The debate about who is to move into the Olympic Stadium post 2012 is raging with Barry Hearn the latest person looking to throw a spanner into the works. It is a tough decision for OPLC and few could blame them for deciding to delay their final verdict.

I want to make it clear from the off that I think it is a shame that the Olympic Stadium isn’t remaining a standalone athletics arena. While I understand the decision is solely due to financial reasons, I really feel it is a shame that athletics will become a secondary consideration in the very place where it will be showcasing one of the greatest sporting occasions in the world. Football is moving itself in, whether we like it or not.

A lot has already been written about which club is most deserving of the Stratford site, including a little bit of mudslinging between the rival clubs themselves. They all present a decent case, but who deserves the keys? Geographically I would give the stadium to West Ham, although I totally understand why Tottenham are sniffing around it.

The reasons Tottenham want to move in are obvious. They need a bigger stadium and the subsequent revenues it would bring would make a huge difference to the club’s quest to establish itself with the top clubs in Europe. I have seen a lot of negativity from Tottenham fans towards the move to Stratford, and it is understandable, but I believe that the board’s pursuit of the stadium is with the best interest of the fans at heart and not, like Karren Brady said, a ‘spur of the moment decision to make money.’ They want the best for Tottenham Hotspur football club; even though they know for supporters it will be a wrench to leave N17. Sometimes things need to be sacrificed for the sake of progress, despite how hard it will be to take.

The same could be said of West Ham and there are certainly sections of the Upton Park faithful who are less than impressed with the potential move. As I have stated I think West Ham deserve the stadium for no other reason than its location and their promise to use the arena for athletics throughout the year. I know the counter argument towards West Ham is that there is no place for a running track in football; however I don’t remember it affecting the atmosphere in Rome when I played there against Lazio. The old Wembley was the best atmosphere I ever played in despite how far the stands were from the pitch. It seems a weak argument in my view; yet seemingly a bandwagon that everyone is jumping on at present to knock the Hammers’ bid. I’m sure West Ham fans won’t mind how far away they are from the pitch, as long as the team are successful in the Premier League.

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So what is the solution and the way forward? West Ham, Tottenham, or who knows perhaps Leyton Orient can gatecrash the party. One thing in Barry Hearn’s favour is that all the original plans for the Olympic site will be retained and they have a chance to build themselves a bright future in a new 25,000 stadium. Unfortunately for Barry I fear on this occasion money will talk as the OPLC will see the financial potential of the Premier League boys a little too hard to resist.

The news that Fernando Torres no longer loves the club he claimed to love only months ago and has moved to Chelsea, has been met with a mixture of amusement and indifference by many United fans.

Chelsea’s signing of Torres isn’t the coup some sections of the media are already claiming it is. Liverpool are going nowhere-regardless of the epic victories against Wolves and Fulham that Dalglish has masterminded, while Chelsea are still in the Champions League and the current Premier League champions.

Torres may have finally realised that a footballer’s career is only short and there’s no time to waste playing postmen from Estonia on Channel Five on a Thursday night.

Torres signing for Chelsea would be nothing more than long overdue really, when it comes to pulling of real surprise striker signings, no one can touch Sir Alex Ferguson in that department.

As he did last season with Michael Owen, every so often Sir Alex Ferguson will shock many in the footballing world by signing a striker, no one ever expected. Whether it’s a rivals leading scorer, a costly teenager, an experienced loan signing, or an unheard of Norwegian, Fergie can be full of surprises. Here’s a top five of the united manager’s surprise striker signings.

5. Henrik Larsson

Signing a 35 year-old, striker, with no Premier League experience, on loan from Swedish Club Helsingborgs, must have sounded like one of the worst ideas Fergie had come up with since the Massimo Taibi fiasco. However when said striker is Henrik Larsson, it’s not as daft as it sounds. Larsson’s time at Old Trafford may have been brief but his impact was enormous. Any doubts that he was fit enough for the English game were quickly dispelled on his debut an FA cup tie against Villa. Larsson ran around like a 17 year-old, creating chances and bagging a goal. Fergie was so impressed with the diminutive stars efforts that he asked the Premier League for special dispensation so Larsson could receive a winners medal- he’d only played 7 games. The Premier league said yes, obviously recognising his contribution as United stopped Chelsea winning a third successive title.

