IT takes a brave man to compare any player to Tottenham legend Dave Mackay but just maybe Harry Redknapp has it spot on when he says Scott Parker has the ability to follow in his footsteps.

WAYNE ROONEY will travel to Switzerland this week hopeful of having his three-match England ban reduced.

AS an esteemed former Manchester City player, it would have been difficult for Richard Dunne to admit but he insists Alex Ferguson and Manchester United can’t be written off in the title race.

MIKEL ARTETA is probably as well placed as anyone to offer perspective on an Arsenal season that resembled a car crash during the opening weeks before being transformed into what can now justifiably be described as a title challenge.

DESPITE his unflappable image, Andre Villas-Boas must have feared that life as Chelsea manager would deteriorate further just minutes into his visit to Tyneside.

STEVEN FLETCHER ensured Martin O’Neill will commence work today with the most difficult and challenging task ahead of him in his career.

MARTIN O’NEILL has pledged to “do his utmost” to bring success to Sunderland after taking over as the club’s new manager.

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish admits the club will be tested by the absence of injured midfielder Lucas Leiva.

MARTIN O’NEILL was deep in negotiations with Sunderland yesterday as Alex Ferguson issued a ringing endorsement of his credentials.

NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew has challenged his players to take the chance to enjoy Christmas dinner sitting in fourth place in the Premier League table.

A SAD step forward, two obstinate leaps back.

BELEAGUERED Blackburn boss Steve Kean yesterday intimated he would not feel safe meeting with fans of the club following treatment he described as “vicious” during Tuesday night’s defeat to Bolton.

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish has dismissed suggestions the outside issues surrounding Luis Suarez’s eight-match ban will spill over and affect his team.

MANCHESTER United veteran Ryan Giggs will shortly sit down with manager Alex Ferguson to discuss his plans for the future.

JOLEON LESCOTT has hailed the contribution of unsung hero Gareth Barry to the Manchester City cause this season.

ALEX FERGUSON understands the criticism that has been heaped on Manchester United but feels the massive setbacks they have suffered this term have only emphasised their strength of character.

HE’S not going to go all Roy about the medal.

WITH all the fuss surrounding Fernando Torres, and the will-he-won’t-he recover his form debate, Daniel Sturridge has stolen in on the blindside to become Chelsea’s most important striker.

IRELAND legend Paul McGrath has described Liverpool’s decision to wear t-shirts in support of Luis Suarez, who was banned for eight games for making racist comments towards Patrice Evra, as “shameful”.

CHELSEA boss Andre Villas-Boas praised captain John Terry for his performance on a night when the defender was once again in the spotlight, having been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence by the Crown Prosecution Service.