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The rumours started circulating around Twitter and the fan sites yesterday afternoon- Liverpool would be cutting United’s allocation for this seasons league fixture.

It has yet to be confirmed, but sources say that the local council will be issuing a statement midweek that will prove the rumours to be true. The days of allocations of 3000+ tickets look to be consigned to cup ties with Liverpool merely adding there name to a list that contains Bolton, West Brom, Wigan, Sunderland, Newcastle, Tottenham and others who chop our allocation, sometimes by about 50%.

United fans are perceived different to other fans, whether this dates back to the troublesome 70’s or is just further back-up to Fergies ‘everybody hates us’ attitude could again be argued. When radio commentators remark on United fans standing it always sounds derogatory and like we are doing something wrong, but fans of Newcastle will be lauded as the most loyal set of fans in the country. A United fan lets a flair off and it’s ‘disgraceful behaviour’ a Blackpool fans does the same and they are merely ‘enjoying life in the Premier League’.

Is this why clubs are reducing our allocations? The familiar line that is thrown at us is that it is for our own safety due to persistent standing. Whilst no away follower can deny this is the case, we can claim double standards as we are not the only set of fans to do it. Watching games on TV shows that supporters of other teams stand throughout the match, even at the grounds where our allocation is reduced, and escape without punishment. In fact, at the games where our allocation has been cut, it’s not unusual to see the home fans who take up that allocation standing as well, only a few yards away from our section.

So what can we do?

As a collective body of fans, probably nothing. The English fan is not as important to the clubs as they once were. But, the fans need United’s support in this matter. We need the club to remember that we are not customers; we are people who love the club and it just boils down to us wanting to watch and support the team.

I don’t feel it would be appropriate for us to take the action of reducing these teams allocations at Old Trafford, as we are denying other fans the opportunity to follow their team. The only way we overcome this is if United throw their considerable weight into helping their own supporters. It’s currently an issue that seems too easy to hide away, probably because we are Manchester United fans and people aren’t quick to sympathise with us. Even if the club managed to get proper reasoning out of these clubs it would be a start and give us something to act on.

‘Persistent standing’ is such a throwaway line and not even a viable excuse as it could so easily apply to so many other teams. If United fans are harder to police then show us the arrest figures, if we damage more of the stadium then show us the criminal damage reports, if we cause more trouble outside the ground then show us the policing costs (although this would hardly be an argument as less fans inside the ground means more outside- Liverpool may want to think about this).

Just don’t throw us the ‘Persistent standing’ line when you are denying us the right to watch the team, something we all look forward to each week and spend the week at work to pay for.

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It’s not too much to ask is it?

Read more of Blanchy7 articles at The Busby Way

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Thierry Henry believes that Arsene Wenger should be Arsenal manager for life and has called on supporters to back the French manager. Henry was speaking ahead of the Red Bulls visit to the Emirates and despite the lack of silverware Thierry feels it is only a matter of time that all the hard work pays off.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes United giving up on duo; Man City weigh up Tevez swap, while Michael Carrick claims he is up for the fight at Old Trafford.

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Spurs challenge Arsenal with £22m bid for Valencia’s Mata – Guardian

United hopes fade on Sneijder and Nasri – Guardian

McEachran sees Chelsea stature rise – Guardian

City in talks to swap Carlos Tevez for Eto’o – Daily Telegraph

Brazil is a big draw for everyone apart from departing England boss Capello – Daily Mail

Wenger hints at Spaniard exit after accepting the future is not Fab for Cesc – Daily Mail

Rob: I need two more players – Sun

Don’t upset the Blues brothers – Sun

Carrick: I’m up for the fight – Sun

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Wenger should be Arsenal manager for life – Henry – Mirror

Liverpool poised to pounce on Wigan’s McCarthy – Mirror

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To say that it’s been a difficult start to the season for Arsenal would be something of an understatement. Arsene Wenger’s team were booed off the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after losing 2-0 to Liverpool last weekend and are yet to score a Premier League goal yet this season. The Gunners have also lost Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City, so the north London club is in a bit of turmoil right now.

