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Imagine just having a casual walk down the street – you see a City fan wearing his new shirt proudly – what do you think ‘glory supporter. ’ You see a Chelsea fan in a pub with a shirt that says ‘Legend’ on the back, followed by a number 11. Again the first thing that comes into your mind is the fan is somewhat of a glory supporter. Not a die-hard fan, but someone on a whim, who cares little about the club apart from the trophies they have achieved. Likewise, the age old joke, most United fans live in London – yet are these actually fair claims, or are they what can only be described as an insult to the born and bred fans?

Don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware of the ‘prawn sandwich brigade’ type of supporters, who are only interested in fun filled away trips in Europe or a big game to discuss on the golf course the following Monday, yet what about those real fans – the ones who would describe it was a total insult to be a dreaded ‘glory supporter?’

There are Chelsea fans who remember the days before Abramovich and his Russian billions took over the club, for whom the victory in Munich will only ever tie with a Jesper Gronkjaer goal against Liverpool to save the club and get fourth place in the Premier League.

Not to mention the City fans who were there for the second division play-off final against Gillingham many blue moons ago – leaving it late far, far before the days of Aguero goals, and of all the clubs it is perhaps City fans who take the tag hardest.

These are by no means the only clubs who’s fans get such a tag – any club that has recently come into money or trophies – or usually both –  suffer the same fate, and ironically you will find that the genuine fans are the ones who hate the new breed of supporters at their clubs the most.

The running joke last season for new City fans was that they had come by their shirt by putting their old Chelsea one in the wash on a high heat to dye out the dark blue – how insulting to real fans, yet such a valid accusation for the new breed, who when it looked like City were about to lose out on the title were about to declare they had loved United all along.

It is such a fine line in modern football, where loyalty from the players is also a thing of the past in most clubs, and you don’t get many like Craig Bellamy who would play at a club they loved for half the money they were being offered elsewhere – it is somewhat mercenary these days, and in some cases this is the situation for fans too.

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Of course, all clubs no matter how small have their die-hard fans – those Rangers fans who will turn out every week for third tier Scottish football, or the Leeds fans who were their when they were splashing the cash and are still there now, and it is full credit to them, and they are the people who keep the clubs going, not the new influx of fans each season who come armed with their ‘Champions’ shirt and prawn sandwich, and it is those fans who rightly feel aggrieved when asked exactly how long they have supported the club – they are about as far away from a glory hunter as you can get.

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A few weeks ago both Liverpool and Wolves were purring after beginning the season in sparkling form. The two meet on Saturday at Anfield desperate to get their campaigns back on track after a torrid few weeks on the field.

Liverpool were thumped last week at Tottenham going down 4-0 at White Hart Lane with Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel giving manager Kenny Dalglish extra reason to moan after they both received red cards. The Reds positive start to the new campaign has completely washed away after last weeks loss and the defeat to Stoke seven days prior to that. It’s the toughest period Dalglish has had to endure since taking over the reigns at the turn of the year and he tried to remedy the sudden decline by sending out a strong team in Wednesday’s Carling Cup fixture at Brighton. Goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt saw Liverpool home and into the next round showing the boss is taking every competition seriously. The big positives to come from that game was the energetic performance from Bellamy, who could prove to be an astute bit of business, and the return of skipper Steven Gerrard. His comeback from a groin injury couldn’t come soon enough for Dalglish who will be tempted to start the midfielder from the off against Wolves. Jordan Henderson’s insipid displays in the last few games could see him drop to bench although he may be given a reprieve after Adam’s sending off last week.

Wolves have suffered a similar drop in for to their opponents failing to win or score in their last two games. They also suffered a thrashing at home with newly promoted QPR coming away from Molineux with three points last week after a 3-0 victory. Mick McCarthy responded by sending out his strongest possible eleven in midweek and it paid off with Wolves smashing five past Championship side Millwall to progress to the fourth round of the Carling Cup. What will be more alarming for McCarthy will be his teams inability to find the back of the net in their last two fixtures. Wanderers were free scoring in their opening games but have seen chances dry up and the onus will be on Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher to bang in the goals. Out on the wings Matt Jarvis and Steven Hunt will be tasked with providing plenty of width at Anfiield with the former facing an intriguing battle with Jose Enrique.

Martin Kelly is likely to return at right back with Skrtel set to replace the injured Daniel Agger after serving his suspension.

