FCUK

Im very proud to announce that the daily hits count over the last 4 days has tripled! Im very pleased however i think this is wasted. Wasted because all the people that come here post an anonymous comment in the comment section.

Which is why i took it upon myself to launch FCUK Forums, for the real fans. You can create a quick account free of course, and then post your comments, on a proper forum.

Link: http://s14.invisionfree.com/FootballCentralUK/index.php

Regards, Site Admin - THFC53

Jenas looking forward to Arsenal clash

In-form Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas has issued a derby-day rallying cry of 'Bring on Arsenal'.

Spurs go into next Saturday's White Hart Lane showdown in the unusual position of being able to peer down on Arsene Wenger's men in the Premiership following their 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Jenas' brilliant free-kick earned Tottenham a share of the spoils and though Charlton's win at Portsmouth pushed Martin Jol's impressive outfit into third spot, they remain three points clear of Arsenal heading into one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the season.

It is six years - and 12 games - since Spurs' long-suffering fans tasted victory over their old rivals.

But Jenas believes his team-mates have every reason to be confident ahead of the latest capital clash."Bring on Arsenal, that's what I say," said Jenas."They are a great team and we have a lot of respect for them. But we are very confident at the minute and, on home soil, why shouldn't we fancy our chances of getting a win."

Jenas accepts Tottenham still have a long way to go before they reach Jol's lofty ambitions for the club, but they are definitely moving in the right direction.With seven English players in Saturday's starting line-up, they are also doing their bit to nurture home-grown talent too.

And Jenas, a £9m capture from Newcastle in August, thinks Spurs have every reason to be optimistic about the future.

"We are still learning and it is important to try to maintain what we have started," said the 22-year-old England international."But the job Martin is doing is great for Tottenham and English football."We have so many young players in the team, with so much character and attitude, it can only be good news."

Complete Premiership Round-Up

Manchester Utd 1-1 Tottenham
Spurs continued their good start to the season by passing a hard test at Old Trafford.

Man Utd took the lead in the 7th minute, when Mikael Silvestre pounced on a rare concentration lapse by Paul Robinson.

United continued to look the dominant force in the 1st half, with Spurs looking off the pace.

However Spurs came out in the 2nd half and really took control of the situation, with Jermaine Jenas looking fiercely up for it.

And it was Jenas who got the goal for Spurs scoring a wonderful free kick, giving Van der Sar no chance. Spurs nearly knicked all three point when Carrick's cross-shot wrong footed United's Dutch goalkeeper, hitting the bar on it's way out of play.

Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
Robert Pires' second-half penalty gave Arsenal all three points against Manchester City in a competitive clash at Highbury.

The Frenchman fired the ball home just past the hour mark after Thierry Henry was brought down by David James.

Pires could have had a second from the spot on 72 minutes, but as he tried to play a dummy he grazed the ball and saw a free-kick awarded against him.

The miss looked to have proved costly when Darius Vassel headed the ball into the back of the net 12 minutes from time, but the striker saw the goal ruled out for offside.

The visitors had twice gone close in the first half through Kiki Musampa, the midfielder testing Jens Lehmann, before firing a left-foot strike inches wide of the upright.

At the other end Pires looked odds on to break the deadlock on 13 minutes but side-footed the ball over the bar from Henry's square ball when well-placed.

However,on a mixed afternoon for the France international, he made amends for that miss when he slammed his penalty into the roof of the net on 61 minutes.

Fulham 2-0 Liverpool
Fulham conjured their grittiest display of the season on the day they honoured their ultimate stylist Johnny Haynes.

England midfield legend Haynes died this week a day after turning 71.

And, after starting the day remembering Haynes, the Fulham fans ended it by chanting his name and cheering a solid win earned by Collins John's 29th-minute opener and Luis Boa Morte's delightful injury-time strike.

Blackburn 2-0 Birmingham
Paul Dickov fired Rovers into a 49th minute lead from the penalty spot before substitute Craig Bellamy doubled up nine minutes from time to wrap up all three points.

Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan
Wigan took a 32nd minute lead thanks to an own goal from Villa's Aaron Hughes. Alan Mahon clinched the win on his first appearance of the season eight minutes fronm time.

Portsmouth 1-2 Charlton
Dario Silva put Portsmouth in front on 14 minutes as he lashed home from a tight angle following Andy O'Brien's long ball. Darren Ambrose levelled just after the hour with a neat finish after springing Pompey's offside trap. Dennis Rommedahl clinched the win for the visitors on 77 minutes as he fired home after turning on to Danny Murphy's threaded pass.

Why i believe Henry will sign new contract

As most fans in the country i'd be happpy to see the back of Thierry Henry. Especially me as i am a Spurs fan.

However i dont think Henry will leave Arsenal. As much as i dont like the thought, i think he'll end his career there. Dont get it twisted though, i dont think he will stay because he's loyal, but because he's a chicken.

Yes, a chicken. Why you ask? Heres why...

Thierry Henry is currently a Superstar at Arsenal. He's got all his teamates looking up at him on his high horse. Even his manager licks the ground he walks on. He's practically begging him in public! Why would some one want to leave that behind?

Mr. Henry has just broken Arsenal's all-time record as the clubs top goal-scorer. That means no matter what he does from now until the end of his career, he'll go down as a legend at the club. Maybe the best player Arsenal have ever had. That also means that he will be loved by the Arsenal fans forever. Why would someone wanna leave that behind?

Henry is 'The Main Man" at Arsenal. Vieira had the guts and left leaving that seat free, who got it without consideration? Thierry Henry, you guessed it! He's the big fish in the small Arsenal pond. Why would someone wanna leave that?

What im trying to say is that Henry is a 28 year old striker, who is The Man at his current smallish club. If he was to leave Arsenal and join Barca, he'd lose all that.

