David Dein warns Arsenal fans to ‘respect’ manager Arsène Wenger
• Former vice-chairman says Wenger could leave
• Says speculation over future is 'very dangerous'
The former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has urged the clubs fans to show respect for the manager, Arsène Wenger, or risk losing him as he comes under increasing pressure at the Emirates.
Arsenal have not won a trophy for six years and fans are concerned at a lack of buying activity in the transfer market this summer. Cesc Fábregas has moved to Barcelona and Samir Nasri is reportedly close to a move to Manchester City. Some fans became embroiled in a spat with the latter this week.
Dein, who left Arsenal in 2007, said Wenger could leave if he did not get the fans' backing.
Dein told BBC Sport: "That's always an option open to him because it could come to a stage when he will say, 'Well, I have had enough.' At least that's how I feel and I feel the fans should feel that. They should at least give him the respect that he deserves for what he's done.
"People talk about, 'Has his time finished at the club?' That's a very dangerous thing to say because it's easy to get rid of people and then what? People talk about buying players. Well, you've got to get players who are better than the ones you've got at the moment."
Dein, who was instrumental in appointing Wenger in 1996, added: "I can understand [the fans'] worry because the expectation level today is so high and Arsène has brought such success to the club. In 15 years that he's been there, every year we've been in the Champions League. So you can understand, perhaps, fans feeling a little bit frustrated that they haven't seen a trophy for a few years.
"Under Arsène Wenger's stewardship, they've had good times and very good times and there's no reason to expect why we shouldn't see them again."
Arsène WengerArsenalguardian.co.ukFootball transfer rumours: Willian to Arsenal?
Today's tittle tattle orders the nation's hacks to think up some new ones next week, that's your homework for the weekend
We'll be honest with you, folks, today's rumours are rubbish. Every single one. They're either dull, or you've heard them before. We can say this honestly and without fear or prejudice because we don't make them up, we just copy them down. Whether that makes us better or worse is a moot point. But hey, before you think of climbing atop your lofty steed, the high horse, remember that you're the one who hasn't navigated away from this page yet. You're the one still reading this column, despite that frank and trenchant opening gambit.
So here we go, and don't say we didn't warn you. Luka Modric is the new Cesc Fábregas. That doesn't mean he's going to Arsenal, he's just the subject of a transfer saga that's boring all of the teeth out of our head. He's off to Chelsea, of course, where Valencia's Juan Mata will be joining him.
Manchester United are still in hot pursuit of Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri, though the former is odds-on to stay at Internazionale, while the latter is likely to go to Manchester City. In other news the sun is still hot, the sky is still blue, and gravity is still holding all the earth's stuff down.
Shakhtar Donetsk foward Willian has once again spoken of his desire to move to Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea. He doesn't dream about anyone except himself.
Harry Redknapp's got an itching, burning sensation in the back of his trousers. It's his wallet, for those of you about to suggest a good old scrub with a wire brush and Dettol. Lassana Diarra is the man heading to Tottenham, with Emmanuel Adebayor not far behind, though we've told you that 45 times already this week.
Mario Balotelli is on his way back to Milan, where he'll play for the club of the same name, rather than their city rivals from whence he came, on account of him being football's most entertaining irritant. We'll miss him if he goes.
Manchester City want Uruguay centre-back Sebastián Coates, a 20-year-old from Nacional; West Ham are planning a bid for Nice striker Eric Mouloungui of Gabon; Blackburn want Simon Vukcevic of Sporting Lisbon; and, good God, are you still here, reading this to the bitter end? Really?
Transfer windowScott Murrayguardian.co.ukFootball League weekender | James Dart
The best matches and bets from the latest round of matches, plus our pick from the Football League blogosphere
Key matches• Almost nine years since Jefferson Louis settled their last meeting, the Thames Valley/M4/Didcot Triangle (with Reading, apparently) derby rivalry between Swindon Town and Oxford United will resume on the field in League Two this Sunday. And if you needed a reminder of the ill feeling between the pair, vandals broke into the Kassam Stadium at 5.36am last Saturday to provide it, burning the initials 'STFC' on the playing surface, upon which United were held to a 1-1 draw by Bradford. Swindon have lost twice in a week, the second defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge prompting boss Paolo Di Canio to say: "We are a bunch of good fellas, but we are not a team." QPR striker Leon Clarke could be added to their number in time for the game, one that the Oxford manager Chris Wilder is looking forward to. "We will go there and try and play," said a bullish Wilder after the 2-0 win over Shrewsbury in midweek. Game on.
