Scottish Mag

He can express an interest all he likes but its never going to happen IMO

NEWCASTLE United will have Michael Owen back for their busy Christmas and New Year holiday period. That was the good news from a bedridden but upbeat Sam Allardyce who was buoyed by Saturday’s last-gasp victory over Birmingham City at St James’s Park. The United boss was laid low by the flu bug and watching a re-run of the Ricky Hatton fight when I spoke to him yesterday lunchtime and he said: “After the way we came back on Saturday I feel great. “Now we are looking for more good news by getting some players back for Saturday’s game with Fulham at Craven Cottage. “I have arranged a behind-closed doors game this week when we are hoping that the likes of Damien Duff, Abdoulaye Faye, Claudio Cacapa and Shola Ameobi will all play. “Michael Owen will probably not play in it but we are expecting him back with the rest of the first-team squad nearer the end of the week. “And while Saturday will probably come too early for him he should certainly be back for the game with Derby County at St James’s Park a week on Sunday.” It is hard to believe that, because of a series of injuries, Owen has only started 21 games for United since Graeme Souness and Freddy Shepherd brought him to St James’s Park from Real Madrid in September 2005. And it would not surprise me in the least if his former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson slapped in a bid to take Owen to Manchester City in the January transfer window. But what would complicate this is the fact that United have Oba Martins away on African Cup of Nations duty early next month and the Nigerian striker could miss up to six games. However, Allardyce is more concerned about getting Owen, who is still one of the greatest goalscorers in the world, back in a black-and-white shirt. The United boss added: “We created and missed a lot of chances against Blackburn Rovers last weekend and again against Birmingham City on Saturday. “If we had taken some of these chances we could have had a comfortable 3-1 victory on Saturday instead of relying on Habib Beye’s last-minute winner.”

Cheerio...

US sports cable network ESPN is "absolutely interested" in buying the UK rights to broadcast Premier League football, its president has said. The comments by George Bodenheimer to the Financial Times signal efforts by the network to boost its European audience, analysts say. BSkyB and Setanta hold the UK rights to show live Premier League games until the end of the 2009/10 season. The duo paid a record £1.7bn for the three-season contract. BSkyB is paying about £4.8m per game and Setanta £2.8m under the deal. The league also agreed a new £625m deal for overseas television rights, swelling the coffers of Premier League clubs. Mr Bodenheimer described the league as "fabulous property" for a broadcaster to have. "We're going to work on getting as local as we can. We want to deliver product that is relevant in each country," he told the FT. "It's a country-by-country approach. We want to be investors wherever the top sports product is." ESPN currently reaches about 10 million homes in Europe, but winning rights to the Premier League would encourage a much bigger take up, observers say. It would be likely to face tough competition - with both BSkyB and Setanta seeing football as a key asset in winning and retaining subscribers. Disney-owned ESPN has been on a spending spree, recently boosting its online sports presence by buying cricket website Cricinfo and rugby site Scrum.com. In the US it has long-term deals to broadcast the country's three key sports - American football, baseball and basketball.

NEWCASTLE United are looking after the next generation of fans by allowing young Magpies to watch Premier League football at St. James' Park for the rest of the season for as little as £2.50 a game! Starting with the visit of Derby County on December 23, ten-game season tickets are going on sale in the Milburn Stand - and these also guarantee your seat for the visits of Chelsea and Manchester United plus the derby dates with Middlesbrough and Sunderland. For Primary School children these ten-game tickets will cost just £25, and for Secondary School children they will be only £50. Chairman Chris Mort said: "If we are to develop this great club over the years to come we would like to make more games more accessible to the younger generations, even when we are selling out the stadium." The ten-game season ticket prices are as follows: Milburn Level 7 Blocks A, B Adults - £300 Senior Citizens - £250 Students - £200 Primary School Children - £25 Secondary School Children - £50 Primary school children must be accompanied by an adult - more than one child can accompany an adult (i.e. one adult to three children is fine). dentification (birth certificate + photo ID) will be required for children's tickets.A valid NUS or college card is required for student concession. Milburn Level 7 Block H Adults - £300 Senior Citizens - £250 Students - £130 Juvenile (under 16) - £130 A valid NUS or college card is required for student concession. Contact the NUFC Box Office on 0191 261 1571 for more information on how to buy your ten-game tickets.

