london 24
Tweets of the Week: Can West Ham do the unthinkable?
West Ham fans discuss all things Hammers with our correspondent Nathaniel John.
Join in the discussion on Twitter @Nathaniel_John
This week, Hammers reveal whether it is blind optimism to think Coventry can get a result at Southampton and that West Ham can still get automatic promotion.
It is blind optimism, but isn’t that what we West Ham fans do the best? You never know! – @Dave_Goodger
Stranger things have happened! We need a miracle in terms of Coventry beating Saints. I just hope the pressure gets to them – @KwamsMoriarty
There is no other option but to keep the faith while there is a chance. Never accept second best – @pudderst
It is very optimistic but who expected Wigan to beat Arsenal at the Emirates? You never know but it will be a miracle – @jonlow74
We can only do our part. The rest is out of our hands – @richdenm
Saints hold an enormous amount of pressure so anything could happen. After the Leicester result, I expect a big West Ham win – @TheRealBelton
Hopefully Coventry will watch the 1987 FA Cup final highlights as inspiration before their game. Perhaps a motivational speech from Jimmy Hill too? – @niall_mcdonald
Coventry have nothing to lose and can maybe play with some freedom whereas Southampton have a lot to lose and nerves could effect how they play – @MarkWHUFC
I hope that Coventry were watching Chelsea on Tuesday night and saw how to defend. Anything can happen in football... – @Nigel_Haywood2
Tuesday night’s result in Barcelona just goes to show that Saturday is not a given for Southampton! – @MrRuz
Football is a funny old game and wouldn’t it be so typical of West Ham to sneak automatic promotion on the last day. Would be harsh on the Saints, though – @Neil_McDonald45
All we can do is concentrate on ourselves first and foremost. Even if we don’t go up automatically, it is imperative that we keep the winning
mentality – @Sarah_Smudner1
I’m happy that we didn’t bottle it at Leicester on Monday night, something the old West Ham would have done. It sure makes Saturday exciting though! – @DaveyJones55
I fear that the play-offs beckon for us but it isn’t the end of the world as hopefully it will provide us fans with a day out at Wembley – @LewisOkunga
I honestly think that the Saints will slip up. FIngers crossed! – @Katie_Morgan34
clubcall
Reid: Hammers are ready to pounce
Winston Reid is hoping West Ham will be the ones celebrating on Saturday after taking the Championship promotion race to the wire.
The centre-back netted the Hammers' crucial equaliser in Monday's 2-1 win at Leicester, a result which leaves second-placed Southampton just two points in front heading into the final round of fixtures.
Saints host already-relegated Coventry knowing victory will secure automatic promotion to the Premier League while the Hammers know they must see off Hull at Upton Park and hope for an upset at St Mary's.
New Zealand international Reid told the club's official website: "We all wanted to go into the last game with something to play for.
"Hopefully Southampton will stuff up and then we'll be ready to pounce, and hopefully score enough goals to go up."
the mirror
Championship clubs vote in financial fair play rules
Championship clubs have voted in favour of introducing a groundbreaking new financial fair play model, the Football League announced today.
All but three of the npower Championship's 24 clubs voted in favour of introducing the model, which is based on UEFA's financial fair play regulations, and plans to curb Football League debt by limiting investment from owners and total spending.
Football League research has revealed that the 72 clubs that form the Championship, League One and League Two are on course to rack up a combined £2billion of debt unless spending and investment from 'sugar daddy' owners is curbed.
The regulations will be introduced next season on a gradual basis, but sanctions for non-compliance will not be put in place until the 2014-15 season.
Under the regulations, from the 2014-15 season, clubs who record total losses of over £6million will be hit with either a transfer embargo or a fine that could run in to the millions.
The club in question will be fined if they are promoted to the Barclays Premier League and will be hit with a transfer embargo if they remain in the Championship.
Owners will be allowed to invest £6million next season, £5million the following and £3million the following season.
Financial losses per season will also be curbed under the new regulations.
Clubs will be allowed to record a £4million loss next season, £3million per season for the next two campaigns, and £2million per season from 2015-16 onwards.
