Champions League, Magilton, West Ham, Transfers

The Champions League group stage was finally completed last night, and thankfully from the neutral point of view, all the big boys will be there. Of course that doesn't count Liverpool who rounded off a truly miserable European campaign by getting beat by Fiorentina 2-1 at Anfield. There were a couple reserve players involved but generally it was a pretty strong team that featured Gerrard, Aquilani (at last!) and from the bench Torres. Fior's win gave them top spot over Lyon. Barca and Inter both overcame slightly sticky situations to win their games, including a most ridiculous of goals from Mario Balotelli for Inter. If you thought Ronaldo hit a nice one for Real on Tuesday, find a clip of Balotelli's. He doesn't do the Ronaldo position the ball perfectly, then toe punt the valve to give it all that movement, he just smashes it like we all do when we have a kick about, but while ours go horribly wrong, his just flew in from at least 35 yards. Stuttgart followed the model their German cousins Bayern created, and won comfortably away from home in the last group game to secure qualification. They join an underrated Sevilla who beat Rangers again last night. And finally in group H, Olympiakos beat Arsenal (C) 1-0 in what was probably a very boring game for the neutral. As a non-neutral it was a fascinating watch, and I'm not alone in thinking that the young boys did outstanding, just that little bit of quality up front and naivety at the back was the difference. Ramsey was the best player on the park, Merida did super aswell, and what a player Alex Song is turning into. Obviously it's never nice to lose but this game had nothing on it for the Gunners so it was good to see the likes of Theo get a game and see what the future could hold for this club. I must add that yesterday I reported that Athletico Madrid had finished bottom of their group and out of Europe all together, well today I hang my head in shame. I misspoke guv, I swear. Because of their head-to-head record with Nicosia, the Spaniards go through - a head-to-head that saw Athletico draw 1-1 in Cyprus, that goal is the reason they are there, thanks then go to Simao.

The draw for the last 16 (we've been blessed by exciting draws recently, no?) will take place next Friday, and the 3 teams the English sides will be looking to get will be CSKA, Olympiakos and Stuttgart. I'm sure you're well aware that teams who played in the same group can't play each other so the dream draw for the Arsenal would be Stuttgart. A nightmare draw would involve either going to Bayern, or a tough task at either Milan club. Jose and Wenger never really got on in England and I have a funny feeling that with all the kind draws we are used to, karma will come back to bite us this time. Inter are a talented side and are due a run to a semi final, let's hope they get Chelsea then. Lyon and Porto would be the 2 middle ground teams, sides that you should beat but you never know with, I'd fancy a game against Lyon, Wenger going back to France, would be nice for him.

QPR have suspended their manager Jim Magilton following some kind of incident after their game with Watford the other day. It seems like the 'difference in opinion' with Akos Buzsaky has got the boss in some kind of trouble. In a bizarre turn of events, Buzsaky was seen by journalists walking around the pitch long after the final whistle, and then again in a toilet near the media room at Loftus Road, where he was apparently very distressed. Magilton probably gave him a good old fashioned Northern Irish shafting and now he's apparently handed in a transfer request. Very strange indeed.

Former Birmingham City owners David's Gold and Sullivan are interested in getting involved at West Ham. From what I understand, they want to buy the club (or a portion of it at least) for a 'nominal' fee and then promise to invest heavily in January and the summer. In the current climate of dodgy owners and Portsmouth, that does sound a bit of a wing it job doesn't it? The two of them bought B'ham for £1 and ended up selling it for £82million but I don't think West Ham are looking for a lesson in business, they need to get their best players tied down and buy so good ones to strengthen their squad. Watch this space.

Finally, some interesting transfer news surrounding Sol Campbell, who is offering his services to Man Utd. They are decimated at the back right now but surely this is a gamble too far for Fergie? Following the Wolfsburg game, no-one can deny that the free Michael Owen gamble is paying off (a few important cup goals, plus the winner in the derby) but Campbell has a track record for losing his fucking mind and isn't the 29 years that Owen is. The other piece of news is that it looks like Landon Donovan is coming to England. Long regarded as the best the Yanks have to offer, Everton are trying to bring him in on a 3-month loan deal during the MLS off season, he did the same at Bayern last year. I was very impressed with him in the Confed Cup and with us drawing the US in South Africa, it would be at least a useful scouting opportunity for Don Fabio. Take her easy.