The anonymous HATCHET MAN, who writes for the Daily Mail, attempts ‘hard-hitting’ journalism, which is a positive spin on articles that are generally full of sensationalist drivel. No wonder the columnists who write it retain anonymity.

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Don’t you just love deadline day? Brian Swanson and Dharmesh Seth repeatedly refer to their millions of sources and contacts around the footballing world and attempt to break news every other second. The obsession of the 24 hour media and its constant need for new news and exclusives is hilarious. The number of times Sky Sports News has contradicted itself over the past 72 hours is quite frankly disturbing. This is supposed to be a reliable source of news not a tabloid or the disgusting excuse for a website in tribalfootball.com

Take for instance, the ‘sagas’ of Robbie Keane and Andrei Arshavin. This morning we were told that Arshavin had arrived in London for talks if a fee was to be agreed. Then suddenly, the deal was off, as Arsenal and Zenit couldn’t agree a fee. Arshavin was supposedly off to the airport, despite all flights from Heathrow being cancelled.

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Raul had already cemented himself in Real Madrid history for the plethora of trophies that have arrived at the Bernabeu. The trio of Champions League titles, together with six LA Liga titles and four Spanish Super Cups has made the Spaniard one of the most successful players for Los Blancos. Yet in Soria this weekend, Raul Gonzalez equalled the goal-scoring record of Real’s greatest ever player and a genius who is considered by some to be the greatest of all time. Raul did so by scoring the winner in the away game to Numancia. Robben got the second, assisted by a Raul pass.

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The whole racism issue in Spain was apparently set to be eradicated after the initial furore about former Spain coach Luis Aragones calling Thierry Henry ‘a black s**t’ in a bid to motivate his then team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes. The measly fine awarded for the incident was a day’s wages in £2000. And the Spanish FA declined to take any action initially, before being forced by the Spanish anti-violence commission.

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The Russian side has been the most vocal in the January transfer window, alongside Garry Cook and his failed attempt to sign Kaka and Adriano Gaillani’s desire to keep David Beckham. From the various voices at the club, vastly differing news has come out of St. Petersburg. Together with Andrei Arshavin’s talkative agent Dennis Lachter (the Guardian compiled evidence of his tendency to speak when a mike is put before him); the move of the Russian playmaker has led astray the media who appear to be changing the state of the move to Arsenal with every passing day until the February 2^nd deadline.

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Champions League draw

If Liberofootball.com was an employee of BSkyB or ITV, it would be looking for every single angle to sensationalise yesterdays Champions League draw for the round of 16.

The Anglo-Italian ties have made the headlines as Claudio ‘Tinker-man’ Ranieri returns to Stamford Bridge to face his former side Chelsea with Juventus. The 54 year old Italian tactician has been heavily criticised for his moment of madness against Monaco in 2004: Hasselbaink on the right wing? Clearly the tabloids haven’t gotten over the fact that managers make mistakes.

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Well, they did say a week is a long time in football. How relevant that statement is for Real Madrid. After losing 3-4 at home to a Sevilla comprehensively dismantled by Barcelona the week before, and the manager Bernd Schuster intent on relieving himself of his duties by claiming there is no hope of even at draw in the Nou Camp, the fans of los Blancos had the handkerchiefs out in force.

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The Italian title race is now much more than the formality that it was during the last few years under Roberto Mancini’s tenure at Inter Milan. A change in coaching at the Nerazzurri saw a different approach. Initially there was a love-in with Jose Mourinho, whose personality wooed the Italian press. Then came the comparisons to the original ‘Special One’ and Inter legend Helenio Herrera. After a debut draw away to Sampdoria and a couple of narrow victories, the Milan derby had come along as a major test of Mourinho’s credentials.

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While we hear of (mostly) Liverpool players having their homes invaded and their prized possessions stolen (the victim list now reads: Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch and Jerzy Dudek), the tables have often turned.  Millionaires too decide to steal. Don’t judge them; they’re obviously trying to get by on whatever comes their way…

Albert Craig

Unfortunately, the first incident in this countdown is the most serious. Chronic gambler Albert Craig, the ex-Newcastle footballer was jailed for 12 months in 2005 after stealing more than £40,000 from a Postal Depot where he worked at. The former Partick Thistle player reportedly spent £69,000 in a casino that same year.

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Last night, Predrag Mijatovic announced in a press conference that Bernd Schuster had been given the dreaded vote of confidence. The German coach has been under pressure following defeats to Juventus at the Bernabeu, as the Turin side recorded their first victory in the Spanish stadium for 46 years.  Even worse was the defeat to third division Spanish side Real Union, the first time Madrid lost a cup tie against a lower league side. The minnows went through on away goals after a 4-3 defeat at the Bernabeu (6-6 on aggregate). The Real Madrid defence had World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and a spattering of internationals throughout the side.

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