Welbeck for Blackpool

This seems a great move for the lad to me, if true, a seasons loan in the premier league will give him a good years experience and show us if he really has what it takes. Of course Fergie will have to disappoint his son, but that's football. I would seriously think about sending Macheda on loan for at least the first half of next season as well, preferably to a premier league club.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1282966/Blackpool-tempt-Manchester-United-starlet-Danny-Welbeck-Premier-League-loan-deal.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Red knights to play a waiting game
http://menmedia.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1241560_red_knights_keep_up_pressure_on_glazers
It make sense, in fact it's almost certainly the best startegy for the long term health of the club. Let's see the next quarters results, if this set were not great what are the next sets going to be like. I think we all know.

James Lawton on the future difficulties for Fergie and United that the Glazer debt have brought to the club.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-mourinho-millions-and-glazer-debt-are-painting-ferguson-into-a-corner-1987536.html

Another supposed United target, Modric, signs a new 6 year deal at Spurs.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/modric-ends-united-speculation-by-signing-longer-spurs-deal-1987539.html

Vidic has been in the headlines for Serbia for recent days, but we have heard nothing over his future at United. Hopefully that is good news and there is nothing to wory about, but with Mourinho now in Madrid and all the rumours last year linking the big Serb with a big money move there will it stay that way. Watching Ferdinand holding his groin in the second half against Japan and confirming me in my belief that there is no way he will play in every game this summer, you have got to hope so. I still believe Ferdinand will not play any more games in the premier league next season than he has the season past.
http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6183322,00.html

Henry Winter discusses the Lampard Gerrard conundrum. I suppose they could work with a holding midfielder behing them in a midfiled three. There wouldn't be much creativity in that team though would there.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7790955/England-World-Cup-squad-to-make-Gerrard-Lampard-partnership-work-ask-Jose-Mourinho.html

Vic Marks writes that Middlesex bowler Steve Finn who took 9 wickets against Bangladesh in the last test is here to stay. He is a big guy who gets some bounce alright.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/may/31/steven-finn-england-bangladesh-cricket

Will Hutton is the latest economic commentator to write that he is not very optimistic about the future of Europe and the Eurozone.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/30/will-hutton-germany-euro-crisis

Stephanie Flanders worries about inflation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/2010/05/time_to_worry_about_inflation.html

Anatole Kaletsky isn't worried about inflation he is worried about economists not learning the lessons of the credit crunch that their old monetarist models have failed.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article7141345.ece

Larry Elliot writes along the same lines. We must innovate and find what actually works in the real world not in the prejudices and mathematical world of pre credit crunch world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/31/world-crisis-economic-experimentation

Polly Toynbee is sorry that david Laws had to resign the way he did, but not that he is out of the cabinet. I can't argue with any of that and the last sentence is totally on the money.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/31/david-laws-cuts-agenda
I am certain he will cross the floor to the tories at some time.

Robert Fisk on the wests inability to see the middle east picture properly. Written before yesterday's trigger happy storming of that aid floatilla.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-power-to-change-1983794.html

The Times bemoans Israel's counter productive storming of the Gaza aid floatilla.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article7141295.ece

Some classic Royksopp from Glastonbury

decision week for red knights

Red knights to decide on bid next week
http://blogs.news.sky.com/kleinman/Post:66bcb3d2-6af0-4f1c-8c90-22938c725cc7

Or according to the Times the bid has been put on ice. That would be disappointing but not totally disastrous. If they are playing a long game to buy the club at a lower price, long term it would be good for the club. I'm still totally convinced that they will be forced into selling the club at some point.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article7140159.ece

The Times carry on with the story that Fergie will have a big say in choosing his successor. Is that supposed to appease the banks or bondholders.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7139933.ece

Mourinho has mapped his future out and wants to end up at old trafford according to the news of the world. As much as that is a comic of a paper and as much as i don't want him anywhere near old trafford if the Glazer's somehow do manage to stay here i could see them offering him what he wants to come here. Another reason to want them out.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/830572/MOURINHO-CONVINCED-HELL-SUCCEED-FERGIE.html

An Observer interview with bumble. I love my cricket and i love listening to his commentary, he is a scream at times. Of course like all the best cricket commentators, Boycott, Atherton and Lloyd himself he's a red. I don't think i would be quite as confident as he appears to be that they will retain the ashes in the winter. But this is the best chance they have had as long as i can remember.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/may/29/david-lloyd-england-ashes

The observer editorial argues for the resignation of Laws with the correct analysis of the situation.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/30/david-laws-resignation-mps-expenses
Of course he has done now, as Alexander is named as his replacement. The orange bookers seem to have gained the upper hand in the party even though numerically the left are their equal. I want to see a fight back, as i read Farron, i think say, they don't want to be the equivalent of the German FDP.

William Keegan's observer column takes aim at the revival of the treasury view. And praises Stephen D King's new book which seems to be gaining praise all round the board at the moment.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/30/treasury-view-spending-cuts

This article puts forward a defence for sex in the city, and fails, it's shit.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/7783178/Why-do-women-love-Sex-And-The-City.html

John Peel's son takes up the mantle of his father and joins the BBC to champion new music.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article7115197.ece

Shostakovicth, one of my favourite composers.

United, financial model is a mess

According to football analyst in this mornings Guardian. It's nice to see a headline spell out exactly what we all know, we are in trouble. And you can forget all that pie in the sky talk about mobile phone rights. It will go the same way as all those millions of shirts we were going to sell in Asia and the millions we were going to make from pay per view TV deals in Asia.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/28/manchester-united-sell-players-debts

Patrick Barclay blasts the failed free market philosophy still prevailing at the top of the English game.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/patrick_barclay/article7139452.ece

Glazer's pledge transfer funds despite debt going up. Just who are they kidding.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7139625.ece

Gill's Indy interview continued. More total bollocks. When they leave our club, im sorry, he just has to follow them swiftly out.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sell-rooney-to-real-in-the-summer-no-chance-1986039.html

I don't possibly see how David Laws can keep his job as chief secretary to the treasury after the latest revelations. The issue of keeping his private life, private, doesn't wash i'm afraid. How on earth can one of the men responsible for taking the tough economic decisions, be anything other than squeaky clean. I've always thought he was tory trapped in the wrong party, everything about this confirms my belief.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/laws-claimed-16340000-to-rent-rooms-from-partner-1986315.html
Interesting speculation on the Torygraph's motives in this article
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6040913/can-he-stay-or-must-he-go.thtml

Another article to support the Laws as Tory view
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6041183/lib-dems-split-on-cgt.thtml

Carig Murray has been more impressed with him than i have been, but nonetheless argues he must resign.
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2010/05/david_laws_must.html#comments

The Euro in even more trouble with Spain's credit rating downgraded. I still think it's bizarre that a profession that should have been brought into disrepute can still have this amount of influence on the world's economies and democracies.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/europe/article7139449.ece

Marina Hyde on the PR blunder that made Alistair Campbell look like the voice of reason.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/28/alastair-campbell-question-time

Steve Hackett, a blast from the past, i think i saw him at the apollo around the time of the making of this.

