Now we’ve all heard of the novel and film adaptation of Brian Clough’s unsuccessful 44-day tenure as Leeds United manager in 1974, entitled ‘The Damned United’. But just who were ‘The Damned United’? And where are they now?

Goalkeeper: David Harvey

The Scotsman went on to make 354 appearances for Leeds in two spells at the club. Harvey turned professional at the club as a 17-year-old and went on to make his debut at the same age. He has played under three of his former teammates – Allan Clarke, Eddie Gray and Billy Bremner; statically he is Scotland’s most successful post-war goalkeeper. He currently works as a farmer and a postman on Sanday in the Orkney Islands.

Right Back: Paul Reaney

Reaney played for 15 years at Leeds making 745 appearances, before moving on to Bradford City and the Australian team Newcastle KB United. During his peak years he was known as the only player who was able to mark George Best out of a game, which the great man acknowledged himself. Leeds fans remember Reaney for his crossing ability, surging runs and goal-line clearances. Today Reaney can found running coaching sessions for kids at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk.

Centre Back: Gordon McQueen

McQueen played in 140 games for Leeds United before making the controversial switch to Manchester United where he claimed that ‘99% of players want to play for Manchester United and the rest are liars.’ He now currently works as an assistant scout for Middlesbrough and is an occasional pundit on Sky Sports.

Centre Back: Norman Hunter

Nicknamed ‘Bite Yer Legs’ Hunter, for his strong tackling-ability, Norman Hunter was arguably one of the greatest defenders to ever play for Leeds. He became the first ever winner of the PFA Players’ Player Of The Year award, receiving it at the end of the 1973-74 season. After retiring in 1982 he tried his hand at management with Barnsley, Rotherham and Leeds on a caretaker basis. Now Hunter works as summariser for Leeds games for BBC Radio Leeds and Yorkshire Radio where he has held the job since 1993.

Left Back: Trevor Cherry

Cherry played over 350 games for Leeds and was capped 27 times by England. He was voted the 30th best ever Leeds player by the fans. Interestingly to this day he still remains the only England player to be sent off during a friendly match against Argentina when he fouled a player called Daniel Bertoni from behind. Bertoni then retaliated by punching Cherry in the mouth causing him to lose two front teeth. Today he is a very active man running a promotions and hospitality company in Huddersfield, a waste paper company and a five-a-side football centre.

Continue reading on Page 2 to see how the midfield lined up

Right Wing: Peter Lorimer

Incredibly Lorimer made his debut for Leeds United at the age of 15! He was a regular in the side at the age of 19 and went on to make over 500 appearances for the club. He earned nicknames like HotShot and Thunderboots due to his powerful shooting, a penalty he once took had a recorded speed of 107mph. After his retirement he has remained very active with the club, and is on the board of directors as a fans’ representative. He writes a column in the club’s matchday programme and acts as a summariser on every Leeds away game for Yorkshire Radio, he also owns a pub in the Holbeck area of Leeds.

Centre Midfield: Johnny Giles

Before Brian Clough was appointed Leeds manager, Don Revie who was his predecessor had recommended that Giles who was nearly 34 at the time be given the job when Revie became England manager. However the board went for Clough and one of the main reasons why Clough was dismissed was because the players had wanted Giles to be in charge. Now Giles works as a pundit for RTE’s Premier Soccer Saturday back in his homeland of Ireland, he is also the leading football analyst on Irish radio station Newstalk 106.

Centre Midfield: Billy Bremner

Voted Leeds’ greatest player of all-time, the football world was in deep mourning when he died in December 1997. In his honour a statue was erected outside Elland Road, which has become a prominent part of the ground. The Scotsman made over 550 appearances for the club and has been inducted into both the English Football Hall Of Fame and the Scottish Football Hall Of Fame. Bremner was a tenacious player and gave everything he could every time he pulled on a Leeds shirt.

