Swansea and Reading will contest the Championship play-off final on bank holiday Monday for a place in the Premier League. But neither side would look out of place in the top flight and after the season each club has had their place would be fully deserved.

Swansea have had a fairly consistent season and featured in the top 6 for the majority of it. Their success has been built on their very impressive home form that produced 15 wins and only 3 defeats. However, if there was anything that let them down this season it was the number of games they lost away. Although they won 9 games on the road the tally of 11 defeats is the worst in the top 9. However, despite missing out on automatic promotion they now have another chance in the play-off final after beating Nottingham Forest in the semi-final.

Reading in many ways have had a very different season to Swansea even though the final league table shows them separated by only 3 points. However, in many ways they gate crashed the play-off party as one team usual does. For much of the season it looked like a finish in the top half of the table was as good as it was going to get. But Reading have a fantastic spirit about them and a run of games that included 8 consecutive wins put them right in contention and for a second it looked like automatic promotion might be on the cards.

It promises to be an exciting final between two sides that enjoy playing good football and both have one or two players to watch and worth keeping an eye on. Swansea play a very patient game of possession football and like to control games and that should put them in good stead in the Premier League should they get there. However, they also have some very good attacking players that can get in behind teams. Players worth keeping an eye on include former Chelsea man Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer and on-loan Chelsea striker Fabio Borini – who has made a real impact in a short space of time.

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Reading like Swansea has some real talent and pace in their side that would cause problems for any defence. Players worth keeping an eye on include Jobi McAnuff, Jimmy Kebe and their top scorer Shane Long. Good luck to both teams in the final and whoever is successful can look forward to the challenge of the Premier League.

There are certainly plenty of good things going for each club. They both play in modern stadiums, like to play football in the right way, have players that would not look out of place in the Premier League and both have up and coming managers; no reason to think that one of these teams cannot become a permanent fixture in the Premier League.

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On Saturday we saw a rather lacklustre performance from the England team in an important Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland. Yes, admittedly we do still have some individual good players in the Premier League – but with many of them coming towards the end of their career, do with have a new breed of players that will do us proud?

I would like to think so – but they certainly must be given the opportunity to flourish. Exceptionally talented players like Jack Wilshere are also likely to make the breakthrough due to the quality they possess. But the top English Premier League players need to get the opportunity to play for the best teams. Some of our most talented players like Ashley Young, Gary Cahill and Phil Jones may need to move on in the summer to perform on a bigger stage with the best players.

We have seen foreign ownership and foreign management come in to the Premier League and build squads almost exclusively based on foreign players. That strategy is understandable for teams on a budget because in general better value is quoted for foreign players. However, does the Premier League big six (Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool) really have any excuse not to buy English? On top of the hugely lucrative TV deals they also enjoy significant commercial and match-day income. We already know about the fact that some Arsenal fans are getting turned off by the huge season ticket prices.

Yes, I understand that a lot is at stake for getting signings wrong and we would not want English players to be signed purely for the sake of signing English players. The process should be the same as any other signing – but we need to have the best English players playing for the biggest English clubs and playing in the Champions League.

At times prices will be high – but that is just the way of the world and the big clubs don’t really need to penny pinch, do they? Case in point was the signing of Andy Carroll in the January transfer window, now I think most people know that at the moment there is no way he is worth £35m. However, he is a talented young striker and if he scores anywhere near the amount of goals in the Premier League and for England that has been predicted, then Liverpool’s gamble will have paid off. In a similar way Manchester United probably overpaid when they signed Chris Smalling and Arsenal when they signed Theo Walcott. But that is just the way it is and the selling club are not keen to sell their best talent – so they are going to want compensation for all the years they have spent training and developing the player.

Premier League clubs could do a lot worse than having a little look at the Barcelona squad – who proved themselves to be the best European club side. Their squad though has a definitive Spanish core to it and features 12 Spaniards in their first-team alone. So it stands to reason that this is a reasonable model to follow, but in order to do that English sides must commit to buying English players and also developing and giving the best English players their chance in the first-team instead of foreign players. But with the financial fair play rules coming in soon a certain amount of this may need to happen anyway and if so much the better.

