Would it hurt Mourinho at least to fake being polite?

Along with Hugh McIlvanney, Simon Barnes is the best sports writer in the UK. Well, according to me, TSB. He also writes expertly on ornithology, if that happens to be your thing. Here he is on Mourinho's lack of manners...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8303-2521868,00.html

Bobbie's EPL Picks

Charlton 1 Villa 1
ManYoo 3 Pompey 1
Blackburn 1 Boro 1
Spurs 2 L'pool 2
Bolton 2 Pompey 0
Watford 1 Wigan 2
Chelski 2 Fulham 0
Hammers 2 Citeh 0
Everton 1 Newcastle 2
Blades 0 Gunners 3



TSB's:

Haddocks 2 Villians 1
Red Devils 3 Royals 1
Rovers 2 Boro 0
Lillywhites 1 Pool 1
White Men 2 Pompey 0
Glory Hornet Boys 1 Latics 1
Pensioners 2 Cottagers 0
Irons 2 Citizens 1
Toffees 1 Toon 1
Blades 1 Gooners 3

Roberto Gotta in Italy

Sympathy for the devil may contain at least two words too extreme for the circumstance, but there may not be a better way of summing up the uneasy relationship that one can feel with Lazio.

NewPress/GettyImages

Di Canio: Unacceptable old face of the Lazio that makes the news.

The devil, they aren't, of course, and sometimes the by-product of the negative perception being spread around by those do not like the club and its fans can generate, in those who try to delve a little more into matters with disregard to appearances, a little bit of sympathy.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=397351&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Captaincy debate goes on as Gilberto inspires

Gilberto Silva's commanding presence as Arsenal skipper has cast doubt on Thierry Henry's ability to lead from the front.

As Gilberto Silva reflected on Arsenal's latest successful result without Thierry Henry, he emphasised how much the team look forward to having the striker back. "We need him because we know how important he is," the Brazilian said. Most Arsenal fans would agree, despite a seven-match unbeaten stretch in his absence, but whether they all want Henry to reclaim the captaincy from Gilberto is a moot point.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/12/28/henry_captaincy_debate_goes_on.html

How Anelka learnt to stop sulking and love the system

Nicolas Anelka finally understands Sam Allardyce's much-maligned system of play, and is reaping the rewards.

Nicolas Anelka has emerged from his induction period as a Bolton Wanderers player imbued with growing faith in Sam Allardyce's often controversial modus operandi. "Nicolas did struggle at first here but he is starting to believe in the system now," explained his fellow striker, Kevin Davies. "He's starting to run into the areas that the gaffer has asked him to, he's scoring goals and he's confident.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/12/28/how_anelka_learnt_to_stop_sulk.html

Injury to Adebayor opens door for Baptista

Let's see what The Beast can do up front!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,278-2520898,00.html

EPL Table

			P	GD		Pts
1		Man Utd	20	33		50
2		Chelsea	20	20		46
3		Arsenal	20	19		36
4		Bolton	20	8		36
5		Portsmouth	20	12		35
6		Liverpool	20	12		34
7		Tottenham	20	-1		31
8		Everton	20	4		28
9		Reading	20	-5		27
10		Aston Villa	20	-1		25
11		Newcastle	20	-2		25
12		Fulham	20	-10		25
13		Man City	20	-8		23
14		Wigan	20	-6		22
15		Blackburn	19	-9		22
16		Middlesbrough	20	-7		21
17		Sheff Utd	20	-11		20
18		West Ham	20	-14		18
19		Charlton	20	-20		13
20		Watford	19	-14		11

Half-time report - Top of the class

Class, it is often asserted, is permanent, while form may be temporary. Nonetheless, there are players at every club who, no matter classy, will be hoping to maintain their stellar level of performance for the rest of the campaign. They are the players leading the way for the end-of-season awards at their respective clubs. They are:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=397301&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Charlton 2-2 Fulham: Pardew foiled at the death

McBride nets yet another as Fulham nick a point...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199282&cc=5901

Injuries Leave Chelsea Vulnerable

Chelsea's newfound ability to ship goals may prompt Jose Mourinho to splash out this January.

The team that has it all has unexpectedly been found wanting. Chelsea, the double Premiership champions, have been struck with an injury crisis in defence that looks like undermining their campaign for a third successive title.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/12/28/chelsea_face_home_truths_as_in.html

All signs point to the impending arrival of Beckham

The mystery of whether David Beckham will come to the U.S. to play for Major League Soccer has been beset by a lot of tangential arguments.

People get sidetracked into discussions as to whether such a move would torpedo the slim chance the famous midfielder might have to regain his spot on the English national team, whether such an arrival would do for MLS what Pele's once did for the North American Soccer League and whether Beckham would use such a transfer as an opportunity to launch a film career.

Firofoto/WireImage

Signing David Beckham would be a coup for the Galaxy.

Left behind in the speculation is the central question: Is this going to happen?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=397097&root=mls&cc=5901

Jay DeMerit: It's lonely at the bottom

Watford's American defender discusses his struggling side's fight to stay up...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=demerit_jay

Boxing Day Round Up...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=397624&cc=5739

The boy's on fire...

Old Trafford warming to the white-hot skills on offer from Ronaldo.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2518779,00.html

Lawro...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6207795.stm

TSB:

BLUES Vs ROYALS 3-0
SPURS Vs VILLIANS 1/1
IRONS Vs POMPEY 2/2
ROVERS Vs POOL 0/1
WHITE MEN Vs TOON 2/2
TOFFEES Vs BORO 2/0
RED DEVILS Vs LATICS 4/0
BLADES Vs CITIZENS 1/1
GLORY HORNET BOYS Vs GOONERS 0/2
HADDOCKS Vs COTTAGERS 1/0

Revenge is in the air...

Lampard lights fuse as Reading prepare to enter hostile territory.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2518938,00.html

Pardew replaces Reed at Charlton

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/6208387.stm