Feeling it building, Olympic Spurs? and new kits.

G'Morning. That is a new greeting.

It was very quiet yesterday but today we have a little more to go on in the football world.

The transfer window seems to be building towards some significant movement. Yesterday there were on and off reports that Mario Balotelli had joined Manchester City. We are still waiting for full confirmation. But it seems very likely that he will join City's growing ranks. If I'm honest I don't know anything about him as a player. I could indulge in a youtube video but I never tend to trust them. I bet Dean Holdsworth has a pretty impressive goals montage if anybody cared to make one for him.

Also Aston Villa boss has had "amicable" talks with James Milner regarding his future. "Amicable" is an interesting word in this context. Often we hear about "positive" talks between clubs and players which suggests that progress has been made. Amicable to me suggests being tolerant of each other when there is tension in the room. It suggests to me a tea set, O'neill probably baked some half arsed cookies to be polite. Milner complimented his new table cloth, to dance around the real issue. It was all very amicable. He is surely on his way.

So City, having added Boateng and Yaya Toure to bolster their defensive side of the game have invested (probably) some 85 million in bringing in Silva, Milner (pending) and Balotelli (pending). Add those three to Bellamy, Johnson, Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Weiss, Jo, Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips and things look a little crowded for a team who normally go with a front three. So you might imagine that four or five of those players will be loaned or sold before the new season. The transfer window is ready to explode. Include Stephen Ireland and Micah Richards (apparently - may be bullshit - surplus to requirement, great media phrase that) and things could get very busy. Let's hope so.

Away from transfers, there is an interesting story developing that Spurs may be interested in taking on the Olympic stadium after the games in 2012. This is puzzling. Spurs already have plans to build an Emirates Stadium II - with a couple of little upgrades - next to their current ground White Hart Lane. The Olympic park is in East London, which would mean the club moving out of it's historical location. I'm sure - although not certain - that the stadium would require holding onto it's name - The Olympic Stadium, as this is the case in many other countries. Also, Spurs would have to keep the running track around the pitch, which might have a detrimental effect an atmosphere. Something Spurs have been big on in designing their new stadium. Now I cannot see this actually happening. It would be a big shock. But it does make you wonder why Spurs have shown interest. Their plans for a new stadium have been met with a big thumbs down by the Met Police and by agricultural groups - in London? - who oppose to their proposed 56,000 seater. Perhaps, alongside the existing problems, Spurs' cash flow isn't quite adding up to the huge amounts required to service a loan on building a new stadium.

This may be born from a hatred of Spurs, but I don't think anyone can deny that historically the club is not run very well by Daniel Levy. Hiring Harry Redknapp is the best move he ever made. Before then it was a series of terrible managers, sanctioned to invest huge amounts of money on total crap which failed to build any kind of momentum as a club. His treatment of Martin Jol was disgusting. Perhaps Spurs have rushed into the idea of a new stadium too quickly, without considering the effect. Now they may be feeling a financial effect. Redknapp has three weeks to prove me wrong, but they haven't made much movement in the transfer market, despite the windfall from their Champions League qualification. Here he even talks about the possibility of loan signings. They can be good, but can be terrible. Surely they are not worried they wont actually qualify? Also, they have made an interesting decision to have two shirt sponsors - one for league - one for everything else. A good move no doubt. But why? I think Spurs are trying to save, save, save for their new stadium. Their interest in the Olympic ground perhaps suggests that it isn't quite going to plan off the pitch at White Hart Lane. Poor old Jonathan Woodgate is out of their 25-man squad for the season. Career has gone sharply down hill due to injury. Shame for him.

Did you know that Spurs have 6 new kits available this season. 6. Amazing. Also. 18 Premier League clubs out of 20 are releasing a new home shirt for the second season in a row. There is an interesting article on how this is effecting fans here. New kits are very exciting. I love the new Arsenal one. Simple, traditional, proper white sleeves. All good. First one I will buy in ages because I actually like it. I also prefer kits to have some longevity. Matching a classic kit to a classic season of promotion, or winning a cup or league is great for fans. Great. So the idea of releasing a new one every year is a bit empty. And as for six. Amazing.

Rounding up - well there isn't much. Fulham aren't worried by having no manager. OK, whatever you say. I'd be worried.

Till tomorrow.