In my EPL Talk piece yesterday, I discussed� all of the reasons that Ireland's potential qualification was better for World Football than France's would be.� Much of this thought process centered on the importance of American market to the success of the World Cup.

But alas, Giovanni Trapattoni's side was defeated at the hands of Thierry Henry's France.

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19-year-old Norwegian starlet Jo Inge Berget is contracted to Udinese Calcio, but would rather be anywhere else than in Udine.

After a loan spell at his home club in Norway, the striker was expected by Norwegian media to get a call-up to the senior national team in November, alongside players such as Aston Villas John Carew and Le Mans Club's Thorstein Helstad.

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According to Football Italia, Samuel Eto'o has cemented his reputation as the Oprah Winfrey of footballers by giving each and every member of the Cameroon national team, which he captains, a £30,000 watch simply because they qualified for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, every other national team captain is cursing his name for making them look bad.

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When you think of a professional footballer's mode of transportation to a match, you probably conjure images of pimped-out limousines with built-in hot tubs, strippers and maybe even a personal pizza chef.

Well, for footballers in the United States (who aren't Davey Becks) it's not like that.

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I've written before about how good an interview Stephen Ireland is, always providing a great insight into situations with an honesty rarely offered by footballers.
There are a couple of features today in The Telegraph and The Guardian in which Ireland discusses - on the eve of Ireland's World Cup play-off with France - his continued absence from the international scene, and despite reports that have hinted at a return he firmly closes the door on a potential return:

But while admitting he will watch Giovanni Trapattoni's team tackle the French when he returns to Manchester, Ireland has emphatically ruled out the possibility of an about-turn on his international retirement and insisted that the hate mail does not concern him.

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Morning all, welcome to the blog on this sleepy Saturday.
As we are coming nearer and nearer to the end of the Interlull (which, if anyone was wondering, is a crass combination of international and lull) the news is starting to ramp up.
Of course, as most of you would be aware, coach Dave Mitchell held a presser yesterday as part of Perth Glory's midseason review, which was nothing more than a normal presser. Click to continue reading...

Wenger to make move for England Under 19 international.

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Arsenal are set to make a move for Crystal Palace youngster Victor Moses, who is rated as one of the best young footballers around.

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Usually when the injury news pops up over the International Break it comes in the form of pulled hamstrings or strained thighs - as in Frank Lampard's case with England today.
But this year continues to be the year of sad and scary high speed road accidents in world football.
First the d(r)iver Cristiano Ronaldo wrecked his Ferrari. Click to continue reading...

It's human nature for us to take things for granted. When they're taken away from us, we moan and complain. But while we have them, we often don't appreciate these things as much as we should.

The same goes for footballers and football managers. Years from now, we'll look back and talk incessantly about "the good 'ol days" when so and so was in the Premier League.

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Guido Erhard, who also struggled with depression

Big Story
The suicide of Robert Enke has shocked German football, with the country cancelling its friendly with Chile this Saturday and tributes pouring in.

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So, the "story" that David N'gog took a dive against Birmingham to win a crucial penalty is funny to me because it isn't really a story at all.� Of course, it is in Birmingham where everyone is ga-ga over the "cheating" of Mr. N'Gog and those disgusting footballers from Liverpool.� I wonder if the fans in Birmingham are as honest as they want Liverpool and N'Gog to be.

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You may have noticed that some of our footballers have been sporting moustaches recently.This is not some bizarre tribute to the perfectly groomed Graeme Souness but part of Movember, an annual campaign to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.Danny Fox, Gary Caldwell, Paddy McCourt, Kris Boyd and Allan McGreggor have already signed up. Click to continue reading...

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- In addition to this site, try the combination messageboard and quasi-blog QPR Report Messageboard. If your're interested in constantly-updated QPR-related news; QPR nostalgia; and some other broader football-related isssues: QPR Report Messageboard is there for you. All opinions welcome! Click to continue reading...

So... to review... for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League round of sixteen one of the following scenarios needs to occur:

1.) Liverpool beat Debrecen AND Lyon beat Fiorentina AND Liverpool beat Fiorentina.

2.) Liverpool beat Debrecen AND Lyon draw with Fiorentina AND Liverpool beat Fiorentina by at least three goals.

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The Zapatero government is proposing a tax rate hike from 24% to 43% for overseas players who earn more than 600,000 euros ($884,600) a year. Spain is reeling from the recession with 20% unemployment.

This will effectively end the "Beckham Law", named when the tax rates were amended in 2002 for the English midfielder to make it attractive for him and and other highly sought talent to come to the Liga.

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Ronaldo? Andy Reid? A bloated Ronaldinho after a night on the town? Hardly. Thailand's top footballers will receive free burgers as part of their new three-year, £545,000 sponsorship deal with the fast food giant McDonald's. According to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), McDonald's will provide £450,000 in cash and the rest in products in exchange for [. Click to continue reading...

While filtering through the internet for English Premier League news, I came across this bit of article from AsiaOne Sports section.

HONG KONG - English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have offered a trial to a Hong Kong international striker who scored against the London giants in a pre-season friendly, a news report said Wednesday.

