Transfers/Rumours

[PhilDunphy]

Spurs plotting shock Adebayor swoop

Harry Redknapp has made a sensational bid to land Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Mirror Sport understands talks have taken place at the highest level with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy prepared to sanction a loan deal and payment of nearly half the 26-year-old’s £170,000-a-week salary.

Adebayor fears that once £26million striker Mario Balotelli is fit the Italy striker will play ahead of him.

The outspoken former Arsenal marksman has already made it clear that he will leave Eastlands if he is not a regular in the first team this season.

City keeper Shay Given is already thought to be close to a move to Fulham today after being placed in a similar position by the elevation of Joe Hart to first-choice keeper.

Adebayor is unhappy at having played in only three of City’s five games so far.

Although he started the club’s Europa League play-off game away to FC Poli, he came on for just eight minutes of City’s opening Premier League game against Spurs.

He was also a substitute for City’s defeat at Sunderland on Sunday, coming on in the final 15 minutes.

Adebayor, who wants to stay in the Premier League, hit a respectable 14 goals in 28 appearances for City last season - even though the campaign was marred by suspension and the terrorist shootings at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It is understood the Togo striker would have no compunction about playing for Spurs - despite spending three years at the club’s rivals Arsenal - as long as he is able to gain regular first-team football.

Spurs boss Redknapp has already shown, with his signing of defender William Gallas, that he has no problem bringing in players across the north London divide.

Redknapp has been linked with moves for Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, Villareal forward Giuseppi Rossi and AC Milan hitman Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

But he is a massive fan of Adebayor and Spurs have been pushing City hard for a deal.

[PhilDunphy]

Shay Given chooses to stay at Manchester City and fight for No1 place

Shay Given has decided to stay at Manchester City, turning down the chance to rejoin his former manager Mark Hughes at Fulham, after being persuaded to remove himself from the market on the eve of the transfer window deadline.

Given had initially reacted to losing his place to Joe Hart by informing City's manager, Roberto Mancini, that he wanted to leave the club. That immediately alerted Fulham, who have been looking for a goalkeeper so they can allow Mark Schwarzer to join Arsenal.

Since then, however, Given has had a series of meetings with Mancini and the club's football administrator, Brian Marwood, and slowly come round to the idea that he should stay in Manchester and try to dislodge Hart. That, in turn, threatens Arsenal's hopes of signing Schwarzer, with Hughes having already gone on record to say he would allow the deal to happen only if he had a replacement lined up.

Given has based his decision on the fact he joined City in the hope that he could win the first trophy of his career and that, by leaving for a smaller club, he could effectively be passing over that chance. He had also worried that he might jeopardise his place in the Republic of Ireland team but the manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has assured him that is not the case.

City are involved in four competitions and Given was assured the club are taking them all seriously and that, at the very least, there will be opportunities for him to play in the Carling Cup and Europa League Mancini, who described him as being among Europe's five best goalkeepers last season, has made it clear he does not want to lose him.

After spending £126m this summer City will not be heavily involved on the final day of the transfer window, although Robinho is expected to complete his move to Milan almost two years to the day since becoming the most expensive player in English football.

Mino Raiola, an Italian agent acting on a mandate from Milan, arrived in Manchester today to discuss the deal. Raoila has spent the summer negotiating Mario Balotelli's move to City and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's to Milan and will spend tomorrow trying to arrange a fee for Robinho, the asking price being in the region of £18m with potential add-ons.

Roque Santa Cruz, another big-money signing who has endured a difficult time in Manchester, is giving serious thought to staying at City despite a loan offer from Lazio. The £17m signing from Blackburn Rovers is said to have reservations about leaving England and may reject the chance of playing in Serie A.

[Loppermann]

Spurs plotting shock Adebayor swoop

Harry Redknapp has made a sensational bid to land Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Mirror Sport understands talks have taken place at the highest level with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy prepared to sanction a loan deal and payment of nearly half the 26-year-old’s £170,000-a-week salary.

Adebayor fears that once £26million striker Mario Balotelli is fit the Italy striker will play ahead of him.

The outspoken former Arsenal marksman has already made it clear that he will leave Eastlands if he is not a regular in the first team this season.

City keeper Shay Given is already thought to be close to a move to Fulham today after being placed in a similar position by the elevation of Joe Hart to first-choice keeper.

Adebayor is unhappy at having played in only three of City’s five games so far.

Although he started the club’s Europa League play-off game away to FC Poli, he came on for just eight minutes of City’s opening Premier League game against Spurs.

