! Article Start >Newcastle United's manager, Chris Hughton, has seemingly had "more rabbit than Sainsbury's" (to quote the famous Chas n' Dave song) in the last few days. Today, he was looking at future transfers, suggesting that while he is always on the lookout for new players that could genuiniely improve the squad, he would not [. Click to continue reading...

I woke up cheerful today, as is normally the case on most Saturday's, especially on Saturday's when we're playing at home. My smile quickly turned into a miserable frown and my joy evolved, faster than than any Richard Dawkin's book, into disgust as I read that Chelsea are now allowed to trade within January's transfer window after the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) postponed the FIFA imposed ban until it (CAS) has heard the club's appeal. Click to continue reading...

! Article Start >In his statement when he took Newcastle United off the market, Mike Ashley said "... he is totally committed to the future success of Newcastle United and will be focussing on gaining promotion back to the Premier League." Fair enough, but what's with all this nonsense about giving Hughton a million or two [. Click to continue reading...

Right then, the good news is that Harry has spoken openly about us being light in the midfield department.
"I am happy with the squad. The only area we are short of a body is central midfield", said Harry, in preparation for the January sales.
Thank the lord! The only hurdle that I can see us falling on is that teams rarely give away their best players in winter transfer window. Click to continue reading...

Pompey picked up some Saudi Oil money today as Saudi tycoon Ali al-Faraj bought 90% of the financially stricken club from Sulaiman al-Fahim.
Al-Fahim, of Abu Dhabi, bought the club just 44 days ago - but he's out and the 40-year-old al-Faraj is in.
So, what does this mean? Well - for starters, not much on the pitch: Pompey may have a large arsenal of cash to use in the January transfer window - but they'll have to stick with their hodgepodge of new signings and on-loan stars (O'Hara 4. Click to continue reading...

Another week of Premiership action is now in the books, and Thursday means one thing: it's time for the Thursday Throwdown from A to Z. Here we go...

AÂ is for Anelka. Chelsea fans should be counting their lucky stars that both Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba are in spectacular form.

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This coming season promises to be the most exciting in years. Of course, every coming season promises to be the most exciting in years. This is one of the many truisms of English Football. Last season we gaped open mouthed as Manchester City clumsily wooed Global Franchise Entities with the promise of dreams and Ferrero Rocher.

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Gianfranco Zola 1, Mark Hughes 0 Click to continue reading...

It's deadline day! Who will move before 17.00? The snow makes everything a bit more difficult - and the Premierleague are looking into extending it. It looks like Robbie Keane will return to Spurs, though - probably in exchange for Aaron Lennon plus cash. That would allow Darren Bent to go to Everton or Sunderland. Click to continue reading...

I don't know about you, but I am genuinely excited about the rest of the Premier League season. Unlike other seasons, it's not just the title race that is exciting me. Instead, it's the whole table. After the closing of the January transfer window, I can't help but take a look at the battle going on between Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Everton. Click to continue reading...

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It's official. Arshavin has joined Arsenal. Let the lineup speculation and Arsenal formation/tactics debates begin. Click to continue reading...

Blackburn are close to signing Pavel Pogrebnyak, paving the way for Roque Santa Cruz's departure. And could Robbie Keane follow the trend of players returning to Spurs? The latest rumoured deal is cash plus Aaron Lennon. Meanwhile Man City may finally get Shay Given for £8m... We'll keep you up to speed with all the movers and the rumours of the transfer window until the deadline at 1700 GMT on Monday 2 February. Click to continue reading...

And there goes Fulham's Top 10 finish. Poof. Gone. The rumor has turned into reality. 
Fulham stud Jimmy Bullard has officially joined Hull.
I have a big soft spot for the England international not because he saved Fulham from relegation last season, but because he returned from injury to lead my fantasy team Cantona FC to a third straight mini-league title last season. Click to continue reading...

Quite a while ago, the introduction of the January transfer window was applauded by everyone across Europe as it had something in it for everyone. While the managers got the chance to splash some extra cash in exchange for much needed talent, the fans got the opportunity to see a new face arrive at their club. Click to continue reading...

When I turn the clock back just five short years and analyze strikers in the Premier League, I think about the clinical Ruud van Nistelrooy. I think about the smooth Thierry Henry.  I even think about the thunder-thighs of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
But maybe I should think James Beattie. In a not-so-sensational return to top flight football, Stoke have signed Beattie from Sheffield United. Click to continue reading...

We commented on Defoe's move to Tottenham even before the New Year rolled around and then again more recently this past week in 2009, so that 'breaking news,' isn't all that breaking to us. Just wanted to let you know you can check those previous posts for our buy-Defoe fantasy analysis.
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He was excellent at Bolton. Servicable for the Israeli national team. Mediocre at Chelsea. And with an ass full of splinters at Manchester City. At just 22 years of age, Tal Ben-Haim's performances for Bolton were excellent - he even wore the Captain's armband for the club in the UEFA Cup in 2005. 
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Click to continue reading...

Portsmouth's defensive wizard Glen Johnson is on the verge of signing a new four-year deal to stay at Portsmouth. Good news for Portsmouth fans. Great news for Alvaro Arbeloa fantasy footie owners. 
Johnson was reportedly a 10 million pound target for the Anfield club but sources on the South Coast indicate that he will stay at Fratton Park. Click to continue reading...

