Park Life

More fucked than 1990 and 1991 imo. There's fucked and then there is fucked, we are fuuuuucked.

Chelsea Michael Ballack, m, Joe Cole, m, Juliano Belletti, m.

Actually could make quite a good side with 11 of those.

Use The White Horse for press briefings.

ENGLAND Arsenal Sol Campbell, b, Philippe Senderos, b, Mikael Silvestre, b, William Gallas, b. Aston Villa Andy Marshall, mv, Wilfred Bouma, b, Marlon Harewood, a. Birmingham Maik Taylor, mv, Stuart Parnaby, b, Lee Carsley, m, Sebastian Larsson, m, Garry O'Connor, a, Kevin Phillips, a. Blackburn Yildiray Basturk, m, Morten Gamst Pedersen, m. Bolton Paul Robinson, b, Gavin McCann, b, Tamir Cohen, b, Stuart Holden, m, Joey O'Brien, m, Ivan Klasnic, a, Ricardo Vaz Te, a. Burnley Brian Jensen, mv, Stephen Caldwell, b, Clarke Carlisle, b, Graham Alexander, b, Michael Duff, m, Joey Gudjonsson, m, Robbie Blake, a, Steven Thompson, a. Chelsea Michael Ballack, m, Joe Cole, m, Juliano Belletti, m. Everton Iain Turner, mv, Carlo Nash, mv. Fulham Pascal Zuberbuhler, mv, Jonathan Greening, m, Simon Davies, m, Andranik Teymourian, m, Erik Nevland, a, David Elm, a. Hull Nick Barmby, m, George Boateng, m, Richard Garcia, m, Ian Ashbee, m. Liverpool Fabio Aurelio, b. Man City Sylvinho, b, Martin Petrov, m, Patrick Vieira, m, Man Utd Inga Portsmouth Antti Niemi, mv, David James, mv, Jamie Ashdown, mv, Hermann Hreidarsson, b, Steve Finnan, b, Ricardo Rocha, b, Angelos Basinas, m, Nwankwo Kanu, a. Stoke Liam Lawrence, b, Salif Diao, m, Amdy Faye, m, Ricardo Fuller, a. Sunderland John Mensah, b, Boudewijn Zenden, m, Benjani, a. Tottenham Ben Alnwick, mv, Carlo Cudicini, mv, Dorian Dervite, b, Eidur Gudjohnsen, a. West Ham Jordan Spence, b, Luis Boa Morte, m, Mido, a, Ilan, a, Guillermo Franco, a, Zavon Hines, a. Wigan Athletic Richard Kingson, mv, Mike Pollitt, mv, Vladimir Stojkovic, mv, Mario Melchiot, b, Steve Gohouri, b, Ben Watson, m, Tomasz Kupiski, a. Wolves Marcus Hahnemann, mv, Matt Murray, mv, Jody Craddock, b, George Elokobi, b, Chris Iwelumo, a, Andy Keogh, a ITALY Atalanta Andrea Consigli, mv, Maximiliano Pellegrino, b, Diego De Ascentis, m, Cristiano Doni, m, Nicola Amoruso, a. Bari Cristian Stellini, b. Bologna Roberto Colombo, mv, Salvatore Lanna, b, Cristiano Zenoni, b, Nicola Migazzini, m, Luigi Lavecchia, m, Massimo Marazzina, a, Adailton, a. Cagliari Cristiano Lupatelli, mv, Diego Lopez, b, Lino Marzoratti, b, Andrea Parola, m, Catania Mariano Izco, m. Chievo Lorenzo Squizzi, mv, Davide Mandelli, b, Francesco Scardina, b, Giampiero Pinzi, m, Luciano, m, Luca Rigoni, m, Erjon Bogdani, a, Elvis