Gill opens his mouth

and would have been better keeping it shut. It's not an exactly a hard hitting interview, i would love to see him grilled on the raio or TV by somone who knew what he or she was talking about. No i know it's not going to happen. I hope the Panorama programme really rips into the whole rotten regime in control of our club.
As usual he doesn't really answer any of the hard questions. What does, we are living within our means, actually mean other than we are constrained by the debt. Of course we wouldn't have been if they had never took us over with an aggressive takover plan laden with risk. He is quite right to say it is judgemental, what opinions your take on the gimps taking money out of United are. We know what 99% of United fans opinion would be when it is laid out in black and white how much they are taking out and what they are probably doing with it. New house anyone!
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/gill-hits-back-at-green-and-gold-1984930.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/david-gill-sir-alex-is-not-restricted-financially-i-can-look-you-in-the-eye-and-say-that-1984929.html
David Gill, as well as the Glazer's are a stain on the history of Manchester United football club.

Andersred responds to the latest quarterly reports.
http://andersred.blogspot.com/2010/05/q3-results-first-thoughts.html

United not for sale announce Glazer's, what else is new
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/28/manchester-united-not-for-sale-glazers
Well we can only hope that they are not for sale in the same sense as United were not for sale in 2005.

United have not spoken to the makers of the panorama programme due to be aired soon. I wasn't really expecting it, it looks like the Gill interview in the Independent is supposed to be a response. Which makes it an even more pathetic effort, this panorama better be good. John Sweeney is good, but panorama is not the bastion of investigative journalism that it once was. Oh for a World in Action, we know what happened to Louis Edwards after that toook his reputation and shredded it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7773118/Manchester-United-finances-under-Glazers-to-be-subject-of-BBC-Panorama-investigation.html

City in a rush to sign new players to beat UEFA' s new rules
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article7138597.ece

The Times football fans survey show ticket prices being tooh high is the top priority for majority of fans. No surprise there.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7138559.ece

Simon Jenkins isn't impressed by Gove's big idea for education. And i'm with him, all anybody without an agenda wants are good local scools.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/27/michael-gove-free-schools-admissions-policy

David Blanchflower is not happy with the first tranche of government spending cuts.
http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/2010/05/banks-government-growth-cuts

James Dyson wants Britain to regain its place as world leader in technology. So do i, but though the tories under Cameron may lean futher to the centre than for many a blue moon, they still believe in the primacy of the market as do the orange book tendency liberals in the cabinet.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/7772459/Britain-can-become-a-world-leader-in-technology-but-it-will-need-a-cultural-change.html

Ricardo Villalobos

Hernandez scores

If he is granted a work permit, new boy Nernandez scored a consolation goal for Mexico as the Dutch won 2-1. I was quite impressed with the Dutch in the first half, expecially with a quite a few players rested. Going forward they were pretty good. They put England's unimpressive display against Mexico into perspective.
As for our new player, that three halves of live football i have seen him in now. First thing that has to be said is Mexico aren't a great team and he hasn't had much decent service in the last two games. But i haven't been that encouraged by what i have seen so far, i have got to admit. Even allowing for the lack of service his lack of contribution to the team overall was Owenesque. He doesn't seem like a player that you could remotely think about playing up front alone as he doesn't seem to have the strength or skill to keep the ball.
After the last month of the last campaign it became obvious that if we were to buy a new striker we needed someone who can play up front alone to come in for Rooney. We seem to have bought another " potential " player who could be anything.
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/572/internationals/2010/05/27/1944673/netherlands-2-1-mexico-manchester-united-new-boy-javier

Redknapp tells the press that Modric won't be going anywhere.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281805/Tottenham-boss-Harry-Redknapp-slams-door-shut-Luka-Modric-suitors-Manchester-United-Chelsea.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Mike Atherton on international cricket and the " rotaion system ".
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article7137272.ece

Anatole Kaletsky on " Lehman the sequal " starring Angela Merkel.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article7136556.ece
Another writer that seems to have twigged that the German government has been less than up to the task.

Next left on the battle of free market liberalism and a more egalitarian based liberalism. Well i was surprised that the lib dems picked Clegg as leader and the lurch to the orange book free market was entirely predicatable. I hope the liberal left does fight back because if the party does go down a German free democrat path i will be left without a party.
http://www.nextleft.org/2010/05/coming-battle-for-liberalism.html
It has to be said Clegg and especially Laws look like tories in waiting.

Nick Cave's Grinderman

Glazer day on the beeb

Happy 26.5. A night never to beaten as long as i live. Eleven years ago, how times fly.

And with a panorama episode to come next week. First Robert Peston writes that the red knights buyout attempt looks dead in the water. All the noises and reports seem to point to the same conclusion, which is a huge disappointment and depressing as fuck.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2010/05/red_knights_in_retreat.html

Meanwhile David Bond writes that the Glazer's have started to brief journalists and unbelievably think the debt is nothing to worry about.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/2010/05/glazers_in_no_rush_to_pay_off.html

Paul Kelso in the Telegraph reports that they will not take money out of the club to pay off the PIK debt " this year ".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7765397/Glazer-family-to-keep-cash-in-Manchester-United-coffers-for-now.html
It makes me laugh and shake my head when yet another way of fleecing " supposed " United is announced and the press just accept that it is definitely going to happen. How much do we make from selling shirts in Asia?

Corry Evans has been away with the Northern Ireland senior squad. It's always good for United if some of our youngsters can get international experience.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/corry-evans-emerging-from-the-shadows-for-northern-ireland-14818914.html

Is new Mexican signing Hernandez going to get a work permit, as his international record will not qualify him. I'm not sure how they can qualify him as an exceptional talent, what's he done to prove that.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7765452/Manchester-United-to-highlight-Javier-Hernandez-talent-in-bid-to-secure-work-permit.html

David Conn's Guardian column praises Platini's plans for UEFA's plans for financial reform of European football
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/may/26/michel-platini-uefa-club-finances

David Moores, the man who sold Liverpool out to Gillet and Hicks pleads with them to sell up. Unbelievably he sees no reason to aplogise for selling to the men who have sunk the club to the brink of slipping out of the lite of the game.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7136622.ece

Hamish McRae thinks the world's main economies are inching forwards despite the spooked markets. I hope he's right, but i'm not that optimistic.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/hamish-mcrae/hamish-mcrae-the-market-panic-neednt-unnerve-us-1982688.html

I think we can safely assume Paul Mason of newsnight doesn't ascribe to that view with this alarming view of the markets, Europe and what the future could hold. The irony of this being what he fears is what the European Union was invented to prevent.
http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/2010/05/europe-crisis-spain-ecb

Music

Big star - No 1 record: One of the classic cult bands according to the music press, i have to admit i had never heard of them never mind actually listened to them. After to listening to their debut album, i can't argue, this is a top album. How they never broke through, commercialy, i can't imagine. They seem like they were made for 70's US rock radio.

