Jack Rodwell available for England duty

Everton manager David Moyes has allowed youngster Jack Rodwell to team up with the England Under-21s squad, despite not being fully-fit.

He has not featured for the Toffees since injuring an ankle in the defeat to Aston Villa on August 29, but after being named on the bench for the previous three games, Moyes believes it will do him some good linking up with Stuart Pearce's young lions ahead of next week's game with Germany.

With a Premier League clash against Arsenal at Goodison Park next up, the Scot has also suggested he may be ready to make a return.

"Today is the first day I have actually thought, 'Yes, you're looking better'," he said.

"He's said this morning he is feeling more confident in his ankle, so I'm happy for him to go with the under-21s.

"With a bit of luck he might get a bit of that game, which will help him improve his fitness and give him some match time.

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"He is closer, he has got a chance of starting this weekend. I don't think in the last couple of games he was, but he is now just about there."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Aston Villa chief gives his backing

Aston Villa have backed under-fire boss Alex McLeish, despite admitting that the situation at the club is currently less than ideal.

The Villa Park outfit are not yet clear of relegation danger, and after losing to Bolton on Tuesday night remain in 15th place on 36 points.

Despite only seven league wins this term, chairman Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner have released a statement in support of the Scottish coach.

“Right now everyone connected with Villa is hurting badly,” the statement on Villa’s official website starts.

“A win was in sight against Bolton after a strong start and the tenacity the team displayed, although ultimately we weren’t able to hold on for the points.

“We very openly acknowledge the frustrations of Villa fans and share in them completely. What matters to us and the board at this moment is how we, as a club, handle adversity and the pressure it brings.

“Our horizon is the next three games and we continue to be in control of our own destiny. Young players side-by-side with more senior players are fighting hard for the club.

“They are now preparing for West Brom followed by Spurs and Norwich.

“We will continue to support and rely on our manager and the squad and therefore give them our full support. We are totally conscious, as is everyone at the club, that this is a very trying time for those who love Aston Villa.

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“We know that the team will continue to fight through every minute of the remaining games and we hope Villa fans will continue to show their great support,” it concludes.

By Gareth McKnight

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Is the Premier League top six becoming a closed shop?

It would be perhaps be a step too far to call the Premier League anti-competitive, but you could have a fair bet that the top six in the Premier League next season would be Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool – but it remains to be seen in which order those teams will finish; but it would be a surprise if a different club appeared in those top six places.

Teams that may look to break into the top six would be Everton, Fulham and if they can make the right managerial appointment Aston Villa may fancy their chances. However, do they really stand much of a chance especially given the impressive squads of the current top six? Chelsea looks set to return to their old ways and spend big during the summer and we all know that Manchester City will do likewise; but Manchester United are also looking for a big spend as they bring in replacements for players like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Arsene Wenger will be reluctant to spend big – but they will also feel they need to bring in some new quality.

Liverpool’s £35m capture of Andy Carroll show that they are unlikely to penny pinch in the summer and even if Tottenham don’t spend big they already have an impressive squad and any players that leave will be replaced with quality.

The table below shows the 2010 breakdown of the current top six clubs financial breakdown:

Club

Turnover

Gate/Match-Day Income

Commercial Income

Wage Bill

TV Income

Arsenal

£382m

£94m

£31m

£110m

£85m

Man Utd

£286m

£100m

£81m

£131m

£104m

Man City

£125m

£18m

£53m

£133m

£54m

Chelsea

£213m

*

*

£174m

Unknown

Tottenham

£119m

£27m

#

£67m

£52m

Liverpool

£185m

£43m

£62m

£121m

£80m

*Chelsea’s figure is basically combined between Match-day Income and Commercial income and totals £213m comprising of football activities, hotel/catering, corporate hospitality, other commercial and merchandising.

#Tottenham’s number is £42m and comprises of sponsorship/hospitality, merchandising and other commercial income.

Now it is clear that these clubs are making a lot of money and makes it very difficult for other clubs to break in and in particular the income Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal enjoy from match-day and commercial income. It also should be noted that 5 of the top 6 clubs have a wage bill in excess of £100m, suggesting that clubs need to pay a certain amount to build a successful club.

If I then go back to the three clubs of Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton that may be most likely to break in based on how they finished last season and their previous records in the Premier League.

From a purely financial point to view Aston Villa are the best placed of the three clubs. Fulham and Everton face a significant financial shortfall from the current top six.

