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Sitting in second place with 88 points, having scored a record 88 goals, with three games still to play, it is clear that by anyone’s standards this has been a great season for Sheffield United.

After a worrying pre-season that had fans protesting over Danny Wilson’s appointment as manager, the Blades supporters soon changed their minds after an impressive display against Oldham on the opening day of the season.

One player who stood out for me that day back in August and who has carried his fine form throughout is Harry Maquire. Maguire came through the ranks at Shirecliffe making his debut against Cardiff last season with the unenviable task of marking Craig Bellamy. Since then he has never really looked back, notching up 50 starts in a year. In his first full season he’s been a rock in the heart of defence alongside Neil Collins and has only missed two games all season (one through suspension and the other through illness). As a result he is almost certain to pick up the young player of the season award.

After such a great season it is hard to pick out one individual player but for me I think that Kevin McDonald has been excellent. He made his debut against Bradford and showed his potential, firing over after just 90 seconds on the pitch. His unbelievable strength and pin-point passing has made him a key figure in our promotion push. He has missed a few games through injury and his influence has been felt with a draw against Tranmere sticking out as a game where we missed his ability. In fact, just days later when he returned we smashed five past play-off chasing Notts County with the former Burnley man playing a key part in the victory. McDonald also the capacity to pitch in with vital goals and with his contract expired in the summer I’m sure other clubs will be looking to get him on a free transfer. However I’m confident that Wilson will be doing everything in his power to keep ‘Super Kev’ at the club this summer.

After a horrible campaign last season which resulted in our relegation to League One there have been a number of players who have looked like completely different players this term. This includes Michael Doyle who couldn’t hold a ball up and seemed to lose it every time he touched the ball. However this season playing in the heart of midfield alongside McDonald has altered his play and as a result his passing has vastly improved. His wonderful strike against Yeovil may have sent 16,000 Blades fans into shock and his confidence has shoot through the roof this season. I think every United fan will be want him to carry this form into next season, hopefully back in the Championship.

Neil Collins has also found extra confidence after having a poor season during our relegation campaign. He has the ability to pass the ball well up-field and even on some occasions going for looping runs up-field including a memorable one against Bury. Collins has even popped up with goals this term, one of which secured a vital victory in the Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield.

Despite Collins’ fine form I think the biggest turnaround has to be with keeper Steve Simonsen who had to put it fairly had a terrible season last term. After a mediocre start to the season he seemed to have found his old form again but mistakes against Wednesday and Leyton Orient led to him being dropped to the bench which resulted in 17-year-old George Long making his first league start.  However ‘Simmo’ was recalled after the Exeter match where Long had conceded four times and since then he hasn’t been out of the side. He came back a better player, making fewer mistakes and running his defence better.

However one man that deserves a special mention after struggling last year is Ched Evans who has a remarkable 34 goals in all competitions.  He has been outstanding all season and his form has been noticed by everyone in English football. The Welshman has the ability to do everything on and off the ball, has blistering pace to get him away from defenders and also has a venomous shot to finish with. He’s had all kinds of pressure on his shoulders this season but he coped well to become something of a shining star in the Football League. If he can carry this brilliant form through to next season he could possibly help the Blades’ survive in the Championship, if that’s where we end up in May.

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As this is my first blog feel free to follow me on twitter @jakkUTBveall 

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Every manager brings something different out of every player. Some managers like Wenger and Ferguson pride themselves on getting the best out of their players whilst others such as Redknapp expect their squad to prove themselves or face being dropped. Players are signed for their clubs in a frenzy of praise from manager and fans with press releases, blog posts and YouTube compilations spreading at an exponential rate the moment a player signing is announced, but it doesn’t always work out. Look at Diego Forlan. A laughing stock in the Premier League but then he gets shipped of to Villarreal and starts banging in the goals like nobody’s business. I remember one year he scored a hat trick on the last day of the season to win the golden boot for Europe joint with Thierry Henry. Not bad for a striker who supposedly didn’t know where the goal was. And he’s not the only one. Every season there is wasted talent in the league, players not being played or not benefiting from their manager’s tactics. So who are the top ten wasted talents in the premier league this season?

Click on Stephen Ireland to unveil the top 10

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Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

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Right at the start of the summer, one of the biggest priorities for the transfer window among both fans and pundits was for Liverpool to get rid of the dead-wood in the squad. Relics from mainly the Roy Hodgson era, but also some left over from Rafa Benitez’s time too, it was believed that by removing these players from the squad we could rid ourselves of a number of players who were taking up a sizeable chunk of our wage bill. Although Milan Jovanovic and Paul Konchesky have left the club, there are a number of players not considered good enough for the squad, still at the club with a couple of weeks left in the transfer window:

Christian Poulsen – Although there was a rumour in the Danish press a couple of weeks ago linking the midfielder with a move to FC Copenhagen, Poulsen’s agent denied the rumours and stated Poulsen’s intention of staying on Merseyside. Poulsen himself in recent day has stated his intention to stay:

“I have been really happy and I want to play, that’s my goal for the future. I am happy there with my family, it’s a good club and they treat me really well. I hope I can change my situation and play more. I haven’t heard anything from Liverpool; I am trying to be fit for the new season. So I think they want me at the club and I am happy to be there and unless they tell me something different, I am a Liverpool player for the coming season.”

