Second post in a couple of hours, I don't know how the servers are going to cope

Being the pretty big prick that I am I like to go and post snide comments at The World Game.

Often these posts are either praising Tim Vickery and questioning why he decides to associate with such a bunch of charlatans like Fos and Les or just paying out on Fos and Les for their Sydney bias and fetish for foreign accents.

But what I've been noticing even more is that my comments are being edited or deleted entirely. Fuck, I don't mind if they delete it entirely it just shows how much of an egomaniac Les is, but when my comments get edited so it looks like I'm praising those gimps is what really pisses me off.

I think that maybe I should try a new tactic. Instead of criticisng Fos I should start complementing and encouraging him. I should play it up that he has the smartest and shrewdest football brain in Australia. If he keeps on reading all of this shit that I feed him I'm hoping that one day he'll decide enough is enough and he'll become coach of Sydney FC.

And once he's cocked that up I'll be able to send email after email filled with bile about how much of a perma-tanned gimp he is (what shade of orange is that? Radioactive orange?). Then I'll pay for a flight for Terry Butcher to come over and punch Fossie in the nads.

Ok, Sounds like a plan.

3-2-1, break

Back from Hiatus

Ok granted that no one has posted on this blog since August last year but I feel like I need a place to start spreading shit about SBS on the internet. And considering that they delete my abusive comments that I leave on everyone of Les Murray's articles I figured that this would be the best place.

The game against Kuwait last week was cringeworthy. Everytime we gave up possession cheaply or punted a long ball up forward was excruciatingly painful to watch. But the one thought that was in the forefront of my mind after Kuwait scored was "shit, now we have to listen to all of the crap paying out on the A League players being garbage". The reason why this pisses me off is because of the duality. In the Asian Cup we had an absolutely rancid tournament and players like Grella and Neill were shielded from the criticism because of TWG's (The World Game, SBS's football mouthpiece) vendetta against current Australian coach Graham Arnold. They blasted Arnold for being tactically naive and not ready for the job.

All I want now is for SBS to treat Pim Verbeek in exactly the same manner. His team gets well beaten by poor oposition and there are two ways this can be seen: the first that players who led Adelaide to the Asian Champions League final have suddenly become shit or the second which is that the manager has failed to adequately articulate what they have to do to win the game. I am of the latter opinion. I work on the premise that the vast majority of footballers are dumb, and if you left it to them they'd be hoofing balls forward and trying to score from 30 yards out all of the time. It is the coaches role to curb this instinct and instill a style of play which may not be as direct but is infinitely more efficient. This is what Pim has failed to do.

On top of this the squad he put together indicates that he must have been sleeping during some of the A League games he has been watching. The problem is not with A League players, but the A League players that Pim selects.

Australia: Eugene Galekovic (gk), Craig Moore, Archie Thompson, Matt McKay, Paul Reid, Matt Simon, Rod Vargas, Tom Pondeljak, Matt Thompson, Michael Zullo, Daniel Mullen Subs: 111. Fabian Barbiero, 35. Robert Cornthwaite, 68. Tarek Elrich, 72. Dean Heffernan, 109. Mitch Nichols, 99. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 49. Nikolai Topor-Stanley

The players who do not belong in the squad are:

Matt Simon - the epitomy of everything that is wrong with Australian football. Hard work + no skill = Socceroo. He's a poor man's Danny Allsop, and if you're a poor man's Danny then you must be like Somalian poor.

Daniel Mullen - why?

Matt McKay - amazing what a wrap this guy gets for the work that Massimo Murdocca does. He goes missing more than Olivia Newton Johns boyfriend.

Fabian Barbiero - acording to Mark Bosnich "a swallow doesn't make a summer" but for this guy it seems that a flukey goal makes a international appearance. How he is in front of Nicky Ward or Celeski is beyond me.

Dean Heffernan - Two words, Matthew Kemp. Kemp has pretty much run the left flank for the Victory by himself all season. While Heffernan's greatest acheivement is growing a Shannon Noll goatie.
Mitch Nichols - This is the kind of guy who makes Chook look proficient in front of goal. Having him start in front of Charlie Miller is the reason why Queensland are not going to play Asian Champions League next season.

