´óÏó´«Ã½

Great blog again Dan, that brekkie looks superb!!!

"Excuse me, Eusebio, Stoichkov and Koeman can speak to you now."

"I'm really sorry," I replied, "but I've got Sir Bobby Charlton and Johan Cruyff waiting just up there."

How surreal that must have been!!!

Manager of the season is tricky if you look at the top six as they've all had periods of inconsistency. However, I think because of how they've done in Europe whilst maintaining a decent position in the league, you can't look much further than Roy Hodgson. Player of the year is also tough, but one candidate I'd chuck in would be Bobby Zamora for doing so well. Not a Fulham fan I should say, but you can't argue with how they have done this season (and last season!).

That breakfast looks pretty good...! Definitely an award winner.

Mark Stein

"I do think people are getting a little carried away with Barcelona at the moment. "

"Yes, they hammered Arsenal, won the treble last season and embarrassed Manchester United in the Champions League final, but they do play badly on occasions and they won't win everything."

Not sure about that Dan, they did win "EVERYTHING" last year didn't they (everything they could win anyway!!!)

Roger Milla

Great blog, that conversation must have been surreal!

Manager of the season has to be Roy Hodgson simply because it would confirm this country has finally woken up to the fact he is a fantastic manager. Honourable mentions go to Alex Mcleish and Harry Redknapp.

Player of the season...tough one...i'd probably say Cesc Fabregas, 15 goals and 15 assists...and he plays football the right way. Also honourable mentions to Joe Hart and Carlos Tevez.

Brilliant blog Dan.

Ulster fry is the breakfast of champions!!

But what other breakfasts would you put in that bracket, i would have to go for wheetabix its blinding

Another couple more player nominations would be Darren Bent and Florent Malouda - both of whom have done much better this season than I would have expected.

Rod Wallace

Your clothes... give them to me, now.

I think there is going to be a lot of support for Hodgson for manager of the year. He's got the best out of his squad and he more than any other manager this year has been a complete gentleman.

Player of the year... I think a lot of people will be mentioning the usual suspects, Rooney, Drogba etc... I would actually be more inclined for Brad Freidel this year. He's been a rock.

In other news, what's your thoughts of a ham and picilli roll Dan? I think that or the old left over roast chicken from Sunday's roast with colslaw has got to my favourite sandwich/roll.

Regards

Ruel Fox

Thank you Dan, your blog came at the right time as i am very bored at work.

Manager of the season for me would be either, Roy Hodgson or Alex Mcleish(spelling???). They have done very well this season.

P.S that truly does look like the breakfast of champions!!

Great blog Dan..The picture of the 'Ulster Fry' up is really making me hungry though.

It's good to see that real 'Acts of God' aren't slowing you down at all and with a little help from the clergy you'll make it back okay for Footie Focus.

Speaking of 'Acts of God' or 'Gods'..what about all those true football legends at that Cruyff press conference?..amazing stuff! Players who have really achieved things and have left lasting legacies. Take it Laporte will only be standing for Catalan politics - can't see him being too popular in the Capital?

Barca are flavour of the month at the moment but if Jose has his way attention might soon be switching to SerieA and you might get your Milan trip in after all ;)

I think Zamora is a great shout for player of the year.....no he is not on the sma level as rooney, drogba or torres.....but he has had an unbelievable year and been at the centre of everything good fulham have done! Either scoring, providing or atleast playing some part in alot of the goals fulham have scored!
Paul scholes should get a mention too? He has always been one ofthe top midfielders in the prem and has hardly ever got recognition by awards?

Manager of the year? Roy hodgson for his achievements in europe? Or Harry Redknapp for finishing 4th in the prem(looks like he will anyway) without spending anywhere near as much as man city, or having as much squad depth as liverpool?

mmmmm breakfast

Roy Hodgson and Rooney for me - they have been immense for their teams

Great blog again Dan.

Shame the season's coming to an end; take it the blogs will end with the season? What's planned for the World Cup? I say it every week, but man, what a job you have!

Manager of the Season - Roy Hodgson/Alex McLeish
Player of the Season - Wayne Rooney

It's been quite a poor season in terms of quality I think, but despite good performances from Malouda, Bent, Zamora, Drogba, Fabregas (when fit) and Pienaar I think Rooney's been head and shoulders above everyone else.

