Darron Gibson signed for Everton, George John signed for West Ham and Ravel Morrison stayed put
Preamble:
Good morning and welcome. You know the drill. Another fact- and fun-filled Friday is beginning, possibly even on this blog. We'll be bringing you all the news seeping from the football world about injuries, transfers, bust-ups and dressing-downs. We'll also have opinions, features and curios. And we'll have you, fair readers, sharing your wisdom, wit and tiume-wasting. Bring it on.
Tottenham are on the tip of everyone's tongues this week as the realisation grows that they really could become champions of England for the first time since JFK was in the White House and Elvis was top of the charts. There are still questions they must answer, of course, such as: will they bolster their bid by recruiting this January? If they miss out on the title by two points to Manchester United, how not right will Luka Modric's head be? And has Small Talk really been stalking Michael Dawson?
How about an early pointer towards team selections for the Blackburn - Fulham? Go on then. Fulham will be able to call on Andrew Johnson and Simon Davies as both have recovered from injuries. Dickson Etuhu is touch but Mark Schwarzer is still out. Meanwhile, there is some rare good news for Steve Kean as Paul Robinson, Junior Hoilett and David Dunn all look like returning, as does Christopher Samba for what could be his last game for the club.
Blackburn squad: Robinson, Bunn, Samba, Lowe, Hanley, Givet, Nzonzi, Rochina, Pedersen, Petrovic, Dunn, Hoilett, Olsson, Yakubu, Goodwillie, Formica, Vukcevic, Slew, Blackman, Henley, Morris.
Fulham squad: Stockdale, Etheridge, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Kelly, Frei, Sidwell, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Ruiz, Davies, Dembele, Sa, Duff, Hughes, Baird, Kasami, Zamora, Johnson.
Last week many of you below the line were wondering whether Burkina Faso would be booted out of the Africa Cup of Nations and replaced by Namibia for allegedly fielding an ineligible player during the qualifiers. You may have been pleased to see this week that the Court of Arbitration for Sport delivered its ruling on the case and found in favour of the Stallions. So Burkina are free to take their place in the tournament that kicks off next weekend and about which I am starting to get quite excited. The way I see it, there are five teams capable of winning: Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia. Anyone fancy anyone else?
Suppose it's time to mention Carlos Tevez again. After his proposed move to Milan fell through, and Alexandre Pato's proposed switch to Paris Saint-Germain did likewise, the chances of Tevez going to super-rich PSG have swelled, according to the French media at least.
"We should start to enjoy the faint sense of shoddiness about the Premier League," reckons Kevin McCarra. "It is no accident that we've only got two clubs left in the Champions League, but our domestic tournament benefits from the levelling down process. There's an idiosyncratic feel to it. Look at Bolton. They won just two League games away from home in the whole of last season. They've got four already, but the side is 18th because of results at the Reebok."
Fulham have made an offer for Catania striker Maxi Lopez that the Italian club seem to have interpreted as an insult. "We didn't accept Fulham's offer for Maxi Lopez because the English club wanted to get the player without spending one euro," fumed Catania club administrator Pietro Lo Monaco on tuttomercatoweb "We will not loan him. Maxi has an important value."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has concerns ahead of his team's trip to Anfield, and not just over which cap to wear. Defenders Jonathan Woodgate, Marc Wilson and Ryan Shotton are all nursing what Pulis describes as "niggles" and will be assessed. Andy Wilkinson could return at the back having overcome his recent knee injury, while the likes of Thomas Sorensen, Matthew Etherington and Peter Crouch are set to be restored to the team after they were rested for last weekend's FA Cup victory at Gillingham.
I'm just going to the the toilet. I used not to think that was a matter of public interest but the fact that Mario Balotelli has made international headlines by doing it has left me confused. I'll let you know how I get on. Actually, I won't. But if you don't hear from me again within the next few minutes, assume the worst.
Right. Sorted. Now, it's about time you found out what Harry Pearson thinks of the "diminutive Croxteth Desperate Dan".
