It was the first time I had interviewed the Italian away from the Match of the Day post-match interview room at Stamford Bridge.

How long you wait for a manager to emerge to meet the cameras is often dependent on the result; but Ancelotti is always prompt. Once his first priority, the post-match fag, has been dealt with he is usually straight out for the cameras.

"I am really tired today," he said. "Maybe we can just do one minute, eh?" I was pleased to see that he was grinning as he said this. The editor of Football Focus and I had discussed a pretty wide range of questions, I reckoned if we got Ancelotti in a good mood we might get through half of them - if he was in a bad mood we'd hardly get started.

"I am pretty tired myself," I said, "three kids do that."

"Ah, you can never get tired of your children!" he replied. "So this is for BBC One, yes? Lots of people watching! Like Rai Uno - only maybe better?"

As the lights were being adjusted and microphones switched on I asked what sort of wine he would have ready for Sir Alex after the game. He wasn't sure what was in his office at Stamford Bridge but suggested he might find a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, a particularly lovely Tuscan red.

Ancelotti joined Chelsea in the summer

Then we were off. He spoke enthusiastically about how his squad seem to enjoy each other's company off the pitch as well as on it, a unity which has not always been the case in recent seasons.

I wondered if it would be possible for a man to be in charge of a club in Italy as long as Ferguson has been at Old Trafford. He laughed saying his eight years at Milan were a miracle, more than 20 years - impossible.

He raved about Wayne Rooney and how unusual it is to find a player so effective as creator and finisher. He loves the technique of Torres, but given the choice if building a fantasy team would go for Drogba every time.

We had been chatting for nearly 10 minutes and it was still going well - a good time to move the discussion on.

In an interview with the Italian press earlier this season, Ancelotti stated that the Premier League manager he respected most was Rafa Benitez - not something he was going to repeat 48 hours before facing Ferguson.

"I respect all managers the same" - a reply which got a nod of approval from Chelsea's head of press positioned just off camera.

"What about the World Cup?" I asked. "How will Fabio do with England?"

Ancelotti had played under Capello at Milan in 1991. "His record speaks for itself. But beware, it is very difficult to for a European country to win in Africa. I hope this time is different for Fabio and also for Italy but this will be very difficult."

"What about Trapattoni for Ireland against France?"

"Ah, Trapattoni! He is clever, very clever!"

And with that warning for Malouda and co we had finished our allotted time.

"When is this on TV?" he asked. " I want to watch."

Steve Wilson is commentating on Chelsea v Manchester United for Match of the Day 2 which is on BBC Two from 2200 to 2310 on Sunday

People who question whether Derby boss Nigel Clough is too mild mannered to manage in the Championship would have done well to watch the man springing in and out of the home dugout at Pride Park on Friday evening.

With the scores locked at 1-1 between the Rams and Coventry, the stress and anxiety was clear to see as Clough bemoaned every decision that went against his team and reacted with fury whenever his players needlessly squandered possession.

It was a Clough I have not seen before. Then again, it has been a difficult few months for the 43-year-old. His team went into Friday's match a perilous 20th in the Championship table on the back of eight defeats in their previous 11 games.

I browsed through a few Derby County message boards this week and sensed that opinion had started to turn against Clough.

Several people were suggesting that he was being "found out" in the Championship after a decade of managing Burton Albion at non-league level.

Others argued that his policy of giving an opportunity to young players from the lower divisions, like Dean Moxey, was misguided. It simply would not work in the notoriously unforgiving and competitive Championship.

Clough's team trailed 1-0 at half-time against Coventry and were booed from the field. Rob Hulse then scored twice after the restart to give the Rams a 2-1 win.

Fans pay their money and have every right to protest against poor form, but I cannot help but think that the dissatisfaction of the Derby fans serves to highlight the gulf between expectation and reality.

When you look at Pride Park, you see a stadium that should be hosting Premier League football. Derby have a sizeable fanbase and all but the very youngest supporters are old enough to remember their team playing top-flight football.

But Derby are a team that is some way from challenging for a return to the elite level - a point that Clough has been at pains to make. It is a time for rebuilding - and it is a process that will take time.

Derby has become a watchword for instability while the club have spent most of this decade shedding managers more often than Jedward hit bum notes.

If Clough is to change that, then patience is required. The same fans who looked so emotional when the son of Brian returned to the family's supposed spiritual home must hold their nerve.

I visited Clough in the summer at the club's Moor Farm training facility and was impressed by his plans for the club. When he took over, he inherited almost 40 professionals and was in the process of trimming down the pool of players with the aim of establishing a tight-knit unit.

He explained that he wanted his players to know exactly what to do and when, and he wanted them to understand each other's roles as well as their respective strengths and weaknesses. Clough's goal was to assemble a blend of young, hungry players alongside seasoned pros. He was trying to build a team in the truest sense of the word.

However, injury and illness have meant Clough has had little opportunity to decide upon his best XI. As a consequence, the cohesion he wants is still lacking, which obviously impacts on confidence and self-belief. Instead of mounting a promotion challenge, his team have found themselves scrapping for points at the other end of the table.

"It has been a real struggle over the last few weeks," remarked Clough on Friday with genuine frankness. "We have not had many selection options."

By my rough calculations - and please do correct me if I'm wrong - Clough has fielded six different centre-half pairings, seven in the centre of midfield, and the same number in attack.

Clough observed in his programme notes prior to the Coventry game that he had 16 registered professionals unavailable for the previous match at Ipswich, with Paul Dickov his only fit striker.

"A high quantity of injuries will adversely affect form and our injury situation is worse than anyone else's in the four divisions," said the boss.

But Hulse, Paul Green and Dean Leacock returned to the starting line-up on Friday evening, and Clough is confident more will be available after the international break.

Significantly, Clough pointed out that the match against Coventry was the first since the opening day win against Peterborough that he had been able to field the midfield trio of Robbie Savage, Paul Green and Stephen Pearson.

Robbie Savage celebrates a rare win for Derby

I asked Clough whether he thought his team had turned a corner after picking up three points for the first time since they defeated Sheffield Wednesday on 3 October.

"I hope so," he said. "Only time will tell if we can press on, but if we get our players back we have the makings of a healthy squad."

Coventry are in a similar position to Derby when it comes to injuries. Manager Chris Coleman, like Clough, has reduced the size of his squad but was missing four established defenders, several key midfielders and his first-choice keeper against the Rams, while Leon Best, who scored Coventry's only goal, has just returned from injury.

The former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss believes his squad will be competitive when fully fit and says there wasn't an awful lot to choose between Coventry and Derby.

"It was a big game for both teams, they got the points and we didn't," he said.

Derby, with the always confrontational Savage emblematic of the home team's desire and commitment, probably just about deserved their win after a spirited comeback, but it was hardly a memorable match.

Still, as Clough noted: "The result sent the supporters home happy, which is something that we have not done for a while."

It is still early days for Clough, who is in his first full season in charge after taking over in early January and keeping the club in the division.

But until he has been in a position to select from a more or less fully-fit for a sustained period of time, it would be folly to pass judgement on a man who left behind the homely security of Burton and followed in his father's footsteps by trying to revive Derby.

As snappy titles go, it's right up there with Monty Python's Johann Gambolputty de von Austfern...of Ulm, and a band that used to gig round my way - Ken Dodd's Dad's Dog's Dead.

McLove on the Newcastle United Mad messageboards said: "Your owner needs to be sent naked from the town on a donkey", while Slim Fella over on The Roker Roar site observed: "The guy just needs to make them wear red noses and green wigs on the pitch and his job will be complete."

Staying with the theme, my colleague Honest Frank suggested the Emirates could be renamed the Specsavers Stadium in honour of Arsene Wenger's selective eyesight, while given my lot's recent poor showing at home, Loftus Road might become known as Choker Park before the season's out.

But enough of all that, let's get back to Kai Wayne Rooney - or Lil Wayne as he'll doubtless be known.

The Sun predictably splashed on the event with a classic headline - "He's small, he's round, he weighs about 8lbs" - and even the broadsheets were getting involved. The Guardian did a feature asking what the name meant (anything from ocean to gravy since you ask), while the Telegraph strangely asked: "Was Kai Rooney named after a Chinese restaurant?"

