The Footy Mumble: Keeping the buzz alive

The transfer season may be over but that hasn’t taken the buzz out of the football world. Players will continue to be linked with entries and exits on a daily basis. Clubs haggle over loan signings and free transfers. Managers berate or appreciate players’ performances. So we bring to you a daily round-up of the latest buzz, so that You won’t have to endure post-transfer window withdrawal symptoms.

Alex Ferguson targets Guardiola?

If Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo’s claims are anything to go by, Manchester United boss Ferguson may be targeting ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to replace him at United from next season.

The paper claims Ferguson met Guardiola in New York to convince him about the job.

But considering Ferguson has an apartment in New York and often goes on vacations there during the International break, this may be a case of yet another paper trying to make something out of nothing, a common feature of the just-ended transfer window.

Scousers continue to be disappointed

Liverpool fans, who might have been looking for some good news in the form of Alessandro Del Piero, will start shaking their hands in dismay again after the club rubbished all rumors of an approach for the Italian.

The club was seemingly in the market for a new striker after sending Andy Carroll on loan to West Ham. But without much depth in the striking department, fans of the Merseyside club might well start wondering how to climb up the points table, which they prop up along with QPR and Southampton.

Martinez wants FIFA to use common sense

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has asked FIFA to use its common sense when it comes to setting dates for International matches.

The dates FIFA currently sets has long been the subject of debate, with managers often complaining about its clash with the start of the season.

But with FIFA having refused back down for so long, Martinez’s request for common sense will continue to fall on deaf ears, like many others.

Stoke Chairman delighted with Owen signing

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates seems to be delighted with the club’s signing of former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen, calling him an “instinctive finisher”.

Which would definitely make one wonder if the club went ahead with the signing on pure ‘instinct’, considering the striker’s attachment to the medical room of any club he ends up playing for.

West Brom won’t get carried away

West Brom striker Shane Long says the club won’t get carried away with their unusually bright start to the season. The Baggies have dropped just 2 points in their first 3 matches to lie behind just Chelsea after three rounds, but Long says they won’t get carried away.

Nor will fans of both the Baggies and other clubs, who will still expect them to only marginally improve on their 10th place finish last season, or at worst, avoid the drop to the Championship.