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is an expert at finding positives in even the most wretched mishaps, including last week's defeat by Swindon Town (in which Callum McManaman's encouraging display was surely not enough to obscure the awfulness of the rest of the team). But I'd like to see him spin the following bit of news into a good thing for Wigan: Manchester City assistant manager David Platt has confirmed he expects David Silva to be fit for Monday's trip to the DW Stadium. "David did a bit of running yesterday and will do a bit more today," said Platt, who said that people's hero Mario Balotelli looks like missing out because of his ankle injury.
Things just keep on getting better for Spurs. "Tom Huddlestone will be back training on the grass for the first time this morning," reveals the intrepid Jamie Jackson.
Relax everyone, it's OK now: Avram Grant has found a new job. He has just been appointed manager of Partizan Belgrade, whom you may remember from such matches as Partizan Belgrade 1-2 Shamrock Rovers.
Grant replaces Aleksandra Stanojevic, who fell out with the club's board despite the defending Serbian champions sitting 10 points clear in the league after 15 games. The board accuse him of "violations of the statute and general laws of the club". I don't know how credible those accusations are ... and would not like to leap to conclusions based on the fact that they went on to say: "The board of directors is confident that Avram Grant is at the top of his profession and can achieve the results that are expected from our army of fans."
Ace finanical advisor James Dart has some choice tips this weekend, including Nottingham Forest to beat Southampton. Find out more here.
Everton have completed the signing of Darron Gibson, who thus follows in the trail blazed by Phil Neville.
Liverpool news: Jay Spearing is unlikely to be fit to face Stoke, so Charlie Adam is virtually certain to start. Sunderland news: the prospect of running amok amid Chelsea's ramshackle defence has helped Nicklas Bendtner to recover from knee knack ... and the Dane will even be joined in the Sunderland squad by Fraizer Campbell, who is available for the first time since August 2010 after recovering from a second serious knee problem.. Martin O'Neill will, however, be without Jack Colback (ankle), Wes Brown (groin) and Titus Bramble (calf/Achilles).
Paul McShane has joined Crystal Palace on a one-month loan from Hull.
Darlington are in danger of extinction. Let David Conn explain why. And cast your minds back to the time when their future looked so much brighter ...
Harry Redknapp says he's not sure whether Scott Parker will be fit to face Wolves tomorrow, meaning, since Sandro is definitely out, that Jake Livermore could be given an opportunity to build on his fine performance against Everton the other night. Michael Dawson and the superb Younes Kaboul will continue in the centre of defence as Ledley King and Williams Gallas are injured.
Hello there. Paul's gone. Jacob's here. This is my first Friday outing of 2012. Let's make it a good one.
So, every Premier League game tomorrow is at 3pm. How about that? And what are we all going to do at 12.45pm and 5.30pm? Go shopping?
"Morning Jacob!" says Ryan Dunne. It's the afternoon, Ryan. Sorry to break it to you. "What's this nonsense about no early or late games tomorrow!?!?!? Obviously I'll be out doing exciting things, chilling with models etc etc, but what about those poor souls who'll be looking forward to some MBM F5 bashing at lunchtime and evening only to find there's nothing there?! Perhaps you guys could run a as-if-live repeat of a classic MBM game!" Retrombm already has that covered.
It appears Tottenham have rejected QPR's offer for Steven Pienaar, seeing as he's so important to them.
Manchester United have rejected another bid from Newcastle for their talented but troubled youngster Ravel Morrison. He could be brilliant - but it seems that possibility is becoming ever more remote. It will be a huge shame if he never makes it.
Have you seen anything more pathetic than this clip this week? Good old banter.
Here's Everton's squad for the game against Aston Villa. Darron Gibson goes straight in.
Provisional squad: Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Duffy, Neville, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha, Donovan, Anichebe, Mucha, Drenthe, Gibson, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Gueye, Vellios.
Stevenage have announced that their manager Graham Westley has been allowed to take the Preston job. My poor Phil Brown!