Wolves could have captain Roger Johnson back after recovering from a calf injury whilst Fletcher has shaken off a groin complaint and is fit to play. Kevin Foley, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock all remain sidelines.

Key Players

Luis Suarez – Who else but the Uruguayan at the moment could be considered Liverpool’s star man? An annoying presence for any defence he will be charged with getting in the face of Wolves back line and using his pace and determination to put them under constant pressure.

Karl Henry – As Wolves midfield enforcer he will have a task on his hand keeping Liverpool’s central trio quiet and creating space for Jamie O’Hara to carry out his playmaker duties. Will need to control his temper after last week’s spat with Joey Barton escalated out of nothing.

Verdict: 2-0

Fancy winning a million pounds??

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Three-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo is reportedly set to announce his retirement from professional football on Monday.

The 34-year-old has endured a disappointing campaign with Brazilian club Corinthians and was blamed by supporters for the team’s exit from the Copa Libertadores last week.

Fans have damaged players’ cars and thrown rocks at the team bus, with the violence leading another former Brazil international Roberto Carlos to announce his intention to walk away from the club.

Ronaldo insisted the unrest would not force him to quit, but he has also struggled for fitness this season and is yet to score a goal in 2011.

“It’s time,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by newspaper Estado de S. Paulo.

“I can’t keep going. I wanted to continue but I can’t. I think about making a play but I can’t execute it.”

Corinthians have scheduled a press conference for Monday, where Ronaldo is expected to publicly confirm his retirement.

Voted the world player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002, Ronaldo scored 67 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil and won the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea.

He netted both goals in a 2-0 win over Germany in the final and remains the leading scorer in World Cup history.

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Ronaldo also scored an extraordinary 47 goals in 49 games in all competitions for Barcelona in the 1996/97 season, before suffering the first of three serious knee injuries playing for Inter Milan in 1999.

A transfer to Real Madrid brought the only national league titles of his career in 2002/03 and 2006/07, but he never fully recaptured the devastating combination of pace, strength and skill that earned him the nickname ‘the phenomenon’ earlier in his career.

According to various reports, Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri has a €14.5million (£12.75m) relegation clause in his contract – but who should sign the Swiss international?

Stoke City were relegated on Saturday courtesy of their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, and there will surely be multiple Potters looking to leave the club this summer.

West Ham fans have been discussing the possibility of signing Shaqiri and teammate Jack Butland, but the Swiss winger has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Though Shaqiri certainly struggles with consistency, he possesses an absolute star quality that very few players have, so plenty of managers will be queuing up for the relatively low £12.75m release clause.

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The Hammers and Toffees have both been linked with moves for the 26 year-old, who has eight goals and six assists in 35 league appearances this season.

Both clubs could be going into next season under new management, so it would be no surprise to see them swoop for some new talent to freshen up their squads.

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One would have to think West Ham have the upper hand, as the Swiss man could relish the opportunity to link up with former teammate Marko Arnautovic.

So, Everton and West Ham fans, where would Shaqiri be the best fit? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

Kevin Mirallas has hit out at Everton for their treatment of him over the latter half of the season, accusing the Merseysiders of ‘breaking promises’.

The Belgium international has long been thought of as one of the Toffees’ key players after impressing for Roberto Martinez’s side.

He attracted interest over the winter period from clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Dortmund, while Spurs have also been aligned with a raid for him.

WANT MORE? >> Everton transfer news | Spurs transfer news

A potential swap including Aaron Lennon – on loan at Everton from Tottenham – has been reported as an option, and now Mirallas has now opened the door for a switch.

The 27-year-old has revealed that he’s frustrated at the lack of game time he’s been given, claiming that it goes against the reasons he was kept at the club in January despite strong interest:

“Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid were interested [in January], but Everton obliged me to stay at the club,” he is quoted by Goal.

“I understood because our young group performed below expectations. So I had to stay, but in the second half I was suddenly playing less games.

“There are promises broken and yet it makes for a somewhat awkward relationship with the coach. Soon I will have a conversation with him.

“I have had a beautiful two and a half years with Everton. I have experienced many great moments and for that I must thank the club.

“So I don’t know whether I will leave, it is a decision I have to make in consultation with my family.”

Mirallas played 1,424 minutes of Premier League football for Everton during the season just gone, scoring seven goals from his wide role.

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Norwich will pitch fit-again keeper John Ruddy in to face West Brom at Carrow Road on Sunday following his five-month injury absence.

