Blackpool have completed the signings of four players just a matter of days before their Premier League season-opener against Wigan Athletic.

Seasiders boss Ian Holloway has been frustrated over a number of potential targets, but has finally landed defender Craig Cathcart and midfield trio Elliot Grandin, Malaury Martin and Ludovic Sylvestre.

Twenty-one-year-old centre-half Cathcart joins for an undisclosed fee from Manchester United on a three-year contract, having failed to break into the first-team set-up at Old Trafford.

His only senior experience came during loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Watford.

French winger Grandin, 22, heads to Bloomfield Road from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, with the former Caen and Marseille wideman having agreed a two-year deal.

Martin has impressed during the pre-season campaign with Holloway's side and the 21-year-old has penned a one-year contract to seal his switch from AS Monaco.

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Finally, Sylvestre, 26, has signed a two-year contract to head to England from Czech club Mlada Boleslav, having played twice for Barcelona earlier on in his career.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

There is a midfielder blessed with special talent whom can play for England but has so far been overlooked, his name is Mikel Arteta. Although he has played for the Spanish under 21’s, he has never been capped by the senior Spain side. Under residency rules, Arteta is eligible to play for England after living in the country for 5 years. Had he been born in here, there is no doubt at all that Mikel Arteta would have been capped for England. Arteta possesses the skills not many other English players have, he is technically excellent and his passing is masterful, assets that were so sorely missed in England’s World Cup bid. The problem is that although Arteta can play for England, he is not really English, and many fans baulk at the idea of fielding a foreign player in the England jersey. Perhaps though, pragmatism rather than pride should be taken into consideration after another English failure.

The fact is that other national sides are doing what England are not. As early as the 1950’s, Argentinian great Alfredo di Stefano turned out for the Spain national team after gaining citizenship in the country. In modern times, Brazilian Marcos Senna has also turned out for Spain, whilst Brazilian born duo Deco and Pepe have both played for Portugal, another Brazilian Eduardo da Silva has played internationally for Croatia. There will be many more examples, and if other countries are doing it, why shouldn’t England? Marcos Senna in particular played a crucial role in the Spanish side that lifted the 2008 European Championship. If Arteta played for England, greater success might be achieved. English fans are very proud of their national team however, and for many picking a foreign-born player is an idea that they instantly dismiss. The choice would be Fabio Capello’s though, and if he wanted to cap Arteta, he could do.

Fabio Capello brings us on to another point, England have already appointed foreign managers, something most other major national teams have not done. If England were willing to make this brave step with Eriksson and Capello, why not do so with players as well? When these managers were hired, many fans and many in the press pilloried the FA for making such a decision, and their lack of success did not help their case. If Arteta was capped for England, a similar reaction might initially be seen, but if it brought success to the team, it would surely die down.

English national teams in other sports have long since fielded foreign born players. The England cricket team contains a number of South Africans, whilst the England Rugby Union side capped Tongan born Lesley Vainikolo. These teams were pragmatic, they brought in players who were eligible in order to give them the best chance of success, and the results of the English cricket team especially since, have been spectacular. As seen with video technology however, football seems to hold itself in higher regard to these sports and the capping of a foreign player for many is simply unacceptable. Perhaps though Capello should brave the backlash that would occur if he picked Arteta, his current stock could probably not fall too much lower anyway. If he did, and Arteta helped drive England to greater success then England fans would surely forgive him. If England do want to win some silverware, it might just be the perfect place to look.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hopes the Premier League will ratify the £8million transfer of Netherlands international midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart to White Hart Lane.

Redknapp made a late move for the Real Madrid star on transfer deadline day after hearing that the 27-year-old's proposed transfer to Bayern Munich had fallen through.

However, the Premier League have as yet refused to sanction the transfer and are examining the circumstances of the switch.

"He's a great passer of the ball, he's a top footballer, he will join in here and be a big plus," said Redknapp.

"It was a last-minute job. When I came in on Tuesday morning it wasn't something I was looking to do.

"I think he was going to Bayern Munich on Monday for £18million and suddenly he became much cheaper.

"They let me know around 1600 BST that he was available for £8million and, for that money, he is a top player who will definitely improve us. The fee has come crashing down because the deadline is so close."

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Van der Vaart moved to Real from Hamburg two years ago and went on to score 11 goals in 68 appearances for the La Liga giants.

He helped his country reach the World Cup final in July and came on as a substitute in the Final defeat to Spain.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manager David Moyes retains belief in his Everton side, despite seeing them slip to the foot of the Premier League table at the weekend.

The Toffees have gathered just three points from six games and have yet to taste victory, having been tipped to start the campaign strongly after ending last season in fine form.

Following the 0-0 weekend draw at Fulham, Moyes told the Liverpool Echo:"It's one way up now. Someone has to be bottom and it's us at this present time.

"I don't think we look like a bottom-of-the-league team, but we are, so we have to get out of it.

"It's up to us to put it right. We just have to keep doing what we're doing. We'll keep playing.

"There was no lack of confidence from us against Fulham. We tried to do the right things.

"The spirit's good. The players are all together and are all working for the cause to get a result.

"My belief is that we have a really good team. That's never changed.

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"We had lots of possession and we created more chances than Fulham. I can't come away saying we played badly, though maybe we didn't create enough chances.

"We're lacking in real firepower. There's a lack of belief in front of goal. Nothing's going in and we can't even deflect one in at the moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Goalkeeper Scott Carson insists survival remains the priority despite West Bromwich Albion's impressive start to the season.

The Baggies are currently riding high in sixth place in the Premier League table following a five-match unbeaten run stretching back to August.

