Outside the Box – Football on TV: Deadline Day drama as Simon gets angry and Peter gets lost

The more attentive among you might have noticed we endured the annual manic torture–fest that is Christmas recently, indeed you may still be recovering from it’s stress-pounding effects even now. Probably the most excruciating facet of the festive period, aside from having to spend uncomforta...

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Spurs: What should be Tottenham's transfer policy?

After much deliberation about what shape the upper echelons at White Hart Lane could take it is time to discuss the way I envisage us approaching the transfer market in the coming months and years. With Euro 2012 in full swing, most clubs try to tie up the majority of their business prior to kick...

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Premier League preview (part two)

With only a matter of hours until kick off, we’d better get on with it. So here is the second part of my Premier League preview. Manchester City Key signing: Sergio Aguero The noisy neighbours are fast becoming neighbours from hell for Sir Alex Ferguson. Do not be fooled by the red herring of the...

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Premier League preview (part one)

Not too long now. After whetting our appetites with the intriguing opening weekend of the Championship and the entertaining Community Shield, the time has come for the big boys to leave their Twitter accounts alone and get back to work. At the time of writing there has been an incredible £280 millio...

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Leeds United: Signs of faith or signs of madness by Leeds hierarchy?

It’s been a frustrating pre-season for Leeds fans. As mentioned in a previous article, more players seem to be leaving than arriving. Since that article, however, Leeds have signed another goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan from Preston,and have several trialists with them during their pre-seasonfriendlies. ...

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Manchester City: Tevez, Telephones and Tedium

Im not sure whats been worse over the last week or so, the phone hacking scandal or the Tevez transfer saga?Maybe if the News Of The World was still in existence it could report, with its tele-pathic powers, where Tevez will be moving to? If I were a Manchester City fan I would just like to see th...

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Would you like to write for Squarefootball?

Do you live, breathe and sleep football? Do you have a passion for writing and want your views to be read by a potential audience of millions? Then we at Squarefootball Towers would love to hear from you. Whether you follow Aberdeen or Accrington Stanley, West Ham United or Wolfsburg, we can offer ...

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What next for Man City’s peripherals?

Although the score line reflects otherwise, Manchester City’s latest 1-0 victory against Bolton proves that Roberto Mancini is finally allowing expansive football to seep through their ultra-defensive exterior, but it’s still very much work in progress. The affluent City owners will certainly sanct...

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Has Berbatov made any progress?

Just over a year ago as the enigmatic Dimitar Berbatov was going through a lax spell, just as he is now, I wrote a piece entitled: ‘Berbatov: Is he on borrowed time?’ The article consequently underwent a bombardment from what were presumably Manchester United supporters, saying he needed more time ...

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Villa fans should beware of 'next big thing'...

An integral part of Arsenal’s 2003-04 invincible set-up has returned to England as Gerard Houllier attempts to stabilise his new squad, and if any Villa fans are uncertain of Houllier’s 37-year-old coup they should glance back ten years or so for comfort. Robert Pires may be in his twilight but he ...

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Is Wenger Looking in the Wrong Place?

While the summer transfer rumour-mill has relentlessly linked Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer with a move to the Emirates, the answer to Arsene Wenger’s biggest problem, surely lies within Eastland’s rather than at Craven Cottage. Joe Hart should be Wenger’s priority in the transfer market. It would require...

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Will Rafa Benitez's departure affect the key players?

In modern football the loyalty card is often brandished - but rarely for reasons that are not monetary. When Jose Mourinho left Chelsea there was plenty of comment that 'his' players would follow the Portuguese to Inter Milan. But the predicted exodus simply didn't happen - footballers aren't sent...

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Which club will Joe Cole move to this summer?

All the major news outlets are reporting Harry Redknapp's comments on Joe Cole's future. Cole played for Redknapp at West Ham, before Redknapp's sacking in 2001 lead to a quick decline and a break up of a fabulous side that contained Lampard, Cole, Ferdinand, Carrick and Defoe (all in England's Wor...

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Fabregas has an itch - can Arsenal scratch it and retain him?

Many players seem to reach a point when they want to move on - and when the good ones want to move there are only so many viable destinations. High profile recent examples of players who wanted moves include Cristiano Ronaldo who got his dream move to Real Madrid last summer and Thierry Henry who g...

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West Ham: Mido's gesture shouldn't get lost in the crowd

West Ham's late moves in the transfer market did not include some badly needed defensive midfield cover or even a full-back (have the Hammers had a full-back since Dicks took up golf?) but they did get three cheap forwards. The three players came coated with distinctly different flavours of despera...

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Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 4 - 21 January 2010

With Tottenham just an interview with Harry Redknapp away from being down to the 'bare bones' there is always a possibility of some transfer excitement - now then, who have Pompey got left? Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009 Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 1 - 3 January 2010 M...

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Wigan Athletic transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 20 January 2010

Roberto Martinez has been one of the busiest managers this month with two players arriving and two players leaving to date; but with ex-manager Steve Bruce linked with a raid on his old club most days who have the tabloids been speculating about concerning Wigan? Sunday 20 December 2009 The Sunday ...

