Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 22/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

Never before has a T-Shirt caused so much controversy in football. 

QPR manager Mark Hughes has said that he won’t punish his six players for not wearing the Kick it Out shirt which backs an anti-racism campaign. Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson however has indicated that Rio Ferdinand “will be dealt with” for the same ‘crime’.

Anton Ferdinand was among the QPR who neglected the shirt, and Mark Hughes said that each player had a right to make the decision. 

“A lot of people have made stands,” he said. “Possibly some of our guys felt that they needed to stand shoulder to shoulder which I think you have to accept.”

David Moyes meanwhile has slammed the decision to send off Steven Pienaar in Everton’s 1-1 stalemate with QPR as ‘ludicrous’.

The South African international was booked twice – the second of which appeared to be an accidental coming together of legs with the Hoops’ Jose Bosingwa. 

The Toffees were left to play out the remaining half hour with ten men, and Moyes was livid. He told BBC Sport: "To send a player off under those circumstances is a ludicrous decision.

"We had the same referee [Jon Moss) against West Brom. He didn't perform well on that day, he didn't perform well today.”

Alan Pardew has stated that Fabricio Coloccini played like Bobby Moore in the frantic Tyne & Wear derby yesterday.

The Newcastle United boss said: "He was absolutely phenomenal. 

"If you want a defensive example of how to head it, kick it, cover people and have the calmness to play, then this was it. That was like watching Bobby Moore. It was that good." 

The Argentine helped to batten down the hatches for his side, after they were reduced to ten men just 25 minutes into the game following Cheick Tiote’s sending off.

The game finished 1-1 after Yohann Cabaye’s early strike was cancelled out by a late Demba Ba own goal.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 10/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

The FA has unveiled plans to bring in an official ‘code of conduct’ for players on England duty.

Pic Courtesy of TeamTalk

Head Honcho David Bernstein wants the guidelines introduced following a string of indiscretions – the most high profile being Ashley Cole’s “Bunch of T****” outburst.

He said: "They are incredible role models with incredibly high profiles and their behaviour is extremely important.

"This really should have been brought in years and years ago." 

Players found guilty of breaking the code could be suspended from international duty, rather than the meagre fines currently handed out as punishment.

Marouane Fellaini is set to miss the next three weeks of Everton’s campaign after suffering a knee injury in Saturdays’ game with Wigan.

The powerful midfielder has been a force to be reckoned with this season, playing a key part in the Toffees’ strong start.

"Fellaini suffered a small tear at the juncture of muscle and tendon in the knee," said a Belgian FA spokesperson.

Meanwhile Fellaini’s boss David Moyes has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for September.

The Merseysiders are sitting pretty in fourth - just five points behind leaders Chelsea. 

Sunderland frontman Steven Fletcher took the player honours after bagging five goals in just four appearances since his £12 million move from Wolves. 

Kettering Town could be out of existence by the end of the month after failing to raise a side for last night’s game against Leamington.

The former Football League club have been in existence for over 130 years, but are facing extinction after a number of players refused to play for the club having not been paid for a month.

The Poppies could only name ten men for Saturday’s encounter with Bashley, which they subsequently lost 7-0.

There is currently no electricity at the club’s Nene Park ground after they failed to pay a supplier, and owner Imran Ladak must find £3,000 as part of a CVA to avoid a winding-up order.

At the other end of the financial scale, Newcastle United have signed a £24 million sponsorship deal with ‘pay day loan’ firm Wonga.

The link-up enables the Magpies to change the name of their stadium back to St James’ Park, rather than the reviled Sports Direct Arena moniker created by owner Mike Ashley.

The deal hasn’t been without controversy however. Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle’s city council, said he was "appalled and sickened" that the club would sign a contract with a ‘legal loan shark’. 

And Michael Martin, editor-in-chief of the Geordies’ True Faith fanzine, said the sponsorship was "shameful".

To add further salt to the wounds, this type of deal infringes Sharia Law, meaning Newcastle’s Muslim quartet of Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote would not be able to don the new shirt.

Bolton Wanderers have relieved manager Owen Coyle of his duties.

