7 days to save Portsmouth

Portsmouth football club have 7 days to save themselves from being wound up. I hear John Utaka is a wealthy man prehaps he could buy them.

Brits Abroad

A recent article on the BBC website suggests that british players tend to fail when they play overseas and that there a few exeptions to this rule. There are several things wrong with Phil Minshull's Blog one of the most notable being the focus on players who had success in England, another is the focus on only the major European leagues. Most people think that there only a few Brits playing abroad, the reality is however that there is a quite a substantial amount. Though they have all not reached the heights of European football they do disprove the notion that British footballers can't play overseas. To illustrate this point I have created a list of current "brits abroad":
Please note I havn't included the tens of players who play in the League of Ireland
Matt Derbyshire Olympiacos
Lomana Lualua Olympiacos - Plays for DRC but has duel english citizenship
Nathan Ellington - Skoda Xanthi
Colin Kazim Richards - Fenerbace - Born in UK plays for Turkey
Darius Vassell - Ankaragucu
Jermaine Pennant - Real Zaragoza
Ikechi Anya - Seville Athletico
David Beckham - AC Milan
Mark Howard - Aarhus
Roy Carrol - Odense
Paul Taylor - Charleroi
Adam Eckersley - AC Horsens
Ben Webster - MYPA
Chris Cleaver - Turun Palloseura
Kenny Pavey - AIK
James Keene - Elfsborg
Calum Angus - GAIS
Daryl Smylie - Kalmar FF
Jason Griffiths - Des Moines Menace
Bradley Barraclough - Des Moines Menace
Jack Pearson - Des Moines Menace
Ben Taylor - Des Moines Menace
Luke Baker - Des Moines Menace
Jaime Smith - Colorado Rapids
Andy Iro - Columbus Crew
Adam Moffat - Columbus Crew
Olukorede Aiyegbus - Kansas City Wizards
Kevin Souter - Kansas City Wizards
Carl Robinson - Toronto FC
Terry Cooke - North Queensland Fury
Scott Wilson - North Queensland Fury
James Robinson - North Queensland Fury
Robbie Fowler - North Queensland Fury
Matthew Crowell - Central Coast Mariners
Jonathon Brown - Central Coast Mariners
Chris Doig - Central Coast Mariners
Nicky Travis - Central Coast Mariners
Charlie Miller - Gold Coast United
Grant Brebner - Melbourne Victory
Michael Bridges - Newcastle United Jets
Andy Todd - Perth Glory
Steve McGarry - Perth Glory
Terry McFlynn - Sydney FC
Chris Greenacre - Wellington Phoenix
Paul Gothard - Auckland City FC
Adam Dickinson - Auckland City FC
Andy Pitman - Canterbury United
Dan Wilson - Hawke's Bay United
Stuart Ferguson - Hawke's Bay United
Barry Gardener - Otago United
Robbie Deeley - Otago United
David Dugdale - Otago United
Seamus Ryder - Otago United
Chris Davis - Team Wellington
Bryan Little - Team Wellington
Jason Chewins - Waikato FC
Alex Barlow - Waikato FC
Daniel Robinson - Waitakere United
Martin Bullock - Waitakere United
Neil Sykes - Waitakere United
Neil Emblen - Waitakere United
James Thomas - YoungHeart Manawatu
James Derbyshire - Miramar Rangers
John Sutherland - Miramar Rangers
Aaron Hunt - Werder Bremen - Dual English German nationality
Ryan Brown - Toulouse
Tommy Docherty - Ferencvarosi TC
Anthony Elding - Ferencvarosi TC
Paul Shaw - Ferencvarosi TC
Sam Stockley - Ferencvarosi TC

Please note that this list is by no means complete, but is illustrative of the point that British footballers do play overseas in quite considerable numbers.