Left Wing: Eddie Gray

Gray was very much a ‘one-club man’ spending his entire career at Elland Road, which lasted 18 years. He scored what many people call to be the greatest ever Leeds goal against Burnley, which was solo run from the byline by using a combination of tricks. After he hung up his boots, being a ‘one-club man’ he naturally went on to manage Leeds but resigned after three years, he went on to manage Whitby Town, Rochdale and Hull before return to manage Leeds once again as a caretaker manger in 2003. When the club were relegated from the Premiership he again left Leeds and now he works for Yorkshire Radio as a matchday analyst.

Continue reading on Page 3 to see how the strikers lined up

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Striker: Allan Clarke

Recognised as one of English football’s greatest ever goalscorers, he made over 250 appearances for the club. When he tried his hand in football management in 1978 as a player-manager of Barnsley and then moved on to his former club Leeds but unfortunately they were relegated under his leadership in 1982. He then had spells managing Scunthorpe, Barnsley again and finally Lincoln City in 1990; from 1993 he pursued business interests being a travelling salesman for West Yorkshire firm MTS Nationwide.

Striker: Joe Jordan

The man they famously called ‘Jaws’ due to his lack of front teeth, Joe Jordan spent eight years at Leeds before enjoying spells at Manchester United and AC Milan. He was never really a prolific scorer but his presence upfront is what made him such an asset, he is the only Scottish player to have scored in three World Cups – 1974, 1978 and 1982. Currently is the assistant manager of Tottenham and previously worked with Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth as part of his coaching staff.

Follow me on Twitter

Get the latest Championship news on Twitter

The world’s best player, Lionel Messi, has given England and Arsenal fans a major boost for the future by claiming that Theo Walcott is one of the most dangerous players he has ever come up against…doubters avert your eyes now.

The Barcelona playmaker believes that Walcott has the ability to rattle defenders with his blistering pace and was totally amazed not to see the forwards name in the final 23-man England World Cup squad this summer. Messi told the Daily Star this past Sunday (4th of July) of the bad decision Fabio Capello made:

“I must say that at the time I thought it was a bad decision to leave Theo Walcott at home, and I think that has been proved right. I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against.”

The Argentine wizard came up against the Arsenal speed merchant when the Gunners met Barcelona last season in the Champion’s Leagues quarter final. During the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal trailed Barca 2-0, which forced Wenger to make a few changes, one being the introduction of Theo Walcott to the game. Walcott’s incredible pace sparked a remarkable fight-back which led to the Gunners salvaging a 2-2 draw; Messi along with his fellow Catalan team-mates knew that the England international was the key threat that night:

“Barcelona players are not scared easily but I can tell you that when we played Arsenal last season he truly worried us. When we were playing Arsenal at the Emirates, we were so in control of the game at 2-0 – with all respect, Arsenal were not even in the game – then Theo came on and changed the game. He pretty much single-handedly salvaged a draw against Barcelona that night.”

Messi went on to speak about the second leg at the Nou Camp, stating:

“Even in the return leg, our manager Pep Guardiola was telling us he was the player to watch out for, and the best players in the world like Xavi and Gerard Pique were telling us to watch out for him. The truth is that he really rattled him.”

With this being said, if the best player in the world has accredited Walcott’s ability, then why has the 21-yeard-old Arsenal man drawn so many doubters in recent seasons? It’s fair to say that the explosive striker make shift winger, has not lived up to the fans expectations since making the switch to the Emirates in 2006. However, the youngster has picked up a number of injuries which has no doubt stunted his development regime. However, not many fans have doubted the player’s talent.

Walcott has the right attributes to become a great player for club and country, but has not yet channelled it in the correct way, which is a really good reason for supporters to feel aggravated and frustrated with the Arsenal forward.

Many Three Lion fans were shocked to find out that the 21-year-old was not picked to take part in the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer. Others would have thought it was the right decision as he was not able to keep fit, and as a result, never played enough games to board the plane to the tournament. Lionel Messi (along with other English fans) believed that Walcott should have made the 23-man squad even if he were to play a substitute role during the competition. The Argentine explained to the Star, that if Walcott was able to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around against Barca when the two sides met earlier in the year, then who knows what he could have done in the World Cup finals:

“If he could do that against Barcelona, think what he could have done against Germany and Algeria. Even if he didn’t start, he would still have been very important for England. Along with Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero, he would have been the best impact player at the World Cup.”

