AHEAD OF THE GAME
Alpha mail. The only truly useful football e-mail
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Friday, December 12, 2008. 1600 GMT
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The news in 60 seconds
HUGHES TO MOVE FAST IN JANUARY
The Manchester City manager plans to complete his transfer dealings as quickly as possible when the window opens in three weeks' time. "We want to improve the quality we already have at the club," he said. "January gives us that opportunity to go into the market and acquire good players who will help us."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5330870.ece
WILKINS DENIES ALEX EXIT
The Chelsea assistant has denied that the defender has handed in a transfer request and that any players who do leave the club will demand healthy fees. "I expect him to be here at the start of February," he said. "The way he has trained as well has not given me the impression he wants off in January. He has been a major part of the side in the last couple of games and he has done very well for us."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article5331124.ece
VAN DER SAR EXTENDS CONTRACT
The Manchester United goalkeeper has signed a one-year deal to stay at Old Trafford. "His experience, temperament, professionalism and performance level have not changed one bit since he has been with us," Sir Alex Ferguson said. "It will be his last year. He will be almost 40 then, which is a great credit to the lad. He has been absolutely marvellous."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article5329508.ece
NO CRISIS AT BLACKBURN, SAYS INCE
The underfire manager insists his team can rebuild their season if they beat Wigan tomorrow. "We hope we can start winning games - and with January coming up, we are looking at a couple of [transfer] targets," he said. "The only way I can stop speculation is by getting three points on the board."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/blackburn/article5331287.ece
WENGER PREDICTS CLOSE TITLE RACE
The Arsenal manager believes the strength in depth of the Premier League will ensure no one runs away with the title this season. "You cannot have on one side the best Premier League in the world and on the other side have teams just to turn up and think you will win the game," he said. "You will have surprises."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article5331294.ece
PREMIER LEAGUE VIDEO PREVIEWS: CITY WAIT ON ROBINHO
Mark Hughes is hoping the Brazilian can recover from an ankle injury in time to feature against Everton tomorrow. However, Micah Richards (ankle), Javier Garrido (Achilles) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) and Daniel Sturridge (virus) are all doubtful. Stoke are sweating on the fitness of Rory Delap, who is suffering with an arm injury. Can they do without him at fortress Britannia Stadium?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article5329308.ece
LIVE MATCH COMMENTARY
Follow the action from every Premier League match and results from across Europe this weekend with our live scores and stats service.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/
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FREE MOBILE SERVICE TRIAL
Try our football alerts service free of charge for 14 days and get match-day team sheet, goal alerts, half-time updates, full-time results and league position for your team.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/mobile_times/article4541324.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes
Plucked from obscurity
The word in Spain is that Juande Ramos is keen on taking Adam Johnson, the Middlesbrough reserve winger, to Real Madrid. The 21-year-old has made only three first-team starts this season and has previously been interesting Championship teams as a potential loanee. He's talented, but it wasn't the news we were anticipating ahead of the January transfer window. Can you recall a more unlikely connection?
What, no footballers?
The BBC's shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year contains no participants from the world's greatest game. Yes, we all know in this case "personality" means winner, but really. So we want you to nominate some real characters for AOTG's football personality of the year.
Henry given turkey for Christmas
The Gillette advert featuring the Barcelona striker, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer has been voted the worst of 2008 according to Campaign magazine. "To secure three of the world's most famous sports stars would have cost Gillette millions, but is such a wasted opportunity as the creative lacks any charm or wit," Claire Beale, the magazine's editor, said. We agree. To make the two greatest performers in the history of their sport and a skilful and spontaneous footballer like Thierry look like a trio of dorks going to a school prom takes some doing. Watch the ad: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l4L3bm6m3KQ&feature=related
E-mail: sport@timesonline.co.uk
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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Sol hate jibes yob 'is a cop' - The Sun
1) One of the Tottenham supporters being hunted over homophobic and racist chants directed at Sol Campbell is thought to be a policeman. 2) Essex police admitted they were liaising with their counterparts in Hampshire over claims that one of their officers was in the group. 3) Two of 16 suspects have already been arrested and seven more are to be questioned after police released pictures of the group at the Tottenham v Portsmouth match in September.
