Manchester United are tracking Dundee United star Scott Allan Sky Sports understands after the teenagers impressive early season form at Tannadice.
The 19-year-old midfielder has wowed the SPL with his performances since breaking into The Terrors first team at the beginning of the campaign with a number of clubs now chasing his signature.
A number of superb displays for the Scotland Under-21 side have got tongues wagging south of the border with Newcastle credited with an interest before deadline day.
It’s now emerged that Man Utd are on his tail with manager Sir Alex Ferguson sending his brother Martin, who is also a scout at Old Trafford, to keep tabs on Allan.
With Ferguson sending his most trusted scout to check up on the youngsters progress it’s obvious he has made a significant impact to warrant interest from the Premier League giants.
Old Firm giants Rangers and Celtic could rival the Red Devils for his signature although the prospect of a move to England could prove too irresistible for the young Scot.
Allan’s current deal at Dundee is set to expire in the summer with a new contract yet to be agreed although boss Peter Houston has confirmed that the two parties are continuing to discuss the matter.
Should he decided to move on next year United would only have to pay out minimal compensation to the SPL side.
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Former Birmingham City striker Garry O’Connor has been named by Channel 4 documentary Dispatches as the Premier League player hidden by the FA after failing a drugs test.
The now Hibs attacker tested positive for cocaine back in October 2009, and was handed a two-month ban. Despite this, the details remained a secret to help the player’s rehabilitation, with the St Andrew’s outfit claiming he was injured and the FA not revealing the sanction.
When the ban finished, the Scotland international went on loan to Barnsley, who were not informed of the reasons behind the frontman being sidelined over the prior months.
The television programme is said to have proof of 21 failed tests by professional footballers since 2003, all due to recreational drug use, and a number of other players have been named and shamed.
Former Fulham player Elvis Hammond was given a six-month ban for having the drug in his system back in September 2003, whilst former Rochdale striker Lee Thorpe and ex-Crewe player Lloyd McGowan were also named.
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The news is sure to hurt the image of the game in England, and the FA can expect increased interest from the World Anti-Doping Agency regarding the revelations.
Ever wanted to represent your football club? To celebrate the launch of FIFA 12, EA SPORTS are creating the world’s longest football fan scarf – and you can represent your club on the record-breaking scarf.
To make things interesting, we’re giving our readers the chance to win an exclusive spot for their message on the FIFA 12 scarf – before it’s open to the public. Two readers will be chosen to have their messages stitched into history alongside the likes of Rooney, Kaka and other football greats. For your chance to claim a place on the FIFA 12 scarf before the rest of the world, send us a positive message of support for your club and your club only. Keep it under 140 characters and include the colour you want your piece of the scarf to be. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you – and your club – to become part of football history.
Claim a place for your club on the world’s longest fan scarf. Post your message of support via Twitter or Facebook for the chance to have it knitted for real into a metre of world-record-breaking scarf. To enter, keep up with EASPORTSFIFA on Twitter or Facebook and get the alerts to find out when each round is open. There will be eight rounds in total, with each round being a new chance to get your message on the scarf. Places are limited – it’s first-come, first-stitched, so be ready to write your message of support for your club. Only the fastest will make the cut before the round closes, and have their message stitched into the scarf.
If you’re a Twitter pro, you can also tweet your message of support straight from your phone. You’ll need to include #FIFA12SCARF, and hashtag your club name and the colour you want your piece of scarf to be.
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Last weekend was a potentially watershed weekend for the Premier League title race and if you had any Manchester City players in your team, you were no doubt exhilarated. Any United players and the mood pervading would have been one of despair. However, like after any defeat, you must move on quickly. So, onto the tenth match day of the season and this week our recommendations have a distinct Dutch flavour.
The Captaincy Debate:
Let’s start with a player who’s been in the headlines this week for contractual reasons. Robin van Persie is yet to extend his deal at the Emirates past July 2013. He goes to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime to face a Chelsea side who haven’t kept a clean sheet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge since last April against West Ham. The Dutch forward must be confident of extending his recent goal scoring record with this in mind.