Chew lips - Unicorn: A cracker from this year next, with this electro pop belter. I haven't got a clue what gets in the singles charts these days, but there are a fair few candidates on this i would have thought.

Deerhoof - Friend opportunity: San Francisco's experimental indie outfit blend some great pop hooked indie with moments of a more leftfield flavour. And they do it pretty well on this effort from 2007. I imagine the Japanese vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki would be a bit of an aquired taste for some though.

Pavement - Crooked rain, Crooked rain: I had meant to listen to these for ages until i finally got round to listening to their debut not so long ago. I thought that was a blinding album so i wasn't going to give it too long before i had another taste of this superb US indie outfit that have been playing gigs in this country recently. Another brilliant rock album, is my verdict.

Richard Hawley - Truelove gutter: I loved Coles corner but wasn't overstruck by his last effort but one of Sheffield's finest has come up trumps again with this. It took a few listens to get over the sparse nature of the album but it was worth the trouble.

Sonny Rollins - Freedom suite: A classic bop album from one of jazz's greatest ever Saxophonists. The first track is absolutely superb. I can't find any Rollins versions of this so this will have to do.

Wild beasts - Two dancers: I first saw these on Jools Hooland's Later and liked what i heard. And this their second album didn't let me down. It is superb and they have a totally unique sound that seems to totally fit the vocalists high pitched tone.

Rodwell stays at Goodison

According to some sources he was our top summer target. I liked the look of him it's got to be said, and if we had bought just one player this summer i would have been happy for it to have been him. After signing that extension, how much is he going to cost when he eventually leaves Everton as he undoubtedly will. If the Glazer's are still here, that will probably rule us out of that auction.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/everton/7760655/Jack-Rodwell-dreams-of-wearing-England-shirt-as-Everton-player-after-signing-new-deal.html

Red knights to meet again this week, talks are progressing, whatever that means. It says here that we are being encouraged to leave renewal as late as possible. That's news to me, all i've seen are the e-mails asking if we intend to renew or when we will renew. That isn't the same thing as asking us to leave renewal as late as possible. I still want this to succeed as getting rid of the leeches is the most important task for the future of this club. I'm more and more convinced though, if is successful, MUST and all us reds that hoped for at least the semblence of a club run in the interests of the fans are go to be sdaly disappointed by the results.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1240849_red_knights_wind_up_for_next_battle?all_comments=1

I don't mind Martin Samuel as a journalist, but he seems to have a big downer on the red knights. That would be fair enough if he gave us some facts or even reasons as to why, but every time i read him slagging them off i don't see any.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1280674/Martin-Samuel-Lord-Sugar-youre-hired--The-FA-doesnt-need-ego.html

Carrick fails the audition writes James Burt in the Telegraph as he fails to impress against Mexico at Wemble last night. He wasn't the only one who didn't set the world alight last night and did improve slightly after the break. But his first half just carried on the piss poor form we've witnessed at United for the second half of this season. Thank fuck Scholes signed up for another year. But what happens when he retires. I suppose what makes the Carrick situation so frustrating is the knowledge that the talent is there, it's just the belief in his own ability.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7761878/England-World-Cup-squad-Michael-Carrick-fluffs-finals-audition.html

As Matt Dickinson writes it's not hard to see why Capello decided to try to pesuade Scholes one last time.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7135598.ece

Michael Holding interviewed in the Times reveals he shares my dislike for T20 cricket
http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2010/05/exclusive-twenty20-is-not-cricket-says-michael-holding.html

The markets turn their attention to Spain as the Eurozone's woes continue.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article7135755.ece

Italy to inflict pain to avoid wrath of markets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/25/italy-slash-deficit-avoid-greece-crisis

George Monibot on the failiure of efforts to make Oxbridge access fair. I like the Peter Wilby solution even though the establishment will never allow that to happen in a million years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/24/oxbridge-access-fair-top-universities

Booka shade

Dream team ?

Rooney and Gerrard, the dream ticket for Capello, argues Alan Hansen
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7756833/Alan-Hansen-Wayne-Rooney-and-Steven-Gerrard-are-Englands-dream-attacking-team.html

Will we get a glimpse of new boy Hernandez tonight in England's friendly with Mexico. And will the pitch allow Capello to play Rooney and Rio.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1280699/WORLD-CUP-2010-Manchester-Uniteds-new-boy-Javier-Hernandez-says-hello-UK.html

James Lawton salutes the special ones lesson in substance over style. It wasn't a bad final but whilst they were two decent teams there were no real stand out players, though Milito gave it a good shot with the performance of the day and two excellently took goals that i thought was the difference between the two sides.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-special-ones-school-of-science-is--a-lesson-in-substance-over-style-1981163.html

Ruth Sutherland on a battle that governments can't afford to lose.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/23/angela-merkel-short-selling-ban

Michael Winterbotton interviewed in the Observer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/may/23/michael-winterbottom-killer-inside-me

Comets on fire

The protests will continue

Jim White promises the Glazer's that though the news on the red knights seems less than promising today the forces ranged against them won't be going away any time soon. If they are still here next season, i will be amazed if we don't start to see direct action sooner raher than later.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7746730/Manchester-United-protesters-united-for-long-haul-against-Glazer-family.html

The Times explain why the Glazer's took on the PIK loans.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7130208.ece

MUST hits back at the Glazer PR operation. Unfortuantely it didn't do it very well, as it refused at first to believe that the source was via a red knight. The way it changed the statement later would suggest that they now do believe it came via a rd knight source. What does that say about the co-operation between the two groups. Depressingly, it doesn't sound very promising.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/united-fans-group-hits-out-at-glazer-spin-1978668.html
And all this when Ferguson is in North America trying to drum up business for the gimps when he would normally be in the south of France. Sometimes i wonder whether he really is in bed with them.

