Transfer news...

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[TD="class: contentheading, width: 100%"]Niyonzima awashangaa viongozi wa Yanga [/TD]
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[TD="class: createdate"] Wednesday, 28 December 2011 22:03 [/TD]
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Sosthenes Nyoni
KIUNGO wa Yanga, Haruna Niyonzima (Fabregas) ameshangazwa na kitendo cha klabu yake kutompa taarifa ya kuanza kwa mazoezi hatua aliyodai ilisababisha ashindwe kuhudhuria.

Niyonzima ambaye pia ni tegemeo katika kikosi cha timu ya Taifa ya Rwanda(Amavubi), jana hakuwa miongoni mwa wachezaji 25 wa Yanga walioripoti katika mazoezi yaliyfanyika kwenye Uwanja wa Shule ya Sekondari ya Loyola iliyoko Mabibo jijini Dar es Salaam.

Mbali ya Niyonzima wachezaji wengine ambao hawakuhudhuria katika mazoezi hayo yaliyosimamiwa na kocha mkuu wa timu hiyo Kostadin Papic ni kipa Shaaban Kado, winga Shamte Ally pamoja na Washambuliaji Davies Mwape na Hamis Kiiza wanaodaiwa kutimkia kwao.

Akizungumza jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Niyonzima alisema hakupewa taarifa yoyote na viongozi wa klabu yake kuhusiana na mazoezi hayo zaidi ya kudokezwa na baadhi ya wachezaji yakiwa tayari yamefanyika.

"Ukweli ni kwamba mimi sikupewa taarifa za kufanyika kwa mazoezi leo (jana) ndio maana sikwenda mazoezini ,sielewi ni kwanini imekuwa hivyo.

"Hata hivyo si kitu sana kwangu kesho bila shaka nitahudhuria mazoezi kama kawaida,"alisema Niyonzima.

Alipoulizwa kama kutopewa taarifa kwake kuna uhusiano na kauli aliyoitoa hivi karibuni kocha wake Papic kwamba atampa adhabu kutokana na kitendo chake cha kuchelewa kujiunga na wenzake alisema,"hapana sifikirii kama ndio sababu kwa vile kuchelewa kwangu kuna sababu za msingi.

"Mimi ni mtu ninayejua wajibu wangu na hapa nimekuja kufanya kazi si vinginevyo wakati mwingine matatizo kama hayo yanatokea,"alisema Niyonzima

Katika hatua nyingine Niyonzima aliwataka wachezaji wenzake kutoogopa ukubwa wa jina la Zamalek badala yake wajifue kikamilifu kwa ajili ya kupambana.

"Mimi nafikiri hakuna sababu ya kuingiwa na hofu,mpira unachezwa uwanjani na matokeo ya misho hayaangaliwi kwa rekodi, muhimu ni kujiandaa kikamilifu kwa ajili ya kupambana,"alisema Niyonzima.

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[h=1]Tottenham's Luka Modric admits a move to Chelsea 'is possible'[/h] • There is a small chance I could leave, says Croat
• Player yet to sign contract extension offered in September




Tottenham Hotspurs Luka Modric says the reality is he expects to stay at Spurs until June. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA

Luka Modric has alerted Chelsea and Manchester United that he may be open to a move away from Tottenham Hotspur when the January transfer window opens on Sunday after admitting that "everything is possible".
Tottenham are third in the Premier League with a game in hand that would allow the north London club to close the gap to four points to United and Manchester City as they mount a challenge for a Champions League place next season.
This position would leave Harry Redknapp, the manager, confident of keeping Modric should Spurs receive any bids after he came close to leaving for Chelsea last summer due to his stated wish to play in Europe's premier club competition.
The Croatia midfielder, whose hopes of joining Chelsea in a £27m deal were blocked by Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, has also been linked with Manchester United and is yet to sign the contract extension offered in September.
Asked about the ongoing speculation, Modric told Sportske Novosti: "All this talk is just in the press – I don't know anything about any of these supposed offers. We are doing our best to ensure Tottenham get the results the fans and the club demand. Given the current situation, and particularly given the fact I don't want a repeat of what I went through during the summer transfer window, I can say with almost 100% certainty that I'll be staying at Tottenham until the end of the season.
"I would always say that, theoretically, there is a small chance I could leave, if the club receive a suitable offer and it's one I wouldn't want to turn down, but the reality is that I expect to stay at Spurs until June, and then we will see.
"Everything is possible, but it's not something I'm concerning myself with. So long as I am fit and playing well, I'm happy just to see what happens. If I stay at Tottenham, nothing will change. I will give my all in every game."
In June Spurs rejected an initial £22m bid from Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, only for Modric publicly to inform Spurs that he believed they did not match his ambitions. He said then: "I would like to go to Chelsea. A lot of players would like to go there and play for Chelsea because it is one of the best clubs in the world, and so do I. I would like to play there. But we will see what will happen.
Yet as Chelsea have struggled this season and are only one point ahead of Arsenal in the race for the last Champions League place, United may now be the only club who could persuade the 26-year-old to leave White Hart Lane.
With Gareth Bale also attracting renewed attention following his two goals in the win at Norwich City on Tuesday Redknapp will be conscious of the need to keep hold of his core of best performers who also include Rafael van der Vaart, Scott Parker and the on-loan Emmanuel Adebayor.
Tottenham travel to Swansea City on Saturday before hosting West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, and Redknapp said: "We've got tough games coming, Swansea, West Brom, Wolves[on 14 January], all scrapping for their lives. We've just got to keep picking up points."
 
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[TD="class: createdate"] Thursday, 29 December 2011 21:35 [/TD]
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Sosthenes Nyoni
KOCHA wa Yanga, Kostadin Papic amekana madai ya kwamba ana mgogoro binafsi ya kiungo wa wake Rashid Gumbo na kusisitiza alimtema kwa kuzingatia mahitaji ya kikosi chake kwa sasa.

Papic kupitia mkutano na Wanahabari alitangaza kumtema Gumbo katika orodha ya wachezaji 29 aliyoikabidhi kwa uongozi wa klabu yake ili waiwasilishe Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania(TFF)na baadaye kutumwa Shirikisho la Soka la Afrika(CAF).

Hata hivyo, uongozi wa Yanga kupitia kwa msemaji wao Louis Sendeu ulikanusha kutemwa kwa Gumbo na kudai kuwa ni miongoni mwa majina 28 yaliyowasilishwa TFF kwaajili ya kutumwa CAF.Sendeu aliwaambia Wanahabari kuwa jina la Gumbo ni miongoni mwa majina 28 yaliyowasilishwa TFF kwaajili ya kutumwa CAF, kauli iliibua utata wa suala la mchezaji huo.

"Gumbo ni miongoni mwa majina ya wachezaji wetu 28 tuliyoyawasilisha TFF, sasa kama yeye(Papic) hamtaki ajue kuna watu wanamkubali,"Sendeu aliwaambia baadhi ya Wanahabari makao makuu ya klabu hiyo Mtwaa wa Jangwani jijini Dar es Salaam.

Lakini jana, Papic alisema kuwa yeye binafsi hana ugomvi na Gumbo na kusisitiza si miongoni mwa 'jeshi'aliloliteua kwaajili ya kushiriki michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika.

"Nilichokifanya ni kuangalia nini nakitaka kwa wakati huu, nina wachezaji wengi, lakini haiwezekani kuwatumia wote kwa sasa."Nafikiri ndio maana TFF walitoa ushauri kwamba ni vizuri tukaacha nafasi ili kama tutasonga mbele tunaweza kuongeza wengine, sasa kama wamepeleka jina lake hili
sasa linawahusu viongozi labda wao wanajua namna watakavyomtumia,"alisema Papic

Papic ambaye alirejea kuifundisha Yanga siku chake kabla ya mzunguko wa kwanza wa ligi kumalizika, uhusinano wake na waajiri wake umekuwa si mzuri kwa siku za hivi karibuni na hii ni baada kuulaumu waziwazi uongozi akidai umeshindwa kutekeleza mapendekezo yake pamoja na kuweka bayana hali mbaya ya kiuchumi inayoikabili klabu hiyo kwa sasa.

