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The clamour for Di Matteo to be installed as the permanent successor to AVB is longer than the Kings Rd and while Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes that Bobby should have been given the job, regardless of the outcome in Munich, the club has been tight-lipped with Bruce Buck saying that he is one of many options being considered for the role. For the neutral it is hard to comprehend that a man who delivered both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a few months hasn’t already been installed as manager – but this isn’t any other job.

What Di Matteo has achieved during his reign is extraordinary; however the Italian must be aware of the initial job brief at Chelsea when he was appointed with Andre Villas-Boas. The Blues board was seeking change at the football club by phasing out the old and in with the new, as well as providing an expansive football on the pitch that is easy on the eye. Di Matteo’s success during his spell in charge was to simply go back to the Chelsea of old and rely on the tried and tested philosophies and methods on the pitch. It duly delivered, but it mustn’t detract from the fact that a change is needed and new players to replace the old guard need to be blooded in. Does Di Matteo have the ability to do that? That is the question the board will be asking.

It is a tough call for the Chelsea board and any decision to take Di Matteo out of the equation now is a tough one. Ruud Gullit said prior to the final that it may be easier for Abramovich if the Blues were to lose in Munich, in terms of bringing a new man in, but victory has inadvertently changed things. The Russian has never been one to shirk big decisions and he arguably has one of the toughest calls of his time, but is Di Matteo really experienced enough for the big job that is needed at Chelsea? Winning the Champions League was a fantastic achievement, but on closer examination the Blues were hardly a dominating force throughout. As Gary Neville pointed out that in footballing terms against Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern they were given a lesson, but it was their heart, determination and hard work that saw them cross the line and get the respective job done. It wasn’t champagne football, but simply percentages and Abramovich has to wonder whether Di Matteo can deliver the former, as well as be successful?

Di Matteo would certainly be the safer and in many ways the easier option, but will the Chelsea side evolve under his stewardship, given his reliance on experience? I for one have my doubts, given that Bobby would start the new season with much the same instruction that Villas-Boas was given in order to reshape the football club. That would mean phasing out the old guard – the very people who brought him his current success. Regardless of Champions League success, Chelsea needs to move forward in their development as a football club, if they are to enjoy the types of nights like they had on Saturday on a regular basis.

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Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has flown back to England to get treatment on an ankle injury, whilst his team-mates continue their pre-season tour in the USA.

The Ecuadorian picked up a knock on his ankle in his nation’s first fixture in the Copa America against Paraguay, and will play no part in the fixtures in the United States.

Sir Alex Ferguson is taking no chances given the fact that the winger spent time on the sidelines with an injury on the same ankle last season.

“Antonio has gone straight back to Manchester. He got an injury playing in the first game for Ecuador so he is back in Manchester,” the Scot stated after his side’s 4-1 win over New England Revolution in Boston.

“It is nothing serious but he wasn’t going to be taking part in the rest of Copa America, so there is no point in him coming out here if he is injured. We have the facilities back at Carrington. That is the best place for him,” he concluded.

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The former Wigan man now faces a race to be fit in time for the Premier League champions’ 2011/12 opener against West Brom on August 13th.

The recriminations following Sam Allardyce’s bizarre sacking at Ewood Park continued in earnest this week, as rookie coach Steve Kean was handed the responsibility of guiding the Blackburn ship for the rest of the season. Club captain, Chris Samba, has since announced his desire to leave the Lancashire club, although Kean has maintained that this request is a long standing one and has nothing to do with his recent appointment.

Even so, Blackburn fans will view the appointment as being a major, unnecessary risk despite Kean’s behind the scenes experience both in England and abroad.

Tony Pulis should have no such worries about his job security, having done an excellent job in the top flight over the last two and a half seasons. His attentions have moved from pure Premier League survival to attaining a top-half finish, the Stoke squad at his disposal now has some serious quality.

