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THE TRUTH ABOUT ALI Wednesday 21 February

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ENGLAND TEAM’S FOOTBALL DILEMMA

ALEX...

GIVE THE JOB TO DAVID

Making plans for Olympic England team

Fergie makes some big decisions EXCLUSIVE

By FRANK WORRALL

WATCHING England stumble to a 1-0 victory over Wales at Wembley the other night got me thinking about the prospects of Team GB at next year’s Olympics in London.

The Welsh and the English, along with the Scots and Northern Irish, have been invited to take part in a unified UK team – although only the English are keen to do so. The other three home nations are against the idea, fearing it could lead to them ultimately losing their right to take part as separate, individual countries in FIFA competitions in years to come.

FULL STORY PAGE 2

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Wednesday 21 February 2012

CHAMPS LEAGUE? Don’t make us laugh!

BARRING a miracle, England will NOT have a single representative in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

As a fervent fan of English football, and an Englishman, that leaves me down and very sad. It reflects badly upon our brilliant Premier League and gives the impression - if you look at the simple stark fact of failure at face value - that our league is overrated and our teams are not as good as we would believe.

But I don’t agree with either of those arguments. OK, we have messed up on a mighty scale this season - with Man United and Man City exiting at the group stages and Arsenal and Chelsea surely on their way out now at the first knockout stage. And you don’t need to tell me that just a few years back we were dominating the competition - yes, we once even had three teams in the semis! And our participation in the last four and the finals was taken more or less for granted, much to the disgruntlement of our foreign rivals.

But now the wheel has turned and we are no longer granted easy entry to the top table. United and City are ploughing their furrow in the secondrate Europa League while Chelsea and Arsenal won’t even have that to fall back on if, as expected, they now complete their miserable surrenders to Napoli and AC Milan respectively.

However, it is a one-off – and is partly due to the two Manchester clubs not taking their matches seriously enough, and also due to the two London clubs going through a period of relative transition at the worst time of the season.

Victory

Put it this way: you really think United and City will go out at the group stage next season? Look at how they did last week in the Europa League - City beating the holders fairly comfortably in Porto and United waltzing to victory in Amsterdam over Ajax. Both Porto and Ajax have been regular competitors in the Champions League and so the victories hold some indication of how United and City are faring at this stage of the season.

I would contend that if they were both in the Champions League now, they would both advance to the next stage – providing they didn’t meet Barcelona or Real Madrid. Yes, both City and United are in the top four teams in Europe NOW – that is why it is more the pity that they are condemned to the Europa League. If City played Naples again now, with the experience they have gained from the Champions League and the form they are in, I would bet on them to knock the Italians out.

Also, if United played AC Milan, I would confidently expect them to beat the Italian veterans who crushed Arsenal 4-0 recently.

United, like City, have hit form - they went out at the group stage because Sir Alex tinkered too much with his team and didn’t give Basle and Benfica the respect they deserved. If he had played his first team, United would have cruised home.

As for Chelsea and Arsenal - well, one of the two London giants is unlikely to be in the competition next season, and I am not sure which one it will be. Their place will definitely be taken by the ever impressive Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea are an ageing team who need a swift, powerful overhaul while Arsenal are a young team who need more strength in depth with their older players. It was interesting, for instance, how out of touch Mikel Arteta looked in the San Siro – while in the Premier League he has performed well. It just goes to show the extra level of player you need to achieve success in the bigger international club (and country) competitions.

But don’t panic – next season I am confident United, City and Spurs will make the last eight of the Champions League and I wouldn’t be surprised if either United or City won it, or finished runners-up. Lesson will have been learned – that is the only real consolation from this disappointing campaign.

VICTORY!

FROM PAGE 1

I can understand those fears given the lunacy of the FIFA power brokers, headed by the king of the asylum, Sepp Blatter. But I can also understand the feelings of young players within the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish teams who would give anything to play for Team GB on such a stage. In particular, I am thinking of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey of Wales, who both caused so many problems for Fabio Capello’s England at Wembley.