Paul Warhurst

SurreyBloke - Terminator this week is it?

Malouda has played well these past few months, as has Gareth Bale. I've heard Heurelho Gomes has had an impressive season too. I think Rooney has been the stand-out player of the season though. Roy Hodgson for manager of the season.

Hidetoshi Nakata

Ulster Fries are the stuff of legend, you just can't get good soda farls or potato bread on the mainland. I don't imagine Eusebio, Stoichkov and Koeman get turned down for interviews too often!

Fair do's on Rooney, he's scored an amazing number of headed goals for someone who rarely did before.

Its a funny quote from another great eighties film. I think we had all the good ones from Robocop last week.

Jose Antonio Reyes

In technical terminology: he's a loon.

I think manager of the season seems to be universally accepted as Roy Hodgson. In two and a half seasons he's pulled Fulham out of relegation and got them to the Europa League semi-final (and depending on tonight's result, possibly the final) without spending an absolute fortune. He's got the best out of the likes of Duff and Zamora who were really looking on the downward slopes of their respective careers, but who are now in phenominal form.

As for player of the season it has to be Wayne Rooney. He just hasn't had a bad game all season and has essentially single-handedly kept United in the title race. I would, however, like to place a notable mention in the direction of Thomas Vermaelen, who seems to be the lynchpin in the Arsenal defence, which looks somewhat lost without him. Also (although for 10 weeks only) Landon Donovan at Everton was fantastic during his short loan period.

I think Zamora is potentially most improved player of the season, he looked at a dead end when he left West Ham, although Gareth Bale and James Milner have also come along miles since the start of the season.

Just on outside shout for player of the season, goalkeepers arent exactly regular winners of these things but Joe Hart has had an outstanding season.

Roy Hodgson Manager of the season

My vote for manager of the year has to go to Moyes. Once again he has achieved wonders on a very tight budget and, if it weren't for bad luck with injuries and the "lescott saga" t, everton's season could have been even better !

Great blog Dan, but how can you say that we're getting carried away with Barca at the moment?
Of course they will play badly at times, their only human!
But if we can’t get carried away about a team who wins trophies, plays beautiful football and does all this by developing the majority of their best players through their youth system, then when can we get carried away?
They’ve got to be the best football team of the last 15-20 years?

www.football-journo.com

I really want an Ulster fry! May travel the waters to get one. Great blog as usual dan!

Hodgson for manager of the season at the moment. But if Everton get into the Europa League places then I think it will go for him.

Player of the season should be Rooney.

Where will the last 3 shows be filmed from dan? Any chance of wembley as we near football league play offs and the fa cup final? Or it would also be nice to give portsmouth or burnley/hull/west ham a good send off by going to one of their grounds and speaking with their fans, letting us see them one last time before they are away for at least a season?

Yours sincerely

Sven Rydell

Dan,
Great Blog, laughed a lot (as others clearly did). Ina few sentences to move from Ulster Fry ups to Joan Laporta, Eusebio, Stoichkov, Koeman & Sir Bobby Charlton and Johan Cruyff.

Manager of the Season - Dave Jones. What he has accomplished in the circumstances is impressive; if the club chairman was half as capable as DJ is, then CCFC would be 2nd place now. Roy Hodgson is just half a step behind Jones .

Player of the Season -Thomas Vermaelen with Wayne Rooney just behind him. All year Vermaelen has been a solid defender, but one capable of attacking. Considering how severely the gunners attack has been blunted, T.V. is the reason why Arsenal were (until last Saturday) competing for 1st or 2nd place; instead of fighting to avoid 5th place.

WISH OF THE SEASON: SEE CCFC IN FINANCIAL STABILITY AND IN PREMIER LEAGUE; AFTER THAT TO SEE MAN CITY FINISH 6TH OR 7TH AND APOLOGISE TO
MARK HUGHES
SCANDAL OF THE SEASON : HUGH'S DISMISSAL followed by the ignominy that is PORTSMOUTH.
Dan who do you think football entertainer of the season has been?

One last thing Dan, You would look more the part in a sheep skin coat. You can do a lot worse than follow your mentor.
JH

Am heading to the Nou Camp next week and cannot wait! Unfortunately it's not for a match, will have to wait for next season for that.

Manager of the year: For the achievements, it must be Roy Hodgson. I know Fulham haven't set fireworks in the premiership, but to get to Europa semi's is amazing for that squad, I just hope they don't have the same ramifications as Pompey.

