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Being dragged into a relegation dogfight is a real possibility for Sunderland as they continue to look over their shoulders. Three straight Premier League defeats for the first time under Martin O’Neill has left the Wearside club a little too close to the drop zone for comfort. Five points separate them from third bottom Aston Villa and O’Neill knows his side need to get back to winning ways if they are to put to bed any lingering fears. Consistency has been the main issue for the Black Cats this term, while they also need to quickly rediscover their scoring touch having found the net just four times in their last six matches. Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham’s partnership is still in its formative phase but has shown signs of being fruitful once it clicks. If they can reproduce the second half performance from their last home game against Arsenal they should have enough to see off Fulham.

Unlike their hosts the Cottagers put some considerable breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. Victory at home to Stoke last week was their first since beating West Ham at the end of January but their form on the road will be of concern to Martin Jol. Two wins in 13 attempts on the road doesn’t read well but they will be confident of avoiding victory at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland’s record is hardly sparkling itself. Dimitar Berbatov’s return to scoring against the Potters will be of a relief to Jol who will now look to the Bulgarian to fire his side into contention for a top-half finish with a another match winning display in the North East.

Team News

Lee Cattermole and Danny Rose remain sidelined for Sunderland who have no fresh injury concerns.

Simon Davies could play his first game in a year after recovering from a serious knee injury, Kerim Frei and Kieran Richardson are available but Mahamadou Diarra (knee) is out for Fulham.

What the managers said…

“Absolutely – very much so. Simon still has two more years left to run on his current contract but we would like to do something, and that is something I want to push forward. If anyone deserves a new deal this season it is Simon, without a doubt. He has been fantastic for us. He’s a really genuine lad. He asked to see me this week to talk to me about the stories in the media, and at that stage I hadn’t seen them. But he felt things were being twisted a little bit, and he wanted to let me know that. I can’t prevent other teams being interested in him, if that’s the case. But I think that, for him, it is really important that he is playing regularly, and things might change – you never know, we might become as good as Atletico Madrid in the next few years!” Martin O’Neill wants goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tied down to a new deal sooner, rather than later.

“I feel that if you have got so many players being at the end of their contract, it can be a big problem. It is something we have got to manage well. I am trying to do that. Negotiations are different with each player. For example, with Damien Duff (who signed a one-year extension last week) it was quite easy. We reached an agreement within one week. But we are talking to most of them and hopefully two or three will sign in the next two weeks. Hangeland is one of them. Senderos too. Some of them, like Reither, we can wait until last month, so there is not pressure for all them.” Martin Jol fears a crisis at Fulham if they don’t tie their star players down to new contracts (Daily Mail) 

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Pre-Match Statistic: Sunderland are hoping to complete a top-flight double on Fulham for the first time since the 1949-50 season.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Fulham

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Swindon Town are reportedly eyeing a loan move for former England striker Andrew Johnson, should their transfer embargo be lifted.

The 32-year-old QPR forward has spent the last six months on the sidelines after sustaining a anterior cruciate ligament injury playing against Chelsea in September.

The former Crystal Palace and Everton frontman was not named in QPR’s 25-man squad list in January, meaning he cannot play for the club until next season at the earliest.

However, he has returned to full training and so may well be sent out on loan in order to get some first-team action under his belt before the end of the campaign.

Swindon are currently operating under a transfer embargo following a recent takeover but are hopeful of having it lifted ahead of Thursday’s loan deadline.

The BBC are reporting that should they get the green light to sign players, Johnson is high on their shortlist as they seek to boost their chances of earning automatic promotion.

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The Robins are currently in second place in League One, five points behind leaders Doncaster and only above Bournemouth and Brentford on goal difference.

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West Ham striker Carlton Cole is being linked with a move to Reading as he continues to stall on penning a new deal with the Hammers, according to ClubCall.

Cole is due to fall out of contract at Upton Park at the end of the season and appears to be heading for the exit door as he has yet to agree fresh terms with the club.

The Royals are again being linked with a move for the striker, but much will depend on what division they will be playing their football in next season as Cole is unlikely to drop into the Championship.

The former Chelsea man will not be short of offers should he leave West Ham and there will no doubt be interest from clubs who could offer Premier League football.

Nigel Adkins admits he already has one eye on next season and he will no doubt be aware of Cole’s contract situation at Upton Park, but whether he can land him is another matter.

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Newcastle put aside their recent troubles to beat QPR at Loftus Road and confirm Premier League survival, despite having their goalkeeper sent off.

The Magpies have endured difficult times of late but improved to score only their second away win of the season against Harry Redknapp’s already relegated side to finally move clear of the bottom three.

