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Newcastle United have had a stunning start to the 2010/11 Premier League season, but if there is one negative it’s their stuttering home form at St James’ Park. That came back to haunt the Magpies on Wednesday as they lost 2-1 to Blackburn and former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce got one over his old club. It wasn’t the result that made the headlines, though, it was Joey Barton and the return of his ‘bad boy’ image. Barton has been banned for three matches by the FA for his punch on Morten Gamst Pedersen, something he has since apologised for. Here he is talking to Newcastle’s success story of the season Andy Carroll, who himself has got into trouble off the pitch, but what pearls of wisdom are they sharing?

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This week you can win a copy the new Sir Alex Ferguson biography.

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most controversial and compelling figure in football today. For many he ranks as the greatest manager of all time. He is certainly the most successful. His twenty-five year reign at Manchester United has seen him win every major footballing honour. And then win them again. Award-winning journalist Patrick Barclay has been pitch-side and spoken to all those who know Ferguson best: fellow managers, former players, colleagues and commentators. In Football – Bloody Hell! the game’s biggest living legend is finally laid bare.

Football – Bloody Hell!: the biography of Alex Ferguson is published by Yellow Jersey Press.

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Last week’s winner: Spurstrings – click here to see all entries

When news broke on Friday night of an alleged tug of war taking place between an Arab Group, and an American Consortium to buy Nottingham Forest, it was met with cautious optimism by the majority of Forest fans, and rightly so.

The optimism, because something appears to be developing, with the feeling of caution put down to the fact the story was published by a tabloid, who are of course known to get one or two things wrong. What people don’t sometimes realise initially however, is that there’s a lot more things to be cautious about.

First of all, the main things people look at in a potential takeover is the money, and to what extent the backers are able to fund a club. Whilst I agree that is one of the most crucial factors in a takeover, it’s been proved nationwide, that in the midst of a takeover process, fans have a tendency to get carried away, which can often lead them to avoiding a vital point.

How much do the new backers give a damn about a club, and what is their motive to make such a big step?

In Nigel Doughty, we had an owner who cared. Fans may have argued some of his decisions were questionable, but nobody could doubt his passion for Forest. That level of care can’t be matched by our next owners, whoever they are.

The one aspect that concerns me, as well as the financial support, would be their commitment. If they come out in the media and state they’re fully behind the Forest project, that’s not good enough. If they go out and spend £10 million in their first 10 days at the club, then it could be a case that they’re in it for the quick-fix. Spending so much doesn’t necessarily indicate commitment, as much as fans may like to believe it. Look at Leicester; for example; they spent £15+ million, and yet they still find themselves outside of the playoffs in the Championship, and on a seasonly basis coming out with statements such as, “maybe next year”. How long realistically, will it take until their Thai owners get restless, withdraw from the project, and move on to their next toy.

Unfortunately, I move on to our biggest rivals for my next example, Derby County. We’ve laughed at them over the years, but since their owners have come in, they seem to have a calculated plan. The one word that can be tagged with Derby at the moment, is ‘stability’. They’re not going up, and unfortunately, they’re not going down. They’re slowly progressing, having remained patient with Nigel Clough, during their dark times.

When new owners do come in, I don’t want promises, I want aims. Additionally, I want people at the club who aren’t looking to pick the club up like a toy, and drop it back down again, in floods of debt, when they get bored. I want clear signs of longevity, not only with the club, but with Steve Cotterill, and what he believes in. After an unstable season, the club needs stablity, and Cotterill needs the tools to be able to provide that.

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Stan Collymore, a hero to some, has often talked about how Forest are a club that needs ‘Forest people’, at the very top, and the very bottom, hence the paramount importance of keeping Frank Clark as chairman. He has given us that element of stability this season, when it was needed most. If he remains in his position as Chairman under new owners, it’ll provide that little bit of security that fans would look for.

