London calling

Many happy returns for Wayne Routledge, whose first appearance back in a QPR shirt not only resulted in a 2-1 win for the Hoops but found him cast as homecoming hero, supplying the decisive goal from Adel Taarabt's astute pass. How curious that he should be so regularly anonymous and ineffectual in the top flight and yet so electrifying and dangerous one level down. One thing I didn't consider in my previous two posts on the loan deal (here and here) is what might happen if he proves a roaring success at Loftus Road. Obviously Rangers will be keen to recruit the Sidcup flyer permanently - but might it be enough to convince Alan Pardew against flogging him and instead, like many managers before him, hold out hope that he might finally be capable of cracking the Premier League nut?

On the subject of Londoners bombed out of St James' in recent times, Chris Hughton was a guest on the Football Focus couch yesterday. He may have been gagged by Jabba, but even still it was remarkable how dignified he was - not even a hint of bitterness. It's hard to believe that given the number of recent managerial vacancies in the Championship in particular, no one was prepared to offer him a job. Especially when one of the positions has been filled by the Tango Mackem - who, having been out of the game for over a year, immediately reminded everyone what a buffoon he is by making completely unfounded allegations about another club in a press conference and forcing his new employers to issue a grovelling apology...

(Paul's report of yesterday's latest sucker-punch draw to follow tomorrow.)