He was also a substitute for City’s defeat at Sunderland on Sunday, coming on in the final 15 minutes.

Adebayor, who wants to stay in the Premier League, hit a respectable 14 goals in 28 appearances for City last season - even though the campaign was marred by suspension and the terrorist shootings at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It is understood the Togo striker would have no compunction about playing for Spurs - despite spending three years at the club’s rivals Arsenal - as long as he is able to gain regular first-team football.

Spurs boss Redknapp has already shown, with his signing of defender William Gallas, that he has no problem bringing in players across the north London divide.

Redknapp has been linked with moves for Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, Villareal forward Giuseppi Rossi and AC Milan hitman Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

But he is a massive fan of Adebayor and Spurs have been pushing City hard for a deal.

lol, he really hates the goonies
might become more hated in the North London Derby than Sol Campbell

[R. King]

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made a sensational bid to land Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Mirror) [see above]

Eidur Gudjohnsen is ready to sign for Mark Hughes’ Fulham on a year-long loan from Monaco today - after turning down Stoke City. (Mirror)

Arsenal have made a last-ditch £4million bid to nab Mark Schwarzer from Fulham. (Sun)

Manchester United are understood to be offering Everton £10 million plus Michael Carrick in return for Jack Rodwell. (Sun)[Another Everton lad about to tell the world he has always loved Man U]

Liverpool have had an opening bid of £7 million rejected by West Ham in their bid to sign Carlton Cole. (Sun) [They really are desperate]

[R. King]