The Dane has been poor in pre-season, as he was the entire of the last campaign, but there seems to be an unwillingness on his part to move away to get more first team football. His lack of pace means he can’t cope with the Premier League, and it looks as if that unless he has a change of heart, he is content to pick up his wages despite being behind Lucas Leiva and Jay Spearing in the pecking order.

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Joe Cole – The obvious reason why Joe has been a hard man to shift this summer is because of his sizeable wages. With Stewart Downing, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt ahead of him for a starting berth on the wings, and Gerrard, Aquilani, Meireles and Henderson ahead of him in the attacking midfield role, Cole will be sitting on the bench for the most part this season.

QPR and West Ham have been rumoured to be interested in a loan move but the Reds are looking for a permanent move to offload the player’s sizeable wages. In addition, Tottenham have also been tipped as potential suitors but Joe would have to take a sizeable wage cut to fit to Spurs’s wage structure. We will have to hope that Luka Modric moves to Chelsea and Harry turns to Joe for a quick purchase on the final day of the transfer window.

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Nabil El Zhar – After returning from his loan spell at PAOK Salonika last season, the Moroccan has been relegated to reserve team football as the Reds try to find him a new club. He has started a few games for Rodolfo Borrell’s side to keep his fitness up but there has been very little talk about the 24 year old’s departure from the club. Perhaps, like Jovanovic, they could give the player dispensation to find a new club?

Philipp Degen – The perennially injured full back, and a poor defender to boot, spent last season on loan at Stuttgart where he didn’t really have a very successful time. Started on the right wing against Galatasaray in a friendly, but it was the last time we have seen Degen anywhere near the first team. Hopefully a move to a lower Bundeliga club or a return to Switzerland can be arranged before the end of the window.

“Kevin Nolan has joined West Ham United” When I read this I thought April Fool’s day had come several months early. The former Bolton man still had two years on his Newcastle United contract and was also captain of a club with European aspirations, so joining newly relegated West Ham just doesn’t make sense. Nolan could easily offer something to most Premier League teams’ but I suppose moving to Upton Park had something to do with his former manager Sam Allardyce.

Whatever we all say, the move has happened and it’s obviously the best one for Nolan personally but that got me thinking about other transfers’ that have sent shock waves through the world of football. Jean Alain Boumsong’s move to Juventus from Newcastle after performing consistently poor for his one season at St James’ Park just didn’t make sense…perhaps this was Juve’s punishment for the match fixing scandal?

Click on Craig Bellamy to find out who gave the newspapers a field day

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Everton boss David Moyes paid tribute to his captain Phil Neville after the veteran’s brilliant showing in their 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.Neville scored his first goal for three years – and only his fourth for Everton – sandwiched between strikes from Jermaine Beckford and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to hand the visitors all three English Premier League points at Molineux.

Moyes was glowing in his praise of the 34-year-old, describing the former Manchester United player as a model professional.

“I don’t think there is enough you can say about Phil Neville which would actually sum up how good he is, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch and as a man, so anything he gets he certainly works for and deserves,” Moyes told Sky Sports.

“We have done really well today, we got our goals at important times, and they were some terrific goals.”

“Billy’s (Bilyaletdinov) was a real good goal – that is what he does for us – he scores great goals for us.”

“They started the way you would expect a side that are near the bottom of the table.”

“They want to get their crowd behind them and they started very strongly.”

“We probably got our goal against the run of play but I thought after that we had some good play and good goals, but maybe for their goalkeeper we might have scored one or two more in first half.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, whose side remain second from the bottom on 32 points and one point from safety, conceded his men were playing like a team haunted by the drop but praised the fighting spirit of his men.

“We are a bottom-three team at the minute so quite clearly we are not one of the best teams in the league. But we have had great responses, as we did today for 20 minutes,” McCarthy said.

“For 20 minutes we were terrific weren?t we? We started really well. But then they scored the first goal and not us. It was their first cross in our box so hugely disappointing.”

“We almost equalised immediately and we had a bit of play. The free-kick we gave away, it was an unnecessary free-kick. And then Phil Neville, who hasn?t scored for I don?t know how many years, finds an unbelievable strike that goes through about 18 players.”

“I don?t think it made us look fragile actually, I thought we did alright. Then they got the second one and we continued to have a go.”