Ewood Park remains a real fortress for Blackburn, and Kean’s success with the club will depend on maintaining this status. Their inability to put a limited West Ham side away during last weekend’s snow affected fixture was hardly a promising start, however I can see the new Blackburn boss getting his first win here this weekend. Whether this will placate player concerns about his suitability remains to be seen.

Prediction: 2-1

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Blackburn are 8/1 to win 2-1

Well, the season’s over, the post mortems done, England haven’t been humiliated in the Euros yet, therefore it’s time to start refreshing the Palace squad ahead of what could be a tough season next time out.

With doubts over budgets and promising youngsters attracting a lot of interest, Palace’s starting XI for the first game of next season could be unrecognisable.

The Outs

Nathaniel Clyne – With the right back’s contract up in the summer, it seems likely that Clyne will be heading to the Premier League. It will require a spectacular u-turn for new contract to be signed now, but it’s not over until it’s over.

Paul Mcshane – The big Irishman’s loan is up, but may return as a squad player next term if Freedman can do a deal.

Chris Martin – Martin received a lukewarm reception from Palace fans, and his loan from Norwich now up, I wouldn’t expect him to return.

Tony Popovic  – the big man who has been helping out with the coaching is returning to the Antipodes to coach Sydney United and is already being touted as future national coach of Australia.

Potentially going

David Wright – Injury restricted Wright’s season to 25 games, and could move on if Freedman is looking to free up space in the squad. That said, he seems to be a favourite of the manager, and has attributes on and off the field. His versatility and leadership qualities could mean he’s kept on.

Anthony Gardner – His contract is up at the end of the season, and if last summer is anything to go by, he could be angling for a move to a bigger club if better wages are on offer. A move to the Premier League seems unlikely but the likes of Leicester, Wolves, Birmingham or Cardiff could be tempted.

Darren Ambrose – it seems  ridiculous that Palace would sell their top scorer, but Ambrose had an indifferent season with a mixed impact. Likely to be on big wages.

Kagisho Dikgacoi – KG had a disappointing season, and with the emergence of Joniesta and Stuart O’Keefe, Freedman might be tempted to get rid of the chunky African.

Owen Garvan – Surely Garvan’s time at Palace is drawing to a close. A drunken tweet at the POTY night suggested he’d just signed for an Irish side, but this seems unlikely. The boy has got talent, but not enough to regular turn out in the Palace midfield, and may need to step down a level to make an impact.

Sean Scannell – this was supposed to be Scannell’s big season, and he started well enough, but was not played down the middle in his preferred striker’s role enough. He looked disillusioned by the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see how career pans out from here.

Out on loan?

Alex Wynter – It would be nice to see the England youth captain given a run out at centre back in the first team, but the youngster may be sent out on loan to gain much needed experience.

Antonio Pedroza – The Mexican forward was given limited first team chances, and despite some flashes of ability towards the end of the season, may benefit from a run out at a lower level.

Matthew Parsons – The young left back impressed at the end of the season, but will find his route to the first team blocked by POTY Parr, and Dean Moxey.

The Ins

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Some of the players that were on loan at Palace this season may well return, particularly defenders.

If Clyne moves on then expect Freedman to move for Doncaster Rovers right back Mustapha Dumbuya who looked really good in a short loan spell earlier in the season.

In terms of central defenders, a lot will depend on whether Gardner moves on or not. In an ideal world he will stay. If this is the case, expect Freedman to sign at least one defender to provide competition and back up for the anglo-irish axis of Gardner and McCarthy. Leicester’s Tunchev has already been approached, and Paul McShane could be a further option. If Gardner stays , Freedman may look to Alex Wynter to provide cover.

If Freedman can move on a couple of players, he might look to refresh the midfield. KG needs to up his game if he’s to stay, and a more attacking midfielder might be a option too. However Freedman may be reluctant to sign a more experienced creative midfield in case it hinders the development of latest academy prodigy Jonny Williams.