Topor Stanley - And finally Mr Topor Stanley. In a way I love this guy. He gives me hope that one day i'll become an international level footballer. He turns slower than milk and he seems to play a game where he can see how many times in a game he can turn the ball over. Have a look at the Newcastle game last night. Fuck I feel sorry for Van Egmond.

Anyone who wants to defend Pim, I put to you the argument that his idea of a Plan B is to put Robbie Cornthwaite on as a striker in the second half. Suck on that one Les.

The Second coming of the Messiah is apon us!

Behold our saviour has returned...
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Diva Vote

This round

Eve

vs.
Jillian



Next Round Katie Lee vs Kelly Kelly

The wonderful world according to Ernie Merrick

VICTORY coach Ernie Merrick has defended his decision to allow Kaz Patafta to join Newcastle Jets and claimed Melbourne still have young star quality.

Patafta arrived at Victory on a one-year loan from Portuguese giant Benfica in June last year and made 14 Hyundai A-League appearances for the club, scoring his first goal against Wellington Phoenix in Round 20.

The 19-year-old played in four of Victory’s AFC Champions League 2008 matches and was mutually released from his Benfica contract last month.

But instead of staying with Victory where he was frequently sidelined and denied a starting role, Patafta has opted for a move to the Hunter Valley.

Victory Coach Ernie Merrick said the club didn’t want to stand in the way of Patafta’s ambitions and will look to add to both its senior and youth squads with further youngsters.

“Kaz is a promising young player and we don’t want to stand in his way of trying to secure a regular first-team position,” Merrick said.

“Kaz sees more opportunities with Newcastle and we wish him all the best for the future.

“We currently have five quality players aged 20 or younger – Leigh Broxham, Sebastian Ryall, Mitchell Langerak, Evan Berger and Nathan Elasi – and we’ll continue to sign more exciting youngsters to strengthen our first-team and our new National Youth League side.”

Now Patafta is looking forward to his new club and the chance to be a first team regular at last.

“It’s been a great season in Melbourne and I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Patafta said.

“I’ve learnt a lot both on and off the field from everyone at Victory and I’ve been happy living in this great city for the past 12 months.

“At this point in time it’s important for me to aim to be playing regularly, which I believe is the only way to improve at senior level.

“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge and trying to prove and cement myself as a regular first-team player.”

Wow he is so right, why do we need Kaz when we have quality youngsters like Broxham, Ryall, Berger and Elasi... and to think i was going to write to my friend Cole again asking for his resignation.

Belated GSE News

So there hasnt been much posting for the last month. Fuck I've been pretty busy and very fucking lazy. So here we go as I try to cram in as much news as I can:

1. Former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell has revealed his desire to finish his career in the United States, with New York his preferred destination.

The 29 year old told the press in Australia where he is on international duty: "Playing there (in the USA) is certainly something I'd consider. Not now, but further down the line. You never know. I do love the place."

Kewell who was married in Las Vegas and takes frequent holidays in America made it plain that he would be more than happy to finish his career in the MLS.
He said: "I love it, I love the place."

The Australian captain, who joined Liverpool from Leeds United in 2003, has made only eight league starts this season as injury, poor form and a host of new arrivals at Anfield curtailed his first team chances.

2. West Ham defender Christian Dailly could be set for a permanent move to Rangers.

The Scottish defender fell down the pecking order at Upton Park last season under boss Alan Curbishley and spent most of the campaign at Ibrox.

3. A Freddie Sears brace gave England's under 19s the perfect start in their European Championship Elite Round qaulifiers.

Sears scored both of England's goals as Brian Eastick's side beat Poland 2-0 in Minsk this morning - the first of three qualifying games they will play this week. Sears - partnered in the team by fellow Hammer James Tomkins - opened the scoring on the half hour mark before securing all three points five minutes from time from the penalty spot.

4. Things are moving fast for Orlando Engelaar these days. After another impressive season with Twente, he’s now building a reputation for himself with the Netherlands as well and looks set to seal a dream move to a major club.

The likes of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Olympique de Marseille and West Ham United are all interested in signing the 1.98-metre tall midfielder, but he says he favours a transfer to Fred Rutten’s Schalke.

