Another Friday means match day is soon to come. This week it's newcomers Hull City visiting the Emirates. It was a crazy week, as the youngsters were the toast of the Carling Cup's third round with their thrashing of Sheffield United. Lots of interesting news to go around as a result.

Cesc talks about fearing for his first team place with the sort of young talent below him.

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This'll be a short post today. I'll leave the prognosis to you.

But my initial impressions after today's 2-0 over Malaga are good.

We didn't play great. But who cares? We have the three points and remain at the top of the table with 10 points, tied with Villarreal.

If I'd told you before the season started that this is where we'd be, we would have signed up for it right away.

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Jeremiah White was called into US camp this past January and evidently did not make an impression on Bob Bradley. After playing a few minutes against Sweden he was released from the camp and has not been called back since. White can only hope Bradley is as open in his willingness to give attacking players [. Click to continue reading...

By definition the Convey award goes to the team's Rookie of the Year. But there's a couple of different ways you could interpret that. Do you give the award to the young player who has made the biggest contribution so far this season? Or do you give it to the guy who has the best chance of being a star in the MLS? Click to continue reading...

Slaven Bilic's foreign legion growing in strength

He may have announced his own intention to stay at home for two more years, but Slaven Bilic is convinced that one of the main reasons for Croatia's recent success is the willingness of his players to seek their fortune in foreign leagues.

From Telegraph. Click to continue reading...

With a pair of goals in a seven minute period this afternoon, the Bears got the game-winner courtesy of a pair of freshman and sealed the win from a pair expected to lead the Bears this season.

The game-winner was scored by Kelsey Finders (pictured) in the 42nd minute when freshman Jennifer Hamlin sent a through ball from the left side.

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And after all that, all that lobbying by our friends over at the Real Madrid sports daily MARCA, by the folks beating their drums for Barcelona at Sport, the lapdogs at Goal.com and the English press, we can now proudly exclaim from the top of the Mestalla: David Silva is a Valencia player!

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Peter Nowak's decision to adjust his tactics (ironically enough in line with what most American Soccer Spot readers suggested the other day) shows a tactical savvy and willingness to take chances that many American coaches have quite frankly lacked in big competitions. Since the debacle of Steve Sampson 3-6-1 in the 1998 World Cup, American managers have implemented a very basic tactical structure one which is based on counter attacking and generally does not consider the strengths or weaknesses of the upcoming opposition.

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It seems to be the new trend, managers publicly declaring who they want to buy. Luciano Spalletti's comments that Roma were looking at buying Yossi Benayoun quickly made their way to the British media and, with the Gareth Barry deal still pending, it didn't take long for the two stories to be linked to get to a 'Benayoun to be sold to fund Barry deal' scenario. Click to continue reading...

Gareth Barry may not have been in Oslo last night, but there was no getting away from him.

If it wasn't an injury scare to Steven Gerrard which suggested a move for the Aston Villa man might need to be completed sooner rather than later, it was the imperious form of Xabi Alonso which begged the question of why Liverpool remain ready to spend around £18m on a central midfielder. Click to continue reading...

The agent of Hungarian goalkeeper Zsolt Poloskei - who has joined Liverpool on loan - claims that the Reds have the option of signing him on a permanent deal.

Tibor Pataky, agent of 17-year-old Zsolt Poloskei, says Liverpool could exercise an option to sign the goalkeeper on a permanent basis. Click to continue reading...

Xabi Alonso insists he would have no problem staying at Liverpool, as a proposed move to Juventus stalls due to the two clubs' inability to settle on a transfer fee.

The classy Spaniard was expected to tie-up a switch to Serie A at the conclusion of the European Championship after Liverpool intimated a willingness to sell. Click to continue reading...

And so only the final awaits. I must say, this has been the most enjoyable tournament in recent memory. The willingness of many teams to play open, flowing football has been a joy to watch. Mind you, I can't wait for club football to return, but this has been a better than expected diversion. Click to continue reading...

After everything I've written and speculated, it looks as though the Togo striker may be on his way to either Barcelona or AC Milan for around €27m. And while I've panned nearly all talk as rumors, one has to admit that credibility goes up when they just don't go away. What has me more convinced recently is this article in the Daily Mail.

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Time for a little Canadian Content. Mainly because we love this Carver guy's passion for the game and willingness to "tell it like it is." The most recent episode of Toronto FC TV is below:



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Having lost his legal action with Manchester United and the Premier League halting his move to Liverpool. Argentinean defender Gabriel Heinze has left England to join Spanish giants Real Madrid. The £8 million deal will see the defender line up alongside World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro in the Madrid defence, he has been drafted in to [...] Click to continue reading...