Ahead of the Game

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007. 1600 BST
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The news in 60 seconds

BRAZIL BEAT, ER, BRAZIL
That's right. Brazil have beaten off stiff competition from themselves to host the 2014 World Cup finals. Sepp Blatter said that although uncontested the bid was very impressive. Meanwhile, the FA hasn't decided whether it will bid for the 2018 tournament.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2772254.ece

ROEDER TO NORWICH
We're tempted to make a load of cheap jokes about the most unwanted appointment since Gary Megson, but AOTG suspects Glenn Roeder could do quite a good job at Norwich City. He may have the charisma of Gordon Brown but at least he's a safe pair of hands (talk about hanging ourselves out to dry...)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2770028.ece

PITCH BATTLE
Wembley ground staff have promised to do everything they can to get the pitch ready for England's match against Croatia on November 21 after 60 strapping lads from the NFL chewed it up like a 12oz steak with a side order of fries during Sunday's NFL match.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2771315.ece

NO JOHNSON SALE
Everton have moved to quash (but only added to) rumours that Andy Johnson is on his way to West Ham United. "We have no intention of selling Andy Johnson, he is a really important player for us," Alan Irvine, the assistant manager, said. Who else can win them penalties?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2772035.ece

JOL KEEPS OPTIONS OPEN
Martin Jol says that he quite fancies the Ajax job but that he would consider managing in England again (and anywhere else, by the way, if anyone's listening, please). He doesn't say whether that includes Southend after he was seen at Roots Hall over the weekend, but we suspect not.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2771991.ece

RETURN OF MOURINHO
Jose Mourinho could be on his way back to Stamford Bridge ... as Valencia manager. The Spanish club are prepared to offer The Special One £3.5 million to replace Quique Sanchez Flores. Valencia play Chelsea in December.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article2767221.ece

UNITED KINGDOM?
The FA is ready to risk a row by pushing ahead with plans for a Great Britain football team to take part in the London Olympics in five years' time. It appears that the Scottish - who on present form would provide at least 11 of the combined team's starting XI - the Welsh and the Northern Irish want nothing to do with it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2767241.ece

CARLING CUP TEAM NEWS
West Ham have only one fit forward for tonight's Carling Cup match against Coventry City, Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is ready to return for his first game of the season tomorrow, Harry Kewell is poised to return for Liverpool and Theo Walcott could even get a game for Arsenal. All the team news for the Carling Cup.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2770381.ece

LIVE MATCH TRACKER
Keep up to date with all tonight's Carling Cup action with our live match tracker, including teams and goal updates.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/

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>>>>>FANTASY FOOTBALL WITH BRAINS<<<<<
* Register today for PlayTheGame, as unpredictable as the 2014 World Cup bidding process
* 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

FOOTBALL'S NORMAN LAMONT
Ahead of the Game has no more desire to advertise Peter Ridsdale's autobiography than it has to deposit £18.99 directly into the former Leeds United asset stripper's Swiss bank account in exchange for some rare Amazonian goldfish. Still, after "United We Fall" (And Disunited We Hastily Flog Our Story To The Tabloids) was serialised today, it's hard to ignore the chance to put the boot into football's Norman Lamont.
And we can content ourselves with the knowledge that if you read all the juicy bits from his Teflon tome in this free e-mail you won't have to part with a single penny.
Anyway, Ridsdale alleges that his old manager David O'Leary struck a secret deal with Rune Hauge (the "bung agent", not the bloke from the Guinness ads) that cost the club £1.75 million. Leeds were apparently negotiating with Pini Zahavi over the transfer of Rio Ferdinand before O'Leary sent a fax to Hauge entitling him to claim a 10 per cent commission. Ridsdale had previously been blamed for the payout.
"Why would O'Leary give exclusivity to Hauge without informing the chairman?" Ridsdale said. "I cannot provide a satisfactory answer. I had a board of directors around me, it was a plc and no decision was taken by an individual.
"I'm not saying O'Leary did anything illegal but we had a certain way of conducting transfers at Leeds United."
Such as the one that handed Seth Johnson a £30,000-a-week contract? Or the one that Ridsdale reveals on the same double-page spread (and without a trace of irony) that cost the club £200,000 plus VAT in translating services when he signed Olivier Dacourt, who speaks fluent English.

