One 100% heterosexual ass-tap, administered by Steve Parkin (Hull City's first-team coach), propelled Jozy Altidore into the Premier League arena for the first time. That's how we do things in England. "Get out there lad and score us a bloody goal," Parkin added. Or something like that.
Altidore didn't score a goal on his Prem debut – he replaced Caleb Folan in the 60th minute of Hull's home game v Bolton Wanderers on Saturday – but he did the next best thing in setting up team-mate Kamel Ghilas to bang in the game's only goal.

Penalty area assault, part dos Hull City's Caleb Folan was sent-off in a pretty decisive moment in their defeat to Liverpool today. He saw his marching orders for a crazy penalty area attack on Martin Skrtel. It's just like watching Real Madrid! Spotted on 101GG [...]

So says Caleb Folan Hull boss Phil Brown has been labelled 'childish' by striker Caleb Folan. The Republic of Ireland international has spoken out over comments made by Brown before Folan was loaned to Middlesbrough. The Tigers' manager questioned Folan's attitude and ability to play in the Premier League.

Dirk Kuyt struck twice as title-chasing Liverpool ground out a crucial Barclays Premier League victory at Hull on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds were given a rigorous test by the relegation-threatened Tigers, who were reduced to 10 men, but held on to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the table.

American striker Jozy Altidore has confirmed that he will be playing for Hull City this season, and that a press conference to announce the deal will take place on Thursday afternoon.

ESPN is reporting that move is not a transfer, but rather a one-year loan designed to get Altidore more playing time against top competition.

Hull City manager Phil Brown feels his side could have got something from their match against Liverpool, had it not been for the poor refereeing of Martin Atkinson.
The away side opened the scoring when Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso's thunderous strike found the net on 45 minutes.
The home side were then reduced to ten men after Caleb Folan was giving his marching orders for kicking out at Martin Skrtel.

This time last year it looked as though Xabi Alonso was on the brink of a move to Juventus with Gareth Barry being lined up as his replacement. Barry, of Aston Villa, was reportedly valued at £18 million which Rafa was not prepared to cough up. The move seemed to hinge only on Xabi Alonso continuing his career in Italy.

Giovanni Trapattoni today named a squad of 25 players for the forthcoming International friendly against Nigeria on May 29 in London
Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers
Shay Given - Manchester City
Dean Kiely - West Brom
Keiren Westwood - Coventry City
Defence
Eddie Nolan - Preston North End
Sean St.

Ireland have an added incentive to claim all three points against Cyprus in Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier.
Trapattoni's Green Army travel to Cyprus knowing victory would strengthen their grip on second place in Group Eight and move them to the brink of securing a World Cup play-off spot.

Boro have confirmed the loan signings of Sean St Ledger from Preston North End and Caleb Folan from Hull City to strengthen the squad ahead of the promotion push.

St Ledger is a central defender who comes in to the squad as a replacment for Robert Huth. Currently young Seb Hines is partnering David Wheater at the heart of the Boro defence so there is a good chance of St Ledger working his way into the first team.

Out on loan striker Caleb Folan has heavily criticized Hull City manager Phil Brown. Folan, who is on loan at Middlesbrough, was recently questioned publicly by Phil Brown over his ability and attitude.

Now, Folan has openly called out his former boss.

"It was difficult to hear, but I've got to know what he's like," said the Irish international.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is sure Nigeria will provide tough opposition in their friendly at Craven Cottage on Friday.
The Italian is hoping for a meaningful test before the World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria on 6 June.
Trapattoni said "It's a very difficult game and a good test for some new players.

Giovanni Trapattoni hailed the new-found richness of his squad after seeing an Ireland side featuring six debutants emerge from a rugged friendly with Nigeria with a 1-1 draw. The Africans also fielded an experimental line-up but the Irish manager said his makeshift team's display gave him renewed hope for the future.

Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has named a 24- man squad to face Australia in Thomond Park on Wednesday, 12 August
Goalkeepers
Shay Given Manchester City
Kieren Westwood Coventry City
Joe Murphy Scunthorpe United
Defenders
John O'Shea Manchester United
Kevin Foley Wolves
Richard Dunne Manchester City
Stephen Kelly Fullham
Kevin Kilbane Hull City
Eddie Nolan Preston North End
Sean St.

.

Thomond Park hosted Ireland and the Socceroos last night in a game that Ireland should have taken in their stride. Cahill got the Aussies in front after 38 mins. Giovanni Trapattoni had obviously given a good pre match speech because Ireland did give it all they had , but with so many premiership players on the pitch it was definitely a night of "Could have done better".

I thought this might be interesting, feel free to get involved. If it works I'll make it a regular thing during games.

Teams
Spurs
1. Heurelho Gomes
2. Alan Hutton
22. Vedran Corluka
19. Sebastien Bassong
32. Benoit Assou-Ekotto
7.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced a 24 man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup group 8 qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia on September 5 and the friendly against South Africa on September 8.
Trapattoni said, "We have put ourselves in a good position in the qualification group going into this game.

Opportunistic Tigers Take Three Points

• Venue: The KC Stadium
• Attendance: 22,999
• Referee: Michael Jones

• Sean Davis [19]
• Stephen Hunt [30]
• Seyi Olofinjana [35]
• Johan Elmander [55]
• Kamel Ghilas [61]
• Deiberson Geovanni [65]

Both clubs were hoping to earn their first points of the season and Bolton perhaps should have secured all three points in the first half with a number of decent chances.

So the loan window is open for business and rumours are rife with who Gareth Southgate may bring in to strengthen his Boro squad. Southgate has confirmed that he is looking at players and has said there is a good chance at least one player could be added before Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town.

Southgate told mfc.

A little over two weeks ago, the transfer window slammed shut, leaving many Boro fans disillusioned. We had not brought in any big names. We had not brought in the fabled target man we so desired. We had not brought in.... anyone. Hopes of keeping Tuncay and Robert Huth, and seeing them outclass the Championship until January, vanished in an instant.

Leon Best has been dusting off his old World Cup videos as inspiration for Ireland's final push for South Africa 2010.
The Coventry City striker's heroes include, not surprisingly, the likes of Brazil's Ronaldo whose majestic presence in previous competitions provided the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of.

The injury worries are mounting for Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of Ireland's October World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro.
Fulham have confirmed that Damien Duff will be out of action for two to three weeks after picking up a calf injury in last weekends defeat to Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

IT was, without doubt, the result of the week on the international stage and Caleb Folan is determined to use Ireland's draw in Italy as a springboard towards helping Hull City to safety.
The Tigers striker came off the bench midway through the first half on Wednesday night and capped an impressive display by playing a part in Robbie Keane's late equaliser.

Jozy Altidore's Hull City got their first win of the young season with a 1-0 win over Bolton. And Altidore, after a long wait and some complications, got his chance to play. Coming on in the 59th minute for striker Caleb Folan, Altidore immediately made an impact providing an acrobatic assist to fellow newbie Kamel Ghilas for the gamewinner.

According to Arindam Rej at the Daily Mail, Middlesbrough are not interested in permanently signing Hull City striker Caleb Folan.

Folan will return to Hull City in January but things will be quite awkward. Before Folan left Hull to go out on loan he called boss Phil Brown "stupid," "laughable" and "childish.