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Harry Redknapp has this week suggested that the level of abuse players are now receiving in the game is vicious and has begun to step over the line. Players like Emmanuel Adebayor are the constant subject of vile chants and abuse from ‘fans’ and it appears that although supporters should be entitled to express themselves, many are simply going too far.

Hurling abuse in football has long been considered acceptable as a form of passion. There has always been pretty shocking stuff chanted at football grounds, but of late the issue has come into the spotlight, with constant abuse and heckling of players in the most disgusting fashion. Only last week the youtube video of the ‘fans’ teaching their four-year old to sing the crudest song about the Munich air crash emerged, highlighting the appalling behaviour that has become second nature to a lot of football ‘fans’. Of course not everybody goes about acting like this, and it is probably just a minority that are acting so atrociously, but it needs to be stopped, and clubs and the powers that be need to do more to cut stuff like this out of the game. Football is a beautiful game, but elements like this take the shine off and show its ugly side.

I’m not suggesting that fans shouldn’t be allowed to express themselves, booing an opposition team or player on the field is fair enough, it is part of the theatrical nature of the game, but the constant taunting and negative chanting is embarrassing for football, as well as clubs, and the areas the fans represent.

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The constant ferocious stick that some players receive from supporters is simply too much. The level of abuse shown is simply pure hatred and footballers, as human beings, shouldn’t have to take some of the disgusting abuse hurled their way. How can you insult someone that you don’t even know?

It is difficult for players not to react to abuse, but it is a long established part of the game so they must try to ignore it. A player must be sensible in the situation and the worst thing they can do is react and incite it. We have seen players in the past, like Emmanuel Adebayor and Gary Neville, running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the opposition fans after receiving abuse. Sure they had been getting horrendous stick all afternoon, but they have a role to play in the game and should have reacted with sensitivity, instead of further inciting the fans.

It has now become common for supporters not just to vent fury at the opposition, but also their own side. Alex McLeish and Arsene Wenger have taken the full brunt of fans criticism so far this season, with boos often ringing out around their respective stadiums. Having spent their hard earned money to watch the game, fans are perfectly entitled to express themselves and perhaps it is the only way they can get their voices heard, although I don’t see how it can be anything other than self-destructive.

Football is passionate, and displays of emotion are a vital part of the game we all love, but some of the abuse these days has stepped over the mark and the game doesn’t need to be ruined by this kind of behaviour. Booing is fine, but the kind of personal insults we often hear nowadays are too much.

It can be difficult for players not to react when they are getting outrageous stick, human nature will scream at them to give a bit back to the supporters who are taunting them, but common sense must prevail, and they must continue to go about their game professionally and try and shut the fans up with their actions on the field. Supporters are perfectly entitled to vent their opinion and their frustrations, but it needs to be within reason. Some of the abuse currently hurled at players is disgusting and there is simply no place for it in the game.

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Are supporters right to vent their fury? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below or following me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.

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Sir Alex Ferguson lamented some poor defending from set pieces on Saturday as his side’s 2-1 loss to Wolves ended a 29-game unbeaten streak.

Wolves responded well after going a goal down to a Nani strike early on, and goals from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle handed them a memorable victory, although they remain at the bottom of the English Premier League on goal difference.

Ferguson said that while he was disappointed to see his men suffer their first league loss of the season, he was proud of the way his side had been playing.

“I’m disappointed obviously, it’s been a long run for us,” Ferguson told ESPN.

“The players have done us all proud; we can be pleased with that part, but today in the second half we didn’t really get going.”

“The consistency that we’ve shown over the past two months has been terrific so today was a big disappointment.”

“I’ve said that before the game, and it stands strong again after the game. They are a handful on set-pieces as they proved today, and it’s cost us the game.”

Ferguson also revealed that central defender Rio Ferguson had strained a calf during the warm-up for the game and will be sidelined for ‘a couple of weeks’.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, was delighted to have picked up three points and is hoping to use the shock result as a springboard to lift his side out of the drop zone, targeting greater consistency in the final third of the season.

