International friendly week / what Pardew did / the emancipation proclamation

It's been a couple of days since my last post, partly due to it being international friendly week, which means that any interesting news or contentious issues which I could be reviewing or discussing are going to be relatively thin on the ground. The other reason that there's been no posts is that on Monday I was at work til 2.30am and on Tuesday I was at work until 4.30am, and have generally been working like a slave. Whilst the United Kingdom does not have written legislation banning slavery in the manner of the United States' emancipation proclamation I still think it's a bit off.

Anyway, Justin Hoyte scored the winner on Tuesday night for the England U21s, but unfortunately Theo Walcott picked up an injury when some young Dutchman trod on his hand. I'm still not sure how serious it is but apparently he's very doubtful for the weekend.

Thierry scored for France last night and Kolo played for the Ivory Coast as they beat Sweden, and whilst Freddie didn't get a game I'm very happy with that, considering he's been out for so long and I was worried that Sweden were going to rush him back into action before he was ready. Big Phil and Johann played for Switzerland last night as they lost 2-1 to Brazil. I can't find any indication as to whether our kid Denilson got any time on the pitch at all. I doubt he did but it's still a fantastic indication of the player's potential that he's 18, hasn't played a Premiership game or an U21 Brazil team, and yet he's already been part of the senior Brazil set up.

Further rumours on what were said by Alan Pardew to Arsene Wenger at West Ham two weeks ago are beginning to come out. The Online Gooner reports a story that some people reviewing video of the incident are now positive that Pardew said, amongst other things, "you French fuck".

If this is true, and I'm not saying that it necessarily is, then lots and lots of people, and pretty much every journalist and broadcaster in the country, is going to owe Mr Wenger an apology. Certainly Pardew's immediate apology makes more sense, and Arsene's refusal to speak on the matter, because unlike Pardew he has class. I for one would not be surprised at all, and this would follow Pardew's xenophobic comments about our squad make up from last season.

The Birmingham Post reckons that their three on loan Gooners could win the Blues the Championship. Personally I think Cardiff are going to push Birmingham into second place, but the kids will have a huge influence on their season.

Anthony Stokes has won praise from the RoI B team manager following his substitute appearance against Scotland B. Thrilling.

Craig Bellamy fancies Thierry Henry.

And that's it.