One of van Persie’s fellow countrymen, Rafael van der Vaart is another player who is in fine form with five goals in his last four games. QPR visit White Hart Lane on Sunday and although they grabbed a terrific result against Chelsea last weekend, the way Spurs and van der Vaart are performing will make them very difficult to stop.
Somebody else who is worth keeping in mind is Norwich’s Anthony Pilkington. Although Paul Lambert has chopped and changed with his selection at the start of the season, the former Huddersfield midfielder has hit a good run of form of late with three goals and an assist in his last five games. Facing a faltering Blackburn at Carrow Road this weekend, Pilkington will be one to watch.
This next player can be named with a simple bit of word association – Fireworks. Yes, it’s “Super” Mario Balotelli, the cult hero of many a Manchester City fan after his recent performances and antics. In all seriousness the Italian forward has five goals and two assists in his last four games. Facing up to a Wolves side without a win since August and a leaky defence, there is no way the confident Balotelli won’t fancy his chances this weekend.
The Captain: Rafael van der Vaart is red hot at the moment and it’s hard not to see him continuing his form against the Hoops.
The Vice Captain: With Wolves the visitors to the City of Manchester stadium, the perennial entertainer on and off the pitch Mario Balotelli looks likely to be making the back page headlines on Sunday morning.
Long Term Look
This week, it’s time to look at your defensive options with Swansea ‘keeper Michel Vorm. Here’s some statistics to illustrate why he’s worth choosing. Vorm has kept a clean sheet in every home game so far this season, meaning four consecutive clean sheets for the Premier League’s first side from Wales.
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This doesn’t mean the Dutch stopper hasn’t been occupied with opposition attacks. He’s been the fourth busiest goalkeeper in the division making 37 saves in nine games which is an average of four saves per game. In comparison to other keepers, he is one of the cheapest around which further emphasises why Vorm could be a good selection as either your first or second choice player between the sticks.
If you want to hear more musings on Fantasy Football, the Premier League or any other division up and down the land, then why not follow me on Twitter – @arhindtutt
QPR owner has admitted that he is prepared to open his cheque book and sanction the signing of one marquee player during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail. Tony Fernandes has lead QPR on something of a spending spree since he bought the club in the summer and so far has already signed ten players for the club.
The target they have identified is Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe. With Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell failing to make their mark the goal scoring duties have fallen on Heidur Helguson in recent weeks and Warnock has identified Defoe as the man to add new power to QPR’s attacking potential.
Despite the sale of Crouch and Pavlyuchenko’s lack of playing time Defoe has found games hard to come by with the presence of Emmanuel Adebayor. Harry Redknapp has used the England international sporadically and as he approaches the twilight years of his career it is thought that Defoe could be open to one more move away from the club. The twenty-nine year old currently has three years left on his current deal at White Hart Lane and Tottenham are in no rush to let him go. However the asking price for the striker is reported to be around £10m – a fee that Fernandes is willing to match.
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Tottenham will look to get their winning run back on track as they travel to Carrow Rd on Tuesday. It represents a stiff test for Harry Redknapp’s men who will be keen to get the three points to strengthen the club’s push for a top four finish.
At FFC this week there has been various Tottenham blogs that include what next for Luka Modric; not a transfer necessity for Harry, while January represents the defining moment for Spurs.
There is also a selection of the best blogs from around the web:
Manchester could get caught up in a two way battle and let London in
Fast becoming the most important role in football
Freidel, Hart, De Gea…who has had the greatest impact?
Time to give credit where it is due at Tottenham?
A long time coming for Scott Parker
Simply a marriage of convenience at Tottenham?
What next for Luka Modric?
Ledley King – the best of a generation?
Harry Redknapp claims transfer deal is dead
Are football writers too eager for blood?
Kenny and Harry’s transfer battle for Silkmen
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Best of WEB
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Observations – Dear Mr Levy
London’s top, top, team – Spurs Musings From JimmyG2
Those End Of The Year Awards In Full – Harry Hotspur
A Night Of Tension Not Glory – Tottenham On My Mind
Van der Vaart, the Tottenham romantic who loves to entertain – Guardian
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Click on Wayne Bridge’s current lady below to unveil our WAG XI of the season
Victor Anichebe scored his first goal in just under two years to ensure Everton started 2012 off in the best possible way with late victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.
