Martin Lol

Nor are those on KUMB. Being said there that Parker's not happy, Brady gave Parker permission to talk to Spurs and Sullivan is now backtracking, Boa Morte ain't happy cos Brady refused to pay for a nanny for his kids and some of the senior players are boycotting events arranged by Sullivan. Not a happy camp by the sounds of it.

Liverpool TV is, if you have it of course. It's on Primetime TV (480) as well. Not that I'll be subscribing to watch it.

On Eurosport at 3pm. Dean Parrett suspended. Spain going to be way too strong for us I think.

Aston Villa reputedly trying to get Bellamy + Ireland + cash for Milner It'd be a good deal for Villa if it happens

I'd agree with that. £1m isn't a lot of money but for that Wham aren't getting much of a player.

We're just going into the final year with Puma. I'm told that the deal with Adidas is agreed and in place. For how long etc I have no idea.

Agreed. The away kits are godawful too. Hope Adidas can turn out something better for 2012

http://www.dearmrlevy.com/storage/kits2011.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1279225032088

But I take it you're referring to the Carrick that moved to ManU for £14m and had a few solid seasons for them, as opposed to the Carrick that played last year for them? His entire game is based around his passing/distribution. He's not a natural ball winner, he's not the most athletic of players, he's not a goal threat, and technically he's very limited on the ball (which is why he passes it quickly in the first place). Since he was very poor last year in terms of passing/distributing the ball, shockingly so at times, and his touch had deserted him, he was pretty much a nothing player for ManU. Compared to Gibson, he looked inferior when Gibson did play imo. Can't say I noticed Gibson's touch/passing being awful, maybe you're right, but with Carrick being so visibly piss poor, merely posing a goal threat was enough for Gibson to look a better player imo. And given that Gibson is younger with possibly more room to improve as well as being from the ManU academy, maybe Fergie sees him as a better prospect than Carrick? Or as Dave says, it might be that he wants to bring through other prospects. But with Scholes and Giggs on the wane, and Carrick being in a prime age for a midfielder in his position, surely Fergie wanting him out should ring alarm bells for anyone? Assuming there's truth in this rumour. And of course the notion of him being another Butt type Fergie cast-off depends on whether last season was a blip for Carrick, or the start of a slide. If Fergie does let him go, I'd hedge my bets on it being the latter - he's not infallable, but if there's a manager out there who excels at getting rid of players at the right time then it's Fergie. Pique, Rossi and Forlan for example? 1) "He's not infallible". You even highlighted it. Yes, he does make mistakes, but I'm not denying this rumoured Carrick sale might be one. 2) No manager has a 100% track record in anything. Are you saying Fergie doesn't excel at getting rid of players at the right time because of a handful of counter examples? What next, Wenger doesn't excel at blooding youth into the first team because of Bentley, Hoyte and Merida? 3) We all know about Pique, Forlan, Rossi, Beckham, Stam, RvN, Kanchelskis, Ince, Hughes, McGrath, so on and so forth. Didn't think it was worthwhile including any references to them though, as they're not relevant to Carrick specifically, other than the last set of players. The premise I'm referring to is that Fergie only really sells "good" players if they're foreigners who've failed to adapt (Forlan, Veron), youngsters who've not broken into the first team (Pique, Rossi), or players he's fallen out with (Stam, Beckham, RvN). Carrick doesn't fit any of these profiles. Beyond that, he doesn't tend to get rid of first team players unless they've dropped a level or two (e.g. Andy Cole, Butt) or were never really good enough in the first place (Phil Neville), with youngsters or replacements at a similar level with the potential to get better waiting in the wings (and yes, I know who C.Ronaldo is). Carrick at his best is/was good enough for ManU's first team in the holding midfield role, he's in his prime years, he's experienced at all levels. If there is a sale and there hasn't been a fallout behind the scenes, imo it'll be because Fergie has seen (or thinks he's seen) a drop in ability/performance levels. [/quote The point I was making was that Fergie in my opinion is nowhere near the best at s But I take it you're referring to the Carrick that moved to ManU for £14m and had a few solid seasons for them, as opposed to the Carrick that played last year for them? His entire game is based around his passing/distribution. He's not a natural ball winner, he's not the most athletic of players, he's not a goal threat, and technically he's very limited on the ball (which is why he passes it quickly in the first place). Since he was very poor last year in terms of passing/distributing the ball, shockingly so at times, and his touch had deserted him, he was pretty much a nothing player for ManU. Compared to Gibson, he looked inferior when Gibson did play imo. Can't say I noticed Gibson's touch/passing being awful, maybe you're right, but with Carrick being so visibly piss poor, merely posing a goal threat was enough for Gibson to look a better player imo. And given that Gibson is younger with possibly more room to improve as well as being from the ManU academy, maybe Fergie sees him as a better prospect than Carrick? Or as Dave says, it might be that he wants to bring through other prospects. But with Scholes and Giggs on the wane, and Carrick being in a prime age for a midfielder in his position, surely Fergie wanting him out should ring alarm bells for anyone? Assuming there's truth in this rumour. And of course the notion of him being another Butt type Fergie cast-off depends on whether last season was a blip for Carrick, or the start of a slide. If Fergie does let him go, I'd hedge my bets on it being the latter - he's not infallable, but if there's a manager out there who excels at getting rid of players at the right time then it's Fergie. Pique, Rossi and Forlan for example? 1) "He's not infallible". You even highlighted it. Yes, he does make mistakes, but I'm not denying this rumoured Carrick sale might be one. 2) No manager has a 100% track record in anything. Are you saying Fergie doesn't excel at getting rid of players at the right time because of a handful of counter examples? What next, Wenger doesn't excel at blooding youth into the first team because of Bentley, Hoyte and Merida? 3) We all know about Pique, Forlan, Rossi, Beckham, Stam, RvN, Kanchelskis, Ince, Hughes, McGrath, so on and so forth. Didn't think it was worthwhile including any references to them though, as they're not relevant to Carrick specifically, other than the last set of players. The premise I'm referring to is that Fergie only really sells "good" players if they're foreigners who've failed to adapt (Forlan, Veron), youngsters who've not broken into the first team (Pique, Rossi), or players he's fallen out with (Stam, Beckham, RvN). Carrick doesn't fit any of these profiles. Beyond that, he doesn't tend to get rid of first team players unless they've dropped a level or two (e.g. Andy Cole, Butt) or were never really good enough in the first place (Phil Neville), with youngsters or replacements at a similar level with the potential to get better waiting in the wings (and yes, I know who C.Ronaldo is). Carrick at his best is/was good enough for ManU's first team in the holding midfield role, he's in his prime years, he's experienced at all levels. If there is a sale and there hasn't been a fallout behind the scenes, imo it'll be because Fergie has seen (or thinks he's seen) a drop in ability/performance levels. The point I was making was that in my opinion Fergie is nowhere near the best manager at getting rid of players at the right time. That title, much as it pains me to say it, goes to Wenger. The number of players he has bought relatively cheaply, sold them for significant figures after their best years have gone and then watch them go downhill, is quite unbelievable. Yes, he brings in some youngsters, sells some he feels he doesn't need, but even then there is usually a sell-on clause built in. If I were an Arsenal fan, my only criticism of Wenger would be that he sometimes perseveres with players who patently are not enough enough for the squad he has built. That apart, his judgement of using youngsters, selling established players at the right time and signing players who fit well into his system, is pretty near faultless, far better than Fergie's (in my opinion).

