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Stupid or lucky?

Valiant England fall 'short'

I hear the skipper Phil Vickery fought the bigwigs for the right to join Princes Wills & Harry for their own kneees up.

I hear that Vicks valiantly took u the mantle of commander of the faithful and argued the case for the Rugby world cup runners up to extend their stay in La Francais for a further day.

Such spirit, which if displayed on the field would have ensured retention of the rugby crown.

The mother of all hangovers ended with the team touching down at Heathrow and prop Matt Stevens having his shorts pulled down in front of the world and his dog - Dignified in defeat indeed.

In the meantime get prepared for a new rendition of where the hell is Matt ( wherethehellismatt.com ), with Stevens exposing his arse at different locations of the world.

In the spirit of Columbo I have one final tantalising question - What exactly was Dallaglio thinking of when he pulled Matty's shorts?

Public enemy number one?

It is no secret that Muddassar Arani has one of the most stressful and difficult jobs in the country.

Read more ...

Courtesy of Asian Image - BBC/PA pic

Spurs fans debate the use of the term ‘Yid’ in football

Tottenham Hotspur fans use of the term ‘Yid’ will be debated tonight (23 October) at Conway Hall in London.

Football’s anti-racism and inclusion campaign, Kick It Out, Jewish sports organisation, Maccabi GB, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust will bring football fans together for a forum discussion examining the reasons why Spurs fans have adopted a term.

A panel including Spurs fans and members of the Jewish community will lead the discussion with other football fans and players from grassroots clubs also relaying their experiences and opinions from the floor.

The event is taking place as part of the ‘One Game, One Community’ week of action, where 1000 events are happening across the UK between the 18 – 30 October to celebrate the diversity of the game, whilst continuing the call for equality in football.

Those wishing to attend the forum discussion must register with Kick It Out by sending their names via email to leon@kickitout.org

Lay of Lamps, you Morons!

If we had the good fortune of Ronaldinho playing for England he'd have been be booed. Echoing Ian Wright, I'd like to ask absolutely anyone who cares to provide one (near) satisfactory reason for picking on an established England international, and I'll become an advanced paid Goldcard wielding member of the the notorious DFL - "Destroy Frank Lampard" brigade.

Against Estonia last Saturday, Frankie was the target of boos from swathes of the Wembley crowd, after coming on as a 70th minute sub for boy wonder Owen. It was cringeworthy and a masterclass in appreciation. Maybe the crowd were disappointed that another of their previous 'jeer boys', namely big Emile Heskey, who himself had been the subject of moaning, groaning and general vitriol for many years had not come on to support and be the supporting act for the England goalmachine.

How can you purport to supporting the national team and boo a player like Lampard. He is a role model of the highest order; dedicated, focussed, full of intent. A player who has served his country to the fullest. Not the most naturally gifted, and despite not possessing the talent of Cole or Carrick, he has shone through sheer hard work, toil, graft and extra sessions on the training field. Dedication indeed, that has seen him land the national player of the year twice, whilst finishing second to Ronaldinho as the greatest player on the planet.

Even in the autumn of his career his goalscoring exploits from the Chelsea and England engine room is brilliant with a strikerate that is the envy of many a top flight striker. Gareth Barry is a brilliant foil for the rampaging Gerrard, but write off Lamps at your peril, especially in a domestic campaign where Stevie boy has failed to hit his usual brilliant standards.

Lampard has rightly been supported by his colleagues, namely Joe Cole who nailed his colours firmly to his friend's mast; "I don't know what to say. Frank has been one of England's most consistent players over the years.

"He has never let England down. It is not nice to hear that. It is not nice to hear one of your mates getting that.

"He is a top player, for me he is one of the top players in the world and for me, he doesn't deserve it.

"For me, the only thing I would say he is one of the best players I've played with and he has never let England or Chelsea down and I don't understand it.

"Not so long ago he was England's player of the year, and rightly so."

This does no favours for the confidence of the squad, it hurts the team. And who could disagree with Barnesy when he said that in the run up to a hostile meeting with Guus Hiddink's Russia, this does nothing for team morale.

Build up Gazza and lead him into freefall, whilst slow clapping him all the way to the pub, the same with Besty, hoping Rooney does the same. Lampard and Beckham though are a different kettle of fish, keep your head down, work hard, be a credit to your profession and we'll turn you into public enemy number one.

Steve Maclaren has spoken to Lampard, but typically he has just shrugged it off. In the cauldron of the Luzhniki stadium, the experience of 57 cap Lampard is immense and given a chance, he will produce. Chin up Lamps! It was a year ago when we witnessed the very public haranguing of Owen Hargreaves (shock horror) and Crouchie before that. If this mindless minority actually knew anything or were indicative of what was to come then we'd have a worried cartel of (experts)Hansen, Lineker, Lawro, Wright, Motty etc....

Only here could we destroy a talent like that. Claudio Ranieri's 'huge' outlay has in fact been one of the bargains of the premiership.

Or is it anything to do with Lampard being a visual representation of the "elite club?" At the end of the day I personally attribute one emotion to it all; jealousy.