Nani is happy with his progress last season and thinks his team mates now believe in him but he knows he has to keep working hard and to continue to learn to become the finished article. With him, Valencia, Park and maybe Obertan as back up the flank position seems to be an area of strenght in depth. If Valencia can add a few goals to the brilliant supply he serves up and Nani also chips in with the goals we know are in him, we may start to get near the free flowing football of the 2006-07 season.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iOuTubckr0d7Q_jqC9nMmGrT5HZQ

Michael Owen blames the Wembley pitch for the curtailment of last years season and hopes the treatment it's been subjected to will make a difference. I won't be holding my breath on that score.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7929834/Michael-Owen-blames-Wembley-pitch-for-curtailing-first-season-at-Manchester-United.html

Vidic wants to regain the title and thinks we have a good chance with an improved squad. Time will tell, but i have to say that i'm reasonably confident. At the very least we will be in it to the death again, i'm sure of that. If we could take it to the last day of the season last year after the injuries we suffered before christmas we must be at least co favourites with Chelski for the title.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/vidic-stronger-squad-can-help-united-regain-title-2044640.html

Hamish McRae on the possible Chinese takeover of Liverpool. There are a lot of ifs, but's and maybe's in that piece.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/hamish-mcrae/hamish-mcrae-buying-a-football-club-is-more-than-just-pure-financial-investment-2044917.html

Sadam's deputy Tariq Aziz doesn't want the US to leave and accuses them of leaving his countries to the wolves, is that another word for Iran.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/05/tariq-aziz-interview-iraq

John Pilger wants Tony Blair arrested
http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2010/08/pilger-blair-iraq-britain

Stephen Foley asks whether Goggle's proposed deal with Verizon mean the end of the internet as we know it. Over to you Obama.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/has-the-internet-just-sold-its-soul-2044907.html

Bruce Springsteen is to bring out a new documentary about the making of the Darkness on the edge of town album. That is probably my favourite Springsteen album so that would be a must watch for me.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/188546


Music
Audio bullys - Higher than the Eiffel: A pretty good piece of house/techno/ with plenty of other stuff thrown into the mix. More commercial than the kind of techno stuff i tend to listen to, but pretty good.

Freebass - It's a beautiful life: The mancunian bass player supergroup finally delived its promised album earlier this year, and delivered a solid effort. Unfortunately solid but not inspirational, the playing is great and they found a talented vocalist but there are no real stand out tracks. It's more reminiscent of New Order than the smiths or either of Mani's groups the roses or primal scream.

Matthew Halsall - Colour yes: Whilst Manchester has a great rock and pop history as far as i know it hasn't much of a jazz history. But Halsall has come along to change that with this his second album and it's a fine album. It's mood reminds me of Sketches in Spain Miles without the overt Iberian influence.

Polar bear - Peepers: This a very modern jazz album by the UK outfit, with guitar and electronics added to the saxes. I love it, but i suppose it's a minority taste.

The Fall - Our future your clutter: Another year and another Fall album and it doesn't disappoint. The last few line ups have been knocking out some good albums and the latest line up continues to deliver the goods.

The Futureheads - The chaos: The Sunderland act deliver their fourth album and it's a decent affair though they have never quite managed to get near replacing the excellence of their debut album for me. Still they have enough clas tunes for me to think they would be a great band to go watching live.