Perhaps it was Sir Alex Ferguson’s fault. After all, at the turn of the year the Manchester United manager was vocal in his dismissal of the prospect of signing any new players during the January transfer window – despite the fact that the treatment room at Old Trafford has been a busy place of late.
Why are footballers (most sports people in fact) always banging on about ‘taking each game as it comes’? Is it some kind of sports psychology technique? Ignore the blindingly obvious fact that this is so unoriginal as to be offensive, in order to maintain focus? Maybe, but it certainly doesn’t make for an interesting listen.
In 1988 Wimbledon lifted the FA Cup. In 2012, the MK Dons are 5th in League 2. Two completely unrelated facts to anyone who doesn’t know the history involved here. But of course Wimbledon FC and the MK Dons are one and the same. And there has been more than a simple name change involved in the evolution of this club. And if you don’t believe that, just ask an AFC Wimbledon fan.
The vexed question of whether Scottish footballers are likely to represent Team GB at the Olympics in London this summer has manifested itself across the back pages in Scotland with an ever-increasing intensity over the past few days.
The league is never won in January, but, after this Sunday we could have a much better idea of where it is going. Third place Spurs travel to top of the league Manchester City in the 2 o’clock kick off. Then later in the day second place Manchester United face fifth placed Arsenal at the Emirates.