Big Story

Billy Bremner's Statue at Elland Road

Henry Winter thinks the FA Cup is gaining relevance as the money English football tips even farther to the Top Four in the Premier League, and points specifically to today's third round FA Cup clash between Leeds United and Manchester United as proof.

Just when you thought it was all over, all bets are on again following the dramatic results from this weekend. Chelsea could almost touch the title with 17 seconds remaining of the Manchester derby on Saturday lunchtime.

As football pundits annoyingly remind us every season "never write off Man Utd".

Written by Martin Domin, a Scottish football enthusiast
In the not-too-distant past, Scotland's top footballers were prevalent in England's top flight. Archie Gemmill, Denis Law, Billy Bremner and Graeme Souness are but four who played in the old English First Division in the 1970s and 80s.

One of the greatest rivalries in English football is revived this weekend after several years in the wilderness, as a Leeds team, flying high at the top of League 1, travel to Old Trafford in the FA Cup 3rd round.....reigniting a rivalry as bitter as any in English football.

It's hard to better the Man U/Liverpool rivalry but, having been there in the 70's and 80's, there's always been an extra edge.

By Ollie Irish

Name: Dave Mackay

Nationality: Scottish

Position: Left-half/Sweeper

Why so hard? When old men in the corners of old-men pubs say, "They don't make 'em like that anymore", take it as read that they are referring to Dave Mackay, a real man who never wore gloves, never waved an imaginary card at the ref, never tried to break an opponent's leg, never appeared to feel pain.

I think everyone would agree Indonesian is pretty physical. Two footed challenges are so common refs flash yellow when a player jumps in with one leg. Whacks on the ankles, elbows in the throat, taking out from the waist are par for the course.
Given its physical nature why aren't there more long term injuries?

I was reading a review of Robert Winder's new book Open Secrets: The Extraordinary Battle for the 2009 Open the other day.
Interested to read it because Tom Watson's amazing title challenge had me spellbound last year.
It also got me thinking. Many of us would love to have turned back the clock to let Watson hit that eight iron on the 72nd hole again.

I've received an email from Eddie Taylor looking for some insight into Leeds United's Scottish connection.
Obviously I am far, far too young to remember the 1970's heyday of United. So if you've got any particular recollections or information add a comment or contact me and I'll pass them on to Eddie:
I'm writing for the official Leeds United magazine on the club's seemingly unbreakable Scottish connection – paricularly as we've just signed two more Scots, Ross McCormack and Neil Collins.

Old Trafford plays host to the "Battle of Britain" between Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers on Tuesday

When Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers walk out of the tunnel on to the Old Trafford turf tomorrow night the two giants of British football will write another chapter into what UK-based journalists always refer to as the "Battle of Britain".

I was away for the weekend hence no real coverage of the events in the Indonesia Super League. It's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
It's pointless reading anything into the ISL standings until at least four games have been played by most clubs. The reason is that teams play two games either at home/away and then two away/home.

In the small hours of last Wednesday morning, somewhere in Glasgow, David Goodwillie and two of his Dundee United team-mates were arrested for (allegedly of course) their part in a donnybrook. On Saturday, having been relegated to the bench as a result, Goodwillie came off it to score the only goal of the game against Hamilton Accies.

By Ed Barratt

The new Peter Osgood statue at the Bridge

A statue of Chelsea legend Peter Osgood was unveiled this week at Stamford Bridge in the presence of, among others, Ossie's wife Lynn, Frank Lampard and the current Mr Chelsea, JT. Most Blues fans – or rather, those who supported the club before 2004 and have heard of Peter Osgood – are pleased that Roman Abramovich has put money aside to honour the club's heritage, even if he is spending considerably more on building a subterranean private nightclub under the stadium.