Transfer Window Update

We're over half-way through the current transfer window, but there hasn't been too many transfers as of yet. The most news-worthy are the signings of Sol Campbell to Arsenal and Patrick Vieira to Man City. Sol Campbell obviously did enough in training and the 45 minutes of a reserve game to merit a short-term deal. Vieira has joined Man City at a time when they seem to be doing well (if you ignore the game against Everton) - so I struggle to see Vieira getting many games, especially as Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong have been pretty solid in midfield.


The biggest transfer so far, in terms of money, is Michel from Sporting Gijon to Birmingham in a £3m deal. There have been plenty of loan deals, obviously because of the credit crunch! Maxi Rodriguez has joined Liverpool on loan from Atletico Madrid and I'm sure he enjoyed watching the game against Reading on the F.A.Cup! Jake Livermore has joined Peterborough on loan from Spurs and goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic has joined Wigan on loan from Sporting Lisbon and I'm sure he didn't enjoy his debut against Nott Co. in the F.A.Cup 4th round! Didier Digard has gone out on loan from Middlebrough and Andy Griffin has joined Reading, on loan from Stoke City. Stoke had apparently signed Amr Zaki according to newspaper reports last week, however, he has joined Hull City instead, on loan from FC Zemalek.

Colchester have signed both Kayode Odejayi and John-Joe O'Toole from championship clubs to add strength to their push for promotion and Vincent Pericard has signed for Swindon after fellow league 1 side Carlisle decided not to retain him, suprisingly.

Hopefully, the rest of the transfer window will be more eventful. This year, it closes on Monday 1st February.

Rumours

Ryan Babel could be on his way out of Liverpool as the Dutch striker is out of favour. Ryan was also fined a week's wages after he revealed on Twitter that he had been dropped for the game against Stoke, before the game. Birmingham could come in for the striker at a cut-price deal. Personally, I think Babel should be playing wide right and Dirk Kuyt as a forward.

The race is on to sign Joe Cole at the end of the season. He wanted a 50% pay-rise from 80k to 120k a week to stay at Chelsea. How can he, or should I say his agents, justify wanting such an increase? Especially, as he's spent more time injured than playing over the last few years. Man City could snap him up for free in the summer and would not say no to his wage demands.

Stadium Pics - Liverpool v Wigan

Liverpool 2 v 1 Wigan (16th December)
Liverpool celebrated 'Shanks' night with a decent victory against Wigan. The game started bright enough with the 'pool having shots cleared from the line, before N'Gog gave them the lead with a fine header from a Yossi Benayoun floated cross. However, Liverpool didn't make the most of their early dominance and the rest of the first half was fairly dull!

Rafa brought on Lucas! Clearly wishing to hold on to a 1-0 victory against Wigan! Fernando Torres, finally, came on in the second half, which gave everyone a lift. He went on to score the second goal and secure three points. Charles N'Zogbia turned inside onto his left foot from the right side and shot past Reina to score a consolation goal.

Liverpool legends help to celebrate shanks night, including Kevin Keegan and Phil Thompson. The legends went over to the kop end, applauded and went back down the tunnel! Cheers lads!

Stadium Pics - Arsenal v West Brom - League Cup

These pics were sent in from a reader - they are from the Emirates Stadium in London, home of Arsenal FC. Not a great deal of info was supplied with the pics, just that it was against West Brom in the league cup.