Monday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:11 amRoma deny negotiations with Man City over De Rossi sale
De Rossi snubs Manchester City to stay at Roma
Roma have denied entering into negotiations with Manchester City for the sale of midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
De Rossi's future was the subject of intense speculation last month amid reported interest from the Premier League champions.
City boss Roberto Mancini has long been an admirer of his Italian compatriot and was understood to be ready to offer upwards of £30million to bring the 29-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.
However, De Rossi took matters into his own hands in a bid to end speculation over his future by publicly committing his future to his boyhood heroes with whom he only penned a new five-year deal last February.
The Giallorossi's chief operating officer Claudio Fenucci has now claimed that City were never really in the running to sign the midfield enforcer as Roma were reluctant sellers.
“Real talks never really started and, in reality, we didn’t spend a lot of time listening to offers,” Fenucci told Sky Sport Italia. “There was no real conviction from us to do a deal. Before selling him we would have thought long and hard about it.
“We heard what their offer was, but, I repeat, negotiations didn’t begin.”
He added: “De Rossi is a different kind of player to everyone else because of his characteristics, for what he can offer in the future."
Having missed out on De Rossi and Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez, who left Athletic Bilbao to join Bayern Munich instead, City eventually landed Javi Garcia from Benfica in a £16m deal.
Barton calls on Dabo to move on from 'unfortunate' spat
The 30-year-old was involved in a training ground bust-up with his former Manchester City team-mate in 2007 but has now invited him to discuss the matter over dinner
Joey Barton has called on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo to move on from the pair's training ground altercation five years ago.
The Huyton-born midfielder was handed a four-month suspended sentence for his part in a fight at City's training ground in 2007 which left Dabo with a detached retina.
The now-retired Frenchman reignited their spat after the 30-year-old sealed a deadline day loan move to Marseille on Friday, describing Barton as a "coward".
However, the QPR man has hit back at the accusations, insisting that he would happily speak to the 35-year-old about the matter over dinner.
"I see Dabo is yet to move on, I feel for him," he posted on his official Twitter account. "What happened was unfortunate. Next time he should think twice about throwing his weight about.
"Thats all I have to say about this chap. I have moved on.
"If Ousmane wants to come to a Marseille game, have dinner and discuss it like adults, he's more than welcome anytime. For me now, its over!"
Barton is currently serving a 12-match ban after he engaged in violent conduct following a straight red card against Manchester City on the final day of last season.
And he revealed that his temporary move to France will not get around the ban, admitting he is unsure over when he will be able to play his first game for the Ligue 1 club.
He said on his website: "In case you wanted to know the ban from the English FA still stands in France, this means my first league game is sometime in November (I’m not 100% sure exactly just yet)."
Central defender Stephane M'bia has moved to Loftus Road as part of the deal which took the former Newcastle man to France, in one of many summer signings by Mark Hughes.
And Barton moved to wish the club well in their Premier League campaign, before hailing the summer additions made by Hughes.
He added: "Good luck to everyone at QPR for this season, they’ve made some great signings for the club – what would you expect of Mark Hughes backed by quality owners. Not least Mbia who was somebody that I initially looked forward to playing alongside at Marseille.
"Let’s not forget that I’m a contracted QPR player for two more years after this loan ends – who knows about my QPR future a year from now."
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says 'best is yet to come' following defeat of QPR
Jose Mourinho, surely, remains too shrewd a footballing judge to have read much into witnessing first hand Manchester City's modest form in the fledgling Premier League campaign.
Rather, the Real Madrid manager who was scouting his Champions League group opponents ahead of their meeting later this month, will have preferred to heed the words of the Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and their coach, David Platt, following City's 3-1 win over QPR on Saturday.
This is a City team, after all, without the injured Sergio Agüero and, just as importantly in terms of defensive discipline, Gareth Barry. It is also a City team with five new signings – four of significance in Maicon, Javi Garcia, Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic – yet to kick a ball for the club.
It is also a City team who, despite some unconvincing passages in the opening three games of their title defence, have collected seven points and will return from the international break a more formidable force, according to Kompany and Platt.