He wouldnt be the man who gets the captains armband as soon as the captain is out. He wouldnt be the one who's name got chanted out loud even after missing an open-goal. He wouldnt be the one who was looked up at by his teamates. His manager wont lick his.... Well you get what i mean.

Look at players who left Arsenal and bigger clubs. Anelka, Overmars, Petit and the list goes on and on. They didnt exactly write their name on their club's Hall Of Fame wall did they?

And so Henry will look at all this stuff before deciding whether to stay or leave Arsenal and he'll realise the risks of leaving for a bigger club. And after doing so he will 'chicken out' and sign a new Arsenal contract to be on the safe side, ending his career as "The greatest and most loyal Arsenal Player in recent memory" when infact, and deep down Henry will know, that he was nothing more than a fame chasing 'coward'.

It's up to Henry, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits he cannot banish fears over Thierry Henry's Arsenal future amid the striker's reluctance to hold contract talks until next summer.

However, Wenger has stressed he still believes Henry, who has revealed his debt of gratitude to the Gunners boss, can be persuaded his long-term future lies with the north London club.

Henry's achievement in setting a new club scoring mark with his two goals against Sparta Prague will be celebrated when former record-holder Ian Wright congratulates him on the Highbury pitch before Saturday's Premiership game against Manchester City.

However, many fans are still worried about Henry's future, with the Frenchman unwilling to discuss a new contract until next summer - even though his current deal runs out in 2007 - as he wants to concentrate on this season.

Wenger remains philosophical about the growing danger Henry could walk away from Highbury with his transfer price vastly reduced or even wait until he is available on a free transfer.

He admitted: "I'm not negative about it but, of course, you can say we're scared that we could lose him. I can't say that we're not."If he signs a contract extension tomorrow, he could still leave at the end of the season. If he says he wants to leave, who can stop him?"I don't deny there is danger in any situation, but if Thierry says he doesn't want to talk about it until the end of the season, you have to respect it.

"What should I do - hang him up and tell him he has to talk? What can you ask of a player who is under contract and comes on for you after injury and scores two goals to win the game?"Henry, who insisted at the start of this season he would stay at Arsenal "for as long as they want me", side-stepped questions over his future when he appeared in public on Friday to discuss his historic scoring record.

But he did pay a fulsome tribute to Wenger's integral role in his development, bringing him through the youth ranks at Monaco and then transforming him from a winger into a world-class striker at Arsenal.

"Arsene started my career and also restarted it. He started me in the first team at Monaco when I was just 17, even when there were guys much older than me in the reserves who were waiting to play," he revealed.

"Then, even after France had won the World Cup, he restarted my career on another level. The guy is great, he has been tremendous for me."

Henry's debt of gratitude to Wenger could be Arsenal's trump card in any contract talks, although the 28-year-old striker must presumably remain convinced about the club's trophy potential to stay put.

Only a few weeks ago, Wenger expressed his desire to resolve Henry's contract situation by the New Year, but he can now only respect his striker's stated wishes.

"It's not down to the fans or journalists to decide when he wants to sign an extension to his contract. There is no urgency. He finishes in 2007 and does not have to talk in October 2005," he said.

"We are not in a position where we have to make any profit with anybody. We want a strong side and to keep our strong players. Therefore we want to keep Thierry."Of course I understand the desire of the fans and I agree completely with them because I am a fan too. But I cannot decide when Thierry signs his contract and you support the club, not the player.

"I have to respect that he has a contract until 2007 and is not ready to sign a new one. I feel the fans know that. I think he will stay and that is it. He doesn't owe me anything and we are relaxed about it.

"He is very positive. He is focused on the team and wants to do well for us. He's not stupid, you cannot say he is not committed to the club and will let this spoil his season."

Asked whether Henry was waiting to evaluate Arsenal's progress this season before making his final decision, Wenger replied: "You will have to ask him about that."Faced with exactly that question, Henry was as elusive as he has proved to countless defenders. He replied with a smile: My answer is that you should ask Arsene!"

Support your team

This site is very young, how young? A week to the day. And as it gets older im sure it will pick up more hits and more traffic.

Which is why i hope people who read this will help the site by signing up free for the sites forums, you can find them via the links bar to the right of this article. There you can Support your team freely against or with fellow fans. It is a young site also but we have currently got quite a few members considering how new we are.

Regards, THFC53-Site Administrator

Davids nearly joined United

Tottenham midfielder Edgar Davids has revealed that he almost joined Manchester United in 1996 but in the end left Ajax for AC Milan.

Asked how close he came to joining United, Davids said: "Close? Very. It was the best conversation I have ever had with a manager.

"I won't go into detail but we spoke about general things."
But the 32-year-old said he had no regrets: "Regrets? No, because I didn't do so bad in my career myself."

Tottenham are currently second in the Premiership and Davids is relishing the prospect of testing himself against United when the teams meet at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"Every team is looking up to Manchester United," added Davids.
"Chelsea can go on and have a great history but United have been successful over the years. If you ask any team they would take that history.

"What I like most about them is that they play with big hearts. In the big games it is always there.

"I've always had that desire and it is in Manchester United. Roy Keane has this spirit and when you have that around every day it can become second nature."

But Davids, who joined Tottenham in August on a free transfer from Inter, said that he is enjoying playing for Spurs.

"There is a good atmosphere at Tottenham and we have young players with a lot of talent," said Davids.

"They are developing quickly but the important thing is that they are aware they can be good players."

Updates to be posted here

Any updates about the White Hart Lane redevelopment topic shall be posted on the forums. You can access them by clicking on the link to the right of your page ("FootballCentralUK Forums")

THFC53, Site Admin

Spurs will extend WHL capacity

Spurs wont be moving away from White Hart Lane but will be extending their current ground's capacity, FootballCentralUK can reveal.

