Mirror Football

Why it will be no holiday at this Villa for Mancini's men

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:00:38 GMT

You have to go back to Guy Fawkes night for a home victory, so the odds on a win for Alex McLeish’s Villa men must be extremely long. The good news, though, is that today’s opponents have only won once in their last five away matches. City are invincible at home, but have been known to go down with sickness on their travels. Villa’s recent form has been like a rollercoaster ride: Down 2-1 at Wolves, but then won 3-2. Up two goals at Arsenal only to crash 3-2. Two goals behind at home to QP...

Comment: Why Liverpool need to accept Suarez is more sinner than saint

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:30:34 GMT

Yesterday's Manchester United-Liverpool clash was a perfect opportunity to draw a line under the Suarez-Evra saga and move on. Instead, just a week after returning from his eight-game ban for racially abusing the United defender, the movement of one hand – away from Evra – has ensured that there will be weeks, perhaps months, of criticism, recriminations and bad feeling. Suarez might have put the ball into the United net at Old Trafford, but his PR own goal will have a lasting effect on his c...

Andy Dunn's Big Match Verdict: Why Rio's grand performance would make him Harry's ideal captain

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:30:08 GMT

The idiotic refusal by Luis Suarez to shake Patrice Evra’s hand, the tunnel bust-up and Fergie’s after-match comments dominate the headlines – but there is another important talking-point to emerge from this incendiary clash. Should Rio Ferdinand captain England at Euro 2012? Apart from an unwitting deflection which gifted Liverpool their goal, Rio was once again magnificent yesterday. There were three other potential contenders for the armband vacancy on show at Old Trafford: Paul Schol...

Comment: Why England need to get rid of their cosy club mentality

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:30:06 GMT

I have been in the States this week where the sports news has been majoring on Gisele Bundchen’s pithy defence of her husband, losing Superbowl quarterback Tom Brady. In a magnificently tetchy response to a taunting punter, the Brazilian supermodel snapped: “My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.” There you go. WAGs and their wisdom have long been global since parading into social consciousness in the German summer of 2006. That was the time when the En...

Harry has won our hearts - and now he can make England proud again

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:01:57 GMT

Harry Redknapp's confession in the witness box that he doesn’t even know how to send an email may have raised a few laughs in Southwark Crown Court. But I will lay a bet with anyone that if he becomes the next England manager he won’t have any problem communicating with the players who have been trying to understand Fabio Capello for the past four years. As a father of three daughters who were born deaf, I know better than anyone that one of the most important things in life is having the ab...

Will Juan Sebastian Veron's football career have a fairytale ending?

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:07:22 GMT

For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Saturday is South America day, and here's Valderramarama's Ed Malyon with his take on the week's big issues in Argentina. *** This weekend sees the return of the Argentina Primera division as the Clausura 2012 kicks off. Boca Juniors strolled to the Apertura title before Christmas but the second short-tournament of the season promises t...

Tweet my Handshake! The best gags from Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:09:42 GMT

Manchester United won the match but inevitably this encounter will be remembered more for the antics of Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra.

Here's how it unfolded on our @MirrorFootball feed:

Why farcical forced pre-match handshakes should be scrapped

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:01:52 GMT

The pre-match handshake is a meaningless farce and should be scrapped. You shake the hand of an opponent one minute and are trying to get him sent off by waving an imaginary card at the ref the next. Managers should shake hands at the end of matches, as an example to everyone. And it should not be with a grip like a limp lettuce or without looking at the man you are shaking hands with. Do it like you mean it. The procession of players shaking hands has come into our game via the Champions Lea...

What are the odds Suarez and Evra swap shirts at the final whistle? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:06 GMT

The FA reckon Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra should shake hands when they come face to face on Saturday, because even boxers touch gloves before they beat the living daylights out of each other. In Audley Harrison’s case, it was the only meaningful shot he landed. Shaking isn’t compulsory, but it is encouraged by those grey men at the Football Association, particularly at the urinals. The FA have asked the two players to draw a line under their unsavoury spat and are hoping to return to some so...

