After yet another disappointing major tournament for England attentions unavoidably turn to the next generation of English players who will one day be charged with achieving footballing success for the nation. These meaty debates only seem to occur once it has all gone wrong on the international stage. A prevailing view is that the top clubs in the Premier League fail to provide sufficient chances for their young players to compete at the highest level. It is arguably the quest for success and the essential revenue streams which flow from these achievements which prohibits big clubs risking their youth players. Sir Trevor Brooking fears that England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ will not be replicated in the coming years. If a stark void in quality is approaching, one remedy is to have youngsters getting regular first-team football in the upper echelons of the league. The new Premier League rules which force clubs to name eight home-grown players but permit an unlimited number of under-21s may just be the start.

The biggest clubs in the Premier League do spend considerable amounts on their youth systems but have not recently seen a tangible return on their investments. It is not just the fans of Liverpool and Chelsea that are anxiously awaiting the next Steven Gerrard or John Terry. England fans are aware that our prospects in the international arena are inextricably linked to top clubs nurturing and retaining their youngsters. One criticism though is that English clubs continue to pride pace, physicality and strength over creative flair and technique. It is difficult to imagine an English version of Spain’s diminutive Pedro suddenly emerging on the world stage thanks to a combination of skill and attacking intelligence. For those top clubs with a decent record of challenging for honours whilst developing youngsters, lingering doubts still remain. Arsene Wenger will not feel he has the time to blood in one of his young centre-backs this season. There is renewed excitement surrounding youngsters at Manchester United thanks to the emergence of players such as Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck. However it is the club’s foreign youth contingent that will be retained at Old Trafford next season over the aforementioned English duo who will face loan spells once more.

Across the Premier League and lower divisions though there are encouraging signs for the future. West Ham’s famed academy system under the expert tutelage of Tony Carr continues to produce players who duly receive their chances to shine in the first team. A recent report in the Guardian revealed how Watford are leading the way in youth development by merging training with mainstream education, thereby boosting the time they can spend coaching their youngsters. As the recession has started to impact football can we now expect clubs to privilege youth development as their buying power in the transfer market declines? The Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson would surely love to have a bevy of talented youngsters to propel into the squad in the new fiscally restrictive era at Anfield.

If tighter budgets will not force the hand of top clubs maybe the bureaucrats at the Premier League will. New legislation will oblige clubs to register at least eight home-grown professionals in a squad of 25. Moreover clubs will be able to name an unlimited number of under-21s in their squads. The rationale is simple. Over the duration of a long season clubs will have to turn to youth as exhaustion, fixture congestion, injuries and suspensions start to bite. The intention is that academy players, usually restricted to appearances in the early rounds of the Carling Cup will be handed their chance. Many of these youngsters, as with Chelsea, will not be eligible for England but the incentive for improved investment and planning of youth systems for club and country is stronger than ever.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Tottenham have confirmed that Michael Dawson could be out of action until the end of October after he had to be stretchered from the pitch during England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday evening.

A brief statement on Spurs' official website read:"Scans today (Saturday) have revealed that Michael Dawson has sprained his left medial knee ligament and one of his left ankle ligaments.

"The defender has been withdrawn from the England squad after suffering the injuries during last night's 4-0 European Championship qualifying win against Bulgaria at Wembley and is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks."

The news is something of a relief to Spurs though as an FA insider had previously been quoted as saying: "Last night we really thought Michael Dawson had broken his leg, but the scan has shown no fracture and no snapped ligament."

Dawson was making his first start for England, having featured as a substitute in the 3-0 friendly win over Hungary last month.

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Earlier in the day it had been confirmed that he would definitely miss England's next game in Switzerland on Tuesday.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Aston Villa forward Ashley Young believes Gerard Houllier is the right man to bring success back to the Midlands club.

Houllier has agreed to become Villa's new manager and will officially take the reins when he has worked a period of notice with his current employers, the French Football Association.

