Sid Lowe's Book, What's In Your Wallet?, Serie A, Deaths for Qatar 2022, Podcast

You all know we love Sid Lowe. Hopefully you do too. He's got a book coming out, apparently. His employers, The Guardian, have graced us with an extract that accounts the night Figo returned to Barcelona after bailing on the Blaugrana for Real Madrid. The fans were not too pleased with the Portuguese winger, and threw a pigs head on the pitch. Several SSN Staff watched that match together and it's fun to reminisce on what was an incredible night over ten years ago.



Meanwhile, all eyes were on Luis Suarez at Old Trafford yesterday, but it was Manchester United who took the spoils in their League Cup clash against Liverpool as Chicharito finished nicely for the only goal of the match. Alistair Magowan was there and filed this report. In the other biggie of the night, West Brom and Arsenal went all the way to penalties before the London side headed home with the win thanks to Nacho netting the final spot-kick. John Percy was at The Hawthorns where a certain Nick Bendtner played a game!!?? Here's the draw for Round Four. Certainly, Chelsea's trip to Arsenal stands out amongst the fixtures.

There's a Podcast today -- James Richardson is joined in the pod by Paul MacInnes, Barry Glendenning and Jacob Steinberg to review the midweek action, as Luis Suarez returned for Liverpool, and Nicklas Bendtner for Arsenal. Juan Mata, David Luiz and Fernando Torres returned for Chelsea against Swindon, ahead of the weekend's big clash with Spurs. Sid Lowe joins us to discuss all matters Madrid, while speculations continue about the potential formation of the Glendenning/Wilson managerial axis at Sunderland.

It was a wacky Wednesday in Italy as leaders Napoli lost the top spot to Roma following their shock home draw to Sassuolo. Here's a review of all the action. And Paolo Bandini filed a special midweek report. Check it here.

Spain saw some action as well. Terrible defending and a dodgy penalty helped Real Madrid win. Here's a wrap.

More on Mata? Here. Jermaine Defoe? We've never been much of a fan. He embodies a lot of what is wrong with professional footballers. Turns out, he's doing some good! Well done, son.

Bloody hell. As if Qatar 2022 were not a complete wreck already, we've now got a report from The Guardian that claims Qatar World Cup construction 'will leave 4,000 migrant workers dead'. Apparently they are being forced to work in slave-like conditions. FIFA, FIFA, FIFA. Fucking Inept Football Association filled with criminals.

We'll finish with a tad more on Paolo Di Canio. Henry Winter sums up our feelings quite well: "Goodbye and Good Riddance."

-SSN