Ahead of the Game: Redknapp Riled

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail

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Thursday, November 29, 2007. 1600 GMT
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The news in 60 seconds

REDKNAPP RILED BY ARREST
'Arry Redknapp has denied any wrongdoing after he was arrested in connection with an investigation into false accounting. The Portsmouth manager, speaking at a press conference today, is upset about the way the arrest was carried out and wants to know why the police turned up at his house with photographers from a well-known newspaper. Valid question.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article2967936.ece

'FULL SUPPORT' FROM MANDARIC
Milan Mandaric has promised to give the police his "full support" after being arrested as part of the investigation into corruption. A spokesman for the former Portsmouth chairman, who is now chairman of Leicester City, said: "Mr Mandaric will continue to offer his full and total support to the police and will refrain from making any further public statement."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2966454.ece

CHEEKY BENITEZ
Rafa Benitez just can't help himself. After last night's victory over Porto the Liverpool manager took the chance to put the squeeze on the club's American owners. After the familiar "coaching and training" refrain, he said: "Maybe my English is not that good, maybe that was the problem. But it is clear we have to understand the situation and talk to each other." He wants to splash some cash.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article2969132.ece

IN RAFA WE TRUST
The Bearded One has got a fan in Martin Samuel. The talk before last night's match was about the cost of failure, but our Chief Football Correspondent says Liverpool's victory instead showed the value of investment. Fernando Torres demonstrated what Benitez can do with money to spend - and Samuel says the Americans should get behind him.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article2963746.ece

DROGBA ON HOT STREAK
AOTG very nearly warmed to Didier Drogba as we saw his chilly celebration for Chelsea last night. The Ivory Coast striker was at his dominant best as Avram Grant's team bullied Rosenborg to ensure they will qualify top of group B.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article2964173.ece

OWEN ON MEND
Big Sam is expecting an early Christmas present (ahem) after it was revealed that St Michael of Owen could be back in about two weeks. Allardyce has also criticised the quickfire sacking of Billy Davies, no doubt with one eye on his own precarious position at Newcastle United.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article2969178.ece

ERIKSSON'S WISH LIST
Sven-Goran Eriksson has handed Thaksin Shinawatra a dossier of players as comprehensive as his little black book. The Manchester City manager says that he expects to whittle down the names in time for the transfer window - and is delighted to report that the club's owner is happy to blow some baht. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article2966931.ece

BACK TO BLACK
Image-conscious Steve Bruce has made his first signing at Wigan Athletic after confirming that Eric Black will join him at the JJB Stadium. "The most important person is your right-hand man," Bruce said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/wigan/article2969359.ece

FEELING FOR MIDO
Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer has been ruled out for up to three weeks after breaking a thumb - but spare your sympathy for Mido who will be out until the New Year. The striker has a stress reaction in the pubic bone, a condition that sounds very painful indeed.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/middlesbrough/article2968861.ece

DEFOE IN THE COLD?
Juande Ramos says that Jermain Defoe's contract wrangle will not affect whether he picks the Tottenham Hotspur forward. "If he is in form and playing well he will continue playing," the manager said. "Sport and contracts are two different matters." Sadly, Defoe has a sniffle and won't play this evening.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article2966982.ece

BECKHAM 'A SUCCESS'
Occasional free-kick taker David Beckham's first season at LA Galaxy has been an awesome success, according to the man whose job it is to promote his transatlantic money-making scheme. Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, said that Beckham "is just an incredible marketing machine", which would probably make a fitting epitaph.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/us_sport/article2966729.ece

UEFA CUP PREVIEWS
Good news for Tottenham Hotspur fans after Younes Kaboul (groin) was ruled out with injury before tonight's match against Aalborg. For Bolton Wanderers, Stelios Giannakopoulos will get a rare chance to impress against Aris Salonica. For full team news, click here.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article2947345.ece

