Time for tinkering, Fabio!

One announcement from UEFA and the English press has enough ammunition to fill an opinion page on any slow news day for the next seven months; should Wayne Rooney be taken to the European Championships if he is banned for the opening three games (appeal not withstanding)?

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Saturday morning gossip round up

Manchester City will demand a 20% sell-on clause if Carlos Tevez is sold for a cut-price fee in January.

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Qualification In Sight As Three Lions Head To Montenegro.docx

England are just one point away from qualification for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine. But that precious point will be tough to obtain against a resilient Montenegro side.

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Respect the shirt, fans and your contract

It seems that the negative stereotypical view of modern day footballers is again in the media spotlight. As we have all read lately it seems to be largely circled around Carlos Tevez. Although what he did in Munich was unforgiveable, he isn’t alone.

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England looking strong going onwards from Montenegro

With the usual chaos and controversy of the Premier League suspended for a weekend, England travel to Montenegro for the culmination of their group G campaign seeking a solitary point to take them into next year’s European Championships.

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Derby Violence – A step too far?

On derby heavy weekend consisting of Everton vs Liverpool, Fulham vs Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham vs Arsenal is upon us. Having reported on the Brighton vs Crystal Palace the other day and witnessing the violence first hand I felt the need to blog.

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League Table Prediction (20-11) 1 of 2

Now that the transfer window has been slammed shut for a while (until January) I have had time to analyse the teams as they stand right now. With that in mind here are my predictions for the final Premiership Table:

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Chris Smalling Was Always Going To A Star: An In-Depth Chat With A Maidstone United Club Official

Manchester United's Chris Smalling has certainly been one of the revelations of English football over the last couple of seasons. Within 4 and a half years he has gone from playing for Non-League side Maidstone to becoming one of the most recongisable young players in the Premier League.

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Ireland: An Improvement of Sorts

This fatalism is reflected in the way that Trappatoni sets up his team, with Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews anchoring the midfield and McGeady and Duff providing attacking options from the wings. Doyle and Keane give the "little and large" combination so often seen in striking partnerships.

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Messi to sign for Dagenham and Redbridge?!

I wonder if journalists make up transfer rumours or whether they do have any basis in reality. There does always seem to be stories in papers that make you think “surely not”. There are also ones that make you think, “Yeah that sounds possible”.

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FootballFriendsonline.com Football Quiz Challenge

What type of quizzer are you? Do you sit drunk and clueless in the corner? Or are you halfway to Nerdsville with a tank top on and a smart-arse smile? Can you admit to watching Eggheads - even if only in a moment of weakness? No matter which category you fall into – try our pub quiz and prove to yourself that the years of watching and talking about footy have not been a complete waste of time. But please try not to cheat, for as my headmaster used to say “You’re only cheating on yourself”, which ironically is not what his wife said to him, when she caught him in congress with his secretary.

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Premiership Review E - M

With the distinct lack of transfer funds at his disposal, David Moyes has to be commended for his ability to guide Everton to top-half finishes season after season. This was no different last time out as the Toffees recovered from a dismally slow start (they didn’t win a league game until October) to finish a very respectable 7^th place.

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Bright Future at the Emirates?

Luton Town. Swansea City. Doncaster Rovers. Carlisle United. MK Dons. Crawley Town. Birmingham City. Darlington. What do these eight clubs have in common? They have all won a trophy in the past six seasons; something that Arsenal have failed to achieve in that very same time period. This is the team that has invested nigh on £100m in their current squad, and is recognised as the third greatest team in English football history. Has everything gone badly wrong?

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Still trying to decipher the Joe Cole enigma

The rebuilding process is underway for Liverpool, started in January with the acquisition of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, it has continued into the summer with a ringing endorsement from owner John Henry, who said that his club will prioritise the future, and not just look for short term benefit.

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And we’re back!

Southend United have their first pre-season friendly tonight, away at Dartford. What already? cried the wife in genuine amazement. Oh yes, I said, and not a moment too soon. The last time I saw my beloved Shrimpers was a 1 all bore draw with Burton Albion back on the 30th April. And that seems like years ago.

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