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It is always argued that the gulf in talent between the Championship and the Premier League is the biggest in the world of football, with regards to the top two tiers in each country. Scoring consistently in the Championship, although impressive, doesn’t necessarily mean a player can maintain his scoring ability in the Premier League, and over the years’ numerous players have single handedly got their teams promoted to the top tier of English football, only to disappoint when there. Steve Morrison, Danny Graham and Shane Long all have had impressive seasons with their respective clubs and are all expected to be subject to bids from several Premier League clubs, but will they join such lists as these ones as success stories or failures? Only time will tell, but until then here are my top five players who either failed to make the grade or excelled in the Premier League.

Shefki Kuqi

The big Finnish striker formed a formidable partnership with Darren Bent in the 2004-2005 season for Ipswich Town, netting an impressive twenty league goals. The striker’s excellent season earnt him a move to Blackburn Rovers, where he failed to continue his goal scoring form netting a measly seven goals in thirty four appearances. Kuqi also went on to have an uninspiring spell at Newcastle United this season, with six substitute appearances bringing no goals.

Michael Chopra

Spent six years with Newcastle United, managing only one goal in less than 25 appearances, however after making the drop down to the Championship with Cardiff City Chopra scored a goal every two games for Welsh side, earning him a move back up to the top flight with Sunderland. In 38 games the former Newcastle player managed only eight goals, which resulted in several loan moves back to Cardiff before he returned permanently after a less than successful stint in the Premier League.

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Robert Earnshaw

Made a name for himself playing for Cardiff City scoring nearly eighty goals in 178 competitive appearances, and earnt a reputation as a ‘fox in the box’ type player. In his two Premier League stints, the Welsh forward was anything but a ‘fox in the box’, for West Brom he managed only twelve Premier League goals in two seasons and Earnshaw managed only one goal in 22 appearances for Derby County.

David Nugent

Over two Championship seasons the, then Preston North End, striker scored 25 goals in 75 appearances earning him England recognition as well as a move to Premier League side Portsmouth, and that’s about as good as it got for the Bury striker. It took the Englishman eighteen months to score his first Premier League goal, and much like buses his second one came along just two matches later, however these would be his only top flight goals for the club. Nugent joined Burnley on a season long loan for 2009-10 season and tripled his goal tally from the season before, scoring a poor six goals in thirty games.

But there is always one exception…

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Tim Cahill

The Australian international earnt a reputation as Millwall’s ‘workhorse’ during his time at the club, arguably the main driving force by The Lions run to the 2004 FA Cup final. The former Sydney United player managed an impressive 56 goals in 249 appearances for the club before sealing a move to Everton for £1.5 million, which is now viewed as one of the bargains of the last decade. Cahill has gone on to become The Toffee’s main attacking outlet and all round ‘star’ player since his move from Millwall, winning Everton’s player of the season and player’s player in the process.

Yeah you’re right, I probably should have included Darren Bent, have a go at me for not doing so at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102

West Ham United boss Avram Grant branded the decision to deny his side a late penalty in their 2-2 draw at Birmingham City a 'farce'.

Grant was fuming after seeing Jean Beausejour's tug on Lars Jacobsen's shirt unpunished, with the Irons having earlier thrown away a two-goal lead set up by Frederic Piquionne and Valon Behrami.

He commented:"Harry Redknapp used the word farce about the decisions of a referee and I agree with him.

"The referee was five metres from the incident when the shirt of Lars was pulled and he did not give a penalty.

"I'm very disappointed because this is not the first time it has happened to us. Similar things have happened against Wolves, Stoke, Aston Villa, Bolton and Manchester United.

"What we saw from 50 metres, the referee could see from five metres and he needs to give a penalty. This is a farce.

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"Sometimes you don't see things, but this was in front of his eyes. I don't understand why he didn't give a penalty."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Lee Cattermole is back available for Sunderland selection, as the combative midfielder has completed a four-match ban.

The club captain was dismissed in the recent Tyne-Wear derby, but may well start for his side in their next fixture.

The Black Cats host Everton in an FA Cup quarter-finals replay on Tuesday night, and Martin O’Neill has admitted that there is real competition for places in the Stadium of Light starting XI.

“Probably for the first time with Lee coming back, with the exception of John O’Shea, we will have some genuine competition for places and that can only be good,” the Northern Irishman told The Telegraph.