I am also convinced that those young men will be able to achieve their dream, despite the misgivings of their nation’s FA bosses. International law and freedom of movement and trade make it inevitable that they will be able to take part, if they so desire.

And they do desire, and understandably so. Wales have not qualified for a major international tournament since the 1958 World Cup – and similar failings by Scotland and Northern Ireland explain why their players would also probably jump at the chance of appearing in a major international finals (such as the Olympics) given the chance.

The only real problem I can envisage is when the manager of Team GB chooses the majority of his players from England… with a couple from Wales, one from Scotland and none from Northern Ireland!

That, more than any quibbling over whether their players should have refused to take part, is likely to cause the biggest headlines in the papers. No doubt there will be accusations of favouritism and discrimination against the manager.

Which, rather conveniently, brings us to the subject of just who that manager should be. The smart money is on Stuart Pearce, the man in charge of England’s Under 21s, being the chosen one… basically because he has been in charge of England’s Under 21s and he is, well, available for the role.

Indeed he has canvassed heartily for it. But is he any good? Put simply… no, he is not good enough, not up to the job and shouldn’t even be boss of England’s Under 21s if truth be told. Remember when Kevin Keegan was the manager of England from 19992000? All pumped up passion, hand on heart, but no tactical nous. Well, Pearce is the modern version but has even less tactical know-how judging by his results with the recent golden boys of the Under 21s and when he managed Manchester City (disastrously).

Flip charts do not make you a tactical genius, neither does looking all grim and serious (and trying to look super intelligent).

Decisions

No, the obvious candidate for the job is Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. But he does not want the job. Why? Well, would you want to choose a Team GB squad that contained only one name from your Scottish homeland? (Darren Fletcher). No, you would feel embarrassed and maybe that you had betrayed your country. Fergie is no fool; why would he want to manage England (which is what Team GB will essentially be unless the authorities further decide there must be an even quota of players from each of the four home nations).

He is as proud a Scotsman as they come and his only interest is Manchester United and Scotland… in fact, he loves to knock the English national side and, like all Scots, is happiest when they get a good hiding.

No, Fergie is not the man for this particular mission (impossible).

So, who should manage the team, then? Well, let’s assume that Argentina, Brazil or Portugal dominate (like they usually do), the best England (sorry Team GB) can hope for is to reach the quarter finals (like they usually did until Capello became boss).

So why not give it to someone who will at least make our presence off the field bigger and better than the rest, even if we aren’t as good on the field?

Wednesday 21 February 2012

SO NOW it can be revealed – ‘Arry Redknapp will, if made England boss, take England back to the future…with a ‘Dad’s Army revolution’. Yes, the man the whole country seems to want in the role (apart from me) will prove even less flexible and forward looking than the grumpy Italian tyrant who walked out of the job (on a tangent…did Capello really walk out – why the pay-off if that was the case! I reckon he was sacked).

Crouch, Scholes and Lampard SURE YOU STILL WANT REDNAPP AND HIS DAD’S ARMY ENGLAND I HATE to have to be the odd man out here; the spoilsport who throws some much-needed realism into the pot of overflowing excitement and enthusiasm about the self-styled people’s manager ‘Arry. But isn’t everyone being a wee bit too naïve about his talents? Aren’t we actually about to employ another Kevin Keegan – someone who pumps out his chest and is as proud as Larry (well, ‘Arry), but actually has little nous when it comes to tactics?

I am told by pundits who know Tottenham well that ‘Arry actually has little input when it comes to the tactical side of the game and training. That Kevin Bond and the backroom boys look after that side of it all, thank you very much.

And now ‘Arry comes out and admits he would bring back Paul Scholes if he lands the England job in time for Euro 2012. And that he would stick with Lampard – while ‘sources’ suggest he could sort out any differences at the back between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

Scholes, Lampard, Terry, Ferdinand – jeez, are we stuck in a timewarp here…a time when Sven Goran Eriksson played them all together seven or eight years ago? All we would need

By FRANK WORRALL added to the mix would be the dreadful Peter Crouch!

