Peacocks

How do I make this thing say Saturday? I can't? Oh well, Sunday it is then........I hope you weren't hanging on too long. Oh Great, it says Monday now.

Apologies, dear reader.

So, Sunday night, GMT. Honestly.

In the next 24 hours, the enigma that is El Diego will reveal to the waiting world the 30 individuals that will ultimately reduce down to his 23 man Argentina squad for the South Africa World Cup 2010.

Right now, Diego will be sitting on his terrace, with a phone to the left and a pencil and paper to the right.

Picture the scene; the gentle patter of a sprinkler caressing the manicured lawns of the resedencia los Diego, the only sound in a another perfect sun caressed day, but for the distant call of a amorous peacock, one of several that adorn the grounds; a gift from Fidel, a good friend.

A light stirring of the trees and a slight breeze elevates the potent and intoxicating aroma of a Cuban cigar, expertly hand rolled on the silky thigh of Maria Lopez, a raven haired Havana beauty, as yet untouched by a masculine hand......Maria that is....not the cigar.

El Diego. Deep in contemplation right now.

Suddenly, inspiration. 'Hallelujah!' A breakthrough, at last! With the swift and decisive action of well served matador, El Diego lifts his pencil, rapier like, and thrusts it toward the heavyweight manila pad. The crack of newly sharpened lead against crisp paper. And there, at last is a name. The first of 30. .............Leo Messi.

Right, now for plan B.

This is where it gets interesting.

El Diego has selected well over 100 individuals in his tenure so far, none of whom have been Esteban Cambiasso. That's the same Esteban Cambiasso that marshalled Leo Messi for his club Internazionale in the Champions League semi against Barca, screening his back four. Something Cambiasso has done week in, week out to excellent effect for his club alongside Mr Inter; Javier Zanetii, another who could well be receiving the 'thanks but no thanks' call that I've no doubt Maradona won't be making.

Two players that will be making an appearance at European football's premier final next week, may be deemed surplus to requirements by their country. Meanwhile two others, in Newcastle United's (my team, as you ask) Jonas Guttierez and Fabricio Coloccini, have spent the last nine months treading the turf at Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Plymouth, could well be on the plane.

Coloccini "fingers crossed!!"

Strange. But to be fair (and I'm not sure if this is just me being carried along by the little feller) I've been thinking about this a lot over the last two days (you wanted an excuse for no post yesterday), and I actually reckon I can see what Maradona is trying to put together. I really think he's clear on what he wants and how he will achieve it. Reasons to follow, honest.

So in the next 24 hours or so, Maradona will announce his 30, and you'll hear about it first here............actually that's complete bollocks as you will be able to hear about it first elsewhere quite easily; HOWEVER! this correspondent will digest the names and give his take in the next post, rather than just take the piss-easy option that suffices for 99% of media outlets, copying and pasting from Reuters, which seems to pass as investigative journalism these days. Stick around, dear reader.

Your comments, as ever, are most welcome.