Abbruscato, a. Fiorentina Per Kroldrup, b, Massimo Gobbi, b, Mario Santana, m, Genoa Alessio Scarpi, mv, Ivan Juric, m, Giuseppe Sculli, a. Inter Paolo Orlandoni, mv. Juventus Antonio Chimenti, mv, Fabio Cannavaro, b. Lazio Sebastiano Siviglia, b, Lionel Scaloni, b, Ousmane Dabo, b, Cristian Brocchi, m, Roberto Baronio, m, Julio Cruz, a. Livorno Alfonso De Lucia, mv, Fabio Galante, b, Antonio Filippini, m. Milan Flavio Roma, mv, Dida, mv, Giuseppe Favalli, b, Filippo Inzaghi, a. Napoli Gennaro Iezzo, mv, Matteo Gianello, mv, Gianluca Grava, b, Inacio Pia, a. Palermo Giacomo Brichetto, mv, Mark Bresciano, m, Fabio Simplicio, m. Parma Nicola Pavarini, mv, Paolo Castellini, b, Massimo Paci, b, Damiano Zenoni, b, Martin Bergvold, m. Roma Artur, mv, Max Tonetto, b, Marco Cassetti, b, Taddei, m, Mauro Esposito, a, Leandro Greco, a. Sampdoria Luca Castellazzi, mv, Vincenzo Fiorillo, mv, Matteo Guardalben, mv, Daniele Franceschini, m, Salvatore Foti, a, Claudio Bellucci, a. Siena Cristian Del Grosso, b, Lukas Jarolim, m. Udinese Aleksandar Lukovic, b, Andrea Coda, b, Paolo Sammarco, m. SPAIN Almeria Esteban Suarez, Mv, Santiago Acasiete, b, Miguel Corona, m, Fernando Soriano, m, Leonardo Borzani, m, Jose Ortiz, m, Kalu Uche, a. Athletic Armando Riveiro, mv, Koikili, b, Fran Yeste, m, Joseba Etxeberria, a, (slutar). Atletico Madrid Pablo Ibanez, b, Mariano Pernia b, Ignacio Camacho, m. Barcelona Inga Deportivo Piscu, b. Espanyol Javi Ruiz, mv, Ivan Pillud, b, Fernando Marques, m, Raul Tamudo, a. Getafe David Cortes, b, Mario Alvarez, b, David Belenguer, b, Malaga Francesc Arnau, mv, Gustavo Munua, mv, Osasuna Ricardo, mv, Josetxo, b, Ludovic Delporte, m, Walter Pandiani, a. Racing Jose Moraton, b, Pablo Pinillos, b, Oriol, b, Christian Fernandez, b. Real Madrid Jerzy Dudek, mv. Mallorca Julio Alvarez, m, Luis Marti, m, Gonzalo Castro, m. Sevilla Inga Sporting Gijon Gerard Autet, b, Rafael Sastre, b, Diego Camacho, m, Kike Mateo, m, Pedro Cecilia, m. Tenerife Jose Culebras, b,Hector Sanchez, b, Juanlu, m, Ayoze, m, Richi, m, Angel Rodriguez, a, Gaizka Saizar, a. Valencia Cesar Sanchez, mv, Ruben Baraja, m. Valladolid Luis Prieto, b, Alberto Marcos, b, Henrique Sereno, b, Borja, m, Jonathan Sesma, m, Diego Costa, a. Villarreal Javi Venta, b, Robert Pires, m, Ariel Ibagaza, m, David Fuster, m. Xerez Chema Jimenez, mv, Juan Redondo, b, Francis Perez, m, Momo, m, Abel Gomez, m, Victor Moreno, m, Emilio Viqueira, m, Carlos Calvo, m, Antonito, a, Michel, a, Mario Bermejo, a, Nicolas Vigneri, a, Matias Alustiza, a. Zaragoza Pablo Amo, b, Ruben Pulido, b, Edmilson, m, Peter Luccin, m.

