Amateur golfer, karaoke ethusiast, and world renowned diplomat, Craig Bellamy scored for Manchester City on his debut yesterday. 
To me, this is the most hilarious thing ever. I wonder if he'll stay with City after we get relegated
Everyone who knows me knows that I love the FA Cup. I'm not going to go on about how sad it is big clubs field softer sides for Cup ties because it's been done ad nauseam. All of the stupid nonsense on the television about Giant Killing and "everyone turns up for the Cup" is the kind of shit I eat up and love about it.
I was watching Soccer Saturday (which I LOVE during the FA Cup), and Stelling's reaction to Hartlepool going 2-0 up over Stoke was classic. Forest's 3-0 thrashing of City, while personally upsetting, is exactly what makes the FA Cup fantastic to watch.
I am just glad there are more matches on television here now. You don't get many opportunities to watch Gillingham in the US.
If you want Setanta Sports added to comcast this is how you do it:
How To Get Setanta Sports On Comcast Cable | EPL Talk
I just spoke with a source inside Comcast Cable who confirmed that their head office in Philadelphia has signed a contract with Setanta Sports so that local Comcast Cable companies have the green light to add the (station).
*snip*
To find the contact information for your local Comcast Cable provider, visit the Cable Provider Locator tool and enter your zip code. The locator tool also includes pre-written e-mails to send to your local provider.
My information is that Hackett told Mark Halsey to rescind the red card [of John Terry] and he would not do it. Now I understand that Halsey is being made to referee in the Second Division this weekend. I just don’t understand how this could have happened. If it had been a Manchester United player, Hackett would never have done this for us.” - Sir Alex Ferguson.
For those curious, the article is here for your reading pleasure.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Wait, wait, can I just ask one more question, I've just taken a five-and-a-half-hour train journey to get here?" - Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterril bursts into this afternoon's Dutch press conference just as it is ending.
"Edwin [van der Sar], do you think it would be a bad move for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United?" - Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterril is allowed to ask his question.
"I'm only here to talk about the Dutch team. Sorry about your journey" - Van der Sar's response.
the Guardian has some odd rumour today about how Eric Cantona is looking to replace Fergie as manager of Man United
While I hated him as a player, he's one strange mutha fucka, and I really hope this is true. This would bring the lulz for years to come.
My fantasy team has too many italians and french on it to have done that well this round.
will write a full post tonight after the matches
I'll echo everyone around the footie blogosphere who say that Manchester United has been the best team in Europe this year and do deserve to win it.
I also thought though, being a City supporter, that I'd share this random thought I had while walking to work this morning.
Manchester United have won the European Cup as many times as Nottingham Forest
Congratulations to Pompey and Cardiff City for doing what Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea couldn't do over the past couple of years, spare us from more than 90 minutes of boring ass football.
I'm not in the mood to write about Man City's bullshit right now, but at least we're in Europe next year.
Intertoto Cup
Is needlessly confusing
Eleven winners
HICKS WARNED TO STAY AWAY
Merseyside Police have advised the Liverpool co-owner to avoid tonight's Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea because of fears for his safety. "Advice was given to the club based on a standard ongoing risk assessment," a police spokeswoman said. "The safety of all those attending has been considered." The club still expect Hicks to attend. Well, he'd be mad to miss a European Cup tie at Anfield.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3797374.ece
David Weir and Gary Caldwell were both suspended for being children last night at the final whistle after Longnamed mutha fucka Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored in stoppage time to give Celtic a 2-1 victory over the Huns.
Manchester City’s worst fears were confirmed yesterday when Thaksin Shinawatra, the Barclays Premier League club’s controversial owner, said that he is considering the possibility of sacking Sven-Göran Eriksson at the end of the season. Eriksson has done an impressive job since taking over as City manager last July, but despite strong denials from the club, there have been suspicions for some weeks that the Swede’s job is under threat.
Gillett offers Parry Support
Liverpool's co-owner George Gillett has thrown his support behind Rick Parry in the wake of Tom Hicks' call for the chief executive to resign.
THE NOMINEES
Players' Player of the Year
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
David James (Portsmouth)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Young Player of the Year
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Micah Richards (Man City)
Hicks is believed to be unhappy with Parry's ability to run the club. His main concerns are supposedly that Parry is slow and unresponsive when dealing with manager Rafa Benitez and the signing of players, and that he is disrespectful to fans, particularly over tickets for last season's Champions League final.
