By the time you read this we will know whether or not Sheffield United have any hope of staying in the Premier League.

The arbitration panel was due to come to its conclusion on the Tevez affair sometime yesterday. If they found in favour of the Premier League then that’s that. But, if they found in favour of Sheffield United the hope that us Blades have been living with over the past month can linger a bit longer.

Personally, I have the feeling we will have won the arbitration. But I also don’t expect us to reinstated in the top flight. Instead I think compensation will be the order of the day.

It might not be the perfect conclusion but I’m sure a few million pounds won’t go amiss as we aim to bounce back into the Premiership.

Not at all…

David Beckham can move to the States now secure in the knowledge that his time in Madrid was not completely wasted.

Goldenballs helped Real secure their first league title in absolutely ages on Sunday when they won 3-1 to pip Barcelona to the crown on the ‘direct encounters’ rule.

David was, apparently, not at his best in the match. He was still suffering the after effects of the ankle injury he sustained while playing for England. In fact he was substituted after an hour and replaced by Reyes who scored the two goals that gave them the win they needed.

However, it is Beckham’s contribution over the last few months which has helped the side to the title and there is no doubt the fans knew that as they paid the former England captain and his three sons an emotional farewell.

Deep down inside I suspect that David may well be regretting his decision to move to America now that he is, once again, a hot property. Semi retirement – because, let’s face it, that’s what playing in America is – looks like a daft move for a player at his peak.

But at least he can while away his days in the US knowing he bowed out of top-level football with a major achievement under his belt.

And that should give him a nice, warm glow as he prepares for a season of Sunday-league matches in Los Angeles…

Lewis Hamilton is scary good

Seven races, seven podium finishes and two wins in a row. No matter what Alonso says about the young Brit being favoured by his McClaren team, only a true idiot could deny that we are looking at a major, major star in the making.

If I had any spare cash, which I never do, I would put a large chunk of it on Hamilton winning the title this year. There will, of course, be races when his car doesn’t live up to expectations and others where his inexperience will prove a set back.

But, overall, I don’t think the motor racing world has ever seen a debutant with such an abundance of raw, natural talent.

And for once, he’s English. What a nice chance.

Email of the week:

“I read your comments about Arsenal on Saturday and I have to say you are very out of line. Yes, there are problems with the Gunners but I very much don’t think it is fair to say they are in “meltdown”.

“Even if we do lose Henry there is plenty of young talent at the club which will let us build a better team then we have ever had. We do need Wenger around to make sure it happens but players like Henry don’t seem to have the club at heart anymore and if that is the case then he should go to Barcelona.

“I have supported Arsenal for 40 years and there have been many ups and down over that time. This is one of the downs but I am very, very sure that a couple of ups are just around the corner.

“Negative comments like yours will only help all us Arsenal fans to have even more belief in our team. We might not be ready to challenge for the title this season but the glory days are coming back soon.”

Jason Grech, email.

Quote of the week

Quote of the week goes to Graham Poll who showed he still has a sense of humour despite being forced to retire from the game early.

“All you have to control 22 players is a whistle and two cards… sometimes three,” he said in a recent interview.

And, just to prove his biggest career flop hasn’t been forgotten by the media either, here is what a Sky commentator had to say during a recent England under-21 match.

“And that’ll finally be a yellow card for Pekarik. He could have been booked about three times already. Actually, no, he couldn’t. Graham Poll’s retired. Sorry Graham, couldn’t resist…”

If nothing else, Graham has certainly left his mark in history.

Contact James on: [email protected]