And Blanco Must Score!

I really want to hate this this, but I just can’t. What...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:42:36 -0400

I really want to hate this this, but I just can’t. What appears like a DIY video of a bunch of teenage, West London hipster prats having a laugh and thinking they’re hubris personified should make the blood boil, and make levels of cynicism dangerously veer toward territory that can only be described as terminal. But ‘Being A Dickhead is cool’ this isn’t, and its certainly not a cheap shot or bare in its value. As much as I loathe to admit it, I really like this, and its very, very good indeed. And perhaps most frighteningly, this bunch of GCSE dodgers are most certainly only getting started. If ‘Drivethrough’ is their idea of a raw initial home recording, it oozes the sassy coolness and confidence and hip hop zeal that most bands and producer take years to cultivate, if they ever even achieve it. And all of it despite Only Real’s leader’s name being Niall Galvin.

They may strut and pose like brash stereotypical Skins characters, but I have to hand it to Only Real, they are appropriately named, and this is an impressive slice of slick attitude and mature beatmaking. ‘Recognise’. Or whatever Vanilla Ice lookalikes say in Putney these days. At least they talk the talk.

Boiling Over

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:26:05 -0500

The social (media) event of the year… Or whatever.

What do you think of when you hear ‘Boiler Room’? If it’s a late 90’s/early 00’s poor man’s Wall Street, with Vin Diesel in his edgiest performance ever, you’re not very with it. If the term ‘Immersion’ springs to mind, there’s even less hope for you. Boiler Room, if you had never heard of it, has rapidly become one of the massive musical success stories of 2011, and is pretty much the ‘hippest’ thing going right now in that ever blossoming marriage between electronic music and the Internet.

The concept is simple. Yet no one had been doing it. Recorded sets on UStream, regularly played in various venues, that are both viewable live, and immediately accessible as a recorded archive. Theoretically speaking, you don’t actually have to go out anymore, you can just watch your favourite DJ’s/Producers bang it out directly onto your laptop screen. How very economical. Of course, it’s not exactly the same social or vibrant experience to choose to watch someone play a set live from your laptop as opposed to the feel of a venue. Yet, to have that option has ensured that Boiler Room has quickly become a niche novelty, and something that people have firmly embraced. Having become spoilt for choice with Podcasts such XLR8R, FACT and of course, Resident Advisor, fans have had their head turned by the live footage and also, the unmistakeable live ‘warts and all’ feel to the sets that pop up on Boiler Room. Despite a no frills, minimal interface, its momentum is growing beyond belief, and it is now the ultimate go to reference for any self respecting budding hipster or electronic guru. It is a true original, and by billing itself as ‘The world’s seminal UStream music show’, it is justified in bragging about its niche.

Once upon a time, the clear indication that you had made it as big name, respected producer or DJ was to have Pete Tong wax lyrical about you over the intro of your BBC Radio Essential Mix. Now, it seems to be a live set at the Boiler Room, with afficionado’s peering over your shoulder clad in a Supreme Hat and nursing a can of Red Stripe. Approving nods are de riguer, of course. It is easy to be cynical about this set up, as there seems to be something very staged, or overtly forced about it. The Lone, Caribou vs. Jamie XX and Thom Yorke extravaganza was an extremely odd event, as online hysteria exploded, and people could hardly contain their excitement about what was happening, A classic ‘Where were you’ moment You know, up there with JFK, The Berlin Wall falling, or that time when Caribou dropped that big tune live on Boiler Room.tv. Forums were jammed, and the likes on the Facebook page vaulted through the roof, if this ‘Boiler Room’ had one.

Lets be honest though, that particular line up, like it or not, did represent an undoubted watershed, as the Boiler Room phenomenon has gone from strength to strength. It’s a great, new and different service, and now the crème de la crème are queuing up to get involved. Thankfully, the curators have great taste too, and are they are on a roll in terms of wheeling out choice cuts week after week. DJ Shadow’s appearance, hot on the heels of Thom Yorke’s recent outing, was proof that Boiler Room has graduated into the big leagues, and has become an outrageously in demand service, whilst maintaining its DIY, high end edge.

