The Holloway Column Thread

[Simi]

The new one is now available.

[Ultra]

Holloway on Gam£ 39..

I think it's a load of rubbish. How can you ask football fans to go all that way? It's just about the money.

I hope the fans are allowed to have their view and it's listened to. I'm not having that, I don't like that idea. Go and have a two-week break and play an exhibition game or something.

They're saying it's to promote the Premier League but the Premier League's shown all over the world anyway!

[Daggers]

Holloway on Gam£ 39..

Nice.

[Flynny]

ARE YOU FEELING THE HEAT AT LEICESTER?

No I'm feeling pretty cold, really!

Some of the papers are saying my job's under threat - well it always is, isn't it? I suggest they come up with something a bit cleverer than that.

You've only got to look at my chairman's record - you could have said that when I first got the job - but I've outlasted everybody else here this season so far!

Anybody can manage a football club when you're winning, I was brought here to try and sort it out when we were losing. No-one wants us to be here but we are, so we've got to deal with it.

Whatever happens, happens in life. You're looking for your team to gain some strength, even in adversity.

It's swings and roundabouts - we've scored three goals in the last three games that have been disallowed. We lost two games a few months ago where the referee wrote an apology to us for getting two decisions wrong, which cost us goals and games.

But that's just the way things go in life and I'm not feeling the heat - I'm ice cold and ready to go.

BAD RUN

We lost three games in 10 days, which after beating Crystal Palace was an unbelievable shock really.

Away at Blackpool we let one in in the last minute which seems to have wobbled everybody. But these lads need to stop wobbling and sort their lives out. Then we lost to Plymouth which was pretty shocking.

Next up is Norwich at home, who are doing all right, then Coventry away and Preston at home.

I've got to target three wins from those three games. That's what we need and that's what we're after.

After beating Palace we started thinking we can beat anyone, but unfortunately in this division you can also be beaten by anybody.

If we get two wins in a row we won't be sat where we are at the moment. Anybody can do anything in this division and we've just get to get out of the run we're on at the moment.

BORING, BORING LEICESTER?

Some Leicester fans said they were unhappy with some of the football being played.

So was I against Plymouth, but I wasn't unhappy with the football we played against Watford the other night and I haven't been unhappy with a lot of the other stuff we've played.

Against Plymouth it was a late kick-off on the telly, our lads saw the other results - with everybody else down there winning.

After they got a goal, we just played the ball towards Steven Howard's head, which I've never told them to do.

So the other day I got a target off the internet and put it on Howard's head in training. And then I moved it from his forehead, to his chest, to his thigh and said 'hang on a minute, I want you lot to play football'.

So I've banned them from hitting any long free-kicks from anywhere other than the last 25m.

Some people can't cope under pressure - seeing that result, seeing how the crowd were to me, I think it wobbled my team.

But they showed great character to do what they did against Watford the other day. Unfortunately we let a goal in against 10 men. But we're not the first team to do that and it's all about the next game - that's the one that matters.

RECEPTION FROM PLYMOUTH FANS

Horrendous. Apparently it's my fault that the Titanic sank - in fact you name anything bad in the world that's happened and it's my fault according to them. But such is life.

VALENTINE'S DAY

I didn't make my wife a card in the end, I bought her one instead. I took nearly an hour choosing it, though!

We went for an Indian meal and then to see Sweeney Todd at the pictures, which I thought was a great film although my wife wasn't so keen.

I'm never going to shave again after watching that. I'm going to have to grow a great big beard. I couldn't go to sleep and I couldn't even walk past the kitchen drawers without jumping out of my skin.

I tell you what though, Johnny Depp makes me sick. He's 45, a year older than me, but he's got a full head of hair and not a wrinkle in sight.

If I could look like any bloke it would be him and if I was a woman I'd be all over him like a rash!

DOLLY PARTON

Country singer Dolly Parton has postponed her forthcoming US tour because of backache. She said: "You try wagging these puppies around a while and see if you don't have back problems!"

Ha ha ha ha!!! Dearie, dearie me - I bet there's a few fellas out there who wouldn't mind helping her with that weight!

My dad used to make some comments along those lines a few years ago. I think some comedian's even done a song about them.

(They're all natural apparently - Ed)

I'm quite embarrassed talking about them to be honest - I wouldn't know!

