Football Corner

Scott Parker may miss the rest of the league season with Newcastle according to caretaker boss Glen Roder who says that he suspects he is suffering from glandular fever. If the tests confirm the illness Parker will definetly not play for the Magpies again this season and he has now ended his chances of playing in the World Cup for England.

"Glandular fever is what we are expecting. We think he's had this for a month or more," said Roeder. "That sums up everything you need to know about Scott Parker." The news will come as a blow to the Magpies, who have seen the former Charlton player thrive since his £6.5m summer move from Chelsea to St James' Park.

I actually thought that with the form Parker has been in that he would of been a good bet to make the England World Cup squad. He has played extremly well for Newcastle when he has played this season because he had a injury during the campaign. I wish Parker the best of luck with his recovery and hopefully he will be in the England squad for Euro 2008.

Now if you haven't already heard about Didier Drogba's antics on Saturday then let me just refresh your memory. During Chelsea's Premiership clash with Manchester City on Saturday Drogba was been his same old self, throwing himself around the ground and moaning at every decsion. At around about half three on Saturday he scored a good goal past City's keeper David James to put his side ahead but what happened only a few minutes after has been brought into dispute.

Drogba appeared to of handled the ball after a cross came in from the right and he then placed it in the net. Now you would say the ref or the linesman would have to of seen it because it was so so clear and with the City players protesting how could he of not of seen it. In City's protest two players were booked including captain Sylvain Distin and he was latter sent off for arguing the case at half-time. For that incident I would probably have to blame the ref mostly but Drogba has to get a bit of the blame as well.

In the post-match interview Drogba admitted handling the ball,"Yes, it was handball, but that's part of the game. "If City had done it, nobody would have mentioned it, but everyone is out to make a big mess about Chelsea." Drogba was then forced to quickly make a retraction in his post-match interview after admitting he dived. "Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand," he said, before adding: "No, I don't dive."

You could say that he was very honest in addmitting that he handballed it or you could say that he is a cheat for doing it in the first place but on his second comment, there is no doubt that he does dive and that he does it far too often and he would be better of staying on his feet. I think he is a cheat for doing this and I am sure now that the FA will keep a close eye on him in the next couple of games.

What do you think? Leave a comment?

Well another Saturday in the Premiership and yet another Chelsea victory and all they need now to clinch their second league title in a row is four more wins. Liverpool came out the better of the the Mersey side derby today but it wasn't all plain sailing for Rafa's red army. Portsmouths match against Arsenal was posponded due to a waterlogged pitch. Here is a brief report of all of todays games in the Premiership:

Two goals in three first-half minutes from Didier Drogba were enough for Chelsea to post a comfortable victory over depleted Manchester City. Drogba took his season's tally to 13 after he latched onto a throughball from Eidur Gudjohnsen. He fired home a second from six yards, despite complaints from City defenders he brought the ball down with his arm. City skipper Sylvain Distin continued his arguments at half-time and was sent off for a second booking. Final Score: Chelsea 2-0 Man City.

Liverpool overcame the early dismissal of Steven Gerrard to beat Everton in an incident-packed Merseyside derby. Gerrard earned two quickfire yellow cards - for kicking the ball away and then a bad challenge on Kevin Kilbane. Liverpool then scored twice in three minutes through a Phil Neville own goal and a clinical finish from Luis Garcia. Tim Cahill headed one back but Everton had substitute Andy van der Meyde sent off after 72 minutes for an elbow and Harry Kewell's fine strike sealed it. Final Score: Liverpool 3-1 Everton.

Blackburn kept up their charge for a Champions League spot by getting the better of a spirited Sunderland side. An individual goal from Steven Reid on 15 minutes proved the match-winner with the midfielder firing home after running half the length of the pitch. Bottom-placed Sunderland, without a home win in the league this season, showed plenty of heart after the break. Final Score: Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn.

West Ham came from behind to snatch a last-gasp victory thanks to skipper Nigel Reo-Coker's close-range tap-in. Wigan had taken the lead just before the break with a stunning long-range drive from Lee McCullough. But Paul Scharner's weak header back to Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt dropped short allowing Harewood to round the substitute keeper and tap in to level. The game looked to be heading for a draw before Teddy Sheringham crossed for Reo-Coker who cooly slotted home. Final Score: Wigan 1-2 West Ham.

Aston Villa and Fulham remain bogged down in the lower reaches of the Premiership table after playing out a drab and uneventful draw. Lee Hendrie had Villa's best chance in the first half, sending a right-foot volley narrowly over the top. For Fulham, Steed Malbranque volleyed just wide when well-placed in the opening seconds of the second half. Aston Villa 0-0 Fulham.

