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	<title>World Football Postulant</title>
	<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com</link>
	<description>An unorganized interface to the footballing world.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:05:03 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>La Liga:  Barcelona Looks Poised</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last night  I was able to get caught up on a little La Liga action thanks to video from Sporting de Gijon v Real Madrid and Barcelona v Real Betis.  I&#8217;ll start with the former, as there is a lot less to say.
I can not imagine a club at the top level of any of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/27/la-liga-barcelona-looks-poised/</link>
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		<title>RSS</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We always keep the RSS feed in mind when providing content for the blog.  We highly encourage readers to subscribe to the feed, as it&#8217;s one of the best  ways to stay updated on when new content is posted to the site.  As anybody whose familiar  with the blogging world knows, sometimes content comes fast [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/27/rss-2/</link>
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		<title>Carling Cup, Fourth Round Draw</title>
		<description><![CDATA[All of the big four are still in the Carling Cup, and this late into the competition, you can expect each to smell the silver.
Today, the draw for the fourth round was released.  Here are the match-ups with some brief comments, my wit willing:
Sunderland v Blackburn
A great draw for each of these teams, as [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/27/carling-cup-fourth-round-draw/</link>
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		<title>Portuguese Liga Picks, Catch-Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For as bad as I&#8217;ve been picking Eredivisie maches, I&#8217;ve been that good picking Portugal&#8217;s fixtures.
Knock on virtual wood.
I think it&#8217;s because the range  of scores is  so little, and although I bemoaned the lack of scoring in this year&#8217;s Eredivisie, though would explain why my picks are bad in the Dutch league. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/portuguese-liga-picks-catch-up/</link>
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		<title>Eredivisie Catch-Up, Picks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I  have no idea what&#8217;s going on in the Dutch league.   Hey, at least I&#8217;ll admit it.
The biggest clue as to things being all screwy is the scoring, or lack there  of.  Scoring is noticeably down in the league, with no club more emblematic of it than Ajax.  Ajax [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/eredivisie-catch-up-picks/</link>
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		<title>Ligue Un Picks, Catch-Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[My Ligue Un picks have not gone well, though a good weekend has pulled me back to .500.  I have really been hurt by Bordeaux and an ill-placed faith in Valenciennes.  Auxerre seems to be laughing at me.
This week gives us a rather lackluster slate of fixtures in Ligue Un, though the last [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/ligue-un-picks-catch-up/</link>
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		<title>Bundesliga Picks, Catch-Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I still can&#8217;t remember to make my Bundesliga picks on Thursday, and as a result I always fail to pick the Friday game.  This week, however, I know I would ahve picked Schalke to  beat Koln, so even though I already know that Koln was able to beat Schalke, I&#8217;m predicting the game [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/bundesliga-picks-catch-up/</link>
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		<title>Serie A Picks, Catch-up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Like with my La  Liga picks, I&#8217;m behind with Serie A and also forgot to pick the mid-week matches.  Below is a recap of the two weeks I forgot to post my picks, followed by my picks for this  weekend.
The Milan derby might be the match of the European weekend, and it [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/serie-a-picks-catch-up/</link>
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		<title>La Liga Picks for the Weekend</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I have not updated the site with my picks for a while.  I&#8217;ve gotten so busy that I&#8217;ve been writing them in my notebook.  Here are two weeks of catch-up and then this weekend&#8217;s picks.  
Match to look forward to:  Atletico Madrid hosting Sevilla.  The Atleti were dominant last week [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/la-liga-picks-for-the-weekend/</link>
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		<title>Twitter</title>
		<description><![CDATA[World Football Postulant is going to try Twitter.
If you are unfamiliar with Twitter or don&#8217;t know what it is, I can&#8217;t really help you too much.  I don&#8217;t have a good explanation.  I do know that a lot of people are using it so distribute and aggregate information.
WFP will do the same.   At least, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/twitter/</link>
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		<title>The West Ham, Sheffield United Mess</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Carlos Tevez was not properly transferred to West Ham when he saved them from relegation in 2006-07.
Image from The Sun UK.
I have no ideas on how to solve the West Ham United, Sheffield United problem.
In case you do not know what&#8217;s going on:
This week, an independent tribunal ruled that West Ham United was liable to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/the-west-ham-sheffield-united-mess/</link>
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		<title>Sneijder Set to Make Early Return for Real</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Wesley Sneijder is on the brink of making a miraculous comeback to Real Madrid&#8217;s lineup.
Photo from Goal.com
One day after it was reported that Dutch international winger Wesley Sneijder had resumed training with the first team, Real Madrid has said their star is set to return.  When he does enter a match, Sneijder will complete a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/sneijder-set-to-make-early-return-for-real/</link>
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		<title>Dominic Cervi Joins Celtic</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Dominic Cervi is Gordon Strachan&#8217;s new keeper.
Photo from SkySports.
United States&#8217; international goaltender Dominic Cervi has joined Celtic of the Scottish Premier League.  He becomes the fourth United States&#8217; international playing in the SPL, though he is unlikely to get much playing time behind Poland international Artur Boruc.
Cervi has been a recent inclusion in United States [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/dominic-cervi-joins-celtic/</link>
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		<title>Mutu and Chivu Due Back for Romania</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Adrian Mutu is expected to be healthy from Romania&#8217;s next set of World Cup qualifiers.
Photo from FIFA.
We are only two weeks away from another international match break, and while some of us will use that time to bemoan the temporary loss of club football, others will watch in bated breath as their country tries to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/mutu-and-chivu-due-back-for-romania/</link>
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		<title>Ferguson Shifts Giggs&#8217; Role</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs will shift toward the middle of the pitch.
Image courtesy of FIFA.