I don't know if you've noticed but people do talk about Dolly Parton's boobs as if they're people in their own right.

All I do know is that a lot of blokes, because they haven't got any, get fascinated by them. I did say jokingly a few years ago that if I had a pair myself I'd probably hardly ever go out!

PUNTER'S QUESTION

Lut0nt0wn: "You want more manager lookalikes? How about this....Baron Greenback from Dangermouse, and Avram Grant.

Absolute ringer, yeah! I think he looks like Toad of Toad Hall personally.

If anyone's got any more manager lookalikes, let's hear them.

PUNTER'S QUESTION II

Chacor (Keep the Premier League in England!: "Are you aware there's an 'Ian Holloway for Prime Minister' group on Facebook? Ollie for PM!"

No, not at all. I can't imagine why I'd ever be on Facebook, not with a face like this!

I might need the Prime Minister's job very soon, though, if the papers are right. Ha ha! I'd better get my trowel out and get ready to do a bit of gardening!

I couldn't possibly be a Prime Minister - you've got to have a high IQ so that's me out straight away.

I'd like to be an adviser to the Prime Minister, though - that would be a great job, wouldn't it? What was that programme...Yes Prime Minister - I thought that was very clever and very funny.

I wonder if it is like that? I can't imagine George Bush actually thinking about what he says that much. And when old Ronnie Reagan was in charge he was like an actor reading the part.

You'd like to think they do have an input somewhere along the line, though.

I'm sure they have, I'm sure they're allowed to make their own mind up about things - I can't imagine anyone telling Maragaret Thatcher what to do - Denis certainly didn't!

PUNTER'S QUESTION III

bigrenpafc: "Hi Ollie, i was just wondering, because you love the south of England and the Plymouth area so much, would you like to leave Leicester in order to be appointed the new manager of South Brent FC? The salary is two pints of blackthorn and a scotch egg after EVERY game."

That sounds a winner, that does. I'm not sure I like Scotch eggs that much, though. If it was a pork pie with a bit of pickle on it, I'd snap that up.

That's two jobs I've been offered - Prime Minister and South Brent manager. There might be one or two other things people think I should have a go at - they could send in their suggestions.

If and when Milan makes his mind up and it goes the wrong way for me, what would they like me to do?

Isn't it amazing - we lose a couple of games and everyone's got Milan swinging the axe again!

[Koke]

Horrendous. Apparently it's my fault that the Titanic sank - in fact you name anything bad in the world that's happened and it's my fault according to them. But such is life.

Its also your fault for the horrendous knife crimes in this country. And the Middle East crisis is clearly down to your ineptitude.

[Ric Flair]

Looks like Holloway was quick to take my advice about banning the players from hoofing the ball unecessarily. Good chap.

[Bryn]

Looks like Holloway was quick to take my advice about banning the players from hoofing the ball unecessarily. Good chap.

Ric Flair in

[Bert]

So I've banned them from hitting any long free-kicks from anywhere other than the last 25m.

[Bryn]

Argyle Fans at Leicester

"I thought they were magnificent. What they were chanting about me at the end was spot on, really. You can't blame them- I think they know the truth. I have spoken to Milan about putting in a £5 million bid for the Green Army. I actually think our fans could learn a thing or two from them. I love the way they sang about me to the tune of 'Baby Give It Up'. What a song that is. Better than that hip hop rubbish my players listen to!

Anyway, it looks like we are heading for League One and Argyle are up near the play offs, so good luck to them. Argyle are still my team in reality and Luggy knows that. I did sign at least two of their players after all."

Mandaric may sack Olly

"Oh dear! I am really scared Milan!! Milan and I get on very well indeed, thank you. When I first met Milan he called me 'a little muppet' and he wasn't far off to tell the truth. Still I do enjoy my garden and I am hoping to spend a little bit more time there soon. I may even move back to Plymouth, when I'm sacked, as the Green Army gave me such a magnificent reception last weekend. Superb! They even wrote me messages on my house, which is awfully kind of them, when you think about it. Its like a love letter, isn't it.

Still, I'll be a wealthy man and that's all that really matters nowadays, isn't it? (Interviewer chuckles and agrees) I've spent 3 or 4 million of Milan's money on absolute dross really, but he can't complain can he?"