I did a little digging of my own and discovered the little fella shares his birthday with Marie Antoinette and, er, Southampton legend Jason Dodd, while he already has an army followers on 'his' Twitter page - including this latest gem: "Very excited about friends at Playgroup - Reina's son Nobe and Kuyt's son Boyce - but Mark Hughes' daughter will be there too - Luxury-Tish.."

The most startling revelation came when I rather pointlessly decided to see which artists were at number one on the boy's birth date over the years.

After trawling my way through the likes of Barbie Girl and Every Loser Wins, I was on the brink of throwing in the towel when there it was staring back at me. The 1963 chart-topper on 2 November was none other than Gerry and the Pacemakers with...You'll Never Walk Alone. At last something to bring a smile to the face of Liverpool fans after a week to forget.

One song that won't be topping the hit parade next summer is England's official World Cup anthem, after Fabio Capello reportedly pulled the plug.

An 'FA insider' told the News of the World (so it must be true): "Fabio does not want anything that could possibly detract from the preparations - even in the slightest of ways.

"There were a lot of big names wanting to record a song - very big names." What, like the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band?

Much as we'd all love to hear JT attempting the John Barnes role in a reworking of World In Motion, it's probably no bad thing - you can guarantee Three Lions will be re-released for the 235th time anyway (although 44 years of hurt doesn't scan quite so well).

One player hoping to be on the plane to South Africa is Theo Walcott, who has been a frustrated spectator as Arsenal carve up all and sundry. The injured 20-year-old was back in the news this week following a story that he'd bought girlfriend Melanie Slade a £140,000 Ferrari for her 21st.

The enduring image of the last World Cup was of the pair walking around filming everything on their camcorder like a pair of excited teenagers (which in fact they were). Since then Walcott has been slowly changing from the boy next door to the boy-next-door-as-long-as-you-live-in-a-multi-million-pound mansion-somewhere-in-the-leafy-suburbs. And fair play to him.

If I'd been rolling in it at that age I'd probably have adopted the George Best mantra: "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." Although if I won the Lottery tomorrow it would be more like: "I bought a three-bedroom semi and a Mk I Capri. The rest she just squandered."

Walcott witnessed the Gunners' demolition of Spurs in the north London derby, which prompted one Gooner to bring news of a special gift for Tottenham fans: 'A commemorative dvd celebrating the first 42 minutes against Arsenal.' To put it into context, the last time Spurs got one over their rivals in the league came in 1999 when boy band Five were enjoying their first number one and Bradford and Coventry were in the top flight.

Staying with Tottenham and there was an interesting feature in The Sunday Times last weekend entitled 'Confessions of a Cabin Crew', featuring a host of mid-air revelations.

One flight attendant recalled: "We often get football teams flying to European games... without doubt the rudest was Spurs. None of them said thank you for anything. One player in particular, a striker, sat with his headphones on and refused to take them off, and none of them would lift their window blinds for take-off and landing.

"By contrast, Manchester United were incredibly polite. Sir Alex Ferguson was all 'yes please, no thank you', and all the team were exactly the same. They were all linked up together playing Fifa football....like a bunch of little schoolboys. The only one who wasn't playing was Ronaldo, who just rolled his eyes at me whenever I walked down the plane, as if to say, 'Look what I have to put up with, with these kids'."
David Beckham and his interesting face fuzz
In other news, Posh Spice has reportedly bought hubby a pair of pet micro pigs for Christmas which he plans to name Pinky and Perky. Although they might not be quite so perky when they catch sight of the pork chops currently stuck to his cheeks.

Becks agreed a deal this week to go back to Milan in January and there was a juicy story on Halloween about former manager Carlo Ancelotti's obsession with pumpkins.

The Chelsea boss's dad used to farm the giant vegetable and Ancelotti is still a member of the Reggiolo Pumpkin Growers' Association. Local bar owner Maddy revealed that as a boy Ancelotti used to eat so many pumpkins "I'm surprised he didn't turn orange". So that's Phil Brown's secret.

Elsewhere, Cardiff were told not stay in Swansea ahead of Saturday's South Wales derby in case fans set off hotel fire alarms to wake them up. And of course a Cardiff sympathiser would never have done the same thing to turf the QPR players out of bed at 4.00am ahead of the 2003 play-off final, would he? Not that I'm bitter, you understand.

And finally, story of the week came courtesy of the Football League Show and one of the emails sent in to Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes. It came from two Rotherham fans called Dave and Dan who had made the long trip down to Aldershot for the League Two clash - only to discover upon their arrival that the game was actually being played in Rotherham.

Have a good weekend, football fans. And here's to Sheffield Wednesday, the team of fellow-bloggers Michael Gray and Tom Fordyce, not to mention my other half's Uncle Ronnie, winning all their home games this season apart from the one on Saturday.

But I have sympathy with Benitez at the mo. The makeshift 11 he put out in Lyon did him proud, really. His only real error appears to be putting Voronin on the pitch from the outset. It's a good surface to play on already without adding more fertilizer.

Then again, Babel's wonderful strike could hardly have been predicted. It was as shocking as finding the sonnets of William Shakespeare under the arm of Kerry Katona. Or the revelation that Russell Brand is now, apparently, monogamous. More foreseeable was the equaliser, given Liverpool's ill luck right now.

In the meantime there'll be renewed calls for the head of the coach, and while he has 11 players that contain only half a goalscorer amongst them, it's not surprising.

Trouble is, who's available to take the bearded apologist's post? Southgate? Keegan? Phil Brown come Sunday? Maybe Hansen'll get off the couch for a month-and-a-half after Shearer set the standards last season.

Nah, they'll stick with Rafa. And maybe this lad Hernia can turn the tide for them after the January transfer window.

There couldn't be a greater contrast with United's derring-do the night before. At 3-1 down you just knew they'd got a couple of goals left in them.

Wazza came on, fresh from the arrival of his new son. We like the Rooneys a bit more than your average Lad and Wag: childhood sweethearts, who insisted on using the local NHS hozzie rather than some fancy private job.

Of course, United's last gasp point-grabber came via the latest kind deflection. It was so inevitable I almost expected Zat Knight to pull on a Moscow shirt and turn it in to the Russian net for them.

Didier Drogba won't be shaking in his boots at the thought of facing Brown and Evans this weekend, mind you. When he's perpendicular there's no better centre-forward in the world. And frankly now that teams just play on when he rolls around the turf like a bloke on fire trying to put himself out, even that part of his game is way less irritating.

In the meantime, Arsenal continue to be the team that most of us would support if we had no local allegiance.
Fabregas gives the thumbs-up to Arsenal's display against AZ Alkmaar
They were helped a bit by the ineptitude of AZ Alkmaar - not so much a football club as a street atlas. The way their lank-haired keeper Romero (presumably named after Batman actor Cesar Romero, who played The Joker) fell over Fabregas's trundler for Arsenal's opener was atrocious - like watching a flea-bitten sheepskin rug being tossed by a pensioner at an unwelcome mouse.

But I think when Pele called it the Beautiful Game, this is what he had in mind. I know some of you are getting tired of blokes like me going into sycophantic raptures about the Gooners but unless you support Spurs with the kind of fundamentalism that would make the Spanish Inquisition blush, you have to agree that the way they knock it about right now is the dog's doodahs.

Wenger was asked whether he thought Andrey Arshavin was being over-confident in saying that they could win the Premier League and the Champs League... what a stupid question! I can't wait till some Boro lad expresses such self-assurance. But I guess I'm going to bloomin' well have to.

Arshavin, Fabregas, Van Persie, Nasri, Rosicky, Eduardo, Diaby, hell even Bendtner's learnt to trap it. Worth 40 quid of anyone's money.

The Emirates Stadium has been a success too, save for the deathly quiet that sometimes overcomes the place.

But who will be Mike Ashley's Emirates?

The current name is sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium. Hmmm, punchy! You can't blame big Mike for taking the opportunity to remind the world that he is actually a successful businessman in his real life. (No lads, supporting Newcastle United can hardly be called Real Life).

It's hard to guess which company might come in to sponsor St James's. The fact that Northern Rock was on the shirts until a while back seemed wholly appropriate, but now?