I have received a personal tip-off by the same source that revealed to me that Spurs were set to buy Edgar Davids, something i reported before any other site.

I cant give drastic details but i can confirm they will be extending all three stands to make a near 60.000 seater. More details to follow here and on Forums (access by clicking on link in sidebar).

Cisse admits hitting teenager

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was cautioned by police on Thursday after admitting that he struck a teenage boy on the head while he was filming an advertisement in a park.

The France international was playing in a phony England vs. France soccer game in the London Docklands area on Sept. 30 when he was approached by the boy.

The teenager pretended to want to shake the Frenchman's hand but, as Cisse went to return the gesture, the boy pulled his hand away and taunted him by putting his thumb against his nose and wiggling his fingers. The boy, who has not been identified, told police Cisse struck him on the head.

Scotland Yard issued a statement saying that Cisse went to a police station for questioning about the incident and was given a caution for assault. No further action will be taken.

If doing the 'Lovejoy' handshake diserves a slap round the head in Cisse's head then maybe he hasnt got all the screws tightly screwed. Then again he must be a bit CrAzY with a hair cut like that!

Liverpool finally seal Gonzales

Liverpool have agreed to sign Albacete winger Mark Gonzales on a long-term contract, provided he obtains a work permit or European passport.

Gonzales was due to join the Reds on a season-long loan in the summer, despite a cruciate knee ligament injury, but was originally denied a work permit.

His cause has been helped, however, by his country's rise in the world rankings and Liverpool are not expected to encounter any more red tape as they bid to clinch the signature of a player manager Rafael Benitez rates as one of the best young South Americans in the game.

Gonzales is expected to sign a four-year deal and a spokesman told the club's website: "Following the player's knee injury, the original intention was to take him on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

"As Mark is recovering well, a loan deal is no longer an issue and we have agreed a long-term contract to bring him to Anfield.
"However, he will only play for Liverpool once he obtains either a work permit or European passport."

Wenger: I never said selling Vieira was a mistake

Arsène Wenger has refuted claims that he admitted the sale of Patrick Vieira was 'a mistake'.

Media reports suggested that the Arsenal chief regretted his decision to sell the French midfielder. However Wenger set the record straight today.

"I never said that," he said "I think we have to go on with what is in front of us and not look backwards.

"Many times in our history we have lost big players and we have lost another one. We don't deny that he was big player for us but I feel we have the needed quality to achieve what we want this season."

The Frenchman also replied to media comments saying that he was about to sell Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole to Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

"We face that every week," he said. "I feel it is a story which is no news, it is just bad information because nothing is true."

United star thinks it could be Spurs' time

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Spurs are finally showing consistent form under Martin Jol after years of under-performance.

Dutchman Jol has Tottenham flying high in second spot following a blistering start to their league campaign - but the Londoners face a stiff test this weekend when they travel to Old Trafford to face United.

Ferdinand said: "Spurs have had a good batch of players for a number of years now but they haven't been consistent. This season they seem to have continuity, the players seem to be responding to the manager and they have some consistency there which has been lacking in the past.

"They are not spending 'Chelsea amounts' of money but they are spending good amounts on players and bringing in a lot of home-grown talent too.

"They have been threatening to become one of the big clubs and now they look as if they have the potential to do so - maybe this is their time now.

"We've got to keep tabs on Jermain Defoe, he's always a dangerous player to play against. I know from the England squad that he's one of those players who thrives on scoring and lives for goals."

United star arrested over rape suspicions

Manchester Utd's Portugal international Cristiano Ronlado has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Scotland Yard has confirmed that a man in his 20s was arrested after voluntarily attending a police station for a pre-arranged appointment on Thursday.

The arrest is part of an investigation into allegations of rape at a hotel in central London on 2 October. A second man attended but was not arrested.

Ronaldo is reportedly being questioned by detectives but United's director of communications Phil Townsend would only say when asked about the incident: "We're not commenting at the moment."

The 20-year-old, whose father died recently, has been a regular in the United side this season and played in Tuesday's Champions League tie with Lille.

Xavier to fight charges

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has vowed to fight his positive drug test.

The Portuguese international failed a test that followed last months Uefa Cup tie with Xanthi, but the 32-year-old insists there is an innocent explanation.

In a statement Xavier said: "I am convinced there is a harmless explanation. "In order to furnish this proof, I am undergoing a number of tests." If found guilty he could face a two-year ban, which is likely to finish his career at his current level.

His statement continued: "As agreed with my employer, on Monday evening Middlesbrough informed the press that in the anti-doping control I had to undergo after the above-mentioned Uefa Cup match, I tested positive. "

This positive test result was found in the ’A’ sample. In the course of next week, the ’B’ sample will be analysed. "I am convinced that there is a reasonable and entirely harmless explanation for such positive finding, should it be confirmed by the analysis of the ’B’ sample. In order to furnish this proof, I am currently undergoing a number of tests in which certain of my body fluids and tissues are analysed."

Essien escapes FA charges

The FA has confirmed Chelsea's Michael Essien will face no further action over his tackle on Tal Ben Haim during the game with Bolton.

Referee Rob Styles issued Essien with a yellow card at the time and agreed to look at the incident again on video.

Styles subsequently informed the FA he would have shown a red card had he seen the incident from another angle.

The FA then approached the sport's governing body Fifa to ascertain whether any further disciplinary action could be taken.Fifa had expressed concern following an incident at the start of the season when a red card that was shown to Jermaine Jenas, then of Newcastle, was subsequently downgraded to a booking.

