Will "big" Sam Allardyce ever look around and see a picture somewhat more expansive than his vision of what is best for himself and Bolton? Will "big" Sam Allardyce ever look around and see a picture somewhat more expansive than his vision of what is best for himself and Bolton? Football precedent is not encouraging, any more than his own weasel words. Here is Allardyce's central argument in defence of El Hadji Diouf's gut-wrenching dive for a penalty this week: "I don't understand why they are having a go at him because he is only doing what other players are doing. People are suggesting I should criticise my players in public, but this never happens at any other club so why should I?"If he doesn't know, at his age and with his status and rewards, can anyone wonder why the sewer gates of football are open so wide?. While you find space to include such trivialities as Jamie Oliver's contribution to Essex history, Chelmsford being the birthplace of radio was completely ignored. One can only hope your failure to include the invention of radio communication by Marconi in Chelmsford was forgetfulness rather than ignorance.RUSSELL KENNEDY Chelmsford, Essex Nuances in peril Sir: Whereas I am fully in agreement with Hugh Jones (letter, 27 January) that our language is constantly evolving, I cannot accept his claim that it is pedantic to use it correctly and appropriately.

One of the greatest joys of the English language is the fact that, due to its etymology, it allows the expression of so many nuances of meaning. So, although his letter has persuaded me to write in protest, I remain unconvinced by his argument.PETA JONES Exeter, DevonSir: Hugh Jones makes a useful contribution to the English grammar debate by pointing out its dynamic quality, but teachers of English do not want to accept every neologism uncritically. Some new usage reduces clarity rather than the opposite, and we are entitled to resent US language imperialism.MARTIN JOHNSON Head of Education Policy and Research, Association of Teachers and Lecturers, London WC2 Federal Europe Sir: Chris Bradley of the Young European Movement writes (letter, 28 January), "The treaty reaffirms that the European Union is - and will remain - a union of nation states, not a European superstate". Did Rio Ferdinand or John Barnes, fine players no doubt, have greater claims than Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Roger Hunt? Or Jimmy Greaves and Johnny Haynes, who did not make the World Cup final team but would be in most authoritative lists of the nation's 10 best players of all time?Black players like Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand are cornerstones of English football now.

Sven Goran Eriksson spoke with great feeling and delicacy when he described the emotions provoked by the visit he made with his players to Auschwitz a few months ago. He did it eloquently and in a much more meaningful way than anything said in the manu factured furore over the FA's withdrawn Pride of the Nation video, which happened not to contain one black player in the featured 20 best England internationals over the last 40 years.What was the cry? For "tokenism," for elevating a player beyond his achievements simply because of the colour of his skin? Some superb non-black players were omitted from the FA's misbegotten video - including six of the men who won England's only World Cup. The usual quips and frivolity were absent.This week, when Eriksson spoke of the meaning of Auschwitz, he also picked up the cause of anti-racism in football. Their ground is the favourite of the Polish FA when a passionate crowd is required.It was a cold, grey day when I happened to go along to Auschwitz with another England team and of all the imperishable memories not the least of them is the impact the place had on those young, carefree professional sportsmen. It is just a few miles from Katowice, the fierce stronghold of the Polish game whose most popular club, Gornik, have long been involved in European competition. He is, in fact, said to be worried he might be perceived to do too little at first. One jaded FA source, awaiting the fourth chief executive in six years, mused that Barwick cannot know the reality which awaits him.