Steven Howard explains why United fans should be very very worried. I am.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/2981211/Steven-Howard-United-fans-have-every-reason-to-worry-about-Glazer-ownership.html

The BBC's David Bond describes this as a key period in the battle for control of Manchester United.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/2010/05/key_period_in_the_battle_for_m.html

Ferguson praises Berbatov and promises he will still be at Old Trafford next season. We aren't buying a centre forward next season then.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7132450.ece

James Murdoch a chip of the old block. Is he the most dangerous man in Britain.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/british-library-newspaper-archive-plan-riles-murdoch-1978970.html

US senate approves Wall street reforms. Good are we going to foloow suit now, or are we going to try and do it better.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-senate-approves-wall-st-reform-bill-1979068.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/21/wall-street-reform-obama-banking-shakeup

Stephanie Flanders on the Germans and short selling.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/2010/05/dont_sell_germany_short.html

David Blanchflower declares a truce with Osborne for the almost the length of a column. He makes good points about Mervyn King.
http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2010/05/osborne-bank-king-government

Possibly the best rock band in the world today ? Queens of the stone age

Bid doomed to fail?

Most of the broadsheets run with the story that figues behind the red knights expect bid to fail. If that really is the feeling, then that is truly terrible news for the club. There are no quotes to back up the stories, but there have been murmurings in various outlets in recent weeks that things weren't going well. I suppose all we can hope that maybe it's a game of double bluff, and yesy i know that's a bit desperate.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/red-knights-dream-is-destined-to-fail-over-glazers-valuation-of-united-1977466.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/19/red-knights-manchester-united
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1279762/Manchester-Uniteds-debt-spiralling-Red-Knights-wont-rescuing-club-Glazers.html
I still think the Glazer's will sell out at some point, but if not to the red knights then to who is the worry. I'm under no illusions about the red knights, it looks to me like they have been using MUST for their own ends. But at least there were some figures within that group who at least understood the history and values of the club. I would much prefer that to an Abramovitch or a load of no nothing but filthy rich Arabs or Asians.

As Barca sign Villa and look like they will land Fabegas, James Ducker reports Fergie's statement that there may be no or just one signing as worrying for United fans. You can say that again. Barca have made a statement of intent, what exactly have we done except announced to the world that we are skint and expect to stay skint. As for the statement that we may have been in for Villa, i can't believe that for a second. I could see the Glazer's selling Rooney and then selling United before them buying a player of that quality.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/05/villa-signing-will-leave-united-fans-feeling-uneasy.html

United to bid £15 million for Rodwell, according to the Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7743818/Manchester-United-to-make-first-move-for-15m-rated-Everton-teenager-Jack-Rodwell.html

Cameron neuters 1922 committee, it would seem he really is taking the right of his party on in a big way. As James Forsyth says it may be tactically smart but what about long term. If this coalition fails the knives will be well and truly out. The one certainty that i have learnt from the actions from the coalition so far is that Cameron wants and desperatly needs it last the five years. The same could probably said about Clegg, i just don't think to quite the same extent.
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6013028/camerons-move-is-tactically-smart-but-strategically-foolish.thtml

Anthony Barnett gives us twelve immediate reflections on the coalition.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/05/coalition-labour-dems-preserve

Jeremy Warner on the Germans shhoting themselves in the foot over selling short.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/currency/7741925/Shooting-the-messenger-wont-save-the-euro.html
Dan Roberts has an entirely different take on the matter. I haven't had much time for Merkel's abilities but if Roberts was right i may have to revise my opinion, though whether her ministry is right or not i don't know. Europe can't go on as it has though.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/dan-roberts-on-business-blog/2010/may/19/viewpoint-german-short-selling

Timothy Garton Ash worries that Europe is sleepwalking into decline.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/19/europe-sleepwalk-decline-wake

Jack Penate

Financial wizards

The Glazer's are not. As analysts had predicted it looks like interest rates will be lifted by the 2 % penalty incurred for breaking the rules of the loan. Does this make it more or less likely they will sell. If the loan was structured by Goldman Sachs as guessed at in the comments let's hope that O'neill has some inside knowledge of what is really going on.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7130227.ece

Ferguson plays down summer transfer activity, there's a coincidence.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/18/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united

Even though he is selling Foster to Birmingham he still thinks he is England's best number one. I know this country is not blessed with great number ones, but we would be in an even worse state than i think we are if he really was the best number one. When i think back to growing up in the seventies and all the grea goalies that were around then, what went wrong.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7738973/Ben-Foster-is-Englands-best-goalkeeper-says-Manchester-Uniteds-Sir-Alex-Ferguson.html

Fabregas to ask to leave Arsenal for Barcelona. The most worrying aspect for Arsenal are the reasons given. It doesn't seem to be love of hometown Barca but no confidence in the ability of Arsenal to compete for top honours. Seeing as though he probably won't walk straight into the Catalns first eleven at least that seems realistic.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/wenger-faces-his-worst-nightmare-after-fabregas-finally-decides-to-join-barccedila-1976278.html

Henry Winter on the white elephant that is Wembley. There isn't a sentence of that i can quibble with. They have really got what they deserved and i wouldn't mind on us missing out on the world cup if that proves another disaster for that incompetent organisation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7734538/Henry-Winter-Wembley-would-be-fitting-tombstone-when-the-day-comes-to-bury-FA.html
If they did win the bid would England play all their games at Wembley as they have in the past. If they did, that would surely be such a big handicap you wouldn't be able to back them, even if they had a half decent team.

Geoff Boycott salutes the slectors for Englans T20 triumph on Sunday. It was a great performance and the best team of the torunament did win. It's a pity there are so many foreign born players though. Nasser Hussain asked Ian Bishop whether it mattered to him that England had three South African born players and an Irishman, to which he replied no. Fair enough, but it's more for the development of English players coming through the ranks i worry.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/7733768/Geoffrey-Boycott-England-at-last-use-their-brains-to-conquer-all-in-ICC-World-Twenty20.html

Simon Heffer really doesn't have much time for Cameron and his coalition.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/simonheffer/7737948/Only-a-Tory-without-principles-would-demonise-the-Right.html

Larry Elliot on the threat to the bank's credibilty of unexpected rises in the inflation rate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/18/inflation-analysis-larry-elliott

Steve Richards writes about the coalitions idea's for rolling back the state.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/steve-richards/steve-richards-this-is-a-sincere-and-coherent-vision-for-rolling-back-the-state-but-will-it-work-1976425.html

Pop Levi

Neville surprised

At Capello's decision to take just one specialist right back to South Africa this summer. To be fair to Capello he isn't exactly spoilt for choice in the position. I don't rate Johnson myself, he isn't bad going forward but he can't defend for toffee. I wouldn't be surprised to see Milner end up as first choice in that position by the end of England's tournament, so that would be either the quarter or semi finals then. Whatever defensive permutation they put out, with the injuries and lack of form in these positions i can't see England's defence being good enough to see them through to the final unless the draw is very very kind to them.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7129102.ece

Berbatov is still un happy with his treatment at the hands of the press. Well if he does stay, it will be in his hands to shut them up next season. On balance i think he will stay, if only for our lack of money.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7735370/Manchester-Uniteds-Dimitar-Berbatov-frustrated-by-rumours-of-Old-Trafford-exit.html

