Japanese ‘jackpot’ will mean nothing without Potteries points

GREETINGS from my Christmas holiday base, where I am escaping the vicious UK weather and economic collapse; I figure what’s good for the players is good for the fans too.

Ok, so the lads got through some mild work in Japan too and we are all most grateful for the opportunity to graffiti, in six-year-old style, “Champions of England, an’ Europe, an’ the world, cosmos and everyfink!”

I think I made my dim view of that entire enterprise clear enough last week, but I can’t help point out that the players “celebrated” Rooney’s goal with scarcely more enthusiasm than they would a 5-a-side winner at Carrington.