Inter Tony Revoltion Manager

With a spare hour I thought I'd check for any interesting soccer articles. Unfortunately it means sifting through crap like "Pop group Simply Red to split up". Fuck, I can't believe it's taken this long. Mind you, in a world where Gary Megson gets to be an EPL manager I guess anything can happen. Though out of interest, while you can certainly understand why he'd want to to, how the hell does that twat Mick Hucknall spilt from himself?
More interesting, well somewhat more interesting, where the following peices:

The News favourite Gabriele Marcotti reviews the Italian FA's fining of Inter for offensive banners, and if it's perhaps a touch over the top.
Ultra-cautious stand a real passion killer

Another News regular Tony Cascarino tries his hand at being an Agony Uncle:
Dear Tony...

Martin Samuel puts the boot into McClaren and the England team:
Evolution will happen only when tactical revolution is embraced

And here's a review of Football Manager 2008. I've never played it myself, but heard it's pretty darn addictive.
Football Manager 2008

Magnusson: US move would be 'good for the game'

West Ham United's non-executive chairman Eggert Magnusson thinks that taking the Premier League to the USA would be 'good for the game' and would boost soccer's global profile. With the NFL playing their first regular season game away from home, a debate has opened up over whether the Premier League should follow suit and take English soccer to the US.

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

Chelsea v Man City

I have to go for Chelsea here, because they just keep winning.

They are not playing particularly well yet, but Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are so important for them and their return to the side has made all the difference.

City, as brilliant as they have been at home, have yet to convince me away from Eastlands.

Match preview

Prediction: 2-0

All His Predictions

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview

With a third of the season nearly over, Bayern have done what many predicted they would, and dominated the Bundesliga so far. Undefeated in their opening ten games, nobody has come close to stopping them. The next team to try is Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. Before that Stuttgart face a make or break clash at home to Leverkusen, while title challengers Schalke and Werder clash at the Veltins Arena after their midweek Champions league exertions.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Sevilla vs. Valencia catches the eye...

Saturday, 27 October (all times local):
20:00 Mallorca - Espanyol
22:00 Athletic Bilbao - Betis

Sunday, 28 October:
17:00 Levante - Atletico Madrid
17:00 Zaragoza - Villarreal
17:00 Osasuna - Valladolid
17:00 Racing Santander - Gteafe
17:00 Murcia - Recreativo Huelva
17:00 Real Madrid - Deportivo
19:00 Barcelona - Almeria
21:00 Sevilla - Valencia

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview

The match of the week in Spain has Roma making the trip north to face Milan Without Talisman Totti...

Ballack set for Juventus Loan Move?

Calf Strain COuld Keep Vieira Out Until Next Year

England: Premier League Previews

Besides the Liverpool/Arsenal clash, Manchester City's trip to Stamford Bridge leads the weekend offerings and Sunderland entertain Fulham in a match-up of teams near the bottom.

SSN's snoozer of the week is Birmingham vs. Wigan.

Mushtaq Quraishi's Previews
Fasteddy's Hot Tips

EPL Weekend Preview: Liverpool vs. Arsenal

Wenger Reloads Again at Arsenal

Match Preview

Benítez told League title is a must


Andy Hunter: There are shades of Gérard Houllier in Rafa Benítez's excuses but the problems at Liverpool run deep.

Watch the match on Fox Soccer Channel on Sunday at noon.

MLS: Chicago holds on for 1-0 win against D.C. + Playoff Preview

Chris Rolfe scored the lone goal to lead the Chicago Fire to a 1-0 playoff victory over D.C. United on Thursday night. The physical match included four yellow cards - two for each team - and 41 fouls.

Blanco's antics during the Fire's 1-0 victory over D.C. United in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Thursday night were occasionally comical, often shamelessly theatrical, undeniably entertaining and ultimately effective.

But United see it somewhat differently. They think Blanco is a cheat. A diver. A con man who fools referees into giving him calls and gets protected because he is one of the most high-profile players in Major League Soccer.

Martin Rogers' Playoff Picks

Tottenham Board Confirm Jol's Sacking

'We can confirm that the board has this evening asked Martin Jol, the club manager, and Chris Hughton, the first team coach, to stand down from their positions with immediate effect,' the statement read.

Martin Jol was the victim of bad luck and poor judgment by himself and Tottenham's board.

Sid Lowe: Despite the Sevilla coach's protestations in the summer, Juande Ramos always knew he would end up at Spurs.

Uefa Cup Wrap: Bayern topple Red Star in Belgrade thriller

Toni Kroos scored a dramatic 90th minute winner to give Bayern Munich a 3-2 UEFA Cup win over Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital tonight. Elsewhere, Tottenham lost to Getafe at White Hart Lane while Villarreal and Fiorentina drew 1-1.