Arsenal fans are pleading with Wenger to spend some of the money they’ve recouped on transfers to buy some experienced players, who should be attracted to the club now that the Gunners have secured Champions League football this season. Some Arsenal supporters have put together a formula that will make them happy, but can you come up with a witty caption for this picture?

Leave your suggestions below…

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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.

Last week’s winner: cityboy – click here to see all entries

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has spoken of his happiness that talisman Steven Gerrard has returned from injury, as the England midfielder played for The Reds on Wednesday night.

Gerrard has been sidelined for six months with a groin injury, but came off the bench for the last 15 minutes of the Anfield club’s 2-1 win over Brighton in the Carling Cup; the Scottish coach is glad to have his main man back.

“If it had been four or five goals, we’d have maybe given him a bit longer,” Dalglish told Sky Sports.

“We’ll say again what we’ve said many times before: we’ll manage Steven as well as we’ve managed everyone else and we’ll look forward to that continuing.

“We’re not going to throw him in and give him too many minutes. It’s fantastic to see him back so don’t let’s spoil it by being irresponsible.

“We want to see the talisman back and he’s on his way there which is great for everybody. He’s suffered a lot and he’s been through a lot and he’s made a lot of sacrifices to get where he is,” he continued.

Liverpool were put to the sword by Tottenham on Sunday, losing 4-0 at White Hart Lane, and Gerrard has himself stated that he is glad to feature again, and that he is hoping to be selected at the weekend.

“If we were two or three up at half-time, I might have got a few more minutes, but it wasn’t about me, it was about progressing to the next round of the cup and getting that Tottenham performance out of our systems – I think we’ve done that tonight.

“It’s nice to come through the first test and now I’ll train tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be selected in the first 18 against Wolves and get some game time,” he stated.

Gerrard’s return is much needed, as Liverpool have looked devoid of direction and leadership in their last two league fixtures, and his return may inspire the team to better performances.

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Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to offer a staggering £20 million for Everton wonder kid Ross Barkley despite the teenager having played only a handful of first team games the Mirror reports.

17-year-old Barkley has only just broken into the first team at Goodison Park but has impressed with his fearless performances prompting Villas-Boas to make him his number one target when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The Blues made a formal approach for him in the summer only but that was rebuffed with Toffees boss David Moyes telling them to stay away.

Despite that rejection it’s seems that Chelsea are undeterred and are set to come back with a serious cash offer in an attempt to persuade the cash strapped Merseysiders to part with their prized asset.

An offer of £20 million for a player of Barkley’s age  would be difficult to resist especially with the financial situation at a perilous level although it’s thought Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright are surprisingly reluctant to do business.

Barkley has been used sparingly in the past few weeks as the club try to keep him under wraps but Chelsea are fully convinced that the teenager can become an integral part of their future and are determined to capture him in January.

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Steven Gerrard has stated that he has suffered no ill-effects after playing his first 90 minutes for Liverpool in over six months in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.

The England international midfielder has been sidelined with a recurring groin problem, but made his comeback in the stalemate against the Premier League champions over the weekend.

Despite feeling the pace of the game, Gerrard has confirmed that he has no concerns after playing the full match.

“I’m stiff and tired, but that’s to be expected. The physios and medical staff knew that (would happen),” he told the side’s official website.

“That’s what I’ve got to do to push on and gain maximum fitness. I still need two or three 90s under my belt to get back to 100 per cent, but I am very pleased at how my groin held up and how my body felt for the first 90. Really pleased,” he stated.

Gerrard gave the Merseyside club the lead with a free-kick in the second half, before United substitute Javier Hernandez grabbed a point for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Despite not picking up all three points, Gerrard was happy to get back on the scoresheet.

“It was a great feeling. The last six months have been really frustrating.

“To watch the lads from the stands is not what I like doing – I like to be out there where I can have an impact on games.

“To be out there against United experiencing the emotions against Manchester United – the biggest game against our big rivals – was very enjoyable for me,” he finished.

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The return of their skipper will be a real boost for Liverpool, who host Norwich at Anfield next Saturday.

By Gareth McKnight

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Love him or hate him, rate him or slate him, Mad Mario is certainly a fan’s dream. Not only does he provide headlines with his on the pitch form – which has been nothing short of scintillating at the minute – but he is front page gold off the field. I find myself reading about his activities away from the pitch and thinking surely not – and then seeing confirmation of what I have just read.