4. Wayne Rooney

Right now, Wayne Rooney looks like something of a bargain at £27 million, having already won every trophy there is and last season spearheading United’s campaign. However back in 2004 Fergie forking out a huge sum for an 18 year-old whose goal-scoring record was one in four was something of a surprise. Rooney though, has already paid back his fee and then some. He’s well on his way to becoming a United legend, after being in the shadow of Van Nistelrooy and then Ronaldo, the ‘white Pele’ seems to have raised his game a level to become much more than just a striker. Despite his injury problems of late and the debacle of his contract saga, there’s no denying he’s arguably the most naturally talented player at the club.

3. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Practically no-one outside of Norway had heard of the baby-faced assassin prior to his move to Old Trafford. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark though, coming off the bench to score on his debut against Blackburn back in 1996. Coming off the bench to score would become something of a Solskjaer trait as he was often used as a sub while making over 200 appearances for United. Three games seem to sum up his career more than any during the 1999 treble winning season. In the FA cup at Old Trafford he scored a last minute winner to knock out Liverpool and send Old Trafford into delirium.

Later that season coming off the bench away at Nottingham Forest he grabbed four goals in just 11 minutes as United romped to an 8-1 win. A few months later he scored one of the most important goals in United’s history -an injury time winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions league final- after coming off the bench-again. You’d have to go a long way to find a more popular man amongst the Old Trafford faithful.

2. Andy Cole

Just as Fergie had relieved one of his main rivals of their prized asset in 1992, he did the same again in 1994, when he managed to convince Kevin Keegan to sell goal king Andy Cole. Amazingly United bit-part player Keith Gillespie-along with 6 million quid- was the carrot that convinced the emotional manager to part with his record-breaking striker.

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The transfer shocked everyone in the football world not least of all the Newcastle faithful, some of whom went to see Keegan at his office to ask how he could do such a thing. King Kev said he had a long-term plan, unfortunately for him so did Fergie, who’s United side would go on to win the double the following year. Both United’s and Cole’s greatest triumph came in 1999 when they won the treble in the Nou Camp. Although it was Sheringham and Solksjaer who scored the goals few could forget Cole’s influence. His goal in the semi-final against Juventus was one of his finest moments. “Yorke’s been brought down…penalty surely…..Cole!! Full speed ahead Barcelona!”

1. Eric Cantona

The story of how the impossible became possible and King Eric made the trip across the Pennines is now part of United folklore. Howard Wilkinson called Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards to enquire about Denis Irwin. Fergie sat on Edwards’ desk said: “No chance” and then almost as an afterthought “Ask him about Eric Cantona.” Amazingly, of course Sergeant Wilko had fallen out with his mercurial striker and was willing to let him leave.

There can be little doubt that, this one conversation changed the course of Premier League history and a Cantona-led United brought the title to Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years kicking off United’s dominance of the nineties and noughties in the process. The £1.2 million price only seemed to add insult to injury. Many a Yorkshire man must still shake his head at just how foolish Wilkinson could have been.

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Media reports emanating from England suggest Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho could make a surprise return to the Premier League.

Mourinho, 48, has endured a torrid time with the Spanish giants and has regularly had issues with officials and club management at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After watching his side defeat Sevilla 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday, Mourinho, who has been visibly unhappy in recent weeks, failed to turn up to the post-match press conference leading to rumours about his departure.

The rumours gathered more momentum when British tabloid The Sun reported quotes from the manager about his desire to return to England.

“I’ve decided to return to England. I have nothing prepared about my future – I just want to be happy in my work,” Mourinho said.

“I have no preferences about Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea. I just want to rediscover the joy.”

“I’m not saying the Premier League is the most spectacular in the world but it is the best organised… the fair play and the enormous respect for your opponent.”

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Mourinho’s fallout with Real director Jorge Valdano over the lack of forward options available to the Portuguese boss has inflamed the situation, although the loan signing of Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City looked like it may have satisfied Mourinho.

But the former Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan manager’s quotes appear to suggest Mourinho is not happy with the situation at Real, and could be on his way out come the end of the season.

Anderlecht increased their lead at the top of the Belgian First Division to six points on Saturday with a 1-0 home win over Cercle Brugge.

They were made to work hard, however, with Morocco international midfielder Mbark Boussoufa scoring the winner with just two minutes to play. The result moves his side six points clear of second-placed Genk, who meet Standard Liege on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Saturday, KV Mechelen climbed to fifth with a 3-1 home win over 10th-placed KVC Westerlo.

Evariste Ngolok gave the visitors the lead after 12 minutes, but goals from David de Storme and Ebrahim Saveneh put Mechelen 2-1 up on the 22-minute mark and a third from Pan-Pierre Koulibaly six minutes from the end made sure of the result.

