Ahead of the Game

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail

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Wednesday, January 9, 2008. 1600 GMT
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The news in 60 seconds

CHELSEA WON'T NICK NIC
Gary Megson, the Bolton Wanderers manager, has warned Chelsea that they won't get The Incredible Sulk on the cheap. "If Nic goes it has to be for the right value," he said. "There are few Anelkas about and very few at the kind of money that they are talking about." So it's just a case of when and for how much, not if.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3160978.ece

HANDS OFF TAYLOR, WARNS BIG SAM
Sam Allardyce has warned Tottenham off a bid for Steven Taylor, the Newcastle United defender. "While they say everybody has got his price, I can tell them that Steven Taylor is not for sale," he said. Allardyce has also dismissed speculation about Manchester City's interest in Obafemi Martins.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3160865.ece

JOKER SAVAGE SIGNS ON
What a wag. Witty Robbie Savage showed what a practical joker he is today after signing a two-and-a-half year deal to join Derby County. The midfielder played a clever gag on the waiting film crew by pretending to get into a battered blue Citroen ... before getting into his Bentley. As if a well-heeled Premier League star would be seen driving such a wreck - even after taking a pay cut to join the Rams! Oh how we laughed.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/derby/article3159593.ece

HODGSON HAPPY TO WIN UGLY
Woy Hodgson, the Fulham manager and Jonathan Woss impersonator, will do whatever it takes to wetain his club's Premier League status. "There will be days when we're fighting and scrapping and I hope there will be days when we're playing," Hodgson said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/fulham/

NEVILLE SET TO RETURN
Gary Neville, who hasn't played since March, will finally get back to haranguing referees tonight when he returns to action for Manchester United reserves against Everton. That's unless, since writing this story, he's suffered another setback from the ankle injury.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3160647.ece

STOP PRESS: WEST HAM INJURY
As one player leaves the West Ham physio room, another takes his place. Julien Faubert may have made a comeback for the reserves on Monday night, but he's been replaced on the treatment table by Scott Parker. The midfielder has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury meaning West Ham now have eight players out injured.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/west_ham/article3156240.ece

BENT AND DEFOE TO GO
The talk may be about how Jermain Defoe is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane - admittedly because the pint-sized prima has told everyone they want rid - but it turns out Darren Bent is just as likely to leave. Juande Ramos is ready to cut his losses on the £16.5 million forward in a bid to keep Dimitar Berbatov happy.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/tottenham/article3156067.ece

IN DEFENCE OF CARRAGHER
"Apparently it's OK for fans to behave like animals, but players are not allowed to respond like humans - by reacting with anger when they are treated like scum." Tony Cascarino explains why we should sympathise with Jamie Carragher, not berate him, after his run-in with the Luton fans.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/article3156065.ece

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If you've got another couple of minutes

PUTTING YOUR FOOT IN
AOTG is to considered reporting what Chelsea are to measured football. Where others weigh their words carefully like a Cesc Fabregas through ball, we're as reckless as John Obi Mikel in a 50/50. And considering there are more studs in a Mikel tackle than at Shaun Wright-Phillips' birthday bash, that's pretty irresponsible.
But after the Chelsea midfielder was given his fourth red card in under two seasons last night, we thought it was time to try something more considered. After all, despite watching this YouTube clip several times now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkMPmKVXM9M, we still can't agree whether Mikel's tackle deserved a red card.
So instead of condemning the Chelsea midfielder, our boss has suggested that we try to work out what constitutes a dangerous tackle. And then throw it open to you.
That may seem straightforward, but considering that any mis-timed challenge could hurt an opponent, working out what's dangerous is not as easy as it sounds. After all, you can't judge a tackle on whether a player ends up writhing around like he's been electrocuted with a cattle prod.
Instead, it has to come down to two things: intent or technique. In terms of intent, it's pretty easy to tell the difference between Roy Keane trying to get the ball and Keano trying to get Alf Inge Haaland. Clearly, if a player goes over the top of the ball the intent to hurt is tangible - and referees don't seem to have much problem with this.
Difficulties occur when the offence is one of technique. There is little doubt - AOTG would argue - that Mikel was trying to win the ball and not hurt the man. And even though it wasn't a classic two-footed challenge, it was just as dangerous. For a start, Mikel jumped into the tackle and straightened his leg - meaning he was likely to hurt his opponent even if he got the ball - while he also went in with his studs up. So it was dangerous, even if there was no intent to hurt. Which is why it probably deserved a red card, despite what we said earlier.
Put simply, if players go in for a tackle, they need to either stay on their feet, slide in with their laces showing (and not their studs) or accept the consequences. Studs up equals sent off.
What do you think? Is football getting too soft or is it about time the bully boys were given a beating? E-mail: sport@timesonline.co.uk

AOTG HAMMERED AT THE POLLS
Admittedly, we're not feeling quite as sheepish this morning as the pollsters who predicted that Hillary would be going back to her day job with the greetings card manufacturers, but how wrong could AOTG be? Yesterday we suggested that no one really cared whether David Beckham won his 100th cap, despite all the hoopla about it.
After all, 99 is a distinguished enough number - good enough for Don Bradman to finish on, let alone Goldenballs. And if he's good enough to win one more cap, we're sure he will. So why all the fuss?
But apparently, not everyone shares our view. Martin Samuel says in today's paper that the issue is sufficiently big that it represents a test of Capello's credentials (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3155993.ece)
, while Gordon Brown even agreed to a one-on-one with Beckham yesterday. (They were discussing Beckham's academies, although we didn't realise he also had a view on how secondary education should be funded.)
But we were at least confident that you, our esteemed readers, would side with us. Sadly, our prediction was about as accurate as reports of Obama's coronation. Only 11.5 per cent of you say you don't care - and a whopping 69 per cent of you are adamant that Beckham should be given his 100th cap. But then we all know how reliable polls are.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/poll-should-bec.html

