Football

Suddenly that point Arsenal scraped () against us doesn't seem like such a bad one, eh Mr. Wenger?

So this "intensive" meeting between FIFA officials about the laws of the game yields neither goal-line technology nor clarification of the offside rule, but a worldwide snood ban. Presumably anyone who thinks Sepp and the gang don't have their priorities straight is feeling pretty darn foolish right about now.

So Spurs & Barça eh? :|

No doubt 'Arry will be desperate to avoid drawing Barca or Real Madrid in the quarters - the inevitable leaked news stories linking Spurs to their opponents' best player(s) won't sound believable otherwise.

So this "intensive" meeting between FIFA officials about the laws of the game yields neither goal-line technology nor clarification of the offside rule, but a worldwide snood ban. Presumably anyone who thinks Sepp and the gang don't have their priorities straight is feeling pretty darn foolish right about now.

^Oh no, poor little Carlito will get cold - he's not used to your northern temperatures you know?!!

The ban will probably only succeed in driving the snood trade underground anyway.

I feel really bad for Arsenal fans

Welcome back Mad Jens!

Has there been any particular reason given for the spa spat, Fred? All I know is that Collins and Dunne were involved.

They were drunk, going around berating club staff about our 'harsh' training set-up. Anyway, it all kicked off after Houllier left the premises to watch some Champions League game. Apparently Fabian Delph tried to play peacemaker.

End the season early, the Premiership's even more rubbish than usual this season.

Is it safe to assume then, that Houllier has made wholesale changes to the set-up after all? Didn't he say something in the press about not having the time to impose his own methods until next season?

Oh joy, Chelsea and United in the Champions League.

Houllier brought in his own crew, including Gary McAllistair and that French physio who had a fight with Patrice Evra at the World Cup, and right from the word go there was moaning about how grizzly the training is. This may well be perfectly true but I have little sympathy for our players (the senior ones) because they've been serving up feeble, ill tempered dross all season; irrespective of the manager, the tactics or the opposition (don't get me wrong though, Houllier's tactics are often utterly bewildering). Okay, we played really well at Chelsea and got a noble draw against Man Utd, but that's it in terms of any feigning credibility. Houllier being Houllier, blames O'Neill for our zonal marking woes, though funnily enough I don't recall conceding anywhere near as many goals when we were "only" finishing 6th.

But then its important to remember that Houllier talks complete and utter nonsense. The man is a curious blend of aloof smugness and Embarrassing Grandad, and I truly despair as to where this may all be leading to. It was almost endearing watching a nervous Wolves try and convulute a reason to throw away three points today, when in reality they should have massacred us and done their goal difference the world of good. We were terrible. We are terrible.

Sorry Mike*

Sorry Mike*

Disingenuous!

Why, that's just the way it goes, as I believe Steve Bruce put it after the Arsenal game. We left the Emirates with a sneaky point after a couple of questionable decisions went our way and yesterday our luck ran out. But, while some of the officiating was beyond laughable, it's tough to argue that we deserved something more from the game when we hardly managed to trouble Reina. If only the beach ball hadn't had his head turned by Harry Redknapp's advances.

What has got to go is this new refereeing trend of playing advantage, allowing the attacking team to waste said advantage and then calling the play back for a direct free-kick. Watch it spread like wildfire as officials search for new and original ways to favour the big four (and Spurs). <_<

So I hear Benitez might be heading to Villa Park if Houllier gets the boot. Maybe you guys should consider signing Zizou. He's been spotted training.

Gareth Barry to skipper England tonight. Doesn't Fabio realise there's an FA fine for playing a weakened side?

Gareth Barry to skipper England tonight. Doesn't Fabio realise there's an FA fine for playing a weakened side?

Ignorant American here,

Did the friendly US vs. Argentina draw mean anything?

Ignorant American here,

Did the friendly US vs. Argentina draw mean anything?

In the grand scheme of things, your average friendly doesn't mean much beyond pride and mild bragging rights. It's essentially a chance for the coach to experiment with team selection, tactics and whatnot - usually in preparation for a major tournament (in the USA's case, this summer's Gold Cup competition).