The Offside Daily – 24th March 2014

10 of the best football stories of the day:

1) Neil Warnock will be announced as Nottingham Forest’s new manager today. Billy Davies and his staff did not report for training this morning, suggesting an end to his second spell at the club. 

2) Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino believes the fight for La Liga has reignited, following his sides 4-3 win at the Bernabeu. The Catalans are now a point behind Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

3) Christian Eriksen revealed how Tim Sherwood’s half-time team talk, praising the “guts of his players”, spurred Tottenham on to seal a 3-2 victory over Southampton.

4) Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson remains in hospital after being taken ill on Saturday after complaining of sickness prior to the 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

5) Italian business Massimo Cellino has been blocked from buying a majority stake in Leeds United. The Football League voted unanimously against a takeover.

6) It’s not only Sol Campbell who has walked out on his team during a match. Monaco defender Eric Abidal left the stadium without permission after being omitted from Claudio Ranieri’s team selection. (BBC)

7) Filming pitchside should be recognised as an occupational hazard, that’s what Sky Germany presenter Jessica Kastrop will be feeling, after being struck on the head by a football – for the second time! (Daily Mail)

8) Protective goggles aren’t just limited to memories of GCSE Science. Police have been given the option of eye protection, as well as sniffer dogs to fish out potential flares, during this week’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)

9) World Cup’s are notorious for great goals, sunshine and WAGs – but not so for Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper has opted to leave his wife Alex and their children home, despite Roy Hodgson allowing wives and girlfriends to accompany players to Brazil. (Daily Mail)

10) If you can’t score once, make sure you get it in the second time. Unfortunately, Brazilian midfielder Izaldo carried this out towards his own goal. A comedy of errors for your YouTube viewing today. (Telegraph)

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