In the meantime I think Newcastle United should remind its fans of its great heritage. The quickest road out of there could be renamed Kevin Keegan Walk. If they ever need to build a temporary terrace that could be the Alan Shearer Stand. The best stand of the lot should be The Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

And surely it's only a matter of time before Cheryl Cole has enough to cash to buy into the whole place herself. The 'Britain's Favourite Geordie Stadium' has a nice ring to it.

I'm really pleased with the progress I've made with this hamstring strain. I've been out running for four days now, with full training and matches very close on the horizon.

I've seen more than enough of the physio and I've had more massages than you could imagine! The pain I've had has been in quite a weird area - right in my backside - and a lot of my rehab has involved a piece of equipment that I call a biscuit tin.

It's not really a biscuit tin, obviously. It's some sort of device that sends short wave pulses through you and moves your ligaments around. That's what I'm told but it seems to me that it's one of those machines invented to give the physio a few moments to himself.

Medical rooms have changed quite a bit in 70 years

So Paul Smith, our physio, has been putting this biscuit tin on me for half an hour so he can sneak off for a cup of tea and a rest - how stupid must I look?! I'm sure this thing is working but when you've been lying underneath it for 30 minutes you just can't wait to get away from it.

I've also been using an ultrasound machine - the physio squirts gel on you as if you're a pregnant woman having her unborn baby scanned. I'm sure this works in a different way, clearly I'm not a medical expert, but it certainly seems to be helping my injury get better.

It's been a tough week and I've also been in the gym with one of the other physios, Mark Palmer. We have a dips and pull-ups challenge where you have to max out as many tricep dips as you can. We do this three times and total them up at the end, so we've now got a list up in the gym for everyone to come and beat.

I beat Mark at the dips then he beat me at the pull-ups. I got 80 dips in three goes and he got 64. In the pull-ups I got 23 and Mark got 28 and I've had to listen to him bragging about it all week. I'll have to make sure I do a bit extra in the gym now to beat him next time.

There are no days off when you're injured, it's the treatment room every day. As soon as you can get your boots and start running, the physios start to work you even harder than you normally would when you're training every day with the lads. This is to make sure you are as ready as can be when you're called upon to jump into the first team, so don't think I've been having a relaxing time of it being unable to play.

While I've been doing my rehab it's given me plenty of time to think about the best players I've played against. After giving you the best 11 players I've played with a few weeks ago, a few people have asked me about the best players I've played against - so here is the first half of my team (you'll have to come back for the rest next week)...

Goalkeeper - Peter Schmeichel

Probably the best goalkeeper the Premier League has ever seen and arguably the best keeper in the world when he was at Manchester United. The amount of points he must have saved Man Utd and the number of games he must have won them is staggering.

Peter Schmeichel enjoys plenty of success with Manchester United

They were fighting to win the first title for a number of years and I think he took them to next level as soon as he came through the door. When Man Utd won the Treble he saved a penalty from Dennis Bergkamp in the FA Cup semi-final.
He made some great saves in the big games but he also seemed to be doing it every week. He was so commanding of his area and he was just an amazing goalkeeper all-round.
I actually managed to score past Schmeichel, so that's something I am very proud of. We beat them 2-1 at Roker Park - I scored with a little right foot tap-in underneath his body to open the scoring and John Mullin scored the winner.

Right-back - Gary Neville

Mr Consistent over the years. Gary has been a long-term servant for Manchester United and he is so hard to play against. Defending, he is really tough to get past, and at the other end he offered a lot going forward.

His final delivery was first-class. You don't stay at Man Utd as many years as he has unless you're a top, top player. He's been a model professional from the day he made his debut until the present day.

I played against Gary a few times, either on the left wing or as an attacking left-back, and you knew when you were up against him that you were never in for an easy game.
He's fully committed to winning every game he plays in. He's a leader and you could tell that even when he was 20 years of age.

Nothing has changed in that respect. He's adapted to the foreigners coming into our game and my friends at Man Utd tell me that he is always first out onto the training ground and he's usually one of the last back into the dressing rooms, so that tells you about his dedication.

Centre-back - John Terry

An out-and-out leader. He's a first-class player and one of the best centre-halves we've seen in the Premier League. He's a really nice guy - although you wouldn't think so when you see him on the pitch because he would run through brick walls.

He is a nice-natured guy though and you can see why he is the England captain. As soon as you say his name people think 'leader' and you want someone like that in charge of your country. A couple of weeks ago we saw how disappointed he was at conceding two set-piece goals and it shows you how much it means to him and that he hates conceding.

Most of my memories of playing against John Terry will probably be bad memories because every time you played against him you knew you were in for a tough game. That's why goals against teams like Chelsea with players like John Terry in the side are priceless.

Centre-back - Tony Adams

A key part of that famous back four at Arsenal with David Seaman behind him. I was captain at Sunderland the first couple of times we played against him and when the referee blew his whistle for you to go into the centre circle to shake hands and flip a coin you just felt he had this presence about him.

When you play a top team it's as if they have one up on you already with someone like Tony Adams leading them.

I was involved in one or two England squads with Tony - he was a fantastic man, an amazing player and a great leader.

Being on the same training pitch as Tony Adams was great and he trained just as he played in matches; with a massive desire to win. He was totally commanding of his back four and you could hear his voice for the whole 90 minutes of a match - not only directing his back four but the whole team.

Left-back - Ashley Cole

I played more against him when he was at Arsenal but I thought that was when he was at his best. He's at that level now with Chelsea but back then he had this freedom to get forward at any occasion.

When you were playing a team like Arsenal the last thing you wanted was another attacker coming for you because they had more than enough forwards in their strikeforce anyway.

His energy levels are incredible and he's so quick that you just couldn't stop him marauding forward from that left-back position.

Left-backs have come and gone over the years but Ashley hasn't looked back since he got into the England team and I expect him to be in the 100 Club in the next couple of years because he is still one of the best left-backs in the world and already has loads of caps.

Well, that's the defence sorted, I'll bring you the midfield and strikers next week, hopefully after three points for the Owls against QPR this weekend!

I don't know whether this is down to foreign ownership, football clubs being run like businesses, TV money, or whether it's a combination of all three.

But surely the end result of "disenfranchisement" is apathy. There is only so much you can love something without being loved in return (my English teacher used to say that all the time).

It's not a disease that hits every club. I am still delighted that my boys, Crawley Town, signed David Speedie back in the 1990s. That was enough ambition to keep me going until 2015, even though he left soon afterwards because referees kept sending him off for waist-high hacks.

On Saturday, Focus came live from a club that seems to be doing things the right way.

Step forward Fulham. In some ways, they are just like so many other Premier League clubs. They have a foreign owner, big wage bill, and a worrying level of debt. Yet down on the banks of the River Thames, they are so community friendly and inclusive that they have somehow managed to keep a family feel to the place, albeit a rather posh family that wear a lot of Barbour jackets. How do they do it?

Maybe it's just because their stadium is so different from the concrete bowls that are popping up all over the place. The cottage, the balcony, the river, the great players of the past, the ancient stand and seats where even six-year-olds struggle for leg room. There is a rich history and romance that soaks the place and makes everyone inside feel like they are part of something.

It helps to have the right manager, of course. Roy Hodgson not only gets his tactics right 9 times out of 10, he also warms up for a game by reading a novel and going for a walk with his wife. Maybe that's the secret!

It was during Saturday's fantastic 3-1 win over Liverpool that I realised why he's so fond of Bobby Zamora. All season, Hodgson has said the former West Ham striker doesn't need to score goals to stay in the side because he does so much work for everyone else.

Against Liverpool, Zamora chased everyone down, bullied Jamie Carragher, should have won a penalty, brought the Fulham midfield into the game, ran the line and scored the first of his sides three goals.

I am not saying we should be reserving him a seat on the plane to South Africa, but he seems to be one of the most underrated strikers out there. It probably doesn't help that he missed that sitter against Manchester City.

The other incredible thing about Fulham is the owner's dress sense. There aren't many people who get up in the morning and put check trousers on, ally them with a gingham shirt and then set it all off with a tartan jacket and yellow cravat. Maybe they've sold out of mirrors at Harrods! That said, I'm sure Mr Al Fayed's socks cost more than my car.

