Manchester City fans were pissing themselves when the now infamous poster popped up in town. The club had forked out a small fortune to a London-based design company to come up with the slogan. Mark Hughes described it as "a bit of fun between fans", likening it to the counter we have on the Stretford End which marks how many years the bitters have gone without a trophy.

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David Beckham journey continues as recent confirmed reports in Italy suggest that he is on his way back to AC Milan for another loan deal. We have witnessed in the past big players moving from their clubs like Brazilian legend Ronaldo moved from Inter Milan to Real Madrid, Luis Figo from Barcelona to Read Madrid, Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan to Chelsea, Thierry Henry from Arsenal to Barcelona, recently Kaka from AC Milan to Real Madrid and other big players had to move from one club to another at some stage of their careers.

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Patrice Evra seems to get himself in trouble when we play Chelsea. The season before last he was involved in a fight with a member of Chelsea's groundstaff after our defeat.

There was CCTV footage of the incident and the FA conceded that this did not show Evra hitting the groundsman. The FA noted that the groundsman claimed he was hit on his right ear and that Evra is right-handed, making it impossible for him to have struck him, given they were stood squared up to each other.

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I recently asked the question: When Will Phil Brown Go?, & it seems in all actuality I'm no closer to an accurate answer of that question than when I posed it last week. Hull City lost another football match this weekend at Turf Moor to current over-achievers Burnley, 2-0. Two Graham Alexander goals were enough to see off a brave Hull City that will feel slightly cheated by the outcome.

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You may be wondering why the name at the top is neither Daryl nor Rob. I'll introduce myself, I'm Matilda, I also write for Bolton Offside. Both Rob and Daryl will still be writing here, I'm just a little addendum.

Milan chief executive, Adriano Galliani, has come out with the wonderfully self contradictory statement:

"It's practically certain at 100 per cent, the only thing missing is the signatures, but the agreement is complete.

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Just in time for the election cycle, interim coach Richie Williams has received a huge endorsement for the vacant head coaching position. And this vote of confidence holds a lot of weight.

Team captain Juan Pablo Angel has clearly recognized the short term successes of the Williams era.

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After Carlo Ancelotti left to Chelsea in the summer, the AC Milan board took a chance with Leonardo, who played himself to legendary status amongst the Rossoneri fans in mid 90's. On the pitch, Leonardo was one of� the most intelligent players in his era, but he's still unproven as a coach.

The AC Milan hot seat was probably the most unattractive one for the top coaches in the game, as the squad is very old, a laughing stock amongst football fans as "the old folks' home for footballers",� so appointing Leonardo was probably the only right decision the board could make.

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just walk away...

Why did you do it Jermain!? If there is anything that is going to make you look like a liability to Capello; it would be getting carried away in the heat of the moment and making a rash move; such as the one that saw you leave the pitch; and our beloved team in a whole load of trouble this afternoon.

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Andrea Dossena is extremely confident that Italian international Alberto Aquilani will make the difficult transition from Serie A to the Premier League.
"He has the quality to adapt because he is very clever. He understands the football here and knows how to make the right decision on the ball quickly," said the Italian international and former Serie A star, who is happy to accept being third-choice full-back at Anfield despite costing £8 million. Click to continue reading...

Andrea Dossena is confident Alberto Aquilani's 'quality and intelligence' will ensure he has no difficulty acclimatising to the rigours of the Barclays Premier League.
The Italian midfielder began light training at Melwood recently as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
With his Liverpool debut now firmly on the horizon, Dossena is adamant his compatriot has all the necessary features to his game to succeed in England. Click to continue reading...

The new Ivory Coast ( Côte d'Ivoire) home and away football shirts for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 season have been released by kit maker Puma. They will be worn by Ivory Coast during the 2010 African Cup of Nations tournament. The home shirt is primarily orange in colour. The ends of the sleeves are green in [. Click to continue reading...

Selling on players from the academy is one of the reasons why Manchester United have so much money to spend in the transfer market, with Frazier Campbell one of the most recent to move on. He had a choice between Hull, a club where he had already made a name for himself in helping them gain promotion to the Premiership, or Sunderland with former United captain Steve Bruce.

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AFTERNOON all. FP's just come home from a good old fashioned walloping in badminton (worryingly no one there was under 45). Hopefully this isn't some mystic sign of his future.
We can only hope.
Enough of my dodgy badminton skills - onto Perth Glory news for today.
For those of you who aren't privy to FP's Facebook page, Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns 'escaped' sanction for that 'headbutt' on Friday. Click to continue reading...

Well, frankly, I wasn't expecting that.

Platini must be hiding under his duvet in embarrassment this evening as the Uefa appeals body came to the conclusion that, when it comes to accusing someone of deception, you have to be able to prove it.

This was what they had to say about it:

Following examination of all the evidence, notably the declarations of both the referee and the referees' assessor, as well as the various video footage, it was not established to the panel's satisfaction that the referee had been deceived in taking his decision on the penalty.

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Quick post - I need to get this in before Kanye West interrupts me. ...
... So the news broke today that Arsenal player Eduardo's (no relation) ban in UEFA Champions League play for an alleged dive against Celtic will not be punished with a two-game ban, after all.
And while I'm all for getting diving out of football - in a moment of honesty, I have to think this is the right decision. Click to continue reading...

Big Story

You might have seen the rather outrageous dive by Arsenal's Eduardo which gave the Londoners the lead from the penalty spot against Celtic in the Champions League yesterday.