Funnily enough, the Swede has beem one of those pushing the ‘Arry for England bandwagon over the past week. Eriksson said, ‘I think Redknapp will be a very, very good choice. He's English; he knows his football. He is doing a great job with Tottenham and has done a great job with every team he's had in the past, so I guess it will be him. You need to be an experienced manager used to dealing with the big names and some knowledge about international football would help. I think Harry has all these things.’

So Sven is in ‘Arry’s corner – but if that wasn’t bad enough, old ‘Arry then went and admitted he would put out a slowing, ageing team in the Euros, saying of the Man United midfielder who last played for his country eight years ago, ‘Look at Paul Scholes. Let’s be honest, you would love to have him at the European Championships. He’s that good.’

I would never deny that Scholesy has been a true great…but a 37-year-old spearheading our

campaign in Poland and Ukraine - against the youthful wizardry of say Spain and Germany along with Lampard, 33, and, no doubt, the uninspiring Peter Crouch upfront? Crouch, who even Capello, eventually realised wasn’t good enough for the international stage?

Whatever happened to the idea that we would blaze the Euros with a team built around youth, pace and dizzy runs? A team with the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at the back instead of the slowing Terry and the injuryprone Rio? A midfield fizzing with the energy and wit of the likes of Jack Wilshere (if fit), Tom Cleverley, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young instead of Lampard and Scholes? And a dynamic front two permed from the likes of Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge instead of the dreaded Crouch (and even Heskey!)?

Not if ‘Arry gets the nod. With Capello we suffered wage concern – as he continually failed to justify his £6million a year – with ‘Arry, it’ll be age concern.

I’m telling you…be careful what you wish for…we could be heading for another Keeganlike era with England. And remember how that ended after the hullabaloo following his appointment…in tears.

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MOURINHO’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Jose. . . storming ahead

HE’S won the Premier League with Chelsea, two Champions Leagues (with Inter Milan and Porto) – but Jose is well on course for what could surely be argued to be his greatest achievement yet.

Last weekend his Real Madrid team stood a massive TEN POINTS ahead of Barcelona at the top of Spain’s La Liga.

Yes, the very same Barca who most people consider to be the greatest club side the world has EVER seen.

I must admit I never expected Jose would manage to overwhelm Barca – but he will do it, and I have to tip my hat to him. This is why there will be a queue around the block looking to hire him when he quits the Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho might be a pain and a moaner – but he is a fantastic football manager, who achieves results.

Frankie’s flutters REAL Madrid to win La Liga – and the Champions League.

A really good double bet.

The big match in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday. I have a sneaking feeling Spurs could snatch a 21 win. They are in fine form and will be more rested than the Gunners, who had a tough Champions League clash in Milan on Wednesday.

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Wednesday 21 February 2012

THE FUTURE OF ENGLAND

SAYS

Hamilton and Massa to turn clock back to 2008

FOR me, the best season ever in F1 was the incredible 2008 one in which Lewis Hamilton won the title in his second full campaign. It was a season in which his constant feud and battle with his then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso hogged the headlines. But it was also a season in which he enjoyed a battle royal with the little Brazilian genius, Felipe Massa.

Indeed, at the end of the campaign, he had won the World Championship by a single point from Massa. After that relative high point, the likeable Massa struggled when he was badly injured in the summer of 2009 and has never really regained his form. Yet Ferrari have stuck by him and this week he is testing their new car with team-mate Alonso, who joined him at the Scuderi in 2010.

My two wishes for the new season are that Lewis wins the title again - and that Massa, whom I have a lot of time for and

like, does really well, too.

