Alan Pardew sacking removes stability from south coast

Posted By Daniel Storey on September 2, 2010

Chairman goes from saint to sinner overnight
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On Tuesday, Southampton lost 3-0 at home in the Johnstone Paints Trophy. On Saturday they won 4-0 away at Bristol Rovers.

Unless you have buried your head in lower league sand, you will be aware that in between these two matches, Alan Pardew has lost his job as manager, along with Wally Downes and Stuart Murdoch. Pardew had been at the helm for 13 months. (more…)

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Tony Blair consulted Sir Alex Ferguson over sacking Gordon Brown

Posted By Rob Parker on September 2, 2010

The politics of football

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has revealed in his memoirs that he sought the advice of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on getting rid of Gordon Brown.

Blair was eager to ditch his Chancellor, but was concerned about destablising his government. So he consulted Labour supporter Fergie, who he knew was no stranger to getting rid of players who were no longer playing for the team. (more…)

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Homegrown rule has insufficient effect

Posted By Daniel Storey on September 2, 2010

Home not necessarily where the heart is
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The current Premier League season has incorporated a new rule change. No, Sepp Blatter has not agreed to confirm if goals are actually scored, and players are still able to dive, swear, spit and roast their way through the season unaffected. Instead, we have the introduction of the home-grown rule. (more…)

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Top five biggest names to miss out on 25-man Premier League squads

Posted By Rob Parker on September 2, 2010

The victims of the new rules
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1. Jonathan Woodgate
The notoriously injury prone Spurs defender played just three times last season. He continues to struggle with a groin injury, with Harry Redknapp claiming forthcoming surgery could be a last throw of the dice in an attempt to save his career. (more…)

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Jack Wilshere was ‘trying to take photos up skirts’

Posted By Rob Parker on September 2, 2010

Arsenal and England star allegedly pestering girls in club
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Jack Wilshere, who was arrested and released on police bail on suspicion of GBH last weekend, had earlier been thrown out of a club for pestering girls. The 18-year-old had allegedly been annoying a group of 30 girls celebrating a 23rd birthday by attempting to take up-skirt photos using his mobile phone.

Josefin Rosen, aged 20, whose group was in the VIP section of Amika along with Wilshere’s, said: “Jack kept laughing and trying to take pictures up our skirts. He made me feel really uncomfortable. If I was his mother I’d be ashamed of him.”

Josefin told The Sun allegedly teetotal Wilshere was drinking but not that drunk.

An Amika spokesman confirmed the incidents and said: “We put up a barrier and provided security between the girls and Jack Wilshere’s party. They were asked to leave.”

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Video: Greek player beats up opponent he just got sent-off for fouling

Posted By Rob Parker on September 2, 2010

The referee is spared

This Greek lower league player picks up a second yellow card for clattering through the back of an opponent. Clearly in disagreement with the decision he launches a full-scale assault on the player whose Achilles tendons he had previously attacked.

OTP is not sure exactly what the fouled player did wrong, but at least the player who was sent-off can sleep easy knowing he got his money’s worth out of the red card.

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New England home kit launched by Umbro

Posted By Rob Parker on September 1, 2010

Kit’s that time again
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The new England kit was always going to have to work very hard to impress OTP since we are still in love with the last one (despite the on-field disappointment). While it doesn’t offend us it doesn’t quite have the appeal of its predecessor either.

Fair play to Umbro for not leaving themselves open to any Nike-esque embarrassment caused by Fabio Capello’s squad selection. They have picked a diverse and futuristic bunch to launch the new kit under the New Fabric of England slogan. (more…)

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