This is the part of the program where you get to learn a little more about the author&#8217;s history.
Ryan Giggs is the reason I follow football.  My fantasy football team names are usually &#8220;Welsh Wingers.&#8221;   I was lucky enough to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/ferguson-shifts-giggs-role/</link>
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		<title>Ashley&#8217;s £450 Million Asking Price</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is looking to sell United.
Image courtesy of Mirror UK.
Mike Ashley bought Newcastle United for £134 million in July of 2007.  Now, just over one year later, Ashley is asking for £450 million to sell the team.
A buyer - a group of four Nigerian businessmen - have emerged as a potential purchaser, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/ashleys-450-million-asking-price/</link>
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		<title>Nigerians Close to Newcastle Offer</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Joe Kinnear let it slip in is interview with BBC Radio 5Live:  Newcastle is close to a sale.
The BBC has followed up on that interview with a report on an eminent offer from a Nigerian business consortium.  The group has been working with Ashley since the Newcastle owner solicited offers for the team.  They have [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/nigerians-close-to-newcastle-offer/</link>
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		<title>Shearer, Keegan Still in the Picture at Newcastle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There is a report this morning saying Joe Kinnear is just &#8220;warming (the) seat&#8221; at Newcastle for Kevin Keegan or Alan Shearer.
This morning Kinnear, former manager at Wimbledon, was the surprise appointment as interim manager at Newcastle.  He takes over for Chris Hughton starting Monday.  Hughton had been the caretaker manager since Keegan walked off [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/shearer-keegan-still-in-the-picture-at-newcastle/</link>
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		<title>Kinner at Newcastle:  Am I Being Paranoid?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Joe Kinnear was a surprise hiring at Newcastle, as most had considered him retired.  Though he left his last job at Nottingham Forest of his of his own valition, Kinnear left two jobs early in career because of health problems.
Now ten years older, Kinnear could be healthier, and this history of cardiac problems may no [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/kinner-at-newcastle-am-i-being-paranoid/</link>
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		<title>Joe Kinnear Takes Over at Newcastle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Joe Kinnear will run Newcastle until the end of October.
Photo courtesy of FIFA.
One day after Terry Venables ruled himself out for the Newcastle manager&#8217;s job, Joe Kinnear has been appointed the new Magpies manager.  His status is still interim, with the duration of appointment being until the end of October.  In the intervening time, Mike [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/joe-kinnear-takes-over-at-newcastle/</link>
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		<title>Contact Update - Email Address</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For the less-than-a-handful of you who have emailed, know that the contact information for this site&#8217;s authors has changed.
You can now email World Football Postulant at worldfoortballposultant/at/gmail/dat/com.
I will be updating the references on this site now, and all automated emails will now go there.
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/26/contact-update-email-address/</link>
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		<title>Venables Turns Down Newcastle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Terry Venables will not manage Newcastle.
Terry Venables will not be Newcastle&#8217;s interim manager.
The former England manager - whose club CV includes stints at Barcelona, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Leeds United, and Queens Park - rejected an approach from Mike Ashley and Newcastle. The job had been offer to Venerables, who turned it down amidst the uncertainty [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/25/venables-turns-down-newcastle/</link>
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		<title>New Content on ASR</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is the recent content posted to American Soccer Reader.  Enjoy:
Terry Wins Appeal, Will Play Against United
United Lose Carrick for Six Weeks
Champions League Preview, Sept. 17
Week 4, In Review
Week 5 Preview
Chelsea Held By Man Utd, 1-1
Another Liverpool Scoreless Draw Gives Stoke a Draw at Anfield
Week 5, In Review
Week 6 Preview
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/25/new-content-on-asr/</link>
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		<title>England:  Whelan Crazy Over Bruce</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Steve Bruce may not be a top four manager, but he gets extra credit for having convinced his owner as much.
Dave Whelan&#8217;s having a big day in quotes.
The Wigan manager was asked about rumors placing Steve Bruce at Newcastle.  Given Whelan&#8217;s love for Mike Ashley, it&#8217;s no surprise that he scoffed at the idea of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/17/england-whelan-crazy-over-bruce/</link>
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		<title>England:  Whelan Blasts Ashley</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan
Wigan owner Dave Whelan thinks that Mike Ashley, the owner at Newcastle, is getting what he deserves.
The Newcastle owner has been under intense fan scrutiny after Kevin Keegan resigned as manager.  The view amongst supports is that, either directly or indirectly (through Dennis Wise), Ashley interfered with Keegan&#8217;s ability to run [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/17/england-whelan-blasts-ashley/</link>
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		<title>American Soccer Reader Tab Updated</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The American Soccer Reader tab, above, has been updated with the last month&#8217;s worth of writings.  There are some really good pieces that have been published there.  I encourage you to check them out.
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/16/american-soccer-reader-tab-updated/</link>
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		<title>ASR Updates (WFP Hiatus Over)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[World Football Postulant&#8217;s second hiatus is over, though during our small break we have been keeping American Soccer Reader updated.  Here&#8217;s a brief list of what&#8217;s been going on at ASR:
EPL:  Champions League Preview, Sept. 16
EPL:  Chelsea Brilliance On Display in Win Over City
EPL:  For Arsenal, When Is a 4-0 Win About the Negatives?
EPL:  Liverpool [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/16/asr-updates-wfp-hiatus-over/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Ireland and Montenegro Ends Scoreless (Europe, Group 8)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/wcq-update-ireland-and-montenegro-ends-scoreless-europe-group-8/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Belarus Wins Late Over Andorra (Europe, Group 6)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/wcq-update-belarus-wins-late-over-andorra-europe-group-6/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Europe, Group 4</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/wcq-update-europe-group-4-2/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update: Ukraine Eases Past Kazakstan (UEFA, Group 6)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/wcq-update-ukraine-eases-past-kazakstan-uefa-group-6/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Russia Downs Wales (UEFA, Group 4)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/wcq-update-russia-downs-wales-uefa-group-4/</link>