The other thing I enjoyed at the weekend was the fact that I can now claim to be the first person to score a goal with the new Premier League ball. If you don't believe me, watch this...

I know what you're thinking, "there was a massive badger in the goal and you hit it straight at him". It's true that Billy the Badger had to be led onto the pitch by his minder because he cannot see his feet, but let's not allow those facts to get in the way of my claim to fame.

I acknowledge I didn't quite strike the ball as intended, I acknowledge I didn't quite place the ball as I intended, and I also acknowledge it wasn't exactly travelling at the speed I envisaged. Yet, despite all that, the net did ripple (well at least there was a small bulge).

Mark Lawrenson's strike was impressively crisp, clipping the inside of the post before going in, but Lee Dixon is still gutted that his scoopy-loopy-chippy thing came back off the crossbar. He tried to imply that his was the best strike of the three, but I pointed out to him that crossbars don't win you World Cup finals and he needs to work on his mis-hits from the edge of the area that go in off a giant badger.

Welcome to the world baby Torrin Findlay Clark. We're a very close, big family and Gary and I are more like brothers than cousins, so I've been very excited about the new arrival for a long time.

I can't wait to finally see Torrin awake - the wee man certainly likes a sleep!

It went without saying that I travelled to East Stirlingshire on Saturday morning with a spring in my step and looking forward to the game ahead.

That bounce immediately disappeared when we got the news that the club's honorary president, Simon Aitken was seriously ill in hospital.

Simon was obviously on our minds as we prepared, and all we hoped for was that we could give him a wee lift by winning.

But, just as we were taking to the field, we got the devastating news that he had passed away. Our victory is without doubt dedicated to big Simon.

He always had time for everyone, a true gentleman, and he will be sadly missed around the place.

At 86, he wasn't the quickest of movers and I had some great laughs with him when I would tell him not to bother getting off the bus to watch the match because he wouldn't make it back on in time when the game was over. He used to tell me he would still take me on any day. My sincere condolences go out to his family.

I like to think that having Simon in our thoughts on Saturday pulled us through to get that fantastic win against East Stirlingshire.

The second half performance was night and day from the first and the away dressing room wasn't a pleasant place to be at half time.

The manager told is in no uncertain terms that the first 35 minutes of the match were unacceptable. The boys were lucky that Harry lost his voice after ten minutes or we would have had another five to suffer!

We got the win thanks to two great finishes from David Cox - who at long, long last got his first competitive goals since joining the club in the summer.

Anyone at the game would have seen how much it meant to Coxy and I think it showed how much the players want him to do well when you seen our celebrations with the wee man. I've honestly never seen any player work as hard as Coxy but things just haven't happened for him in front of goal.

It looks like Saturday could have been a turning point for him after he scored another brace for the reserves at Queen's Park on Monday.

I'd like to make an apology to the players and staff at East Stirlingshire after our post-match celebrations.

A few of the players got a little carried away and started cheering in the corridor before we made it to the changing rooms. This should never have happened but it was in no way meant to be disrespectful.

It was more in relief at picking up our first away points of the season.

I don't want anyone to think I'm making excuses as it was wrong and we'll make sure this doesn't happen in the future.

I didn't see any tips for my first visit to the races on Sunday, so I just had to soldier on myself. I did manage a couple of winners as well as an each-way success but wasn't any better off than when I started.

This is perhaps because my partner, Laura, collected all "our" winnings and I never got to see them. Why am I not surprised?

Anyone who is not signed up to post on blogs can continue to use the old post-form email system for the next couple of weeks but after that we'll just be taking comments on the blog. So without further ado, here's Frank Lampard to kick us off....

"With and without the ball at the moment we're very on the ball."
Frank Lampard has a ball after Chelsea's thumping of Bolton. .

"Yeah, next week's game is important. If we lose next week we could be relegated so it's going to be a desperate week."
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp with just a hint of sarcasm when asked on Match of the Day whether next Saturday's game against Sunderland was important.

"He's definitely a plonker, but in the nicest possible way."
Sheffield Wednesday keeper Lee Grant on team-mate Luke Varney, who scored the equaliser against Bristol City.
Two characters who know all about plonkers
"I know very well what I have to do if I have the flu. It's not a medical
prescription. It's my grandmother's prescription - hot milk. Alcohol - red wine. Fantastic."
Carlo Ancelotti has the perfect antidote for swine flu.

"We've all got Abba songs in our heads after all."
England coach Fabio Capello is a big fan of the Mamma Mia musical.

"When the FA moved from Soho Square, it was like having the whole family back in the one house, but the first time I set foot in here, I took an eternity to find the way out. Ray Clemence and I were going up and down, up and down, never finding the right floor."
But the Italian met his Waterloo when trying to get out of Wembley Stadium.

"Players run from three miles away and then just stand chin to chin. I don't understand it. If you're going to run that distance, you might as well throw haymakers!"
Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton after a bit of handbags following the 4-0 defeat by Leeds.

"I thought he might miss the penalty because you know what some Scots are like - a bit tight!"
MK Dons captain Dean Lewington after Peter Leven scored a penalty in the win against Bristol Rovers. The League One side are donating money to the forces' charity Help For Heroes for every goal they score.

My secret is adapting to the country I am in. Here I eat roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. There are people who visit different countries and don't adapt. It is a must."
Arsene Wenger is fitting in nicely with the culture of Les Rosbifs.

"Jermaine is really generous - he bought me some Christian Louboutin shoes for Christmas which I love. But the best present he ever got is priceless - a tattoo of my face on his forearm."
Jermaine Jenas' fiancee reveals the price of true love.

"I talk rubbish every day - that's probably why I'm captain."
Kilmarnock skipper Kevin Kyle on the secret of good captaincy.

"I think the players are one million per cent behind me."
Phil Brown is turning into Kevin Keegan.
Is he Browny in disguise?
"We were getting to to the stage where we were thinking, we don't even get
them in training now!"
Wolves striker Kevin Doyle on his side's struggle to win penalty decisions in the top flight.

"I'm on the moon."
Golfer Michael Jonzon takes an old cliche and raises it one after winning the Castello Masters.

"The fact we didn't play for three months during the summer was a massive help."
Nottingham Forest defender Luke Chambers when asked what the secret to Forest's seven-month unbeaten away record was.
(Jon Ball, Stoke-on-Trent).

"The one difference between Lennon and Bentley is that they're completely different players."
Heard during the Spurs-Everton Carling Cup coverage on 5 Live.
(Jon Allsop, England).

"He's so right-sided, me and my friends call him the 'Anti-Giggs'."
Liverpool fan on 606 describing Ryan Babel.
(Waheed Seria, Surrey).

"The car was fantastic, it worked brilliantly on both tyres."
Sebastian Vettel after winning the Abu Dhabi GP on two fewer tyres than his rivals, apparently!
(David Howell, Essex).

"Van Persie has shown us that he uses his right foot only to enter a tram rather than play football with it."
BHT's (Bosnian national TV) Zoran Šuko during the Spurs-Arsenal game. Five minutes later Van Persie scored the first of his two goals, both with his right foot!
(Andrea Grozdani, Bosnia & Herzegovina).

It will be pitch black during tomorrow's race, apart from the floodlights.
F1 presenter Jake Humphrey on Abu Dhabi's night race!
(Paul, England).

"Coach of the Italian national team? No, never."
Fabio Capello when asked whether he would consider coaching the Italian National team.

And immediately afterwards....

"A return to Juventus? You can never say never, in football anything can happen."
(Tam, Buenos Aires).

"Kaka's penalty shout has fallen on deaf eyes."
Sky commentator during the Real Madrid-Getafe game on Saturday night.
(Christie Pemberton, Surrey).

"I threw my jacket down because I was frustrated. I couldn't communicate with the players because of the noise of the stadium - I am not used to that!"
Arsene Wenger on the noise in the 'library'.
(Clive, UK).
Wenger gets shirty at The Emirates
"It kind of handles like a pregnant elephant."
Sir Jackie Stewart on F1 cars with full fuel tanks. I know Sir Jackie is a good driver, but I never realised he could drive animals!
(Luke, England).

