Manchester United's youth system is the best in the Premier League

It is not a simple thing to determine which academy system is the best, so I've researched the backgrounds of all 233 players that qualify as homegrown, in the official Premier League senior squads, and my definition is simple: Which club's academy produces the most players that are good enough t...

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Predictions: Who will be 2010/11’s main winners and losers?

If everything I predicted 12 months ago came true I would be a very rich and happy man right now. Unfortunately Arsenal let me down in the league, West Ham failed me in the FA Cup and letting my heart rule my head in the SPL by putting £10 on my beloved Aberdeen to win the SPL really was a waste of ...

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Predictions: Who will be 2010/11’s main winners and losers Part 2

Well you’ve heard what our Panel members have had to say for themselves, now it’s time for the “experts” to have their say. We’ll start off with writer Hugh Larkin. He loves the underdog but he thinks Chelsea are just far too strong for anyone to cope with and thinks Arsenal and Spurs are going to...

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Middlesbrough Installed As Championship Favourites

The betting for this seasons npower Championship is wide open because at least two of the teams relegated from the Premiership arent expected to dominate the division. Neither Portsmouth or Hull City are in position to do what Newcastle United managed last term, even with the parachute largesse. Bu...

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Fantasy football 2010/11 reminder

Do you think you can spend £100 million better than Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini? Do you think you could assemble a better squad than Spurs boss Harry Redknapp? Do you think you can guide your side to glory like Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti? If so then we want to hear from you. We at Squarefootba...

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Squarefootball fantasy football invitation 2010/11

I saw more action and excitement this summer down at the mortuary than I did at the World Cup in South Africa. There was also a better atmosphere between me and my ex-girlfriend than there was inside the grounds, thanks to the constant drone of those awful vuvuzelas. And as for entertainment, I th...

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Middlesbrough: Boyd backed to bang ‘em in at the Riverside

You don’t win games unless you score goals. Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is only too aware of that fact, hence the reason why he has done everything possible to bring the SPL’s all-time record goalscorer Kris Boyd to the Riverside. The former Rangers striker broke all kinds of records in Scot...

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Get on side and sport your colours for Shelter this World Cup

In celebration of this years FIFA World Cup, housing and homelessness charity Shelter are teaming up with Nationwide Building Society, Official England Team sponsor, to launch their fantastic footy fundraiser, Strip4Shelter. Shelter is asking people across the country to replace their regular work ...

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England: Who should Fabio choose as his No 1 for South Africa?

In less than 100 days the greatest show on earth kicks off in South Africa but England manager Fabio Capello still has major issues to resolve before he finalises on his squad who will be given the task of bringing the World Cup home. Who will fill the left-back role if Ashley Cole fails to recover ...

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Is Wayne Bridge right to turn his back on England?

Representing your country in the World Cup is supposed to be every footballer’s dream. Every one bar Wayne Bridge that is. The Manchester City left-back has kicked his international career into row Z due to the fall-out of John Terry’s alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend and mother of his children...

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In praise of ... Steve McClaren

The news that Steve McClaren is succeeding at FC Twente should come as a relief for anyone who isn't a fan of blood sports. McClaren guided FC Twente to runners-up in league and cup in Holland last season and qualified for the Champions' League - which is pretty good for a team that is not a tradit...

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Middlesbrough: Who will replace Southgate at the Riverside?

Not too many managers get sacked after winning a game and guiding their team to within a point of the top but everyone knew Gareth Southgate was walking on thin ice at the Riverside. Tuesday night’s win over Derby County was their first win on Teesside after three demoralising defeats on the bounce....

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The Old Firm: Premier League? You’re having a laugh!

Martin Luther King famously had a dream of racial equality and an end to discrimination. I too have a dream but sadly it isn’t as prophetic as that. I just want to live to see Aberdeen crowned as SPL champions. Now that may sound ridiculous to many of you given the Dons’ recent lack of silverware bu...

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Manchester derby: Was this the greatest Premier League game ever?

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Manchester United’s action-packed 4-3 over their rivals Manchester City as the greatest Manchester derby of all time and it’s hard to refute that claim. From start to finish it was pulsating viewing and had absolutely everything a fan could ask for – goals galore, def...

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Championship 2009-10 - Middlesbrough

Although a heavy reliance on home-grown talent has to be applauded, the lack of quality recruits ultimately proved Middlesbrough’s undoing. A tally of 28 goals from 38 Premier League matches also goes quite a long way to explaining why Middlesbrough find themselves playing Championship football thi...

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Middlesbrough: Can Southgate guide the Boro back up at the first attempt?

Gareth Southgate has faced numerous challenges throughout his time in football but this season will ultimately make or break his managerial career at the Riverside. The former Aston Villa and England defender won a number of plaudits for giving many of his talented youngsters a chance in the first t...

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Squarefootball's fantasy football challenge

Do you see yourself as the next Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger? Do you think you can pick a better team than Harry Redknapp or Rafa Benitez? Brilliant, then why don’t you join us in competing for the coveted Squarefootball fantasy league crown? For the past few years we at Squarefootball towers...