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		<title>Spain:  Bojan Could See Time Against Armenia (England and France, take note)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Bojan Krkic is set to debut for Spain tonight.
Bojan Krkic will soon be so popular that football fans will not know his last name, a paradoxical consequence of already being referred to as merely Bojan.  When you are seventeen years old, already scoring goals for Barcelona and threatening to break into the European champion national [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/spain-bojan-could-see-time-against-armenia-england-and-france-take-note/</link>
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		<title>Bundesliga:  Franck Ribery Targets Champions League Return</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Frank Ribery has yet to appear for Bayern Munich this season.
In more injury news, Bayern Munich&#8217;s Franck Ribery, yet to appear for his club this season, has said he hope to make his return next week against Steaua Bucharest when München open Champions League play.
The German Footballer of the Year has been out all season [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/bundesliga-franck-ribery-targets-champions-league-return/</link>
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		<title>Arsenal:  Eduardo Looking to Return By Christmas</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Eduardo is looking to return by the end of the calendar year
Here is news all football fans should be happy to read.
Arsenal attacker Eduardo da Silva, whose horrific injury was one of the unfortunate memorable scenes from last season&#8217;s Premier League, has said he hoped to return to the Gunners by Christmas.  The Brazilian-turned-Croatian has [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/arsenal-eduardo-looking-to-return-by-christmas/</link>
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		<title>France:  Nasri Out Versus Serbia</title>
		<description><![CDATA[France international Samir Nasri has been ruled out of today&#8217;s World Cup Qualifier against Serbia.  France, coming off a shocking 3-1 loss in their first qualifying match (against Austria), was to start Nasri in central midfield, but the Arsenal star has had a recurrence to the knee injury which kept him out of last month&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/france-nasri-out-versus-serbia/</link>
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		<title>Serie A:  Chiellini One Week Away from Returning to Help Juve&#8217;s Injury Problems</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Juventus center back Giorgio Chiellini is targeting a return for the opening of Champions League.
Juventus looked like half a team during their season opener at Fiorentina, with injuries keeping them from taking advantage of Adrian Mutu&#8217;s absence.  The sides played to a 1-1 draw, altering Juve as to how much injuries are taking their [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/10/serie-a-chiellini-one-week-away-from-returning-to-help-juves-injury-problems/</link>
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		<title>Absence of Essien Could Turn Premiership</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Didier Drogba and Chelsea will have to ride somebody other than Michael Essien after the Ghana star tore an ACL in World Cup qualifying.
The most underrated player at Chelsea FC has been Michael Essien.  Because Avram Grant spent the last year jerking him around between right back and his natural midfield position, people had forgotten [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/09/absence-of-essien-could-turn-premiership/</link>
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		<title>Suggested England Formation and Comment on England Footballing Culture</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Answering the Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard question is central to solving England&#8217;s problems.
I hinted at this in my article on England and France.  Here&#8217;s what I said there:
I know a lot of people question whether England has the talent to return to their status as one of the world’s elite football nations, but I [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/suggested-england-formation-and-comment-on-england-footballing-culture/</link>
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		<title>Critical Qualifier for France, but England, Too?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
On Wednesday, France head coach Raymond Domenech will be under a pressure from which England&#8217;s Fabio Capello will be free.
FIFA.com has an article about Wednesday&#8217;s World Cup Qualifiers for England and France.  The headline:  Ghosts of past haunt France and England.  The headline hints at England&#8217;s troubles with Croatia - understandable, given how England was [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/critical-qualifier-for-france-but-england-too/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Europe, Group 9</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/wcq-update-europe-group-9/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  UEFA, Group 8</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/wcq-update-uefa-group-8/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update: Europe, Group 7</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/wcq-update-europe-group-7/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update:  Europe, Group 6</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/08/wcq-update-europe-group-6/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update: Europe, Group 5</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/06/wcq-update-europe-group-5/</link>
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		<title>WCQ Update: Europe, Group 4</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/06/wcq-update-europe-group-4/</link>
			</item>
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		<title>WCQ Update: Europe, Group 3</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/06/wcq-update-europe-group-3/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>WCQ Update:  Europe, Group 2</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/06/wcq-update-europe-group-2/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>WCQ Update:  Europe, Group 1</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Qualification Process
Europe qualifies 13 teams to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.  There are 53 countries in the confederation.  They are divided into nine group - eight with six teams, one with five teams.  The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup.  The second place teams are then ranked [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/06/wcq-update-europe-group-1/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Newcastle:  Shearer Distances Himself From Manager Job</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Alan Shearer will not be the Magpies&#8217; next manager.
When Alan Shearer turned down the opportunity to interview for Blackburn&#8217;s job this summer, it was thought he was waiting for a better position, even though he is a Rover icon.  Now the other team he for whom he famously played, Newcastle, has an opening, and most [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/05/newcastle-shearer-distances-himself-from-newcastle-job/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>England:  Ferdinand to Miss Andorra Qualifier</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
England center back Rio Ferdinand will miss Saturday&#8217;s World Cup Qualifier against Andorra.