Of course Messi’s recent statement will no doubt have England fans talking and would probably have reinforced their on views on the player becoming a great player for the future. However, without the Argentine knowing, Messi may have heaped even more pressure on the young Englishman performing for the upcoming season for club and country. Although, if the best player in the world regards Walcott as ‘dangerous’, then surely doubters of the Arsenal mans talent will have to change their minds on the player in the near future.

Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TMer4kl1

Get the latest Arsenal news on Twitter

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

**

Click on image below to see the ITALIAN babes at the World Cup

Soon to be confirmed West Ham signing, Pablo Barrera, has already upset fans potentially by declaring that he intends to use the club as simply a stepping stone to further his career.

A work permit is the only thing stopping Barrera’s announcement from being official as he completes the move from Mexican side Pumas UNAM for £4m. However the 23-year-old has said about the move to East London:

“To perform for West Ham and then move to a bigger team in Europe are my goals. I want to show what I’m made of and then succeed in Europe.”

He added: “My agent told me they are signing players to get better. For me, it’s just cool to play football in Europe because it’s a dream I have had since before the World Cup.” (Sun)

Hammers fans have already been frustrated by the amount of players the club has been linked with and failed to sign and this comment by Barrera doesn’t help matters. In all probability if the Mexican comes to West Ham and plays really well then chances are he may join another side, but he didn’t need to say this and should have shown more respect towards the club. A lot of players have relished the chance to pull on the claret and blue shirt and Barrera should be no exception. West Ham have already had their share of prima donnas and they don’t need yet another one.

The Mexican is only the club’s second summer signing and they have found it very difficult to attract players to the club so far. The squad needs a lot of work done to it after the team very narrowly avoided relegation last season, manager Avram Grant will be keen to get new players in as soon as he can so he can start to work with a settled group of players.

Players have in the past moved to clubs in the Premiership and proclaimed to use them as a stepping stone and it can lead them trying too hard to impress others and not playing their usual game, and subsequently not playing well. Dennis Rommedahl made similar comments when he joined Charlton Athletic in 2004 and became a Premiership flop, so Pablo Barrera will be eager not to follow in the Dane’s footsteps.

Barrera has the potential to be a great player for West Ham as he looked like a very skilful and tricky winger at the World Cup for Mexico. Hammers fans like an exciting player and the Mexican is just that and he could become a real fans favourite, but he must learn to keep his mouth shut and think about the now which is West Ham rather than what could be in the future.

What do you make of Pablo Barrera’s comments?

*

Message me on Twitter with your thoughts

Get the latest West Ham news on Twitter

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

*

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

If all goes to plan, Stoke City will smash their transfer record this summer. The club have targeted French striker Loic Remy as they look to progress this season, and have made a £10 million bid for the Nice player. Remy has proven a popular transfer target for Premier League club’s this close season, with Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham also having been linked with the player. It is Stoke though, who currently appear to be in pole position. Stoke boss Tony Pulis has already flown out on a private jet to France, bringing Remy back to Stoke to show him the Britannia Stadium and speak at length about the club’s objectives and how it will match Remy’s own ambitions. The Potters have established themselves in the Premier League and are obviously looking to progress to the next level. To do this, club’s invariably have to spend money; and a lot of it. The cautionary tale of club’s spending beyond their means to reach that level is there for all to see, and Stoke City certainly don’t need me to point it out to them. They will be aware of the pitfalls of overspend, and they will just have to be careful they do not stumble into them.