I have been reading a lot about Karren Brady lately, and I want to be like her when I grow up even though she's only 10 years older than me which makes me past it.
Also, I've moved house and my computer died but I'm settled and bought a new computer. Back to regularly scheduled bullshit now!
apparently when your computer starts smoking this is even worse than when you start smoking as it signals the end of a computer quicker than you'll get lung cancer.
my computer is dead and I have to keep my nose clean at work.
Fear not, I've ordered a new computer but until then.. umm clean your room!
Having little to do with the 39th game of course but...
On Scarves and Fan Loyalty
Some guy's girlfriend knitted him a scarf and it was Red and White which he is associating with Arsenal.
When I first started following the Premier League last season, I chose Reading, because they were getting into the Premier League for the very first time, just like I was, and they seemed like just the sort of plucky underdog worth backing. However, Reading has dropped into the relegation zone this month, and after seeing their dire form lately, I’m starting to wonder if I’m going to have a Premier League club to support next August.
All the while, this red and white scarf seems to be calling out to me. “Come join us, neophyte. Leave your little underdogs behind. Do you really want a life full of relegation battles and Coca-Cola Championship playoffs? Of course, you don’t. Come root for a real winner.”
Former England midfield player Paul Gascoigne is being held under the Mental Health Act, a police source said on Thursday.
Benitez - Europe is simpler
Reds boss finds Premier League tougher than Champions League
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that he finds Premier League fixtures more problematic than UEFA Champions League encounters.
This from the Offside
40 oil drums were scattered across the playing surface as fans and groundstaff burned wood and coal in a valiant attempt to soften up the playing surface so the game against Notts County could go ahead.
I only caught the second half of two champions' league matches yesterday.
Olypiacos v Chelsea -- YAWNNNNNN There were so few chances during this game, that at one point I just stopped watching it and only looked when the Chelsea fan sat accross from me made some sort of reaction. That barely happened.
Liverpool v Inter -- A lot of people are giving Liverpool a lot of credit today. The truth of the matter is they still have one tactic and have done for the past couple yester: "Wait til the 89th minute when Stevie G will knick us something after running around like an idiot". Of course they'll win the European cup.
Who Ate All the Pies has a rundown on who should be kept and who chucked at Liverpool over the summer. I agree 99% (I think Masch is a lot better than Anderson for example)
I wish I watched Roma that looked like a good match.
Anti-Semitic death threats have been sent to Chelsea football boss Avram Grant, in a package containing a mysterious powder, police said.
I've never seen three more boring stories back to back to back (and the 4th on the bottom isn't terribly exciting either). Together their horrendous boredom is almost exciting.
Yes, as you can see from the picture, I use google reader to keep up with all of the blogs on the right and some of the major news websites.
Just a quick FYI boys, read Pitch Invasion's scarily realistic proposal of the 39th game being a playoff round.
It makes sense in one way that it wouldn't be ruining the league and making it unfair, but it reeks of American sports so no one would like it even if it is the least assy way to have matches abroad.
I am against matches being played outside of England (well and Wales) by the way. I live in the US, but I realize that the club I love is ENGLISH. Maybe because I've actually lived in and have ties to Manchester that I don't have this ridiculous sense of entitlement that I've seen people living in the US have around these interwebs. I've seen people say "you don't realize your club belongs to the WORLD now" and "well there are fans here too!" and that's just a load of bullshit.
The other thing I really don't understand is for the most part, association football fans in the US tend to be latte liberals: middle class and upper middle class white (and asian) types with enough money to at least save up for a trip once a year. January flights to the UK from the US are pretty cheap and if you've not noticed there's a metric fuckload of fixtures in January. You just have no right to other people's heritage and take it away from them.
The other explanation could be because most American are United fans and therefore have their head and their rectum in reverse positions than the rest of us.
ps, boys the picture of my teets is gone to be replaced by my only friend. soz
Sky Sports | Football | News | Robson leaves Blades
Bryan Robson has left Sheffield United after turning down the opportunity to become a director of football, with Kevin Blackwell named as his successor.