But I take it you're referring to the Carrick that moved to ManU for £14m and had a few solid seasons for them, as opposed to the Carrick that played last year for them? His entire game is based around his passing/distribution. He's not a natural ball winner, he's not the most athletic of players, he's not a goal threat, and technically he's very limited on the ball (which is why he passes it quickly in the first place). Since he was very poor last year in terms of passing/distributing the ball, shockingly so at times, and his touch had deserted him, he was pretty much a nothing player for ManU. Compared to Gibson, he looked inferior when Gibson did play imo. Can't say I noticed Gibson's touch/passing being awful, maybe you're right, but with Carrick being so visibly piss poor, merely posing a goal threat was enough for Gibson to look a better player imo. And given that Gibson is younger with possibly more room to improve as well as being from the ManU academy, maybe Fergie sees him as a better prospect than Carrick? Or as Dave says, it might be that he wants to bring through other prospects. But with Scholes and Giggs on the wane, and Carrick being in a prime age for a midfielder in his position, surely Fergie wanting him out should ring alarm bells for anyone? Assuming there's truth in this rumour. And of course the notion of him being another Butt type Fergie cast-off depends on whether last season was a blip for Carrick, or the start of a slide. If Fergie does let him go, I'd hedge my bets on it being the latter - he's not infallable, but if there's a manager out there who excels at getting rid of players at the right time then it's Fergie. Pique, Rossi and Forlan for example?

I'm waiting to see what the other sponsor's logo looks like and make my mind up then. The Zurich mock up looked good, the Santander didn't (imo). It's all a bit academic as this is the last season of our deal with Puma, we're signed up with Adidas for the season after and onwards. Something new to buy for 2011.

Mocked up a couple of days ago, Autonomy are now confirmed so it seems like this is our new kit for the PL only. Separate sponsor for all cup competitions, rumoured to Santander, Zurich or Bloomberg in contention. http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2522/autonomy.jpg

Simon Kjaer to Wolfsburg.

With a new sponsor this week. Mansion's gone but not forgotten.

Major cock up by Everton. The lad's got talent.

