Didnt You Used To Be
Chris Armstrong? Last seen hobbling around up front for Wrexham with knees that no longer bend. A joyous three seasons as top scorer at Crystal Palace earned him a 4.5million move to Tottenham as Jurgen Klinsmanns replacement. What was deemed an unsuccessful seven years at Spurs, actually yielded 62 goals in 193 games, hardly Pele, but could be worse. Taking his England B cap with him, he quietly slipped out the White Hart Lane back door in 2002, joining Sam Allardyces army of outcasts at Bolton. However, playing understudy to Michael Ricketts was not the stuff of boyhood dreams and a move back to first club Wrexham was too good to turn down.
Bizarre Chelsea Rumour Of The Week
David OLeary has the credentials to bring Roman Abramovich a suitable return on his 200 million investment. Is this the same OLeary that paid 9 million for Seth Johnson? If so, we can all look forward to a destitute Abramovich living in an East End bedsit by this time next year.
Svens Suitcase
With Euro 2004 getting nearer every day, its time to speculate what Sven will be packing for Portugal. Frank Lampard is nailed on to travel but his recent Duracell Bunny style displays warrant a place among Mr. Erikssons first choice midfield outfit. Certainly ahead of Nicky Butt, whos living off some faded World Cup 2002 glory. Frank has fought off the likes of Seba Veron, Claude Makelele, Manu Petit, Joe Cole, and Geremi, to be ever-present in Chelseas midfield this season, while at one stage, Nicky Butt was languishing behind Neville (P.) in the Old Trafford pecking
order.
Please Be True (the rumour we most hope becomes reality)
Those plucky Welsh rascals could still make it to Euro 2004 in place of those big cheating cheaters from Russia. Emphasis on the could, but the international football community unanimously agrees on one thing. Showpiece tournaments just arent the same without Robbie Savage.
Harder Than It Looks
Anyone can score from twelve yards, cant they? Apparently not, as every week someone fails to convert. This weeks culprit: Steven Gerrard against Charlton.
Gerrard didnt do Monsieur Houllier any favours, as this miss will make fourth place a little bit harder to come by. Rubbish follow up as well.
TV Times
BBC: A poor week for the Beeb with only Celtics UEFA Cup exit to show us, and even that was on BBC3. Its no good having a crack punditry team with nothing to pundit. Football Focus good as ever though.
ITV: There were worse games than Newcastles triumph over PSV in the UEFA Cup on ITV2. Most importantly, ITV were the proud owners of this weeks top game, Chelseas little trip to Monaco which they broadcast with all the usual hollow pizzazz, saved only by the presence of Big Ron Atkinson. The Premiership and On The Ball rubbish as ever.
Five: Soldiered on with action from the Dutch league, the Argentinean championship and Major League Soccer once again given that much sought after 3am spot.
Sky Sports: Brought us Arsenals 6 0 embarrassment of Leeds, complete with Thierry Henrys Roy Of The Rovers impression. Showed wisdom by selecting West Bromwich Albions important 1-0 win over Sunderland in Division One as the Sunday game and even broadcast the FA Youth Cup Final between Middlesborough and Aston Villa. Keeping it real, as they say. Most enjoyable though, was Portsmouths 1-0 win over the ever-popular Manchester United.
This weeks winner: Sky Sports for being brave enough to show the less glamorous matches.
Words of Wisdom
If we go down I will feel as bad as I did when I was a child and realised Father Christmas was actually my dad.
-Leicester boss Micky Adams shocks the world by revealing Santa's true identity.
till next week
Daryl Grove
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