I am guessing by this picture that Norway is like France and you can't have alcoholic beverages on your kit. I'm just laughing because Norwegians love their alcoholic beverages if the guys down the pub are any indication. Also, I am not paying attention to the Tippeligaen since IK Start was relegated.
ps I swore i was making posts but they're not here nor in my drafts :( must look in another blog
At the pub soaking the first City DOUBLE over United in almost 40
years. Love it
From the Kickette
You do not have to sell things to be marketing. How is this not taking advantage of the Munich Air Disaster? What a fucking awful image.
City is not without its own fault in taking advantage of some slick marketing, but they've not eploited one of the symbols of the event. Look at this picture too, it's like a snapshot. Very understated and that's what United should have done.
Sunday's tomorrow and I know this is wearing thin. :) In the meantime, DO check out this post from the Philadelphia Weekly's blog Philadelphia Will Do about how even Americans got offended and join in in the shared tragedy, over a use of the Munich Memorial in a contest in the US version of Metro. (I'm not linking to this just because I'm mentioned in it either btw)
US Sports should do this. They used to in the 80s, if you remember "Buddy's watching you" by the Philadelphia Eagles etc. They need more Super Bowl and World Series Singles.
The Premier League went ahead and approved a 7 deep subs bench, which is something Rafa Benetiz and his overpriced rotation system was asking for ages ago. It was brought to vote by Spurs' Chairman (according to last nights 5 Live Football Daily).
Anyway, the reasoning seems to be "giving young people a shot". Old cynics like us here think it's because naming more overpaid supersubs to the bench might attract more people to a particular club and help the rich ones play "buy all the players so no one else could get them" ala CSKA Chelski.
http://www.keepyups.com/ will get you to this site. I decided I liked the name enough to spend a tenner to register it. Update your bookmarks and tell your friends!
There's a fantastically lollerific piece from Who Ate All the Pies on the 20 cities for Premiership Matches. A Definite must read.
A few examples of the ones that made us chuckle.
Manchester United - Calais
Closer than Old Trafford for most United fans.
Sunderland - Dublin
Everything else about the club is Irish, including the chairman and manger, so the home ground might as well be.
Wigan - Las Vegas
Titus Bramble's Travelling Slapstick Show would be the hottest ticket in town.
The 20 Premier League clubs are reported to have agreed in principle to a radical plan that would see each team playing an extra match a season abroad.--SkySports
Under the proposal, cities such as Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, Johannesburg, Dubai and Beijing would stage matches between two Premier League sides.
Manchester United have confirmed the minute's silence will go ahead at the Manchester derby despite the jeers that were heard at Wembley. The news comes after Wednesday night's minute silence at England's friendly clash with Switzerland was cut short by 20 seconds after disrespectful fans whistled and jeered towards the end of the tribute-- TeamTalk
*moment of silence*
Olaf Melberg is the only one left, and he's going to Juve this summer.
I vote for Crouch to grow one next.
LATEST BETTING; Next Premiership Manager To Leave
Rafa Benitez 2/1
Steve Coppell 5/1
Kevin Keegan 6/1
Gareth Southgate 6/1
Roy Hodgson 8/1
Gary Megson 12/1
Alex McLeish 14/1
Harry Redknapp 14/1
Steve Bruce 16/1
Roy Keane 20/1
Paul Jewell 25/1
Alan Curbishley 25/1
Mark Hughes 33/1
Martin O'Neill 40/1
Avram Grant 40/1
David Moyes 50/1
Sven Goran Eriksson 66/1
Juande Ramos 66/1
Alex Ferguson 66/1
Arsene Wenger 100/1
Let me make it clear, as a neutral I fully enjoyed Sheffield United's giant-killing act as I called the game on ESPN, but at the risk of being considered officious: rules are rules! The big blue book clearly states that if the ball touches an 'outside agent' while in play, the referee must immediately stop play and re-start the game with a dropped ball where the contact was made.
Tough luck if the FA Cup Final last minute winner strikes a dog on the goal line on its way to the back of the net, the ref has to disallow the goal and award a dropped ball on the edge of the 6 yard box, though I'd not like to have to call that one.
FIFA qualify an 'outside agent' in the 2007/08 Laws of the Game publication as, 'Anyone not indicated on the team list as a player, substitute or team official.' Match officials, corner flags and goal posts are also thrown into the list of exclusions, but no mention of balloons.
