• The News of the World, who seemingly have omnipotent powers to rival Mystic Meg, are predicting that the Liverpool board will ‘approach’ Roy Hodgson about the vacant managers post. Reading between the lines we presume he may even be asked to fill it. But that’s crazy conjecture on our part. (Here)

• Over in Africa star players are dropping like flies. Flies I tell you. Which is ironic given there are an abundance of the buggers over there and they rarely ‘drop’ to my knowledge. In fact they’re always in rude health when I check and they pester you and sit in your sandwich. Is that irony? Anyway Rio Ferdinand’s knee has become Heskey collateral damage, Didier Drgoba has fractured his arm, Arjen Robben is a doubt after limping out of Holland’s last friendly, Jon Obi Mikel has a crook knee and Hull ’starlet‘ Jozy Altidore is a worry too.

• Meanwhile in the Premier League West Ham’s new boss and brothel frequenter, Avram Grant, has splashed the cash on former Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger whose surname literally means ‘thunder hammer‘ in German. How appropriate. That’s the London equivalent of Manchester City buying someone called Thomas Mercenary. Or Liverpool buying someone called Thomas Injury. Or Portsmouth buying someone called Thomas Castoff. I could go on. (here)

• Speaking of Manchester Lite, they’ve ‘bolstered their defence’ (or started building one) with the signing of much hyped German defender Jerome Boateng. But don’t get too excited. His brother Kevin Prince Boateng was meant to be one of the most promising midfielders in Europe when he signed for Spurs. And where is he now? Exactly. Keeping Michael Brown company at Portsmouth. (here)

• And finally Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is  oblivious to the fact the team are lacking a couple of centre backs and a goal keeper who doesn’t make Jens Lehmenn look like Gordan Banks, is poised to move for Serbian international Milos Krasic. Who can play anywhere across midfield. Or he could pull the proverbial finger out and just sign Joe Cole already. (here)

The Crab