It all started so well for the R’s as referee Lee Probert penalised Mathieu Debuchy for a tugging on Junior Hoilett’s shirt in the penalty area allowing former Newcastle transfer target to beat Rob Elliot from the penalty spot after 11 minutes.

However, that rare streak of jubilation didn’t last long as Jose Boswinga tried to strip Hatem Ben Arfa in the box and Probert pointed to the spot again and the French winger blasted in off the bar from 12-yards to equalise.

Probert was involved again in the 22nd minutes as he whistled for offside after Papiss Cisse headed Debuchy’s right wing cross past Rob Green, before Hoilett was thwarted by a fine stop by Elliot at the other end.

Fortunately for the visitors Boswinga was in a more generous mood as his inextricable back-pass forced a hurried clearance from an under pressure Green that fell to Yoan Gouffran, who calmly rolled the ball into an empty net from 25-yards. An end of season lethargy tempered the start of the second half before QPR spurred into life as Hoilett dragged a shot wide.

Newcastle almost profited again from more slack work from QPR at the back as Hoilett had to be on his toes to block Ben Arfa’s effort after Arman Traore steered the ball needlessly back towards Green, while Gouffran almost saw a cross-cum-shot find the net before Alan Pardew saw his team reduced to 10-men when Elliot recieved his second yellow and was sent off for handling outside the penalty area.

But even with their man advantage QPR barely threatened to nick a point and Pardew cut a greatly relieved figure at the end as Newcastle finally dragged themselves to safety.

Harry Redknapp post-match…”The decision for their penalty was very poor, you’d be giving 20 penalties per game if you give those and it brought them back into it. Then the heads seemed to drop and we gave away a terrible second goal.”

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Alan Pardew post-match…”We got the win we needed. It is a big relief because this is a massive club. The injuries we have suffered this year have been horrendous. This type of year usually ends up in relegation.”

Man of the Match…Hatem Ben Arfa: Newcastle always look a more threatening proposition when Ben Arfa is on the field. Won and scored the equalising penalty and was always a danger to QPR with his quick feet and desire to run at defenders.

Flop of the Match…Jose Boswinga: Booed by his own supporters every time he touched the ball. It’ll be a miracle if Boswinga ever plays for QPR again after this nightmare display, in which he gifted Newcastle two goals before half time. Rightfully hauled off at the break and difficult to comprehend that he was starring Chelsea’s Champions League final victory just under a year ago.

We often hear of cases when certain footballers are not recognised as much as they should be.  Whether it be for footballing feats or not being praised for their impressive season, nothing will beat the impressive story of Walter Tull.

Walter Tull was born on 28th April 1888 in Folkestone, Kent.  Tull was the son of Barbadian carpenter Daniel Tull and Kent-born Alice Elizabeth Palmer.  His father was the son of a slave (Grandmother Tull) in Barbados and moved over in 1876.  Unfortunately when Tull was only seven his mother passed away, two years later his father fell to the same fate. With his step-mother unable to cope with six children, Tull and his brother Edward were sent to a Methodist based orphanage in Bethnal Green, London.  Brother Edward was quickly adopted, leaving Tull on his own.  Every morning before lessons he would have to wash in freezing cold water, clean at least 15 pairs of boots and scrub the floors on his knees.  Growing up in Victorian London wasn’t easy but luckily Tull had a gift on his side – football.

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Tull played for the orphanage side and quickly showed off his impressive skills.  Despite starting an apprenticeship as a printer, football always came first for Tull, it was the one constant in his life.  In 1908, following a successful trial, Tull signed for Clapton FC, a local amateur side, he played as an inside-forward.  In less than a year Clapton FC won every cup available to them, the FA Amateur Cup, the London Amateur County Cup and the London Senior Cup.  Following a hugely successful season, Tull was signed by Tottenham Hotspur for £10.  Tull became Britain’s first black professional outfield player and earned £4 a week, a top wage at the time.  Due to the sparse amount of black players, Tull was subject to severe racial abuse from the terraces.  In one famous match against Bristol City, Tull was subjected to so much racial abuse, a journalist from the Football Star newspaper who attended the game struck out:

“Let me tell those Bristol hooligans that Tull is so clean in mind and method as to be a model for all white men who play football… In point of ability, if not actual achievement, Tull was the best forward on the field.”

Tull played a total of 10 games and scored twice for Spurs before he was dropped.  In 1911, Tull moved to Northampton for what was reported at the time as a ‘heavy fee’.  Tull’s position had changed to half-back where he made 110 appearances, scoring nine goals.  All seemed well in Tull’s life until in 1914, when the First World War broke out.  Tull was the first of his team to volunteer and joined the Football Battalion 17th Middlesex Regiment.