Depending on how the team develops, wide midfielders would be an option too, particularly if Ambrose moves on or Zaha or Scannell are moved into a more central attacking role.

The final piece of the jigsaw will be a goal scorer. Glenn Murray did not quite cut the mustard this season, but with better service, could kick on. Freedman may look to play Zaha or Scannell down the middle too.

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Tottenham defender Ledley King has undergone a successful operation on his troublesome left knee, the club confirmed on Tuesday.King, who managed just nine appearances for Spurs last season, underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee on Monday.

He is expected to return to training in August and should be fully fit in time for the English Premier League season, beginning August 13.

However, the 30-year-old will miss Tottenham’s pre-season tour of South Africa, which begins on Wednesday.

“The defender is expected to rest for up to 10 days before progressing to full activity within a further 10 days,” a statement on Tottenham’s website read.

Bu the lack of a full pre-season will be a significant concern to King and Tottenham’s medical staff, given the central defender’s history of chronic knee injuries.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp last year lamented that King was doomed to suffer recurring soft-tissue injuries as he was limited in mid-week training by his knee.

That was certainly the case in the last campaign, in which King was hampered by a niggling groin complaint that eventually required surgery in February.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the 2011/12 season and will need to prove to Spurs that he should not suffer the same fate as fellow injury-plagued defender Jonathan Woodgate, who was cut loose from the club last month.

Woodgate was signed by Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Stoke City on Monday.

Article courtesy of our friends at the Transfer Tavern

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Transfer Tavern as some of the more keen eyed amongst you will have spotted, has more than a passing interest in football and the odd friendly football bet. Our quest to find a suitable betting partner wasn’t an easy one. The market is saturated and it was vital we teamed up with a company that had a rock solid reputation and the right profile.

Then we got a call from Paddy that change everything. ‘You do know all our Ads are green?!’

The rest is history.

Joking apart, we’ve got you a deal whereby when you place £10, you get £20 FREE, so take advantage of that while it’s there, is my advice. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Villa Park has yet to provide what one might mistake for scintillating football so far this season, but Arsenal’s arrival may well change all that. The Londoners will want to put their wound licking behind them and move on from their two most recent losses.

Villa seem in a vacuum under Houllier. Wenger urgently needs to add resolve to his technically gifted squad and lessen the endless free kicks they have conceded this season. Prediction 0-3 Paddy’s Price 40/1 if Arsenal stop kicking people and kick the ball instead.

Bolton v Blackpool

This might well be an amazing game and truth be told that can’t have been said about many games with Bolton in them. That said Owen Coyle appears to slowly working his magic as their league position shows.

Blackpool travel well and it is impossible to believe Holloway isn’t up for every single game this season, let alone this one. Prediction 2-2. Paddy’s Price 12/1.

Everton v West Brom

Everton have both gone of the boil of late and this is a great opportunity for them to wake up and start playing football that will advance their seasons again. West Brom have had their moments this season and they will have to seriously raise their game to win at Goodison. My money’s on home advantage to kick in. Prediction 2-0. Paddy’s Price 6/1.

Fulham v Birmingham

Fulham were taken apart by Man City’s Harlem Globetrotter show last week and it wasn’t a performance from them that was symptomatic of their season thus far. Birmingham are a side that seemed to start of brightly and then reverted to type dishing out some less than memorable outings. Can Alex capitalise on Mark’s poor mood. I’d be surprised. Prediction 2-1. Paddy’s Price 15/1

Man Utd v Blackburn

Wayne Rooney’s penalty goal against Rangers caused him to celebrate like he’d won the World Cup. Clearly the whole ‘drout’ business was getting to him. Berbatov is now the one looking hesitant. No real biggie as the Red Devils have goals all over their squad.

Blackburn will try to remain buoyant after their recent victory over Villa, but the truth is it wan awful game to watch and even United in slump will go through them for a short cut if they think they can serve up a similar performance at Old Trafford. Prediction 4-1. Paddy’s Price 17/1.

