Scholes nearly fit

Scholes may be back for fourth round tie with Spurs, it goes without saying what tremendous news that is http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1032787_scholes_eyes_cup_return


Febian Brandy is going to division one outfit Swansea city on loan for the rest of the season. It sounds like he must be highly regarded at the club, they haven't wasted any time sending him out on loan. I have always liked the look of him, although his size has been and still is a bit of a worry. When i first saw him in the youth team he was really small, but thankfully he has grown.

"The gaffer (Sir Alex Ferguson) spoke to me about going on loan to Swansea and said it would be a good move to gain experience and for my development. I'm looking forward to the challenge. My target is to get into the first team and show what I can do, score a few goals and help Swansea gain promotion. If I can do well for Swansea then perhaps the boss will give me a chance when I go back to United."

Swansea manager Roberto Martinez

"He is highly regarded at Old Trafford and we are grateful to Sir Alex for allowing him to join us. Sir Alex is a very impressive man and his footballing knowledge is second to none. It is a great compliment to Swansea City that we can attract players from the likes of Manchester United. Febian is a very exciting talent who we have been chasing for quite some time. He has great pace, skill and holds the ball up really well for his size."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/tables/default.stm

Ryan Shawcross moves to Stoke city for a fee of £1 million plus more depending on appearances
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/7176695.stm
I have seen him playing for Stoke a couple of times and he looks like yet another decent centre half that has come through the ranks at United who will go on to have a decent career in football. Let's hope one of Pique, Evans or Cathcart will actually come through and make it as a first team regular at united.

Events amongst the hierarchy don't get any easier to decipher at Loonypool
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3207360.ece

Keegan to be given big war chest?
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premier-league/article3347923.ece
The one thing all these ridiculous articles fail to appreciate is that top players want to play for clubs in the champions league. And they generally prefer to go clubs where the manager has a track record of actually winning things. Despite the absurd geordie hysteria for the return of their chosen one, what has he actually achieved at the highest level in management. One second place, where his team were 12 points clear at Christmas. But then saw a calamitous second half of the season, where his tactical nous was shown up for what it was and almost undoubtedly still is. And then when the inevitable happened and United took over at the top, we saw his other massive flaw, he can't stand the pressure as he duly showed the watching world, with his infamous " I'd just love it" rant. How can you be so delirious to have a man like that back in charge, it truly is laughable. This is also the man who admitted he wasn't up to the job as manager of England. Alright he is not alone in that, but to my mind he is up there in joint position with Graham Taylor as the worst England manager i have seen in my adult life. It's not exactly the CV of someone you would expect to lead you champions league glory is it.
And as for Ashley, he has just shown he is as big a clown as i had presumed. Well it will make him popular for the time being i suppose.
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premier-league/article3347923.ece

An interview with Stephen Fretwell from the times
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/tables/default.stm

And a piece from last Saturdays guardian on the emerging Manchester folk scene
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2238438,00.html
Chorlton where quiet is the new loud

Larry Elliot on bubble economics
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2242822,00.html
Jeremy Warner says banks face regulatory backlash
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/comment/article3348039.ece
We can only hope

Good news for Salford RL fans, as the new stadium constructio start date seems to edge closer
http://www.reds.co.uk/newsroom/2008/news319_170108.html