Ahead of the Game: McLeish Quits

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail

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Tuesday, November 27, 2007. 1600 GMT
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The news in 60 seconds

McLEISH QUITS
Alex McLeish has resigned as Scotland manager and Birmingham City have announced a press conference for 10.30am tomorrow, so no prizes for guessing where he's going. Let's hope Carson Yeung doesn't push through with that takeover and decide he wants a new man at the helm...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2953917.ece

RANGERS WARY
Much as you wouldn't know it from ITV's decision to show Manchester United versus Sporting Lisbon, this is the most important match for a British club tonight in the Champions League. Rangers know their position in Group E will be as unhealthy as a deep-fried Mars bar if they can't beat VfB Stuttgart tonight, while even if they win they could face a do-or-die showdown with Lyons in the final group match in two weeks' time.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2951273.ece

GAMBLING GUNNERS
Arsene Wenger admits he is taking a risk by resting Emmanuel Abebayor and William Gallas for tonight's match against Seville but it's not exactly on the scale of Paul Merson. Arsenal are already through and, like Manchester United, are just jostling over top spot.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article2951280.ece

FERGIE: NO SPORTING GESTURE
Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making wholesale changes before tonight's match against Sporting Lisbon, even though Manchester United are through. He wants to make sure of first place before he starts resting players. Jonny Evans will play at centre back.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article2951279.ece

DO I NOT LIKE LOSING
In case anyone wasn't already depressed enough about England's failures, Graham Taylor has warned that we won't win a serious pot in his lifetime. "I don't think I will live long enough to see our country crack it at international level," Taylor said. "And oh how depressing is that?" Very.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2955221.ece

HOULLIER FOR ENGLAND?
... and if you haven't already buried your head in your hands, David Dein is handing out advice on who should replace Steve McClaren. The former Arsenal vice-chairman has proposed Gerard Houllier as the next England manager because it would be "folly" to ignore the Frenchman's record.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2956166.ece

BECKHAM BENDS ONE IN
Is this still a football story or should it appear on the showbiz pages? David Beckham curled in a free kick and was given a standing ovation by 80,295 fans as LA Galaxy were beaten 5-3 by Sydney FC in an exhibition match.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/us_sport/article2955907.ece

HUGHES MUSCLING IN
Mark Hughes says that Blackburn Rovers are ready to muscle in on the top four. "It becomes more and more difficult every year because of the resources," he said. "But it is realistic this year and we will certainly go out and have a real go at it."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/blackburn/article2956162.ece

MOYES CLATTERED
Proof of David Moyes's gripe that Everton are given unfair treatment compared to the big clubs. While Sir Alex Ferguson can abuse a referee and get charged in the space of a couple of days, it has taken the FA more than a month to charge Moyes after allegedly accusing Mark Clattenburg of bias after the Merseyside derby.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/everton/article2953725.ece

BIG SAM PINS HOPES ON DEFENCE
Newcastle United's defence looked more porous than a sieve against Liverpool, but Big Sam thinks that Abdoulaye Faye and Steven Taylor can help plug the holes. The Newcastle manager says that Faye is a big player who "has the presence we need".
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article2956002.ece

LIVE MATCH TRACKER
Keep up to date with all of tonight's European and Football League 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 - and you too can muscle in on the big four
* 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

BENITEZ FOCUSED ON COACHING AND TRAINING, AGAIN
Yesterday, AOTG tried turning up to work in a tracksuit and repeating 25 times that "we are concentrating on typing our e-mail". We even tried growing a goatee and putting our name forward for the England job - but it still didn't work. Instead of snapping up the work experience lad that we wanted, our boss told us to shut up and do the job or he would appoint someone else. We thought about responding with a Billy Davies-style rant at our boss for failing to back us at the recruitment jamboree, but a quick look at our mortgage repayments has forced us into a radical rethink.
So like a good Liverpool manager, we are going to concentrate on delivering to you what you want today: some news.
It seems that Rafael Benitez has backed down in his dispute with the club's owners after realising that his job is seriously under threat. At today's press conference he was more guarded than a Liverpool player's security system while away on international duty. He began by warning that he would only talk about the football: "Before you start asking, for all the media here as Liverpool football club's manager, I know this is the most important thing for the club.
"I will talk of Porto. I am sure that we will win and I am sure that we will play well so I am always thinking of winning the next game. And then I will think to win against Bolton.
"No distractions. We are thinking of Porto and nothing else."
It still sounds a little bit like focusing on training and coaching, just without the sarcasm. However, this dose of diplomacy could have come too late. While defeat in tomorrow's match would further weaken his position, the end already appears inevitable.
Nonetheless, the fans are refusing to let the manager go without a fight, with one banner outside the club's training ground today reading: "Gillette (sic) Rafa's the best a man can get." Sadly, it looks like it could be a close shave too many for The Bearded One.