United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:59:19 GMT

We should have sacked Capello two years ago Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs Those who think today’s relations between Manchester United and Liverpool are toxic should have been at the FA Cup semi-final at Goodison in 1985. There were re-enactments of mediaeval pitched battles in the streets, a Stanley knife exhibition in Stanley Park and, on the terraces, the kind of tribal exchanges you see in Gaza on a bad day. Stones, coins and golf balls bearing eight-inch nails were hurled across t...

3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:38:05 GMT

Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection:

1) We missed this one when it went up so props to Who Ate All The Pies for digging it up again. We're not sure what we like most about this excellent Manchester City vid: the post-modern take on the 'I love...' format; the fact they've got Noel Gallagher in talking about farting; or the look on Vincent Kompany's face. Brilliant.

Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:09:42 GMT

'Arry'll put a smile on those poor England boys' faces. Yeah, 'Arry's a man manager. Arm round the shoulder type of bloke. Salt of the erf. One of us, working class boy done good. We can enjoy watching England again, can't we? Three pie, three mash and a slosh of liquor, please. We are 12 hours into the Harry Redknapp love in and it's nauseating already. Players, pundits, reporters all clamouring to heap love and praise on the Spurs boss. Arm round the shoulder? Ask Darren Bent about that. Th...

The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:25:39 GMT

The MirrorFootball Best XI is our new feature celebrating the very best of the beautiful game. Each list has been compiled by our expert reporters and, moving forward, we'll update them as and when to ensure they remain definitive guides.

First up, it's the Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games.

Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:53 GMT

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have already taken to Twitter to say Harry Redknapp is the man they’d like as next England manager. And there is a feeling among the players that he has the character to unify a dressing room in danger of becoming split on racial lines. There is also a degree of weariness about the thought of another foreign manager taking control. Many of them had great respect for Fabio Capello, partly because of all he had achieved in a glorious club career in Italy and Spain...

Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:00:56 GMT

For a man who just shot the sheriff, David Bernstein looked thoroughly unruffled. The FA chairman was matter-of-fact when he talked about the departure of Fabio Capello the previous night. There was nothing complicated about it, he suggested. No agonising. No dithering. And certainly no regrets. He, and the FA’s general secretary Alex Horne, had told Capello they were not impressed with his dissenting comments about stripping John Terry of the England captaincy. Capello had taken umbrage...

Redknapp will be a great England boss, but not before he leaves Spurs with a top, top parting gift

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:16 GMT

You would have thought Harry Redknapp will find it difficult to keep his eye on the ball. Every time the phone rings, he could be forgiven for wondering if it’s the call inviting him to get measured up for an England blazer. After Fabio Capello’s resignation, Redknapp is the name on everyone’s lips and I would be amazed if he wasn’t England coach at Euro 2012. But I think he will hang around at White Hart Lane long enough to leave Tottenham with two fantastic leaving presents - Champions Leag...

What are the odds England win a trophy under their next boss? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:12 GMT

There is no doubt Harry Redknapp, hot favourite for the England job, has an amazingly consistent track record. Huntingdon, Plumpton, Taunton – he’s backed losers at pretty much every track. We learned from his tax evasion trial that the second-most lucrative job in football is Redknapp’s accountant. The first is Redknapp’s turf accountant. ’Arry’s odds to replace Fabio Capello drifted on Thursday after he said his only focus was Spurs, possibly how to extricate himself from his contract there...

Abramovich's meddling won't be helping AVB, plus why Strictly has got me shattered!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:59:44 GMT

It can’t be helping Andre Villas-Boas to sleep easier at night when Roman Abramovich keeps ‘dropping in’ on Chelsea’s training ground. Don’t get me wrong - as owner of the club, Abramovich is entitled to come and go as he pleases, more so than ever after Chelsea announced another £67million loss last year - because we all know who picked up the tab. But when Abramovich appears four times in a week to watch training, it could be a sign that he’s getting anxious about AVB’s management. I hope V...