Tull was promoted three times during his training period and was sent to France as Lance Sergeant near the front line in November 1914. In May 1915 Tull was sent back to England with post traumatic stress disorder.  Recovering strongly he returned to France and despite having been returned home, Tull fought bravely in the battle of Somme between October and November, 1916.  His courage and abilities impressed his superior officers so much that they recommended him for promotion.  Despite at the time there were military laws forbidding ‘any negro or person of colour’ being commissioned as an officer, Tull went back to England to train for the role.  In 1917, Tull was promoted to Lieutenant.  He was the first ever black officer in the British Army and the first black officer to lead white men into battle.  In the harsh winter of 1917-18 Tull twice lead his company behind enemy lines, across the river Piave on the Alpine Italian Front on a raid, and both times bringing his company back safe.  Tull was put forward for a Military Cross by his commanding officer, for his ‘gallantry and coolness’ under fire.  Unfortunately in March 1918 Tull was killed by machine gun fire while trying to help his men retreat.  His men tried several attempts to bring his body back to the trench, but it was never recovered.  Tull died selflessly still trying to help the men he led – he died a hero.

By making Tull an officer his superiors had thrown away the rulebook and went with their heart.  However when the war ended because Tull was not of a ‘pure european descent’ he was not rewarded the Military Cross.  A brutal and an unacceptable decision.

Tull was a hugely popular figure amongst all that knew him, it says it all when men were risking their lives to bring back his dead body.  Tull is just one of the thousands of victims from World War One who has no known grave.  He was honoured though in a different way, a statue of him was erected in 1999 in Northampton Town.  Thanks to a £49,000 lottery grant and future plans are now in place to celebrate his achievements.  Tull has also had a book published for him called ‘Walter Tull’s Scrapbook’ by author Michaela Morgan, to widely publicise the heroic figure.

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Currently an ongoing campaign to reverse the decision about Tull’s Military Cross is gathering steam.  Northampton MP Brian Binley is supporting an online Number 10 petition calling for Tull to be awarded the medal, even after death.

If all modern footballers could learn a lesson from the hero Walter Tull, it would be a big wake up call for the modern game.  Maybe less diving and theatrics, less abuse and more respect towards referees and show that they have a cause to fight for, not just to earn £200,000 a week and act selfishly.  Walter Tull deserves to have his Military Cross, and his story deserves to be spread.

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Tottenham’s new striker Roberto Soldado has suggested he doesn’t expect Gareth Bale to stay at White Hart Lane this summer, according to the Metro.

The Spaniard has officially joined Spurs after the Premier League side triggered the £26million release clause in his Valencia contract. But speaking ahead of his flight to London, Soldado didn’t seem confident that he would get his wish to play with the Welsh attacker.

“I think everybody knows about Gareth Bale. He’s a great player. It will be hard to keep him but I hope he stays with Tottenham,” he said.

Bale has been heavily linked with a move to Soldado’s old side Real Madrid, with Los Blancos hoping an £85million bid will secure his services and a move for Bale is looking ever closer, despite Andre Villas-Boas’s attempts to persuade the 23-year-old to stay at White Hart Lane.

The Portuguese manager has brought in Nacer Chadli and Paulinho, along with Soldado, to try and convince Bale that Spurs will have a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League this season. But as speculation grows over Bale’s future, it seems Spurs’ new signings won’t be playing alongside the Welshman this season.

Soldado could feature in a Tottenham shirt in the club’s first match of the new season away to Crystal Palace on August 18th.

Can Spurs compete without Bale? What do Tottenham fans feel about signing Soldado?

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Share your thoughts below!

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Aaron Cresswell is without a doubt Ipswich Town’s most valuable player. The former Tranmere man has just signed a new contract which ties him to the club until 2017, but he could well still leave in the summer if Ipswich do not secure promotion.

Of course it is great to see the Tractor Boys actively doing something to ensure that they do not lose their top players for nothing, especially as it is something they have failed to do in the past. It is painful to look back on some of the talent that the club has failed to secure and this news is a step towards Ipswich becoming a much more efficient football club.

Everyone can see that Cresswell is well worth securing too, the left back has scored twice and made eight assists so far this season. Additionally, he has only missed six games since arriving from Tranmere and he played every game last season which displays not only his consistency but also his resistance to injury.

However, without meaning to sound pessimistic I get the feeling that Cresswell’s contract extension is primarily about maintaining the players value for this summer. It seems likely that Ipswich have given Cresswell a wage hike but it is also likely that his new contract will have a clause of some sort to enable the left back to leave if the right offer comes in.

