Hector McDougal

Yes, it's superb. Retweeted it there, well done Donal.

Evening Standard saying it's £25m fee http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-news-liverpool-and-southampton-agree-25m-adam-lallana-deal-9568479.html

I don't think that Madrid will make a move for Suarez, Benzema had a good season there and they're happy with the way he's playing alongside Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo (BBC) by all accounts. Given Ancelotti is staying on and they won the Decima, they might consolidate rather than recruiting another Galactico. I know it's Madrid, and they're not run in a logical manner but we might be in the clear, for now. Barcelona is a different story, don't know what to expect there with Enrique coming in and a lot of players leaving. A good few outsiders have arrived in and not adapted to the club, La Masia faction, such as Zlatan. Messi has a lot of sway there, would he want Luis coming in, upsetting the balance of the team? If Barca move for Higuain I can't see them buying Luis too. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/16/gonzalo-higuain-lionel-messi-barcelona

I think we should be all over Martinez if it's a possibility. Class act.

My mate is a football journo in Madrid and says they're very happy with Benzema this year. He thinks it's unlikely they'll go looking for another big name striker, but if they miss out on the league & CL then i can see them wanting to make a statement of intent.

9am in Paris. Have a few hours to kill before the match, could be in worse places.

Whatever happened to the gypsy curse?

Thanks, that should work as I'm staying in the Marais.

Any suggestions for a decent boozer in Paris for the Chelsea match?

I have told her that I am going to have to watch the matches as we're in the title race and she's ok with it but I should arrange something for her to do, spa treatment is a great suggestion, cheers. My next problem is figuring out how to watch streams on the iPad as I doubt there will be bars showing the Palace vs Liverpool on the Italian Riviera.

Too late, we got married in November.

I'm going on honeymoon in two weeks. Will be away in Liguria and then Slovenia for the Palace and Newcastle matches. Not sure how I'm going to broach the subject of heading off to watch football with the mrs.

Can't wait for the new episode, should make interesting listening after the result yesterday.

What is the other podcast that Neil was promoting on yesterday's wrap? Madcast or something? I had a look on iTunes but couldn't see it.

I remember he had Collymore, Babb and MacAteer as guests in the bar part of his set when he was presenting TFI. Melinda Messenger was being interviewed, think the lads were stalking her.

Thought Brendan could have taken him off a bit earlier to rest his legs. Small complaint on a day like today, in fairness.

Same team as WBA.

I went to Dortmund vs Leverkusen in December and the pressing and work rate of Sami's team was very impressive and they deserved to beat Dortmund on the day. It made their double capitulation against United in the group stages harder to stomach.

Guardian link us to Rakitic and Salah here. Nothing much new in it. http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2013/dec/31/transfer-window-20-top-targets-january-gallery-pictures

Really enjoyed the Russel Brand interview. I get the impression he's a really decent and down to earth chap when he's not "on" and performing.

The myth of Cantona far exceeds the reality of his talent.

He doesn't look arsed today.

Makes sense, the Barca connection with Txiki Begiristain.

I took tweeted that photo yesterday when I saw it in the paper. Did they put it Kuyt in for the laugh or was it done by somebody who doesn't follow football? On the same page they had Walcott listed as injured but also in the starting line up.

Is Allen fit?