Will Luis Suarez's Old Trafford return be as explosive as Eric Cantona's?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:58:55 GMT

Enough has been said about Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra without me stoking up any more controversy ahead of their reunion at Old Trafford tomorrow. For what it’s worth, I hope they will shake hands before kick-off - if the FA will let them - and get on with the game. There is a rich history of rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool. It is too big to become a subsidiary to any lingering bitterness between Suarez and Evra. What happened at Anfield earlier in the season has gone and Sua...

3PM Extra: Insanely awful own goal, 12th man takes it too seriously and the Anfield cat gets immortalised in music

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:52 GMT

Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection:

1) Monday's game of 'cat and Scouse' of Anfield featuring a now famous feline pitch invader has inspired an annoyingly catchy tune by bandwagon jumpers Vom Vorton. Try listening to it without finding yourself singing 'Stop the match, there's a cat on the pitch' in your head at least once afterwards...

La Liga blog: The pressure is on Pellegrini to produce more than mediocrity from Malaga's millions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:35:45 GMT

MirrorFootball has teamed up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Wednesday is La Liga day, and here's www.spanishfootball.info's David Cartlidge with his take on the week's big issues in Spain. *** "DIMISION, DIMISION, DIMISION! (RESIGN, RESIGN, RESIGN)", is a familiar cry in stadiums around Spain. On Monday night, it was heard at Los Carmenes, the home to Granada. Except it wasn’t their fans who were leading the cries...

Why Barry deserves a warm reception for not blowing his career like Hendrie

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:05:11 GMT

Manchester City and England midfielder Gareth Barry returns on Sunday to Villa Park where he made his name in a distinguished spell from 1997-2009. No doubt many home fans will give Barry the usual 'Judas' treatment after he quit the club.But quite frankly I think Barry deserves the admiration of Villa fans rather than flak.It may be an unpalatable truth for Villa supporters but he clearly did not leave the club for cash, he left primarily to further his career.And he has certainly done that ...

Why Birmingham's Chris Hughton is in with a shout for manager of the season

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:30:07 GMT

Chris Hughton is emerging as a manager of the season contender for his outstanding work turning relegated, crisis-hit Birmingham City into Championship promotion contenders. Hughton saw most of Blues' stars, such as Craig Gardner, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome, sold off when he succeeded Alex McLeish last June following their relegation from the Premier League. And with owner Carson Yeung's assets frozen pending a money-laundering trial in Hong Kong in November, Hughton has jus...

Why the Capello era has proved England's flirtation with foreign managers must end

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:28:02 GMT

If Fabio Capello achieved anything as England boss, it was to convince the nation that our flirtation with foreign managers must come to an end. His time in charge was characterised by mediocrity and a consistent failure to understand the mentality of English players. And when he quit, it was because he was totally out of touch with the racial tensions that have swept through our game recently. Out of touch seemed to sum Capello up during his time as England boss, sadly. His glory days as man...

Part-time Redknapp will be better as England boss than full-time Capello

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:19:22 GMT

Harry Redknapp can do the England job part time - and still do better at the Euros than Fabio Capello would have done. Redknapp is the best man for the job, can be involved in the England set-up until the end of Tottenham’s season and then excel at Euro 2012. He brings a hunger, style and will to win which was missing from the end of Capello’s reign as it descended into chaos following the last World Cup. I remember sitting with Redknapp at a game in South Africa and we could both see that th...

Why Wenger deserves at least as much leeway as Liverpool managers routinely get

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:02:51 GMT

Arsene Wenger reckons Liverpool fans should be envious of Arsenal. And it would appear that even Reds fans agree. After Liverpool's goalless draw with Tottenham on Monday night, one radio phone-in was besieged by callers saying they wished Kenny Dalglish had signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rather than Stewart Downing. Remarkable considering Liverpool are pushing for fourth, have reached the Carling Cup final and put themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But as keyboard warriors look to...

