Man Utd legend Robson silent on Thailand job

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson refuses to rule out the prospect of taking charge of the Thailand national team.

The president of the Thailand Football Federation, Worawi Makudi, declared on Friday that an agreement in principle had been agreed with the former Middlesbrough, Bradford and West Brom boss.

Reports claimed Robson, who left Sheffield United in February 2008, will fly out next week to finalise the deal.

However, the 52-year-old would not confirm or deny the story.

Peter Reid officially ended his one-year tenure as national team coach last week to join Stoke as assistant to Tony Pulis, leaving Thailand in search of a replacement with crucial back-to-back Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore looming in November.

Neill warned he faces battle at Everton

Lucas Neill is happy with his move to Everton, though has been warned by manager David Moyes that he faces a battle to get into the starting XI.

A one-year deal for the 31-year-old was completed on Thursday night and the Australia international is now looking to force his way into the first team.

"It was tough (waiting) but it was about making the right decision. It was really worth the wait," said the right-back, who two years ago turned down Merseyside rivals Liverpool in favour of the Hammers. It was all about being at a club where I knew I was going to get an opportunity to play and make an impact and further myself as a player.

"My gut feeling was strong about this one and I'm delighted about it. The manager didn't have to sell the club to me, it was all about the opportunities I would have in the squad and what he wanted me to do as a player. The moment I ran out of contract I wanted to get back into it but it was about having the right feeling.

"I was prepared to wait as long as it took to get that feeling. Would I like to have signed for Everton two months ago? Of course, but these things don't always work out when you want them to.

"There was a lot of waiting for phone calls and meetings, getting offers and talking it over with my family and here we are. For a long time I was thinking 'Do I want a new challenge, new lifestyle and learn a new language?'.

"I was really turned on by doing that and for the first month of the off-season that was all I was thinking about.

"But as the offers were coming in I got the feeling 'Do I want to change everything coming up to a World Cup or do I stick to what I know?'."

Moyes admitted had it not been for Neville's injury it is unlikely he would have signed Neill.

And he is unlikely to give him his debut against former club Blackburn at Goodison Park on Sunday.

"It is not massively tempting. He has not played and is not up to match speed yet but I do know if I get an injury I can throw him in," said the Everton boss. "We have got people coming back - Jonny Heitinga, Tony Hibbert - so we have plenty of options.

"I have always liked him but didn't think we had the need for it at the time but the injury to Phil Neville I thought left me a little bit short.

"With Jonny coming in (from Atletico Madrid) you are never sure how the foreign boys will settle so, because of that and Phil's injury, I thought it was right to bring him in."

Arsenal boss Wenger: Fans now support Eboue

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels Emmanuel Eboue is now no longer a target for the boo-boys.

It was in the game against Wigan last season when some sections of the Emirates Stadium crowded turned on Emmanuel Eboue, who was taken off after coming on as a substitute.

Wenger feels the Ivory Coast international has come a long way since then, along with the Gunners home support.

"I think we have changed the atmosphere at the Emirates now through our quality in our games and Eboue has done exactly the same," said Wenger.

"It is always down to your attitude as a player to change the fans' mind.

"They are always ready to do that if you show quality performances, you get the fans supporting you again."

Liverpool boss Benitez concedes Torres struggling

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits Fernando Torres is struggling for form.

Benitez said: "Fernando is not at his best, although he is trying very hard. But he can play better and he knows this. That is positive because he realises and I am confident in him.

"He is much more positive, he is working with the rest of the players and creating space for them. We will soon see the very best from him.

"Our players are starting to find their form, Dirk Kuyt is scoring, Yossi Benayoun is scoring, and we have started well in Europe.

"It is only a matter of time before Fernando starts to score more regularly.

"We have plenty of options now, most of our players are fit so the choice is good for me when you have more players available.

"It can be a headache, but a nice one with a variety of players to chose from."

Benitez added: "Maybe Fernando is not quite at his best, but we have plenty of others scoring goals. But when our top scorer starts scoring more regularly, then we will have a very strong side to put into any game.