5. A planning application to bulldoze Green Street's famous Queens pub has been submitted by developers St.Modwen.

St.Modwen - who describe themselves on their website as 'a prestigious city-oriented UK based company which specialises in the regeneration of brownfield and urban environments' - plan to pull down the famous pub and nearby market, a regular haunt of Hammers fans on matchday.

In its place will go a new market hall plus 350 luxury apartments - although there are no plans to replace the pub, which recently underwent a revamp courtesy of brewers Scottish & Newcastle.

An artists impression of the new Queens Market developmentSt.Modwens are no strangers to controversy having been previously involved with the Brighton West Pier fiasco in which their Heritage Lottery funding was suddenly withdrawn. The Heritage Lottery Fund withdrew their offer to cover the costs after it was revealed that St.Modwen's claim for £19 million was some £6 million higher than alternative plans.Visit Friends of Queens Market for more details on the campaign to save the existing market.

www.friendsofqueensmarket.org.uk

Diva Vote

This Round

Cherry
vs.

Candice Michelle

Be sure to Check out the Diva section to make your final decision

http://www.wwe.com/superstars/divas/

West Ham to Buy Out Players Contracts

West Ham United have offered midfielder Freddie Ljungberg a £3 million pay-out to leave Upton Park.

The Times says Ljungberg has three years remaining on the four-year contract he signed when he joined the club from Arsenal last summer. The compensation package is less than his salary of about £3.9million a year - £75,000 a week.

West Ham could make similar compensation offers to Lucas Neill and Luís Boa Morte, the forward, who are among the higher-earning players. The club have been looking for a new right back to replace Neill, the Australia player who earns about £65,000 a week and has a year left on his contract.

A League Rumors

Watched the first half of the Melbourne Victory game last night. Fucking rancid. Switched over to the Adelaide game which was much more enjoyable. Nathan Burns is a star.

1. Source have indicated that Scott Chipperfield may make his way to Melbourne Victory before the new season to strengthen their backline.Additionally, Bangkok news reports have stated that impressive Brazilian striker Ney Farbiano (who scored the first goal against Victory in their 3-1 Champions League defeat in Bangkok) will leave Chonburi FC after their next CL tie against Gamba Osaka and come to Australia. Melbourne Victory are the most likely candidate for this move, as they have had first-hand experience with Ney Farbiano.

2. Adelaide United have been monitoring the position of Troisi for sometime and have contacted his agent about becoming Adelaide's U23 Marquee with the imminent departure of Burns and Djite.

3. PERTH Glory have added two new names to the roster for next season with the signings of attacking midfielders Adriano Pellegrino and Argentinean Adrian Trinidad.Trinidad will link-up with Ivory Coast striker Eugene Dadi, Englishman James Robinson and local stars Jamie Harnwell and Nikita Rukavytsya in a revamped Glory attack that Coach Dave Mitchell is confident will register plenty of goals on a consistent basis.

4. Also check out the GSE giving some stick to those mofo's at SBS. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/blogs/halftimeorange/cruyff-when-football-comes-second-110115/#article2

West Ham Rumors

1. Sunderland boss Roy Keane is moving for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
The Mirror says Keane has made a £2million inquiry for the former England Under-21 striker.
But Celtic boss Gordon Strachan and Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate have also been in contact with the Hammers, who are ready to sell Cole as part of a big clear-out this summer.

2. Tottenham are making a bid for West Ham United defender Anton Ferdinand.

The Sun says the Hammers snubbed a £4million offer for the central defender when Martin Jol was Spurs boss.

But new Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is ready to up the fee to £6m to land the former England Under-21 star.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been told he must trim his huge squad before he can go on a summer spree.

West Ham have six centre-backs on the books and with James Tomkins, 19, pushing for a first-team spot, Curbs may let Ferdinand go.

(I reckon that this rumor is bullocks. We might be willing to let Anton go but why would Spuds want him. They've already got Dawson, King (when he's fit), Woodgate and Kaboul (shit). Would be surprised if they went to sign another high profile defender when their midfield is full of crap 6/10 players)

3. A host of clubs are queuing to speak with off contract Newcastle United fullback Stephen Carr.
Everton, West Ham, Celtic, Wolves and Queens Park Rangers all are chasing the veteran

(Are you fucking serious?)