Just to say well done to Reading who have clinched promotion to the Premiership today with a 1-1 draw at Leicster and I looked forward to seeing them fight it out in the Premiership next season.

Guus Hiddink has announced today that he will leave Dutch giants PSV at the end of the season increasing speculation that he will take over the England hot seat in replace of Sven Goran Eriksson. The Dutchman has promised to reveal his plans at the end of March, but he added: "There's nothing concrete now, let alone anything signed." Hiddink, who has coached Australia alongside PSV duties, will be in charge of the Socceroos at the World Cup.

Under Hiddink's guidance, Australia qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years. However, Football Federation Australia has admitted it does not expect Hiddink to stay on after the World Cup. On Thursday, Hiddink said he had already decided on his next move.

This very very interesting news regarding the England job and I think he will indeed take over the job in the summer. Hiddink is a very very experienced coach both at international level and club level and that's why I think he would be the ideal sucsesor to Sven Goran Eriksson.

Former Lyon manager Paul Le Guen has been named new Rangers manager from next season on. It has been widely predicted that Le Guen would take the Ibrox hot seat after it was confirmed that current manager Alex McCleish would step down at the end of the season. The Frenchman has signed a three year deal with the Scotish giants. Rangers chairman David Murray was delighted to announce the appointment of Le Guen and paid tribute to McLeish for the work he had done at the club.

"I am pleased Paul has agreed to join Rangers," Murray told the club's official website. "His track record speaks for itself and hopefully, he will bring future success to the club. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Alex McLeish for his achievements, having secured seven trophies in four-and-a-half years."

Le Guen, who has been out of work since leaving Lyon last summer, is looking forward to the challenge of working at Ibrox. "I am looking forward to the challenge at Rangers," said Le Guen. "I received a number of interesting offers from major clubs around Europe in the last year, but this move to Scotland was the right one for me and my family. "Rangers has a proud history and tradition and I hope to bring further success to the club for the supporters."

This is great news for all Rangers fans because Le Guen has been highly recommended to Rangers by many top managers including Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger. I do fell sorry for McCleish because over the years he has done a whole lot for the club but I'm sure Le Guen will do a top job at Ibrox and good luck to him!

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has confirmed that he will sign a his rolling deal with the Premiership club at some stage over the next week. Pearce, 43, has been working without a contract since replacing Kevin Keegan as boss over a year ago. But he said: "I have not had time to read it which is causing problems, both in the press and with the Premier League, so I will sign it this week.

"I'm not a lover of bits of paper, contracts do not mean a lot to me." Pearce also revealed he will not be entitled to any compensation from City should chairman John Wardle sack him as manager. At the same time, if he chose to leave the club and move elsewhere, the club would not be able to ask for a fee for their boss.

This will be great news for all Man City fans because Physco has done extremly well since he was given the job last year. I am a City fan myself and I would like it if City tied Pearce down to a longer contract because I believe in years to come alot more clubs will want Pearcy.

Finally Mick McCarthy has got the sack from Sunderland but not to the happieness of Liam Lawrence who said he was disappointed at the sacking. Sunderland have been woffil this season and it was only time before McCarthy got the sack. Sunderland were defeated against Man City on Sunday and now Sunderland have said enough is enough and have sacked him after a dismal season. McCarthy told Sky Sports News that he will move on to another job in the future.

"Why wouldn't I [have a smile on my face]?" he enquired. "I've enjoyed every bit of it, fantastic. "It's been tough the last few months but I've enjoyed every single minute of it. It's been a pleasure and I've been very fortunate. "That's nice [the fans expressing their disappointment at the decision]. I'm sure I've got support but I'm sure I've got people who think otherwise. "As always, I've done my best and I can't do any more. I'll move on and eventually do something else."

McCarthy certainly put a brave face on the board's decision to bring an abrupt end to his reign, after saying after the City of Manchester Stadium game that he wanted to take the team back up next season. "It's happened," he continued to Sky Sports News. "That's all I'm going to say. "It's been brilliant and I've thoroughly enjoyed it and enjoyed the support of the fans. It was great last year with the championship but it's changed this [year]."I'm not going to dash away all aggressive and horrible, I'll leave you with a smile."

Not very surprising news for all football fans and now the gossip will be who will be the next Sunderland manager. I think someone like George Graham might be a decent replacement. If you have any idea on who will be the next manager please leave a comment and if you think that the Sunderland board were right to sack McCarthy.

Hibernian striker Gary O'Connor has joined Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee of £1.6 million. The Scotland striker is travelling to the Russian club's training camp in southern Spain and the 22-year-old will meet his new team-mates on Tuesday. O'Connor underwent a gruelling, two-day medical in Munich last week after he and Hibs agreed terms with Lokomotiv. A Hibs spokesman said: "Garry has passed his medical and documentation should be completed within 24 hours." O'Connor had two years of his contract to run but will now take a massive leap in earnings to about £16,000 per week.