The 63-year-old won four major trophies during six years as Liverpool manager and Young believes the French coach will bring similar success to Villa Park.

Under former boss Martin O'Neill, they lost last season's Carling Cup Final to Manchester United but Young said:"You look at his history and how well he has done as a manager and he can only bring success here.

"Moving the club forward is what we want and we can't wait to work with the boss.

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"Last year we suffered disappointment in both cups, but fingers crossed it will be different this time. We want to win trophies at Villa."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was reportedly involved in a furious half-time row with Carlos Tevez during Sunday's victory over Newcastle United.

According to The Sun, the Italian coach reacted angrily to suggestions from Tevez, his captain, that City's tactics were wrong.

Jonas Gutierrez equalised Tevez's 18th minute penalty to send the sides in level at the break.

Substitute Adam Johnson slotted home a 75th minute winner for the home side with Tevez hauled off by Mancini shortly afterwards.

Mancini installed the Argentina captain as his captain during the summer in a move which raised some eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Kolo Toure praised the motivational words delivered by Mancini at half-time in what was a hard-fought encounter.

"Newcastle put up a hard fight and were tough opponents," the defender told the club's official website.

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"It was difficult after Thursday because we had only two days to recover and work. We started the game slowly and we were not pleased with that. Then we conceded a sloppy goal.

"The right things were said at half time, the manager had the right words and we worked harder in the second half and we are really happy that we got the three points."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Inter Milan are looking to hijack Ibrahim Afellay’s move to the Premier League.

The playmaker has been told that he will be leaving PSV this winter, as the Dutch Giants look to get some sort of fee for Afellay before his contract runs out this summer. Afellay confirmed that it was his desire to move to English football last week, with Liverpool and Manchester United his chosen destinations.

“Playing in the Premier League would be best for my prestige. I’d like to play for Liverpool or Manchester United, the top-level prospect for any player.”

However according to reports in the Corriere dello Sport, Inter Milan are looking to hijack any move for Afellay and want to team him up with his fellow countryman Wesley Sniejder.

Sniejder would be delighted to see Afellay link up with him at the San Siro and believes that when he does leave PSV, he should reject any advances from the Premier League and move to Italy instead.

“Afellay is ready for the next step. He should leave Holland and would fit in well at Inter.

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“I told him that myself, he knows what we think of him here at Inter.

“I like playing with him because he understands me – and that’s not easy.” (Daily Mail)

A Tottenham visit to the red side of Manchester wouldn’t be the same without another referee balls up and tonight proved no different as a shocking call by Clattenburg preventing us from going on to snatch a potential late equaliser. The referee has form here, after all he is the one that failed to see that Pedro Mendes shot was four yards over the line.

It was incredibly frustrating and a real blip on what was a highly entertaining game that was played at a frenetic pace throughout. There seemed no rhyme and reason behind the decision and we all wait for his actual verdict behind the giving of the goal.

Taking the result out of the equation, I for one was extremely impressed with the performance of the team. I feel Harry made a grave mistake in starting with Keane, as I felt that Pavlyuchenko would have proved the better option, but there were times when we were absolutely dominating the proceedings in terms of possession. Unfortunately the lack of a top quality striker is really hampering us in these big games and Levy needs to deliver Redknapp a top class forward in January.

So how do Tottenham fans feel about the performance today and who do you think deserved the man of the match award today?

[poll ]

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‘Tasty’ is the only way to describe the Premiership fixtures we can look forward to this weekend. Aston Villa’s new signing Robert Pires will face his former club Arsenal at Villa Park on Saturday, when Manchester United and City will both be looking to strengthen their title credentials at home to Blackburn and away to Stoke respectively. Fantasy football players would be well advised to fill their team with players from both sides of Manchester, especially Wayne Rooney! Sunday sees Chelsea attempt to end their poor run of form at Newcastle, while entertainment should be on the cards as Tottenham host Liverpool. Throw in a East Anglia derby from the Championship as Ipswich travel to Norwich and your weekend of football is complete! But who will come out on top? You can see this week’s Premiership predictions in full here.