If we fast forward 10 years and looked through the top squads within the Premier League – wouldn’t it be fantastic if each squad featured at least 10 top quality English players. Liverpool may be best placed to make that dream a reality. With two men that were involved in the set-up at Barcelona in Jose Segura and Rodolfo Borrell they should develop it in the right way. Both in terms of developing youth players as they have done with Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly; but also with the signing of the best English talent – something they started with the capture of Andy Carroll and will hopefully continue during the summer. And if they do it that way and other clubs follow so much the better.

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Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is relishing the prospect of additional competition for a first-team spot.The arrival of Phil Jones from Blackburn and last season’s form of Chris Smalling means the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international faces increased pressure to prove he can replace Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

However, Evans is not fazed by the challenge.

“I have always thought that being at a club like Manchester United, if you can’t accept a challenge of someone wanting your spot, you don’t deserve to be here,” Evans told the Manchester Evening News ahead of United’s US tour opener against the New England Revolution in Boston.

“That is what Manchester United is all about. You are constantly being tested.”

“It is down to you, whether you are good enough, or whether you are putting the effort in to play for the first team.”

Evans was speaking at a Special Olympics event in Boston, the first in a series of initiatives during the course of United’s three-week tour aimed at offering sporting activities to those suffering from learning disabilities.

But his thoughts never strayed too far from the new season, and the opportunity to wipe out memories of the 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

“That defeat will stick in the lads’ heads,” Evans said.

“These lads have been so successful throughout their careers but they still remember defeats.”

“I am sure they will have that at the back of their minds coming into the new season.”

“Barcelona have set the standard. They have gone to another level.”

“Maybe 10 years ago, when Manchester United went into Europe, there was a gap to bridge and we managed to do it.”

“The challenge is there for us again. Hopefully we can get closer to them.”

Defensive team-mate Ferdinand has, meanwhile, hailed Sir Alex Ferguson’s dip into the transfer market.

Jones, England forward Ashley Young and Spain Under-21 keeper David de Gea have all completed their moves to Old Trafford.

“It is just what the club needs,” Ferdinand said.

“Three of our most experienced players have retired, so the manager has reinforced certain positions on the field.”

“This club is always evolving. That is what has happened since I have been here. I was part of it.”

“That is what you aim to do. It is not about your personal feelings.”

“It is about the club becoming better and more stable and continuing the success we have had over the years.”

“We have some very young players coming through the youth team already, so when the manager adds players of quality like Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea, it can only improve the squad, increase our longevity and continue our success.”

Arsene Wenger has taken a swipe at Roberto Mancini saying he has broken the basic rules of football, with his open courting of Samir Nasri. Unfortunately it has become the sign of the times in football and until the authorities and penalise those responsible then it will continue to happen.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Chelsea looking beyond Modric; Alan Pardew condemns Newcastle fans, while Wesley Sneijder remains United’s priority.

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Blues look beyond Modric – Sky Sports

Wenger: Mancini broke ‘basic rules of football’ – Guardian

Sneijder United’s priority – Daily Telegraph

Premier League trio withdraw England starlets from U20s World Cup squad – Daily Mail

Clichy: I got sick of Arsenal blowing it – Mirror

Pardew condemns fans – Daily Telegraph

West Brom set for talks with United crock Hargreaves after Old Trafford exit – Daily Mail

City will let unhappy Tevez leave for less than £50m – Guardian

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Liverpool plot £10m swoop for Sunderland midfielder – Mirror

Spurs close to Scott Parker loan deal – Metro

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Cesc Fabregas is set to official become a Barcelona player at 1pm after beginning the first of two medicals ahead his dream move back to the Nou Camp BBC Sport understands.

The Spanish champions declared that Fabregas would be unveiled to the media today after agreeing a deal ‘in principle’ on Sunday to re-sign him.

He still needs to agree personal terms and pass the medicals although both parties aren’t expecting any roadblocks that will hold up the transfer.

If all goes to plan it will bring the 24-year-old back to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.

His eight years at the Gunners wielded 303 appearances and 57 goals and manager Arsene Wenger thanked his former captain for his service over the years.

“We understand Cesc’s desire to move to his home-town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona.” said Wenger

“We have been clear that we didn’t want Cesc to leave and that remains the case.

“We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success.” 

News of the deal filtered through at half time during the Spanish Super Cup game against Real Madrid last night.