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“We are in this position because whilst we have beaten some of the top teams, we have been bobbins against those around us. West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool – they have all taken points from us,” McCarthy said.

“It is all right lounging around and basking in the sunny day of beating Manchester United, we have to do it against other teams and do damage to them to make sure we preserve our Premier League status.”

Every time a paper is opened these days it seems that there is always a well-known footballer in the headlines due to some type of unsavoury off the field action. It might be a Twitter indiscretion, a driving violation or a temporary case of amnesia where their wedding vows are concerned. Whatever the case, it seems that now more than ever footballers feel that their job and status that comes with it seems to give them the right to do pretty much anything they want.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are obviously some players who lead quiet lives and keep their heads down, and no one is a better example of this than Paul Scholes, who is what can only be described as the consummate professional, and tackling aside, is a total credit to both himself and the club on and off the field.

Sadly however it seems that Scholes is becoming more the exception than the rule, with numerous footballers now hitting the headlines on a weekly basis for things that had they been in a ‘normal’ profession I very much doubt they would do. Parking in disabled spaces or going so far beyond the speeding limit you may as well enter qualifying for Silverstone is something that is all too common for footballers, and something that is quite frankly a disgrace.

As with any article commenting on the off the field antics of professional footballers, you cannot get away without mentioning the women. It may be fame hungry WAG wannabes who will stop at nothing to seduce a footballer or get a flimsy piece of information that constitutes a middle page spread in The Sun, or an injunction that made millions of Harry Potter fans wonder why ‘he who must not be named’ was appearing in their papers next to Imogen Thomas every day.

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All that pales in comparison to the growing number of sexual assaults footballers are linked to, and again, is a very unsavoury side to the game and the heroes we cheer for every single week.

Perhaps the problem is that we forget that footballers too are human, and flawed characters, yet have an excess of pretty much everything which tempts them further into problems than so called ‘normal’ people. It is also an extremely valid defence of a player who appears in tabloids time and time again to say that the papers are somewhat obsessed with printing a story about them, something which is all too true in the case of Mario Balotelli – yes he may bring a certain amount onto himself, but the amount of non-stories the papers print is tantamount to stalking!

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One arrival that will have given all managers a massive headache is the phenomenon that is Twitter – players who have, shall we say a less than stellar IQ, or ones who are in the heat of the moment tend to tweet less than advisable things, and ones which are guaranteed to keep the tabloid press wheels turning for days.

Again it is something that a ‘normal’ person does not have to contend with – we have a few hundred followers, not a few hundred thousand, yet footballers have to understand that their margin for error is that much smaller because of who they are and what they do – not that much greater, and the sooner they do that, the better for both themselves and the reputation of the game.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has criticised his side’s defending following their 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, and was full of praise for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Edin Dzeko bagged four goals with new signing Sergio Aguero also finding the net in a one sided display that will have alarm bells ringing at White Hart Lane.

“We didn’t defend well enough, they play a little push and run around the edge of the box, we don’t run with people, they get a free header, so we didn’t defend well enough and it cost us,” the former West Ham manager told the press.

The Eastlands outfit have won all three of their Premier League games so far, scoring 12 goals in the process, and the 64-year-old spoke of the Manchester side’s attacking prowess.

“Once you go a couple of goals down against a good side like that it’s really difficult, they’re full of quality there’s no doubt about that.

“They’ve got fantastic forward players, they’re going to be difficult for anyone to contain them for 90 minutes. They’ve got players with goals in them – you’ve only got to look at them,” he finished.

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Spurs sit bottom of the pile after two losses, and will take on Wolves at Molineux in their next game on September 10th.

Brisbane Roar moved one step closer to securing the A-League Premier’s Plate after a 2-1 win over Melbourne Heart on Saturday.

