Help us figure out if anyone can rival the Welshman’s curse
After Gareth Bale’s winless streak as a Premier League footballer extended to a landmark twentieth game against Wigan yesterday, The Spoiler started to ponder if there are any other current top-flight players still left wondering what victory tastes like.
So far we’ve come up with Bale’s Mexican teammate Giovani dos Santos, who has experienced one draw and five defeats from his first six Premier League appearances. To show there’s no anti-Tottenham bias going on we can also add Arsenal’s Jay Simpson to the list after his top-flight debut on loan at West Brom ended in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Another player who comes close but isn’t quite bad enough to make the grade is Chelsea’s Franco di Santo who has won one, drawn one and lost two of his four league appearances. If you can find anyone who is yet to win in the Premier League then let us know their record with a comment below.
The most important football and sexy Olympian stories of the day
Jermaine Pennant has priced himself out of a dream move to Real Madrid. Still, at least he has successfully secured the services of Amii Grove.
[Daily Mail]
Freddy Shepherd says Michael Owen owes it to Newcastle to stay. Does anyone care what he has to say?
[The Sun]
Important sexy news: Leryn Franco was the hottest athlete of 2008
[With Leather]
The worst paid player in La Liga has won the lottery, and it’s still less than Robinho’s weekly wage
[The Offside]
The BBC introduce new post-post-match analysis show to satisfy banter starved fans
[The Gaffer]
Jay Simpson is set for a West Brom loan
[Football365]
Harry Redknapp has dismissed rumours that he wants Jimmy Bullard
[BBC]
The man who was rewarded handsomely for a dismal Premier League performance looks to be interested in one or two players from White Hart Lane, and Zokora isn’t among them. More info in today’s round-up of gossip, rumours and damned lies…
West Ham players to the highest bidder
Cash-strapped West Ham will listen to any offers for a number of first team players in a bid to raise transfer funds for boss Gianfranco Zola, reports the Daily Express. High on The Italian’s list is Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini who is valued at £7 million. Apparently, the Hammers would be interested in selling one of their three strikers - Carlton Cole, Dean Ashton or Craig Bellamy, but are keen to keep Robert Green and Matthew Upson. The Daily Mail, however, say Harry Redknapp is lining up a £16 million joint bid for both Upson and Green.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Quashie, Davenport and Boa Morte would be welcomed departures although there might be a lack of Premiership interest, particularly in Nigel “I’ve -been-relegated-with-four-clubs” Quashie’s case. There would be interest in Ashton, Cole and Bellamy from Everton and West Brom (both in dire need of strikers) if the price was right.
Aaron Lennon and David Bentley to Real Madrid
Juande Ramos’ first transfer priority is to bring in some new widemen to the Bernabeu. Ramos is reportedly keen to raid the club nearly ran into the ground for David Bentley and Aaron Lennon.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Lennon has been Spurs’ best player under Redknapp and it is unlikely he would let either Bentley or Lennon leave unless it was for big money. The Madrid board are unlikely to release too much cash for stop-gap Ramos, who has only been given a six month deal.
Small children help Gunners reach Carling Cup quarters
Arsenal 3/ Wigan 0
It will be a few years before Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is old enough to indulge in John Carew’s favourite extra-curricular activity, but the 16-year-old had the skills and confidence to help Arsenal’s nippers put on an astounding display at the Emirates. Don Fabio, who was watching from the stands, would be foolish not to reserve a spot for him in the national side.
Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland had to put in one of the performances of the season to keep a their full-strength from sinking under the pressure of a team whose average age was just nineteen. Let’s hope Professor Wenger sticks with his youthful B team all the way through to the final.
Spoiler bonus: Highlights of Manchester Utd’s unconvincing victory against QPR after the jump…
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