What really caught my eye however, and drew me in as a fully fledged partisan, was this following recent set from one of my producers of the year, Axel Boman. A good example of what the Boiler Room can offer, an event loaded with personality, experience and top quality music. God, you almost wish you were there! Not really though. It’s the depths of Winter out there. I think I’ll just watch it on the lapper…

Oh modernity. Take it away Axel.

http://boilerroom.tv/axel-boman-50-min-mix/

Newcastle... Same old story

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:23:48 -0500

Chris Hughton getting the sack? Despite the murmurings in the press in recent weeks that never made any sense, it should still come as a surprise that he got the boot to any rational being, let alone football follower. Hughton’s magnificent job had brought everything the Magpies wanted, the novelty of stability to St. James’ Park, a piece of token silverware and most importantly, back to the promised land and where they feel they belong, the Premiership. In fact, not only were they back, instead of struggling to acclimatise, they have spent large portions of this season operating in the top half of an excitably congested table, and have pulled off some impressive results against Arsenal and Chelsea, to name but a few. The toon also have a new local hero, and a man who looks to be quickly settling into the much vaunted no. 9 shirt in Andy Carroll. ‘Howay the lads’ probably hasn’t been sung with such gusto in the Premier League for a long time.

Much of the Kudos for this brilliant transformation has got to be down to the outrageously dignified Hughton, who has conducted himself impeccably at the helm, and is also clearly responsible for some of the best facets of Newcastle’s play this season. Namely, the maturing of Carroll (on the pitch), the signing of Cheik Tiote, and the flourishing and leadership of Kevin Nolan, who at one point this season was statistically the third best player in Europe after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. So not bad at all. Even Joey Barton has been playing well… The thanks? An inexplicable sacking, and a complete lack of patience and respect. The stability that Newcastle fans had craved had been achieved, only for it to be shattered to pieces for no apparent reason. Hardly surprising that Mike Ashley is involved to some extent once again.

A man who seemingly derives pleasure from sabatoging, Ashley has never exactly come across as someone who conducts the clubs affairs with a degree of intelligence. From attempting to assimilate into the fanbase by downing pints of non alcoholic beer, and prancing around in a ‘King Kev’ jersey, not to mention the Dennis Wise madness, Ashley in many ways represents the idiocy of some owners perfectly. Owners who seem like the most illogical person in the ground have permeated the game in recent years. Quickly following suit have been rash and unjust sackings, with Jose Mourinho and Mark Hughes being prime examples. Ashley seems to have gone and contributing another masterstroke by committing arguably the most mind boggling of these by letting Hughton go. He may even had earned some respect from the fans had he given Hughton some time to recover from this brief blip in form, and guarantee precious Premiership stability, as I’m sure he was well on the way to achieving.

Perhaps it could have turned out to be more than a coincidence if Martin Jol ended up getting the job, and to be honest, I think he could have proven to be inspiring. However, it seems inevitable now that Alan Pardew is a shoo in. He is the man that represents the ‘experience’ Ashley sought. Of what, a relegation scrap? With Hughton, Newcastle were never going to be near such territory. If this happens, I’m sure many will be tearing their hair out in frustration, as Ashley, for some inane reason, is more than likely about to plunge the club back into more struggles. Like a functioning addict who has shown so much promise in terms of recovery, it seems Newcastle’s attachment to disorderly chaos is now going to lead to a relapse. Ashley’s meddling is symptomatic of a large problem of senseless chairmen interfering when unnecessary. If Newcastle’s form suffers, he will get a deserved comeuppance for parting with a stable and logical manager in Hughton. Its dismaying to see a good man go in such fashion, and indeed we are probably desensitised by such sackings these days.

I hope for Newcastle’s fans sake that their season doesn’t go into freefall, as they were in a quite content state and it certainly isn’t their doing. However, if it does, you know exactly who to blame. Ashley’s croneyism and lack of rationale is never far from an inquiry into Newcastle’s pitfalls…

Real(ly) Found Out

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:30:00 -0500

This El Clasico brought with it an added tinge of excitement for a whole host of reasons. Real’s impressive recent record of 19 matches unbeaten this season would have signalled the mouth watering prospect of an edgy fixture that could go either way. Added to that, it was a first for David Villa, and a host of Real stars such as Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria. Not to mention the duel of the two best players on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That would be a riveting encounter and potentially fascinating debate worth the admission just on its own…

As it turned out, it didn’t produce the vintage epic that these matches have so often resulted in over the years. The real outcome was that Real (and Jose Mourinho) were found out badly when it came to the acid test. Their Champions League and La Liga aspirations look to be in tatters given their failure to match up to Barca, who are now the real benchmarkers in World Football. The 5-0 pummelling also resulted in the unlikely event of Jose Mourinho and Ronaldo retreating with their tails between their legs. Its not a very vivid image to witness, but it certainly came to fruition tonight. If you’re not a fan of both, it was a moment to savour.

