Newz Forum: SOCCER: Football News and Rumours 22/03/04

Japanese star Junichi Inamoto looks certain to be heading back to the Far East this summer after three mixed seasons in the Premiership.Inamoto, who scored two spectacular goals for his country in the World Cup 2002 finals which they jointly hosted with South Korea, has made only one start in Fulham's last 15 games.

Fulham, who took over his loan agreement from Gamba Osaka at the start of last term after Arsenal decided to release the World Cup hero, are said to be "miles away" from his Japanese club's 2.5million valuation of a permanent transfer for him.Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: "Ina is with us until the end of the season, but still on loan. Then, if we don't come to an agreement with his club he will go back. Simple as that."

Newcastle

Sir Bobby Robson may decide to stay on as Newcastle manager after his contract runs out at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.The Magpies chief, now 71, will not make a decision until he sees how he and the team perform next season. "At this time next year we'll review the situation," he told The Sun Newspaper."It will depend on what the chairman wants, what I want and, obviously, how results are going.

Birmingham


Mikael Forssell has hinted that he will look to leave Chelsea in the summer if he is not guaranteed regular first-team football.Forssell is currently on a season-long loan with Birmingham City and his double at Middlesbrough on Saturday took his tally for the season to 16 goals.He would dearly love to play a significant role at Stamford Bridge and he signed a new four-year contract in August.But the Finland international would not be content to revert to his former bit-part role with the Blues in 2004-05.Meanwhile Birmingham have completed the 1.5m signing of Fulham keeper Maik Taylor.The 32-year-old, who has been on loan at St Andrews since the start of the season, has signed a deal which will keep him with the Blues until 2008.The Northern Ireland international shot-stopper has made 32 appearances for Steve Bruce's side this season.

Bolton

Bolton captain Jay-Jay Okocha has put contract talks on hold until the end of the season.Okocha is determined to focus on his game and help end the club's run of seven games without a victory.He has struggled to find his best form since returning from the African Nations Cup with Nigeria.

Tottenham

PSV midfielder Mark van Bommel is keen to move to the Premiership and join Tottenham, according to his agent.The 26-year-old was linked with a move to White Hart Lane last week and several other clubs are interested.Van Bommel has been at PSV for five years and Jansen believes he would benefit from a move to England, even without the prospect of European football.

Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand has revealed he will not launch a second appeal against his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test and the Manchester United defender has told how he was reduced to tears by the Football Association's disciplinary action.The England defender claims the whole saga could have been avoided but a key member of the FA was away on holiday when he tried to arrange to meet the drug-testers again.Ferdinand admits he was told twice he had to take a drugs tests but maintains he forgot and that as soon as Manchester United told him he had missed the test, he contacted the FA to ask the testers to go straight back to the Carrington training ground.

Arsenal

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has stated his strong belief that manager Arsene Wenger will not be leaving Highbury.Reports at the weekend suggested Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would use his millions to tempt the Frenchman away from the Gunners as his contract runs out at the end of next season.However, Hill-Wood said that would never be the case.

[Edited on 22/3/04 by TRD]

Leeds

Leeds began their new era by rising off the foot of the Premiership on Monday night as Mark Viduka's controversial penalty saw off 10-man Manchester City 2-1.Viduka stepped up to the spot 15 minutes from time to blast home his eighth goal of the season, taking Leeds to 19th place above Wolves and two points from safety - and only five behind City.

Celtic

Celtic are refusing to give up the fight to have goalkeeper Rob Douglas available for the UEFA Cup fourth round second leg against Barcelona on Thursday just yet.The European governing body have rejected the Hoops' appeal against the sending off which occurred after an incident in the players' tunnel as the teams left the field at half-time 11 days ago.Douglas was sent off along with Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta by referee Wolfgang Stark after calling the team captains to his dressing room.However, UEFA insist they will not be continuing their investigation into Celtic defender Bobo Balde's role in the incident. Balde will miss the second leg following a caution in the first leg, which Celtic won with an Alan Thompson goal.Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill had been incensed by the decision to dismiss Douglas and was confident a police investigation and a camera in the tunnel would clear his man.But UEFA have turned down the appeal leaving Celtic forced to play teenager David Marshall in the intimidating atmosphere of the Nou Camp Stadium.

Portsmouth

Striker Sebastian Olszar, on loan at Coventry from Portsmouth, is hoping his stay at Highfield Road can be extended until the end of the season.Olszar has made two substitute appearances for the Sky Blues but with his initial one-month loan due to expire four games before the end of Coventry's season, the 22-year-old has his fingers crossed the deal can be extended until the end of the campaign.

Ok a few things to say.

Bobby Robson needs to retire he is to old and although he has done a fantastic job at Newcastle its time to step down i think.

That was a great win for Leeds and it gives them a great boost,they still have chances to stay up and have the players to do it.

Well i wouldnt count out a move for Wenger by Chelsea,wether they get him is a different matter i still think they will try,i hate the gooners but he has took then to another level and he might relish the challenge at Chelsea and the open cheque book.

With reguards to Leeds i think they have a chance,as you say they have the players.It's going to be tough but you always get one in the bottom 5 who string a little run together and pull clear of the relegation.It just might be them.