“What’s missing? Two points out of nine, that’s all,” said the Belgian defender. “I’m leaving for the internationals now and if I had to leave one message for the team it would be, ‘Well done guys, we’ve battled hard, we’ve shown how strong we are ’.
“If we are able to get results playing what people say might not be our best, then what will happen when we do? The best is yet to come.”
City could have wished for two points better, of course. They could also have wished for more comfortable afternoons than this, especially as Yaya Touré’s first-half opener gave them complete control.
But uncertain defending, and a slip from David Silva, presented Bobby Zamora with a Queens Park Rangers equaliser which, fortunately for City nerves, lasted just three minutes before Edin Dzeko’s header restored the lead. Carlos Tevez’s fortunate injury-time deflected goal flattered City.
Still, the post-international break returns of Agüero and Barry, the improved fitness of Silva, the addition of four new deadline day signings all underwrite such City optimism and Platt certainly believes that the business conducted by the club will lead to significant improvement.
“You look at it now, whichever 11 you pick is strong. We’ve got different characteristics that have come in,” said Platt. “Javi Garcia is a very tactical midfield player who can sit there if we want to play with a three, bolster things there, release Yaya further up the pitch.
“Scott Sinclair will give us another alternative as well, somebody who hugs the touchline, who looks to get in behind people, a little bit of pace. We’ve got the alternatives, we’ve just got to make sure we pick the right teams and improve.”
Mark Hughes, who made way for Mancini at City, can only dream of “problems” like theirs as he seeks to improve on a start of one point from nine. Esteban Granero, picked up for £9 million from Real in the window, looked the pick of Hughes’ attacking signings although it said a lot about his team’s rearguard action that their best player was 35-year-old defender, Ryan Nelsen.
“I thought Esteban Granero was excellent all day,” said Hughes. “He showed what a great player he is going to be for us. We defended exceptionally well today and it’s just a shame that Ryan’s 35, not 25.”
Maicon: 'Why I chose Man City'
Douglas Maicon reveals Roberto Mancini “certainly influenced my decision a great deal” to leave Inter for Manchester City.
The 31-year-old right-back made the switch on transfer deadline day for a reported €4.5m, reuniting with his former Nerazzurri Coach.
“Mancini’s presence certainly influenced my decision a great deal. I already worked with him, so he knows my football and the kind of person I am.
“I am really happy to be working with him again,” the Brazilian told FCInterNews.it.
“Why did I join City? Without doubt because I have the opportunity to play in the Champions League and win other titles with a new club. I needed new motivation and the time had come to leave Inter.
“I have been very happy in Milan and won many trophies, but I don’t want to stop now. I want to continue winning and achieving my objectives.
“I think Manchester City can help me to obtain more success.”
Maicon is one of several ‘Treble’ stars who have left Inter this summer, including Lucio, Julio Cesar and the retired Ivan Ramiro Cordoba.
Galatasaray in talks with Manchester City over Kolo Toure
Galatasaray Deputy President Ali Dürüst confirmed interest in Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.
Dürüst said, “There are 24 hours left, Kolo Toure is one of the players we are considering."
Fatih Terim also told reporters present at the Lions pre-match press conference today that Galatasaray are in talks with Manchester City over Kolo Toure.
Galatasaray are looking to replace Tomas Ujfalusi, the experienced defender is expected to miss the next 4-5 months with injury.
Manchester City are in the process of reducing to their wage bill and are uncomfortable paying Toure, £90,000 per-week.
The 31-year-old experienced defender has a year left on his contract, City are unlikely to renew terms unless he accepts a wage cut and a reduced role in the team.
Toure struggled for first-team opportunities last season, only getting eight Premiership starts and featuring in 22 matches in all competitions.
The Ivory Coast international was closely linked with Bursaspor earlier this summer however, the Green Crocodiles were unable to meet Toure's wage demands.
Galatasaray hope to lure Toure with the prospect of a lucrative contract as well as first team and Champions League football.
The Turkish summer transfer deadline is on 5 September
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE: CITY +1POINTS, +2 GD
This Summer’s Top 5 Dumbest Transfer Rumours
With the flurry of the final day in place it will be a slightly sad to have no transfer window any more. Obviously the rumour mill will not cease to churn out potential moves but during the time of an open transfer window we have the added joy of occasionally reading about a transfer rumour so stupid it could have been written by Mitt Romney.
