6+5 makes a lot of sense

Not since he suggested that women players turn out in hot pants has Sepp Blatter made so much sense. The 6 + 5 rule is what British football has been crying out for, and we should all pull out the prayer mats and pray to the EU that they see sense and allow it to happen.

England 2 U.S. and A 0

Rubbish first half. Mildly better second half. Another insipid England performance lacking in invention and spark. The most worrying and annoying thing is that as soon as Capello announced his team, it was obvious that this was to be the outcome. Why Capello did not use this friendly as an excuse to give his “fringe” players a run-out is bemusing. The Wembley crowd were flat as soon as the usual suspects were wheeled out for England. Where Capello thought any sort of creativity or pace was going to be fashioned from from a midfield quartet of Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Gerrard is beyond me.

Hands up if you feel sorry for JT?

Last week saw the first Champions League Final contested by two English clubs. As a neutral, I really enjoyed the game. The equivalent of an all action Premier League game on the biggest stage of all. Platini and the rest of his UEFA chums silently despairing that two ‘orrible English teams can contest the biggest club game in world football. Non-stop drama and then the inevitable penalty shoot-out made it a final to remember for all English football fans, not just United and Chelsea fans. A good game, plenty of incident and an up-yours to the UEFA big wigs, what more could I want? Can he find something to moan about? You betcha.

Thanks Avram, but no thanks

Avram Grant has been sacked by Chelsea after just eight months in charge. Speculation was rife after they lost to Manchester United on Wednesday night. Peter Kenyon who famously left United for Chelsea broke the news today.

Who comes up, who stays?

So it’s almost the end of the season and thanks to McClown, the summers highlights for half the Premiership players are getting a new whistle for Rooney’s wedding followed by a week in roasting Marbella while the remaining half are preparing for Euro 08, cheers Steven you charisma-shy twat. Any-way, before then, the delights The Play-offs take center stage for a fortnight before the Champions League Final.

The ego has landed, once again

Reports are coming out of Chelski that Nicolars Anelka rejected the chance to take the potentially-winning fifth penalty – which was hilariously missed by John Terry – because he was sulking at coming on as a late substitute.

Chelsea v Man United

At last it’s here then, the biggest game English club football has ever witnessed. The Champions League final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium featuring the best 2 teams in England and Europe and only the 3rd final ever to be contested from 2 sides from the same country.

Blinder

Portsmouth

What a day for Harry and his boys, Pompey became the first club outside the big 4 (yawn) to win a cup*. A hard fought 1-0 scrappy win over Cardiff was enough to ensure they will be playing in Europe next season. What a turn a round, 2 seasons ago they were almost relegated. *Sorry, Spurs fans, the Mickey cup doesn’t really count.

Cardiff vs Portsmouth

Normally the rules of summer are that the first day we are supposed to get a proper bit of sunshine is FA Cup Final day. But not this year, oh no, the rules have changed. The sun has been and gone for another year and the rules appear to have changed also for the cup itself as for the first time in 17 years we have a cup final that doesn’t involve one of the big 4.

Rangers vs Zenit ST Petersburgh

A UK double?

So, not only is our great island supplied the 2 finalists for the greatest club competition in Europe, dare I say the world, but the UK has only gone mad and got to the final of Europe’s 2nd best club competition (after the Premiership, Serie A, La Primeria, Bundesliga, Glasgow’s Glendale Plastics League…etc etc). In fact, The UEFA Cup is now totally dwarfed by the might of the Champions League money machine and in terms of money generated these days, Rangers and Zenit ST Petersburgh’s participation is the equivalent of Ronaldo’s favourite KP snack, Peanuts.