No

If the Mancs with their supporters' association and former waiting list are at 40,000, how are they going to fill 75,000 every week? FCUM might have only 3,000ish but it could be they are seriously going to hurt the Mancs by not being there.

Looks like Jordan is looking at other options.

Depends on how fit the Swedish players are. Free of injury and slimmed down, they could easily repeat the 7-0 scoreline they notched here in Malta.

That was a fantastic preview Bobby G. Made me want to follow the fortunes of Iran. Sooner or later Mexico are going to produce great players but Borgetti's time at Bolton has shown that 2006 probably isn't that time. I doubt Iran has the game to upset the Mexicans though.

1) Its summer 2) Blackburn folk often have an emotional need to be angry- don't know why 3) Might as well take it out on an Aussie 4) Lucas Neill was personally responsible for an uncomfortably large number of goals against last season through poor positioning and lack of concentration 5) He is screwing his employers in the way most people can only dream of and only waggy gets fired for 6) Other than that he's a very good player who will have everybody saying "if only we had Lucas" if he's not here next season- his dribbling ability and eye for a great pass have inproved enormously under the Hughes coaching regime.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup200...1791137,00.html Boy oh boy, we will know the names of the 22 refs better than the players in the World Cup winning team.

Just seen that most places are now listing the Premiership clubs for the 2006/7 season. Somehow, everything looks cleaner now we don't have big club ahead of us in the alphabetic list.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun4h.html The latest on the scandal with a Juve/AC bust-up blaming each other... sweet. Three weeks to go until the first report is issued.

The ex-colonial aspect gives this one a real edge. Any result could be possible but Portugal to squeeze through with probably only 19 players on the field at the final whistle.

Ok, I don't remember seeing them mentioned on here so far but SWITZERLAND are having a decent pre-WC build-up and could be a more skilful version of Greece at Euros 2004.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-...y?track=tothtml Soccer dismissed.

I am surprised that so few have gone for exit at second round. Last night against a frankly rubbish Hungary told us all we didn't want to know. England = Rooney = England's outstanding chance Would you rely on Crouch coming good in a domestic game, never mind the World Cup? I don't think England will lay the Swedish hoodoo in the Group stages and so it looks like Germany in the second round. Don't think we will win 5-1 again, out on penalties more likely.

Is Stone Island off the coast of Wales?

Does the fact a Malta team (whose star player is a regular in Mansfield Town's Reserves) were very unfortunate not to hand Croatia a well-deserved beating in the Qualifiers colour your view of Croatia's chances?

This reported starting formation seems fraught with problems. I don't know what would be worse- stuffing a very poor Hungarian team with a flawed system that gets found out in Germany or a mauling from the press now that unsettles everybody. Everything I am reading now points to Rooney being out of the World Cup completely.

If Ibrahimovic is as over weight and out of form as being reported, Sweden's chances are not as bright as I suggested. Ukraine had an impressive warm-up game so I might have got that wrong as well.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup200...1784740,00.html Round-up of the Italian situation and its impact on the World Cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...v_2/5024980.stm League 2 game match fixing allegation to be examined by FA

Guido Rossi responsible for investigating and deciding the punishments has issued his first report: "nothing works as it should in Italian football". Perhaps he will decide they are all crooks and relegate them all? Result=status quo and pass the buck to UEFA. First off the sinking ship is Patrick Viera who wants to go back to Arsenal.

Mexico- I don't see it (despite them being stronger than usual). Ecuador could well qualify from their Group which I think makes Sweden a good bet for the semi-finals and an England v Germany last 16 meeting. I don't think any African team will make the last 16. USA to go home without a point because of the Group they are in and the fixtures order. Australia to be the surprise package of the tournament. Ukraine and S&M will flatter to deceive.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1072-2198864,00.html The foul stink of Italian football. When I read that list of Parma v Juve grievances, I cannot help but think that it is like Rovers v Mancs- only differs by degree.

Norwegians enjoying the 0.5% tax and crap connectivity in Malta. Will they have Thwaites Mild at Ewood? The finest drink ever created.

Sorry FLB, Kiddo would have taken us down again. The performance I saw by Rovers at Swindon in 99/00 was the worst ever, I mean EVER.

Q. What were ten+ goals a year strikers aged around 30 fetching at that time? A £1m+ Q. Why had Dickov's agent written a £150K relegation release clause into his contract? A. So he could negotiate a Bosman or as near as makes no difference Q. Were we the only club interested in Dickov when he was leaving Leicester? A. No Q. Why has Dickov left us now. A. Because Rovers were offering a wages deal more appropriate for a 33 year old squad player which were probably less than 50% of what he was on before and he saw the chance of another Bosman-type screw at Man City.