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>>>>>FANTASY FOOTBALL WITH BRAINS<<<<<
* Register today for PlayTheGame, and we guarantee not to doorstep you with a load of snappers
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* http://www.timesonline.co.uk/playthegame
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If you've got another couple of minutes

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF STRIFE
Being asked to find something positive to write about the latest corruption scandal without getting sued is the hardest task AOTG has been given since it was told to list three reasons why Derby County can avoid relegation (how about: Sunderland, Wigan and Middlesbrough?).
We thought about doing a piece comparing 'Arry's to-the-point press conference with Mr Bean's bumbling efforts in Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, but we couldn't find anything positive about the fact that the Portsmouth wheeler-dealer was more credible than the man running the country - particularly after he (Redknapp, not the PM thankfully) admitted that he'd had a computer for two years and only worked out how to use it two months ago.
Anyway, here's what we've come up with. After a Panorama documentary in 2006 that implicated Big Sam and his son Craig in bung allegations (that were never proven and have been fiercely denied), Sam Allardyce threatened to sue and has not spoken to the BBC since.
In 2004, a BBC documentary called Father and Son , portrayed Sir Alex Ferguson's agent son, Jason, as someone who exploited his father's influence to his own ends in the transfer market. Jason was never found guilty of any wrongdoing and Sir Alex said he would never speak to the BBC again.
So after this latest round of arrests (that have also come to nothing, been fiercely denied and do not directly implicate Redknapp) can we hope that Jamie Redknapp will promise never to talk to the media again, too?

SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE FA
Has anyone else noticed how the FA board always tucks into the big issues over a meal? After arranging a breakfast meeting to discuss the future of Steve McClaren - presumably so they could settle their stomachs before digesting an unpalatable reality - they arranged their monthly meeting to coincide with lunchtime at Soho Square today. Now, AOTG likes its food as much as the next chief executive - and we recognise that Brian Barwick probably takes a bit of feeding - but surely the FA has got more important questions to deal with than whether the big man should go back for secondses.
With Jose Mourinho (see A quickie before you go, sir?) looking more interested in courting a bit of attention than a serious job offer and every worthy candidate shaking his head with disdain, they need to start working on their interview process.
So after your recent (and commendable) successes in coming up with succinct descriptions for McClaren's tenure, we thought we would call on you to help us. We want to know what questions you would ask a potential England manager.
Like the job itself, there's nothing to play for - at least until 2010 - but we still want your applications. Here are a couple of our (weak) suggestions to get the ball rolling. We've gone for multiple choice, to make it easier for the applicants, but feel free to use any format you like.

1. Where do you see yourself in five years' time? A) In Poland and Ukraine preparing for the European Championship B) Sitting on a beach after accepting a fat cheque from the FA as your reward for failing to qualify from an easy group C) Working as a PE teacher in Teesside.
2. Do you think Stevie Gerrard and Frank Lampard can play together? A) No B) Never C) Absolutely not
3. When should an umbrella be used? A) On a golf course in February, but only when it's raining so hard your nose starts to run B) When performing in a sultry video with Rihanna C)
To keep your hair dry while your team are getting gubbed in a crucial qualifying match.

Send your suggestions (including any serious ones) to: sport@timesonline.co.uk

A COMPETITION (WITH AN ACTUAL PRIZE)
If you can answer a question - and trust us, it's not hard, particularly if you can find soccerbase.com - you can win exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to Manchester United. Times Online has teamed up with Lucozade Sport to give ten readers the chance to win a day out with the club in January. The day includes a trip to Old Trafford before going on to Carrington to watch the players in training. After lunch, you'll be put through your paces by taking part in your own Manchester United Soccer Schools training session. http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/commercial/football_predictor/article2931134.ece