So here are 5 transfer rumours from this summer that are as stupid as Italian champions Juventus buying Nicklas …. Oh hang on.
Micah Richards to Real Madrid :
Remember July? We were all caught up in Olympic fever and the weather was at least warmish. So warm in fact that the heat must have got to someone at the Daily Star as they actually thought Micah Richards was about to join Real Madrid for £20million. This is the player that was over looked by Roy Hodgson for the England team at the Euros for not being disciplined enough. I felt that was a bit harsh to be honest but what Roy wanted to do was his choice.
Either way, with Coentrao, Marcelo, Arbeloa and even Ramos all able to play at right back and have done at international level for some years, adding Richards to that mix would have been like adding piccalilli to your fish and chips.
Wayne Rooney to Barcelona :
After the ordeal of the ‘transfer request’ two years ago everyone in football agreed that a Wayne Rooney transfer story had had it’s day. Not according to Tony ‘Tosh’ Farrell the coach of Rooney during his junior days at Everton. In a story on the caughtoffside website Rooney is “going to want to challenge himself” according to Tosh and when asked where he would be doing challenging himself Farrell replied “Personally, I think he’s going to move on to Barcelona or Real Madrid”.
With the England striker’s form pretty up and down only someone with some serious Man United blinkers actually believes that Rooney would command a starting place in either line up. Probably a decent squad player but is about as likely as Juventus coming in for Rooney. Although there has been rumours about Rooney and the Old Lady before.
Rickie Lambert to Blackburn:
The former Macclesfield Town striker has had a stunning career since joining the Saints. Scoring goals in every division and he showed he can do it in the Premier League too with a great finish versus Manchester City. So why on earth he would be interested in a move to Blackburn Rovers I don’t know.
The Daily Mail however thought they had an inside scoop only last weekend, they were wrong. Lambert is at a club with a good manager, great fan base and modern stadium. If he decided to swap that for a club with very few fans, a bunch of idiotic owners and a manager who cares more about being liked than getting promoted he’d need his head examined.
Although to sweeten the deal Blackburn were going to offer David Goodwillie in exchange, wonder how many shirts they’d sell?
Marouane Chamakh to Tottenham:
AVB is already being criticised at Spurs, which is ridiculous as he at least deserves a fighting chance to make his mark at White Hart Lane. If this transfer was to ever be more than a joke then a protest by anyone who see’s logic in football would have been involved at Tottenham. The Mirror however reported in mid August that a deal was imminent for the Moroccan striker.
Apparently Chamakh’s wages were one of the obstacles in the way of the transfer, along with a potential lynching by Spurs fans if the deal ever happened, a loan deal was apparently more likely. It makes you wonder about humans as a species doesn’t it?
Chicharito to Arsenal:
During the whirlwind RVP saga our trusty and reliable friends the Mirror reported that as a part of the deal Javier ‘Little Pea’ Hernandez was due to go the opposite way. This is one of those deals that would be laughed at because of the love for the club the player has.
Yes I know players tend to be easy to persuade as long as you have the money but when Ryan Giggs went to visit the Mexican just before United signed the 9 year old looking striker, he broke down into tears he was that happy. I very much then doubt that he would have been happy to act as a make weight in a deal for a new striker.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Sven Goran Eriksson joins BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand
Sven Goran Eriksson has been appointed technical director at Thai club BEC Tero Sasana.
The former England manager will be officially unveiled on Monday at the side that finished fourth in domestic competition last term.
It is the 64-year-old Swede's first job since leaving Championship side Leicester City last October.
Eriksson will take charge of strategic planning and support the coaching staff at the two-time Thai champions.
Eriksson's first match after taking over from Belgian Robert Pro Kruger is Saturday's home game against Chainat.
Eriksson previously managed Lazio and Sampdoria before leading England to three straight consecutive international quarter-finals from 2001-2006.
He has since worked at Manchester City, Mexico, Ivory Coast and Notts County.
