Bramall Lane is a happy hunting ground for Harewood
It’s difficult to confidently argue in favour of either team ahead of tonight’s TV offering of Sheffield United v Newcastle, with the hosts winless in six and the Magpies having ended three of their last four away games empty-handed.
Therefore, our attention turns to Marlon Harewood, a boo-boy victim during last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Doncaster. Assuming Chris Hughton is brave enough to risk the wrath of the Toon Army by starting the Hare, his Betfair odds of 3.75 (11/4) to score are worth a glance.
The 30-year-old isn’t the most prolific striker in the world, which is why his record of five goals in his last seven meetings with Sheffield United - and two on his last three visits to Bramall Lane - is worth paying attention to.
It could also prove a blessing that he is playing away from the sceptical St James’ Park support - six of his last eight league goals have come on the road.
Pick your favourite player who wears the revered squad number
Calendar enthusiasts will be aware that today is 09/09/09, which is easily the most significant day in the Gregorian system since 07/08/09. In celebration of this tremendous occasion, we’re asking you to pick the best current number nine in the Premier League.
It’s a fairly mixed bunch - which sees no representatives from nine-haters Fulham and Everton - and we suspect one of two names will dominate…
Spoiler promotion: Fancy a free punt? Of course you do, silly billy! Check out hundreds of pounds worth of free football bets at OLBG Sports
After enjoying Mr Bellamy’s latest rage, why not check out the latest goings-on in Transferland…
Craig Bellamy to Manchester City Sky Sports are reporting that West Ham have agreed a fee of £14 million to sell Craig Bellamy to Manchester City after making it clear that they wouldn’t do business with Tottenham.The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: West Ham fans will be disappointed their record signing has decided to leave after just twenty league starts but they are receiving an amazing price for the 29-year-old.
Wilson Palacios to Tottenham
Reports claim Manchester City and Tottenham have agreed a compromise whereby City will end their interest in Palacios if Spurs leave them unopposed to sign Bellamy. A potential stumbling block is Spurs Daniel Levy’s attempts to pay the £14 million fee in lengthy installments, with Steve Bruce saying “Mr Levy wants it over something like 55 years.”
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Levy’s determination to pay part of the Bellamy fee
Proof that clubs are willing to pay much more for domestic goods
The national team couldn’t muster the will to qualify for Euro 2008, but somehow clubs continue to demand mega money for home grown talent. With David Bentley costing a princely sum, Gareth Barry’s non-negotiable fee and Andy Johnson’s imminent trade, it’s clear that players are far too expensive if they were born on this tiny island.
Hence, we think the time is right to consider ten of the most overpriced Englishman currently plying their trade in the Premier League, comparing their lofty prices with some better value foreign equivalents…
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Manchester City were heartbroken to lose their star player to Chelsea, but in hindsight getting £21 million was fantastic business. Four league goals in three seasons compared to ten in his last year at Citeh highlights his failure to step up. Foreign equivalent: Amantino Mancini to Inter - £10 million
Owen Hargreaves £17 million might not have been too steep for a 26-year-old midfielder, but his failure to dislodge Michael Carrick, his predecessor in the overpriced stakes, shows he has yet to live up to his price-tag. Foreign equivalent: Yaya Toure to Barcelona - just over £7 million
Scott Parker
The midfielder moved from Charlton to Chelsea to Newcastle and then to West Ham for a combined fee of £23.5 million, but has still managed just three England caps. Injury limited Parker to 17 league starts last season, meaning West Ham are yet to receive value for their £7 million investment. Foreign equivalent: Tim Cahill to Everton - £1.5 million
Dave Kitson
The ginger striker’s invaluable contribution to Reading’s relegation battle was
After giving our two cents on how the five top flight London clubs should spend their cash yesterday, today we look at how the Premier League newcomers should invest their modest budgets in the closed season…
West Brom
Top priority:
Some new defenders - West Brom have got guys capable of scoring goals but at the back they are very leaky. They let in 55 goals last season and the last time the Championship winners conceded that many was way back in 1961. Don’t do what Derby did and sign a load of rubbish defenders though.
Fitting the bill: Calum Davenport, Michael Dawson, Stephen Kelly
Stoke
Top priority:
A Plan B - So Stoke won promotion by being brutish and scoring from Rory Delap’s long throws but Watford showed that physicality alone isn’t enough to survive. Last season Stoke forward Mamady Sidibe started 35 games and scored just four goals - more firepower is a must.
Fitting the bill: Harry Kewell, Shane Long, Marlon Harewood
Hull
Top priority:
Some youth and depth - Hull are ridiculed for relying heavily on old-timers Dean Windass and Nick Barmby but there’s nothing wrong with this policy as long as they are supplemented by some talented youngsters to help share the workload. A bit more quality and depth in defence is also a must.
Fitting the bill: Colin Kazim Richards, Younes Kaboul, Ali Al Habsi, Linvoy Primus
Congratulations, Bioparco Zoo in Rome, you have a name that sounds like a weird 80s B-movie about strange mutant animals eating innocent people, but also, you’re now home to a brand new baby giraffe, who is yet to be named. The Spoiler would like to suggest a strong name like Agamemnon or Greg. It’s your call. In other exciting news, transfer speculation has been going through the roof!
Peter Crouch to leave for free
Crouch is livid that Benitez has demanded £15 million for his services and is ready to stick two gigantic fingers up at his boss by sitting awkwardly on the bench for another year. Then, come summer, he can pack his enormous suitcase and head somewhere else for nothing.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Hey, Peter’s supposed to be a friendly giant… but then again, so was Lennie in Of Mice and Men, and everyone knows what happened there. Right?
Rafael van der Vaart to Chelsea
Just as they like to tempt fantastic players to their club, Chelsea also like to maintain a fine stable of WAGs. Rafael’s wife, Sylvie, would make for a splendid inclusion.
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