Chasing the Big Leagues FC Zwolle (Dutch Eerste Divisie) is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's Tales from Tier Two series, in association with @tiertwofooty, concludes now with a look at the runaway leaders of the Dutch Eerste Divisie:

FC Zwolle

FC Zwolle are in pole position to return to the Dutch Eredivisie eight years since they were cruelly relegated after both Volendam and Vitesse claimed rare victories as Zwolle were being thumped 7-1 at Feyenoord.

The Tevez-Pato "will he? won't he" questions ricocheted every which way this January as the musical chairs transfers song played at AC Milan, but at the end everyone retook their own chairs. Boring. Perhaps they were dating Berlusconi's daughter, or were on £200,000 a week slave wages that no one else could match, but whatever the reason, that anti-climax will be followed up by a busy February and early March.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is extremely impressed with Swansea City's home record and suggests that the toughness of the Welsh outfit at Liberty Stadium should ensure survival in the Barclays Premier League.

Following last night's 1-1 draw with the Blues, the Swans are now nine points clear of the relegation zone with a little over a third of the season left to go.

It looks like it could be a race between Sebastien Bassong and Giovani Dos Santos to be the first through the White Hart Lane exit door this month with our defender being the first dissenting voice of this transfer window.

Bassong could have gone to Bolton as part of a Gary Cahill deal in the summer but a more likely destination could be QPR, who have been linked with most of the fringe defenders in the Premiership.

Cristiano Ronaldo put Real up in the 11th minute as he took advantage of the gaping hole between Jose Pinto's legs to swing the ball through after Karim Benzema sprang him free from midfield. That was it for Real's endeavours. Barca momentarily stunned took over the match keeping Iker Casillas busy.

For the first time all season, City were hold scoreless. Too bad Man U isn't close enough to take over the pole position, but maybe this will serve as a blueprint for overwhelmed teams playing City. City dominated possession (72% to 28%) and shots, but just couldn't find a way to break West Brom down.

Juventus pushed themselves into pole position to acquire Carlos Tevez. On offer: £21m for the much troubled striker. Juve's Serie rivals, Milan are also interested but their loan offer for the next six months with a possible permanent deal at the end of the season was not attractive to City, who are looking to get rid of Tevez permanently.

Skysports.com understands Liverpool is in pole position to sign Wycombe Wanderers starlet Jordan Ibe.
The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in England and has attracted the interest of a host of Premier League clubs.
Ibe shot to fame with a superb goal against Sheffield Wednesday at the end of October in his first professional start, following a series of impressive substitute appearances.

Reds to win race for starlet

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are in pole position to sign Wycombe Wanderers starlet Jordan Ibe.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-12 19:23:12 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Ahead of tomorrow night's crucial Champions League against Basel, Darren Fletcher has insisted that the players are fully prepared because they know what is at stake. In 2005, United failed to qualify from the group and thankfully were saved from having the compete in the UEFA Cup.

"It doesn't get much bigger than this," said Fletcher.

The move to Holland has done wonders for Jozy Altidore's scoring touch.

The American forward scored the lone goal in AZ's 5-1 defeat to Heerenveen. Altidore leveled the score in the 20th minute of the match, when he played a give-and-go with a teammate, the forward cut through two defenders before firing in the goal.

Liverpool have jumped to the front of the queue for Bologna midfielder Gaston Ramirez.
The Reds' interest in the Uruguayan starlet has been an open secret for some time, but opposition for Ramirez' signature has also been on the cards, with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Sevilla linked with a bid.

Inter Milan in pole position to land Lucas

Italian club have lodged a bid for Sao Paulo starlet and look set to beat Liverpool to his signature

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-11-29 14:27:37 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

On Wednesday night Milan will entertain Barcelona in the Champions League in a match that will decide which team will take pole position in Group H. In terms of stature and prestige it is the biggest game of the season so far, no doubt. However, with both teams' passage to the next phase already secured, [.