The Times point out that almsot three quarters of the clubs belonging to the premier league conduct their business in offshore tax havens. Fucking scandalous.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7127776.ece

According to the Torygraph Fergie persuaded Capello that there was noe way that he could pick Hargreaves for South Africa. I'm amazed that he was apparently wanted to.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/7728905/England-World-Cup-squad-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-Ferguson-vetoed-Owen-Hargreaves-call-up.html

Is the world cup bid in trouble as Triesman quits as head of chairman of world cup bid.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7127927.ece

Mary Riddell and Steve Richards on the new problems to be faced by labour in opposition to the coalition.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/maryriddell/7734668/Labour-is-a-war-party.-How-will-it-cope-with-the-outbreak-of-peace.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/steve-richards/steve-richards-big-tents-dont-have-room-for-all-1975646.html

Cruddas rules himself out of the race to be the next leader of the labour party. He does make some excellent points on immigration and labours refusal to protect agency workers and not raise the minimum wage.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/17/jon-cruddas-labour-leadership-race

Ashdown accuses Milliband of frustrating the possibility of lib lab coalition. If that is to assuage his own base then fair enough, but if that's an honest assessment then i think that is probably totally unfair to Milliband. How could he go along with it if he couldn't take the majority of his party with him, especially with a leadership contest to come up.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lord-ashdown-says-liblab-deal-frustrated-by-david-miliband-1974686.html

Kennedy abstained on the vote to enter a coalition with the tories amongst other rumblings that all is not sweetness and light behind the the scenes amongst the Lib Dems.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/16/charles-kennedy-coalition-views

Dominic Lawson on the conceit of the left over the term " progressive "
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article7127717.ece

John Rentoul describes the coalition as a tory takeover, that is my worry. If that is Cameron's intention he will have to be one hell of a skillful politician to pull this off. How are the tory right going to warm to this idea.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-rentoul/john-rentoul-this-is-not-a-merger-its-a-takeover-1974510.html

Will Hutton writes that the coalition willd ejudged a success or failiure by Osborrne and cables attempts at reform of the banking system.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/16/cable-osborne-coalition-economy

Richard Herring is interviewed in the Independent and discusses offensiveness in comedy.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/richard-herring-on-the-offensive-1974931.html

Manchester's very own, A certain ratio

United over reliant on Rooney

Well at least they have correctly identified one of last seasons deficiencies, the failiure to replace Ronaldo and Tevez adequately. The latest rumour has been that we were were after Anelka. If we do manage to find a top striker, with whatever money we have available, a big if, would they be happy playing second fiddle to Rooney though. And it would surely mean saying, thank you but goodbye to Owen or Berbatov, as you can only have so many forwards on your books.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/14/sir-alex-ferguson-wayne-rooney

Scholes asked Fergies advice over world cup recall.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/14/paul-scholes-england-call-up-ferguson

Fergie is keen to sign Rodwell from Everton to keep a British core at the heart of the future of the United squad. I'm glad to hear that, it would be nice if some ot the young Mancunian talent in the youth set up can force their way into those plans. Of course we have Cleverley coming into the first team picture as well next season. It's a pity things didn't go as well for Cathcart i thought he looked as good as Evans when i watched him play for the youth team. We have had some talent come through at centre half when you look at the players plying their trade in the football leagues now. Pique, Evans, Shawcross, McShane and who knows who else to come.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7127162.ece

Yet another club in financial difficulties, this time it's Preston.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/8683899.stm

John Denham, a labour MP and thinker i have a lot of time for states the case for serius rethink of Labour's policies.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/13/labour-fairness-denham-election
As one of the few Labour ministers to resign his seat over the Iraq war, he is always worth listening to.

Stephanie Flanders on the economic give and take inherent in the Lib Con coalition
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/2010/05/give_and_take.html

Left foot forward asks if the Cable and Osborne show can last
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/05/the-george-and-vince-show-may-get-ugly/

Jeremy Warner on how the Greek crisis changed Europe and the implication for both Europe and for our new coalition of europhobes and europhiles.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/jeremy-warner/7725915/The-face-of-Europe-is-now-changed-for-ever.html
I would class myself as europhile but not a fan of a monetarist Eurozone. So this will have to be watched closely.

I'm going lessen the politics on this blog for a bit now the election is done and dusted. As to the events of the last week, it wasn't what i expected or wanted. But i voted Liberal Democrat and i fully subscribe to their programme of constitutional reform, proportional representation and a more European system of government. So, once the conservatives offered the Lib dems the chance to form a coalition and dropped most, if not all of their nuttier and meaner manifesto policies, then i don't think the party had much option but to make the most of it.
Especially so, when as soon as the cat was let out of the bag, that there had been talks between Labour and the liberals, the old labour tribalists came out against a coalition. Whether it was because they can't abide PR and the idea of not governing alone, the dilution of Labour's socialistic aims( joke) or the more realistic assertion that the they had lost the election and the numbers weren't there anyway, for once, they were right. But you have the feeling if they'd have had the seats that the tories had got that they would have still come on and said no deal. I get the feeling that the Guardianista dream of a progressive calition isn't going to happen any time soon
The option of a minority government held out no prospects for Liberal policies seeing the light of day any time soon, which left a coalition as being the best result for anyone on the centre left despite the histrionic and absurd claims of betrayal from some of what are supposedly rational voices of the left in the press. At least we won't get a proper Tory minority government for a year and then another election at which they would have been the only party able to afford it.
The Liberals have undoubtedly done the Labour party a favour if it can bring itself to take it, one that they don't deserve after 13 years of massive disappointment for anybody on the centre left. As John Denham says in that article above they have to take their time, learn the lessons of where they went wrong in office and make the neccessary policy reform. Which to me would be almost precisly the opposite of what they followed in office. More intervention by the state over the economy, meaning a root and branch reappraisal of the role of the city and the financial system. And far, far less intervention by the state in basically everything else. But as we saw on Tuesday night when Abbott, Reid et al popped up on our screens you are reminded that the labour party have never really been able to see a bigger picture so i'm not expecting them to take it. They seem to have reverted into it will be our turn next mode again when history should tell them that Blair aside, that has rarely been the case.
As for the Liberal Democrats, yes they have took a massive risk, but it was a once in a lifetime chance to attempt meaningful reform. Still it's galling to watch the way Clegg seems so comfortable around tories, he was always too right wing for me. I was going to write during the campaign that i could see him in a tory government one day if they weren't as Europhobic as they are.
I'm not sure AV is worth a referendum unless it is to try to lead the debate towards getting the electorate to see the iniquites of the present system. But fixed term parliaments are definitely the way to go. I saw somebody arguing that this was a nonesense because a government could still be brought down by a vote of no confidence. What crap, of course a goverment can still be brought down like that, and rightly so, but a government would no longer be able to call an election on the whim that it will win it, as at present. How Brown must wish he had gone to the country in 2007, but would that that have been democracy. As Henry Porter has said we will hopefully now have a full programme of measures to reverse the erosion of civil liberties that are as much of a stain on the Labour years as Iraq and the lies that led us down the path into that war.
It is going to be interesting to watch the Tories relationship with Europe as it seems that one of it's first acts has been to repeat Blair in reaffirming the " special relationship ". But of course the US administration usually like us to be constructively engaged in Europe. How do they square that with its overwhelmingly Europhobic activist base wishes. Then again the way Cameron seems to be trying to hog the centre ground it seems to me the right of the party may be in for a bit of a nasty shock as we seem like we may well get a entente cordiale with our European partners. At least compared to what we may have expected to get.
Of course that is if the Tory right don't rebel against the leadership, there seems to be some debate how strong the true Thatcherite believers still are. That is going to be fascinating to watch, because if they did it will probably make Major's troubles at the hands of the "bastards" look like a picnic. Because at the moment Cameron seems to be going to the left of Heath in Tory terms, and the right will not like that. From a left of centre perspective you can only hope that this would take at least tow to three years to happen. Maybe that would give the Lib Dems time to get some worthwhile reform through parliament. And the electorate would like what they see and see that Liberal reforms would be a better way for the country to go than a hard nosed resurgent Tory right. That would have at least given the Labour party time to have sorted itself out, hopefully for the better.
All of that may well be bollocks of course and Cameron may be the right winger some have taken him for and he will destroy the Lib Dems before defeating a Labout party that won't regain the middle clas vote at the next election. I don't believe that though, anyway, i have been reading quite a lot of British 18th and 19th history recently and the lesson from that is reform only comes along sporadically and often not when expected. So here's hoping.

