Slushing around in the primordial goo that surrounds our favourite passage of time, the Interlull, allows us to experience other aspects of football and today the locals (the Swiss) are all excited by their Young kids (does Wenger have any of them on his books yet!).

I'm not talking about the actual (and most incredulous sounding name) Young Boys of Bern though they are top of the Swiss league but the Swiss U-17 team. They've only gone and won the world championships in Nigeria, beating the hosts in the final too. It's amazing that a country this size can do far more at youth level than the country with a larger population, wealthier clubs and a greater history and induction into the game of football. 

The story probably doesn't register in the UK but it should be front page news in terms of showing up the FA and the Premier League clubs (with one or two exceptions like Arsenal) who have no idea how to coach and develop young footballing talent. On a recent podcast (see episode 14) the wisest comment came from a comedian, Kevin Day, when he said that it's a sad indictment of our game that we (meaning the media) fawn about Arsenal's playing style because we are so unique. He rightly said that we should have dozens of clubs trying to play football this way - where technique and movement are taught throughout all levels of the club from the youngest academy player to the first team. Aside from United, where apparently the kids only play 5 a side, and maybe one or two others many clubs still focus on results even in the youngest of sides. As a result big lads thrive and the potentially gifted but weak are discarded. Of course, the exceptional get through but how many have left the game, scarred and bitter, due to the coaching levels across the UK?

As it's Interlull and the only stories are those relating to International football I thought I better talk about the two biggest local stories. Switzerland are playing Israel tonight in Basel and only need a draw to ensure that they win the group. I think that they can lose and still would be in the play-offs but Greece are hoping for a Isrsael win so they can get the winners spot! St Jakob Stadium was getting ready at lunch time as I went past (after my Gym session) and despite the FIFA ruling of no beer in the stadium I think the fans will manage to get enough before and after the game!

Over the border in France they are relieved to be in the play offs and L'Equipe reported yesterday (here's an English report) that Ligue 1 will be postponed for the 11th round in October, The odd fact is that the games are on the 28th October - well in advance of the play off games in November (14th / 18th) so it really seems a little strange.

Despite the Interlull I am quite looking forward to staying up late and watching the Uruguay - Argentina game tonight.

With our game on Monday and superb powder in the mountains this has proved to be an excellent weekend to jump on a  train to Grindewald for skiing trip...

 Speak to you all on monday...

Bis Bald

As Sky Sports News ticker goes into 6th gear, then turbo charged and finally warp drive before exploding at 5pm today.... Here's the photo to sum up the whole TW experience.

For some strange reason the weather over here has done a complete about turn and seems to have decided it's FA Cup weekend in this country. We have gales, lashing rain and dark, dark clouds across the sky. Since only yesterday I was sliding all over the road and pavements on my way to the station it's come as a bit of a shock. Someone should have told the weather gods that there isn't any football going on in Switzerland at the moment(it has a break until February).

The weather could be interpreted as a dark vision of the football future that is descending upon us as managers and chairman get madder and madder in an attempt to avoid relegation/win leagues or promotion/buy a shiny new player to parade in front of the press. However, today there haven't been any signings as mad as £14M for Bellamy although anyone taking Mido on loan will need to ensure the benches have been strengthened to cope with his rather "large" frame. I know he doesn't score goals but Heskey to Villa seems sensible business (as does Bullard to Hull) relative to some of the stupidity going on.

Little on Arsenal today as we prepare for a tricky trip to Cardiff at the weekend but since the cup now takes place over 3 (or is it 4 like the 3rd round) days and the draw is held before the final game it's all a bit crap really, not quite so magical

I usually manage 3x45 minute Spinning sessions during the week at my local gym, which just happens to be located within the FC Basel stadium complex, St. Jakobs. I discovered today that when the team return from their winter break for training they also use the gym as part of their preparations for the resuming of their season. So I'm warming up when the entire first team squad walks past followed by our good old ex-Tottenham manager, Christian Gross, who smiled as I picked up my Arsenal towel in front of him! Many of the players were happy to talk to people and certainly didn't strike me as prima donnas.

I can't quite imagine this happening with any of the Premier League sides (and yes I realise how small the little old Swiss League is) though you could see at at some lower league sides. It always amazes me the sheer physical size of many football teams and Basel, despite not being amongst the European elite (whatever the last 32 place in the Champions League may say), are a big set of lads.

So that was better than talking about the TW. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

When I first moved out to Switzerland there were 2 Easyjet flights a day from Basel to Luton which made it perfect for flying back to games on the weekend. Now as I look to book tickets back for the Roma and Fulham games (unfortunately a combination of family events and poor train connections between Plymouth and London mean these are the next games I can get to!!) they've completely buggered up their flight schedules from Switzerland to the UK. I can't even get a Saturday morning flight from Zurich any more so it looks like BA will be getting used more often and my BA miles total will drop quickly. It's not the end of the world in any sense but these changes never seem to be announced whilst I get email after email telling me of NEW routes from Gatwick to Spain or Iceland. What good is that to someone living in Switzerland!!!!

Anyway I have, at least, sorted out my travel plans for that week and let's hope the team finds a bit of spark from somewhere. The most noticeable thing about the game yesterday was the lack of pace all over the pitch, both in terms of our players' movement and the speed with which we moved the ball around. Switching Nasri to the centre and the impact of Vela helped but it wasn't too pretty to watch and you can understand Arsene's desire to improve our creative play at the end of that game.

Anyway off to drink beer and watch the Mancs with some Americans who have no real idea of what goes on but for the privilege of this I have agreed to watch their team (New York Giants) straight afterwards in some play off game. Apparently it will last four hours and we drink lots of beer, well the second bit sounds fine.

Due to an unexpected slice of excitement during DAY ONE of the TRANSFER WINDOW I've been told by a doctor (well I looked at an online service) to stay off alcohol and drugs for the month of January. In order to make life seem bearable I shall be spending the weekend in Champery doing a little R&R on the ski slopes. Have a good weekend watching the FA Cup, no idea what team Arsene will out out tomorrow but having seen Plymouth over Christmas I didn't see much to frighten us other than our ability to lose to teams with less ability but much more effort!

Bis Montag

Do you remember the days when the New Year was just about parties and resolutions (not meant to be kept of course) rather than the start of this artificially created "Transfer Window". I think most people have forgotten the reason it was even created in the first place (apparently it was to do with differing rules in Europe and the EU negotiations...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz). What does it actually achieve?

Well obviously the most important people during these times are the media, who now have carte blanche to write any rumours, gossip or random guesses they dare to dream up. Since this is, for many, their raison d'etre and they've had four months with no opportunity it's generally seized with gusto! Many websites drop off the radar for weeks only to be reinvigorated by the chance to try and excite fans with stories about Johhny nobody's Mr 15% saying he's definitely* interested in coming to YOUR club!

 So keep calm, enjoy tonight and let the month look after itself.

* - depending on money, other clubs' interest, the weather or his astrological forecast

I could go on about the Champions League draw (seen on a TV in the gym at lunchtime) and the possibility of a trip back to Rome (I used to go there a lot for work) but it doesn't mean anything until February so we can wait till then.

It seems the boardroom saga will run for a few more days and the game against Liverpool that used to be all about sport is now more about problems in each of the boardrooms and contracts and buy outs and bollocks...

It's not stopping me coming home for a game but when the main story about your club, the club you've supported since a young boy, is all about who owns 15.9% of the shares, who wants them, why they owner of the shares left and a Russian oligarch....then...truly...as ...most..of .....us know....

The game is well and truly f##ked.

But we still get up to catch a flight at 6.50am for a game of football.