One of the funniest Quotes of the Week roundup in a long time. And not just because it's got Coronation Street Trash talking.
Despite the fact that the FA Cup is for all intents and purposes over here is the 5th Round Draw
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolves
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town
The round where the premiership catches up. There will be at the very least 3 non Premiership teams in the quarterfinals which doesn't seem as crazy as 10 non premiership teams in the octofinals. So the draw goes the FA's way then, because who the HELL wants to see Cardiff and Soton at Wembley, Or another Championship side (or league one I guess is still possible) representing England in the UEFA Cup?
They've even got that exciting match of Utd v Arsenal so that people will actually still pay attention past the 4th Round! Hopefully that will be more exciting than the FA Cup Final in 2005.
“Kevin Keegan has approached me and they’ve offered me more money. I am definitely leaving Spurs. It’s all about the money. I don’t care about the final, I don’t care about the cup.” - Pascal Chimbonda.
"There's no hiding the fact that Pascal is frustrated because the club are looking at new full-backs to replace him.
"However, he wouldn't disrespect Tottenham or his team-mates by saying he doesn't care about the club.
"Pascal cares about Spurs, he cares about his team-mates, he cares about his football and he cares about his career.
"Even if he does move on, Spurs will always have a place in his heart as will the fans.
"Anyone who thinks differently only has to look at his celebrations on the pitch after the win over Arsenal on Tuesday night and that proves everything."
I'm facinated with Liverpool lately. Especially how they can have 2 decent players and still be considered a Big 4 club. I know that I'm not alone because of the stories in my fantastic google reader feeds this morning, the Lion Share's were about Liverpool. So here's a rundown of some things:
20 Handy Facts About Havant & Waterlooville Well not really Liverpool but the most exciting thing in a positive light to be happening at Anfield this weekend . Of course this game is not being shown in the US and I will hope it's on a sopcast site of some sort.
Reds 'complete' finance deal For the Liverpool faithful I hope that this part of some deal where The American Owners (tm) can still sell the club off to DIC and walk away with profit for not putting any money out at all. They really are poison.
Hobbs agrees to Iron Switch . Jack Hobbs showed some flashes of brilliance this season when standing in for Liverpool's constantly injured backline. I hope that this loan deal saves Scunthorpe from the drop into League One and gets Hobbs some first team play before going back to Liverpool next year. Maybe then they'll realise hoping for Agger to be fit is like bailing out a yacht with a thimble.
Sven-Göran Eriksson has been linked to an Italian faith healer, exorcist and “practitioner of white magic”. On Tuesday, the self-described “Baroness” Clara Romano was placed under house arrest by police in the Italian port city of Ancona. She faces accusations of fraud and tax evasion.
I have to admit I find English Football and the English Football press to be one of the most hilarious things since the beginning of time. From the use of not-so-direct "direct quotes" in which Footballers' language is cleaned up to sound more erudite or just plain literate than they are to footballers feeding their own stories to the news under the auspices of having loads of friends.
Anyway, this story from yesterday's Sky Sports, which I just read today due to a 12 hour sleep fest last night, made me laugh for a good 2 minutes.
John Terry claims Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is the best in the world.
The England captain believes Carragher, who retired from internationals last year, compares favourably with any defender in the game today.
"I personally think that over the last four or five years he has been the best defender in the world," Terry told the official Liverpool website.
"He's been consistent in the Premier League, he's never injured, he always gives 100 per cent, he's a good reader of the game, he's quick and is good in the air.
The Americans have to go," said Mackin. "They've let everybody down associated with the club.
"They've let the manager down by not backing him publicly, they've gone behind his back and undermined his position and in doing so, they've embarrassed the supporters.
"They've dragged the name of the club through the mud and made us a laughing stock."
"You mean there's TWO clubs in Manchester? "
"Well no actually there are several in the Football League alone and a gazillon more when you get into Non-League"
*Friends eyes roll back and friend asks me what I think about Beckham in the US"
Corluka's cup dream
16/ 1/2008
VEDRAN Corluka was just 13 when he vowed to himself that he would one day play in an FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
I know this isn't strictly the theme of this blog, but oh my goodness me--everyone would excuse me.