Manchester United have worries over Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Anderson ahead of the visit of Bolton. Paul Scholes appears to have been missed off the list I've ctrl cee and veed below, but I assume he should be there.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, Fryers, Cole, Carrick, Valencia, Park, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck, Berbatov, Hernandez, Diouf, Keane.
David Silva is set to return from an ankle knock for Manchester City for Monday's trip to Wigan. That's a massive boost for City - with Samir Nasri desperately disappointing and Yay Toure away, there is a huge dependence on Silva at the moment. Mario Balotelli should also be fit to play, assuming he doesn't join a college between now and Monday.
Provisional squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Savic, Onuoha, Clichy, Kolarov, Lescott, Johnson, De Jong, Milner, Barry, Hargreaves, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero, Balotelli.
Jamie Jackson sends words from Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp. "We think about [finishing in the] top three but it can change. I have seen so many changes in league position over the years. Eight points can evaporate very quickly, I still look at Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal and realise they are good sides capable of putting a run together. Eight point leads over them is not impossible for them to catch us still."
Ben Green of www.101greatgoals.com sends in some excellent clips for your lunchtime viewing.
? A brilliant backheel golazo you've got to see: Gaizka Toquero (Bilbao) v Albacete.
? Did Goran Pandev's late winner for Napoli v Cesena cross the line?
And one for the luck, it is most random but pretty funny.
Big Phil Scolari & Danny Blind share a Jari Litmanen joke in English.
"Jacob, can you please shed some much-needed light (or failing that, a paragraph of waffling/witty pseudo-analysis) on the fact that Sky Bet now have QPR as odds-on favourite to sign Tevez?" asks Jack Shenker, the Guardian's correspondent in Egypt. "Do they know something that the rest of us don't, or has someone in Osterley been sniffing glue again? I guess west London is marginally closer to Buenos Aires than Manchester is, but (despite being a dye-in-the-wool QPR fan), I can't quite see what else might be attracting Carlos and his many-branched money-tree to Loftus Road. Unless it's our solid record on transfer irregularities."
Kia Joorabchian represents Mark Hughes. You do the math.
"Did you hear Wenger spend the afternoon talking up his injured defenders?" asks Amir Adhamy. "Notably Bacary Sagna, who he says is "evolving well". I'm hoping for laser eyes, telekinesis, or the ability to reproduce himself asexually (which will surely come in handy when Bacary Sagna A spends a time injured again, and Bacary Sagna B can step in, thereby reducing the amount of time I have to watch Johann Djourou struggle at right back). Actually, come to think of it, what is the FA's stated position on player eugenics, genetic mutations and artificial evolution?" No technology in football please!
Some of you are worried about where I've been. Lunch. But it involved initially going to somewhere that was shut, and then turning back.
Some typically forthright quotes from Mick McCarthy about Wolves owner Steve Morgan calling results in the first half of the season "unacceptable".
I heard the audio from Steve's interview yesterday and I am cool with it, and fine. Steve is, and continues to be terrific. There was no glowing praise when we got promoted or stayed up or when we are doing well and there is never any criticism. We are both straight with one another. You know full well I am like that and Steve is very much the same. But regardless of what anyone else has said. I think it is unacceptable where we are. I don't think we should be where we are. I think we should have more points. If that is anyone else's opinion, they are only agreeing with me. No problem. I wasn't aware the pressure was seeping my way. I just think you guys are trying to divert it. Someone has blocked the dam at QPR and is trying to force it up the road to Wolves. That is nonsense. I put myself under pressure. We are scrapping away and that's the way we are going to be all the time. We had a great start (seven points from three games) and we all hoped for better and I'm still hoping for better this time."
Here's a Milan derby preview from Amy Lawrence.
It's Chelsea v Sunderland tomorrow. So why not relive this Gus Poyet volley from 1999?
West Ham have signed George John ? no relation to Stern ? from FC Dallas.
Does anyone know if Mario Balotelli has been to the toilet today - and if so, where?
Sky's breaking yellow ticker of doom informs us that Inter will re-open talks with Carlos Tevez next week.
