They say you should never go back, but what if the crushing realisation that you’ve made a mistake hits you at the most opportune moment?

Manchester United’s sedated defence were once again picked apart last night and despite overhauling a two-goal deficit to emerge victorious, there is a growing consensus that Sir Alex Ferguson will seek to bolster his backline in January.

Vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently declared that the club ‘will continue to buy established stars’, but few could be surprised if they turned to the familiar face of Ryan Shawcross as they seek to reclaim their Premier League crown. The rumour mill sparked into life when Ferguson revealed his regret at allowing Shawcross to depart Old Trafford back in 2008.

“I was delighted to see him called up for the England squad because he is a quality player I have wished – particularly of late – was still at Old Trafford.” (Guardian)

The Red Devils have been worryingly reliant on Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans this season as their current injury crisis continues to hamper team selection. Even midfielder Michael Carrick has been shuffled back to deputise in the absence of others, which has presented visiting teams with the belief and confidence to lay siege upon a weakened defence.

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/stoke-city/neville-shawcross-is-an-example-for-kids,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/stoke-city/ryan-shawcross-staying-put-at-stoke,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/manchester-united/what-is-causing-manchester-uniteds-woes?source=widget” target=”_blank” type=”tower”]

To put United’s defensive woes in perspective, Braga’s opening goal last night means they have now conceded the first goal in eight of their 12 competitive games this season. The championed starlets of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still yet to return to first-team action but both have been unconvincing in the heart of United’s defence and their versatility may see them destined for other roles in the side.

Ryan Shawcross fits snugly into the mould of fan favourite Nemanja Vidic, as a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-back that dominates every aerial battle. The Premier League has recently witnessed an influx of ‘defensive enforcers’, especially at Liverpool where Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have been hailed as the best pairing in the division. Ferguson may see Shawcross as the perfect partner for his Serbian barricade or perhaps even as his successor, if reports of a move away possess any accuracy.

The Stoke City captain is more likely to be viewed as a replacement for the rapidly declining Rio Ferdinand, who saw his former team-mate effectively take his spot for the recent World Cup qualifiers. Whereas Rio can no longer go toe-to-toe with strikers, Shawcross boasts more speed than people give him credit for, which comes in handy when your defensive partner is nicknamed ‘The Berlin Wall’.

Arsenal fans will point to the tragic incident with Aaron Ramsey back in 2010 as evidence that Shawcross is merely the stereotypical battering ram that defines Stoke City. However, scratch beneath the surface and you are presented with a shy and endearing family man, who Gary Neville recently highlighted as a good role model for the younger generation.

Ferguson identifies his swarm of defensive options at the time for allowing Stoke to pick up Shawcross for a cut-price fee. Credit must go to Tony Pulis for enabling his prized asset to fulfil his potential, especially as fellow United graduates Paul McShane and Craig Cathcart have drifted into obscurity. Shawcross embodies the grit and steely determination of Terry Butcher, which is somewhat of a forgotten entity in modern football.

Popular culture dictates that the best centre-backs are the ones who can play with the ball at their feet, which perhaps highlights why Barcelona would rather convert a central-midfielder than go out and purchase an accomplished defender. Chelsea defender David Luiz certainly boasts formidable dribbling skills but he constantly looks clumsy and a little reckless during his defensive duties. I would much rather my centre-back was the king of the 5-yard, not the 50-yard pass.

Pulis moved quickly to quash any speculation of a move away from the Britannia Stadium while claiming: “We won’t see the best of him for another two or three years.” However, at just 25 years of age with a mere 18 months left to run on his contract, Shawcross would be a fool not to entertain the prospect of a move onwards and upwards.

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His realtively-muted reputation in English football means few teams are likely to pay the inflated fee attached to every home-grown player in this country, meaning it may be case of now or never for Shawcross.

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Arsenal are set to expand their scouting network in Germany in an attempt to lure the next crop of talented youngsters to the Emirates.

With the country having produced some of the most skillful and coveted players of recent years not to mention Wenger’s reputation for developing players the club and chief scout Steve Rowley have been spending an increasing amount of time and money in order to further expand the scouting network.

