Big news last week was probably the announcement of the England squad, and Rio Ferdinand's omission, a surprise for some. In the light of the JT saga, and the former captain's international retirement, many expected Rio to be re-called, but it was not the case as Roy Hodgson, correctly, decided to go with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross, alongside Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill, and Phil Jagielka.
The moaners all state that these players aren't experienced enough with caps - 0/23/10/14 respectively - but all these players have very credible club experience, and regularly play in the Prem; the best league in the world? I think that's enough to earn a place, and if that isn't enough, Rio's form this season has been dire.
Another issue thrown up regarding the squad is Ashley Cole's place, following his outburst against the FA on Twitter, which culminated in the full-back referring to the FA as "absolute t***s". So what? Why can't a football player express his opinion just as everybody else does on Twitter (within reason of course)? #ridiculous.
This leads perfectly onto my next point, Roberto Martinez's £10,000 fine for talking negatively about a referee. That's it, just saying that he was poor, and he gets fined. The FA really need to take a step back and think about this one: again, there is a certain level for criticism, but why is a manager publicly saying that a referee had a poor game so bad, especially when the club will write to the FA anyway to make a complaint? If managers are going off calling referees every name under the sun, or constantly start attacking the refs, then they have a point for stopping it, but otherwise, let a manager give his opinion, they must have reasonable evidence for the complaint..
But a way of stopping any sort of criticism is to look into that other English sport called 'rugby', and introduce a video ref. I was watching Warrington vs Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday, and the game ran so smoothly because the players get on with the game with little fuss, listen to the ref, and there's no complaints about decision because they can be contested and proven to be correct, and if incorrect, overturned. Sorted. And while we're at it, some footballers - *cough cough* Luis Suarez - could learn a bit about respect and not diving.

Away from the moaning, and looking ahead to the internationals, San Marino should be a routine win for the Three Lions at Wembley, but the next game against Poland will provide a much sterner test, although in 17 meetings between the nations, England have won 10, drawn 6, and only lost once. But the threat of Robert Lewandowski up front is always a concern, so whoever Hodgson picks at the back will have to be prepared to put up with the Dortmund front man's tricks and skills. I'm going to go for a 3-0 victory over San Marino, so I'll review that gane and preview the Poland one next week..

One final point, as food for thought, is the 'respect towards big clubs' that apparently doesn't exist..
Mark Clattenburg was the referee when Man City beat United 6-1 at Old Trafford last season. He's not refereed there since. Mike Dean was the referee when Blackburn beat United 3-2 at Old Trafford. He's not refereed there since. Finally, Chris Foy was the referee when Spurs beat United 3-2 a couple of weeks ago. Last weekend, he was demoted to LEAGUE 2, to referee Accrington Stanley vs. Rochdale. Anyone notice anything suspicious?

Firstly, a huge well done to Europe for not only retaining the Ryder Cup last night, but actually winning it, and coming from behind to do so!! Seve will be proud of you all.
And well done to Tottenham too, who ended their 23-year wait for a win at Old Trafford after beating United 3-2. And to Brendan Rodgers for his first League win as Liverpool boss.

However, before the weekend came 2 resignations after their positions were made 'untenable'.
1) John Terry retired from International Football the day before an FA verdict was announced that the Chelsea captain was GUILTY of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand last October, when he was earlier cleared by the Magistrates court.
Terry's statement said that due to the FA proceedings, his position in the national side had become "untenable", therefore he had no choice but to retire - a great loss for England. On the plus side, it allows Roy Hodgson to build a new partnership, with Gary Cahill and Joeleon Lescott looking like favourites, with Phil Jagielka and Ryan Shawcross (hopefully) as deputies. Forget Rio.
Going back to the FA, they fined Terry £220,000 and gave him a 4-match ban. But hold on, didn't Luis Suarez get an 8-match ban when he was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra? Ok, he was fined £80,000 not £220,000, but surely these punishments should be consistent, and I think the FA have let themselves down, and I think Liverpool - Suarez especially - have a right to be annoyed.
Furthermore though, the FA have made a fool of themselves by charging Terry, failing to understand that there was no intent behind the remarks - hence he was 'Not Guilty'. When a slur is intentionally made, like in the Suarez case, it is fair enough, but in the heat of a London Derby in a sports match where the atmosphere is hostile, and the player has been aggravated, I think Terry can be forgiven.

2) Steve Kean - Blackburn. Relegated from the Premier League in 2011/12 season. Currently sitting 4th in The Championship with 15 points from 8 games. Manager now sacked.
It's been a difficult road for Steve Kean; he was given the job after the new owners took a stupid decision to sack "Big" Sam Allardyce - always guaranteed to keep a team in the Premier League. From that moment, fans were against the board, and against the man they installed, so his tenure was never going to be successful, and Venkys have taken another stupid option by sacking Kean.
A manager needs time to install new ideas into a club, and get it functioning in unison. I wasn't even born when Fergie took over Man United, but I know that it took him a couple of seasons to take control of United  - 20-odd years later he's still there, and the club have won just about everything under him.
But managers in this day and age don't seem to have time, as foreign owners come in and expect short-term success, as opposed to building a club. It's worked with Man City, okay, but that's because they have mega mega money resources to get the best players. Blackburn don't.
Not being bias, and I think most footballing experts will agree, but for Blackburn, Stoke would be a good role-model. No debt, established Premier League club, a good manager-chairman relationship, and all without spending more than £30million in a Transfer Window. Not forgetting the new Category 1 Academy, or the fantastic support. But the point is, as a club it is proof that for the achievement of playing weekly in the best league in the world, and having the potential to win domestic cups, not as much money needs spending, and it takes patience to build. Okay the only major honour Stoke have is the 1972 League Cup, but looking ahead, they've put the foundations in the ground, and are now laying the first bricks of what will hopefully be a desirable country mansion.