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F1 gossip column... Your view

SchblogOur F1 expert is back with a bang to begin 2009 after digging up some more rumours.

You can read all the latest gossip, including the latest on Michael Schumacher's future in F1, by clicking here and then send in your thoughts and gossip using the boxes below.


Nelson's Column... Vaughan left out of squad

MichaelvaughanMichael Vaughan's exclusion from the squad to tour the West Indies was, in the end, no surprise, but have the selectors missed a trick?

Vaughan's form in the latters stages of his captaincy was lamentable, but the burden he was so obviously carrying must have played a significant part in his scrambled mind at the crease last summer.

Free from these constraints, Vaughan would have had the chance to face a competent (but no better) attack, rebuild his confidence in the Test arena and demonstrate once again his unquestionable ability and big-match temperament.

Vaughan has an excellent record against the Windies and, looking further ahead, Australia. If you had to put your mortgage on either Vaughan or the out-of-form, mentally weak Ian Bell making a crucial hundred, under pressure next summer, who would it be?

The answer has to be the former England captain. Which is why he should have gone to the Caribbean.

Do you agree? Were England right to leave out Vaughan? Send in your thoughts using the boxes below.


Latest transfer rumours (Sun Jan 11)

Karimbenzema150x200paCheck out today's January transfer window newspaper talk, view the completed deals and add your rumours below.

- Manchester United want Lyon's hot striker Karim Benzema in the summer, which would spell the end of Carlos Tevez's time at Old Trafford. (News of the World)

- Manchester City have turned attentions to Chelsea's reserve keeper Carlo Cudicini as Newcastle resist their pursuit of Shay Given (News of the World)

- Everton are weighing up a loan bid for Real Madrid's Javier Saviola (News of the World) but could face competition from Portsmouth (Sunday Telegraph)

- Newcastle are closing in on Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes. (Sunday Express)

- Arsenal face competition from two Serie A clubs for Boca Juniors' £4m-rated midfielder Sebastian Battaglia. (News of the World)

- Aston Villa lead the chase for Reading striker Kevin Doyle, with the Royals slapping a £8m price tag on the Irishman (Sunday Express)

Have you heard any rumours on the grapevine? Spotted Lampard in your local pie shop? Who would you like your club to buy in January? Have your say in the boxes below.


Heroes and villains... Your view

LewishamiltonWe've picked five heroes and five villains from the 2008 sporting year, but left plenty of names in the jar labelled 'possible'.

Who do you think should be included? Read our list by clicking here and then send in your thoughts using the boxes below.


F1 gossip column... Your view

JarnotrulliOur F1 expert brings you a bumper edition of Christmas gossip.

There are rumours over Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Bourdais' futures while Honda and McLaren face crucial negotiations and more safety fears are expressed over KERS.

Read all about them by clicking here and then post your comments using the boxes below. There will be more rumours in the New Year. Happy Christmas from the pitlane!


Latest transfer rumours (Sun Dec 28)

MichaelowenAhead of the January transfer window, check out all today's paper talk and add your rumours below.

- Man City will make a £4m bid for Newcastle striker Michael Owen in the January transfer window. (News of the World)

- Arsenal will raid Newcastle for keeper Shay Given and defenders Steven Taylor and Charles N'Zogbia. (News of the World)

- Harry Redknapp admits Spurs face stiff competition to sign Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe from Aston Villa and Man City. (News of the World)

- Liverpool are closing in on Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson, with Rafa Benitez set to table a £9m bid. (News of the World)

- Chelsea could enter the race to sign Wigan striker Emile Heskey. (Sunday Express)

- Bayern Munich are expected to make an £8m bid for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda. (Daily Star Sunday)

Have you heard any rumours on the grapevine? Spotted Michael Owen in duty free at the airport? Who would you like your club to buy in January? Have your say in the boxes below.


Football blog: Champions League draw

TrophyblogJose Mourinho will return to England with his Inter Milan side to face Manchester United after an intriguing draw for the Champions League knockout stages.

There are equally tough, but glamorous draws for Chelsea and Liverpool, who will take on Juventus and Real Madrid respectively, while Arsenal must get past Roma.

The 'Big Four' couldn't have really asked for more difficult ties with television stations and fans set to drool over the outcome of the draw in Nyon.

How do you think the English teams will get on? Who has the toughest draw? Send in your comments and Champions League predictions in the boxes below.


F1 gossip column...Your views

KyalamiOur F1 insider is back with a second installment of gossip for the week with a reintroduction of a South African GP top of the bill.

Read more on this and check out the best of the rest by clicking here.

Send in your thoughts in the boxes below and join us again on Friday for more rumours.


Football blog: Is Sam the man?

AllardyeceblogBlackburn have named Big Sam as the man to replace the disastrous Paul Ince at the helm of Ewood Park but is the former Bolton and Newcastle boss the right choice to steer Rovers to safety?

After a measly three wins in 17 league games, a torrid run which has left Blackburn second from bottom in the Premier League, the board have acted swiftly to bring in the experienced 54-year-old.

He may not bring beautiful football to Ewood Park but his methods are successful. Just ask fans of Blackburn’s Lancashire rivals Bolton.

Allardyce established the Trotters as a top-flight team, guiding them to a Carling Cup final and the Uefa Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

His eight months at Newcastle didn’t go to plan but he was harshly given the boot with the club in a mid-table position at the time. His departure almost cost them their Premier League status.

Allardyce will make Blackburn a difficult side to beat. The football may be ugly but it will be effective and could well save Blackburn from a trip to Doncaster next season.

Do you think Allardyce is the right choice? Can he save Rovers from the drop? Who would you have chosen to replace Ince? Send in your comments in the boxes below.


From the Touchlines: Geechs hints at Lions captain

Philvickery200171208British and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan today hinted that Phil Vickery could be his surprise choice as captain for next year's tour to South Africa.

Vickery's career looked to be on the wane after he was dropped as England captain by Martin Johnson and replaced by Steve Borthwick but a series of barnstorming performances under McGeechan at Wasps have seen his stock rise once more.

Pundits had predicted that Wales' Ryan Jones was a shoe-in for the captaincy but some mixed displays in the November Tests have seen question marks raised about his credentials as Lions skipper.

Vickery would be a bold choice for captain bearing in mind he can't currently force his way into the England starting line-up but Geechs doesn't like to follow the norm and few would argue against his choice so good is McGeechan's previous Lions record.

Would Vickery be your choice for Lions captain or would you pick someone else to lead the cream of Britain and Ireland against the world champions?