"Now this is football from the dream-factory"

Sorry this is not the english broadcast... that is where the quote is from... I dislike Man. United, but they look unbelievable right now...

It is a sad day for those who don't enjoy real football

To all those who are going to miss the heavy hitting fast action of the NFL... please pick one of the following other events which are currently happening in the world over the next nine months to watch... you won't be disappointed.

Sports and Science: technology in jerseys

Via The Daily Mail: Why Portsmouth's stars run longer and shoot harder
JOHN EDWARDS



Portsmouth are the only English club to latch on to a trend that was the talk of the rugby World Cup — ionized shirts, or 'wearable steroids' as the marketing bods soon dubbed them. South Africa were one of the rugby countries to use them and they won it.

Developed by New Zealand kit firm Canterbury, the 'IonX' shirts are made from a fabric that contains a negatively charged electromagnetic field. This means the process of ionisation, which produces electrically charged atoms long understood by former Eastern Bloc scientists to improve sporting performance, can occur in the body during training and even competitive matches.

It is claimed to increase blood flow and oxygen levels, leading to improved performance. Portsmouth seem to think it has an effect. Paul Bell, the club's commercial director, said: 'It's something we believe is delivering a tangible, positive effect on our players.' Tests carried out at Loughborough University appear to back this up.

Professor Mike Caine, head of sports technology and innovation at Loughborough, compared the performance of athletes wearing IonX garments with those in normal gear and saw a difference. 'There seems to be a small but significant improvement to repeated power output during high intensity exercise,' he said.

Professor Caine found a 2.7 per cent improvement in 'mean power' — so, does this mean that Portsmouth's players can shoot 2.7 per cent harder wearing their new shirt? He wants to carry out more research before going that far (and has just started to do so) but says: 'If you ask me “could it make a performance benefit?” Yes, I believe it could.

'If you look at professional sport, certainly at international level and almost certainly at Premier League level, would a coach or a fitness and conditioning manager bite your hand off for a 2.7 per cent increase in strength , power, agility, flexibility, reaction time? Yes they would.'

While the shirts were being tested by the likes of South Africa , Australia and Scotland prior to the rugby World Cup, several other countries (believed to include England and France) sought clarification over the legality of IonX.

The International Rugby Board asked the World Anti-Doping Agency for a ruling. They replied that they were happy — for now. Spokesman Frederic Donze said: 'Since there is no scientific publication supporting claims that changes in the body ion charges or magnetic field distribution enhance performance, and since such technologies do not contain prohibited substances, these technologies should not be considered as a banned method to date.'

Portsmouth are so keen they have done a deal preventing other Premier League sides from using IonX for 'the immediate future' — thought to be several seasons. Bruce Vandenberg, the club's chief executive, said: 'It was very important to us that we were the only football club that could wear IonX so we sought to create an exclusive window.' It has taken football a long time to discover a science that has been known for centuries.

The Japanese long ago realised that standing next to a waterfall, where ionisation also occurs, makes people feel better and German scientists in the 1930s used ionisation chambers to train bomber pilots to stay awake longer and be more alert. That technology was then applied to athletes in the former East Germany and Soviet Union.

It took an American textile company, who made protective suits for the Chernobyl clean-up operation as well as Ian Thorpe's 'shark-skin' swimming outfit, to work out how to incorporate the technology into fabric. Canterbury have a 25-year agreement with that firm.

Joe Middleton , chief executive of Canterbury UK, said: 'With this kit elite athletes can recover more quickly between training sessions and probably train half a day earlier. That's the feedback we're getting from these guys. So, it's big.' Even Harry Redknapp is said to be a convert. Those negative ions must be a powerful force if they can win over a traditionalist like the Portsmouth manager.

Carlos Tevez reads Wayne Rooney's mind

As much as I try to dislike Manchester United, I have to say it is fun watching some beautiful football.

Frank Lampard's Chelsea contact demands are straight ballin'

Those of you familiar with the EPL and Chelsea probably know that star Frank Lampard has had some trouble agreeing to a new contract. And while this is almost undoubtedly satire, it's pretty good. We may now know why they're having trouble agreeing on a contract. The UK web site Chicken Dinner - which despite it's name is a sports news and gossip site - somehow managed to get their hands on Lampard's contract demands.

The Guardian newspaper's blog, seems to think the demands might be true - which means nothing of course. It'd be fun if the demands are true, because they are AWESOME.

Let's look at some of the more fun demands:

Mr. Lampard is to be addressed as "Mr. Lampard" at all times, including in the match day programme, by the match announcer and by all other players, including on the pitch, with the exception of Mr. John Terry. In addition: The match day announcer is to read Mr. Lampard's name in a louder and more enthusiastic voice than the other players, with the exception of Mr. Terry.

Employees of Chelsea Football Club, including the playing staff, are not to make eye contact with Mr. Lampard in the dressing room or on the field of play, even when celebrating goals or congratulating Mr. Lampard on his exceptional play, with the exception of Mr. John Terry.

Upon scoring a goal, Mr. Lampard is to be unmolested by fellow players for at least five ("5") seconds, in order to perform a celebration as he deems appropriate. When the rest of the team then embraces him, they may not touch him below the waist.

Mr. Lampard is to be provided with a separate dressing and changing area both at Stamford Bridge and away grounds, of four-star hotel quality or better. The lavatory seat is to be new and sealed.

Mr. Lampard's dressing room is to be painted white or off-white and decorated with two ("2") vases of white lilies and a baby grand paino (white or off-white).

Thank goodness he'll accept an off-white baby grand piano. White can be awful hard to find.

Lamps is straight ballin'

From 100% Injury Rate

"American goalkeeper Kasey Keller joins Premier League team Fulham"

WHOOO HOOO! One more American in the Barclay's Premier League. Oh wait. It is Kasey Keller and he isn't even the U.S. Men's National Team number one goalkeeper anymore.

LONDON (AP) -- United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller has joined Premier League team Fulham and could make his first start Saturday. He becomes the fourth American on the team, joining defender Carlos Bocanegra, midfielder Clint Dempsey and injured captain Brian McBride.

Tony Warner had been playing in the goal for Fulham during the first three, but seriously has been doing horrible. Warner is basically the reason for two of Fulham's loses this year after mishandling balls on two different opposing goals in two separate games.

I hope Kasey Keller does well because I like to see Americans do well abroad, but honestly I don't think he will do all that great. He will do better than pathetic Warner, but Keller looked pretty slow himself for the U.S. National Team during their short stead in this year's Copa America.

Feilhaber gets Derby clearance

Derby have received international clearance for American midfielder Benny Feilhaber to make his debut for the Premier League newcomers.
The 22-year-old agreed a three-year £1million move from German Bundesliga side Hamburg earlier in the week.
And the relevant paperwork has now arrived to give the USA international the green light to get his Rams career under way, which could be against Tottenham on Saturday.
Manager Billy Davies said: "Obviously we're very pleased to get international clearance for Benny.
"He is a tremendous young talent with excellent potential so now we're looking forward to introducing him into the Premier League and life in England."