Barca tonight proved that keeping a focus and loyalty to playing the beautiful game as it should be, free flowing, passing and total football, will always triumph any other less aesthetic and more brutish brand of the game. Mourinho’s bully boy tactics have been remarkably effective in securing him copious amounts of silverware, legendary status and undoubted success everywhere he has gone. But it hasn’t guaranteed him utter supremacy. I couldn’t help but recall Roman Abramovich’s desire to ditch him for someone who could bring a more pleasing style of football to Stamford Bridge. For tonight, Mourinho’s achilles heel (the guy doesn’t have much flaws in fairness) was laid bare, in coming up against the new maestro and architect of the beautiful and intelligent brand of football, Joseph Guardiola. Guardiola has implanted his own imaginative brand of the game upon his players, and let them flourish and run free. Mourinho’s lack of imagination and creativity on the other hand, was only exposed when he came up against his rival, who is quickly proving to be an exceptional manager. In a sense, tonight’s face off between the two was like Salieri’s futile and perpetual inability to match the natural genius of Mozart in the film Amadeus…

Its hardly a coincidence that Barcelona and Spain are exquisitely exhibiting the exact same brand of possession based one touch football that no one else can match. Of course, both teams have the same bulwark of players… However, Guardiola seems to have drilled in a more refined edge to the Barcelona style, with the passing more rapid, a higher rate of one touch passes, even more time on the ball, and as crucially exhibited tonight, a consistently killer final ball. Added to this, Barca can boast Messi, someone Spain don’t even have. He was imperious tonight, with the ball glued to his foot every tome, and using his low centre of gravity to torment the Real defenders. His understanding with Villa was razor sharp, with the excitement in the air every time they broke forward in unison was palpable. Ronaldo was shown up, and apart from a bustling first five minutes, was anonymous compared to his Argentinian rival. His only consolation should be that his team mates Ozil and Di Maria were even more lack lustre. Real’s lack of penetration was glaring compared to Barca’s masterful passing, with no ideas, hopeful long crosses and a difficulty in getting out of their own half.

It thereby reflected the bereft Mourinho imagination in comparison to what Guardiola’s almost artistic approach can produce. It also showed that Guardiola’s belief in adding incrementally to what he had meticulously created has worked wonders, with Villa’s addition being the cherry on an already flawless cake, keeping the unique Barca understanding perfectly intact throughout the team. Real’s policy of buying in multiple stars every season was regressive in comparison, as there was no cohesion or gelling in a match which was their biggest test of the season to date, and they really needed to perform.

Perhaps things will be different at the Bernabeu, but it will only be if Real get a lot of work done, and become more imaginative. Mourinho better start racking his brains, because for now, Guardiola, with his greater footballing palate, can be quietly confident that he ensured his edge and mastery in the battle of El Clasico.

The Age of austerity... Kicking in?

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:29:00 -0500

Luke Varney… Probably after scoring another goal.

Two years on from Lehman brothers, and the global crash that signalled the end of our high flying boom years, the word ‘recession’ now seemingly courses through our veins, and austerity has become something we have now grudgingly accepted. Eurozone countries’ economies seem to be collapsing like Dominos, while George Osborne determinedly leads Britain to ‘recovery’ by proudly living up to his nickname of ‘the slasher’.

All these fiscal difficulties seem to have a blanket effect, encompassing everybody’s lives, no matter what trade they are involved in. However, it is said that football is a ‘recession proof’ business. In a sense, and on the surface, it really is for many. Crowds still flock to the big stadiums, fans are willing as ever to shell out even more cash to see their team in action, and most gallingly, people like Stephen Ireland still get paid obscene amounts of wedge to live a lifestyle that is hopelessly out of touch with reality.