Dante Stallworth from the Future Superbowl Champion New England Patriots.
But no one was harder on Stallworth than himself. Immediately after Mathis made the tackle, Stallworth pounded the ground and then started punching his legs as if they were defective.
Stallworth said that was punishment from his alter ego, Nicco, whom Stallworth has described as an extra terrestrial being that resides on Mars when the receiver is off the field.
Toon Army forces the club into stupid sentimental decision. The BBC and Sky Sports both call it a shock. RTE called it sensational so that's the article I'll link to.
Keegan returns to the Magpies
Wednesday, 16 January 2008 16:58
Kevin Keegan will sensationally return to Newcastle United as the club's manager.
From Skysports this morning:
Blues chief executive Alistair Mackintosh:
"Richard has made it clear
that he is very happy at Manchester City, and we are very happy with him. The
talks we are having are very constructive.
I am extremely underwhelmed with the names that Newcastle have been linked with for their now vacant managerial post. I'm not sure what I'm expecting but two former managers, a former player that doesn't want it, and an idiot Frenchman ain't it. (Discounting Mark Hughes because he's linked with every empty post in England).
It's club football's poison chalice, isn't it? You have deluded fans wanting the glory of just losing the title 15 years ago, a history of revolving door for managers since then, and new leadership that just sacked the best man for the job.
Reading the press today makes it look like Houllier may be the man for the job... God help us all.
INTERNET (8:57:11 PM): So I give up on Newcastle United. They are dead to me and will end up just like Leeds United in the near future, I'm affraid. Most of the guys I liked the most are now playing for West Ham now, so UP THE IRONS! Hopefully they'll be blowing pretty bubbles on Wednesday against your Citizens!
ME (8:57:30 PM): jesus
ME (8:57:34 PM): you can't switch like that!
INTERNET (8:57:54 PM): sure I can!
INTERNET (8:58:05 PM): I'm a Green Street HOOLIGAN!
ME (8:58:13 PM): groce
INTERNET (8:58:25 PM): hahaha
INTERNET(8:58:46 PM): If I ever said that to anyone in East Ham, I'd probably get knifed.
INTERNET (8:59:23 PM): hehe
INTERNET (9:02:32 PM): I will never, ever give up on my Houston Dynamo, though. They are my blood and I can understand a footie fan's passion.
“I am disappointed to be leaving Newcastle United but I wish the club all the best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
you may have noticed i changed the name of the blog and I changed my user name to my real name. I'm tired of being confused with a lesbian from norwich.
the url stays the same for now.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has revealed coach Juande Ramos has told him he can leave White Hart Lane.
But the 25-year-old England forward - who is out of contract at the end of next season - insists he wants to stay.
Defoe told The Sun: "The manager has said I can leave if I want, but I want to stay here and prove him wrong.
"He called me into his office and told me. I thought it was a joke. I thought he was going to say I would be starting against Arsenal in the Carling Cup."
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov is growing tired of the continued speculation over his future with the London club and wants to be left alone by the media.
I like the word Cupset as coined on 606 this morning to refer to Cup Upsets. It's kind of cute at it's actually very Beeb.
The Cupset I am the MOST excited about is Oldham over Everton AT Goodison. As I've mentioned before, Oldham is a team I've got a bit of a soft-spot for. This increases my chances of getting to see Oldham on television in the US. Actually the past couple of years I have been able to see them a couple of times. Once in the FA Cup two years back and the league one promotion playoffs last year. Since they've got zero chance of being promoted, this is the only possibility.
FootieNeighbor's funeral was this morning so I missed a lot of the 3pm matches. I did get to watch Villa v Man United tho. I was bored to tears for most of it. Villa squandered some real opportunities including Ashley Young's "harder to miss than make" shot. United of course nicked 2 goals in the dying breaths making for a 2-0 scoreline that does not really reflect just how well Villa did.
I'd like to see an Oldham / United derby at Boundary Park. Because it would be good for Oldham $$$$ wise, and of course the possibility of the Ginja Ninja playing against Oldham is as exciting as the possibility of him playing FOR Oldham even for the most casual supporters.
"The administrator asked Liverpool about donating their share of the gate money," Blackwell explained.
"They probably said: 'We have to pay players £100,000 a week. You must be joking! Otherwise we will be like you!'
