Ahead of the Game: Houllier latest Toon target

AHEAD OF THE GAME

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Tuesday, January 14. 1600 BST

The news in 60 seconds

HOULLIER LATEST TOON TARGET
The former Liverpool manager is the newest name to be touted for the vacant post at Newcastle United. Local sources claim the Frenchman will form a dream team with Alan Shearer at St James' Park. Somewhere on Merseyside, Roy Evans spits out his tea.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3191476.ece
 
SUPPORTERS WANT SHEARER...
Twenty-nine per cent of Newcastle fans polled on the city's streets yesterday said they would like the former England striker as their next manager. More wanted Shearer in the role, but to be accompanied by a wiser head. Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Rob Lee were the names to emerge.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3187725.ece

... BUT ASHLEY PREFERS HUGHES
Mike Ashley's list of candidates is not restricted to British managers, although speaking English is a must. So no Geordies have been considered. Mark Hughes is on the wanted list, but Blackburn claim they have received no approach for the Welshman.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3187732.ece

DISTIN'S DEMAND
Sylvain Distin says Portsmouth need to strengthen their squad in the transfer window. As if Harry would miss an opportunity to flash his chequebook.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article3191923.ece

TRANSFER TALK: POMPEY KEEN ON KEZMAN
Talking of which, Portsmouth are showing an interest in Mateja Kezman, the 28-year-old former Chelsea striker, currently at Turkish side Fenerbahce. The Serbian forward could be available for a knock-down fee. Which is fair, when you think about it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3190002.ece 

 

FA CUP THIRD-ROUND REPLAYS
Barnet's third-round replay with Swindon Town has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Underhill. Paul Robinson will be hoping the same happens at the Madejski Stadium so he doesn't suffer the embarrassment of being left on Tottenham's bench again against Reading tonight.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3186344.ece 

BROOKING OPTIMISTIC
Sir Trevor Brooking reckons the England players will take an instant liking to Fabio Capello. They will if they want to play for him.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3191954.ece

CAPELLO LEARNS FROM HISTORY
It pays to have a poker face. The new England coach secured a favourable 2010 World Cup qualifying fixture list as delegations from England, Croatia, Ukraine, Andorra, Belarus and Kazakhstan haggled over who plays where and when on the road to South Africa. Croatian sources suggested there was one element of compromise from Capello as they ran off looking over their shoulders.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3187775.ece

BROWN AMBITION
Wes Brown is determined to win a place in Capello's first England squad. The defender first needs to fix his club situation - he has refused a new contract at Manchester United.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3191861.ece

ANELKA TO SPARK
Pat Nevin reckons Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba could become one of the best forward partnerships in the Premier League once the latter returns from the Africa Cup of Nations. Will Anelka stay at the club that long?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3191812.ece

LE SULK WANTED ARSENAL MOVE
Arsene Wenger has said that the well-travelled French striker would rather be playing for Arsenal instead of Chelsea. The Gunners boss said he considered re-signing Anelka last summer when Thierry Henry left the club but didn't go through with it. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3187717.ece

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If you've got another couple of minutes

SUPPORTING THE KOP
AOTG had planned to occupy this tranche of cyberspace by attempting discerning comment on Liverpool fans' planned protest against the club's ownership during tonight's FA Cup replay against Luton. Just as we put finger to keyboard, however, news reached us that Tony Evans, Deputy Football Editor of The Times and child of the Kop, has already completed said task in TheGame blog, and far more eloquently than AOTG's usual standards.

In an impassioned post, Tony begins by writing, "Listen carefully tonight if you are watching the televised FA Cup replay between Liverpool and Luton Town. You've seen Anfield bounce, you've seen it protest - a year ago, the magnificent six-minute demonstration about the lingering lies that surround Hillsborough overshadowed the FA Cup tie against Arsenal. But, it's unlikely you will have seen it as angry as it will be tonight . . . Hicks and Gillett Jr will find out what it's like to get on the wrong side of the 'twelfth man'." He continues by persuasively arguing the case for Rafael Benitez, acclaiming Jurgen Klinsmann and introducing his readership to a groundbreaking new fanzine that reads like the "house magazine of a gritty, exciting real-life Scouse culture". Click here to enjoy the article in full:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/americans-to-fe.html#more

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>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
'Romp' jibe has Fergie in Rage - The Sun
What you need to know: 1.) Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jonathan Pearce made a sick reference on Match of the Day to Manchester United's Christmas party. 2.) After United scored their fourth goal in the 6-0 victory of Newcastle, the commentator cried, "It's a Manchester United romp - and they're all getting in on the act." 3.) This followed wholly unsubstantiated reports from the festive bash that the players indulged in group sex. 4.) The BBC insists that Pearce made the remark innocently.

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A quickie before you go, sir? 