4. West Ham United are moving for Wolves winger Michael Kightly.
The Mirror says the Hammers are lining up a £3.5million summer raid on Wolves for Kightly.
Former Southend trainee Kightly, 22, has been a revelation at Molineux since arriving in November 2006 from non-League Grays for a nominal fee. Wanderers badly missed the England Under-21 star when he injured an ankle last November and spent most of five months sidelined.

(Not sure what to think about this one. Have heard huge wraps on this guy, but whether we sign him or not is going to depend on whether or not we can clear out our bloated midfield)

5. West Ham United striker Bobby Zamora could be on his way in the summer.
The Mirror says Blackburn and Middlesbrough are tracking Zamora.

6. West Ham United are being linked with a £1m move for Turkish teenage sensation Muhammed Demir.

17-year-old Demir, who currently plays for Bursaspor is one of Europe's most promising youngsters and has also been linked with a number of presitgious clubs such as Barcelona and Seville.But reports in the Turkish press today suggest that West Ham have beaten off all competition to land the. Demir played and scored for Turkey in the 3-0 friendly win against Holland yesterday.

And also don't forget to vote in KUMB's annual awards http://www.kumb.com/awards_vote.php

Diva Vote

(Alphabetically)

This Round
Ashley
vs.
Beth Pheonix

Noooooo! I Thought I had a Chance with her

Scarlett Johansson is now officially off the market.

The voluptuous 23-year-old is engaged to her 31-year-old actor boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, confirms her rep.

The two lovebirds have been dating for a year now, and are "thrilled" at their engagement.

(Van Wilder can kiss my ass)

From USA Today. Who said Americans know nothing about soccerball?

Arsene's on the drug that killed River Phoenix

Arsenal are in talks with Australia U23 captain Mark Milligan.

FoxSports Australia says Milligan, a free agent after three years at Sydney FC, has spent recent weeks training at several Premiership clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham.
Milligan's management has confirmed they're in talks with the Gunners about a move to Emirates stadium for the defensive utility.
Milligan, who played a season under Terry Butcher at Sydney, enjoys a big reputation in Europe after his superb campaign at right-back in the 2005 U20 World Championships in Holland.

This is apparently pretty legitimate, not the usual trash that tribalfootball puts out. He has missed a training camp in Townsville because he is thrashing out the details to his contract.

Ronaldo helps relieve the stress on Man Utd's pressure to retain Title

(The upcoming clash against West Ham must really be doing their head in)

In the Nick of Time for Ward

The exotic Asian stamps in Nick Ward's passport are an indication of how quickly the Melbourne Victory midfielder's life has changed.

In the last few months, he's visited North Korea, Thailand and Japan while South Korea and China are also in his imminent travel plans.

Since returning to the A-League from the English Championship in December, Ward's career has been looking far brighter.

After helping spark a late season surge by Melbourne in the Hyundai A-League, Ward has found himself travelling all over Asia with the Victory in their inaugural AFC Champions League campaign.

And now the 23-year-old is excitedly looking forward to August's Beijing Olympics where he's likely to be a key member of the Olyroos.

'Things seem to be going a lot better for me,' Ward told ESPNsoccernet. 'I recovered from a hernia operation and I haven't missed any games.'

It's a far cry from his frustrating 16 month spell with QPR, visiting the likes of Burnley, Preston and Colchester, and getting loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Australian officials, including former Socceroo coach Graham Arnold, were less than enthusiastic about Ward's move to Loftus Road, believing the ex-Perth Glory star should either have stayed at home or aimed higher.

He was often played out of position by former manager John Gregory and then largely ignored by successors Mick Harford and Luigi Di Canio.

Ward made just 23 appearances for QPR and eight on-loan to Brighton, scoring two goals.

'Sometimes you don't always get along with the new manager, which happened to me,' he said. 'Everything happens for a reason.'

Ward's drab stay at QPR was brightened up by a budding friendship with former Manchester United and Socceroo goalkeeper, Mark Bosnich, who spent a few months training with the club in a return to football after drug and personal problems.