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Aston Villa transfer diary 2 - 17 January 2010

With recent results not going particularly well for Villa, there must be a temptation to bolster the squad in the transfer window. But who have the papers been linking to Villa? Aston Villa transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 1 January 2010 Saturday 2 January 2010 The Daily Mirror reckon that Birmi...

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Blackburn transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 12 January 2010

Blackburn will probably have to sell to buy this month with Benni McCarthy the most likely to leave - although replacing him for around £2m will be a difficult job. Morten Gamst Pedersen is also linked with a move away - but I doubt that Sam Allardyce will want to lose his ability with the dead bal...

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Liverpool transfer diary 3 - 11 January 2010

Since the last transfer diary Liverpool have made some changes in the transfer window, Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin have left the club and Maxi Rodriguez seems likely to join. Liverpool transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 2 January 2010 Liverpool: Heskey or Van Nistelrooy – Who would you rathe...

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Everton transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 9 January 2010

Everton have started the season slowly with a raft of injuries derailing many of the pre-season expectations. With the injured masses about to return will David Moyes dip a toe into the transfer market in January? Well the signing of Landon Donovan is 'one of two or three players' that Moyes wants...

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Manchester City transfer diary 3 - 8 January 2010

Manchester City have made the first significant signing of the transfer window, recruiting former Arsnal captain, Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan. With City one of only a handful of clubs with liquid assets in this frozen winter this is unlikely to be the end of things. Manchester City transfer di...

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Burnley transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 7 January 2010

Since the start of the month the speculation that Burnley will lose Owen Coyle to Bolton has intensified to the point where it now just seems like a matter of time. A last minute Martin O'Neill style change of mind seems less and less likely. Before the manager got all unsettled the likelihood was...

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Chelsea transfer diary 2 - 6 January 2010

With Chelsea yet to sign a player in January could it be that Carlo Ancelotti was simply being honest when he said that signings were so unlikely that he would run round the training ground naked if anyone came in? Or is he just hoping that the sub-zero temperatures will pick up sufficiently to all...

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Chelsea transfer diary 2 - 6 January 2010

With Chelsea yet to sign a player in January could it be that Carlo Ancelotti was simply being honest when he said that signings were so unlikely that he would run round the training ground naked if anyone came in? Or is he just hoping that the sub-zero temperatures will pick up sufficiently to all...

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Stoke City transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 5 January 2010

This transfer window comes at an awkward time for Stoke with James Beattie somewhat unsettled after 'that' incident in the shower with Tony Pulis. Beattie scored 7 goals after his January signing to help keep Stoke safe last season and with Stoke sliding a bit in the league after a strong start, if...

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Manchester United transfer diary 2 January 2010 - 5 January 2010

Whether United have any money or not is exercising plenty of debate at the moment. The Glazers are fairly publically touting for banks that will offer them better interest rates than they could get at the height of the credit boom. As soon as the Bank of ELves and Pixies get in touch I'm sure it w...

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Sunderland transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 4 January 2010

Steve Bruce disposed of a lot of the detritus remaining from Roy Keane's tenure in the summer and should, by now, have an idea of areas of the squad that need strengthening. Sunderland's form has been poor in recent weeks and to boost the squad I would expect two or three players to arrive. All th...

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Arsenal transfer diary 1 - 4 January 2010

No signings to date but Arsene Wenger keeps teasingly suggesting that someone - in all likelihood a striker will be arriving. Arsenal transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009 Friday 1 January 2009 The Daily Mirror report that Arsene Wenger has made a signing for the future by paying £3.5m swoop for Fl...

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Fulham transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 3 January 2010

This will be a long season for Fulham as the Europa League makes extended calls on Roy Hodgson's thin squad. To maintain a top half position in the Premier League Hodgson may well have to deepen his squad in certain areas and may well make a couple of loan moves or signings in the £5m bracket. Sun...

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Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 1 - 3 January 2010

The latest installment of Tottenham's transfer diary sees Harry Redknapp damp down expectations of a transfer splurge, but that does not stop the speculation ... or indeed the expectation. Transfers: None to date. Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009 Friday 1 January 2009 Harry ...

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Liverpool transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 2 January 2010

Liverpool enter the new year on the back of a couple of morale boosting wins but still back in seventh place in the division; but a lack of transfer funds could reduce Rafa Benitez to signing players on loan unless there are cash buyers for the likes of Babel, Voronin, Dossena and Degen. Transfer R...

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Manchester City transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 2 January 2010

Manchester City are the tabloid journalists team of the moment, ready made villain in Gary Cook, money to burn, sacking a manager for daring to be only a little bit better than Liverpool this season and a willing public believing just about anything written about it all. We pick the story up on the...

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Aston Villa transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 1 January 2010

The Aston Villa squad looks pretty full at the moment, so any activity is likely to be light. The switch of James Milner into central midfield has been largely successful, but given his productivity out wide a driving box-to-box midfielder would be more than useful - if Gareth Barry had stayed this...