Manchester United and England international Rio Ferdinand will miss Saturday&#8217;s World Cup Qualifier against Andorra with a back injury.  Fabio Capello said that he will be the only player to miss the match with injury but should be available for next week&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/05/england-ferdinand-to-miss-andorra-qualifier/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>West Ham:  Mancini Likely to Rule Himself Out</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Former Internazionale boss Roberto Mancini
Former Internazionale boss Robert Mancini has expressed an interest in moving to England, but the timing of West Ham&#8217;s opening at manager will likely preclude his taking the London job.
Mancini was fired last year as manager at Internazionale, ostensibly for a lack of success in the Champions League.  After leading his [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/05/west-ham-mancini-likely-to-rule-himself-out/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Bilic Rules Himself Out at West Ham</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Croatia&#8217;s Slaven Bilic will not be returning to manage at West Ham
Slaven Bilic has been linked to the West Ham United&#8217;s managerial position since before it was actually open, so it was naturally that his name was the first to come to many&#8217;s minds when Alan Curbishley resigned on Tuesday.  With World Cup Qualifiers starting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/04/bilic-rules-himself-out-at-west-ham/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>The Aftermath of Keegan&#8217;s Resignation, from a Distance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
Kevin Keegan, today, made it official.  He has resigned as manager of Newcastle United FC.  This comes after a week of speculation as to whether he was still with the club.  Word had leaked on Monday that he had been fired, a rumor the club later refused.  With news outlets monitoring the team&#8217;s facility, noting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/04/the-aftermath-of-keegans-resignation-from-a-distance/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>La Liga:  CD Numancia Get Behind the Ball to Beat Barcelona</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is not the way Pep Guardiola wants to start for Barcelona.
Barça, who rightfully expect to get the league title back this season, went to newly promoted CD Numancia for what everybody expected to be a smooth opening to the league campaign.  But I suppose we all needed to be reminded that there are very [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/la-liga-cd-numancia-get-behind-the-ball-to-beat-barcelona/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Serie A:  Napoli Takes Quality Point from Roma at Stadio Olimpico</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It has not been a rare occurence of late, but it&#8217;s still strange for a somebody who didn&#8217;t watch Roma that much last year to see smoebody other than Francesco Totti wearing their captain&#8217;s armband.  At the opening of the video I got, there was Daniele de Rossi, one of the best players in Serie [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/serie-a-napoli-takes-quality-point-from-roma-at-stadio-olimpico/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Serie A:  Milan, Ronaldinho, Shevchenko Struggle in Loss to Bologna</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Until I watched CD Numanica beat Barcelona, this was the upset of the weekend, and it still might be if you consider this match took place at the San Siro.  AC Milan dropped their opener to Bologna, a side I pegged to struggle to stay up this season.  The Rossoneri responded to an early goal [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/serie-a-milan-robinho-shevchenko-struggle-in-loss-to-bologna/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Serie A:  Jose Debuts to Mixed Results a Sampdoria</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The marks of Mourinho were all over Internazionale when they debuts at Sampdoria on Saturday.  There was a crispness in their play, with their players using the maximum width of the pitch, in Jose&#8217;s preferred three midfielder, two winger formation.  And it was a brilliantly taken goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic that put Inter up in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/serie-a-joses-debuts-to-mixed-results-a-sampdoria/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Germany:  Dortmund&#8217;s Strong Start Continues With Win Over Cottbus</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Energie Cottbus is not going to be confused with a contender, but winning on the roas can never be taken for granted.  For a club that finished as low as Borussia Dortmund did in last year&#8217;s Bundesliga, any points are to be cherished, so a 1-0 win at Cottbus should not be sneezed at.  Dortmund [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/germany-dortmunds-strong-start-continues-with-win-over-cottbus/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Serie A:  Di Natale on Form As Udinese Defeat Palermo</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Antonio Di Natale seemed posed for a huge season after scoring two goals and leading Udinese to a 3-1 opening day victory against Palermo.  With a clinical strike opening scoring nine minutes into Udinese&#8217;s campaign, Di Natale seemed to want to assauge concerns that Udinese may not be able to replicate last season&#8217;s strong finish.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/serie-a-di-natale-on-form-as-udinese-defeat-palermo/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  Curbishley Resigns at West Ham United</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Alan Curbishley has resigned as manager at West Ham United.  Two days after posting a 4-1 victory at home to Paul Ince and Blackburn, Curbishley had his resignation accepted by West Ham&#8217;s board.  He had been at odds with the team&#8217;s management over player sales, particularly that of Anton Ferdinand, which was done against his [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/03/epl-curbishley-resigns-at-west-ham-united/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  Middlesbrough Stays on Track, Downs Stoke</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The deceiving scoreline of the week comes from Riverside Stadium, where Middlesbrough needed a lot goal from Tuncay Sanli to beat Stoke, 2-1.  It was a match they controlled throughout but let the Potter back in thanks to a Justin Hoyte own goal in the 71st minute.  That they eventually got three points means they [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/epl-middlesbrough-stays-on-track-downs-stoke/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  Where Wigan Stands After Downing Hull</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Steve Bruce&#8217;s Wigan Athletic got their first win of the week on Saturday, going to K.C. Stadium and giving the previously unbeaten Hull a wake-up call.  It was a combination Tiger ineptitude, combination Wigan tactics, and combination shear Lactic athletic superiority.  It all added up to the most lop-sided result of the Premier League&#8217;s season.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/epl-where-wigan-stands-after-downing-hull/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  Bolton and West Brom - The Other Scoreless Draw</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I spent a lot of space here and on American Soccer Reader bemoaning the Aston Villa-Liverpool match, a scoreless draw that I came just short of calling a calamity, claiming it &#8220;set us back,&#8221; or using some other kind of hyperbole to underscore how horrible an experience it was.  I should have just posted a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/epl-bolton-and-west-brom-the-other-scoreless-draw/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  Curbishley Silences Critics, Downs Blackburn</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Ince returned to Upton Park on Saturday for his first visit as a manager.  Even before the final whistle blew, it would probably have been a match the former Hammer would never forget, but with a 4-1 final score, the &#8220;probably&#8221; can be removed from that statement.  Blackburn&#8217;s first loss of the year was [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/epl-curbishley-silences-critics-downs-blackburn/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>England:  Portsmouth and Everton Show True Colors at Goodison</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Perhaps no match I watched this weekend told me more about two teams than Portsmouth&#8217;s 3-0 victory at Goodison Park.
