There is a growing section of Liverpool fans who believe that sacking Rafa Benitez is the way forward at the moment. TAF MCDONALD disagrees, and explains why he believes there is no real possibility that this is going to happen.
Before Rafa's future can even realistically be called into question at least two of the following three things need to happen. Click to continue reading...

Happy Friday to you all,

we should probably start with the news that Stan Kroenke is on threshold of the 30% which would require him to make an offer for all the shares in Arsenal. We've watched him draw ever closer in the last few months, his intentions remain very much a mystery. What you can say though is that with the 100 shares he bought from Peter Hill-Wood what is happening is being done with the full knowledge of the board.

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Wenger revealed that Merida had agreed a new contract deal at Arsenal Football Club, but he has not yet signed it.
Major speculation loomed this week on the future of Arsenal's promising young midfielder, with his current contract expires next summer, and rumors has it that Atletico Madrid is keen to keen to bring Merida back to Spain. Click to continue reading...

I have struggled with whether I want to continue writing for The Offside. My recent posts indicate my frustrations, which may appear to be a little acrimonious. The truth isn't as harsh as I make it out to be, honestly.

A few days ago I contacted the powers-that-be and proposed a new page for The Offside.

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Dieter, Dietmar . . . close enough.

Dietmar Beiersdorfer, the new sporting director for worldwide Red Bull soccer operations, has descended upon New York and has brought with him a cloud of speculation. Is he here to hire a new GM? Perhaps weigh in on the coaching situation?

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The news that Gael Clichy is out for up to two months is unfortunate and may harm Arsenal's trophy ambitions. When he first started his career at Arsenal, he was very injury prone, with continuous operations on his broken metatarsals. He always seems to get injured at an awkward time for The Gunners, and will return in the New Year.

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Arsenal verses Alkmaar 2009: this was not a beery, blood and guts affair of Tottenham in the League or a high energy, alcoho pop fuelled Carling Cup encounter with Liverpool, this Champions League game was a fine red wine for the football connoisseur.

An excellent selection by Wenger: a blend of player that complemented each with the depth of Gallas and Vermaelen and the much anticipated combination of Fabregas, Arshavin and Nasri.

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A wonderful season followed up by a dreadful one... it is just like the Houllier days! After losing just twice in 2008-2009 in the league, and only five times overall in all competitions, we have ALREADY lost 8 matches in our first 16... sparking horrific pieces of speculation in the media, amongst supporters, and assuredly [. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool youngster Mikel San Jose may be set to return from his loan spell in Spain ahead of schedule.
The 20-year-old defender agreed to join Athletic Bilbao on a season-long deal over the summer, but has grown frustrated at a lack of opportunities in his homeland.
He has been awarded just seven minutes of action this term and feels he needs to explore other avenues. Click to continue reading...

Stockport County went into Administration in April earlier this year with the appointment of John Titley and Paul Reeves, Directors at Leonard Curtis.

Today the Administrators at Leonard Curtis gave this statement about where the Sale of Stockport County is up to.

"The Administrators understand the frustration of supporters at the apparent lack of progress being made on completing a sale of the Club and exiting Administration, however, we would like to reassure all fans that the sales process is still continuing to progress.

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Goal highlights video from the AC Milan vs Real Madrid Group C Champions League game on November 3, 2009. Milan stunned Real 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu a fortnight ago. Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing for Real in this game. Game kicks off at the San Siro at 19.45 UK time. Related posts:AC Milan sign Ronaldo [. Click to continue reading...

Spurs boss baffled by mindless speculation!

Portsmouth Vs Tottenham Tickets Still Available!

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Harry Redknapp has rejected reports he is weighing up a move for Rio Ferdinand, but concedes his view that the Manchester United defender is the best in the world.

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Former England manager Graham Taylor has blasted Rio Ferdinand, claiming he will never recover from his dip in form this season.
Ferdinand has had a difficult term so far this season due to injury and a loss of form.
Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Taylor said: "What I am going to say will probably surprise a lot of people, but I think Rio Ferdinand has lost his legs. Click to continue reading...

! Article Start >According to press speculation, Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, is preparing for a move away from St James' Park (or whatever it might be called by then). As the January transfer window looms, we will inevitably watch with wary eyes, as the likelihood of some departures is high, but the subjects still [. Click to continue reading...

Rafael Benítez is facing renewed speculation over his future at Liverpool after his nine-man side collapsed to a humiliating sixth defeat in seven games. The 3-1 loss at Fulham, during which defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were both sent off, was their fifth league defeat of the season. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hailed the World Player of the Year nominations received by silky striker Fernando Torres and talismanic attacker Steven Gerrard; indicating that it bodes well for the club that two of their influential stars have won external commendation.
The Spanish gaffer also noted the increased form of Argentine battler Javier Mascherano insisting that he believes the midfield anchor is returning to his best form. Click to continue reading...

Rio Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi has revealed to Soccernet that his client is not struggling for form but instead struggling for health. The English international has been suffering from a calf injury that has yet to heal 100%, and Rio's club and international form has gone with it.

