Gunner44 - Since Owen seems to be set to leave Newcastle where do you see him going since the top 4 all seem to not be interested? And how much is he worth?

Bobby – I’m not convinced that Owen will leave mainly because I can’t come up with a reason why the big four would be interested in him now when they weren’t before he moved from Real Madrid to Newcastle and before his injury. I think big Sam will fight tooth and nail to hold on to him if there is a chance of him leaving. If he goes I think the release figure in his contract is 12 milion pounds.

Mr. Red Devil - I think that Group E is definitely one of the 2 or 3 most difficult groups in Euro 2008 qualifying. I know that England has some very big matches at Wembley coming up. Do you think their qualification is a lock? Does Israel have any chance at qualification? What do you think the final standings will be in that group (just the top 4 spots)?

Bobby – It is certainly one of the three toughest groups. I would have to award the toughest title to Group B with Italy, France and Ukraine (WC winners, runners-up, last eight). I am still confident that England will qualify. They have Russia, Israel, Estonia and Croatia at Wembley while the only away game is in Moscow. England also may have the added advantage that by the time Croatia visits Wembley for the last game on November 21, Croatia may have already sealed a place in the finals and will have nothing to play for.

If Israel is to qualify then they need to find a way to make up for the 4-3 home loss to Croatia. That was a big blow to Israel. If I assume – for sake of argument – that Israel wins their two home games against Russia and Macedonia then the September 8 meeting with England at Wembley becomes the pivotal match. If Israel wins that one then an upset could be on the books. But if they lose then they are likely to find themselves six points behind Croatia with three games left, a point behind Russia with a game more played and tied with England with a game more played. Croatia would only need a draw to kill off the Israeli challenge while Russia and/or England would have likely gained points in their games.

Whichever way it goes it will be exciting. My placing prediction is Croatia, England, Russia and Israel.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - Can Fox get together an invitation to Coach Stephen Hart to be on FSR tomorrow night – even by phone in?
With one game (and one slip up) away from a much needed title, why would this guy (Ramon Calderon) risk disrupting Beckham and the team by running off at the mouth about getting Beckham to change his mind? The answer is presumably a massive ego that had him invent the nonsense about Arjen Robben over the weekend, when he obviously no contact was made and Robben isn’t going anywhere. Presumably he is still trying to patch over his election promises. It could really tick Beckham off and suddenly his injury “won’t recover in time.”
Assuming you watched La Liga on Saturday, how did you rate what you saw? How will you view Messi in the future?

Bobby – A smashing idea but interim Coach Hart had a pre-arranged appointment with Haiti on Monday.

On the question of Calderon’s motive - ego or a complete imbecile, or both. 

With the last minute dramatics over the last few rounds of La Liga and in particular last weekend it really puts another spin on the best league question. Given what we have seen who cares if La Liga is no longer “the best” – the last minute dramatics at the Nou Camp and Zaragoza were incredible. I really can’t see how Barcelona can recover from the two stakes in the heart – unbelievable stuff. As for Messi – I think it will be a cloud over him for a little while. I think it would have been worse if it had given Barcelona a lead going into the final weekend. I was listening to Sid Lowe on the Guardian Unlimited Podcast and he brought up an interesting point. He said in the Messi case and others like it the public blame the officials for not catching it but don’t take the player to task. It set of an interesting few comments about what different countries regard as cheating. One example was that in England nudging the centre half just as he is jumping is looked upon as part of the game while others might consider it just another form of cheating.

Jeffers77 - Any thoughts on Tyrone Marshall's tackle late in the game that broke Kenny Cooper's leg? Do you think he deserves any suspension over the 1-game for the red card?

Bobby – Late, high but I don’t think he meant to injure Kenny Cooper. I would be surprised if he was suspended beyond the standard punishment.

Henry14 - l was thinking that instead of MLS looking for star names why can't they look for quality players between 26 to 32 from the Prem, La Liga and top league not exactly the star players. You look at Angel he is probably the best player in MLS but he is a professional who does not go about marketing but ensures victory.
The likes of Marlon King, Djemba Djemba will help in real quality on the pitch, you look at Andy Cole and probably a Fowler what is your take.
What do you make on the restriction of funds by the Liverpool board, firstly l thought they would spend 70m pounds but l think the new contracts will expand their wage bill from 61m to around 90m pounds a season and if they were to bring Eto’o Tevez, Malouda and Milito they would have to break the 100m pound mark and they owe 470m pounds what do you think will be the transfer policy at Liverpool this season.

