Meet the New Bosses!

The Premiership managerial merry-go-round has been working over time this past week. Of course we all know that Juande "More Clubs than Greg Norman" Ramos has replaced the feckless Martin Jol at Spurs. And the bugger has captured Gus Poyet from LUFC to be his second in command. Up at the Reebok, little Sammy Lee has been inexplicably replaced by relegation specialist Gary Megson, almost ensuring that Bolton will struggle all season.

Any comments on those moves? And who will be the next for the chop? My money's on Gareth Southgate.

Democratic Presidential Debate #452

The Democrats are up again, debating at Drexel University in Philadelphia on MSNBC at 9 pm. Hillary Clinton seems to be the shoe-in for the nomination at this point and the question is who can stop her? Obama? Edwards? Dodd?

One thing's for sure, whoever wins the next election, Elizabeth Kucinich should be the First Lady. Agreed?

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

I'm back from Cleveland after speaking at the History of Education Society meeting and checking out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum this weekend and it's time to crank up the LOB again.

"Which Premiership ground has the largest pitch? And which has the smallest pitch?"

Good luck, lads!

Champions League - Gameday 3!

It was a great day for the British teams yesterday in the CL. Let's hope for more today as ESPN2 broadcast the Chelski-Shalke, while Liverpool are in Istanbul to play Besiktas and Celtic play in Lisbon in the anniversary year of the "Lisbon Lions" triumph. Should be an excellent day. I'll be around for the afternoon's fun and I'll be looking for your company.

Mad Jens on a Rant!

What with a top spot in the Premiership and a stonking 7-0 win in the Champions League today, you'd think that everything would be sunny around Ashburton Gate these days. Not with Mad Jens about. Dropped for a couple of matches after returning from injury, the Teutonic headcase has been having a go at Arsene and throwing Almunia under the bus in the press. Surely, if Almunia is as shocking as he claims he is, Jens will be back in the side before long without all the fuss. What is he thinking? Is he dating Hope Solo?

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

The Champions League is back this week, so here's one to whet the appetite:

"There have been nine American internationals who have played in the Champions League to date. Name the Yanks and the teams that they played for."

Good luck, lads!

Normal Service Resumed

After two weeks of Sunday kickoffs and Euro 2008 qualifiers, it back to the 3 p.m. GMT Saturday kickoff - the way that footie was intended to be played. There are a load of good games today - the Merseyside derby is the pick - and FSC is favoring of with Chelski at 10 a.m. and Yernited at noon.

Join me for all the action live!

Beckham an Inspiration to Kids on the Bench

I reckon we all need some cheering up today, so here's a link to a hilarious article from "The Onion" about the inspirational effect that Goldenballs is having on benchwarmers everywhere. Enjoy!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/beckham_an_inspiration_to

Russia vs. England Live!

It's a big, big day for England footie. Anything but a loss virtually assures that the England boys will qualify at least second in the group and a win could still have us competing for top spot with Croatia.

Early indications are that Macca may experiment with a 4-3-3 in order to push for the win. The news has all been about the "plastic pitch" and its implications, but now it's time to get down to business. Match-time is 11 a.m. EST.

Come on England!

New Radiohead disc

Just a quick note to alert all of you living under a rock that the brilliant new Radiohead disc - In Rainbow - is available for a perfectly legal download at:

www.inrainbows.com/Store/Quickindex2.html

Better still, the price is completely up to you. You can enter 0.00 or, if you're feeling more generous, give the lads a few quid to encourage this kind of thing. And don't believe the early, negative press - the files sound clean and crisp on your iPod.

Enjoy!

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

Euro 2008 represents only the second time that dual hosts have been used in the competition, leading to a situation in which both Austria and Switzerland will be seeded, perhaps the weakest two nations to ever host the tournament.

"Only three hosts have ever won the European Championships. Name them and the years that they won as hosts."

Good luck, lads.

A TRIPLE PLAY

Where is everyone? I just got in from Rec Soccer and no one is around.
I am here for the rest of the day for England to win in football, rugby and cricket.
Join me

Great Moments in Python, Volume Five

The Upper Class Twit of the Year race - enjoy!

Awesomest Tombstone Ever!!!!

There simply are, no words that can do justice to this. Rock on! (and on, and on, and on...

England Squad for Estonia and Russia

Macca has announced the new England squad for the two upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. The big news is the return to fitness of Michael Owen and Macca's continuing confidence in Paul Robinson.

Here's the squad:

Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa), Richards (Man City), Brown (Man Utd), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), P Neville (Everton), Campbell (Portsmouth), Lescott (Everton), Shorey (Reading), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Young (Aston Villa), Bentley (Blackburn), Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Smith (Newcastle), Ashton (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton), Crouch (Liverpool).

Your comments?

Liverpool vs. Tottenham Live!

It's the game of the day, interpreted by many as a must win for both managers. Will it be curtains for Rafa or taxi for Jol? It could make for a cautious bore of a game, but I hope not. Join me to find out, eh?

What's Happened to Saturday?

It's Saturday, but you wouldn't know it. Sure, there is a full slate of lower league games, but only two in the Premiership. Is this a sign to things to come? Hope not. Join me if you're following the matches today.

Carlos Ruiz gets the kicking he deserves

I hope that in addition to suspending Clark for the kick on Ruiz that the MLS goes after Carlos for clutching at his face when he clearly took this kick to the body. The "man" is a disgrace and the sooner he pisses off back to Guatemala or Qatar, the better.

We Are the Champions...

...of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, that is. Yes, I know it's not your Champions League, but it is the oldest knock-out competition in the world. And me boys hung on to clinch a 3-2 win against the evil mullets of F.C. Dallas to secure the club's first silverware. So there.

Champions League - Gameday 2!

It was a great day for the British clubs yesterday with ManYoo, Rangers and the Arse all picking up useful wins. Let's hope for more of the same today as Chelski travel to Valencia, Liverpool host Marseille and Celtic take on Milan in the game of the day on ESPN2. Join me if you're around and about today.

Hope Solo Controversy

The controversy of the decision to drop Hope Solo for the Women's World Cup semi final match with Brazil last week continues to run and run. I reckon that the decision was barmy given Solo's record but that her decision to call out her fellow team-mate Brianna Scurry and her coach was right out of order. I wouldn't play her again. Watch the vid and make your own mind up.

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

With the Champions League group matches up again, here's another bit of moneygrubber trivia for all of you supporters of the elite:

"Three players have made more than 100 appearances in the Champions League and European Cup combined, and all for only one team a piece. Name them and their clubs."

Good luck, lads.