A repeat of the one-two they achieved in 2008 would be terrific. And judging by Massa’s comments about the new car, he sounds as if he has got his love and ambition for the sport back. He told the Ferrari website this week: ‘There’s a lot of work to do to fine tune the F2012 but, as both Fernando and I said, I think this car has plenty of potential.’

Here’s to you realising your potential as well, Felipe. Good luck from me and all your fans in the UK.

THIS Friday (up until Sunday) the brand new Olympic velodrome will open for the first time, at the Olympic Park in East London, hosting a world-class cycling field.

The UCI Track Cycling World Cup will see the likes of Sir Chris Hoy in action for the British men’s team. He will be bidding

for glory in the men’s team sprint, the men’s sprint and the men’s keirin. And the wonderful Victoria Pendleton will be the star for the women, as she attempts to land the women’s sprint title, and the women’s team sprint title with Jess Varnish.

Victoria and Sir Chris gear up for a spectacular opening bash

Frankie’s Flutters

THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Carling Cup Final between Liverpool and Cardiff at Wembley.

You have to think that Liverpool will surely win their first trophy in King Kenny Dalglish’s second coming. A win for Cardiff would be a really shock result. So I am going for Liverpool to win by 2-0, with goals from Andy Carroll and Luis

Suarez.

Meanwhile, the big match in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates, also on Sunday. I have a sneaking feeling Spurs could snatch a 2-1 win. They are in fine form and will be more rested than the Gunners, who had a tough Champions League clash in Milan on Wednesday.

ST GEORGE BOWS TO DRAGON

By FRANK WORRALL

AS a proud Englishman I was, of course, sad to see England lose at home to Wales last Saturday.

But putting aside the controversy over ‘the try that never was’, the match left much optimism for the future in its wake.

And I don’t just mean for England - no, Wales showed once again that they are not that far short of having a team that can be considered contenders to take on the Al Blacks and the Aussies - and have a chance of winning!

But while Wales are not far from the finished product, England are still a work in motion.

Which means the fact the gap between England and their Welsh conquerors is not that wide is truly encouraging for stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster and his men. I was particularly impressed by young centre/fly-half Owen Farrell,

who belied his years to give a performance that dictated the promising nature of some of England’s play.

And wasn’t it pleasant to watch England - even in defeat - just get through a match without any controversy! After the fiasco and disgraceful incidents that smeared the World Cup team last year, Lancaster and Co did brilliantly in projecting a new, more youthful, cleaner and more honest England.

So even if you don’t get the job full-time, Stuart - and my money’s on former South Africa head coach Nick Mallet - you certainly do have the gratitude of a nation for reigniting our love of the game, and giving England a new, honey image after that World Cup nightmare. Here’s hoping Mallet puts you in charge of the Saxons (again) if he does get the top job.

Wednesday 21 February 2012

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Wednesday 21 February 2012

ALI - BETRAYED BY

MORE THAN

E V O L WE !

I L A U YO ‘Hair’s’ the secret of the team’s success

THATCH IT cost him the best part of 30,000 quid – but his hair transplant is turning out to be the best investment ever for Wayne Rooney, Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson and England and Fabio Capello.

THOSE CLOSE TO HIM

Wednesday 21 February 2012

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MOYES OR MOURINHO

THE GREATEST SO the great Muhammad Ali has made it to 70. The world’s greatest ever boxer has just celebrated that milestone birthday - and it gives us all a chance to reflect on the man who could also arguably claim the title of the greatest sportsman ever.

Yes, he was that good – beating the bulldozing Joe Frazier twice and, through a tactical bit of genius (the socalled rope-a-dope tactics), also emerging victorious over the supposedly unbeatable George Foreman when the man-mountain submitted to fatigue in their titanic bout in Zaire in 1974.

Influence

But Ali is even more than all that: his influence and significance as a human being and an icon spread much wider than a mere sporting legend.

Ali, christened Cassius Clay, famously refused to fight in Vietnam - a moral stance based upon his publicly held belief that ‘the Vietnamese have done nothing to hurt me’. He expanded upon that belief when he said, ‘Hating people because of their colour is wrong and it doesn’t matter which colour does the hating.