Patrick Barclay:

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Andy Dunn:

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Steve Bates:

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Do you agree with the Premier League predictions made this week?

Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 16

Overall standings

1. Steve Bates – 69

2. Andy Dunn – 69

3. Martin Lipton – 68

4. Shaun Custis – 67

5. Des Kelly – 67

6. Danny Fullbrook – 64

7. Glenn Moore – 61

8. Patrick Barclay – 57

–

November standings:

1. Andy Dunn – 15 (6)

2. Shaun Custis – 13 (4)

3. Steve Bates – 12 (5)

4. Martin Lipton – 12 (3)

5. Patrick Barclay – 10 (6)

6. Danny Fullbrook – 10 (1)

7. Des Kelly – 9 (4)

8. Glenn Moore – 9 (4)

–

Patrick Barclay (The Times)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

D

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

D

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

A

West Ham

V

Wigan

A

Wolves

V

Sunderland

D

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

D

Norwich

V

Ipswich

D

Everton  v West Brom: Baggies’ bad run will end – but not at Goodison.

Des Kelly (Daily Mail)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

H

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

D

West Ham

V

Wigan

A

Wolves

V

Sunderland

H

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

H

Norwich

V

Ipswich

A

West Ham v Wigan: The game that West Ham must win, if their stricken manager is to survive. But I fully expect Avram Grant to be out the door after a Wigan triumph in this relegation six pointer.

Shaun Custis (The Sun)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

D

Fulham

V

Birmingham

H

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

A

West Ham

V

Wigan

H

Wolves

V

Sunderland

H

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

D

Norwich

V

Ipswich

H

Newcastle v Chelsea: Both teams are in the doldrums at the moment but Chelsea surely cannot suffer three Premier League defeats in a row.

Head to the next page for more football predictions…

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Andy Dunn (News of the World)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

D

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

A

West Ham

V

Wigan

H

Wolves

V

Sunderland

D

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

H

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

D

Norwich

V

Ipswich

D

Tottenham v Liverpool: Spurs are becoming notoriously unpredictable on the post-Champions League weekends. Liverpool – even without Steven Gerrard – should have enough to leave with a point.

Martin Lipton (The Mirror)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

D

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

D

West Ham

V

Wigan

D

Wolves

V

Sunderland

H

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

D

Norwich

V

Ipswich

H

Fulham v Birmingham: Mark Hughes’ side need points quickly but Birmingham are resourceful and solid and will be good enough to get at least a draw at the Cottage

Steve Bates (The People)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

H

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

A

West Ham

V

Wigan

H

Wolves

V

Sunderland

A

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

H

Norwich

V

Ipswich

H

Man United v Blackburn: United stretched their unbeaten run to 27 games after last weekend’s victory over Wigan and although Blackburn have poicked up good points recently  with Wayne Rooney back in harness it’s got to be a home win..

Danny Fulbrook (Daily Star)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

H

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

A

West Ham

V

Wigan

D

Wolves

V

Sunderland

D

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

H

Norwich

V

Ipswich

D

Bolton v Blackpool: Whatever game Blackpool are involved with is exciting, but for me Bolton are too strong at home

Glenn Moore (The Independent)

Home Team

Away Team

Bolton

V

Blackpool

H

Everton

V

West Brom

H

Fulham

V

Birmingham

D

Man United

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke

V

Man City

D

West Ham

V

Wigan

H

Wolves

V

Sunderland

D

Newcastle

V

Chelsea

A

Tottenham

V

Liverpool

D

Norwich

V

Ipswich

H

Stoke v Man City: City will be confident after last week’s unexpectedly comprehensive victory at Fulham but Stoke are a difficult side to combat at the Britannia

We’re nearly half way through the season and Arsenal find themselves top of the Premier League and in the semi final of the Carling Cup, where the second highest placed team remaining is 14th in the top division. For a side that haven’t won a major trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 2005, things are shaping up well for at least some silverware to make it way into the Emirates trophy room. But with all of Arsenal’s undoubted talent, one question still remains; have they rediscovered the killer instinct to finish the job?

