Good
Good for Man City fans as it’s raining money at Eastlands after Abu Dahbi United (not a football team) swooped to buy the Sky Blues off under fire previous owner Thaksin Shinawatra. They then sealed the transfer coup of the summer, landing Robinho from Real Madrid for 32.4 million pounds. Next targets are rumoured to include Man United’s Ronaldo, Liverpool’s Torres and Valencia’s David Villa. The new owners have targeted a top four finish and Champions League football next season.
Nagoya Grampus make it three straight wins in the J-league in Japan and go top of the table. The latest victory was against Shimizu S-Pulse another of the original J-League teams. Recently criticised Japanese International, Tamada, scored two for Nagoya to help them win this pulsating game 3-2.
Bad
On Wednesday, Curbishley is forced to move on from West Ham, while on Thursday Keegan also resigns. The Premier league teams have played three games and already the heat is on the managers. Curbishley cited a lack of control over transfers, and that seems to have been the same problem with Keegan who was pushed to the margins after the arrival of Denis Wise as Director of Football. While Keegan seems to have received a lot of support from the fans and players, Curbishley was being harshly criticised by the West Ham supporters and some key players in the dressing room.
Napoli fans go on the rampage again after having a ban on away travel lifted at the start of the season. A train was damaged and there were clashes with police in Naples and in Rome, where Napoli took on Roma. The Italian football association may also make Napoli play some home games behind closed doors as well as banning their fans from away games. Some suggest organised crime groups orchestrated the violence.
Ugly
Former Celtic captain, Neil Lennon, was assaulted and needed treatment in hospital for minor injuries. Lennon, had been to watch the Glasgow Derby and was attacked later that night.
Joey Barton is yet again in the news (and in our ugly section) after he received a 6 match suspension from the English FA after attacking former team mate Dabo when at Manchester City two years ago. With another six match suspension hanging over him for a further two years we wonder if we will see a reformed Barton? Somehow I doubt it very much.