Happy Birthday dudes..

So who is all out for a few drinks?

Have seen that before but liked this one that I found through that link The most stupid goalkeeper ever http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eBV1pqzAEuI&...feature=related

ENGLAND GOSSIP Italian World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has issued a 'come and get me' plea to the Football Association over the England job. (Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph) Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is leading a list of candidates queuing up for the job after Jose Mourinho snubbed the FA. (Daily Express) Mourinho, however, has spent the weekend considering whether to continue with his candidacy for the England post. (Independent) The FA has not given up on attracting Mourinho - despite indications he has ruled himself out of the post. (The Sun) Former Juventus and Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has been approached about having an interview. (Various) TRANSFERS AND GOSSIP Jurgen Klinsmann is in the frame to become the new Liverpool manager - if Rafael Benitez gets the sack. (The Sun) Manchester United have handed a trial to 24-year-old Angola striker Manucho Goncalves. (Daily Mail) Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will bid for Scotland striker Kris Boyd this week - if Rangers go out of Europe. (Daily Mirror) Stuttgart's Portuguese defender Fernando Meira, 29, will snub a January move to Portsmouth. (The Sun) Wolves winger Michael Kightly is being targeted for a switch to Italian football with Torino. (Daily Mirror) Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is considering a £5m move for Derby midfielder Giles Barnes. (Daily Telegraph) Newcastle chairman Chris Mort has admitted he and chairman Mike Ashley have held talks over manager Sam Allardyce's position. (The Sun) Blackburn want a second look at Senegalese trialist Dino Djiba - he could leave Metz for a knockdown fee in January. (Daily Mirror) Newcastle and Blackburn are keen on South African midfielder Lance Davids, who plays in Sweden. (Daily Mail) Newcastle and Sunderland are ready to battle it out for Manchester United contract rebel Wes Brown. (Daily Mirror) Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez is ready to make a move for Watford captain Marlon King. (Daily Telegraph) Coventry City look set to be saved from administration by a takeover bid from the billionnaire businessman, film director and actor Alki David. (The Guardian) Derby are considering a bid from Wolves for striker Steve Howard, so they can buy Jason Roberts from Blackburn. (Daily Telegraph) Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish has backed his old Aberdeen colleague Mark McGhee to become the new national team manager. (Daily Record) AND FINALLY Arsenal's team bus got lost on the way to the Riverside on Sunday before Arsene Wenger's men lost to Middlesbrough. (Daily Mirror) Ian Holloway says 14 days as Leicester's new manager has left him feeling "worn out". (Daily Express)

The Trent 1pm...

James Milner believes that nothing less than a victory will do for Newcastle against Birmingham on Saturday. The Magpies produced their best display of the season against Arsenal on Wednesday night, the 1-1 draw lifting some of the pressure which had been building on manager Sam Allardyce. England U21 winger Milner is hopeful that the confidence gained from that result will see them go one better this weekend against Birmingham, but admits that being at a club the size of Newcastle means that the players are always under pressure to perform. "We have not performed as well as we should have in a few games, but we want to change that against Birmingham," Milner said. "Not performing will always create pressure, but there is pressure every time you walk out on to the field. "Playing for a massive club like Newcastle means you are under pressure, but it is how you deal with that. "If you cannot handle the pressure, then you should not be at the club. "There's always going to be a lot said about you when things are not going your way. It is just a case of sticking together. "It was only a point against Arsenal and now we need to make sure we go out and get the win against Birmingham. Nothing less than three points will do for us on Saturday." Newcastle will also be keen to prove a point, as they attempt to avenge the 5-1 drubbing they experienced at the hands of Birmingham in the FA Cup third round last season. Milner, who scored Newcastle's consolation goal that day, believes that the memory of that result will spur the players on even more come Saturday afternoon. "We owe them one for last season. It's quite fresh in our memories and it's important that obviously we get them back for that one," he said. "The main thing is getting three points and if we perform like we did against Arsenal, we have got a great chance. "We have to get on top of them, get them rattled and get the crowd behind us. If we can, there are not too many teams that can handle the atmosphere."