Meanwhile, Diego Maradona has been confirmed as Dubai Honorary Ambassador of Sports less than two months after being sacked as coach of United Arab Emirates side Al Wasl.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will consider a move for former Reds striker Michael Owen, 32, after seeing his goal-shy side beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at Anfield. Various
Rodgers is also poised to make a move for Didier Drogba, 34, whose future with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua seems uncertain. Daily Star
Sunderland have also made contact with Michael Owen, who is a free agent after being released by Manchester United at the end of last season, to try and lure the striker back to the north-east. Metro
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup admits he will have to raid the Bosman market to replace injured left-back Neil Taylor, who fractured an ankle during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland and is expected to be out for the season. Daily Mirror
Raul Meireles could be on his way out of Chelsea after Fenerbahce expressed a strong interest in signing the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder. Metro
Tottenham are ready to let keepers Carlo Cudicini, 38, and 31-year-old Heurelho Gomes go to Championship clubs on loan after the pair were squeezed out by the arrival of 25-year-old French stopper Hugo Lloris from Lyon. Daily Mirror
Robin van Persie admits he didn't know what he was thinking when he took the penalty he missed in United's win over Southampton. The Sun
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler says he is disappointed with the way the Reds handled the departure of striker Andy Carroll to West Ham.
Andy Carroll: Hamstring injury may be worse than first thought. Talkshit
West Ham fear that Carroll's hamstring injury will keep the on-loan 23-year-old out of action for longer than initially thought. various
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to celebrate his goals for Real Madrid against Granada on Sunday, and afterwards said he was upset for "professional" reasons. The Sun http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... anada.html
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=43909
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has warned Everton's Darron Gibson, 24, to make up his mind about his international future. Daily Star
West Brom boss Steve Clarke is hoping to persuade Jonas Olsson, 29, to sign a new contract at the Hawthorns. Daily Express
Fulham may have sold Mousa Dembele to Tottenham, but Cottagers fans could soon be singing the player's name again after one of their academy players - a France youth international also named Moussa Dembele, signed from Paris St-Germain in the summer - scored a hat-trick for the club's U18s against Crystal Palace. FulhamFC.com
more bollox later ....
De Rossi snubs Manchester City to stay at Roma
Roma have denied entering into negotiations with Manchester City for the sale of midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
De Rossi's future was the subject of intense speculation last month amid reported interest from the Premier League champions.
City boss Roberto Mancini has long been an admirer of his Italian compatriot and was understood to be ready to offer upwards of £30million to bring the 29-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.
However, De Rossi took matters into his own hands in a bid to end speculation over his future by publicly committing his future to his boyhood heroes with whom he only penned a new five-year deal last February.
The Giallorossi's chief operating officer Claudio Fenucci has now claimed that City were never really in the running to sign the midfield enforcer as Roma were reluctant sellers.
“Real talks never really started and, in reality, we didn’t spend a lot of time listening to offers,” Fenucci told Sky Sport Italia. “There was no real conviction from us to do a deal. Before selling him we would have thought long and hard about it.
“We heard what their offer was, but, I repeat, negotiations didn’t begin.”
He added: “De Rossi is a different kind of player to everyone else because of his characteristics, for what he can offer in the future."
Having missed out on De Rossi and Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez, who left Athletic Bilbao to join Bayern Munich instead, City eventually landed Javi Garcia from Benfica in a £16m deal.
Barton calls on Dabo to move on from 'unfortunate' spat
The 30-year-old was involved in a training ground bust-up with his former Manchester City team-mate in 2007 but has now invited him to discuss the matter over dinner
Joey Barton has called on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo to move on from the pair's training ground altercation five years ago.
The Huyton-born midfielder was handed a four-month suspended sentence for his part in a fight at City's training ground in 2007 which left Dabo with a detached retina.
The now-retired Frenchman reignited their spat after the 30-year-old sealed a deadline day loan move to Marseille on Friday, describing Barton as a "coward".
However, the QPR man has hit back at the accusations, insisting that he would happily speak to the 35-year-old about the matter over dinner.
"I see Dabo is yet to move on, I feel for him," he posted on his official Twitter account. "What happened was unfortunate. Next time he should think twice about throwing his weight about.