"But I am not worried about Fernando. He was very positive in the Champions League match (against Debrecen), making space and chances for others, and if he can keep doing that will be fine for me."

Vennegoor of Hesselink: McClaren influenced Hull move

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink confirmed FC Twente coach Steve McClaren influenced his move to Hull City.

"I still had an ambition to play abroad but it was a gentleman's agreement I could train there," said the 30-year-old former Celtic striker.

"Everyone knows me there, I am homegrown there and played in the first team for six years. It was a nice experience and it kept me fit.

"I spoke with Mr McClaren because he was also a player here and he liked it here very much. He said good things about the club."

Vennegoor of Hesselink, who is hoping to win a Holland recall in time for next summer's World Cup, is pushing for his first Barclays Premier League start against Birmingham on Saturday.

The former PSV Eindhoven star featured as a substitute in last week's 4-1 defeat at Sunderland.

"I wanted to have a challenge and still had an ambition to prove myself," he said. "I waited long enough and a great thing came along.

"I wanted to prove myself at the highest level and I can do that at this club.

"Fitness-wise there is nothing wrong with me and I am ready to go. It has been long enough since I played an official game.

"With the result last week, this is an important game."

Tottenham boss Redknapp happy with Keane in midfield

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says he's happy for Robbie Keane to play in midfield as cover for Luka Modric.

"Robbie can play there," Redknapp said.

"He's a fantastic front man but he can play in that position. He puts a shift in, he's clever, he comes off the line and can do the job in that position.

"Niko Kranjcar can play there and he won't be happy on the bench but that's football, that's life. We have to turn this into a club where it's not easy to get into the first team.

"Look around the league and see how many clubs there are where people are sitting on the bench who are top class - there are top players doing that at Manchester United, for example. That's what successful teams do, they have competition everywhere."

Columbus Crew sign Miami keeper Schoeni

Columbus Crew have announced the signing of goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni.

A Cincinnati native, Schoeni (pronounced shay-KNEE), served as the Crew’s third-string goalkeeper during its 2008 championship season. He did not appear in a regular-season match during his lone season in Columbus and was waived on April 2 of this year.

The 25-year-old then signed with Miami FC of USL-1, where he compiled a 1-4-2 record in seven appearances this season, with one shutout and a 1.57 goals-against-average.

Man City boss Hughes: Man Utd weaker without Ronaldo, Tevez

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says Manchester United are weaker without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

"They have lost two significant players from last year and any team will be affected by that, " said the City boss. "You cannot afford to lose players of that standard and not replace them.

"I have watched a number of their games and don't think they are playing as well as they did last season.

"United's display against Tottenham (3-1 victory) was their stand-out performance. Prior to that they have been below par."

LA Galaxy star Beckham yet to lock in January loan club

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham says he's yet to lock in a January loan move back to Europe.

Beckham has been linked with Tottenham, Chelsea and AC Milan, but told hollyscoop.com: "On my break I'll be playing for a team ... we're still working on it.”

The England ace this week visited CHOC Hospital in Orange, where KISS FM had an on-air fundraiser for children with cancer.

Toronto FC coach Cummins rushing in De Guzman to face LA Galaxy

Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins is ready to rush in new signing Julian de Guzman for their clash with David Beckham's LA Galaxy.

"If he feels good and he's ready to go, then I'm sure he'll be straight into the team," Cummins said before TFC left Toronto. "We wouldn't have signed him otherwise.

"He's costing us a few quid, isn't he?" the coach said with a laugh.

So de Guzman, TFC's highest-paid player, is set to debut against the Galaxy and David Beckham, Major League Soccer's highest-paid player.

"It'll be great," said de Guzman, who was signed as TFC's first "designated player" last week. "I've got a lot of hunger in me, a lot of fire.

"I'm dying to get on the pitch."

The former Deportivo La Coruna star also told the Toronto Star: "It's always great to play against guys like Beckham."