Sadly for supporters of the high-flying Ligue 1 club, Nicollin is not a fan of miracles.

“I don’t believe in Santa Claus,” he said.

Nicollin refuses to dream that his side can massively upset the odds and win their first French title having finished way down in 14th last term.

But on Sunday’s evidence, Montpellier really can pull off the impossible after they outplayed big-spending leaders Paris St Germain for long spells before coming away from the capital with a 2-2 draw which left them a point behind in second place.

The south coast side have scored more goals than anyone in Ligue 1 after 24 games with 47 and have opened up an eight-point gap over third-placed champions Lille, who have a game in hand.

Given they boast new France striker Olivier Giroud and skilful Morocco playmaker Younes Belhanda, Montpellier are there to pounce if the weight of expectation at PSG prompts further nerves among Carlo Ancelotti’s troops with 14 games to go.

Nicollin, a 68-year-old entrepreneur and one of the most colourful characters in French football, deliberately missed the Parc des Princes match because he felt he had been a bad luck charm at recent away games.

His refusal to contemplate the title may be an attempt to avoid jinxing his team but his coach Rene Girard is a little more confident.

“I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, I would say frustrated because I think that this evening if a team deserved to win, it was us,” he told reporters after Sunday’s 2-2 draw.

“We were waiting for this match with impatience to know how we would react against this PSG team who announced themselves as championship leaders.

“I heard a lot of people who said we were going to crumble, and with the pleasure of disappointing them we are still here.”

Lille surprised many in France by sealing a league and cup double last season, proving anything was possible, but a championship triumph for Montpellier really would be the best early Christmas present for their long suffering fans.

PHOTO: Paris St Germain’s Kevin Gameiro (R) challenges Montpellier’s Souleymane Camara during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris February 19, 2012. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

The focus will all be on the Portuguese given his
counterpart Walter Mazzarri is banned from the touchline for
pushing an opponent in the group stage.

While Mazzarri roars on his charges from the stands at the
noisy and cavernous San Paolo, Villas-Boas will cut another
lonely figure on the touchline if Chelsea do not get a grip on
their season.

The London side have won just two of their last 10 league
games and drew 1-1 at home with second tier Birmingham City in
the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, prompting speculation
Villas-Boas could be axed if the Napoli game goes badly.

“You need an extra mental push to feel that confidence in a
different way, it comes with results and at the moment results
are not happening so until you get out of that cycle with a win
it perpetuates a bit,” said Villas-Boas.

Asked why he thought his side could win at the San Paolo, he
added: “Because it’s football and sometimes it happens just like
that, how you least expect. Napoli is a strong team but we are a
strong team.”

His ageing outfit are fifth in the Premier League and in
danger of missing the Champions League for next term as fans
begin to wonder if one stellar year as coach of Porto has given
the 34-year-old enough experience to cope at Stamford Bridge.

On Saturday, some chanted the name of former boss Jose
Mourinho, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea.

Chelsea’s ruthless billionaire owner Roman Abramovich may
have cut ties with Claudio Ranieri, Mourinho, Luiz Felipe
Scolari, Avram Grant and Carlo Ancelotti when he felt results
did not meet his high expectations but there is hope for
Villas-Boas.

Guus Hiddink was considered as the most likely to candidate
to be brought in to save Chelsea’s season for a second time but
the Dutchman signed with Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala last week.

TERRY INJURY

To avoid Abramovich having a big decision to make before the
second leg, Villas-Boas has to choose between misfiring Fernando
Torres or Didier Drogba upfront.

The Ivorian came on for the Spaniard at halftime against
Birmingham having returned from the African Nations Cup and
looks the most likely to lead the line.

Frank Lampard was on the bench but could return in Naples
with Chelsea looking void of ideas in the first half where Juan
Mata missed a penalty.

Away from Europe where they have sparkled – helping knock
out Premier League leaders Manchester City – Napoli have
disappointed in Serie A but won 3-0 at Fiorentina on Friday to
move up to sixth.

South American strikers Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi
both scored in Florence to sharpen their form for the visit of
the 2008 runners-up, who may be without captain and centre back
John Terry because of injury alongside left back Ashley Cole.

“Both are in with a chance of making it,” Villas-Boas said.

Uruguay’s Cavani is licking his lips at the prospect of
facing an injury-hit backline.

“We are looking forward to this great match in the Champions
League on Tuesday and will give our utmost to get another great
result for our fans, who will be there with us at the San
Paolo,” said Cavani, whose side may be without Hugo Campagnaro.