Stoke City v Man City

Stoke drubbed West Brom by 3 goals to 0 last week and they will need every ounce of that feel good factor in order to cope with a Manchester City who despite all allegations of division and disquiet are looking every bit the stalking horse for fourth, perhaps even third in the Premiership. Prediction 3-1. Paddy’s Price 17/1.

West Ham v Wigan

This will be interesting to put it mildly. West Ham are in severe pain. If they were an animal, the vet would do the decent thing. How a bid to take over an Olympic stadium can be made without blushing is beyond me.

Wigan aren’t doing much better. They sit magnificently just 5 points above the Hammers and they too are close contenders for ‘Punch Bag Of The Season’. Prediction 0-0 or worse. David Sullivan’s prediction of civil unrest may come true sooner than he thought. Paddy’s Price 15/2.

Wolves v Sunderland

Wolves were beat by Blackpool and that would have been a tough reality for Mick McCarthy to cope with. Sunderland’s form would best be described as unpredictable and what we could end up with here is a very physical game generating more cards than Clintons. Prediction 2-2. Paddy’s Price 11/1

Newcastle v Chelsea

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A big day in the north – to quote Black Grape. Chris Hughton is every inch a shining example of a guy who can man manage. FACT: The Toon team sheet is actually written on a Friday night by the head of Northumbershire Police after he’s had his cocoa and before he puts his cat out.

Chelsea are suffering from injuries. Some were received in op0en play, some were self inflicted behind closed doors. Ordinarily they would trot up here and do what Champions do and grind Newcastle down, winning by a margin of one goal. These are not ordinary times. Prediction: 2-2. Paddy’s Price 13/1

Tottenham v Liverpool

Difficult to know which way this will go. Spurs have become notorious for suffering from ‘Big win hangovers’ and their triumph in the Champions League was undoubtedly a ten pinter plus shooters.

Roy has seen his fortunes rapidly improve in recent weeks and Liverpool sit just 3 points behind Spurs now. The Reds delighted in spanking West Ham, but this would be a coup if they could beat a Spurs side who staged a ruthless comeback to defeat Arsenal at The Emirates last week. Prediction: 2-2. Paddy’s Price 12/1

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With Hartlepool United sitting in 11th place after another respectable year in League One, resident Pools blogger John Mason looks at how the season has been at Victoria Park.  

There have been many good performances throughout the year from Pools and I have consistently been impressed with the way the club have defended as a unit. I would like to highlight a couple of players who are my candidates for the Player of the season award:

Paul Murray: By marshalling the midfield, just in front of the defence the holding midfielder does a tidy job in protecting the back four for United. Dictating the midfield with his leadership and distribution, he has been second to none and instrumental in the team this season.

Evan Horwood: The left back has a consistent season, even scoring a few cracking goals this season and the fan’s favourite has rarely missed a game for the Pools.  As an attacking full back who possesses a mean delivery, he can hurt opposition teams in attack as well as doing a fine job in defence.

Sam Collins: The experienced centre-back, with a wise head, has once more excelled for Pools in another hard fought campaign. As one of the club’s longest serving players, he has been a prominent figure in the back-line for the team again and the team looks stronger with him among it.

However the winner for me is Evan Horwood, from many fans and journalists I have spoken to up North this season from the games I have been to seem to agree and they do not have a bad word to say about him.

With the young player of the season award I’m afraid there is only one winner. Although both Greg Rutherford and Jack Baldwin, who both look worthy stars of tomorrow, have run him close the one lad who totally stands out head and shoulders above the rest is Luke James. The 17-year-old career has really taken off since he was given the chance to play-upfront with Boyd, Noble and Sweeney. Nobody really expected him to be quite the talent he is but scoring three times already he is certainly one to watch next season.