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It will put to bed a saga that has dragged on for the entire summer with Barca boss Pep Guardiola finally landing his man.

The question now on everyone’s lips is who will Wenger bring in to replace his former captain especially with Samir Nasri also heading for the exit.

Manchester City and Arsenal have all but agreed a fee regarding the sale of Samir Nasri – an even this is not too far away.

This news will not be welcomed by Adam Johnson who will now seek a move away from Eastlands.

This year is a big one for the former Middlesborough man. If Johnson can perform to his ability, he can establish himself amongst Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott as one of the starters for England on the flanks.

Despite a promising start to both his Manchester City and England career, Johnson has struggled to get into City’s starting line-up, and will certainly play second-fiddle to fellow left-sided midfielder Samir Nasri.

This will have a whole host of Premiership clubs fighting for Johnson’s signature. Reports last month suggested that Johnson was in line for a move on loan to Everton or Sunderland, and the interest from both these sides remains.

However, having sold two wide men this summer, Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is also observing with interest.

Newcastle would also be keen on a move for Johnson to bulk up their depleted and yet more depleting squad. Though it would be tough at first for fans to welcome the signing of a Sunderland-born, former Middlesborough player.

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Arsenal fans have warned to be careful for what they wish for in light of the criticism directed towards Arsene Wenger. Sir Alex believes that the Frenchman deserves a huge amount of respect, given the giant strides he has made at the football club during his tenure. Wenger has done his level best to redress the balance with a deadline day splurge, which has gone some way in pacifying some of his critics.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Gunners blogs that include the penny finally drops for Arsenal; Sol worth a gamble? Time for Wenger to utilise his £15m Plan B.

We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week

Caption Competition: And the award for the biggest ego at Arsenal goes to…

Sol worth the gamble at Arsenal?

Can Wenger recreate the Bergkamp and Henry axis within?

Arsenal and Chelsea looking to activate £3m clause

Arsene Wenger should consider his exit strategy

The penny finally drops for Arsene Wenger

How do you ever follow a footballing legend?

A shrewd £10m move by Arsene Wenger?

Time for Wenger to utilise his £15m Plan B?

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Best of WEB

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Wenger being lined up by the FA? Leave Our Man Alone!…… – Highbury House

Some pretty amazing Arsenal Data on injuries… – Le Grove

Arsenal’s Forgotten Man? – Online Gooner

One Of Us Speaks: This Time It’s For Real – A Cultured Left Foot

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Can Arsenal’s new centre-back emulate club legend Tony Adams? – Gunnersphere

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Kyle Walkers stunning 25-yard strike settled a terrific North London derby as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

The young right back struck with 17 minutes remaining to hand Spurs a well earned victory after Aaron Ramsey had cancelled out Rafael van der Vaarts opener. It was the seventh game without defeat in league and dup for Harry Redknapp’s side and the boss will be relieved his players emerged with all three points this afternoon. The 167th meeting between the two North London clubs was played at a frantic pace and the Gunners will feel they deserved at least a point after working hard to draw level. After three wins on the trot in all competitions Arsene Wenger’s side looked like they had finally shaken off their dreadful early season form only but were unable to cope with the hosts as they controlled the opening exchanges. It took the visitors a good 15 minutes to find their rhythm and they should have taken the lead through Gervinho on the half hour mark. Captain Robert Van Persie did brilliantly to beat Younes Kaboul down the left only to see his teammate shoot tamely wide of Brad Friedel’s goal.

It proved to be costly as Van Der Vaart struck five minutes before half time to give the hosts the lead. Former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor played a key role chipping a delicate pass into the Dutchman who brought the ball under control before firing past Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish keeper had to be at his best to deny Adebayor for getting on the scoresheet after the restart brilliantly turning the Togolese international’s placed strike behind after he broke the offside trap and found himself one on one. That save allowed Arsenal to get themselves back into the game and Ramsey did just that turning in Alex Songs low cross from close range after a bulldozing run down the left. Redknapp identified the need for a combative presence alongside Scott Parker and duly brought Sandro on in place of Van Der Vaart allowing Spurs to establish a foothold on the game. Attention then turned to Bacary Sagna on 70 minutes after the French fullback was stretchered off with a serious looking ankle injury after Benoit Assou Ekotto’s challenge caused him to land awkwardly on the turf.