Press Release should have been. 1. We thank CH for all his efforts but we will be approaching a number of candidates inc Roy for the job over the coming weeks. 2. With the windfall PL money we will secure PL survival. 3. Keep on keeping on. END.

Ironic that London has two austerity games. Use the Dome for indoor events?

Thing is good players thrive under enthusiastic and demanding crowds and bad players wilt. Case closed.

Locked in meetings with Nick Clegg.

Staying frosty is no longer an option is it Parky?

To win any cup or league you need a good slice of luck and avoiding crap from refs, its never just down to how well you played. And i agree, i don't think any of the last few world cup winners have been particularly impressive, they've been functional, done what was needed at the right time or other teams have been shitter to be honest. The last few have been up for grabs for anyone really. And a tactically aware manager which England finally has with Capello. Unlike Eriksson or McLaren he won't be sending out the media's team. He'll play it like a tournament and not as if it's the PL. Personally I don't think people understand how much of an advantage a winter world cup is to England. Capello will be the best tactician and organiser at the world cup imo. Makes a change.

As soon as we've lost 5 of the first 6 games all hell will break lose.

Unconditional support for Israel 'is dangerous', say leading European Jews The Guardian Sun, 02 May 2010 07:43 EDT Anti-settlement petition signed by Bernard Henri-Lévy and others causes division in Jewish community More than 3,000 European Jews, including prominent intellectuals, have signed a petition speaking out against Israeli settlement policies and warning that systematic support for the Israeli government is dangerous. The petition's signatories include French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, a Greens leader in the European Parliament. Supporters, who compare their goals to those of J Street, a liberal pro-Israel Jewish lobbying group in the United States, plan to present their position at a news conference at the European Parliament in Brussels tomorrow. They say they hope to build a European movement that is both "committed to the state of Israel and critical of the current choices of its government". Israeli columnist Yossi Sarid, a former Cabinet minister identified with Israel's peace movement, praised the initiative in an comment piece published in the Haaretz daily today. "These are people who seize every opportunity to defend Israel publicly and remain faithful to it," he wrote. "But even their patience is running out and their hearts are filled with sincere concern." Israel's foreign ministry declined to comment because the initiative is not government-sponsored. Many signatories are from France, where the petition has received much press coverage. France's Jewish community has hotly debated the petition, entitled Call for Reason. But the president of France's leading Jewish association, CRIF, declined to sign, saying he objected to some of its language and its tone. "Do Israelis need the Jewish Diaspora to know what is 'the right' decision, what should be the borders of a country that their sons and daughters are protecting?" Richard Prasquier wrote in Le Figaro newspaper. The petition says Israel faces a threat in the "occupation and the continuing pursuit of settlements in the West Bank and in the Arab districts of East Jerusalem". "These policies are morally and politically wrong and feed the unacceptable delegitimization process that Israel currently faces abroad," it sayings, adding that "systematic support of Israeli government policy is dangerous and does not serve the true interests of the state of Israel". Source: Associated Press Print

Hopefully all those. What will it take before people wake up?

I've read it, but I'm pretty sure we'll be buying some players. Let's wait and see. As a piece of communication to the punters it's a pitiful.

Was good. He's still got a pudgy babyface though.

YOUR controllers will NOT countenance PR.

Get this watched. 7.9 out of 10.

We should borrow and spend more and then blow up the building where the books are kept.

England legend Alan Shearer is convinced Wayne Rooney will carry the burden of FIFA World Cup™ expectancy being heaped on his shoulders. As a former Three Lions sharp-shooter himself, Shearer knows exactly what pressures Rooney is likely to be under in South Africa this summer as England try to lift the greatest prize in the game for the first time since 1966. Shearer never seemed to have a problem and, having spoken to the prolific Manchester United man, he has no doubt Rooney will cope with ease. "A hell of a lot is on his shoulders but he can carry the burden. When you have done it for the biggest club in the world for the past 12 months, England will not be a problem," said Shearer. "In fact he is relishing it. The more pressure that is heaped on him, the more he enjoys his football." Any team that wins a major tournament needs luck, but if all our players are fit and playing well, England have a very good chance. Shearer on England's prospects in South Africa Once the England captain, Shearer only got one shot at the tournament himself, at France 98, although he was part of the England side that reached the semi-finals of Euro 96. And having gone through that agony, he feels with Rooney to lean on, Fabio Capello's men can do even better. "Rooney has been awesome. He has had a magnificent season," he said. "He is in the top three in the world without a doubt. After [Cristiano] Ronaldo left, Sir Alex Ferguson asked him to score more goals. He has come up with that. At times he has carried Manchester United but his performances have not dipped. Sometimes as a forward, goals can hide a poor performance. He has scored and played very well." http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1...er+rooney+ready

