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The fact that Darren Bent has not even come close to signing for one of the league’s top teams is a mystery to me. This is no flash in the pan or one hit wonder we are talking about. Here is a player that has constantly reached double figures in the league season after season. So why exactly are the top managers not willing to snap up a proven goal scorer?

Arsenal would have been a perfect fit for Bent as they are a team that creates numerous chances during each game. However yet again Arsene Wenger takes another gamble on an unproven foreign import in the £10 million signing of Gervinho. Of course Van Persie will be a mainstay at the emirates for years to come but he is prone to injury and is unlikely to last a whole season.

So who is there to take the goal scoring burden? Bendtner? Chamakh? Even new boy Gervinho is not considered as an out and out striker. Arsenal are in need of someone to stick the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis and I see Darren Bent as an ideal solution.

However in the modern game we know it seems in vogue to have strikers that have more to their game than knowing where the goal is. Managers prefer a player that can build up play, by dropping back into midfield and adopt more of a playmaker role i.e. Wayne Rooney . Or even the workhorse type player, hell-bent on chasing every stray ball into the corner. Bent will give you neither of these attributes. But this is not to say the role of a simple goal poacher is any less important to a team and I think is actually a rare commodity to find in a player nowadays.

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An interesting aspect to bring up regarding a player’s goal scoring exploits is looking at the quality of the opposition the goals were scored against. When looking at Peter Crouch ’s impressive England goal ratio, the thing that stand out most is the majority were scored against so called smaller nations i.e. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago etc. but this argument does not wash with Bent’s career goals, having scored against some of the best defences in the League of many occasions. Most recently scoring a brace against Arsenal at the end of last season.

Having finally secured his place in the England starting 11, I see Bent being vital to any hopes the nation has of being successful at Euro 2012. In my opinion he is the natural replacement for Michael Owen and the potential partnership with Rooney looks promising.

On a personal note and as an Aston Villa Fan it’s a great feeling to have a player in the team who is easily capable of scoring 20 goals a season. A feeling that I and many villa fans have not has since a young Dwight Yorke graced Villa Park. (And to a lesser extent Juan Pablo Angel) Unfortunately the cynic in me thinks that being English works against Darren. Fans want to see exciting flair players with exotic names on the team sheet. Maybe El Darren Bentino would be more of an exciting prospect.

By the way if Mr Wenger does happen to come across this article, please ignore these deluded ramblings of a mad man and keep your hands of our Darren!

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Written by Tim Baughan from This is Futbol

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Adelaide United set a new A-League record after thrashing a hapless North Queensland Fury 8-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.

Marcos Flores and Sergio van Dijk both netted hat-tricks in the rout, which saw the Reds become the first team in A-League history to score more than six goals in a match.

Flores opened the scoring on four minutes when van Dijk received the ball out wide from Iain Ramsay and whipped in a cross for the Argentine who outjumped his marker to head past Justin Pasfield.

After the opening goal the Fury outplayed the Reds and should have equalised through David Williams who missed when it seemed easier to score.

Just before the half hour Flores was involved again when, after a series of one-twos, he continued running and released Dodd with a delightful through ball.

The Reds skipper ran onto the pass from the top of the box curled his shot into the side net leaving Pasfield no chance to make it 2-0.

In the 37th minute the pair combined again for Flores’ second after some brilliant skill from Dodd.

Dodd baulked his defender before looking up and firing across a cut back for Flores to run on to and slam into the back of the net.

The Argentine’s superb vision and passing created United’s fourth five minutes later, again releasing Dodd down the right.

He muscled his way in front of his opponent and raced towards goal and cracked low and hard only for the Fury keeper to get down low and parry the shot.

Pasfield could only push the ball into the path of Ramsay who stormed in to smash the rebound into the net.

A minute after half-time van Dijk got on the score sheet after another wonderful build up out of defence.

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In the 67th minute, the league’s leading scorer got his 15th of the season after another sublime pass from Flores.