Aye I think it was originally a weegie one, hence the bottle of Buckfast.

I imagine a big part was due to the fact it was an evening midweek game. I know many lads from up here that didn't go due to cost of accomodation, not being able to take time off work etc.

Andrei Arshavin admits he would be interested in joining Newcastle, should Sam Allardyce come calling in the January transfer window. The talented 26-year-old was part of the Zenit St Petersburg team defeated by Everton on Wednesday night, a game which could prove to be his final appearance for his home-town club. As England will testify, the Russian schemer is certainly a gifted performer and it would appear he is now ready to ply his trade in the Premier League. Newcastle have been credited as being long-term admirers and Arshavin's signature would likely sate a St James' Park crowd that craves entertainment. Arshavin concedes that he is flattered by talk of Newcastle's interest. "Of course I would like to play in England," he told the Daily Mirror. "In Russia as well as England they are talking about Newcastle being interested in me and there has been no concrete offer. "In principle if they made an offer I would be interested."

A man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple is being made to pay maintenance by the Child Support Agency (CSA). Andy Bathie, 37, from Enfield, north London, claims he was assured by the couple he would have no personal or financial involvement for the children. He donated his sperm as a friend rather than go through a fertility clinic. The CSA said only anonymous donors at licensed centres are exempt from being treated as the legal father of a child born as a result of their donation. Mr Bathie, a firefighter, said he cannot afford to have children with his own wife due to the financial implications. The lesbian couple, who approached the couple five years ago after they married in a civil ceremony, have a boy and a girl. Mr Bathie said he reacted with "shock, anger and despair", when he was contacted by the CSA in November. He said: "I don't have any particular ill will. It's the fact that I still even now don't see why I should have to pay for another couple's children." A spokesman for Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said: "The law says that men donating sperm through licensed fertility clinics are not the legal father of any child born through that donation. "Men giving out their sperm in any other way - such as via internet arrangements - are legally the father of any children born with all the responsibilities that carries." A spokeswoman for CSA said: "Unless the child is legally adopted, both biological parents are financially responsible for their child - the Child Support Agency legislation is not gender or partnership based." Ministers have drawn up fertility reforms giving equal parenting rights to same-sex couples who "marry" in a civil partnership. This means they will be recognised as the legal parents of children conceived through sperm donation. The change comes too late for Mr Bathie, although he is now pushing for an amendment to make the laws retrospective.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/27295/...put-the-boot-in SAM ALLARDYCE goes into battle for his job and his pride against Arsenal tonight with his billionaire Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley offering words of support. Some good judges claimed over the weekend that another defeat at St James’ Park against the Premier League leaders following heavy recent defeats against Portsmouth, Liverpool and Blackburn would cost Allardyce his job. Not so, says Ashley… at least not now. Ashley inherited the newly appointed Allardyce when he bought the club in May and the fact he had no influence in hiring Big Sam is put forward as partial evidence for a swift parting of the ways. But Ashley told the Daily Express: “Some people are saying that I wasn’t at the Blackburn game on Saturday – but I was in there with the crowd and having a lovely time. “I’ll be at the game [tonight] and there is nothing in the suggestion that it all comes to an end with Sam if we lose to Arsenal. That’s nonsense.” What is also nonsense is any suggestion that those words amount to a vote of confidence. Ashley, left, will not want to hand his manager funds – whether limited or not – for January transfer window team-building if the present run of one point from 15 is not arrested. So Allardyce’s fate will not be determined against Arsenal tonight. Instead, it will be how his misfiring Newcastle side shapes up to the challenges for the rest of the month against Birmingham (home), Fulham (away), Derby (home) and Wigan (away) before the year ends with a tough game at Chelsea on December 29. By the time Newcastle head for Stamford Bridge, Allardyce’s future may have been decided if he fails to collect a decent number of points against sides the anxious Geordie fans would expect their side to beat. Against Liverpool, sections of the Toon Army chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” at Allardyce’s dugout. “We’re behind schedule”, he said, “because we’ve suffered a number of defeats which could have been avoided and we’ve not drawn the sort of games we were capable of drawing and not won the games we thought we should.” That is not rocket science. And Allardyce does not need to be a genius to realise that while there is no noose tied yet at the appropriately-named Gallowgate – the area where St James’ stands – there soon will be if he cannot get his side winning.