5 live F1 presenter Holly Samos: "Robert, can you hear me OK?"
Robert Kubica: "Pardon?"
During the Adu Dhabi F1 second practice session.
(Oz Phillips, England).

"There's no doubt Bentley has balls - and plenty of 'em."
Harry Redknapp on David Bentley.
(Mali, Kenya).

"We've seen it 3,200 times before..."
Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini being 76.49 per cent specific.
(Chris Humphris, London).

"You only get those goals on a computer game."
Paul Merson after Arsenal almost score a perfect box-to-box goal in their Carling Cup clash with Liverpool.
(Waheed Seria, Surrey).

"Hartson believes Celtic must recruit a forward to compliment McDonald."
On BBC Sport website picture caption. What exactly does he want to be complimented on? His hair? Dress sense?
(John, Scotland).

"There's no such thing as a bad penalty."
Commentator during the Hearts-Celtic game. Try telling that to David Beckham.
(Thom Williams, UK).

"Scottish football is Scottish football. For a traditionalist like me, that's where the Old Firm should play."
Premier League supremo Richard Scudamore. Traditionalist?! Coming from the man who wants to implement the 39th game?
(Rob Porter, UK).

"Liverpool should appoint Dalglish. The Premier League needs more English managers."
The culturally-aware ex US player Eric Wynalda on 'Fox Football Fone In' in the States.
(BermudaPool, Bermuda).
Are you going to tell him he's English or am I?
"They now need a meat and potatoes powerplay."
Kevin Weekes on US TV during the Minnesota-Chicago NHL game
(Jack Gulston, England).

"Summing up that response was his England team-mate Robert Green who produced a stunning match-winning save at the death to save a point."
West Ham's official website. Apparently, match-winning saves are only enough for a point.
(Ricky Galer, England).

"You're just a fat Robbie Savage!"
Arsenal fans singing to Andriy Voronin of Liverpool in the Carling Cup.
(Tom Clifton, UK).

"We want four!"
Fulham fans while leading 3-1 against Liverpool.
(George, Cornwall).

"SuBo! SuBo! SuBo!"
Celtic fans greet Susan Boyle's arrival on the pitch at half-time against Hamburg.
(Colin Stone, Scotland).

"Bent and Kenwynne Jones.........they got a thing going on."
To the tune of Me and Mrs Jones. Sung at the Birmingham-Sunderland match.
(Phillip O'Brien, Birmingham).

"Mannion was better than Finney!"
Chant by Middlesbrough fans at Preston.
(Rod Lavan, England).

"You're just a small town in Blackburn!"
Heard at Bristol Rovers vs Leeds. According to Rovers fans, Blackburn are near-neighbours of Leeds...if neighbours means being in a different county and 50 miles away!
(Dave P, England).

"Fergie, Fergie sign 'em up!"
Heard at Barnsley-Man Utd as two streakers combined to 'score'.
(Benni Sluckis, Manchester).

"You only came for the T-shirts."
QPR fans to Derby on a night when every Rams fan was given a free commemorative shirt.
(Gerard Walsh, England).

"Love, love will tear you apart again!"
Stenhousemuir fans to midfielder Robert Love, to the tune of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.
(Tom Oliver, Scotland).

"5-2 and we've got the flu!"
Blackburn fans at the Peterborough game. Three players had been diagnosed with swine flu.
(Rob of the Robots, England).

"You're just a small town with swine flu!"
Peterborough fans have their say.
(Johnny Evo, Huntingdon).

"We don't need a beachball!"
Heard at Peterborough-Scunthorpe to referee Mike Jones, who infamously allowed the 'beachball' goal for Sunderland against Liverpool. (Matt Evetts, England).
You won't find any of these down at London Road
"One Tong, we've only got one Tong!"
FC United fans sing centre-half Adam Tong's name after his unfortunate own goal against Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup on Saturday.
(Colm Lambert, UK).

"We're your biggest fans, we'll follow you around the country, Lionel, Lionel Ainsworth."
Sung to Huddersfield winger Lionel Ainsworth (to the tune of Paparazzi by Lady Gaga).
(John McNamara, England).

"Boom Boom Boom, let me hear you say Barrow... BARROW!"
To the tune of the Outhere Brothers song, as sung by Barrow fans away at Chester.
(Matt, England).

"I am a Fleetwood Fan
I Support Fleetwood Town ...
I want to be at Highbury."
Sung by Fleetwood Town fans during the 3-1 FA Cup victory, to the tune of Anarchy in the UK.
(Rob Morley, England)
Why would you want to be at Highbury? Note: It's since been pointed out to me that Fleetwood play their home games at Highbury - so that would be why, then.

"We've won it five times, We've won it five times, The Darlington and District League, We've won it five times!"
Darlington RA fans singing at every home game
(Nathaniel Rowntree, England).

And at Swine Flu stadium, it is Blackburn 2, Peterborough 1.
Stadium announcer at Bristol Rovers reading the half-time scores.
(George U, Bristol).

"And the third sub for Wimbled...er...MK Dons, ahem, is..."
Heard at St Mary's during Southampton v MK Dons.
(Tom, UK).

"The exit barriers are open, so if you have an Oyster card, make sure you touch out. If you have a ticket then never mind and if you did not buy a ticket then you have a result."
Stanmore tube station announcer helping the mass of people exiting Wembley following Sunday's NFL Patriots victory.
(Ken, England).

"You told us to come back when we'd won 18 titles...well, we're back."
Banner from Manchester United supporters seen at Anfield. (Bledi, UK).

"See you in the Championship next year."
Spotted on the back of a Saints top during the Great South Run - a 10-mile course through the city of Portsmouth.
(Mark Hopkins, England).

"Mandelson demands British GP Fix."
Headline from BBC F1 pages. Didn't know he was connected to Renault...or does he just want Button or Hamilton to win?
(Dr S Walker, UK).

When the new chairman tells you you'll be in charge for the next game but refuses to go any further, you must know what's coming. That's not a vote of confidence, is it? It's a vote of indifference.

It's been a long while since that foil-wrapped chocolate orange of a manager has shown us his sunnier side. He arrived radiating all the vibrancy of a terrace packed with Dutch supporters but nowadays he looks more like a tangerine mouldering in a fruit-bowl.

I don't think you get the best out of a set of players by telling them off in front of 20,000 people. He couldn't have done much worse if he'd have armed them with pick-axes, chained them together and sent them into Hull city centre to dig up the roads.

To be fair to Brown, I felt really sorry for him at Turf Moor on Saturday. I'm not saying the ref was biased, far from it, but even the most partisan Burnley fan must admit that every decision went against Brown's men.
The penalty was not so much nailed-on as stuck to the wall with an old bit of chuddy. The push in the wall that denied Geovanni a goal was nowt. And the challenge that earned the same player a second yellow looked a lot worse than it was.

Mind you he wasn't alone in feeling a tad aggrieved this weekend. Must have summat to do with the postal strike but how come all the cards came at once on Saturday? The Premier League saw more red than the late Keith Floyd on all-day cooking spree.
Some of the red cards were correct - just about - but most of the dismissals were for the sort of thing men of my generation grew up doing. Degen, for example, was just going in for the late slide tackle. What's wrong with that?

The slidey was the absolute summit of defensive moves when I were growing up. Indeed, the longer the slidey, the greater the tackle. You'd wake up to find the rain had all but waterlogged the school pitch and you'd salivate at the prospect of a 15-yard full pelt slidey on the opposition's nippy little winger.

Don't even think of doing that nowadays. Chances are your studs'll be up and you'll look like you're trying to flay your opponent's shin-bone.

Both Degen and Geovanni's challenges resulted from some obvious frustration. There was a time when a ref would simply take a player to one side, let him sound off for a bit and then warn him of his future conduct. Nowadays the official books a lad for just getting a bit narked.

Bilyati... Biltiya... Billita... the Russian lad at Everton's challenge was a bit two-footed. Kenwynne Jones's push in the West Ham left-back's face got its inevitable reward, even if Ilunga reacted like he'd just been in a close clinch with Mike Tyson. The fact that Jones, not a small lad, towered over the prostrate Congolese like he was ready to crush him between his thumb and forefinger didn't help.