As the referee had seen the incident involving Essien and decided to show a yellow card, Fifa informed the FA that in such cases the referee's decision is final and cannot be changed retrospectively.

Middlesbrough defender banned for drug use

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier failed a drugs test after the UEFA Cup tie against Greek club Xanthi on Sept. 29, the Premier League club said on Monday.

FIFA have suspended the 32-year-old from all competitions pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.

Middlesbrough said on their website they were not in a position to make any further comment at the moment but understood Xavier would make a press statement on Tuesday.

The former Portugal international joined Middlesbrough at the end of August on transfer deadline day after a spell in Serie A with AS Roma.

He has played previously for Bari, German club Hanover 96 and for Everton and Liverpool in England. He also had a loan spell with Galatasaray in Turkey.

Born in Mozambique, Xavier has played more than 20 times for Portugal and hoped that joining Middlesbrough would help him earn a recall in time for the 2006 World Cup finals.

He has played six games for Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren since arriving at the Riverside but was left out of the side that drew with Portsmouth on Saturday.

At Euro 2000, the defender was at the centre of high controversy when team mates attacked a linesman and the referee for awarding a 117th minute penalty in the semi-final with France after Xavier was judged to have handled the ball.
France converted the penalty to snatch a 3-2 victory and their place in the final.

Fergie: Dont write us off

Sir Alex Ferguson is not writing off Manchester United's Premiership title chances just yet despite Chelsea's flying start to the season.

The champions reeled off their ninth straight league win when they put five past Bolton on Saturday, consolidating their 10-point advantage over the third-placed Red Devils.

Even though less than a quarter of the campaign has been completed, some bookmakers have already started paying out on Jose Mourinho's men, so certain are they Chelsea will retain their crown.

Even Ferguson, whose side host the table-toppers on 6 November, accepts the Londoners are pushing themselves into an extremely strong position.

But, while he admits the Champions League is currently a more obvious trophy target than the Premiership, Ferguson has been around long enough to know nothing will be won for a while yet."At this very moment in time, the Champions League is obviously our best chance because unless Chelsea start dropping points they are going to be in a very strong position," said the Scot.

"They are relentless just now but it is still only October and it would be silly to think about them being champions."

If outward impressions are anything to go by, Ferguson is certainly not getting wound up by United's Premiership plight.He was relaxed enough to play a game of cat and mouse over the likelihood of Ryan Giggs making his 100th European appearance for the Red Devils - he eventually conceded the Welshman probably would - and also threw in a bit of French as he summed up the talents of Tuesday night's opponents Lille.

Ferguson remains as determined as he has ever been to bring the European Cup back to Old Trafford for a third time.And, although he might not welcome the suggestion, United's chances of achieving that aim could be aided by Chelsea's seemingly unstoppable march on the domestic front.

The Old Trafford chief is convinced the draining effects of a Premiership campaign undermine an English challenge on the European front.

Liverpool's surprise success last year, he believes, was partly due to their total failure to mount any kind of title fight.

"The English league is very fierce," he said. "We have eight games in December alone and that makes it very difficult for us."You have more chance of winning the Champions League if you are fresh rather than having battled through the Premiership, then need to try and win a quarter-final, semi-final and final."In some countries like Portugal and France, teams get help by being allowed to play on Friday nights."It is difficult to do that in England. At this time of year you play two games a week nearly every week and you also have the internationals. There is not much leeway for moving fixtures in our country."

After picking up an encouraging four points from their opening two fixtures, United are looking to consolidate their position at the head of Group D by beating a Lille side who have managed just one draw and are yet to score.

Home hopes are hampered by the absence of Wayne Rooney, who serves the final game of a two-match ban picked up for his needless dismissal in Villarreal.It offers Giggs an obvious opportunity for a recall, possibly in a more attacking role alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, with Park Ji-Sung and Cristiano Ronaldo retaining their positions on the flanks.

One man not likely to start is Giuseppe Rossi, who at Sunderland on Saturday took just 15 minutes of his Premiership debut to net his first senior goal.Ferguson has promised the American-born Italian more involvement, although next week's Carling Cup encounter with Barnet is a more realistic option.

"I wouldn't be afraid to play the boy," said Ferguson. "He is a fantastic talent but I think we will need more experience on Tuesday."

Jenas and Jol agree Spurs can get CL football

Jermaine Jenas rubbed salt into Arsenal's wounds by claiming that Tottenham are ready to take over from their bitter rivals as the dominant force in north London.

Jenas got his Spurs career off the ground by setting up Egypt striker Mido's opener and then scoring a second to keep Everton rooted to the bottom as they equalled a club-record sixth straight league defeat.

The win saw Tottenham move five points clear of Arsenal and gives them genuine hope of winning their first derby in 14 attempts (the last was in November 1999) when they meet at White Hart Lane on Saturday week.

Tottenham midfielder Jenas, 22, firmly believes they are ready to mount a serious push for a Champions League place, and insists they are finally ready to step out of Arsenal's shadow.
Jenas, one of Tottenham's big summer signings in a £7million switch from Newcastle, said: "It's been a while since Spurs have been the dominant north London side.

"We've got a couple of big games coming up, at Manchester United next week and then Arsenal the week after, and hopefully wecan show some character and get the right results. "Everyone is talking about the north London derby. When I was up north I managed to win all of the derbies that I I played in for Newcastle.

"I know the feeling and I know it means just as much to the Tottenham supporters so it'll be a great day."

With Tottenham now second, England international Jenas believes a Champions League spot is well within their reach.

"We've got a great young team and we're very ambitious - hopefully we can get ourselves into Europe," he said.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has been trying to play down his team's chances this season but after watching them climb into second place even he let his guard slip.