Coming into the match, Portsmouth&#8217;s difficulty in opening opponents kept us from knowing if this club was any good.  They had to open at Chelsea and then host Manchester United.  It&#8217;s a pair that even Real [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/england-portsmouth-and-everton-show-true-colors-at-goodison/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>EPL:  New Manchester City Throttle Sunderland</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Sunderland had played so well over the schedule&#8217;s first two weeks, but on Sunday they were exploited by a new look, more athletic Manchester City squad.  The Citizen had Jô, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Richard Dunne for the first time this season, and they looked a completely different side.  The eleven they started at the Stadium [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/epl-new-manchester-city-throttle-sunderland/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Germany:  Hamburg Leap Bielefeld, Remain Atop Table</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When Arminia Bielefeld earned a point from Werder Bremen on the opening weekend, I chalked it up to Werder&#8217;s failing more than Arminia&#8217;s talents.  Without Diego, I thought Werder&#8217;s defensive problems easier to exploit. It was only in losing this week to Hamburg that I saw a club that could stay up.  They are near [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/germany-hamburg-leap-bielefeld-remain-atop-table/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Germany:  Klinsmann Gets First Win, Over Berlin</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Any kind of panic Bayern supporters were about to embark on can be tabled after this weekend&#8217;s victory over Hertha Berlin.  Luca Toni looked like his normal healthy self.  Martin Demichelis returned to the lineup, with immediate effect.  Bastian Schweinsteiger continued to carry over his European Championship form.  Philip Lahm scored a beautiful goal, and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/germany-klinsmann-gets-first-win-over-berlin/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Germany:  Schalke Back on Form Against Bochum</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Schalke got one of the missing midfielders back when Jermaine Jones returned to the lineup.  He looked active, created some chances running onto balls, and generally looked free of any lingering effects of his injury.  Jefferson Farfan and, Orlando Engelaar were still out, but against a Bochum team that is proving to be one of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/germany-schalke-back-on-form-against-bochum/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Catching Up After a Huge Football Weekend</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thankfully, we have a break in the club schedule, with the international match calendar giving us a pause in the club schedule for World Cup qualifying.  I have watched so much football since Friday and still have matches from all league to catch-up on.  You might think me getting a stomach bug and having to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/catching-up-after-a-huge-football-weekend/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Wow: Bullard Called Up to England</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The reaction to Fabio Capello&#8217;s naming Fulham central midfielder Jimmy Bullard to his 23-man World Cup qualifying squad for next week has been generally positive, though the reaciton should be &#8220;how did this happen?&#8221;
How did the England national team get to the point where Jimmy Bullard is a viable option?
First, it seems relevant to tell [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/02/wow-bullard-called-up-to-england/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Premiership Week 3, In Review, at ASR Now</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I just finished posting my Week 3 review article to American Soccer Reader.  Here is a direct link.  I name Player of the Week, Manager of the Week, XI of the Week, talk briefly about how the teams lay giong into the international match break, and rank the tops one through twenty.
Now, I am [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/01/premiership-week-3-in-review-at-asr-now/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Strategic Follies Lead to Scorless Draw Between Liverpool, Villa</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Aston Villa&#8217;s Martin O&#8217;Neill is one of the most respected managers in the Premiership, and though his Sunday counterpart is highly scrutinized, Liverpool&#8217;s Rafa Benitez is also very highly regarded.  But after Sunday&#8217;s match at Villa Park, you would not have been able to convince anybody new to the Premiership that either manager deserved their [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/09/01/strategic-follies-lead-to-scorless-draw-between-liverpool-villa/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Spurs Steal Derby Point from Chelsea, 1-1</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Chelsea - the version that raced to a dominant Premiership start - failed to show up for their home affair with Tottenham on Sunday.  In their stead for their London derby they sent their understudy which, unfortunately, was a complacent side unwilling to push a outgunned Spurs team.  The result was quiet day for the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/31/spurs-steal-derby-point-from-chelsea-1-1/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Vintage Arsenal Tame Toon, 3-0</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Cesc Fabregas may not have directly contributed to any of Arsenal&#8217;s goals, but it is no coincidence that the Gunners played their best match of the season on the day the Spanish midfielder returned to the lineup.  With Fabregas out for the first two matches of the season, Arsenal scored one goal in two games, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/30/vintage-arsenal-tame-toon-3-0/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Serie A Week 1 Predictions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The European Match of the Week is in Serie A, where Juventus starts their march towards recapturing the Scudetto against an Adrian Mutu-less Fiorentina side.  We&#8217;ve seen examples in the Bundesliga (Diego, Werder Bremen) and the Premiership (Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal) of what one player can mean to a team, but Mutu&#8217;s meaning to Fiorentina might [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/serie-a-week-1-predictions/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Eredivisie:  Week 1 Picks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With so much movement over the offseason, it&#8217;s a bit difficult to pick the first week&#8217;s worth of matches.  Both Ajax and PSV get matches they&#8217;ll be expected to win, while AZ and NAC Breda may be the most evenly-matched pairing of the weekend.
Here are my first week picks:



