Warnock: I almost quit QPR

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Warnock was frustrated with what was going on at the club, both on and off the field, and disappointed they had failed to push on after winning the
Championship title while operating on a
shoestring budget.

But the Rangers boss says Fernandes was key in keeping him at the club.

He told the Daily Star: "If Tony hadn't had arrived I would have left after that 4-0 defeat to Bolton.

"I am being honest here. I didn't want to leave after what I had achieved but things needed changing. I was ready to go.

"Tony arrived and it's a whole new game. I signed players who were once totally out of our wage limit. I also signed players who still had something to prove, the type of people who I have always gone for.

"For once I could shop in Harrods and not Woolworths. For once I could be on a level playing field with the others.

"Now I will be very disappointed if I do go. I still have ambitions but I also know if we finish bottom I will be sacked."

Tottenham would love to make Emmanuel Adebayor pemanent signing, says Harry Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wants to sign Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent basis after the on-loan striker inspired Spurs to a 2-1 win at Wigan.

By Telegraph staff and agencies

10:35AM BST 25 Sep 2011

1 Comment

Adebayor was instrumental in his side's blistering start to the Premier League game, setting up Rafael van der Vaart's third-minute opener before Gareth Bale headed the second after 23 minutes.

Adebayor continued hunting for a goal of his own until the final whistle, despite Mohamed Diame reducing the deficit for Wigan, who had Steve Gohouri sent off.

Redknapp said of the player he borrowed from Manchester City: "If he keeps going like he's going I'd love to keep him around. He's been excellent so far. But the wages will be the problem because he's not cheap."

Redknapp had expected his side's stunning start to the game to fade, as recent injuries caught up with a number of players, including the recently returned Van der Vaart and Sandro.

Redknapp added: "It was complete domination in the first half and we could have come in three or four ahead. I said the only way they'd get in the game is if we did something stupid.

"We gave a sloppy goal away trying to play it in the box, got punished and it changed everything. Our 'keeper didn't have much to do, but it was still too close for comfort in the end."

Redknapp revealed Jermain Defoe had been ruled out this morning after falling ill at the team hotel, while Benoit Assou-Ekotto was a late selection after recovering from a virus.

Redknapp said: "Jermain was ill overnight so we sent him home. He had a temperature and was really ill. Benoit felt better this morning and he came up today by car to meet us."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said "soft goals" had cost his side, but hailed the spirit shown by his side in the second half.

Martinez said: "It doesn't matter how well Spurs played in the first half, the frustration was that the two goals were soft - but I couldn't be prouder of the second-half performance with 10 men.

"We looked like a team that could get something out of it and I'm disappointed we didn't get a result, but it was a fantastic reaction and the players deserve credit.

"It's important that you regroup and have a real reaction. If you've got real character you do that, if not you fold and you concede four or five and allow the opposition to have an easy afternoon.

"I didn't think that was the case in the second half, we were really bright and stopped Spurs having the momentum."

-The Telegraph

Paper Talk - 25th September 2011

Paper Talk - 25 September 2011

Paper Talk: City eye strike trio

Manchester City have been linked with January swoops for Robin van Persie, Marek Hamsik and Neymar, while AC Milan want Rafael van der Vaart.

• Roberto Mancini has targeted £20million-rated Napoli hotshot Marek Hamsik as a possible replacement for Carlos Tevez.
• Arsene Wenger believes Thomas Vermaelen holds the key to beating Liverpool in the race for Jan Vertonghen.

• Ross Barkley to sign for in January 2012 Transfer Window. Click here to bet.

• Tottenham will turn to Carlo Ancelotti if England come calling for boss Harry Redknapp next year.
• The race to sign Gary Cahill from Bolton will reach a conclusion in January.
• Arsenal and Liverpool face a major fight to sign Valencia superstar Paco Alcacer.
• Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is looking at the possibility of a loan move for Man Utd's Federico Macheda.
• AC Milan will make a £12million move for Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart when the transfer window reopens in January.
• Manchester City's £350million sponsorship deal with Etihad could come under scrutiny from UEFA.