Although some have decried the manner in which they have done so, Stoke City have established themselves as a solid Premier League club in the past two seasons. Tony Pulis and the Stoke fans will not have cared what others think, they have not experienced the success they currently do in years. Now though, Pulis appears to believe that it is time for Stoke City to make the step up to another level; and the £10 million bid for Loic Remy underlines this ambition. The manager will be hoping to add a bit more flair to what is a generally functional unit in order to do this. In the past two seasons, Stoke have sensibly lived within their means and not forked out large amounts of money on player transfers. This season seems to be different however, and Pulis obviously has ambitions for the club to move up a few places in the Premier League. Stoke have also targeted West Ham’s Carlton Cole, and what better way to signify the club’s growing ambition than signing one of their Premier League rival’s best players.

There is no suggestion that Stoke City are in financial difficulties, the club seems to have operated soundly and within its means in past few years. Spending has not been particularly high and though I won’t profess to be knowledgeable of the club’s balance books, it is highly unlikely that the transfer outlay on Loic Remy would constitute overspend. Indeed Stoke City owner Peter Coates is a very wealthy individual. Tony Pulis is also a considerate manager; he is not one to spend huge amounts of money that put the long-term future of the club at risk. Pulis is hoping to build a good Premier League side at Stoke and he will not mind taking his time in doing so. The club have earned a big money signing this summer for their efforts in the past few seasons, but it will be important that it does not set a precedent that the club will find financially difficult to handle. The temptation to buy, buy, buy is there, greater success in the Premier League is tantalising, Stoke City will just need to be careful that they don’t get carried away. As of now though, there is no suggestion that this will happen.

If you liked this article please follow me on Twitter. Or subscribe to my RSS feed.

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

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool's teenage Spanish forward Dani Pacheco has pledged his future to the Reds, having been linked with a summer move back to his homeland.

The 19-year-old recently starred at the European Under-19 championships and made his full Pool bow in a Champions League clash with Rabotnicki Skopje just under a week ago.

After talk of interest from Real Sociedad and hometown club Malaga, Pacheco told the Daily Echo:"I really want to do well for Liverpool and give my best.

"I have worked hard for this chance and hopefully I can impress the manager. I really enjoyed it against Rabotnicki and it made me happy to make my first start for the first team and play 90 minutes, but I have got to keep working hard.

"I know there had been some talk, but I want to stay here because this is a massive club and I want to make it work here.

"I have reached the age when I want to be playing. I want to show the manager that I can stay here, do well for him and play for Liverpool.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"That is the only thing on my mind right now."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is hopeful of making a number of new signings before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

Pulis has recently been thwarted in bids to sign striker Craig Bellamy from Manchester City and West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac, but is still confident of sealing a number of further deals.

He said:"I'm hoping next week we'll get another four players in if we can.

"We are really, really desperately keen to change one or two things around and shake the place up.

"That is very important. We are looking all over for different players and I'm hoping next week one or two things will drop for us.

"We have worked very hard to put things in place and we were disappointed with the Bellamy situation – we worked hard to try and get Craig here, but it just didn't drop for us.

"We were very keen to take Craig, but he has gone to Cardiff and I think (manager) Dave Jones is very fortunate to get what is a top, top player.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"Cardiff is his home town and he has been living away from his family for quite a while now.

"I think he has thought 'how can I help them get into the Premier League?' and I'm sure they have a great chance now."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Sometimes, the footballing world is rocked by the unlikliest of transfers. Overnight, a player can go from hero to zero after joining his previous club’s deadliest rivals. This occasionally works out, but there are also times when it signals the downturn of a player’s career.

So let us go back and delve into the firey depths of football treachery.

Roberto Baggio (Juventus -> Fiorentina)

Italians have always been passionate about football, but £8m was a king’s ransom back in 1990, which was paid out for Baggio’s services by the giants from Turin. This move was such a controversial one, that a riot erupted in Florence. His arrival coincided with a very successful period for Juventus’. Baggio is now president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation, not bad eh?

MALICE RATING: 2/5

SELFISHNESS RATING: 2/5

EFFECTIVENESS: 5/5

Jermain Defoe (Charlton -> West Ham Utd -> Spurs)

Defoe has done the rounds and followed mentor Harry Redknapp around like a duckling follows mother goose. After starting his career as a youth at Charlton Athletic, a 16 year old Defoe made the controversial decision to turn professional with a West Ham United side containing Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.