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Thailand's top footballers will receive free burgers as part of their new three-year, £545,000 sponsorship deal with the fast food giant McDonald's.
Sawadee Kop, indeed... Click to continue reading...

Arsenal have won nine and drawn two of their last 11 games in all competitions.
Arsenal have scored 32 goals in their 10 Premier League games this season.
Arsenal beat north London rivals Spurs 3-0 at the weekend - and manager Arsene Wenger claimed: "We should have scored more. Click to continue reading...

There is nothing like diving. An art hated by many, appreciated by some, it's a part of football whether we like it or not. So until it's eradicated from the game, I am providing fans a new wave of classifying a dive. A fool proof system to help you identify the severity of the transgression committed when our favorite footballers decide to cheat. Click to continue reading...

Sure, we're in a bit of a tizzy over the incoming Rooney baby, but there's such a huge stack of footballers-and-their-brood news coming down the wire that we've declared today an official 'Baller Baby Day on Kickette.

Coming up: news of WAG pregnancies, new photos of footballers and their genetically (and financially) superior kids and lots of baby announcements.

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Sure, we're in a bit of a tizzy over the incoming Rooney baby, but there's such a huge stack of footballers-and-their-brood news coming down the wire that we've declared today an official 'Baller Baby Day on Kickette.

Coming up: news of WAG pregnancies, new photos of footballers and their genetically (and financially) superior kids and lots of baby announcements.

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Bringing the beautiful game to music video games Rock band Kasabian have called upon a group of freestyle footballers to help produce this nifty viral promoting their new single. The freestylers set to work producing a giant football version of Guitar Hero to incorporate their balls skills.

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Franco should be a hero in Mexico/PA Sports Image

I understand this is a website dedicated to MLS and US Soccer, but please indulge me in this moment of personal privilege about our neighbors to the south and our neighbors to the north.

Guille Franco opened his Premier League account yesterday, playing for a less competitive West Ham side than former Mexican striker Jared Borgetti did in Bolton a few years back.

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Dressing up on Halloween isn't a challenge to be taken lightly. It's not just about the eating sweets, making friends and putting dog feces through mail boxes. It means much more than that. It's the one night when everyone on the planet can wear whatever they want and be whomever they wish.

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Yup, that's right. It's the same post we put up last year for Halloween. We're just that professional, prepared and well-sorted. But also, last year's Hallo post was so much fun.

And, there are only so many slutty costumes and innuendo we can spout. We topped out somewhere in-between the fireman hose jokes and the Elite XI.

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Yup, that's right. It's the same post we put up last year for Halloween. We're just that professional, prepared and well-sorted. But also, last year's Hallo post was so much fun.

And, there are only so many slutty costumes and innuendo we can spout. We topped out somewhere in-between the fireman hose jokes and the Elite XI.

Click to continue reading...

To celebrate the launch of our brand new members' area Arsenalinsider, in association with Icons,� are giving one lucky� reader the chance to win a signed Fabregas shirt.

To be in with a chance,� all you need to do is sign up for a free� account.

Each members' account will enable you to communicate with other Arsenal fans, just like on Facebook.

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AAAAHHHHHHHH I AM ARTUR BORUC AND THIS IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT MADE ME ANGRY THIS WEEK:

1. HALLOWEEN I DECIDED TO BE A MONK FOR HALLOWEEN AGAIN THIS YEAR AND I ASKED MY FRIEND MICHAL ZEWLAKOW TO BE A MONK AGAIN TOO BUT HE SAID WE SHOULD BE MICHAEL JACKSONS AND I SAID "AHHHHHHH BUT I WANT TO BE A MONK!

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The ex- Brazil international shows what he really needs to recover from injuries. One of the most pathetic moments of his career. More than taking care of your socks when France is kicking out of the World Cup:

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As you may know, three Blackburn players and two members of their staff have come down with Swine Flu. Last night Blackburn's Carling Cup game went ahead and this weekend they play Man United in the Premier League.
The Blackburn manager is now showing signs of having swine flu, which is why he stayed away during last nights Carling Cup game. Click to continue reading...

For the love of football!

This looks like too much fun. � What footballer wouldn't want to have a go at a game like this?

Play Guitar Hero by kicking soccer balls against a warehouse wall? � The scale of this takes video gaming to another level, and looks silly fun. � It would take a handful of good footballers and some practice to manage a decent score, but wouldn't it be a blast to try?

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All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award winning Dirty Tackle...

Will England be staying a snicker-inducing Royal Bafokeng Hotel (say it fast) during the World Cup? [Channelbee]

Real Madrid players got their free Audis after test driving them in the snow.

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Former Bolton manager Sam Alladyce revealed that some of Blackburn's players played against Chelsea despite showing some symptoms of Swine Flu. Big Sam is concerned about the virus but The Wanderers' current manager is not perturbed by an apparent outbreak at The Reebok Stadium.

In a statement on the official Rovers website Big Sam said;

"Obviously, we've had two players who have been particularly poorly with it, and we've had a few more that have had something which looked like the symptoms, but they still managed to travel with us and get through the game at Chelsea.

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