What are the odds it's 'Arry out and Mourinho in at Spurs? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:01:32 GMT

Harry Redknapp described the last five years as a nightmare. Just wait until he gets the England job. Redknapp didn’t go down on Wednesday but his odds to replace Fabio Capello sure did. And later in the day we found out why. Punters who saw Harry go free, and who realised that Capello was in crisis talks with the FA, put two and two together and made five - although they declared only four. A 2-1 chance to succeed Capello on Wednesday morning, Redknapp was cut to 1-2 by Hills moments after ...

Why this is a Fab day for England

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:47:23 GMT

Gone, with a flounce dressed up a principle, and a reduced pay-off. Gone, without any regrets. On either side. And gone, in truth, far too late, at least two years after he should have left. An overdue departure for a man who ran out of love with the job long before he ran out of love with the money, the £24million or so he has banked since January 2008. But as Fabio Capello said "arrivederci" to English football, after four years that promised the earth but delivered, in truth, just the same...

Harry must do the job part time.. as England are a shambles

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:43:54 GMT

To lose a captain in a week is misfortune, but to lose a manager too looks like carelessness. Now England must persuade Harry Redknapp to take the job on a part-time basis as England are a shambles. It's a positive that Fabio Capello has gone as. Under him England were a boring side. Watching Wales and Northern Ireland was much more rewarding. And although Stuart Pearce is a great man with a big future, the FA must act quickly to stop this sense of chaos. They have handled this whole affair b...

Why the only problem with Capello's resignation is that it did not happen sooner

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:35:54 GMT

Let us not attempt to allow natural sympathy for one of the great managers of the game to get in the way of the truth. Fabio Capello built a fine reputation on the back of stunning achievements at AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. But the cold reality is that as England manager, he stunk the place out. He should never have survived this long. He should have been fired in the summer of 2010 after his shambolic mismanagement of England's World Cup campaign in South Africa. His handling of the...

The cab from outside the court didn't take Redknapp straight to Wembley - but it might as well have done

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:05:53 GMT

The jokes began a few minutes after Harry Redknapp had hugged Milan Mandaric in the glass-surrounded dock and walked out on to the steps at Southwark Crown Court as an innocent man. It was a humble Addison Lee cab that he and his son, Jamie, climbed into once they had battled their way past the jostling photographers. But soon people were laughing and saying a helicopter would be trailing it all the way to Wembley, where it was surely taking Redknapp to take over from Fabio Capello. The juxta...

Why the FA must now ask Harry Redknapp to put a smile back on the face of English football

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:56:09 GMT

Just before noon, he was standing in the dock, facing potential shame, jail and the end of his professional career. Within five hours, though, as a stern-faced Fabio Capello sped out of Wembley for the last time, Harry Redknapp had been transformed utterly. Not just the heir apparent to the job he has wanted all his life. But, on what was perhaps the most remarkable day in the history of the Football Association, the new monarch, solely awaiting his coronation. Rightly so, too. This, above al...

Why England must sack Capello and appoint Redknapp NOW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:11:54 GMT

In an ideal world I'd move heaven and earth to keep him at White Hart Lane - and I'm not even a Tottenham fan. But the most logical chain of events must surely now be for Harry Redknapp to go to England and do for the country what Kenny Dalglish has done for Liverpool - bring back some unity. As someone who has covered his career at West Ham, Portsmouth and Spurs, I can say first hand just how much Redknapp's teams have improved after benefiting from his outstanding man-management skills. Eng...

A great result for Redknapp and the FA... but a disaster for Spurs?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:03:43 GMT

Harry Redknapp walked free from Southwark Crown Court today - and opened the way clear to become England manager. Redknapp's entire career and life, not just his reputation, was in the hands of the jury. But as the 64-year-old Redknapp's 13-day ordeal was ended as the Jury forewoman announced two "Not Guilty" verdicts to the charges of tax evasion, the relief was palpable. Redknapp was hugged by co-accused Milan Mandaric bas the Jury was discharged, swaying back and forth in the dock as he no...