Bobby – When you are a star your name is recognized and therefore of greater value and is more likely to attract people to watch. I think you underestimate Angel’s standing as a star – given his career with River Plate and Colombia I would say he is qualified. As for Djemba Djemba – I don’t think he qualifies under star, or quality. The last I heard of him he was with Burnley on loan. On problem with the proposal is that it would in most cases involve paying significant transfer fees.

We are the stage in the summer break when the papers are struggling for stories. That’s why we are hearing so much about possible club takeovers and who has what to spend and who doesn’t. The vast majority of stuff that is being printed and reported just now is absolute rubbish. The Spanish season finishes this weekend and after a brief break the real moves with real money will start to happen. Then we will see who has what to spend and on who.

Neophyte - Do you think anything will come of Ronaldinho's comments about being tired? He was voted the best player in Europe last year, this year everyone says he's washed up. Why isn't the fatigue caused by the ridiculous schedule these guys are forced to keep by FIFA, UEFA, domestic leagues and their own national federations, discussed and changed? It seems to me that the demands on the players have increased. This will only diminish the product on the pitch as the best players are carried off due to injury.

Any thoughts on the USMNT? Bradley and Failhauber (sp?) seem like a tough combination in the middle and if Beasley, Dempsey, Ching, and Donovan can keep those defenders stretched with their speed it might make for a fun Copa America. I have also been impressed by Mapp and his attacking ability on the left. What do you think...anyone?

Bobby – I think everyone knows the solution (fewer games) but the powers that be can’t or won’t make the tough decisions. To some extent we are also the problem. The fans have an almost limitless appetite for the game and so as long as we are watching then I can’t see anything changing.

I’m not sure that all the players you mentioned will be at the Copa America. The last thing I heard was that you could expect a Copa America squad heavy with Euro-based players. Mapp has the ability to go past defenders although his final ball into the box is a bit inconsistent I think.

Digity - Sounds like Atletico might be ready to accept offers for Fernando Torres...where do you think he might end up? Any thoughts on whose system he might fit well into? I feel he's a very versatile player, but that he would fit in perfectly at Man United and flourish under SAF's guidance. thoughts?

Bobby – I know that there is a lot of talk of England but I don’t think you can discount an Italian move. You have to also factor in where David Villa might go and who goes first. Torres or Villa might turn into a very good “consolation” price for someone. I don’t think Torres will go to Old Trafford. Sixty million dollars is a lot of extra money to come up and then there is the wages.

Gongatore - Why do you think FR should be fired at Barca? And who should replace him?
Have the new American owners delivered at their respective clubs in the EPL?

Bobby – It’s not the case that I think Rijkaard should be fired it is a case that I think he will be fired. At the end of 2006 things looked great for Barcelona – one season on and it looks like they will finish with no major trophies. To me that looks like a recipe for a dismissal. As for a replacement – perhaps Quique Flores or Juande Ramos.
It is far too early to come to any conclusion as to the success or otherwise on ownership changes. The timeline on that one is probably a decade or so.

The FIFA sponsorship row between Mastercard and Visa may have to be decided by penalty kicks.

Sid Lowe writing just prior to England recalling David Beckham.  While Joe Lovejoy writes of the return post-recall.

Simon Barnes with the significant role of luck in football. 

Jim White tells you how you can own a team or at least part of one. I heard Will Brooks being interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Service two weeks ago and meant to post a link…… but didn’t get around to it.

An article on Jack Warner's best buddy -not -  investigative sport journalist Andrew Jennings.

Conrad Leach on the new-look strike force that Brazil may field against England.

An audio story from Stefan Fatsis, sportswriter for The Wall Street Journal, that was on National Public Radio.

And finally one of the blog's regular readers is looking for some help and is hoping that some of you might take a couple of minutes to complete a fan survey that will be used for classwork.

Neil Davidson on a new and different way to identify World Cup bad-boys.

Sid Lowe explains how a shot from a Spanish paper backfired and provided Zinedine Zidane with motivation.

Kevin McCarra believes that Sunday’s final will dictate how the 2006 World Cup finals will be remembered.

How important are the French wingers? David Pleat explains.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson compares and contrasts Barthez and Buffon.

Tony Cascarino tells us what England will have to do to beat Portugal.

Sid Lowe on Spain’s exit.  

Another article from the always enjoyable Sid Lowe. This one is about Maxi’s wooden left leg.

Harry Pearson on why England should revert to a 1-9-1 formation.

A look at Luiz Felipe Scolari by some of the people who know him best.

Gordon Strachan tells us why he thinks Argentina will beat Germany.

The Guardian looks at the legacy of the great Ukrainain coach Valeriy Lobanovskyi has impacted the national team at this World Cup.