Captain Fantastic - A Tribute, Part II

First off, today’s Captain Fantastic pic. Last one tomorrow. I thought of using the one of him crying (again) after the England quarter-final loss to Portugal in 2004, but thought better of it. I wouldn’t want to convey any sort of notion that he’s just a freakin' cry-baby. So, while I would never wish any misfortune on the man, I thought this particular photo was an instance of great sports photography, and also because it's got my fave Diaby moment in it too.

On to regular stuff…yet more evidence has emerged as to why Chelski are such a freaky club. With their loss out of their way, the Hollywood-esque post-season bitchy griping and back-stabbing has begun with a vengeance. Completely within character, Anelka has made clear that it was not his fault that he missed his penalty. He didn’t even want to play, let alone take a penalty:

"I was on the bench and suddenly I am asked to play, not even a minute after I was sent out to warm up. I don't know if that has ever happened in a Champions League final, that a player has gone on to the pitch without having warmed up.

"I was then asked to take one of the first five [penalty] kicks but I said: 'That is out of the question; I have come on as a right-back.' So I had to go in seventh, but Van der Sar pushed away my shot. All the better for him; that is the game."

All the better for him? duh. I thank god for teams like Chelski. Makes me feel sooo much more like a normal human being for enjoying a team like ours.

In fact, I’d say that Hleb and his agent’s disgraceful behaviour pale in comparison to the shennanigans taking place at Stamford Bridge. So to Hleb and friend, just go if you must. Just don’t make this another long-drawn soap worthy of Stamford Bridge. Thanks for the memories (not!). [UPDATE: Looks like Hleb has indeed already left. Nothing objectionable in the Sun's report right here, except their first line, which suggests that Arse are left "in crisis" because of his departure. Somehow, I don't really think so. Let's be serious here. Hleb has been good at times, but there are better players out there who would enjoy life in London, and take the noise better. I'm glad he has left sooner rather than later, and has thus freed up the cash to make a signing. Looking forward to it. до свидания to his short socks.

In the meantime, Le Boss has spoken again about Diarra’s departure, saying that he had first bought the dude with a possible Flamini departure in mind (prescient man!), and that Diarra must’ve panicked when he had to play second fiddle in the run up to EURO 2008. Well, fair play to Diarra. Your panic has given you an FA Cup winners’ medal, and I’m sure next season you’ll be at another club worthy of your ambitions. Great piece of speculative trading there I suppose. You can never mitigate against player panic, so I won’t say anymore of the matter, nor hold anyone responsible.

Tonight will see a great game, I must admit. Stoke and Hull to play off for a place in the Premier League for the first time ever. The pain for whoever loses will be unbearable, but for the winner: it would be worth every penny just to tune in for those last minutes of the game. I’m looking forward to it, and will probably find myself rooting for Hull as the relative underdog.

I think I’ll have to start getting used to slow Saturday news days. Thank god for the EUROs coming…