Charlton were paid due compensation having first scouted him, and after West Ham’s relegation in 2003, joined Tottenham, and then went to Portsmouth five years later. He has since returned to White Hart Lane as a goal machine, and the controversial move from West Ham to Spurs ultimately paid dividends, with the hugely talented striker rightfully desiring to play premier league football in the interest of his own career. To this day, Defoe remains a cemented first-teamer in a Champions League football playing Spurs side.

MALICE RATING: 1/5

SELFISHNESS RATING: 5/5

EFFECTIVENESS: (First stint at Spurs) 0/5 (Second stint at Spurs) 5/5

Paul Ince (West Ham -> Man Utd -> Liverpool)

Back in the day when people still had brick phones and hand-carts (1989 to be precise) Ince wore a Manchester United shirt ahead of his £1m transfer to Old Trafford, leaving the Upton Park he once enlightened, not so much in a blaze of glory, more a brown trail of smelly gas. After a spell at Inter Milan, Ince returned to England in 1997 to play for (fanfare)… LIVERPOOL! Unfortunately, his career then went on the slide, as his arrival coincided with Liverpool going trophyless in both seasons.

He was then drummed out to Middlesbrough in 1999 as a frustrated 31 year old, and finished his career with Wolves (moving there in 2002), experiencing relegation in that time. Since retiring in 2006, Ince has since managed sides such as Milton Keynes dons and Macclesfield – not quite the same as team-mates such as Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce in the Premier League – having blown his chance of glory with Blackburn Rovers in 2008/09.

MALICE RATING: 3/5

SELFISHNESS RATING: 4/5

EFFECTIVENESS: (WHU->MU) 4/5 (MU->INTER->LIV) 0/5

Nick Barmby (Everton -> Liverpool)

Although crossing the park was relatively common practice in the days of Dave Hickson (who moved from Goodison to Anfield in 1959), come the new millenium it was unthinkable for anyone to in either direction. Simply put Liverpool players didn’t want to go to a perpetually struggling club for a cut wage, and Everton players… well… just didn’t. Unfortunately for one Nick Barmby, that rule did not apply. Having gone to “represent Everton” in England’s poor Euro 2000 squad, Barmby made the overnight move to Anfield barely a week after the tournament finished for England.

Naturally, the Everton faithful were incensed that their best midfielder in years had betrayed them – to make matters worse, he scored in Liverpool’s 3-1 derby win at Anfield in October 2000 – but he ultimately proved a flop for the treble winning Liverpool side. Since then his career has gone down the pan – with a spell at Leeds coinciding with their meltdown, and slogging his way upwards through the football league with Hull City from Division Three to the Premier League. Last time he played at Goodison, he was awful and looked completely washed out as Hull were demolished by Everton.

MALICE RATING: 5/5

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

SELFISHNESS RATING: 5/5

EFFECTIVENESS: 0/5

Ashley Cole (Arsenal -> Chelsea)

Not only unfaithful to Cheryl, but also to his beloved boyhood club Arsenal. Although he won honours at Highbury and looked every bit like a long term fixture in the England squad (meant in a good way), he ran into controversy in 2005 after being found guilty of engaging in talks with deadly rivals Chelsea without notifying Arsenal. A year later, he was indeed signed by Chelsea for £5m plus William Gallas. However, it’s bad news for the League of Justice, as Cole’s career has continued to go without any drastic hitches – except for his private life, but he doesn’t care about that…. does he?

MALICE RATING: 4/5

SELFISHNESS RATING: 4/5

EFFECTIVENESS: 4/5

Look out for Part 2 tomorrow!

Follow me on twitter at: twitter.com/TamhasWoods

The agent of Hatem Ben Arfa has denied reports suggesting that Manchester Nigel de Jong has apologised in person for the challenge which left the Newcastle United loanee with a broken left leg.

Ben Arfa is set to miss the majority of the season after sustaining a serious injury, with de Jong having been dropped by the Netherlands as a result of his latest indiscretion.