The England international has battled his way back from a long-standing groin problem and, despite being fit in the past few weeks, boss Chris Hughton was unwilling to throw him back into the first-team too soon and risk doing any further damage.

However, it seems Ruddy will get the nod ahead of Mark Bunn for Sunday’s visit of the Baggies, as the Canaries still require a win to be almost certain of Premier League football next season.

Winger Robert Snodgrass has recovered from cramp which saw him substituted in last weekend’s late 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, but centre-half Michael Turner is still sidelined with a groin injury.

Meanwhile midfielder Anthony Pilkington insists the squad is in good spirits ahead of the game as they look to secure only their third win in 20 outings which would take them six points clear of third bottom Wigan.

“Everyone’s been positive around the dressing room, all around the club, and everyone’s behind each other,” said Pilkington.

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“Everyone was disappointed and gutted after the defeat to Aston Villa. But the boys have picked each other up and the staff have picked us up as well.”

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Newcastle United supporters have been pretty downbeat in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their team’s four-match winning run in the Premier League come to an end at the hands of Everton on Monday night.

Rafa Benitez’s men went into their clash with the Merseysiders off the back of beating Arsenal, Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, and Southampton in their preceding four games, a run which saw them breach the 40-point mark and thus all but seal their place in the top-flight next season. Yet they were unable to keep their impressive run going on Monday night as a Theo Walcott effort six minutes into the second half was enough to clinch all three points for Sam Allardyce’s side, thus leaving Newcastle tenth in the division.

As such, there have been many quiet Magpies supporters in the Tavern in the last few days, several of whom are hoping that their team can finish the season strongly to build momentum ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

In the meantime though, there has been much for our resident Newcastle fans to discuss, not least recent reports linking their club with a move for Hull City striker Abel Hernandez.

And while the 27-year-old might well be a useful addition to Benitez’s squad, the Magpies must forget about a move for the forward and instead land £13.5 million-rated Championship star Tom Cairney (as per Transfermarkt).

Ultimately, while Hull’s Hernandez has been in fine form for the Tigers this term in netting eight goals in just ten appearances, he has suffered repeatedly from injuries in the last few years, hence his lowly appearance tally this time round.

Even his Premier League record, in which he has netted eight times in 49 games, isn’t horrendous, but it would be too big a risk for Newcastle to take given his injury problems over recent years.

Whereas they know exactly what they’d get with Fulham’s Cairney, who has without doubt been one of the best attackers outside of the Premier League in the last few years.

The 27-year-old inspired Slavisa Jokanovic’s side to the Championship play-offs last season with 13 goals and 11 assists for the Cottagers, and while his first half of this season was disrupted by injury, he has still managed four goals and five assists in their run to second place in the table.

Thus, it’s just a matter of time before the Scotland international makes the step up to the Premier League, and if Newcastle are keen to move to the next level themselves in the coming years, a peak and in-form Cairney can certainly help them with those aims.

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Ayoze Perez has performed much better recently for the Magpies, but one still senses that they need a number ten with greater attacking pedigree and an ability to make things happen out of very little – Cairney can do just that.

Obviously, it would be a risk given the 27-year-old hasn’t played much in the Premier League, but given his fine form for Fulham in the last few years, and indeed the age he is at, the Magpies must forget about Hernandez and instead focus their efforts on luring Cairney to St James’ Park.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Last week Liverpool suffered another bump in the road in their turbulent season. Dumped out of FA Cup, the Reds will not be winning a trophy this year, but it may also be significant in their quest for European football.

Liverpool are still on course for a Europa League spot, but only have faint hopes of Champions League qualification. Getting knocked out of the FA Cup means they’ll have to grab their European place via the league, because they won’t get a place from a cup competition.

Realistically, they’re not going to make the Champions League this season. They have just too much to do. Manchester City might slip up a little bit more before the end of the season – and have a tough game against in-form Aston VIlla this weekend – but surely not enough to finish behind Liverpool. Qualifying for the Europa League would be a consolation prize of course, certainly not something they’d have eyed at the start of the season, but it’s definitely a competition they’ll expect to be involved in at the very least.

But there are teams behind them in the league that also have their eyes on the same prize. Liverpool are in fifth place, and so they’re clearly in the best position for qualification. But if Southampton and Spurs start to win games, Liverpool could be in trouble.