Player of the year: It will probably go to Wayne Rooney, I don't think there is anybody in the league at the moment that is close, though Drogba has caught my eye that little bit more.

Best Buy: Thomas Vermaelen
Goal of the season: Figueroa v Stoke at DW

Hi Dan,

The closest I have been to an Ulster Fry was in a service station just short of Peterborough - The "big-boy-build-u-up" consisted of a full English breakfast, doubled. It was a heart attack on a plate, but I loved every second of it.

Manager of the season - Harry Redknapp (England manager after he packs in club football?)

Player of the season - Wayne Rooney

We were hoping you'd get the call for the MOTD2 post, and the new Beeb line up for the world cup looks fantastic.

All the best,

Regi Blinker

Great blog as usual Dan.

I need to know where you got that breakfast from, that looks immense. An Ulster fry is indeed the breakfast of champions!

Tommy, Belfast.

Manager of the season: Roy Hodgson, Avram Grant.
Player of the season: Pepe Reina
Goal of the season: Figueroa vs Stoke

Great blog as always, and an impressive breakfast! It looks like the sort of thing I always return from a hotel buffet breakfast with! In my opinion yours is missing one key ingredient in toder to claim the title "breakfast of champions" - black pudding? Truly an underrated breakfast ingredient!

My manager of the season - alex McLeish

Cheers

Jean Jacques Misse Misse

Dan - don't see your name in the current Klinsmann and Seedorf join ´óÏó´«Ã½'s World Cup team story listing the ´óÏó´«Ã½ line-up?

No Martin O'Neill either :(

Great blog as per usuaul,

crazy though, having to knock back Eusebio, Stoichkov and Koeman for Charlton & Cruyff. what a job

and got to agree Ulster frys are the proverbial dogs you know.

For Manager the season has to be Roy Hodgson, what a season, able to sustai n a decent league position, whilst having a great run in the Europa leauge, and the turnaround in the match against Juve should win it for him on it's own. I'm sure most football followers thought that was it for Fulham in the competition.

Player of the season, hmm a bit tougher. Guess you need to give it to Rooney, for stepping up when ronaldo left. Or possibly Vermaalen, whose had great first season in the priemoership, albeit in a poor Arsenal defence.

But have to give Nani some credit for turning himself around asweel, he's been pretty good this season, compared to previous form. And no i'm not a man u fan.

Jose Quitongo

Dan Walker wrote: I am just in the deep throws of a ´óÏó´«Ã½ world cup press day.

Does that mean you made the squad after all?..well done that fella!

Dan,
When you do get back to us "in a mo" tell us what is a ´óÏó´«Ã½ world Cup press day?

Also given the diet you enjoy do you think calorie cutbacks will ever be called for? You just a bit over 30 right?

Hei Dan.

Greetings from Suomi.

Great blog as usual. Love the food references, although that Barry Fry-up should be labelled as a WMD against western arteries.

Manager of the Year: Total respect to Roy Hodgson, Davie Moyes, Big Eck, Sousa, David Jones, Harry Redknapp, heck even Fergie (losing CR, playing 4-5-1 with the looney), Rochdale Manager (sorry, but I don't know his name) and Chris Houghton.

Buuuuuuuut, I would give the award to Avram Grant. The boy has worked miracles at Pompei. FA Cup final with 1 sub. Sure, the running of Portsmouth should rightly be lambasted but Grant has proved to be stoical, determined, shrewd and the king of jugglers.

Player of the Year: Honourable mentions to James Milner, Darren Bent, Bobby Zamora, Richard Dunne, Wayne Rooney, Drogba, Tevez, Dann and Johnson, Reina, Sorensen, Gomes, Hart, Given, Malouda, Scholes and Tim Cahill.

But, I think the award should go to: (Drum-roll) Frank Lampard. I'm not a Chelski supporter (and I'm Scottish) but out of all the great players lauded this season I would have Lampard's name at the top of my team-sheet every game . I think he is the most under-rated player to have graced the EPL. It's time the haters opened their eyes and realised what a behemoth the guy is. A national asset who is comparable with the Lake District or Stonehenge when it comes to English treasures.