Olly resorts to Hoofball

"Well, when you're in trouble you want the ball as far away from our goal, as possible. So I get the defenders to practice hoofing it up to Howard and my old mate Bazza and they try and foul the opposition defenders. I thought it worked a treat against Plymouth to be honest. They almost broke Luke's nose and Shelley got one in the back from Stevie. Still, they are pretty lads and they'll get over it, won't they?

I even played my goalie in the Watford half for the last few minutes up there- he's pretty useless in goal, to be honest. And we played against ten men for 45 minutes and still couldn't score. Still Watford play hoofball too so one day I reckon we will be top. Its like when you pull an ugly bird and you get married to her. That's what I did at Plymouth. I asked for a divorce and the bird didn't want one so I ran away, because I am a big man. I didn't want to stop the ugly bird pulling a better looking football manager you see.

I took over a team in mid-table comfort at Leicester despite all their problems. But now we are in a real battle, a fight for our lives. I told Milan that would get the fans flocking back. A relegation battle is just what we need. We didn't want our season petering out in mid table obscurity."

Barry Hayles

"What can I say? He's obviously over the hill but you've gotta enjoy his enthusiasm. He runs and runs and runs. I call him Forrest Gump. Lord Barrington...I think I am a tactical genius as the opposition think its a joke Bazza still playing, and they are so busy laughing they very occasionally let him score. DJ and Fryatt could learn a thing or two from him. I've got Pen doing some coaching with Bazza. But I've only got 14 forwards at the club and Pen's been scouting at Plymouth to see if there's any others like Bazza down there. What a gem he is. Pen's told me there was someone called Samba but he chose to join Dawlish Town over us, which is fair enough when you think about it. We are a big club, with a massive ground, and state of the art training facilities but we are still rubbish on the ploughed field we play on!"

Olly's nose problem

"Yeah, I have been a bit under the weather this week to tell the truth. I look tired and on the verge of the nervous breakdown. I told Milan I need a trip to the seaside to cheer me up. He suggested I 'truck off' back to Plymouth. I don't like trucks but I think its a good idea. But the big problem is my nose keeps on growing. My missus and the kids have started to call me Pinocchio and when I saw my old Chairman, My Stapleton, he said my nose looked bigger than ever! I went to Doctor who told me to tell him "the whole truth", which I just couldn't do, for some reason. My nose doesn't fit in the dressing room anymore and the players all laugh at me.

Still if everyone has a laugh at my expense, that's alright isn't it. The Green Army enjoy a bit of humour and I am sure they can see the funny side of my current predicament."

From PASOTI I think.

EDIT: For those who I know are out there that apparently don't understand sarcasm; THIS IS FAKE.

[Simi]

Looks like Holloway was quick to take my advice about banning the players from hoofing the ball unecessarily. Good chap.

It was clear to see that at Watford, especially with Kisnorbo and McAuley, looked to improve them no end, I hope we carry on with that attitude today. Makes you think though, when they were hoofing it, it must purely be down to the mentality of the players and a distinct lack of confidence in themselves and each other.

[gloriuslestafan]

Ollie, Dolly Parton has cancelled her US tour due to the back problems she has, what's your opinion on that?

Well I just don't know there mate, I mean i'm chuffed as a badger you have asked me that question coz if she thinks she has back problems she ought to have mine, jeez mate you couldn’t make it up could you? She has two wobblers and we have 11 every week. She blames it on her big two up front and they are BIG boyz I’ll tell you that, lots of guys would like to get their hands on those two.

Now my two up front may not be quite as big and don't have the same movement as Dolly’s but they need just as much support from the middle and it aint been there in recent times plus not many guys would want to get their hands on my two!

Did you get the wife a Valentine card? Yea too right there I did, blimy riley if I hadn't she would have blown a gasket or summat! Tried getting flowers but Gilroes was closed, so tekin her to see Sweeney Todd tonight. “That will get her in the mood then Ollie”? No, but it will get me ready for Saturday coz we gonna murder Norwich. “Cheers Ollie”

[Matt]

This weeks column;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7257253.stm

Best bit was when a Plymoth fan said "I loved you and Hayles when you were at Plymouth, I have Hayles' name on the back of my shirt and now you took Hayles with you aswell, could you perhaps buy me a new shirt"

Ollie's reply was basically as your chairman for a new shirt, they could have offered him a new contract but didn't so it was his fault not Ollies.

