I UNDERSTAND that literally tens of letters have flooded into the Irish Examiner, expressing ineffable joy at the news that the paper’s soccer correspondent is alive and well and back on terra firma after Monday evening’s heart-stopping mid-air drama which one newspaper dubbed ‘Stan’s jet terror’.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey has been called away this week to cover events in the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it) so Allan Prosser has been called from the subs’ bench to arbitrate on your opinions. And it’s a mixed bunch this week with commentary on the exodus of players from these shores; argument over the fallout from Rafa’s little dig about the stature of Everton; glee, and a warning, about Liverpool’s US takeover; Ronaldo makes more friends and there’s irritation about why fans should be prevented from watching replays of controversial incidents at the match.