This is a great move for O'Connor although I would of liked him to of moved to a Premiership team because I would of loved to see how he would of done in the Prem. O'Connor has immensly well at Hibernian with a great partnership up front with Derek Riordan who has also been linked with a move away from Hibs. Good luck Gary!

Name: Manchester United
Nickname: The Red Devils

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Captain: Gary Neville

Stadium: Old Trafford
Capacity: 68,000

Star Player: Wayne Rooney
One To Watch: Giuseppe Rossi
Young Gun: Gerald Pique

Top goalscorer of all-time: Bobby Charlton (247 goals)
Most Appearances: Bobby Charlton (754 games)

Profile:

Manchester United FC are a club steeped in great tradition. Down through the years they have produced many a world class player with the likes of George Best, Dennis Law, Bobby Charlton etc,. In 1958 the club suffered one of the biggest disasters in years, a plane carrying the whole United team crashed whilst on route home to Manchester from Germany were they had just qualified through in the European Cup. Eight players died in total. During the rebuilding it was tough but then a man came along, his name was George Best. He was simply outstanding and was probably the best player since the players in the accident. In the 90's United dominated the Premierleague and won pretty much all of the time but in the last three or four years they have struggled with the whole thing going on at Chelsea. They suffered a really bad blow this season, losing their most inspirational charecter and captain Roy Keane after a bust-up with the manager. United crashed out of Europe early this season and are way adrift of the Premierleague leaders Chelsea. They had a bit of joy though only at the weekend when the won The Carling Cup 4-0 against Wigan. They will now be hoping that they can build on that and catch up on Chelsea.


Feel free to read the other club profiles on the sidebar!

West Ham United goalkeeper Roy Carroll has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks after he under went surgery on a on going back injury that has prevented him from playing consistintley this year. The Northern Ireland shot stopper was sent under the knife by West Ham after sending him for scans on the injury. Shaka Hislop will continue to deputise in the absence of Carroll, while James Walker is close to making a return after a long-term injury.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew believes that Carroll will soon be back in action. "He has had his operation. He's bored, but in good spirits and looking forward to coming back. We think that will take six weeks. "Jimmy Walker is coming right back into shape and will start putting pressure on soon."

This is a bad blow for Carroll and West Ham because Carroll has really excelled this season under the management of Pardew and everyone else at the club. I don't think I've seen Carroll make any blunder like he had did at Man United and I think he enjoys it more down at Upton Park. Get well soon!

Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack's looks set to join Premiership Champions Chelsea during the summer on a bosman deal according to his agent. After reports claiming the Bayern Munich captain has decided to head for Stamford Bridge were initially played down by the midfielder, Becker (Ballack's agent) suggests his client will join the Premiership champions if Real Madrid do not show any more interest in the player.

Manchester United and Inter Milan made Ballack one of their priorities this summer but Becker has made it clear that the Germany international wants to join one of the favourites for next season's UEFA Champions League. "Nothing has been signed but there will be ongoing contact with Chelsea," Becker told BBC Sport. "There is strong interest from both sides. "The trend is in this direction [to move to Chelsea].

"Michael had initially been very keen on Real Madrid, but the leadership changes there in the last few months mean we don't know what's happening. "Michael will continue his career with a side that will win the Champions League. "He definitely will not go to Inter. He would only move to a club where he has a better chance of winning the Champions League than at Bayern."

I would like to see Ballack play in the Premiership but for anyone but Chelsea because he won't be guarenteed first team football and it's a shame to waste such talent. Ballack is a very talented player with alot of great attributes and I wish him well where ever he ends up in the summer!

Alan Pardew has today said that West Ham United striker Teddy Sheringham should be on the plane to Germany in the summer for England. Nope, you haven't read that wrong, Teddy Sheringham the 39 year-old that can hardly run anymore. "You could take Teddy for a number of reasons. He's only going to be a positive force around the squad. "If you needed him to come on, settle things down or create something, he could achieve that. "Personally, he has done fantastic for us and is no different now to what he was eight years ago, in my opinion."

Hahaha! I know Teddy has done decent this season but for him to be playing out in Germany for England in the summer would be crazy. He is just too old and he wouldn't get in ahead of the likes of Rooney, Owen, Defoe, Crouch and Bent. If Sven thinks of bringing up Sheringham than he might as well think of bringing up Peter Beargrie!

Chelsea and Southampton legend Peter Osgood has died at the age of 59. Osgood collapsed while attending a family funeral service on Wednesday at Slough crematorium.

1947-2006

Pay your tributes to a great man by leaving a comment.