Date
Home
Visitor
Pick


August 29, 2008
Vitesse
Groningen
Vitesse, 3-1


August 30, 2008
Utrecht
PSV
PSV, 2-0


August [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/eredivisie-week-1-picks/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Italian Serie A 2008-09 Predictions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[


Serie A Predicted Finish


Rank
Club
Points


1
Internazionale
91


2
Juventus
83


3
Milan
76


4
Roma
73


5
Sampdoria
60


6
Fiorentina
57


7
Lazio
55


8
Torino
51


9
Napoli
50


10
Atalanta
46


11
Catania
46


12
Cagliari
45


13
Siena
43


14
Lecce
41


15
Chievo
41


16
Udinese
39


17
Palermo
37


18
Reggina
37


19
Genoa
34


20
Bologna
34



The final set of predictions for the 2008-09 European club season takes me to Italy, where your view on who will win the league will undoubtedly be dependent on what you think of Jose Mourinho.  He has been the big name transaction of the Calcio summer,  A has dominated the Italian media [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/italian-serie-a-2008-09-predictions/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Eredivisie Prediction, 2008-09 Season</title>
		<description><![CDATA[


Eredivisie Predicted Finish


Rank
Club
Points


1
Ajax
76


2
PSV
64


3
Heerenveen
63


4
Feyenoord
56


5
NAC Breda
56


6
Vitesse
56


7
AZ
55


8
Twente
54


9
Roda JC
48


10
Groningen
48


11
Wilhem II
48


12
Utrecht
40


13
NEC
38


14
Sparta Roderdam
36


15
FC Volendam
34


16
Heracles
29


17
De Graafschap
25


18
ADO Den Haag
17



Aside from the top six teams in the league, I was not very familiar with the Eredivisie before going the research for these predictions.  As was the case when I forecasted the Bungesliga and the Portuguese Liga, I am somewhat ignorant of Dutch football.  That, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/eredivisie-prediction-2008-08-season/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>La Liga Week 1 Predictions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Many may not look at Real Madrid visiting Deportivo de la Coruña as a marque match-up, but when you predict the two-time defending champions to drop to third place, any opening match is big one.  That&#8217;s why I will be looking intently at their match-up, though there are a couple of other more evenly matched [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/la-liga-week-1-predictions/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>La Liga 2008-09 Season Predictions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[


