Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon is "gob-smacked" to see Arsene Wenger come under fire from supporters. The Gunners manager, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, was involved in an exchange during a shareholders' forum last week, with the club on the verge of a fourth campaign without silverware. Dixon - who played more than 600 matches over 14 years for the Gunners and won the double twice under Wenger - insists such negativity towards the Frenchman is "short-sighted". "I am gob-smacked that people have started calling for his head," the 45-year-old said. "People are very short-sighted. It is the modern-day supporter who wants success yesterday. Yes, we have gone four seasons without a trophy and have been off the pace in the Premier League this season, which is Wenger's trophy priority, but he is as frustrated as anyone else. The balance in the team is not quite right and now Andrey Arshavin has come in, that gives them another attacking option which can only be a good thing."
Aston Villa
Aston Villa Gareth Barry admits Martin Laursen's decision to retire is "devastating news" for the club. Centre-back Laursen, 31, announced he was to hang up his boots on Friday because of persistent injury problems. And Barry told the club's official website: "It is devastating news for Martin and for the club. He has performed magnificently - not only this season but in previous ones too. He has really been immense. I had a quiet word with him just before he announced his decision on Friday. You could tell he was very emotional and very upset but I told him all the lads wished him well for the future. This sort of news makes you appreciate playing football. You have to respect the game because you never know when your career is going to end."
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Captain Ryan Nelsen has been ruled out of the Barclays Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. The New Zealand defender pulled a calf muscle in the defeat by Chelsea at the weekend and his season is over. However, on-loan full-back Gael Givet is expected to recover from a similar injury in time for the final match of the campaign. Sam Allardyce said: "Ryan will definitely be out but Gael should be okay."
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Gretar Steinsson would welcome increased competition for places within the squad as he believes it can only improve the team. Bolton Wanderers are operating with the smallest playing staff in the Barclays Premier League this season and that has undoubtedly hindered their progress. If they are to progress next season manager Gary Megson needs to bring in some quality reinforcements. It is something Iceland full-back Steinsson does not fear. "Just bring it on. We need to strengthen our squad, that is for sure," he said. "We need players because we have a small squad and have almost been using the same 11 all season. We need players in and we don't want any players out - simple."
Chelsea
Chelsea Florent Malouda is happy continuing to do the "dirty work" for Chelsea as they aim to give interim manager Guus Hiddink a fitting send-off. Malouda, whose three goals in the last four matches have taken his tally to nine, is only too happy to continue helping his team-mates break down the opposition defence, as Nicolas Anelka closes in on the Barclays Premier League golden boot. "Everybody is talking about assists or scoring goals, but in a team there is a lot of work to do and also, as the coach would like to say, the dirty work," he said. "I am somebody who will first do the dirty work and then try to get some assists or score some goals. Everybody at the club trusts me, I can feel the confidence of my team-mates and that gives me a lot of confidence."
Everton
Everton David Moyes admits that one day he would like to be manager of Scotland, but that the England job would never be a consideration. "I have always thought that the Scotland job would be something I would like to do in time, and living back in Scotland does appeal to me," he revealed. "I class that as my home and I do see that (the Scotland job) as a possibility. But I have a long way to go and a lot to do 'down here' and who knows. It might not be the right time for Scotland when David Moyes is available for that job." But England is not on his radar. Moyes said: "I recall taking a call once from someone who asked whether I would be interested in the England job. And I thought he was winding me up. I would never get back over the border and I don't know as a Scotsman whether I would be invited back. I can say it is the one job that I have no interest in whatsoever."
fulham
Fulham Darlington have confirmed that rookie striker Curtis Main will not be moving to Fulham. Main, 16, spent last week on trial with the Cottagers and put in an impressive performance during a friendly, but they have decided not to follow up their interest in Main for the time being. A statement on Darlington's website read: "Curtis Main will not be joining Fulham after the Premier League club decided to monitor the teenager's progress. Newcastle and Middlesbrough have shown an interest in Main but he is to stay with the Quakers for the time being."