Ward intends to try his luck again in Europe, but is happy for the moment to be a bigger fish in the smaller sea in Australia, having extended his deal with Melbourne to include the 2008-2009 domestic season.

The A-League has been a showcase for Ward ever since his penetrative attacking skills with Perth Glory made such a big impression in the fledgling championship's debut season.

He became the first man to win the A-League's Rising Star Award, and, at the age of just 20, was voted the Perth Supporters' Player of the Year.

Facing up to Serbia, the Ivory Coast and defending champions Argentina in August's Olympic Games will provide the biggest challenge in Ward's career to date and be a possible springboard towards the 2010 World Cup with the Socceroos.

Although Ward has excelled for Australia's under-20 and under-23 sides - he came on as a substitute in the Olyroos' final qualifiers against Iraq and in North Korea last November - he's still yet to make his first senior appearance, having been an unused sub during for an Asian Cup qualifying match against Bahrain in 2006.

'I've been waiting for my first cap,' he admits. 'I thought it might have come a bit earlier.'

The likes of Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano are ahead of him in the midfield pecking order, but Ward knows that upcoming matches with the Olyroos - and facing the bigger sides in the AFC Champions League with Melbourne Victory - will give him plenty of opportunities to catch the eye.

Q: Would it be fair to say that 2008 is turning out to be a much better year than 2007 was for you?
A: Yes, I would say that. Last year we did qualify for the Olympics so that was a high in 2007. But I definitely had some lows last year. Since coming back to Australia with Melbourne Victory I recovered from a hernia operation and things seem to be going a lot better. I haven't missed any games with Melbourne Victory and it's really good for me to look forward to the Olympics in August.

Q: How have you found playing in the AFC Champions League so far? What is it like facing Japanese opposition and have you noticed a style of play that's different to what you're used to?
A: I've enjoyed playing in the AFC. It's a lot higher standard than the A-League especially when you come up against a Japanese team like Gamba Osaka. They've got lots of international players. You can tell the quality, especially in their front third. If you give them opportunities, they tend to take them. I think that's what's cost us in the two games we played them.

Q: How do you look back on your time in England, at Queens Park Rangers and Brighton? What could you have done to have been more successful?
A: I have a few regrets in different ways. I was young. You learn from different things. I went to a club where it wasn't very stable. The first eight games were good: I thought I was playing reasonably well. Then managers change. Sometimes you don't always get along with the new manager which happened to me. I would have liked for it to have gone differently but you can only go with what happens. Everything happens for a reason. I'm happy where I am at the moment. Obviously I'd like to go back overseas but my main focus is to get over the groin injury which is still not completely gone.

Q: When you left for QPR, the FFA were against your move as they thought you should be aiming higher. With hindsight, can you see where they were coming from?
A: Not necessarily. The Championship is a big league and all you need to do is have a couple of good games and you could be picked up by a Premier League team. The main reason I went to a Championship team is that I was going to play every game. You see some of the other Aussie boys - around my age - who are in the Premier League but they're not playing. Q: After your excellent first season in the A-League with Perth Glory, what was it like coming back to the competition with Melbourne Victory?
A: It had changed a lot. The hype behind it, the interest from the public... it had changed. It's a lot bigger now. I definitely enjoyed coming back, even though I was carrying a pretty bad injury and was struggling through the last five matches and taking different painkillers. I've enjoyed it with Melbourne. They're a great team with some really good established players like Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp and you've got good young players coming through like Leigh Broxham. I haven't got a bad word to say about it.

Q: How do you feel about the prospect of playing at the Olympics with the Socceroos given such a tough draw? How good is the next generation of players coming through?
A: When we qualified, it was sort of surreal. It took a little while to sink in. You get only one chance to play in the Olympics. It's a great honour to represent your country. The draw is a very tough one. Serbia are always good at youth and national level. Ivory Coast will be tough. Drogba's shown interest that he wants to play in the Olympics. And the Argentinians speak for themselves. I'm sure that we can do well. We've got a great team. We've been together for a few years now. We have a good understanding of each other and we have a good system. Graham Arnold's worked with us. I think they've done it right this time. We've played a lot of games together. I'm optimistic we can make it into the finals.