The Lancashire club have had a disappointing start to life in the Championship, and currently lie 18^th in the table. They were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Coyle was dignified in his exit. "I had fantastic times here as a player and it has been a privilege to have held the post of manager," he said.

Trotters chairman Phil Gartside has admitted it was "the right time for a change". 

Names in the frame for the Bolton hot seat include Mick McCarthy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Billy Davies.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 25/9/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to. 

Photo Courtesy of the Belfast Telegraph

As the fall-out from Manchester United’s feisty 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday continues, it has emerged that referee Mark Halsey has complained to Police about the disgraceful tweets sent to him after the match.

Some of the messages referred to Halsey’s treatment for throat cancer in 2009. "I can confirm that my family have made a complaint to the police," he told BBC Sport.

The 51-year-old had sent Jonjo Shelvey off and given United a debatable penalty in the battle at Anfield.

Glen Johnson meanwhile has accused Antonio Valencia of ‘cheating’ to win that controversial penalty, which Robin Van Persie converted.

“It wasn’t a penalty. I didn’t touch him. I collided with Pepe (Reina) and I didn’t touch Valencia at all,” the England defender said.

“It’s cheating and that’s what people call it. Reputations go in front of people at times and because Valencia is not someone who is known as a diver, he gets the decision.”

To make matters worse at Liverpool, their injury problems continued with the news that defender Martin Kelly is set to miss the next six months with a cruciate ligament injury.

The 22-year-old joins Fabio Borini, Daniel Agger on the sidelines, with Shelvey set to miss three games as well through suspension.

In other news, Theo Walcott has hit out at critics branding his refusal to sign a new contract at Arsenal as ‘money related’.

The England man has stated that his concerns are motivated by a desire to play as a striker, not as a winger as he is usually deployed by Arsene Wenger.

"I've been judged, with people saying it's all about money. It's never been that with me," Walcott stated.

"Playing up front is important. It's one of the main factors for me." 

In the Monday night Championship action, Huddersfield Town toppled Blackpool 3-1, with goals courtesy of Lee Novak, James Vaughan and Oliver Norwood, to move above the Seasiders into second in the table.

And finally, Everton have taken former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on trial.

The German, famed for his powerful left foot, is a free agent after leaving Wolfsburg in the Summer.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 18/9/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to. 

Picture Courtesy of SOS 1878

Everton boss David Moyes was left fuming after two controversial decisions denied his team victory against Newcastle last night.

After seeing legitimate strikes from Victor Anichebe and Marouane Fellaini ruled out, the Scot was left to rue what might have been following the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

"I said [to the referee] 'you have missed two goals'. But what can I do about it? We played very well and should have won the game deservedly but didn't."

Manchester City have been given a timely boost with the news that Sergio Aguero is set to return from injury.

Citeh begin their Champions League campaign against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tonight, and will welcome the Argentinian striker back after a month out with a knee injury.

Across Manchester now and United defender Patrice Evra has returned to full training, and is in contention to start in his side’s Champions League opener against Galatasaray.

Evra missed United’s 4-0 romp against Wigan through injury, and his return to fitness will prompt a selection headache for Sir Alex Ferguson, who would have been impressed with Dutchman Alexander Buttner’s debut in the same game.

Arsene Wenger meanwhile has admitted for the first time that Theo Walcott could leave the Emirates in the near future.

The England winger is out of contract at the end of the season, and so far talks over a new deal have not proven fruitful. 

"Clearly it is a worry," Wenger said. "We are still in a position where we hope Theo extends his contract.” This news will no doubt interest managers across the country.

An Argentinean Premier Division game had to be delayed by over ten minutes when a group of hooligans tried to enter the field of play.

The incident – which happened during the second half of the Velez Sarsfield v River Plate tie – is the latest episode of football-related violence in the country. It is believed that eleven people have died in Argentina this year in fan-based feuds.

Tips & Tits: The Premier League Weekend Betting Preview (Part 1)

The latest football betting odds for this weekend’s Premier League games – here at Route One we try and find the very best value for our readers. Oh, and we thought we'd throw a few lovely ladies in for good measure. Enjoy!

