Will you be watching the Three Lions go Dutch tomorrow?
With the exception of “injured” self defence expert Steven Gerrard, Fabio Capello’s England squad travelled to Amsterdam today to prepare for tomorrow night’s friendly with The Netherlands.
Understandably, several Premier League managers are less than delighted that a full programme of international fixtures has been scheduled just three days before the start of the Premier League season: Roy Hodgson and Martin O’Neill have vented their fears, and brand new Black Cat Steve Bruce has gone as far as saying there shouldn’t be any international friendlies at all:
“I’ve never known anything like it before. I don’t know why there are internationals scheduled this week.
“I’m baffled and it really is total nonsense. International friendlies should be banned anyway.”
The managers clearly aren’t impressed by this friendly, and it’s unlikely that the players are savouring a pan-European trip for a meaningless game just hours before the start of a new season. But is the game actually of any interest to fans? Are you keen to see the Three Lions get some vital practise before September’s crunch tie with Croatia, or would you rather be watching Coronation Street/ Midsomer Murders/ whatever crap ITV show on a Wednesday?
Let us know your thoughts below…
Spoiler promotion:Why not make the game more interesting by having a punt? For all your football betting needs, visit bwin
A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City
Mark Hughes has confirmed holding talks with Arsenal over signing the Togolese striker and Sky Sports sources - which proved accurate yesterday - believe he will have a work permit hearing in Manchester tomorrow.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: If the reported £25 million fee is correct then Arsenal couldn’t really turn it down. It will be interesting to see if the majority of the money gets spent on a striker, a holding midfielder or nobody.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar to Spurs
Real Madrid say that talks to sell Huntelaar to Stuttgart are at an “advanced stage” but The Daily Mail fancy Spurs to make an eleventh hour bid.
A chance to get excited months before anything actually happens
Tottenham have finally been granted their wish to kick-off a Premier League campaign at home but Liverpool will be the visitors for their first opener at White Hart Lane since 2004.
Spurs fans can take some comfort though from the fact Arsenal have been given a challenging away game on the opening weekend against Everton.
Wolves are the only promoted side who start at home - against West Ham - and the last five to have done so have avoided defeat. Every new arrival who has opened their campaign on the road over the last three seasons has lost and Birmingham and Burnley face tough trips to Man United and Stoke.
Steve Bruce’s best friend perfects his mid-air faceplant technique
With the FA Cup Final and the conclusion of several European major leagues happening over the weekend, somehow the tantalising friendly clash between the giants of Oman and the titans of Egypt escaped our attention. Thankfully, our boys at 101GG were paying attention to the Middle Eastern action, which Egypt won thanks to a Mohamed Aboutrika effort.
The highlight of the match happened during the subsequent goal celebration - Amr ‘The most unprofessional man Steve Bruce has ever worked with’ Zaki was keen to congratulate his teammate, but inadvertently enjoyed some face time with substitute Ahmed Eid Abdel Malek.
The result? A loss of blood and dignity, and six stitches in his face.
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…
Yuri Zhirkov to Liverpool Chelsea have been interested in the ‘Russian Ronaldinho’ for some time, but The Liverpool Daily Post are suggesting Rafa could jump in with a €17m offer.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Yes, Liverpool are after a left-sided fullback, but for some reason we think Guus Hiddink will have more sway over the young Russian’s future.
David Villa to Manchester City
Since Arsenal have insinuated an intention to replace Adebayor with Roque Santa Cruz, Manchester City have lost interest and once again turned their attention to Euro 2008 sensation David Villa. They were quoted a reasonable asking price of £128m in January,
Our pals at chickendinner hand Liverpool some straws to clutch
Paddy Power think the title race is over and offer just 1/14 on Manchester United winning for the third straight season. To stop them, Liverpool must win all their remaining games and hope that the Red Devils drop six points. It’s all very unlikely but rather than accepting a premature end to an exciting campaign, we decided to look at where the holders are most likely to slip up:
Tottenham (h)
Spurs are unbeaten in six league meetings with the Big Four sides and have lost just one away game against a top-half side. Harry Redknapp’s side have lost one of their last nine and he has won there with West Ham and Portsmouth. Spurs haven’t won an away league match against a Big Four side since August 1993 - when they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield. Verdict: United could drop two points here but three is unlikely.
Middlesbrough (a)
Boro have a deceptively good home record for a team in the bottom three and
Loading ...