Lehmann in Danger of Unsettling Arsenal

As Arsenal equalled their highest ever score in the Champions League, with a 7-0 win over Slavia Prague, there was one player in the squad whose smile at the final whistle would have been forced through clenched teeth. Outspoken goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has had his say on many things throughout his career, but this week his attention was diverted onto events closer to home, and most notably his own manager, Arsene Wenger.

Tottenham 'better off without Dimitar Berbatov', says Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, believes that Dimitar Berbatov is contributing to Tottenham Hotspur’s present predicament and has told Martin Jol to sell the Bulgaria forward before his bad attitude rubs off on his team-mates.

Seven-day examination should reveal Arsenal’s title credentials

Arsenal will not stand or fall by the results of their next two Barclays Premier League fixtures, though successive matches against Liverpool and Manchester United are likely to reveal more about the club’s championship prospects than all of their previous games combined. Seven days could shape their season.

Sunday, October 28: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Saturday, November 3: Arsenal vs. Manchester United

The match that put the belle in Belgrade

Jonathan Wilson: If Red Star and Bayern Munich's Uefa Cup tie is as memorable as their European Cup semi-final encounter in 1991, we're in for a treat.

Fan injuries at Italian stadiums drop by 80 percent

Injuries caused by violence around Italian football stadiums have dropped by 80 percent since last season after tough new regulations were introduced, officials said on Thursday. A meeting between the police chief and the heads of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the league agreed the aim must be to tone down the regulations by the end of the year.


Tight controls for supporters were brought in following revulsion at the death of a policeman during riots outside Catania's Serie A derby with Palermo in February.

MLS Playoffs: D.C. United at Chicago Fire

This is Chicago's final home game of the season, and the last for Fire captain Chris Armas. The midfielder has been with the club since its inception, helping lead the Fire to their lone championship in 1998, and said he will retire after this season.
PREVIEW

Champions League Wrap: Robinho Rallies Real and Liverpool in Big Trouble

Plenty of time for this man to focus on the Premier League??

Wrap: Real Madrid looked woeful against an inspired Olympiakos but pulled out a lucky win...

Besiktas 2 - 1 Liverpool:
Istanbul Not So Nice for Reds This Time Around

Chelsea 2 - 0 Schalke:
Drogba Leads the Way

AC Milan 4 –1 Shakhtar Donetsk:
Alberto Gilardino was the hero of the night, along with Clarence Seedorf and Kaka, as the Champions League atmosphere benefited the entire Milan side who rediscovered their best form in a 4-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

BBC Images

Werder Bremen 2-1 Lazio:
Werder Bremen have got their Champions League challenge back on track with a 2-1 victory over Lazio at the Weser Stadion. Goals from Boubacar Sanogo and Hugo Almeida clinched the points. A Christian Manfredini goal at the end gave Lazio some hope, but the home side prevailed.

Rosenborg 2-0 Valencia:
Rosenborg earned a thoroughly deserved 2-0 victory over the Spanish side after bossing the game from the first minute.

Benfica 1 - 0 Celtic:
Away Woes Continue

You talking to me? Given's Spanish lessons lost on Brazilian team-mate

Newcastle United's Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa was delighted to score his first goal for the club in the 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday but he was rather less enamoured of his goalkeeper Shay Given's linguistic skills.

Megson Named as New Bolton boss

Gary Megson has been appointed Bolton's new manager and signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

After leaving Leicester to move to Lancashire he will take charge of the struggling side for the first time on Sunday when they face Aston Villa at home.

Rae's Say: 'Anti-football' getting results

Derek Rae Takes a Look at the Champions League

HE SSN ALL-NAME TEAM INDUCTEE NUMBER SEVEN: MARCO BOOGERS

It’s hard not to pick Boogers when it comes to making the tough choices on who deserves to make the SSN All-Name Team and who is flicked aside. Boogers was born on January 12, 1967, in Dordrecht, Netherlands. The Dutch forward is now retired, but he played for a slew of clubs during his tenure on the pitch, including DS ’79, FC Utrecht, Sparta Rotterdam, West Ham, FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht. He’ll be known to most fans as “Mad Marco” for his two-footed “sickening horror tackle” on Gary Neville and subsequent red card after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United in 1995. Boogers couldn’t handle the pressure and ran back to Holland where he took up residence in a mobile home park. A doctor’s note sent to Hammers boss ‘Arry Redknapp explained that Boogers was crazy, hence his departure. There is no doubt that Marco Boogers deserves a spot on Sanford Soccer Net’s All-Name Team, and he’ll be a reserve striker.

The Rest of The Squad to Date (there will be 25 total):
Nicky Butt - Starting Holding Midfielder
Dean Windass - Starting Striker
Rod Fanni - Starting Right Back
Berndt Haas - Starting Center Back
Danny Shittu - Starting Center Back
David Seaman - Reserve Goalkeeper

Champions League: Wednesday Preview

Shakhtar are one of only two teams among the 16 who will be in action on Wednesday that still have a 100 per cent record after the first two matchdays. The other is Marseille. Given that the tournament's three most successful clubs are in these four groups - Real Madrid (nine titles), AC Milan (seven) and Liverpool (five), who between them have appeared in the final 30 times, it is perhaps surprising that none of the trio boasts maximum points.

The always lovely Shakhtar stadium in the Ukraine...



Group A
Besiktas-Liverpool
Marseille-Porto

Group B
Rosenborg-Valencia
Chelsea-Schalke 04

Group C
Werder Bremen-Lazio
Real Madrid-Olympiacos

Group D
Benfica-Celtic
AC Milan-Shakhtar Donetsk

'German champions, nobody knows why'

Raphael Honigstein in Germany:
Stuttgart are only the latest Bundesliga side unable to cope with the trappings of success.

Search is on for a new U.S. women's coach

Greg Ryan had always seemed curiously bulletproof, generally dodging the larger munitions in terms of media scrutiny. His highly favored team looked plodding in the Women's World Cup, but Ryan seemed to get a pass as all heads swiveled toward the Hope Solo fiasco.

Ireland Sack Staunton After Euro Failure

The Football Association of Ireland will appoint an outside adviser to help them head-hunt a successor to Steve Staunton, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent this morning.

The Beautiful Game Takes a Dive

While Dida made huge, unwanted headlines across Europe and in his native Brazil, it is outside the game's traditional strongholds in places like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa where the goalkeeper's disgraceful antics does the most damage.

D'Alessandro Thrown Out Of Training

The fiery Argentinian tustled with compatriot Pablo Aimar last week during a practice game and has this latest outburst could see his future at the club put in doubt.

Champions League: Arsenal run riot as United romp

Arsenal and Manchester United edged closer to the Champions League last 16 with emphatic wins on an action-packed evening that also saw Rangers hold Barcelona to a goalless draw at Ibrox.

Rangers 0 - 0 Barcelona:
Defensive Display or Anti-football?
Lionel Messi blasted Rangers for what he saw as an overly negative approach during Barcelona's 0-0 Champions League draw at Ibrox. The young Argentine seethed, "It was incredible: Rangers just did not want to play football."

Arsenal 7 - 0 Slavia Prague:
Electric Walcott Comes of Age?

Dynamo Kiev 2 - 4 Manchester United:
Ronaldo Lights it Up

BBC Images

Roma 2 - 1 Sporting Lisbon: Important Win

CSKA Moscow 1 - 2 Inter Milan: Inter Limp to Victory

Lehmann issues threat to Wenger

The 37-year-old told German TV channel Premiere: "I think - and this is aimed at my dear manager - one shouldn't humiliate players for too long.

"It's possible that some day I'll feel like talking about the whole issue."

Arrests Grow at Derby County

The number of Derby County fans arrested for hooliganism has risen, with 70 picked up last season - an increase of 19 from the season before.

Tim Vickery in South America

Nowadays the domestic Brazilian game lives off scraps that Europe leaves behind. It contains three types of player: youngsters on the way up who are dreaming of a move to Europe, those who have gone and come back, either to wind down their career or because the move didn't work out, and those not considered good enough to receive the call.

Slowly, quietly, Rooney is starting to fulfil his potential

Kevin McCarra: As he approaches his 22nd birthday, Wayne Rooney is now living up to great expectations.

The Joy of Six: Own Goals

From Johan Cruyff's Total Own Goal to Janusz Jojko flinging a throw-out into his own net, The Guardian picks the greatest own goals scored.

Keller 'Devastated' By Injury Blow

Fulham shot-stopper Kasey Keller admits he’s ‘devastated’ after picking up an arm injury in training that’s likely to keep him out of action until the end of December.

Adu scores tying goal for Benfica against Setubal

Another goal in the Cup coming of the bench for Freddy. Better than nothing, I suppose...

Americans on the Continent

Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege (Belgian Jupiler League)

vs. RAEC Bergen Mons, 1-1 draw (90 minutes, 0 goals)

Despite being sent off in Standard Liege’s last match—a UEFA Cup loss—Gooch continued his consistent form, starting in the heart of Standard’s defense. Igor De Camargo scored early in the second half to put Standard ahead, but Francois Zoko equalized in the final minute to triumphantly redeem a point for Bergen. Standard’s lead atop the table is down to a slender 3 points. Up Next: KV Mechelen, Oct. 27.

Champions League Tuesday Previews

Arsenal vs. Slavia Prague:
Gallas Issues Rallying Cry

Dynamo Kiev vs. Manchester United:
Fergie Sees Goals Aplenty

Rangers vs. Barcelona:
Rangers on High

Roma vs. Sporting Lisbon:
Sagging Romans

General Preview

Newcastle turn up the pressure on Jol as treble blow keeps Spurs in bottom three

Newcastle 3 - 1 Tottenham

After watching Newcastle secure their best beginning to a season for a decade, while all too easily ending Spurs's six-game unbeaten run, Allardyce said: "We killed Tottenham's spirit by outplaying them and scored three goals with some superb football. Confidence is growing throughout the side."

Phil Ball in Spain

It's been one of those rare weekends in Spain, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona losing. It's a while since this happened, and its occurrence always seems apocalyptic somehow, as if the natural order of the cosmos has been disturbed and the Earth has gone off in search of a different orbit.

Clattenburg omitted from Premier League rota

Official to miss out next weekend following criticism of his refereeing in Merseyside derby

After England, more tears fall on Moscow's plastic pitch

Commemorations of a frequently forgotten tragedy at the Luzhniki Stadium temporarily diverted attention from a thrilling race for the Russian title.

Sid Lowe in Spain

No matter that Juan Román Riquelme is still pulling Argentina's strings; at club level the midfielder is not being missed one jot.

This has to be one of the biggest stories in the sport at the moment. JRR is certainly one of the best players in the world. He is arguably Argentina's most important player. That's Argentina -- one of the top soccer powers in world football. And yet, he does not play club football because Villarreal have frozen him out. Amazing. -Sanford

MLS Report: Chicago Wins to Eliminate Galaxy

John Thorrington and the Chicago Fire clinched the final playoff spot with a well-earned victory over a Los Angeles side that never seriously challenged.

Playoff Match-ups Set

Americans in England: A Quiet Weekend

Goal.com USA's Matthew Braine recaps the weekend for American players in England, as well as DaMarcus Beasley in Scotland.

DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers
Vs. Celtic (15 minutes, 0 goals)

Beasley came on in the 75th minute of Rangers’ 3-0 route of Celtic. The winger was on the field to witness the third goal, which came courtesy of a Nacho Novo penalty kick in the 79th minute. Beasley continues to impress and will look forward to Champions League action in midweek.

Spain: Real Madrid & Barcelona Lose

Leaders Real Madrid and rivals Barcelona suffered their first Primera Liga defeats this season on Saturday at Espanyol and Villarreal respectively. Real were no match for team-of-the-moment Espanyol as they lost 2-1. Albert Riera and Raul Tamudo, who led Spain to a 3-1 victory against Denmark in their Euro 2008 qualifier last weekend, scored the goals at the beginning of each half.

Italy: Empoli Stun Milan at the San Siro

Wrap
Reports

Before kickoff Brazilian goalkeeper Dida did a tour of the stadium bowing to fans, apparently to apologise for the incident at Celtic that cost him a two-match Champions League ban.
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England: All the Action From the EPL

No surprises this weekend but the Liverpool Derby had its share of controversy...

Reports

The Insider at The Emirates:
Arsenal 2 - 0 Bolton

	P	W	D	L	Pts
1. Arsenal	9	8	1	0	25
2. Manchester United	10	7	2	1	23
3. Manchester City	10	7	1	2	22
4. Liverpool	9	5	4	0	19
5. Portsmouth	10	5	3	2	18
6. Blackburn Rovers	9	5	3	1	18
7. Chelsea	10	5	3	2	18
8. Newcastle Utd	8	4	2	2	14
9. Aston Villa	9	4	2	3	14
10. West Ham Utd	9	4	1	4	13
11. Everton	10	4	1	5	13
12. Reading	10	3	1	6	10
13. Fulham	10	1	5	4	8
14. Birmingham City	10	2	2	6	8
15. Wigan Athletic	10	2	2	6	8
16. Sunderland	10	2	2	6	8
17. Middlesbrough	10	2	2	6	8
18. Tottenham Hotspur	9	1	4	4	7
19. Derby County	10	1	3	6	6
20. Bolton Wanderers	10	1	2	7	5

Footballer Hamann Banned From Driving

The Manchester City footballer Dietmar Hamann was today banned from driving and fined nearly £8,000 for a series of motoring offences.

Hamann, a former German international and Liverpool player, lost his licence after his £70,000 Porsche Carrera crashed into a fence last year and he refused to tell police who was driving.