• "I wouldn't have thought they can get much better than they were tonight." So said Sam Allardyce after West Ham's 4-0 stroll at Watford on Tuesday, a second away win in four days to help stop any post-relegation rot set in, having lost to Cardiff on the opening weekend. Allardyce – for now – can call on the likes of pre-deadline day targets Robert Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, not to mention fly-tipping's Frédéric Piquionne as Leeds come to town on Sunday, themselves coming off a victory with four goals after a drab first two matches. Boss Simon Grayson, who has been linked with a move for Roque Santa Cruz, faces a selection dilemma over Jonathan Howson and Max Gradel, who were suspended for the 4-1 beating of Hull.
• While Charlton put their 100% League One record on the line at home to Scunthorpe, the only other team with nine points from nine – Sheffield United – head for Tranmere, themselves off to a decent start in sixth. A 97th-minute Notts County winner ended Rovers' unbeaten league start in midweek and Les Parry will be looking for his team to respond as the Blades come to town, having avoided any lingering hangover from last season's relegation. "They don't come any harder," is Parry's assessment.
Players to watch• Rob Elliot: the Charlton goalkeeper has conceded just a solitary goal en route to the top of League One. But now the rub: manager Chris Powell faces losing his No1 before the end of the month, with Newcastle leading the chase. "I can't stop anyone from having ambitions to play higher because I've been there as a player in my past," admitted Powell.
• Marvin Emnes: topping the Championship scoring charts after three goals in as many games (plus a hat-trick in the Carling Cup last week), the Dutchman is showing some of the finishing form that first persuaded Middlesbrough to part with £3.2m for him in 2008. Emnes, who recently signed a new contract amid rumoured interest from Wolves, looks a rejuvenated player under boss Tony Mowbray. Next up: Birmingham, on Sunday.
Goal of the weekPlenty of contenders, but Ross Draper's lob in Macclesfield's 4-0 midweek win at League Two basement side Hereford nicks it.
Quotes of the week"We're like a bottle of lemonade at the moment. Once it goes pop I think we will be very good, but we have got to make it go pop" - looking up from the foot of the Football League, Bulls boss Jamie Pitman searches for some positives.
And, with apologies to anyone with an imagination:
"The rebuilding of Leeds United is a bit like sex. In an age of instant gratification, Leeds United is having a long, drawn-out affair with plenty of foreplay and slow arousal" - Ken Bates channels the spirit of Swiss Toni in his programme notes on Tuesday.
Best bets• Brighton to beat Blackpool at 6-5: the Seagulls and Saints rolled through League One last season and they're doing likewise one tier above. Brighton's win at Cardiff was eye-grabbing enough to make them still worth backing, even against a decent Blackpool side, but one that lacked a spark in defeat to Derby.
• Morecambe to beat Aldershot at 6-4: after being undone by a Mark Randall screamer on opening day, the Shrimps have pocketed six points from two road wins since; Aldershot have lost two in a row at home this week without scoring since a win at Bradford. Their current (very early) placings of sixth and 18th could well pan out the longer the season goes.
We'll monitor the "best bets" progress through the season, with a set stake of £10 per bet. Current loss: £18.70.
Again, there's no tipping contest this season, but that doesn't stop you posting your best bet suggestions below the line. And for those that would like to take part, we have set up a private Championship Fantasy League, the pin for which is: 12647. Phil Day currently leads the way with Sunny Roath City.
What you may have missed from the blogosphere• From The Two Unfortunates on Portsmouth's squad:
Twenty minutes in to the match between Portsmouth and Reading at Fratton Park, I had made my conclusions. Far from the basket case of lore, the home side were actually looking pretty damn resilient - yes, they are a typically muscular Steve Cotterill side, unfraid to employ a height and weight advantage; but also one with a waggon load of experience and a lashing of dash.
• From No Nay Never on new Burnley signing Danny Ings:
Eddie Howe more than anyone else should know what Danny Ings is all about. Eddie was head of AFC Bournemouth's Centre of Excellence when Danny joined at Under-15 level. He had moved on to be boss of the reserves when selecting Ings to make his 'stiffs' debut whilst still a schoolboy.