The Roar could have wrapped up the minor premiership if it were not for Adelaide’s 2-1 home loss against the Central Coast Mariners, also on Saturday, but Ange Postecoglou’s side will finish the season on top if the Mariners fail to beat the Melbourne Heart on Friday.

Even if the Mariners do win in Melbourne, all the Roar will need is a point from their clash with North Queensland on February 5 to finish the season atop the table, while Saturday’s win has already secured their spot in the 2012/2013 Asian Champions League.

The records keep coming for Postecoglou’s all-conquering side, as the Roar extended their unbeaten record to 23 matches, breaking a domestic football record in Australia set in 1987 by APIA Leichhardt.

Brisbane’s attempt to break the record started brilliantly when Costa Rican under-20 international Jean Carlos Solorzano notched his 11th strike of the season after just five minutes.

Solorzano’s pace took him away from Heart captain Simon Colosimo before he delivered a quality finish which takes him to second on the league’s scoring charts, equal with Central Coast’s Matt Simon on 11.

In-form James Meyer gave the Roar a two-goal advantage after 63 minutes with his fourth goal in three games in his first A-League start for the club and despite Gerald Sibon’s 75th minute consolation, Brisbane hung on for all three points.

In the day’s other matches, the Central Coast Mariners all but secured second spot on the table with a 2-1 away win at Adelaide United.

A sensational first-half set up the victory, with Patricio Perez and Joshua Rose getting on the scoresheet as the Mariners put on a clinic.

Travis Dodd gave Adelaide a late chance of an unlikely draw with his injury time equaliser, but the Mariners claimed a well-deserved three points.

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Sydney FC kept their fledgling finals hopes alive with a 2-0 away win against the Perth Glory, set up by goals to Nick Carle and Bruno Cazarine.

The win gives Sydney FC, the reigning champion, a chance of making the finals with the Sky Blues ninth on the A-League table, just four points behind the sixth-placed Melbourne Heart.

With the top six featuring in the finals, Sydney will be hoping to make use of their game in hand on the Heart and continue their unbeaten run in 2011.

Bologna playmaker Gaston Ramirez is on the radar of Liverpool, but the Reds may have fallen behind in the race for his signature to Italian giants Juventus reports Talk Sport.

The 21 year old Uruguayan lit up Serie A last season, with a fantastic campaign for Bologna, guiding them to a 9th place finish.

Ramirez also finds himself linked to Premier League champions Manchester City, as well as moves elsewhere in Italy in the form of AC Milan and Napoli.

Liverpool are set to be looking for a playmaker as their move for Brendan Rodger’s Hoffenheim favourite Gylfi Sigurdsson has been hijacked by Spurs.

Bologna have slapped a £16 million price tag on their Uruguayan number 10, and are all but resigned to losing him to a bigger club.

Despite the probable move to a bigger club, Ramirez had stated he wouldn’t mind staying another year with the 9th place finishers; ‘The people love me, I love the club, so I’m very happy being in Bologna.’ – however Bologna are willing to sell Ramirez in order to earn some big money.

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Should Liverpool overtake Juventus in the race for Ramirez, it would be Rodgers’ first signing since taking over at Anfield.

With a surge of young talent being both produced in, and brought over to the Premier League, there seems to be a fixation among the media and press to draw comparisons between these players and those of the previous generation. As stars of the game grow older and eventually retire from football altogether, there is almost an obsession with discovering the ‘new’ so and so, or the ‘next’ whoever, rather than focusing on the ability of the player themselves. It seems unfair to draw comparisons between players of such a young age and those with a wealth of experience in the game, and will inevitably add to the unwanted pressure that is already on these players.