United replaced Francisco Usucar and Nigel Boogaard with Paul Reid and Robert Cornthwaite and the substitutions appeared to upset the tide with North Queensland grabbing a consolation through Panagiotis Nikas.

It mattered little when van Dijk completed the A-League record for most goals in a game by one team with his second-half hat-trick in the 83rd minute.

Flores’ third and United’s eighth equalled the league record for the most number of goals in a game (9).

New Swansea coach Michael Laudrup is ready to make a move for out-of-contract striker Markus Rosenberg according to The Daily Mail.

The Danish coach has been instilled as the Liberty Stadium club’s coach after Brendan Rodgers opted to leave to join Liverpool, and it is believed that the new man has been given £15 million to spend on bringing in players to make the squad his own.

Rosenberg has been released by Werder Bremen, and as such is available on a free transfer, with newly-promoted sides Southampton and Reading also monitoring the forward’s situation.

However, the Swans are thought to be leading the race for Rosenberg, with Laudrup’s Scandinavian links a reason to convince the player to move to Wales.

Meanwhile, Swansea look to have lost out on Gylfi Sigurdssson, as the Icelandic midfielder is thought to be talking to other Premier League clubs.

The talented playmaker was close to a permanent move to the Liberty Stadium, but Rodgers’ departure has scuppered a deal and he is now expected to join his former boss at Anfield, despite interest from other English teams.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The transfer of English teenager Dale Jennings from Tranmere to Bayern Munich has been by far the most surprising deal of the summer. Jennings’ jump from League One to the former European Champions is a fantastic move for the striker but have the Premier League big boys missed a trick in letting Jennings move abroad?

By moving to Bayern Munich Jennings has seemingly missed a step of a usual aspiring footballer’s development. Jennings impressed with Tranmere last season in only his first senior campaign. Such form would normally earn the player a move to the Premier League or a top Championship side where they can continue their development before hopefully forging a successful international career and possibly a move to a top European club. But have Bayern simply jumped the gun or have the Premier League missed out on one of England’s best up-and-coming talents?

The 18-year-old played 32 times for Tranmere last season, scoring six goals. It is not a fantastic goal record for a striker in the lower leagues but impressive after you consider it was Jennings first year as a first-team regular. Apart from Bayern, the only other team reported to be strongly interested was West Ham. But if the German side have seen enough in Jennings to sign the relatively inexperienced striker, why haven’t Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United been sniffing around?

Jennings left Liverpool’s academy age 15 and then failed to get into the youth set-ups at Everton and Derby. These rejections meant he ended up at Tranmere where the first team opportunities last season gave him a chance to mature and develop his talent week on week. Although the fee is officially undisclosed it is thought to be around £1.7million, a bargain if Jenning’s potential is matched in the years to come. Teams across the Premier League have been focusing on developing young English talents yet they have let one slip away without a fight.

But maybe a move abroad to a well respected club like Bayern is just what the young striker and England need. There is very little chance Jennings will figure at all for the first team next season, he is more likely to end up in their youth ranks. But Bayern have a history of building world class talents through such routes (previous graduates include current German internationals Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller). Jennings can also take heart from Owen Hargreaves. Whilst the former Manchester United midfielder is now without a club, he emerged through Bayern’s youth ranks and enjoyed a successful spell with Bayern which included Bundesliga and Champions League success.

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But maybe Bayern have taken too much of a risk with Jennings? His goal record in his first season isn’t prolific and he is yet to represent England at any level.

However Jennings does at Bayern, I wouldn’t expect to hear his name in the English press for a while whilst he tries to forge a career at Bayern. But if he does repay the faith the Germans have shown in bringing him to the Allianz Arena, then the Premier League big boys may end up kicking themselves for missing out on a potential England star of the future.

If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5

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There is no doubt that Scottish football is in decline and has been for a long time. The League boasts two of Britain’s biggest clubs in Celtic and Rangers, yet struggles to conjure up any kind of respectability from the rest of Europe.

