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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Outside the Box – Football on TV: A prosperous week for Liverpool in the cups but off the field is a different story

The days leading up to the weekend’s FA Cup Fourth Round ties were not particularly pleasant for many football fans, a week in which the unseemly and murky face of football was glaringly apparent. Many column inches were devoted to the tax-evasion trial of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, as well as th...

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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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Championship Preview (part two)

Here we are, part two of my preview of the new Championship season. Hull Key signing: Paul McKenna (no, not that one) Nigel Pearson was an uncompromising, monosyllabic and tough centre-half as a player and has reinvented himself as an uncompromising, monosyllabic and tough manager. Never one to o...

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Five transfers we knew would end badly

Each summer, when football ceases to exist for two months, we get to speculate over who’s going where and for how much. Contracts end, players are transferred and over-the-top amounts of cash are spent. But how about those moves that you just feel will not be positive in any way? We’ve listed o...

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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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Leicester City – Sven’s revolution gathers pace

Paul Konchesky. Not immediately a name that will fill many of you with excitement, enthusiasm or indeed interest of any kind. Liverpool fans particularly are undoubtedly experiencing white-hot feelings of rage at the very utterance of his name – in fact I’m told that the word Konchesky has entered S...

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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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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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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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Time to end the under-18 transfer market

With Chelsea appealing a two transfer window ban for taking Gael Kakuta from Lens against the wishes of the French club there were always likely to be further repercussions. Once the 'small' clubs see that Uefa or Fifa is prepared to take on the 'big', bullying clubs then every perceived grievance ...

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Summer Departures: Who Will Cope Best?

With Xavi Alonso’s contract at Real Madrid finally penned, the eye of the storm finally arrived over Anfield. And with Cristiano Ronaldo lauding it up in the Spanish capital as the most expensive footballer on the planet - many Premiership clubs face the ‘life after…’ syndrome. This season brims wit...

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Transfer Round-up: Sickening Summer for Liverpool

It has been a sickening summer for Liverpool. What with Javier Mascheranos apparent eagerness to move to Barcelona and Xabi Alonsos determination to move to Real Madrid, Rafael Benitez has found himself battling to hold his midfield together.Perhaps just as worrying is the fact that so far nothing h...

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Emmanuel Adebayor could be the catalyst to push Manchester City past Arsenal

The gap in financial spending power of Arsenal and Manchester City is one of the sub-plots of the summer, with City busily installing new pegs in the dressing room to make room for up to six more £10m+ players to go with the four signed in January. City will probably be fielding a team costing arou...

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Manchester City: Terry's All Gold?

Manchester City was quickly out of the metaphorical spending blocks this summer and set up purchases of Gareth Barry for £12m (2 June 2009) and Roque Santa Cruz for £17.5m (22 June 2009) before the notional opening of the window on the traditional contract renewal date of 1 July. Also with Joe Hart...

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Summer Window Watch- Wigan Athletic (1)

Wigan are really suffering for their successful 2008/09 campaign. The guts of the side that performed so well up to March has been ripped out, plus the manager who blended the team so successfully. Emile Heskey, Wilson Palacios and Ryan Taylor went in January and now Luis Valencia has moved on too....

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Summer Window Watch- Blackburn Rovers (1)

Blackburn have been off the mark quickly in the summer transfer market but the signings so far wont overcome the anxiety of the fans about the loss of Roque Santa Cruz. Gael Givets signing confirms the decent impression the Frenchman made in his loan spell from Marseille last season. His signature ...

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Manchester United: Fergie gambles and rages against the dying of the light

Manchester United usually approach the summer transfer window in a very sensible manner. With a couple of key targets (one of which is usually a Tottenham player) to buy, whilst a bunch of academy players are sold off for a few million and a couple of senior players are moved on. United like to do...

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Summer Transfer Watch- Wolves (1)

Last time Wolves made it to the Premiership the club were probably guilty of not doing enough to strenghthen the squad. This time though, they have four new signings on board before July has hardly started. Mick McCarthy has always been realistic about the resources at his disposal and he cant comp...

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Record breakers or money shakers?

Eighty million pounds is a lot of money. But then, so was fifty-six. And forty-five. Im not going to even challenge whether or not it’s all relative; all I will say is that I have had to buy cheaper red wine of late because “money is tight”. But are world record transfers worth it?In 1996, Alan ...

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Is Gareth Barry's move to Manchester City all about money?

Gareth Barry's move to Manchester City has thrown up the first real shock of the summer transfer window. Barry was widely assumed to be Liverpool bound and even Arsenal need a commanding, defensive midfielder and at £12m he was out of the price range of neither. Even Manchester United may need a s...

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