That record is likely to come under threat when Roberto Di Matteo's side take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

But despite Albion's strong start to the campaign, Carson insists nobody at The Hawthorns is getting carried away by their early-season form.

"We haven't readjusted our ambitions," he said."Our target is 40 points – nothing less. Any more will be a massive bonus.

"We won't get carried away. People are talking about top six but here they're not.

"We just want to make sure we build as a club. We've had a good run and we know that a bad patch can happen and dampen our confidence.

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"We have to be realistic about our ambitions. The main thing is to still be in this division next year.

"If we can do that then only then will we think about moving on to the next target."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United set one foot in the knockout phase of the Champions League this week with a professional performance from the club’s second string in Turkey against Bursaspor. United have yet to hit top gear so far this season, but another win at home maintained the Red Devils’ unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign.

The week has not been without controversy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. Portuguese winger Nani hardly covered himself in glory with his contentious goal at Old Trafford last weekend, and Wayne Rooney was spotted breaking a few rules of nutrition on a boozy birthday holiday.  Ferguson will be keen for a break from the media glare after the intensity of the last few weeks.

This week’s top blogs have jumped on stories linking some of United’s old guard with big money moves to the Middle East. There are also entries concerning the potential of some of the side’s rising stars and concerns expressed about the issue of player loyalty in the wake of Rooney’s contract renewal.

We also have the best of what the web has to offer.

Featured articles of the week

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Will Nani ever fill the hole?

Is this the catalyst behind Manchester United’s title challenge?

WAG Weekly – Man United starlet scores a beauty!

A final pay day for United’s finest?

Manchester United stars set to cash in?

Ten things we have noticed from the Premier League this season

Smalling making big leaps at Manchester United

Manchester United starlet finally coming of age

Spurs, Liverpool, United…whose need for Real Madrid swoop is greater?

The Spanish solution to Arsenal and Manchester United’s pending problem

Is Wayne Rooney’s plight ultimately a blessing in disguise?

An important FACT that is lost on most Premier League players

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Click here to see the Best MANCHESTER UNITED around the Web this week

Best of the Web

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Rio has the X-Factor- The Busby Way

Carrick’s return welcome but only if it lasts- United Rant

A Salute to Sir Alex- The United Religion

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool vs. Man United – Transfer spending comparison: 1990-2010 – Liverpool Kop

Karel Poborsky: what could have been?- The Busby Way

Sunderland striker Darren Bent could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with the hamstring injury that forced him to miss Saturday's 2-0 win against Stoke City.

The former Tottenham forward seems certain to miss Tuesday's game against his former team with the problem he sustained in training.

To add to boss Steve Bruce's woes, John Mensah is also set for a lay-off after injuring a shoulder against the Potters.

Bruce said in the build-up to the Spurs game:"It's been a tough week mentally and we've got Chelsea away on Sunday – I might freshen things up tomorrow night.

"We've got Titus (Bramble) to come back in too (after serving a suspension) and he'll obviously come into the reckoning.

"John Mensah's hurt his shoulder and that's more bad luck for him.

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"It's a shame because he's trained fully for the last three or four weeks and was desperate to get back into the team.

"We're sending him for a scan and hopefully the damage won't be too bad."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

With round 14 of the Premier League beckoning some of you will already have your 11Kicks Fantasy Football teams ready for this weekend. The Premiership and thus the Fantasy Football season is now really in full swing and plenty of points have been won in the campaign so far. You will undoubtedly have some Premier League players who have performed miracles for you points-wise, whereas some of your players will be injured, suspended or just in a bad run of form and therefore you’ll be looking to replace them.

For those who haven’t confirmed your team yet, or for those who are unsure in a few key positions, here is a rundown of some key performers for the coming fixtures, which sees Tottenham travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the North London Derby, which is the highlight of this weekend’s Premier League action. I have gone for a 3-5-2 formation, so have covered all positions and have picked that all-important front two who will bang in the goals this weekend and earn you big points!

Click on the image below to see my Fantasy Football Team

A mixed bag of results ensured that the Premier League remains at its unpredictable best and meant the bookies undoubtedly had a good day at the office. Alan Pardew got off to the dream start at St James; the Ian Holloway show goes on at the Britannia, while West Ham once again slump to defeat to stay firmly rooted to the bottom of the league.

In the papers today we have more fall-out from the Carlos Tevez transfer request; Samir Nasri believes that Manchester United have lost their aura, while Hiddink backs England’s call for reform.

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Liverpool have made initial offer for striker Luis Suarez – IM Scouting

Homesick Tevez hands in transfer request at Man City – Guardian

FA ask Tottenham director Sir Keith to rescue English football – Daily Mail

Nasri: Man Utd have lost their aura – Daily Telegraph

Pardew thrilled with success – Sky Sports

The Guus backs England in bid to reform FIFA – Mirror

Tottenham line up Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola- IM Scouting

Ancelotti: I trust Chelsea not to sack me – Guardian

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Schweinsteiger snubs United and Chelsea to extend Bayern Munich stay – Daily Mail

Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez plans a return to England – People

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So the news has finally broken that Roy Hodgson and Liverpool have parted company by mutual consent this morning.

The news will come as welcome relief for Liverpool supporters, who have grown frustrated with the former Fulham boss of late and it appears the midweek defeat at Ewood Park was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back.

Kenny Dalglish has been appointed manager until the end of the season – a move which is likely to be well received by the majority of Liverpool fans. But the big questions we want to know are:

Is Dalglish the long term answer for Liverpool? What was the reason behind Liverpool’s poor form this season? Did the problems start long before Hodgson’s arrival?

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HAVE YOUR SAY

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