Club Brugge remain in fourth place after goals from Frenchman Wilfried Dalmat and Joseph Akpala handed them a 2-0 home win over Zulte-Waregem, while Lokeren stay in sixth after being held to 1-1 draw at home by bottom side Charleroi.

Charleroi had looked on track for just their fourth win of the season when Dudu Biton gave them the lead after 57 minutes, but an Alfred Finnbogason goal eight minutes from full-time secured a point for the hosts.

Lierse are still second from bottom but managed to secure a point at home to Germinal Beerschot thanks to a last-minute leveller from towering Hungarian striker Peter Kovacs.

Beerschot had taken the lead through a Guillaume Francois goal after eight minutes, but defender Kenny Thompson equalised for Lierse just before half-time.

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Faris Haroun restored Beerschot’s advantage 10 minutes after the break and they looked to be heading home with all three points before Kovacs’ intervention.

St Truiden played out a 1-1 draw with Eupen at Staaienveld after Vincent Euvrard cancelled out Abderazak Jadid’s opener for Eupen.

The Cult Hero in football is a romantic and sentimental side to the beautiful game that will never fade away. In today’s game, the cult hero is even more important with the vast amount of money involved with the sport and the multi-media coverage of the top players in the game. So forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, even your Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand at least for the time being as I construct the essential ingredients as to what makes a Cult Hero.

When constructing the recent Top TEN Cult Hero article, I had a list of 50 odd players and probably even more if I kept on researching. The fact is, the cult hero is in abundance in the game and this week they should be celebrated because without them, it just wouldn’t be football as we know it! But what makes a cult hero? The standards are pretty high and wide so let’s go through some of the necessary traits…..

The Unsung Hero – The player that does not make the headlines but always gives 110% without fail. He may not get on the score sheet often or be partial to a step over or a Cruyff turn but when he’s out of the team you realise what an important player he is. Ian Holloway summed up this type of player with this funny quote : “It’s all very well having a great pianist playing but it’s no good if you haven’t got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.”

The Eccentric – This player is all about personality. Whether it’s the comedy factor of Jimmy Bullard or Gazza, or the crazy hairstyles like Marc Bircham or Taribo West, there is something about them than the average footballer. Or it could be players like Andrei Kanchelskis or Lee Trundle who liked to do some showboating on the pitch, check them out on YouTube for your own entertainment. Also the likes of former USA defender Alexi Lalas fit this bill perfectly.

The Trouble Maker – The pantomime villain that the opposition love to hate but you love him for exactly that. Whether it’s the exuberant tackles or moaning to the referee, it’s always a fiery encounter when they are on the field. Robbie Savage deserves a mention here although he could also fit the eccentric side of things with his flowing blonde hair. Other shouts have to be Vinnie Jones and FFC’s very own Neil Ruddock, without these types of players football wouldn’t have character.

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Mr Football Club – Joining the club as a young boy and playing out his whole career at the club. This Cult Hero is in the fans’ hearts forever although he may not have been the best they’ve ever seen, his loyalty is seen as something far greater. Southampton can boast a fair few of these players with the likes of Matthew Le Tissier, Jason Dodd and Francis Benali. Also former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steve Bull, these types of cult hero’s are usually involved with the club long after they retire.

The Foreigner – Perhaps more favourable away from the top clubs where players from abroad are in abundance, the foreign signing can become a bit of a cult favourite amongst a section of supporters. I fondly remember the likes of Argentinean left back Gino Padula at QPR who looked a bit out of place playing in the old Division Two but was admired at Loftus Road during his time there. Other shouts have to go to ‘Nobby’ Solano of Newcastle and Richard Sneekes at West Bromwich Albion, let’s not forget Juninho and Emerson at Middlesbrough.

It’s in the Name – Everyone loves a good football chant and some players’ names are just asking for it and in return they become a hit with the fans. It wasn’t that long ago down at QPR where we had Doudou and Shittu playing in the same team, other names include the likes of Uwe Fuchs (Middlesbrough, Millwall) and Joseph Desire-Job. It does not have to be a funny name for a popular chant amongst the terraces, I have a dozen of examples I could use to prove my point but such language would not be appropriate.

So bad, they’re good – In some cases the Cult Hero stems from the player being so bad that they actually have an ironic following by supporters. That striker who never seems to score but always finds a way into the first team, Carl Leaburn anybody? Or it could be the likes of former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen or current Watford defender Lloyd Doyley who score once every solar eclipse but the fans love to shout ‘shoot!’ whenever they get the ball.