The Nigerian striker, who has spent much of the season on the sidelines, came off the bench to snatch the points for David Moyes side taking advantage of a mistake from Paul Scharner to net the winner with just three minutes remaining. Wear eyed supporters fresh from their New Year celebrations were treated to a dour contest that looked like ending goalless before Anichebe popped up late on to make it four games unbeaten for David Moyes’ side and move them up to ninth in the table. West Brom boss Roy Hodgson will be disappointed that his side didn’t register a shot on target and failed to win at home yet again with this defeat their sixth in 10 games at the Hawthorns. The Baggies had held league leaders Manchester City to a goalless draw here on Boxing Day but couldn’t repeat that feat against the Toffee’s who chalked up their fourth victory on the road this season.
Goals have been hard to come by for Everton in the first half of the campaign with supporters seeing their side score just 18 times in 17 games. That set the tone as both sides struggled in front of goal with the Baggies also struggling to find the net this season scoring just seven goals in nine at the Hawthorns. Despite scoring five goals on their travels prior to their draw with City they didn’t even test Tim Howard in the visitors goal as the game looked destined to end goalless. The first half was an extremely poor affair with the first clear cut chance taking 18 minutes to materialise only for Shane Long to head over the bar after connecting with Chris Brunt’s cross. Ben Foster then thwarted Jack Rodwell as the midfielder attempted to follow up on Louis Saha’s botched over head kick. Nicky Shorey then blocked a fierce drive from Leighton Baines who caused mayhem every time he swung a ball into the Albion penalty area.
Rodwell missed a golden opportunity just before the break but could only head Baines’ cross over after finding himself unmarked in 18-yard box. The home side improved after the restart and should have gone ahead after Peter Odemwingie found himself clear through following James Morison’s header but lacked composure in front of goal lifting his effort well over the bar. Albion were then foiled by some superb defending from Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin as they continued to threaten the Toffee’s back four as time ticked towards the games conclusion. The introduction of Anchiebe for his first appearance since September would prove to be the turning point as he scored the winner with just three minutes left on the clock. Tony Hibbert’s cross was headed back into his own six-yard box by Scharner and into the path of the Everton hit man who needed no invitations before lashing the ball past Foster to hand the away side a priceless victory.
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John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy for the second time. The Chelsea skipper, who this week pleaded not guilty to the race charges, is set to go on trial on July 9th and the FA were subsequently forced to make a decision as to whether Terry was right to lead the country at the Euros. The FA board took a vote and John Terry found out this morning that he will no longer wear the three lions armband. Fabio Capello is still free to pick Terry in his squad, should the Italian see fit.
Elsewhere in the news Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal need to up their game; Carlos Tevez has refuted claims that he called Manchester City comical, while Mark Hughes hits out at the Anton Ferdinand race row dragging on.
Harry Redknapp has been insulted by claims that he lied to the jurors in his High Court case. The Tottenham manager took exception to such suggestions claiming he is the most un-greedy person you will ever meet in your life – Guardian
Carlos Tevez has refuted claims that he called his club Manchester City comical. The Argentine believes he was misquoted in the German publication, Kicker – Guardian
Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal need to pull their finger out, if they want to be achieve a top four finish this season. The North Londoners currently find themselves 5pts adrift of 4th place Chelsea – Guardian
Vincent Kompany claims that Manchester City has the mental toughness to win the title this season, despite a recent run of poor form – Daily Telegraph
John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy in light of his trial – Daily Mail
Shola Ameobi is the latest player to be racially abused via his facebook page. The police are investigating the issue seeking to find those responsible – Independent
Mark Hughes has hit out at the decision to delay John Terry’s trial even further. The QPR manager claims it is the club and Anton Ferdinand that are set to suffer as this race row continues to drag on – Independent
Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted Diacko Fofana to strengthen his defensive options. The Nice right back is reportedly available for £5m – Daily Mail
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Juventus have earmarked Luis Suarez as a potential replacement for Del Piero – Daily Star
Andre-Pierre Gignac revealed that he turned down a January move to Everton as it wasn’t for him – Metro
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The final whistle blows on a troubling afternoon for both teams stuck in a relegation scrap. Both managers hailed plenty of abuse at the referee’s misjudgements during the ninety minutes. Fans were irate at lacklustre performances from some of their so-called heroes. But the manager is the one who yet again has to take it in his stride, take a huge breath and face the media and the criticism encircling the club in the immediate aftermath of the game. Even Kenny felt the heat at Old Trafford recently.
