An impressive Champions League showing in midweek showed that Harry Redknapp’s team are more than capable of mixing it with some of Europe’s finest. Tottenham fans will be hoping the midweek performance, will kick-start a season which has been patchy at best.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs which has included…rebirth of Robbie Keane; ridiculous gamble that Tottenham may regret and the seven wonderkids who never cut the mustard at WHL.

Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.

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Best of Web

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Local honour at stake for London trio with Wembley European Cup final – Guardian

Tottenham win 2-2 – Dear Mr Levy

Van der Vaart: Spurs Own Answer to Fabregas, Lampard & Gerrard – Football Pools

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You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby – Who Framed Ruel Fox?

A game of three halves. – Spurs Musings with JimmyG2

Harry Redknapp accuses Arsène Wenger of double standards – Guardian

Believe – Dear Mr Levy

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A welcome addition to our Champions League wag series – click on the image to view the gallery of Yolanthe Cabau

Blackburn Rovers have swooped to sign free agent midfielder Herold Goulon following a successful trial.

The 22-year-old Frenchman spent two years in the Middlesbrough youth team earlier in his career and was available on a free transfer after leaving Le Mans during the summer.

Goulon, who graduated from France's famous Clairefontaine Academy, has signed a deal until the summer of 2012.

Meanwhile, Rovers will be without captain Christopher Samba for Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

Samba is banned following his red card during Monday's goalless draw with Sunderland.

However, his absence is likely to be countered by the return from a thigh injury of Ryan Nelsen.

"We lose an exceptionally good player in Samba, we've got to deal with that," manager Sam Allardyce told the club's official website.

"It depends on Ryan Nelsen in terms of fitness. He came back from a long haul flight from New Zealand and was injured.

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"We lost him for the Sunderland game but he should be fit for this weekend. That gives us options on whether we play Phil Jones at the back or in midfield.

"Without Ryan then obviously Phil would definitely be playing in defence."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is waiting to find out the outcome of a dispute between the club and star midfielder Charlie Adam.

The 24-year-old Scotland international is reportedly seeking arbitration over unpaid bonuses and could even seek to end his Seasiders contract, which runs out in the summer of 2012.

Holloway told reporters:"If there is a problem then it's none of my business. That's between the club and one of the players and it will be sorted out by arbitration by the sound of it.

"If Charlie feels that way, if the chairman feels that way and there's a dispute then someone else has got to sort it out and I'm delighted that it's not me.

"If he decides to be upset and unhappy I'll deal with every mood and he's had a few since I've been here.

"I'll deal with them and I'll manage them as I've done before. Charlie has no problem with me at all. I've got no problem with him and the club doesn't have a problem with him.

"If he feels aggrieved then he's dealing with it in the right manner and it will get sorted one way or another. We'll see next week and then we'll move on from whatever the decision is.

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"Charlie knows what I've been trying to do with him anyway is to make him worth a lot of money and then sell him to a much better club than us, because I believe he's good enough to play for a much better club than us.

"But we are now a much better club because of him and I think it's a joint thing."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Aston Villa's striker shortage has become even more acute after John Carew was ruled out for around three weeks by a torn calf muscle.

The 31-year-old Norway international had been expected to lead the line against Fulham this weekend in the absence of both Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor, but Carew has now joined his colleagues on the sidelines.

Manager Gerard Houllier had earlier challenged Carew to show that he is worth a new contract, with the striker's current deal set to run out at the end of the season.

The Frenchman had said:"John is a centre-forward. What you expect from a centre-forward is goals. He can do that.

"On his day he can be absolutely awesome – practically impossible to stop. We want the top John Carew that I know.

"John is at the end of his contract. It is an opportunity to express what he wants – whether he wants to stay at the club or whether he wants to go somewhere else.

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"But in both cases I would say he has got to be at his best to be in the shop window."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Unsurprisingly the biggest news to immerge from the red side of Manchester this week is the return of a certain Mr. Rooney. It still may take time before he is fully welcomed back by all Red Devils fans, but his cool conversion of an 87th minute penalty at Ibrox would not have harmed things. It was a good week for Manchester United qualifying for the next round of the champions league and closing the deficit at the top of the league to mere goal difference.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Man United blogs which has included…The title spark that Manchester United needed, The problem with Dimitar Berbatov and unsurprisingly a couple of United players in the Premier League DREAM team of all-time?

Plus we have taken a look at the best Man United stories on the Web this week.

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Hallå Underbar – Christian’s lady puts Premiership WAGS in the shade

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Would United fans really be sad if Fergie CASHED in?

VIDEO: A tribute to a Manchester United Legend

Caption Competition: The Pretenders to Fergie’s Throne?

The problem with Dimitar Berbatov

The Premier League DREAM team of all-time?

Said & Done – Fergie’s Transfer Plans

Why Manchester United must now revert back to 4-2-3-1

The title spark that Manchester United needed

Why Sir Alex must front the queue with this signing

List only serves to highlight Manchester United’s great flaw?

Is it just the Glazers responsible for the gloom at Old Trafford?

Is this the Premier League team from HELL?

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Click here to see the Best MANCHESTER UNITED BLOGS around the Web this week

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Rooney: an argument for the left – United Rant

This Is How It Feels To Be City: Part XII – RoM

The Future May Be Dim For Berbatov – The United Religion

The Great Power Shift – Manchester or London? – RoM

Video: Could PSV star be a cheaper alternative to Bale? – The Busby Way

Premier League remarkable only for its mediocrity – United Rant

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It is widely thought that Arsenal play some of the most attractive football in the Premier League, and the style of the Gunners isn’t a million miles away from that of Barcelona. However, this season in the Premier League north London rivals Tottenham have proved to be one of the most exciting teams to watch, and this hasn’t been lost on George Graham.