Apologies if the last message caused you to nod off for a moment.
Nothing's happening. I might as well put some predictions in for the weekend games.
Saturday
Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Blackburn 2-1 Fulham
Chelsea 1-1 Sunderland
Liverpool 2-0 Stoke
Manchester United 4-1 Bolton
West Brom 2-1 Norwich
Sunday
Newcastle 2-0 QPR
Swansea 1-1 Arsenal
Robin van Persie is back for Arsenal for their trip to Swansea. Some Henry bloke is in the squad too. Francis Coquelin and Thomas Vermaelen are out with hamstring and calf injuries respectively and Tomas Rosicky and Per Mertersacker are both struggling with a virus, while Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are off at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Provisional Squad: Szczesny, Koscielny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Miquel, Song, Ramsey, Arteta, Walcott, Van Persie, Henry, Almunia, Rosicky, Arshavin, Squillaci, Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Park.
"You've clearly forgotten the honeymoon period that every new Premier League manager goes through nowaday," says Tanay Padh, in reference to my Newcastle 2-0 QPR prediction. Two Barton own goals. Even though he's suspended.
"Spurs prediction?" asks Josh Brook. 10-0 (not to Wolves).
Here, look at these squad sheets. The best moment of a Friday moment, when this lot start filtering through.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been defending the return of Paul Scholes. Read all about it here.
"What's your prediction for Citeh on Monday, Jacob?" asks Paul Roche. "Also I'll let you into a little secret, United won't beat Bolton." As the winner of the Guardian's Pick the Score league in 2009-10 - pipping Kevin McCarra by a point on the final day ? I never made a prediction for a Monday game on a Friday. It's not the done thing. City's increasing vulnerability is interesting though. Clearly they're missing Yaya Toure, Silva's tired and carrying aches and strains and Kompany is suspended. They should have enough to beat Wigan, but then Chelsea and Liverpool couldn't. You could even go as far as making Tottenham favourites for the game at the Etihad on 22 January right now...
Alan Gardner of MBM and OBO fame is about to stroll out of this office for the last time. He's off to take a job on another site, the turncoat. Wave bye bye!
"Goodbye, Alan!" says Ryan Dunne. "I hope all you guys who still have 'casual' email addresses aren't envious of him presumably moving up (or at least across) in the world!"
Here's Ewan Murray with a Scottish fitba update.
Fancy a Rangers transfer bulletin? Okay, take a deep breath... A pre-contract offer has been made to St Johnstone's Francisco Sandaza, whom Rangers will face tomorrow in Perth. Ally McCoist also keen to sign the Swedish winger Mervan Celik. An Estonian defender, Enar (he has the moves like) Jaagar will arrive on trial next week. McCoist denied any interest in Garry O'Connor or, currently at least, Arsenal's Benik Afobe. Sochaux have had two bids for Rangers' Maurice Edu rejected and are yet to make a third whilst Nikica Jelavic hasn't been the subject of any offers at all... a matter which will please McCoist but is intriguing with regard Rangers' wider financial picture. At Celtic, Neil Lennon has banned any talk of a domestic treble (despite it still being possible). He said: "I have already said the treble is an almost impossible thing to do so I don't want any talk of that."
"So, no score predictions on a Friday for a Monday game but you will make one team favourite 9 days in advance?" says Simon Butler. "What a curious way for time to work in the Guardian offices!" That's not curious, that's just my opinion. But I won't offer a score until I get all the team news.
Rio Ferdinand has been bigging up Manchester United's strength in the face of adversity. "We don't like making excuses but look at the team we put out against Blackburn," said Ferdinand, summarily dismissing a Park-Rafael midfield combo just like that. "You see a lot of people moaning about their squads because the transfer window has just opened. But if you took the amount of players we have had out to any other squad in the league, they wouldn't be sitting where we are now. That speaks volumes for our squad. That is why when I am in the changing room I am more than happy with the people I see around me."
As fun as it's been, sometimes the banter must stop. Thanks for commenting and reading - have a fine weekend. Bye.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jan/13/football-live-blog
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