Only a Phonecall Away.

He's in the squad.
But he's not going.
He is going.
Now he's definitely not.

Not a moment too quick, the Rio Ferdinand and England drama has come to an end. The joke is, it could have all been prevented if Roy Hodgson had just bothered to pick up the phone. It's so simple, it's not even funny.

For months, the whispers to recall Ferdinand have got louder and the England manager finally decided to listen yet doing it in the manner that he did; hasn't done him any favours.

We can all agree that the defender currently playing for the Champions-elect is not the injury-hit player of 18 months ago. His performances and the injuries and inconsistency of others, means he fully deserves a place in the squad. If not the team.

It was clear that Ferdinand and the medical team at Manchester United had worked hard to find a system that allowed him to play regularly, without any serious problems. So it's curious that the England boss didn't think to contact the club and/or the player before calling him up.

Given the way the defender was left at home prior to Euro 2012, some may also feel an apology should have been on offer. He was clearly aggrieved by Hodgson's decision to more-or-less take John Terry's side, while there are also the 'football reasons' that have never quite been explained.

Sir Alex Ferguson's comments last week were no surprise. The manager has long been vocal that Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs' decisions to retire, helped them prolong their club careers. But as well as thinking about the best interests of his club, he is thinking about the best interests of his player. At the age of 34, the former Leeds star is in the last lap of his top-flight career, it is logical that he would also want to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

That is why it is understandable the player has pulled out of the double header against San Marino and Montenegro. Two games that require a fair amount of travel and also games that England should win without too much fuss. The decision to meet and explain to the manager, makes it hard for many to question Ferdinand's motives or doubt his commitment to his national side.

As for Hodgson, it could be said he won't come out of this so well. His subdued character is a stark change from previous national managers such as Fabio Capello, but it appears to be working well enough with two wins and two draws from four qualifying games.

But you have to admit, this situation could have been easily prevented. That much is clear. Hodgson or his team don't appear to be on the ball in regards to what is going on with English players. An area they should know inside and out. Surely that is part of his job description?

Maybe this is the time for the England manager to become more thorough, and make sure he knows exactly what is going on with the professionals who are available to play for him.

Because when or if things go wrong, he may end up looking like a bit of a bumbling fool.

ODE TO SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Well, everyone and their guinea pig has been writing these amazing tributes to the great man.  I didn't think there was anything I could say, that hadn't already been said. So I thought I'd just say it, my way.

Congrats Sir Alex on your 25th year,
I hate your club, but hold you dear,
For all you've done for football UK,
And what you have shown us along the way.

A passion that has kept you strong,
And allowed you to have a career so long,
Ability to change and adapt,
Even when the media are on your back.

Many have tried to challenge your strength,
But you've knocked them back, sat chewing on the bench,
There was the so-called special one,
Now over in Spain, poking eyes with his thumb.

King Kenny has returned to put up a fight,
But you will defeat him with all your might,
And my French Professor, who you used to hate,
But with age you have mellowed and he's now your mate.

The amazing talent that you have brought through,
Becks, two Neville's, Scholes and Giggs too,
The titles, the cups, league trophies and shields,
All achieved because of your intense will.

A generation of fans are indebted to you,
But hurry up and retire, so my boys can win a trophy or two!

The fat lady has sung - Part One

So, it's the end of the Premier League 09/10 and it's been the best one in quite a while. I don't remember a season with so much drama. The league changed hands twenty-four times this year. Chelsea's 103 goals scored was also a new record. We also had the first PL team going to administration, the revolving door of the boardroom at Fratton Park, not to mention the saga that has become of Rafa's tenure at Anfield. We'll remember this years league for a lot of reasons and not all of them being good.

Congratulations to Chelsea who were merely the best of a bad bunch. Although, they jumped rather than eased over the line with their eight goals at Stamford Bridge. No team before has lost so many games and won the league. Even though they did the double over the other members of the 'supposed' big four, they still only won the title by one solitary point.

As an Arsenal fan, I'm glad we finished third. Though there were some who thought that was out of our grasp, back in August. Thankfully for my sanity, they were wrong. We were even in with a chance of winning it there, before the two worst goalkeeping displays of the season. The least said about that, the better I'm sure you'll agree.

We also had the implosion of Michael Owen's career and the disappointment of Dimitar Berbatov up at Old Trafford. Who knows where they would have been if someone other than Rooney had scored more than five goals this season. Poor showing from the supporting cast.

Though that can't be said about the two sets of noisy neighbours who have secured fourth and fifth place. Who knows where they will finish next season? With the support Daniel Levy has shown Harry and the bottomless pit of money available to Mr Mancini, things could become even more interesting depending on who catches their eyes at the World Cup.