WHICH IS IT WENGER?How quickly opinions change in football! Only in August, Arsene Wenger was claiming Arsenal would receive a massive title boost from Germany's World Cup triumph. Fast-forward to today and the same manager is blaming the World Cup for their sluggish start to the season! So which is it , Arsene? Results are now improving, but that need for a strong, defensive midfielder is glaring. Allowing Cesc Fabregas to move to Chelsea has rightly been criticised by Gooners and pundits alike. But where would Wenger and Arsenal now be if they'd taken Alex Song off Barcelona's hands ahead of West Ham United?

FALCAO WINNING ADMIRERS INSIDE UNITEDWe're hearing a permanent deal for Radamel Falcao at Manchester United is NAILED ON. The injuries have been a frustration, but the Colombian has impressed everyone at Carrington with his determination to get back to full fitness. Indeed, long time United coaching staff say they haven't seen such application in training since Cristiano Ronaldo. Powerbrokers not connected to on-field matters believe Falcao's personality and the example he sets can help the club rebuild the winning culture through the youth teams - which has waned in recent years. Falcao's efforts against Newcastle United didn't go unnoticed. An unselfish lay-off for Wayne Rooney's first, then winning the tackle that led to the captain's second was the sort stuff that has gone down well inside Old Trafford.

LIVERPOOL MUST GO FOR CAVANIIf Liverpool do not make an attempt for Edinson Cavani in January, then questions must be raised about the club's 'transfer committee'. The PSG striker is tailor made for a move to Anfield. Unhappy being played out of position by coach Laurent Blanc - and relegated to a supporting role behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic - the Uruguayan is seeking a destination where he is the main man. Liverpool should be that place. Mobile, full of pace, power and standing at 6ft 2in, Cavani would be a superb foil for a fit Daniel Sturridge. And if Brendan Rodgers wanted to persist with his lone striker system, there's no-one better available than the PSG man. Rodgers claimed they did everything to convince Alexis Sanchez to move to Liverpool in the summer. Well, here's another tough as teak, all-action South American looking for a new stage. FSG need to bite the bullet and throw the bank at PSG for Cavani in January.

PALACE FOOTBALL STRUCTURE SHAMBLESThere's so much to be excited about at Crystal Palace. The potential is enormous. But the football structure is an absolute shambles and the timing of Neil Warnock's sacking - just like Tony Pulis' departure in August - has left the club scrambling. Palace fans are happy with the decision. But it's also a call which, by Steve Parish's own admission, means their planning for the January market is in shreds. What's more, the new man will arrive with their two best players, Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak, away for over a month on international duty. Pulis left Palace high and dry at the start of the season. But the timing of the Warnock axe is all on the Palace board. The question is: Is there another firefighter available in the Pulis mould?

OLIVEIRA COULD BE SWANSEA SPECIALNelson Oliveira could be anything for Swansea City. The Benfica striker's loan will be rubberstamped on January 1 and he arrives as cover for Wilfried Bony, who will spend the month with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations. Still only 23, it was only a couple of years ago he was wanted by Europe's biggest clubs, including Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. He's lost his way, but still has everything in his armoury to rediscover his very best. After their swoop for Jefferson Montero, the deal for Oliveira is another sign of how sophisticated Swansea's scouting system is.

MAHREZ CARRYING LEICESTERNo surprise Riyad Mahrez proved Leicester City's matchwinner at Hull City. It's a crucial three points and it was always going to be Mahrez who made the difference. The Algeria international has been carrying Leicester's attack for weeks. Anything positive produced by Leicester is invariably influenced by Mahrez. A canny January signing by the Foxes, the former Le Havre academy graduate has proved himself Premier League class in a struggling side this season.

KANE OUTSHONE UNITED GALACTICOSHarry Kane deserved to finish a winner against Manchester United on Sunday. In the face of United's much-vaunted attack, it was the Enfield lad who finished the game the biggest influence on the pitch. He drove Tottenham forward time and again - testing United's defence in the first-half before really stepping things up after the break. THAT inside pass for Ryan Mason deserved a goal. It really epitomised Kane's performance. He dispossessed Michael Carrick, charged at the panicking United defence before playing a wonder pass for Mason. Power, skill and creativity - all in a sweeping individual moment.