• You can read much more from our Football League blogosphere, which should now have been updated to include more of your recently suggested blogs.
James Dartguardian.co.ukBarton leads Hillsborough campaign
• Midfielder backs calls for release of documents into tragedy
• Urges Lady Gaga and Lord Sugar to also join online campaign
After using Twitter to quote Nietzsche and George Washington, and then to insult Alan Shearer's dress sense, Joey Barton was back on the social networking site yesterday, but this time his comments were widely met by praise and respect as opposed to ridicule and rage.
The Newcastle midfielder sent over 40 tweets calling on his 420,464 followers, as well as celebrities ranging from Alan Sugar to Lady Gaga, to back an online petition demanding the government withdraw its opposition to the full disclosure of documents relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
The Cabinet Office said on Wednesday that it was appealing against the information commissioner Christopher Graham's ruling calling for the documents to be made public on the grounds that such details should first be seen by the Hillsborough Independent Panel as part of its ongoing inquiry into the events that led to the death of 96 Liverpool supporters during an FA Cup semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest in Sheffield 22 years ago.
The Cabinet Office's stance, which would protect withdrawn files including reports presented to then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and correspondents between her office and that of the home secretary at the time, Douglas Hurd, was met by the creation of an e-petition on the government's website by the Liverpool supporter Brian Irvine calling for the "full disclosure of all government documents relating to 1989 Hillsborough disaster". Should it receive 100,000 signatures, the motion would automatically have to be heard by parliament.
As of last night, it had 44,171 signatures and many could well have been instigated by Barton's intervention, which began on Wednesday night before gathering pace yesterday.
"Everybody sign this petition, the truth about hillsborough must come out, all football fans should join together," tweeted Barton before he began to send a host of similar appeals to high-profile figures, asking them to retweet the message.
Lady Gaga was the most high profile of those targeted by Barton but as yet, the outlandish pop star has not joined the cause. Among those who have, however, are Piers Morgan and the Manchester United and former Liverpool striker, Michael Owen.
Barton's efforts were well received, particularly from Liverpool supporters. In response to the 28-year-old, who grew up on Merseyside, Graeme Hammond tweeted: "I lost my brother at hillsborough thankyou for all your doing getting the petition noticed."
The praise represent something of a turnaround for Barton, who was vilified in many quarters for his perceived dive during Newcastle's goalless draw with Arsenal at St James' Park last Saturday. Before that, he had become something of a figure of fun for using pseudo-intellectual tweets to describe his frustration at having been made available for transfer by the north-east club.
Interesting, Barton also tweeted yesterday he would "make no comments about anything" until the e-petition had received 100,000 signatures.
It has already been publicly backed by the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, as well as a number of high-profile politicians, including the former culture secretary, Andy Burnham.
Joey BartonHillsborough disasterLiverpoolSachin Nakraniguardian.co.ukMaribor 2-1 Rangers | Europa League play-off first leg match report
Rangers were denied a draw against Maribor in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at the Stadion Ljudski vrt thanks to a last-gasp winner on the night from the substitute Etien Velikonja.
Juan Manuel Ortiz scored his first goal for Rangers when he fired the Glasgow club into a first-half lead but Agim Ibraimi levelled after the break before Velikonja found the back of the net. Rangers must now hope they can rescue the tie at Ibrox and book their place in the group stages following the disappointment of crashing out of Champions League qualifying.
Carlos Bocanegra was handed his Rangers debut from the start after signing from St-Etienne. The USA skipper was granted international clearance hours before the match in Slovenia, allowing him to partner Dorin Goian in the heart of defence. Lee McCulloch was also added to the side after recovering from a knee injury and Kyle Lafferty was named on the bench for the first time this season following a hernia operation.
Maribor were without their captain Marcos Tavares, who failed to recover from a back problem in time.
Rangers found themselves under pressure early on when an error from Bocanegra allowed Ales Mertelj to unleash a shot which was blocked by Allan McGregor. At the other end Nikica Jelavic had the chance to find the back of the net when a corner broke to him in front of goal but his first effort was blocked before he fired wide from the rebound. Jelavic then attempted to turn provider for Ortiz with a tempting cross from the right but the danger was cleared before he could connect from six yards out.
The home side had enjoyed much of the possession without really taking advantage and they found themselves trailing when Rangers took the lead after 31 minutes thanks to Ortiz.