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Sir Bobby Robson - A tribute to a true gentleman

The world of football lost one of its most famous sons yesterday. Sir Bobby Robson, the former Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, Barcelona and England manager, passed away aged 76 following a long battle with lung cancer. Fans, players, pundits and managers have been paying their respect to Robson wit...

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Expect a summer splash of transfers from relegated pool of players

“Too good to go down”, I always hear. Every season there is someone deemed to good to go down. Three teams go down every year, and there is always one that shouldn’t have apparently.When West Ham were relegated in May 2003, even the most ardent Tottenham or Chelsea fan would have admitted surprise. ...

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Middlesbrough: Who was your player of the season?

Who would have thought that Middlesbrough would have slipped through the Premier League trap door back after beating Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season? It all started so well for Gareth Southgate’s men but in truth last season will be one that most Boro fans will want to forget. The...

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West Ham United v Middlesbrough: Southgate’s looking for a miracle

For Gareth Southgate’s men to retain their Premier League status they are going to need a miracle. First they must beat Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers at Upton Park, hope Newcastle United and Hull City lose and that goal difference swings in their favour in order to stay up. It’s a tall ask but Boro fa...

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Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa: Boro face relegation

Middlesbrough could be relegated today, a fact that is unlikely to concern an Aston Villa side that is struggling to finish the season with any momentum. Defeat at Newcastle on Monday was a hamer blow for Middlesbrough. Considering goal difference Boro cannot now survive on less than four points a...

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Newcastle United v Middlesbrough: D-Day on Tyneside

Newcastle United have faced some huge games in their history but, make no mistake about it, this is the biggest. Win and they climb out of the bottom three with just two games to go and put their future in their own hands. Lose and they let tonight’s opponents, Boro, leapfrog them in the table and u...

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Middlesbrough vs Manchester United: Middlesbrough fearing relegation now

Middlesbrough has a decent record against the top teams; drawing 2-2 with Manchester United in this fixture last season. But the record against everyone else this season seems likely to relegate the club. In losing to Arsenal last week you couldn't fault the enthusiasm and attitude of the 'Boro pl...

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Arsenal v Middlesbrough: Will Boro catch Arsenal with one eye on Old Trafford?

Middlesbrough may travel to the Emirates today like lambs to the slaughter but Gareth Southgate’s men have had the upper hand against their north London counterparts in recent seasons. Arsenal are yet to beat Boro at the Emirates and have failed to record a win over the Teessiders since thrashing th...

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Liverpool v Arsenal: Who’d make the ultimate starting XI?

Liverpool entertain Arsenal on Tuesday night in a match that will go a long way in determining the destination of this season’s Premier League title. Both teams are blessed with world class players, but just who would feature in your ultimate XI from the two clubs? Would you choose Adebayor or Van P...

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Middlesbrough vs Fulham: Southgate seeks safety

Gareth Southgate’s men gave their survival hopes a vital boost last weekend with victory over Hull City but can they make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time in 31 attempts on Saturday as they entertain Roy Hodgson’s Fulham? Looking at the history books Boro won’t get a be...

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Middlesbrough vs Hull City: Tigers seek double joy

If Phil Brown’s Hull City turn over Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough on Saturday then it could be a double celebration for the Tigers. Hull City haven’t completed a league double over the Teessiders since 1955 and victory would all but consign Boro to the drop, thus giving Hull’s own survival hopes ...

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Goalkeepers Have Cost Middlesbrough Dearly

Any Middlesbrough fans who still had the stomach for football after Saturdays shambolic defeat at Bolton will have regretted switching over to watch Fulham take on Liverpool.Within four minutes, former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer pulled off the first in a series of fine saves that kept F...

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Prediction Panel; Saturday Wrap

Eight games in the Premier League today, with Liverpool looking to go top by avoinding defeat at Fulham. Chelsea travel to Newcastle in the big game of the day in the aftermath of Alan Shearer's appointment and Arsenal will look to beat its last league conquerers, Man City at the Emirates. West Ha...

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Bolton Wanderers vs Middlesbrough: Relegation six-pointer

Two teams that are out of form and in different thicknesses of brown sticky stuff at the bottom; Bolton is in it up to its ankles and may even clear it completely with a win today, whereas Middlesbrough is neck deep and sinking. Bolton's February has been the basis for a strong case against relegat...

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The North-East Relegation Battle…

Following an international break that was welcomed in certain quarters but maligned in others, the Premiership reaches a finale that will shred nerves at both ends of the table.The title race takes top billing, just, but the fight for survival reaches an exciting climax. Especially as the north-east...

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Stoke City vs Middlesbrough: Too important for either to lose?

A real relegation six-pointer between two of the bottom three, if either Stoke or Middlesbrough lose this then the Championship beckons. Stoke starts its charge to safety - or the drop - here; this match and the next three are all against bottom six teams and if The Potters can steer an unbeaten co...

