Lots of little bits and bobs to get through this morning. The final places in the World Cup Finals will be decided tonight with all 3 of the 'big sides' in winning positions as I write. What a game we would have if Ireland could score first in Paris but I fear that the French will be too strong tonight. Not that we'll know of course, the last I heard no-one has bought the TV rights to this game over here unless I can be corrected? Good old 5 live anyway. Russia have left things a little jammy against Slovenia, who again, if they get the first goal there could be an almighty Soviet clash out there - I still expect Russia to do enough mind. The game that even Greeks and Ukrainians don't care about is poised at 0-0, hopefully we'll get another 0-0 and the penalty shoot out will go on for so long that neither of them make it to SA. I've got a feeling for Bosnia against Portugal though, that's my tip for the night. I've never really rated Portugal highly tbhonest, I hate the fact they have no good striker, Ronaldo is out injured, the likes of Nani, Quaresma and Simao can have good nights but are notoriously flaky, and yes they are constantly doing England in tournaments. It's always better that the 'big' teams make the World Cup, but for Portugal I'm happy to make an exception.
One man looking to do the damage for them tonight will be the fantastically named Edin Dzeko. The Wolfsburg front man is a beast of a striker at 6'4, he's powerful, skillful and most importantly knows where the goal is. At 23 he's already got 14 goals in 22 Bosnia caps (that's for a relatively average team), and scored a mammoth 36 goals in all comps last year. I can't claim to have seen tons of the lad but the occasionally flick onto ESPN to watch the Bundesliga and Man Utd v Wolfsburg this season have shown me enough. He's been angling for a move to his 'boyhood club' Milan next summer, and believe me whoever does get him (and it won't be Arsenal, he'll cost about 60 billion euros) will have a super class player.
I'm not normally bothered about transfer speculation like this but this story brings up some larger questions about young footballers. Chelsea are apparently after Everton's impressive youngster Jack Rodwell and have allegedly already had a £14million bid rejected by Moysey, who is holding out for 20/25mill. Firstly, the kid is 18 years old and has only played 27 times for Everton so 14million is an astronomical price if you ask me, let alone 20/25. Secondly, will he play at Chelsea? When there is guys like Malouda, Obi Mikel, Joe Cole and Zhirkov all sat on the bench, it's difficult to see it. And thirdly, is it in the best interests of Rodwell to go? Rooney left Everton for his big money move to Utd and he's turned out to be a superstar footballer, mainly because he got a chance there. If I was Rodwell (who has recently signed a new long term deal) I'd hold out for a few more years yet before that big move to a Champions League side. It's sad to see these big clubs (Arsenal are guilty just the same) stock piling young talent in their squads and potentially hurting their chances - Bostock at Spurs, Delph at Villa - these guys still have a big career ahead of them, I just wonder if they might be best suited sticking with Palace and Leeds respectively.
Adebayor has been flapping his gums yet again about being forced out of Arsenal. Shut up Emmanuel, you're at City now, worry less about us and more about that great drawing run you're on.
After all of yesterdays praise of Kieran Gibbs 'le loi de sod' (sod's law) awoke and decided to shaft Gibbsy in his foot. A suspected metatarsal break happened in a 0-0 draw for the U21s against Lithuania, which means we're likely to see Armand Traore get another chance at left back. Please Arsene, use Armand, don't think about Silvestre.
And finally, it seems that Walter Smith is the next jock to duck the chance to be Scotland manager saying he doesn't want to do the same job again. Walt, haven't you been Rangers manager once before?! Take her easy.
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