But a little push is nowt, really. It's the sort of 'handbags' nonsense that has rugby followers sneering at the effeminateness of the modern footballer. You hear pundits shaking their heads and saying 'Well, he raised his hands' but for Gawd's sake on that basis every goalscorer in the country should be off the pitch (which might mean extended runs in the first team for the likes of Heskey and Voronin, mind you).
The moment Jamie Carragher knew he was heading for an early bath
Carragher was sent off for not being sent off earlier. Both he and Cuellar paid the price for making the fatal mistake of getting a toe-end to the ball. Kovacs was probably culpable. The ridiculously spelt Jlloyd Samuel ('Jlloyd' makes him sound like some eczema-inducing industrial adhesive) was a definite sending-off.

But on weekends like this it does feel a bit too bloomin' easy for the ref to spray his cards around like a maxed-out creditor rather than applying a bit of nous to the business of running a football match.

While Liverpool looked like the biggest losers this weekend - and let's face it once Torres was withdrawn, rightly, you knew the game was up for them - but I think Spurs fans will be licking their wounds most.

I tipped Spurs for a top four finish at the beginning of the season. If only football were played on paper, cos 'Arry's squad looks good on that. But Arsene's 11 must've cost way less than Redknapp's and they gave the White Hurt Lame side a right drubbing.
There's still hope for 'em but without the absent tiny gremlins Defoe, Modric and Lennon they're half the team.

And David Bentley, one 45-yarder notwithstanding, is slowly diminishing into a kind of Brylcreemed mannequin. If there are still people out there who think the lad Beckham is a lazy publicity-seeker you only have to look to Spurs's right flank for the truth:
Beckham - Hard Work = Bentley.

As for Phil Brown, the job centre beckons - so here's hoping that Tango launch a new promotional campaign soon.

My problem with the thing is that this concentration on the individual can tend to overshadow one of the fundamental truths of the game - the stars shine brightest when the collective balance of the team is right.

The point is proved by a brief look at the performances this year of one of the favourites. Based on what he has done for Barcelona, Lionel Messi would be a worthy winner - but that would certainly not be the case if the criteria was restricted to his form with Argentina. How can this be true?

For a start I think we can discount the leaden-minded nationalistic nonsense that Messi lacks motivation when he plays for his national team, that he is too European, and so on.

They make sacrifices to play for their national team which many Europeans would not be willing to go through.

In the case of Messi, he was the only Argentine, and one of only four players in the entire continent, to play all 18 rounds of South America's World Cup qualifiers. I think we can conclude that he is every bit as motivated to play for Argentina as he is with Barcelona. He's the same player, the ball is the same shape and the pitch is the same size. So what's the problem?

Surely it lies in the fact that Barcelona are a team in the plenitude of the word. They are set up to get the best out of him. Xavi and Iniesta give him the ball with quality, Daniel Alves breaks outside him to stretch the opposing defence and create room for his darts infield, and when he cuts in on the diagonal, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is there to exchange passes.

In a Barcelona shirt he is surrounded by friends and allies. For Argentina he is just surrounded. He beats one opponent, and another three are waiting to stifle him.

Messi celebrates another goal for Barcelona - this time in the Champions League

Now that Argentina have qualified for the World Cup, Diego Maradona has to turn his mind to this question. Time is tight. Next year there is only one Fifa date before the end of the season. So the two dates later this month are important - and the squad named last week holds clues to the coach's mindset.

Maradona appears to have high hopes of the link-up between Messi and Juan Sebastian Veron - who combined well last month to set up the crucial goal against Uruguay. For this month's games so far he has only called up his European-based players, but it would make sense to rest Veron this time - the midfielder is 34, and has his short term sights set on next month's Club World Championship.

If Veron does end up being left out of the coming match against Spain, there have been recalls for Fernando Gago and Esteban Cambiasso, might Maradona be thinking of playing three in central midfield - so in the World Cup it might be Veron in front of Mascherano and either Gago or Cambiasso? That way he keeps Veron central, with a full vision of the game, where he can get close to Messi, but also has sufficient cover behind him.

The only way this seems viable is with a back three, and wing backs to supply the width. This is what makes the recall of Maxi Rodriguez intriguing. Is this because Maradona is giving up on his full backs and instead thinking of Rodriguez and either Jonas Gutierrez or Angel Di Maria to work the flanks?

At the heart of all these ruminations must surely be the desire to give Messi a structure similar to the one he enjoys at Barcelona - Veron behind him, Rodriguez outside him, and the hope of a growing relationship with new centre forward Gonzalo Higuain.

After one poor performance against Peru, Emiliano Insua was left out. But if there was bad news last week for one Liverpool left-back, there was good news for another. Fabio Aurelio was called up by Brazil as part of their squad to face England and Oman. In a strong indication that the left-back position is still up for grabs, Michel Bastos was also included for the first time.

Two other new players drafted in look on less solid ground in their hopes of a World Cup place. Coach Dunga is unlikely to add any domestically-based players to his squad.

The Brazilian Championship is in its closing stages, and there is no pause to coincide with the international dates. Adriano of Flamengo and Diego Tardelli of Atletico Mineiro are both in scintillating form as their clubs push for the title. The strength of Porto's Hulk makes him a stand in for Adriano, the mobility of Hoffenheim's Carlos Eduardo substitutes that of Tardelli. Both the new boys will have to do something very special to get past the home based boys and nail down a definitive place in the squad.

Unlike Argentina, there is no need for Brazil to pull apart their side and try and put the pieces back together in the search for a winning formula. Brazil qualified in comfort, as did Chile, who make just one significant change in their list of foreign-based players for coming games against Germany and Slovakia.

There is a recall for excellent holding midfielder Claudio Maldonado. Unobtrusive but effective, Maldonado is not the kind of figure ever likely to be nominated for a Fifa World Player of the Year award. But he is the type to balance out a team and give a platform for the stars to shine.

Comments on the piece in the space provided. Other questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.

From last week's postbag;

Q) I'm sure you've heard about the Brazilian Division Two match where a team apparently scored nine goals in the last nine minutes to secure promotion.

Did this really happen? And if so, while being on the one hand "hilarious", surely on the other it's a disgrace and something very worrying to see in a professional football association. Has it cast any doubts on the integrity of soccer in Brazil, and do you think that any implications will arise from this incident?
Dan Casey

A) It's much lower down the food chain than people might imagine. This did not take place in the national second division. Brazil is divided into 27 states - this was the second division in one of those states, and a fairly remote one at that. So the players at some of these clubs might be professionals, but only just. Salaries will be very, very low - which can increase temptation in cases such as these. Perhaps the main implication is that these days, in the era of mass technology, it's not possible to get away with something this blatant.

Q) As a Liverpool fan, I was recently discussing what players could be signed on the cheap in January to help boost our thin squad, and someone mentioned Adriano. Apparently, he has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for free in January should a big club from Europe come along and try to sign him.

I was wondering whether you could confirm whether this is true or not? How has his form been in South America over the past year? Do you think he would make a good signing for us, and would he be willing to come?
James Blattman

A) He's in superb form for Flamengo - sometimes he looks like an adult playing with kids. His agent, though, is saying that he doesn't want to know about a move back to Europe at least until after the World Cup - and after his psychological problems and battle with alcohol abuse in Italy it might take a brave club to risk money on him even then.

Nottingham Forest are currently ninth, but just four points behind the Baggies. Even so, Forest boss Billy is passionately, vehemently, absolutely and totally insistent that his team will not figure in the promotion reckoning this season.

After watching their entertaining and. at times, feisty 1-1 draw at the impressive Cardiff City Stadium on a wet and wintry Sunday evening, I reckon that both teams must be regarded as promotion candidates.

The Bluebirds are the division's highest scorers with 31 goals from their 15 games and watching their attacking threat on Sunday it was easy to see why.

Target man Jay Bothroyd can hold-up the ball if Cardiff choose to go direct but also showed a deft touch and decent pace, at one point winning a straight sprint against Kelvin Wilson and drawing a desperate foul from the Forest defender. He also showed excellent composure for his goal, slotting the ball beyond Lee Camp. The one concern here is that if Bothroyd picks up an injury, I'm not sure they have an adequate replacement for him.

