Keegan is still our manager

NEWCASTLE have confirmed that talks between manager Kevin Keegan and the club are ongoing.
After a day of intense speculation over the 57-year-old's position, the Magpies insist the former England boss has not been sacked — nor has he resigned.
A club statement said: "We can confirm that discussions are ongoing between the board and Kevin.
"Both the club and Kevin would like to reiterate that he remains as manager.
"He has not resigned nor has he been sacked, as has been confirmed in respective statements made by Kevin and Newcastle."

City sheikh in for Eto'o

MANCHESTER CITY’S new owners have told the fans: “Stop dreaming, this is real.”
Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim — who heads the Abu Dhabi Group — spoke exclusively to SunSport yesterday to outline his plans for the club.
And the rest of Europe had better be very, very worried because this billionaire means business.
Al Fahim said: “I know Manchester City fans may have had tough times in the past but I want to tell them all that this is the new beginning.
“This is real, not a dream. This is a long-term and lifelong commitment from us.
“We aim to be in the top four this season, we aim to win the Premier League next season and within three years from now we want to win the Champions League.”
Money is no object for Al Fahim but he expects manager Mark Hughes to deliver.
Al Fahim added: “We have the money and the manager to do it.
“We aim to have the best players in the world at Manchester City and one of the most exciting teams around, that everyone will want to watch.”
Al Fahim’s group, which is backed by the Abu Dhabi royal family, took over City in a ฃ220million deal on Monday.
And they immediately signalled their intent by landing Robinho in a ฃ32.5m deal from Real Madrid — a British transfer record
SunSport also understands that before splashing the cash on the Brazilian, City lodged a ฃ32m bid for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.
Scarf
They also offered ฃ32m to Ajax for Klaas Jan Huntelaar, but the bids were turned down as it was too late for the clubs to sign replacements.
But the spending will not stop as Al Fahim prepares to assemble a World XI.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kaka, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, Ronaldinho AND new Manchester United signing Dimitar Berbatov are all on his wish-list.
The owners do not have millions but billions to spend.
Al Fahim insists City fans have every reason to be happy — and he will be celebrating with them at the next home game against Chelsea.
He said: “These are exciting times. We aim to make this the biggest club in Europe.
“When I put my mind to something and set myself a target I achieve it.
“I will be at that next game against Chelsea with my City scarf on and I want all the fans to join me.
“I have been a fan of English football all my life and this is a really exciting opportunity for us and City.”
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‘ Top 4 this season, Premier League champs the next ... and Champions League winners in 2011 ’
Al Fahim said his group targeted City for the challenge as well as the excitement of Premier League football.
He said: “We did not simply want to buy a team at the very top. We wanted to create something. We saw a great challenge with Manchester City.
“This is a great club with great fans and potential and we aim to realise that and take it where we want to go.”
Al Fahim will meet boss Hughes on Friday to discuss the club’s exciting future in full. And the owner added: “We have a great manager with the same passion and commitment that we have.
“I will be meeting Mark to discuss the plans. Every transfer will be made with his full consultation.
“My personal favourite player in the world at the moment is Ronaldinho, who City have tried to get.

“But believe me we will try again with Mark’s agreement — and get him.”
Al Fahim is also determined to get Berbatov next summer despite losing out in an audacious bid to snatch him from United on deadline day.
The new owner said that the intention was not to have a head-on battle with United but to do what is best for the Blues.
He said: “We are not here to do battle with people, we just want to do what’s best for this club. That means being the best and going past the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.
“By the time the next transfer window comes around in January the whole world of football will become aware of what is going on here and what our plans are.
“That is when the opportunity will be greater to get this club the best players.”
After the false dawn of the Thaksin Shinawatra takeover, there are exciting times on the horizon for City.
The pot of gold is not at the end of the rainbow — but firmly at Eastlands.
Now the challenge is to turn that into silverware.
Al Fahim said: “We want to win many things with Manchester City.
“This is just the start of something very exciting for this club and its people.”