If Suarez IS forced out, it will be down to lack of league success NOT fan or media abuse

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:06:57 GMT

Amid the controversy and near-hysteria of the Luis Suarez affair, there is an unspoken fear amongst Liverpool’s emotional fans. So far, the focus has been on an absolute faith in his innocence that has been so passionate, so strident, and so emphatic, because there is an absolute faith in the judgement of their manager on the matter. Yet underneath the anger and the bluster, there is a worry nagging away at the supporters who recognise the talent of the striker and his importance to the team....

Why Capello has 72 hours to save England's Euro 2012 hopes

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:30:54 GMT

Fabio Capello may be able to find a form of words to paper over the cracks of his relationship with the FA. But it is the division between the England manager and his players that will be up for scrutiny over the course of 72 potentially pivotal hours later this month. A relationship that was supposed to be all about respect and control now seems poised on the brink of dissolving totally, the Italian’s backing for John Terry in the face of public opinion the potential tipping point. The truth...

What are the odds Silva strikes gold at the PFA awards? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:48 GMT

Gareth Bale's triumph in April was the first time in five years the PFA Player Of The Year award had gone to a non-Manchester United star. The fact, then, that United have just one player in the top 15 in the betting for this season will come as a surprise – but only if you haven’t seen them lately. David Silva is the 2-1 favourite and a PFA trophy for the little Spaniard could yet be Manchester City’s only Silvaware this season, but there’s a feeling that the mercurial midfielder has gone of...

Why Dalglish's stance on Suarez is dangerous, disingenuous and irresponsible

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:02:07 GMT

Ask me a few questions about English football and I'll give you a few answers. Favourite stadium? Anfield, for a night game. Favourite current players? Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy would all be among them. Favourite characters from the history of the game? Bill Shankly and Matt Busby. Favourite pundits? Well, Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness and Mark Lawrenson are a few, alongside Gary Neville and Lee Dixon. Favourite football quote? Tommy Smith on Shankly: “If there was no fo...

3PM Extra: Amazing Brazilian bicycle kick, Zlat's slap and Curtis Davies does Barry White

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:18:47 GMT

Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection:

1) It 'may' only have been scored in the Brazilian minor leagues - and in front of a crowd barely reaching double figures from the look of it - but there's no denying the quality of this goal. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that Londrina striker Alexandre Oliveira's superb flick up and bicycle kick would grace any league. Take a bow, son...

We need to talk about Kevin... What Chelsea fans can expect from new boy De Bruyne

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:10:49 GMT

Football Spy has signed up some of the web's top foreign football experts to provide you with first-hand information on the latest Premier League transfer targets. Here's guest writer Chris Mayer on new Chelsea signing Kevin de Bruyne *** The move was inevitable once Chelsea started making noises about Genk’s dynamic winger last summer but ,finally, the protracted saga ended on Deadline Day as Kevin De Bruyne signed a five-and-a-half-year deal for an estimated £6.7 million. But we need to ta...

Why the title now rests in David De Gea's hands

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:03 GMT

He began the season as a potential liability yet may end it as arguably Manchester United's greatest asset in their pursuit of a 20th title triumph. David De Gea's remarkable save in added time, to keep out Juan Mata's goal-bound free-kick and earn United a 3-3 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, vindicated Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in his young goalkeeper. It has been a turbulent first season in England for De Gea, the 21-year-old's debut campaign a mixture of breathtaking saves and high-profile erro...

Serie A blog: As Inter's season lurches back to crisis, can the Tinkerman cure their inconsistency?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:18:33 GMT

MirrorFootball has teamed up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Today it's our Serie A blogger, footballitaliano.co.uk's Mina Rzouki, with her take on the week's big issues in Italy. *** Dwelling in the land of unpredictability where consistency is their kryptonite, Inter are a side that dip in and out of crisis almost as often as Robinho misses open goals. After winning eight matches on the trot, Inter have not won an...

