Shearer round the back...

Alan Shearer tried new tactics to brighten up the MOTD highlights show from the Brazil v Japan game in the Confederations Cup.

Pearce gets the beers in

The Ghost of Kenny Lunt met top MOTD commentator Jonathan Pearce a few years ago at a 5Live outside broadcast. It was a Carling Cup special held in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, a few days before Man United played Crewe Alex.

Mr Pearce was having a beer and chatting to a few punters and this author went over and say hello. Hovering on the edge off the group, feeling slightly self-conscious, I witnessed Pearce say something quite snidey to some poor punter. Immediately after that it was my turn to meet Pearce. Having witnessed the way Mr Pearce had treated the previous bloke, who only wanted a photo or an autograph or something, I didnt really want to meet him all of a sudden, but he was already looking right at me. I offered my hand, and said hello. And I asked if I could get him a beer in. Mr Pearce said he'd take a bottle of lager.

I went to the bar, and asked for 12 bottles of lager, to go on Mr Pearce's tab. The barman looked very dubious, until Mr Pearce looked over at me. I waved a bottle in the air, and Mr Pearce nodded. The barman served us our 12 beers, and I took one over to Pearce. He thanked me vaguely, and took the beer. Me and my mates very much enjoyed the other 11.

Soldado Who???

Roberto Soldado may have scored 60 goals in 100 games for Valencia since his 2010 $10 million transfer from Getafe. He may have had a blinding start to his Spain career too with 6 goals in 10 games. He may have been linked with a whole host of top European clubs in the summer of 2013, but that doesn't stop Jonathan Pearce and Mark Lawrenson from not knowing who he is.

16th June 2013 Confederations Cup, MOTD Live, Spain v Uruguay

Jonathan Pearce -

"Soldado has had a wonderful season for Atletico Madrid"

Mark Lawrenson -

"Yes"