Hull City
Hull City Phil Brown has hailed the club's supporters ahead of Sunday's make-or-break match against Manchester United. A sell-out crowd is expected at the KC Stadium as Hull City take on the champions hoping to secure their top-flight status in their final match. The Tigers are just one point above the relegation zone and will also be keeping an ear out for scores in matches involving Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Brown said: "The supporters have been fabulous all season. They have been outstanding away from home and you can't get any more in the KC Stadium. There'll be 25,000 there again this week and that's the average crowd. We've sold 19,000 season tickets for next year and they don't know where we are. That just shows what the Hull people think of what we've done this season."
Liverpool
Liverpool Xabi Alonso's agent admits Liverpool will decide the midfielder's future at the end of the season. The Spain international has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with a number of clubs thought to be lining up summer moves for the player. Alonso's agent Ignacio Ibanez has refused to confirm the midfielder will remain at Anfield next season, admitting Liverpool will have the final say on any possible transfer. "Many things could happen in the summer," Ibanez said. "The first is to finish the season and after that to attend to other matters. Xabi has signed for three more years and his future depends on Liverpool."
Manchester City
Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has challenged manager Mark Hughes to lead the club to a place in the top six of the Barclays Premier League next season. City's defeat by Tottenham at the weekend ended their hopes of a spot in the Europa League, but, with one match remaining - against Bolton on Sunday - Hughes is already clear about the club's ambitions following meetings with Al Mubarak and chief executive Garry Cook. Al Mubarak told the club's official website: "I think people see me as a reasonable and realistic man. Given what we have done this year and the ambitions we have this summer, a top-six finish next year should be a reasonable and achievable target. There will be money for new players. We need more depth and plans are already advanced. I have been talking to Garry and Mark for weeks now. We are pretty clear on what we want, and I am clear on what Mark has identified as the areas that need to be supported, and we will step up. We all know we are not going to splash money around, because that model, that formula, doesn't work. You're not going to buy 22 new players and then the next year you win the Premier League. It needs to be done sustainably, with quality management, quality infra-structure and a quality manager. That's what we are doing. The players will come, and the results will come."
Manchester United
Manchester United Sir Bobby Charlton believes Manchester United are looked on with "envy" because Nemanja Vidic wears their colours. Vidic's team-mates have named him their player of the year after a string of impressive performances as a third successive title was secured. The Serbian defender's next goal is to help United retain the Champions League crown on 27th May when they face Barcelona in Rome. "He has been such an influence. He is the envy of the whole league and he has been a brilliant player for us," said United director Charlton. "Nemanja is unbelievable in the air. He wins absolutely everything. He is so powerful and brave. He has a fantastic leap to get above the strikers. He also comes up for set-pieces and scores goals. As a defender he makes the full-backs, the goalkeeper and the midfielders in front of him all feel secure. He is a player you can depend on and put your trust in, and that is important. I like that he doesn't try to do too much, he sticks to his task of defending, and does that job very well."
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough Gareth Southgate has urged highly-rated Andrew Taylor to stay at the Riverside even if they are relegated. The 22-year-old left-back has been one of the club's most consistent performers in their battle to beat the drop. And Southgate believes Taylor should stick with Boro to further his footballing education. He said: "You forget his age sometimes because he has been there or thereabouts in the team for the last season and a half. He is still an Under-21 international. When I go to watch the Under-21s play it reminds you how few of them are regulars in their first teams. Adam (Johnson) and Andrew get frustrated at times not being in the team every week, but there are not many players playing at that level who are consistently in their first teams. Taylor has had a lot of football for somebody of his age."
Newcastle United
Newcastle United Newcastle have lost their appeal against Sebastien Bassong's dismissal on Saturday. The 22-year-old Frenchman was shown a straight red card by referee Howard Webb after tangling with Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara. Bassong will now miss the club's final Barclays Premier League match of the season at Aston Villa on Sunday. Because it was his second red card of the season, he will serve a two-match ban with immediate effect, ruling Bassong out of the first match of the 2009/2010 campaign as well.
portsmouth
Portsmouth Goalkeeper David James believes he has chosen the right time to have a shoulder operation, despite the surgery ruling him out of England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. James will have surgery on Wednesday to solve an injury that has been troubling the veteran keeper for the past 18 months. He will now miss England's 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra next month, leaving Fabio Capello with a selection headache. "It's something I've had for about 18 months, but I've been able to play with it," said James. "I'll miss a couple of World Cup matches, but it's a good time to have the operation. I always trust that England can do well - even without me!"
stoke city
Stoke City Defender Abdoulaye Faye has spoken of his pride at being named players' player of the year. Faye has missed just one Barclays Premier League match since arriving from Newcastle for £2.25m last August and captained the team for the last five months in the absence of Andy Griffin. Faye said: "I'm very proud for the team, for the supporters, for my family and for everyone at Stoke."
