Squad Shuffle won't affect the Kids

Manchester City Boss Mark Hughes has already started clicking his pen in anticipation as the season starts drawing to an end and the tranfer window slowly opening as we get to the summer.

I know what your thinking Kaka? Ronaldinho? well i'm afraid you'll be disappointed because old Sparky is hoping that some of the youngsters will be ready to step into the boots of the misfits that are cluttering the Canteen at the Eastlands.

Sparky chats to the clubs official website and reveals his plans for the summer and the kids at the academy.

He explained: "Squad planning still goes on, because after a transfer window has closed you look at what you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the squad as it now stands, and then you plan accordingly.

"It's not an exact science. Sometimes the players you feel will help the cause are not available; some players already at the club will be coming to the end of their contracts, and you have to make a decision on them.

"But it's also about what talent is coming up through the ranks. You have to make sure that the progress of your younger players is in place, so there are a lot of factors to throw into the mix when planning.

"The aim is a balanced squad, and when we came in the balance initially wasn't right. We've addressed that at a decent level, but there is still work to be done. It's an ongoing process, a fluid thing that can change month on month."

Hughes' squad has grown to 34 - still a good deal smaller than clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United - but he made it clear that the time is nearing when a cull of some fringe players will be in order.

He said: "I prefer to bring players in before I let them go. It's not right to weaken the squad before you have brought in sufficient strength to compensate. That's always been my philosophy in that regard.

"We haven't shed that many players. The numbers are edging up, but the young players are coming through that we want to see progress to the first team. The process has started but it's by no means completed yet."

Benitez - Dane can boost title challenge

Rafa Benitez is glad to welcome Daniel Agger back into his squad after making just two starts this year.

The Dane who came through 15 minutes of action against Aston Villa in the Reds last fixture is once again fully fit and part of the plans at Anfield.

The clubs website speaks to Rafa Benitez as he talks about Agger and the the part he'll play as the season comes to an end.

"It is always a boost when you have good players coming back into the squad after injury, especially at this time of year because it is the most important part of the season," said the Anfield boss.

"If they are fit they can help the team with the quality they have.

"Agger showed when he came on against Aston Villa that he is no longer injured and he also showed that he can play really well with the ball, bringing it out from the back.

"So it will be good for us to have him available again, particularly as we have been without him on several occasions.

"Hopefully now he will be really fresh and ready to play his part because everyone knows that he is an important player for us."

Silvestre - We've improved in all departments

The season is almost over and the title race is being narrowed down with each game played and then one team is crowned champions.

This normally involves Arsenal but this season it won't after a slow start and some silly mistakes, Their season has improved and now the Gunners are on a 16 game unbeaten run which stretches all the way back to November last year.

As Mikel Silvestre looks to the future and talks to the clubs official website about the improvements that the young stars have made.

"They are definitely better than when I arrived," he told Arsenal.com. "There have been some patches where we couldn't get the consistency but now with the confidence and the number of goals we score, even if we had some draws in the Premier League, overall the performances have been really good. All the players have improved in every department.

"It has been very good progress. We can see that in the build-up of our game and in our attacking positions. Also, every player knows his job better than they did at the beginning of the season. That makes the team play better."

Silvestre is convinced by Arsenal's quality but he has warned against the perils of a sluggish start when the 2009/10 campaign gets underway. The Gunners lost five of their first 14 Premier League games this season and, according to the Frenchman, a repeat performance would leave them with too much to do.

"We've got to believe that we can challenge next season," said Silvestre. "If we build on this season, which is not finished yet, there is a lot of reason to think that we must challenge from day one for the title.

"You have to make a quick start, of course, because all the best teams take points. As soon as you drop two or three points, the gap is really big."

Dowie to Join Toon Revolution

Sky Sports News are reporting that Iain Dowie has been asked to be Alan Shearers assistant at Newcastle.

It seems as Shearer fever once again whirls Tyneside into a frenzy with his appointment, it is starting to look like Mr Shearer is going to be bringing in his own people to help him save the Toon.

Alan needs experience and with not having any managerial experience himself, it looks like he is going to turn to Iain Dowie.

Dowie has got the experience after spells with Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton, Coventry and QPR with whom he had his most recent spell.

Shearer and Dowie were team-mates at Southhampton and have remained good friends ever since and if there is one thing Alan Shearer is going to need to suceed at Newcastle, it is people he can trust.

Spurs Looking to the Future with New Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled plans to move out of White Hart Lane and into a new 58,000 seater staduim with a 150 room hotel.

The plans are on a second round of consultation and are hoping to have their new home ready by 2013.

White Hart Lane currently holds just over 36,000 and Levy is confident that the fans will love their new home.

"At the moment we have roughly 25,000 season tickets holders and we have a waiting list of over 22,000 and that was before plans for the new stadium so I am sure as soon as people can get seats in the new stadium there will be plenty of interest," he told Sky Sports News.

Levy also admitted that the current credit crunch does have its benefits as the building costs of the new project could be significantly reduced.
"In terms of construction costs one of the advantages at the moment is that the construction costs will come down compared to a couple of years ago but on the other hand, raising finances is more difficult," he continued.
He also insisted that the club are not running the project based on projections of appearing in European competition.

"We are running the project in that we have Premier League status, it is not based on European qualification," he stressed.

More financing is also likely to come from the naming rights of the stadium, which will be sold, but he suggested it was not essential.

"I don't think there is a principle funder, but naming rights will be important. But possibly so will be an equity issue, or bank finance, so it is hard to say what will be most significant," he said.

City Duo Set to Return.

Daniel Sturridge and Benjani Mwaruwari look set to feature in Manchester City's game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Sturridge has been hampered by ankle problems for the last two months while Benjani has been sidelined by hamstring trouble limiting him to only 12 apperances for City.

With all players playing for their future under Mark Hughes every player knows that they have to stay fit to stay at the Eastlands and with the summer looming and money to be spent the writing will already be on the wall for some.

16 players are expected to depart in the summer with one of the candidates likely to be Jo who currently is on-loan at Everton.

Shearer Comes Home.

Alan Shearer has finally taken up the post of leading Newcastle United back up the Barclays Premier League, It was only a matter of time before the Toon army could be heard singing the famous 'SHEARER, SHEARER, SHEARER!!!!' from the Stands of St. James Park.

Alan Shearer will be officially unveiled on Thursday morning in scenes which will mirror the day he first signed for Newcastle United way back in 1996.

The Newcastle fans have been crying out for another Messiah with a God like status ever since Kevin Keegan departed under the black cloud of the 'Cockney Mafia' as the fans call them, which isn't really a bad name as i've heard Chairmen called worse than that.

If the team raise their game and play with the same passion as their fans then they will remain in the Premier League but if there is one thing that is needed on Tyneside is one man to do one job and that is to lead the Toon Army into battle.