IT may have been against aristocrats in orange but I could not get worked up about England's friendly with Holland last night.To use a well-worn phrase from a mate of mine - What's the point?Yes we had a look at Micah Richards in a full England shirt but I doubt we learned all that much at all against a below par Dutch side.

IT may have been against aristocrats in orange but I could not get worked up about England's friendly with Holland last night.

To use a well-worn phrase from a mate of mine - What's the point?

Yes we had a look at Micah Richards in a full England shirt but I doubt we learned all that much at all against a below par Dutch side.

You can understand why so many played cried off with injuries that are unlikely to stop them playing this weekend and you can understand why managers would be upset if any of their players reported back this morning carrying a knock.

After a series of qualification games in the past two months, and no more for another three months, there seemed little point in this game.

The FA should wake up to the fact that meaningless internation-als may bring in a few quid but they cause more problems than they solve.

England entertaining Germany in the first international staged at the new Wembley might be far more interesting - for a variety of reasons.

WONDERFUL news that Colchester United's new Community Stadium moved a step nearer reality after the borough council approved funding for the project and agreed to borrow the necessary money.

The only thing that will be missed at Layer Road, apart from the excellent pitch, is the witty banter as heard recently.

Cardiff supporters recently chanted: 'S**t ground, no fans'. Colchester fans countered 'S**t ground, three points' as they beat the league leaders 3-1.

ROB Hadgraft needs no introduction to Ipswich Town fans keen on their club's history. The former EADT sports writer has gone on to carve a niche as a respected author and it is understandable that his efforts quite often focus on the Blues.

His latest literary masterpiece comes out just in time for Christmas and will no doubt be a hit with Town supporters.

Ipswich Town: The Modern Era - A Complete Record is painstakingly researched, filled not just with facts but a fascinating insight season by season from 1972 to the end of last season.

Hadgraft combines an encyclopaedic ability with a fluent writing style to present the Blues history in an easy and enjoyable manner. It is one of those 'must-buys' for Town fans.

If you don't want to splash out the £18.99 price for the hardback, available at all good book shops, then I have three of Rob Hadgraft's Modern Era books to give away in a Chatter competition.

Tell me how many times Ipswich Town have lost at home in European competitions.

Send your answer to Championship Chatter, Sports Desk, EADT, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail derek.davis@eadt.co.uk

Competition closes noon on Wednesday, November 22.

Talking of books, the legendary Alan Brazil will be at the Planet Blue Shop in the Buttermarket in Ipswich today at 2pm, signing copies of his autobio-graphy 'There is an Awful lot of Bubbly in Brazil'.

MIKE Newell's grovelling apology to all concerned appears to have saved his £400,000-a-year job even though he has been 'severely reprimanded'.

Newell's sexist comments about women in football were combined with an ill-advised pop at his chairman Bill Tomlin.

But it seems fans share his frustration with the board at what he perceives to be a lack of progress off the pitch as negotiations over a proposed move to a new stadium appear to have stalled, there has been little money to spend on transfers, and the contracts of players like defender Markus Heikkinen and winger Dean Morgan have yet to be renewed.

I suspect peace will last until Newell next speaks his mind.