Jay Bothroyd's shot is blocked by Forest defender Kelvin Wilson

Strike partner Michael Chopra is the Championship's leading scorer with 11 goals, but there is more to his game than finishing. He was not scared to drop deep to link play and his movement across the Forest backline unsettled the opposition. Furthermore, with full-time approaching and his team clinging on to a 1-0 lead, he dispossessed a Forest player 25 yards from his own goal. It was a moment that stood out for me because it spoke volumes about his work rate and desire.

Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham had scored in six consecutive games prior to Sunday and both he and Chopra forced several excellent saves from Lee Camp. Cardiff's willingness to shoot was symptomatic of the confidence running through the side. Particularly eye-catching was their goal - a six-pass move that started in the left-back area and ended with the ball in the Forest net. The passing and movement was executed with great skill and speed.

The distribution of central midfielder Stephen McPhail, who unfortunately picked up an injury against Forest, has been impressive this season. His presence has led to a slightly deeper role for the highly-rated Joe Ledley. I thought Ledley had a decent game on Sunday and the midfielder saw a shot cleared off the line.

I wonder whether central defensive duo of skipper Mark Hudson and Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool's Steven, might lack pace - and Forest striker David McGoldrick certainly troubled them in this department.

But right-back Adam Matthews, 17, has really stood out this season. On Sunday Forest winger Paul Anderson caused him real problems in the opening half but the young defender had the better of their engaging contest after the break.

The presence of Ross McCormack and Gavin Rae on the bench on Sunday also suggests Cardiff have a strength in depth they have previously lacked.

"We have got a long way to go in terms of being stronger as a unit," was manager Jones's assessment as he reflected on his team's start to the season.

"We have got a lot of younger players - particularly in defence. They don't let anybody down in terms of commitment but sometimes there is a lack of knowledge.

"But I am reasonably pleased with the attacking division and our defending."

There is a settled feel to the Cardiff side; a continuity from one season to the next. It was a point Forest boss Davies made when he observed that several Cardiff players remained from his last visit, with Derby County in October 2006.

In stark contrast, Davies spent in the region of £5m in the summer rebuilding his squad, a reflection of the difficulty he had in keeping Forest in the Championship last season after taking over as manager on New Year's Eve 2008.

Davies was frustrated with the attitude of some of his talented younger players last season. You only have to look at Forest boss, blazer and V-neck jumper worn smartly over his shirt and club tie, to understand that he does not tolerate tardiness. He lives in an ordered world of professionalism and high standards - and expects the same from his players.

In March Davies publicly criticised midfielder Lewis McGugan over his lack of fitness but the 21-year-old scored a stunning injury-time equaliser at Cardiff and there are signs that the younger players at Forest are benefitting from the arrival of more experienced professionals.

None fall into this category more than skipper Paul McKenna, who arrived from Preston after 12 years at his home-town club. He is the fulcrum of the side, knitting the play together from central midfield. Davies told me that McKenna's value is was in excess of his ability as a player because his good habits are an example to others.

Forest certainly aren't lacking artillery. Robert Earnshaw, Dexter Blackstock and Nathan Tyson are currently injured but Davies could still call upon McGoldrick, Dele Adebola and Radoslaw Majewski on Sunday. It is a pool of attacking players that I imagine any Championship manager would be happy to have at his disposal.

Wes Morgan holds off the challenge of Cardiff striker Michael Chopra

The visiting team's defence was caught out far too easily at times against Cardiff - particularly distressing was an optimistic header up-field from Gerrard that eluded the Forest backline and gave Bothroyd a run at goal. Davies insists he is working hard with his all of his squad on the training ground and five consecutive victories and two draws from Forest's last seven games suggests his methods are working.

"There is a lot of work and progression needed," reckons Davies, who insists he can see the faults and flaws in his squad every day on the training ground.

"In my humble opinion we are not ready for promotion this season. If we can finish in a mid-table position, it would be a first-class position considering where we have come from."

Davies was sacked months after he took Derby back to the top flight in 2007. It is an experience that clearly hurt. You now frequently read of the manager talking in terms of three-year plans and building an infrastructure that will give Forest a chance of surviving in the Premier League.

But he is an extremely competitive man and has a proven track record at this level having reached the play-off final with Preston before going one better at Derby. The crucial element was that he did it quickly - in his first season at each club.

Despite his protestations I certainly wouldn't discount Forest - not that the Championship is short of promotion contenders.

Almost a third of the season has gone (at frightening speed if you ask me) and just seven points separate the top 12 teams.

Some people think the Championship is the most exciting league in England and the congestion at the top end of the table suggests they might have a point.

But besides Cardiff and Forest, who do you think will figure in the promotion reckoning next April?

You can follow me throughout the season at twitter.com/Paul__Fletcher

With Dundee United the latest club to admit that they need help from the bank, the plight of the full-time clubs in particular is grievous. However, the debt problem afflicts clubs of every shape and size.

Many have been paring back their expenditure for a few seasons now and are trying hard to live within their means.

They've been caught cold, though, with the collapse of Setanta.

Having budgeted for income that has suddenly been withdrawn, they are struggling to pay off debts rashly accumulated in a period of fiscal insanity a few years back.

The banks have had substantial taxpayers' assistance themselves and many of them have shown greater profligacy than our football clubs. So it would be rich of them, having been saved by taxpayers money, to tighten the noose and threaten clubs that are the focal point of communities all over Scotland.

Football needs a break just like every other business needs a break. The banks are in a position to give them that break. The quid pro quo for the game, though, has to be the solemn and binding promise that it will live within its means from now on.

And the bulk of clubs have been trying to do exactly that in recent times.

Fans have a huge part to play in the new reality that Scottish football must grasp.

There needs to be a more realistic view when it comes to demands for new and big signings - and a bit more patience as managers try to build squads instead of calling for the manager's head after few bad results. All that does is cost their clubs money that could be better spent elsewhere rather than on compensation.

But some managers and directors too have to be braver. Clubs have to give youth a chance and directors have to give managers who give youth a chance a chance themselves.

The worst financial mistakes are hopefully behind the game. It would be ironic but also very dangerous for any bank to put clubs under unbearable financial pressure while honest attempts are being made to sort out their problems.

Jim Murphy, the Scottish Secretary, has made representations to the bank over the financial problems presently facing Rangers. He needs to knock heads together, call for a meeting of all concerned parties and make sure that all of Scotland's clubs are given a fresh chance of a fresh start.

With former First Minister Henry McLeish's new and reportedly radical proposals to reshape the Scottish game due in January, this is the perfect time to save and then reinvent our national sport as fit for purpose in the years ahead.

Following news that the virus had floored players from Blackburn and Bolton, the Health Protection Agency immediately declared war on the dribblers (admittedly not something associated with either club).

An HPA spokesman said: "Spitting is disgusting at all times... footballers, like the rest of us, wouldn't spit indoors so they shouldn't do it on the football pitch." (Hang on, isn't a football pitch outdoors?)

And Fifa might think about extending the fair play league to name and shame offenders, prompting a straight fight between Flobbie Savage and Robert Greeny. I've got me coat.

Telling a footballer not to spit is like asking Jordan and Peter to carry out a normal everyday function without at least 14 TV crews in attendance. It's got to the stage where it's an involuntary action for the players and not an ideal role model for your kids - although back in my day it was the punks doing all the spitting.

I remember hitching up to Newcastle with my mate to watch The Ramones play and throughout the gig, frontman Joey Ramone was using a towel to wipe the spittle off his face. At the end of the concert I managed to procure said towel and proudly left it at the end of my bed. When I got back from school the next day my mum announced: "I don't know where that filthy thing came from but I've given it a good wash." Grrr.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce was annoyed Rovers' game with Chelsea was not called off after three of his players contracted swine flu, insisting Chelsea were at serious risk of catching a dose. But Carlo Ancelotti has already got battle plans in place in the shape of "my grandmother's prescription - hot milk, alcohol - red wine. Fantastic".