"All the speculation about Rio's ability is totally incorrect.

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With talks at a stand-still between the Team Owners Association and Nurock Soccer Holdings, new owners of USL, the chances of a breakaway league led by numerous USL 1 clubs next year is looking more and more likely. Vancouver and Montreal became the latest teams to reportedly sever ties with USL this week, and are part of the group looking to start a new league.

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With talks at a stand-still between the Team Owners Association and Nurock Soccer Holdings, new owners of USL, the chances of a breakaway league led by numerous USL 1 clubs next year is looking more and more likely. Vancouver and Montreal became the latest teams to reportedly sever ties with USL this week, and are part of the group looking to start a new league.

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Guardian Headline: Phil Brown has insisted that his players are "a million per cent" behind him despite speculation mounting that his job as Hull City's manager is under threat.
Yes, of course the players are a million percent behind me; even though the media wants to drop an H-Bomb right over Kingston-upon-Hull, my players know that I am the greatest manager who has ever lived. Click to continue reading...

Rumors are running rampant that Phil Brown has sensationally left his post as manager of Hull City. The Tigers have refused to comment on the speculation, but bookmakers such as William Hill have halted all betting speculating on Brown's future as the perma-tanned manager cannot be reached for comment.

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Betting has been suspended on Phil Brown being the next Premier League manager to be sacked, this is following speculation today that Brown is on the verge of leaving Hull City. There are rumours that he may have already left but the club are refusing to comment. Brown has been under pressure following a poor start [. Click to continue reading...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident Rafa Benitez will get over the problems that are continuing to overshadow Liverpool's victory over Manchester United.
The Reds' 2-0 Anfield win over their fierce rivals brought an end to a four-match losing streak and kept Benitez's side in the title race. Click to continue reading...

Hertha Berlin general manager Michael Preetz has refused to deny speculation linking them with a move for Andriy Voronin.
Reports in the German press have suggested that Hertha are eyeing a winter move for the Liverpool striker, who spent a spell on loan at the club last season, as well as Wolfsburg attacker Ashkan Dejagah. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has backed under-fire boss Rafael Benitez and insisted the Reds will not fire the Spaniard even if they fail to win the Premier League.
Benitez has come under pressure in recent weeks after the Merseysiders suffered four defeats in a row and face Manchester United at Anfield today in desperate need of a win to avoid slipping 10 points behind their bitter rivals. Click to continue reading...

Barcelona will re-ignite their interest in Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano this summer, as speculation over the Argentine's future continues to grow.
The Blaugrana were heavily linked with Mascherano during the close season, and it is reported that preliminary talks began over a possible move to the Camp Nou. Click to continue reading...

Wenger keeps an eye on key Hammers star.

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WEST Ham star Valon Behrami will spark a transfer scramble next summer with Arsenal and AC Milan leading the chase for him.

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Wenger keeps an eye on key Hammers star.

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WEST Ham star Valon Behrami will spark a transfer scramble next summer with Arsenal and AC Milan leading the chase for him.

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Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez following the club's worst run of form for 22 years.
Dalglish is currently employed by the club as a roving ambassador as well as the director of Liverpool FC's academy. He was appointed in the summer at Benitez's instigation. Click to continue reading...

Jose Mourinho has rubbished speculation suggesting he could replace Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.
Benitez has come under pressure following a dismal run of four straight defeats in all competitions that has hit their hopes of domestic and European success.
The Reds boss has insisted he feels safe in his job despite the poor results after receiving words of support from co-owner George Gillett. Click to continue reading...

Perhaps not surprisingly, Jermaine Pennant has added onto the dogpile, criticizing Rafa Benitez for "restricting his players." Pennant struggled to break into the starting eleven consistently during his time with Liverpool but showed glimpses of brilliance from the wing, and most notably scored an absolute stunner against Chelsea at Anfield in 2007.

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Carles Puyol gave Barcelona fans much joy when he announced that he will renew his contract till 2013, thus ending weeks of speculation about his future.Puyol is the heart and soul of the team, and to have him renew means that any doubts that could have been placed on his future can now be discarded. Click to continue reading...

REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

Barcelona fans can breathe a little easier this morning because the team has announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with captain Carles Puyol for a contract extension until 2013. The announcement ends weeks of speculation that had Puyol leaving the Camp Nou for the Premiership or Serie A when his contract expired in June.

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I am touched by the hand of *boilk* this morning. Stupid delicious gin and tonics.

It's a big day at the club today. The AGM takes place this afternoon and, all things considered, it should be a much calmer event than the last official meeting. Back in April things were stormier at a special shareholders meeting, so much so that certain segments of it didn't make the official broadcast and we know that Arsene took offence at somebody labelling Sylvester geriatric when we all know that whatever else Sylvester still has the funk.

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Videos of the goals from the Real Madrid vs AC Milan Champions League Group C game on October 21, Wednesday ( 19.45 UK time kickoff) Milan were upset by FC Zurich on the previous match day, while Real beat Olympique Marseille. This is the first match Kaka will play against his old club. Related posts:AC Milan sign [. Click to continue reading...