Get out of Toon

FURIOUS Newcastle fans have threatened a bitter backlash against what they regard as attempts to force Kevin Keegan out of the club.
Around 500 supporters gathered at St James’ Park yesterday as rumours the man they call The Messiah had been sacked spread through the city.
Their chants of ‘There’s only one Kevin Keegan’ and ‘Sack the board’ left no one in any doubt where their sympathies lay.
They want owner Mike Ashley and his chief lackey Dennis Wise out of the door.
Ashley was seen downing a pint in one on TV at the weekend. But last night Toon fans reckoned he must have been smashed out of his head even to think about dumping Keegan as boss.
Even the club’s statement insisting Keegan had not been sacked did little to appease them.
Earlier Keegan’s No 2 Terry McDermott allegedly told the players King Kev was off, that James Milner was sold against the manager’s will and that the board did not go for a single one of the players on a wanted list he gave them.
The fans vowed there would be a mass boycott of the home match against Hull on September 13, saying as far as they were concerned he is being forced out by Ashley.
There is no doubt Ashley, a hero when Keegan returned to the club last January, is now public enemy No 1 on Tyneside.
Season-ticket holder Ray Evans, 37, said: “I’ve supported Newcastle all my life and can’t ever remember being this angry about the goings-on at the club.
“When I heard the rumours on the radio about Kevin going I decided to take time off work and come to the ground to see what was going on. The mood here is very ugly — and rightly so.
“It’s an absolute disgrace. Kevin Keegan is one of the few good things about this club and they’ve treated him like dirt.
“He has had no money for players, no support for what he’s trying to achieve and no respect from Ashley and the rest of the board.
“Ashley likes to represent himself as a man of the people, who sits with the fans and buys us a pint. We’d prefer it if he bought a few decent players instead.
“I will be giving the Hull match a swerve in protest at what is going on. And from what I gather, there will be a good few thousand more empty seats.”
Another lifelong fan, Michael Sweeney, declared: “The board haven’t given him a fair chance and there’s a definite feeling among the fans they are trying to force him into a corner so he will resign.
“Kevin is a man of principles and the board probably feel if they push him too far he’ll tell them to stuff it.

“We would understand him doing that but, of course, it’s the last thing we want to happen.
“Keegan IS The Messiah, the only person who can lead us out of this mess and get the club back to a position where we can hold our heads up with pride.”
Frank Gilmour, of the Independent Newcastle United Supporters’ Association, said: “It’s a farce. You cannot run a football club like this. With all the interference and messing about he has had to put up with, I wouldn’t blame Keegan for going.”
The ugly mood at St James’ Park yesterday, with hysterical television coverage inaccurately claiming Keegan had been sacked, was in stark contrast to the celebrations eight months before.
Then delirious fans partied until they dropped after Keegan’s return. The Toon Army dreamed that Keegan, who in the mid-90s turned Newcastle into the great entertainers and almost won the Premier League, was going to bring back the glory days.
Ashley had delivered The Messiah to the faithful and donned a new shirt bearing the legend ‘King Kev’. It seemed like a marriage made in heaven. Instead it was a union forged in hell.
Keegan made a bad start, failing to win any of his first eight games, the football was drab and his bosses got twitchy as the club flirted with relegation.
Wise was appointed head of recruitment and seemed to have little rapport with the manager.

It seemed players were arriving of whom Keegan had never heard.
Keegan pulled Newcastle out of trouble but claimed they could not hope to challenge the top four as he lacked funds — and supporters would have to make do with fifth at best.
Ashley, who bought the club for ฃ133.1m in May 2007, was gobsmacked. Keegan was summoned to a tense meeting in London to explain himself and told, in no uncertain terms, to belt up.
He has since hit trouble over the new deal for Michael Owen, Milner’s shock exit for Aston Villa and bad boy Joey Barton.
Keegan wanted to keep Barton yet, on transfer deadline night on Monday, Newcastle were talking to Portsmouth about his possible sale.
Toon bosses wanted ฃ4m. Portsmouth offered ฃ1m, then ฃ1.5m plus midfielder Papa Bouba Diop.
Newcastle said ‘No’. Yet the fact the club had entered negotiations was a clear snub to Keegan.
What was also clear was Keegan and his board just could not work together.

Alex will sort out sulky Berba

IAN WRIGHT believes Alex Ferguson is the man to help Dimitar Berbatov find his smile.
The Bulgarian finally completed the move he craved when Tottenham reluctantly accepted Manchester United's ฃ32million bid on Monday night.
And Arsenal legend Wright is confident Fergie will help the 27-year-old shake off his reputation as a sulker.
In an exclusive video interview with The Sun, Wrighty said: "I've said this many times but I was disappointed with Berbatov's attitude towards the move.
"He could have left with a much nicer taste in his mouth for himself and the Tottenham fans.
"United have got a great player, it's just a pity about his attitude during his last year at Spurs.
"But Ferguson has definitely seen something he can help Berbatov with and I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in with United's style of play.