The players whose impressive displays have gone under the radar include Paul Murray, Anthony Sweeney and Paul Murray who have been equally impressive but don’t seem to receive much praise when the team performed well. Hard-working, reliable and willing are a few words used to describe these different individuals.

As for the players who have disappointed this season I will have to go for Adam Boyd and James Poole. Boydy as surely his best years out behind him and in the words of Neale Cooper: ‘He is isn’t going to outrun anyone’ referring to his speed.  While I don’t think that Poole has shown his true potential yet after struggling with injuries throughout the season it’s slightly harsh to call him underperforming as he has shown moments of class when he was fit. However he has been unable to hold down a starting position which he badly needs if he is progress with the Pools.

The best moment of the season for me was watching James Poole come on from the substitute bench at the beginning of the season and practically scored with his first touch twice against MK Dons and Rochdale. Not just scoring, but his goals in those two games were pure class. I remember jumping out of my seat on both occasions in sheer amazement in what I just saw. Two fabulous goals worthy of being in the Premier League, they were that good.

For my best eleven from the season there are one or two players who perhaps may have got in had they not been injured like James Poole and other late arrivals to the team such as striker Ryan Noble who have only recently joined so they both unfortunately miss out.

Team of the season 

GK – Scott Flinders

LB – Evan Horwood

CB – Peter Hartley

CB – Sam Collins

RB – Neil Austin

LM – Andy Monkhouse

CM – Gary Liddle

CM – Paul Murray

RM – Ritchie Humphreys

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ST– Anthony Sweeney

ST– Luke James

The team pretty much picks itself this season as the squad has looked a bit thin on the ground in recent weeks towards the end of the year. I’m sure that manager, Neale Cooper, has been brought in to put his stamp on the team and therefore will see a different starting eleven from next season.

After another ordinary campaign, Pools fans will be thinking déjà vu to last year. How can we improve? In my opinion I am almost certain the manager will bring in one maybe two strikers. Hartlepool in my opinion lack goals, especially at home and I think this should be assessed. As for other positions the club may need strengthening and I understand Cooper likes to play with natural wingers with pace, something the club do not have. I think he’ll sign a couple of players he is familiar with to play in these vacant positions.

By Hartlepool United blogger John Mason 

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Robin van Persie has distanced himself from quotes criticising the conduct of Barcelona and Chelsea players towards referees.Arsenal striker van Persie allegedly told Dutch television station Sport 1 that Chelsea players were ‘always bitching’ to officials, telling his London rivals to ‘shut the f*** up and focus on playing football’.

The 27-year-old – sent off in the Champions League knockout stages against Barcelona – reportedly took aim at the competition’s eventual winners, accusing the La Liga outfit of trying to ‘screw colleagues’ by attempting to get opponents sent off.

On international duty with the Netherlands in Brazil, van Persie denied making the statements through Arsenal’s website on Friday.

“I’m on international duty at the moment but following several reports in the media I think it’s important to clarify some recent comments attributed to me,” he said.

“These reports falsely suggest that I recently made negative comments about Spanish and Chelsea players, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I haven’t done an interview with Sport 1 or any other outlet in recent weeks and I’ve certainly not been rude as the comments suggest.”

“I respect my colleagues of Spain and Chelsea and look forward to playing against them for many years to come. I sincerely hope that all football fans worldwide don’t take these misleading reports seriously.”

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes that Everton's David Moyes is the perfect man to eventually succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Holloway was speaking after his side drew 2-2 with the Toffees at Bloomfield Road, talking up Moyes as the right man to take over in the Old Trafford hotseat.

He told The Independent:"David Moyes is one of my favourite managers and he is destined for even bigger things.

"I heard Sir Alex Ferguson talk about David as someone who could replace him when he retires. In all honesty I'd be surprised if anyone other than David becomes Manchester United's next manager.

"He is top drawer. The job he has done at Everton is outstanding and he has done it without the resources that would be in place at United.

"But more important than that, I believe he is a chip off the old Fergie block. He has the character to be the United boss.