An alternative Brazil squad

Dunga has named his squad for the last friendly game for Brazil before the world cup in South Africa, the most notable ommision is Ronaldinho. Have thought about it for a while I came up with quite a few players who would do a decent job for Brazil so here are my thoughts:
Actual Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma).

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Gilberto (Cruzeiro) - couldn't take the pace at Tottenham, had a few mares, Michel Bastos (Lyon), Juan (Roma), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos) - When he left Arsenal he was considered too slow for the Premier League, Josue (Wolfsburg), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Lucas (Liverpool) - by no means a kop herovery one dimensional, Kaka (Real Madrid), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray) - Far too inconsitant in the Premier League, good at set pieces but losy in open play, Julio Baptista (Roma) - Since his days at Madrid his form has gone down hill, would struggle to get in any top premier league side, Kleberson (Flamengo) - a better player now than he was at Man U.

Forwards: Robinho (Santos) - only one goal this season for Manchester City can be bullied out of games, Adriano (Flamengo), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Seville).

Alternative options:
Goalkeepers: Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur) - after a shaky start for Spurs he has cemented himself as first choice, Dida (AC Milan) - Yeah I know he's awlful but I couldn't think of another keeper. or possibly Helton (Porto)

Defenders: Rafael da Silva (Manchester United) - picked for big games by Alex Ferguson still young and getting better with every game. Maxwell (Barcelona) - trusted by Barca to play left back so why not Brazil? Cris (Lyon) - captain of Lyon. Hilton (Marseille) - doing well at the back for the french club, Andre Santos (Fenerbache) 9 caps for Brazil in the last year, a surprise omission. Marcelo (Real Madrid) - a young full back with a lot of experience.

Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United) - in and out of the team for United, nearly 100 appearences for them and still young. Better than Lucas, Elano and Gilberto Silva. Diego (Juventus) - though he hasn't set Seria A on fire he is a decent player. Paulo Assuncao (Athletico Madrid) - consitent defensive midfielder a week in week out 7/10 player. Thiago Motta (Inter Milan) - Brazil should snap him up before Italy do. Ilsinho (Shahktar Donetsk) - good creative midfielder helped them win Uefa cup, Jadson (Shahktar Donetsk) - another talent who helped Shakhtar to Uefa glory. Wendel (Bordeaux) - good left winger for the french club, helped them to the championship last year. Denilson (Arsenal) - first choice for the gunners top player, if they don't pick him soon he will be able to play for England. Hernanes (Sao Paulo) - a promising midfielder, now 24 though.

Forwards: Ronaldinho (AC Milan) - back among the goals this season, on form considerably better than Robinho. Hulk (Porto) - Always among the goals, including some big ones in the Champions League. Vagner Love (Flamengo) - back in Brazil and scoring for fun. Guilherme (CSKA Moscow) - scores goals, what more do you want from a Striker. Pato (AC Milan) - I know hes injured but he's running out of time to replace Nilmar in the world cup squad.

West Ham face Armageddon

According to West Hams new owners the club face Armageddon if they are relegated, everyone is apparently payed way too much. You may think that this is a club making excuses before the event but there appears to be some legs to their claims. One paper reported that Kieron Dyer has cost the club £30 million in his time there and only played 5 or so games. Even if £30 million is a little wide of the mark, he is certain to have been payed in the millions, he was once a regular England international and a hot prospect. Should West Ham get relegated I think they will be able to trim the wage bill pretty fast for most of the team it will be a case of Armegeddon out of here. Rob Green, Carlton Cole, Scott Parker, Mathew Upson. Should easily be sold for several millions a piece going some way to trimming the wage bill and servicing the clubs £110 million of debts. Given the clubs academy and young players such as Zavon Hines, Junior Stanislas, Fabio Daprela and Frank Nouble. Should they be relegated they should sell as much of the experienced first team as they can, they could raise £80 million quite easily and that would massivley clear the debt and wage bill, the team would still be competative by championship standards. Far from total destruction it would be more like a total rebirth.
Rob Green - sale value £7 million
Daniel Gabbidon - sale value £1 million
Scott Parker - £5 million
Guillermo Franco - £3 million
Carlton Cole - £18 million +
Luis Boa Morte - £1-2 million
Radoslav Kovac - £5 million
Matthew Upson - £10 million
Mark Noble - £7 million
Jonathon Spector - £2 million
Julien Faubert - £3 million
Valon Behrami - £5 million
Manuel Da Costa - £2.5 million
Herita Ilunga - £5 million
James Tomkins - £3 million
Jack Collison - £5 million
Alessandro Diamanti - £5 million

