A curious one, this. Back in the days of yore, when Luka Modric limped off against Birmingham, I don't think anyone foresaw things panning out quite this way. Robbie Keane undroppable, wingers treated like lepers, long-ball upon long-ball. We're muddling through, but the sooner both the Croatian genius and Lennon return, the better.

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According to The Shields Gazzette, Middlesbrough have no intentions of selling winger Adam Johnson despite interest from Sunderland. Chief executive Keith Lamb was quoted as saying,

"We have had no approach from Sunderland, nor would we welcome one .

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According to The Shields Gazzette, Sunderland are not likely going to go after Tottenham midfielder David Bentley this January. Boss Steve Bruce was quoted as saying,

"David Bentley is a good player, but I would consider a move for him very unlikely.

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We'll soon officially announce that United's six-year relationship with Tom Soehn has ended. United's one-time Assistant Coach (2004-2006) and its Head Coach for the last three seasons (2007-2009) has removed his name from consideration for the club's head coaching position ahead of the expiration of his three-year contract at the end of the calendar year.

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That's what I heard at the end of the DC United vs Chivas USA match. I made the trip up to RFK Stadium and took in the 2-0 loss in person. It is time to give up on this season and start to look at changes for next season. The first 2 changes are find a new goalkeeper and a new head coach. Josh Wicks is looking at a suspension by the US Soccer Federation from his actions during the US Open Cup final.

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Right now the Rave Green Nation is in various level of disappointment. The early success and recent form have combined to create a frustrated fanbase with some even thinking that Sounders won't earn a single point in the remaining three matches. Visions of Shields and Cups danced in our heads at one point, [. Click to continue reading...

Heading into the fourth round of CONCACAF Champions League and the leaders are separating themselves from the pack. Nowhere is this more evident than Group C, where Columbus and Cruz Azul have a small lead ahead of the bottom two teams in the group, Saprissa and Puerto Rico.Â

With the way the standings are set, the winner of tonight's match is in the driver's seat to at least snag one of the top two spots in the group and advance to the quarterfinals. Click to continue reading...

"No other man-made device since the shields and lances of the ancient knights fulfills a man's ego like an automobile." - Sir William

Who is (was) Sir William you may ask....to which I have no answer, but we must agree that he was right on the money with that one! Not that anyone could suggest, even in their wildest dreams, that the modern professional footballer is in need of too many ‘extras' to massage his ego.

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IT was quite apt that Xabi Alonso sat right next to the emergency exit on flight 7208 from Barcelona to Liverpool on Monday night.
It was, after all, that very door which he had been searching for at Anfield for some time previous.
Given the way the relationship between Alonso had Rafa Benitez had deteriorated many had expected a few barbed comments to be fired back and forth from Madrid and Merseyside once the midfielder's much-longed for moved to Real was completed a couple of days later. Click to continue reading...

First of all I would like to say why I am writing this article, I am writing this article because of some of the appalling ones I have read with mediocre views, and I feel that there needed to be a decent knowledgeable article, and I know the Arsene Wenger subject is hot among fans.

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UPDATE: According to Neil Farrington at the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Tottenham are leading the way for Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong. A source close to Bassong said,

"We're waiting to hear back from a couple of other clubs regarding Seb, but Tottenham are definitely keen.

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According to The Shields Gazzette, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is interested in Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong.

However it is believed that Bruce is going after Rosenborg midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred first.

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Arsene Wenger IS NOT leaving.

As I was perusing the morning news stories, feeling smug in my knowledge that Wenger was going no where, I tried to imagine what it would have been like if I woke up this morning and read a headline like... Wenger Releases Statement: I Need to Fulfil My Real Dream!

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FC Dallas Founded: 1996 as Dallas Burn Home Stadium: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, TX Record Since 2000: 102-111-45 All Time Scorer in MLS: Jason Kreis (91) All Time Cups/Shields: 1 US Open Cup 2008 Record: 8-10-12, 36 pts, 5th in Western Conference 2008 Leading Scorer: Kenny Cooper (18) 2008 Keeper: Dario Sala (1. Click to continue reading...

Los Angeles Galaxy Founded: 1995 Home Stadium: The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA Record Since 2000: 105-102-63 All Time Scorer in MLS: Cobi Jones (70) All Time Cups/Shields: 2 MLS Cups, 2 Supporters' Shield, 2 US Open Cups, 1 CONCACAF Champions Cup 2008 Record: 8-13-9, 33 pts, 7th in Western Conference 2008 Leading Scorer: Landon Donovan (20) 2008 Keeper: Steve Cronin (2. Click to continue reading...

For the second big game of the season Arsene Wenger has deployed Abou Diaby as a winger. Whilst the big man played there last season and has also been deployed in that position this season, he is not and never will be a winger.

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Diaby's best performances have either been as a central midfielder or playing behind the main striker.

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San Jose Earthquakes Founded: 1995 as San Jose Clash Home Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, CA Record Since 2000: 83-69-56 All Time Scorer in MLS: Ronald Cerritos (61) All Time Cups/Shields: 1 MLS Cups, 1 Supporters' Shield 2008 Record: 8-13-9, 33 pts, 6th in Western Conference 2008 Leading Scorer: Darren Huckerby (6) 2008 Keeper: Joe Cannon (1. Click to continue reading...

CD Chivas USA Founded: 2004 Home Stadium: The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA Record Since 2000: 41-49-34 All Time Scorer in MLS: Ante Razov (30) All Time Cups/Shields: 0 2008 Record: 12-11-7, 43 pts, 2nd in Western Conference 2008 Leading Scorer: Sacha Kljestan, Alecko Eskandarian, Ante Razov (5) 2008 Keeper: Brad Guzan (1. Click to continue reading...

Transfer campaign has hit the boiling point and many of the players from English lower tiers have been in the heat over the past couple of days. Let's start chronologically, from our last briefing. Firstly, Bristol City striker, Steve Brooker, has finally become a Doncaster member and Sean O'Driscol's wish has finally come true. Click to continue reading...