Quote:
“Originally posted by swingaleg
As a huge fan of Our Katie (
) this does worry me somewhat, but I think i have the answer
As a fighter for justice and equality Kate has picked on this neanderthal to make an example of
She'll marry him at great personal sacrifice, make him give her all his money and use it to build orphanages for poor little children
So when you feel like taking a swipe at her, think of the children
Not only that but she'll make sure he has recurrent groin injuries which will keep him well away from the England squad for Portugal2004, so as not to sully our reputation in the sun spots of Europe
What a girl !! ”
For us footie geeks here is an interesting snippet from the Sun today-I guess santa 's liitle helpers missed it.It was written by one of the most respected footie writers in the country-not someones "friend."
START
Jon just right for Rio
By STEVEN HOWARD
WHILE Rio Ferdinand enters one end of the tunnel, Jonathan Woodgate is finally emerging from the other.
In the strange way fate works, Newcastle United centre-half Woodgate looks increasingly like the man to replace Ferdinand at Euro 2004.
At worst, he will give Chelsea’s John Terry a serious challenge as the man to partner Sol Campbell in Portugal this summer.
Both Ferdinand and Woodgate have had more than their share of controversy over the last few years — and both would find it hard to argue their problems were not self-inflicted.
In their time together at Leeds, Ferdinand saw at first hand the devastating effects lengthy court proceedings had on his Elland Road team-mate.
Though Woodgate was eventually cleared of GBH he was convicted of affray and served 100 hours’ community service — as well as an unofficial England ban.
As Ferdinand ponders his appeal against the eight-month ban that, at the moment, rules him out of Euro 2004, there is no little irony that Woodgate should be stating a strong case to take his place.
At the end of Sunday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford, the two players embraced.
Both understood what they had gone — or were going — through. If Ferdinand fails to get his ban reduced who would bet against him wanting Woodgate as his temporary successor?
Certainly, the Newcastle defender looks a changed man from the gaunt, hollow-eyed spectre who haunted Elland Road during and after his two trials.
When he arrived at St James’ Park, he promised Bobby Robson he would clean up his act.
This involved spending less time with his old circle of friends on Teesside — seen by many as the cause of most of his problems.
This he has done. He now lives on an exclusive estate just up the road from Alan Shearer.
If he does mix with team-mates, it is more likely to be with senior players.
He also appears to have settled into a long-term relationship with one-time Channel Four presenter Kate Lawler, a former Big Brother winner.
On the field, he has blossomed. Last Sunday, he was voted man of the match after snuffing out the threat of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Though Ferdinand has surprised many with the level of his own play since failing to provide a drug test, United shareholders have long questioned the wisdom of his £30million transfer fee.
At £20m less, Woodgate is emerging as something of a bargain.
A bargain, that is, if he manages to steer clear of injury. He has already had two spells on the sidelines this season, first with a double hernia and then a hamstring problem.
This has restricted him to nine Premiership games. Yet, in these, Newcastle have looked a different proposition.
With Woodgate in the side, they are yet to lose — four wins, five draws and SIX clean sheets.
Of Sunday’s performance, former Arsenal striker Alan Smith said: “We are talking here about a finely balanced defender, who stays on his feet whenever possible, preferring to usher attackers out of harm’s way with wit and guile rather than recklessly diving in and conceding free-kicks.
“His positional play is sound. Rarely do you see him scrambling to recover having drifted out of bounds.”
Smith also praised his ‘economical running action’ and ‘quick anticipation of danger’.
All these qualities — though in an embryo stage — were seen when Woodgate made his England debut in Bulgaria in July 1999.
He was just 19 and had not even played for the Under-21 side.
Because of his on-going problems at Leeds, Woodgate has made just three further appearances.
But Ferdinand’s off-field problems have opened the door for a player Sven Goran Eriksson is especially keen on.
As well as Terry did against Turkey in Istanbul, there is the feeling that Woodgate’s more classically European style will be better suited to the ball-playing sides England face this summer.
With both Campbell and Terry prone to committing themselves in the tackle, you would feel more comfortable with Woodgate.
This composure and disinclination to dive in is supported by the facts — he has been booked just five times in the last 63 games.
But the bottom line is his remaining fit.
END
so no mention of the potentially libellous r word.
looks like Lawler has a big responsibility to become a national hero-like Lord Nelson say-she has to survive on meagre rations.
Well she did it for three weeks once and became recognised by the nation for her plucky spirit.
Now- a 6 month project.
Come on Katie you can do it for US-the nation.
or rather -not do it-well not too much though.
