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?