Plans for Celtic and Rangers to join the Premier League have constantly been shunned for one reason or another in the past. This is most likely because 16 of the 20 teams in the league would see them as a threat. However, before I get side tracked too much, is now the time for Celtic and Rangers to concentrate on improving and bettering the status and credibility of their own league?

Football fans all over Europe and the world know of Celtic and Rangers, can the same be said for St Johnstone and Hamilton Academicals? Should the Glasgow giants get what they want and make the potential move down south then it would most definitely spell the end of Scottish football as we know it.

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson even claims that the Scottish Premier League would be in danger of folding if Celtic and Rangers decided to leave. Thompson then went on to say accuse the Old Firm of ‘undermining’ Scottish football after the chief executives of both Celtic and Rangers reiterated their desire to leave the SPL.

Here we see in black and white that the need for Celtic and Rangers is a great one. From a monetary point of view if Celtic and Rangers were to leave the Scottish league it would most certainly mark the end of the SPL. Thompson adds “it’s very unsettling for the SPL, We’re trying to strengthen deals with commercial customers, TV deals, etc. If you’re talking about the Old Firm leaving, where does it leave us with regards to contracts?”

I assume if Celtic and Rangers went somewhere else, that contract would be null and void. This would have serious consequences on the game in Scotland and seemingly point out, loud and clear that Scottish football needs Celtic and Rangers!

If you like what I’ve written why not follow me on Twitter

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So here we are – the final gameweek of the season. Please though, put your violin down, wipe away those tears and be strong (after all the Euros are just round the corner). There are only three teams (Chelsea, Blackburn and Wolves) whose positions have been decided ahead of this weekend’s fixtures. For the other seventeen teams, there’s still much to play for with an added focus on the fight for the title, the race for the Champions League and the battle to beat the drop.

Who do you need to be considering for selection ahead of this weekend?

The Captaincy Debate

It’s simple for Bolton Wanderers on Sunday – fail to win and they’ll be relegated. However, should they claim victory, they’ll almost certainly secure their place in the Premier League. To do this, Owen Coyle’s going to need another strong performance from a player who’s been in good form of late – Martin Petrov. The Bulgarian winger has two goals and two assists in his last four games as the Wanderers have tried to climb away from the relegation zone.  Petrov visits the Britannia Stadium on Sunday where he’ll face a Stoke side who have been misfiring of late but such is his recent form, Petrov is definitely worth consideration.

Then again, one man who cannot be counted out is the PFA Player of the Year Robin van Persie. The powerful Dutch forward has had his best season in England notching 30 goals and 12 assists. You probably won’t be too surprised to learn this makes him the top goal scorer in the Premier League. He’ll be looking to better his record at the Hawthorns at the weekend as Roy Hodgson sees out his final game at West Brom. Arsenal need to win to be assured of Champions League football and for that reason, van Persie looks a good prospect for the weekend, even if the Gunners did stumble against Norwich.

However, there’s always Fernando Torres – now there’s a name that for the majority of the season shouldn’t have been anywhere near your team. It’s amazing what a little bit of confidence can do. He’s still not near the levels which he hit at Liverpool. That said relegated Blackburn Rovers visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday with both sides already assured of their positions in the table. This offers another chance for Torres to net although it’s unclear at this time whether he might be rested ahead of the Champions League final. Still, the Spaniard looks a decent option.

With Manchester City facing QPR though, it is nigh on impossible to ignore Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian hasn’t scored in his last two games for City but he’s been a key reason as to why they’re back in pole position with a game left. He has 22 goals in the Premier League this season and this weekend’s opponents have been abysmal away from home of late. In their last outing, QPR conceded six goals against Chelsea and Rangers have also lost their last six on the road. With Aguero set to be one of City’s main goal threats as they look to secure the title, the forward simply has to be in your team.

The Captain: Sergio Aguero – If the Argentinian doesn’t score on Sunday, it will be a big surprise. For that reason, play it safe and have him as your skipper.