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>>>>>OUR RIVALS<<<<<
Crazy money - Daily Mail
Manchester City will have to pay £250,000 a week to sign Gianluigi Buffon, the Juventus goalkeeper.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1094006/EXCLUSIVE-CRAZY-MONEY-City-fork-250-000-week-want-worlds-best-keeper-Buffon.html
We won't win title - Rafa - The Sun
Rafael Benitez has written off Liverpool's title hopes because he can't see Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all having bad seasons.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2029312.ece
Phil turns to Silva - The Sun
The Chelsea manager will look to replace Alex with his fellow Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2028677.ece
Houllier rules himself out as Keane's successor - The Guardian
The technical director of the French Football Federation denies he is interested in managing Sunderland.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/dec/12/sunderland-manager
Pulis all go for £6m Joe in record bid - The Sun
Stoke are preparing to break their transfer record with a move for the Cardiff and Wales winger.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2028789.ece
Curbishley demands £3m from crisis-hit Hammers - Daily Mail
The former West Ham manager is claiming constructive dismissal and breach of contract after his controversial departure from the club.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1094018/EXCLUSIVE-Curbishley-demands-3m-crisis-hit-Hammers.html
'Arshavin is too good for Spurs' - Daily Mirror
Dick Advocaat says the Zenit St Petersburg striker could do far better than to link up with Roman Pavlyuchenko in North London.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/12/tottenham-not-good-enough-for-andrei-arshavin-says-dick-advocaat-115875-20964542/
What's Roman done for us? - Daily Mirror
That is if he gets the chance. Harry Redknapp is keen to offload Pavlyuchenko if he can recoup the striker's £13.8m fee.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/12/tottenham-striker-roman-pavlyuchenko-faces-early-white-hart-lane-exit-115875-20963790/
'Many players worry too much. John Terry is different' - The Independent
Luiz Felipe Scolari praises the qualities of his captain and outlines the problems he faces in England in a rare interview with the Chelsea manager.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/luiz-felipe-scolari-many-players-worry-too-much-instead-of-giving-it-all-to-the-club-john-terry-is-different-1062599.html
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53
Uefa nations, yet half the Champions League's last 16 are from two countries, England and Spain.
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In TheGame
Who should Arsenal buy next month?
Arsene Wenger is set to release William Gallas and Nicklas Bendtner in the transfer window in an attempt to freshen up his squad after a disappointing start to the season. Who should he sign in their place?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/who-should-arse.html
Tony Cascarino: players need to go back to school
Our expert believes that more should be done to make the jobs of officials easier. "It amazes me how many players don't have a good enough knowledge of the laws and solving that could help ease the growing problem of the difficult relationship between players and referees."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/tony-cascarino.html
Bill Edgar's weekend quiz
Already wondering how you are going to fill the afternoon on Christmas Day? Well, you could always test granny's football knowledge - aside from her admission to fancying Lawrie McMenemy - by printing off our latest batch of fiendish questions. Here's an appetiser: When Stirling Albion played Selkirk in the Scottish Cup in December 1984, they led 2-0 after 25 minutes. What was the final score? 14-0, 17-0 or 20-0.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/bill-edgars-f-2.html
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox
"As a Manchester United fan, I am worried by the lack of goals, and more so by the tendency to fluff clear opportunities. For me, Rooney is the worst. Worse than Andy Cole ever was. He snatches at shots and often goes for too much power and not enough finesse. He needs to be much more calm."
James , in Bristol, concurs with statistics showing team's profligacy in attack.
"Well Mr Grant, this kid is making a real difference now, scoring important goals for Scolari's Chelsea. Is there any chance that the grapes are tasting a bit sour?"
Chandra, in Malaysia, reckons Nicolas Anelka is having the last laugh after being criticised by his former manager for lacking passion. The Israeli seems to have forgotten that he was signed under his watch.
"Not even Rory Delap for the throw-ins? Are you sure? Better choice than Beckham for a one-trick pony."
Josh can't believe Gabriele Marcotti [see yesterday's AOTG] won't consider the Stoke long-throw specialist in his alternative England side.
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And expect...
Bernard Matthews to offer Thierry Henry his first endorsement of 2009.
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Anonymous tips, suggestions, funnies, fan mail and complaints: sport@timesonline.co.uk
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