• Carlos Tevez's fragile relationship with Manchester City is at breaking point again.
• Nigel Clough is a shock SOS option for Nottingham Forest.
• Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is a surprise contender to replace shamed Garry Cook at Man City.
• England chiefs will offer Alan Shearer the chance to be part of the next managerial set-up.
• Carlo Ancelotti is Tottenham's No.1 managerial target if Harry Redknapp gets the England job next summer.
• Luka Modric is on his way to becoming Tottenham's highest-paid player.
• Mark Hughes will turn down an SOS from Hamburg.
• Blackburn want to put a stunning £18million tag on Junior Hoilett's head in his new contract.
• Southampton boss Nigel Adkins is back in for Doncaster's £2.5million-rated Billy Sharp.
• Arsenal are set to raid Southampton for 16-year-old left-back Luke Shaw.
• Harry Redknapp may have to part with close to £20million to land Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao.

• Frank Lampard's long-term future at Chelsea is in jeopardy after he was dropped and appeared to storm away from the Stamford Bridge pitch last night.
• Manchester City will make a £30million swoop for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie if contract talks between the crisis club and the disaffected star make no progress before the January transfer window.
• The Premier League's three big spenders are preparing for a £30million battle for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.
• Man City boss Roberto Mancini wants the club to fight Real Madrid for the signing of £50million Neymar.

• Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Michael Owen can still be a European championship match-winner for Fabio Capello's England.
• Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn could return to Man City as their chief executive.

• England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 suffered a setback when Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's draw at Stoke with a hamstring injury and Theo Walcott picked up a knee problem during Arsenal's win over Bolton.

United,Chelsea and City said to battle for highly rated Everton starlet Ross Barkley

Chelsea, Manchester City and United in £30m battle for Everton starlet Barkley 

By BOB CASS

Last updated at 12:08 AM on 25th September 2011

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Teen sensation: Ross Barkley

The Premier League's big three spenders are preparing for a £30million transfer battle which will shatter the world-record fee for a teenage footballer.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all made known their interest in Everton's midfield sensation Ross Barkley.

He is seen by some as an even better prospect than another Goodison Park product, Wayne Rooney, and is set to top the £25.6m United paid for the then 18-year-old seven years ago.

Although Everton will fight to hang on to Barkley, who is not 18 until December, their dire financial situation has made them vulnerable to big offers. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.

One top representative said: 'I thought Stevie Gerrard was the best kid in his position that I've ever seen, but Barkley is as good. There's no doubt he is going to be a top player.'

Barkley's progress is all the more remarkable following his horrific triple leg fracture playing for England Under-19s in Belgium last year, which put him out for 10 months.

England coach Noel Blake remembers the incident, a collision with team-mate Andre Wisdom, vividly. 'I still don't feel comfortable thinking about it, as it was so upsetting,' he said.

'Thankfully, he has recovered and it shows his strength of character that he has got back so quickly.' 

Second coming: Some rate Barkley a better prospect than Rooney

David Moyes has never been afraid to follow the old adage 'if they're good enough, they're old enough'. 

But the Everton manager is determined to nurture Barkley's talents at the right pace.

'Evertonians have not got an awful lot to be excited about at the moment so Ross gives everybody something to look at and cling on to,' he said. 

'But I will have to pick and choose him at the right times. It is not just because of his age but also because of his lack of football.'

Barkley's future could be a key factor when Moyes decides whether or not to accept a two-year extension to his own contract.

City plan £30m raid for Arsenal skipper Van Persie

Manchester City will make a £30million swoop for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie if contract talks between the crisis club and the disaffected star make no progress before the January transfer window. 

Sources close to Van Persie say he is deeply disillusioned over the summer departures of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy to City. 

Van Persie scored twice in Saturday's 3-0 win over Bolton but if he chooses to follow his former team-mates out of the club it will add to the feeling that Arsene Wenger's side, who have made Arsenal's worst start to a League season for 58 years, are unravelling. 

Disillusioned: Robin van Persie has seen three of his team-mates leave over the summer

Van Persie's contract - thought to be worth £80,000 a week - runs out in 2013, meaning the club would be forced to sell him by next summer if they wanted any financial return. 

With central defender Thomas Vermaelen and England winger Theo Walcott also having deals ending in 2013, chief executive Ivan Gazidis has a major task convincing the Dutchman to stay. 