Arsenal
Arsenal have made a last-ditch £4million bid to nab Mark Schwarzer from Fulham. (Sun)
Left-back Armand Traore is wanted at Juventus on a season long loan. (Sun)
Arsenal have made an inquiry for Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau — but have not given up totally on signing Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer. (Mail)
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Aston Villa
Hull are ready to revive their interest in 32 year-old Villa defender Habib Beye. (Daily Mail)
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Birmingham City
Birmingham have launched a £5million bid to sign Alex Hleb from Barcelona. (Sun)
Charles N’Zogbia turned down a £9 million move from Wigan to Birmingham City - because he wanted a £50,000-a-week contract. (Mirror)
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Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn are interested in signing Newcastle's transfer-listed defender Steven Taylor. (Mirror)
Manager Sam Allardyce is showing interest in Elfsborg goal machine Denni Avdic. (Tribal Football)
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Blackpool
Blackpool are in talks with Strasbourg midfielder Mamadou Bah, 22, and have asked about taking Kyle Lafferty on loan from Rangers. But Portsmouth striker David Nugent has turned down the chance to join them. (Mail)
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is making a second bid to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Marcus Tudgay and has taken Skonto Riga midfielder Aleksandrs Cauna on trial. (Mail)
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Bolton Wanderers
Owen Coyle is targeting a late swoop for Benfica striker Rodrigo Moreno.
Bolton have renewed their interest in Manchester United winger Tom Cleverley despite Wigan looking favourites to sign him on loan. (Mail)
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Chelsea
The Blues have denied making a bid for Spanish international Sergio Ramos. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea have made a £10million offer for Bayern Munich utility player Martin Demichelis but the player wants to join Sevilla. (Mail)
Chelsea are considering reviving their interest in Neymar less than a week after their second bid for the Brazilian striker was rejected and he signed a five-year contract at his club, Santos. (Telegraph)
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Everton
Everton are interested in signing Newcastle's transfer-listed defender Steven Taylor. (Mirror)
Manchester United are understood to be offering Everton £10 million plus Michael Carrick in return for Jack Rodwell.
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Fulham
Eidur Gudjohnsen is ready to sign for Mark Hughes’ Fulham on a year-long loan from Monaco today - after turning down Stoke City. (Mirror)
Shay Given has decided to stay at Manchester City, turning down the chance to rejoin his former manager Mark Hughes at Fulham. (Guardian)
Fulham have revived their interest in Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Mail)
Mark Hughes is set to land his third signing as Fulham manager with the arrival of PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido. (Sun)
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Liverpool
Liverpool have had an opening bid of £7 million rejected by West Ham in their bid to sign Carlton Cole. (Sun)
Liverpool have agreed a £17.2 million fee with Barcelona for midfielder Javier Mascherano. (goal.com)
Liverpool have moved quickly to replace Javier Mascherano by agreeing a £10.7m package with Porto for the Portugal international Raul Meireles. (Guardian)
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Manchester City
Shay Given has decided to stay at Manchester City, turning down the chance to rejoin his former manager Mark Hughes at Fulham. (Guardian)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made a sensational bid to land Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Mirror)
Milan are expected to announce the signing of Manchester City attacker Robinho on Tuesday with the help of super agent Mino Raiola. (Goal.com)
Roberto Mancini has moved in for want-away Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic - opening up an escape route for Shay Given. (Mirror)
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Manchester United
Manchester United are understood to be offering Everton £10 million plus Michael Carrick in return for Jack Rodwell.
The club are also looking to sign Lee Cattermole from Sunderland.
Manchester United are lining up a bid for Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour. (Sky Sports)
Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky has captured the interest of Sir Alex Ferguson as they search for a long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar. (FourFourTwo)
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Newcastle
Newcastle are planning a £8m swoop for Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Newcastle have offered Steven Taylor a new contract – less than 24 hours after putting him on the transfer list. (Mirror)
Newcastle have declared their interest in Robbie Keane and hope to complete loan move for the Spurs striker before the end of the transfer window. (TalkSport)
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Stoke City
Tony Pulis is keen to sign Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas. Eidur Gudjohnsen is also on the target list.
Roberto Mancini has moved in for want-away Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic - opening up an escape route for Shay Given. (Mirror)
Stoke are signing Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson for £3million plus striker Dave Kitson. (Mail)
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Sunderland
Ghana World Cup star Asamoah Gyan is said to be hours away from completing his move to Sunderland from Stade Rennes. (IM Scouting)
Sunderland have indicated that they are ready to launch a bid for West Ham United striker Carlton Cole. (ESPN)
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Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made a sensational bid to land Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Mirror)
Redknapp, though, has failed with bids for unsettled Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar and West Ham's Scott Parker. (Mail)
Meanwhile, AC Milan have told the club to up their bid if they want to sign Klass-Jan Huntelaar. (Sun)
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West Bromwich Albion
West Brom are set to make a £3million move for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell and former Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner.
The Baggies have completed the signing of Celtic striker Marc-Antoine Fortune for an undisclosed fee. (goal.com)
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West Ham United
West Ham have blasted Roma after they requested to take Valon Behrami on loan after Serie A outfit Roma have refused to meet the star's £3million price tag. (Mirror)
The Hammers have completed the signing of Victor Obinna from Inter Milan on a one-year loan. (goal.com)
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Wigan Athletic
Wigan have contacted Chelsea regarding a deal for Franco Di Santo. (Sky Sports)
Bolton's Ali-al Habsi could also be set for a move to Wigan.
Charles N’Zogbia turned down a £9 million move from Wigan to Birmingham City - because he wanted a £50,000-a-week contract. (Mirror)
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Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mick McCarthy has stated that striker Andy Keogh is set to join Championship side Cardiff City before the end of the transfer window. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea are refusing to allow defender Michael Mancienne to make a fresh start at Wolves over a £2m cash row. Chelsea have rejected a £3m bid for the England U21 defender and won't budge from their £5m valuation. (The Sun)
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TRANSFERS
Transfer Deadline Day: Live
Premier League Transfer Talk
Premier League: Completed Transfers
Championship: Completed Transfers
League One: Completed Transfers
League Two: Completed Transfers

[PhilDunphy]

didn't know where else to put this

England and Spurs' Michael Dawson set for long lay-off

England defender Michael Dawson has been ruled out of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Switzerland after suffering an injury against Bulgaria.

Tottenham say the 26-year-old will be out for six to eight weeks after spraining his left medial knee ligament and a left ankle ligament in the match.

It rules him out of at least three Champions League group matches and several Premier League games.

England have decided not to call up a replacement for the game in Basle.

That could mean a recall for West Ham defender Matthew Upson alongside Phil Jagielka, though Bolton stopper Gary Cahill acquitted himself well on his international debut after coming off the bench to replace Dawson for the final half an hour against Bulgaria.

Cahill was the first Bolton player to represent England since Michael Ricketts in February 2002 while Jagielka was winning only his fifth cap so Capello could choose to use Upson's experience alongside the Everton man in Basle.

The West Ham captain was left out of both the Bulgaria game and last month's friendly victory over Hungary although he played against both Slovenia and Germany in the World Cup finals in the summer.

First-choice pairing John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are out of the reckoning with hamstring and knee problems respectively.

Dawson's injury is worrying news for Spurs with the transfer window closed, although manager Harry Redknapp said he was relieved to discover the injury was not as severe as first thought.