"Thats all I have to say about this chap. I have moved on.
"If Ousmane wants to come to a Marseille game, have dinner and discuss it like adults, he's more than welcome anytime. For me now, its over!"
Barton is currently serving a 12-match ban after he engaged in violent conduct following a straight red card against Manchester City on the final day of last season.
And he revealed that his temporary move to France will not get around the ban, admitting he is unsure over when he will be able to play his first game for the Ligue 1 club.
He said on his website: "In case you wanted to know the ban from the English FA still stands in France, this means my first league game is sometime in November (I’m not 100% sure exactly just yet)."
Central defender Stephane M'bia has moved to Loftus Road as part of the deal which took the former Newcastle man to France, in one of many summer signings by Mark Hughes.
And Barton moved to wish the club well in their Premier League campaign, before hailing the summer additions made by Hughes.
He added: "Good luck to everyone at QPR for this season, they’ve made some great signings for the club – what would you expect of Mark Hughes backed by quality owners. Not least Mbia who was somebody that I initially looked forward to playing alongside at Marseille.
"Let’s not forget that I’m a contracted QPR player for two more years after this loan ends – who knows about my QPR future a year from now."
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says 'best is yet to come' following defeat of QPR
Jose Mourinho, surely, remains too shrewd a footballing judge to have read much into witnessing first hand Manchester City's modest form in the fledgling Premier League campaign.
Rather, the Real Madrid manager who was scouting his Champions League group opponents ahead of their meeting later this month, will have preferred to heed the words of the Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and their coach, David Platt, following City's 3-1 win over QPR on Saturday.
This is a City team, after all, without the injured Sergio Agüero and, just as importantly in terms of defensive discipline, Gareth Barry. It is also a City team with five new signings – four of significance in Maicon, Javi Garcia, Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic – yet to kick a ball for the club.
It is also a City team who, despite some unconvincing passages in the opening three games of their title defence, have collected seven points and will return from the international break a more formidable force, according to Kompany and Platt.
“What’s missing? Two points out of nine, that’s all,” said the Belgian defender. “I’m leaving for the internationals now and if I had to leave one message for the team it would be, ‘Well done guys, we’ve battled hard, we’ve shown how strong we are ’.
“If we are able to get results playing what people say might not be our best, then what will happen when we do? The best is yet to come.”
City could have wished for two points better, of course. They could also have wished for more comfortable afternoons than this, especially as Yaya Touré’s first-half opener gave them complete control.
But uncertain defending, and a slip from David Silva, presented Bobby Zamora with a Queens Park Rangers equaliser which, fortunately for City nerves, lasted just three minutes before Edin Dzeko’s header restored the lead. Carlos Tevez’s fortunate injury-time deflected goal flattered City.
Still, the post-international break returns of Agüero and Barry, the improved fitness of Silva, the addition of four new deadline day signings all underwrite such City optimism and Platt certainly believes that the business conducted by the club will lead to significant improvement.
“You look at it now, whichever 11 you pick is strong. We’ve got different characteristics that have come in,” said Platt. “Javi Garcia is a very tactical midfield player who can sit there if we want to play with a three, bolster things there, release Yaya further up the pitch.
“Scott Sinclair will give us another alternative as well, somebody who hugs the touchline, who looks to get in behind people, a little bit of pace. We’ve got the alternatives, we’ve just got to make sure we pick the right teams and improve.”
Mark Hughes, who made way for Mancini at City, can only dream of “problems” like theirs as he seeks to improve on a start of one point from nine. Esteban Granero, picked up for £9 million from Real in the window, looked the pick of Hughes’ attacking signings although it said a lot about his team’s rearguard action that their best player was 35-year-old defender, Ryan Nelsen.
“I thought Esteban Granero was excellent all day,” said Hughes. “He showed what a great player he is going to be for us. We defended exceptionally well today and it’s just a shame that Ryan’s 35, not 25.”
Maicon: 'Why I chose Man City'
Douglas Maicon reveals Roberto Mancini “certainly influenced my decision a great deal” to leave Inter for Manchester City.
The 31-year-old right-back made the switch on transfer deadline day for a reported €4.5m, reuniting with his former Nerazzurri Coach.