REPORT BY

FRANK WORRALL

It’s just plain wrong.’

And on religion he said, ‘Religions all have different names, but they all contain the same truths. ... I think the people of our religion should be tolerant and understand people believe different things.’

As he grew older, Ali became more interested in becoming the spokesman of his generation and transcended sport with his words and beliefs.

So it was great to see him hit 70, if also sad as he shook uncontrollably - a legacy of the punishment he took in the ring in his later bouts. It is a shame that the men who controlled his career did not have the same humanity of the man they fleeced – they should have pulled him out or persuaded him not to fight the likes of Larry Holmes, who gave him a real battering.

The man is a legend – I very much doubt there will be another sportsman who manages to match his achievements, both within their sport and out of it.

OF THE DAY At the same time, it has proved a real blow to Roman Abramovich’s dreams of seeing his Chelsea team once again overhaul United at the top of the Premier League as Rooney scores for fun.

And the reason Man United are on fire this season, the reason why they are getting so far ahead (of Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal) is that Rooney got a head (of hair)…

WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AS SPURS BOSS IF WILY OLD ‘ARRY DOES GET THE ENGLAND JOB?

HARRY REDKNAPP couldn’t have made it any clearer that he DOES want the England manager’s job. The Tottenham boss has given interview after interview saying how he just wouldn’t be able to turn away the job if he was offered it - but that, bafflingly, the FA haven’t yet been in touch.

Clever old ‘Arry is obviously trying to manipulate the FA into getting in touch and asking him to take over from the now departed Fabio Capello. His interviews have been aimed at the general public who have demanded he be installed and quickly. The idea is that they will soon be up in arms that he has not been approached and DEMAND en bloc for his appointment!

As I have argued since Capello went, I do not think Redknapp is up to the job. He is another Kevin Keegan - all heart and no tactical nous and I fear he will be found out at international level. But what if clever old ‘Arry does get the job he so craves?

Or, more precisely, what happens to Spurs?

My view is that there are only two candidates for the job - and either can continue the sterling work ‘Arry has done at club level (for at club level, ‘Arry is a master). Put David Moyes or Jose Mourinho in at White Hart Lane and the good times would continue to roll. Moyes has worked miracles at Everton and I have no doubt he could do even better given the bigger resources and potential at Spurs.

Ditto Jose - who has proved yet again that he is a genius as he takes Real Madrid to a La Liga triumph few would have imagined given the brilliance of Barca.

So who would you choose? Well, I would go for Moyes.

Because he would see it as a long-term project while Jose would always have an eye open for Fergie stepping down at Man United. And I think Moyes truly deserves a break - and a chance to prove he can cut it at the top of the league. I believe he would be a winner - possibly even surpassing ‘Arry. Yes, David Moyes is that good.

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Wednesday 21 February 2012

Wednesday 21 February 2012

Roon the loon is big threat to England’s 2012 win SO WAYNE ROONEY let England down in their hour of need yet again – what a surprise! The Man United striker got himself sent off after 71 minutes for a stupid kick at Montenegro’s Miodrag Dzudovic.

England were leading 2-1 at the time but, as a consequence of Roon the Loon’s inability to control his temper, had to battle for over 20 minutes with 10 men against a team fired up by a fervent local crowd. Montenegro then grabbed an equaliser in the last minute and if they had scored again England would have been condemned to the lottery of the playoffs.

As it was, the 10 men held out and secured automatic qualification thanks to the point they gained with that 2-2 draw.

But Rooney had put the hopes of his nation and his team-mates at risk – yet again – because of his continued hotheaded nature. And this is the boy-man (now aged 25!) we are pinning our hopes on to win us the Euro 2012 crown. That he will be able to see off the likes of Spain and Germany without getting booked or frustrated if all is not going well. Dream on!