Probable teams:

Napoli: 1-Morgan De Sanctis; 2-Gianluca Grava, 28-Paolo
Cannavaro, 85-Miguel Britos; 11-Christian Maggio, 23-Walter
Gargano, 88-Gokhan Inler, 8-Andrea Dossena; 17-Marek Hamsik,
22-Ezequiel Lavezzi; 7-Edinson Cavani

Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 2-Branislav Ivanovic, 4-David Luiz,
26-John Terry, 3-Ashley Cole; 7-Ramires, 12-John Obi Mikel,
8-Frank Lampard; 10-Juan Mata, 23-Daniel Sturridge; 11-Didier
Drogba

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Spurs, third in the Premier League and with coach Harry
Redknapp tipped to take over England, produced a lethargic
display with a new five-man defence and had to settle for a
replay at White Hart Lane next month.

Louis Saha had the ball in the net but his shot clipped an
offside Scott Parker on the line to sum up a bad day for Spurs,
the best-ranked team left in the Cup after holders Manchester
City lost in an earlier round like Manchester United.

Gareth Bale had a superb shot tipped around the post by home
goalkeeper Chris Day, a Spurs fan who started his career at the
north London club.

“At the end of the game it got stretched and we were on the
front foot. I think we did our homework, they had possession but
we had a couple of chances,” Day told ITV.

“(The replay) will be a long shot, It will be first time
I’ve been down there this year without having to pay to get in,”
he joked.

Joel Byrom had two decent efforts for a hard-working
Stevenage on a bumpy pitch and they now have the carrot of a
home tie with Bolton Wanderers in the quarter-finals on March 17
or 18 to urge them on in the replay on March 7.

London’s three big clubs have struggled in the fifth round
with Arsenal being eliminated by Sunderland – who next visit
Everton – and Chelsea scraping a 1-1 home draw with Birmingham
City on Saturday with Leicester City awaiting in the last eight.

Stoke had a man harshly sent off but then scored a
controversial penalty as they saw off fourth division Crawley.

Jonathan Walters converted the 42nd-minute spotkick, after
Ryan Shawcross had gone to ground having barely been touched by
Kyle McFadzean, before Peter Crouch headed a second after
halftime to end a personal goal drought.

Rory Delap was sent off in the 16th minute for a studs-up
challenge, the kind of tackle which has prompted much debate in
England this season with referees deeming them dangerous but
players saying they are just trying to win the ball.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, angered that Crawley manager Steve
Evans had jumped on to the pitch to protest to referee Mike
Jones, told ESPN he was “really irked” that there is such a
discrepancy between tackles given reds and those that are not.

Crawley, who lost 1-0 at Manchester United at this stage
last season when they were a non-league side, almost took an
early lead when the ball hit Crouch and crashed against the
woodwork.

Stoke will next visit Liverpool or second tier Brighton &
Hove Albion, who meet later in the final fifth-round tie.

(Additional reporting by Mike Collett in Stevenage, England; To
query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Spurs, third in the Premier League and with coach Harry Redknapp tipped to take over England, produced a lethargic display with a new five-man defense and had to settle for a replay at White Hart Lane next month.

Louis Saha had the ball in the net but his shot clipped an offside Scott Parker on the line to sum up a bad day for Spurs, the best-ranked team left in the Cup after holders Manchester City lost in an earlier round like Manchester United.

London’s three big clubs have all struggled in the fifth round with beleaguered Arsenal being eliminated by Sunderland and Chelsea scraping a 1-1 home draw with second tier Birmingham City Saturday.

Stoke had a man harshly sent off but then scored a controversial penalty as they saw off fourth division Crawley.

Jonathan Walters converted the 42nd-minute spotkick, after Ryan Shawcross had gone to ground having barely been touched by Kyle McFadzean, before Peter Crouch headed a second after halftime to end a personal goal drought.

Rory Delap was sent off in the 16th minute for a studs-up challenge, the kind of tackle which has prompted much debate in England this season with referees deeming them dangerous but players saying they are just trying to win the ball.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, angered that Crawley manager Steve Evans had jumped on to the pitch to protest to referee Mike Jones, told ESPN he was “really irked” that there is such a discrepancy between tackles given reds and those that are not.

Crawley, who lost 1-0 at Manchester United at this stage last season when they were a non-league side, almost took an early lead when the ball hit Crouch and crashed against the woodwork.

Liverpool play second tier Brighton & Hove Albion later in the final fifth-round tie, just after the quarter-final draw has been made.

(Additional reporting by Mike Collett in Stevenage, England)

It’s taken a long time, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic has finally delivered a performance worthy of his talent against an English team in the Champions League.