[davieG]

From the Merc:

Ollie opens up his City heart Leicester City go into today's clash against Championship leaders Bristol City only four points above the relegation zone following their midweek home defeat by fellow strugglers Preston North End.

Here, the Mercury's Dan Nice reports on the question-and-answer session that boss Ian Holloway gave ahead of the big game

Q: Does it matter that City have not won back-to-back matches all season?

A: “If we win one, lose one, win one, lose one and so on, we would be more than safe, so what are people worried about? “I want to win two, three, four. That's the standard I want to set. I'm not saying we're going to, I'm saying I want to. And the lads do too.

“Even if we win one, lose one, win one, lose one from now until the end of the season, we will be all right.

“We have got to keep our nerve and keep going.

“They (Preston) beat us with a shot from a zillion miles out. Champion the Wonder Horse would have been proud of it. If you give him (Preston's Darren Carter) that ball 10 times, how many times would he do that?

“On the balance of play, we had three goals ruled out so we have to bounce back and see what we can do.

“It's disappointing because we looked to have turned the corner like another couple of teams in this division but haven't capitalised.

“It's going to take a batch of games. It would be nice to say we had won two in a row but we can't.

“We have Bristol City who are on the crest of a wave - why can't we bring them tumbling down?”

Q: After beating Bristol City 2-0 in November in your first game in charge, the teams have gone in different directions. Why?

A: “They have been consistent and we haven't, that's why they are where they are. They will be bubbly and full of confidence and we have got to get back off the floor. That definitely floored us the other night.”

Q: Did you think Bristol City would do so well this season?

A: “Truthfully, probably no. I think they were very sensible last summer.

“Instead of making sweeping changes, they added Lee Trundle for £1million.

“They obviously didn't want that money back because he's 32, so I thought that made a statement. People might have been waiting for their bubble to burst but it hasn't.

“Fair play to Gary Johnson for that. What you'd have to say about them is that we need a bit of that. When they're down, they always bounce back. When we're down, we haven't yet.

“They're absolutely buzzing at the minute and if Bristol City is a bundle of energy, it's a strong, vibrant one. Ours builds and then dissipates.”

Q: How disappointing was the last-minute goal against Preston on Tuesday?

A: “Nothing more than a last-minute goal rips your heart out, so let's see what we're all about ... I'm fuming, I'm absolutely stinking, stomping, not very happy at all because we were dominating that game.

“We were camped in their half, then they go up the other end and have a strike.”

Q: Why is the Championship so tight and what do you need to stay in it?

A: “Nobody is good enough to run away with it. I don't think there's that much between anybody, two wins and we would be 12th, which is ironic.

“Everyone is talking about a crisis and (words like) €˜crucial' and all of these words that everyone picks on, and it's absolutely laughable for me.

“If I was running out of oxygen, that's a crisis. If I'm locked in a room filling up with water, that's crucial.

“We are at Leicester City and have got to win two games in a row. I am sure we can do it. But to do it regularly you have got to keep clean sheets and put the ball in their net.

“It's about managing our disappointment. I don't think the crowd has been over-expectant, just disappointed for four years.

“I think they (the fans) have been terrific. We have had a few home wins and need to keep that going. We need a bit of momentum. That's all that we have lacked.

“Six points on our total and we'd be 12th, which is so many points off the play-offs, which is ludicrous. It's also ludicrous that people think we're the only ones in any trouble.

“We could have steered our way clear a bit more comfortably the other evening.

“But I think the players and fans maybe looked at that a little too much. It's always about the last 10 games.

“You have got to get enough out of the last 10 games to get to 50 or 52 points.

“I was contemplating getting 60 or 70 when I came here but I have had to lower my sights.”

Q: You said after Tuesday's game there was a bit of disappointment about how certain people reacted when they were substituted. Have you dealt with that?

A: “I have had one or two things to say. I believe everyone has to take the pressure. People at home might not understand that.

“But if you're a centre-forward and your team is down the bottom and you know that if you get behind you don't come back, but if you go ahead you usually win the game, there's a little bit of pressure on you.

“Everyone has got to have a share of that.

“But it's very awkward for someone like me.

“I like to reward people who are doing well, so when we win I don't really like changing that winning team if they've done what I've wanted them to do.