A social club in Devon has banned a 77-year-old man from breaking wind while indoors. Maurice Fox received a letter from Kirkham Street Sports and Social Club in Paignton asking him to consider his actions, which "disgusted" members. Mr Fox, a club regular for 20 years, said: "I am happy to oblige them, there is no problem. I do get a bit windy - I am an old fart now." He said he had to leave the club about three times a night. In its letter to the retired bus driver, the club said: "After several complaints regarding your continual breaking of wind (farting) while in the club, would you please consider that your actions are considered disgusting to fellow members and visitors. "You sit close to the front door, so would you please go outside when required. So please take heed of this request." Mr Fox, who lives in nearby Princess Street, said the letter was a surprise because he had been given no verbal warning. "I think someone has complained about the noise. I am a loud farter, but there is no smell. "I do not think it [the letter] is unreasonable, you get ladies in there." Mr Fox also spends two days a week at the nearby Palace Place club, but said he had no complaints about flatulence there. The club said there was no one available for comment

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2941112,00.html

In any results you will be issued an annual target BUT if after 4 or 5 months you look shite and people are losing faith then you can expect the boot only football managers also get a nice wedge to go with the sack. Pure and simple Allardyce isnt showing any promise of hitting his Targets (top 6/a cup/sorting the defence) after 16 games and only playing one of the big 4, conceeding 24 goals and looking toothless upfront. Not my idea of development really, Maybe I was expecting more than a relegation fight when we got Sam