Other players are likely to take their lead from the Arsenal captain and the club cannot afford to give the impression that wealthier clubs can cherry-pick their squad. 

On Saturday Wenger confirmed Van Persie's importance to the team after his brace took him to 100 goals for Arsenal and helped secure only their second league win of the season. 

Brace: Van Persie netted two goals against Bolton on Saturday

'He has grown well into the captain's role, said Wenger. 'He is a man who speaks his mind and is doing the job well.' 

Van Persie has had offers to leave before. He signed a new contract in 2009 despite Juventus, Internazionale and Chelsea all following the progress of talks. But the player is settled in London and has been committed to Arsenal. 

However, the departure of so many key players and the inability of Arsenal to keep pace with Manchester United and City will inevitably be a factor in talks. Van Persie has won just one trophy at Arsenal, the FA Cup in 2005. 

Talks with Vermaelen are at an early stage, according to a source close to negotiations. Walcott's representatives have not started talks but Wenger said they would begin soon. Andrey Arshavin's deal runs out in 2013.

De Gea put through special training regime to get keeper ready for Stoke bombardment
David de Gea has been put through some rigorous training sessions at Manchester United's Carrington HQ this week in an effort to ensure he is ready for Stoke's aerial bombardment. 

The Spain Under 21 star has endured a shaky start to his United career. De Gea made high-profile mistakes in his first two matches, and even in the eight-goal destruction of Arsenal last month, he was criticised for letting a Theo Walcott shot fly through his legs. 

However, he came through what was expected to be a searching examination at Bolton a fortnight ago without a problem, amid pre-match rumours he was about to be left out. 

Tough start: David De Gea (left) has struggled so far since arriving in England

Ferguson expects in-form Stoke to provide more of a threat, particularly with Peter Crouch available to Tony Pulis. And the United boss has taken a routine from Edwin van der Sar's time at the club to ensure De Gea is fully prepared. 

'It's an eye-opener for any goalkeeper,' said Ferguson. 'I remember discussing with Edwin what his position would be in terms of the long throw-ins and where he was most comfortable dealing with the situation.

'We got it right then and we are doing the same with David. All the work this week has been on his position and where he should be.'

Although visits to Stoke tend to be looked upon with trepidation by most of the Premier League's top clubs - Chelsea and Liverpool have both failed to win there this season already - United have a faultless record against Tony Pulis' men in six meetings since they were promoted. 

Eye on the ball: The Spanish goalkeeper is ready for Stoke's aerial threat

Another victory would be a sixth straight win for United, who have established a two-point lead at the Premier League summit, which would be their best start since winning 10 in a row under Ron Atkinson in 1985. 

Not that Ferguson is allowing himself to get too concerned with statistics. All he cares about is where his team finishes. 

'There is no point analysing our start in terms of previous years,' said the United boss. 'I am just enjoying the moment and hope it lasts longer than normal. 

'You know somewhere along the line we will lose a game or drop a point. That is a fact. That is the league we are in. Does it matter if you win the league? No it doesn't. You deal with the situations as they come along. If we have a defeat, the next week you try to win.' 

United sign Mister Potato

Sir Alex and six of his first-team stars joined together at Old Trafford to welcome the club's newest global partner, Mister Potato, to the United family.

Malaysian company Mamee-Double Decker owns more than 30 per cent of the snack food business in Malaysia, with Mister Potato the most popular snack brand in the country. As part of the deal, Mamee Noodles will also become an official partner in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.

In time, it's anticipated canisters of the Mister Potato crisps will be sold inside the stadium on matchdays. For now, though, the product will feature new packaging in Asia, featuring imagery of some of United's biggest stars.

Mamee hope the partnership with Manchester United will help the company double its revenue by 2014. Chief Executive Officer Datuk Pang Tee Chew said: "A substantial portion of United fans are in Asia and we are looking to solidify our position as the number one stacked chip brand in the region."

Journalists and VIPs from Malaysia flew to Old Trafford for a special launch to mark the beginning of the three-year deal.

Speaking at the event, Sir Alex Ferguson recalled the club's most recent visit to Malaysia, in 2009.