Jol believes Arsenal are no better than Tottenham without injured striker Thierry Henry and departed captain Patrick Vieira - and reckons he has found his own future superstar in 18-year-old winger Aaron Lennon.

Dutchman Jol said: "I think once you take Henry and Vieira out of their team, they are no better than us.

"It's about good players. When Thierry Henry gets to 35 and can't play any more then they will have to find similar players - but maybe we can find them first. Arsenal haven't always been better than Spurs. And we can be better than them again.

"We have found an exciting player in Lennon and he will be a big player. We can still improve our team, particularly on the left flank. If only we had a Ginola.
"But Lennon is 18 and is already one of the revelations in England. He is one of the few players in England who can beat players, he's like Shaun Wright-Phillips in that respect.

"It's going to be a difficult season for a few teams - like Arsenal without Henry, Newcastle and even Manchester United. So, during this sort of period, maybe we can do an Everton and get into the Champions League."

Spurs found it hard to break down Everton's stubborn resistance until defender Joseph Yobo's kamikaze cross-field pass allowed Jenas to provide the cross for Mido to head home a 57th-minute opener.

Jenas then did himself a power of good by heading home a second six minutes later to win over the fans who had not been convinced by a player clearly lacking in form and confidence.
Jenas believes the goal will signal an upturn in his fortunes for Spurs - and help him secure a place in England's World Cup squad.

Jenas added: "That was massive for my confidence. When you move to a new club and a new area, it's difficult to settle in sometimes but that goal was a big relief. I think I got better in the second half and I think the fans saw a bit more of me. I know what I expect of myself and hopefully this is a big step for me on the way to impressing them."

Race for Champions League spots

We are just 9 games into the season but it's clear already which teams will be struggling and which will be at the right end challenging for European places and league titles.

It's clear that Chel$ea will win the league by Xmas, it's also clear that there isnt a team in the country, maybe even Europe that can keep up with them. However the rest of the league is pretty even.

We have Man Utd who seem likely to get 2nd spot. Then theres a few teams that could be looking at a top three finish. Theres Arsenal of course who still have a good side, its just their squad that seems inadiquate, theres Liverpool who havent exactly got off to a flyer but on paper are a quality outfit and now we have Tottenham around these areas, who have been turned around by Martin Jol and Chairman Daniel Levy.

Personally i'd like to say Spurs will finish 3rd, and above the old enemy, but that's my heart talking, not my brain. Deep down i think Arsenal will eventually hit form and get their players back from injury. Then they'll go on a run and get 3rd spot.

That of course leaves us with Liverpool and Spurs. Now this is my brain speaking now, not my biased heart ;) . I really think Spurs will get 4th spot. Spurs paly like a team. They have two players for every position and could probably field three good sides.

They have Edgar Davids, whose experience is proving vital, Jermaine Jenas who after a sloppy start to his Spurs career looks like he's hitting form and a huge line of England players - present and for the future - in Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Michael Carrick, Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Paul Robinson.

Liverpool on the other hand seem to be a one man side, built around Steven Gerrard. Whenever he's missing, the team seems laclustre and off the pace. Their forwards arent exactly lethal either.

Theres Cisse, who scores once every 6 games - Morientes, who cant be bothered and wants to be in the cool Madrid climate rather than the English rainy weather - Crouch, who should be a basketball player or an actor in childrens plays, specialising in "Jack and the beenstalk" and finally Sinama Pongolle, who hasnt really set the Premiership alight.

So it's all this that really makes me believe that Spurs can really challenge for a top three or four finish this year and finally put the club where it belongs: In the Big Time!

Jol targets 4th place finish

Spurs boss Martin Jol insisted Tottenham could challenge for a Champions League place after moving into second place by inflicting further misery on Everton.

Although Chelsea are striding ahead in the table, Spurs are now second, with north London rivals Arsenal lagging five points between them with just one match in hand.

Having just missed out on a Uefa Cup place in their final game of last season, Tottenham are now aiming to be in contention for a top four finish - just like Everton managed before this season's collapse in form.

Jol declared: "Everton are a different team to us. We will have some disappointments this season, but we will get better and better. If we have everyone available, we are difficult to beat.

"Is this season a great opportunity for a Champions League place? Of course. We always want to win. We have a lot of new players, but we have coped. If Wigan and Charlton are [near the top of the table] why shouldn't we be second?"

Getafe president slaps price tag on Liverpool target

Getafe president Angel Torres has put a price on the head of the club's star striker Riki.Riki has scored four times this season as Getafe have soared to the top of the Primera Liga and that has sparked rumours of interest from other clubs, not least European champions
Liverpool.

Deportivo La Coruna tried to buy the 25-year-old during the summer and now Rafael Benitez is thought to be interested in taking Riki to Anfield, where he could solve the club's search for both goals and a player able to perform on the wing.Riki has a buy-out clause of just 6million euros (£4m), but Torres says anyone who wants the striker will have to pay it in full.

"We realise that Liverpool or any big club could want Riki, but nobody has officially spoken to us. I don't know if they have spoken to his agent," he told Marca."I have to say that not Liverpool nor anyone are going to get him for 4million euros (£2.73m) - they have to pay his buy-out clause."

Torres knows Riki's importance to the side but is aware that he would be powerless to stop him leaving if any team were willing to pay the asking price.

"He is an adaptable striker who is in the news and it would be a shame for us to lose him, but it's obvious that if someone pays his buy-out clause and he wants to go then there is nothing we can do about it," he added.

"I am not surprised Liverpool may want him because he is in incredible form at the moment. Liverpool have scouts here and all over the place."

Carr announces International retirement

Steven Carr has quit International football following the Republic of Irelands failure to qualify for the world Cup finals in Germany.

Speaking to Newcastle's official site he said: "I've made my decision, there's no going back for me now."