*this week’s lady theme is: Female Sports Broadcasters*

Saturday September 1^st (Kick Off: 12:45PM)

West Ham v Fulham

Sara Carbonero - A Tasty Dish (That's a Pasta joke)

Big Sam’s Hammers have had a mixed start to the season, with one win and one loss in two games about as mixed as you can get. Fulham - on the other hand - have delighted their fans, banging in five against Norwich on the opening day and even having the temerity to bag two at Old Trafford last week, despite a 3-2 loss. 

The comings and goings of Friday’s transfer deadline day will have some impact on the outcome of all of this weekend’s games you’d have to say. Fulham boss Martin Jol may have lost Moussa Dembele, but he has been very canny in bringing in Dimitar ‘brilliant player when he can be arsed’ Berbatov. West Ham, on the other hand, have been worryingly quiet.

The Verdict: A lively match to kick off the televised football weekend this one. The Fulham win (15/8, Paddy Power) looks pretty promising to us, with a 2-1 scoreline priced nicely at 14/1 with Paddy.

Saturday September 1^st (Kick Off: 3PM)

Swansea v Sunderland

Georgie Thompson - Tidy

It’s fair to say that everyone outside of Wales has been taken aback by the amazing August that Swansea have enjoyed. Three games (in all competitions), three wins, eleven goals scored and just one conceded. Michael Laudrup has taken to English Football Management like Prince Harry to Jagermeister.

Sunderland meanwhile had to suffer the ignominy of having their match against Reading abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. In August, for Pete’s sake. The Black Cats did enjoy a straightforward victory over Morecambe in midweek however, with new boy Adam Johnson in particular looking sharp. Probably because he’s had his chains removed.

The Verdict: A tough one to call this we reckon. Following their cracking start, do Swansea start as favourites? And if so, can they cope with the pressure? We fancy a draw here (9/4, Blue Square), with both teams to score at 4/5 with Blue Square again.

Tottenham v Norwich

Having been booed off against WBA in their previous game, the pressure is slowly but surely beginning to mount on poor old AVB already. He’ll b hoping that recent signings Emmanuel Adebayor and Moussa Dembele will add a bit of spark to his Spurs team.

Inez Sainz - Bumbelieveable

Norwich are OK at home but do struggle on their travels. Many observers have suggested that the Canaries lack the steel and organisation imparted on them by former boss Paul Lambert. Expect Chris Hughton’s steady start at Carrow Road to continue.

The Verdict: Tottenham can be backed at a universal 2/5, but there’s no value in that so instead have a look at the Tottenham (-1) Goal Handicap, which is slated at Evens at Paddy Power. And why not plump for Emmanuel Adebayor to turn in a dream debut by scoring first (7/2, Sporting Bet).

West Brom v Everton

Two more sides who have – to an extent – outperformed expectations thus far. West Brom have taken four points from their two games, including last week’s classic smash and grab at White Hart Lane.

Mirella Grisales - Latino Heat

And David Moyes has done it again at Everton: on a limited budget, he’s moved a couple out, brought a couple in, and created a solid side that is tough to beat. THAT Monday night defeat of Manchester United will linger in Toffees hearts for years to come.

The Verdict: This one has got draw written all over it - which is OK, as that is priced at a handsome 12/5 at William Hill. And if you’re laying an accumulator, stick down the Under 2.5 Goals which is available at attractive prices everywhere (Sporting Bet, 8/11).

Wigan v Stoke

Wigan are continuing to earn themselves the nickname of ‘the Unbackables’. Capable of mastery one week and misery the next, Roberto Martinez’s men are about as attractive to bet on as a White Christmas. Avoid.

Charlotte Jackson - Looking for Luxembourg

Stoke meanwhile continue to pedal their ‘unique’ brand of anti-football up and down the country. Decent at home, beatable away, Tony Pulis’s men give their all for the cause.

The Verdict: To be honest, here at Route One we advise extreme caution when eyeing this one up on your coupons. All three results are a distinct possibility. Blue Square have priced Stoke at 23/10 which is just about the best value on offer. If you’re having a Draw Acca (11/5 everywhere), maybe stick this one down.