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One Hit Wonder – Ever heard of Jimmy Glass? He is a Carlisle United legend despite only making 3 appearances for the club on loan. Why? Because the Goalkeeper scored, yes scored, an injury time winner back in 1999 in the last game of the season which kept the Cumbrian side in the Football League.

These are the archetypes of the Football Cult Hero, please feel free to comment with your own cult heroes below or alternatively tell me on Twitter – @verbal_football

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Arsene Wenger is often criticised for his transfer policy. In particular people cannot understand why he has not bought a commanding centre back. Arsenal’s success in recent years has been limited and a commanding centre back could have gone some way to address this but that point is a getting a bit laboured.

I am not bothered today with their reliance on Cesc Fabregas as a player, I think they are overly reliant on him as a leader.

This was obvious on Saturday, when Arsenal’s captain was Samir Nasri. While he has been impressive this season, he is not a leader. He has no presence and is not a player that others will look to for motivation. While Arsenal were extremely unlucky against Sunderland, their plight was made worse by their slow start. This is a symptom of a team with no leaders.

Looking at other big clubs, they do not suffer from this problem. Manchester United have the choice of Vidic, Ferdinand, Giggs and Rooney. Liverpool have Gerrard, Carragher and Reina. Chelsea have Terry, and Lampard, and Man City have Tevez, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Vieira and Kompany who are all suitable for captaincy. This is an area where Arsenal are deficient.

When it comes to Fabregas, their regular skipper, I have no doubts that he is a brilliant player, but I would not call him a talismanic leader of men just yet. On the positive side, his style of football epitomises Arsenal’s philosophy. Yes, he is at the heart of every move. And yes he works hard for the team and is determined to win. But, Fabregas is by no means on a par with the likes of Vieira or Tony Adams at the moment.

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In fairness, Wenger has limited options. He has not made Fabregas captain just to keep him happy. He is arguably the most likely captain in their squad. Looking around the camp at the moment, there are very few candidates for this role. But surely they lack someone with some experience?

Wenger is always looking to the future, but a time comes when you have to ask, what about the ‘now’, what about this season?

Robin van Persie has captained Arsenal on occasions. Again he is a very good player, but he is not a leader on the pitch. Additionally, his injury record is poor and that does not help him become a likely candidate for captain.

Thomas Vermaelen could be considered a leader. He is the kind of ‘up-for-it’ player that can get others going and he has a presence that many others lack. But he has not been at Arsenal for very long and is not an experienced Premiership player.

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But it is not all bad for Arsenal, they have had a good season. They could still win three competitions. I just feel they would be better suited to winning a competition if they had more leaders in their dressing room. At the moment they have just one; Fabregas, and he is still learning.

Arsenal may have a big enough playing squad to cope with a Fabregas injury, but they do not have an obvious choice of captain to fill his shoes. At 23 years-old he is Arsenal’s best player and captain. He has a lot of responsibility. Arsenal miss him when he is unavailable. Surely Wenger should look to share the burden in the summer?

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Newcastle and Wolves head into their English Premier League clash at St James’ Park on the back of contrasting runs of form.

For Alan Pardew’s Newcastle, March was a month they would rather forget with two losses from their only two fixtures, including a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Stoke at Britannia Stadium.

More troubling for Pardew is the fact his side have won just once in their past nine league games, and are 11th on the table, just four points clear of the relegation zone.

The relegation zone is where Mick McCarthy’s Wolves side have spent the bulk of the 2010-11 season, but they head into Saturday’s game on the back of their most promising form of the campaign.

Wolves are unbeaten in their past four league games and have claimed 11 out of a possible 18 points since February 5 – the day they memorably snapped Manchester United’s 29-game unbeaten streak with a gritty 2-1 win at Molineux.

For Newcastle, Pardew is sweating on the fitness of left-back Jose Enrique, after the Spaniard limped off during the drubbing at Stoke with a hamstring injury.

Striker Leon Best is a chance to return from an ankle problem, while Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez is also under a cloud with a thigh strain. Cheik Tiote misses out through suspension.

Wolves, meanwhile, will be without Kevin Doyle after the Irish international injured knee ligaments in his country’s 2-1 win over Macedonia in Euro 2012 qualifying over the weekend.

Irish winger Stephen Hunt is a chance to resume after overcoming a calf strain, and defender Michael Mancienne is making good progress after a knee injury.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway insists instant replay technology should be used by Premier League match officials to make the game fairer.The outspoken manager said it would benefit everyone – especially referees – to use technology that is already readily available.

