A kick up the Noughties

TWO months from tonight, we’ll all be getting ready to welcome a new decade. Already, the reviews of the Noughties are starting to seep out (in summary: Bush, Blair, Cowell, Leona, Boris, David Brent, Am I Bovvered?, Peep Show, John and Edward, Obama, Coldplay – possibly in that order). For Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool, the Noughties have turned out very nice indeed.

Last on MOTD: Who’s the Twit?

BEFORE this weekend, the most contentious post on Hull City striker Jozy Altidore’s Twitter feed was his claim that Olly Murs would win X Factor. (I mean, come on Jozy, surely Stacey’s going to win.)

Visibly impressive in League Two

MANY years ago, Radio Five Live hosted a sports debate show from the Moss Rose. Before the programme, each of the guests were asked to say something into the microphone to check for sound levels – and Jimmy Armfield came out with: “Why is Macclesfield the hardest ground in the Football League to find?”

The curious case of Daniel Sturridge

DANIEL Sturridge will have been glad of his substitute’s cameo as Chelsea thrashed Atletico Madrid last night. Not only did he get his first experience of Champions League football, he also saw his appearance time for the season rocket from six minutes to 18.

Yes, but what’s your favourite word, Jenson?

I MET Jenson Button at a car vehicle leasing office in Stockport once. Well, I say met. Perhaps that’s putting it a bit strongly. But we were in the same room for, ooh, at least 15 minutes. Disappointingly, he didn’t sing We Are The Champions – or any of Queen’s hits.

Last on MOTD: Sylvester Stallone v Robert Plant

IS Sylvester Stallone really an Everton fan? And if so, does this mean that Rocky Balboa’s repeated attempts to recapture former glories can serve as a metaphor for Howard Kendall’s numerous stints at Goodison Park?

Notts, what’s the plan?

IN his statement explaining the reasons for manager Ian McParland’s exit on Monday, Notts County chief executive Peter Trembling referred to the new owners as having “a five-year project to deliver sustainable success to the club”.

So was letting McParland go less than three months after the takeover all part of the five-year project? Or are the people in charge making it up as they go along? I’m confused.

Russell grand

GOOD news for Norwich City midfielder Darel Russell – his sister made it through the first live round of The X Factor last night.

I know we can’t go wrong

PUB quiz time: How many of the 92 current Premier and Football League managers have had a UK number one hit single?

Last on MOTD: One week in the crazy life of Phil Brown

IT’S hard not to have a sneaking admiration for Phil Brown’s dark sense of humour, following the incident on Wednesday in which the Hull manager talked a woman out of jumping off the Humber Bridge while taking his team for a walk.