Sunderland
Sunderland Ricky Sbragia will be praying Chelsea have their minds on the FA Cup Final when they face his side on Sunday. Defeat to the Blues on the final day of the season would mean relegation for the Black Cats if Hull and Newcastle win. Sbragia said: "I think the crowd will indicate what's going on in the other two matches but I won't be asking for an update. Then again we could always beat Chelsea. They might have their eyes on the FA Cup Final."
tottenham hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has apologised for his angry reaction to being substituted at the weekend. The Russia international stormed straight down the tunnel against Manchester City and was sarcastically applauded by manager Harry Redknapp. "During the game I had a couple of chances to score but I didn't take those chances so I was angry at myself when I came off the pitch, not at the decision to replace me," Pavlyuchenko said. "I know it was not my best performance but I blame myself for that and nobody else. I did not mean to cause offence with my actions and I apologise to my team-mates, the coaching staff and the supporters, who have treated me so well since I arrived. To get the opportunity to show my appreciation to the fans during the walk round with my team-mates at the end of the game was a special moment. They have been so welcoming and supportive towards me. It is now up to me to go away and work on sharpening up in front of goal."
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion Tony Mowbray is confident the club can hang on to on-loan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune despite their relegation to the Championship. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham are believed to be interested in signing the 27-year-old striker, who has scored five goals since arriving from Nancy in January. Mowbray said: "There is hope. He is a good man and the grass isn't always greener on the other side. He is at a club where his talents are appreciated and he knows he will play. If Premier League teams are after him, he could go and be a number three or four striker. It depends on what the boy wants to do. He can stay with us and score lots of goals next season and, hopefully, win lots of games. Then he could come back to the Premier League with a team that he is settled in and enjoying his football, where the environment he comes to work in every day is conducive to making him happy. But we all have choices in life and he will make his."
West Ham United
West Ham United Gianfranco Zola believes teenager Freddie Sears can have a bright future at West Ham, but revealed the young forward is likely to be sent out on loan next season. Academy graduate Sears, 19, has made seven starts and 15 appearances from the bench this season, but failed to score for the senior team. "I think that the right thing to do for him will be to go on loan to play," Zola told the club's official website. "He has worked hard here, but has not been playing enough, sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes a full game. Probably he never got what he wanted. He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly. Unfortunately here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the possibility of going on loan and to prove himself. Then he will come back here as we believe that he is an important player for us in future."
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Winger Antonio Valencia is destined to leave Wigan at the end of the season but is keeping his options open, according to his agent. Diego Herrera claims Real Madrid have already lodged a bid - reported to be £18m-plus - with the Latics but that there are other interested parties. Herrera said with interest in his client from some of Europe's biggest clubs it was now difficult for him to stay at Wigan. "Wigan revealed last week that there has been an offer from Real Madrid but they haven't told me any details about it," Herrera said. "Honestly I think it's really difficult that he remains at Wigan. I would anticipate that he leaves this summer. We have to see what will happen in the next few weeks. We're not in any rush." Manager Steve Bruce has already resigned himself to Valencia's departure.
Please note: Fixtures are subject to change. Reproduced under licence from Football DataCo Limited. All rights reserved. Licence no. NEWMEDIA/PREMLGEGE/167142a. Copyright © and Database Right The FA Premier League/The Scottish Premier League/The Football League/The Scottish Football League Limited 2008. All rights reserved. No part of the Fixtures Lists may be reproduced stored or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of Football DataCo Limited.
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Barclays Premier League
Man Utd 37 87
Liverpool 37 83
Chelsea 37 80
Arsenal 37 69
Everton 37 60
Aston Villa 37 59
Fulham 37 53
Tottenham 37 51
West Ham Utd 37 48
Man City 37 47
Stoke City 37 45
Wigan Athletic 37 42
Bolton 37 41
Portsmouth 37 41
Blackburn 37 40
Sunderland 37 36
Hull City 37 35
Newcastle 37 34
Middlesbrough 37 32
WBA 37 31
Form Guide | Full Table
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