And so the fun-filled journey that began in mid-August nears its end and what a tension-filled weekend awaits, what with a batlte for first . . . wait, what? OK, so the title is decided but at the bottom of the table and a fierce relegation scrap will be determ . . . what? [...]
It’s always nice to have midweek games in the Premier League. It’s sort of like putting on a coat you’ve not worn for a while and reaching into the pocket and pulling out $20, an unexpected and pleasant break in the normal mundane routine during the week. And it also allows us to watch football [...]
So I made the mistake of watching Fox Soccer Report again last night, long enough to hear the considered cockney wisdom of Danny Dichio along with a video clip of Stewart Robson accusing Arsene Wenger of being an egomaniac, which is a pot-kettle-black moment if I’ve ever heard one, along with the modern invention — [...]
It’s international week *long yawn* and it always makes me just a little sleep zzzzz. Sorry dozed off there for a second. It’s actually sort of amusing watching Fleet Streeters trying to find some fresh angles to hype for Friday’s qualifier between the Three Lions and San Marino, which should be about as competitive as the average [...]
Today is a milestone as I’m officially closer to 50 than 40. And I think it’s fair to say that short of Arsene Wenger squaring up to Bombardier Allardyce and kicking him square in the swingers during the pre-match handshake at Upton Park on Saturday and saying “Blow on those bubbles, fat man”, I couldn’t [...]
@RICO
A little busy at work today so please post this afternoon after England’s match.
A quiet day for intelligent commentary as Fleet Street (sharpens its knives/clears its throat) to (gut Woy Hodgson like a freshly-caught flounder/trumpet the Three Lions to win the 2014 World Cup) based on tonight’s result against the 141st ranked team in FIFA’s thoroughly discredited rankings. [...]
This was supposed to be the summer that all agents dreaded, European’s equivalent of Black Friday (note to FA: that’s a not a “choc ice” reference). Where the recession’s bite would see the rise of Wengerism and the shrinkage of sweeteners. All the omens were there. Roberto Mancini undigified shrieking at Brian Marwood, the cost-cutting on both sides of Milan, FC Franco haggling with Daniel [...]
Squeaky bum bunch
MANCHESTER CITY
Ins: John Guidetti (Feyenoord, loan return) Roque Santa Cruz (Betis, loan return) Jack Rodwell (Everton, 13.2m)
Outs: Stuart Taylor, Owen Hargreaves, Ahmed Benali (all released) Wayne Bridge (Brighton, loan) Vladimir Weiss (Pescara, 1.3m)
Why they’ll win the league
The deepest and most talented squad in the league features England’s best defender (Vincent Kompany) and central [...]
A bleary day in my part of the world so let’s look at news and rumours from around the world of football.
Let’s start in the noisier part of greater Salford, where Paul Wilson suggests the Middleastlanders spending sprees of the past are inhibiting their pursuit of Robin van Iscariot.
Nick Miller doesn’t understand why some supporters [...]
So 24 hours after RvP announces he wants to leave Holloway Road Properties because he disagrees with the club’s direction, minority shareholder and convicted racketeer – Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov — sent a letter to Stan Kroenke. But rather than use the post office, courier, e-mail or fax, he decided to use the medium of Associated Press [...]