On the face of it, Giovanni Trapattoni’s latest squad seems a pretty clear case of out with the old, in with the new, Shay Given’s absence in stark contrast to the presence of a clutch of new faces in the panel for next month’s friendly against Poland.

It’s now beginning to look like Roman Abramovich’s scorched earth approach to manager-management can even cause collateral damage – witness Southampton’s stirring fightback from two-down at the Bridge on Wednesday to be followed, just two days later, by the sacking of Saints boss Nigel Adkins.

Probably the biggest fixture in the world,” was how Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre described Manchester United v Liverpool shortly before kick-off at Old Trafford yesterday.

If Roberto Martinez has his way, James McCarthy will see out the rest of the season at Wigan.

I doubt very much if Mansfield is twinned with Accra but these days the two can surely feel each other’s pain.

Say this much for Roberto Mancini: he’s definitely not one to turn a drama into a crisis.

We know that goals can change games.

For the Irish football fan, this time last year was full of dreams, songs to sing and camper vans to source.

Dear Santa

As I start writing this sentence, Lionel Messi has just brought his goal tally for 2012 to 90 but by the time I’ve finished it, there’s every chance he’ll have increased it by another one or, more likely, two.