"We look at Malaysia as one of our main areas of support," he said. "We had 35,000 people turn up to an open training session!

"The loyalty the fans there have shown us over many years has been fantastic and I hope this is the start of another long association. I'm sure our partnership with Mamee will be 100 per cent."

Michael Owen, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young, Mame Biram Diouf, Ji-sung Park and Antonio Valencia also attended the launch. They chatted, signed autographs and posed for pictures with the guests.

Whom to set as Captain for your Fantasy Football team this GameWeek

Fantasy Football: Captaincy quandary

Friday 23rd September 2011 12:26

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Fantasy Football: Captain options

Sky Bet's Tim Clement offers some suggestions as to who should be captaining your Sky Sports Fantasy Football team.

With the Premier League's big boys all odds-on favourites to register victories, selecting your Sky Sports Fantasy Football skipper is a tough call this weekend.

So, this week, we are calling upon the help of betting experts Sky Bet to work out who is most likely to bring home the points.

Sergio Aguero (£9.6m) was the highest scorer last weekend with 17 points thanks to his brace at Fulham, that haul seeing him move to just three points behind leading scorer Wayne Rooney, who currently has 65.

The Argentina star looks likely to add to his tally of eight goals this season with the online bookmaker making him 4/5 to score when Everton visit the Etihad Stadium in Saturday's early game.

However, having scored in every match so far this season, Rooney (£9.9m) is also odds on to net at the weekend when Manchester United visit Stoke.

Rooney offered relatively modest returns against Chelsea in netting once before missing a penalty, a far cry from his back-to-back hat-tricks against Arsenal and Bolton, but that is unlikely to detract the 44% of bosses from keeping him on board.

The game's second most selected player Luis Suarez is 8/11 to net anytime when Liverpool host Wolves, but the Uruguay striker has failed to net in three and cut a frustrated figure in being booked and substituted off in the Reds' 4-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Cheaper option

The in-form frontman at White Hart Lane that day was Emmanuel Adebayor, who is offering great value at £6.2m after netting three in two since his loan move from Manchester City to Spurs.

His arrival seems to have also reinvigorated striker partner Jermain Defoe (£7.7m) and the England frontman will be looking forward to facing Wigan on Saturday having netted against them 10 times, more than against any other club.

Robin van Persie (£9.9m) is another striker available at a short price to score over the weekend with Arsenal 2/5 to beat Bolton despite their woeful start to the season.

However, the Dutchman failed to net against strugglers Swansea and Blackburn, making him far from a banker, especially given the Gunners' unpredictable form.

It is actually the man who will be looking to bounce back from one of the worst misses in the Premier League's history who is deemed the most likely to net with Sky Bet.

Fernando Torres (£9.4m) is 4/7 to score in 90 minutes, with Chelsea expected to win with ease when Swansea visit Stamford Bridge looking to be the first newly-promoted side to beat the Blues in over a decade.

Torres opened his account for the season in the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford with a slick finish to reduce the deficit, but 'that miss' raises doubts over whether the Spaniard is ready to be entrusted with the Fantasy armband.

At the other end of the pitch, the 'big six' have offered little returns with clean sheets at a premium - QPR, Swansea and Newcastle surprisingly offering the best returns from their backlines.

Solid Swans

Those three supposed relegation battlers have kept three clean sheets with Swansea duo Michel Vorm (£3.8m) and Ashley Williams (£4.2m) the highest scoring goalkeeper and defender respectively.

In the middle of the park, there are three stand-out midfielders so far with Nani (£8.8m), David Silva (£8.4m) and Ashley Young (£7.9m) all racking up 30+ points.

Nani was the joint-highest scoring midfielder of the week with his stunning strike and an assist earning him the man of the match award - Scott Sinclair (£5m) also racked up 15 points for his part in Swansea's 3-0 win over West Brom.

Silva and Young both continued to score well with an assist apiece, while Sebastian Larsson was also in fine form in picking up 11 points in Sunderland's 4-0 win over Stoke.

The Swede could be a shrewd pick if he takes spot-kicks when his side travel to a Norwich side who have given away a penalty in every game so far this season.

-Courtesy of skysports.com