particularly as Huddersfield carried the greater threat. But it was sparked to live in the second half, particularly after Chris Eagles gave the Wanderers the lead. It added an edge to the chanting – and the most gesticulating Huddersfield fan was one of two away supporters being removed by the police.

The game opened up considerably at the same time with great chances at both ends; so despite the apparently corporate setting, the relatively low crowd of just over 15.000, and the cold night, it became an absorbing and very vocal contest. And on the train back to Bolton, there was quite a lot of singing, chanting, wall-banging as well.

So – despite the modern stadium setting – this was as good oldfashioned English football as it gets. Perhaps notwould be better if he was given the chance to spend more time with his party organiser. Indeed, constitutionally, he didn't need to resign even now.

He's stepped down because the markets thought that it would probably be for the best if one of their own was given the chance to run things for a while. Given the markets are made up of the same bankers who got the world economy into this mess in the first place, I am not entirely convinced they are the best placed group to be making leadership decisions on behalf of the Italian people.

Also, the new leader doesn't exactly have a democratic mandate, does he? Selected mainly because he would be seen as acceptable to the Group de Frankfurt, Signor Monti is an