Today's other stories in brief
Don't bank on Djimi finding his feet?
We've developed a soft spot for Djimi Traore over the years, largely because he doesn't seem to have too many admirers - indeed, the Guardian once referred to the Champions League, which he won with Liverpool, as the "Even Djimi Traore Can Win It Cup". (As Johnny Giles put it: "He's a Champions League winner? Gimme a break!").
You might remember when he first joined Liverpool he struggled to find his feet (some would claim he still hasn't found them), prompting Ian Rush to famously declare: "Djimi Traore had to adapt to the English game and he did that by going out on loan to Lens last season."
And then there was that celebrated own goal of his against Burnley, widely regarded as the most comical in the history of the game. Remember the song? "Don't blame it on the Biscan, Don't blame it on the Hamann, Don't blame it on the Finnan, Blame it on Traore, He just can't, He just can't, He just can't control his feet." Anyway, we noted last week that Djimi has joined Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth, although he seemed to be inconsolable about leaving London after a brief but happy spell: "It was a bad time for me at Charlton. I had a red card in my first game for them and I had a bad injury to my left leg and was out for two months. When I came back again the manager who signed me, Iain Dowie, was sacked . . . then we were knocked out of the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest." Apart from all that . . .
Quotes of the week
"Sometimes people do not understand what you are trying to do."
- Rafa Benitez after his weakened team had that 3-6 setback against Arsenal. True enough, his team selection was difficult to comprehend.
"To bring this confusion now is wicked."
- Newcastle's Obafemi Martins blasts rumours that he is bound for Premiership strugglers Chelsea.
"You try to talk to them nicely, but it doesn't always sink in. Eventually you go whack them right across the backside and that keeps them away from the flames."
- Gordon Strachan on how he gets the best out of his players.
"I've identified players that I want but they will not come. It's club reasons and I don't have to tell you why. I have asked for players and it's not my choice that no one is coming. It's not my club. I am just a manager."
- Cash-strapped Jose Mourinho whose boss, Roman Abramovich, has spent a measly £276 million since arriving at Chelsea.
"We've a lot of injuries . . . it shows how short we are that I've included Ryan Taylor in the squad, and not being disrespectful, but he is not ready yet."
- Wigan manager Paul Jewell. Poor Ryan.
"I believe it is only a matter of time before we push ourselves up the table. I am under no illusions about the task ahead, but throughout my career I have faced certain challenges and met them all in the same way."
- West Ham's new signing Nigel Quashie . . . who was relegated four times with West Brom, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers.
Liverpool's Heighway 60
When we read an interview with Steve Heighway, the former Irish international who is Liverpool's academy director, last week we ended up feeling considerably older than we already are. "We all leave Liverpool eventually," he said, "I'm getting on, I'm nearly 60 now. I'm not leaving today, or tomorrow, but I'm getting near to retirement age so it won't be too long." 60? Honest, a feather would have decked us.
By the sounds of it, working with Gerard Houllier put years on Heighway who paid this tribute to the previous Liverpool boss. "I worked with a French manager here who had some very strange views of the game, didn't like anyone disagreeing with him, who bought 14 French players who all had to be sold when a new man came in."
Beckham's week
"We hope this will have a huge impact on our fans, who will see a quality player in the prime of his career. We want him to help us to be the top team in MLS and maybe, one day, become the top team in the world."
- LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas. Stop giggling at the back.
"He propels Los Angeles into the centre of an international spotlight with a one-man industry expected to be priceless in everything from glitz and glamour, media deals and tourism promotions to merchandise and Hollywood buzz."
- Greg Hernandez of the LA Daily News tries to dampen expectations ahead of Beckham's arrival.
"David Beckham, the world's richest and most recognisable soccer player, is bringing his bending free kicks, ever-changing hairstyles and pop star wife to America. Not since the Beatles has there been a British invasion of this magnitude."
- The Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman, in a tizz over the coming of the Fab One.
"He talked on the phone to Tom Cruise before making this decision and we're happy he has people he trusts and gets along with already established in LA."
- Lalas again, this time revealing the identity of Beckham's career advisor.
"I don't believe it is the end of my international career because I will always say that while I am still playing football I will be available to play for my country. Of course I'm still available and if I get the call it would be amazing."
- Amazing wouldn't be the word, David.
Denny's positive slant to long-ball tactics
Being of Dutch extraction we assume Denny Landzaat is used to football of the "total" variety, but, judging by the interview he gave to a paper back home last week, total football is not what's found at Wigan since arriving this season.
"In some matches the long ball is the only tactic we use," he said. "We take throw-ins from the halfway line and hurl the ball almost as far as the opposing 'keeper. No thought goes into our play. It quickly turns into lottery football where we're hoping the ball will break kindly for us. We had a period when we tried to play football but, at this stage, it is survival."
So Denny's down in the dumps?
Certainly not. "It is a beautiful, strong competition. It is the tale that every ex-patriot can tell - if the football disappoints, the environment is excellent in the UK. The supporters live the game intensely. And the salary is princely."