La Liga Season Prediction


Rank
Club
Points


1
Barcelona
80


2
Atletico Madrid
74


3
Real Madrid
73


4
Sevilla
71


5
Villareal
70


6
Getafe
56


7
Deportivo
55


8
Osasuna
54


9
Almeria
52


10
Athletico Bilbao
52


11
Racing Santander
50


12
Mallorca
49


13
Betis
48


14
Valencia
47


15
Espanyol
46


16
Valladolid
39


17
Sporting de Gijon
33


18
CD Numancia
32


19
Recreativo
31


20
Malaga CF
28



While Real Madrid has been making transfer headlines all summer, few have noticed that they have done little to improve their team.  In fact, it seems they have taken some steps backwards.  Now I agree Rafael van der Vaart is a great signing, but [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/la-liga-2008-09-season-predictions/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Stephen Appiah to Return for Ghana</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Former Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah left this club earlier this summer in search of a new contract while recovering from injury.  In search of a new job, Appiah has been called up for Ghana&#8217;s impending World Cup qualifier against Libya.  Ghana&#8217;s captain has been trying to link up with a big club and has said [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/stephen-appiah-to-return-for-ghana/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Hargeaves Ruled Out of Super Cup</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Owen Hargreaves had been expected to return to Manchester United&#8217;s lineup today against Zenit St. Petersburg in the UEFA Super Cup.  Although Alex Ferguson was going to use the exhibition as an opportunity to get the England international some playing time, the midfielder has been ruled out of today&#8217;s match after his knee was deemed [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/hargeaves-ruled-out-of-super-cup/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Ballack&#8217;s Two Week Injury Convenient, Barley Significant</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Michael Ballack hurt his foot against Portsmouth on August 14 and had to leave the match.  He played last week, though it seems he probably should not have, as Chelsea has sufficient depth to prevent aggrevating injuries,  Now Ballack will be out for two weeks, missing Sunday&#8217;s match against Tottenham as well as Germany&#8217;s two [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/ballacks-two-week-injury-convenient-barley-significant/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Spurs Hubris Could Keep Berbatov at Tottenham</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tottenham Hotspur many not have been able to prove themselves a big club this summer, having hit the end of the transfer window with few of their many rumored targets hit, but on the home-front they can at least show themselves capable of acting like a big-boy.  That could be the resolution of the Dimitar [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/spurs-hubris-could-keep-berbatov-at-tottenham/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Wright-Phillips At City</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I got too busy yesterday to publish my thoughts on Shaun Wright-Phillips moving to Manchester City, though I just updated American Soccer Reader with the story.
The move came about pretty quickly.  Not so much the Wright-Phillips moved from Chelsea-part.  That seemed to be a given all summer, and it was somewhat surprising when, over the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/wright-phillips-at-city/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>James Milner Leaves Newcastle for Aston Villa</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Newcastle United midfielder James Milner has joined Aston Villa.  The former England U21 international has submitted a transfer request last week in what has become a highly publicized wantaway saga.  Over the last two days, the transfer request become known after the club had asked the player and his representation to keep his [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/29/james-milner-leaves-newcastle-for-aston-villa/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Champions League Group Stage Draw</title>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the more exciting days of the European club football season is the day the Champions League group stage is drawn.
The 32 teams that have qualified for the group stage are drawn into eight, four-team groups.  Before that happens, all teams are broken into four pots, labeled A through D, where they are grouped [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/champions-league-group-stage-draw/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Portugal:  Week 2 Picks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s hard to look back on Week 1 given what&#8217;s on tap for the second week of the Portuguese Liga.  Benfica, coming off an embarrassing draw at promoted Rio Ave, have a chance to redeem the start of their season and go into the international break on a high note when they host Porto on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/portugal-week-2-picks/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Portugal:  Reviewing the League&#8217;s Opening Week</title>
		<description><![CDATA[










Portuguese Liga Standings


Rank
Club
GP
PTS
DIFF


1
Nacional
1
3
2


2
Sporting CP
1
3
2


3
Porto
1
3
2


4
Sporting de Braga
1
3
2


5
Estrela da Amadora
1
3
1


6
Naval 1 de Maio
1
3
1


7
Benfica
1
1
0


8
Rio Ave
1
1
0


9
Vitoria de Guimaraes
1
1
0


10
Vitoria de Setubol
1
1
0


11
Academica
1
0
-1


12
Maritimo
1
0
-1


13
Leixoes
1
0
-2


14
Trofense
1
0
-2


15
Belenenses
1
0
-2


16
Pacos de Ferreira
1
0
-2






Results


August 22, 2008


Vitoria de Guimaraes
1
1
Vitoria de Setubal


August 23, 2008


Pacos de Ferreira
0
2
Sporting de Braga


Sporting CP
3
1
Trofense


August 24, 2008


Estrela da Amadora
1
0
Academica


Naval 1 de Maio
1
0
Maritimo


Leixoes
1
3
Nacional


Porto
2
0
Belenenses


Rio Ave
1
1
Benfica






Next Week


Home
Away


August 29, 2008


Belenenses
Pacos de Ferreira


August 30, 2008


Benfica
Porto


August 31, 2008


Academica
Rio Ave


Nacional
Naval 1 de Maio


Trofense
Leixoes


Vitoria de Setubal
Estrela de [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/portugal-reviewing-the-leagues-opening-week/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Ligue 1:  Week 4 Picks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The third week picks for Ligue 1 was the first set of predictions that showed some promise.  The draws amongst the lower-table clubs were the bulk of my errors, but with correct predictions in half the week&#8217;s matches, it was a successful week.  With the schedule for Week 4 being a little less [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/ligue-1-week-4-picks/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Ligue 1 Update:  Looking Back at Week 3, Looking to Week 4</title>
		<description><![CDATA[