“Someone will be disappointed, but there is no need for any general disappointment at this club. We didn’t play Phil Bardsley and Seb Larsson with Tuesday in mind and this win sets us up nicely. We’re going into the game full of confidence. We’ve kept the momentum going.

“Lee certainly comes back into contention. He’s the captain of the team and he has been a major player for us when he has played.”

The winner of Tuesday’s game will take on Liverpool in the semi-finals.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Ryan Giggs has forged an illustrious and glittering career in the Manchester United number eleven jersey which has seen the Welshman develop into arguably the greatest player to have played in the Premier League. Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history and he is the only player who has scored in every Premiership season, but the ageless winger’s career is edging towards a conclusion. United fans will want Giggs to prolong his career for as long as possible, but when the inevitable day arrives when he has to hang up his boots, United have a player who can go on to dominate the right wing in the same way Giggs did on the left. That player is Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia. Since arriving from Wigan in 2009 for a fee in the region of £16 million, Valencia has produced wing play reminiscent of a young Ryan Giggs, so can he take the torch from the Old Trafford legend in the coming seasons?

Since returning from a serious ankle injury in March Valencia has added an extra dimension to the United side and his return has coincided with their capture of the title. Since returning to first team action Valencia has found the back of the net on two occasions and continued to produce his greatest quality, making goals for his team mates with his excellent crossing ability. Valencia could have struggled after suffering such a shocking injury, but instead he has excelled and restricted Nani, one of United’s top performers this season, to the bench in recent weeks. Last season Valencia played a huge part in Wayne Rooney’s most productive season in front of goal by supplying the England striker with numerous assists. Valencia’s latest show of class came against Chelsea at Old Trafford in the recent title decider where he made, arguably, the best left back in the world in Ashley Cole, look ordinary as he tormented him all game frequently turning him inside out.

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Although Ryan Giggs has stepped into a more central role as he has got older, he spent many years marauding down the United left flank and Valencia has already shown in his time with United he can be a similar success on the right flank. In his heyday Ryan Giggs possessed phenomenal dribbling ability, a trait which Valencia also possess and it’s this what for me makes Valencia the closest thing to the next Ryan Giggs. Clearly, following in the footsteps of such an iconic player is not going to be easy, and Valencia is in many ways a different player to Giggs and of course he won’t emulate him, but he can be the next best thing.

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Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the 25 year old’s biggest admirers and the South American will go on to be a big star for United. Not to the same extent as Giggs has, I don’t think anyone could do that, but I have no doubt Valencia will take on Giggs’ mantel as United’s wing wizard.

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has warned of 'civil unrest' should Tottenham Hotspur move into the Olympic Stadium following the London 2012 Games.

The Hammers were believed to be frontrunners to move into the stadium in nearby Newham when the games are over.

However, Spurs, who are currently looking building a new stadium, have also recently made their interest in the stadium known.

"It would be such a slap in the face to east London. If it happens, there will be real problems that could easily lead to civil unrest," Sullivan told the Daily Mail.

"I think there could be riots, such is the ill feeling between West Ham and Spurs and I know the police feel the same.

"I feel very let down by Tottenham. The way they do business is not right.

"They pinched Eidur Gudjohnsen off us after we brought him from Barcelona for talks (last season). He just disappeared from the hotel. And the way they unsettled Scott Parker (this summer) was appalling.

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"Now they want to move into our borough of Newham. How would they like it if we suddenly set up a new home in Haringey.

"I'm flabbergasted by the cheek of it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has admitted that the club’s Premier League future is in their own hands, as the side have a number of home games coming up over the next month.

The Trotters, currently embroiled in a relegation dogfight, have games at the Reebook Stadium against QPR, Blackburn, Fulham and Swansea in quick succession, and the Scottish coach hopes his team can get the points needed to secure their top-flight status.

“I said if we could get to the Manchester City game and remain in touch – which we are – then our destiny will be very much in our own hands,” Coyle told Mirror Football.

“We believe there are points to be had, we must address that now and stay in the Premier League. I’m convinced we’ll do it. We have games we can take points from – QPR, Blackburn and Swansea.

