By Tim Stannard

1) Atletico demands more from goalless Griezmann

It has now become fairly obvious to Atletico Madrid fans that Antoine Griezmann’s primary mission this season is not to lead the Rojiblancos to another assault on the Big Two’s supremacy in La Liga and Europe. Instead, it’s perfecting a spot-on impersonation of Westley from The Princess Bride.

To be honest, in a nice way, Atletico Madrid are not normally the most entertaining of sides to watch for fans, aside from the pleasure to be had from admiring organization and graft - like taking a field trip to a particularly sturdy parking lot. But this season, the performance problems for the team have been chronic with the team all but out of the Champions League and laboring in La Liga.

The chief underperformer is Antoine Griezmann, with Tuesday’s edition of AS reporting that a whole stack of rulebooks has been thrown at the player by his Atletico Madrid bosses to get the footballer to deliver as the per the enormous salary the forward is on, a salary that is currently paying for a run of seven games without a goal for the 26-year-old.

Griezmann’s contract runs to 2022, but the suspicion is that the player was all but set to leave Atletico over the summer, until the FIFA transfer ban came in. So, while the Frenchman’s fine head of hair is at the Wanda, his heart is elsewhere. Tune into the XTRA from 7PM ET / 4PM PT to see if Doctor Carlos Ruiz can find a cure for the ailing Atletico man.

2) West Ham send fans into happy frenzy with Moyes appointment

Speaking of maudlin performers whose hearts really aren’t in the game – West Ham United have made all their fans’ dreams come true by appointing David Moyes as their new manager, fresh from getting Sunderland relegated and being fired by Manchester United and Real Sociedad.

The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone with just two wins from 11 have turned to the morose Moyes for inspiration after ditching Slaven Bilic on Tuesday. “We need the support, we need everybody with us,” was the hopeful plea from the Scotsman on an interview published on the club’s Twitter feed.

3) Icardi out of action for Argentina as England lose everyone

It’s international week!
And while there are some real-life World Cup qualifying play-offs going on – New Zealand v Peru on Friday live on beIN SPORTS at 10PM ET / 7PM PT – there are quite a lot of international friendlies for top players to withdraw from. Probably at the gentle behest of their clubs.

Mauro Icardi has withdrawn from the Argentina team due to a knee injury that will last about the length of time that his country needs him.

Harry Kane, Deli Ali and Raheem Sterling are just a trio from a bunch of players that don’t fancy any England action.

Thankfully, the Brazilians are made of sterner stuff and their clash with Japan will be live on beIN SPORTS on Friday from 6:50AM ET / 3:50AM PT ahead of a crucial Africa World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal. beIN SPORTS - the World Cup at your fingertips.

4) Internet attacks man for not being Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers continued to suffer without the sidelined Aaron Rodgers, busy schmoozing on late night TV while his collarbone reseals. The iced-up ones lost at home 30-17 with backup quarterback, Brett Hundley, enjoying the fun of having complete strangers making fun of his professional abilities on the internet. Oh, what a gilded age we enjoy. 

In the NBA the Warriors continued their form recovery with a comfy win over the Miami Heat. On Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and grumpy LeBron are taking on the Milwaukee Bucks. 

  Mood... A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 6, 2017 at 7:07pm PST

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