The money generated from any fine imposed will be shared among the clubs in the Championship who are compliant with the regulations.
The initiative is seen as an important step to stopping Football League clubs going bust.
Earlier this season Portsmouth went into administration and Football League chairman Greg Clarke predicts several clubs will go out of business if this scheme is not adopted.
The Football League have been consulting with the Premier League and the FA, and are confident the initiative will get the official backing of both bodies.
The scheme applies to the Championship only, but League One and League Two already have initiatives to make them more financially sound.
League Two clubs are already allowed to spend 55% of turnover on wages and a similar scheme will be introduced to League One next season after a successful pilot scheme this term.
Any League One club spending over 65% of their turnover in the 2012-13 season, or 60% of their turnover in the 2013-14 season will be hit with a transfer embargo.
Clarke said: "On the pitch we have three exciting, competitive divisions with crowds at their highest levels for 50 years. But that success isn't necessarily being reflected on our clubs' balance sheets and we have to remedy that situation or face an uncertain future.
"I'd like to commend the Championship clubs for the courageous decision they have taken today.
"It means that for the first time, all 72 Football League clubs have agreed to take concerted action towards controlling their financial destiny.
"Whilst we cannot promise that these rules will deliver results overnight, they will begin to lay the foundations for a league of financially self-sustaining football clubs."
Blackburn's out-of-favour defender Michel Salgado fancies joining former Real Madrid team-mate David Beckham at LA Galaxy.
Daily Mirror
Wigan have beaten Newcastle and Sunderland to the signature of Swedish-born Gambia Under-20 winger Alieu Darbo.
Daily Mail
Manchester City are tracking highly rated teenage defender Lisandro Magallan, according to reports in his native Argentina. Magallan is rated as one of the brightest prospects in the country after establishing himself in the Gimnasia La Plata first team.
talkSPORT
Manchester United are set to battle it out with Real Madrid to sign Brazil's next young superstar - Sao Paulo attacking midfielder Lucas - in a £12m deal.
Daily Mirror
Leeds are in talks with Doncaster's El-Hadji Diouf with a view to signing the controversial forward who is out of contract in the summer.
Skysports.com
Chelsea captain John Terry will not be allowed to lift the Champions League trophy should his side win the final on 19 May because Uefa do not like banned players participating in the presentation ceremony. Terry is banned for the final after his sending off against Barcelona and Uefa expect the winning captain on the night to lift the trophy. Any request for change has to be sanctioned by the disciplinary committee.
Daily Mail
Danny Welbeck is to open talks with Manchester United over a new deal at the end of the season which could see his £15,000-a-week wages trebled. Welbeck's representatives have indicated to United that the striker is keen to sign a new contract and commit himself to the club.
Danny Welbeck has scored 12 goals for Manchester United this season
Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand is determined to persuade Paul Scholes to extend his Manchester United career for a further season such has been the 37-year-old's impact since returning from retirement.
Daily Telegraph
Nicklas Bendtner has said he may not stay at Sunderland next season. The 24-year-old Denmark striker is currently on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal and has scored seven goals so far.
Guardian
Joe Cole may be forced to return to Liverpool this summer because of his wage demands, according to Lille chairman Michel Seydoux. The former Chelsea midfielder, who has spent the season on loan at the French Ligue 1 side, has expressed a desire to stay in France.
talkSPORT
Interim boss Roberto di Matteo is still only third choice to be the next permanent Chelsea manager - despite steering the club to the Champions League final. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Germany's Joachim Loew are believed to be above Di Matteo in the pecking order.
Daily Mirror
David Davis might have suffered relegation with Wolves, but the young midfielder is smiling again after signing a new three-year contract.
Daily Mail
QPR defender Anton Ferdinand will not shake hands with John Terry before Sunday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Daily Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson is whisking his players off to a golf and spa retreat in the Vale of Glamorgan to escape the pressure around their Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
Daily Mail
Touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves was subjected to a torrent of abuse on Twitter after his insensitive approach to interviewing Chelsea hero Branislav Ivanovic, and even drew a dig from golf star Lee Westwood
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