But of course it is not REALLY recession proof. Clubs flirt with administration in the lower leagues all the time. In the Premiership, it seems as though the frugal approach is starting to filter through, and we are now seeing a transfer market that is centred around bargains, value for money, and revelatory signings from nowhere. Thank god. Isn’t it refreshing to have an emphasis on splashing the cash on a big money marquee signing that flatters to deceive? At least there’s an element of fairytale, hard work and a path to success. On that note, I’d declare that perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of this season has been the amount of great signings for such little money.

Blackpool, who thus far have been impressing everybody with their attitude, style of play and banterrific gaffer, have led the way with astute signings, and instances of players coming from nowhere to impress in arguably, the biggest league of all. Luke Varney, a player who had hitherto only proven to be a consistent performer in League 1 and sometimes the Championship, has arrived on loan from Derby to steal the show, and chipped in with a healthy amount of vital goals, including a potential goal of the season last week. Similarly, 19 year old Matt Phillips has looked like a fearless wizard in his appearances from the bench, particularly for someone signed from Wycombe for 350K…

Indeed, this season has been a tale of a jampacked table, where anything can happen every weekend due to the bottle neck nature of midtable. That said, many teams have been punching above their weight and pleasantly surprising people, thanks in no small part to their outstanding bargain signings, or spendthrift faith in their youth system. Newcastle, who have been impressing everybody of late, have had youth product Andy Carroll as their standout performer this season. He has been backed up by the quietly impressive defensive battleaxe of Cheick Tiote, signed for a paltry 3 million in a position where there is a dearth of true class at the moment. He has looked like the heir to Makelele’s crown on more than one occasion. Similarly, West Brom, one of the biggest surprise packages so far, have been led by the sensational (when fit) Peter Odemwingie, a steal for 2.5m who offers pace, verve, skill and deadly finishing ability. Everton, although much more used to life at the higher end of the table, have also seen the fruits of their astute transfer policy, with Seamus Coleman, signed for 60K from Sligo Rovers, slipping into the first team at ease and proving a standout performer in performances against Arsenal and Liverpool. Aston Villa’s aversion to big money transfers and faith in youth has also paid dividends, with Marc Albrighton and Ciaran Clark proving to be two of their more impressively consistent performers thus far.

Even Rafael Van Der Vaart, a proven world class performer and probably THEE signing of the season thus far, was acquired for the comparatively astronomical sum of 8 million. However, in the greater scheme of things, this has proven to incredibly good value, and money well spent in an environment that has become increasingly about optimising your value, rather than lashing out outrageously inflated fees on players who were no guarantee for success, a trend which essentially summed up the noughties transfer merry go round.

Such frugal policies can only be good for the game, as it ensures players will work harder, and young players will know they now have a better chance of progressing to a higher level and will be granted an opportunity to shine, as managers will now be casting their eye a bit more shrewdly. Similarly, fans should rest easier, as they know the clubs books now have a tighter rein, and the money they put in each week is being considered within a much wiser budget…

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMAZ!!

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:12:15 -0500

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMAZ!!:

Contenders for Goal of the Year… Matty Burrows all the way.

Not just the Spanish…

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:14:04 -0500

Not just the Spanish…

More top class punditry. A hark back to the halcyon days of...

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:49:53 -0500

More top class punditry. A hark back to the halcyon days of Apres Match single handedly supplying the bant for the World Cup

God Save The Queens Park Rangers

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:45:34 -0500

The Curious Case of QPR

For anybody whoever dabbled in the thrashy delights of Sky One’s Dream Team, and the tumultuous experiences of Harchester United FC, people derived entertainment from the bizarre plots the club found themselves in. Whether you found artistic value in the show, or savoured it in a tongue in cheek way (me, to be honest), the clubs fortunes were entertaining. Far too entertaining for a real life scenario surely? Well, not exactly. You could support QPR. That might be even more of a rollercoaster than the tribulations of Harchester.