Most recently, the 18-year-old Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku has been branded the ‘new Didier Drogba’. Lukaku is currently in West London finalising his move to Chelsea where, should everything go smoothly, we can expect to see him paired up with Drogba in the near future. Perhaps only then will we see just how similar the two are in their playing styles, but physically Lukaku does appear to have the strength and power that we have become accustomed to from Chelsea’s number 11. Another comparison that may be drawn between the two is that they are both proven goal scorers. In just 73 appearances for Anderlecht, Lukaku scored 33 goals and helped his side to the Belgian League title last season. At 33, Drogba’s time at Chelsea is believed to be coming to an end sooner rather than later, and with Lukaku coming in as his ‘replacement’, there will be high expectations on the youngster to impress as well as the Ivorian has done over the past 7 years.

The retirement of Paul Scholes has left a void in the Manchester United midfield that will be difficult for Sir Alex Ferguson to fill. While speculation surrounding the possible transfer or Wesley Sneijder remains rife, it is the 21-year-old Tom Cleverley that has been tipped to ‘filll the boots’ of Scholes. Ferguson himself claimed that Scholes could not be replaced, however after a fine performance in the Community Shield on the weekend, newspaper reporters were quick to draw comparisons between Cleverley and the veteran. Cleverley has been a United player since the age of 15, however similarities between himself and Scholes have only really been made since Scholes announced he would be retiring, and a ‘new Scholes’ was deemed a necessity at the club. Highly rated for his passing, vision, and composure on the ball, Cleverley, like Scholes, is also known for scoring the odd wonder strike. Whilst the youngster appears to be adamant that he can fill the void in the centre of the United midifeld, being branded the ‘next Paul Scholes’ is likely to raise expectations even more around Old Trafford, when really, Cleverley’s talent should be appreciated regardless of who played that position before.

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Earlier this week Real Madrid signed a seven-year-old boy from Argentina who has already been tipped to become ‘the new Messi’. Messi himself was once referred to as ‘the next Maradona’, and these kind of comparisons have been evident for years now. While a lot of players might relish the opportunity to become ‘the next’ so and so, those players that fail to live up to the expectations placed on their shoulders are likely to suffer. While it seems perfectly reasonable to hold some level of expectation of players, and to assume these players can fulfill the roles that they are given at their clubs, it is surely unfair to draw comparisons between them and some of the footballing greats, especially those that were popular among the same set of fans.

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To label Lukaku ‘the new Drogba’ will only encourage Chelsea fans to compare the two, and should the youngster take a while to settle, or perhaps not prove to be as prolific as Drogba has been, then questions may start to be raised, unfairly in my view, over Lukaku’s abilities as a player. The same goes for Cleverley. If fans and the media start to expect ‘Scholes-like’ performances week-in week-out from the youngster, then a failure to do so could have its repercussions. While expectations for players are going to arise at any club, the added pressure of being compared to one of the best around is not necessarily warranted. Players should instead be encouraged to make a name for themselves without the burden of living up to the standards of another footballer hanging over their heads.

2010 has been a mixed year for Manchester United. At the turn of the year, Manchester United looked favorites for the Premier League title, but Chelsea’s win at Old Trafford in April effectively sealed the title for the West London club. By the end of 2010 Manchester United remain unbeaten in the league since that game and are top of the table. However, there are still question marks being raised against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, and who would bet against Ferguson proving everybody wrong again. Here at Football Fan Cast, we have put together 10 things that 2010 has taught us about Manchester United. Read, enjoy and join in the debate below.

Strength of character

This Manchester United squad may not have the same quality of a few years ago, but the spirit and character of the players can’t be called into question. Time after time in 2010, Manchester United have taken knocks but have managed to stand up to them. A classic example was the comeback at Villa Park in November. It took a lot for United to come back that day, seasons hinge on moments like that. By May, that could be the most important point of the season for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Nemanja Vidic has been captain marvel

It was a very brave decision from Sir Alex Ferguson to drop both Gary Neville and Rio Ferdiand in place of Nemanja Vidic as Manchester United captain, but what an extremely wise decision it has been. Vidic has been superb all season; playing with a new responsibility that has improved his game – if that was possible. The United captain has been a rock at the heart of the defence so far this season, and Manchester United fans are starting to witness the passion the Serb has for Manchester United.