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Fast improving Frenchman on Rafa's radar

A number of Bundesliga clubs have stepped up their interest in Marseille's playmaker Mathieu Valbuena who is a target for a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham. Reports in both the German and French press suggest Hertha Berlin, Hamburg and Schalke are ready to make formal bids as interest in the diminutive Frenchman continues to grow.

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John Terry has pledged his future to Chelsea after the much publicised pursuit of the England and Chelsea skipper by Mark Hughes at Manchester City.

With the bottomless pit of money on offer at Eastlands, it would not have been a surprise if he had got his man.

Terry though has reaffirmed his commitment to the Blues after many thought he might be persuaded to make the move to City.

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I felt terrible that I wasn't able to put up a real match preview last night, but now that I think about it, it wouldn't be much different from the Lyon vs. Beşiktaş preview. No significant news coming out of the OL camp except that Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado will remain on the sidelines (Puel doesn't want to risk their healing bodies on a friendly), and Jean-Alain Boumsong will also be getting rest.

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Has Arsene Wenger lost all of his ambition or does he just not care anymore? After Arsenal lost to Manchester United in May, I published an article about how Arsenal needs to learn a lesson if they want to improve and win something again. Part of that lesson was to focus on improvement and not accept stagnation.

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Good morning, be gentle with me, I am *boilking* somewhat. They say never mix wine and beer, right? Who knew they meant over the course of a night and not just in the same glass?

Anyway, plenty going on this morning. The main news from yesterday was the fact that Robin van Persie has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie extended his stay with the Gunners after signing a new contract with the club.

Speaking to the club's official website, the Dutchman said:

I start again on 13th July, and it is good to close the deal and start with a good feeling. I cannot wait for the new season.

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Here are the latest stories in the European Transfer market including Robin van Persie re-signing with Arsenal, Manchester City looking to bid for Rossi, and much more.

Van Persie re-signs with Arsenal -� Robin van Persie� has ended speculation about a move away from The Emirates by signing a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has spent more time talking about United, our manager and our fans, than anything else since officially joining Real Madrid this week.

He spoken to the press again today hailing Sir Alex Ferguson as the 'maestro' and that it was a 'pleasure' for him to play at Old Trafford.

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Paul Ince is back at MK Dons and expectations are sky high.
The departure of Roberto Di Matteo to West Bromwich Albion cleared the path for a return for Ince, who has taken a six month sabbatical since his departure from Blackburn.
During his 12-month stint previously he guided the Dons to the League Two title, as well as winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in a memorable campaign. Click to continue reading...

"Terry Going Nowhere!", says new Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti
By Stephen Coutts – Valued Guest Writer for The Flat Back Four
John Terry and Frank Lampard separated? Too gay for Chelsea? - Image from Premier Photos UK
CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has made the strongest indications John Terry will not be sold to ambitious and free-spending Manchester City or anyone else. Click to continue reading...

"Terry Going Nowhere!", says new Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti
By Stephen Coutts – Valued Guest Writer for The Flat Back Four
CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has made the strongest indications John Terry will not be sold to ambitious and free-spending Manchester City or anyone else. Click to continue reading...

Americans Abroad / USMNT
Bradley Discusses Torres - Soccer By Ives
Team USA: The Sigi Schmid Connection - Prost Amerika
Dempsey Drawing Euro-Glances - Soccer365
For Soccer To Flourish In The US, Its Doors Must Open - NY Times
CONCACAF Gold Cup: FSC Drops The Ball - MLS Talk
Mexico Wary Of US Rise - Associated Press
US, Mexico Waiting On Sensations - SI. Click to continue reading...

UPDATE: According to Vince Masiello at Goal.com, Manchester City have made a bid for Inter Milan defender Maicon. His agent Antonio Caliendo told Antenna 3,

"Besides Real Madrid, I rule out that Manchester United are looking for him, but I know that the Citizens did make an approach.

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According to ESPN Soccernet, Inter Milan defender Maicon's agent that Chelsea could make a move for his client. His agent Antonio Caliendo told Calico Mercato,

"If an attractive offer comes in, well, in this world, everything is bought and everything is sold .

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Cristiano Ronaldo became the fourth United player to be named the European Player of the Year, after Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best were awarded with the title in the 60's.

Charlton has reflected on the decision to sell Ronaldo, showing he has no bad feelings towards the player, and putting his full faith in Sir Alex Ferguson to make the right decision.

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Last week we had a poll asking whether you'd rather have Carlos Tevez or Dimitar Berbatov and an overwhelming 84% picked Tevez. I've read many comments and posts on the web where Manchester United fans were disappointed and angry to lose a player like Tevez. However was the move by Manchester United not to sign him best?

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Gareth Barry claimed last night he had no worries about swapping title-chasing Liverpool for mid-table Manchester City – and that he believes he can turn Mark Hughes's side into title contenders.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez thought he had agreed a deal for Barry to join his Premier League runners-up from Aston Villa this summer. Click to continue reading...

Everton and Louis Saha broke the long-standing ‘Fastest Cup Final Goal' record at Wembley today, but ultimately left the famous stadium with broken hearts and no silverware.

Alas it was FA Cup joy for Chelsea's Guus Hiddink as he signed off from his role as ‘Temporary Manager' (an increasingly popular role in football) by winning the oldest cup competition in football.

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Gerard Pique, who returned to Barcelona after a few years with Manchester United, has admitted he felt sorry for his former team-mates, although is of course over the moon to add another winners medal to his collection.

"It was special because we played really well, we deserved to win and Barcelona was always my club since I was a young lad," said Pique.

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