For a player that Jose Mourinho described as ‘unmanageable’ Mancini seems to be doing a remarkable job of getting the best out of Balotelli of late – the only explanation Mancini can offer is that he has a son of Mario’s age, and the two are close, which helps him understand the Italian striker better.

Whatever the case, Balotelli certainly has the potential to be the star of City’s season, something that seemed as plausable after his temper tantrum against LA Galaxy as Torres winning the golden boot award. Whilst the latter is too unlikley to happen even in Nando’s wildest dreams, Balotelli has shown consistent ability and has not only been scoring goals, but creating them and being an altogether positive influence for City since the debacle at Bayern Munich – something they may well now look back on and be grateful for.

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Who would’ve thought that the player that would stand up and be counted after such a fateful night would be a boy that can not only be described as not just one egg short of a dozen but 11 short.

Before the biggest league game of the season for City, Mario inflicted £400,000 worth of damage on his bathroom at his new home – which he moved to seeking a quieter life. Despite this, the boy managed to score in the derby and has been nothing short of world class ever since. In addition to his on the field achievements, young Balotelli can add having one of the fastest selling T Shirts in the city too – replicas of his now infamous ‘why always me’ shirt seem to be on every Manchester corner and are selling as many as Chelsea are conceding these days – too many!

On the field it is true to say the player could one day reach the levels of a Ronaldo, and at 21 Balotelli looks more than equal to both Ronaldo and Messi at the same age. During his time in Italy, the racial abuse the player received was nothing short of stomach churning, and this coupled with a troubled early life before his adoption goes some way to explaining why at times, Balotelli can appear slightly off the norm.

Of course, he is still a 21 year old lad with all the talent in the world- not to mention fame and money, and when you compare what he is doing to what players such as Gascoigne or Adams who battled addiction issues,  Balotelli having ‘girlfriends’ plural is not the worst thing in the world.

In England we love a character, and Balotelli is certainly one of those – whilst having to testify against the Italian Mafia or visiting women’s prisons may be slightly too far, we love hearing such stories, and it is players like the Italian who are a revelation to the game in an era where players are so sheltered and guarded in interviews, it is nice to see such an eccentric individual.

City fans will certainly not be complaining, and after Mario drove around the city centre high fiving fans following the derby victory – I can only imagine what he will do if they win the title come May, but it is something that I cannot wait to see. Yes he may be mad, but City fans would not have him any other way – and let’s face it, neither would we.

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Ahead of Arsenal’s victory over Borussia Dortmund last night, Arsene Wenger told his side to forget about Tottenham Hotspur as he was confident the Gunners will finish above their arch rivals in the Premier League table. The red side of North London were the first English side to qualify from the Champion League group stage with a 2-1 win over German club Dortmund, and are now certain of winning Group F which should deliver them an easier knock-out round draw.

The London pair are two of the most in form sides in the country, having both suffered from poor starts to the season, they are now in or around the European places. The clubs are currently as evenly matched as they ever have been in the Premier League era and many believe that Spurs are now in position to take over the crown as the kings of North London.

Wenger was pressured into making desperate signings at the end of the summer transfer window by supporters after the departures of a number of players including captain Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.  The late arrivals; such as Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos; have failed to make much of an impression yet, but the club are on fine form beating Chelsea and Marseille away from home and are on a nine game unbeaten run. Their last defeat however was at the hands of Spurs who have an equally impressive run of form under Harry Redknapp.

An awful start to the season, including an 8-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United, saw Arsenal in the bottom three and many beginning to question Wenger for the first time since his arrival at the club over 15 years ago. The main factor in Arsenal’s rebuilding since the United game has been the form of Robin Van Persie who has grabbed 12 goals in nine games making him one of the most on-form strikers in Europe currently. Van Persie is in discussions over a new deal at the Emirates and he is now fit and scoring, creating media suggestions that without him, Arsenal would struggle.

Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham are currently the team to watch in the Premier League with their attacking football and consistent players creating a really tough team to beat which has resulted in 10 league games without defeat. Redknapp did not spend big in the summer; unlike every other side in the top six or seven; bringing in Emmanuel Adebayor on loan, Brad Friedel on a free and their player of the year so far Scott Parker for £5million from relegated West Ham.

The pace in the side at White Hart Lane is frightening, with Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Kyle Walker attacking the wings and Rafael van der Vaart now relishing his attacking midfield role. Adebayor has starting scoring goals, keeping Jermain Defoe out of the team and the combination of Parker and Luca Modric in the midfield is possibly the best in the league.

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Spurs sit third with a game in hand at home to Everton, and are three points clear of Arsenal, which is effectively the points they gained over the Gunners with a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in October. Spurs are currently the top team in the capital, let alone the north quarter of it and it is surely time that they considered a real threat for the Champions League position, if not the title.

Wenger refuses to confirm that Spurs have the edge over Arsenal in the battle to be the top team in North London and that his teams progress in the Champions League may give them the edge.

“With or without Tottenham what we want is to be in the top four, that is our target.” Wenger said.

“It is a long way to go. I don’t believe we have to focus on Spurs, we have to focus on us improving. It is important that we don’t get confused about what we want to achieve. What we want to do is improve and play better.

“Our consistency has helped the team improve, and qualifying from the Champions League group will give us a lift again.”

The Arsenal supporters will not accept finishing behind their rivals and it may be time for Wenger to get serious about the challenge from down the road. Inured midfielder Jack Wilshere may have his say on the pitch in the second half of the season but he has already had his say on it by betting Spurs supporters that the Gunners will finish above them.

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If Spurs end up finishing above Arsenal then Wilshere will donate £3,000 to charity and he has asked his Twitter-following Spurs contingent to match that to heat the already spicy rivalry between the two.

It may come down to the final few weeks of the season, a goal here or there, but Wenger will need to treat Spurs as a massive threat to their Champions League position and if Van Persie picks up his annual  injury then it may be Europa League at best for the Gunners and Tottenham could be representing the North of the capital in next season number one club competition.

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If Blackburn Rovers were currently sitting mid table under manager Steve Kean; but playing even more boring, defensive, physical football than they are; would hundreds of them still be protesting outside and inside of Ewood Park? No!

If West Ham were lying 13th in the Championship under Sam Allardyce but were zipping the ball around the park like Arsenal, would the fans be moaning? Yes!

Success is everything in the English game, and as nice as it is to play neat, attractive football, it is not always possible to win games that way. Just ask Arsene Wenger who has to be commended for his morale’s and attitude towards the game but that doesn’t hide the fact that Arsenal have not won anything for years now.

Supporters have got to be more realistic about the players in their team and they should simply play to their strengths. Winning is vital in the Premier League and it should not be underestimated how important every result is in the battle for the title, European football or relegation.

Unfortunately for the other 19 clubs in the Premier League this season, Manchester City have been able to combine both style and success and lead the table at Christmas. Yes City have been able to buy the players suitable to play in such a way that they can not only score goals but score great goals and it is not as easy for other clubs and so that is why supporters get easily frustrated.

Clubs often judge their current teams on history and tradition which is quite ridiculous. The amount of money it cost to buy and keep a world class technical footballer is beyond 99% of clubs in English football and so it may not be possible to play good football and win. The likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero are hard to come by in the modern game and it is forcing clubs to change the way they play.

Stoke City are currently in the top half of the Premier League and travel to Valencia in the Europa League next year after an FA Cup final appearance last season. Tony Pulis is often slated for his long ball, throw-in orientated team that have given him the success at the Britannia Stadium. If Stoke adapted to play quick, flowing passing football then they would dramatically fall down the table as they just don’t have the players to do that. Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters are all known for their aerial ability and pace and clearly finishing is not their forte.

Playing the way that suits your players best is vital and as a manager, if you are winning football matches then you will send the fans home happy. As much as we don’t want every team playing like Stoke, to try and get the three points, sometimes fans can get caught up on champagne football and it is surely time to go home happy after a hard fought victory.