Q: You've sat on the bench for the Socceroos in an Asian Cup qualifier. How do you think you might fit into a full strength Socceroo side and is this something that you expect to happen soon?
A: I've been waiting for my first cap. I thought it might have come a bit earlier. I hadn't been playing so that hampered my chances. I got the injury as well. I might have got the chance earlier this year but with Pim (Verbeek) coming in, it wasn't to be. I think I could fit it. I've had a lot of experience with the younger teams& I've always been a starter with them. Obviously there are players ahead of me and I've got a lot to learn to come up to their standard. You've got Timmy Cahill, Mark Bresciano and those sorts of players ahead of you but all you've got to do is be given a chance and you never know.

Ronaldo accuses transvestite of extortion

Soccer stars just want to have fun and Ronaldo is no different. The soccer super spud decided to have him some fun Sunday night at a Rio de Janeiro motel, hiring some prostitutes for a little wink-wink which is completely legal in Brazil. Problem was that the hos were bros.

* Police are probing claims by AC Milan striker Ronaldo that a transvestite sought to extort money from him following an altercation at a motel.

Police inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira said that Ronaldo, who is recuperating from a knee injury in his homeland, contracted the services of three transvestites - believing them to be women - and took them to a Rio de Janeiro motel.

However, Ronaldo is then said to have tried to get out of the situation after one of the men went in search of drugs.

Two of them accepted pay-offs of 1,000 reais (£304), but Ronaldo has claimed that the third, named as Andreia Albertini, demanded 50,000 reais (US 30,000) and threatened to post a video on the internet if he was not paid.

The police also said that the transvestites have claimed that Ronaldo threatened to hurt them.

Nogueira said that Ronaldo had not committed any crimes by contracting the men, but he is looking into other claims.

"He just wanted to have fun and meet some other people outside his usual environment," Nogueira said.

"There is no crime at all."

He added: "He (Ronaldo) is quite shocked. He said he just wanted to have some fun and for the press not to be informed about this.

"Ronaldo told me he is suffering some psychological problems as a result of his injury"

(A clearly disappointed Ronaldo looks on as he realises the model has no male anatomy present)

The Boys at KUMB go through who stays and who goes at the end of this season.

Think they've hit the nail on the head with this one

West Ham United have confirmed that a number of first-team squad members face the chop this summer as Alan Curbishley is forced to reduce his playing staff.

Scott Duxbury revealed last week that Curbishley had been asked to reduce his squad to 24/25 players - or two decent options for each position.So join KUMB as we take a look through the squad to see whose positions are most at risk - and to see a list of the 12 players who we feel have most to fear ...

1. Robert Green - One of the most consistent players at the club this year, Curbishley will do all he can to hang on to the England keeper this summer although bids from other interested parties (possibly Arsenal) may be forthcoming.Stay/go: stay

2. Lucas Neill - Criticised at times this season for some below par performances but still a lynchpin in Curbishley's defence. Will only go if the club are made an offer they can't refuse.Stay/go: stay

3. George McCartney - As the only recognised left back at the club it would be folly to part with the popular Irishman who will feature highly in this year's end of season player polls.Stay/go: stay

4. Danny Gabbidon - The Welsh defender has been out of action since Christmas with a groin injury and has now slipped down the defensive pecking order. Rumours of a fall-out with Curbishley and interest from former club Cardiff could see our 2006 Player of the Year on his way out.Stay/go: go

5. Anton Ferdinand - Just over a year to go on his contract and no new offers from the club have left Ferdinand feeling jittery. However Curbishley is thought to be a fan and unlikely to let him leave without a struggle.Stay/go: stay

6. Matthew Upson - The club's most consistent defender this season, Upson is just about the safest player at the club. However his recent England call-up may have turned one or two heads.Stay/go: stay

7. Freddie Ljungberg - Despite having improved greatly in recent weeks the Swede is still a possibility for the axe due to his higher earnings and the number of players who can play in his position. The problem will be finding someone willing to pay his vast wages.Stay/go: stay

8. Scott Parker - Another to suffer massive injury problems this season, Parker will be a West Ham player next season having arrived for £7m less than a year ago.Stay/go: stay