Will Pardew's 'Whoaah'-factor fire Wor Geordies into Europe?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:08:39 GMT

Asked what it felt like to look at the Premier League table and see Newcastle United in fifth place and pushing for Europe, Demba Ba produced a wonderful answer on Sunday night. Putting his finger perfectly on the mood on Tyneside he simply said: "Whoaah." It neatly encapsulated the thrill, wonder and cautious happiness that Alan Pardew's team have conjured with their - so far - enthralling season. The "Whoaah" moment also hinted at the surprise the world (outside the Newcastle dressing room)...

Why Capello's stance on Terry means the World Cup disaster is all set to be repeated at Euro 2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:51:36 GMT

There was something depressingly familiar about Fabio Capello’s contribution to the controversy over the removal of John Terry as England captain. The tone of his intervention spoke of a manager out of touch not just with the mood of his squad but also with the dynamics of the English game. No one is pretending the decision to strip Terry of the armband was easy or that it sits easily with the principle a man is innocent until proven guilty. But the inflammatory nature of Capello’s comments ...

Tweet my Goal! The best gags from Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:51:06 GMT

It was hardly a classic at Anfield as Tottenham held Liverpool to a draw in Harry Redknapp's absence.

Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham - Cat pitch invader highlight of bore draw at Anfield

Here's how the action unfolded on our @MirrorFootball feed:

What are the odds neither Terry nor Capello will be at Euro 2012? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:30:26 GMT

It has been claimed that 50 per cent of football fans in Britain have a favourable view of John Terry. Is it possible that 50 per cent of football fans don’t understand the word ‘favourable’? After the Anton Ferdinand race row Terry is running out of allies at the FA as quickly as he’s running out of people to shake hands with. Terry has lost the England armband twice in two years – it was underneath his TV remote control – and now there’s talk in the corridors of Paddy Power that he may mi...

Remember these? Six top Manchester United comebacks - video special

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:30:03 GMT

Manchester United looked down and out at half time on Sunday as Chelsea had a 3-0 lead. But they fought back in the second half to seal a point with two goals from Wayne Rooney and one from Javier Hernandez. Seasoned United fans won't have been surprised to see their side battle back, here are six other comebacks from Fergie's fighters. Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday - Premier League, April 10, 1993The fightback that launched Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League domination. United t...

A humiliation, a farce and a shambles - is there anyone who wants Capello to stay?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:50:57 GMT

Another embarrassing day for Fabio Capello. Another embarrassing fudge by the FA. But as voices close to the England boss suggested last night that Capello was questioning whether he wants to stay as Three Lions chief for Euro 2012, perhaps there were bigger issues to answer. Do we any longer care what Capello thinks? And is there anybody who actually still wants to see Capello as England boss when the squad fly to Krakow on June 6? With every passing day, every incident which demonstrates ho...

Matt Lawrence's diary of a lower-league footballer: Transfer deadline day, frozen pitches and ping pong

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:20:01 GMT

Matt Lawrence has played for seven league clubs - including Fulham, Crystal Palace and Millwall, for whom he appeared in the 2004 FA Cup final - during his 16-year career. Now with League Two Gillingham, his diary will appear on MirrorFootball every Monday. *** Monday, 30th January I learnt a serious lesson in the art of football coaching today - although it had absolutely bugger all to day with football! Always wrap up warm and a hat, scarf, gloves, coat and thermal underwear are an absolute...

3PM Extra: Kammy's changing faces of fashion, Tunisia keeper with butter fingers and Busquets really IS hurt

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:09 GMT

Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection:

1) Anyone watching the scores come in on Soccer Saturday may have noticed Chris Kamara's changing faces of fashion every time the camera visited Loftus Road.

It was, of course, all part of an elaborate ruse by Kammy to see if Jeff Stelling would spot the difference - you would have to be blind not to as this video montage from offthepost shows...