Football Talk

It's all pasta history for Ramos
Tottenham have buried the hatchet with the Marriott hotel chain following the infamous lasagne-gate incident.
Spurs fans will recall their defeat by West Ham, which club officials initially blamed on food poisoning after their players stayed the previous night at the Marriott in Canary Wharf.
A subsequent investigation, however, cleared the hotel of any link and now relatons have improved to such an extent that Juande Ramos has been staying at the Marriott's Waltham Abbey branch.
At a recent wedding, the Tottenham boss was pleasantly surprised at being recognised by a group of Spurs-supporting guests.
Not only was he happy to sign autographs and chat in English to the fans, he also posed for a photograph with the bride and groom.

Cantona blazes trail for chef
Manchester United held two Christmas parties on Monday night. One for the players, which you may have read about, and the other for club staff which was a more sedate affair. The highlight of the bash - attended by Sir Alex Ferguson - was the presentation of United's employee of the year award to head chef Romain Camos. The French cook, who holds two AA rosettes, is credited with transforming the club's catering. He is also an example of the incredible influence which Eric Cantona still exerts. Brought up in France, Camos was offered a job in Manchester and took it despite being unable to speak English. A friend said: "All Romain knew was that Cantona was in Manchester. He couldn't speak a word of English, but the next thing you know, he's in England and it's all because of a footballer."

Ginger James takes the biscuit
Ginger West Ham defender James Collins recently claimed his most embarrassing moment was during a match at Queens Park Rangers when the home fans started singing: 'Strawberry blonde? You're having a laugh'. That was clearly before he attended this week's Hammers players' Christmas party dressed as a very poor man's Anna Kournikova.

Refs told to stay Poll's apart
Premier League referees have been warned off discussing controversial issues with former colleague Graham Poll. Despite hanging up the whistle and re-inventing himself as a media pundit, the "Thing from Tring" has remained in contact with his old pals who help provide him with useful insight into the game's big talking points. But Poll's opinion-gathering has not gone down well with the football authorities given their strict procedures on referees talking to the media.

Bigg night up north for Orient
Martin Ling rewarded Leyton Orient's squad for their bright start by allowing them to hold their Christmas celebration in Newcastle after last week's 1-0 defeat at Carlisle. Ling travelled home with the backroom squad leaving the players to enjoy the wilds of the Bigg Market. The Orient manager said: "I waited in all morning [the next day] for a phone call from a copper with a Geordie accent but so far so good!"