Rooney is one of the best five

By FRANK WORRALL

footballers in the world – after Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Iniesta. But he will never be in Messi’s league because he cannot control his emotions. Think about this: how many times have you seen Messi crumpled up from a bad tackle and retaliate?

Exactly…hardly ever (if ever). Messi is the complete package.

Respect

Rooney has the world at his feet, but his head is the problem. Can a leopard change its spots? I doubt it – although I admit that Rooney has improved his behaviour at United. That is down to the hard-headed influence of Sir Alex Ferguson. Roon the Loon has not been as well tempered under Fabio Capello.

Perhaps he has not been as respectful – or as FEARFUL – of Capello.

Well, now the Italian has the ideal opportunity to strike fear into the heart of his best player. Yes, it is true that Capello is now seriously contemplating a

Giving our Wayne a full mental health check

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FRANK SAYS...

Loving Frimpong

Frimpong. . . he may be young but he’s got balls!

Euro 2012 without Rooney – or at least to get through the group stages without him. That is a clever move for if anything can penetrate Rooney’s impenetrable skin it is the thought of missing out on major footballing competitions. And the only things bigger than the Euros are the World Cup and the Champions League.

The threat by Capello has already paid a dividend. Rooney has written to UEFA’s disciplinary board begging for leniency – and a one-match ban instead of the potential three that could accompany his sending off for violent conduct.

Yes, the self-styled ‘Big Man’ has already got the message that Capello is planning without him and is desperately trying to turn that around. It could turn out to be a good thing. Rooney will presumably be fired up for the knockout stages (assuming England get there) and will want to show he is one of the best players in Europe.

So he could well get on the score sheet…assuming of course that he isn’t THAT fired up that he gets himself sent off again!

I LOVE the new boy at Arsenal - Emmanuel Frimpong. Only 19 but a powerhouse and he WILL be the new Vieira given time.

Even at so tender an age he had a hell of a lot of balls. Look at how he stuck it up Jack Wilshere over Samir Nasri's departure to Man City.

Wilshere, a tough little nut himself, had said all the usual crap when Nasri sold his soul for more money.

‘Good luck to my friend @Nanas08 (mr Nasri) learnt a lot from him. World class player! Will be missed!’ Wilshere creeped on Twitter.

Not so Frimpong. The big guy dismissed Jack's words with a heavy dose of cynicism and truth: ‘Pfffff come on Jack.’

The implication being that, no, Nasri's exit was a bad one - and that he hadn't been pulling his weight since his head was turned by the sheik's millions.

Good lad, Manny...keep it up!

Barcelona have an ugly side

BARCELONA are the greatest club football team on earth. Their play is beautiful and dazzling - as I witnessed first hand when they crushed Man United 3-1 at Wembley last month.

But they are no saints. Beneath the beauty lies a tough, sometimes cynical layer. It sometimes is revealed on the pitch when some players (yes you Dani Alves and Busquets) go down as if they have been shot after a tackle and when they confront the ref mob-handed.

It also has come to light in their current pursuit of Cesc Fabregas.

Their arrogance is breathtaking - they believe they should get special treatment simply because they are Barca...'more than just a club'?!

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Wednesday 21 February 2012

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Half-time teaser 2

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8. Stare open-mouthed

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11 15

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(4)

10. Card suit (6)

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11. Vices (6)

14. Permit (3)

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16. Edition (5)

17. Russian ruler (4)

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19. US Farm (5)

21 22 26 29

1. Sung (6)

7. Always (8)

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ACROSS

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28 30 31

32 33

24

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21. Donates (5)

22. Autonomous

Chinese region (5)

