Just wondering, what does everybody make of the managerial changes that have been made since last season ended? From what we've seen of Roeder at Newcastle, he looks a decent appointment, and should be able to help the side achieve their potential. I'm not so sure about the others though. Obviously Gareth Southgate can't be judged on past performance, but he hardly strikes me as the sort of man who can reform Middlesbrough football club. Next season should see them wallow in mediocrity at best. Dowie, meanwhile, is an average manager with an average squad of players. Charlton need to attract some decent talent if they are to go anywhere, and having Iain Dowie in charge isn't going to make that any easier.

Oh, and Ballack isn't a sellout. He's achieved pretty much everything he can at Bayern, and if he wants a Champions' League medal in the near future there's no better bet than Chelsea. Of course the wages are going to be astronomical, but if you think that's the only reason Ballack has made the move, then you're not looking at the full picture.

On the other hand, I am willing to admit that Michael Ballack is a jerk, and that his newfound Chelsea-ness makes him doubly so.