World Cup Diary Blog #4

It's been a bit tense around camp England today.  None of us covered ourselves in glory yesterday and the press and Talk Sport have had loads to say about the performance.  We're all getting fed up of hearing "can Lamps and Stevie G play in the same team", "can Roono keep a lid on his temper".  The answer is yes to both.  So just get behind the team.

There's a great atmosphere in the squad and we're all confident we can do well.  I'm really chuffed I got a couple of quotes in the quality papers today - The Guardian and The Telegraph.  Mrs D's started a scrap book.

Put up my Daily Mirror World Cup 2010 wall chart this morning - can't wait to start filling it in on Friday.  Got different coloured pens and everything.

We've got a sweep going and we drew our teams last night - felt really lucky - I got two teams - New Zealand and Honduras - don't feel so lucky now.  Might still put a couple of bob on each, you know just in case.  The odds are really good each one is 2000/1.

The Gaffa gave us a bit of a pep talk after training.

"Righta fellas, backa home they'lla be'a thinkin about'a us.  We are'a so far awaya.  So'a backa home they'lla be'a really'a behind us, in a everya game'a we play'a.  They'lla share'a every'a goala Rooney is'a scoring.  We will'a still heara them'a roaring'a.  And we'lla give'a all a we've a gotta give'a for those'a folks'a back'a home.  Avanti  "

Well it went something like that, and went on a bit longer.  Funny, but I thought I had heard it before somewhere.  Maybe all managers use the same speeches.

Had a safari trip in to the bush this afternoon to see the wildlife.  We saw three lions (see what I did there); giraffe's that took a keen interest in Crouchy; and buffalo with an uncanny likeness to Roono.

That's it for today - only four more sleeps before we whup the Yanks.

World Cup Diary Blog #3

Another hot and humid day here in South Africa.  Didn't realise how cold it would be at night though - temperature drops to as low as 3c so had to put on my fleecy PJ's in the early hours.

There was a bit of commotion in the hotel last night.  Some joker got in to Rooney's room and nicked his personal pillow.  Lots of shouting, laughing and joking until Wayno eventually tracked down his beloved pillow in Carrick's room.  Still some confusion whether or not it was Carrick who nicked it in the first place - the smart money is on Joe Cole - the little tinker.

Final friendly match today and I knew fairly early on that I would be getting a run out against what can best be described as a local pub team.  Not sure I will get a cap for this game but I suppose I am not an international player.

We were all required to meet local fans at the hotel before we set off for the match this afternoon.  Really surprised to see a group of people from the South African branch of A Question of Sport fan club.  They had come to meet Matt and had a big shock when they got me instead.  Could see the confusion on their faces but I think I got away with it.  Anyway I still autographed some of those funny shaped balls for them.

We got a good 3 - 0 win against Platinum Stars.  Not the best performance in the world and Wayno lost it a bit and got booked - he can be a divvy sometimes.  I was pleased with my 45 minutes and even got some comments quoted on the FA Website

Spoke to the boss (Harry) last night and commiserated with him after his England team lost the Soccer Aid 2010 game to a penalty by a bloke who's never played football in his life.  Some of the guys today were hoping David James would get crocked so that Fabio would call up Jamie Theakston as his replacement - he had a brill second half last night.

Right must go, me and the other four Spurs lads are having a card school tonight - if we can get some little nods, winks and tells between us we should be able to fleece the rest of the squad of a few Rands

World Cup Diary Blog #2

Had a good sleep last night - I was shattered after the flight and straight into training yesterday.  I've got Rio's old room - next door to his best mate Frank "Lampy" Lampard.  They've been pals since they were kids together at the Hammers - I can just see them "blowing bubbles" in the bath after a game.  Am getting a bit fed up already hearing how much the team will miss Rio - in the papers and on telly - no one's yet said I am a quality replacement.  Everyone just going on about the fact I haven't got any caps yet.

Looks like I'm getting the number 5 jersey.  Fabio sent Becks down the local market this morning to get some of those stick on letters for the back of my shirt.  I spent a couple of hours after breakfast taking "Ferdinand" off and sticking my name on - it does look good though but Rio's bloody shirts are gonna be miles too big for me - bet I look a right twat.

Phoned Mrs D before I went to sleep last night.  She'd had a call already from Montana Manning (Lennon's other half - and a bit of alright if you ask me) - she has a bit of a reputation though for flashing her knickers when photographers are around (according to the Mail Online anyway).  Seems like the "stay at home" WAGs are having a BBQ next Saturday at the Rooney's - Coleen's quite partial to a beef quarterpounder I hear.

Lots of really nice messages of congratulations and support from Spurs fans.  Even one from an S Quinn in Ireland - say they're big Spurs supporters and hope I get a chance to play - but they'll still be cheering for the USA on Saturday.

Also some messages from Gooner fans asking me to kick lumps out of Wright-Phillips in training so that he has to go home and maybe that loser Walcott will be called up before Friday - er don't think so.

