With a plethora of football books about to hit the shops ahead of the Christmas season, Scotty Kingsley reviews the offerings of the man they called 'Houdini'.

****

Many years ago Lennie Lawrence threatened to write a book about his time a Charlton. There was certainly enough packed into his nine year spell at the club, including winding up orders, high court visits, numerous Chairmen, promotion, play-offs, relegation and of course ground sharing and the Valley Party to warrant one if not more volumes.

To people all around the world, I wish you a very happy New Year! To football fans around the world, I wish you a very happy and hopefully fruitful silly season! Yes, at long last, transfer season is here. January 1st not only signals the beginning of a new year, but for many teams in the world of football it signals a new beginning.

After the red mist has settled, and the Christmas season of giving (unless you are Manchester City) is underway, I have been forced to sit back and truly take a look at whether or not we have the right manager at the helm... or if that even matters. It would be a lie to say [...]

With Christmas season in full swing and a completely, utterly depressing past few weeks of sports news for me, (Roy Halladay being traded to the Phillies, Liverpool football club as a whole, rumours of Steven Gerrard being sold) I thought it would be nice to take a step back for a second and insert some temporary amusement into my life.

It goes without saying that both the Reds and the Gunners will have much to prove at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool are out of the Champions League and will be clawing their way back into contention for a top four finish in the Premier League. Arsenal will be thirsting to prove that the losses against the only teams above them in the table were flukes.

A full Premier League slate in England ensures that the Christmas season is in full swing as domestic campaigns kick into overdrive during the holiday season.