On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Keef]

No f**king way! That has got to be utter bollocks!

[ratty]

been a strong rumour in Pompey for some weeks now. I have a nasty feeling it's a done deal. :( Think his missus has a lot to do with it!

[red devil]

Might explain why Spurs have been quiet in the transfer market up to now..::o

*runs to bookies...*

[ratty]

That's exactly what someone else has said to me today. Be interesting to see what Mr Lush makes of it - he seems to be away though.

Also, Redknapp has a lot of property interests in Pompey having bought most of Southsea front for development recently.

[ratty]

Crouch to Sunderland. Bid accepted.

[????]

Pompey to Champonship (6/1 lovely dubbly)

[ratty]

I'll have some of that.

[matthew123]

Metro newspaper loses all it's credibility with this snippet: "Sunderland have had a ?14m bid for Darren Bent rejected by Tottenham as the North London club want to recoup the ?16.7m they paid Charlton for the 25-year-old striker two years ago."

[Sandperson]

The Metro had credibility? I thought it was a fascist rag. :))

[matthew123]

Well I guess that means a lot of fascists live in east dulwich based on the number who read the metro on the train each day!! btw, i read it on their website via newsnow :))

[Sandperson]

Hmmm, I think those free papers are a bit poisonous personally. I think people lose their judgement when it comes to a freebie. Associated Newspapers are a nasty lot with a nasty history.

[red devil]

Downing to Villa, does that mean Young will be moving on?..

[Keef]

I'd have young over Downing any day.

[matthew123]

My initial reaction was they're looking to bring in a replacement before selling Young - but Villa suffered last season with not enough depth so maybe it's simply case of beefing up the squad. Young is a quality player, and could do a good job as a front man once Downing is fit to patrol the left wing.

[Mick Mac]

John Hartson - it does not look good for JH, he is having surgery and cancer is in his lungs and brain. Hope he can pull through somehow.

[Sandperson]

Take some inspiration from Lance. Same thing for him and he went on to win seven tours.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

It looks pretty bleak, I wish him all the best.

[????]

Indeed looks bleak - wishing him all the best. An uncompromising and on his day unplayable centre forward

[red devil]

Has anybody on this cerebral thread partaken in a newspaper Fantasy Football league?

I know with the Telegraph it's possible to set up your own separate mini league with friends, even virtual ones, has it been done before on here?..

[????]

I think the Barclays one (free) was done last year but it seemed to peter out

[Keef]

It was too complicated, you had to actually think about it, like a championship manger game. Would rather do a simple one, pick your team, make an occasional change if you can be bothered.

[????]

Yup - the Barclays ome works like that..

[red devil]

Another classic from the Guardian's weekly Gallery, this should carry an 18 certificate...

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/football/gallery/2009/jul/13/franck-ribery-gallery-competition/DONEhewitt-2424.jpg

[matthew123]

That is a pretty sick image

[matthew123]

I've just created the "EDF Super Liga" on the Barclays Premiership League fantasy football web site. I've used this before and it's quite simple.

You need to create your own team - I suggest you use your EDF username appended with "_edf", i.e. my username is "matthew_edf", otherwise no one will know who you are in the league relative to the EDF.

To create your fantasy team go to: [fantasy.premierleague.com]

Once created join the "EDF Super Liga" (if you cannot page page try [fantasy.premierleague.com])

The code to join League is 224056-57537