Hamish McAlpine

Quality blog. You have a mint job, Dan! Hard to look past Rooney for player of the year really, though Malouda has done well & Frank Lampard never seems to get the credit he deserves after getting another 20+ goals from the midfield. Has to be Hodgson for manager of the year for me, he won't hit the highs like Fergie, Ancelotti, etc, but considering his budget and what he has to work with he's done more than over-achieve.

Andy Goram

The breakfast of champions looks yummy. Dan where can I get one. Now that I have seen it (the picture), am very hungry.

Free sandwiches and pastries are definitely worth attending for - particularly late afternoon/early evening, perhaps as an appetiser for something beefier later on!

If you're going to be at the golf in Scotland later in the summer, it should be a good opportunity to try some of their 'cuisine'... dare you try a battered chocolate bar...?

Van Der Valk

Manager of the year should always go to the champions.

My player of the year is Mad Patrice Evra. Had a great season only overshadowed by media favourite Rooney. Evra gets my vote though.

Team of the season -

1 - Hart

2 - G. Johnson (playing great before injury)
3 - Evra
4 - Vermaelen
5 - Dunne

6 - Malouda
7 - Fabregas
8 - Lampard

9 - Bent (scored 23 goals in a poor team)
10 - Rooney
11 - Drodba (scored 25 goals and also went to the ACN in Jan)

Subs,

12 - Reina
13 - Tevez
14 - Milner
15 - Shawcross
16 - Defoe
17 - Cahill (Everton)
18 - Dawson (whenever he's played)

Worth a mention - Zamora, A Young, A Cole, Duff, Pienaar, Sorensen and Van Persie was looking as if he was going to have a great season until injury.

Garrincha

"... won the treble last season..."

Er - they won the sextuple last season, not just a treble. Or were you trying to allow for the Ovrebo/FIFA-doesnt-allow-refs-to-use-video-replays factor? Without that, it would have been a treble. (I think.)

"As impressive as they are, I do think people are getting a little carried away with Barcelona at the moment."

Quite so - if they were as good as the press claimed, the gap between them and Real at the top of La Liga would be much wider. They and Messi are just in an ultra-purple patch at the moment. But did you write that line before or after Inter thumped them two days ago?

"...they won't win everything."

Quite so. They haven't won the FA Cup, after all :-)

Dan wrote: I think Laporta's ideal job would be president of an independent Catalunia

- Can't see that happening anytime soon though can you - delusions of grandeur ;)? From your many discussions amongst our current crop of footie luminaries/´óÏó´«Ã½ pundits, who do you consider the most politically motivated or suited? Arsene Wenger would make an excellent Chancellor (Mr. Prudent), but Sir Alex would want a Republic of Manchester no doubt.

Great to hear you made the plane to the WC (travelling the country on a bus it seems..should be fun!) - is Garth going, didn't see his name listed anywhere?

The Ulster fry is the daddy of all breakfasts. If there was a 'Home Nations Breakfast Championship' it would clearly win and go on to the European zone - beating the continental breakfast hands down. Next step - USA and a grudge match against the pancakes and bacon (maple syrup on bacon, wtf?)

In terms of the manager of the season - my own beloved Kenny Jackett is worth a shout... If not, Chris Hughton has done a great job, as has Fergie (if Leeds had not beaten United in the cup, they'd have walked league 1).

Player of the season - Rooney (watch your metatarsals son!) head, shoulders, nose and ears above the rest.

Match of the season charlton 4 - Millwall 4.


Dave Mitchell

Best sun-tan of the season - Phil Brown
Scariest manager - Roy Keane

Philo Beddoe

Nothing beats an Ulster Fry, big man. My Papa used to eat 3 of them a day and he's still going strong at 90.

Sammy McIlroy

Great blog.

Where do Charlton and Cruyff rank on your greatest/highest profile interviewees?

I think it is a toss up between McLeish and Hodgson for manager of the year, as for the player of the year I can't look past Rooney. Take him out of the equation and the title would already safely heading to West London.

I hate to be picky, but it is Andres Iniesta, not Andrei.

I look forward to the next portion (in accordance with your love of food)

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu

Hi Dan.

A couple of points, i'll try and keep them brief.

My outlandish nomination for POTY - Thomas Vermaelan, an outstanding debut season, goals, grit and class. I have not seen a defender as good as this in the premiership for a long time, he has all the strengths of your Vidic, Ferdinand, Terry etc without any of their shortcomings.