"His touch is great and his finishing is top class so it will be interesting to see how that will fit in with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo."
Manchester City made a late bid to pip their fierce rivals to Berbatov's signature.
But Wright insists the striker was only ever going to end up at Old Trafford after United made their intentions clear.
He added: "Once United come in for someone, and they pursue him as hard as they did with Berbatov, they always get their man.
"When you spend over ฃ30million, it is always going to be a quality player, so you can only see United moving onwards and upwards now."
Despite allowing Fraizer Campbell to join Spurs on a year-long loan and Louis Saha sign for Everton, Berbatov's arrival has left Ferguson with ample striking options.
And Wrighty is backing the Scot to find the best combination to bring more success to the Theatre of Dreams.
He said: "I think Carlos Tevez should play no matter what. He's industrious, he works defenders, he makes chances and he's the type of player who lifts the fans because of his constant workrate.
"He's up there with anybody and I think Tevez will play because of his sheer determination."

Robinho: I'll win City title

BRITISH record buy Robinho has vowed to help Manchester City become Premier League champions.
The ฃ32.5million Brazilian met boss Mark Hughes in London yesterday after his move was rushed through late on Monday.
And Robinho said: “I want to help the manager and the team win the Premier League, that’s my ambition here.
"I’m very happy to be here. I knew Manchester City are a very big club, there’s a great team already and this is an exciting project.”
The former Real Madrid strike ace was widely expected to join Chelsea but instead made a stunning switch to City.
And after signing a deal worth ฃ95,000 a week after tax he admitted he was excited by City’s plans.
He added: “I met with the manager and it went very well, I know he was a great player and I think that will be a big help to me.
“I liked the project and when City made the offer to Real Madrid, I decided to come here.”
Fellow samba stars Jo and Elano will help Robinho feel at home at Eastlands.
He added: “They are my friends and I know them very well.
"Having such great players already at City was one of the reasons why I decided to come here.
“Seeing the fans buying shirts with my name makes me very, very happy. I hope to bring a lot of joy to them.”

Berbatov put United shirt before City cash

DIMITAR BERBATOV has revealed the red shirt of Manchester United means more to him than City’s megabucks.
The Bulgarian hitman finally got his wish of a ฃ30.75million move to Old Trafford on Monday — despite a late bid by Manchester City.
Former Spurs ace Berba, 27, agreed a ฃ100,000-a-week four-year deal at Old Trafford but admitted he could have DOUBLED that by agreeing to a switch to Eastlands.
But he said: “The red shirt is a really big thing for me. The people who know me know I play to enjoy and entertain.
“I don’t play for the money. If I’d wanted to play for the money I’d have accepted City or Chelsea’s offer.
“But I wanted to play for the biggest club in the world — and that’s why I’m here.
“I have very big respect for the offer of Manchester City.
“Because of that, the transfer to United was held up by three or four hours. But for me there was only one goal, to wear the red shirt of United. The money is not important. I can live well with ฃ1million, ฃ10m or ฃ500,000.”
Berbatov also revealed he was stunned when United chief Alex Ferguson picked him up from Manchester airport to start the negotiations.
The new United No 9 said: “I was shocked when I saw him at the airport when he came to pick me up in his car.
"Everybody knows how big a coach he is. I saw what a great man he is.
"We spoke a lot in the car before we reached the United ground. He told me he remembered my goals for Bayer Leverkusen against United six years ago when we reached the Champions League final.”
Berbatov insists he can cope with the heat.
He added: “I’ve handled pressure and expectation all my life.
“I’m not scared of that. The most important thing is to help the team win more trophies and entertain the fans.
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“I hope my best years are ahead. I’m 27 and now it’s my time. This may be the last club of my career and I’m at the biggest club in the world.
“When I sat in the offices of Manchester United I could see the walls and off them were hanging the photos of the great players who have played at Old Trafford.
“At that moment I could understand where I was and what I have to do. My goal is to win everything with United.
“It was a euphoric moment but I have to keep my feet on the ground.”
Berbatov also insisted there was no feud between him and Spurs chief Juande Ramos towards the end of his career at White Hart Lane.
Now he is looking forward to a debut against United’s bitter rivals Liverpool next Saturday — and his old pal Robbie Keane.
He said: “Robbie and I are close friends. I wish him the best at Liverpool and I’m sure when we meet we’ll recall our time at Tottenham.
“Sir Alex told me my first game will be the biggest in Britain against Liverpool.
“For my debut, why not? These are the games you live for, the biggest games. I can’t wait to play.”