Liverpool is leading the hunt for Blackburn's defensive colossus Chris Samba.
The ambitious Rovers star has switched agents after failing to secure a move away from Ewood Park last summer.
And Liverpool have been alerted to the fact he remains keen on leaving the struggling Ewood Park club.

In the last few months, Spurs have been linked with a host of European goalkeepers as a possible long term custodian for the number one jersey. However, reports today are suggesting that the club could be looking a little closer to home with a move for Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Loach is still only 23 but his quality and potential as a keeper are clear and he has already been recognised with a call up to two full England squads.

Ever since the name of Leandro Damiao first emerged in connection with a move to Spurs, a whole host of other clubs have been linked with hijacking the deal.

Here in England, Arsenal and Liverpool were two clubs to get a mention while it was recently thought that Barcelona were in pole position to sign the Internacional striker.

Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in Fulham player Mouusa Dembele as Kenny Dalglish continues to mould his squad.
Dembele has been a revelation in the Premier League since his move from AZ Alkmaar in 2010 and has continued to win praises for his ability to turn games around in Fulham's favour and has settled under new manager Martin Jol, however reports are suggesting that Liverpool are prepared to make a January approach for the Belgian international who operates as an attacking midfielder for Fulham and is a player that interests Dalglish.

The Eden Hazard rumours persist this morning amidst claims that Spurs a preparing a £45m January bid for the Belgian midfielder and his compatriot – Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen.

Since the rumours started, prices for Hazard alone have varied from around £20m to £35m and while all the usual suspects – Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City etc etc have been linked, some of the stories suggest that Spurs are in pole position and that Harry Redknapp is trying to convince the board that Hazard is the man to cement Champions League football for next season.

According to reports on Insidefutbol.com, Liverpool are in pole position to sign exciting Swedish teenager William Sheriff.
The 15-year-old AIK Solna player has been hailed as a future star by the club and it is thought scouts from around Europe have flocked to Stockholm to watch him in action.
Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are also both thought to be interested, but Liverpool is the player's preferred move should he leave AIK.

Lots of surprises from the first legs of the conference semifinals as Houston, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC and LA all put themselves in the pole position heading in to the second leg. We're here to discuss all the news and preview this week's matches. On the phone are correspondents from Houston, Philly, Kansas City, Colorado, Salt Lake, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles.

I have been most remiss in my coverage of the SLeague in recent weeks and I do apologise for that. I hope to take some games in before the end of the season though.
So how do we stand as we enter the final furlong? I think it's fair to say it's a two horse race as the table shows;
1 - Home United 29 22 2 5 72-28 682 - Tampines Rovers 29 21 3 5 60-23 66
Four games remaining and a two point difference make for another exciting climax to the SLeague.

With just about five games remaining in the SLeague it appears Home United are in pole position with a five point cushion over second played Tampines Rovers who have played a game less.
Last year's champions Etoile are out of the race, 10 points behind the leaders but then they did lose five points after getting involved in a brawl with Hougang United earlier in the season.

Liverpool is the latest Barclays Premier League club to be linked with a move for non-league striker Dan Thompson.
TalkSPORT reports that the non-league 'prodigy' has emerged on Kenny Dalglish's radar in recent weeks, with the Reds looking to add the player to their impressive youth ranks at Anfield.

It wasn't exactly a job well done, but it was mission at least somewhat accomplished two weeks ago in Lisbon, as Manchester United opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw at Benfica. Tonight, United will look to record their first group win and claim pole position in Group C as they welcome Swiss [.

The Colorado Rapids entered Tuesday night sitting atop their CONCACAF Champions League group with a chance to move themselves in pole position for a quarterfinal place.

Santos Laguna had other plans.

The visitors from Mexico turned Dick's Sporting Goods Park into their own personal playground, demolishing a make-shift Rapids defense with speedy wing play and precise passing on their way to a 4-1 victory.

Please say no to Middle East or bust.

Update: With news that Bob Bradley is set to be confirmed for the Egypt national team manager role, we re-issue this editorial below.

-

Late Sunday, the news came across the wire Twitter, that is that Bob Bradley was one of three finalists for the Egypt national team job.