Here is another table shows the facts from 2010:

Club

Turnover

Gate/Match-day income

Commercial Income

Wage Bill

TV Income

Aston Villa

£91m

£24m

£14m

£80m

£52m

Everton

£79m

£19m

£10m

£54m

£50m

Fulham*

£77m

£11m

£11m

£49m

£42m

*Fulham also gained a further £11m as a result of being involved in the Europa League.

This really does show that it will be a big challenge to break into the top six next season for any of these clubs. Clearly the transfer spending will be significantly smaller than the big six and it will be very difficult for them to compete.

It will certainly be interesting to see what happens with the financial fair play rules and there are indications that clubs will look to spend big this summer – because it’s likely to be their last chance to do so. But let’s not make the mistake to assume that it will make a fairer financial situation for everybody. Yes, there are positives such as it should restrict massive transfer fees – but what is considered within the means of Manchester United is entirely different than what is within the means of Fulham.

The brand and the income of Manchester United is simply too strong and whatever rules come in the reality is the team will always make huge amounts of income and be able to spend significant amount of money in the transfer market and let’s keep in the mind they already have a superb squad and facilities.

With the possible exception of Aston Villa the teams out of the top six cannot hope to compete on a financial basis. So their best hope of putting together a challenge is by playing the game smart. First of all that means having a top quality manager who will build the team in the right way, but will also not have problems from the board interfering with transfer policy.

Next investing in the youth system is going be very important to develop future star players and giving them the best chance of developing. So it will be important to both invest in the best facilities but also develop a world-wide youth scouting set-up to try and find the very best youngsters and get them into the youth set-up; a policy that will be useful to do anyway to help satisfy some of those home-grown rules.

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However, even by doing that it is still going to be very difficult because of the financial gulf and also the bigger clubs may also look to implement similar ideas and may have the advantage of also being able to bring in big-money signings. But the other problem that smaller clubs are going to have is keeping the squad together, which is an important part of the strategy; If players must be sold then the money will need to be reinvested into the team to continue the progression.

By doing these things then the likes of Fulham may have a chance but you have to feel it is a fairly slim one.

* Financial information courtesy of David Conn’s article -In sickness and in wealth: a guide to the latest accounts at England’s top clubs – click here to view

If you liked this content please join me on Twitter to continue this debate.

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Gary Neville Speaks on Behalf of United Fans

Manchester United fans are a forgiving lot, well this is according to Gary Neville. In his column for the Sunday Times of Malta, Neville has taken it upon himself to assume the feelings of the United fans and believes that the vast majority will forgive Wayne Rooney for his recent shambolic conduct. Rooney has managed to ascertain an increased amount of money in his contract, whilst simultaneously creating a sordid affair that leaves onlookers dismayed and confused. Surely it could have all been dealt with privately and with a certain degree of decorum? Whereas now the fans are being told that they will forgive Rooney by Neville, but I think this is more of a rallying cry and pleading with United fans than anything else.

With a newly signed five-year contract sealed for all parties involved, how are Manchester United fans to react? Do they have a certain degree of gratitude that Rooney felt the club just about meet his immense amount of ambition or do they renounce and revile the player altogether? Gary Neville writes: “The main thing is that after a difficult week the best outcome was reached for all parties. He has apologised to the fans and everyone else connected with the club so we have to put it to bed now.” Is that the end of it? No further repressed feelings of irritation or resentment will be held by any one of the players at United who were deemed inferior by Rooney. This is only speaking of the players, what of the fans? Do they completely absolve Rooney of all of his misdemeanors?

What can be confidently said is that time is short and football is a fickle business. For if Rooney reasserts himself as the goal scoring force we saw last season, it will go an innumerable distance towards winning the favours of everyone at the club. This is what Neville holds true to by stating that, “While there will always be fallout from an incident like this, as soon as we get back to playing football and Wayne gets back on the pitch it will all be forgotten about.”

Let us construct a parallel reality in which Rooney doesn’t recapture his previous form and continues upon this terrible vein of form he presently finds himself. He will no doubt incur the wrath of opposing supporters nationwide and, I believe to be fairly safe in saying this, United fans will lose patience with a player who won’t have justified the money being paid him. There seems only one reality that Rooney must use all of his powers in order to fashion; otherwise a troubled future lies ahead.