Now that QPR have finally clicked into top gear, and raced to the top of the Championship alongside Cardiff, it may be a good time to reflect on all the hurdles they have overcome to get there. Until recently, the only thing the Loftus Road faithful had to cherish were memories of Dennis Bailey scoring a hat trick at Old Trafford, and the dizzy heights of 5^th place in the Premier League in 1993, led by the free scoring Les Ferdinand and tactically astute Gerry Francis. However, the next season saw the departure of both talismen, and the beginning of a sharp plummet that saw relegation at the end of the 95/96 season. Increasing financial struggles began to chaff at the club, and adaptation to life in the 1^st division became troublesome, constant flirtation with relegation, and a non existent cash flow making the club an extremely unattractive destination. New depths of despair were experienced in 2001 with relegation to the Second Division (for the first time in thirty years), but with everybody’s favourite soundbite personified, Ian Holloway, they clawed their way back for more dallying with survival. Dogged by debt and a threadbare squad, Rangers were reliant on journeymen such as Gino Padula (who lived in a caravan, apparently) and Marc Nygaard (lumbering), for creative spark and goals. Not much to get excited about. Or to get you up the table, for that matter. Holloway’s departure soon after led to a string of underwhelming managerial appointments, including John Gregory and Gary Waddock, and staying in the 1^st Division soon became an annual dogfight for survival.

While things on the pitch weren’t exactly much to shout about, the book keeping situation was surely worse, with a lengthy stay in administration kicking off in 2001. In attempting to exit administration, a 10 million emergency loan almost broke the club, but somehow they soldiered on. These pressures told though, with the advent of a new board in 2005/2006, came the season of bona fide soap opera madness. As if life in the board room wasn’t challenging enough with prevailing disharmony, new Italian chairman Gianni Paladini’s reign had begun amidst a flurry of blackmail and scandal. Before the kick off of a home game against Sheffield United, a gang of five ‘fans’ burst into his office, held a gun to his head and ‘requested’ that he resign from the board by signing a piece of paper. He broke free, escaped and was probably more slightly relieved than he should have been to see Rangers triumph 2-1. As if this wasn’t an inauspicious start to the season, genuine tragedy was to follow in droves. In May 2006, highly promising youth team player Kiyan Prince was fatally stabbed when attempting to intervene in a bullying incident. Only months later, four team mates of Prince’s, whilst play acting on the platform at Earls Court station, caused the death of a Vietnamese architect and critical injury of their own team mate, youth team star Harry Smart. As if QPR youths hadn’t been embroiled in enough of their own tragedy, arguably the worse was to come.

The brightest light throughout all of this was the emergence to the first team of Ray Jones, a physical striker who was impressing with a deft touch, silky skills and an eye for goal. A refreshing breakthrough and revelation, and brimming with youthful charisma, Jones was earmarked as one who was going to be fast tracked to the Premiership. Even if Rangers were resigned to losing him, he would surely return their tutelage with some much needed cash injection. However, three days before his 19^th Birthday, Jones was tragically killed in a car crash in his home area of East Ham. In just over the space of a year, the club were reeling from yet another heartbreaking tragedy.

In true soap style though, all of this shock and sadness had to have an uplifting turn, an injection of bombastic entertainment, and a ludicrous twist to its storyline. Sure enough, it did. Only weeks later, a seemingly improbable takeover that had been mooted occurred, and a glittering consortium consisted of Formula One Playboys Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, and backed to the hilt by mega tycoon Lakshmi Mittal came to the rescue. These mavericks sped into Loftus Road in true pit stop fashion, instantly pumped in the neccessary cash injection, and seemed to overhaul the mechanics of the club in an instant. Rangers fans were jubilant. The debts were written off, and there were murmurings of ‘potentially the richest club in the world’ abound. However, the brakes were applied, and spending wasn’t going to be immediately lavish. A slightly more measured approach to gaining promotion was discussed in theory, but in practice, it was anything but. Briatore applied his approach to life in general, lavish, casual and carefree, to the running of the team, interfering with managerial appointments and team affairs at will, and allowing his own personal game of Football Manager get out of hand.

Unable to choose between a continental touch or old school English management, Briatore went on a string of thoughtless appointments and subsequent sackings, ensuring that in the space of two years, Rangers went through ten managers. In a desperate quest for the right formula for quickfire promotion, figures as diverse as Luigi Di Canio to Iain Dowie to Paulo Sousa to Jim Magilton all came, and all failed to reinvent the wheel in the little time they were granted. Not to mention rumours of Zizou Zidane or Luis Figo coming in. While Loftus Road was new to this flamboyance, controversy remained a constant, with fan favourite and captain Akos Buszaky headbutting Magilton in the changing room, only for the manager to be given his P45 instead. Briatore also thought flash loan signings from the his Italian contacts at Milan et al would make a difference, only to look like little boys lost in the hurly burly of a wet Wednesday Championship night in Doncaster. Whoever thought the financial stability and rumoured extravagance would bring instant consistency and success to Loftus Road were wrong. The new structure and promises were only proving to be as deflating and desperate as the first half of the decade. Despite the clubs new found affluence, instability and Briatore’s meddling was merely flattering to deceive, with crushingly disappointing low to mid table finishes. This, for a team whose clout and assets made them crave for Premiership action.