Ricardo Fuller what are you thinking

Stoke's Ricardo Fuller has been arrested following an incident at a night club. This is particulally annoying for Stoke fans whose team has hit top form as of late. The striker is prone to moments and brilliance and maddness in equal measures.
WCEAYCRYNVRG

Englands World Cup Squad Crisis

Goalkeepers:
1. Joe Hart - the best English goalkeeper on current form.
2. Rob Green or Paul Robinson - Neither great, but both seldom injured and play week in week out.
3. David James or another, if James plays till the end of the season he goes, probably the same with Ben Foster. If neither play and one of the two above have issues then prehaps someone out of leftfield like Scott Loach.
Right Backs:
1. Glen Johnson - If fit, hasn't played in a while so uncertain as to whether he makes it.
2. Wes Brown - His best form for Manchester United was at right back in the Champions League winning season, though it is a position he needs a run of games to adapt to. He can also play as a centre back where he has played a lot for Man U this season.
Backup - Gary Neville - has been more fit this season, he is at best though when attacking as he lost some pace since the serious injuries. Can also play as a centre back. After Gary Neville there arn't any notable options, which is a concern given Glen Johnson's fitness. n.b. - I lied I forgot Micah Richards who is having some what of a rebirth under Mancini.
Left Backs:
1. Ashley Cole - not perfect but very good, can get caught to high up the field which is an issue if Glen Johnson is playing as well. - His place at the world cup however will be determined by the media, He has a big tabloid target on the back of his head.
2. Wayne Bridge - if he is willing to play in the same team as John Terry and Ashley Cole and is fit, he is probably going to go.
Backup - Leighton Baines prehaps - not a great deal of choice in this area.
Centre Backs:
1. John Terry - The biggest tabloid target in Britain right now, he has six months of mud slinging by the papers if he is to make the squad, there are also concerns regarding his relationships with other players, notabley Wayne Bridge. Still a long time to go and the scandals surrounding him still have plenty of legs. A big wait and see here.
2. Rio Ferdinand - If he is fit he goes - a potentially big if however given a series of injuries this season.
3. Mathew Upson - form is a bit erratic of late, he is a favourite of Capello, and by no means a bad player, should be on the plane.
4. Joleon Lescott - Two issues here - 1. Fitness, 2. Will Mancini like him, he was a big money signing of Mark Hughes, Given that city have players like Toure, Kompany, Onuoha, Boyata, Richards it is by no means certain that he will be playing for the rest of the season.
Backup - Cahill is out for the season, King and Woodgate have serious fitness concerns. Dawson prehaps maybe even Shawcross at Stoke.
Midfield: a difficult area to call - I'm going to start with the certs and work outwards.
1. Steven Gerrard - only issue is fitness, not been in his best form this season but if fit he goes.
2. Frank Lampard - Again pretty certain to go, has to like all Chelsea players watch their back for the tabloids, but he is considerably cleaner that Terry and A Cole.
3. James Milner - Great form for Villa, can play anywhere, good tournament experience with the Under 21s, has played well for the senior team- must go.
4. Gareth Barry - Good form for City can play in a variety of positions, no issues here.
5. David Beckham - Has experience, playing regularly for Milan - issue here is age.
6. Michael Carrick - A good centre midfielder, playing well for Manchester United, more of a deep lying player which England will need two of. Also has been among the goals this year.
7. Aaron Lennon - unplayable before he got injured, if he is fit he must go. Saddly this is a big if though.
8. Who can say, Ashley Young a very good player, though inconsistant for Villa this year, Stuart Downing - doing allright for Villa though not at his best yet, Theo Walcott, Strugglled with injuries andwhen he has been fit he hasn't been in form. David Bentley has been playing allright for Tottenham the last couple of weeks, but will he get in Tottenthams team if Lennon is fit. Shaun Wright-Phillips hasn't palyed well on the occasions hes played under Mancini - Adam Johnson was brought on ahead of him for City against Hull and Mancini was instantly impressed with Johnson so maybe hes an outside bet. N'Zogbia now qualifies for England and he has been pretty good this season so you never know.
Strikers:
1. Wayne Rooney - 23 goals already for United this season, brilliant for England in qualifying. Churches up and down the country are packed to the rafters with England fans praying he doesn't get injured before the World Cup.
2. Jermain Defoe - must go 20 goals already for Spurs this season and has been scoring in his last few international runouts, offers very little other than goals, but as we all know goals win games.
3. Peter Crouch - only 10 goals this season so not a bad return, at international level he scores goals for fun, also when he was at Liverpool he was more prolific in Europe. Without wanting to sound jingoistic, he must go becuase foreign defences can't handle him.
4. Emile Heskey prehaps, who knows, has played well for England but has less goals in him than Crouch, - hard call this one. - Carlton Cole - not prolific but was playing well for west ham before he got injured. Darren Bent has 15 goals so far this season for Sunderland, very similar player to Defoe but Defoe is more prolific. Gabby Agbonlahor - 12 goals for the season so far, has pace movement, but unlikely to go unless he scores 20-25+ this season. Other options include Michael Owen - but only if he gets a Rooneyesque run of goals. and my outside bet would be for Matt Derbyshire - who since his return from injury has been banging them in for Olympiakos.