Armando Ianucci's take on the last weeks events, he's covered all the bases.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/armando-iannucci-fear-and-loathing-have-mixed-with-a-yearning-optimism-1973937.html

Toots and the maytals

Berbatov quits international football

Berbatov retires from international football and pledges to stayand fith at the biggest club in the world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/13/dimitar-berbatov-bulgaria-manchester-united

Scholes to coach in Florida whilst England are in South Africa
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/12/paul-scholes-england-fabio-capello

Andy Cole reveals how important trying to gain a place in a world cup squad was to him and probably is for most players.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/andy-cole-i-know-the-pain-of-missing-out-on-a-world-cup-im-still-waiting-for-that-call-sven-promised-me-1972927.html

The latest fascinating column by football tactics expert Paul Wilson ponders the importance of possession after Inter's defeat of Barca.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/may/12/the-question-important-possession
The answer must be yes.

Rooney reveals he would like to go into management was he has finished playing, he revealed as he picked up the football writers player of the year.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7125993.ece

Cesc Fabregas declares that his next club will be Barca, surprise, surprise. And the even worse news for gooners is it sounds like he thinks the time is right.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fabregas-admits-desire-to-play-for-barccedila-and-wants-future-sorted-1972825.html

Spanish press go slighly over the top as Diego Forlan leads Athletico to victory over Fulham. Fulham did themselves proud but the right team won on the night. The longer the game went on there seemed only one likely winner. Once Zamorra's injury started to hamper his game Fulham lacked any kind of threat up front. And Diego was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch. I was suprprised one of the big clubs didn't come in for him after his first season at Athletico. I can only surmise that his time at old trafford puts them off. That would be a shame for him as i always thought you could see the talent at United, it was just a case of wrong time for him as he came when Ruud was probably the best centre forward in Europe.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7718663/Europa-League-final-Diego-Forlan-hailed-as-immortal-by-Spanish-press.html

David Aaronovitch argues that if Labour is serious about being progressive it must lead the campaign for electoral reform. After the last few days does he really think that is a serious proposition.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/david_aaronovitch/article7124535.ece

Henry Porter is delighted the iliberal new labour project has been shown the door by the electorate and see the difference straight away as this first statement shows the new administration means business on civil liberties. ""The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to reverse the substantial erosion of civil liberties under the Labour government and roll back state intrusion." . The full article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/henryporter/2010/may/12/coalition-proposals-civil-rights

Hamish McRae wonders where economic growth will come from.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/hamish-mcrae/hamish-mcrae-the-biggest-poser-for-the-new-government-where-will-the-growth-come-from-1972862.html

If this is true Merkel's reputation in Germany will probably go down the sink.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/14/nicolas-sarkozy-threatened-euro-withdrawal

The city is still worried what Cable's exact role in the government will be.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/city-holds-its-breath-as-cable-takes-over-at-bis-1972115.html
It looks like they will be safe unfortunately, as i can't see the tories upsetting their friends.

Johann Hari argues that the electorate didn't vote for this and fears the worst.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-this-is-not-what-the-people-voted-for-1972830.html

Farier Nelson seems to agree with Hari over the extent of of how far to the right the backbench of the tories are in contrast to their front bench leaders.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7125806.ece

OFT launches stock take into UK economic assets. I wonder if the new government will put a stop to this, the answers could be very embarrassing for tories and even the orange book wing of the lib dems.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/14/oft-launches-stock-take-of-uk-economic-assets

A tribute to the late great US comedian Bill Hicks gets the thumbs up in this Guardian review, i would have been watching it anyway.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/may/13/american-the-bill-hicks-story-review

Scouse outfit Clinic

Scholes no to Capello

Capello enquired whether he would be interested in being selected for the England world cup squad. But as usual, thankfully he said now he would sooner spend time with his family.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/11/paul-scholes-england-world-cup
I actually thought he might be tempted, this would have been his last opportunity to show that he was a top international even at the age of 35. And he would have had a manager that i'm sure would have appreciated him and would have put him at the centre of the team.

The decision to try to get to convince to persuade Scholes to come out of retirement shows Capello's problems in the centre of the park.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7123436.ece

Mark Ogden reckons Scholes won't lose any sleep over his decision to turn Capello's invitation down.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/markogden/100008187/paul-scholes-wont-lose-sleep-over-his-england-world-cup-retreat/

The Telegraph man also reviews United 2009-10 season.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7693354/Manchester-United-Premier-League-season-review-2009-10.html

Good luck to Fulham tonight. I don't usually take much notice of other English clubs in Europe but Hodgson has done such a superb job at Craven cottage that i hope he puts the icing on the cake tonight.

Ex Robin Cook advisor, David Clark, explains why this was not the long awaited progressive moment.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/05/progressive-politics-labour
Absolutetly spot on, i'm afraid. There were so many commentators on the centre left who got carried away by the possibilty of Lib-Lab deal it was frightening really. It was totally obvious that there was never the remotest chance of it coming off. I think half of them have forgotten how tribal the Labour party really is.