Ligue 1 Standings


Rank
Club
GP
PTS
DIFF


1
Marseille
3
7
5


2
Lyon
3
7
5


3
Bordeaux
3
6
2


4
Le Mans
3
6
2


5
Valenciennes
3
6
1


6
Nice
3
6
1


7
Grenoble
3
6
0


8
Monaco
3
5
1


9
Caen
3
4
1


10
Rennes
3
4
0


11
Paris St. Germain
3
4
0


12
Lorient
3
4
-1


13
Toulouse
3
4
-2


14
Le Havre
3
3
-1


15
St. Etienne
3
3
-1


16
Auxerre
3
3
-4


17
Nancy
3
2
-1


18
Sochaux
3
1
-2


19
Lille
3
1
-3


20
Nantes
3
1
-3






Results


August 23, 2008


Le Mans
1
0
St. Etienne


Monaco
1
1
Caen


Sochaux
1
1
Paris St. Germain


Valenciennes
3
1
Lorient


Nancy
0
0
Toulouse


La Havre
0
1
Marseille


Lyon
2
0
Grenoble


August 24, 2008


Rennes
2
1
Lille


Auxerre
0
1
Nice


Bordeaux
2
0
Nantes






Next Week


Home
Away


August 30, 2008


Caen
Paris St. Germain


Grenoble
Monaco


Lorient
Auxerre


Nancy
Le Havre


Nantes
Le Mans


Nice
Valencieenes


Marseille
Sochaux


August 31, 2008


Lille
Bordeaux


Toulouse
Rennes


St. Etienne
Lyon











Now everything makes sense.  It took us three weeks, but that Ligue 1 I grew to love last year is back.  The top three in the table [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/ligue-1-update-looking-back-at-week-2-looking-to-week-3/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Bundesliga Picks, Week 3</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It as another week of unspectacular picks for me in the Bundesliga, where a number of ties make it hard for me to get any traction.  The highlight, for me, was hitting the Dortmund-Munich game on the nose, though that&#8217;s a bit of a disingenuous boast, as I didn&#8217;t anticipate Mark van Bommel getting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/28/bundesliga-picks-week-3/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Implications of Steven Gerrard&#8217;s Injury</title>
		<description><![CDATA[After Liverpool&#8217;s defeat of Standard Liège, it was announced that Steven Gerrard would undergo surgery Thursday morning to correct a groin problem that has bothered him for the last month.  The Reds&#8217; captain decided to play through the pain this weekend against Middlesbrough as well as tonight, though against the Belgian champions he was [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/implications-of-steven-gerrards-injury/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Last Minute Goal From Kuyt Puts Liverpool in Champions League</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Liverpool may be one of the eight teams in the top pool for tomorrow&#8217;s Champions League group stage draw, but they were the closest of the thirty-two teams to being out of the tournament after the final round of qualifying finished today.
The Reds were the only team that needed extra time to advance.  Even with [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/last-minute-goal-from-kuyt-puts-liverpool-in-champions-league/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>England:  Carling Cup, Second Round Results</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The second round of the Carling Cup (England&#8217;s League Cup competition) almost finished today.  One match, Manchester City&#8217;s visit to Brighton &#38; Hove Albion, was rescheduled, with City scheduled for their UEFA Cup match in Denmark tomorrow.  They will face FC Mitjylland, down 1-0 after the first leg.  The Carling Cup match [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/england-carling-cup-results/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Rivaldo Goes From Greece to Uzbekistan</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This summer&#8217;s rumors that Samuel Eto&#8217;o might be moving to Uzbekistan might have been more than tabloid creativity, because today&#8217;s confirmed move of Rivaldo from AEK Athens to Uzbekistani side Bunyodkor proves that the Uzbek club was big game hunting.  Rivaldo may have been off the mainstream footballing radar long enough to marginalize this move, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/rivaldo-goes-from-greece-to-uzbekistan/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Villa to Stay with Valencia</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Contracts may not mean much in the footballing world, but the signing of them can send messages.  When David Villa signed his contract with Valencia today, a deal with runs through 2014, the message was clear.  Villa will not be moving before September 1.
After his showing at the European Championships, there may have [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/villa-to-stay-with-valencia/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Micah Richards to Play in UEFA Cup Tie</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Manchester City center back Micah Richards had to be stretched off the pitch on Sunday after knocking heads with partner Tal Ben Haim.  What looked like a painful but unremarkable clash of heads became serious when Richards fell to the field and lost consciousness within seconds of the collision.  The England international spent [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.worldfootballpostulant.com/2008/08/27/micah-richards-to-play-in-uefa-cup-tie/</link>
			</item>
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