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[h=1]Thierry Henry is not the egocentric striker who left Arsenal behind[/h] When Henry left Arsenal in 2007 he was almost bigger than the club, but Barcelona and New York have changed him



Thierry Henry was feted at Arsenal for eight years before he left for Barcelona in 2007. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Thierry Henry can not only show his medals to the Arsenal dressing room, he can show his statue. The striker welled up at the unveiling of his bronze likeness at Emirates Stadium this month and it seemed unkind to wonder whether he had been commemorated before his time. But the feeling will gather strength if and when the 34-year-old completes a startling return to the club, and pulls on the red-and-white jersey in the new year. Reports on Thursday night suggested it will happen in the next two days.
It is doubtful that Arsène Wenger had considered re-signing Henry on a short-term loan from the New York Red Bulls when the sculptors received their commission as part of Arsenal's 125-year anniversary celebrations. The manager, incidentally, came over all self-conscious when a bust of himself was sited at the players' entrance to the stadium. "I thought I was dead when I saw it," he said. Yet the curious prospect of the return of a legend who is not only alive but still kicking beckons.
It feels risky. When Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, after eight glorious seasons in north London, the joke was that he needed an additional business-class seat for his ego. He had almost transcended the club with his personality and status, and his departure was considered by some as necessary for the younger players to blossom. Henry had become such a focal point that his team-mates would feel compelled to seek the pass to him even when it was not on.
One story from his final season sticks in the memory. Arsenal had lost at Fulham at the end of November and Wenger had substituted Alex Song at half-time after the midfielder had endured a dreadful game. In front of the rest of the squad Henry castigated Song, which deeply upset Wenger. Henry was suffering from sciatica and Wenger told him that he was taking him out of the firing line, starting in the next game – the derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Henry left the training ground in a rage. Due to injury problems, he played only a further 10 times for the team.
Song, of course, remains at the club, together with a clutch of others who worked with Henry in the first-team squad – Manuel Almunia, Johan Djourou, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie. What impact Henry would have on the chemistry of the match-day dressing room is the greatest intangible, particularly as he would most likely be a mere squad member, fighting with Park Chu-young for the right to understudy Van Persie.
The notion of Henry as a cheerleader on the bench does not sit easily with the memories of him in his va-va-voom pomp, when he was arguably the finest player in the country, an explosive package of pace, skill and ruthlessness who celebrated by sliding on his knees after putting opponents on theirs. Henry scored 15 times in 29 games for the Red Bulls last season but he is obviously no longer the same player. Nobody, least of all himself, would want him to sully his Arsenal legacy.
A section of the club's dressing room would be caught in two minds were Henry to return on a permanent, longer-term contract. Privately, one or two of them wonder why Ian Wright was not selected for the statue and there is the media circus that may accompany Henry. But the prospect of a quick fix appears to suit, with the positives vying for prominence. Wenger needs temporary cover for Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho, who are bound for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Henry may also offer an emotional lift.
He has been training hard and impressively with the squad during the MLS close-season and, as importantly, he has clicked with the key characters. Henry is a different person to the one who left Arsenal, having become less egocentric, possibly as a result of him not being the main man at Barcelona. In New York he has faded from the European consciousness.
Wenger's Arsenal squad is also different. Players such as Song and Van Persie have matured into leaders, there are international captains aplenty and the transfer deadline day signings have brought further worldliness. It is not a dressing room to cower before Henry.
Wenger has gone back to the future in the second half of the past two campaigns, giving Sol Campbell a short-term deal in January 2010 and signing Jens Lehmann towards the end of last season. Wenger might remember how Campbell, despite some difficulties, played like the defensive titan of old in the derby at Tottenham and how Lehmann made vital saves in the victory at Blackpool. There is the recognition within the squad that increased fire-power is required and if Henry could make a couple of decisive contributions, then he would be feted once again.
Henry has been back to Arsenal since his departure. He appeared as a substitute for Barcelona in the Champions League in March of last year and this past summer he played for the Red Bulls against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup. There had been a plan for him to swap sides and play for his former team in the second half but, to his disgust, it was vetoed by the referee.
"They have some stupid rules," Henry said. "I'm sure the fans would have loved that and I would have loved that." His dream may yet come true.
 
[h=1]Transfer window shopping: Premier League club-by-club guide[/h] Find out which players are at the top of your club's wishlist this January and which may be on their way out




Gary Cahill is a target for Chelsea and a potential fee of £7m-£10m would allow Owen Coyle to strengthen his Bolton squad. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto

[h=2]Arsenal[/h]What they need Arsène Wenger requires short-term cover at left-back to compensate for the serious injuries to André Santos and Kieran Gibbs while he also wants something similar up front, where he only has three recognised centre-forwards and will lose one of them – Marouane Chamakh – and the winger Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations. There are constant worries that Robin van Persie will break down.
Money to spend Yes. Lots. And Arsenal's fans want to see the club's multi-million pound profits spent on eye-catching recruits.
Ins and outs Wayne Bridge is on the list of left-back loanees while Wenger is interested in the Köln striker Lukas Podolski. Thierry Henry is expected to return on a two-month loan from the New York Red Bulls. Wenger is keen to offload Andrey Arshavin. David Hytner
[h=2]Aston Villa[/h]What they need Desperately need to strengthen central midfield with an attacking player capable of injecting some creativity into a team that has often played with a lack of imagination and struggled to score goals.
Money to spend Alex McLeish has admitted that he will have to adopt a sell-to-buy policy. "I can't just go into the market without there being a kind of balance," the Villa manager has said.
Ins and outs There is interest in taking the young Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan and McLeish has also been linked with a move for Rangers' former Villa player Steve Davis. McLeish has said selling Darren Bent to raise funds would "send out the wrong message". Finding a club to take Stephen Ireland, the highest-paid player at the club, would make more sense, although that will be easier said than done. Stuart James
[h=2]Blackburn Rovers[/h]What they need A defence that has conceded 39 goals - second only to Bolton Wanderers - must have ballast added or the bottom-placed club will stay there. Yakubu Ayegbeni has done well but he tends to fade so a striker plus a midfielder – as David Dunn is injury prone – are required.
Money to spend Despite Steve Kean saying: "I am very optimistic we will get funds. The financial side of the club is dealt with by the financial directors and the people that crunch the numbers," it seems doubtful there will be any sizeable amount as the owners, Venky's, have documented problems financing Rovers. January could test Kean's ability to secure loan signings or cut-price deals with the Scot stating he wants at least four additions.
Ins and outs Fulham's Andy Johnson would cost around £2m and Kean is interested while Christopher Samba is again attracting attention, from some of the bigger clubs - Spurs are one - though given the problems in defence, Kean would hope to wholly reinvest the £8m he could raise from the defender's sale. Jamie Jackson
[h=2]Bolton Wanderers[/h]What they need Twelve points from 18 games, with 14 defeats and the worst defence in the league, it's very simple for Bolton: they require improvements in every department, especially as Owen Coyle has a full XI out of contract at the end of the season.
Money to spend Not much. Bolton have had no choice but to be frugal ever since it was revealed their debt was over £100m last year.
Ins and outs Gary Cahill is almost certainly on his way out, with firm interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, so a central defender is the priority. Nedum Onuoha is available from Manchester City, who may also discuss a permanent deal for the on-loan Dedryck Boyata. Daniel Taylor
[h=2]Chelsea[/h]What they need The manager. André Villas-Boas, has identified a centre-back to replace Alex, and could seek to strengthen his attacking ranks with Nicolas Anelka sold to Shanghai Shenhua and both Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Money to spend Yes, though the bulk of Villas-Boas's revamping of his squad will be reserved for the summer.
Ins and outs Gary Cahill should arrive from Bolton for around £7m, and there is strong interest in the out-of-favour Juventus winger Milos Krasic, who may be taken initially on loan. Josh McEachran and Ryan Bertrand may be loaned out, while Gaël Kakuta is moving to Dijon until the end of the season. Dominic Fifield
[h=2]Everton[/h]What they need Everton have scored just 18 goals in 17 league matches – only Wigan and Swansea have a lower tally in the Premier League. David Moyes said earlier this month that his team "need a striker badly. We needed one badly last season if we are honest."
Money to spend Everton's transfer spending has been feeble and Moyes is still not sure how much he will have to spend in January. Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with a transfer in the region of £20m for the midfielder Jack Rodwell, which could raise funds.
Ins and outs Landon Donovan will arrive on a two-month loan deal after a successful loan deal in 2010. Offers for Rodwell are sure to come in. Tom Lutz
[h=2]Fulham[/h]What they need Martin Jol is still attempting to make this side his own, with the process of clearing the decks somewhat painful to endure. The team needs goals and the squad some refreshing.
Money to spend The chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed, sanctioned the £9.5m arrival of Bryan Ruiz in the summer and has rarely been afraid to spend, though money may also have to be raised through sales.
Ins and outs Jol is likely to tap into his knowledge of the Bundesliga and Dutch football as he seeks to recruit, though there is interest in the former Spurs full-back Chris Gunter, currently with Nottingham Forest. Bobby Zamora appears likely to leave, while there is interest in Andy Johnson with the striker out of contract in the summer. Both players would need to be replaced. DF
[h=2]Liverpool[/h]What they need A striker, desperately. A lack of ruthlessness in front of goal has cost Liverpool already and with Andy Carroll still struggling to make an impact and Luis Suárez set to be banned for a lengthy spell, the club's top-four hopes are likely to evaporate unless a poacher is brought in next month.
Money to spend John W Henry, the club's principal owner, has backed Kenny Dalglish with sizeable funds during the last two transfer windows and is likely to do so again.
Ins and outs Liverpool have supposedly told Aston Villa that they are interested in Darren Bent while there also could be a move for a midfielder to cover Lucas Leiva's long-term injury. Swansea's Joe Allen and Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo have been mentioned. Sachin Nakrani
[h=2]Manchester City[/h]What they need The league leaders have only three strikers now Carlos Tevez is on strike and three central defenders when Kolo Touré leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations, so an injury or two in key areas could be costly. Ideally, Roberto Mancini would like a forward, a central midfielder and a centre-back.
Money to spend Not as much as most people reckon. The club revealed an annual loss of £195m and, mindful of Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules, Mancini says he may have to sell before he can buy.
Ins and outs Mancini likes Thiago Silva at Milan and Barcelona's Gerard Piqué but considers them out of reach, and the same might apply to Daniele De Rossi of Roma. Tevez and the fringe players Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha should leave – and it may be that nobody arrives. DT
[h=2]Manchester United[/h]What they need The champions are short in central midfield, though Sir Alex Ferguson has repeatedly stated that he is satisfied with the squad as it is.
Money to spend The club tried to sign Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri in the summer so, in theory, there should still be money available. Ferguson insists that is the case, but the Glazer family operate in a way that makes it difficult to be certain.
Ins and outs Unless Ferguson was being economical with the truth and has a surprise in store, it is unlikely United will bring in anyone. "It can be disruptive," says Ferguson, who will loan out Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf. DT
[h=2]Newcastle United[/h]What they need A centre-back and a specialist left-back. Alan Pardew says he has abandoned plans to sign another striker.
Money to spend The £35m accrued from selling Andy Carroll last January has barely been touched but Pardew is only likely to be able to spend a maximum of £10m, possibly much less.
Ins and outs The ruptured achilles tendon that ended the captain Steven Taylor's season means Pardew is casting covetous eyes at Blackburn's Christopher Samba, Ajax's Jan Vertonghen and West Ham's James Tomkins. Erik Pieters, the Holland and PSV Eindhoven left-back, is another player on the wishlist. Alan Smith will be allowed to leave although his high wages may put off potential suitors. LT
[h=2]Norwich City[/h]What they need 27Twenty-seven goals scored and 33 conceded (with no clean sheets) to leave a difference of minus six suggests additions in attack and in defence are required by Paul Lambert, who says: "I have told the club the players I would like to try and get in."
Money to spend To listen to Lambert not a great deal: "We have to box clever with what we are trying to do. It is up to the club to try and sort something out."
Ins and outs Lambert had a big clearout during the summer and this is now his squad so he will hope to keep it intact. Nottingham Forest's Chris Gunter, who would cost around £1m, is a target to strengthen the defence, and Lambert will monitor Andy Johnson's situation at Fulham, where the striker is holding out for a longer new deal. JJ
[h=2]Queens Park Rangers[/h]What they need Now 16th, QPR have scored an uninspiring 18 goals in their 18 league outings so Neil Warnock needs a striker and he is also strident about the requirement for defensive reinforcements.
Money to spend Yes, anything up to between £10m and £12m as Tony Fernandes, the owner, is not afraid to invest.
Ins and outs The Spurs central defender Sébastien Bassong remains a target but Daniel Levy, Tottenham's chairman, is playing financial hardball as he did in the summer. Bobby Zamora appears to have fallen out permanently with Martin Jol and Warnock would love to sign the Fulham striker. If QPR were to receive a sizeable offer for the disappointing Adel Taarabt they may be tempted to sell. Heidar Helguson, the club's top-scorer, recently signed a new contract. JJ
[h=2]Stoke City[/h]What they need Not much. Stoke have a sizeable and experienced squad, are sitting in eighth place in the Premier League and have reached the knock-out stage of the Europa League. Other than a quality central midfielder it is difficult to see where else Tony Pulis needs to strengthen.
Money to spend Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, and Pulis have both admitted there will be no repeat of the summer splurge that saw five players arrive and £18m spent on deadline-day alone.
Ins and outs This window will see more departures than arrivals at the Britannia Stadium. Danny Collins, Andrew Davies and Danny Pugh are likely to move on. Mohamed Diamé, the Wigan midfielder, is a potential signing. SJ
[h=2]Sunderland[/h]What they need Still assessing his newly inherited squad, Martin O'Neill says he is not quite sure yet. His team are light in the attacking department and also lack both a specialist left-back and a left winger as well as central defensive cover.
Money to spend O'Neill says he has not yet discussed the subject of potential transfer activity with the club's owner, Ellis Short. Steve Bruce, O'Neill's predecessor, had been told January funds would be extremely tight. A spending spree seems unlikely.
Ins and outs Fulham's seemingly discontent centre forward Bobby Zamora is said to be admired by O'Neill. Meanwhile, Sunderland's new manager says he does not want to release anyone before he has given them a proper chance. LT
[h=2]Swansea City[/h]What they need Away points: a tally of no wins and three draws from nine games on the road illustrates the extent to which Brendan Rodgers's side have struggled. A goal return of only six on their travels means a new striker is on the radar.
Money to spend Will be minimal so the manager will hope to finagle bargains and/or loans: "In the Premier League there are some who have all the money and some who haven't, but we just have to keep on scrapping away," Rodgers says.
Ins and outs Rodgers's most wanted is Rory Donnelly, 19, of Northern Ireland club Cliftonville, with reports suggesting the manager has upped his bid of £100,000 to stave off Liverpool and Everton. Rodgers is also hoping to take Josh McEachran from Chelsea on loan but Bolton and Aston Villa are ahead in the chase. JJ
[h=2]Tottenham Hotspur[/h]What they need Harry Redknapp has taken to muttering about how "one big signing" could make a real difference. He wanted to see serious investment in the summer of 2010 and he felt that the club missed a trick to establish themselves in the top four when it was not forthcoming. As usual, he will remind Daniel Levy of the need to push the boat out.
Money to spend Yes, and there would be plenty more if Roman Pavlyuchenko, Giovani dos Santos, Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar moved.
Ins and outs The big rumour is a loan for Carlos Tevez, although his wages would surely be a problem and they already have Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City; the rules permit no more than one loan from the same club. Redknapp likes Blackburn's Junior Hoilett. DH
[h=2]West Bromwich[/h]What they need Albion have reasonable depth to their squad and cover in most positions, although Zoltan Gera's long-term injury has left a creative hole to fill between now and the end of the season.
Money to spend Funds will be available, although Albion will not be breaking the bank, especially after spending heavily on Shane Long in August.
Ins and outs Dundee United's Scott Allan, who has caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs, is likely to be the first through the door in a deal worth around £400,000. There is also interest in Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who has failed to settle in the north-east. Expect the Republic of Ireland striker Simon Cox to go out on loan and a number of other fringe players to follow him. SJ
[h=2]Wigan Athletic[/h]What they need Barring their 5-0 loss at Manchester United, Wigan have been in impressive form recently, drawing with Chelsea and Liverpool. Despite playing some attractive football they are the Premier League's lowest scorers and need a striker to boost their often lightweight attack.
Money to spend Wigan's chairman, Dave Whelan, has always been supportive of Roberto Martínez, who has said he has identified transfer targets but will not be rushed into panic buys.
Ins and outs Martínez has been linked with a loan move for Manchester United's Federico Macheda, although the striker is hardly a proven goalscorer. Arsenal have shown some interest in Hugo Rodallega while Mohamed Diamé could be off to Stoke City. TL
[h=2]Wolves[/h]What they need A commanding presence in the centre of midfield and, on the evidence of Roger Johnson's first half of the season, a central defender.
Money to spend Mick McCarthy will be backed by Steve Morgan, the chairman, if the right players become available but Wolves will not be big spenders.
Ins and outs Wolves have already completed the signing of the Iceland utility player Eggert Jonsson from Hearts on a three-and-half-year contract from 1 January. They are expected to rival Stoke for Wigan's Mohamed Diamé and compete with their neighbours West Bromwich Albion for the signature of Craig Gardner if he becomes available. Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha is a defensive option. SL
 
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Sosthenes Nyoni
KOCHA wa Yanga, Kostadin Papic amekana madai ya kwamba ana mgogoro binafsi ya kiungo wa wake Rashid Gumbo na kusisitiza alimtema kwa kuzingatia mahitaji ya kikosi chake kwa sasa.

