Tough on Ginge

Good to see James Collins finally get a game with Wales last night. He was a bit lucky not to concede a penalty for some grappling in the box, but generally had a sound game getting in some good headers, before being subbed as Wales chased the game. Portugal's second goal took a lucky deflection and there was some confusion as Collins held back and Williams, trying to play offside, lost Nani, who scored. But Wales were certainly winners overall at this tournament and Collins is now a Welsh legend having played in a European Championship semi-final.

There's only one Ginger Pele!

It's great news that James Collins has signed a new contract, as I'm sure Big Sam would have loved to lure him to Sunderland and lots of other clubs would have been interested in him too. Ginge has been magnificent in recent games, holding the defence together at Swansea and Villa and having a storming game against Southampton. For all the technical ability of today's young stars a lot of them seem to be lacking in character; Ginge has that in abundance and through sheer effort and leadership he's inspired the men around him. On this form he has to stay in the team, even if it means dropping £10 million Ogbonna. And that ginger beard must intimidate most strikers before a ball is kicked...

Ginge returns

So we've signed James Collins from Aston Villa for £2.5 million. On the plus side I didn't realise he's still only 28 and we know from his previous spell at West Ham that he's a good player. He had a fantastic game at Old Trafford in the 1-0 Great Escape victory and was playing well before being sold to pay for Diamante. The downside is that most Villa fans appear very pleased to have got rid of him, though internet forums do attend to attract whingers, apart from on this blog, of course, which is full of football connoisseurs. Hopefully Villa's creaking defence last term was more down to injuries and the ageing of Richard Dunne rather than Collins. Martin O'Neill doesn't normally buy bad players and it should be noted that until O'Neill left, Collins was looking a decent player in a top six side. A change of club might give Collins a boost and as competition for Tomkins and Reid he should be a decent signing. And now he's bald rather than Ginger, looking not unlike Valdermort, he should at least frighten opposition forwards.

Farewell Ginge

Sad to see James Collins go to Aston Villa for £5 million. At least we kept Upson, Green and Cole, but Collins has been outstanding in all three league games this season and Villa have profited from our financial problems.

During his first season under Pardew he looked good in the air but sometimes vulnerable on the ground. But during the Great Escape under Curbishley he was fantastic at the back and just as big a reason for staying up as Carlos Tevez. His finest game was at Old Trafford during that epic 1-0 win. A proper centre half who attacks the ball in the air and is not afraid to hoof it.

Admittedly we have Tomkins ready to step in and Gabbidon is fit again and maybe one day Davenport might play again. But if Ginge was simply sold for financial reasons you can't help feeling that perhaps we should have kept Collins, not signed Kovac and sold a few more fringe players.

Couldn't get arrested…

Yesterday's Sun had a picture of James Collins being handcuffed at 3am outside Funky Buddha nightclub in Mayfair. He had been mistakenly identified a one of the culprits in a brawl a the club, when he was in fact enjoying a night out with his wife at the nearby Nobu restaurant.

Collins was soon released in an incident that must have Frank McAvennie turning in his mock-Tudor mansion. A footballer not in a nightclub? A footballer with his wife rather than a model who's been on Celebrity Big Brother? What sort of example is this to set to Freddie Sears?

Collins would also like a dodgy grey cardigan to be taken into consideration.