Brown and out

Never let it be said that we don't hold grudges. It was with great amusement that we read today of the Mackem Tango Man's sacking by Preston. Having proven incapable of keeping the Lilywhites in the Championship, he's been given the boot for their steady downward slide from the summit of League One. The club's move may have been prompted by the arrival of that most unlovable of chaps Peter Ridsdale - if so, then I'm warming to him ever so slightly.

You only sing when you're winning

Anyone cupping an ear in the direction of Deepdale tonight will hear just one thing: silence. Don't be a spoilsport, though, Phil - how's about picking up the mic for old times' sake? if so, might I suggest having a stab at Status Quo's 'Down Down'?

Link-up play

If you're a fan of serious, thoughtful, well-researched football blogging of any hue (and if you are, what brought you here?), then you really should have a read of Lanterne Rouge's latest post over at The Two Unfortunates on the subject of the "economic geography of football", prompted by a trip to the North East for last weekend's Northern League Day.

Rather less likely to meet with approval from you, dear reader, is another of his recent posts in defence of the Mackem Tango Man. "Is Phil Brown really that odious?", he asks. Well, yes - yes, he is.

Next, a long-overdue link to fellow Toon blog Leazes Terrace, worth a look for its excellent post-match tactical analysis in particular. Nice to hear its creators were complimentary about this 'ere site on said Northern League Day, incidentally...

And finally, courtesy of Leon, we're liking Football Venn Diagrams - a simple concept, well executed. There must be scope for a Newcastle-related one, surely...

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.)