England hope to avoid US repeat England go into their 13th FIFA World Cup™ as not just Group C's main attraction but as overwhelming favourites to finish top. Yet they may not have things their own way. The USA have upset England before and they will be hopeful of making progress – the Americans have a depth of quality and experience that puts them in a different league from the college kids who travelled to Italia 90 with the Stars 'n' Stripes two decades ago. Slovenia, making their second FIFA World Cup appearance, and Algeria, their third, complete the section – but will be determined to do much more than make up the numbers. The favourites England: The Three Lions have never won the FIFA World Cup on foreign soil but travel to South Africa believing the adventure will go beyond the quarter-finals this time. Confidence is high after an impressive qualifying campaign from Fabio Capello's side who finished as 34-goal top scorers in the European Zone, winning nine of ten matches. Wayne Rooney hit nine goals and can have a galvanising effect – indeed, while his World Cup bow four years ago ended with a red card against Portugal the same thing happened to Diego Maradona and look how he responded. Add the Capello factor – the Italian has brought discipline and focus – and England will expect to win this group and prosper. USA: The United States contest their sixth successive finals and will fancy their chances of advancing from the group stage for the first time since their quarter-final run in 2002. Bob Bradley's team can also take heart from their efforts at the FIFA Confederations Cup on South African soil in 2009 – they stunned Spain in the semi-finals and led Brazil 2-0 in the final before succumbing 3-2. They will hope centre-back Oguchi Onyewu will have recovered from his knee injury in time to join a squad that will again look to Landon Donovan for attacking inspiration in his third FIFA World Cup. The outsiders Algeria: The North Africans are back on the world stage after a 24-year absence following their play-off victory over Egypt. Rabah Saadane's side – who had eliminated Senegal in the second African qualifying round – boast top-level European experience in their ranks, including midfielder Karim Ziani at German champions Wolfsburg and pacy left-back Nadir Belhadj at English club Portsmouth. Antar Yahia, the match-winner against Egypt, will face Bochum colleague Zlatko Dedic in an opening match against Slovenia in Polokwane that both countries will consider their best chance of three points. Slovenia: Matjaz Kek's team were surprise play-off winners over Russia, Dedic's second-leg strike earning them victory on away goals after a 2-1 reverse in Moscow. Their first major tournaments as an independent nation came at UEFA EURO 2000 and Korea/Japan 2002 but their current squad lacks that know-how, though captain Robert Koren needs no introduction to England as he plays his football at West Bromwich Albion. Their main attacking threat is Milivoje Novakovic, based in Germany with FC Cologne, who hit five goals as they finished second behind Slovakia in their qualifying group. The players to watch Wayne Rooney (ENG), Frank Lampard (ENG), Landon Donovan (USA), Tim Howard (USA), Karim Ziani (ALG), Robert Koren (SVN). The crunch match England-USA: England will aim to stamp their authority on the group in what, on paper, looks their trickiest test in the pool opener in Rustenburg on 12 June. The countries' historical and cultural ties will make it eagerly anticipated on both sides of the Atlantic. A look back England-USA, 29 June 1950: In their first tournament England suffered their biggest upset on the world stage when Joe Gaetjens' first-half goal earned a ragtag American team a 1-0 victory in Belo Horizonte. One newspaper in Britain assumed the 0-1 score had to be wrong and printed that England had won 10-1. Did you know? Algeria have never met England but held Northern Ireland 1-1 when facing another British team at Mexico 1986. The stat 10 – England have negotiated the group stage successfully on their last ten FIFA World Cup appearances. The question At first glance, England and USA look strong favourites to advance but could Algeria or Slovenia spring a surprise? Both did so in their qualifying play-offs but repeating it in South Africa may prove difficult. Click 'Add your comment' to make your opinion known. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/index.html