"You just have to accept it. There are people in life who have got a Rolls Royce while some people have a Mini.
"We are Mini drivers. We tried to live like a Rolls Royce but that's why we are where we are.
He may look like a hairdresser but don't mess with Dennis Wise or his mother-in-law apparently.
Leeds United manager Dennis Wise has been interviewed by police after chasing a stone-throwing youth.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed a 41-year-old man and a 13-year-old youth had been questioned about the incident.
There had been no arrests or charges and police inquiries were continuing, a police statement said.
Mr Wise jumped out of his car when it came under attack by youths at Potternewton in north Leeds and chased one but could not hold on to him.
True to the stereotype of Italy's famously matriarchal society, octogenarian Evelina Tortul fears for the well-being of the man set to be confirmed imminently as Steve McClaren's successor.
'I am really not very happy about this,' she told the Daily Telegraph.
'The newspapers and the television are going to be on his back all the time now, and talk badly about everything he does - whether it is good or bad.
'My peaceful days are over.'
Signora Tortul's grave reservations appear to extend beyond the levels of parental concern which might be reasonably expected in this country.
'The problem with the media is that it is fine when you are winning, but when you lose they cut your throat,' she believes.
'I'm his mother, so that is going to make me unhappy.'
There is this interesting theory/fallacy in European football from an English perspective. Basically that in the Champion's League English Teams are infalliable, undestructable, and impossible to beat unless by one of the following teams:
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Barca
Inter Milan (swaps places with Roma depending on Italian Standings).
Liverpool advanced out of Group A in the Champion's League yesterday in second place. That means for the first round of the knockout they will face a first place team from any of the other groups provided that they aren't English.
First place in the other groups (sans English Teams)
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Barca
Inter Milan
(Sevilla if Arsenal don't win today)
If Arsenal don't win today, they are in the same situation as Liverpool. Though for some reason I imagine more people would back Arsenal to come out alive than Liverpool (despite the fantastic Golf Swing Celebration victory at the Nu Camp last year).
The other English teams have a pretty easy road to go as there are some especially weak second place teams from the groups. Though there a couple more undecided.
It's just funny I guess.
So the FA has unvieled a plan where children can get concession tickets for "selected" FA Cup Ties in the 3rd Round for 1 pound. OOOH How great the FA is reaching out to the communit-ay. Etc Etc. Then you see the matches.
The games selected are
Blackburn v Coventry, Plymouth v Hull, Bolton v Sheffield United, Sunderland v Wigan, Huddersfield v Birmingham and Wolves v Cambridge.
It's to get people out who would rather watch the United Match on television. I love watching lower division Football and you can't beat the FA Cup for drama. But jesus christ, a more disengenious statement the FA couldn't have made if they tried.
Leeds United want their 15-point deduction to be adjudicated by the High Court rather than the Football Association, reports BBC Radio Leeds.
In August, Leeds lost an appeal over the points deduction for the start of the season after the club went into administration.
Since then Leeds have made two requests to the FA to set up an independent commission to review that decision.
...
Leeds chairman Ken Bates had insisted the League One outfit had not broken any rules.
Liverpool co-chairman Tom Hicks has put manager Rafael Benitez in his place by telling the Spaniard to "coach the players we have" rather than complain about not being able to make new signings.
The American has spoken out further after originally issuing a statement with joint owner George Gillett which said they wanted all the focus to be on the forthcoming matches and not off-the-pitch issues
The Football Association have confirmed the departure of England coach Steve McClaren.
The FA board convened on Thursday morning after calling an emergency meeting and they wasted little time in confirming the termination of McClaren's contract.
McClaren's tenure was brought to an end less than 24 hours after England were knocked out of Euro 2008 at the qualifying stage.
CHANTS OF THE WEEK
"Who picked your team this week?" and "Stand up if you own Ebbsfleet."
Oxford United fans to the travelling Ebbsfleet fans on Saturday.
That could even lead to spectacular bids for the likes of Barcelona's South American pair Leo Messi and Ronaldinho, or Brazilian playmaker Kaka, of AC Milan, although nailing down such big names is another matter.
The first big target of the January transfer window will be Peter Crouch, a deal that would depend on whether or not his club, Liverpool, qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