Let me tell you I'm a pit pissed off with Panini as it happens.  Do you know there are stickers for the errand boy Beckham and that loser Theo - but there isn't one of me - bet Panini feel real stupid now.

OK, we're one hour ahead of you guys back in the UK so we're just getting ready to go down for dinner.  Fabio's imposed a booze ban - feeling a bit guilty now about that crafty drink with JT yesterday - still he's not gonna say anything he's been in enough trouble already.

Hoping to get picked for some part of the friendly tomorrow against the Platinum Stars.  Who needs bloody Rio.

Right, signing off now.

World Cup Diary Blog #1

Well what a day yesterday.  Me and the Mrs D went to see Jackson Browne in Sheffield.  We had already planned to have a couple of weeks away at Butlins in Skegness and I was getting really excited about that.

Got home last night and had a message from Fabio telling me to get on the next plane to Johannesburg as Rio had injured his knee in a tackle on Emila Heskey - well that's what it sounded like.  I can't really understand a word that Fabio says.

"Hello'a Mikel itsa Fabio ere.  Thata bloody Emila Esky as nackurd Rio'as knee'a.  I'a kneed'a you'a to catcha plane'a to Johannesburga straighta waya"

So there I was in the early hours of Saturday just hoping those BA strikers - no not Burton Albion, British Airways - don't cancel my flight.  Anyway plane got away on time and I was able to get my head down for a few hours.

I can tell you I was mighty relieved that it was Rio that got injured and not JT.  Wouldn't have wanted to leave Mrs D behind with JT back in the country - if you know what I mean.

Arrived in Jo'burg safely and surprised to see JT at the airport - thought my mate Ledley would have been there.  Anyway JT took me to a local bar for a swift half before heading off to Rustenburg and my first training session.  Not sure what my squad number is going to be yet - maybe I will just get number 5, which was Rio's number.

Accommodation looks good - deffo much better than we would have had at Butlins.

OK that's it for now - will keep you all posted - at least until the end of the first round matches.  If things don't go to plan might even be home in time to go to Skeggy - have told Mrs D not to cancel the chalet yet - don't want to lose my deposit if it's not necessary.

Speak to you again soon.

Reuben Sandwich

This is the first in an occasional feature on food - in particular food I like.  Hope you enjoy - reading and maybe trying the recipes.

So, continuing the sandwich theme here is a recipe for a Reuben sandwich - a classic from New York.

Modern day Reuben sandwiches are often open-faced and broiled, which dries out the corned beef and makes the cheese rubbery.  Or, under the misguided belief that more is better, they are overstuffed.  The main things to remember for a great Reuben are to keep the filling under control and in balance, so when you bite it you get a harmonious and succulent mouthful; and to grill the sandwich slowly, so the bread gets toasty brown and buttery crisp, the meat gets warmed through, and the cheese is just melted enough to be oozy (thats as in gooey not as in the machine gun).

Makes one sandwich

2 slices rye bread or pumpernickel

2 teaspoons butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons Reubens Russian Dressing (see below)

1 quarter cup well drained, fresh-style sauerkraut

2 ounces thinly sliced Gruyere cheese

1 quarter pound thinly sliced american style corned beef

Butter each slice of bread evenly to the edges on one side.
Place one slice, buttered side down, in a small cold skillet - build the sandwich in the skillet you'll grill it in
Spread 1 tablespoon of the Russian dressing on the face-up, dry side of the bread.  Then put on the sauerkraut, spreading it evenly.
Arrange the cheese in an even layer over the sauerkraut, then do the same with the corned beef.
Spread another 1 tablespoon of Russian dressing on the dry side of the second slice of bread and place it, dressing side down, butter side up, over the corned beef.
Place the skillet over medium-low heat and grill the sandwich slowly, pressing down on it a few times with a wide metal spatula.  Grill until the bread is browned and crisped, then turn the sandwich over with the help of the spatula.
Now weight the sandwich down by placing a plate over the sandwich, then add on a weight, such as can of tomatoes.  Grill until the second side has browned and crisped, then flip the sandwich over one more time to briefly reheat the other side.
Serve immediately - yummy yummy.

Reubens Russian Dressing

Makes about half a cup.

half a cup of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chili sauce or ketchup
1 teaspoon finely grated onion
half a teaspoon of horseradish
quarter teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
Caviar (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

NOTE - 1 CUP = 8 OUNCES

British Sandwich Week

Tomorrow is the end of British Sandwich Week.  Now I know that you can buy sandwiches, make sandwiches or get Jayne to make sandwiches all year round.  So very soon we will be having a delicious bacon sandwich for Saturday brunch.

So come on sandwich lovers indulge yourselves.

For those anoraks amongst you here is a link to Wikipedia  Sandwich history        

Just be careful not to get crumbs in your keyboard or dribble brown sauce on your screen.

Enjoy.

Note:  apologies to all my vegetarian readers.

It's 'Be Nice To Nettles Week'http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/events.asp

So come on you people of Midsomer give him a break and stop the murders for a few days.