Monday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

City eye Eden
MANCHESTER CITY last night made a dramatic move for Lille sensation Eden Hazard.
Spurs and Arsenal have been locked in a battle to try and sign the Belgian playmaker, 21.
But City boss Roberto Mancini, assistant David Platt and chief football administration officer Brian Marwood flew to France to watch Hazard score one goal and set up two more in Lille's 4-0 win over Valenciennes.
And the trio were expected to open negotiations about a summer deal for Hazard, who has a £33million release clause in his contract.
Manchester United and Chelsea are interested as well and Alex Ferguson also watched Hazard last weekend.
But City believe they can outbid any of their rivals with a deal worth over £150,000 a week.
Hazard revealed: "I heard before the game that Mancini was there.
"For my part I always try and play the same way, whether Alex Ferguson's there or Mancini now.
"I try and forget about that when I'm on the pitch, I try to play my own game. No matter who's in the stands I just try to show what I can do.
"We'll see what happens, but for now I'm concentrating on finishing the season well with Lille."

Man City have ‘nothing to worry about’ in title race – Joe Hart
Joe Hart convinced Manchester City can claw back Manchester United's one point lead and win the Premier League title
Joe Hart has established himself as England's first-choice goalkeeperPhoto: DigDeep, via Wikimedia
Joe Hart believes Manchester City have “nothing to worry about” in the title race – despite trailing arch-rivals Manchester United by a point.
City slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last Sunday, handing Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the advantage in the title race.
“We need to play well in every game because there are not many left now,” Hart told City’s website.
“We’re one point behind the leaders of the Premier League, we’re a good team and we’ve got nothing to worry about.
“We’ll go into the game against Chelsea as favourites – and we should be favourites.”
The 24-year-old has been one of City’s most consistent performers this season, but the former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper insisted he can still up his game.
“I can definitely improve,” he added. “I like to think I’m improving in all sorts of areas.
“All keepers are going to have good patches and bad patches and at the moment I seem to be in a good one – but I know that can change. You need to be mentally strong, more than anything.”
Hart described City team-mate Mario Balotelli as one of the world’s best penalty takers after the Italian striker scored from the spot in the 3-2 victory over Lisbon on Thursday.
But the England international is confident he would come out on top should the pair meet at Euro 2012.
“Yeah, I hate to say it, he’s one of the best I’ve ever faced,” said Hart.
“He’s got this mad ability where he doesn’t need to look at the ball. If you don’t move he kicks it in the corner; if you do move he kicks it the other way – it’s almost impossible to stop.
“I need to get inside his head and I reckon if England played Italy, I would be able to stop him!”

DOUG'S SPORT RELIEF BOLLOX
BBC Sport Relief have announced this years prizes for auction including golf with Shearer, Ferdinand, Bellamy and Savage as well as many other fantatic lots. Three of the highlights are a commentary box at the Arsenal v City match (so you get the chance to deck Alan 'cunt' Green (currently £1000). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251012333405? ... 1557.l2649

Matchday experience v Sunderland (currently £210). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251013483261? ... 1557.l2649

The other eyecatching lot is the chance to spend the day with our very own Douglas Higginbottom watching the boys train (currently £610). http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251012315024? ... 1557.l2649

A full list of the lots can be viewed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sportrelief/news/2 ... rday.shtml

[spoiler][/spoiler]

OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United have targeted Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy, 26, as Sir Alex Ferguson continues his search for a new right-back. Metro

Bayern Munich are set to offer Arjen Robben, 28, a bumper new deal to ward off interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Eden Hazard is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs Daily Mail

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Havant & Waterlooville striker Ollie Palmer, 19, who has scored 14 goals since joining the club in September. Daily Mirror

The Blues do face competition from AC Milan for the signature of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian, 23, in the summer. Metro

Highly rated Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, 24, is keen on a move to Arsenal this summer. the Sun

Luis Suarez has attempted to end speculation about his future by insisting that not only does he want to remain with Liverpool, but the Merseyside club are already looking to extend his contract. the Times

Bolton Wanderers are ready to pull out of the FA Cup after Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest in their quarter-final tie against Tottenham on Saturday. The club are said to be too distraught to return to White Hart Lane. Daily Mirror

Muamba's chances of survival may have increased after Tottenham fan Dr Andrew Deaner, a consultant cardiologist at the London Chest Hospital, raced on to the pitch to give his assistance. Daily Express

Former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann has ruled himself out of the running to become Spurs manager if Harry Redknapp becomes the next England boss. the Sun

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew wants his side to win four more games this season to secure a top-six finish and European football. talkShite

Former England coach Fabio Capello maintains his decision to resign was correct because of the Football Association's decision to overrule him on the issue of removing the captaincy from John Terry. the Independent

West Brom have revealed that striker Shane Long missed two and a half months of action after suffering a heart scare. Daily Mail

Bayern Munich duo Franck Ribery and Toni Kroos came up with a novel way to decide who would take a penalty for the German side, a game of Schnick, Schnack, Schnuck or paper, scissors, stone. 101 great goals

Former Brazil forward Rivaldo - now 40 years old - scored a hat-trick for Angolan side Kabusciro on Saturday. 101 great goals

[lets all have a disco]

Doug your onto to a winner there pal,keep your head down and your mouth shut.

