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Footy is filled with fantastical storylines, embellished headlines and completely fabricated news. Football is at a pivotal point in many ways – scandals, match-fixing, rampant racism, rioting, and then there are the on-the-pitch troubles as well. My intent for this column is to bring you the day’s best headlines, along with a little wry, honest and critical commentary, in as compact a manner as I can muster. Here we go…
Jack Butland has defended his decision to snub Chelsea and opt for playing with the Potters (Stoke). He cites his reasoning as a desire to play regularly. There is also the fact that by joining Chelsea he would be forced into wearing an ice hockey helmet in goal like Cech……Speaking of Chelski, Atletico Madrid has hinted at an open door for a Torres return to their La Liga side. News has reached the Fulham part of London where a parade has been scheduled……Michael Owen could really have been something. He had all the promise in the world. Fast Forward more than a decade and here we are, with Owen complaining of not having been offered a contract from Newcastle. Please, stop. I disagree with Neil Young – sometimes it’s better to fade away than burn out. Shhhh……Back to Stoke. Peter Crouch has lent his support for manager Tony Pulis. Okay, he signed Shawcross (whom I can’t stomach watching, for the record), and N’Zonzi seems like a good lad, so he’s not done a bad job. I’m all for cutting him some slack, please, let’s not make managerial decisions based on what Peter Crouch says……Stevan Jovetic, the dazzling Fiorentina forward, has been flattered by interest from England. It appears Arsenal and Manchester City are keeping tabs on the 23-year old from Montenegro. Based on recent trends, Man City are offering 50 million, while it is believed Arsene Wenger is set to offer three Cadbury chocolate bars and a plate of bangers and mash, the Frenchman citing the need to control spending. Ugh……I’ll leave you with another bit of Arsenal news. The club have brought in Nigerian International Godfrey Oboabona on a trial. The centre half was a standout at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. Apparently the bloke was met at Heathrow by Steve Bould, Arsenal’s defensive “architect”, and was cheekily asked, “Have you heard of a set piece? You have? Great, you’re in!”
That does it for today. I’m off to stock my fridge and get back in time for some footy replays. Carpe Diem, mates.
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photo credit: Ronnie Macdonald via photopin cc
