Last updated at 23:04, Thursday, 08 July 2010

IT’S looking increasingly likely that Tony Caig will be wearing blue next year.

A deal is expected to be confirmed just after we’ve gone to press, which is Sod’s Law for me and a blow to Darren Edmondson’s plans for the forthcoming Reds campaign.

There is no doubt that he will have been bracing himself for the departure but it doesn’t make it any easier when it finally happens.

There has been little movement on the deal until this week with representatives from both clubs finally meeting to talk shop.

Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott made public his desire to net the veteran shot-stopper at the end-of-season bash, but it has taken months for Carlisle to come forward to talk to their non-league counterparts.

Caigy has not only been a great player in his year at Borough Park, but his professionalism and dedication has been inspiring to the young squad.

He offers a lot to the squad and has been a calming influence at the back.

His confidence oozes out into the rest of the squad but now the lads will have to help Aaron Taylor show his worth.

Taylor has been patient and has all the makings of being an able replacement.

I don’t think Caigy would have played beyond this season so it is a good time for Taylor to come through.

REDS kicked off their pre-season last night at Gretna.

Speaking with Edmo, he’s delighted with how the squad looks so far and he’s not admitting defeat in signing Paul Murray.

The experience he could bring to the side would be invaluable to the likes of Phil McLuckie, who would flourish alongside him.

Hartlepool are in pole position to land Murray right now, but Edmo will keep chirping away in his ear to see if he can complete the deal.

THE World Cup is almost over. The impressive Germans became the last side to be dumped out thanks to a bullet header from Spian’s Carles Puyol.

With just two games left, I’ve picked my team of the tournament. Here it is:

Neuer, Lahm, van Bronckhorst, Pique, Lugano, Muller, Sneijder, Schweinsteiger, Forlan, Klose, Villa.

Special mentions must also go to Maxi Pereira, Ozil, Xavi and Suarez.

These guys, some of whom have carried the hopes of a nation on their back, have shone on the biggest stage of them all.

THE final will be an interesting one. I’m pleased with the two sides set to fight it out, and it means that a new name will be added to the trophy.

I was watching Holland the other night and the missus piped up: “I hope Holland win the World Cup.”

I asked her what made her come to this conclusion since she has complained every time that I’ve stuck the footy on over the last four weeks.

Was it the bright orange kit that took her fancy?

No, it wasn’t. It was one lad in particular wearing the bright orange kit.

She said: “It’s because I think that Wesley Sneijder is well fit.”

Now I can’t argue with that. At times, his array of passing and eye for goal has taken my fancy too.

I WILL issue a word of warning to the Premier League regarding buying players on the back of a World Cup.

One, you will be paying over the odds for average players. Two, just remember Kleberson.

I don’t for a second believe Man City will heed any advice. They seem hell bent on going out to sign as many foreigners as possible to bolster their already bulging squad.

NASA has this week waded into the debate on the World Cup ball.

Aerodynamic experts have criticised the Jabulani ball, stating it was unpredictable at speeds above 44mph.

Bobby Green is probably shouting ‘amen to that’ but I don’t buy into that.

The ball is the same for everyone, apart from the Germans.

They are a smart bunch and started using the Jabulani in league fixtures from January.

SPEAKING of the Germans, and I never thought I’d be saying this, but I agree wholeheartedly with Mesut Ozil.

The pint-sized midfielder, who has been one of a number of stand-out stars, has hit out at England’s players complaining about boredom.

He said: “If you find the greatest tournament on earth boring, then you probably shouldn’t be there.”

It’s okay Mesut, we never really showed up in the first place.

I DON’T want to get into the whole video technology debate because none of us have the time and I don’t have the space, but I was chatting with a mate the other night and we came up with a thought that could revolutionise football.

In rugby you have penalty tries, which work, so why not incorporate a penalty goal?

If a player, like Suarez, deliberately stops a certain goal with his hands, then instead of making a player take a high intensity penalty kick, just give the goal.

Ghana would have rightfully been in the semi-finals if this had been adopted.

FIFA needs to take a long look at the game and make the necessary changes to help officials. This would be a great way to start.

AND finally, let’s hope we do have English representation in the World Cup final with Howard Webb and his crew officiating the match.

First published at 19:20, Thursday, 08 July 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk