The Scoop

Is Ronaldinho on his way to Chelsea or the Dirty Cheats?

Topsy Turvy Tottenham

Now....Steve Nash, of the Phoenix Suns is looking to invest in his future! He's thinking of investing his money in Tottenham Hotspur. I'm not too sure how good of an investment that is though? I see he's even trained with the New York Red Bulls in his free time. That's kind of cool.

FIFA Votes to End Rotation Policy

FIFA have opened up bidding for the 2018 World Cup. They have ended the rotation policy through Continents.

'Tis the Season for the Sacking

Valencia sacked coach Quique Sanchez Flores in the early hours of Monday morning following the side's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla.

Rafa is Ooozing Confidence...

"I can win the title..."

UPDATE: Not now he can't!

Tottenham Hotspur Have a New Gaffer

I'm surprised, but it did happen. Tottenham have unveiled Juande Ramos as their new manager. I guess they mean business, much as they intended to do before the start of the season. It seems he plans on bringing in La Liga players as did Rafa when he came to Liverpool.

UPDATE: Gus Poyet has been unveiled at Tottenham's number 2.

Ouch!

Liverpool have suffered yet another blow as Jermaine Pennant will be sidelined for 10 weeks with a stress fracture of his right tibia

Manager Wanted Update

Sevilla have confirmed this evening that coach Juande Ramos has resigned from his position at the La Liga side.

What is this man thinking?

UPDATE: He will be given a £40million transfer war chest to revive Tottenham's season.

All That is Old is New Again

I see Sven Goran Eriksson will be given some money, laundered from Thailand no doubt, during the transfer window to bolster his high-flying side. Is there a certain Shaun Wright-Phillips in the mix?

Tottenham Update...Olé!

It is said in the rumour mill's that Seville's Juande Ramos will be taking over as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, BUT apparently, he doesn't wish to take the reigns until next year. That cannot conceivably happen! No way will the owners go for that. Will they?

I'm still thinking Jurgen Klinsmann will take the role, but I'm just speculating. Make sure you check FootballRoundtable for updates on this matter...if you care about it at all. I really don't but, I 'll post it for those who do!

Pick Yourself Up TH14!

Thierry Henry is not gelling with his new teammates in Barcelona, he's revealed to some ex-Arsenal teammates. I say, They play a different style of football over in Barca, but I have a feeling it's just going to take a bit longer than he thought. He'll fit in, in time. Once he gets the feel of the game in Spain.

About Damn Time!

After lowly Tottenham's 2 - 1 UEFA Cup defeat at the hands of Spanish minnows, Getafe, Martin Jol finally has resigned.

Now it has been rumored that Sevilla's Juande Ramos is set to take over the Tottenham managers position, but I have to ask...why would he leave a successful Spanish side and come to a struggling London side?

Der Kaiser Sprechen!

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has warned Jens Lehmann not to "make a mistake and start a confrontation" with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following the goalkeeper's outburst this week.

Do You Want the Job?

Tottenham: Do you want the job when our overspending, useless, current manager walks away?
Mark Hughes: No!

UPDATE: Jol has left Tottenham. We are clairvoyant here at FootballRoundtable.

Bolton Have a Manager

Bolton Wanderers are manager-less no more. Today they appointed former Nottingham Forrest and Leicester boss, Gary Megson.

UPDATE: The fans are unhappy it seems.

Harry isn't having it

Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol would be "better off without" Dimitar Berbatov, according to Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.

The Bulgarian striker made a big impact in his debut season at White Hart Lane last season, scoring 23 goals.

But Spurs' poor start to the new campaign has left Jol on the brink of unemployment and, Redknapp says, brought out the worst in Berbatov.

The former Bayer Leverkusen striker appeared reluctant to come on as a substitute in the Londoners' 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Monday, and Redknapp is clear in his stance.

Advice

"The very last thing Martin Jol needs right now is Dimitar Berbatov spitting his dummy out because he's not in Tottenham's starting team every week," Redknapp said in his column in the Sun.

"You only find out the true character of your players when the chips are down and the pressure is on.

"And we all saw what Berbatov is made of when he was sat sulking on the bench at Newcastle the other night with a face like a big baby.

"Everyone knows what a terrific player the Bulgarian can be. But he's not the striker he was a year ago and, from what I've seen, he looks to be disinterested and playing for himself rather than his team.

"His attitude is terrible and his behaviour at St James' Park sent out all the wrong signals."

Future

The 26-year-old front man had been linked with a move to Old Trafford over the summer, but Redknapp believes Berbatov has blown any chance of a transfer to the champions now.

"Maybe he's sulking because he didn't get a move to Manchester United in the summer," Redknapp added.

"But he's done himself absolutely no favours on that account because I know for a fact Alex Ferguson would never stand for any player who behaves the way Berbatov has done this week.

"When your team is in trouble you need the big characters to stand up.

"That's just what Robbie Keane has done for Spurs and Berbatov should show the same attitude. I have always believed that when you lose a player's support you get him out as quickly as possible.

"No matter how good, you're better off without him."

Spurs play Getafe in the Uefa Cup on Thursday evening and it will be interesting to see if Jol heeds Redknapp's words.

Lionel Messi

Here is a brief history of Argentina's and Barcelona's little gem, Lionel Messi. It's worth a couple of minutes to have a look.

"Nevertheless, the FC Barcelona had detected him (Lionel Messi) at the Newell’s Old Boys where he was not completely happy. Messi was already showing he is great talent, but he was suffering from a hormone problem that was affecting his growth.

When Lionel was 13 years old in 2000 his family decided to move to Europe because the child, medical treatment was beyond their economic means.

At the same time the Flea went to Barcelona, where he immediately captivated Carlos Rexach who thought of signing him immediately. He even offered him the contract in a napkin. He's height was only 4.7 f"

Fantasy Footie Becomes Reality

"One club in Israel do not have a manager, just 8,000 online supporters. Could the same thing happen in England?"

This is nuts! Although, if you only have 8,000 supporters, you probably can't afford to pay a manager.

Diving in Football

Jason Dasey writes about how "The Beautiful Game Takes a Dive"

Sacked!

The Irish F.A. have sacked Steve Staunton after Euro failure. If anyone cares...

Champions League Roundup

Liverpool took another step in the wrong direction today in Istanbul with a gutting 2 - 0 loss to Turkish side Besiktas. I think Rafa needs to sit and think about the direction of the team because what he's doing, or not doing, at the moment is not working. We look slow and uncreative. We look very poor right now. It's not even nice to watch. Right now, I miss Luis Garcia dropping bombs from 10 meters. Even if they don't manage to find the back of the net. We also need Agger back in the squad. Hyypia has put two own goals in two consecutive matches. Not good. I'm sure Harry Redknapp could use his services over at Portsmouth. Sami Hyypia has served us very well, but I'm afraid his time has come.

OM 1 - 1 Porto
Rosenborg 2 - 0 Valencia (Wow, I wouldn't have picked that one!)
Chelsea 2 - 0 Schalke (Malouda and Drogba bagged the goals here)
Bremen 2 - 1 Lazio
Real Madrid 4 - 2 Olympiacos
Benfica 1 - 0 Celtic
Dirty Cheats 4 - 1 Shakhtar

Match Ball

Adidas has unveiled it's match ball for next years African Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana. Nice right?

Big Deal

Umbro, the maker of the England football team's kit, has agreed to be bought by US sportswear giant Nike in a deal worth £285m ($580m).

The Finest Football Shoes?

Are the Adidas Copa Mundial's the finest football shoes on the market? I personally, have a pair of Diadora Brazil's and love them, but I'll take the Copa over the Brazil anyday. Is there a top contender to the Copa? Let us know...

Whilst I'm Looking Backward...

Here is...what is otherwise known as "God"...in action. All I can say is "Fookin' Fuggedabowdit!" This boy was a genius!

Jaime Redknapp With Words Of Wisdom...I Know, Now Stop Laughing

Jaime Redknapp tells troubled Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov to act professional. I say get one with it and score some goals because I got you on the cheap in my Fantasy Squad! Other than that, I could care less about Tottenham Hotspur.

Don't Bring a Knife to a Gunfight Boys

Arsenal 7- 0 Slavia Prague

Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record win today as they smoked the Czech's...SEVEN - NIL!!! They equalled the record set in 2003 by Juve against a similarly unfortunate Olympiacos side. With that win they are a whoppin' +11 on goal difference in Group H. On a side note, Cesc Fabregas put in yet another fine performance and scored a brace along with Theo Walcott who earned his very first Champions League start. Not too shabby. Now here are the goals...

Enjoy!

Something's Brewing Merseyside

Steven Gerrard is reportedly "unsettled" at Liverpool after his substitution against Everton. That seems very petty to me, but as they say, there is a speck of truth to every rumour.

I only ask one question and it's a perfectly valid one, "Have we seen the best of Steven Gerrard?"

Steven Gerrard - 15 European Goals

The Blueprint

Henk Ten Cate has revealed Chelsea are aiming to be 'entertainers' instead of focusing on not dropping matches. Let's see what happens. I bet a tenner that Joe Cole can't contain himself!

Delusional

Martin Jol thinks Newcastle are far behind Tottenham in success. What!???

Question

If, actually, when Didier Drogba leaves Cheslea, will it spark a mass exodus of players? I already think Frank Lampard has one foot in Spain, but that is just my personal speculation. Who else would be on that southbound train? I think it's safe to say Hard as Nails Metrosexual will be staying in the royal blue.

No Huevos

I cannot believe that UEFA has reduced Dida's ban for "play acting" from only two matches to a measly, one. Ridiculous!

Bias Refs?

With Liverpool winning the Derby over Everton this weekend 2-1 there are thoughts of bias refereeing. Today the match official, Mark Clattenburg, has been given some time off while the FA investigate the charges. To be honest, there were many dodgey calls and missed calls going on in this match. Where is Collina when you need him?

Politics and Sport Clash

"Germany’s focus on two qualifying matches for the 2008 European Championship has been deflected by a growing controversy over the decision of one of its youth players to withdraw from a match in Israel

The player, Ashkan Dejagah, dropped out of the German team for its under-21 European Championship qualifying match in Tel Aviv on Friday. Dejagah, 21, was born in Iran and moved to Germany with his parents. He has both German and Iranian passports.

In an interview with the German newspaper Bild, Dejagah said his decision was political. Iranian citizens are forbidden to travel to Israel, a country that Iran does not recognize, but German officials are particularly sensitive to any issues involving Israel. As part of the team’s trip, German players are expected to visit a memorial to Holocaust victims."

I say, "fuck him, the racist cunt"

All that Adu is New Again

Freddy Adu, who had a fantastic Sub-20 World Cup this past summer, is back on the U.S. National side.

The Scoop

"The Scoop", hell, more like "The Bullshit"...I cannot see our John Arne Riise (Houllier's best purchase in my eyes) making a move to Villa or Newcastle.

Another move I don't really see happening is Nicholas Anelka to Chelsea. Although, they do need cover for the Africa Cup of Nations coming in the new year.

I'm at a Loss for Words.

Yet again, Rafael Benitez fields a sub-par squad for a Champions League match. I just don't know what to say. Needless to say, we lost to Olypique Marseilles 1 -0. I'm sorry but 1 point in two matches with our rather easy group is not acceptable. Play the top players and let Leto run out in the reserves for now! You cannot start with Riise and Kuyt on the bench...just in case!

Guus Hiddink to Chelsea?

It seems Dutch born Russian National Team Manager, Guus Hiddink is set for a Chelsea debut. Roman Abromovich already funds the majority of the Russian National Team so this isn't too far out of the realm of possibility.