PRAISE AL
Underhand chairmen, illegal tackles and clumsy commentary. There has not been much good news for AOTG to report of late. Best then to celebrate fully the uplifting announcement that Al Bangura, the Watford forward, has been granted a work permit and will not have to return to Sierra Leone, a fate that could have put his life in danger. First, enjoy the support that the Vicarage Road faithful showed their charge and then watch one of his goals. There should be plenty more to come.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yToxa7Fd7ZA
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GBI0351TW1o

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14
The number of goals scored in the two games involving Reading and Tottenham Hotspur this season. The club re-open their floodgates this evening in a FA Cup third-round replay. Follow the action on our live match tracker: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/

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In TheGame
What do you think about the shambles at Liverpool? Did Tom Hicks's admission that he met Jurgen Klinsmann prove that the American has lost the plot? Maybe they didn't even know what they were doing in the first place? After all, they took out a loan to buy the club, made promises about a grand new stadium that now look depressingly far-fetched and have made a lame duck of the manager. Contribute to our latest debate:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/the-debate-do-t.html

In the Fanzine Fanzone , a reinvigorated James Henderson has posted a new missive analysing Sunderland's victory over Portsmouth on Sunday. James is delighted that Anthony Stokes and Daryl Murphy finally showed their hitherto concealed talent, that Paul McShane has been relegated to the bench and that Kieran Richardson has found his form. Our Stadium of Light stalwart is bemused, though, by Dwight Yorke's continued presence in the first team. http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/01/an-encouraging.html

In TheGame Podcast, Alex McLeish explains his plan to turn Birmingham City into Premier League heavyweights, outlines the problems he's faced in the January transfer window and considers the suggestion from Gabriele Marcotti that the City manager could have won the World Cup for Scotland. On a more serious note, Gabriele chairs a debate on the expediency of sacking Big Sam. Alyson Rudd and George Caulkin, our man in the North East, contribute, while George also offers his insider guide to Newcastle's hunt for a new manager. In a packed show, Gabriele and Guillem Balague also speak to John Udoh , the optimistic Nigeria international who expects the Super Eagles to thrive on the chaos that has marred their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations. http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/rapping-with--1.html

Tom Dart has received a press release from Wigan Athletic announcing that Steve Bruce is about to call all 10,000 of the club's season ticket-holders asking them to attend the FA Cup tie against Chelsea. The club will send a recorded message rather than get Bruce ring each fan individually. Disappointed by this, Tom suggests how they might better use the same technology. http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/hi-its-steve-he.html

The deadline is fast approaching for you to contribute to Martin Samuel's Debate . Our Chief Football Correspondent suggested that foreign players might tackle more recklessly than their English counterparts because they find it hard to adapt to the physical nature of Premier League. Some have argued the contrary, citing most frequently Paul "couldn't tackle a fishing line" Scholes as proof that homegrown talents hack just as dangerously as their imported counterparts. Say your piece while you can: http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/the-debate-do-f.html

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* This Toon ain't big enough for the both of us! Shearer and Keegan won't work together - Daily Mirror
* Houllier: Newcastle just have to call me - Daily Express
* Writing's on the wall, Rafa - The Sun
* Benitez: I will not resign - Daily Mail
* Benitez sees red - The Daily Telegraph
* Bitter blow for Benitez after Liverpool talk to Klinsmann - The Independent
* Capello sends warning to Terry and Beckham - The Guardian

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

Tom Hicks should have gone with an explanation Rafa Benitez would understand: "I was trying to add to the options available to the club which would have allowed us to operate a rotation system. A spell on the bench may help keep our managers hungry for success."
Amar Purohit suggests an alibi for Hicks's meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann that is only marginally more unlikely than the one given.

As a Reds fan, I used to love it when the back pages were full of Fergie v Wenger or Mourinho v anyone. It left the rest of the Premier League clubs to concentrate on bridging the gulf between the top three and us. Now Fergie and Wenger maintain their relatively dignified distance, Mourinho has gone and suddenly Hicks and Gillett decide to put on the LFC Christmas panto a month late. Thank goodness for Newcastle, otherwise we'd be the laughing stock of every newspaper.
Ah, so it's actually a panto. Thanks, Steven Ives. Presumably, then, Rafa is the forlorn Cinderella figure who toils day and night to little recognition. Jurgen Klinsmann is an adored stepsister who happily courts invitations to the ball and Hicks is Baron Hardup, Cinderella's father and a spineless chap worried about his outstanding debts. AOTG can see how that works, but where is the Fairy Godmother who will conjure for Benitez an unlikely happy ending?

As has been said, limiting squad numbers and salary caps is the straightforward answer [to the request in Friday's AOTG for suggestions on how to limit the power of the big four] but clubs won't agree to that for obvious reasons. What about this alternative? Clubs can have as many players as they like and pay them whatever they like, but they will only be given a limited number of winners' medals for each competition. You can have a squad of 50, but only 20 winners' medals. Sure, you can sign for one of the big four and make £100,000 per week but if you were only good enough to play less than, say, 15 times a season you might not get a medal. It would mean the clubs decide who has merited the award, so if it's deemed someone played a blinder for ten games and then got injured, fair enough. But it will stop glory-hunting players earning winners' medals for being a bit-part player! This would also mean no thorny "restraint of trade" legal issues for the FA to deal with.
Fair argument, Andy Neil. What do you think? Would today's multi-millionaire footballers really be motivated by the thought of losing out on a medal? Email sport@timesonline.co.uk

Sometimes you just say it better than we do, which is why we've dedicated a corner of this e-mail to your views and boos: sport@timesonline.co.uk

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Tomorrow's news today

Martin Samuel interviews Slaven Bilic - and finds out how he ended
England's Euro 2008 hopes Reports and analysis on tonight's FA Cup replays All the latest news from the dramas at Anfield and St James' Park

And expect...

The Kop to stand up, sing loud and tell the Americans to respect "the Liverpool way" and Alan Shearer to say he does not want to play Buttons to Gerard Houllier's Cinders in the Premier League's other on-going panto.

Spread the word. It's like pyramid selling, but without the hassle or the money. Click on the following link if you (or your friends) want to subscribe to this newsletter.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/subscriptions/e-mail_bulletins/

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