MOTY - Interesting you quote Moyes Dan, if I let my heart rule my head...i'd be with you on that one. But just because they have provided something a bit different (mainly in the Europa league) i'll go for Hodgson too.

Interesting point made about no Martin O'Neill in the summer...he makes fantastic world cup viewing, he'll be missed this year. I'm assuming Desailly will be there? He always offers a forthright opinion, and gives good insight to the players he knows personally. Will there be any suprises? A Mick McCarthy, a Leonardo?

Also, I am a little shocked that Stoichkov is still involved at Barca, is this a recent thing connected to Guardiola? whom I assume knows him well from their playing days

John Matrix

That Ulster Fry...unbelievable! Need to have a word with mum, see if she can augment her current Sunday breakfast classic.
I went to the Nou Camp a few years ago and it struck me how 'shabby' it was compared to some of the English grounds I've seen - particularly the dressing rooms. Now, I don't mean that in a derogatory way. My immediate thoughts were 'if the best team in the world can have a poor dressing room, then why all the cash thrown at British grounds?' In addition, much of the rest of the ground left a lot to be desired in terms of 'new and up to date', but so what? The stadium is immense and not some modern monstrosity. It is cheap to visit, there is no fuss, no pomp, no over the top self importance and it’s certainly a more relaxed experience compared to any other ground I’ve been to.
Someone once asked me what I thought of it and I said ‘amazing’. They replied that they thought it was pretty awful and that they were disappointed.
Wouldn’t you rather spend money on players and development than a state of the art stadium? (ahem..Wembley…Emirates…)
Just a thought!
Great blog as always, maestro!

Stuart Nethercot

That's not an Ulster Fry! Beans? Good God man!

This is my preferred XI

1. Egg
2. Bacon
3. Sausage
4. Fried tomato
5. Soda Farl
6. Potato Bread
7. Black Pudding
8. White Pudding
9. Fried Potatoes
10. Fried Bread
11. Tea

Subs
12. Ketchup
13. Brown Sauce
14. Toast (Plain Batch)
15. Mushrooms

Beans? (Fancy Dan Englishman but might qualify due to having a Northern Irish Grandmother - still not right though!)

Did someone mention football?

#49 An impressive first eleven, although I would give your numbers 8 and 9 a wide berth myself. In their place, I'd bring on 12 and 14 to start instead. After that little lot, I'd want a relaxing morning till lunch! Beans at breakfast wouldn't be an automatic favourite, but its not bad with a fry-up in the morning.

Inspector Gadget

Manager of the season - Iain Dowie

Player of the season - Ryan Shawcross

What about biggest dissappointment of the season/biggest waste of money. Joleon Lescott anyone... run a close second by Alberto Aquilani.

Dan,
So daughter number 2 kept you up! My second child (girl) did the same at 2:20. Not that that has anything to do with food or footie.
The Ulster fry looks to be the all time winner. Over here breakfast often consists of cake or pancakes with fruit, syrup, cream sometimes even sweet frozen yoghurt, disconcertingly like ice cream.
I've been on a porridge only breakfast regime for a couple of weeks, shedding the pounds too.
Southern fairy (51) has a point about Ryan Shawcross.

CAN YOU NEXT BLOGG CONDUCT A POLE SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF : HOW MANY GUNNERS WILL HAVE LEGS BROKEN NEXT SEASONS?

Did you write that comment about Barca pre the Inter game?

How do you find the way the Spanish media operate different from ours?

And can anyone tell me what that groovy music was playing in the background to Adam Johnson's interview on FF last week, it's been bugging me, thanks!

Apologies for last entry! I have just re-read it and feel a fool.
My suggested pole was inappropriate and should not have come into my mind, let alone out onto the computer screen.
I hope there are no broken legs in the EPL or other leagues due to player on player contact.
Time to stop typing.

The potato scone is also a pre requisite for any successful cooked breakfast in my opinion, although I can't understand the reaction to the inclusion of beans another breakfest favourite for me!

How about the grudging respect award for the player you want to and should hate but have found yourself warming to this season?

My vote goes to Craig Bellamy.