The Spaniard started the move by finding Kirk Broadfoot out on the right flank, before racing into the box where he was waiting to collect the return pass and flick home from six yards.
But Maribor were back on level terms by the 52nd minute when Ibraimi collected on the corner of the box from a throw-in and sent a powerful left-foot shot past McGregor.
Rangers could have restored their lead when Jelavic set up the shot for Edu but he looked on in frustration as his drive from distance went just wide of target.
Maribor had the chance to put their visitors under pressure with a free-kick 25 yards out and, again, Mezga was not too far away with an effort that fizzed past McGregor's left-hand post. Rangers also had the chance to challenge with a set piece of their own and Jelavic nodded narrowly past the upright after connecting with Lee Wallace's corner.
But it was Maribor who had the net bulging in injury time when Mezga teed up the shot for Velikonja, who back-heeled the ball over the line.
Europa League 2011-12 qualifiersRangersEuropa League 2011-12Europa Leagueguardian.co.ukWBA manager Roy Hodgson optimistic about Owen Hargreaves’s fitness
• Hodgson confident Owen Hargreaves is fit to play
• Expects competition for midfielder's signature
West Bromwich Albion have held further talks with Owen Hargreaves and are confident that the former Manchester United player will pass a full medical if they can agree personal terms with him.
Albion were the first club to make contact with the midfielder after he was released by United at the end of last season, following four injury-plagued years at Old Trafford during which he made only 39 appearances. The 30-year-old has remained in contact with the Midlands club ever since and recently met Roy Hodgson, the Albion manager, and Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, to discuss their proposal.
He has also undergone a preliminary medical examination at the club that has led Hodgson to believe the 30-year-old will come through more stringent tests if and when the need arises. "Dan has had further talks with him and the talks have been relatively positive," said Hodgson, who expects Albion to face competition from other Premier League clubs for a player who cost United £17m four years ago. "We believe he's capable of playing top-flight football again and we're very interested in him."
Asked whether Hargreaves has had a medical, Hodgson replied: "A minor one, yes. If he was to join us of course he'd have a proper medical with all the scans. We haven't done that. He came to visit with Alex McKechnie, the man who's been largely credited with supervising his revival and our expert here, Mark Gillett [the club doctor], looked at him and agreed.
"If the day ever came when he was even close to signing a contract, he'd have to go through a more rigorous medical, but I quite firmly believe that he would just as easily pass that. Alex and Owen were keen to show the doctor that the knee was fine."
Peter Odemwingie, meanwhile, has given Albion a boost by signing an improved three-year contract that will end speculation about his future. Odemwingie, 30, scored 15 Premier League goals in his first season in England after joining from Lokomotiv Moscow 12 months ago. He has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Wigan Athletic, who had a bid rejected last week.
West BromTransfer windowStuart Jamesguardian.co.ukAgent fees could delay Nasri’s debut
• Midfielder will receive double his Arsenal wages
• Arsène Wenger faces selection problems for Liverpool game
Samir Nasri is unlikely to be cleared to make his debut for Manchester City at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, as the fine details on his £22m transfer from Arsenal have not yet been ironed out.
The two clubs have reached the basis of an agreement, under which Nasri will follow Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gaël Clichy from Arsenal to City, and the midfielder has long been satisfied with the financial terms on offer. He ignored Arsenal's proposal of a new contract worth £90,000 a week, to replace one that expires next summer, and he stands to double the figure at City. But there are final complications to be resolved, which include the payment of fees to the agents involved.
Arsenal's contract offer would have made Nasri one of the highest paid players in the club's history and there has been exasperation in north London at his refusal to sign, particularly as it was believed that he was ready to do so in February. The case also illustrates City's ability to dwarf rival clubs in the financial stakes. When the deal does go through, Nasri can be expected to argue that he is more likely to win silverware at City than Arsenal.
Arsène Wenger has discounted Nasri from his plans for the Premier League visit of Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime, even though the Arsenal manager has been confronted by a selection crisis in midfield. He will be without the suspended Alex Song and Gervinho, together with the injured Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby, while Tomas Rosicky, who played with a groin problem against Udinese in the Champions League on Tuesday night, is a doubt. In defence, Kieran Gibbs could yet feature despite limping off with hamstring trouble against Udinese and Armand Traoré is also not as badly injured as was feared, when he went off for the reserves with groin trouble.