Daryl McMahon's proposed move to Cambridge is on the brink of collapse apparently after he failed a medical. Boro's chief executive, Bob Makin confirmed earlier today that McMahon was talking to Cambridge about a move after it was revealed yesterday by AmberArmy.net. "Daryl has been available for some time and a number of clubs have made [. Click to continue reading...

With the January transfer window now officially in full swing, it's important to take a look at the impact of potential signings on current fantasy football studs and duds. Let's look at the likeliest transfers rumoured around the Premier League and analyze the fantasy impact:

• Jermain Defoe to Tottenham.

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Fabio Cannavaro, Carlos Tevez, Michael Ballack, Michael Owen, Mark Van Bommel, Fred... these are but a few of the players whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. And with the january transfer window practically at our doorstep, it is time to give these "old timers" a chance they are still [. Click to continue reading...

Fabio Cannavaro, Carlos Tevez, Michael Ballack, Michael Owen, Mark Van Bommel, Fred... these are but a few of the players whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. And with the january transfer window practically at our doorstep, it is time to give these "old timers" a chance to prove they [. Click to continue reading...

We are quickly approaching that wholesale time of the year again when everyone is out for a bargain following the Christmas rush, the same going for the top clubs around Europe. Whilst many people will be looking for a cheap television every manager across Western Europe will be on the hunt for that missing element in their side.

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Another promoted side, another embarrassing defeat for the Gunners and the north London side look like they have taken a step back after being out muscled at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. Back are the bad old days for Gunners fans when they were pushed off the park by the likes [...] Click to continue reading...

Southgate confident deal for Alves will remain despite AZ Alkmaar dispute
Gareth Southgate is confident there is no case to answer despite AZ Alkmaar's claims of a pre-contract agreement with Alfonso Alves, the Heerenveen player, who signed a four and a half year deal with Middlesbrough on Thursday. Click to continue reading...

Gardner joins the Toffee's chase for fourth place
Everton have signed Anthony Gardner on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season. Gardner joined Tottenham from Port Vale for 1 million pounds in 2000, but a series of injuries wrecked his time at White Hart Lane. Gardner has one England cap, coming against Sweden in March 2004. Click to continue reading...

Benjani deal stalls as Manchester City pull out at the last minute
There were bizarre events in Manchester last night, as the Manchester City board tried to abort the transfer of Benjani from Portsmouth at the last minute. Benjani himself not only arrived late, after missing two planes, but also failed to properly sign the required paperwork. Click to continue reading...

Portsmouth - Benjani too late for City, while Defoe signs in
Things didn't go quite to plan for Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth yesterday. A deal was agreed for Benjani to go to Manchester City for a fee of 9 million. However the player bizarrely arrived too late in Manchester to complete the deal. Click to continue reading...

Sky Sports News reports Mascherano has signed for Liverpool
Sky Sports News is reporting that with three minutes of the January transfer window remaining, Argentina International Javier Mascherano, has signed for a permanent move to Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £17million.
If true this will delight Rafa Benitez and give the club a bit of a lift after all the recent turmoil. Click to continue reading...

Mascherano deal close but not yet done
Liverpool are understood to have agreed a deal with Kia Joorabchian, who heads the companies who own Mascherano's "economic rights", for the club to assume sole ownership of the until June 2012. The fee is believed to be 17.1 million pounds. Liverpool were hoping to negotiate the fee down, but realised the strong interest of other clubs meant they had to pay the asking price. Click to continue reading...

Spurs to swoop again and go for Rangers Hutton
Juande Ramos is set to further add to his defence, by paying 9 million pounds to Rangers for defender Alan Hutton. Hutton has long been the subject of speculation of a move to the Premier League and Tottenham have been prominent in those reports. Click to continue reading...

McFadden Birmingham deal not done, as second club enters race
James McFadden left St Andrews last night, after being unable to agree terms wih Birmingham City. Reports also surfaced of an unnamed second club entering the chase for the Scottish international. The event will disappoint Alex McLeish who has been a long admirer of McFadden's talents from his days as Scotland boss. Click to continue reading...

Keegan to hit the ground running with a bid for Daniel Jarque

Kevin Keegan is hoping to make a swift move in the transfer market, on his return to Newcastle with a bid for Daniel Jarque of Espanyol. The Espanyol defender has been the subject of speculation that Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos would make a move. Click to continue reading...

Tiago to Juve', Fred to Tottenham, Liverpool watching Bridge
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is interested in Juventus midfielder Tiago. Despite his mixed season at the old lady of Turin, Tiago is highly rated by Schuster from his successful Olympique Lyon days.
Tottenham are reportedly in talks with Lyon's brazilian striker Fred, regarding a cool 9 million pound deal. Click to continue reading...

Sissoko's next club not clear as three clubs jostle to seal a deal
Reports are circulating that Juventus have cooled their interest in Liverpool's Momo Sissoko, leading to speculation that Liverpool will not be able to afford to tie up the Javier Mascherano deal in this transfer window.
Of note however, is the fact that the Liverpool Echo is reporting three clubs are interested in Sissoko, which all points to a deal being done soon. Click to continue reading...