Don't think the FA would touch him with a bargepole with the baggage he's carrying. Hodgson with Beckham as his assistant would be my choice, a quality English speaking manager aided by the only man on the bench tonight who looked bothered by what he was seeing. The only thing that bothered Capello was not resigning so that he protects his departure package.

Plus he's English which will be important for their CL squad. Surprised Chelsea haven't made more of an effort to keep Joe Cole tbh. Asking for £110,000 a week apparently. Plus he's English which will be important for their CL squad. Surprised Chelsea haven't made more of an effort to keep Joe Cole tbh. Asking for £110,000 a week apparently. And the alternative is to let a £15m+ player walk out the door and spend a similar amount to replace him. £110,000 pw is a ridiculous amount of money but still a cheaper alternative to Cole going on a Bosman.

Plus he's English which will be important for their CL squad. Surprised Chelsea haven't made more of an effort to keep Joe Cole tbh.

The confidentiality clause imposed on David Moores when he sold Liverpool to the Americans seems to have expired. The details published in the Times and the spectre of administration haven't been well received on RAWK http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=028d2a732c6c4c5ff1b841176a2d6d45&topic=258490.0 After years of Liverpool laughing at Everton's financial problems, wonder how the Everton fans feel now that the shoe seems firmly to be on the other foot?

Sky Sports Italia report that Redknapp was the guest of Palermo on Sunday watching Simon Kjaer. We'll need someone to replace Woodgate

I think it's worked well. Actual development matches have been up and down as you'd expect with what is basically a bunch of youngsters often playing older wiley players but a lot have gone out on loan and come back every 2 weeks to be assessed and play one of these games. Steven Caulker at Yeovil has come back massively improved, a Championship team for him next season if he doesn't join the Spurs first team squad.

Sounds like a great idea for the young lads, impress some other managers in an environment they're comfortable in. The match wasn't to offload players, it was effectively a reserve team match, Spurs pulled out of the Reserve League to have more matches like this that would hopefully challenge the players more. That said, managers/coaches/scouts from Championship and League 1 were there with a view to long loans for next season and there were a lot there. None of those who played apart from Sam Cox are going to be released, well, not this summer at least. Livermore wasn't even playing, he was there watching. Spurs won 5-3 Teams: SPURS v CHELSEA 4-4-2 4-4-2 5(3) 3(0) Lawrence Thomas 1 Niclas Heimann Adam Smith 2 B. Clifford Nathan Byrne 3 Jeffrey Bruma Dean Parrett 4 Liam Bridcutt© Calum Butcher 5 Patrick Van Aanholt Steven Caulker© 6 Conor Clifford Paul-Jose M'Poku 7 Jacopo Sala Ryan Mason 8 Nemanja Malic Jonathan Obika 9 Gael Kakuta John Bostock 10 Josh McEachlan Andros Townsend 11 Jacob Mellis 12 Daniel Philliskirk Simon Dawkins 13 Walker 61Mins. Olumide Durojaiye 14 Ben Gordon 79Mins. 46Mins. Jake Nicholson 15 Pirez 79Mins. 46Mins. Sam Cox 16 Rohan Ince 79Mins. Massimo Luongo 17 79Mins. Oscar Jansson 18 Scorers:- Obika 5, 20, 34, 70 Mellis 67 Bostock 76 Kakuta 81 Bruma 86

plus a bonus for each win and draw i never say this but i think the best thing to do is shut the club down, use it as an example of how not to run a club and let the pompey fans start afresh because some of this s*** thats come out is unbelievable how can any club be so incompetently run i'm still baffled by the begovic thing http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/club-statement-220410.html The Club can confirm that it has invoiced Portsmouth Football Club for £1m in respect of the failure of the joint transfer of Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic to Spurs and in accordance with the Agreement of 30 January 2010 between both Clubs. The statement contained within the Administrator's report released yesterday (21/04/10) that it relates to a sell-on fee for Begovic, is inaccurate, as is the statement that the player was registered with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Our original agreement with Portsmouth was for the purchase of two players for a combined, agreed price. The transfer of Younes Kaboul was completed and Portsmouth pressed for an immediate payment in order to alleviate their cashflow situation. We were assured that the transfer of Begovic would be completed before the end of the transfer window. In order to assist Portsmouth with their financial difficulties we paid Portsmouth an agreed sum of money, whilst at the same time concluding an agreement that, should Begovic be sold or loaned to any Club other than ourselves, we would be repaid the sum of £1m. Portsmouth were keen to openly and freely agree to this surety. Our intention had been to assist a fellow Club in financial difficulties whilst at the same time protecting our commercial position. We shall continue to do the latter and trust that this statement clarifies the position.

Well done!! Missed the trip to SJP, looking forward to it next season.

Pretty fair assessment based on their time together at Spurs. You may well have the makings of a sound management team which would be good enough for next season.