The Daily Mail claim that the plans will be implemented soon, noting that “the Gunners have already found the country a valuable breeding ground for talent,” with Podolski, Mertesacker and youngsters Thomas Eisfeld and Serge Gnabry also at the club. Wenger is a known fan of other German internationals having monitored many of the current German crop including Ozil and Sahin extensively before missing out on their signatures.

With Podolski already making waves in the Premier League, Serge Gnabry is hot on his fellow countryman’s heels with the 17 year old set to make an appearance during the Capitol One Cup match on Tuesday night, with the player himself looking to build on his growing reputation, confiding “I hope I can create some chances of score goals and that will give them more to talk about.”

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The Gunners will however be without Gervinho, who is set to miss the weekend showdown with Manchester United after being ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in the previous game against QPR with the Mirror reporting that a second string will be fielded in the Capital One Cup with “Oxlade-Chamberlain unlikely to be risked even if he is fit.”

It’s kind to no-one. It can ruin careers. It can make you a laughing stock. Welcome to the cut throat world of the Premier League.

The toughest competition in the world. When men from foreign lands seek to try their luck in the English game, an immediate impact must be made in order to survive.For these unfortunate 15, the Premier League chewed up their careers and were spat back out into a world that they were no longer wanted in, thanks to their inability to adapt to the fast pace and physicality of football in England.

It must be hard to establish yourself in the league, especially given the demands of English fans, the brutality of the English press and the impatience of owners whose hard earned money was spent on you.

These are the exceptions. No excuses should be made for how awful these 15 players were. Some lasted a couple of years, some last 53 minutes. Regardless, most are players who came with expectancy on their shoulder and wholly failed to deliver.

Click on Andriy Shevchenko to reveal the full list of dodgy foreign players in all its glory

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Liverpool have made an approach for Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge but the player reportedly wants certain guarantees from the club before he is willing to move, according the Mirror.

The Chelsea forward is demanding £80,000 a week from Liverpool if he is to join in January while also insisting that he must play as a striker through the middle.

The Reds have been interested in signing him since the summer and after checking the strikers availability following Chelsea’s appointment of new manager Rafa Benitez, they looked set to follow up their interest.

However there is a feeling at Anfield that Sturridge hasn’t done enough over the last year to justify his demands, scoring just five times for the European Champions since last December.

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Liverpool have spent big on young English talent in recent years without seeing the results they had hoped for. Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, and Stewart Downing who Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish brought to the club in his most recent time in charge are examples of such players who have failed to deliver.

The Red’s have also been linked with moves for the likes of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Blackpool’s Thomas Ince in the January transfer window in a bid for manager Brendan Rodgers to bolster his squad.

We all love an underdog story. To see anyone face up to a challenge that seems impossible and yet overcome it provides hope and excitement for everyone. The story of an underdog battle through adversity is no more prevalent than in the Premier League when, on many occasions, a team who is not given a hope of survival, defies the critics and achieves success in the toughest competition in the world.

The 10 stories listed here are heralded as some of the greatest moments in Premier League history. From incredible comebacks and relegation avoiding victories, to unfounded league success and ‘David Vs Goliath’ style victories, all of these moments captured the watching football world and truly indicate why the English game is the most exciting, unpredictable and emotionally resonating in the world.

 Click on the picture of a rocking Hawthorns to start the countdown

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The stage was set for another audition soaked in scrutiny, as Crystal Palace faced Huddersfield Town under the bright lights of the television cameras. With the January transfer window less than a fortnight away, young starlet Wilfried Zaha was once again the talk of the town.

The match commenced in a nightmare fashion for the Eagles when Damien Delaney saw red for an ugly lunge on James Vaughan after just 10 minutes. However, the home side embodied the fading cliché that it’s harder to play against ten men and deservedly took the lead when Zaha combined with his partner in crime Yannick Bolasie to score his fifth goal of the season.

A disappointing 1-1 scoreline failed to disguise another promising performance that saw Zaha awarded Sky Sport’s Man of the Match. After his comments on the game itself, attention swiftly turned to his ambivalent future at Selhurst Park and while the club will be reluctant to let their prize asset leave, could a deal that sees Zaha return on loan be the best option for all parties concerned?

