Mavericks. Square pegs for round holes, the luxuries coaches feel they cannot afford. Most team sports have them, a Matt Le Tissier who can delight supporters with his skills but infuriate managers with the risks that inevitably come attached.

Liam Buckley has conceded defeat in the battle with Shamrock Rovers to secure the services of Damien Duff.

The former Southampton star will park his Soccer Saturday durties to become the fourth professional footballer to appear on the Channel 4 show maths and letters quiz.

Premier League

Jonny Evans admits Manchester United have failed to produce the kind of attractive football their fans have become accustomed to this season. 

Steven Gerrard’s forthcoming move to LA Galaxy means he will fail to join an illustrious band of professional footballers who have spent their entire senior careers at one club.

They say footballers are remembered for the trophies they’ve won.

A youngster could once recite all of England’s football grounds without listing a mix of international and obscure commercial brands.

“Suarez has gone down like he’s been crucified.”

Adrian Chiles has been voted the most gaffe-prone TV football pundit.

DICTIONARY CORNER

Life has become livelier for Ireland women’s international Stephanie Roche since her wonder goal in the national league went viral and won her fans across the globe.

Jack Wilshere? Jack Who-shere, more like.

The old loyalty card has been much in play in the Luis Suarez saga, with Liverpool’s owner, manager and supporters all keen to slam it on the table.

Southampton’s shock sacking of boss Nigel Adkins last week has been labelled “disgraceful” by furious fans amid rumours of supporter unrest at tonight’s Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has hit out at club chairman Nicola Cortese, accusing him of having “a bit of an ego problem” and acting in a cowardly manner over the shock sacking of Nigel Adkins.

Reading 0 Swansea 0

Former Southampton midfielder Matt Le Tissier believes Nigel Adkins has to be given time to grow into the role of a Premier League manager.

Back in April when it was scored most everyone agreed that Chris Forrester’s exquisite goal for St Patrick’s Athletic against Shamrock Rovers — a scooped lob which was as immaculate as it was audacious — would not be bettered in the Airtricity League this season.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be the clear favourite to be named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year after he was named among the nominees for the award yesterday.

Has there ever been a Premier League side quite so dependent on one man as Arsenal are on Robin van Persie?

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson described today’s 6-1 home rout at the hands of Manchester City as “our worst ever day”.

EVEN AS the eulogies flow, the memories are rekindled and the tributes aired, Manchester United must today begin the process of replacing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Administrators in charge of Southampton are confident of concluding the sale of the stricken club imminently.

Matt Le Tissier’s bid to become Southampton chairman is over with the south-coast club now days from going out of business.

Kevin Keegan is being linked with a possible return to League One side Southampton.

Southampton Leisure Holdings have entered a 21-day exclusivity agreement with the Pinnacle Consortium, paving the way for the cash-strapped football club to ease its financial troubles.

SEEN from the Continent, the English are an unpredictable lot. Apart from speaking loudly in restaurants and being inexplicably fond of bad lager, they have a tendency to deceive their allies, but they themselves are easily deceived by appearances.

England want to play a B international against Belarus to give vital match practice to some of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup squad.

“THAT’S the kind of mistake you make once in your life,” Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese said the day after his blunder against Juventus cost his team a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Justin Rose refused to give up his dunhill Championship title without a fight in the second round in Johannesburg today.

Southampton have announced that their first ever game at their new £30m St Mary's Stadium will be against Spanish side Espanyol on Saturday, August 11.