England get three representatives in the Europa League, and with Liverpool missing out on the FA Cup final against Arsenal who are all but qualified for the Champions League Villa will get one of those spots.

Champions League-bound Chelsea won the League Cup, so the two spots left will go to fifth and sixth place in the league. And so Liverpool will need to finish in one of those spots in order to qualify.

Currently they sit fifth, and they do have a game in hand over Saints and Spurs, but they’re only a point ahead of the Saints and only above Spurs on goal difference.

So it’s lucky for Liverpool that the two teams directly below them play each other this weekend. They’ll have the chance to gain points on at least one of those teams. Crucially, if they win their game against West Brom, they’ll gain points on 7th place by 5:15 on Saturday, when City kick off against Villa.

But if Liverpool show signs of a hangover from their cup exit and the defeats to Man United and Arsenal, it could have a catastrophic effect on their season. Both of the teams below them, even if they were to lose their next game, would still have enough games left to accrue the points to oust Liverpool from the Europa League places. Even with Liverpool’s game in hand.

There is added pressure on Brendan Rodgers, though.

In this age of managerial merry-go-rounds, impatient owners and mega-money competitions such as the Champions League, the job security for a top manager is frighteningly low. To make matters worse for Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp is available. He’s announced his imminent departure from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and declaring that he won’t be taking a sabbatical means he’s single and ready to mingle.

In fact, there has already been talk of Brendan Rodgers leaving and the BBC’s Sportsday even had a public vote asking who will be Liverpool manager next season. That’s hardly a vote of confidence for the Northern Irishman.

So finishing 7th in the league with no silverware and no European football to show for it would be disastrous for the club, the players and crucially for the manager too. It just can’t happen.

With the Champions League looking very unlikely and no cup competitions to play for, the concern is that Liverpool may struggle to get motivated for their remaining fixtures, too. That’s the kind of situation that could give hope to both Saints and Spurs, and make them believe that they can catch Liverpool.

On paper, Liverpool have the players to keep it together, they have also been in good form despite the defeats I’ve mentioned. They’ve lost the big games – United, Arsenal and an FA Cup semi-final – but the games they have left shouldn’t pose them too many problems. The only one you’d expect them to struggle with is Chelsea.

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But actually, if Chelsea lose to Arsenal and we’re left with something vaguely resembling a title race on Sunday evening, the Liverpool Chelsea game could be important. And wouldn’t Liverpool just love to cause Chelsea the same problems that Mourinho and his team bus caused the Reds at Anfield last season.

If Liverpool’s problem is getting up for the games they have left, then there should be no problem getting up for this one.

Liverpool should be fine for a Europa League spot. But they need to be careful because not getting one would be disastrous and may cost their manager his job. With Jurgen Klopp free, lurking like a lion stalking its prey, you’d fear for Rodgers if he does guide his team to a poor run from now until the end of the season. His job just might depend on his ability to motivate his team for their final few games.

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Gareth Barry says he loves life at Manchester City and is hoping to commit his future by signing a new contract.

The 32-year-old has just under 18 months to run on his current deal but he is keen to stay well beyond 2014 and is hoping to open talks with the club over a new contract in the summer.

Whether City will offer a player of his age anything long-term remains to be seen, but Barry has no thoughts about moving on and would love to put pen to paper.

“I am happy here and very settled,” Barry revealed. “I spent 12 years at Villa and I’ve spent four years at City and I’m not really one for moving around. I’d like to stay as long as possible.

“For a player to feel settled and feel very comfortable, you generally want to be playing regular football – and I’ve been lucky enough to feature in a lot of games this season.

“That’s one reason why I am happy to stay.”

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There has been no shortage of cash at Manchester City ever since Sheikh Mansour bought the club in 2009.

The Abu Dhabi-borm billionaire is a major reason why the Premier League club have become a powerhouse in England.

At the weekend, City earned their third league title in seven seasons after taking an unassailable 16-point lead.

Manchester United’s shock 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday officially handed their neighbours the crown.

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The joy came after a difficult week in which the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in the quarter-finals and were beaten 3-2 by United at the Etihad Stadium.

With the league title wrapped up, attention now turns to the summer transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, City’s hierarchy are prepared to put all their faith in manager Guardiola by handing him in excess of £100m to spent on new players.

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The publication claims that the club are likely to target a new central midfielder and a winger, but could end up recruiting four new faces before the window closes.

City fans have been giving their reaction to these reports on Twitter.