I just feel the time is right to call it a day with Ireland. It was dissapointing for everyone that what we didnt qualify for the World Cup"

The former Spurs full-back collected 39 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He now follows Man Utd skipper Roy Keane and Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham on the retired list after their recent failure.

Wenger supports wages limitation but feels it wouldnt work

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes there is a case for limiting top-flight clubs' expenditure on wages to a percentage of total income.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan last month called for such a measure to be introduced to avoid the Premier League being "ruined" by the spending power of Chelsea, who are backed by billionaire Roman Abramovich.

And this week FIFA president Sepp Blatter launched a blistering attack on hugely wealthy club owners he claims are threatening the future of football, saying "pornographic amounts of money" being thrown around by some could suffocate the game.

Football already runs a voluntary salary cap in Coca-Cola League One and League Two, where clubs cannot spend more than 60% of their income on players' salaries.

And Wenger feels it is something which could also be put into practice for the English top flight.

The Arsenal manager reflected: "What would be fair is you can only dedicate a percentage of your turnover to the wages, because you have to give a freedom to people to pay their players the amount of money they want.

"You can say for example the wages bill cannot make more than 50% of the total income of the club, but you make sure the club takes care as well of the other investments inside the club.

"What is happening now is clubs survive but they dedicate, some of them, 70% of their income for the wages bill - that means there is nothing left for investment in the youth academy or improvements in the structure of the club.

"It would be more reasonable to say you can only dedicate maybe 50% of the wages of the income."

In rugby league, the engage Super League clubs were restricted to an annual player budget of £1.7million.

FIFA supremo Blatter, though, has admitted such a proposal "will not help because we cannot intervene in the economic system and the European Union would not accept it".

It was a sentiment echoed by Wenger.
"I don't believe in it [a wage cap]," the Arsenal manager said.
"Do you think really if tomorrow Abramovich negotiates a contract with [Frank] Lampard, you can stop him from paying like he wants to pay him?
"How can you do it? How can you control it?"

Wenger maintained: "It is an incitement to cheat."

Blatter's solution to prevent the richest clubs hoarding all the best talent is to put a limit on squad numbers and ensure more home-grown players are included, with six in each starting team at domestic level.

The Arsenal boss, though, believes such a system would be detrimental and also ineffective as under the guidelines, the likes of their 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas would be considered 'home-grown'.

Wenger insisted: "First of all we will fight with millions to get the young players at 16 or 17, and instead of getting a better education we will spoil them more.

"Now the clubs are out to get the best players in Europe at 16, so they can be home-grown because they have to spend three years before the age of 21.

"The second effect is a player who is home-grown, you will give him a contract even if he cannot walk anymore because just sometimes he will make the number."
The Arsenal manager declared: "Top-level sport is performance, nothing else."

Complete Premiership Round-Up

Saturday, October 15

Chelsea 5 Bolton Wanderers 1
Liverpool 1 Blackburn Rovers 0
Sunderland 1 Manchester United 3
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Everton 0
West Bromwich Albion 2Arsenal 1
Wigan Athletic 1 Newcastle United 0

Match Reports:

Chelsea 5-1 Bolton:
Chelsea made it 9 wins in 9 games with an emphatic second half perfomance at Stamford Bridge.

Despite an early Stelios Giannakopoulos strike for Sam Allardyce's men, The Blues kept their perfect start to the new season on course with five unanswered goals after the break.

Four goals in the space of seven second half minutes saw Jose Mourinho's on their way to victory at Stamford Bridge - with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard each getting two goals.

Eider Gudjohnsen finished off the scoring with over a quarter of an hour to go as Bolton finished off the match with 10 men after defender Ricardo Gardner got sent off for delibarate handball.

Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn
Rovers were reduced to 10 men on 34 minutes when Zurab Khizanishvili was controversially red-carded for a professional foul.

Blackburn defended superbly but Djibril Cisse finally broke their dogged resistance 15 minutes from time when he smashed home a 30-yard free-kick.

Sunderland 1-3 Man Utd
United were second best for much of the first half but broke away to take the lead five minutes before half-time, Wayne Rooney netting after being unselfishly set up by Park.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was denied by a superb Kelvin Davis save before Rooney set him up for the second 14 minutes from the end.

Stephen Elliott's screamer gave the Black Cats hope just six minutes later. American-born Italian Guiseppe Rossi came on as sub to wrap the game up for United three minutes from time.

Tottenham 2-0 Everton
Spurs continued their good start to the season with a home win against struggling Everton.

Tottenham just about shaded the first half with most of the possesion and with a few chances; Dawson with two headers saved and cleared off the line. The only bright spark for Everton was McFadden's shot, well saved by Paul Robinson.

The second half started with Spurs on the front-foot, with most of the possesion yet again. Their dominant passing game was rewarded when Jermaine Jenas' excellent cross was brilliantly headed in by Egyptian striker Mido.

Jenas capped off a fine perfomance with a great near-post header after some great wing-play by Jermain Defoe.

Everton continued to battle for balls and Duncan Ferguson's introduction ruffled a few feathers in the spurs defence as his header was exceptionally saved by Robinson at point-blank range. Beattie also came close with a header when he came on but Spurs won diservedly.

West Brom 2-1 Arsenal
West Brom came from behind to win for the first time in the Premiership agains a weakened by injuries Arsenal side.

Swiss defender Philippe Senderos escaped his marker at a corner to volley the Gunners in front on 17 minutes.

Kanu blasted his first goal since February to level against his former club seven minutes before the break.

Arsenal's injury woes grew ahead of their Champions League clash with Sparta Prague when Freddie Ljungberg limped off with a hamstring problem.