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>>>>>THE TABLOID SCANDAL<<<<<
HANSEN CHARGED TV CREW FOR HEAT - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Parsimonious pundit Alan Hansen has reinforced a million and one prejudices about the Scottish after asking a TV company to pay his gas bill when he was interviewed in front of his living room fire. 2) The thrifty Scot was being asked about his experiences as a Liverpool player when he suggested putting the fire on to make it look more homely. 3) But Hansen - who was paid for the shoot - sprung the offside trap on surprised producers by asking for extra money to cover the cost of heating. 4) Cold. And cunning.
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A quickie before you go, sir?

STANDING STILL
Joleon Lescott jumps like Kanu in treacle to score the winning own goal for Chelsea last night. Shaun Wright-Phillips jumps like Zebedee on a trampoline to hold him down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTnqKTUCw1s

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6p
Estimated cost for Alan Hansen to turn on the fire for a couple of hours.
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In TheGame

On TheGame Podcast blog , Guillem Balague and Gabriele Marcotti have been answering your posts. Guillem rages at the journalists who took Rafa's quotes out of context while Gab says he was only joking when he said Spurs weren't a big club. Join the debate. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/audio_video/podcasts/thegame/article3127447.ece
"Fulham can go to Wembley this year. Not because Fulham are a particularly good team (obviously), but because by the time this matters there may not be many good teams left to get in our way." At least someone in Fanzine Fanzone is up for the Cup. Elsewhere, our Chelsea man bemoans Drogba's moans and our Derby expert prepares for the worst. http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/
With the big clubs flexing their muscle in the transfer market, Tom Dart looks at where they are spending the money. Did you know that since the 2003-4 season only 3 per cent of Arsenal's signings have been British?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/01/bye-british.html

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The Transfer Wrap

Mohamed Sissoko is close to leaving Liverpool for Juventus in a £10 million deal. The Mali midfielder hopes "they will reach an agreement". (Daily Mirror)
Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle United manager, says he will listen to offers for his fringe players. Emre, his Turkish midfielder, has been linked with Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen, while Norwich City are interested in Shola Ameobi. (The Guardian)
Aston Villa and Manchester City have inquired about the availability of Obafemi Martins, the Newcastle forward. The Nigeria player is reportedly unhappy at having to play on the wing at St James' Park. (The Sun)
Birmingham City hope to complete the £2.5 million signing of Georgios Samaras from Manchester City by the weekend. The Greek forward has been told he can leave Eastlands. (The Sun) Birmingham also hope to sign Kris Boyd from Rangers for about £3 million. The Scotland forward played for Alex McLeish, the City manager, when he was in charge at Ibrox. (Daily Mirror)
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, has prepared bids for Nicky Shorey, El Hadji Diouf and David Nugent. (Daily Mirror)
Steve Bruce, the Wigan Athletic manager, hopes to land Carlos Tenorio, the Ecuador forward. Tenorio, 28, has scored 95 goals in 166 games for Al-Sadd, the Qatar club. Bruce is also set to sign Erik Edman, the former Tottenham Hotspur full-back, from Rennes. (Daily Mirror)
Birmingham are preparing a £3 million bid for James McFadden after having had a £2 million offer turned down. (Daily Mail)
Reading will make Stephen Hunt their joint-highest earner to prevent him from moving to Sunderland, who have had two bids rejected. Hunt will join Kevin Doyle on £20,000 a week. (Daily Express)
Arsenal want £6 million for Lassana Diarra, which could price the France international out of a move, even though Newcastle United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers are all interested in him. (Daily Mirror)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3158934.ece

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
* Robbo on Ramos hit-list ... Spurs boss to axe eight - The Sun
* LESCLOTT ... defender's own goal gifts win to Chelsea - Daily Mirror
* Shaun climbs new heights - Daily Express
* Wright on cue: SWP swoops after Obi sees red again - Daily Mail
* The Wright stuff - The Independent
* How's that Fabio? Wright-Phillips turns it on for Capello - The Daily Telegraph
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

Beckham is part of England's past, not the future. Capello (unfortunately) has time to blood the players that will be part of that future. Another cap for Beckham would just be a waste of an opportunity to let a younger player get valuable experience. Likewise, Gary Neville, David James, Sol Campbell to name but a few should also be omitted from any future squad and team.
John sadly doesn't give us a glimpse of the future. Wright-Phillips? Scott Carson?

DB should only win his 100th cap if Capello seriously thinks DB will be in his 2010-qualified World Cup squad, otherwise not. We wouldn't be having this debate had he not been suspended so often!
Charles Murchison

Beckham will be there for the world cup in 2010. He will only be 34 then and is sure to have an Indian summer. Secondly, whilst he won't be playing top level football in the states, he will be fresher than his Premiership counterparts, who will no doubt be exhausted and / or injured.
Tal Shanker

[re Goalie In A Spin, yesterday's AOTG]. Seen this many times before and I'm sure you'll be glad to know that the spinning custodian is none other than one of the two most arrogant Germans of all time. Take a bow Oliver Khan.
Our thanks to Colin Ashmore - and whichever player humiliated poor Oliver.

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

- Everything you need to know about the tackle - what's illegal, what's not and what should be
- Manchester City leave badges off for derby match

And expect...

Alan Hansen, 52, to apply for the Government's Winter Heating Allowance to see him through the long, dark winter months.

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