So many issues so little time, expect one or two unforseen major injuries as well.

Mansfield Town: You Rock

For Mansfield Towns home game against Gateshead today they allowed fans to pay what they wanted to come through the turnstiles. It was a huge success, they doubled their average attendance pulling in more than 7000 fans. Usually tickets are £16, theleast anyone payed was 3p the most wa £50.
Not only was it brave of Mansfield to take such a risk, but it was a great testament to the people of Mansfield that they came out to show their support.

A crowd of nearly 8000 for the team 96th in the English league system, says everything for the love of football in the UK.

Surely England 2018 has to happen.

The African Manager merry go round

Shaibu Amodu has been sacked as manager of Nigeria, third place at the Cup of Nations he had been manager of Nigeria 4 times. Why did he keep going back to a job he had repeatedly been fired from and why did Nigeria keep rehiring him. Managerial recruitment globally lacks any kind of Logic except for a few rare exceptions, those exceptions are often teams which are either consistenly of progresivly succesfull. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Doncaster, Accrington Stanley, Stoke are a few examples.
Issues boards repeatedly fail to consider include:
If you have just appointed a terrible manager what makes you think you have the capacity to then go and appoint a good one.
A managers true ability cannot be measured until about 100 games, results in a handfull of games are no indication of a persons capabilities.
Success needs to be maintained the time when a manager needs the most resources is when he is at his most successful.
If a manager was unsuccesful over a period or is constantly moving teams he is unlikley to be successful with you. - This applies to the hoards of French and Slavic missionary managers who seem to spend their lives constantly moving around natins with little to no success.

If African teams want to be successful they need to pick managers with a proven record of success and give them time to build a team. - Egypt is the best example of this Hassan Shehata has been in charge for 6 years straight and though he hasn't qualified the for a world cup he has won 3 straight cup of nations.

Sky reports John Terry very upset at being dropped by Capello

Wayne Bridge joins Fathers 4 Justice