Long scoffed at by British fans and journalists  for his pale imitation of a  top-class striker in Europe’s top competition, Zlatan delivered something of a virtuoso performance as Milan thrashed Arsenal 4-0 at the San Siro, rendering the last 16 return leg in London next month all but meaningless.

His passing – particularly in the first half when his pinpoint cross picked out Robinho for the Rossoneri‘s second goal – was sublime and in the second half he got the goal he richly deserved, firing home Milan’s fourth from the penalty spot after he was dragged down by Johan Djourou.

But questions still remain about the Swede and his team mates. As excellent as he was on it, Ibra’s movement off the ball was sometimes  slow and laboured, while every time a pass went astray he gestured his discontent to his colleagues.

Indeed, his whole team seemed affected by selfishness; Robinho never bothered to thank Zlatan for the great assist and several Milan players took wild shots when Ibra was better-placed to finish.

Once ranked as Europe’s best for their clinical, technical displays in Europe, Italian sides have stood in the shadow of Spanish “tiki-taka” for the past few years.

Wednesday’s  display may say more about Arsenal’s decline than Italy’s rise, but if Ibra can keep producing performances like this and Milan play more as a team, the seven-times winners could yet go a very long way in this competition.

Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday had
put City under pressure and after they had dominated the first
hour’s play Lescott eased their nerves when he hooked in former
Villa midfielder Gareth Barry’s far-post header from a corner.

Adam Johnson also hit a post in the first half for City
while Villa threatened little until the final stages when Carlos
Cuellar headed over and Hart made a superb point-blank save from
Darren Bent.

The England number one’s stop, as much as Lescott’s goal,
could be a moment City fans look back on with glee come May if
they get their hands on a first English league title since 1968.

City top the table with 60 points from 25 games, two ahead
of United while toothless Villa are looking anxiously over their
shoulders down in 15th.

“It’s always difficult playing second throughout the
weekend,” man-of-the-match Barry told Sky Sports.

“(United) obviously put a bit of pressure on, any away game
in the Premier League is really tough. But to come to Villa Park
is a massive three points for us, we are delighted today.

“We’ve got to back ourselves now although they are a club
who have won many championships recently. We are a team full of
experience and have players that have won championships
elsewhere. We know what it is all about.”

CUTTING EDGE

Mancini, whose side went into a league game not as leaders
for the first time since October, was thrilled.

“This evening was a difficult game, we knew this before the
game but I think the guys played fantastic football,” he said.

Mancini’s side lacked a bit of a cutting edge with Sergio
Aguero wasteful, David Silva showing his tricks but failing to
finish and Edin Dzeko on the bench despite Mario Balotelli’s
suspension.

Carlos Tevez could be making a surprise return to City after
a January move fell through and Mancini softened his opposition
to a player who refused to warm up as a substitute in a game in
September.

Asked if the striker could make a comeback if he apologises,
Mancini said: “My reaction is always the same, Carlos knows the
situation. It’s possible yes. Carlos is a Manchester City
player.”

The Argentine’s reintegration could be a key point in the
season but England defender Lescott, a boyhood Villa fan, made
his mark by scoring his fifth goal against the Birmingham side
to make City’s dominance pay having earlier headed wide.

Lescott was watched by caretaker England coach Stuart
Pearce, who dashed down the motorway having earlier witnessed
West Bromwich Albion maul Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-1 away.

Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie scored a hat-trick as West
Brom moved further away from danger and left their beleaguered
local rivals inside the drop zone.

Roy Hodgson’s side continued their strong away form to jump
eight points clear of 18th-placed Wolves, who endured a fourth
straight home defeat to put manager Mick McCarthy under
increased pressure as the boos rang out at fulltime.

Odemwingie’s deflected effort put West Brom ahead before
Steven Fletcher’s superb turn-and-shot on the stroke of halftime
brought the hosts level.

Jonas Olsson’s shot slipped through Wayne Hennessey’s hands
to give the visitors the lead and West Brom then ran riot with
Odemwingie’s second and third coming either side of former
Wolves man Keith Andrews netting on his debut.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Editing by Ed Osmond; To
query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool Saturday had put City under pressure and after they had dominated the first hour’s play Lescott eased their nerves when he hooked in former Villa midfielder Gareth Barry’s far-post header from a corner.

Adam Johnson also hit a post in the first half for City while Villa threatened little until the final stages when Carlos Cuellar headed over and Hart made a superb point-blank save from Darren Bent.