[ashton287]

Ahhh we are after hazard now. Redknapp shouldn't of opened his mouth and we would never even know he existed.

Funny how this is the first time I have read a figure. Spurs, arse, Chelsea and scum stories all without a price. City story and it's 33 MILLION 150,000 A WEEK.

[Im_Spartacus]

Im probably going t get flamed for this, but havent we all at some time or other been party to genuine tragedy. My sister was a young cardiologist at her mates 21st birthday do when the girls gran keeled over and died in the front room of a heart attack.

My sister blamed herself for not being able to help, ooh, maybe for a few days, then she dealt with it and moved on.

I dont pretend to know what is going on in the heads of those at bolton, or for that matter whether the story of them pulling out of the fa cup is true. But the reality is that life goes on. Liverpool replayed the semi-final after hillsborough and won, despite the untold genuine suffering of a large number of their followers who were either directly or indirectly linked to those events. Not to mention the players who saw 95 of their supporters, including children crushed to death.

But to pull out of the fa cup would be entirely the wrong thing to do. Life goes on, and if its genuine grief a distraction is often a good thing, especially if its a distraction that can steel a teams resolve and do something to put a smile back on the face of the fans, without whom they would not have the priviliges in life that they enjoy.

As tragic as all this is, i am left wondering about the fame culture in this country. I sat at coms a couple of years back and the old bloke 2 rows in front of me keeled over and died of a heart attack at the hamburg game. There was no minutes silence, there was no calls for those around him to be given councilling, and there was certainly no calls for the next game to be abandoned. Those concerned now need to man up and move on, yes it was not nice to see, and it was not nice that it was played out in front of millions, but thats life, and life goes on.

I am fairly sure that the lads family, and for that matter the lad himself, would want bolton to go to whl and get a result to take the, to wembley for the 2nd time in 2 years

[Blue Since 76]

Im probably going t get flamed for this, but havent we all at some time or other been party to genuine tragedy. My sister was a young cardiologist at her mates 21st birthday do when the girls gran keeled over and died in the front room of a heart attack.

My sister blamed herself for not being able to help, ooh, maybe for a few days, then she dealt with it and moved on.

I dont pretend to know what is going on in the heads of those at bolton, or for that matter whether the story of them pulling out of the fa cup is true. But the reality is that life goes on. Liverpool replayed the semi-final after hillsborough and won, despite the untold genuine suffering of a large number of their followers who were either directly or indirectly linked to those events. Not to mention the players who saw 95 of their supporters, including children crushed to death.

But to pull out of the fa cup would be entirely the wrong thing to do. Life goes on, and if its genuine grief a distraction is often a good thing, especially if its a distraction that can steel a teams resolve and do something to put a smile back on the face of the fans, without whom they would not have the priviliges in life that they enjoy.

As tragic as all this is, i am left wondering about the fame culture in this country. I sat at coms a couple of years back and the old bloke 2 rows in front of me keeled over and died of a heart attack at the hamburg game. There was no minutes silence, there was no calls for those around him to be given councilling, and there was certainly no calls for the next game to be abandoned. Those concerned now need to man up and move on, yes it was not nice to see, and it was not nice that it was played out in front of millions, but thats life, and life goes on.

I am fairly sure that the lads family, and for that matter the lad himself, would want bolton to go to whl and get a result to take the, to wembley for the 2nd time in 2 years

I agree. Bolton only need to look at the last time they won the cup to see the right thing to do.

I'm sure Fabrice would like to watch the final in May and see the Trotters win it. I presume he'd get a winner's medal having played in the competition. What better way to thank him for his performances rather than just giving up on the competition he nearly died trying to win.

It will be emotional when the game starts, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't go ahead.

[Ted Hughes]

Im probably going t get flamed for this, but havent we all at some time or other been party to genuine tragedy. My sister was a young cardiologist at her mates 21st birthday do when the girls gran keeled over and died in the front room of a heart attack.

My sister blamed herself for not being able to help, ooh, maybe for a few days, then she dealt with it and moved on.

I dont pretend to know what is going on in the heads of those at bolton, or for that matter whether the story of them pulling out of the fa cup is true. But the reality is that life goes on. Liverpool replayed the semi-final after hillsborough and won, despite the untold genuine suffering of a large number of their followers who were either directly or indirectly linked to those events. Not to mention the players who saw 95 of their supporters, including children crushed to death.

But to pull out of the fa cup would be entirely the wrong thing to do. Life goes on, and if its genuine grief a distraction is often a good thing, especially if its a distraction that can steel a teams resolve and do something to put a smile back on the face of the fans, without whom they would not have the priviliges in life that they enjoy.