“But I am getting a little bit confused at the moment. Because we win and then we lose.

“So do I change a losing team, or do I stick with the team that won the week before, or the team that scored four, or who won away from home? It's just one of those things.

“One or two words were said, I think it was taken in the right way because it was said in the right way.

And, with a smile, he added: “Steve (Howard) will have to sort his life out and make sure I pick him because when he came off the other day I wasn't very happy with him.

“He's a great big galute and he needs to sort his life out. I'm sure if we get crosses in the box he'll get his great big noggin on it and it'll hit the net.

“He has scored with his left foot twice but not with his head. Maybe we don't get enough crosses in. Maybe that's been our problem for anon. So there's a bloke that can cross it (Kelvin Etuhu).”

Q: What has angered you most since you arrived at the club? Bad luck?

A: “It's not about luck is it? I think some of the decisions have been pretty damn woeful.

“But I think the harder you work, the luckier you become. The more fibre you've got in your heart and soul then the better things happen to you.

“I'm sick and fed up of negativity.

“I think it's horrendous and this club has been surrounded by it.

“I think the fans lately have deserved a team going out there and not being scared of having the ball and playing.

“But we have got to play the right ball at the right time. Did we get in behind them enough the other night? We passed the ball in front of them, but that's what we needed to do against Cardiff on Saturday. So it's about learning.”

[Monk]

He's just been on Football focus talking about Bristol Rovers, rather passionately might I add. He really should get his face off the bloody telly and focus on staying up! Really starting to piss me off now,

[dandannieldanok]

He's just been on Football focus talking about Bristol Rovers, rather passionately might I add. He really should get his face off the bloody telly and focus on staying up! Really starting to piss me off now,

I actually turned to a different channel.

[FilboFox]

He's just been on Football focus talking about Bristol Rovers, rather passionately might I add. He really should get his face off the bloody telly and focus on staying up! Really starting to piss me off now,

I have to admit that I did wonder whether his heart is really into this job or whether he's hoping that one day he'll be able to return to manage Rovers...

None the less, I'm right behind him as I think he's a great manager and will turn into a Leicester hero in the future!

[davieG]

I know it's serious times and whatelse can you say but Ollie must have led a very very sheltered life before he came to Leicester.

"The ball has just dropped to Stern John and that is the maddest goal I have ever seen in my life. But that is what wins games.

[MikeyT]

FROM SSN WEBSITE:

Leicester manager Ian Holloway was not happy after his side lost 1-0 at Southampton.

Stern John's late goal secured the win for The Saints and the result saw Leicester slip into the relegation zone.

"It's time to be tough and deal with it. The players have to play their part as well but there are eight games to go and there will be lots of twists and turns before the end of the season," said Holloway.

"The difference was that they put the ball in our net with the one chance they had and we didn't take the chances we had.

"It was the most bizarre freaky goal I've ever seen, we had three chances to clear the ball before Stern John finished it off."

Saints reaction

It was Nigel Pearson's his first win as Southampton manager, but he knows his side still are not safe.

"I haven't got a clue how many points it will take to keep us up," he said.

"What we thought might be the target two weeks ago is now completely different as teams around us are picking up points."

Pearson was pleased to pick up the poitns, although he admits his side were not at their best.

"You have to have the ability to win ugly games," he added.

"We played some nice football against Ipswich but failed to win the game but tonight we kept a clean sheet with a youngster in goal and a centre-back, in Jhon Viafara, who doesn't normally play there."

[Eastern Fox]

Never really read his column before, not encouraging that he blames everything on luck. I hope that mindset doesn't transfer to the players too. It's not becuase of luck we're in a relegation battle, it's consistent failure of the players/manager to peform. If he really thinks bad luck is the main/only problem we have, we're going down for sure.

[davieG]

Never really read his column before, not encouraging that he blames everything on luck. I hope that mindset doesn't transfer to the players too. It's not becuase of luck we're in a relegation battle, it's consistent failure of the players/manager to peform. If he really thinks bad luck is the main/only problem we have, we're going down for sure.

I think you're to late with that they've been picking up on the bad luck we've got good players syndrome for weeks it's part of the reason we're in the shit.

[MikeyT]

Probably no more than what we have already heard said but heres what it says on The Blue Army page.

Apologies if this has been posted somewhere else. I couldnt see if it had!