The England number one’s stop, as much as Lescott’s goal, could be a moment City fans look back on with glee come May if they get their hands on a first English league title since 1968.

City top the table with 60 points from 25 games, two ahead of United while toothless Villa are looking anxiously over their shoulders down in 15th.

“It’s always difficult playing second throughout the weekend,” man-of-the-match Barry told Sky Sports.

“(United) obviously put a bit of pressure on, any away game in the Premier League is really tough. But to come to Villa Park is a massive three points for us, we are delighted today.

“We’ve got to back ourselves now although they are a club who have won many championships recently. We are a team full of experience and have players that have won championships elsewhere. We know what it is all about.”

CUTTING EDGE

Mancini, whose side went into to a league game not as leaders for the first time since October, was thrilled.

“This evening was a difficult game, we knew this before the game but I think the guys played fantastic football,” he said.

Mancini’s side lacked a bit of a cutting edge with Sergio Aguero wasteful, David Silva showing his tricks but failing to finish and Edin Dzeko on the bench despite Mario Balotelli’s suspension.

Carlos Tevez could be making a surprise return to City after a January move fell through and Mancini softened his opposition to a player who refused to warm up as a substitute in a game in September.

The Argentine’s reintegration could be a key point in the season but England defender Lescott, a boyhood Villa fan, made his mark by scoring his fifth goal against the Birmingham side to make City’s dominance pay having earlier headed wide.

Lescott was watched by caretaker England coach Stuart Pearce, who dashed down the motorway having earlier witnessed West Bromwich Albion maul Wolverhampton Wanders 5-1 away.

Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie scored a hat-trick as West Brom moved further away from danger and left their beleaguered local rivals inside the drop zone.

Roy Hodgson’s side continued their strong away form to jump eight points clear of 18th-placed Wolves, who endured a fourth straight home defeat to put manager Mick McCarthy under increased pressure as the boos rang out at fulltime.

Odemwingie’s deflected effort put West Brom ahead before Steven Fletcher’s superb turn-and-shot on the stroke of halftime brought the hosts level.

Jonas Olsson’s shot slipped through Wayne Hennessey’s hands to give the visitors the lead and West Brom then ran riot with Odemwingie’s second and third coming either side of former Wolves man Keith Andrews netting on his debut.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Editing by Ed Osmond)

The Uruguayan was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Evra in October but refused to shake the Frenchman’s hand during Saturday’s pre-match Premier League ritual, prompting widespread condemnation.

“I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong,” Suarez said in a statement issued by Liverpool.

“I’ve not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

“I should have shaken Patrice Evra’s hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions. I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football.”

United manager Alex Ferguson branded the Uruguayan a “disgrace” while Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who has backed his striker throughout the saga, gave a robust post-game interview where he argued with a television reporter.

“MISLED US”

In another statement issued on Sunday, Dalglish said: “It is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford.

“To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

As the club tried to limit the damage after a raft of criticism from players, fans and the media, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said in a third statement that Suarez had been wrong.

“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so,” said Ayre.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team mates and the Club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.”

The match itself, between two of England’s great rivals, was a tense affair and scuffles took place in the tunnel at halftime and fulltime.

United accepted Liverpool’s apologies in their own statement.

“Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued following Saturday’s game,” it read.

“Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry unparalleled in British football. That should be the focus in the future of all those who love the clubs.”

(Editing by Alan Baldwin and Clare Fallon)

The Uruguayan was banned for eight matches for racially
abusing Evra in October but refused to shake the Frenchman’s
hand during Saturday’s pre-match Premier League ritual,
prompting widespread condemnation.

“I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old
Trafford and I realise I got things wrong,” Suarez said in a
statement issued by Liverpool.

“I’ve not only let him down, but also the club and what it
stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what
happened.

“I should have shaken Patrice Evra’s hand before the game
and I want to apologise for my actions. I would like to put this
whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football.”

United manager Alex Ferguson branded the Uruguayan a
“disgrace” while Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who has backed
his striker throughout the saga, gave a robust post-game
interview where he argued with a television reporter.

“MISLED US”

In another statement issued on Sunday, Dalglish said: “It is
right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at
Old Trafford.

“To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not
shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would
do.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what
had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of
a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to
apologise for that.”

As the club tried to limit the damage after a raft of
criticism from players, fans and the media, Liverpool managing
director Ian Ayre said in a third statement that Suarez had been
wrong.

“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake
hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game. The player had
told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so,”
said Ayre.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand
to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also
Kenny Dalglish, his team mates and the Club. It has been made
absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable.”