That seemed to unsettle the Gunners and they were made to pay for their drop in concentration as Walker lashed home the winner. Szczesny will feel he could have done better as the ball dipped and swerved all over the place making it difficult to judge. He did redeem himself with seven minutes remaining palming Defoe’s fierce strike away from goal as Arsenal chased their second equaliser of the game. But it was Tottenham who looked the more likely to score and Luka Modric almost did just that in the final minutes only to see his shot find the side netting. It didn’t matter though as Spurs held on to secure a third straight win in this fixture and leave Wenger back at square one.

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Arsenal and Tottenham have been put on red alert after prime striking target Moussa Sow admitted he is unsure of his future at Lille after contract negotiations came to a standstill talkSPORT understands.

The 25-year-old was linked with a number of leading European clubs during the summer transfer window after a superb season in Ligue 1 saw him top the scoring charts with 25 goals.

Despite strong interest from the Premier League duo the French club managed to hold onto the Senegalese international but now his future is up in the air after admitting he doesn’t know whether he will be at the Stade Lille-Metropole beyond the current campaign.

He said: “Now in my head I do not know what will happen at the end of the season.

“I honestly can not tell if I am going to go or stay. “[On contract negotiations] this worries me. As things stand I am the type of player who wants to talk on the pitch.”

Lille boss Rudi Garcia keen to tie him down to a new deal with his current contract ending in 2013 but Sow is mulling over a move elsewhere and switch to England looks increasingly possible.

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It’s unknown whether Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger are considering up January bids or are prepared to wait until the summer is but news of the strikers uncertainty over his future is positive as both are desperate to add a consistent goalscorer to their ranks.

As Stewart Downing put pen to paper over the summer, there wasn’t a great deal of fanfare made about his signing, nor was there any real fuss in the media. It was an widely-known secret and probably the only signing of the summer that pretty much everybody inside and out of Anfield knew was going to happen.

Personally, I found the signing of Downing rather interesting and felt that he could bring a lot to the side; he could provide the genuine width that we haven’t had for many years (only some good performances from Riera breaking the left-sided curse short-term) and would undoubtedly offer us extra options and a different type of attacking style.

In the main, his performances have been very impressive – for the most part – he’s tricky, quick, with a relatively decent turn of pace and his crosses left-footed usually hit the spot every time, which make the following stats in all competitions all the more strange. Downing has had 23 shots, with 7 on target and has not scored a single goal. He has had second most shots only to Suarez and has not scored in 23 attempts. For a winger, you could normally forgive them not having a hugely prolific goal-scoring record but when a wide-player has managed not one assist from 9 starts and 1 substitute appearance it is worrying.

A quick glance across the whole squad shows that our top-scorer, Luis Suarez , also tops our assists tables with 3, whilst both Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique have both set-up 2 apiece. Perhaps of greater contrast to Downing though is that both Maxi and Raul Meireles have managed 1 assist each this season. In fact, Maxi has managed 1 goal and 1 assist and has only played in 2 games all season which raises the question of why in-form players aren’t being selected (but I’ll have more to say on that in future). As for Meireles, he only had 2 substitute appearances for the Reds before leaving for Chelsea but still managed to set-up Luis Suarez against Arsenal before departing.

However, despite the negative light these stats could put on Downing I feel there is a much better explanation for his season statistics so far – it is more-than-likely that the very large 0’s next to Downing’s name are symptomatic of Liverpool’s impotency in front of goal. Because while it came as a great surprise to me that he had notched up zero assists, I have seen him set up dozens of chances for his team-mates but they won’t ever count and will be consigned to history, no matter how impressive his build-up play; it is only the end-product that is remembered.

If they had scored just 5% more of those 154 opportunities we’ve created Downing’s assist column would look far healthier. So while he drastically needs to improve his chances-into-goals ratio (much like the entire rest of the team, as I’ve pointed out twice recently) his assists statistics will start to improve naturally, once his team-mates starts putting away some of the excellent chances he has been creating for them week-on-week.

It is just a shame for Downing that his position sees him judged on goals created and – to a lesser extent – goals scored, as if it wasn’t for the whole squad’s profligacy in front of goal, his promising start to the season would have instead become an excellent start to his Liverpool career.

Article courtesy of David Tryer from Live4Liverpool

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