9. Dean Ashton - The likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa are likely to be keeping an eye on developments in East London with Ashton still to find the form that earned him an England call-up two years ago. Should a high-enough bid come in Curbishley may be tempted to cash in although the likely fallout from the fans may be enough to dissuade such a move.Stay/go: stay

10. Craig Bellamy - Linked with a move to Championship outfit QPR but still has plenty to offer the top flight. Despite massive injury problems Bellamy is set to remain at the club next season.Stay/go: stay

11. Matthew Etherington - Recently signed a new four-year deal so a swift exit is highly unlikely.Stay/go: stay

12. Carlton Cole - Six goals this term may not be enough to save the big striker; the fact that his sheer size offers Curbishley a different option may be. However the right offer - perhaps from a newly promoted club - could tempt Curbs' to sell.Stay/go: go

14. John Paintsil - A cult figure but in all honesty, a pretty average defender. Paintsil - who was signed by Alan Pardew on the back of a good World Cup in 2006 - is one of the hot favourites to go.Stay/go: go

15. Nobby Solano - His current deal comes to an end this summer and it could well be a toss-up between him and Ljungberg to see who goes. The sheer amount of money invested in the Swede could mean the end for Nobby, who has been a big hit with the fans this season.Stay/go: go

16. Mark Noble - A no-brainer if Curbishley values his genitals.Stay/go: stay

17. Hayden Mullins - Several times he has been rumoured to be leaving the club but four years after moving from Crystal Palace the central midfielder remains a solid member of Curbishley's squad. Recent comments by the manager suggesting that Mullins is a bit of an unsung hero point to him remaining at United for a fifth year.Stay/go: stay

18. Jonathan Spector - A jack of all trades but master of none, Spector is going to struggle to hang on to his place in the first team squad when all are fit. However his sheer versatility might just be the very thing that saves him.Stay/go: stay

19. James Collins - Curbishley has a lot of time for the Ginger Pele, whose cruiate injury means he will be going nowhere as he will be benched until Christmas at the earliest.Stay/go: stay

20. Julien Faubert - With so little playing time this season Faubert is another who has it all to do next year. Despite the injuries - and comments made to Equipe earlier in the season regarding the club's trianing methods - the flying Frenchman stays.Stay/go: stay

21. Richard Wright - Already in an extended loan spell with Championship side Southampton, Wright will almost certainly go having complained earlier in the season about a lack of first team football. Stay/go: go

22. Tony Stokes - Another who is like to be moved on having failed to break through to the first team squad.Stay/go: go

23. Jimmy Walker - A hugely popular figure around the club despite barely featuring this season, Walker's lower-end-of-the-pay-scale wages could save him - especially if number two Wright does move on.Stay/go: stay

24. Christian Dailly - On loan with Rangers since the turn of the year, Dailly will offically leave the club this summer when his current deal expires.Stay/go: go

25. Bobby Zamora - Having barely featured this season Zamora is another under threat. However one of either him or Cole are almost certain to be retained; we think the Z-man, on past value, just has the edge.Stay/go: stay

26. Nigel Quashie - Will be moved on this summer if a buyer can be found (and assuming someone can find him first).Stay/go: go

27. Calum Davenport - Had he not broken his neck playing on loan at Watford in January he would have been one of the first out of the door having failed to impress. Like Collins, his injury means he will be going nowhere (until next January, at least).Stay/go: stay

28. Kyel Reid - Another who has failed to impress Curbishley, the young winger could be tempted by a move to Crystal Palace where he spent a successful spell on loan recently.Stay/go: go

29. Lee Bowyer - Started the season superbly but like many others spent the end of it on the treatment table. His numerous injuries are a concern and the right offer could tempt Curbishley to let one of his former proteges go. Stay/go: go

30. James Tomkins - Having finally broken through to the first team Tomkins is finally beginning to realise years of promise. Going nowhere.Stay/go: stay

32. Kieron Dyer - After missing virtually the entire season through injury Dyer is looking forward to returning to action next year. A huge investment, Curbishley will want to see some of his potential realised next season.Stay/go: stay

33. Henri Camara - Why he's still here is a mystery - as is why he was ever signed in the first place. Thankfully he's only on loan.Stay/go: go

34. Luis Boa Morte - Possibly the most under-threat of the big-money Curbishley signings. The fans just haven't taken to him and once that happens your days are usually numbered. The problem will be finding a buyer willing to pay a decent amount for a 31-year-old who cost £5 million just 18 months earlier.Stay/go: go

40. Fred Sears - Likely to be considered a fully-fledged member of the first team squad next season although a loan move may be on the cards should Curbishley sign another striker this summer to complement his existing options.Stay/go: stay

WHU Rumors.