Rafael looks set to be a Manchester right back for years to come

The development of young Rafael Da Silva has been a testament to the Manchester United coaching system and Sir Alex Ferguson’s man management skills. The young defender could easily have blamed himself for Manchester United’s quarter final exit of the 2009/2010 Champions League, but he got back up and has played himself back into the squad. However, he has done more than that. He has been an ever present this season, he has developed going forward and is a much better defender now. The Brazilian has allowed Manchester United to have a solid back five for most of the season – a key reason why Manchester United have remained undefeated this season.

Nani is ready to be a world beater

Finally the penny has dropped with Nani. The Portuguese winger is a fantastic talent and is now starting to show his worth to the Manchester United team. He is without doubt their best chance of winning the Premier League this season, if his form continues, Manchester United may have also have European success. Nani has added both goals and assists to his game this season, no longer is he the frustrating winger who can’t cross the ball. It is good to see Nani pulling out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo.

What is the point of Dimitar Berbatov?

The man for the…. small occasion. Why pay a club £30m for a player that is not trusted to play in the big games of a season. Dimitar Berbatov’s form this season has been excellent, but who has he scored his goals against? The vast majority have been netted against teams in the bottom half of the table. His performance’s against Manchester City and Aston Villa were diabolical, and if he hasn’t the drive to play well in these games, what is the point in having him? Coming off the back of goalscoring form, Sir Alex Ferguson picked Wayne Rooney ahead of Berbatov for the clash with Arsenal. No doubt he will do this when Chelsea and Manchester City come to Old Trafford.

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Manchester United have lost the fear factor

Having thrown away points against Fulham, Everton, Bolton and West Brom in the Premier League and Rangers in the Champions League are clubs now finding it easier to play against Manchester United. In all of these games, the defensive unit has looked fragile (not the back four but the whole team) and Manchester United could have had the title sown up by now. The reality is the Manchester United squad isn’t as good as it once was, and Wayne Rooney was not in any form during these games. Maybe with Rooney on form, teams will be less inclined to attack Manchester United?

Manchester United MUST replace Edwin van der Sar with a top quality goalkeeper

Over the past year, Thomas Kuszczak has proven himself incapable of holding down the Manchester United’s number one jersey. The Pole is a decwent under study but no way should Sir Alex Ferguson install him as van der Sar’s replacement. He looks nervous playing in front of huge crowds, and very suspect when dealing with crosses. Manchester United need to invest in a top quality goalkeeper if they are to have a smooth transition after van der Sar.

Champions League success is not beyond this squad

If Manchester United had held on against Bayern Munich who knows what could have happened. They would have had a relatively easy semi final against Lyon and would have been expected to challenge in a third Champions League final in a row. However, it didn’t happen, but this squad is not a million miles away from another final. The squad knows how to win away European matches, something that is vital. Old Trafford is still on the the hardest places to come and get a victory so added together there is no reason why Manchester United will not challenge in 2011.

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Manchester United need Wayne Rooney to fire

Manchester United have got away with Wayne Rooney’s form being off during the first part of the 2010 season but it can’t happen again if Manchester United are to challenge for success in 2011. All through 2010, we were waiting for the goals to dry up for Rooney, and until that Champions League clash with Bayern Munich it didn’t look like they would dry up. Manchester United need Rooney to fire if they are to be successful on all fronts. They do not have a striker that can score in the biggest of games and Rooney’s all round play scares the life out of defenders. 2010 was a mixed year for Rooney and Manchester United – if Rooney hadn’t got injured in Munich who knows how successful 2010 could have been.