With this metaphoric scenario representing the current state of affairs in modern mediated sporting events, is there the notion that both the referee and players get away with facing up to their errors. Do they ever face the media and admit a bad performance? Sorry certainly seems to be the hardest word.
In short, no they don’t. Whether your team is embroiled in a survival battle or stuttering at a top-four push this season, you have most probably at some point been in the centre of a huge cylinder of frustration.
Many football fans across the nation remain loyal to their club, following them home and away across the land, gambling large sums of money on the hopes of a Saturday afternoon victory and all too often this fandom is let down by cheap drivel that ‘we suffered many injuries prior to the game’ or ‘the referee let us down today’. Apologies from players and referees would be a small token to gratify possible wrongdoings.
If we cast our Premier League minds back this season to the wrongful dismissals of messrs Barton and Balotelli for fouls on Bradley Johnson and Martin Skrtel respectively, fans aggravation was only heightened by conflicting views of Sky pundits and the grating nattering of Barton’s innocence via his Twitter feed.
How refreshing it would have been that January afternoon for referee Neil Swarbick to appease both R’s, Canaries and football fans alike that he made the wrong call after watching a replay of the incident and seeing that Barton brushed Johnson’s face at most. Football fans would not only respect the games personalities more for their honesty, but moreover they would realise greatly that the game will always rely on human intervention and accept that referees can’t always get it right.
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The referees have been seeking ‘respect’ for a long time now but maybe a little self-examination and personal scrutiny would really kick some life into the FA’s dwindling campaign for better referee treatment.
But this ever so pioneering of ideas has continued to be shunned and the best supporters can hope for is egg-headed ex-boy in black; Dermot Gallagher speaking on behalf of all the weekend’s referee’s and their errors on a twenty minute weekend review snippet on Sky Sports News.
A simple ‘sorry’ would really go a long way to pacify the immediate anger after a fractious decision.
And what of players? Perhaps Carlos Tevez would like to explain just why he feels treated like a dog or Johan Djourou describe to Gunners fans just why he keeps making error after error after error.
Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but the game does lack a huge element of honesty and fans always seem to be cheated, relying on the tame murmurings of their managers’ as material to chew over post match.
In Arsenal’s latest FA Cup exit at Sunderland, how refreshing would it have been for one player to admit we were poor today. Time and time again, a careless Twitter post behind the scenes is constructed to make it all better. During Saturday’s FA Cup game Jack Wilshere tweeted
‘100 percent penalty!!!!!!!!!!!’
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Not admitting that his team were below par, instead shifting the blame upon to the referee again represents the lack of responsibility and honesty in the game.
Of course, players and referees remain tight-lipped to retain their livelihoods and avoid defamation, but a little morality and decency would go a lengthy way to maintaining supporter trust in the game we’re supposed to be the most important part within.
Agree with me or are these concepts a little ambitious? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
As football fans we all respect effort being put in. You know; that tireless commitment to the cause and the sweaty panting expression which truly symbolises the hallmark of a dedicated and successful performance. It would be fair to surmise that often we feel cheated as fans at certain players’ labours during a match with a lack of tracking back and a half-hearted challenge representing some of the most frustrating traits for a fan to witness during any spectacle.
But as the saying goes, for every artist in a team, there is a warrior. There is that character who will give 110% most weeks who wins their tackles, spurs their team mates on and covers the most distance with a seemingly endless battery the Duracell bunny would even be proud of. These players are the Premier League’s most ‘hard working’ pros and we thought we would take this moment to truly recognise and celebrate their exploits looking back over the course of the current campaign.
In a growingly cynical world in relation to some of the uglier affairs in football, the dedication, perseverance and loyalty to the shirt of the next ten players are refreshing to see and an inspiration to young footballers anywhere. Let us start with a precocious Liverpool trailblazer.
Click on Jay Spearing to unveil the top 10
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Who is the most hard-working pro in your team? Have they been mentioned already or have they not received the credit they deserve? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
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