By Chris Wright

In which, during his side's 3-1 Nordderby win over Hamburg in the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen hardman Marko Marin gets hacked down mercilessly by an empty plastic cup thrown from the crowd...

Of course, objects being thrown from the terraces is deplorable, but the fact that Marin instinctive reaction is hit the turf holding his Achilles as soon as he feels the nudge is, to my eye at least, indicative of the mindset of flimsy footballers these days.

Spurs were already in the midst of an injury crisis when Brazilian midfielder Sandro limped out of action on the half hour mark of yesterday's win over West Brom. The news got worse as Sandro's replacement Jake Livermore left proceedings after a clash of heads with Younes Kaboul.

The situation has left the club with few right sided options in midfield with Scott Parker nursing a knee injury and Tom Huddlestone a long term absentee.

The Frank Lampard Appreciation Society presents another series of entries in the diary of one Monseur Lampard. We hope you enjoy this untainted gaze into the mind of England's once prominent philosophical bum-rushing midfielder.

February 5, 2012

This is the season that can do neither wrong nor right by me.

Spock Spork!

After a disastrous midweek game in DC Colorado is back at home against Sporting KC. Kansas City is on a 3 game slide after winning their first 7 to start the season. There's a big tailgate for this one as Kansas City usually brings a good crown. we're doing a BBQ tailgate and the KC fans are bringing authentic KC BBQ sauce.

Morning all.

We'd best start with the bad news this morning and that's Jack Wilshere. He's suffered a 'little setback' according to Arsene Wenger and although the manager was obviously trying to play it down a bit, saying he couldn't put a timeframe on it because Jack has to see consultants, the fear is that this could keep him out for at least 6-8 weeks, if not the rest of the season.

Bad news out of Commerce City today as Anthony Wallace ripped his Achilles in training yesterday and he'll miss 6-9 months. That means if he takes exactly 6 months and no longer he can get back for the final 7 games. Realistically he'll be back closer to the final 2 games, at which point hopefully the Rapids will be in their playoff push.

(Yeah, I can't help myself. A Crew game requires a LEGO Village People picture)
It's finally time to get the season started! Tomorrow the Rapids host the Crew to kick off Oscar Pareja's coaching career. Game time tomorrow is 4pm, the first game (along with Vancouver-Montreal kicking simultaneously) of the whole MLS season.

New meaning to bridge over troubled water

Colorado is back in the Northeast on Sunday, just up the road from last week's game in Philly. This will be the team's only look at New York this year, and it won't be a pretty one. The midfield core is devastated by injury and suspension so there's a big challenge ahead of Pareja's team.

Newcastle captain Coloccini is out for the next two games with a hamstring problem. Mike Williamson we can cope without Fabricio With Steven Taylor also being out with an Achilles problem for the rest of the season, Newcastle do not any specialist center-backs to come in, and it will be James Perch who will do the duties next to big Mike Williamson in Sunday's game [.

Chicago Dog Week at the Class VI/Pid Army tailgate

After a long two weeks in the Northeast the Rapids are finally back at home on Sunday. The Fire are in town and Colorado is trying to right the ship after a bad outing in NY. Game time is 5pm and since its a themed tailgate (see above) the grills start and kegs open at 2pm.

Ah yes, its that time again

The Rapids are in Salt Lake City for the first of two trips to play FaKe SaLt LaKe this season. We only get one home game which makes the Rocky Mountain Cup difficult to win this season, but now appears to be a good time to strike.

Yes, I have to start out the scouting report talking about Brian Mullan, even though he's far from the most likely player to have a significant impact on the game. Sounders fans have been increasingly chided and cautioned over the last few weeks by the media as well as the organization to just leave the poor guy alone - cause garsh shucks bygones is bygones - to the point that if every fan doesn't give him a handshake and a wet kiss on the cheek, we've embarrassed the franchise.

Bruce Campbell, a much better spokesperson for Old Spice than Beckham

That's right, Old Spice, Keane, PrimaDonnavan, and the rest of the Galaxy will be our opponents tomorrow night. This is the first of two trips to Colorado for LA this year and reportedly David Beckham will be making an appearance this trip.

Do you dare try the Tacos de Buche?

The other LA team, the Under-a-Chivas, are in town this week. The crowd should be a little more subdued after the Beckham-fest or last week and I for one am glad. We don't need half the stadium rooting for some guy on the other team.

Not all weaknesses reveal themselves easily on a silver screen. Sometimes, we think we've found Achilles's heel, but instead encounter steel-backed boots. Sometimes, we use our hands to part the scales on the sleeping dragon's chest only to realize, crap, we brainfarted and left the sword at the cave entrance.

No Jamesons Night this season

The Rapids get their only look at the New England Revolution tomorrow night in Foxboro. That's right, the hallowed Colorado supporter's tradition of Jamesons Night when the Revs are in town won't happen this year, barring some surprise matchup in the U.

Need I say more? ;)

A quick turnaround from our trip to Boston sends us to Dallas tomorrow for a rematch of our MLS Cup victory. As good as the Rapids have been in Dallas in the postseason they've struggled in the regular season. With this being the 3rd game in 8 days we'll probably see some tired legs.

Our finest moment in DC

After what felt like a extremely long 10 days off Colorado is back in action tomorrow night in DC. The center of power hasn't been kind to the Rapids historically, with last year producing only our 3rd ever win in the District. This season a beat up burgundy side makes the trip with 4 major starters unlikely to start.

WASHINGTON -- Matt Pickens could only come up big so many times.

The Colorado Rapids goalkeeper made eight saves, most of which came at a high degree of difficulty, but Dwayne De Rosario and Hamdi Salihi were able to break through to deliver D.C. United a 2-0 victory in front of 11,593 at RFK Stadium Wednesday night.

Tottenham's Scott Parker took part in England's first training session under Roy Hodgson although it seems that the injury doubt hanging over the midfielder has yet to go away. Scott was named in Roy Hodgson's squad for Euro 2012 despite an Achilles problem that had kept him out of the Spurs squad at the end of the season and he now has to prove his fitness to the new boss.

I'm French! Why do think I have this outrageous accent!

Before I get started I want to point out that the full list of MLS salaries were released today. I'll have a full write-up later this weekend but I figured some people might want to take a look.
Our only look at this year's expansion team, the Montreal Impact, comes tomorrow night at the Dick.

The Roy Hodgson era as England manager has began with a 1-0 victory at Norway, but the fee good feeling was slightly marred by a double injury scare ahead of Euro 2012.

Manchester United winger Ashley Young scored the only goal to give Hodgson victory in his first match in charge.

But there are concerns over ­Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry and Spurs' Scott Parker, who both came off.

With a question mark over Scott Parker's fitness it may have been a surprise for many to see him start the game against Norway at the weekend but after playing into the second half, Scott looks set to make the plane for Euro 2012.

"The game in Norway was my first for a while and I'm pleased I've come through it.

The Roy Hodgson era as England manager has not exactly gotten of to the smoothest of stats. From his late appointment, to the abbreviated training camp ahead of the Norway game, Hodgson seems to be playing catch-up.

And his job has not been made an easier with the news that Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has been ruled out the Euros due to a torn stomach muscle picked up in Saturday's friendly.