And on the pitch Darren Carter hammered an unstoppable shot to blast the Baggies winner 14 minutes from time.

Arsenal are now in 8th position and 14 points behind leaders Chelsea, not Wenger's desired start to the season im sure...

Wigan 1-0 Newcastle
The pressure on Graeme Souness' shoulders must be weakening his spine after yet another defeat, this time at the hands of newly-promomoted Wigan Athletic.

Jason Roberts netted the winner for Wigan five minutes before the break as he squeezed the ball home from a narrow angle.

Victory in the early kick-off took the Latics second in the table for a couple of hours.

Jewell: We nearly pulled off shocker

Wigan boss Paul Jewell claims he was close to signing Michael Owen from Real Madrid in the summer.

He denies that their interest in the England hitman was a publicity stunt and remains convinced that Latics chairman Dave Whelan was close to pulling off a transfer shock, even though everyone knew the player wanted to play for Liverpool.

Jewell said: "It's the old thing, if you don't ask you don't get. It looked as if Michael wasn't going to get in at Real Madrid this season, and with it being a World Cup year, we were willing to give him football.

"Everything was done on the quiet, although it leaked out eventually, but it showed the ambition of the chairman and the club itself. I knew Michael wanted to go to Liverpool, everybody knew, even Newcastle fans, but the chairman put a deal to his agent, told him we were willing to pay £11m, and that was before Newcastle came in.

"The chairman was prepared to put an awful lot of money in, pay an awful lot in wages, and we also said if Michael wanted to go in January, or if a bigger club came in then, we were prepared to let him go for what we were willing to buy him for."It might have appeared pie in the sky, but I think it was closer than people think. If Newcastle hadn't have come in, then maybe he might have come here."

He added, "I'm not sure, you would have to ask Michael. I think he was surprised and shocked, but I think he admired us for it."

Allardyce claims Wenger is a "con-man"

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has accused Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger of "conning everybody" into believing the Gunners always play attacking football.

Allardyce claims Wenger is more shrewd in how he portrays his team than Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and that, just like other teams, the north London club are occasionally forced to play more defensively.

He told the Daily Mirror: "Arsene is very good at how he portrays his team's performances. He is conning everybody.

"Arsenal are more attractive in terms of how everyone likes to see football played but perhaps Arsene does a better job media-wise than Jose.

"The perception is that Arsenal always play attacking football and Wenger is very good at putting that over to people but it's not always true."

He added in The Sun: "When they beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final they didn't win playing attacking football, they did it with 4-5-1 and played for penalties."

Levy would consider Olympic Stadium

The Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, has said that the north London club would be interested in a move to the Olympic Stadium after it hosts the London 2012 games.

Currently, the new stadium, which will have a 70,000 capacity, will be used for athletics once the games have finished but Levy admitted that if this was to change, Tottenham would be interested in occupying it.

"At the moment it is going to be used for athletics but if that changes, then I am sure they will come and talk to us," Levy told The Times newspaper."There are only one or two clubs who could occupy it and we are one of the few clubs in the country that have sold every single seat this season."

A move away from White Hart Lane has been mooted in the past but the expense of building a new stadium has always been a stumbling block.Therefore, a move to a stadium which has already been built, even if Spurs were required to stump up some of the costs, would be an ideal situation for the club.

"We have the fourth largest supporter base of any English club and that us an independent assessment," Levy added."The supporter base is not just large, it is very loyal and I can tell you now that, if we were playing in Europe, I don’t care who it would be against, this stadium would be full."

Wenger next to hit out at Blater

Arsene Wenger has rejected suggestions from Sepp Blatter that West Brom would consider fielding a weakened team against Arsenal.The Fifa president claimed he had spoken to an official of the Midlands club, who had told him the Baggies - and others in the English top flight - deliberately select under-strength sides against the Premiership big guns "because they know they will lose."

Wenger, however, believes suggestions Bryan Robson would adopt a similar policy at The Hawthorns - where Arsenal will be depleted by injuries - are well wide of the mark.The Gunners boss said: "Can you really imagine West Brom, second from bottom, will play a weakened team because Arsenal turn up at home? Maybe they did it once and I'm not sure they will do it again."

Blatter also wanted to take action to prevent the richest clubs becoming too dominant, vowing to stop "greed ruling the world of football", as well as launching an outspoken attack on "semi-educated, sometimes foul-mouthed, players demanding insane wages".

Professional Football Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has already hit back at the head of the world's governing body, whom the players' boss accused of being rude and offensive, and biting the hand which feeds him.

Wenger, meanwhile, firmly believes the amount of money in the game is not necessarily counterproductive, and it is rather the concept of players not producing the standards for which they are well rewarded to do so that should be of more concern.

"I feel the fact that the players make money is good," said Wenger."The problem is not that people make money, it's when people don't stand up for it and don't perform for it."Maybe it happens individually, but overall I feel you get what you deserve in life. You have to accept it like that."

Wenger added: "If you were to pay the players half, then the poverty problem would not be solved."The club has to pay what it can afford. After that, the interest will only lower if there is less interest."As long as there is interest there for the club and for the game, then you have to pay. It is like every business."

Keane quits International football, again!

Manchester United's Irish midfielder Roy Keane has called time on International football, again!

The United skipper quit after Ireland failed to qualify in his absence. The Irishman said: "Like all football supporters in the country I am disappointed that the Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup finals"

"Much as I would like to continue playing for my country, I feel the time has come when I should retire from international football and concentrate on domestic football for whatever remains of my football career," he added.

After Ireland's failure to reach the World Cup finals, Brian Kerr, the Republic's manager, has come under a lot of criticism. Many people have called for his head however Keane defended his manager.