Papic kupitia mkutano na Wanahabari alitangaza kumtema Gumbo katika orodha ya wachezaji 29 aliyoikabidhi kwa uongozi wa klabu yake ili waiwasilishe Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania(TFF)na baadaye kutumwa Shirikisho la Soka la Afrika(CAF).

Hata hivyo, uongozi wa Yanga kupitia kwa msemaji wao Louis Sendeu ulikanusha kutemwa kwa Gumbo na kudai kuwa ni miongoni mwa majina 28 yaliyowasilishwa TFF kwaajili ya kutumwa CAF.Sendeu aliwaambia Wanahabari kuwa jina la Gumbo ni miongoni mwa majina 28 yaliyowasilishwa TFF kwaajili ya kutumwa CAF, kauli iliibua utata wa suala la mchezaji huo.

"Gumbo ni miongoni mwa majina ya wachezaji wetu 28 tuliyoyawasilisha TFF, sasa kama yeye(Papic) hamtaki ajue kuna watu wanamkubali,"Sendeu aliwaambia baadhi ya Wanahabari makao makuu ya klabu hiyo Mtwaa wa Jangwani jijini Dar es Salaam.

Lakini jana, Papic alisema kuwa yeye binafsi hana ugomvi na Gumbo na kusisitiza si miongoni mwa 'jeshi'aliloliteua kwaajili ya kushiriki michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika.

"Nilichokifanya ni kuangalia nini nakitaka kwa wakati huu, nina wachezaji wengi, lakini haiwezekani kuwatumia wote kwa sasa."Nafikiri ndio maana TFF walitoa ushauri kwamba ni vizuri tukaacha nafasi ili kama tutasonga mbele tunaweza kuongeza wengine, sasa kama wamepeleka jina lake hili
sasa linawahusu viongozi labda wao wanajua namna watakavyomtumia,"alisema Papic

Papic ambaye alirejea kuifundisha Yanga siku chake kabla ya mzunguko wa kwanza wa ligi kumalizika, uhusinano wake na waajiri wake umekuwa si mzuri kwa siku za hivi karibuni na hii ni baada kuulaumu waziwazi uongozi akidai umeshindwa kutekeleza mapendekezo yake pamoja na kuweka bayana hali mbaya ya kiuchumi inayoikabili klabu hiyo kwa sasa. [/TD]
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[h=1]Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Former England captain David Beckham could land a contract worth £12.5m by following Carlo Ancelotti to Paris St Germain.
Full story: the Sun
Chelsea could break the British transfer record in their bid to sign Porto striker Hulk. The Brazil forward has an £84m buyout clause with the Portuguese champions.
Full story:Times (subscription required)
Spanish giants Barcelona look set to offer £25m for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Croatia international playmaker Luka Modric says he is almost 100% certain he will remain with Spurs until the end of the season.
Full story: Evening Standard
Spurs are also monitoring developments with Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse. The 26-year-old Senegal striker was wanted by Sunderland and Newcastle in the summer but both clubs fell short of the German club's £14m asking price.
Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool target and Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly is believed to have chosen to snub Anfield in favour of a move to Swansea.
Full story: talkSPORT
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson could be set to swoop for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.
Full story: Express & Star
QPR have made a £7m bid for Rangers 26-year-old striker Nikica Jelavic.
Full story: Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says it will take a "mega bucks" offer from Newcastle to prise England Under-21 defender James Tomkins away from Upton Park.
Full story: the Sun
Shamrock defender Enda Stevens will officially link up with Aston Villa next week and activate the three-year contract he agreed with the club in the summer.
Full story: Daily Express
Manchester United face losing out to AC Milan in the battle to land Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
Full story: talkSPORT
Blackburn midfielder Mauro Formica is believed to want out of Ewood Park to return to Argentina.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is inviting bids for six players in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mail
Swansea and Aston Villa are believed to be among the frontrunners to land Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan in January.
Full story: Footybunker
OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea captain John Terry says he expects to end his career at Stamford Bridge - but has hinted he may go elsewhere to fulfil his managerial ambitions.
Full story: Evening Standard
Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen insists the club can lose defender Gary Cahill in January and still fight their way to Premier League survival.
Full story: Bolton News
Schalke fans look set to boycott their Europa League clash with Czech side Viktoria Plzen on 16 February over ticket prices. Visiting fans are being asked to pay 110 euros (£92) for a lowest category seat which would usually cost just 40 euros (£34).
Full story: Bild (in German)
Defender Alan Hutton has appealed for patience from Aston Villa fans as he strives to kickstart his career at the club.
Full story: Birmingham Mail
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew insists the pursuit of a new striker during the January transfer window would be "reckless".
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle
However, the Magpies are believed to be running the rule over non-league hitman Jason Prior, who plays for Isthmian League Division One South side Bognor Regis.
Full story: Daily Mail
Manchester United fear key defender Chris Smalling could be out for three months with glandular fever.
Full story: Daily Mail
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has made a further substantial donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).
Full story: Liverpool Echo
AND FINALLY
Three-time winner of Fifa's Player of the Year Ronaldo joined Brazil's current hotshot Neymar in a charity match organised by former national team captain Zico.
Full story: Metro
 
[h=2]Arsenal v QPR, 3pm Saturday 31 December[/h] [h=1]Thierry Henry's Arsenal return has no downside, insists Arsène Wenger[/h] • Gunners manager sees no negatives in Henry's return to club
• Striker likely to be used as impact substitute




Thierry Henry during an Arsenal training session at London Colney. Photograph: Stuart Macfarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsène Wenger has insisted that there is no downside to his decision to re-sign Thierry Henry on a two-month loan from the New York Red Bulls. Henry has been training at Arsenal during the MLS close-season and Wenger said that he knew after the striker's first session that he could still contribute at Premier League level.
Henry will officially rejoin on New Year's Day and although Wenger feels he needs "two good weeks' work" to get match fit, there is the possibility that he could be considered as a substitute for the visit to Fulham on Monday. Henry will hope to start in the FA Cup tie against Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on Monday week.
"I have done this for footballing reasons because I need a striker for two months and I don't have one at the moment," Wenger said, with a nod towards the looming departures of Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho for the Africa Cup of Nations. "Thierry's value is on the pitch. I felt that at the World Cup [last year], when he came on for France against South Africa, he gave something to the team. He has something. He knows where to be. He knows how to give a problem to the opponent. You never lose that.
"He has the quality and capacity to help us out. You do not find players on the planet of this quality who are available for two months. Was there a moment in training when I realised he could still do it? Yes, the first day. There are no risks. I met Thierry when he was 17 years old [at Monaco] and I had him here at 22 so I know every movement that he can make. He is a super-intelligent guy and he is a special talent."
The 34-year-old Henry is a different player to the one who terrorised Premier League defences for eight seasons from 1999, having lost most but not all of his pace. Wenger said that he could play him up front, on either flank or even behind the striker, and he suggested that his role would most likely be as an impact substitute. "He and I are conscious that he is 34," Wenger said, on the issue of Henry's pace. "But he has not lost his class or brain. He is here to help, nothing else. When we need him, he will come on."
Wenger attempted to downplay the significance of a comeback for arguably the finest player in the club's history. "What is important is to keep this story as quiet as possible," he said. That got a laugh. Wenger is keen not to put Henry under pressure – "He is not here suddenly to be the leader," he said – and no matter what nothing could tarnish his legacy, because "you can never take away from people what they have done".
Wenger said that Henry was "very happy and modest" about his return, and he wanted to be "as discreet as possible" but he predicted that the player's pride would drive him, as it did for Sol Campbell and Jens Lehmann, two other stalwarts who came back on short-term deals.
"I remember when we went to Tottenham [in April 2010], Sol was absolutely amazing," Wenger said. "He had such a capacity to fight and it's important to bring that out. Sol is like Thierry. Once they are committed, you know you can rely on them."
Wenger has not yet decided whether to register Henry in the Champions League squad and he said that he was "not looking for permanent strikers or players unless we lose players [to injury]". He also said that he might not take a left-back on loan because Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna should be back from injury by the end of January.
Jack Wilshere is fighting to return before February from his ankle problem but Wenger could not put a date on a comeback for the injury-jinxed Abou Diaby.
 