Ollie: The heat is on

by Bill Anderson

As Leicester City dipped into the bottom three last night, boss Ian Holloway left his players in no doubt as to the pressure the whole club is under.

With only eight Championship games left, and several rivals having games in hand, the heat is really on after the 1-0 defeat at Southampton.

And while Holloway maintains his own positivity, he has made no bones about the situation to his squad.

Last night at St Mary's, missed chances cost City dear as they could claim to have been the better side. But the Saints took the valuable points, which is all that matters at this stage in the season.

And on a night when Sheffield Wednesday and S****horpe - two of City's main relegation rivals along with Southampton - both won, Holloway said: "It is very close down there and every game gets harder and harder.

"I have just told them (the players), if they think that's pressure, wait until the next few games, and you have got to stop snatching and finish.

"We have got a job to do and we have to do it, but at the moment we are not doing it very well.

"We are creating chances and not taking them, and when that happens you get nil. At this time in the season, you don't want that.

"We have all got character and you have to keep working, keep believing and I have got some very positive players.

"When we came here a couple of months ago, we got played off the park. Well, I didn't see that this time."

It is the second time City have been in the relegation zone and no City player has scored now for 459 minutes. City's only goal since the 4-0 win over Norwich five games ago was an own goal in the 1-0 win at Cardiff.

Holloway said: "This game just summed up my time at Leicester. I am sick fed-up with creating better chances than the opposition and not finishing them off, and that was the story of this game.

"If you had told me when we put four past Norwich that we wouldn't score in four of the next five games, I wouldn't have believed you.

"I have got to be honest, that is probably one of the worst results of my career because we were on top in many stages, but you have to be clinical and put the ball in their net.

"We were attacking and creating chances, so that gives me hope."

[Chrysalis]

I am always wondering why teams only need 1 or 2 or 3 chances to score against us.

Regarding luck football is affected by it massively, the other thing that affects football a lot is confidence. Of course it isnt all luck but it always plays a part.

[Leicester Lass]

New one is up.

Holloway column

HAD BETTER WEEKS

We've slipped into the relegation zone - we lost to a Southampton team that hadn't won for 10 games and everyone else around us won, so it's not going very well.

When we got beaten 2-0 at Southampton in the Cup a couple of months ago, we never created a chance. Now we are but we're missing them. It's very frustrating.

We missed one in injury time and usually that player would score those over and over again.

You can't recreate a pressure situation in training, though, and I believe if the players can relax a little bit more they're going to score. If you're creating chances as a team, things will turn.

SET-TO WITH SUPPORTER

Leicester fan accuses Holloway of swearing at him during 0-0 draw with Bristol City.

We were playing very well - the best we'd played for four years. And that's not me saying that, that was fans telling me after the game.

I made a substitution after 70 minutes, putting two centre-forwards on, and this fella came down the steps, shouting and bawling at me, calling me a stupid...idiot and telling me I was clueless.

Now I'm sorry, but I thought he was the one who was clueless, because he couldn't see how well we were playing.

But for all that, we hadn't scored so I was putting two fresh strikers on to try and change it and I didn't think he was right to abuse me.

Those two players hadn't even got their toes across the line to go on, so how can you criticise that? If he thinks he can call me all the names under the sun, then he doesn't know me.

So I shouted one or two things back to him, which I shouldn't have done. The rest of the crowd agreed with me and told him to shut his mouth.

I then had to explain what happened to the chairman because the bloke wrote a letter to Mr Mandaric instead of dealing with me.

I think it's absolutely ludicrous that people like that think they can shout whatever they like at someone who's just there trying to do the best job he can.

I apologise to the other fans around him if I did let the odd expletive out, but that just shows I've got passion.

TAKING IT ALL HOME

It's very difficult not to take your work home with you and relax when you get indoors - ask any of the players.

While you're living through something like this it's very difficult, but I don't get angry with my family at all and you've just got to try and remain strong.

As for the crowd, have a look what's happening on the pitch. If the lads are bottling it, then get on to them, if they're creating great chances and not finishing, encourage them.

When you're at the top of the league, players are confident and free and don't think about things, when you're down the bottom they can tense up and snatch at shots.

I think the crowd play a massive part and I have to say they have been superb here.