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It is fair to say that since coming to Chelsea in June opinions of Andre Villas-Boas has been rather mixed. His high defensive line and love of attractive football have had a lukewarm response with some seeing it as a timely shift away from the days of the Special One and pundits slamming it as kamikaze. At the same time his comments about ‘continuous persecution’ from the media and his angry reactions to Alan Hansen and Gary Neville have bought into question his attitude and whether he will succeed at Chelsea, despite them sitting in the top four.

But one thing that has caught the eye of most is his decision to take the pressure away from experience in favour of youth. No longer are Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba automatic selections for the starting XI, instead Daniel Sturridge, Ramires and Oriol Romeu are taking centre stage. Not everybody is in favour of this move because the ‘old guard’ have been pivotal to the most successful period in the club’s history and now they are becoming bit-part players. But this bold statement of intent from the 34-year-old boss is something that a certain Mr Capello should be taking note of.

When the Italian took over the national team following the Wally with the Brolly, it was hoped that there would be a change in emphasis for the side and that the so-called ‘golden generation’ would find it harder to keep their place in the side. And to some extent Capello will claim that he has done so. Beckham is no longer involved, we have Joe Hart in goal, Kyle Walker at right-back, Phil Jones plays and Jack Wilshere is a linchpin in the centre of the park. However, when it comes to the big tournaments and important games then the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and Terry come strolling back into the side. Like at the ill-fated 2010 World Cup. David James was in the squad, Gerrard and Lampard were picked to play together despite being unable to play alongside each other for the past decade and he sent Paul Scholes an S.O.S to join the team.

There is a belief that these players were part of a golden generation for English football but when the success of the team is looked at, it’s not even bronze. Quarter-final finishes at two World Cups and a European Championships, failing to qualify for Euro 2008 and second-round shortcomings in 1998 and 2010. The success the players had domestically is impressive but they are playing against each other and helped by foreign stars so it is laughable to rely on them at international level. And with six months to go before another international tournament where delusions of grandeur are growing already, it is time for the old Italian to take a leaf out of AVB’s book.

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Capello needs to start by taking them off their pedestal and treating them like any other member of the squad. During the Mourinho era he identified a group of ‘untouchables’ but Villas-Boas has made a mockery of that, showing no fear of the reputations and egos that surround him at Stamford Bridge and has picked people on merit. Their were rumours that emerged after the transfer-listing of Alex and Anelka which suggested that he ruthlessly criticised every first-team player and while that could have had catastrophic consequences to his side, it proved that sentimentality is not for him.

He has relegated Lampard, Malouda and Drogba to bit-part roles at times during this campaign and even when Frank has scored he has been put back on the bench for the following games. The boss recognises that they have something to add to his team but unlike those that preceded him he doesn’t want to become reliant on an aging team. Meanwhile, Alex and Anelka are being shipped out sharply because they do not fit his ideas and the post-Christmas clearout will further do this.

As he trims down his squad his plan of action is coming to fruition. After seven years of playing percentage football, happily winning games 1-0, they have adopted a fearless style of play which has made Saturday afternoons at Stamford Bridge a lot more exciting. Like the side showed over the last few games they can revert back to old ways, pushing deeper and battling through matches but this extra dimension to Chelsea’s play has revitalised his squad and once the team become more accustomed to what he wants they will be an even bigger threat than before.

The changes at Chelsea should be used as a blueprint to success for Capello this summer. Thankfully he will be leaving after the tournament but what he achieves in Poland and Ukraine could have a lasting legacy for England. There is no chance of us beating Holland, Germany and Spain to the Euro 2012 crown so we can use it to give the next generation of talent the experience of a major tournament so that when the 2014 World Cup comes round they are ready for it. Next summer’s squad needs to rely on Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Kyle Walker while the likes of Gerrard, Terry and Lampard should be included in the squad but rather than being given a starting place they need to be used to help compose the young stars.

A change of tactics is needed as well. England need to ditch 4-4-2 and adopt a less rigid, attacking mantra that has served Spain so well. Villas-Boas has done it at Chelsea as well and it is beginning to work and the same would happen for our national side. The next generation arguably has more talent than those they will replace and it is time to give them their shot. If it can be done at the Stamford Bridge pressure-cooker, surely a man who knows he is going should do the same.

Should England follow AVB’s example? Comment below or follow me on Twitter @jrobbins1991.

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