“Mancini’s presence certainly influenced my decision a great deal. I already worked with him, so he knows my football and the kind of person I am.
“I am really happy to be working with him again,” the Brazilian told FCInterNews.it.
“Why did I join City? Without doubt because I have the opportunity to play in the Champions League and win other titles with a new club. I needed new motivation and the time had come to leave Inter.
“I have been very happy in Milan and won many trophies, but I don’t want to stop now. I want to continue winning and achieving my objectives.
“I think Manchester City can help me to obtain more success.”
Maicon is one of several ‘Treble’ stars who have left Inter this summer, including Lucio, Julio Cesar and the retired Ivan Ramiro Cordoba.
Galatasaray in talks with Manchester City over Kolo Toure
Galatasaray Deputy President Ali Dürüst confirmed interest in Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.
Dürüst said, “There are 24 hours left, Kolo Toure is one of the players we are considering."
Fatih Terim also told reporters present at the Lions pre-match press conference today that Galatasaray are in talks with Manchester City over Kolo Toure.
Galatasaray are looking to replace Tomas Ujfalusi, the experienced defender is expected to miss the next 4-5 months with injury.
Manchester City are in the process of reducing to their wage bill and are uncomfortable paying Toure, £90,000 per-week.
The 31-year-old experienced defender has a year left on his contract, City are unlikely to renew terms unless he accepts a wage cut and a reduced role in the team.
Toure struggled for first-team opportunities last season, only getting eight Premiership starts and featuring in 22 matches in all competitions.
The Ivory Coast international was closely linked with Bursaspor earlier this summer however, the Green Crocodiles were unable to meet Toure's wage demands.
Galatasaray hope to lure Toure with the prospect of a lucrative contract as well as first team and Champions League football.
The Turkish summer transfer deadline is on 5 September
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE: CITY +1POINTS, +2 GD
This Summer’s Top 5 Dumbest Transfer Rumours
With the flurry of the final day in place it will be a slightly sad to have no transfer window any more. Obviously the rumour mill will not cease to churn out potential moves but during the time of an open transfer window we have the added joy of occasionally reading about a transfer rumour so stupid it could have been written by Mitt Romney.
So here are 5 transfer rumours from this summer that are as stupid as Italian champions Juventus buying Nicklas …. Oh hang on.
Micah Richards to Real Madrid :
Remember July? We were all caught up in Olympic fever and the weather was at least warmish. So warm in fact that the heat must have got to someone at the Daily Star as they actually thought Micah Richards was about to join Real Madrid for £20million. This is the player that was over looked by Roy Hodgson for the England team at the Euros for not being disciplined enough. I felt that was a bit harsh to be honest but what Roy wanted to do was his choice.
Either way, with Coentrao, Marcelo, Arbeloa and even Ramos all able to play at right back and have done at international level for some years, adding Richards to that mix would have been like adding piccalilli to your fish and chips.
Wayne Rooney to Barcelona :
After the ordeal of the ‘transfer request’ two years ago everyone in football agreed that a Wayne Rooney transfer story had had it’s day. Not according to Tony ‘Tosh’ Farrell the coach of Rooney during his junior days at Everton. In a story on the caughtoffside website Rooney is “going to want to challenge himself” according to Tosh and when asked where he would be doing challenging himself Farrell replied “Personally, I think he’s going to move on to Barcelona or Real Madrid”.
With the England striker’s form pretty up and down only someone with some serious Man United blinkers actually believes that Rooney would command a starting place in either line up. Probably a decent squad player but is about as likely as Juventus coming in for Rooney. Although there has been rumours about Rooney and the Old Lady before.
Rickie Lambert to Blackburn:
The former Macclesfield Town striker has had a stunning career since joining the Saints. Scoring goals in every division and he showed he can do it in the Premier League too with a great finish versus Manchester City. So why on earth he would be interested in a move to Blackburn Rovers I don’t know.
The Daily Mail however thought they had an inside scoop only last weekend, they were wrong. Lambert is at a club with a good manager, great fan base and modern stadium. If he decided to swap that for a club with very few fans, a bunch of idiotic owners and a manager who cares more about being liked than getting promoted he’d need his head examined.