The Telegraph suggested Allardyce, along with his old mate Sir Alex Ferguson, were in fact suffering from a touch of whine flu. One minute Fergie was accepting an improper conduct charge for having a pop at Alan Wiley, the next he was questioning whether Andre Marriner had the experience to officiate in their defeat at Liverpool.

Then we had the curious case of Fernando Torres celebrating his strike in the 2-0 win by repeatedly gnawing his shirt. A case of once bitten twice sigh for United, perhaps.

Staying in the Premier League and John Terry has revealed a passion for fishing. "I can sit there for hours, turn my mobile off and watch the world go by - my biggest catch is a 28lb carp," said the Chelsea captain - while strangely neglecting to mention the one that got away in the Champions League final.

Talking of the Riverside, Middlesbrough caretaker boss Colin Cooper had a few words to say about star player Adam Johnson ahead of Gordon Strachan's arrival. "He is definitely going places," raved Cooper. Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland.... take your pick.

Further up the road and in the week Babs Windsor announced she was leaving Albert Square, there was a right old Carry On at Newcastle, with the 'Cockney Mafia' deciding to stay put. Owner Mike Ashley reportedly declared: "Coo, luvaduck and stone the crows. I'd laav it, laav it if we went up" (even though he's actually from Hampshire).

Ashley risked fury from fans after claims the stadium name might be changed to raise funds (The Cheryl Cole Arena was the suggestion from one wag on Whoateallthepies) and his u-turn ended the dreams of local businessman Barry Moat.

I've always thought his name sounded like a Viz character and to celebrate the comic's 30th birthday this week, here's a classic Top Tip for our dearly beloved players: 'Footballers: Remember there is plenty of time to get drunk after your playing career has ended.'

Over at Hull, Phil Brown dismissed claims his job is on the line following the departure of chairman Paul Duffen by insisting: "My players are a million per cent behind me." Many commentators suggested watching Hull's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on Saturday was more painful than pulling teeth. Having experienced exactly that at the dentist's on Thursday morning, I can assure you they are wrong.

Meanwhile fellow strugglers West Ham released a rogues' gallery of people they would like to contact in the wake of the Millwall trouble. A quick scan reveals a few familiar faces - No 83 looks like Rooney, 100 is the spit of Keano and 97 is a dead-ringer for the legendary Mooro himself.

Elsewhere, El Hadji Diouf has followed the example of Stephen Ireland by having the initials of wife Valerie stitched into the seats of his Cadillac. Just to confirm, that's Valerie Diouf. And there was great nickname potential down at Watford as striker Henri Lansbury netted a double against Sheffield Wednesday. Got to be 'Angela', surely?
Stan Collymore has some radical plans for the top flight
The Hornets are on a good run, but they will never be in the top flight again if Stan Collymore has his way. In his column for the Daily Mirror the former England striker said: "I would like to see the Premier League comprised solely of the clubs who have been the biggest and most successful sides in modern history....there would be no promotion or relegation, which would allow those teams to grow."

Collymore added: "I think we should forget the 39th game and just have the top 25 clubs in the country playing 50 games. I'm salivating at the thought." Quick, someone call the Health Protection Agency. Oh, and Carol Vorderman to check Stan's adding up.

It would certainly put paid to any dream I have of seeing top-flight football at Loftus Road again (does second place in 1976 count, Stan?) - although QPR have been preoccupied with more important matters.

Academy assistant Marc Bircham revealed the players have been banned from wearing multi-coloured boots "because we don't want them getting too flash". That's Marc Bircham who during his playing days took to the field with his hair dyed blue and white.

Meanwhile joint-owner Bernie Ecclestone has a spring in his step after going public about his 30-year-old Brazilian girlfriend. Good work, Bernie, but not quite in the same league as 112-year-old Ahmed Muhamed Dore, who has just married his sixth wife, aged...17.

And finally, story of the week comes from OK magazine, via Popbitch, and features a "super-glam 24 hours" in the company of Jermaine Jenas' fiancee, Ellie Penfold.

She gushed: "Jermaine is really generous - he bought me some Christian Louboutin shoes for Christmas which I love. But the best present he ever got is priceless - a tattoo of my face on his forearm."

Have a good weekend one and all. Half our office are coming down to watch QPR-Leicester on Friday to see what I have been raving on about - which virtually guarantees a hard-fought 1-0 win for the Foxes.

OTHER STUFF
Cristiano Ronaldo 'sings'

Nagoya Grampus manager, Dragan Stojkovic, scores wonder goal
Lehmann v the ballboy

I enjoy the competition these days. All right so the big squads use it as a testing ground for some of their lesser lights - and Stoke do too. Although Tony Pulis making 11 changes is not quite the same is it? Might as well have sent his team out on to the Fratton Park pitch with 'spank me' sewn into the back of their shorts.

Even Kanu was able to burst clear of a static defence with 10 minutes to go and Nwankwo looks increasingly like a giraffe about to hit the deck under the influence of a recently fired tranquiliser dart. But there seems to be a spirit to the League Cup matches which is lacking in the Premier League grind and often in the FA Cup, too.

He looks bright enough, though, Il Principino (which I think is the one with anchovies, olives and red peppers).

Of course, if you go to a Premier League club with an open mindset you're going to get thumped. It looks like the tickets for the quarter-finals ought to come with the guarantee of 'three free headers with every game.' The defenders lost their man more often than Calum Best's girlfriends. I mean at a lot of set-pieces the marking was positively zonal.

Arsene Wenger has changed the nature of this competition - at Arsenal it's known as the Kindergarten Cup. But you do get to see the likes of Craig Eastmond, Sanchez Watt and Fran Merida proving that Le Professeur can still find a good player on the cheap.

Whether these squad lads can stand the waiting - and at the moment they sit there for weeks on end with their tongues out like rabid Alsatians waiting for the Royal Mail postman - is open to question.

Maybe they should adopt the attitude of one Brad Guzan. Sheriff Friedel's deputy kept Sunderland at bay with saves so spectacular he could open his own circus. If this lad's a second XI keeper then my wife's a good judge of character.

Yes, everyone chills out in the Carling Cup, apart from Studsup Red Nev, whose dismissal was actually approved of by Sir Alex Ferguson. After I heard that I moved the family down to the cellar right quick and we waited for the sky to fall in.

Blackburn did well despite the swine flu concerns. Rovers could be so infectious they've been warned against gobbing on the pitch as it could spread the porcine pandemic even quicker. I knew there was a reason why El Hadj Diouf wasn't playing, eh?

Elsewhere, the big news is that Mike Ashley has taken Newcastle United off the market and put Chris Hughton in as permanent manager. As it is writ in the Gospel According to St. James's 'Chris has risen'. He's going to sell the naming rights to the Stadium, mind. If I had the money I'd take up the offer, Mike. First of all I'd build a canal all the way round the stadium and call it the Up-Yours-Barry Moat. We could get McDonald's as a sponsor, surely If only we could get King Kev back. (I'm lovin' it. I'm LOVIN' IT!!!).

But even more shocking this week was Andre Agassi's revelation that he took summat called crystal meth with his pal 'Slim'.

Apparently he felt great afterwards and was overwhelmed by a desire to do a lot of household cleaning. Crikey. I'm not touching the stuff then. A lunchtime pint on a Saturday is enough to get our house dusted and utterly sterilised. (I do the pint, the wife gets a monk on and takes it out on Mr Sheen.)

Posters on my previous blog have suggested that this drug-taking explains the marriage to Steffi (which is unfair to the great Ms Graf, particularly as she's doing her best in the Number 10 shirt at Liverpool.)
Agassi's revelations have rocked the tennis world
The tennis world is said to be coming to terms with the shock news somehow. What, that a young man found fame and fortune and then took an illegal drug?

The ATP's got some answers it needs to come up with, but Agassi? The lad went on the Challenger circuit, revived his career and became one of the greatest players ever for a second time.

Jonathan Overend says it tarnishes his reputation - me, I reckon that it makes his achievements all the more commendable.

Do we think Botham's dalliance with cannabis, or indeed Michael Phelps's, has diminished their standing? Nah. It doesn't seem that crystal meth was performance-enhancing given his ranking dropped to 141. I'm not sure it's a big deal. Although I'm sure some of you lot will tell me different.