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Thursday Football Thread
Probably a bit early for this but I have a severe case of Charles Insomnia and I have nothing to do having just watched The Apprentice on iPlayer - where Liz Locke, fiancee of Preston North End's ROI international goalkeeper Wayne Henderson was a surprise victim of Ex-Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar's dreaded finger. I mean ... she was fired. And he pointed at her. Ahem...
Elsewhere the internet understands Alan Pardew is set to be announced as the new Newcastle United boss on Thursday morning, replacing the other main surprise firing of the week, the almost universally appreciated Chris Hughton. According to a poll in the main city newspaper in Newcastle, Hughton even scored higher than Pardew when fans were asked to say who they would like to see as the next boss. O'Neill, Shearer and Jol, the top three in the poll are staying as far away as possible from the North East. Alan Pardew. Really? I give up with Newcastle.
In the big Champions League news of the night, Arsenal make it through after beating Partizan Belgrade at home, due to another dazzling attacking performance, despite another decidedly dodgy defensive display which saw Squillaci run around in a circle then shin a ball over a fallen Fabianski, and Sagna make a totally unneccesary challenge and get, probably fairly enough, sent off, meaning he will miss the first leg of the inevitable tie against Barcelona in the next round. Nasri scores another world class goal, and Walcott scores a sweet volley while also running into people and falling over a few times. Biggest shock of the night however is Van Persie lasting 90 minutes without injury.
Elsewhere Chelsea lose yet again, to a Marseille team made up of players who are quite good on Football Manager 2008. To be fair the ref missed two blatant penalties, but then to be fair, who cares? Not even Chelsea fans as they still top their group and will probably draw FC Copenhagen in the next round. Fireworks night comes late in Lithuania at the otherwise pointless match between Zilina and Spartak. Roma also book their place in the next round at the expense of Basel, despite only managing a draw against FC Clunge of Romania.
In transfer gossip - Woy Hodgson apparently has his eye on Fanni, that is French right back Rod Fanni, with Glen Johnson supposedly moving to Spurs to team up with next England boss Harry Redknapp.
The mirror reports Sheffield United boss Gary Speed is a shock front-runner for the Wales job. I must say, I would be totally shocked that a Wales legend might take over as Wales manager. Elsewhere in managerial news, Marcel Desailly drops out of the running to be next Ghana manager. Ron Atkinson spotted arriving at Accra airport, holding hands with Cyrille Regis.
In the only domestic tie of Thursday night, two lowly ex-top flighters in the shape of Luton and Charlton go head to head in an FA Cup 2nd round replay. Hold on to your hats!
...and if you read all that, you are a true football fan / idiot.