Wenger happy with Eboue role

ARSENAL will turn to Emmanuel Eboue after failing to add to their ranks on transfer deadline day.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger opted against bringing in midfield cover yesterday.
And he believes Eboue, who starred in the win against Newcastle on Saturday, can emerge as a key player at the Emirates.
The Arsenal boss said: “Since the start of the season, Eboue has played well.
“He had two good games in central midfield. At Fulham, he was one of the players who was not disappointing and he had a good performance against Newcastle as well.
“He's a football player. Sometimes I play him out wide, sometimes Theo Walcott, sometimes Samir Nasri.
“There was a little bit of frustration from the fans because they thought that he didn't always have enough end-product but he has improved a lot in that respect.
"He has put over good final balls since the start of the season.”

Cesc blasts selfish Robinho

CESC FABREGAS has slammed the way Robinho engineered his exit from Real Madrid.
The La Liga champions lost their opening game of the season to Deportivo La Coruna and Arsenal's Spanish ace reckons Bernd Schuster's team were distracted by the transfer saga.
Fabregas said: "I don’t know him but I wouldn’t like one of my team-mates to do that, most of all before a game as important as the league’s opener.
“As a team-mate you don’t like those things."
Robinho, 24, joined Manchester City in a blockbuster ฃ33million deal last night but Fabregas warned the Brazilian he has it all to prove if he is to become a big star in English football.
The 21-year-old added: "Life in The Premier League is very difficult right now. Robinho is a good player but finding an edge is very tough.”
And the Gunners ace once again confirmed his desire to remain at the Emirates.
He said: "I feel great here. We have been in good form since the game we lost at Fulham, as we scored seven goals in two games.”

NEW Manchester City owner Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim will target the Premier League’s biggest stars to make the Eastlands side the biggest club in the world

After signalling their intent with the ฃ33million British record signing of Real Madrid ace Robinho, City are ready to launch bids for Arsenal ace Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool star Fernando Torres and Manchester United wing wizard Cristiano Ronaldo.
Anil Bhoyrul, editorial director at Arabian Business.com and close friend of Al-Fahim, revealed the club would launch a mega ฃ120m offer for the Red Devils’ Portuguese forward.
Bhoyrul said: “We had a coffee with Dr Sulaiman last night and he plans to do with Manchester City what Roman Abramovich did with Chelsea — bid for players he could not get, but do so because he wants to make a statement.
“I have a list of the players Dr Sulaiman wants to go out and bid for — and one is Ronaldo.
“He says he doesn't have a problem tabling a ฃ120m bid, just to do it and see what the reaction is.
“His tactic is to say to Manchester United and Chelsea, 'Hey, we're in town'.
“He also rates Torres and Fabregas. With Ronaldo, he thinks they are the three best players in the world.”

Roman rates 10 out of 10

JUANDE RAMOS hailed new Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko as the perfect 10.
But the Russian striker will not get to wear his favourite No 10 shirt at White Hart Lane — because that is already held by Darren Bent.
Pavlyuchenko’s ฃ13.8million move from Spartak Moscow was confirmed yesterday and boss Ramos said: “He is almost the complete footballer.
“He can do different jobs — he can play with his back to goal, he can win it in the air.
“Our job is to make sure he can achieve the same level with us as he has demonstrated with Russia.
“I hope he gives us the same goals and intensity he showed in Euro 2008.”
Pavlyuchenko will not be officially unveiled until next week as he is on international duty.
And Ramos insists the striker will have no trouble settling in even though he speaks no English.
The Spaniard, who also had to learn the language after taking charge last term, joked: “I’ll teach him!
“But, seriously, we have people who will help him.”
Spurs also completed the signing of Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka for ฃ8.5m yesterday.
And the Croatian star, 22, will be a vital addition to the squad.
Ramos said: “We are a bit short in defence, especially with Alan Hutton’s injury and it’s good to have cover.
“Corluka can play in a variety of positions and he can help the team if we have any further injuries.
“Circumstances will decide where we decide to play him. But he can play right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield equally well. He will give lots of solutions to the team.”

