Keegan asks for patience
FA fine Chelsea
Laursen agrees Villa deal
Blues agree McFadden fee
Taylor joins Bolton
Fulham agree King fee
Pompey seal Diarra deal
Bruce loans Figueroa
Coventry back in market
UEFA to trial extra assistants
Kevin Keegan has spoken for the first time about returning as manager of Newcastle United and seemed positive about his chances of success if he is given a little time and patience.
“I know what they [the Newcastle fans] want and I know what they don’t want as well. As long as they are realistic and patient I think we can try again to help them have dreams and possibly win something. I think this is right. I have certainly inherited a strong, talented group of players - which is something I didn’t have when I came last time [1992]. When I came last time we were wondering whether we could fill the stadium. That is not a problem. They will be trying to get a stadium big enough if we can put some football on and get some success here. The job in hand is a big job, it is a great club.”
If you are one of those who doesn’t believe the old adage that “luck evens itself out over the course of a season”, we are sure you’ll be interested in the league table that shows the Premiership standings should the refs had called it right more often.
Please click here to take a look at the latest innovative RIGHT RESULT TABLE.
The Football Association have fined Chelsea £40,000 after they accepted a charge of failing to control their players during the Premier League clash with Derby County at Pride Park on November 24. Chelsea captain John Terry led players who confronted referee Andre Marriner after Michael Essien was sent off for pushing Kenny Miller in the face. Essien served a three-match suspension for the offence.
Martin Laursen has agreed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Aston Villa. The 30-year-old is set to sign the contract on Friday.
Birmingham City have agreed an undisclosed fee with Everton for Scotland striker James McFadden. The Blues have also sealed a £1.5m deal for defender David Murphy from Hibernian on a three-and-a-half year deal after he passed a routine medical.
Bolton Wanderers have signed Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Fulham have agreed a £5m fee with Watford for striker Marlon King. The deal will also see Fulham’s Dutch striker Collins John move to Vicarage Road on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
Portsmouth have signed midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Wigan Athletic have signed Deportivo Olimpia defender Maynor Figueroa on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance following a three-week trial with the Latics.
Coventry City have had their transfer embargo lifted. The Sky Blues had been unable to sign players since October after the collapse of a proposed takeover by Manhattan Sports Capital Partners Ltd left the club in financial difficulties. The club are now in calmer financial waters after a takeover by SISU Capital.
UEFA are to use youth tournaments to trial the use of two extra assistant referees in the penalty area at both free-kicks and corners. The experiment will include using the assistants both behind the goal-line and inside the penalty box as extra eyes and ears for the referee and is an alternative to goal-line technology.
Nathan Davies