Football

Football, bloody hell.

Not surprised

Football! Bloody hell x10.

Nothing like a tense final game to bring out Joey Barton's 'philosophical' side. A brilliantly ridiculous or ridiculously brilliant (take your pick) ending to what I'm sure will be labelled the Premier League's 'best season ever' by excitable rogues the length and breadth of the country.

I don't usually expect managers to be sacked so soon after the end of the season but regardless of the timing, McLeish can surely have few complaints. If you insist on bringing such a lacklustre brand of football to a new club, you should at least be expected to implement it well. Respect as well to Sky Sports News for their choice of photo on the 'breaking news' graphic. He looks like he's been sent to the naughty step.

Didnt see the photo, but was fighting an uphill battle from the start.

For the record, the second most important thing is to not hire the guy who relegated your local rivals twice whilst playing the worst 'brand' of football in the history of the universe.

You, sir, are a genius.

Decorum, thy name is Carlos Tevez...

...Or is it Steve Kean?

Fred, after double glory for Dortmund and the promise of better things to come at Aston Villa, one could be forgiven for thinking that your week couldn't possibly get any better. Well, with victory in the best leagues in the world™, I guess it just did. Excellent work! (Y)

Maybe it's finally time to relax my age-old 'no Mags' policy.

Fred, after double glory for Dortmund and the promise of better things to come at Aston Villa, one could be forgiven for thinking that your week couldn't possibly get any better. Well, with victory in the best leagues in the world�„�, I guess it just did. Excellent work! (Y)

As Mancini would say, for sure we are in good moment! Also pleased to see my bogey team, Average, have a thoroughly miserable season.

Which fittingly brings me to...the England squad for Euro 2012!

Goalkeepers - Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy

Defenders - Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry

Midfielders - Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young

Strikers - Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Standby - Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge

^And so, Operation: Let's Not Embarrass Ourselves begins in earnest!

Obviously, a couple of mildly notable omissions there but it really only goes to show what a decidedly average pool of players we have to choose from. No-one gave England a chance before the squad announcement (or even before Roy's appointment) anyway, so the absences of Ferdinand and Carrick will, generally speaking, do little to change the outlook one way or the other. Much has been made of Downing's price tag and solitary assist this season, though in his defence he's probably assisted in about 18 Suarez shots that have hit the woodwork.

Still, assuming that Hodgson has a plan and that he's picked the players he thinks can implement it successfully, this selection could represent the end of the 'let's just chuck all our decent players together and hope for the best' approach, which is alright with me.

Dalglish gone.

Dalglish gone.

Can't really say I'm surprised at that, tbh. He has been pretty poor, especially when you consider how much money's been spent.

On an imaginary sliding scale of things that cost Dalglish his job, I'd probably place his deployment of Luis Suarez as the focal point of Liverpool's attack above the signings of the north east all-stars (Messrs Carroll, Downing and Henderson). A tremendous link-up player, yes, but grossly overrated as a finisher. If Suarez had converted even a fraction of his missed chances this season, I believe Kenny would have been looking at a comfortable top six finish, easy.

Can't say I've been too impressed by Suarez so far, as well. He was damage when he was playing in Holland, but then obviously the quality of football isn't as high as it is in England. Still though, he's a good name to have on the team sheet.

The Championship play-off final is always one of my favourite games of the season. Fancy Blackpool to sneak it.

The Championship play-off final is always one of my favourite games of the season. Fancy Blackpool to sneak it.

Having witnessed the infamous Sunderland/Charlton play-off final first hand at Wembley, I always sympathise with the losing team whoever they may be, but that was especially tough on Blackpool, who showed real craft and excellent movement throughout. While my head says that West Ham finished third and therefore deserve to go up, I can't honestly say I'll relish the prospect of seeing Big Sam and his 'percentage' game back in the Premier League.

Having witnessed the infamous Sunderland/Charlton play-off final first hand at Wembley, I always sympathise with the losing team whoever they may be, but that was especially tough on Blackpool, who showed real craft and excellent movement throughout. While my head says that West Ham finished third and therefore deserve to go up, I can't honestly say I'll relish the prospect of seeing Big Sam and his 'percentage' game back in the Premier League.

Wow, you were at that game? Crikey. I think the spine of Blackpool's team, provided they can keep Matt Phillips and Ince, have one more big campaign in them. Taylor-Fletcher, weight jokes notwithstanding, was a real miss for them today, Super Kev at 38 remains a trump card as a substitute but he was never going to be able to lead the line from the get go with the same effect.

Disaster for Bayern, completely fell to pieces after Drogba's goal. Franck's injury was a blow, but Robben is almost unbearable to watch when he's in full blown catastrophe mode. I expect Jupp to be given his marching orders pretty swiftly. Hard to believe Martin O'Neill once thought Zat Knight was a superior defender to Gary Cahill, absolutely bonkers.

After years of burning through more high-profile managers than you can shake a lucrative contract at, Abramovich finally has his ultimate dream delivered - by a caretaker manager he doesn't appear to want and a squad in near-terminal decline. Funny old game, innit?