George Wheatcroft explains why he thinks Cameron never made the deal with the British public. I had forgot all about that last paragraph, but it does remind me why it's the Tories foreign policy world view that worries me as much as their economic policy. I'd like to think he will get better advice and show more jusdgement as prime minister. I suppose that is one positive outcome of him having to deal with a Lib Dem coalition partner. I have to say i'm not sure how they are going to get through four years of a coalition term when their views on Europe are so diametrically opposed.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/geoffrey-wheatcroft-a-shiny-new-face-but-yet-to-win-over-either-his-party-or-the-nation-1971197.html

Barry Legg argues that Cameron has sold out the Tory party in his desperation to become PM. The right is angry, but i suppose the question is, just how strong is that wing of the party now. If it stll holds some influence Cameron can expect plenty more of this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/11/davidcameron-tory-coalition-libdems

Matthew Norman bemoans the election arithmetic that left the Lib Dems snookered.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/matthew-norman/matthew-norman-poor-clegg-damned-if-he-did-1971196.html

Simon Jenkins doesn't think this is a coalition that has legs and can't see the Lib Dems keeping it's discipline. If it doesn't it is finished as third party i'm afraid to say. I suppose it could get away with one or two defections but it couldn't afford to lose a large tranche os say it's left wing. I can see why they are despondent, the last thing i wanted from this election was this result. And i would still sooner of seen them allow the Tories to from a minority administration. But where would they go, we have just had a reminder that there is still at least half of the Labour party that doesn't want to have anything to do with a progressive alliance, hate PR, don't put civil liberties high up there agenda and are at heart still old school Labour and union old school bully boys stitching up back room deals.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/11/david-cameron-toughest-hand

What role will Cable get in a new administration as the city turns nervous of the the outcome it had wanted.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/12/banks-fear-shakeup-conservative-lib-dem

Daniel Finkelstein on the huge gamble that Cameron has embarked on.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/daniel_finkelstein/article7123344.ece

Antibalas

Glazer's won't break wage structure

United will not break wage structure this summer as they attempt to reinvigorate the squad.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/united-will-not-break-wage-cap-for-benzema-1970576.html
As much as i detest them and know that there reasons for a wage cap are very different to ours, i support the club not spending silly wages as sooner or later they will have to come down anyway.

The Mail's Ian Ladyman reckons United will have £40 million to spend in the summer, without any quotes to back up the figure or whether that £40 million will be raised by selling players first.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1276823/40m-plus-spend-Manchester-United-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-t-break-bank-wage-war.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Unblievably Hargreaves may be on the brink of a call up to Capello's world cup squad as the Italian prepares to leave the injured Gareth Barry out.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/11/england-world-cup-gareth-barry-owen-hargreaves

The Red Knights believe United's worth has declined as the winds in football are likely to see all clubs valuation's fall.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/25bbfdba-5c60-11df-93f6-00144feab49a.html

Daniel Taylor wonders where United go now and what will happen to Berbatov. it was interesting to see that he wasn't sure what Berbatov's body language meant when he went off, because i wasn't sure either. Was it frustration that he had been took off or relief to be out of the firing line.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/may/11/manchester-united-premier-league-title

Armando Ianucci describes why he thinks the electorate gave our political class the result they think it deserves. The description of kelvin Mckenzie on election night slowly realising that the tories had failed is superb.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/armando-iannucci-the-result-perfectly-expresses-contempt-confusion-and-sheer-bloodymindedness-1969995.html

It's amazing how quickly this result and the bargaining going on have brought out the tensions involved in the internal coalitions of each of the three main parties. Here is a view from the tory right, their loathing of Cameron is pretty comprehensive. But how influential they are, is the question. Even though i think a Lib - Lab coalition would be a disaster, i suppose one good thing it could produce would be severe ructions in the tory party.
http://critical-reaction.co.uk/2626/10-05-2010-this-is-a-sell-out

The Tories very unhappy with Lib dems
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/7708045/Conservatives-anger-at-Nick-Cleggs-double-dealing.html

Jackie Ashley sets forward her view of what the Labour party should do if a Con - Lib deal comes about. After Reid, Abbott and Watson coming out last night against a deal with the Liberal Democrats is she sure that the Labour party will get anywhere near delivering all that.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/09/next-election-labour-cameron-clegg

Steve Richards explains why he thinks the Lib dems should do a deal with Labour but doesn't mention any of the problems that the lack of seats would bring about. Just because a Lib-Lab pactis the elction result you wanted, how can you argue for it if the seats aren't there to produce a government that would last long enough to do anything but prepare the way for a majority Tory government at the next election. The only way i could see it being succesful is if the Tories break out into civil war. But the one event that would stop that and unite the modernisers and the right of the Tory party would be a Lib-Lab pact. I'm afraid i have got to agree with a politician i never had much time for, John Reid, that it would be extremely harmful to the Labour party and the Lib dems.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/steve-richards/steve-richards-a-resignation-that-changes-everything-1970598.html
Iain Martin explains why Labour would almost certainly not be able to deliver PR.
http://blogs.wsj.com/iainmartin/2010/05/10/up-pops-john-reid-with-a-torpedo-aimed-at-browns-coalition-plans/
There is a lot of wishful thinking going on in the centre left of politics at the moment. Most Liberal opinion thought we had a chance to get a centre left coalition and maybe proper constitutional reform including PR. But the result whilst not as disastrous for the centre left as it looked as if it was going to be at one stage of Friday morning was nowhere good enough to proceed as if the electorate had given us a mandate for such big changes.

The Guardian explains confidence and supply, which is still what i think the least worst option to be.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/10/what-does-confidence-and-supply-mean

George Eaton thinks the Lib dems did better last week than is commonly thought. Except that whatever option they take this week will probably weaken their position at the next election which we all know will not be in four years time.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/05/lib-dems-seats-party-labour

Sholto Byrnes praises ex MP Evan Harris in the new statesman
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/05/evan-harris-secularism-pitcher

Blondie live performing Atomic, Clem Burke is a cracking drummer and they were a great group. Debbie Harry wasn't bad either.