The match itself, between two of England’s great rivals, was
a tense affair and scuffles took place in the tunnel at halftime
and fulltime.

United accepted Liverpool’s apologies in their own
statement.

“Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued
following Saturday’s game,” it read.

“Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The
history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry
unparalleled in British football. That should be the focus in
the future of all those who love the clubs.”

(Editing by Alan Baldwin and Clare Fallon; To query or comment
on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Fabio Capello arrived in London four years ago with a sparkling CV but for all his club success he departed still barely able to speak English and with his adopted country frought with division and long shots for success at Euro 2012.

It is ironic that his tenure was effectively ended by an interview given in his native Italian, when he said he disagreed completely with the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

Capello, rich beyond dreams, with trophies and titles galore and looking forward to retirement as he turns 66 this year, felt undermined and betrayed. The FA seemingly felt the same way and England fans, unanimously if the phone-ins and social media are any indication, were left pleading for an English manager who they, and the players, can understand.

In these days of multinational Premier League players and managers it seems a petty point, and one that would no doubt have been conveniently overlooked if he had found success at the 2010 World Cup.

But Capello’s inability to master even the most basic vocabulary required for a manager’s post-match press conference eventually came to symbolise his failure to get to grips with the English game and mentality.

Vastly experienced in the political machinations of Serie A and La Liga, he nevertheless seemed out on a limb when forced to deal with the vast baggage that comes with the job of England manager and was regularly left completely bemused by questions from journalists with a multitude of agendas.

Over-inflated expectation, deeply-entrenched media opinions, off-pitch distractions – more often than not related to John Terry - were part of the job that even his world-leading six million pounds a year salary seemingly left him ill-equipped to deal with.

“Rubbish,” his supporters could cry. “Look at everything he won with AC Milan, Juventus, AS Roma and Real Madrid – he is undoubtedly a great manager. Look at his extraordinary qualification record.”

England fans are used to that, though, not least under their first foreign manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who also shone in the dress rehearsals only to suffer crippling stage fright when things got serious.

Like most of his predecessors, Capello enjoyed a lengthy honeymoon period as, in what seems almost laughable now, the no-nonsense boss brought a new sense of discipline to the squad that failed so miserably to make the Euro 2008 finals under Steve McClaren.

A hugely impressive 4-1 away win over Croatia set the tone in their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup as they went on to win nine of their 10 games, finishing as Europe’s leading scorers by a distance and were then handed a dream draw in South Africa alongside the United States, Algeria and Slovenia.

It all went horribly wrong, however, and Capello was just as culpable as the multi-millionaires of the Premier League who were made to look decidedly ordinary by some of the lowest-ranked opponents they had ever faced in a tournament.

BETTER TEAM

A 1-1 draw with a lively United States team was an acceptable start but the goalless draw with Algeria, when the north Africans looked the better team and England barely managed a shot, was a new low.

Even then a straightforward two-goal win over Slovenia would have been enough to top the group and earn an enticing last-16 meeting with Ghana but England, leading 1-0, chose to kill time – a tactic that backfired spectacularly when the U.S. snatched an injury-time win to top the group.

England’s players left the pitch high-fiving and hugging each other with Capello beaming, yet the fans at home were screaming at their TVs in frustration, knowing full well that their team’s appalling lack of ambition had earned them a dreaded meeting with old foes Germany.

What followed was utter humiliation as, after suffering ill-fortune with the wrongful disallowing of a Frank Lampard goal for what would have been a 2-2 equaliser, they fell apart completely en route to a 4-1 defeat – their worst ever in a major tournament.

“We play well, Germany is a big team and we make some mistakes,” Capello mumbled, failing again to show any understanding of the mood of the nation.

In his defence things might have turned out very differently had Lampard’s goal stood, and the Italian picked up the pieces well as, with largely the same group of players, England cruised through qualifying for Euro 2012.

However, unlike so often before when England are sent on their way with high hopes, preparations are in tatters. Key striker Wayne Rooney is suspended for the first two games, Lampard and Steven Gerrard, the mainstay of England’s midfield for a decade, are no longer automatic choices.

 Terry, who voiced concerns at rifts in the squad in South Africa, has been stripped of the captaincy again ahead of a court case based on allegations of racist abuse of the brother of his centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand.

So Capello walks away leaving the England team, the FA, the courts and the Twitterati to clean up the mess.

Harry Redknapp, fresh from his own court case having been cleared of tax evasion on Wednesday, is hot favourite to replace him.

The Tottenham Hotspur manager said last week that he could not spell and could barely write – but at least he is illiterate in English.