Smash And Grab

The Special One has landed.

And he's already causing a stir, threatening to go on a smash and grab raid for key players from Chelsea at the earliest opportunity, given half a chance.

Mind you if I was a Chelsea fan I would say he is welcome to Mr Droba after his antics in the Champion's League final.

Anyway enough of Jose for now as I have little doubt he will start to feature regularly again in this blog, if only to justify to my lover why I keep staring at images and videos of him.

On to more important things, such as what my lover and I got up to last night. (Ah yes, all of a sudden I have your attention!)

You will recall our conversation about watching the end of the Trinidad and Tobego match on the web. Well he relented (probably because he read the post!) but then we couldn't find it anyway. So instead we watched a YouTube video about world cup goals.

To those of you who have been immersed in football for years, most if not all of them will be very familiar. But to a girl new to football it felt a wonderful indulgence.

Two goals in particular stand out. The first is my lover's favourite of all time. He has talked about it before but I had never even heard of the player let alone seen the goal. Apparently if I say "The Archie Gemmil goal", seasoned footie fans will know exactly what I am talking about.

It is an amazing goal - to be fair (as they say in footballing circles).

My favourite was of course, predictably, the one that turned Becks from reviled outcast into national hero. It's not just the goal but the passion of the build up through his play, the tightness of the time and the euphoria afterwards that send a shiver down the spine.

Enjoy it once more.

The Iron Comes To Town

So then - Scunthorpe tomorrow.

What do we know about them other than that they are fighting relegation, like us.

Well for a start they have only been Scunthorpe United since 1958, when they changed their name from Scunthorpe and Lindsey United.

Since then then have only ever been above Division 1 once - which is of course this season.

They have some famous old boys. Ian Botham for one. And this man surprisingly.

And they treat their players like real celebrities. Inviting them to do important this, such as opening a new Travelodge. I mean prestigious or what? Or touring the beautiful sights of their home town on an open top bus.

Those 'scunnys' are also known for their brilliant chants - or so they claim.

Of course not everyone is quite as respectful. In an interview with Posh and Becks, Ali G seemed to suggest that maybe they don't have quite the class of some other teams:

Ali: Now Beckham, do you reckon the better the footballer you is, the fitter the girl you go out with?

Beckham: Obviously.

Ali: So, you is the best at football, ya know. So you gets Posh. So does Sporty Spice go out with someone from Scunthorpe United?

You can indulge yourself further here.

It's not right to disrespect someone else's team (unless they are Leeds of course) but I can't help thinking, if we don't beat them at home tomorrow, relegation starts to become an almost inevitable reality.

Cruel To Be Kind?

I have been pondering on one of the comments made in response to one of my recent posts that football is like a soap opera (thanks paul coombes!)

If I'm honest, true to my girlie nature, it was probably those soap opera qualities that drew me into football. It was my entry point really.

But there have been a number of events recently that have made me think beyond that. One was actually another comment on this blog by Mrs Dowie ,when I had been unkind about Iain Dowie, in which he talked about a kind act by the former Coventry manager. Another was the Eduardo/Taylor incident and all the aftermath.

Football is a soap opera. There is no doubt about it. Larger than life stories that take you to the fringes of belief. The madness of life in the fast lane. The bizarre coincidences that could never happen in real life.

These events, though, have reminded me of the difference between the two. Because although there is an element of the characters 'acting', in that they project a public persona (David Beckham can't possibly look that gorgeous all the time can he?), behind the soap opera are real people with real lives. And feelings.

And the whole world is their judge and jury as they live life in the spotlight.

So my feeling when I read tonight of the generosity of spirit of Eduardo and how it is bringing comfort to Taylor, was one of warmth towards two other human beings, touched by tragedy and digging deep to recover from the wounds it has left - physical and psychological.

I have resolved to try to always bear in mind that when I am considering delivering biting satire at the expense of some hapless victim, that what I say could be hurtful.

Except, of course, in the case of Leeds United, when cruelty is entirely justified.

One Thing Leads To Another

I'm absolutely shattered today. Emotionally and physically. It's been a long one.

I can barely put one foot in front of the other. The same could be said too of Eduardo today as he left hospital. We would both do well to remember that tomorrow is another day and nothing ever stays the same.