For Nasri to play for City at Bolton, the paperwork on the transfer would need to be completed and him registered with the Premier League by midday . It is more likely that his debut will come in City's following fixture, which would carry added spice for him. City play at Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.
Wenger, meanwhile, has criticised Uefa for a lack of clarity over their rules regarding whether it is permissible for a suspended manager to communicate from the stands with his bench. He served a touchline ban against Udinese and he relayed his orders via his assistant Boro Primorac, who was seated alongside him in the stands. But at half-time, he was ordered to stop.
"It was difficult because you didn't really know what the rules were," Wenger said. "They told us first we could communicate through my assistant and at half-time it was not like that. It was a bit confusing. It is a real concern because up to what level can you stop someone doing their job?"
Wenger appeared to continue relaying orders in the second half and Uefa has not yet announced whether it will take the matter further.
Samir NasriManchester CityArsenalTransfer windowPremier League 2011-12Premier LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.ukNacional 0-0 Birmingham City | Europa League play-off match report
Birmingham earned a goalless draw from the first leg of their Europa League play-off at Nacional in Madeira but it could have been much better for Chris Hughton's side, who struck the woodwork three times.
Chris Wood was twice denied by the frame of the goal in a five-minute spell either side of half-time and Steven Caldwell's first-half header also struck the post as Birmingham came the closer to breaking the deadlock at the Estádio da Madeira.
The Championship side, competing in a major European competition for the first time since 1962, gave a debut in midfield to their new signing Jonathan Spector and 17-year-old Nathan Redmond had his first start of the season on the wing.
Nacional started the better of the two sides and a great challenge by Curtis Davies early on denied Mateus da Costa what might have been the opening goal. However, Birmingham eased their way back into the contest and could consider themselves unlucky not to have held a half-time advantage. Davies brought a save out of the home goalkeeper Elisson before Caldwell and Wood both struck the goal frame.
The visitors carried that momentum into the second half and inside two minutes of the restart they hit the post yet again. Redmond's drive from outside the box was parried by Elisson but Chris Burke picked up possession and his cross was headed on to the upright by Wood.
Wood then fired an effort across the face of goal before Nacional tried their luck with efforts from Mateus and Diego Barcelos, although neither troubled Boaz Myhill.
Birmingham came close to snatching a late winner when Caldwell got on the end of Jean Beausejour's free-kick but his header went over and the game finished goalless.
Birmingham CityNacionalEuropa League 2011-12 qualifiersEuropa League 2011-12Europa Leagueguardian.co.ukMourinho likely to escape mêlée charge
• Real Madrid manager poked Barça coach in the eye
• Referee's report makes no mention of incident
José Mourinho is likely to escape punishment for his behaviour during the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday night, despite appearing to thrust a finger into the eye of Barcelona's assistant manager, Tito Vilanova, during a mêlée at the side of the pitch in the final minute. Vilanova slapped Mourinho back during a touchline brawl in which David Villa punched Mesut Ozil and players and technical staff squared up to each other. Trouble flared after Marcelo launched into a wild tackle on Cesc Fábregas, leading to his dismissal.
Mourinho's actions have brought widespread condemnation but he is not expected to face charges. Because what he did was not recorded in the referee's official report, action is not taken automatically. An investigation would also be opened in the event of Barcelona making a formal complaint but it is understood that they do not plan to do so, even though the Barcelona vice-president, Carles Villarubí, described Mourinho as a "stain on football".
The body that investigates disciplinary issues and hands out fines and suspensions, the competition committee, meets next week. The committee, which comes under the control of the Spanish football federation, the RFEF, handles all matters in the Spanish football league, the LFP. However, in the Copa del Rey and the Super Cup competitions, which are run by the RFEF and not the LFP, the committee's president, Alfredo Flores, acts alone. He does not, at the moment, intend unilaterally to begin disciplinary proceedings.
Uefa, meanwhile, considers this a domestic issue that does not come under its jurisdiction – even though Mourinho is serving a five-game Uefa ban, two games of which are suspended subject to his good
Chelsea raise stakes in pursuit of Modric and Mata
• Manager has spoken to chief executive about Spurs midfielder
• Club complete signing of Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht
André Villas-Boas has urged the Chelsea board to drive through the purchase of Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur as he hopes to bring a fresh dimension to his