Football

River Plate face being relegated from Argentina's top flight, first time in their history. 33 titles(10 more than fierce rivals Boca Jnrs) and once known as 'The Millionaires', now face a two leg relegation play off with 2nd Div team Belgrano

Adel Taarabt hints he wants more money or he is off.

Thats the thanks Warnock gets for giving him a chance and building a team round him.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11711_6996169,00.html

Or alternatively, that's what QPR's best player who had a not insignificant part in getting them promoted expects...not unreasonably. Do you really expect him to be grateful?

'Everton lead chase to land Man United defender'

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Wes-Brown-prefers-move-to-Everton-than-Sunderland-or-Blackburn-article749162.html

:-(

The 'Sky 4' Titus Bramble

We could swap you him for rodwell.

River Plate face being relegated from Argentina's top flight, first time in their history. 33 titles(10 more than fierce rivals Boca Jnrs) and once known as 'The Millionaires', now face a two leg relegation play off with 2nd Div team Belgrano

wow, now watch for some serious grade A corruption to kick in to prevent this from happening.
Something similar once happened in Brazil with one of the big teams there in the early 90's. The team (i can't remember who) was relegated and then the brazilian F.A. chnaged the relegation rules so that the average points each team had over the last three seasons was the deciding factor not actual points. They stayed up!

Or alternatively, that's what QPR's best player who had a not insignificant part in getting them promoted expects...not unreasonably. Do you really expect him to be grateful?

He is probably already on aprem standard wage. Why should they automatically double his wage?

You surely want your players to be fighting to stay up next season and saying we are going to give it everything not saying we are not good enough to stay up so I would rather leave, unless you give me a four year contract on xxxxx in which case I will stay.

'Still bitter about Piere Van Hoojdonk'

wow, now watch for some serious grade A corruption to kick in to prevent this from happening.
Something similar once happened in Brazil with one of the big teams there in the early 90's. The team (i can't remember who) was relegated and then the brazilian F.A. chnaged the relegation rules so that the average points each team had over the last three seasons was the deciding factor not actual points. They stayed up!

Relegation in the Argentinian leagues is already pretty much sewn up so that the big clubs don't go down. Relegation is worked out over a three season average, meaning a big club would need to have a catastrophic run to even end up in a playoff. That River are in this position really shows how far they have fallen and its been a malaise that has happened over a longer period than three years. The playoff game then becomes the safety net for the big sides in case of such a catastrophe. Anything could be going on with the FA and referee, but it would definitely been seen as an embarrasment for Argentinian football if they did go down.

I've seen Belgrano play before and they weren't great. They're by no means a small club but River really should be beating them.

As for Brazil, its quite different now. Was it Palmerias who were relegated quite recently?

• avid Tim Vickery reader
  

"One thing is certain, I want to play in a team that wins trophies and plays in the Champions League"
Fellaini is quoted as saying in the News of the World.
"But Everton is a team below the top level."

;-0

United need a new midfielder....

We do, but not that one.

I think he is quality and would do a good job at utd.

He'd walk into Utd, pisses over Carrick, Anderson & Park

The U-21's need a win and that useless cunt Pearce leaves Rodwell on the bench

He'd walk into Utd, pisses over Carrick, Anderson & Park

I'll give you carrick and Anderson, but he could never match Parks work ethic.

Phil Neville's got a good work ethic but he's still wank!

Seriously, Fellaini would be your best midfielder - FACT!

I thought Tevez was Herman Munster's head?

he could also lend wayne some hair.

So are England U-21's as good as everyone says they are?

If by good, you mean shit...

loving the guardian tag

damo - i've finished moneyball. who's next?

Dunno Probs Coenpipe. But he appears to be hard of reading. Anyone else?

This is good:
http://www.soccerbythenumbers.com/2011/06/why-wigan-were-most-unusual-team-of.html#more

i didn't think moneyball was all that great.

Me neither.

It's interesting to a point, but the author needs a better editor. There's half a good book in there, struggling to get out.