"I am aware of the efforts that Brian Kerr and his staff made in an endeavour to qualify for the World Cup finals ... I believe the recent criticism of Brian in the media is both unjust and unfair,"

Cork-born Keane walked out of Ireland's World Cup squad in South Korea in 2002 before the tournament started following a row with then manager Mick McCarthy.

Keane, who won 66 caps for Ireland, did not play in Ireland's last two World Cup qualifying matches because of a broken foot.

Sir Alex hits out at Blatter's comments

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has had a pop at Sepp Blatter after the Fifa president criticised Wayne Rooney.

Blatter said that Ferguson and England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson should get tough with the young striker over his temperament.

The United boss responded:"Fifa is quite happy to take up smaller issues, like a 19-year-old Manchester United player. "It should pursue the really important issues in the game."

Blatter had said to BBC Radio Five Live: "When you play at the level he plays he should be called to order. His managers should be tough on him. He could go on for 15 years but discipline and respect is essential."

Hleb blow adds to Wenger's woes

Arsenal's injury crisis has got even worse today after it was revealed that midfielder Alexander Hleb needs surgery on a knee injury.

The 24-year-old picked up an injury while on international duty with Belarus and is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines.The summer signing from VfB Stuttgart joins Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Gilberto on the sidelines. However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger dismissed talk of a crisis.

"Hleb will be out for six to eight weeks," He said."He is due to have surgery on his knee on Friday."

He added: "I can’t remember having injuries like this before but it’s not a crisis. "We have lost many players over the break when we should have come back refreshed," said Wenger.

"For some it is a question of days, and others - like Ashley Cole and Hleb - it is a matter of six to eight weeks."

King doubtfull for Everton match

Tottenham Hotspur's England hero Ledley King is rated as doubtful for Saturday's Premiership game against Everton after suffering a thigh injury in the World Cup qualifier victory over
Poland on Wednesday night.

Central defender King, impressed when playing in a holding midfield role for England, but is given only a 50-50 chance of facing the Toffees. Spurs coach Martin Jol told the club's website: "He has got an injury, which was always the worry. "But hopefully he will be fit. It is a knock on his thigh - a dead leg."

Cole out for 6-8 weeks

Arsenal defender Ashley Cole is facing a couple of months on the sidelines after manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he'll be out for six to eight weeks.

“We are short at the moment,” said Wenger in an exclusive interview. “Ashley Cole will be out for six to eight weeks. We will lose Gilberto as well because he is landing back only on Friday morning. It is very unlikely I will use him. But Sol Campbell’s absence will be shorter than expected. He could be fit for Tuesday.”

Alexander Hleb also picked up a knock on international duty. On that subject Wenger said: “It is difficult to say how long he will be out for. We will check his knee today so I will be able to tell you more in 24 hours.”

Wenger also commented on Thierry Henry's injury:“Thierry’s progress is remarkable,” said Wenger. “But we are going from day to day. At the moment I do not want to fix any time. I want to be cautious with him and see how his body responds to training sessions. But the signs are very positive.”

Jol: England better than Holland

Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch manager Martin Jol believes England have a better team than the Netherlands and says they should be among the contenders to win the World Cup.

"I think if England play at the top of their game they are a better side (than Holland)," Jol told reporters on Thursday after the final round of World Cup qualifiers. "But they didn't do that and we did."

England eventually won Group Six after struggling through a stop-start campaign in which there were disagreements about the best formation, resulting in an embarrassing defeat in Northern Ireland.

The Netherlands breezed through the qualifiers, winning 10 and drawing two of 12 matches and scoring 27 goals while conceding three to finish five points clear of the Czech Republic, who they beat twice, in Group One.

"They are still moaning in Holland because they had two draws against Macedonia," said Jol.

"But I think that is good because if you want to create top players you have to be very, very critical and honest.

"I think you can judge (the potential of the Dutch team) when they play against the likes of Argentina and Brazil and England because, like England, Holland did not play in the best group."

Asked if the nine-place gap in the world rankings between the Netherlands in second and England was justified, Jol said: "It's because they haven't lost for 15 games and then you go (up) places in the rankings.

"In Holland they say, 'We don't have the best players but we play as a team'. If (Chelsea winger Arjen) Robben is not there we are still very vulnerable because then we don't seem to play well.

"If Robben is there he's always scoring the first goal and giving us that extra spark and you need that. (Wayne) Rooney is probably the same player for England.

"Holland play in the same formation all the time. If England get the chance to do that I think they will be one of the contenders (to win the World Cup)."

Asked where his loyalties would be if England met the Dutch, given that a number of Spurs players including captain Ledley King are in the England squad, Jol said: "I am orange and I will always be."

Spurs in fo Forlan? God i hope not!!

Ex Man Utd ace Diego Forlan has been strongly linked with a move to Spurs.

Tottenham are in need of a goalscorer and Forlan could be the man to replace Robbie Keane at the club.

Tottenham have made some big signings this season, these include world superstar Edgar Davids and also ex Newcastle ace Jermaine Jenas.

Well he was a flop at Man Utd, so if he cant get goals in a side like that, i dont think he'll do better for Spurs. Maybe he just isnt meant to play in the Premiership...

Joaquin's father revives Chelsea link

Joaquin´s father believes the time has come for the Spanish winger to leave Real Betis.

Joaquin is currently with the Spanish national team preparing for their critical World Cup qualifier against San Marino, but his father Aurelio feels he has gone as far as he can with Betis and should head for English champions Chelsea.

"He should leave Betis next year, for his own good and the good of the club, even though people should realise he is happy there. The truth is that everything was done and I don´t think Mourinho will forget about him easily," he said on Punto Radio.

Chelsea already have numerous wingers in their huge squad. Should the add Joaquin to that list we could well see people like Joe Cole leaving in search of first team football.