Manchester United 4-0 Stoke city

I went to this match expecting nothing from Wigan at Stamford bridge and was just hoping we put in a decent performance and for us get the three points that at least made sure that the rent boys wouldn't have it handed on a plate for them. So from that point of view there are no grumbles from me, we were decent, scored four and kept going forward even when they must have known the season was over.
It was pretty obvious from the Stoke fans reactions the rent boys hadn't took long to take the lead. If there had been any doubt at the result down south an early Chelsea goal killed the doubt stone dead. I had said that i thought Chelsea might run riot if they scored early, and that's what they duly did helped by a sending off. I haven't watched any of yesterday's highlights and don't intend to. I couldn't stomach it yet and there will be no Sky sports news on freeview today at this household.
Fergie opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Rooney and Berbatov up front and the return of Ferdinand to central defence. Our best performer on the day, for me anyway, was Nani who was at the heart of many of our best moments. Berbatov missed two good chances with his head one of which glanced the top of the crossbar. The Bulgarian didn't have a bad game but once again his his body language was terrible. In defence Vidic had a great game as Fuller and Stoke seemed to be out for a scrap all aftrenoon. Ferdinand was ok but it seems to me that as well as not being 100% fit he may well be starting to lose the blistering acceleration that was so essential to his game. I hope that Vidic was serious when he said during last week that he wanted to stay.
It started to look it might turn into a meandering end of season game with nothing at stake when United finally converted a chance on the half hour. It wasn't the greatest goal you are ever likely to see as Fletcher took advantage of a Whitehead rebound to fire in from close range. The second didn't take long in coming as Berbatov made a surprisingly strong run down the left and managed to put in fine cross that Giggs made no mistake in finishing to make it two. The Stoke fans were going ballistic every time Chelsea scored so we all knew it was all pretty irrelevant, but how small time can you get. It was fair enough for the first couple as we all know for some bizarre reason they really hate us, but to be still be at it when the sixth and seventh was comical.
United came out at half time knowing that the season was definitely all over so it was to their credit that they kept trying and probing for more goals. And after 10 minutes of the half a superb move saw a mesmeric piece of skill from Rooney who turned his man inside out before his cross was put into his own net by ex red Higginbotham.
Ferguson now replaced Berbatov and Scholes with Gibson and Macheda. Gibson didn't impress me again and the way he played made me wonder whether he really wants to make it at United. He doesn't impose himself on the game, doesn't demand the ball and doesn't really do anything that makes him stand out at all as a United player except for his shooting ability. Of course that's a great asset, but it's not enough to play in the centre of the park for United. Fergie is right to say that Macheda could be a top player, but he could have done with a lot more football this season. I would like him to go on loan to a premier league club next season for at least half the campaign, to Wigan or someone like that where he will hopefully get a decent amount of football and gain some experience.
United kept taking the game to Stoke but the quality of play really dropped when Rooney went off with a recurrance of his groin niggle. We didn't really look like we had a fourth in us but fair play to the boys for getting it as a late corner found it's way to Park at the back post and he couldn't miss., heading it home. The whistles that had been given out by MUST and had been blown at half time as a protest now started in earnest again and the referee was eager to finish the game as soon as he had the chance. It was a bit of a bizarre last game, it didn't really feel like the right time to protest at the unwanted ownership of our club by the gimps.
Now we will found out what is really going to happen at our club. Will the red knights be successful in their pursuit of the club or will the Glazer's do the unthinkable and stay. Will Fergie have his hands tied in the transfer market by the gimps again or even might he still have his hands tied by our new owners as they get to grips with trying to clear the debt. Which of the playing staff will go, there are a few candidates for me. Will he be able to bring anybody in, that will strengthen us and how good will they turn out to be. Will Hernandez and Smalling,who we have already aquired, be the real deal.
I will be renewing unless MUST call on us to not renew in a way that has a realistic chance of being successful. But i very seriously doubt that they will be able to deliver the mass non renewal it would need. I think and hope it will not come to that, because for all their PR i do think the Glazer's will be happy to leave with some kind of profit as i don't believe their other business interest are in that healthy a way. Hopefuly Andersred and maybe even some of our supposedly quality broadshheet finacial press will come up with some dirt on them that will lessen the price that the red knight will have to pay to rid the club of those leeches. I'm not sure that the red knights will be turn out to be quite the fan friendly bunch that MUST envisage. I'm expecting something like the PLC run club, pre Glazer, but it will be a vast improvement on the current situation.

The players depart for the final time this season
Rooney aggrevated the groin injury before he went off yesterday but he should be ok for England according to Ferguson.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7121316.ece

David Pleat analyses the games tactics and lauds the inspirational Rooney.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/09/manchester-united-stoke-city

The indy reports that questions mount over the strength of the United squad as Ferguson ponders where the campaign went wrong.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/questions-mount-for-ferguson--as-he-ponders-uniteds-failings-1970031.html

The Mail reports on the Glazer protests before and during the game.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1275778/Angry-Manchester-United-fans-protest-outside-Old-Trafford-hate-campaign-Glazers-escalates.html?ITO=1490

The red knights warn they will not overpay for buy the Glazer's out of United. They weren't taken in by last weeks reports then.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/red-knights-will-not-overpay-for-manchester-united-1970233.html

Terry relishes watching us see them lift the title and says now it's their turn to try and retain it. They are deserved winners, no one can deny that, but it's not been a great championship, he should remember that.The summer signings will be interesting, that's for sure. If Redknapp lands a couple of decent buys there would be a distinct possibility Spurs could inch ahead of Arsenal. Especially if Barca come in sniffing for Fabregas as we all know it's just a matter of when, not if, he leaves for Espana. As for City, missing out on the champions league will set them back a year i reckon as i can't see them landing any big fish whilst still not involved in the competition that all the best players want to play in. And to Chelsea, i don't really know, they improved this season, but not by much really. They just took advantage of a United squad that sold Ronaldo and Tevez and didn't use the money as we could have done if it weren't for that black hole of a debt.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article7121353.ece

Alan Hansen with a pretty realistic assessment of the 2009-10 season.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/chelsea/7701258/Alan-Hansen-Carlo-Ancelotti-must-be-brutal-with-his-Chelsea-squad-despite-triumph.html

Shirley Williams warns against coalition with the tories arguing for confidence and supply instead. It seems the least bad option to me.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/09/shirley-williams-warns-clegg-conservatives

The guardian reports that a coalition isn't as near as some had reported. And the Lib dems are very worried about the future as the reality sinks in at how badly Clegg led them during the election.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/10/liberal-democrats-conservatives-coalition-worries

Stephen Glover reminds us that this what not a great election for the Sun and for James Murdoch. One good result anyway.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/opinion/stephen-glover/stephen-glover-not-the-result-that-the-sun-wanted-1970026.html

Darling agrees deal on Euro bailout with his probable last act as chancellor. It does make me realise how worried i would be if that had been boy George Osborne doing the negotiating.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/darling-says-uk-exposure-minimised-in-euro-bailout-1970188.html

Larry Elliot argues minority government can lead to a stronger government
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/may/10/minority-government-deficit

Merkel's Christian democrats loses regional election as Greek Euro crisis hits home.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/10/angela-merkel-greek-aid

Air with the classic La Femme Dargent, that video is fascinating