Editorial Summary on the following transfers: Stephen Carr, fuck. The list of has been shit-eaters continues to grow on our books. If we have to lose Green it better be for more than 8 million quid. Andy Johnson, overrated hack who will probably cost a fortune. I seem to remember him turning down a 100k per week salary when we went for him last summer. Is Dawson really that much better than any of the other CB's that we have? And finally, would only sell Deano if we could bring in someone of comparable stature/profile. I want Diego Milito and with Zaragoza bombing this season I don't see why we can't grab him.

1. Newcastle's Stephen Carr is once again being linked with a return to London.
Former Tottenham full-back Carr is out of favour on Tyneside and is once again being linked with a return South by the Daily Mirror.With his current contract set to expire in the summer and with no news of a new deal emerging from Newcastle the 31-year-old Irish defender is set to leave on a free transfer and, according to the Miror, is seen by Alan Curbishley as a good back-up option.Carr has spent the last four years in the North East since joining the Magpies in a £2m switch from Tottenham.

2. West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is being linked with a move to Tottenham.
A number of the weekend's tabloids claimed that the former Norwich man is Juande Ramos' main summer target, with the Spaniard said to be willing to pay as much as £8m in order to land his man.The 28-year-old goalkeeper has been in sparkling form this season and recently earned his first England call-up for three years.


3. Andy Johnson has told reporters that he has no intention of leaving Everton.
The striker has been linked with a move to West Ham since last summer but appears determined to remain at Goodison Park and fight for his place."I have seen the stories in the newspaper and they are absolute rubbish," he told the Daily Post."I have recently signed a new deal at Everton, which I was delighted to do. Of course there is competition for striking places here but I wouldn't have it any other way - and neither would the manager."


4. West Ham are being linked with a move for Tottenham's Michael Dawson.
The 24-year-old centre-half is rumoured to be surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane since Juande Ramos was installed as manager and could be set to leave three years after joining the North Londoners.With Alan Curbishley set to make changes in defence during the summer the former England under 21 is said to be one of the players on his radar.Dawson has been one of Tottenham's most regular performers this season. His only league goal this season came in the 1-1 against West Ham at the Boleyn Ground last November.


5. Today's Sun reports that Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is weighing up a bid for West Ham United's Dean Ashton.
Steve Brenner reports that Keegan is lining up a double swoop for Ashton - who scored against the Magpies at the weekend - and Everton's Leighton Baines.Ashton - who moved from Norwich to East London in the 2006 January transfer window - has made 33 appearances for the Hammers this season, scoring nine goals.The Swindon-born striker began his career with Dario Grady's Crewe before joining Norwich in a £3 million switch in January 2005.

Croatian Manager Living in 1999

(Extract from F365)

Party Like It's 1999

Like most right-thinking people, the Mediawatch is a massive fan of Slaven Bilic.

How could you not love a manager who chain smokes (it's cool and you know it) and plays in a Croatian rock band named 'Rawbau'?

And today we love him even more, thanks to his thoughts on where Jesper Olsen lookalike Luka Modric would be best served playing his football next season.

Here are those quotes in full: "I would be very happy if Luka finds a new club before Euro 2008. I would want this for all of my players who are looking for new clubs and are at the end of their contracts.

"As for Luka, Newcastle United are no doubt a big club - just behind the top five: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton. "NUFC are in the range of Chelsea, Leeds United and Aston Villa but can invest a lot more money in new signings than let's say Tottenham. "Also it's more likely that Newcastle will be English champions than Tottenham. Luka wouldn't be making a mistake if he signs for The Magpies."

Brilliant stuff. Those quotes were brought to you directly by the year 1999.