Two in, two out at Liverpool

LIVERPOOL have made it two in and two out on transfer deadline day.
Albert Riera has completed his move from Espanyol for an undisclosed, signing a four-year deal at Anfield.
And Kop boss Rafa Benitez has also signed teenage striker Vito Flora on a free transfer from Botafogo.
Speaking about new boy Riera, Benitez said: “Riera has the qualities we were looking for.
“He’s a left footer who normally plays on the left wing, he’s good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball."
Steven Finnan has moved in the opposite direction to Riera, while Andriy Voronin has also been given a chance to play more regular first team football.
Irish veteran Finnan has agreed a two-year deal in Spain, after five seasons on Merseyside.
And out-of-favour striker Voronin has joined German side Hertha Berlin on a one-year loan.
The Ukraine international only arrived at Liverpool last season but has failed to make an impression.
Meanwhile Benitez has confirmed striker Fernando Torres will be out for up to three weeks with a torn hamstring.
Torres limped off in the goalless draw at Aston Villa yesterday and has been withdrawn from the Spain squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Armenia.

Curb your anger over Mac sale

ALAN CURBISHLEY is on collision course with the West Ham board after Sunderland made a deadline-day move to take defender George McCartney back to the Stadium of Light.
The board accepted a ฃ2.5million offer despite boss Curbs saying no more stars would be leaving in the transfer window.
Curbs had already performed a staggering U-turn by letting defender Anton Ferdinand go to the Stadium of Light just a few days after claiming the centre-half was part of his long-term plans.
Twice last week, the under-pressure Hammers boss declared no one else would be sold as the club tried to balance the books after two years of crazy spending.
Following Saturday’s 4-1 win over Blackburn, he stated: “I said on Wednesday that Anton leaving was it. I’ve no intention of selling.”
But SunSport can reveal West Ham were trying to strike a deal to offload McCartney last Friday — 24 hours before Curbishley’s empty claims.
Icelandic chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson authorised the sale of McCartney, 27, who was undergoing a medical last night.
Any deal would see Black Cats boss Roy Keane take his summer spending past ฃ35m.
Sunderland immediately recouped McCartney’s fee by allowing Danny Higginbotham to rejoin STOKE for 2.5m.

Lampard in injury scare

FRANK LAMPARD has become Fabio Capello’s latest injury headache.
The Chelsea star injured a thigh muscle and is racing to be fit to face Andorra on Saturday.
The midfielder will not train with the England squad today or tomorrow and will have intensive treatment on the knock he picked up against Wigan nine days ago.
He played through the pain in Blues’ 1-1 draw against Spurs on Sunday but now needs rest to heal. England physio Gary Lewin will then assess him before a decision is made on Thursday.
It is a nightmare for Capello who has lost three key midfielders Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick through injury.
The Italian has already been forced to call up Fulham’s uncapped Jimmy Bullard and Lamps is one of only four central midfielders in the squad for Saturday’s clash — and the much tougher test against Croatia on the following Wednesday.
Lampard, 30, said: “We want six points, simple as that. We’re expected to get three against Andorra and quite rightly so — but those games are not that easy.
“Hopefully we can score an early goal and go on and get a comfortable result.”
Lampard has painful memories of the 3-0 win over Andorra in the failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
England’s players were booed off in Barcelona after a goalless first half and fans chanted ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’.
Lampard added: “It was a difficult atmosphere. But when you play for England you have to be able to handle atmospheres like that and critics.”

Torres set to miss Man Utd clash

FERNANDO TORRES looks certain to miss Liverpool’s big showdown with Manchester United on September 13.
The Spanish hitman limped out of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and a scan confirmed he tore a hamstring.
Boss Rafa Benitez has been told he could be out for three weeks while skipper Steven Gerrard is also struggling to be fit to face United at Anfield after a groin op.
Torres has been withdrawn from Spain’s qualifiers with Bosnia and Armenia over the next few days.
He could also be struggling for the opening Champions League group game against Marseille in a fortnight.
At least Benitez got a lift after completing the signing of Espanyol winger Albert Eiera for a knockdown fee of around ฃ5.5million.
It is a real coup for the Reds as rivals Everton bid ฃ12m last month.
However with defender Steve Finnan going in the opposite direction in an independent transfer worth around ฃ1.2m, the Reds drove a hard bargain for the former Manchester City ace.
Benitez said: “He also had offers from other English clubs but said no because he wanted to play for us. That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool.
“He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus.
“He’s the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal with an option of a further 12 months if he does well.
Riera became the target for Benitez after he failed to land Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing.
Finnan, 32, leaves Anfield after five seasons and has signed a two-year deal with Espanyol.
Striker Andrei Voronin has also left on loan to Hertha Berlin.
Benitez also signed Brazilian striker Vitor Flora, 18, on a free from Botafogo plus Hungarian keeper Peter Gulasci, 18, from MTK Hungaria.

