I wonder if Steve Bennett will be more careful with who he talk to in regards to his job.

Now I’ll be honest with everyone. When Jeffrey Hash linked me to this story earlier Sunday morning, I simply went “It’s the News of the World…why should I care?” What I read woke me up.

His revelations that players have asked to be booked so they could miss games I’ll admit I was shocked. However it did make me wonder who these people are? Who was the ‘top international Premier League player’ who wanted to go on a family vacation? Who was the player who wanted Christmas off? Who didn’t want to travel to a ground they didn’t like? Who was the ‘ace’ as the article says that Bennett calls ‘a cheating bastard’? It almost makes me want to go back through all the games and bookings he made to see if I could narrow down possible candidates, but that could take a while.

While the Premier League needs to have Steve Bennett identify these players (I’m sure the News of the World would love to make that video available to the Premier League), one does have to question why Bennett would take the bait so easily when told. Now yes this was at the bar after midnight at a UEFA referee’s course, but Graham Poll’s right. If you are involved in sport in England, you have to be careful of anything you say to anyone you don’t know all that well. There is always the strong possibility that who you are talking to is looking to do exactly what was done in this article. With that said though, I’m bet we start taking a closer look at cards because I don’t think this article will leave our consciousness for a while…if ever.

In the end, let’s hope this doesn’t kill Steve Bennett’s career.

Joe Kinnear’s weekend visit to hospital was not a distraction Newcastle United needed, even with the 3-2 away win against West Bromwich Albion. We all know of his prior health problems and a manager heading off to see the doctor instead of the match is not my idea of spending a Saturday. But credit to the grand kid for the commentary (why didn’t he just use the radio…beats me) and the players for responding in such a positive way.

Yea Joe checked out okay, but it does make you wonder if Kinnear is still cut out for the pressures of management, as the Independent questions. Newcastle United isn’t exactly the easiest of jobs due to the club’s location and the demanding expectations of the supporters. Joe hasn’t exactly set the world alight, but Newcastle seem determined to let Kinnear sink or swim with the side this season. Unlike what happened at Portsmouth, Newcastle should be commended for that. Even if it appears to be for money reasons.

Here’s to Kinnear getting well soon.

Other Stories
Few quick fire Manchester United stories. First off congrats to Edwin Van der Sar for breaking the British record for not conceding a goal. At least he’s right about the defense giving him a lot of help in that. Secondly, Carlos Tevez had his Bentley impounded because he didn’t have a full license. That sucks. And finally, Manchester United have had to warn youth clubs about a man pretending to be a Manchester United scout who happens to be a pedophile. I hope they catch that bastard and he gets what’s coming to him.

I wonder if Chelsea fans want Avram Grant back after pulling out the same tricks they did to the manager from last season? Chelsea fans listen up…YOU’RE NOT GETTING JOSE BACK! And it’s nice to see Ray Wilkins take a page out of the Gary Megson playbook.

Giofranco Zola with the manager speak saying he wouldn’t leave West Ham for Chelsea. He’s right, I don’t think Chelsea would take him and frankly it’s too eerily similar to the whole Alan Shearer situation from last season for my own tastes.

And finally, Gareth Southgate vows to fight on as Middlesbrough manager and says he won’t quit. That maybe true, but with Adams sacking, could we see a couple more rash sackings between clubs at the bottom? I honestly hope not.