Much has been said in the last few days about the New England Revolution's decision to decline the options on the contracts of Marko Perovic and Ilija Stolica, and not a lot of it has been particularly flattering to the organization. Then again, releasing the previous season's MVP (Perovic) - who also happens to be a quality attacking threat - when you've only managed three wins by the month of July is never likely to spark a wave of confidence and euphoria amongst fans or pundits.

Cashing In On Fan Support - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Jumpers for Goalposts: How Football Sold Its Soul
by Rob Smyth and Georgina Turner
Published 1st December, £11.99 paperback original, Elliott & Thompson

Jumpers for Goalposts is a fascinating and funny reflection on why football has changed so much since the inception of the English Premier League in 1992, and why the old descriptions of "the beautiful game" and "the people's game" no longer fit.

If there is one thing we love in football, its a villain. Someone to hurl abuse at in such a fashion that it would not be out of fashion at a Pantomime at the Hippodrome in Birmingham. However, in pantomime we all know that anyone booing or hissing is merely in jest and by the end of the evening the actors and actresses all are smiling away as they accept the standing ovation which their performance (just about) deserves.