The celebration. An entertaining part of football, no matter what level it’s played at. Whether the celebration is pre-planned or is purely an outburst of emotion, everyone can relate to the feeling of spanking the ball into the back of the net.

Over the years there have been some memorable celebrations. On the international stage there’s Cameroon’s Roger Milla and his dance by the corner flag, which is a bit different to Everton’s Tim Cahill boxing with it. While for Italy Marco Tardelli showed just how much it means to score a goal in the World Cup final in 1982.

The Premier League has been home to a number of iconic celebrations, too. Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins went for the flips, a complete contrast to Alan Shearer who used to raise his right arm time and time again, but then when you take into account the number of goals he scored anything more strenuous would have worn him out!

These days celebrations seem to be more a team rather than individual thing. Chelsea started this off when they posed for the camera and now everyone’s at it. From shining shoes to the incredible fishing celebration undertaken by an Icelandic team, a celebration is no longer an instinctive act.

This now applies to you and me too, as Samsung are running a competition for you to star in your own pro video. STAGE is the ultimate YouTube talent contest and there’s no limit to what you can do.

As you’ll see from the video below that shows a mother recording her daughter celebrating a goal, Kevin Nolan’s funky chicken just won’t get the job done. Take a look at what kind of competition you’ll be up against…

Enter now at: http://www.facebook.com/SamsungMobile

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Mercurial QPR playmaker Adel Taarabt has talked up his chances of a move this summer to the likes of Manchester United, and while his dazzling displays have delighted fans of the Championship, is he good enough to truly cut it in the top flight?

It’s fair to say that Taarabt was given a bum deal by former club Tottenham. He was a victim of the club’s chopping and changing of their management over a 3 year period and subsequently his development was stunted and his route into the first-team blocked. He always looked lively when called upon and although it would be harsh to call it a failed audition, it’s clear that he feels he has unfinished business with the Premier League.

The Moroccan has been a pivotal figure in QPR’s ascent to the top of the Championship so far this term and it’s entirely likely that he’ll be plying his trade in the Premier League next season with QPR anyway.

Current manager Neil Warnock has consistently waxed lyrical about Taarabt’s talents throughout the campaign, although he has treaded a fine line, going on record several times discussing the player’s deficiencies.

Taarabt has considerable talent, and on ability alone, he probably is good enough to grace the hallowed turf at Old Trafford, it’s in his consistency that the 21 year-old can look to improve upon. He has the ability to win a game on his own in the Championship, and he can even have an off day at the office and still set up a couple of goals – the gulf in class truly is that large.

The quotes attributed to Taarabt are: “Nothing is official yet. I had discussions about my transfer after my performance against Coventry. I’m ready to go to Manchester United. We’ll see later in the season, as I’m hoping to reach the promotion target with my current club QPR. I like England, So I am not against the idea of continuing my career at United.”

What is pleasing about these comments though, is that Taarabt at least concedes that his immediate future lies with QPR. Neil Warnock has been crucial to his development over the last 12 months or so – without his faith and the fact that Warnock has accommodated a formation and style of play to get the best of Taarabt, the playmaker wouldn’t be being linked with the likes of Manchester United now.

The proposed move does have to be taken with a pinch of salt though, for Taarabt is the one doing all the talking and we’ve heard little from Man Utd’s side. There is also the issue over where he would fit in into the current Man Utd set-up. Taarabt is given a free role at QPR and a platform to perform – he wouldn’t get such luxuries at Old Trafford.

The only doubts to be cast against Taarabt at present are not with concerns to his footballing ability, just that his discipline and temperament can at times be called into question. He displays an arrogance and immaturity that will only hold him back over time. It’s worth remembering that he’s still only 21 years of age, and of course, this will only get better with time as he matures on and off the pitch.

The best thing for his future development at the moment would be to stay put at Loftus Road. There is nothing more important to a player at this pivotal stage in his career than playing regularly, week in week out. If he continues to improve on the few deficiencies that are currently present in his game, then the sky really could be the limit with him. His confidence is, at the moment, his biggest asset.

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His willingness to try something different on the pitch is what sets him apart from the rest of the league. But should he let his arrogance, as some would perceive it, get in the way of his development, then he could move to a bigger club too soon, which for me, would be tantamount to career suicide at the minute. With over-confidence can come a degree of complacency and he has to stamp out any threat that this could have on his focus.

He’s got plenty of time to move to the likes of Utd or even Barcelona, a club Warnock concedes on ability alone that he is good enough to play for, in the future – for the time being QPR has been good for him, and a show of faith similar to that which Warnock placed in him would go a long way for the foreseeable future.

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Manchester City are sitting on a valuable commodity in Shay Given. Arsenal are in desperate need of a quality goalkeeper. Manchester United have Edwin Van der Sar as first choice, but he is almost certainly in his last year as a player as he turned 40 yesterday. Both clubs can afford to pay for Given’s services, the only stumbling block is whether they can convince the Eastlands hierarchy to sell to their rivals.