“We’ve seen here against an elite club in Manchester City, a club that’s won every home game here in a year, the belief we have. Of the five clubs down there, others may have a tougher schedule. But we have to capitalise,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The best thing about supporting Spurs, is that secretly, you don’t expect much. It’s an advantage us supporters have over our North London Rivals. I wouldn’t say we are easily pleased, (as you would quickly learn if you spent a Saturday afternoon at The Lane) but the simple things such as a Bale Hat-Trick against Milan when we were 4-0 down with ten men, or a 3-3 draw against Arsenal at home, are considered ‘Good’ if not ‘Brilliant’ performances. Unfortunately, it’s that expectancy and pressure, that every true Spurs fan yearns for, and most of us, due to those teasing flashes of brilliance and achievement this year felt that we were finally about to join the big boys.

It seems though, although it’s not over yet, that the dream of returning to the Champions League next year has almost definitely slipped away. Spurs didn’t get to ‘Pass Go’ and collect £200, they landed on the Park Lane and Mayfair of European football before they’d had a chance to purchase ‘Old Kent Road’ and it seems that in that short cirquit of the board they have been to jail many times, always expecting Gareth to ‘Bale’ them out.

However, this isn’t how world class clubs continue to succeed at a high level. There has to be a depth throughout the squad and money has to be spent in order to retain that status. Van der Vaart was possibly the buy of the season, but fans aren’t interested in bargains and finance. We just want results. We don’t care if we made millions on Berbatov if there’s no -one to fill the void left behind on the pitch.

For years now, Spurs have claimed that they couldn’t lure the big players to the club without involvement in the Champions League. It seems that after a season spent in the top five of the Premiership, beating both AC and Inter Milan in the biggest Football tournament in the world, Spurs are facing a very familiar end to the season.

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Now you’re, you could be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like a rant, because it is. The inconsistency in Spurs performance is probably the cause of many a balding head from N17 to Switzerland (that’s a Phil Collins joke). You see, all of this is in vain if we don’t get that fourth spot! We will possibly lose a couple of our good players (Modric, Defoe, Bale, Kranjcar are all possibilities??) and still be left with Crouch trying to slam dunk the ball into the back of the net come August!! Harry will be off to take England to the quarter finals of the next international tournament, while Gomes will be working closely with Ray Clemence in trying to find new ways in which he can continue to keep Goal without using his hands. And the fans, the fans, will be left thinking about what could have been, and whether it is another twenty years before we enter in to the same league as other clubs that are fortunate enough to have huge financial injections, and benefit from them.

Yes the win at the Emirates was a fine moment and Bale making his mark on the world stage with that hat-trick was something to treasure and remember. But if he’s playing down the left for Man Utd next season, while Spurs lie in 8th position in the table, as Mr. Levy rubs his hands together pondering what Yacht to buy off the coast of Monaco, the fans will be left with that sinking feeling of emptiness, that although it was good, it was all over too quickly.

If you support Spurs, I’m sure you empathise, if you don’t, I can only assume that based on the season we have just had in relation to the twenty that have come before, your feelings towards us Spurs fans quote a classic song from two of our most famous supporters Chas ‘n’ Dave, ” Ain’t No Pleasing You”!!

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For more info on King Jacks, check in here: www.kingjacks.com and see his latest video featuring Danny Dyer here…

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Lee Cattermole will remain in possession of the captain's armband despite his disciplinary problems this season.

Cattermole will return from his latest suspension against Liverpool on Saturday.

The 22-year-old combative midfielder has picked up two red cards in just four appearances this season.

But despite a turbulent start to his captaincy, Bruce has no plans to replace Cattermole as his on-pitch leader.

"I made a decision at the start of the season – and a conscious one – that he is the captain and I am going to stand by him," said Bruce.

"I was convinced it was the right thing to do when I gave him it, and after what has happened to him, I am still convinced that in the long term, Sunderland will benefit from Lee Cattermole being the captain of the club."

However, Bruce has told the former Wigan Athletic youngster that he must learn from his troubled start to the new campaign.

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He added:"There is this reputation that he has, unfortunately, and he has got to rid himself of it.

"The only way he can do that is by playing games regularly, staying on the pitch, keeping his nose clean and getting on with the game, which is the most important thing."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email