I'd say this years manager of the year is as tough as it's been for a long while - I'd probably plump for McLeish because Birmingham haven't been anywhere close to the relegation zone since early in the season and I think that is an extremely impressive achievement. If you look at how teams that are promoted often start well and fade (Hull last year and Burnley this time round), the fact that the Blues have been on a even keel for the vast majority of the season shows what a good job McLeish has done. Similarly, McCarthy deserves honourable mention for saving Wolves from the drop - who would have thought it a possibility at the start of the year?!

Player of the year is Rooney hands down. He's carried the biggest club in the world on his shoulders at times this season and to have them in with a great shout of the title is testimony to how far he's come in the last few years.

Breakfast of the year goes to the heart attack on a plate that Mr Walker indulged in!

yours sincerely,
Darryl Powell / Barry van Dyke

@Donmac - I admire your commitment, but feel the choice of fried tomato is controversial. A grilled tomato is much better... (I'm talking flavour wise - no health reasons come into consideration here)

That said the two bacon rolls from this morning are still repeating on me.

What's that - beer o'clock?

Paul Gascoigne...

Apologies, nearly forgot to sign off properly!

Roberto Baggio

Manager of the season - Roy Hodgson or Avram Grant (both have achieved way more than what would have been deemed acceptable, given their respective roles and responsibilities under very difficult circumstances).

Player of the season - Darren Bent (if he played for a better equiped side like MU, how many more would he have scored)

Good blog Dan. Was great to see you over in "God's country" last weekend!

Manager - Hodgson, Moyles or McLeish (bit their good form didn't last longer). Chelsea man if they do the double

Player - Rooney, Bent, Darren Fletcher (consistant and unnoticed)

Watched that flukey goal of yours again. Do you have any great great grandparents though marriage that may have have visited Belfast at any stage. You night just get the nod to play alongside Healy for the next Euro campaigm!

Soupy Campbell

Paul, they don't call it a 'fry' for nothing. If someone found a way to fry tea it would be in there!

anything worthwhile in what was said during "about an hour of speeches" or is it my retention failing me?

matthias sammer

Loving the breakfast and Manager/player of year comments.

I have to be boring and go with the Hodgson/Rooney combo - more for what else could they have done aspect. I'm not sure Rooney's missed a chance all season and Roy has almost got Fulham to a European finals.

However my flabber is gasted at the mention of 'Arry Redknapp on more than one occasion. Sure they've had a good string of results recently, but the man has spent more money than an MP - the Spurs side that beat Arsenal cost way more than that Arsenal team.

Christ Bongo ( )

Dan, Why isnt Friday Focus available to us in the Republic of Ireland anymore when it was all along, remember your sparring partner on the show played for us.

Hi Dan,

That breakfast looks immense! Going to have to re-think my bacon & egg with cheese & garlic mayo on a Warbie's brekkie muffin (other brands are available)! Once had a battered haggis and that was top-drawer too.

Think I made a wrong turn in life, I'm lucky enough to have a job I like but your job is amazing! Makes all the hard work worthwhile I bet.

I agree with Hodgson for Manager of the Year, although Moyes comes a close 2nd. What they've achieved with relatively little money is amazing.

Player of the Year, I'd go with Rooney for single-handedly keeping Man Utd in the title race but I agree giving the award to a player from a 'less-fashionable' club. I'm fed up with seeing players overlooked simply because they don't play for a top 4 club.

Please say you'll still be blogging next season!

Bjorn Heidenstrom (one for the old school Champ Man enthusiasts)

This is my preferred XI

1. Egg
2. Bacon
3. Sausage
4. Fried tomato
5. Soda Farl
6. Potato Bread
7. Black Pudding
8. White Pudding
9. Fried Potatoes
10. Fried Bread
11. Tea

Subs
12. Ketchup
13. Brown Sauce
14. Toast (Plain Batch)
15. Mushrooms


What is white pudding, Soda Farl ?. How can you have mushrooms, toast and brown sauce on the subs bench.

Can't beat an Ulster Fry never have beans always have extra taty bread. Soda Farl is a flat soda bread and you fry or grill it, tastes great! White pudding is black pudding but white.

Manager of the year should be Roy Hudgson, player of the year Wayne Rooney and Bale for young player of the year apart from today's match hope he is awful and United win 3-0.

It's el Camp Nou, not Nou Camp. And it's Carles Puyol, not Carlos (he's Catalan). Sorry for being so pedantic about a great blog!

Stay proud of that Ulster Fry Dan!

Don't suppose you got to meet - totally my hero and the very best right-back in the whole world!