Today in the Sunday Star George Graham has said that “We all go on about Arsenal, their possession and all that but Spurs are really exciting to watch. That’s because they have an end product to all that possession and beautiful play. They have shots on goal and they have wonderful ­crosses coming from both flanks. That makes them really exciting – and it’s something Arsenal still have to work on.”

Football FanCast opens the question up to Arsenal and Tottenham fans and asks them whether it is Spurs or in fact Arsenal who play the most attractive football in north London? – cast your vote!

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Blackburn Rovers are attempting one of the biggest transfer coups of the season after their new owners confirmed that they have made a bid to bring Brazilian star Ronaldinho to Ewood Park.

The club’s owners, Venky’s, has said that it has been in talks with the player’s manager about a move that the group hope will be a serious statement of intent for their Premier League ambitions.

Venky’s chair, Anuradha Desai, said of the possible move: “He is keen to play in the EPL [English Premier League] and I think that goes in our favour.”

She also insisted that their company would have no problem financing the move and outlined what payments Ronaldinho would be likely to receive should he join: “To be precise [it is] 7.6m Euros for the first year and about 8.5m Euros for the second and third years,”

It is thought however that Ronaldinho would prefer a move back to Brazil where Flamengo, Gremio and Palmeiras are interested.

Desai ended her statement by assuring fans of her company’s dedication to bringing success to Blackburn Rovers: “The fans have to trust us and give us some time and you will see for yourself that we are sincere people, very passionate about the football team and football club and our fans. We will not let you down.”

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In case you need reminding of Ronaldinho’s quality, here’s a video of his best bits:

<iframe title=”YouTube video player” type=”text/html” width=”480″ height=”390″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/KS3Pj5u4Pv4″ frameborder=”0″></iframe>

Bolton manager Owen Coyle admitted he was left hugely disappointed after seeing his side demolished 4-0 at home by Chelsea on Monday.

The Blues, who had not won away from home in any competition in three months until their trip to the Reebok Stadium, took the lead in the English Premier League encounter through Didier Drogba and also had strikes from Florent Malouda, Nicholas Anelka and Ramires.

All four goals were helped in by some poor Bolton defending, on a day when Coyle’s side were hoping to honour the memory of Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse, who died last week.

“We are hurting. I never envisaged that outcome going into the game,” Coyle said.

“The goals we conceded were all self-inflicted. If you give the ball away cheaply to this kind of opposition that’s what happens. They have punished us severely.”

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“We need to pick ourselves up. You can either go away and sulk or come back and be determined to work hard. We need players to stand up and put it right. We have to get back to work. But it’s been a less-than enjoyable evening for everyone at the football club.”

Newcastle have completed the loan signing of midfielder Stephen Ireland from Premier League rivals Aston Villa until the end of the season.

Ireland, 24, was allowed to leave Villa Park after the club announced that American international Michael Bradley will join the club on loan from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

The signing will boost Newcastle’s attacking options with the imminent departure of striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool.

“Stephen has shown over the past few seasons that he’s a real top player so we’re really pleased to have got him until the end of the season,” Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told the club’s official website.

“He can create chances for others and score goals himself, and we think he can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season.”

“I think Stephen feels he can deliver more than he’s shown at Villa so far, so he’s got a point to prove and I believe we can reap the benefits of that.”

Ireland joined Villa as part of the deal that saw James Milner move to Manchester City in the off-season but failed to secure a regular place in the side.

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The Republic of Ireland International has fallen out of favour with Villa manager Gerard Houllier, who criticised the attacking midfielder for his work ethic.

Ireland has just made six Premier League starts this season and is yet to score a goal.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says the club desperately need a new stadium if they are to compete at the top of the Premier League.

The north London club were dealt a huge blow on Friday when West Ham were chosen as the preferred bidders by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) for the use of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.

The decision still has to be ratified by two government departments and the mayor of London, but it appears certain that Tottenham will have to look elsewhere as they seek to move into a new 60,000-seat stadium that would allow them to compete financially with the matchday revenue of the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

And Redknapp admits that is a blow as the club looks to maintain their push for a Champions League place against Sunderland on Saturday.

“Tottenham need a new stadium,” said Redknapp. “We need a new 60,000-seater stadium because we haven’t got room to accommodate all the people that want to come and watch us every week.”

“Am I disappointed West Ham have been chosen as the preferred bidder? Yes, because the club wanted it.”

“I work for them so it would’ve been nice for us if we had got it if they thought it was the best way forward. The chairman couldn’t have tried any harder but that’s it. That’s life. You have to move on.”

Redknapp’s main focus is on Saturday’s tricky tie at the Stadium of Light. With Chelsea not playing until Monday night, Spurs will move into the top four if they win in the north-east.

But with Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Ledley King all out injured, Redknapp is expecting a tough test as his side battle to keep their Champions League spot.

And with an away game against AC Milan in the last 16 to come on Tuesday, the former West Ham and Portsmouth boss is not happy about the timing of Saturday evening’s kick-off.

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“The timing isn’t ideal is it for us, it’s not perfect for sure,” said Redknapp. “But we have to focus on getting into the top four now, that’s the key.”

“AC Milan shouldn’t be a distraction. We have a difficult game tomorrow and Steve Bruce has done a great job there.”

“He has taken a good couple of players. Steve rang me about Sulley Muntari and I said I would take him all day long, having had him at Portsmouth, and (Stephane) Sessegnon is a good player. They have some quality and it will be a difficult game.”