As tragic as all this is, i am left wondering about the fame culture in this country. I sat at coms a couple of years back and the old bloke 2 rows in front of me keeled over and died of a heart attack at the hamburg game. There was no minutes silence, there was no calls for those around him to be given councilling, and there was certainly no calls for the next game to be abandoned. Those concerned now need to man up and move on, yes it was not nice to see, and it was not nice that it was played out in front of millions, but thats life, and life goes on.

I am fairly sure that the lads family, and for that matter the lad himself, would want bolton to go to whl and get a result to take the, to wembley for the 2nd time in 2 years

I agree. Bolton only need to look at the last time they won the cup to see the right thing to do.

I'm sure Fabrice would like to watch the final in May and see the Trotters win it. I presume he'd get a winner's medal having played in the competition. What better way to thank him for his performances rather than just giving up on the competition he nearly died trying to win.

It will be emotional when the game starts, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't go ahead.

Whatever happens with Muamba, the players should have time to react of course, then get on with their jobs as everyone else has to.

[DoomMerchant]

totally agree with our Grecian slave rebel on this point -- Bolton should NOT quit the competition. FFS...it almost makes the tragedy worse. What the game he collapsed in wasn't even worth playing? Christ, it's all they have to fight for this season beyond beating the drop....go to WHL to heal and fight like hell for your teammate and your fans. End of story.

[Tokyo Blue]

totally agree with our Grecian slave rebel on this point -- Bolton should NOT quit the competition. FFS...it almost makes the tragedy worse. What the game he collapsed in wasn't even worth playing? Christ, it's all they have to fight for this season beyond beating the drop....go to WHL to heal and fight like hell for your teammate and your fans. End of story.

Indeed. Wise words.

[Lev Bronstein]

I suppose a lot depends on Fab's progress over the next few days. If he improves, then they should go out and play for him - that's what he'd want I guess. If, tragically, he has a long drawn out illness and doesn't seem to be getting better, then it will probably drain those close to him and the players will be distracted.

[bluebananamilksheikh]

Im probably going t get flamed for this, but havent we all at some time or other been party to genuine tragedy. My sister was a young cardiologist at her mates 21st birthday do when the girls gran keeled over and died in the front room of a heart attack.

My sister blamed herself for not being able to help, ooh, maybe for a few days, then she dealt with it and moved on.

I dont pretend to know what is going on in the heads of those at bolton, or for that matter whether the story of them pulling out of the fa cup is true. But the reality is that life goes on. Liverpool replayed the semi-final after hillsborough and won, despite the untold genuine suffering of a large number of their followers who were either directly or indirectly linked to those events. Not to mention the players who saw 95 of their supporters, including children crushed to death.

But to pull out of the fa cup would be entirely the wrong thing to do. Life goes on, and if its genuine grief a distraction is often a good thing, especially if its a distraction that can steel a teams resolve and do something to put a smile back on the face of the fans, without whom they would not have the priviliges in life that they enjoy.

As tragic as all this is, i am left wondering about the fame culture in this country. I sat at coms a couple of years back and the old bloke 2 rows in front of me keeled over and died of a heart attack at the hamburg game. There was no minutes silence, there was no calls for those around him to be given councilling, and there was certainly no calls for the next game to be abandoned. Those concerned now need to man up and move on, yes it was not nice to see, and it was not nice that it was played out in front of millions, but thats life, and life goes on.

I am fairly sure that the lads family, and for that matter the lad himself, would want bolton to go to whl and get a result to take the, to wembley for the 2nd time in 2 years

I understand you wondering about the fame thing. It's tragic for anybody suffering to suffer a heart attack, but with the profile of football and the fact it happened live in front of millions of people watching was always going to make it a more public thing.
In a way the "fame" part of it must make it harder for Muamba's family with all press coverage etc.
Anyway I hope Muamba and anybody else who have suffered heart attacks recently, all make speedy recoveries.

[Im_Spartacus]

I understand you wondering about the fame thing. It's tragic for anybody suffering to suffer a heart attack, but with the profile of football and the fact it happened live in front of millions of people watching was always going to make it a more public thing.
In a way the "fame" part of it must make it harder for Muamba's family with all press coverage etc.
Anyway I hope Muamba and anybody else who have suffered heart attacks recently, all make speedy recoveries.

Im more thinking of all the "rip" messages on facebook and twatter from people who pretended they gave a shit about a junkie dying a few weeks back. Yet soldiers die every day, people are injured in their jobs every day and innocent people are murdered every day in places like syria, yet the idle fame junkie masses dont give a shit.

That fucking Kony 2012 the other week was a perfect example of where brainless people jump on an emotional bandwagon for something they know fuck all about. If any of them have since read about the politics of that video the 80 million lemmings who "liked" it should be ashamed. Thing is id be surprised if even 80,000 pf them bothered to read the back story to what they just clicked on, and hardly any will have watched the full film anyway because there were no celebrities in it.

I am sorry to see what happened, but it happened. It wont materially affect my life or that of anybody i know, so why all the great unwashed gushing about somebody in the news that they dont know. Wish him well and move on, but spare us the fake grief and sympathies