Sword hangs over Pardew as new buyer talks of firing line

Challenging times ahead for Alan Pardew as Charlton's prospective new owners Zabeel Investments mull over whether to complete its
£40million takeover. Mohammed Al Hashimi, the ambitious 35-year-old chairman of the Dubai-based company, expects high standards from his managers. “They are in their positions for a reason and I support them,” he once told an Arab business magazine. “However, they must deliver at the end of the day, if they don't deliver they're fired. Everyone is replaceable, there is always going to be someone who's a little bit hungrier.”

While Charlton's location and potential were key factors in attracting Zabeel, it is understood they were also smitten with Charlton's badge — which depicts a hand holding a sword. The deal being discussed is thought to be £20m for the club plus an agreement to take on £20m of debt. Although the process of going through Charlton's books is under way this week, doubts remain over whether the takeover will be finalised.

A spokesman for Zabeel denied this week West Ham or any other club have been approached as an alternative, but there is talk in the Middle East of possible interest in Everton.

Seaman's still baiting Spurs

Tottenham's terrible start to the season has not escaped the attention of former Arsenal goalkeeper, David Seaman. “At the moment, I'm trying really hard to wipe the smile off my face,” he told Jeremy Kyle on talkSPORT.

Rekindling the north London enmity of his playing days, Seaman also poured scorn on the language skills of Spurs' Spanish coach, adding: “He needs to learn English. As a player, it is hard because when you hear things through an interpreter, you start to think, is that what he really said?”

Cole may land Hammer blow

A villain in the eyes of Arsenal and England fans, Ashley Cole is now in danger of irritating West Ham. The Hammers are trying to convince the Court of Arbitration for Sport to hear their appeal over the latest Carlos Tevez decision, even though their case doesn't fulfil the criteria for Lausanne intervention. Those involve either both parties agreeing to CAS arbitration or a clause in the Football Association's rules allowing such appeals. Since Sheffield United won't endorse the CAS move and the FA have no such clause, the club are left arguing that the court should be used because it is FIFA's ultimate forum for resolving disputes. It is a view similar to the one expressed by Cole in 2005, when his legal team asked CAS to hear an appeal against the Premier League's £75,000 fine over the Chelsea “tapping up” incident. On that occasion, CAS refused and a well-placed insider has suggested the Cole precedent could work against West Ham.

Savage reveals his park strife

Scotland's Kris Boyd is not the first footballer to quit the international game over a petty feud with a manager. Robbie Savage this week recalled the climax to his Wales career. “It was an amazing story,” he said. “The Welsh captaincy was up for grabs and I had a phone call in the car park at Blackburn from John Toshack. I thought he was going to say You'll be my new captain'. But he said: You're not going to be in my next two squads'. So I just said, It doesn't matter, I'm retiring'.” But, at least Savage is not bitter. In the same interview with Sky's Goals on Sunday, he went on to describe Toshack as “dismal” before adding: “He should be sacked.”

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