Antonio Valencia is the most underrated player in the Premier League

Look what happens when Wayne Rooney finds a team mate who can consistently put a ball on his head – he scores ten headed goals. Valencia is by no means a one trick pony. He has blistering pace, trickery as well as all the skills of a combative central midfielder. Valencia came to Manchester United as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and it took time for Manchester United fans to see what Valencia was about. However, he has is growing into a real star for Manchester United, and his return in 2011 will no doubt please Manchester United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney.

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Carlos Tevez has claimed that he is very happy in England and has no plans to switch clubs this summer.

The temperamental forward had a rollercoaster 2011-12 season, going AWOL for a large period and then returning to help the Etihad Stadium team win the Premier League.

Tevez has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the English champions, but he has stated that he is happy where he is for the time being.

“My biggest wish is to finish my career in the Boca Juniors shirt,” he told Sky Sports.

“I am still thinking the same as when I left, I want to retire here. I am here for whatever Boca need.

“But the truth is that I finished the season very happy in England.

“I am feeling good, I have no desire to be thinking that I want to leave, my family are happy,” he confessed.

Tevez’s absence from club duty has seen him lose a place in the Argentina national set-up, but this is not a huge concern for the forward currently.

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“I did not miss the Seleccion. I was happier watching from outside.

“I liked the team but for now I do not want to be there. When I am called I will be there, of course,” he confirmed.

By Gareth McKnight

The battle for the title next season looks like it will once again come down to London versus Manchester, but where does the future of the Premier League power lie and which city will be home of the champions 2011/12?

The top four who are most likely to be challenging for the title next season either come from the capital or Manchester, Arsenal and Chelsea down south and Manchester United and Manchester City up north. Whilst there are still outside bets including fellow Londoners Tottenham or Merseysiders Liverpool, the most likely scenario would be one of the top four being victorious come the end of next season.

The power in the Premier League has been shifting back and forth from Manchester to London over the last ten years. Since 2001 the title has changed hands seven times between Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. Last season’s winners Manchester United claimed back their prized possession from the grips of Chelsea and London but will the trophy stay in Manchester next season? My gut feeling is that it will but United are not the only Manchester based team now firmly in the hunt.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have been joined by Manchester City at the top and I believe one of these two fierce rivals will be champions come next May. The history, experience and investment at United means the reigning champions will again start as favourites. Ferguson has focused on young signings this summer in a bid to freshen up the squad and whilst still possibly needing one or two more players, Fergie has the team capable of challenging for honours over the next few years.

Rivals City have taken player investment to a whole new level in a bid to be competitive year-on-year. So far Roberto Mancini has brought in Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy to sure up the defence and transfer speculation is rife that the City boss wants to add even more attacking flair to the team, most probably in the shape of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero and Arsenal’s Samir Nasri. The possible loss of captain Carlos Tevez would be a blow but the City players that stay at the club have a taste of silverware after last season’s FA Cup triumph. They managed an impressive third in the league last season and I think City are well placed to do even better next year.

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Despite my belief that the power in the Premier League is now based up north, you can’t right off the capital’s main contenders. New boss Andre Villas-Boas should give Chelsea a new lease of life and whilst they have been quiet in this summer’s transfer market so far, I would expect a few quality players to arrive. Their title push may also depend on whether Villas-Boas can have the Mourinho effect at Chelsea in his first season. Expectation will be high for the Blues and if Villas-Boas can add to the squad and get the likes of Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda back in top form then Chelsea will always have a good chance.

Arsenal’s title hopes are a more complex point to consider. Much will depend on who leaves over the next month, with their two best players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri rumoured to be close to an exit. Losing both would effectively halt Arsenal’s chances of getting close to the title but if Wenger can keep at least one (and reinvest in new players) then they could be an outside bet. But both London clubs seem to be going through periods of transition, whether it be under new management or with potential changes to the squad.

Based on their title winning experience and significant investment, I think it is both Manchester clubs that are best placed to win the title next season and go on to possibly dominate the Premier League over the next few years. Though for the neutral fan a title challenge involving all four clubs from both London and Manchester will keep the league a lot more interesting next season.

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