Back in mid-December, Blackburn boss Steve Kean looked a cast-iron certainty to become the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season. Following back-to-back home defeats to West Brom and fellow strugglers Bolton, the seemingly inevitable appeared a matter of days away. An impressive draw at Anfield and an outstanding victory at Old Trafford later however, and supporter pressure began to ease as the Scot led a resurgent Rovers side into the New Year.

By Alan Duffy

Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Queens Park Rangers Premier League 11th February 2012

Despite the recent introduction of new boss Mark Hughes, along with the likes of Bobby Zamora, QPR look set for a long relegation dogfight this season after going down 3-2 to one of their rivals, Blakcburn Rovers, at Ewood Park.

With just a day left in the transfer window, the normal last minute rush that has been so common in past years looks non existent with many clubs choosing to remain very quite in this January.

Carlos Tevez's big money transfer that we were all keenly looking forward to failed to materialise after City refused to back down on their €30 million buying price.

Manchester City finally ended their bad run and also kept their lead at the top of the premier league after picking up a pretty hard fought victory against Wigan Athletic on Monday.

Bosnian international striker, Edin Dzeko, ended his 11th matches goal drought to bring joy again for Man City's faithful after Roberto Mancini's side were disappointed in FA Cup and Carling Cup matches few days ago.

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The Mark Hughes Era Begins: Good luck to Mark Hughes.

In celebration of January, In The Stands have chosen one player per Premier League side that we believe will make a difference. Arsenal: What they need: With an improved defence in recent weeks Arsenal may turn their attentions to another attacking midfielder to give Wenger increased attacking option.

News in the Daily Mirror that Newcastle are in for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha. Nedum Onuoha in actuion against Newcastle last season Onuoha joined Sunderland on a season-long loan deal a year last August, and he played 31 times for the Black Cats with one stupendous goal. That was in London when Sunderland beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge [.

By JOEY SAMUEL

When he took the job as head coach of the US national team, Jurgen Klinsmann urged players in Major League Soccer to keep playing at a high level throughout the offseason.

It appears as though they are listening.

Amobi Okugo became the latest American to earn a training stint at a European club on Monday when he joined SC Freiburg, sources told SBI.

Manchester City CEO Garry Cook has resigned his post at the club following his shameful e-mail which mocked defender Nedum Onuoha's terminally ill Mother.

The e-mail was addressed to City's director of football Brian Marwood but was sent presumably by mistake to Dr. Onuoha who has being diagnosed with cancer.

By Chris Wright

The news has just broken on the Manchester City website that Garry Cook has resigned from his post over claims that he inadvertently sent an email earmarked for Brian Marwood to Nedum Onuoha's mum/agent Anthonia that contained whimsical references to her cancer.

Part of the problem with a twenty-four hour rolling news culture is that the need for instantaneous news, justice and retribution becomes like a drug. The story of Gary Cook's email account has already buzzed around the world and it seems that most people have already made up their minds before Manchester City Football Club has even had the chance to finalise its investigation into what has been going on with regard to some insulting emails that were sent whether accidentally or deliberately, whether by Cook himself or by someone that had hacked his email account to Dr Anthonia Onuoha, the mother and agent of Nedum Onuoha, a Manchester City squad player, mocking Dr Onuoha's battle with cancer.

I came to terms with the fact that dear Gary Cahill is leaving us ages ago. I've even found it in me to be happy for him, He's only 25 and has a lot of game in him. After watching him every week, I think he has the talent to be a regular for England (not that that takes much these days, ahem). With a bigger club will come a bigger reputation, and hopefully more recognition.

I came to terms with the fact that dear Gary Cahill is leaving us ages ago. I've even found it in me to be happy for him, He's only 25 and has a lot of game in him. After watching him every week, I think he has the talent to be a regular for England (not that that takes much these days, ahem). With a bigger club will come a bigger reputation, and hopefully more recognition.

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- Photo from Bushman's Archive: Remembering QPR's 1968/69 Season (Their First-Ever in the First Division)
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Goal of the season? Bargain buy? Flop? Our writers pick the best and the worst from the 2010-11 Premier League season and, yep, Nedum Onuoha and Cheik Tioté both make it.

Liverpool will be hoping there are no beach balls on the pitch when they visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The last time they faced the Black Cats at the Wearside venue, the now departed Darren Bent's winning goal famously deflected into the net off such a piece of beach equipment.
But even if there aren't any beach balls, boss Kenny Dalglish knows there is a potential banana skin to avoid, given the Reds have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season.

Having successful loan players playing for a team always brought the club's wishes in securing a permanent deal for those players by the end of season so they can start the summer in a much more consistent fashion. This method is pretty much what also on Sunderland's management mind or at least their manager, Steve Bruce's plan as the tactician is planning to secure some of the temporary based players that they are having at the moment.

Sunderland have been handed a major boost ahead of their massive north-east derby at the weekend, with the news that three key players could return to action in time to face Newcastle. Nedum Onuoha, Danny Welbeck and club captain Lee Cattermole could all be named in a Sunderland side desperate to gain some pride back after their 5-1 at the hands of their arch-rivals spanking earlier in the season, something the football betting suggests they have every chance of doing.