You don't do what William Gallas has done in the game without being a top, top player and he's got all the medals to show for it

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp

"First of all, it's a big blow for Michael and a great shame for him," said Redknapp. "But watching it live, I thought it could have been worse than it's turned out.

"It could have been his cruciate ligament and that would have been the end of the season for him but as it is, it's not such a long job and he should be back in a couple of months."

Redknapp believes Dawson's injury has underlined the value of signing veteran defender William Gallas from Arsenal on a free transfer last month.

"Jonathan Woodgate is struggling, Ledley King can't play every game and you also have to remember that Michael had an Achilles injury last season," he said.

"So it was always a position we needed to do something in and that's why we did it [signed Gallas].

"Sebastien Bassong was excellent last season and we've got decent cover in there, players who can come in and do a job, but you also need experience.

"Ledley's got experience, Michael's got experience and now William's experience will be invaluable.

"He'll give us a bit of know-how and a real presence. You don't do what he's done in the game without being a top, top player and he's got all the medals to show for it."

Spurs kick off their Champions League group away to Werder Bremen on 14 September before entertaining Twente on 29 September and then travelling to Inter Milan on 20 October.

If Dawson is out for eight weeks he could also miss the home game with Inter on 2 November, which comes three days after the Premier League trip to Manchester United.

Among the other league matches he will be unavailable for are London derbies at West Ham and Fulham and a home game with Everton.

[Loppermann]

didn't know where else to put this

England and Spurs' Michael Dawson set for long lay-off

England defender Michael Dawson has been ruled out of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Switzerland after suffering an injury against Bulgaria.

Tottenham say the 26-year-old will be out for six to eight weeks after spraining his left medial knee ligament and a left ankle ligament in the match.

It rules him out of at least three Champions League group matches and several Premier League games.

England have decided not to call up a replacement for the game in Basle.

That could mean a recall for West Ham defender Matthew Upson alongside Phil Jagielka, though Bolton stopper Gary Cahill acquitted himself well on his international debut after coming off the bench to replace Dawson for the final half an hour against Bulgaria.

Cahill was the first Bolton player to represent England since Michael Ricketts in February 2002 while Jagielka was winning only his fifth cap so Capello could choose to use Upson's experience alongside the Everton man in Basle.

The West Ham captain was left out of both the Bulgaria game and last month's friendly victory over Hungary although he played against both Slovenia and Germany in the World Cup finals in the summer.

First-choice pairing John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are out of the reckoning with hamstring and knee problems respectively.

Dawson's injury is worrying news for Spurs with the transfer window closed, although manager Harry Redknapp said he was relieved to discover the injury was not as severe as first thought.


You don't do what William Gallas has done in the game without being a top, top player and he's got all the medals to show for it

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp

"First of all, it's a big blow for Michael and a great shame for him," said Redknapp. "But watching it live, I thought it could have been worse than it's turned out.

"It could have been his cruciate ligament and that would have been the end of the season for him but as it is, it's not such a long job and he should be back in a couple of months."

Redknapp believes Dawson's injury has underlined the value of signing veteran defender William Gallas from Arsenal on a free transfer last month.

"Jonathan Woodgate is struggling, Ledley King can't play every game and you also have to remember that Michael had an Achilles injury last season," he said.

"So it was always a position we needed to do something in and that's why we did it [signed Gallas].

"Sebastien Bassong was excellent last season and we've got decent cover in there, players who can come in and do a job, but you also need experience.

"Ledley's got experience, Michael's got experience and now William's experience will be invaluable.

"He'll give us a bit of know-how and a real presence. You don't do what he's done in the game without being a top, top player and he's got all the medals to show for it."

Spurs kick off their Champions League group away to Werder Bremen on 14 September before entertaining Twente on 29 September and then travelling to Inter Milan on 20 October.

If Dawson is out for eight weeks he could also miss the home game with Inter on 2 November, which comes three days after the Premier League trip to Manchester United.

Among the other league matches he will be unavailable for are London derbies at West Ham and Fulham and a home game with Everton.

the "Let's all laugh at Tottenham" thread

[The Kop]

fair call brian reade, most of it agreeable.

sauce: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion ... 66421.html

Why Barcelona are going from world's favourite club to its most hated

Did you know the second most-hated team in South Korea after Pyongyang City is Barcelona?

Bit of a surprise eh? ­Especially as the Catalans have done such a sound job convincing the rest of us they are divine missionaries sent to show sinners how to be successful yet humble, scornful of wealth yet rich in so many other ways.

