Apparently it's a fake photo. Here's the original.

I like Martinez, but he is a huge risk IMO.

According to a Catalan journalist I know, who interviewed him in his home town of Balaguer, Martínez believes it's going to be difficult for him to continue at Wigan Athletic. He wants to take the club to the next level and will only stay there if he's given the means to do so. Liverpool are very keen and as soon as he learned of their interest any other potential employers were politely told he wasn't interested. He also told me Martínez has had more than two offers from Premier League clubs. Any idea who the other suitors could be?

Villa are apparently still keen on him.

I wasn't his biggest fan at the turn of the year and he was starting to lose his legend status, but the football we played at the end of the season was superb and it finally looked as though his plans had come together. If Liverpool give him the time to bring in the right players and shape the way the team plays then he'll do a good job imo. The problem is that I don't think he will get the time so he should stay and continue being the idol from my childhood

I couldn't tell you why, but I think should he get the job, Liverpool would give him more time than either Hodgson or Dalglish. While he came across really well and seemed to have a clear vision of what he wanted, it was really strange hearing him speak Catalan. He also cleared up something that I'd been wondering about for a while. His name is Robert, not Roberto.

Do you think he'd try and take any Latics players with him? Who'd be your shout for next Latics manager?

He's actually from Marsh Green and is called Robert Martins. The two amigos didn't sound right so we sent him to Spain to learn how to 'speaka di lingo' and get himself a tan.

Is Roberto not a Calatalonian name or something.....? Can't say I've ever asked him anything like that, although I once asked him his favourite flavour of pie when I was a kid


Personally if he does go, which I hope he doesn't, then I'd like to see another Spanish boss come in and keep the Spanish style of play that we have going. It's taken us three years to settle to it and we finally look like we can play it and progress. If not, then someone who likes the same style of play such as an Ian Holloway type character.

Player wise I think we'd be ok. He wouldn't need Al Habsi as he has Reina and he would have much more money to buy better players than we have that are already adapted to that style as opposed to teaching it them. He may come in for Moses, one of the Macs (McArthur has just penned a new deal) and Figueroa though.

ok, cheers mate - my mistake

I see Blatter has asked for alternatives to penalties as a form of deciding big football matches and wants the alternative to be in place for 2014.

The best idea I've heard so far is multiball. Extra time starts with 1 ball, second half is played with 2 and then with 3. First goal is the winner. It would be astonishingly good fun to watch. Officiaiting would be handled by one touchjudge and the ref, each controlling one ball.

Others I've read include free kicks with a 3 man wall instead of penalties, which would be very boring, reducing the number of players by 2 every 3 minutes after extra time finishes and removing goalkeepers after extra time. Another couple I quite liked are having extra time as 5 a-side, and removing the match officials after extra time, with the first to physically get the ball into the goal the winner, no holds barred

Blatter has said he wants penalties removing as they are a tragedy and remove the team aspect of football, warping it's core being.

Still can't see a better way of resolving a game unless he goes to replays. Guy on Radio Five suggested having penalties at the end of extra time in a sudden death format. The team that wins the penalties has a half goal advantage that is considered if the score remains level at full time. Ludicrous idea given the disruption to the game and the fact that there's no guarantee that the team which has played better will be going into EXT with an advantage.

Perhaps Blatter should address the issue of goal line technology first seeing as that's warping its core being even more.

Shut up Blatter. rlI blimmin' love pennosrl