“He has always given 100 per cent when he has pulled on a United shirt, and that is the overriding factor. No-one can doubt that he loves playing football for this club and I have no doubt the fans will support him through the rest of his career here.” These sorts of statement, including the aforementioned ones, can come across as peremptory. They seem to suggest knowledge of the fans that can be, beyond all reason, affirmed. Does it align with your instinct or thoughts concerning the player?

But enough of my thoughts and perspective of Neville’s faith in Manchester United fans, how do you feel about this saga? Will United fans be so easily forgiving and fully back Rooney? Or has the time come that just because you’re a highly talented sports professional doesn’t mean you can disrespect fans without being reprimanded? Are fans superfluous when it comes to matters of this regard? All of your thoughts are welcome below.

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Caption Competition: One way for Dalglish to turn things around at Liverpool

Last week was one to forget for Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish. The Reds forfeited a two-goal lead at Loftus Road and went on to lose 3-2 to QPR, before following that up with another Premier League defeat at Anfield against lowly Wigan Athletic.

Liverpool might have already won the Carling Cup this year as well as making the semi-final of the FA Cup with a tasty Merseyside Derby against Everton at Wembley on the horizon, but the Reds have greatly underachieved in the league and currently lie in 7th place in the table, 13 points off the top four.

Dalglish has got his work cut out to turn things round and it looks like he’d like to get his boots back on and play for the Reds as he tries to get the ball off Wigan manager Roberto Martinez. Can you provide a funny caption for this picture?

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Leave your suggestions in the comments section below…

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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.

Last week’s winner: David Regan – click here to see all entries

Top 20 WORST Football Kits All Time

It’s one thing to watch your team play badly, but having to watch them in what can only be described as a major fashion faux pas is just unforgiveable. From clashing colours, to odd pictures and animal-esque designs (yes I’m being deadly serious), football isn’t quite the beautiful game when it comes to designing kits. It appears from my ‘research’ that the 1990’s and Mexico’s keeper Jorge Campos are the main culprits for offending our eyes week in week out, without even so much as an apology. Put some of these on a canvas and we would be comparing them to Picasso’s masterpieces, but on a football pitch on a Saturday afternoon at 3pm, and the game is lost before a ball is even kicked.

To sum up the horrors I have seen, even David Beckham would struggle for sex appeal in these…oh who are we kidding? The guy would easily pull off Tiger stripes.

Click on Stade de Francais to see the worst 20 kits of our time

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Written By Dan Blazer

Cole – more than just your average Joe

So it’s this time again. Fabio Capello’s squad for the upcoming Montenegro match came under the spotlight, as would be expected following The World Cup performance. Bolton’s 33 year old Kevin Davies won the battle for the media’s attention, after a call up for the first time in his career. But it was another premiership star that turned my head.

Joe Cole. One of England’s most technically gifted players. Back where he very much should be. With Davies, his inclusion was a surprise as it’s felt he no longer has the legs for international competition. But the shock with Cole is that he seems to be so far out of Capello’s plans. Right or wrong, he doesn’t seem one of the England bosses favourites. But why? He got fewer minutes than Paul the Octopus at The World Cup, has rarely started under Capello, and is further down the pecking order than Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s never let England down and has always performed to a good level with his club side. And that’s club sides which include Chelsea and Liverpool.

This is a player that has won Premierships, FA Cups, played in Europe and has over 50 caps for England. A short walk down the Kings Road on a match day last season shows evidence that Chelsea fans wanted Cole to stay. Behind John Terry and Frank Lampard, he was one of their own. When it became clear Cole wanted out, you only have to look who came calling. Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool were all linked, with the latter prevailing for the race to his signature. A player being linked with those clubs is surely worthy of a few more minutes on the Wembley turf.

It’s suggested that the key to success in the international game, is using the ball intelligently. Germany, Spain, Brazil, and certain Holland players all do this. As does Joe Cole when called upon. Was it just me shouting for Cole to enter the fray numerous times in South Africa? I’d be surprised if it was. In fact I know I wasn’t. As John Terry said in his somewhat controversial press conference “I personally think that him and Wayne are the only two in the side who can really open things up and be the key to breaking down defences”. Of course he shouldn’t have said it, but maybe he had a point.

Going back to his technique. I don’t believe many England players can compete alongside Spanish or Brazilian stars when it comes to technique. Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, and yes Joe Cole, are the only potential candidates from our shores. I encourage any doubters to watch his goal against Sweden on the 20th of June 2006. A volley which very few could pull off. Especially under the Worlds eye. And just for the record, Cole got man of the match in that game.