23. Pastry dishes (4) 26. Narrow (5) 28. Equal (3)

29. Without a key (6) 30. Conditional release (6)

31. Paradise (4)

32. Manicure tool (8) 33. Go to bed (6)

DOWN 1. Pamper (6) 2. Textbook (6) 3. Dregs (4) 4. Gambols (7) 5. Chambers (5) 6. Poetry (5) 8. Celebration (4) 9. Favourite (3) 12. Charred remains (3) 13. Money bag (5) 15. Black bird (5) 18. Weasel-like animal (5) 19. Chest bone (3) 20. Mesh (3) 21.Long-necked mammal (7) 22. Number (3) 23. Mother or father (6) 24. Press (4) 25. Postpone (6) 26. Tease (5) 27. Suggest (5) 28. Note-block (3) 30. Nobleman (4)

Wednesday 21 February 2012

RACING’S YEAR

LEWIS HAMILTON had a dreadful year – while fellow Brit and McLaren team-mate Jenson Button was wonderful yet again. Jenson does not attract the headlines or seek out the limelight like Lewis, but, in his own steady way, he continues to outshine the boy wonder.

Lewis needs to calm down and settle down and maybe the return of his father to his side would help him. Jenson, meanwhile, will do what he always does – go about his business with pride and professionalism.

Jenson I salute you – you are very much understated and, I believe, underrated…but you proved yourself to be the top driver at McLaren last season. Yes, better than Lewis Hamilton – and who would have anticipated that scenario when Lewis won the world title back in his debut season?

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Frankie’s Flutters

Lampard to Tottenham in Modric deal?

THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Premier League showdown between the teams currently second and third in the Premier League. Yes, thirdplaced Tottenham play host to Manchester United at White Hart Lane with much at stake. Victory for Spurs would take them a step closer to their big dream of a first Premier League title - closer to United and top-of-the-pile Manchester City.

This Tottenham team are the best I have seen for many a year, well balanced and superb in attack. But it is also a team with defensive frailties - and that could let in United, who are masters of handling the pressure at this stage of the campaign.

All considered, I’m going for honours even - a 2-2 draw.

EXCLUSIVE

Frank Worrall

By FRANK WORRALL

MORE noises coming from the Bridge after the shock appointment of Andre Villas-Boas...

Roman is still desperate to sign Luka Modric and one plan being mooted is to offer Frank Lampard to Spurs as a £5million makeweight in a £32million deal.

The idea being that Lampard would be a sweetener to help calm Harry Redknapp down - how could he complain about getting his nephew, even if he did lose his second best player (after Baley)?

For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.74 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-FergieW o n d e r l a n d - B i o g r a p h y ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digitaltext&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7

TRINITY OF TABLOIDS

CRUSADING FOR GOOD NEWS!

WITH a minimum of expenditure and a little imagination, the lobbying of tabloid newspapers - to embrace positive news and ethical editorial in favour of sensationalism and sleaze - has proven to be quite a success...

A trio of tabloid titles are now showing readers that positive change is possible. Turning on its head the tired old tabloid fare, THE SON*, WEEKLY SPORT*, and NEWS OF THE WORD* are each committed to lobbying for a new era of media accountability.

For campaigner Duncan Williams it is honouring an informal pledge made at a London Alpha group discussion, where he agreed that the time was well overdue for a radical shake up of the red top industry. Fellow members of his

West London prayer group, many of them longterm employees within the media themselves, also accepted that the British newspaper industry was facing an urgent moral crisis.

Involvement

Duncan explains; "Each of us believe that these red top titles might have a small part to play in reshaping our attitudes of what we expect our popular press to be in their future.

We hope as many people as possible will read and become involved in their production and distribution..."

Cloaked in their traditional tabloid form they actually carry a strong message that news can be

positive, informative and fun!

Other publishers, whether faith based or secular, are each encouraged to read and reprint the content of these tabloids and to join the campaign to help supply, so as to create a growing demand, for positive news.

Duncan sums up his belief, in what others are now calling "his media mission", by pointing out; "Reporting that reflects society can also powerfully effect society - so there is much wisdom in keeping news ethical and focused upon the good."

Please take a moment to have a look at these red top papers.

We hope that you will enjoy reading them and then sharing them with your friends.

Duncan Williams duncan@weeklysport.co.uk