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[TD="class: contentheading, width: 100%"]'Hatuchezi bila Eto'o kufunguliwa' [/TD]
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[TD="class: createdate"] Friday, 30 December 2011 23:06 [/TD]
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YAOUNDE, Cameroon
NYOTA wa wawili wa Cameroon wamesema hawatocheza mechi yoyote ya kimataifa hadi adhabu ya kufungiwa kwa mechi 15 Samuel Eto'o itapoondolewa.

Jean Makoun na Benoit Angbwa wameliandikia barua Shirikisho la Soka Cameroon (Fecafoot) juu ya uamuzi wao huo.

Eto'o amefungiwa kuchezea timu ya taifa baada kuongoza mgomo wa wachezaji wakishinikizwa kulipwa posho zao.

"Wasitegemee kuwa na sisi kwenye timu kama hatoipunguza adhabu hiyo," alisema.

Nahodha msaidizi Enoh Eyong mwenyewe alifungiwa mechi mbili kutokana na nafasi yake.

"Uamuzi wa kugoma ulikuwa ni wa timu yote na wao walizungumza tu na tunashangaa uamuzi wa kuwafungia ni wa kwao pekee," walisema Makoun na Angbwa kwenye barua tofauti, zilizotupwa kupitia wanasheria wao.

Nakala ya taarifa hiyo ilitumwa kwa Waziri wa Michezo, ambaye amekuwa akivutana kwa muda mrefu na Fecafoot juu ya matatizo hayo.

Makoun anayecheza Olympiakos ya Ugiriki, huku Angbwa akiwa na Eto'o's katika klabu moja ya Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia.

Baadhi ya mashabiki wa Cameroon pia wamepinga adhabu hiyo ya Eto'o, itakayomuondoka kushiriki mechi za kufuzu kwa Mataifa ya Afrika 2013 na michezo ya awali ya kusaka tiketi ya kucheza Kombe la Dunia 2014 Brazil.

Kulipangwa kufanyike maandamano jijini Yaounde, Desemba 24, lakini yalifutwa na sekarikali kwa madai kuwa hayakufuta utaratibu.

Eto'o mwenyewe haja sema lolote juu ya uamuzi wa kufungiwa kwake.

Fecafoot imelipa dola 500,000 kufidia gharama za maandalizi kwa Shirikisho la Soka la Algeria kutokana na wachezaji kugoma kwenda kucheza mechi hiyo ya kirafiki. [/TD]
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[h=2]Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers, 12.45pm Saturday 31 December[/h] [h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson fires Premier League title warning at Manchester City[/h] • United will overtake City at top if they draw with Blackburn
• 'Tottenham are the best team at the moment,' says Ferguson




Sir Alex Ferguson said Manchester United's 45 points is an enormous total at this time of year. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson has wasted no time in deploying his traditional mind games as the season prepares to enter its second half, warning Manchester City that they have failed to break away from the pack and insisting that Spurs are the best team in the country.
No team since José Mourinho's Chelsea in 2005-06 have amassed more points than the two Manchester clubs over their first 18 games. Should United only draw with Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Saturday, Ferguson's 70th birthday, then Roberto Mancini's side will have lost the lead in the title race by the time they take on Sunderland on New Year's Day. Not only will Manchester City not have shaken off United, a club they thrashed 6-1 in October, but Ferguson warned that Tottenham Hotspur are playing the "best football in the country".
"We have had the stats to show we're five or six points ahead of the previous year's form and you have to say City's form is equal to that," the Manchester United manager said. "To have 45 points is an enormous total at this time of year. It will be nip and tuck between the two of us but I think Tottenham are the best team in the country at the moment.
"The difficulty for Arsenal and Chelsea is that they have to overtake three teams, and unless three teams collapse they won't have that opportunity. Tottenham's form is the best anywhere. Are they title contenders? Definitely."
Ferguson emphasised that Tottenham will not have to deal with the Thursday-Sunday sequence of matches required by the Europa League but pointed out that United have already proved their supreme quality, hardened over a quarter of a century of his management – resilience. "We have lost three games this season and by December you can reckon to have lost three games in any season," he said. "But the ones we lost were very, very difficult for a club like Manchester United to endure. A 6-1 defeat by City. We recovered. Crystal Palace [elimination from the Carling Cup]. We recovered. Basel [elimination from the Champions League]. We recovered.
"It tells you something about this team. The trust and confidence come through and we are seeing some terrific attacking play at the moment."
Ferguson conceded that the absence of the likes of Tom Cleverley, – "the best midfielder in Britain" – meant that despite the 5-0 thrashings handed out to Fulham and Wigan, United's performances have not quite matched the irresistible displays at the start of the season.
Worryingly for their rivals, United's recovery has come with a makeshift, patched up side, especially in defence.
Ferguson said he might be forced to field a back four of Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and the 19-year-old Ezekiel Fryers against Blackburn. Chris Smalling, who was reportedly suffering from glandular fever, has tonsillitis and may be fit to face Newcastle on 4 January.
In attack, United have rather more options, including Dimitar Berbatov. Bayer Leverkusen have distanced themselves from speculation they might bring him back to the Bundesliga, and Ferguson said United would take up their option of adding a year to the contract that expires in June, when the Bulgarian will be 31.
The last time Blackburn came to Old Trafford, Berbatov scored five, although the suspicion remains that he has become something of a flat-track bully. Of the 25 league goals he has scored since the start of last season, 20 have come against clubs who are either in the bottom half of the table or who have been relegated. Ferguson, while conceding his opportunities were limited, pointed out that he had also hit a hat-trick against Liverpool, asking witheringly: "Are they a small club?"
Perhaps more than anything else, those five goals in a 7-1 rout of Blackburn in November 2010 hastened the end of Sam Allardyce's regime at Ewood Park. United have a vast following in India and the result was seen as a humiliation for the club's new owners, Venky's. Ferguson is close to Allardyce and condemned his dismissal and the protests against his successor, Steve Kean, whose relationship with Allardyce has ended since his promotion from the post of first-team coach.
"Anybody who sacks Sam Allardyce, you would think they were off their head," Ferguson said. "He has got such an influential, big personality which I thought was perfect for Blackburn at the time.
"He is an outstanding manager as you see from the job he is doing at West Ham. Why they did it, I couldn't possibly give you an answer but it meant there was a lot of experience coming out of that job."
 

[h=2]Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers, 12.45pm Saturday 31 December[/h] [h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson fires Premier League title warning at Manchester City[/h] • United will overtake City at top if they draw with Blackburn
• 'Tottenham are the best team at the moment,' says Ferguson




