I know we're only three days in, but 'Come on now Jo, walk out Kuffour' will take some beating in the sports headline of the year awards.
If such an award existed, obviously.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Giving up the festive season
One of the arguments against a winter break in the UK is that the festive fixtures are part of our football heritage.
I would agree with that, I love catching a bit of footy on Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
The players, however, may think otherwise. After all, they have to give up a bit of exuberance on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve as they will have a game the next day.
Obviously we don't feel sympathy for the overpaid stars who take home thousands every week.
If you get paid that much you can put up with a couple of unwanted early nights.
But what is easy to forget is that there is also a full schedule of lower league and non-league games too.
These players are normal lads who get paid peanuts and they too are expected to give up any fun at Christmas.
So when all of their mates would have been down the pub getting smashed, they would have been having an early night, and all because of a trip to somewhere like Maidenhead the next day.
Of course not everyone would have had such self control.
But if you are a non-league player who gave up your festive season for part-time football you have my utmost respect.
I would agree with that, I love catching a bit of footy on Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
The players, however, may think otherwise. After all, they have to give up a bit of exuberance on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve as they will have a game the next day.
Obviously we don't feel sympathy for the overpaid stars who take home thousands every week.
If you get paid that much you can put up with a couple of unwanted early nights.
But what is easy to forget is that there is also a full schedule of lower league and non-league games too.
These players are normal lads who get paid peanuts and they too are expected to give up any fun at Christmas.
So when all of their mates would have been down the pub getting smashed, they would have been having an early night, and all because of a trip to somewhere like Maidenhead the next day.
Of course not everyone would have had such self control.
But if you are a non-league player who gave up your festive season for part-time football you have my utmost respect.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Saturday, 26 November 2011
The number one tourist attraction in Colombia...
...is surely this.
Who would have thought the best statue in the world is of Carlos Valderama?
First seen at 500 Reasons To Love Football
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Milan Jovanovic is one of the best players in the world
I've not watched Neighbours for many moons, but they always did come out with some cracking lines. Like this one, for example.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Reading the rules
It's easy to find good online bingo sites with top prizes these days.
But apparently it isn't easy to find out the rules of the competition your football team play in.
South Africa, hosts of the last World Cup, were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations last night – they failed to make it through their qualifying group.
There was confusion here as SA would have topped the group on goal difference – except that method wasn't being used to separate teams with tied points.
They didn't know that though and played for a point on the last day which they thought would be enough.
Tottenham's South African player Steven Pienaar, even tweeted his delight that his country were through, until he realised his mistake – teams on the same points would be split by the head to head method.
Under this process, the little known Niger qualified instead – a bit of an embarrassment for the Bafana Bafana.
Now, it seems like South Africa are appealing this decision, which seems absolutely ridiculous.
Surely, they don't have a leg to stand on? They knew the rules before they started playing (well at least they should have). They also would not have complained if they went through in the same fashion and should a footballing nation of their calibre really be failing to beat teams like Niger?
So instead of looking for others to blame, SA needs to have a sit down, begin the inquest and move on to the future.
Oh, and a quick scan of the rules next time might not hurt either.
But apparently it isn't easy to find out the rules of the competition your football team play in.
South Africa, hosts of the last World Cup, were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations last night – they failed to make it through their qualifying group.
There was confusion here as SA would have topped the group on goal difference – except that method wasn't being used to separate teams with tied points.
They didn't know that though and played for a point on the last day which they thought would be enough.
Tottenham's South African player Steven Pienaar, even tweeted his delight that his country were through, until he realised his mistake – teams on the same points would be split by the head to head method.
Under this process, the little known Niger qualified instead – a bit of an embarrassment for the Bafana Bafana.
Now, it seems like South Africa are appealing this decision, which seems absolutely ridiculous.
Surely, they don't have a leg to stand on? They knew the rules before they started playing (well at least they should have). They also would not have complained if they went through in the same fashion and should a footballing nation of their calibre really be failing to beat teams like Niger?
So instead of looking for others to blame, SA needs to have a sit down, begin the inquest and move on to the future.
Oh, and a quick scan of the rules next time might not hurt either.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
FIFA critics and FIFA 12
A fair few lads will be phoning work with mysterious illnesses at the moment, as FIFA 12 has been released.
I even know one person who has booked a week off work just so he can get stuck into a career mode save.
The same guy was up in arms when FIFA awarded World Cups to Russia and Qatar, but any hatred he had towards our sport’s governing body has been quickly forgotten now the latest game has hit the shelves.
Yes, I know EA Sports make it, but FIFA have to be pocketing some cash as their name is plastered all over it.
To this guy, the game is so good that it doesn’t matter if Sepp’s crew get a few extra pennies.
My question is, if you are serious about being up in arms about FIFA, should you give the admittedly addictive games a miss?
I even know one person who has booked a week off work just so he can get stuck into a career mode save.
The same guy was up in arms when FIFA awarded World Cups to Russia and Qatar, but any hatred he had towards our sport’s governing body has been quickly forgotten now the latest game has hit the shelves.
Yes, I know EA Sports make it, but FIFA have to be pocketing some cash as their name is plastered all over it.
To this guy, the game is so good that it doesn’t matter if Sepp’s crew get a few extra pennies.
My question is, if you are serious about being up in arms about FIFA, should you give the admittedly addictive games a miss?
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