It's amazing how little is going on this
January as far as transfers go.
Unfortunately that’s got the tabloid light stuck on green and they ain’t holding back, with a pile of
clickbait k@k hitting the small screen every day.
It’s mad, they basically say whatever they like, with “back-up”, “source” and “credibility”, long lost from the once skilled world of football journalism.
The latest bollox puts Kylian Mbappe close to a move to Anfield!
Now while that sounds exciting, no one anywhere has a single genuine quote relating to a possible move?
That is barring Jurgen Klopp who said: “Absolutely no chance, sorry for killing that story!”.
Despite that, it keeps popping up, as did the “Neymar to Chelsea” fantasy headline for a week or two, before we all got bored of it.
So hold tight for now, as we know January can be a slow one, but expect Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford and a new signing at Stamford Bridge!
The other k@k I’ve been reading is the decision by the Scottish FA (SFA) to stop kids U12 heading footballs.
They’ve decided to copy the American model.
US Soccer was forced to change its rules when a group of parents in California filed a class action lawsuit in 2014 against Fifa, US Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organisation.
The lawsuit stated that the three governing bodies had been negligent and sought an injunction on impact
collisions within football.
This led to the United States Soccer Federation issuing a mandate in 2015 - called the Recognise to Recover Program - which stated that players aged 10 or younger would be prohibited from heading and the practice would be greatly reduced for those aged between 11 and 13.
The SFA’s recent move follows a landmark study by the University of Glasgow published last year, which found that former professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to suffer from dementia and other serious neurological diseases.
However, it was UNABLE TO ESTABLISH whether the cause of the higher levels of brain disease was due to repeated concussions, heading footballs, head-to-head
collisions or some other factor.
Look, I’m well aware of dementia, both my parents suffer my mum doesn’t even recognise me anymore, it’s terrible. But as someone who’s played the game, I know that the impact is relatively light (when technique is correct).
I’m afraid this is the latest intrusion into our game by PC do-gooders.
So a fundamental part of the game will not be practiced and trained until kids are in their teens? FFS, can’t they just leave us alone?
Anyway, back to the important stuff and it was a mad weekend result-wise as no one took the opportunity in the chase for top-four spots.
I found myself at Premium Sports Bar on Sunday evening to witness Liverpool trample all over Manchester United.
If you haven’t been there on a big match-day, you’re missing out. Nowhere better in Cape Town to watch football!
Yes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lot came into the game in the second half. But for me, Liverpool never looked in trouble.
At 1-0, United could have nicked a draw, but had Mo Salah and co been slightly sharper in front of goal, this could have been 4-0. The league was won weeks ago
The deeper we get into the money game, the more important relationships and appointments (staff and board) become.
Liverpool and Klopp have shown us all the importance of sustainability, gradual build and sensible investment.
To illustrate the point, since Liverpool lost a league game at Anfield (April 2017), Man United have spent £390 800 000 on players!
Roy Keane was busy tearing up the SkySports studio again, arguing with the panel that Ole should be given at least another year do you agree?
A full set of fixtures to keep us happy this week and a couple of tasty ones to look out for.
Tonight, Arsenal pop across to the Bridge in the late game, while Sheffield United host City. On Thursday, Liverpool go to Wolves as they start their four-month title parade!