Sir Alex Ferguson said Manchester United's 45 points is an enormous total at this time of year. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson has wasted no time in deploying his traditional mind games as the season prepares to enter its second half, warning Manchester City that they have failed to break away from the pack and insisting that Spurs are the best team in the country.
No team since José Mourinho's Chelsea in 2005-06 have amassed more points than the two Manchester clubs over their first 18 games. Should United only draw with Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Saturday, Ferguson's 70th birthday, then Roberto Mancini's side will have lost the lead in the title race by the time they take on Sunderland on New Year's Day. Not only will Manchester City not have shaken off United, a club they thrashed 6-1 in October, but Ferguson warned that Tottenham Hotspur are playing the "best football in the country".
"We have had the stats to show we're five or six points ahead of the previous year's form and you have to say City's form is equal to that," the Manchester United manager said. "To have 45 points is an enormous total at this time of year. It will be nip and tuck between the two of us but I think Tottenham are the best team in the country at the moment.
"The difficulty for Arsenal and Chelsea is that they have to overtake three teams, and unless three teams collapse they won't have that opportunity. Tottenham's form is the best anywhere. Are they title contenders? Definitely."
Ferguson emphasised that Tottenham will not have to deal with the Thursday-Sunday sequence of matches required by the Europa League but pointed out that United have already proved their supreme quality, hardened over a quarter of a century of his management – resilience. "We have lost three games this season and by December you can reckon to have lost three games in any season," he said. "But the ones we lost were very, very difficult for a club like Manchester United to endure. A 6-1 defeat by City. We recovered. Crystal Palace [elimination from the Carling Cup]. We recovered. Basel [elimination from the Champions League]. We recovered.
"It tells you something about this team. The trust and confidence come through and we are seeing some terrific attacking play at the moment."
Ferguson conceded that the absence of the likes of Tom Cleverley, – "the best midfielder in Britain" – meant that despite the 5-0 thrashings handed out to Fulham and Wigan, United's performances have not quite matched the irresistible displays at the start of the season.
Worryingly for their rivals, United's recovery has come with a makeshift, patched up side, especially in defence.
Ferguson said he might be forced to field a back four of Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and the 19-year-old Ezekiel Fryers against Blackburn. Chris Smalling, who was reportedly suffering from glandular fever, has tonsillitis and may be fit to face Newcastle on 4 January.
In attack, United have rather more options, including Dimitar Berbatov. Bayer Leverkusen have distanced themselves from speculation they might bring him back to the Bundesliga, and Ferguson said United would take up their option of adding a year to the contract that expires in June, when the Bulgarian will be 31.
The last time Blackburn came to Old Trafford, Berbatov scored five, although the suspicion remains that he has become something of a flat-track bully. Of the 25 league goals he has scored since the start of last season, 20 have come against clubs who are either in the bottom half of the table or who have been relegated. Ferguson, while conceding his opportunities were limited, pointed out that he had also hit a hat-trick against Liverpool, asking witheringly: "Are they a small club?"
Perhaps more than anything else, those five goals in a 7-1 rout of Blackburn in November 2010 hastened the end of Sam Allardyce's regime at Ewood Park. United have a vast following in India and the result was seen as a humiliation for the club's new owners, Venky's. Ferguson is close to Allardyce and condemned his dismissal and the protests against his successor, Steve Kean, whose relationship with Allardyce has ended since his promotion from the post of first-team coach.
"Anybody who sacks Sam Allardyce, you would think they were off their head," Ferguson said. "He has got such an influential, big personality which I thought was perfect for Blackburn at the time.
"He is an outstanding manager as you see from the job he is doing at West Ham. Why they did it, I couldn't possibly give you an answer but it meant there was a lot of experience coming out of that job."
 

[h=1]Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard score as Liverpool beat Newcastle[/h]




[h=2]Premier League 2011-12[/h]
Liverpool 3
  • Bellamy 29,
  • Bellamy 67,
  • Gerrard 78
Newcastle United 1
  • Agger (og) 25




Liverpool's Craig Bellamy celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United at Anfield. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Craig Bellamy scored twice against his former club and Andy Carroll hit the bar in the second half, though no one could stop Steven Gerrard stealing the show with the final Liverpool goal in his second game back from injury.
Gerrard was allowed only 30 minutes after being out for a couple of months but even in that short time he showed the drive and invention Liverpool have been missing, the accuracy of some of his crossing managing to bring Carroll into the game for the first time. Kenny Dalglish has promised to use him sparingly until he is fully match fit and on this evidence he can afford to.
Liverpool were transformed by their captain and the three points mean they move above Arsenal in the table, going level on points with Chelsea and just outside the top four. Bellamy was withdrawn shortly before the end, departing with angry words for the Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, after receiving an elbow in the face from Fabricio Coloccini and a cut to his left eye that required stitches.
"I thought we fully deserved the victory," Dalglish said. "It was fantastic to see Steven back to his best but I wouldn't say he changed the game. I thought we were always in control." Bellamy seemed to have calmed down afterwards and dismissed the incident, as did Pardew. "I saw him in the tunnel," said Pardew. "I said: 'What are you having a go at me for? I didn't elbow you.'"
The subplot to this game was not only how Carroll would fare against his old club, Dalglish having been practically forced into giving his £35m centre-forward his second start in a week by the one-match suspension handed to Luis Suárez, but how well Demba Ba would show up for Newcastle. Neither figured prominently in the opening stages. Carroll won applause from the home crowd for winning a couple of aerial challenges as Liverpool did most of the early attacking, though it took the intervention of the referee, Lee Probert, who inadvertently dispossessed Gabriel Obertan, to set up the first real shooting opportunity after almost 20 minutes. Charlie Adam, never one to wait to be asked twice, drove over the bar from 20 yards.
Stewart Downing brought a save from Tim Krul a few moments later but, with Carroll effectively playing on his own up front, Newcastle were not having too much difficulty keeping their shape at the back. That looked like becoming more of a problem for the home side when Newcastle went into the lead midway through the first half, though it served to energise Liverpool and parity was restored four minutes later.
The Newcastle goal came when Liverpool were slightly distracted by Haris Vuckic taking a clearance from Glen Johnson full in the face and deciding to leave the field for treatment. The rest of Newcastle's players played on and Ryan Taylor's cross from the left skimmed Yohan Cabaye's head and was diverted past José Reina by the slightest touch from Agger, though the stadium announcer credited Ba, who was putting the defender under pressure.
Liverpool's response was swift, throwing more players forward into attack and equalising when Adam's cross bounced off Cheik Tioté and fell kindly for Bellamy, who drove a shot through a crowd of players. One of three former Newcastle players in the Liverpool starting line-up, Bellamy also provided the corner from which Liverpool came closest to scoring again before the interval, Martin Skrtel producing a near-post header that flew only a foot or so wide.
Cabaye was fortunate when an ugly looking stamp on Jay Spearing's ankle went unpunished at the start of the second half, though at least no serious damage resulted and after initially howling in pain the Liverpool player was able to carry on as normal. Carroll had a chance when a Bellamy free-kick reached him in front of goal in the 55th minute, yet managed to produce a header that looked more like a defensive clearance than an attempt to score.
Dalglish sent on Gerrard for the last half-hour in place of the labouring Adam and he was immediately into the action, crossing from the right touchline for Carroll but finding the target man unable to stay on his feet. The crowd did not mind that too much but there were groans when Gerrard delivered an even better ball four minutes later, only to see Carroll stay onside but effectively pass the ball to Krul with a heavy first touch. Undeterred, even by Newcastle fans chanting "what a waste of money", Carroll could at least say he played a part in Liverpool's second goal.
Gerrard seemed likely to take the free-kick when Tioté fouled Agger just outside the area but Bellamy tried his luck instead, producing a shot that probably would not have beaten Krul but for Carroll getting his sizeable frame right in the goalkeeper's eyeline and attempting to reach the ball at the last moment.
The best of both Carroll and Ba was saved until late. The latter stole behind the Liverpool defence to beat Reina with a delicate, angled shot that Skrtel did miraculously well to clear off the line, then Carroll thumped a header against Krul's crossbar from a sumptuous Gerrard cross. Perhaps both men should have scored from inviting opportunities, though there was not much wrong with either effort.
All the same Gerrard decided to cut out the middleman for the final goal, running on to Jordan Henderson's pass and coming up with a composed finish to beat Krul from a narrow angle. "I've had a terrible year but I only want to look forward," Gerrard said. "Now I'm back playing again I'll be glad to see the back of 2011."
 