WORRIED BY WATFORD GAP
The Fizzy-Pop Championship is in danger of becoming the most predictable event since Duncan Fletcher's sensational revelations that Freddie Flintoff likes a beer or two. In 38 Premier League matches last season, Watford managed to win 28 points, with only five victories. After last night's victory over "Colin" Warnock's Palace, they have 32 points and ten victories despite making virtually no changes to their squad.
With Sheffield United languishing just above the relegation places and Charlton Athletic hardly setting the place on fire, you may think this suggestion that the Championship is predictable is as flawed as the rotation policy.
But Birmingham City and Sunderland earned immediate promotion last season and the chances are that one of Charlton, West Bromwich Albion or Southampton (who were recently relegated) will also go up. And what are the odds that after Sunderland and Derby County go down this season (and up the next), Watford and AN Other get relegated again?
It means that right now the only thing making the Championship interesting is the play-off system.
AOTG would suggest that the fault lies as much with the parachute payments as the bloated money Premier League clubs are handed. But what do you think? Are parachute payments killing the Championship? Or is it still the most exciting league in the country? Email: sport@timesonline.co.uk

THEGAME PODCAST
On TheGame Podcast this week, Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard tells Guillem Balague how Lionel Messi is turning his talent into goals. The Dutchman says it's got nothing to do with him. "Last year, he dribbled around eleven men before shooting at goal," he said. "This year, he's happy with beating two guys before having a crack."
Balague doesn't make it into the studio, but he rings in to offer his unique insight into Juande Ramos, a man he knows well. Tim Sherwood talks about the White Hart Shame, while Ray Parlour gives his take on Arsenal's coming of age against Liverpool. Bill Edgar weighs in with a Michael Owen stat that may not please his legion of fans. Alyson Rudd steps up gamely for some Quick Hits...
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/rijkaard-parlou.html

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15
John Bostock became the youngest Crystal Palace player when he made his debut against Watford yesterday aged 15 and 287 days. That's right: on a school night. For those who are interested, the Football League record is 15 and 158 days, held jointly by Albert Geldard (1929) and Ken Roberts (1951).
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A quickie before you go, sir?

ROBOT FOOTBALL
No, that doesn't mean we've put together a highlights package of Peter Crouch's best goal celebrations. The beanpole striker can keep his dance moves for the disco and watch how real robots perform.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/893640/robots_play_soccer/

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>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
BECKHAM SCIENTOLOGY SHOCK - Daily Mirror
What you need to know: 1) It's not really a "shock". David Beckham has spoken of his "respect" for Tom Cruise and his kooky scientology beliefs but denied that the Mission Impossible star had tried to convert him. 2) There is a picture of David stroking his chin and looking pensive, presumably while he considers whether L Ron Hubbard had a point about Dianetics and his idea that "thetans" have existed for tens of trillions of years accumulating painful memories. 3) In reality, it's just a chance for some more shameless name-dropping about "Katie and Tom". Becks has also been hanging out with (the latest) Mr and Mrs J-Lo and they just talk about this and that. "What's happening that week, that day. What Jennifer's up to, what Victoria's up to," he said. Wacky.
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In TheGame

Martin Samuel, our Chief Football Correspondent, says any attempt to imitate the success of Sunday's NFL venture by exporting a Premier League match would be an insult to those who invest a lifetime of devotion. Join the debate .
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/the-debate-nfl-.html
Frank Lampard puts in the display of the season, Manchester United score four for the fourth match in a row, Steven Gerrard has a shot timed at 227mph. Premier League highlights from every match, free of charge.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece
In Fanzine Fanzone , our Man City man, the brilliant Ric Turner, bemoans how his team can follow their best start in 30 years with their worst defeat in a decade. Typical City, he says. Elsewhere, Gareth Beavis, our Portsmouth fan, explains why his team are paying the penalty for, er, missing penalties.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/
Bill Edgar explains why Avram Grant has already achieved something special that The Special One could not.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/10/weekend-in-nu-1.html

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* Wembley pitch has a problem that 'may never go away' - The Daily Telegraph
* Silva whining: Gilberto joins Lehmann in Wenger freeze out - Daily Mirror
* O'Leary's secret deal with bung agent - The Sun
* Ramos gets tough with Spurs - The Guardian
* Rio rocked as he heads for a scan - Daily Mail
* Time to earn your Spurs - Ramos will hold off from wielding axe - Daily Express
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Tomorrow's news today

- Meet Juande Ramos - was he worth all the fuss?
- Venables's verdict on the lack of English players in the Premier League

And expect...

West Ham to suffer another injury setback in the Carling Cup

Spread the word. It's like pyramid selling but without the hassle. Click on the following link if you (or your friends) want to subscribe to this newsletter:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2187217.ece

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Anonymous tips, suggestions, funnies, fan mail and complaints: sport@timesonline.co.uk
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