Agent Simon Stanford revealed:"De Jong hasn't been in touch at all.

"Brian Marwood, who is a top-class professional person, sent a note from Manchester City saying everyone wished him a speedy recovery and sent a gift, but that's it.

"A visit from de Jong wasn't put to him. Brian wanted to visit but Hatem was on morphine at the time.

"The facts of the matter are he hasn't been in touch and he hasn't apologised. Brian Marwood has been in touch, but not de Jong."

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Meanwhile, Ben Arfa's parent club, Marseille, have hinted at possible legal action against de Jong.

President Jean-Claude Dassier told a French TV station: "We will file a claim against de Jong. It's about getting rid of this type of individual from European grounds."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Javier Hernandez’s career at Manchester United has started very promisingly, and Manchester United fans are very excited by the striker. However, it hasn’t been plain sailing for his other Mexican counterparts – Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela. The Manchester United front man clearly has a very bright future in English football but is it the end for his Mexican counterparts?

Arsenal’s Carlos Vela has had a hit and miss time in English football but would it be unfair to say he has failed. Has Arsene Wenger really given the Mexican international a chance to shine at the Emirates? Vela has had to bide his time at Arsenal as a bench warmer but Arsenal fans have seen glimpses of real talent from the striker when he has come on in games. What Arsenal fans have commented on is the fact that Eduardo was given a chance to show his worth to Arsenal last season after his horrific injury. For whatever reasons Eduardo couldn’t quite get back to the standards he set himself pre injury. It seems unfair on Carlos Vela that he hasn’t had the chance to prove himself at Arsenal.

With Arsenal playing 4-3-3, Carlos Vela will not be the main striker ahead of Marouane Chamakh or Nikolas Bendtner but can he re style his play and play wide of one these front men. If Vela can do this there is no reason why he can’t get into the Arsenal squad. Carlos Vela has an opportunity to capitalise on the poor for of Andriy Arshavin, but will Arsene Wenger utilise him in this role. Without a doubt Carlos Vela has considerable talent but it seems that without considerable injuries to key strikers, Vela’s time at Arsenal could be coming to an end.

In the situation of Giovani Dos Santos, he is a victim of a changing Tottenham team. Tottenham are playing with Raphael van der Vaart behind Peter Crouch – a system that suits both van der Vaart and Tottenham. Giovani Dos Santos again has considerable talent – a product of the Barcelona youth set up – but can he fit into the Tottenham squad as it stands now. The Mexican had opportunities at the start of the season but failed to really show his true from. Tottenham fans were excited for Dos Santos’ career after his exceptional performances in the World Cup this summer. However, ever since his move to England Tottenham fans haven’t seen his true talents and it seems that the Mexican could be following Carlos Vela out of England.

Hernandez, if he is to be successful in England must keep up the attitudes he has shown so far. Could it be that both Dos Santos and Vela haven’t shown such attitudes to play and improve and they have been overlooked by their managers. All three players had good performances at the World Cup but only Hernandez has kicked on into the domestic season. Hernandez’s talent is not any greater that of both Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos but it seems that he has shown a great attitude to play – as well as capitalising on Wayne Rooney’s injuries. It would be a shame to see the talents of Dos Santos and Carlos Vela lost but it seems their respective clubs have better options available to them.

Like what you read? Subscribe to my RSS feed or contact me on twitter here

Fancy playing your mates every week in a Premium Fantasy Football game?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

They say if you are going to win the title then sometimes you have to dig deep and Arsenal certainly did that today with a vitally important 3pts, courtesy of a late winner from the ever impressive Alex Song.

Arsenal was certainly the better team throughout and could have been two or three up prior to the goal, but found Green in incredible form who produced save after save. Even when he was beaten the Gunners found the woodwork coming to the visitors rescue.

Wenger won’t mind about the manner of the victory and will be absolutely delighted at not dropping vital points at home. Arsenal have a habit of leaving it late and it says a lot about the player’s mentality and their never say die attitude.

So how do Arsenal fans feel about their performance today and who deserves the man of the match award today?

[poll ]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.