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>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
YOU SACK 'ER .. SHE WANTS A SMACKER - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) OK, it doesn't involve City of London bobbies, police raids or a famous manager - but Gemma Atkinson has said she is looking forward to a kiss and a cuddle with Marcus Bent after being booted out of I'm A Non-Entity. 2) The ex-Hollyoaks actress - who until recently used to date Cristiano Ronaldo - didn't have to wait long before tackling another footballer. 3) And although it's normally Bent who worries about his first touch, Atkinson is worried about hers. She says she's forgotten how to kiss after being out of action for so long. 4) They'll make a fine couple - Bent is used to going months on end without scoring. 5) Anyway, we have to mention that a spokesman at Wigan said Marcus didn't want to comment. Referring to the show, he said: "He's been blanking it completely." At least we think the spokesman was talking about the show - that or Bent's other scoring ratio.
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A quickie before you go, sir?

MOURINHO'S INTERVIEW
Even when he says nothing he looks cool. The Special One leaves the gate to his house half-ajar - is that a metaphor, Brian Barwick? - as he gives a guarded interview to Sky News yesterday. It's not just a green door that the former Chelsea manager hides behind - he also uses a blur of non-answers. The dogged reporter refuses to let it lie, though. Would you take the job? "Which job?" So is that a no or a yes? "It's nothing." Thanks for clearing that up then. Jose.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1294880,00.html?f=rss

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25-1
Odds on 'Arry Redknapp to become the next England manager, at 6.35pm yesterday. At one point in the day they had shortened to 7-1.
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In TheGame

Tony Cascarino , football's first agony aunt, has been answering your queries, such as how to head the ball, referee a match in safety and cope with pre-match stress. As AOTG got drubbed 11-0 in a 40-minute seven-a-side match last night (two players didn't turn up, OK?), it's fair to say we consider this essential reading.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/11/footballs-first.html
In this week's Game Debate , Martin Samuel wondered whether Martin O'Neill wants to be the best manager England never had - or whether he'd left the door open for the FA. Some of you said he was just trying to upset the Aston Villa applecart, while others said that O'Neill had already ruled himself out. 
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2007/11/the-martin-onei.html
Remember the good ol' days, before 'Arry Redknapp was arrested and the game was dragged through the mud? That's right, Monday. Listen to 'Arry talk candidly about everything from Joe Cole to the England manager's job on TheGame Podcast .
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/audio_video/podcasts/thegame/article2923970.ece

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* That's 4 you Rafa: Benitez thanks Kop for saving job - The Sun
* Redknapp arrested: five quizzed as police close net in fraud probe - Daily Mail
* Redknapp arrested by fraud police - The Daily Telegraph
* Redknapp and four others arrested by fraud squad detectives - The Independent
* A lifeline for Rafa - Daily Express
* Torres keeps Liverpool's hopes alive - The Guardian
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

It's now 20.49, I still haven't received today's e-mail. If it was received at 4.00pm as promised, it would be great to get home and read the latest. As it is, it really doesn't work. Any chance of improvement? I know that the Times (printed version) is awful for evening kick-offs down here in Cornwall, but for the e-mails to be over four hours late!!
They obviously need to expand the internet highway when they are working on widening the A30. We were a little late yesterday, and admittedly we're late again today - but it shouldn't have been that bad. Apologies to Vaughan and thanks for the patience.

Statement 1: The most smug manager to ever work the Premiership, with maybe Fergie & Wenger close seconds, is the "come chase me", "chosen one" Jose. Why? Because he's good and he knows it. Winning most of the time can do that to you...
Statement 2: If your life depended on the success of our national side, what three names would pop into your head first? Exactly... But we only have a realistic shot at one of them.
Having seen the World Cup draw, something needs to be done - quickly. So enough with the bull****. Let's grab the Portuguese with both hands and put English football back where it needs to be, on top!
You can't argue with the truth of what Matt says - but AOTG would rather lose it itself than spend the rest of its sad life being told how England couldn't win without The Special One

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

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Tomorrow's news today

- What's next for the bung squad?
- Matt Hughes on how Chelsea will cope without Drogba come January
- Sir Trevor Brooking on the lost generation
- Allardyce puts flops on trial

And expect...

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