Had to share this from today's
Fiver, the Grauniad's daily football-related e-letter.
There's something for everyone here, but especially MLCMan
UNFAIR DINKUM
The Fiver doesn't know much about Australia. Well, apart from the fact that it's the home of flamin' galahs, a rubbish cricket team, bar staff who can't count or pour, hats with corks dangling from the brim, Alf Stewart's bait shop, Yahoo Serious and a load of whingeing Aussies that couldn't take their beating in the World Cup, the Fiver doesn't know much about Australia. But we are reliably informed that everything there is upside down. Houses are built from the roof upwards, people walk on their hands and even rational logic is turned on its head. This last point is crucial, as it not only helps to explain the antipodean tendency to move to Earl's Court at the first possible opportunity while loudly insisting everything is better back home, but may also shed some light on why Lucas Neill has his heart set on a move to Liverpool just three years after knacking Jamie Carragher's leg in spectacular fashion.
The Blackeye Rovers defender has already turned down an offer of a new four-year contract at Ewood Park, and is none to pleased after Mark Hughes rebuffed a GBP2m offer from Liverpool today. Rovers have demanded a considerably higher fee for the player, see, but may still be forced to back down, as new Fifa rules allow players over 28 to buy out the final year of their contracts. "[Blackeye] have made an offer which Lucas has declined - he is not going to be signing a new contract at Blackeye Rovers," g'dayed the Sheilaroo's agent Peter Harrison, valiantly attempting to throw a shrimp on an upside-down barbecue. "He has enjoyed his time there, he loves the club and the fans; he just feels it is time for a change."
But it's not just the player's logic that needs checking; Liverpool already possess one of the Premiership's largest squads and appeared set with Steve Finnan at right-back. Neill's tackle on Carragher created a serious fall-out between the clubs after he took two days to apologise, and he was sent off against Liverpool again in a cup tie later in the 2003-4 season. "Jamie Carragher was injured at 10 past three on Saturday and the apology came 48 hours later - it was absolutely pathetic," warbled Ged Houllier at the time. "Maybe Neill is a good footballer but he behaves like a bad gentleman." He should get on famously with Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy, then.