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Chelsea transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 1 January 2010

The Chelsea rumour mill is stoked by a series of unusual circumstances; an impending transfer ban, the Africa Cup of Nations, a new manager, an ageing squad, light transfer dealings in the summer and debt-free club. Did anyone really believe Carlo Ancelotti when he claimed that Chelsea would buy no...

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Manchester United transfer diary 20 December 2009 - 1 January 2010

Manchester United's injury problems are starting to lessen as we enter the new year with the club able to field four defenders against Wigan on Wednesday night so transfer activity is likely to be light. But United do need someone to help generate more goals - either scoring them or making them - b...

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Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009

No team managed by Harry Redknapp is not going to be linked with plenty of transfer speculation - especially with Spurs in fourth place in the Premier League and fighting hard for a Champions' League slot. Transfer Speculation: Maynor Figueroa (Wigan) to Tottenham (£6m) Sunday 20 December 2009 Rob...

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Arsenal transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009

Arsenal ended 2010 in third place in the Premier League after a superb run of form ending with a 4-1 beating of a Portsmouth team that beat Liverpoo 2-0 a week earlier. In such good form the papers reigned back their speculation about the Gunners - but the injury problems for the forwards at the cl...

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Would Robbie Keane's sale to Celtic cost Liverpool?

Renewed speculation that Robbie Keane will up sticks and leave for Celtic has arisen after that notorious squad outing to Dublin on a 'golfing weekend' (has anyone looked out of the window at the weather recently, does that look like golfing weather, does someone think that Dublin has some kind of t...

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Chelsea transfer speculation mounts

The coming transfer window is of special importance to Chelsea. Firstly the team is rightly favourites for the title and after three seasons of Manchester United domestic dominance funds will surely be found if it can rubber stamp a title charge. Secondly the Africa Cup of Nations takes Essien, Dr...

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Transfer Speculation: Maynor Figueroa (Wigan) to Tottenham (£6m)

Nick Ive in The Mirror (I would put a link to the article but Mirror Group, as well as most other national papers, are threatening to sue websites that link to their content) must watch Match of the Day. It is the only conclusion to be drawn from his speculative piece which you can stop reading aft...

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Transfer Speculation: Scott Parker (West Ham) to Liverpool (£6m)

No sooner do we big up West Ham's Scott Parker than an ever vigilant Rafa Benitez is rumoured to be interested in the West Ham player of the year. Although I'm not really sure about the the quality of sub-editing on The Sun if the best headline available really is 'Rafa Goes Potty For Scotty'. Th...

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Transfer Speculation: Robert Green (West Ham) to Chelsea

The Daily Express is reporting that Carlo Ancelotti is ready to replace Petr Cech, originally signed for the club by Claudio Ranieri - five managers ago. Cech has looked poor coming for crosses this season and, to be fair, he hasn't been on top of his game for some time now. But it's a bit simplis...

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Could James Beattie move to one of the big four - specifically Arsenal?

James Beattie has discovered that talking to your manager about extra time off for Christmas parties whilst he is in the altogether is a bad negotiating practice. Tony Pulis has apologised for his alleged punch - but while there seems little doubt which of the two will leave the club, where will Be...

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Transfer Speculation: Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg) to Manchester United

Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, railed against the inflated transfer valuations last summer by only making one major purchase (as opposed to running out of money). Forward players like Carlos Tevez, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery were all in the frame for United, but once United acce...

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Transfer Speculation: Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich) to Manchester City (£12m)

It is fair to say that Wayne Bridge hasn't been the best purchase that Mark Hughes has made since City's astonishing spending spree began. Recently rated by Alan Hansen, on Match of the Day, as playing at a minus six out of ten level, Bridge damaged medial knee ligaments against Chelsea and is unli...

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Transfer Speculation: Nani (Manchester United) to Anywhere (£10m)

Neil Custis in The Sun today suggests that Manchester United will offload Nani in Jauary - which seems a reasonable call for a player that has played nearly 100 games for United in two and a half seasons without ever really nailing down a place. There are a number of comments that Nani has never be...

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Transfer Speculation: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid) to Chelsea (£40m)

Chelsea are the footballing swan at the moment; all calm and serene on the surface - no we don't need to buy, no we're not worried about a transfer ban - but underneath a network of scouts and agents are paddling furiously to bring in three or four players to insulate against the probable loss of tr...

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Transfer Speculation: Yaya Toure (Barcelona) to Chelsea/Man United

It's a kind of unwritten rule that European footballers who want a pay hike talk to their agents who drop little hints that their man want to come to Arsenal/Chelsea/Man United/Liverpool (delete as applicable). But it is rarer for agents to give the hurry-up simply to get their boy a game! Today T...

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Transfer Speculation: Takayuki Morimoto (Catania) to Manchester United

Manchester United are keen on signing Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto, 21, who is currently playing for Catania in Italy according to yesterday's 'hotline' in The People. Several years after clubs stopped signing players for purely commercial reasons (although doubts persist as to the Dong Fan...

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