SAM Allardyce must overcome a mounting defensive crisis as a manager coming under increasing pressure prepares to face his biggest challenge yet at St James’s Park. But despite having seen his side suffer a sixth defeat in nine first-team fixtures at the weekend, the Newcastle boss was last night in a defiant mood as he began to formulate his plans for Wednesday’s daunting match against Arsenal. Magpies insiders have dismissed suggestions that Alan Shearer has been lined up to replace the 53-year-old should his team lose to the table-topping Gunners in a game some consider to be a make-or-break affair. But Allardyce’s position could soon become untenable unless he is able to improve upon a run that has seen Newcastle fail to prevail since beating Tottenham on October 22. The limited defensive options that are available to the former Bolton manager will not aid his efforts. Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Carr both suffered injuries during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Blackburn, while Allardyce has yet to receive permission from the specialist treating Steven Taylor’s back to reintroduce the 21-year-old to top-flight action. Claudio Caçapa has not been seen since his calamitous performance against Portsmouth on November 3, Peter Ramage remains on the long-term injured list, Jose Enrique has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and Celestine Babayaro’s status is unclear. It is a situation that has left a beleaguered manager facing a considerable problem as he prepares his depleted side to face in-form opponents. “I could do with having the players fit before I pit my wits against Arsene Wenger,” admitted Allardyce. “Our problems lie with the injuries we’ve got at the moment, the ones at the back in particular. “If I’d had Claudio fit and Steven Taylor, Faye and Carr fit, things might have been different (at Blackburn). But you can’t have all those players missing from one area of the team. “Faye had got himself fit but has injured his calf, Stephen Carr came on and looked good, but because he has been out for so long, he felt his hamstring. “They’ll both be doubtful for the game against Arsenal and all we can do is attempt to get them fit again as soon as we can. “I hope Steven Taylor will be fit but that all depends on the specialist.” Taylor travelled to Ewood Park but has yet to receive the green light to return to action. In his absence, familiar failings have undermined Allardyce’s efforts. “Our defensive frailties are the biggest problem we have,” admitted a manager unable to remove David Rozehnal from the firing line. “I’ve been working hard on that with the coaches all season but, given the disruption we’ve had, we haven’t been able to find the resilience to hang on to results and get points on the board. “We’ll keep trying to improve in that area because, if we can, we’ll do better in games. I think we can consider ourselves unfortunate. The goals we conceded (at Blackburn) were avoidable ones.” Newcastle’s performance at Ewood Park was a much-improved one and, having come under fire from the furious home fans during his last appearance at St James’s Park, Allardyce has urged his players to maintain such standards. “The players gave their all at Blackburn and I can’t ask for more than that,” he said. “I just hope it’s the same again against Arsenal because if we’re playing like that, the fans will be right behind us. “If we give a committed performance, like we did at Blackburn, there won’t be a problem with the fans. The effort and commitment was there and it was hard to take the result. “That’s what we’re playing for, results and points. But we’ve got to take the positives. We have to keep that belief and confidence.” Having taken just one point from the last 15 available, Newcastle and their manager are coming under intense pressure, but Allardyce is determined to ensure his team do not crumble. “We felt it for the first time against Liverpool, but you have to accept whatever comes your way as a professional,” he said. “You can’t let it affect you. You have to perform under pressure. “We’ve got two big home games on the trot, and we’ve got to make sure we get something out of them. If we can do that it will lift everyone before the Christmas period.”

That'll be Royston Drenthe the left back/left winger who signed for Real Madrid from Feyenoord in the summer. Good to see the high standard of journalism continuing...

ENGLAND GOSSIP The Football Association's hesitancy could cost it the chance of appointing Jose Mourinho as the new England manager. (The Sun) Jurgen Klinsmann is also waiting to hear from the FA, according to a German FA insider. (Mirror) TRANSFERS AND GOSSIP Fernando Torres has warned Liverpool's owners that the club's top players are ready to quit if manager Rafael Benitez is sacked. (various) Manchester United have been alerted to the availability of defender Willy Sagnol, who has fallen out with his boss at Bayern Munich. (Daily Mail) Chelsea are interested in signing Feyenoord's £9m-rated Dutch forward Royston Drenthe. (Mirror) Tottenham are a £400m target for buyers from Russia and the Far East and could be the next Premier League side to be the subject of a foreign takeover. (Mirror) Former England boss Terry Venables has declared his interest in becoming Republic of Ireland manager. (various) Carson Yeung's takeover of Birmingham looks to be dead after owners David Gold and David Sullivan refused to give him more time to do a deal. (The Sun) Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has been given until Christmas to turn the struggling club around. (Mirror) Alan Shearer would be keen to step in if Allardyce is sacked. (Guardian) Portsmouth want to sign Stuttgart defender Fernando Meira. (Mirror) Bolton manager Gary Megson has set his sights on Israel midfielder Tarim Cohen, and could beat Leicester to the player's signature. (Mirror) Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper wants to quit the club to raise his profile, believing it will help him force his way into the England team. (Daily Mail) AND FINALLY Liverpool's Christmas party will have a 1980s pop theme and all the players are expected to dress up. Striker Dirk Kuyt has already told the lads he wants to be Boy George or Adam Ant. (The Sun) And at Manchester United's seasonal extravaganza Rio Ferdinand is the chief organiser, collecting the whip from his team-mates at a cool £4,000 per man.