Fab's made Croatia happy

MICHAEL OWEN is disappointed, England fans are probably baffled and I am shocked and sad.
But at least Fabio Capello has made one lot of people happy: Croatia’s defenders.
His bombshell decision to dump Michael Owen from the crucial start to England’s World Cup qualifying campaign is questionable to say the least.
Owen is one of our most experienced and accomplished internationals. And the numbers back it up. He is closing in on the all-time scoring record for the country.
And it seems as if everyone, excluding the England manager and the Croatians want him to play a part in the next two games which will be pivotal in the fortunes of the national team.
Two things defenders fear most are speed and/or experience. Owen’s pace is obviously not what it was when he was 18 but he is still a name to worry the opposition on a squad list.
They will be delighted on receiving the news that a striker with the experience of three World Cup finals and with 40 international goals will not be travelling to Zagreb next week.
Everyone connected with England — apart from the manager who actually picks the team — is hugely confused and, like me, frustrated that Owen is not going.
With Steven Gerrard out injured I’d have thought Fabio would have taken on board another old stalwart, who scored a hat-trick in Munich and is a legend in English eyes.
Even the guys like Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney and rookies like Theo Walcott would like to have him there.
If it is just on the bench, it is still a huge comfort to the players to know someone of Owen’s calibre is waiting in the wings if things aren’t going your way.
It’s not as if the last game against the Czechs was a marvellous example of free-flowing football and lightning pace.
The team was booed off. So Fabio finds himself under a little bit of pressure at the present time and Owen is the perfect striker to come in and take a bit off the gaffer’s shoulders.
Owen is only 28. These should be his peak years. It is perhaps understandable that some supporters and experts question whether his best years are behind him or if he has had one injury too many.
It is a reasonable question but it is still nonsense.
Owen is fit and ready. And as I said before, just having him on the bench, in the squad, in and around the lads would provide reassurance from an old campaigner the younger ones can turn to if needed.
David Beckham fills the same role. I would rather have David Bentley in the team nowadays but Becks can still play a part.
If I was in the England team, losing 1-0 in Croatia and looked over to see Beckham or Owen on the bench I would feel more confident we could turn it around.
I am frustrated by this decision. If Capello has a personal problem with Owen he shouldn’t let it interfere with his team selection.
The start of a qualifying campaign is so important to get points on the board where a couple of good results will give the team confidence and a cushion.
If Capello thinks Owen will become a liability to England, let him be one later on. We should have him in an England shirt next Wednesday at the very least, a visible talisman for the Three Lions.

Juande wants smaller window

JUANDE RAMOS insists the transfer window should have been shut long before the Dimitar Berbatov saga got under way.
Tottenham boss Ramos says no deals should be allowed once the season has started — meaning the Bulgarian’s future was never in doubt.
Ramos rapped: “The league started on August 16 — but the window does not shut until September 1.
“You play three game before it shuts while players are uncertain where they are going to be playing and team-mates are thinking which players will go and who will come in.
“That means they are not fully concentrated on their work.
“I would prefer it that once the league has started that you don’t have a player playing for one team one week and playing for another the next.”
Berbatov’s on-off move from White Hart Lane has been one of the longest running transfer tales in Premier League history.
Manchester United have publicly trailed the hitman all summer and Ramos reckons the current system needs to be overhauled to stamp out such behaviour.
Asked if he agreed with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s damning verdict that United had handled the Berbatov transfer badly, the Spaniard said: “I try to stick with training the football team, but it’s true the situation has certainly been uncomfortable.”
He added: “In Spain, it is basically the same system as in England.
“If you look at Robinho’s situation with Real Madrid and Chelsea, it’s quite similar. A few weeks ago it was Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United.
“That is the issue with the market still being open while a player is negotiating his future — but also having to play for his current team. I do not like that system.”