Shotgunbagsy

I know I’m not the only one who turns into an old fish wife when this time of year comes around. The nation is flapping its gums and for the only time in the year I can just about understand why people love their celeb gossip magazines. The BBC website even has a ‘Gossip’ section in the Football category.

In my defence it’s a known fact that transfers shape leagues, and we’re smack bang in the middle of a pretty interesting window. It’s not like I give a flying beach ball (still pains me to say those two words together) about who’s had what baby, but this stuff is important. There are rumours and signings happening all over the league, and we’ve not managed to pass by without a bit of dirty washing going public.

All hail Hodgson. He’s been in for 5 minutes and instantly started working on the problems in front of him. Aurelio was asked to hang up his boots by Rafa just before the defecation hit the oscillation.. after a chat with the new gaffer he’s more determined than ever to get the red men onto a winning streak. Roy is on about Mascher even sticking around despite the near certain eventuality of him following Senór Benitez. There’s not much time left in the transfer window, and it’s an achievement to be able to say that Javier is still here so late in the day. The BBC reckons that he’ll be nursing the various savings accounts in the club – nothing but the best.

We’ve started the season with a fairly shaky result, but we can rest easy knowing it’s one of the top four. Walking away with a draw is sometimes unjust. I disagree with Hodson’s opinion on the matter: I think we deserved the final score. Joe Cole saw a straight red for the very first time in his career and his first appearance for the ‘pool, but we can confidently say that this was a poor call from the ref.

I’m chuffed to see N’Gog scoring again. It always looked as though he was suffering with a confidence issue (as many of us may well do if we were 2nd to Fernando Torres) and maybe now is his time to shine. Let’s have a bit of faith in Rafa’s judgement. Good lad. Roy makes similar moves as he looks at picking up 24 year old striker Ola Toivonen from PSV. Keep your eyes peeled for this one. 1 – 1 and we’re somewhere in the mess of the mid-table. I don’t think positions are too important when there are so many in the pack at the moment (we’re 10th).

We managed to beat Rabotnicki Skopje 2 – 0 in qualifying for.. wait for it.. that’s right! You remember from last season! THE EUROPA!! Aurelio’s right. Champions league please boys.  Tonight we take on Trabzonspor of Turkey at 6.30 (GMT). They’ve made some signings of a few names I don’t recognise (Jajá) who will probably make an impression. Reina’s had his mistake of the season now. Lightning will not strike twice.

Next up in the Premier League is Manchester City. That’s next Monday at 8pm and I’ll be grinning start to finish.

Ferguson has been blasting Mancini for snap spending. The Italian has shot back  with a statement defending James Milner as a good player to have locked into quickly. He also hastened to remind Sir Alex that he has spent quite enough money making financial investments in the past and that he shouldn’t be so quick to criticize.

O’Neil was let go from Villa, Tottenham lost to Young Boys of Bern’s on what has become a controversial [artificial] playing surface and Blackpool came up from the Championship to start their season with a 4-0 smashing of Wigan – good luck to them as they face the gunners this weekend.

That’s the news in brief! Welcome back EPL.