague with more contacts than a Spooks agent, we can't find any reason why they want him so badly. Given that the only players still at the club since he left three years ago are Anthony Gardner and Jermain Defoe, it's fair to say he's not there for his close links with the players. The best we can come up with is that Poyet used to play for Tottenham and speaks Spanish. Admittedly, that was enough to get Ossie Ardiles a job, but it's more flimsy than the Argentinian's old defence.
PRUTTON PREDICTION
That may sound like a cheap shot (and it is), but it's no worse than the one from David Prutton, the Leeds United player. Asked about Poyet this weekend, he said: "You never know, we might meet in the championship next term."
THEGAME PODCAST
Frank Rijkaard explains how he is dealing with Ronaldiniho's loss of form and Lionel Messi's rise to fame. Ray "The Romford Pele " Parlour joins the team for the Premier League Debate while Tim Sherwood helps give the inside line on Spurs. Billy is back with his ball and Alyson Rudd takes on the role of Guilem Balague in our quick hits section... Online from 6pm. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/audio_video/podcasts/thegame/article2740136.ece
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18,413
Bolton's attendance for Gary Megson's first home match: the lowest in the 10-year history of the Reebok Stadium. At least until the next one.
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A quickie before you go, sir?
ON A ROLL
You too can pretend you are a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Watch the following clips and award your own marks. More acrobatic than Gabby Logan and less butch than Kenny in a ruffled shirt, Bruno Tonioli will no doubt have his perfect tens ready for these Napoli players after they "won" penalties against Juventus.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1SEOTPmGs&NR=1
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>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
You're Gabbin' a laugh - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) After possibly the greatest sporting injustice since the last ATP tennis tournament, Bruce Forsyth has slaughtered fans for voting Gabby Logan off Strictly Come Dancing. 2) The former gymnast turned sports pundit was given the boot despite a slinky Samba while husband Kenny made the cut after promising to show his tackle in a kilt next week. 3) And the irresistibly senile Brucie told viewers: "Next week, remember this is a dance contest."
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In TheGame
In Fanzine Fanzone, our Derby County fan is so devoted that he even had a Christening moved so he could see the 2-0 defeat by Everton. And he was the godfather. He's either very committed or very worried that this could be his last chance to see the Rams in the Premier League.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2007/10/do-the-bad-thin.html
Bill Edgar explains why Fulham would be pushing for Champions League football if matches only lasted 45 minutes.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/weekend-in-nu-1.html
In QA this week, snooker legend Steve Davis tells Kaveh Solhekol that he is probably the only director of a football club not to know any of his players ... but at least he got a decent motor out of it.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/qa-steve-davis.html
In Tony's Fiver , Cascarino says Gary Megson could struggle to win the argument if he tries to lecture Nicolas Anelka about loyalty.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/tony-cascarin-2.html
In this week's Topical Barometer, Alan Carr says that Manchester City's defence caved in like a collapsed lung.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/alan-carrs-to-3.html
Moritz Volz says that Gareth Southgate is not alone in having reservations about the way the May Day for Nurses campaign was carried out.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2759072.ece
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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* BELIEVE: Kop comeback proves Arsenal have bottle - Daily Mirror
* Watch us go: Wenger dreaming of the title after Fabregas strike - Daily Express
* Levy warns Ramos of limited transfer power - The Daily Telegraph
* Ab Fab: Wenger warns United - The Sun
* Look out Fergie - Wenger issues warning - Daily Mail
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox
I am all for giving Ramos a chance but have we not been here before! I like Jol, the fans liked Jol, I just wished that Levy liked the fans a little bit more than he does.
Alan Downey on the decision to sack Martin Jol
The THFC board (and many fans) seem to be totally out of touch with reality and have no idea how to run a football club, but then that is no surprise as they have no real interest in football and are much more focused on honing their comedy skills, at which they are doing quite well.
At least Bill can see the funny side, kind of.
Send your opinions to sport@timesonline.co.uk
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Tomorrow's news today
- The sack special: everything you need to know about losing your job
- Spurs will be made to pay for Ramos bid
- United and Liverpool sweat over injuries
And expect...
Juande Ramos to reveal that he has always been a Tottenham fan
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