Blackpool’s trip to Fulham on Sunday will be officiated the old fashioned way.

“We aren’t allowing the officials to use technology when they’re being judged by television replays with different angles and being shown to be wrong,” Holloway said on Friday.

“That is transmitting to the punters and everybody wonders why it can’t be changed. We see on a Saturday night that referees are wrong because we see camera angles the fourth official could easily see like they do in the cricket and tennis.”

“They only need one person stood at the side to look at say ‘yes that is a goal’ or ‘that is offside’. It would not take two seconds.”

“For me the game is a mess. Let’s start it now, let’s get things right. Give them the technology – it is already there so use it!”

“We should be helping the referees because I would hate do to their job. They must be a bag of nerves when they get home.”

Holloway expressed his excitement about the season run-in, with his team sitting 15th on the table, level on points with three other teams but just one point clear of the relegation zone.

“It’s all to play for and it’s absolutely exciting,” he said.

“Who?s to say we can’t go to Fulham and win? Who’s to say we can’t beat Tottenham or Arsenal here? I’m going to tweak what I do and get even more of the ball and pass it the way the Spanish do.”

“Hopefully we can progress and get even better.”

Blackpool have no new injury problems and will still be without goalkeepers Paul Rachubka (knee) and Matthew Gilks (knee) and defender Chris Basham (broken leg).

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic could be on shaky ground after fans called for his sacking following the 0-0 draw with old rivals Juventus.”There are many regrets about this campaign,” he confessed.

The stalemate left Fiorentina mid-table with no hope of qualifying for Europe, leaving fans frustrated and calling for Mihajlovic to be replaced this summer.

“The lads did their best and we dominated this match, but were lacking that final twist to score the goal,” Mihajlovic said.

“We deserved far more than 0-0.”

“There are many regrets about this campaign. We were affected by so many injuries and when they returned we started to play well again. These things happen in football, but we were always in an emergency situation.”

“I am also sorry for the fans today. We have always played well against the big clubs, but did not get the points that we deserved.”

Meanwhile, Juve coach Luigi Delneri praised transfer target Riccardo Montolivo but the dropped points left the side eight points behind fourth-placed Lazio.

“We fought for 90 minutes to win and did not take the opportunities that we created.”

“We worked hard and did what we had to do. In the first half we struggled a little more, but Fiorentina have important players like Alberto Gilardino, Montolivo, Juan Manuel Vargas and Adrian Mutu.”

“We had some great chances to score, including one very clear one with Leonardo Bonucci. We did our duty.”

““We just have to take it one game at a time, trying to win them all.”

Del Neri was asked about Fiorentina star Montolivo, who has been linked with Juve as a replacement for Alberto Aquilani next season.

“Montolivo has important qualities and is a great player, but Aquilani did well today and I don’t think there’s a huge difference between them. They could well play together as well.”

Juventus director Beppe Marotta poured cold water on suggestions that Delneri would be sacked.

“Del Neri has a contract for two years and will stay with Juventus,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

Substitute Salomon Kalou struck a minute from time to give Chelsea a controversial 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.The sides looked to be meandering towards a 1-1 draw after Sandro and Frank Lampard had exchanged very different long-range strikes in the first half.

But Chelsea, who dominated possession and enjoyed the better of the chances, finally grabbed their winner when Kalou tapped in following a mis-hit strike from Didier Drogba.

The victory leaves Chelsea just three points behind Manchester United, who face Arsenal on Sunday, before Carlo Ancelotti’s men square up to the league leaders at Old Trafford next weekend.

But the Blues needed two huge slices of luck to squeeze past Tottenham, who are now four points behind fourth-place City, having played a game more and with a far inferior goal difference.

It was Spurs who took the lead in emphatic fashion, with Sandro arching a 30-yard volley into Petr Cech’s top right-hand corner after just 19 minutes.

But with half-time approaching, Chelsea got back on level terms in controversial fashion through Lampard.

The England international took aim from 25 yards but, when his strike flew straight at Heurelho Gomes, it looked like a routine save for the Brazilian.

However, the ball squirmed out of his arms, through his legs, and slowly towards the line.

The goalkeeper appeared to claw the ball clear before it crossed the line, but the linesman ruled that it had in fact gone over, and the referee awarded a goal.

And Chelsea’s winner was no less fortuitous. Kalou, who had replaced Fernando Torres in the 62nd minute, appeared to be in an offside position when he stabbed the ball home from close range a minute from time.

But Chelsea cared little about the controversy and celebrated gleefully at the final whistle as they kept their slim title hopes alive.