The interest in the 20-year-old is set to reach fever pitch next month with an extensive list of potential suitors growing by the day. Palace chairman Steve Parish has insisted the player will not be sold while the team are pursuing promotion and with the boundaries between success and failure often coming down to the smallest of margins, Zaha’s individual brilliance could well prove the deciding factor.

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenal/arsene-wenger-hints-at-zaha-interest,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/which-premier-league-club-represents-the-ideal-transfer-move,https://www.footballfancast.com/championship/crystal-palace/should-we-cash-in-if-the-premier-league-big-boys-come-calling?source=widget” target=”_blank” type=”tower”]

The £20m valuation may have caused the football community to collectively roll their eyes but the club are finally in a position of financial security in which it doesn’t want or need to sell their best players. The potential for a bidding war is an increasing possibility – especially if Liverpool enter the fray – which means that now could be the perfect opportunity to conduct a lucrative sale, without technically losing the player.

Ian Holloway is clearly growing weary of recycled speculation and may decide to cash in simply to give his tongue a rest, but then again he’s hardly the strong, silent type. No, he is a manager that thrives in the transfer market, sourcing potential bargains to build a team from revived rejects and forgotten talent. If Holloway can attract the likes of Charlie Adam on a shoestring budget, imagine what he could achieve when the purse strings are a little looser.

Much like Lionel Messi, Zaha has enjoyed an extraordinary year and attracts a similar number of terrified defenders every time he receives the ball. His confidence levels and newfound ruthless streak has propelled him into position as the Championship’s finest talent.

However, he has faded slightly since his recognition at international level, a victim of his own success, who is still trying to cope with the expectation and pressure of modern football. Perhaps therefore a confirmed Premier League destination could alleviate the shackles that come with constantly trying to impress, without being thrown into the deep end midway through the season. The discarded talent of players that have moved too soon are littered in every top-flight reserve squad in the country.

Maybe it’s best if Zaha departs the club altogether to make room for the numerous other attacking youngsters lurking on the outskirts of the first-team. The names Jonathan Williams and Kyle De Silva may not resonate on the conscious of the average football fan but they are next in line to carry the homegrown torch at the club.

If or rather when Zaha achieves his big money move, it should make Crystal Palace far more desirable when trying to tie down potential stars. With the threat of the Elite Player Performance Plan, it will be crucial that players understand they too can achieve first-team football and walk a familiar route to the Premier League via the club’s youth academy. Maybe, the term ‘feeder club’ won’t be a negative label one day, especially if the Eagles can build a reputation for selling players at the right time, for the right price.

It seems obvious that any transfer bid received in January will be made infinitely more attractive by the option to keep Zaha until the summer. However, it’s difficult to draw up a list of appealing destinations that would be willing to offer such a clause.

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Arsenal are perhaps favourites given the player’s affinity with the club and Arsene Wenger’s act of public admiration. However, he’s likely to be drafted straight into the senior squad, especially if  ‘contract rebel’ Theo Walcott departs, but when have the Gunners ever spent the money needed to acquire a high-profile signing? Andrei Arshavin is one name that springs to mind but that move has essentially ended in tears.

Likewise, today’s tabloids suggest Spurs have made the first official contact, which makes this whole affair sound like a boring episode of Star Trek, but Daniel Levy is unlikely to offer a fee north of £10m, which makes his interest rather futile. Manchester City on the other hand have the bank balance to meet the player’s soaring estimation, but why would any youngster even consider descending on Eastlands since watching Adam Johnson’s and Scott Sinclair’s careers grind to a halt.

Manchester United appear the most feasible candidates, given their existing plethora of attacking talent both on the flanks and up front. Sir Alex Ferguson is clearly striving to build a bright future as his retirement date looms ever nearer and I can think of no brighter prospect than Wilfried Zaha.

We’re not so lucky in England as the Americans are to have four major sports on offer throughout the year, five if you want to include Nascar. But even then, the fortune of living in a winning market comes with the penalty of inflated ticket prices.

New York is one of the obvious markets, you’re going to pay big to go and see the Knicks, the Rangers or the Yankees. The Toronto Maple Leafs charge the highest prices in the NHL, while season tickets can be bought in Florida for the same price as one ticket to see the Leafs.

