FEC All Future for Michael Johnson.

Following his truly remarkable performances for Manchester City, Michael Johnson, has been hotly tipped by his new manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, as an FEC (future England captain). Always encouraging to unearth new promising talent for England, which presumably will mean the following career path:

1. a big money move to Chelsea where he will languish in the reserves until being transferred to West Ham or Newcastle in 2-3 years - where he will become an instant millionaire with his signing on fee;


2. his WAG will be pictured shopping in the Arnedale Centre wearing big sunglasses in the middle of winter and will follow it up by participation in a reality TV show (she won't win after a racist incident);


3. excessive media attention will turn a once promising footballer, into a believer of his own hype and importance - he will then miss a penalty in a shoot out with Croatia in the quarter finals of the Euro championship;


4. he will bring out an autobiography entitled “My Story” (of which, of course, at the tender age of 22, there basically isn’t one - well not one worth bothering to read at any rate);


5. a metatarsal injury, naturally.

Hopefully not true but, in all seriousness, how can we continue to try and talk objectively about improving the England side when the club v country v personal issues continue to be as prevalent as ever? Nobody can blame any person for wanting to earn big money to secure their financial future (or even a few plasma TV screens and a Bentley). Be realistic, we all would if we could. Being the richest league in the world does not guarantee the success of an England team. In fact, its very success in attracting financial resources is actually also its biggest weakness. We've said it in previous posts but while the FA continues to be more concerned with money than developing a strategy for the game, whatever talent Michael Johnson (or any other promising English player) possesses will still probably come to nothing. Ref: Scott Parker, Steve Sidwell, Sean Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge..........

Reclaim the Game - Weekend Events

• As if spilling the beans about your husband's penchant for wearing your underwear is not enough, Posh Spice also revealed that "used-to-be-a-good-footballer Spice" liked to prance around the kitchen declaring "I'm a Gay icon...I'm a Gay icon!". This careful cultivation of the pink pound has been somewhat undermined by Graeme Le Saux's autobiography which claimed that David Beckham had called him a "f***in' poof." Cue Beckham's agents quickly stepping in to deny the incident, citing Le Saux's need to hype up publicity for his new tome. Take's one to know one, we say.


• Brings tears to the eyes just imagining Beckham squeezing his gonads into a size zero thong!


• England 6 - Argentina 1. Who says England can't produce inspired performances in tournaments? So well done to the women for comprehensively showing up your underperforming, far out-earning brothers! Just win the bloody penalties for God's sake.


• Years ago the league tables were not even produced until a minimum of three games (at the very least) had been played. This season, after just two games, Manchester United were already out of the title race, Manchester City were reborn under Sven and Liverpool were likely champions. This weekend Arsenal are tipped for the top (despite having been universally written off) and Chelsea are has-beens. We've always believed the true story of any season starts at a minimum of 10 games or so. Sadly after five to six games of this season, the top four/five already appears to have a familiar ring.

Hats Off, Take a Bow (or not)

Player of the Week - Cesc Fabregas. Not just for his performance against Spurs but for leading Arsenal's charge to the top of the Premiership.

Villain of the week - Jose Mourinho. Referee/referee's assistant made a mistake. Asking for an apology is not going to get you two more points. Everybody makes mistakes (after all you stayed at Chelsea when you could have left with your head held high!).

Hero of the Week - Emile Heskey. Brought better balance and shape to an England team but, more importantly answered many of his critics (well at least for now). Anyway, now we know he's back in the frame as an England choice because he's broken his foot and can't play.

Cliche of the week - 'I don't know why everybody wrote them off so soon' (various).

Shock of the Week - Scotland. Great result but why are they once again setting themselves up for a big fall.