The Vice-Captain: Robin van Persie – Again, a likely goal scorer but not quite on the same level as Aguero this weekend. Have RVP in reserve.

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For more Premier League musings, follow @archiert1 on Twitter

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Here is my list of the ten worst  rules in football. This week, we are looking to the future at Footballfancast.com. Amidst all the opinion of which players are going to be the next big thing, I thought about how the game might be different over the next ten years because of the rules. In 2015 new FIFA fair play rules will come into play. These will look to curb overzealous club spending and try and stop clubs running at a loss.

The effects will surely be large scale. Here I look at ten other rules that I would like to see changed in the not too distant future.

Click on Gianfranco Zola to look at the top ten rulings that need to change

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Everton and West Ham are battling to sign Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Toffees boss David Moyes is hoping to find a replacement for Steven Pienaar, who is expected to leave either in the new year or next summer, and a move for City's England winger could be on the cards.

The former Chelsea winger is set for a January exit from Eastlands as he cannot get a game under boss Roberto Mancini. He is expected to be one of a number of high profile departures from the club.

City are awaiting offers for the player but Moyes may prefer to make a loan move initially rather than a permanent switch and wages could also prove to be a stumbling block for any would be suitors as he is thought to be on around £65,000 a week.

City may be willing to contribute to some of his wages though and this could open the door to an exit.

Meanwhile, Hammers boss Avram Grant knows the player well from their time together at Chelsea and would like to add him to his squad at West Ham for the relegation battle ahead.

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Grant, and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, are set for a meeting this week to discuss their potential transfer targets and will then decide whether to make a loan move for Wright-Phillips.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It can be a little easy to get bogged down in the negative aspects of the beautiful game nowadays. Inflated wages, off-field issues and the increasing role of player power within the sport often cast a dark shadow over, what should be, an entertaining family spectacle.

Stories surrounding racism have come to the fore this term, with John Terry awaiting a court hearing, and Luis Suarez serving a lengthily ban, as well as misbehaviour away from the field of play have been rife this term, as the darker side of the game has been making the headlines all too regularly.

However, there has been plenty to be positive about this season, with entertaining football and great goals aplenty for viewers of the Premier League.

This list looks at the 15 highlights of the season so far, celebrating the good aspects of the game we love.

Click on Kyle Walker to unveil the selection

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What do you think? Let me know on Twitter @Alex_Hams

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has signed a one-year contract extension with the Glasgow giants.The Northern Irishman took over from Tony Mowbray in March last year, signing a six-month rolling contract in June last year.

His side claimed second in the Scottish Premier League behind rivals Rangers as Lennon endured a tumultuous time off the pitch.

But the 39-year-old said he was happy to sign a 12-month rolling contract with the club on Monday.

“I am absolutely delighted to agree this new contract with the club,” Lennon said.

“I have had 10 great years connected to Celtic and I hope to enjoy many more. Clearly this is down to me and I will be doing everything I possibly can to ensure we bring our fans more success.”

“I have been speaking to (CEO) Peter (Lawwell) over the past few weeks and we are both delighted to move forward together. We have sat down, looked at last season and now we look ahead.”

Lennon said he and Lawwell shared similar ambitions with the club, wanting to win trophies and provide entertainment for the fans.

Celtic chairman John Reid said Lennon had impressed the board, particularly during a tough off-field period last season.

“We are very pleased to be able to announce this new contract for Neil,” he said.

“Neil has proven himself as a football manager with great talent and someone who we are delighted to have in charge.”

“For more than a decade, Neil Lennon has shown tremendous commitment and dedication to Celtic. Last season was a particularly difficult one for Neil, but he came through this period with tremendous credit.”

“This is testament to his real strength of character and fortitude, qualities which I know he will use again as he aims to build on this season and bring the club even more success.”

Lennon’s tough season was marred when he was attacked by fans on the touchline during Celtic’s clash against Hearts on May 13, while bullets were addressed to him in a mail package and sent to the club.

Celtic finished a point behind Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premier League title but they did win the domestic cup.