A sort of Mother Theresa in Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elite FG boots.

South Korea used to like them. Up until three weeks ago, when Barca accepted £2million for the briefest of visits, and couldn’t contain their disdain for the place.

They fielded a team of reserves against a K-League All Stars team with ticket prices set at five times the going rate.

Lionel Messi was asked what he thought of the country and replied with a yawn: “I don’t know where I am and what time it is. I’m too tired.”

Furious fans demanded refunds after Pep Guardiola announced that Messi wouldn’t be playing. By the time he reluctantly threw Messi on for 17 minutes (to ride out contractual fines) the stadium was half-empty. As Barça swiftly departed Seoul an official K-League statement accused them of an “insincere attitude”, and the media lambasted their breath-taking arrogance, a feeling summed up by the journalist who wrote: “A club which is supposed to be more than a club isn’t much of a club at all.”

Which is a perception that’s been gathering pace all summer, kicking off with their attempts to nick Cesc Fabregas on the cheap. President Jean Laporta thanked Fabregas for saying he wanted to join them, adding he was sure Arsenal would understand and relent, while pointing out he would not be bullied over price.

So blatant was the tapping-up you wondered how UEFA could stay silent. And when senior players publicly demanded his release you expected the NSPCC to demand a child abuse inquiry.

Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique forced a Barca shirt on him, and Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets all told the media how it was natural justice that Cesc should be playing with them next season.

It was an outrage compounded by Laporta refusing to go above £29m for such an immensely gifted 23-year-old, when they were flogging a reserve, Yaya Toure, to Manchester City for £24m.

Anyone giving them the benefit of the doubt over Fabregas, on the grounds that it was where he grew up, has surely binned such notions after their pursuit of Javier Mascherano. The tapping-up started last summer when Rafa Benitez gave it short shrift. But they’ve been tapping away ever since, exploiting the fact that his wife can’t settle in England in order to get him at a knock-down fee.

Once again they encouraged their stars to indulge in emotional blackmail.

“Javier won’t play for the club again, I can assure you of that. He is depressed. Liverpool must act humanely and let him go,” said world renowned peace activist Messi.

Humanely? Liverpool were always prepared to put the mercenary’s bags in a Davy Liver cab the second a £20m deal came in. Which was a reasonable request.

He’s the captain of Argentina, arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, cost £18m and there was two years left on his contract.

Barcelona agreeing terms with Mascherano then offering his club £12m plus a reject, and saying they wouldn’t be held to ransom, was what I called inhumane.

This summer we’ve looked through Mother Theresa’s blue-and-red skirts and what we’ve seen hasn’t been pretty. It is as though the Catalans are so filled with self-love they don’t realise they’ve become a parody of their “more than a club” motto.

When they adopted Unicef’s logo in the most brilliant PR move ever, Laporta turned into a cheesey Michael Jackson clone by announcing: “The people of Barça are very proud to donate our shirt to the children of the world who are our present, but especially are our future.”

Especially if they can tap them up and nab them for sod-all when they grow up.

**

Graham Taylor is spot on when he argues a player refusing to play for his club as he holds out for a move is ­tantamount to treason. And the ­punishment should fit the crime!

It would be tempting to blindfold the likes of Javier Mascherano and Asmir Begovic and put a bullet through their chests at dawn, but I’m guessing there might be a few legal problems.

I favour telling the players to turn up at the club shop at 9am the following day, give them the maximum fine you’ve docked from their wages in crisp notes and make them hand out refunds to any fan who returns a shirt bearing their name.

If the fine doesn’t cover the demand, let them pay from their own deep pockets, or explain to the fans why they hold them in such utter contempt.

**

Reading Jose Mourinho's latest assessment of the state of world football I couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

His main points seemed to be that Liverpool have gone steadily worse since 2004, Roy Hodgson has no chance of achieving anything with the squad he's been lumbered with, and whatever Inter Milan win this season will be down to him not the new coach.

Proving he's still deeply traumatised at losing two Champions League semi-finals to Liverpool while at Chelsea which has stopped him being able to boast he was a European and domestic champion at every big club he's worked.

And each night before getting into bed he sticks pins in a voodoo doll of a fat Spanish waiter.

[Chade]

Nice article. Sums up what I've been thinking.

To be honest, if a player refused to play, I'd dock them their wages, because they're basically refusing to do their job, and breaking their contract. Fuck 'em.