In England, it’s football or nothing. I’ve yet to come across a fan who shows as much passion for rugby or cricket as they do for football. And therein lies the problem. Leagues and clubs are not going to waver on prices just because a few don’t fancy paying it. If you’re a student or someone from the local area who struggles to go to at least five games a season, forget it, clubs will look to their foreign audiences and the injection of cash tourists bring. It’s no bother to them if local fans can’t get to games: largely stadiums will fill close to capacity.

I don’t blame Manchester City fans for sending back those tickets for the trip to Arsenal on the weekend. Some might argue that they’re playing with the big boys now and need to pay big prices. Others will argue that London prices warrant the inflated price for going to matches, as Arsene Wenger did in his pre-match press conference. But even then, the Arsenal manager shuffled uncomfortably before answering the question on ticket prices. He eventually did land on the matter that concerts in London are priced higher than those around England and specifically up north. But I’m not totally convinced that argument holds water.

I’ve been to big concerts in London and at arenas like Wembley, the O2 and Earls Court. The price is based on the fact that you pay for what you get, and I’ve rarely been disappointed when going to a big gig in London.

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But you get the big stadium atmosphere, you get the impressive stage production, the explosions, the fact that it is a big name on the music scene. Is that always the case for football? With Arsenal, you can certainly argue that you’re not getting what you pay for. I’ll also make the same argument for the New York teams and the Maple Leafs. The Leafs are the wealthiest team in the NHL but haven’t lifted the Stanley Cup since the 1960s – they’ve also failed to make the playoffs for the last eight seasons. New York? Well the Yankees are one of the biggest baseball teams in the MLB, but the Knicks are useless in the postseason and the Rangers haven’t wont the cup since 1994.

With clubs like Arsenal, the production is there with the big stadium, but there are no explosions, no performances that leave you breathless and more than willing to shell out the next time they come to town. And that’s another argument: going to see acts like Bruce Springsteen is totally different from going to watch a sports team every other weekend for nine or 10 months of the year.

Football matches have been lumped into the same entertainment category as going to concerts or the theatre, with the obvious case being that you’re going to pay big for the big names. Well that shouldn’t be the case. Football and sports on the whole is not and should not be seen in the same category as the rest of the entertainment industry, quite simply because it isn’t.

Arsenal have not created the tiered ticketing system themselves, however they surely think of themselves as a club who should be placed in category A. But that doesn’t represent the product many are paying to watch, and it hasn’t done for quite a few years. Yet unlike fan groups in America who are trying to persuade supporters to boycott games (especially in the case of the NHL now that the lockout is over) Premier League fans will never turn their back on the only sport they have. For that, clubs will take their time in attempting to lower prices, they’ll try to justify the reasoning as purely for the health and growth of the club financially or the need to pay wages. It’s nothing other than masked exploitation.

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I really can’t look back to days when tickets could be bought on Saturday afternoons and terracing was the norm — I’m too young. But how many of those fans, youngsters especially, grew up believing and knowing they had a club to support, a club which they could readily gain access to? How much of that is the case now?

And people shouldn’t be dismissed as moaning over something which will never change; the point is that ticket prices should never have reached these levels in the first place. Yes there’s inflation and various other factors that would necessitate the rise in ticket prices, but there is absolutely no way a club can justify charging over £100 for 90 minutes of football.

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It has been coming for a few seasons now. Bacary Sagna’s injuries have finally caught up with him. He has lost that yard of pace and incision which used t0 ensure he was a cut above of all the other full backs in the Premier League.

The right hand side is a flank which is left heavily exposed with Arsenal due to Theo Walcott choosing to wreak most of his havoc down this wing.

Nacho Monreal has been signed on the left hand side to combat the wing threat other teams posses which has been the undoing of the North London club recently but this only half resolves the issue.

Bale and Lennon painfully exposed the inefficiencies down the sides of the Gunners and they will not want to see that slicing apart repeated any time soon.

Wenger’s success used to be built on knowing when it was the right time to move players on and develop the team for the better when it is necessary.

Despite Sagna still being capable enough he is not up to the burden of the upper echelons of the Champions League anymore so drastic action needs to be taken.

Arsenal’s dominant play has always been based around counter attacking starting from the fullbacks so solving their current right back conundrum could reignite them back to the glory trail they so desperately desire.

To see who Arsenal need to defensively deploy on the right click on the man himself to reveal the list