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"Sir Alex rates him highly. He must have done because he wanted to take him as his assistant at one point. Who can argue with the main man about who he wants as his successor?

"David ticks all the boxes. It speaks volumes that he has been a Premier League manager at the same club for eight years."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Since I have started watching football, there have been some pretty good goals from the likes of Rooney and Messi and so on. But where there are screamers, there are also finishes that if they were in the right net, would surely be contenders for goal of the season. Here I have put together ten own goals that have probably made it into several bloopers videos and will certainly make it into many more.

10. Carl Jenkinson – You’ve just been signed for Arsenal from Charlton by Arsene Wenger and you’re trying to make a good impression and show the manager you’re not a complete waste of money. So what do you do? If you’re Carl Jenkinson you would lob the ball over your own goalkeeper from 30 yards!

[youtube EQAeGbjU3bY]

9. Tony Popovic – Had this beauty from former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic been in the right net, it surely would be an early contender for goal of the century. With Portsmouth already 2-1 up, Popovic decides to try and cleverly flick the ball to God knows where, only to flick the ball over his own goalkeeper. It’s worth a watch.

[youtube oP3jbpcCo2E]

8. Festus Baise – Another goal where it’s not quite clear what the defender is trying to achieve. Sun Hei defender Festus Baise, like the previous own goal, is trying to look clever, only to flick the ball over his own keeper. The difference with this one, though is this one is from the edge of the penalty area. You can tell the standard in Hong Kong football is not terribly high.

[youtube Feurle7qkfQ]

7. Jamie Pollock –  This own goal from Manchester City’s Jamie Pollock was just brilliant. Just outside his own area, Pollock volleyed it over on opposing striker and then headed the ball over his own keeper. There was only one question City fans were asking Pollock after this game. Why?

[youtube eWNjWfIHXL4]

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6. Assaf Mendes – On this extremely windy day when Maccabi Haifa were playing Dynamo Kiev in a practice match, Haifa goalkeeper Assaf Mendes put the ball on the ground to kick it to one his teams players. He kicked it about 25 yards up the pitch when the wind took control and took the ball back the way it came, straight past the arms of poor goalkeeper Mendes.

[youtube O4tVtfDTqJs]

5. Lee Dixon –  MOTD pundit Lee Dixon is still made fun of for this one, despite it happening 21 years ago! Just outside his own area, Dixon attempts to pass it back to goalkeeper David Seaman, only for the ball to loop over Seaman’s head.

[youtube MpSo1aciPqU]

4. Ashraf Soliman – This next one is all the way from Israel. With the score tied at 2-2, Ashraf Soliman scored 7 minutes into extra time to send through opposition Umm al-Fahm to the next round. The own goal would normally be described as a poacher’s finish. Soliman didn’t seem to fully understand…

[youtube nAxBWcNTgns]

3. Diego Sosa – If this next one isn’t deliberate, I don’t know what is. Diego Sosa of San Martin just sees his goalkeeper parry the ball to him after an Estudiantes shot, only for him to power the ball straight past him. What was going through his mind?

[youtube XAAuHp-FsKo]

2. Kenny Farrell – This one is more unlucky than anything else. Mervue United’s Kenny Farrell attempted to clear the ball in a tense game against Waterford, only for the ball to smack team-mate Mike Elwood on the face and go over the goalkeepers head. The twist? This happened from about 35 yards from their own goal!

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[youtube w8gCRnuWOxo]

1. Chris Brass – It’s pretty fair to say that no own goal list or bloopers video is complete without this beauty from Bury’s Chris Brass against Darlington. Trying to clear the ball over his head, the ball whacks Brass in the nose and goes past his goalkeeper, breaking Brass’ nose in the process. Unlucky, eh?

[youtube Ds0wEBKuxv8]

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If you have a spare 5mins then take a look of the latest ‘Football Coffee Break’

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