And talking of putting one foot in front of the other, I understand that is what David Beckham is saying he is going to focus on over the coming weeks as he battles to reach peak fitness.

And talking of battles, those naughty boys have been fighting again.

Which is what Richard Hope, Captain of Wrexam, is vowing to do to ensure they do not get relegated at the end of the season.

Unlike Liverpool, who in some quarters are saying that they should be challenging for the Premiership title.

Another challenge in the news, of course, is Middlesbrough's criticism of the FA's decision to not only reject their appeal against Aliadiere's ban but to extend it by a futher match.

And on the subject of matches, what about this proposal to have the vote for man of the match on line?

Did I say on-line? Good grief look at the time. I have been on line for over an hour. Time to stop I think and rest my weary head.

Goodnight girls - and boys too if there are any out there xx

Is There Anything New Under The Sun?

If I tried to get away today without at least some reference to the announcement today of Capello's England squad you would probably stop calling me a football fan (that assumes you do at the moment of course).

A few surprises in there, the biggest one to me being the inclusion of Michael Owen, who has only managed one goal since October. And the exclusion of Reading's David Kitson, the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League. I wonder if his recent behaviour off the pitch had a bearing.

As for the decision to leave Beckham out, whilst at one level I feel sad, another bit of me thinks Beckham deserves better than a token inclusion in the team for his 100th cap. If he can play in good form and have earned his place (which Capello has hinted is entirely possible), the experience will ultimately have far more personal value.

In the meantime David, if you are reading this and need a little TLC to make it all better just let me know.........

There I've done it now so let's talk about what I really want to discuss, which is the coup being planned by Liverpool supporters to oust Hicks and Gillett. It is obviously very early days but if it were to come off, the ramifications for English football would be massive.

It's not a new concept - in fact it already works well on the Continent, but it would certainly be a first for the Premier League.

Indeed when you get down to it, there is probably nothing completely new under the sun. But things do come in different shades and flavours. Like the new look England squad. Without its usual topping.

Handbags At Dawn

I'm not usually prone to schadenfreude as you know, but I can't help a wry smile about the antics at Newcastle. Keegan is adamant that the appointment of Dennis Wise as Executive Director of Football was no surprise to him and that his position as manager has not been undermined.

I can't help feeling that he protesteth a little too much though. What do you think? I see handbags at dawn.

Much more interesting though, I think, is the immienent announcement of the England team for the forthcoming friendly against Switzerland on February 6th.

Will he or won't he include Beckham, if only for the one match. Many notable voices are speaking out in support of him getting his 100th cap for England, joining the elite group comprising Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Billy Wright and Peter Shilton. Voices such as that of Sir Alex Ferguson, Steve McLaren and Sven Goran Eriksson.

And who will be Captain? I favour Gerrard.

As for other players, I would have David James in goal and Rooney would definitely feature. Be good to see some new faces too though. Kitson, Bentley and Young must be contenders.

And what of those who don't get picked and think they should? More handbags at dawn perhaps?

Oh well - not long to wait now. I will just have to manage my excitement somehow in the meantime.

We Have An Opinion

There are a few lonely places in the world and I suspect that the Steve McLaren Fanclub is one of them at the moment.

A few people are a bit cross with him. And he has now been fired from his job as England manager of course. After just 16 months.

Perhaps we should not be too surprised. After all the FA originally wanted Scolari.

Of course one of the big questions on everyone's lips, is who will replace him. Other contenders last time round included Allardyce, Curbishley and O'Neill. O'Neill has already stated that he does not wish to put himself forward this time though, as has Allardyce.

Needless to say rumours, speculation and suggestions are rife.

Should be Redknapp say some. No way say Portsmouth. If it does turn out to be him I hope he will resist extending his squad to include members of the crowd.

We want Mourinho chant others. Yes please says Georgina Best. I'm sure he would be a popular choice with the fans.

Frank Capello has made it clear he would be interested in the job and is currently the favourite. This could bring a whole new meaning to phrases such as "C'e un capello nella minestra" (there is a hair in the soup).

Scolari, Shearer, Robson, Beckham - all names I have heard in the frame.

But this is football. Which means all fans have to have an opinion on who it should and will be.

So where is GB going to cast her prediction?

For good man management skills, excellent performance record and great attacking football - Harry Redknapp.