The Fa Cup has been dominated by the supposed ‘Big Four’ for over ten years. However, last year, audiences revelled in having three lower league teams – Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City – and ‘lesser’ Premiership team Portsmouth in the semi-finals.
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As Rio Ferdinand lifted the League Cup into the Wembley air on Sunday afternoon, most thoughts turned to the idea of a United clean sweep, an unprecedented 5 trophies; World Club Cup, League Cup, FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League. Even if United did managed to blow away all in their path and secure a further three trophies, will everyone forget the other two trophies that were contested this season, and the fact that United have already completed a Treble this season? [Read the rest of this entry »]

Spooky is a guest writer whose Tottenham musings can be found at DearMrLevy.com .

Dear Mr Levy,

You truly are a God amongst men. I have shivers running down my spine. Such is the positivity, from fans and the media.

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Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except for death and taxes.” Having died in 1790, he did not have the opportunity to take in the English Premiership, but had he done so, he would surely have allowed one more onto his list of certainties: the verbal bashing of referees. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Spooky is a guest writer whose Tottenham musings can be found at DearMrLevy.com

During the summer, the tabloids, the broadsheets, the Gillette Soccer Saturday crew, football magazines and various wannabe pundits had Spurs down as their firm favs for 5th spot. The reason all of them are laughing at us now is because Only Spurs™ could fail so spectacularly.

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Spooky is a guest writer whose Tottenham musings can be found at DearMrLevy.com .

I usually write letters to the chairman , but today’s 0-1 home defeat by the mighty-newly-promoted-hardly-cost-a-penny Hull City has made me break out in song. I think it’s a bit more dramatic than crying or crawling into a corner, swaying back and forth very slowly. [Read the rest of this entry »]

With the gap between the Championship and the Premier League getting wider with each passing season, newly promoted teams are finding it harder and harder to conjure up enough points to maintain their place in England’s top league. In fact, in every season except 2001–02 at least one Premier League newcomer has been relegated back to the Football League. [Read the rest of this entry »]

If you believe every rumour out there (and honestly, who doesn’t?), then you’d be just the type of person that would enjoy this lovely bit of news coming from the Emirates. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Question: What do the Spanish and the German have in common? Will besides good beer and both still being in Euro 2008, they are now also being linked together in a rather tasty transfer rumour. [Read the rest of this entry »]

After weeks of making Arsenal sweat over a possible move for their big striker, AC Milan has been reserved to the fact that a possible deal for striker Emmanuel Adbayor isn’t in the cards. However, that hasn’t kept another big club from trying to make a move. [Read the rest of this entry »]

You have to give Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez credit: when it comes to finding talent for a good price, he might be one of the best in the business. From Torres to Škrtel, the goateed-one knows how to turn a profit on his investment. Locating the talent seems to be easy; it’s finding the funds to buy the talent that seems to be difficult for the Liverpool boss. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Boro manager Gareth Southgate looks set to beat fellow Premiership clubs Everton and Newcastle for the signature of highly-touted American Michael Bradley after offering Dutch club Heerenveen £3.2m to part with their ace midfielder.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate also looks set to sign USA midfielder Michael Bradley from Dutch side Heerenveen for around £3.2m. (The Daily Telegraph)

To be honest, £3.2m would be a steal for a player that many consider to be one of the top three talents in the American football system. After watching American striker Jozy Altidore bolt from the MLS for Villarreal for £5m this week, Boro would be lucky to grab Bradley’s signature for such a discounted price.

Are Boro supporters excited about the prospects of having Bradley paired with Stewart Downing next season? Or would you rather see the club use the funds on a midfielder with Premiership experience?

If the potential summer signings coming out of Newcastle over the last couple of days are any indication of the quality Kevin Keegan plans to bring in during this summer, then the Toon Army should be more than pleased with the squad that takes to the pitch next season.

The Daily Mirror is reporting that Keegan is after Galatasaray’s midfield ace Arda Turan, in the hope of upgrading the quality and pace of his squad.

Newcastle are ready to test Galatasaray’s resolve with a £7million bid for Turkey midfielder Arda Turan.

Toon manager Kevin Keegan is keen to land the 21-year-old who has been compared with Galatasaray and Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi. (Daily Mirror)

Turan has been pure class for Galatasaray over the past couple of seasons, but questions still remain if he has what it takes to make the move from the Turkish League to the Premiership.

Would Newcastle supporters welcome Turan to the squad next season for £7m? Or do you think there are better £7m options out there that would come with a low-risk price tag?

Kevin Keegan has made it clear that he needs to make three or four important signings this summer (as well as re-signing Michael Owen) if Newcastle want any chance of making a move up the Premiership table next year. Setanta is reporting that Newcastle might be interested in signing Toulouse midfielder Achille Emana, if the price is right.

The agent of Cameroon midfielder Achille Emana has stated his client’s interest in a move to The Premier League, amid reported interest from Newcastle. (Setanta)

While Emana might not be the big name Newcastle fans were looking for, he seems to epitomize the mid-level quality transfer targets being linked with Newcastle this summer. He was a key cog on the Cameroon side that fell to Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final, so he does have some quality. But Toon supporters have to be wondering if this is as good as it’s going to get.

Is Emana quality enough to be one of the three or four players Keegan signs this summer, or would you rather he look somewhere else?