My guess would be that if Ipswich have not gained promotion to the Premier League by the end of this season then the young defender will be able to leave for a Premier League side if a certain value is met. I believe that the Tractor Boys will be able to demand a fee somewhere between £4 million and £5.5 million for their star player, if they are forced to sell.

Like I previously mentioned, despite these factors it is still great to see the club making moves to ensure their long-term success. If Cresswell did not sign a new contract then his value would probably have halved by the time any Premier League side made an offer.

In many ways Ipswich have put themselves in a win-win situation by wrapping up this contract arrangement. If the Suffolk side manage to claw their way back into the top flight they will not be forced to sell their best player. Alternatively, if they fail to win promotion this season then they will receive enough cash to make a major investment in the squad.

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Personally I think signing Cresswell for £4 million would be a good deal for a Premier League side but it would not be a bargain by any means.

Mick McCarthy has done an amazing job at Ipswich with an almost non-existent transfer budget, I am sure that he would not waste any money given to him and would certainly find some great bargains. Whilst it is difficult to replace star players like Cresswell, I believe that Ipswich have put themselves in the best position possible going forward if they were forced to sell.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has expressed his desire to stay with the Turin club for the long term, as reported by Sky Sports News.

Manchester United have been keen on the Chilean international who was injured when his national team came to Wembley last week.

United were expected to make a January bid for the Juventus star man as boss David Moyes continues to be frustrated by his lacklustre midfield, with new boy Marouane Fellaini yet to impress.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also been linked with interest of the holding midfielder who has become a key man in Turin over the past 18 months alongside former United youngster Paul Pogba.

Despite being linked to some of the biggest clubs in the world, Vidal is more than happy to stay with Juve and go on and win more trophies with the Old Lady.

“I am fine in Turin and my family is very happy in the city,” Vidal told Italian press.

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“In addition to that, I want to keep on winning titles with Juventus.”

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Tottenham are planning to make an official complaint to the FA about Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam, after a challenge on Paulinho which has ruled the Brazilian out of action for at least a month, according to the Daily Mail.

Adam was late in the tackle on Paulinho during Tottenham’s 3-0 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday, making it the fourth time he has left his mark on a Tottenham player since being promoted to the Premier League with Blackpool in 2010.

Adam had previously been involved in controversial incidents with Scott Parker, and twice with Gareth Bale.

Paulinho has suffered ankle ligament damage, and is likely to be ruled out for at least a month.

Adam was booed following his arrival as a second half substitute at White Hart Lane, whilst Paulinho made his feelings clear by exchanging heated words with Stoke boss Mark Hughes as he left the pitch.

Adam was quick to defend himself however, after receiving plenty of abuse from Tottenham fans for his actions.

Adam said: ‘Just for the record and the people tweeting me abuse saying so, I don’t and never have had anything against Spurs and I would never intend to injury a fellow professional.’

However Tottenham are still set to take the unusual route of writing to the FA to complain about Adam.

Gareth Bale branded the Scot a ‘coward’ after a rash challenge on the Welshman during a pre season friendly whilst Adam was playing for Liverpool.

Adam had previously caused Bale ankle ligament damage during his Blackpool days.

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‘What he did was over the top,’ said Bale at the time. ‘Some people are like that and it’s just wrong. There are pictures on the internet of what he did before when he snapped all my ankle ligaments. I was out for three months that time and one player told me he went out to do it again.’

Click below to watch Man United vs Spurs LIVE!

Manchester United’s season hangs in the balance tonight as they host newly crowned Greece champions Olympiakos at Old Trafford.

Their 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool last week all but ended their chances of a top four finish this season, while a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of this last 16 tie means failure to progress tonight could be the final nail in the coffin for their hopes of Champions League football next season.

David Moyes insists his job is safe, despite growing speculation that the Old Trafford board have already discussed potential replacements. He will need to win tonight, though, to back up any claims that he is still the right man to continue Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy-filled 25 years as boss before him.

Here are tonight’s confirmed starting line-ups for both sides…

<blockquote lang=”en”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mufc&amp;src=hash”>#mufc</a> team vs <a href=”https://twitter.com/olympiacos_org”>@Olympiacos_org</a>: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Welbeck; Rooney, van Persie.</p>&mdash; Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ManUtd/statuses/446353843631050752″>March 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote lang=”en”><p>TEAM NEWS: <a href=”https://twitter.com/olympiacos_org”>@olympiacos_org</a>: Roberto, Maniatis, Holebas, Manolas, Marcano, Leandro Salino, N'Dinga, Peréz, Fuster, Campbell, Domínguez. <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23UCL&amp;src=hash”>#UCL</a></p>&mdash; Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href=”https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/statuses/446358695396388864″>March 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

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