[h=1]The Secret Footballer: Five new year wishes to revamp the game[/h] 2012 is the year that England can move up a level, the transfer window should be scrapped and I become a revelation


Can England beat a top nation in the Euro 2012 knockout stages after being thrashed by Germany at the 2010 World Cup? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

I am usually moved to tears on New Year's Eve. I find the relentless backdrop of reflection to be quite depressing. Since I began playing football it feels like it has become inescapable and as I field phone calls from intoxicated friends set to Prince's 1999 (yes, still), I don't rue the fact that I can't join them but instead curse that on New Year's Eve, of all nights, the television in my hotel room is full of what has been and gone.
So, this year my resolution is to throw off the shackles of all this pointless pontificating on the past and usher in a more optimistic (in some cases) and forward-thinking mindset. Below are some of my thoughts, hopes and predictions for 2012:
[h=2]1 England to beat major football power[/h]Not since 1996 have England defeated a top international side in the knock-out stage of a major tournament. Back then Spain were not exactly the football powerhouse they are now and England still needed penalties to get through to the semi-finals of Euro 96, but it was a memorable occasion nonetheless.
Despite the debacle of South Africa, England head in to 2012 on a high, unbeaten in the calendar year and boasting several exceptional young players. These youngsters hold one of football's most valuable assets in that they have absolutely no fear. I'm not being greedy, I don't expect England to win Euro 2012, but I do think that they are finally capable of beating a decent team when it matters and that, at least, would be a reassuring start.
[h=2]2 Referees give post-match interviews[/h]Let's face it, referees get a bad rap. Although in the case of Phil Dowd, arguably deservedly so, and not just because of the ridiculous red card shown to Wigan's Conor Sammon at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Being a referee is, in many ways, a thankless job, yet I can't help thinking that there would be much more empathy, from supporters as well as players and managers, if they tried to engage more. It would be a huge step forward if, on occasions, they explained their decisions publicly.
It would certainly help our relationship on the pitch with the officials, even if I doubt it would have made a blind bit of difference in the case of the referee I had not so long ago and whose response to "Ref, that's a foul" was "**** off and get on with the ****ing game."
Once the match is over it isn't any easier to get answers. You won't find many referees that will give you an audience afterwards, which is understandable in some respects because tensions are often running high. Yet when there is no obvious rationale for a decision or ambiguity about how a law has been interpreted, wouldn't it be great if the referee spoke? I don't think the odd TV interview would undermine their authority; if anything it gives them a platform to educate those that might otherwise abuse them. And I'm not just talking about supporters.
[h=2]3 Diving to be punished retrospectively[/h]I cannot do justice to the level of frustration felt when, after hounding Cesc Fábregas to the point where he might be about to give the ball away as he tries to protect it, the Spaniard's legs would inexplicably collapse under him and the referee would award a free-kick. How I'd have loved the chance to see him and other perpetrators of this sort of behaviour – and they are not all foreign by any stretch – defend their actions in front of the Football Association. Some would argue that it is clever play – I can understand that argument but I don't agree with it. Nobody likes to see players behaving like this and there is certainly scope for retrospective action to be taken in the sort of cases that are clear-cut.
[h=2]4 The transfer window is abolished[/h]The argument of freedom of movement for players is well known but from a commercial point of view the transfer window tends to offer an opportunity for the rich to put a gun to the head of the poor. Players are only too aware that their chance of a big move may be lost if they themselves do not also put on an aggressive stance with their current club. And what about those of us who are frozen out and desperate to get away and have to wait half a season for it to happen? There are a lot of politics involved and every case is different but operating in a less pressurised market place would, in my opinion, be better for everyone concerned.
[h=2]5 TSF plays on with a spring in his step[/h]As the second half of the season gets underway I adapt to a new playing position and become an instant revelation, leading to the five guys in the front row of our main stand that have slaughtered me so far this season, and whom I pretend I cannot hear, lobbying successfully to get my contract extended. I am moved to accept the offer and, in doing so, end any thoughts I harboured of moving to the club that has been ringing me for the last two months and whom, despite suggesting they would pay me less, would be willing to offer an extra year, which at my age is certainly food for thought.
And finally, I expect to see some familiar faces back in the news. Sepp Blatter admits that awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a mistake and announces North Korea will be the new recipient, Mario Balotelli's self-help book becomes an international bestseller, André Villas-Boas offers £5m for Sky's Gary Neville to solve his right-back problem and Steve Kean's relationship with the Blackburn supporters improves after he joins in their protests. So, all in all, I look forward to 2012 in much the same way that I still look forward to playing football, with enthusiasm, a healthy dose of apprehension and the reassurance that it doesn't last forever.
Follow the Secret Footballer on Twitter @TSFguardian
 
[h=1]Manchester City manager relaxed over Mario Balotelli's smoking habit[/h] • If he were my son I'd kick his arse, says Roberto Mancini
• Italian says January will be important month for title race




Mario Balotelli will not be punished by Roberto Mancini for smoking but has been told it is better if he refrains. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Roberto Mancini will not be taking any action to stop Mario Balotelli smoking. The Manchester City manager, who has been angered by excessive drinking by some of his players outside the club, says he is relaxed about the striker's habit.
"For me it is not OK but I am not his father," he said. "If he were my son, I would give him a kick up the arse but he is not my son. I have told him it is better that he doesn't smoke because I am always against cigarettes and that's why my son doesn't smoke. There are players in Italy who smoke and some over here but I don't think he smokes a lot – maybe five or six a day."
Mancini believes January may see a shift in the title race. While acknowledging that Manchester United have done well to erode City's lead, he said since their 6-1 defeat in the derby, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not played any of the leading clubs. Between 22 January and 3 March, United face Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs away from home.
"After losing to us, United have not had a game against a top squad but they have these games in January and February and for this reason I feel it could be an important month," said Mancini, who is fully aware of the power of Ferguson's sides in the run-in. "United are strong. I never thought the championship was finished [after the 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in October] because at one stage last season Chelsea had seven more points than United and lost the title. United are used to being on top and fighting to win the title. Probably they are better than us at this moment but we will do everything possible to win the championship."
After grinding a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion, City travel to Sunderland recognising that more and more teams will attempt to stifle them defensively. "We need to focus on the next 20 games and think positively in the difficult moments," said Mancini. "In every championship there are difficult moments and so far United have had only one difficult moment – against us. We will have them next year, so will United and so will Tottenham."
Manchester City will use the January transfer window to offload rather than sign players. Mancini denied claims from Lille that they were prepared to bid up to ¤30m (£25m) for their striker Eden Hazard and said he expected Carlos Tevez, Nedum Onuoha and Wayne Bridge to leave Eastlands. He also rejected Bridge's suggestion that he had been frozen out of the club. "I spoke with Bridge at the start of last season," he said. "That was two years ago and I said: 'Wayne you are not part of my plans, it's better that you find a solution so you can play.' He has known the situation for two years." Staff and agencies
 
[h=1]Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool are trying to gazump Chelsea's move for Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill. The England defender had been expected to join the Blues after a £7m deal was agreed. But there has been a disagreement over personal terms and Liverpool are poised to take advantage.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester United striker Federico Macheda is 95% certain to join Queens Park Rangers on loan in January, according to his agent.
Full story: skysports.com
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has been told there is no bumper transfer 'war chest' available to him in January - as owner's Venky's consider selling some of Rovers' prized assets to finance any squad rebuild.
Full story: Lancashire Telegraph
Arsenal and Stoke sent scouts to watch Toulouse full-back Aymen Abdennour play for Tunisia against Catalonia in a friendly on Friday.
Full story: insidefutbol.com
Fulham are closing in on a loan deal for Marseille forward Andre-Pierre Gignac and could bid for his international team-mate Guillaume Hoarau.
Full story: talkSPORT

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is on course to return to action in the 2012-13 season after successfully undergoing knee surgery, but striker Michael Owen and midfielder Tom Cleverley are still some way off returning from injury.
Full story: manutd.com
Nick Barmby has warned Hull's owners he could quit as manager if they sell his best players in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror
AND FINALLY
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrated Christmas with a trip to Disneyland Paris.
Full story: Daily Mail
Aguero's team-mate Mario Balotelli is in the news again after City boss Roberto Mancini revealed the forward has refused to give up a smoking habit thought to involve up to two packets of cigarettes a week.
Full story: Daily Mail
 
[h=1]Barcelona fans vote for Bale as their most wanted signing[/h] Published 22:28 30/12/11 By John Cross

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...le-to-be-next-big-signing-article847170.html#


Gareth Bale is the player Barcelona fans want as their star signing next summer.
Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo ran a poll with around 3,000 votes and Spurs flier Bale got 57 per cent of the vote.
Valencia's Jordi Alba recorded 18 per cent and AC Milan's Thiago Silva 11 per cent. Barca boss Pep Guardiola has identified Bale as his No.1 summer target but Tottenham are determined not to sell.
Harry warns high flying Spurs to beware of taking a Swan dive


http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...le-to-be-next-big-signing-article847170.html# Print Send Share

[h=2]We Recommend[/h]



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[h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson says he has 'three more years' at Manchester United[/h] • Manager plans to stay 'as long as my health stays up'
• United manager wants to see his new players win league