This just in: we did a deal for a highly-touted Spaniard in under four days. What's more? We didn't overpay for his services. Me likey.

Welcome to The Bridge, Juanito.

Let me see if I can track the genesis of this one. On Wednesday of last week, news broke that we were in pole position to get Mata from the clutches of Arsenal and Tottenham.

Clint Dempsey's brace against Dnipro in the Europa Cup qualifiers has put Fulham in pole position to go through to the League format, following their3-0 win at Craven Cottage tonight.

Juan Mata is is only 23. Captain of Valencia, a Spanish International and by all accounts headed for Arsenal....
Well that was before AVB decided that Mata would be perfect for Chelsea. It seems (according to the Guardian) that Chelsea are now in pole position to make a move for the Spaniard and would pip Arsenal and Spurs to his signature.

Every year I write a preview of the season and this year will no different. Given the circumstances and the timing, however, I feel I should stress this is based entirely on where we are now. Not where we might be, or indeed hope to be, in a few weeks time.

So, without further ado, let's start where we always do, with:

GOALKEEPERS

Last year's verdict: Arsenal need a new goalkeeper.

Please say no to Middle East or bust.

Late Sunday, the news came across the wire Twitter, that is that Bob Bradley was one of three finalists for the Egypt national team job.

Monday, Bradley's candidacy assumed pole position as MLS Soccer's Greg Seltzer clarified and corroborated the interest.

James Lawton writes of how Manchester United's will to win is what separates them from their rivals, and keeps them in the pole position heading into the start of the 2011-12 English Premier League campaign.
It is rather too early to know the degree – and the depth – of Manchester United's latest renewal but we do know that their potentially toughest rivals endured more than the pain of late and demoralising defeat.

With Steve Harper picking up another knee injury, and Fraser Forster having dropped a right clanger last Sunday afternoon at Leeds United, it would appear that Tim Krul is now in pole position to become the new Newcastle first choice goalkeeper. Tim Krul in action against Brazil in June man of the match too!

Queens Park Rangers has already had dealings with Paris Saint-Germain in this transfer window and refusing to sell Adel Taraabt may come back to haunt them.
PSG has entered the race for Joe Cole and with the Liverpool's midfielder's £90,000-a-week wages proving a stumbling block in QPR's loan bid, the French outfit are in pole position to sign Cole.

It seems the bidding war has come down to its final hours, with both CFC and PSG in frame to secure the young Argentine's signature. More after the jump:

Kicking into gear shortly?

Welp, color me surprised. This isn't exactly coming out of left-field mind you, but it does somewhat surprise me that we're actually in line to sign a legitimate budding superstar, and an Argentine at that.

The un-clarity regarding Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester City has made Roberto Mancini's side raise their hunt in getting a quality replacement and the latest reports stated that they are very close in acquiring Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid.

After constant confirmation from Mancini about the club's interest on Aguero, recent rumors from Soccernet claimed that the agreement is very near as the Atletico star reportedly set to arrive at Manchester on Wednesday and seal the deal.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

If there were any doubts about the dominance of the Carolina Railhawks after two winless games, they were removed with a 4-1 trouncing of FC Edmonton on Saturday.

Pablo Campos snapped a goalless drought that lasted nearly 700 minutes with a masterful brace to take the forward's goal total to eight on the season.

Our-of-favour Liverpool striker Milan Jovanovic looks to be edging closer towards sealing a move to Belgian giants Anderlecht.
The Serbian forward's stock in the country is still high after a hugely successful stint with Standard Liege before he made the switch to Anfield, and Jovanovic and his representatives met with Anderlecht president Herman Van Holsbeeck yesterday to discuss personal terms; the talks were a continuation of earlier discussions between the two parties.

After Spurs completed the signing of Souleymane Coulibaly, the rumour mills continued to link the club with young players from across Europe.

Whether this is a significant shift in our transfer policy or not, some of these names are definitely interesting and Alan Gatagov is one who could make an impact in the Premiership.