THEGAME PODCAST
Gabriele Marcotti and Guillem Balague had to wait for Mrs 'Arry Redknapp to finish her class of yoga before conducting this week's interview, but it was definitely worth the wait. In a bumper edition of TheGame Podcast, the Portsmouth manager opens the doors to his house on the South Coast to talk about everything from 3-5-2s and 4-4-2s to his reputation as a wheeler-dealer. In an open and fascinating interview, he says the only reason he's been labelled as an Arthur Daley is because he's had no choice: every club he's turned up at has been rubbish. He also discusses why some players don't need coaching as much as they need handling, reveals he toyed with the idea of switching from a 4-4-2 at Pompey but had to dump it because his players couldn't cope with it and gives his frightening verdict on why the top four is a closed shop. He also reveals the name of the most talented kid he has ever worked with. And he's English.
Elsewhere, Balague offers an insight into the bewildering events at Liverpool and reveals that the row kicked off over the transfer of Kakha Kaladze, the AC Milan defender, which Tom Hicks refused to sanction. According to our esteemed presenter, Benitez feels that he has effectively been demoted from manager to head coach - which is why he's been pointedly repeating that he is "focusing on training and coaching". He confirms that the manager is on the brink - and questions whether he is a victim of believing his own press.
Also, Matt Dickinson says that Jurgen Klinsmann should be appointed England manager - even if it's just to annoy anyone who says a German shouldn't get the job - while Bill Edgar gets to the bottom of Arsene Wenger's whinge that London teams are at a disadvantage because they play so many derbies.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/audio_video/podcasts/thegame/article2923970.ece

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
KOPPIN' OFF: Stevie G & Co get touchy feely - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) It's not what you think. The players have been holding hands a lot in training. 2) There are lots of camp pictures, with the Liverpool players sniggering like naughty schoolboys. 3) The exercise is meant to help the players bond before tonight's big Champions League match against Porto - but we think it's just further proof that Gerrard doesn't understand the holding role.
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A quickie before you go, sir?

ACTION STATIONS - NOT PLAYSTATIONS?
The "root and branch" review has started. Not the one by the FA, of course, which is probably still setting up the statutory committee to discuss the reference points for the recruitment of the panel which will determine who leads the review, but The Times ' study of grass-roots football. We've been looking at the state of the nation: is it the parents, the coaches, the weather or the computers that is preventing England from producing decent technical players? Join the debate by e-mailing: sport@timesonline.co.uk or click here to follow the debate:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/system/topicRoot/The_Lost_Generation/

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150
Liverpool have played 149 matches in the European Cup - tonight will be their 150th
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In TheGame

In Fanzine Fanzone , Chris Smith, our Derby County man, explains why Billy Davies was respected but not loved by fans - and that many supporters will believe the chairman has made the right call in dismissing him. Elsewhere, Wyart Lane, from My Eyes Have Seen The Glory, wonders whether Mike Riley has it in for Tottenham.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone
Bill Edgar , the smartest man in football, explains why it's a good thing Bolton fans weren't as impatient as the Newcastle faithful.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/11/sam-slammed-pre.html
The best of Everton's goal blitz, Billy Davies's last match in charge of Derby County and Fulham throw away another lead. Highlights from last weekend's Premier League matches.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* Ferguson faces ban for verbal abuse of referee - The Guardian
* Surrender: Benitez waves the white flag at Yank chiefs - The Sun
* Ince favourite to take Derby reins after Davies departs - The Independent
* Kop out: Benitez chop could see Liverpool stars leaving Anfield - Daily Express
* Be our Guv'nor: Derby want Ince - Daily Mail
* You've lost your soul: Platini says England pay price for importing stars - Daily Mirror
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

Howard Wilkinson never won the Premier League [yesterday's AOTG]. It started in 1992, with Manchester United as the first winners. No Englishman has ever won the Premiership, which is why it seems weird that The Times (like the FA were when selecting McClaren) seem hell-bent on wanting another English disappointment.
Howard Wilkinson was the last English manager to win the English title, but that was the year before it became the Premiership. For a football e-mail, you're not very knowledgeable.
Paul Hemmings, chief complainer and pedant. His words, not ours.

Send your comments to: sport@timesonline.co.uk

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Tomorrow's news today

- The Lost Generation - how the Dutch deliver
- Martin Samuel: why Klinsmann is not the right man for the job

And expect...

Billy Davies to swap one group of overachieving players for another by accepting the Scotland job.

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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