Although he's been injured for much of the season, I think that Yiadom is a better player than Murty. Another factor as to why it's hard to compare, is that we have a young team. Olise, Richards, Holmes, McIntyre, Ejaria, Laurent and Rinomhota may become better players than Little, Shorey, Murty, Iv...

It's definitely Kitson, but I imagine that other players may also contribute the occasional story or chapter under the TSF banner.

Benzema now has one of his closest friends managing him. Will the papers still claim him as unsettled? Although he may be forced to spend more time in France and less in Madrid as part of the blackmail investigation over sex-tapes featuring his national team-mate Valbuena. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news...

You'll also need a new penalty spot.

'Greed.

Everytime I saw him play, even if it was coming on as a sub in the 88th minute, he seemed to score.

What exactly has Andy Carroll done in the last two seasons to warrant a place at the World Cup? Everything that is wrong with the England team is neatly summed up by virtue of his inclusion. Been the most potent big man option available to play for England (when fit)? The next best would be Lambert...

Hodgson names his squad today. Jagielka is out apparently, but from what's been said if you're not in this inflated squad then your chances of going to Brazil are pretty slim. I reckon those in contention are, subject to injuries Keepers Hart, Foster, Forster, Ruddy, Butland Defenders Walker, Baine...

I take your point that Adebayor was giving it the large one, but players winding up fans and, even better, fans winding up players (no racisto, no homophobo etc) is pretty funny and one of the joys of watching football. I agree with B though. As well as checking for jewellery it should be the job of...

That list above also shows old 'Arry (who so far has achieved a relegation into the Championship at his current employers) earning more than Del Bosque (who has merely won the World Cup and Euro's).

A nice summary of modern football...

There's a relevant section in the book 'Why England Lose' in reference to Wenger using pro-zone at Arsenal. As Bergkamp got older, he found he was regularly subbed at 70-75 mins. He complained to Wenger and his boss replied, "Dennis, look at the stats. After 70 mins, your movement and running d...

Met Trevor Senior a few years ago in the hotel after a game. Had quite a long chat about the current team (2006/2007) and told him how he scored a hat-trick in my first ever Reading game. Really nice bloke and modestly said he wouldn't get in the (then) current team. Spoke to Harper and Nathan Tyson...

I've been a long term reader of The Secret Footballer's online articles and i'm 99% sure it's our bargain that is Dave Kitson. His second book came out yesterday and i've just been having my first flick through it and i'm quite suspicious over the last part of the chapter 'Charity begins at home' w...

As above - Chris Makin, Ricky Newman, Neil Smith, Steve Brown, Jay Tabb all fit my definition of a tidy player. For the most part, they're normally a central midfielder. Not the most spectacular, but can put in the effort, are technically solid without being consistently spectacular, careful with po...

Excellent stuff. That 4-2 mullering of Chesterfield was one of my favourite Elm Park nights and the whole day at Newport was one to remember. This. Trev in a blood-stained shirt. His gap-toothed grin and arms aloft. Bloody brilliant night at Elm Park. That Chesterfield match was my first ever game....

Hearing the classified results. Mass brawls where all the players are involved and you know that there'll be at least two red cards. A winger (Kebe/Gilkes) simply knocking it past the full back and out-sprinting them. Players celebrating a goal by jumping in with the fans. Walking to an evening game...

Although I'm not sure about the title and the way this thread has developed. Some of the people mentioned so far aren't "nice guys" - they're utter c u nts who just happen to give a part of their massive wealth away to charity. A "nice guy" has to be genuinely and consistently &...

Didier Drogba. Has funded the building of hospitals back in Ivory Coast and also plays a large part in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, following the civil war. Apparently he managed to get an African Nations Cup game played in a rebel region, purely to bring the rebels into the peace proces...

Leon you called me mentalist ,that word has two definitions I would like to know which definition I come under. 1)A magician who performs feats that apparently demonstrate extraordinary mental powers such as mind reading. 2)An eccentric or mad person. Await your reply with interest,if your definiti...

That's really refreshing and good to hear! Maybe they do know what they're doing after all.

Has the ref had to ask you to shut up yet?

2022 is too soon to effect any real change. Are the current crop of 16 - 20 yr olds really going to be good enough to win a world cup? It would make more sense if he stated 2030 as a target and concentrated on kids who are currently 8 - 12 yrs old, whilst taking on board the points raised above (mor...