PAYING THE PENALTY

Everton and Tottenham crash out of Uefa Cup after losing penalty shoot-outs.

I don't know why England and the English teams often don't do it when it comes to penalties but you don't know until you're in that situation. I don't think there's anything wrong with us, it's just the way things go.

I'll never forget the Germans beating us on penalties - twice, especially the one in our own back yard. That was quite phenomenal.

I don't know if the Germans work on a bit of psyche, a bit of belief, maybe even hypnotherapy. Who knows?

FOOTBALL OR BABIES?

Rafa Benitez left Xabi Alonso out of squad to play Inter Milan because he wanted to attend the birth of his first child. Alonso offered to join the squad after the birth, but Benitez refused.

I'm with Alonso. You've got to have some leeway. What's more important - surely your wife's health and the birth of your first child? Those moments are priceless.

If Rafa had said 'OK I understand, we'll leave you out of this one, good luck with it all', I think he'd have Xabi Alonso running through brick walls for him. But that's his way. Neither of us are right. We all see it differently.

MPs

MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year from taxpayers' money for their second homes.

That's absolutely disgusting. The same goes for inheritance tax - that's a joke as well.

We get taxed on our taxes, on our taxes - even when we're dead. I mean what sort of country is this?

These allowances for MPs have got to stop. What about when we need a new kitchen - I don't see any of us getting a helping hand.

They should publish this list showing who's had what over the last three years and then they should give back to us.

We should all have a refund and they can buy their own bloody kitchens.

PUNTER'S QUESTION

Sumettodowifoxes: "Do you feel you have built your own squad at Leicester yet, or do you feel you are having to pick players you would rather were no longer at the club?"

Oh I can't answer that question, that's not fair. I'm doing the best I can with what I've got and we can't hide from the fact it's not going well at the moment.

But it's all about believing and I believe the 24,000 people we get every week deserve better and we will do it for them.

PUNTER'S QUESTION II

Following on from last week's revelation that Leicester City is an anagram of Electric Yetis - Ed.

Por109: "Hi Ian, in fact the Electric Yetis are a thriving charity football team who've now raised about £20,000 for sick and disabled children around Leicestershire. We've got a game coming up on April 19th and are short of a few players if you fancy getting your boots on!"

Ha ha! Well first of all, congratulations. What a brilliant thing to do, to raising money for other people.

They sound a great lot but I don't think I'll be fit enough or good enough to get in your team. Plus the fact, I'll have a few pressing engagements with my day job that weekend...hopefully!

PUNTER'S QUESTION III

Joshimitsu2: "I think its about time you got rid of the lucky guitar pick I gave to you!"

Yes, I binned it last week! I don't want to upset him, but it's the worst thing in terms of lucky charms I've ever been given!

Actually, no I haven't binned it. I know exactly where it is and I'll do that when I get home. I'm going to bin the 'lucky' guitar pick so let's see what happens against West Brom.

[Raj]

New one is up.

cant even be arsed to read the boring twat rabbitting on at the moment.

I still love him though.

Fcuking ****.

[Thracian]

My eldest son and I were discussing player/mangerial contracts the other day and both concluded that the set-up now means being fired or being declared surplus to requirements might well be an attrctive option occasionally.

As a businessman my lad was arguing that he should have a right to dismiss someone for failing to play to the standard their wage levels dictated and in so doing only pay a normal one-month/three months settlement rather than having to pay up or negotiate the degreee to which the contract was paid up.

His case was that the player didn't deliver what was reasonably expected of him - rather like a pest controller failing to get rid of rodents or a mechanic failing to rectify the fault in a car.

In other words if you signed a striker with, say, a two year average of 18 goals per 40 games and paid him the wages appropriate to that level of performance then he should be open to the termination of his contract if he failed to perform at that standard over a reasonable time.

The same principle should apply to managers but in today's mad world you could say that a manager with reasonable credence and success behind him when he signs, say, a three year contract, might well love to have his contract or proportion thereoff paid up as a one-off.

He would have a nice, tidy chunk of guaranteed money, however quickly it was paid and would still; have sufficient credibility to get a new contract with another club from his previous performance.

That MM has actually had to pay off so many underperformers must grate with him big time.

In fact he must constantly feel like the victim of divorce settlements.

How barmy that a manager or player should be able to benefit from doing badly. It's exactly the same in industry or politics.