Arsenal are one of the best run clubs in the league; this is partly down to their transfer policy in predominantly younger players, but it is a policy that should be ignored in their pursuit of a goalkeeper that could transform their team. Manchester United have debts as a result of the Glazers’ interests, but we should not be naïve in thinking that they cannot afford to make such a purchase.

In my opinion, Arsenal’s need for a new keeper is far greater than United’s. Van der Sar may be old, but he is still top draw, and is up to the challenge of the season ahead. As well as this, Tomasz Kuszczak is decent, not great, but a suitable back-up. He is a better goalkeeper than anything Arsenal can come up with at the moment, but he is not good enough to be Man Utd’s long-term successor to the Dutchman’s position.

For Arsenal, the situation is becoming more and more of a problem. The quality of the football being played at The Emirates becomes irrelevant if there is no confidence in the ability of their keeper. There are new defenders in their back four, and they need someone with experience, authority and exceptional communication to ease them into the Premier League.

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Given is 34, and so no blossoming talent, but would have at least three years at his peak, if not more. David James, Brad Friedel and Van der Sar himself are examples of how long goalkeepers can continue to play at the upper echelons, as long as they have the fitness and commitment; both qualities that Given possesses. The age he is would also mean that the transfer fee wouldn’t have to be exorbitant, if that was an issue in the first place.

This is all somewhat irrelevant however. Most know that the likes of Almunia, Fabianski and Kuszczak are not good enough to play for their respective clubs, that is not the issue. Somehow, the clubs in need will have to convince City to part with their reserve. They already have the best goalkeeping talent this country has produced in a very long time (a bit superlative I know, but he could genuinely be England’s goalkeeper for the next ten years), and so preventing Given from playing smacks a bit of unadulterated greed. What may change the situation is the man himself.

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Given has already claimed he is prepared to leave, and he is fully entitled to. At this stage in his career, he cannot afford to give away six months or a year to the substitutes bench. If he dug his heels in and reverted to (for want of a far better word/term) ‘player power’, telling his employers of his desire to leave, his wishes would probably be granted. Given is worth any amount of money Arsenal are willing to pay, and they should do all they possibly can to convince City to agree to do business. He has the potential to be integral to any team he plays for, Wenger should make Arsenal that team.

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Everton will be without Jack Rodwell for up to three months after the teenager damaged ankle ligaments.

The 19-year-old midfielder missed England Under-21s' recent double-header after being injured during the Toffees' 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa two weeks ago.

The Merseyside club's medical staff hoped a short period of rest would be enough for Rodwell to recover, but the injury has now proved worse that was his first diagnosed.

Rodwell was making his first Premier League start of the season against Villa but is now likely to be out of action until the New Year.

Meanwhile, Joseph Yobo has revealed that fears over his place in the Nigeria squad prompted him to seek a move away from Goodison Park.

Yobo joined Turkish side Fenerbahce on a season-long loan last week after falling down the pecking order in recent months.

"During that period, I was under intense pressure," he explained."But now, I am very much relieved and I can now give my 100 per cent to the game.

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"It was not easy for me, but I thank God that all is over.

"I have said it time and time again, my national assignment remains paramount to me whenever I'm going into any contract."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester City have been paired with Italian giants Juventus in the draw for the group stage of the Europa League, with Salzburg and Lech Poznan completing Group A.

The Citizens have met Juve once before in European competition, in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup, winning 1-0 at Maine Road thanks to a Brian Kidd goal, before going down 2-0 in Turin to lose the first round tie.

Liverpool face a tough test in Group K, where they will take on Steaua Bucharest, Napoli and FC Utrecht.

The Reds have met Steaua once before in the competition, edging a second round tie 2-1 on aggregate in 2003-04, with Harry Kewell scoring an Anfield winner after the first leg in Romania ended 1-1.

Group A: Juventus, Manchester City, Salzburg, Lech Poznan.

Group B: Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Rosenborg, Aris Thessaloniki.

Group C: Sporting Lisbon, Lille, Levski Sofia, Gent.

Group D: Villarreal, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, PAOK.

Group E: AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, BATE Borisov, Sheriff.

Group F: CSKA Moscow, Palermo, Sparta Prague, Lausanne.

Group G: Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, AEK Athens, Hajduk Split.

Group H: Stuttgart, Getafe, Odense, Young Boys.

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Group I: PSV Eindhoven, Sampdoria, Metalist Kharkiv, Debrecen.

Group J: Sevilla, Paris St Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Karpaty Lviv.

Group K: Liverpool, Steaua Bucharest, Napoli, FC Utrecht.

Group L: FC Porto, Besiktas, CSKA Sofia, Rapid Vienna.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email