Early Doors loves the idea of Alex Ferguson being asked to explain his comments about linesman Simon Beck.

Asked to explain.

That implies a degree of nuance, of uncertainty about what he said.

Well, here's a reminder of how he reacted to Wayne Rooney being denied what looked an obvious penalty.

"It was definitely a penalty. He has put his leg right in there. The linesman (Simon Beck) is facing it, I thought he had a very poor game, the linesman. I thought he was disappointing. We have got that history with him. He never gave offside with Drogba at Old Trafford when he was three yards offside.

Things it is OK to feel about Nigel Adkins's sacking by Southampton: Amazement, confusion, trepidation.

Things it is not OK to feel about Nigel Adkins's sacking by Southampton: Anger, disgust, outrage.*

The decision to remove the manager who has led you to two straight promotions, in the middle of an unbeaten run that has seen you pull clear of the relegation zone, is obviously a controversial one.

But we need to separate the issues - the analytical from the emotional.

Was it a bad decision? Probably. Was it hard to understand? Definitely. It is a risky move to replace your successful manager

And the name in the first envelope is... Brendan Rodgers.

For anyone who missed the Wernham Hogg-a-thon that was Being: Liverpool - this was a cringeworthy fly on the wall documentary starring Ricky Gervais as Brendan Rodgers, a middle manager convinced of his own messianic brilliance.

As well as spawning dozens of Brent-esque quotes ("It's not just about training players, it's about educating players. You train dogs."), it featured a gruesomely embarrassing set piece in which Rodgers recycled a trick used 15 years earlier by Alex Ferguson.

He announced that three players would let the team

What a great day to be Rafa Benitez. Sure, your team threw away a two-goal lead at home to Southampton. Yes, you got booed by your own fans.

But with Pep Guardiola's move to Bayern Munich, Rafa moved a step closer to removing the word 'interim' from his job title.

Guardiola's decision should disappoint Chelsea fans, but it should absolutely not come as a surprise.

The Bundesliga has become something of a favourite in this country in recent years. Not because anyone watches the games, of course, but because of the culture.

Clubs majority-owned by the fans; youth systems that help the national

Upon hearing the news last night that QPR appear to have snuck in ahead of Newcastle United to sign France international Loic Remy from Marseille, Early Doors immediately thought of that classic line from Mrs Merton, delivered to Debbie McGee: “What first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?”

Because on the face of things it is difficult to see what attracted Remy to the Premier League’s bottom club. If factors like league position, size of club or enthusiasm of fan base were considerations, then surely Remy would be coughing for the doctors on Tyneside as we speak and planning his

In light of the build-up to yesterday's match between Arsenal and Manchester City it was rather unfortunate that the £62 game effectively lasted only nine minutes.

That was how long it took for Laurent Koscielny to convince himself he was Hunter from Gladiators and leap all over Edin Dzeko as if he was trying to tear him to ground in a round of Hang Tough.

When Mike Dean rightly produced a red card from his back pocket, that was it done. Everyone knew that a brittle Arsenal would collapse - it was just a question of how long it would take. Twelve minutes later, following some typically

On Sunday, Manchester United play Liverpool at Old Trafford with Howard Webb refereeing.

Good ref gets big game - seems like a sensible decision, no?

Not if you consult the internet, which could barely contain its disbelief that a man who once sent Steven Gerrard off should be allowed to officiate.

As ED types, Twitter chimes to hackneyed jokes from people with handles like @MarioBaLOLtelLAD

A quick search of 'Webb' and 'Howard Webb' reveals the following gems:

Howard Webb has been announced as the referee during next sundays Manchester United victory over Liverpool. (@FootballFunnys - 874