Although to sweeten the deal Blackburn were going to offer David Goodwillie in exchange, wonder how many shirts they’d sell?
Marouane Chamakh to Tottenham:
AVB is already being criticised at Spurs, which is ridiculous as he at least deserves a fighting chance to make his mark at White Hart Lane. If this transfer was to ever be more than a joke then a protest by anyone who see’s logic in football would have been involved at Tottenham. The Mirror however reported in mid August that a deal was imminent for the Moroccan striker.
Apparently Chamakh’s wages were one of the obstacles in the way of the transfer, along with a potential lynching by Spurs fans if the deal ever happened, a loan deal was apparently more likely. It makes you wonder about humans as a species doesn’t it?
Chicharito to Arsenal:
During the whirlwind RVP saga our trusty and reliable friends the Mirror reported that as a part of the deal Javier ‘Little Pea’ Hernandez was due to go the opposite way. This is one of those deals that would be laughed at because of the love for the club the player has.
Yes I know players tend to be easy to persuade as long as you have the money but when Ryan Giggs went to visit the Mexican just before United signed the 9 year old looking striker, he broke down into tears he was that happy. I very much then doubt that he would have been happy to act as a make weight in a deal for a new striker.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Sven Goran Eriksson joins BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand
Sven Goran Eriksson has been appointed technical director at Thai club BEC Tero Sasana.
The former England manager will be officially unveiled on Monday at the side that finished fourth in domestic competition last term.
It is the 64-year-old Swede's first job since leaving Championship side Leicester City last October.
Eriksson will take charge of strategic planning and support the coaching staff at the two-time Thai champions.
Eriksson's first match after taking over from Belgian Robert Pro Kruger is Saturday's home game against Chainat.
Eriksson previously managed Lazio and Sampdoria before leading England to three straight consecutive international quarter-finals from 2001-2006.
He has since worked at Manchester City, Mexico, Ivory Coast and Notts County.
Meanwhile, Diego Maradona has been confirmed as Dubai Honorary Ambassador of Sports less than two months after being sacked as coach of United Arab Emirates side Al Wasl.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will consider a move for former Reds striker Michael Owen, 32, after seeing his goal-shy side beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at Anfield. Various
Rodgers is also poised to make a move for Didier Drogba, 34, whose future with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua seems uncertain. Daily Star
Sunderland have also made contact with Michael Owen, who is a free agent after being released by Manchester United at the end of last season, to try and lure the striker back to the north-east. Metro
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup admits he will have to raid the Bosman market to replace injured left-back Neil Taylor, who fractured an ankle during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland and is expected to be out for the season. Daily Mirror
Raul Meireles could be on his way out of Chelsea after Fenerbahce expressed a strong interest in signing the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder. Metro
Tottenham are ready to let keepers Carlo Cudicini, 38, and 31-year-old Heurelho Gomes go to Championship clubs on loan after the pair were squeezed out by the arrival of 25-year-old French stopper Hugo Lloris from Lyon. Daily Mirror
Robin van Persie admits he didn't know what he was thinking when he took the penalty he missed in United's win over Southampton. The Sun
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler says he is disappointed with the way the Reds handled the departure of striker Andy Carroll to West Ham.
Andy Carroll: Hamstring injury may be worse than first thought. Talkshit
West Ham fear that Carroll's hamstring injury will keep the on-loan 23-year-old out of action for longer than initially thought. various
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to celebrate his goals for Real Madrid against Granada on Sunday, and afterwards said he was upset for "professional" reasons. The Sun http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... anada.html
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=43909
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has warned Everton's Darron Gibson, 24, to make up his mind about his international future. Daily Star
West Brom boss Steve Clarke is hoping to persuade Jonas Olsson, 29, to sign a new contract at the Hawthorns. Daily Express
Fulham may have sold Mousa Dembele to Tottenham, but Cottagers fans could soon be singing the player's name again after one of their academy players - a France youth international also named Moussa Dembele, signed from Paris St-Germain in the summer - scored a hat-trick for the club's U18s against Crystal Palace. FulhamFC.com
more bollox later ....