1johnnyspencer

Why would a sport so lacking in honesty insist that anything be honoured? Contracts in football aren't the same as contracts in other forms of employment. Signing a long-term contract ups a player's value for the club. It also means that if and when a transfer occurs, the player gains a greater amount through his ten percent (or whatever cut he gets) of the fee. Therefore, long-term contracts benefit the player and the club, which is why they are still being made.

Was discussing this series of articles/hatchet jobs with a friend. This latest strop by the Ivorian could finger him as the source within the club, the traitor. And I always thought Clemenza would be the one...

Some people were always going to react badly to the ousting of Jose. No-one wants to see DD go, but if he doesn't want to stay, there's not much anyone can do about it. He's been a great performer these past couple of years and will be a hard act to follow. If only Shevchenko shared his feelings. The thing that got me thinking, is this: If a player announces so publicly that he wants out, does that effect his market value? Will other clubs, knowing he is definitely leaving, feel that a paltry transfer fee is all his worth, especially when you take into account his 'volatility'. That said, he's long supposed to have wanted a move to Italy or Spain. On the other hand, the British press doesn't have the greatest of records when it comes to translating foreign-language articles. To say they feel free to interpret what is printed is putting it mildly.

without a doubt. But I think people are being unfair on Buffon. As great as Cech is, it's as little as no difference between him and Buffon. Gerrard's an odd inclusion, though I'm not so blinded by club loyalty as to suggest Lamps should be there in his stead. Maybe Pirlo, Essien, Scholes, but not Lamps.

Interesting post, Cheryl.

Seems like the sports corporations are 'thinking outside of the box', to use a ridiculous phrase (personally, I tend not to do my thinking in boxes). "Hmm, what colours aren't popular in football shirts? Dayglo shades! Of course! And how about salmon pink? The Frenchies will love that. S**t brown anyone? How about turquoise and magenta hoops?" Where is it all heading? Where?

Unless you're talking about the dayglo kit ;)

Only in the unlikely scenario that we face a team whose kit is composed of blue, white and fluorescent yellow. I believe the black to be axed, it is no longer on the megastore site.

At least ours got a name to it. My floodlight gag remains anonymous. I'm off to consult my lawyers...

I'm glad Razorlite played LiveEarth. If people who control China and the many resource-guzzling multinational corporations are going to listen to anyone, it'll be Borrell. I can now sleep well at night knowing that my children's children will live in a better world.

It doesn't matter how that picture makes the shirt look, it GLOWS! When you actually see the shirt you will realise it is every bit as ludicrously dayglo as the megastore and Adidas sight make it appear.

Lmfao. NEW KIT DAMNED WITH FAINT PRAISE! "It looks good for night games?" "A lot better when you actually see it?" Why the question marks? Spot the edit: "(I don't) Really like it, (well, I suppose) it stands out (if you're really going to push me to say something half posititve)?" "Can't wait to see the team in it (, they may blind the opposition)?" One bad result, and everyone will hate it. Well, those that don't already.

No. If anything, light makes matters worse. Much, much worse. I think Mr Burns is definitely behind this one.

I had a vague hope that the new away shirt might be more lemony yellow than it appears on the website, but no. Having seen it in the window of the Megastore today (why 'mega'? It's barely bigger than your average WH Smiths), if anything the official pics down-play the glow-in-the-dark ridiculousness of it. I guess the kids'll love it. Lord above, let's hope the third kit is decent. I never liked Umbro much, but all of a sudden, I'm getting nostalgic twinges...

Nu-Rave? Jeez, I remember (just about, through a fog) the old rave. I'm feeling old, now.