The season is coming to a close and attentions are turning to the World Cup with England’s expectations higher than at any time since Sir Bobby Robson took the Three Lions to the semi-finals in 1990. But who will be charged with creating history? And who will spend the summer in their flip-flops sipping sangria? Telegraph Sport looks at the World Cup hopefuls, their hopes of making the plane to South Africa – and the men Fabio Capello will leave behind. Capello names a preliminary 30-man England squad in May, followed by the final 23 on June 1. Monday, May 3 -- ON THE PLANE David James The veteran goalkeeper is 40 in August and though Portsmouth are down, the chance to play in the FA Cup final - almost certainly his last game for the club - has given James fresh focus, which can only be good for England. Robert Green West Ham’s goalkeeper is 30 but has just nine caps. Some argue he has a place by default only, but he remains in the top three. Joe Hart A terrific season loan to Birmingham, and the players’ goalkeeping choice for the PFA Premier League Team of the Year is his reward. Any doubts that he may not make the plane have been allayed by some outstanding performances. That City wanted to recall him says much about the season he has had. John Terry No longer the captain but still a giant in defending terms. He returned from suspension to lead Chelsea to the 2-0 win over Liverpool that puts Chelsea on the brink of the title. Surprisingly, there was no place for Terry in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Ashley Cole The return of Cole and his ability to complete two full 90 minutes - and two clean sheets - will have gladdened the heart of Capello. Rio Ferdinand Maybe not having his most consistent season, a factor not helped by injuries. Returned to the bench on Sunday, coming on late at Sunderland. Like Terry, he was left out of PFA Premier League Team of the Year by his fellow professionals. Ashley Young Has had an impressive season for Villa and instrumental in the club’s good season. Steven Gerrard One of the first names on the list and crucial to any hopes of winning the World Cup. But he must be getting fed up with Liverpool’s underachieving. His error led to Chelsea’s first goal on Sunday, but that is a rarity. Glen Johnson Missing on Sunday with a calf muscle strain, but only a very minor set-back. But the former problem, with his knee, is cured so he is a certainty for South Africa. Frank Lampard With 20 goals in 77 internationals, his value is obvious. Another shock omission from the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, despite taking his best ever scoring tally – from midfield – to 26 goals. Gareth Barry Having featured in 27 of England’s last 29 games, there can be little doubt he will be in South Africa. A slight set-back at the weekend, with a hamstring injury keeping him out against former club Villa. James Milner In form for Villa after a permanent feature of the Under-21s. Offers width and intelligence and his award as the PFA’s Young Player of the Year and place in the Premier League Team of the Year confirms his elevation to senior status. Wayne Rooney The jewel in England’s crown. Rooney’s outstanding season received the accolade of the PFA Player of the Year on Sunday and he is favourite to win the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year. Injuries have affected his season but he completed 90 minutes against Sunderland. Jermain Defoe Whether there is room for Rooney and Defoe is not clear, but he is the next best thing and is a must for South Africa. After recovering from a groin injury suffered in training he is back but looked off the pace against Bolton. Peter Crouch Love him or hate him, you cannot criticize his record: 18 goals in 36 games including two against Egypt. Not always first choice but he remains a great impact player. Came off the bench in each of the last four games. -- IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE Paul Robinson Has enjoyed a good season but has conceded four goals in his last two appearances has seen him drop behind Joe Hart in the pecking order. Wes Brown Dependable defender but currently injured. If he is fit, Capello will want him on the plane but time is running out. Matthew Upson The jury is still out on Upson. Having an average season for West Ham, but regarded as good cover for Terry and Ferdinand. Michael Dawson His performances have echoed Spurs’ success this season. Won two player of the year awards at Spurs and heard “Dawson for England” echo around White Hart lane on Saturday. Phil Jagielka Such a great prospect but his career was on ice when he suffered serious injury last April. Now back on a regular basis. Darren Bent Bent has scored 25 goals this season and now faces a fight with Bobby Zamora, Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole for a place on the plane. What more does he have to do? Leighton Baines Potential cover for Ashley Cole and did not disappoint on his debut against Egypt. Michael Carrick Suffers by being a midfielder in a country that has Gerrard, Lampard and Barry, but offers good cover, even as an emergency defender. But cannot break into the United team at present. Stewart Downing Made the last World Cup squad and Capello has gone on record admitting he has been impressed by the winger. Theo Walcott A shock choice last time, but has not progressed as expected with injuries his biggest problem. He was poor on Saturday in front of Capello, who must be having his doubts as to whether to include the youngster, though his pace could prove invaluable. Ledley King Few could have anticipated his call-up but according to his manager, Harry Redknapp, he is a “cert” to go to South Africa. When fit, an outstanding defender, and the perfect cover for the defence. Aaron Lennon If fit, he is a must, and his return for his first game in 2010, for Spurs at Old Trafford, can only be a good sign. Came on again, against Bolton, and seems off the pace. Shaun Wright-Phillips With Beckham gone, he has a chance but not even a regular at Manchester City. Joe Cole When he’s good he’s very good, and went to the last World Cup, but he struggles to make Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Emile Heskey Heskey has his critics, just seven goals in 57 internationals is hardly impressive. Has been on the bench for each of Villa’s last five games. Bobby Zamora Previously wouldn’t have got a look in, but Roy Hodgson has championed the Fulham striker’s cause. And he has responded with his best ever scoring season in the top flight, though an Achilles problem could work against him.

Name me one European country that HAS got that right?

You mean the national insurance rise for those earning over £20k? Not exactly the hardest hit group. But yeah, getting more money from the rich would be a good idea. May I propose raising income tax to 50% for those earning over £150k? Now, if only someone in politics would try and implement that idea.

Fuck me what a whiner.