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I don’t personally know Capello or Cole. What goes on behind closed doors may be to Capello’s dislike, which is why Cole doesn’t play. Fair enough. But Joe Cole on a football pitch is without doubt a major asset to England, and how many of The 2010 World Cup squad can we say that about?

Written By Rob Edwards

Has his Arsenal career clock ticked too far?

To remain or not to remain. That is the question. Theo Walcott has been at Arsenal a long time now and whilst still only being 22, he is certainly one of the Gunners more experienced heads in their quest for fourth place this campaign. A frustrating talent, Walcott’s inconsistencies have continued to deceive his adorning Arsenal public this term. Time is certainly flying by. Has Walcott’s clock ticked too far?

The well-spoken winger is currently enjoying a campaign free from injury and has been a constant fixture on the right flank for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger clearly trusts the player whom he groomed for many years as the natural successor to Thierry Henry. But with Henry back at the club this January, does this indeed represent the lack of impact made by the prodigy in the time elapsed. In short, yes.

Wenger recently spoke about team mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and modern football being in a state of ‘immediacy’ whereby great things are expected of young talents in a short space of time. Walcott has had years.

Whilst remaining to be one of the Premier League’s fastest players, Walcott continues to run with his head down, careering into the full back as opposed to getting beyond them and firing a cross in to the box. Whilst it must be accepted that Arsenal’s game is to play neat passes into feet around the box, many more chances could be created simply if Walcott got his head up and looked.

Chris Waddle criticised the England international back in 2010 stating

“I’ve never seen him develop. He just doesn’t understand the game for me – where to be running, when to run inside a full-back”.

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What seems to be more frustrating for Gunners fans is that Theo seems to go on a good run of form, for example at Carrow Road where he linked up with Robin Van Persie fantastically, and then goes missing in two or three games prior to a productive game. Following snippets of brilliance over the years and an ability to strike more often against Chelsea, Walcott has proved amongst the most frustrating of talents.

Many Walcott fans believed it was lift off in his career following his hat-trick for England in Zagreb but it is difficult to measure how far he has come in the time since.

A good finisher; Walcott far too often finds himself isolated on the touchline, only to be substituted for the likes of Andrey Arshavin three quarters of a way through a game. Theo himself would admit that he’d like to improve on just six Premier League strikes this season. He remains to be a likeable member of the Arsenal squad with chants of ‘Theo, Theo’ often radiating from the terraces, but this seems to be more in hope rather than expectation. It is all in too short supply from a player whose impact could be devastating if he mastered his final ball productivity.

It seems apparent that the likes of Gareth Bale and Ashley Young have improved tenfold in the same period of time as Walcott has had, but with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now in the first-team reckoning, Walcott’s future first-team place may not be guaranteed, although England continue to select him for the senior squad.

Walcott has publicly voiced his desire to play up front for Arsenal in the past, but with Robin Van Persie’s form and indeed Walcott’s inconsistencies it is likely that such a wish will again fall upon deaf ears. A far greater contribution is needed in what is proving to be a gruelling roller coaster ride of a campaign for Arsenal, and Walcott’s tendencies to coast through games with little contribution is proving far too tedious.

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It may take more than a final whistle clap to the fans to truly appease the Gunners faithful on Walcott whom many Arsenal fans still think has the ability to become part of the clubs all-time folklore.

But with needs must this campaign, patience is certainly at a minimum. If Arsenal fans accept the role of timekeeper, they will find that Walcott’s best form is yet to arrive. Time to let go? Only time will tell.

Should Walcott be given more time or are you also frustrated with his inconsistencies? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

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Coyle keen to end season on a high

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle insists a couple of recent disappointing results does not mean their season has been a failure.Bolton fans were left deflated by the comprehensive 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat their side suffered at the hands of Stoke City at Wembley two weekends ago.

Although they bounced back in the Premier League with a fine 2-1 win over Arsenal, Bolton went down 3-0 at Fulham in midweek.

But they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday looking for the best possible end to the campaign.

“Our motivation is to finish the season as strongly as we can,” Coyle said on Friday.

“I never thought about getting into Europe, I just want to improve Bolton Wanderers from one season to the next.”

“I am flattered people thought we might qualify for Europe because we were favourites for relegation when I came into this job.”

“We were in the bottom three and for people to say we would do so well shows how much progress this club has made, having spent very little money.”

“There are huge clubs below us in the table who have spent over 20 million pounds so we are pleased with how the season has gone.”

