MON labels football 'crazy'

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says football has gone "crazy" after Sam Allardyce became the eighth managerial casualty of this Premier League season.

Allardyce was sacked as Newcastle boss just eight months into his reign at St. James' Park and O'Neill said: "I sympathise. It's absolutely crazy.

"If you were put into a job in the city, the first thing you would ask for is time. It takes a while to gel.

"But with football, it's absolutely out of hand. It's so crazy now."

Other top flight managers to have been given the axe this term include José Mourinho, Martin Jol and Billy Davis.

And O'Neill says the days of a manager being given time to stamp his authority on a side are gone.

He said: "When I was a player, managers were getting sacked but they were getting two years in a job. Now it's two minutes.

"In Sam's few months at Newcastle he might not have even found out the correct strength of the reserve side. He might have players injured that he doesn't know much about.

"I know from my experience at Leicester, Celtic and even here. The minute you come in, you're in charge.

"You don't get time in football. I'd love to say I have a five-year plan or ideas for the youth team. Have a bit of sense - it just doesn't happen."

Flintoff could feature for Lions in India

Andrew Flintoff could make a long-awaited comeback playing for the England Lions on their tour of India, according to the chairman of selectors, David Graveney.


"They are very happy with his rehab," Graveney said after announcing England's two squads to tour New Zealand next month. "There is a possibility, if his rehab goes to plan, of him going on the Lions tour at the end of January."

Flintoff, 30, underwent keyhole ankle surgery in October and has since been recovering in America. He hasn't played a Test match since the fifth Test of the 2006-07 Ashes in Sydney, and although he wasn't considered for England's tour of New Zealand, Graveney said he could feature for the Lions when they play in India's Duleep Trophy.


"He's very keen to get back playing cricket so there is a possibility of him joining up as a batsman only as part of his rehab," Graveney said. "Everyone has their fingers crossed to get him back bowling and at this stage it is going according to plan.''

The Lions depart for India on January 24.

Mixed Cup Feelings for West Midlands Clubs in 3rd Round

Saturday was not a good for Birmingham City and Aston Villa, as the Premier League pair were both dumped out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield Town and Manchester United respectively.

League One Huddersfield won 2-1 at their Galpharm Stadium, while Premier League holders United came to Villa Park to beat the home side 2-0, with late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

But Championship Coventry made the biggest giant-killing of the day with a 4-1 thrashing at Premier League Blackburn Rovers.

And West Brom drew 1-1 at Championship rivals Charlton Athletic.

Fellow Championship side Wolves beat Conference Cambridge 2-1 at Molineux, while Walsall drew nil-all with League One rivals Millwall at the Bescot for a replay at the New Den.

And finally, Chasetown, who are in the fourth tier of non-league football, lost 3-1 to Championship Cardiff, but it was a historical day in the club's history.

2008 is here!!!!

Happy new year, everybody!

Hope you all enjoy an incredible year.