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Portsmouth vs Everton: Fears and hopes

Two teams that clash with very different agendas; Portsmouth is hovering over the relegation zone courtesy only of superior goal difference whilst Everton is just four points behind a Champions' League qualification slot - both teams will want to win this one. Portsmouth were a couple of minutes aw...

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Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth: Prediction Panel

Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth; Kick Off 3:00pm 14 Mar 2009 Prediction Panel Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf). Tony Bellew : 0 - 0 Dave Blackburn : TBC - TBC Sue Gardener : 2 - 1 Chris Goodwin : 2 - 2 Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1 Colin Illingworth...

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

This preview is a bit late, so apologies for the brevity; Spurs will be a bit tired from a busy schedule that has included games against Hull, Shakhtar and Man United in the last 10 days - the extra time at Wembley was especially harsh and Middlesbrough will be encouraged from the Liverpool win to f...

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FA Cup Helps Middlesbrough Turn The Corner

Its an old debate- whether a relegation threatened side gets a boost from an FA Cup run or is hampered by becoming involved on two fronts.Theres no doubt where Middlesbrough stand on this issue. Until yesterday, the only games Boro had won in 2009 had been in the FA Cup. Victories over Barrow and W...

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Middlesbrough vs Liverpool: Boro hope to catch the Reds in a lethargic mood

Whilst Middlesbrough root around for the green shoots of recovery, Liverpool must guard against the lethargy and over-confidence that mid-week away wins at Real Madrid will inevitably cause. A win for Middlesbrough in the Cup is the latest straw being clutched to by increasingly worried Boro watche...

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Middlesbrough vs Wigan Athletic: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

Middlesbrough has a decent top flight record against Wigan, beating the Lancashire team three times out of the last four - but only four goals were scored in total in those four games so this is not usually a big scoring game. Added to this the form of the two teams - Boro has two points from the l...

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Middlesbrough: Who would you love to see back at the Riverside?

Tottenham Hotspur re-signed three of their former players in the January transfer window and it got me thinking; who would the Middlesbrough fans love to see back at the Riverside? Gareth Southgate has transformed theclub in recent years, opting to put his faith in youth instead of experience. The ...

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West Ham look good for a run to Wembley

The FA Cup is still a prize to be treasured and the curious fifth round draw could present West Ham with a great chance of a run to Wembley. Only nine top flight teams are definitely in the last sixteen, although Arsenal could beat Cardiff to make it ten. The prospect remains that the last eight c...

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Middlesbrough: Teessiders seek capital joy in FA Cup

Middlesbrough fans have not had a lot to smile about recently. They’ve watch their team slump into the bottom three of the Premier League, fail to win in their past 13 league games and score just once in their past eight league outings. But on Saturday they will travel in force to Upton Park confide...

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Manchester City vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

Middlesbrough have been on a horrendous run recently but Gareth Southgate must be relishing the visit to the City of Manchester stadium as the Teessiders appear to have a real hold over their hosts. Boro have lost just three games against City in the history of the Premier League and nobody connec...

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Benny McCarthy's form could be the difference between Boro and Blackburn

Despite the relegation troubles of both teams there are two sets of expensive forwards on show today; Alves, Alliadiere, Tuncay, Downing and King vs McCarthy, Roberts and Santa Cruz. But the only striker on show who is on top form is Benedict McCarthy. Five goals from the last five league games and ...

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Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

Without a shadow of a doubt this is a relegation six-pointer; interestingly both teams started the season with relatively inexperienced managers who were recent England internationals. When Paul Inces Blackburn team dropped into the relegation zone the board were quick to sack Ince and bring in the ...

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Scolari must be worried about a Boro bounce

Chelsea dropped to fourth place last night as the dark horse in claret and blue colours cantered past on the outside. The early-season Chelsea would have scoffed at the prospect of finishing out of the top two - but like a clear chance for Kerry Dixon there are no certain goals in this game. Chels...

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Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

Chelsea gave Middlesbrough a real football lesson earlier in the season as they humiliated them in front of their home fans and despite the Blues’ patchy home form so far in this campaign you’d have to fancy them against a Boro side that hasn’t won in the league in 10 attempts. Phil Scolari’s men w...

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Middlesbrough: Is Southgate the man to lead Boro to safety?

Gareth Southgate is under pressure at the Riverside and it’s hardly surprising considering Middlesbrough have gone 10 Premier League games without a win. The Teesside club have picked up just four points during that period and have slipped into the relegation places, and some pundits insist that Bor...

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West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

West Brom has won its last two home matches and will have hope to extend that sequence against a struggling Middlesbrough team. But West Broms main problem remains its attack, which has only mustered 17 goals from 21 games. West Brom won the game in Middlesbrough this season and will expect to exten...

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Premier League January Transfer Window; week 2 wrap

Jermain Defoes transfer to Spurs for around £15m was the big transfer story of the week, and with Spurs in the relegation zone there will surely be more to follow. Here is our weekly update from our team of writers of the speculation and facts regarding all twenty Premier League teams. Lots of specu...

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