Sir Alex Ferguson is treated to a rendition of happy birthday before Manchester United's home game with Blackburn. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on staying on as Manchester United manager until at least 2014.
Ferguson has often been coy about his retirement plans ever since announcing that he was leaving Old Trafford in 2001 only to rescind his decision in February 2002, but in an interview with MUTV to mark his 70th birthday he admitted that he wanted to continue at United for another three years.
"I think I've got three years at the club," he said. "As long as my health stays up, and as long as I'm still enjoying it and still getting the satisfaction of the team doing its best.
"We have defeats but compared to what we have achieved, they are minuscule."
Ferguson had declined the opportunity to talk about his birthday in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of the Premier League encounter with Blackburn.
However, even in his programme notes, he has given little indication of having his legendary hunger for success sated by all his achievements.
"This time it is a milestone birthday and I suppose inevitably, Manchester United supporters are going to ask if a man of 70 is up to managing this great club," he told United Review.
"As someone who loves his job I am not about to let my years alone dictate my future. At my age health becomes the key issue for a man's work and I am happy to say I have been blessed with stamina and energy that sees me coping with what I admit is a very demanding job."
And Ferguson, who has been in charge at Old Trafford for 25 years, said he wanted to stay to see his young players win league trophies and another European Cup. "There are new players that have come in, like [Phil] Jones, [Chris] Smalling, Ashley Young, [Danny] Welbeck… and they haven't won any league medals yet," he said. "We have to continue the dominance of winning leagues and, without question, winning a European Cup is important at this club.
"We should have been in at least another three finals. But you can't be greedy, I suppose, and having won two in my time is an achievement. They were special, it was terrific to win them. I think I'd be very keen to do that (again)."
We have been here before, however. Back in 2008 Ferguson claimed: "I won't be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that.
"You have to think about time for yourself. I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it."
But the lure of winning more trophies with a new and rebuilt team persuaded Ferguson to carry on. Even now, few would bet against him changing his mind again.
 

[h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson says he has 'three more years' at Manchester United[/h] • Manager plans to stay 'as long as my health stays up'
• United manager wants to see his new players win league




Sir Alex Ferguson is treated to a rendition of happy birthday before Manchester United's home game with Blackburn. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on staying on as Manchester United manager until at least 2014.
Ferguson has often been coy about his retirement plans ever since announcing that he was leaving Old Trafford in 2001 only to rescind his decision in February 2002, but in an interview with MUTV to mark his 70th birthday he admitted that he wanted to continue at United for another three years.
"I think I've got three years at the club," he said. "As long as my health stays up, and as long as I'm still enjoying it and still getting the satisfaction of the team doing its best.
"We have defeats but compared to what we have achieved, they are minuscule."
Ferguson had declined the opportunity to talk about his birthday in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of the Premier League encounter with Blackburn.
However, even in his programme notes, he has given little indication of having his legendary hunger for success sated by all his achievements.
"This time it is a milestone birthday and I suppose inevitably, Manchester United supporters are going to ask if a man of 70 is up to managing this great club," he told United Review.
"As someone who loves his job I am not about to let my years alone dictate my future. At my age health becomes the key issue for a man's work and I am happy to say I have been blessed with stamina and energy that sees me coping with what I admit is a very demanding job."
And Ferguson, who has been in charge at Old Trafford for 25 years, said he wanted to stay to see his young players win league trophies and another European Cup. "There are new players that have come in, like [Phil] Jones, [Chris] Smalling, Ashley Young, [Danny] Welbeck… and they haven't won any league medals yet," he said. "We have to continue the dominance of winning leagues and, without question, winning a European Cup is important at this club.
"We should have been in at least another three finals. But you can't be greedy, I suppose, and having won two in my time is an achievement. They were special, it was terrific to win them. I think I'd be very keen to do that (again)."
We have been here before, however. Back in 2008 Ferguson claimed: "I won't be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that.
"You have to think about time for yourself. I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it."
But the lure of winning more trophies with a new and rebuilt team persuaded Ferguson to carry on. Even now, few would bet against him changing his mind again.
 
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[TD="class: contentheading, width: 100%"]Owino aanza mazoezi mepesi [/TD]
[TD="class: buttonheading, width: 100%, align: right"] Send to a friend [/TD]
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[TD="class: createdate"] Saturday, 31 December 2011 08:33 [/TD]
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Sweetbert Lukonge
KUANZA mazoezi mepesi kwa beki wa kimataifa wa Uganda, Joseph Owino kumetoa tumaini jipya kwa klabu yake mpya ya Azam inayojiandaa kwa mzunguko wa pili wa Ligi Kuu.

Owino amejiunga na Azam katika usajili wa dirisha dogo lakini ameshindwa kutumikia timu hiyo kutokana na kusumbuliwa na maumivu ya goti aliloumia wakati akicheza Simba msimu uliopita.

Kufuatia hali hiyo uongozi wa Azam ilimpeleka nchini India kupatiwa matatibabu zaidi.

Akizungumza na gazeti hili jana Ofisa habari wa Azam, Jafar Idd alisema kuanza mazoezi kwa beki huyo hiyo ni faraja katika harakati zao za kutaka kumaliza nafasi mbili za juu ili waiwakilishe Tanzania kwenye mashindano ya kimataifa.

"Tunamshukuru Mungu, Owino ameanza kufanya mazoezi mepesi mepesi baada ya kufanyiwa upasuaji wa goti lililokuwa likumsumbua.

"Atakuwa kifanya mazoezi hayo chini ya uangalizi wa daktari na na kocha wa viungo mpaka hapo atakupokuwa fiti zaidi tayari kwa kuanza mazoezi pamoja na timu," alisema Idd.

Katika hatua nyingine Idd alisema timu ya Azam inayarajiwa kuondoka kesho kwenda kisiwani Zanzibar kwa ajili ya kushiriki michuano ya Kombe la Mapinzuzi yatakayoanza Januari 2.


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[h=1]Luis Suárez accused of giving unreliable and inconsistent evidence[/h] • FA releases 115-page report on Patrice Evra racism hearing
• Liverpool striker banned for eight matches and fined £40,000




Luis Suárez of Liverpool, left, and Manchester United's Patrice Evra clashed during the 1-1 draw. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside

Luis Suárez called Patrice Evra "negro" seven times and gave "unreliable" and "inconsistent" evidence to the Football Association independent commission that banned the Liverpool striker for eight matches and fined him £40,000.
The commission's findings were contained in a 115-page document published by the FAon Saturday, Liverpool having received them before their 3-1 home win against Newcastle United on Friday.
Suárez, found guilty of making racist comments to the Manchester United defender during the 1-1 draw at Anfield in October, defended the charge based on a claim that the use of the word "negro" in his native Uruguay is inoffensive in certain situations – but the panel found that argument "unsustainable".
Liverpool now have 14 days to decide whether to appeal against the punishment. The club said it would take "the necessary amount of time to read, digest and properly consider the contents of the 115-page judgment".
But one legal expert suggested that Liverpool would be ill-advised to appeal given the level of detail in the report. Steven Friel, a lawyer for Brown Rudnick who specialise in complex disputes, said: "Paul Goulding QC didn't draft a 115-page document for the love of writing. He did so because he wanted to 'appeal-proof' the decision, and he has done a very good job. Liverpool face an uphill struggle in overturning the decision, and the risks of trying but failing to do so are huge. Of all the options that are open to him, an appeal should be far down the list."
The report stated that after Evra asked Suárez during the game why he had been kicked, he replied in Spanish: "Porque tu eres negro," which translates as "Because you are black". Evra said he would punch Suárez if he repeated the comment to which Uruguayan said: "No hablo con los negros": "I don't speak to blacks."
Linguistic experts assessed Suárez's defence but determined that his language on the pitch "would be considered racially offensive" anywhere.
The report continued: "Mr Suárez said that he pinched Mr Evra's skin in an attempt to defuse the situation, and that his employment of the word 'negro' to address Mr Evra was conciliatory and friendly. We rejected that evidence.
"To describe his own behaviour in that way was unsustainable and simply incredible given that the players were engaged in an acrimonious argument. That this was put forward by Mr Suárez was surprising and seriously undermined the reliability of his evidence."
The report also stated that Suárez failed to explain the inconsistencies in his evidence, but accepted the players denials that he is racist. It concluded by saying that Suárez pledged that "he will not use the word negro on a football pitch in England in the future, and we believe that is his genuine and firm intention."
 
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