The Grab: 05.10

Amid rumors of Michael Owen jumping the mid-table ship that is Newcastle United, Freddie Shepherd, the Magpies chairman, begins angrily pointing his fat sausage fingers at the elfin striker's agents. Given the way Shepherd's managed to further run NUFC into the ground, I'm sure his demand for a declaration of Owen's loyalty to the club will make up for the small matter of losing about $15M after signing the England international if he decides to excercise his escape clause. [IOL.com]

With Jens' Lehmann tied up with the Gunners for another year, and Manuel Almunia challenging the German hothead for a starting place, Arsene Wenger sets his sights on Artur Boruc's understudy on the Polish national team. [BBC Football]

I've got to admit, Dimitar Berbatov is silky smooth and a pleasure to watch with or without the ball. And that from a Gooner. Actually, considering the constipation we've been watching in the last third of the pitch from Arsenal, I wouldn't mind seeing another one from Spurs make a move within North London. [Times Online]

Who're the unlucky bastards that'll take the last relegation spot? Don't make any plans for Sunday, as West Ham meet Man U and Wigan meet Sheffield United. If Sheffield win or draw they'll be safe and Wigan will go down while three points for Wigan keeps them safe and would leave Sheffield needing West Ham to lose at Old Trafford. Here are the fixtures and what to watch them on (check your local listings):

Manchester United v. West Ham

10 am ET Fox Soccer Channel

Sheffield United v. Wigan

10 am ET Setanta Xtra

-bl