“We now have to finish the season strongly then look for areas we can improve.”

Bolton will be shorn of a few players at Blackburn, but Coyle has done his best to patch up the side.

Those who are fit to play will know local bragging rights are at stake in this Lancashire derby.

“It’s fair to say that we will be short of numbers but the ones that are fit and available will be doing everything in their power to win a local derby,” he said.

“Mark Davies will have a scan on his ankle. He had a few problems last season but this year he had been doing ever so well, up until he turned it late on at Birmingham.”

“He hasn’t been right since and hasn’t felt quite 100 percent. We want to get to the bottom of it and nip it in the bud so that it is sorted out properly. Hopefully it won’t be too bad.”

“Unfortunately, Daniel Sturridge wasn’t quite fit for Fulham but he has responded to treatment – he will be touch and go. We don’t do anything detrimental to Daniel and we need to show consideration to his parent club Chelsea who have loaned him to us.”

“We have to do what is right by everybody. Yes we want him fit and available because he has been sensational for us, but we need to look at the bigger picture.”

“Gretar Steinsson is a big doubt. He has jarred his knee and at this moment I would say that it will be highly unlikely he will play at Blackburn. But he is the type of lad to play through the pain barrier, so we will wait until the last moment and take it from there.”

Defender Sam Ricketts (Achilles) and midfielders Sean Davis and Stuart Holden (both knee) will definitely not play.

Jose Mourinho points to next challenge

Shortly after winning an unprecedented treble with Internazionale the self-proclaimed ‘special one,’ Jose Mourinho took charge of Real Madrid. Following two trophyless seasons at the Bernabeu, the club dismissed Manuel Pellegrini and brought in a manager to match their galactico players. Before his move was sealed, Mourinho targeted a “grand slam” of Spanish, Italian and English league titles, a feat yet to be achieved by a manager or player. Having made an indifferent league start, has the former Chelsea manager already indicated where his next challenge lies? He declared an interest in coaching the Portuguese national team for their two Euro 2012 qualifiers next month. Will a man whose ambition and ego are unrivalled take to the international stage next?

Madrid flaunted their ample check book again this summer but not to the dramatic effect of the previous year. Nonetheless Mourinho signed Germany’s Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira as well as Ricardo Carvalho and Angel Di Maria. Last week Sir Alex Ferguson said of his task, “The Real Madrid job is the hardest challenge in Jose’s career. I’ve spoken to Jose a couple of times and he is not managing a normal football club.” His words were prescient as the Portuguese tactician has already faced criticism for his cautious yet clinical brand of football. Thus far his star-studded side have played five, winning three and drawing two. In his first game as manager the team lost Cristiano Ronaldo to injury and drew to Mallorca. Whistles from the home crowd blemished their 1-0 victory over Osasuna. Los Blancos sit comfortably in fourth place, however, one point behind behind Barcelona who he will attempt to dethrone as league champions.

Regardless of contrasting football beliefs between the manager and the supporters, his short tenure at the club so far has been overshadowed by a story linking him to the Portuguese national job, albeit temporarily. After dismissing Carlos Queiroz the Portuguese Football Federation approached Mourinho about the prospect of presiding over two impending qualifiers against Denmark and Iceland. The functioning workaholic was purportedly interested in the offer. “I don’t understand why Real will not let me coach Portugal when I have almost nothing to do in Madrid.” There will be no La Liga fixtures during the forthcoming international break. A frank exchange with the club’s general director, Jorge Valdano presumably ensued as Mourinho has since acknowledged that the interim role was not feasible.

Nevertheless this intriguing episode has alerted bookmakers as to where Mourinho will go next. International glory would undoubtedly allow him to realise his dream of being the world’s most successful football manager. His current target is to bestow Real Madrid with a record tenth European Cup and to become the first tactician to win the Champions League with three different clubs. It is worth noting that Chelsea fired him for failing in this regard and Massimo Moratti considered doing the same after his first season at the San Siro. Patience was a virtue for the Milanese club and the same quality may be required at Madrid, especially after warning that he is, “not Harry Potter.”

If he can conquer this challenge and not falter in his ambitions there is surely only one destination left for him, international management. Similarly Carlo Ancelotti has stated that his one unfulfilled ambition in football is to manage an African team at the World Cup. Two noteworthy former Real Madrid managers, Fabio Capello and Vicente del Bosque took to the international arena with mixed effect in recent times. Few would bet against Mourinho following that illustrious route.

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