The Carling Cup may not be top on the list of priorities for many teams, but it is still a major trophy up for grabs, and with all due respect to the clubs left in the competition, Arsenal must be favourites, especially having drawn Championship side Ipswich in the semi finals. The Carling Cup, being the first piece of silverware (apart from the Community Shield) available in the season, also represents an excellent springboard for the rest of the Premier League season. To win the competition from such a powerful position, with all other major sides having been dumped out of the Carling Cup, will provide a timely confidence boost at a time when the race for the title will really be hotting up.

Results in the league also provide hope that this Arsenal team are made of sterner stuff than their predecessors of the past 5 seasons. After an energy-sapping and soul-destroying defeat against local rivals Tottenham, Arsenal have responded well with an impressive victory over Aston Villa, and a hard fought victory over Fulham, both of which included late goals to seal victory.

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The real test for Arsenal will come in the second half of the season, as that is when their title aspirations have so often faltered in recent years, most notably in the 2007-08 season when they were top of the pile as late on as the 28th game of the season. Even as recently as last season, Arsenal were in 1st as late on as the 31st game before eventually finishing 3rd, so the true test will come in the early part of next year, and with the possibility of a confidence boosting piece of silverware coming their way in February, that could well provide the platform for a title push come May.

Holy Crap – its live fantasy football! Become part of the FA Cup match tonight and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!

Walter Mazzarri has declared Napoli’s intention to win the Coppa Italia following Tuesday’s victory over Bologna.Napoli trumped Bologna 2-1 at the Stadio Sao Paolo to set up a quarter-final meeting with resurgent Inter Milan.

Algeria international Hassan Yebda and Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi combined to put Napoli two goals ahead in the first half, before Inter youth product Riccardo Meggiorini pulled one back for Bologna from the penalty spot 10 minutes after the break.

Speaking after the match, Mazzarri said he was pleased by the energy and enthusiasm shown by his side but disappointed by Emilson Cribari’s foul on Meggiorini that gifted Bologna their only goal.

“We wanted to do well this evening,” Mazzarri told RAI Sport.

“We intend to do well in this competition – and all the others.”

“I decided to play a team that was more rested, knowing how much energy my players had. And our start to the match reflected this.”

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“We pressed a lot and constructed many chances until we scored our two goals. Once we had the lead, we relaxed a little, and this was my only gripe from the match.”

Mazzarri’s men host Leonardo’s Inter next Tuesday, with the winner assured of a trip to the semi-finals.

As Darren Bent’s move brings some life to the January window, the deal has certainly sparked plenty of debate. Steve Bruce feels bitterly disappointed at the conduct of the player, while Bent himself has defended his corner claiming that he is no mercenary. Clearly looking at forums it is hardly a signing that has Aston Villa fans overly convinced, therefore Bent really needs to hit the ground running to win them over.

In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories including more from the Bent deal; Mancini warns City defence to tighten up, while Cantona takes on a role at the New York Cosmos.

*

Court papers reveal mystery £1m payment in Ronaldo deal – Guardian

Grant eyes Bendtner to ease turmoil – Daily Telegraph

Wenger hunt going nowhere – Sky Sports

Leeds hate mob ready for Theo – Sun

Mancini warns City’s defence to tighten up – Daily Telegraph

Bruce “Massively let down” by Bent – Mirror

Cantona takes role at New York Cosmos – Guardian

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Spurs to use public cash for Palace solution – Daily Telegraph

Babel desperate for Ajax despite Liverpool agreeing fee with Hoffenheim – Daily Mail

I’m no mercenary, says £24m Bent – Guardian