Finally though, it looks as if things have been smoothed out. Briatore has got the message, and stepped slightly back to the lowly status of director, whereas Mittal(the man with the REAL money) has upped control with his casting eye by placing his son in law and business partner as the acting chairmen. This boardroom stability has transferred onto the pitch with the shrewd appointment of Neil Warnock, who is giving a masterclass of the tried and trusted method of gaining promotion to the Premiership. A man who is no nonsense, knows the Championship inside out, and has been there and done that, Colin, as he is affectionately known, is using all his canny experience to give Rangers fans the most satisfying season in memory. He doesn’t have to be likeable, all that matters is a trusty recipe for Briatore, Mittal, and Ecclestone to take the elevator upstairs and truly flex their muscle.

By signing old reliable Paddy Kenny in goal to be his stalwart custodian, and two giant Championship gurus at the back in Kaspars Gorkss and Fitz Hall, he has assembled a water tight defence that has been extremely thrift in leakages thus far. In a division rife with goal bonanzas, this is a priceless platform to build your team. In addition, Warnock has added Championship aficionado, crafty veteran and feisty ball winner Shaun Derry as his influential captain and driving force. With Derry doing all the dog work, this leaves the division’s most talented player, Adel Taarabt, to run riot and bamboozle defences with mazy runs, defence splitting passes and outrageous screamers. Up front are a plethora of proven Championship scorers such as Heidar Helguson and Rob Hulse, whilst Jamie Mackie, signed from Plymouth for peanuts, has been a goal machine, scoring 8 goals in his first 12 matches. Warnock, finally a sensible appointment, has in no time at all, assembled a team that can have promotion firmly in their grasp, and perhaps will be well equipped to stay in the Premier League if they keep their blistering form up, and the likes of Taarabt and exciting young Spurs loanee Kyle Walker, close at hand.

The fans are surely riding on the crest of a wave now, and are probably acknowledging that the emotional rollercoaster will have been all worth it. This of course, will be particularly if they finally escape the clutches of the Championship by May and their upwardly mobile aspirations are realized. If and when promotion does occur, expect the real fun to begin, It will be interesting to see who stays and goes, in particular, Warnock. The quiet and reserved Mittal is likely to release floods of cash, and Briatore will probably emerge as a banter merchant in media watch. They won’t be Man City (who is?), but with the potential muscle behind them, QPR will be ready to announce themselves on the big stage, and gatecrash the Premiership’s status quo in style. It’s the only way Ecclestone and Briatore would have it. And besides, these soap operas have to keep the viewers happy and the ratings up, don’t they?

Coleman's progress and future hopes...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:49:00 -0400

Coleman's progress and future hopes...:

As one of the kids I tipped for an impressive season at the outset, its good to see Seamus Coleman coming on leaps and bounds at Everton. His marauding and swashbuckling approach to wing play is being heralded and more importantly, encouraged at will by David Moyes and onlookers. After ripping the Liverpool defence to shreds to set up Tim Cahill’s emphatic opener in the Merseyside derby, his stock rose substantially, and showed that the trajectory of his improvement was not just high arcing, but explosive. At the time it also reminded me of Gareth Bale’s progression…

A full back, with pace to burn and great close control, who has been placed further up on his wing to optimise his attacking threat, and to instant effect, mind you… In addition, Bale is reminding people exactly what Ryan Giggs was capable of in his pomp as an incisive and devastating winger. With Bale being Gigg’s fellow countryman, comparisons were obvious, and now of course he is on an unstoppable crusade towards being one of the most outstanding and certainly, in form players in the world. If Coleman could emulate a fraction of what Bale has achieved, I’d be incredibly happy, but as I pointed out, there are similarities in style and approach. It was just a passing thought, but its very refreshing to see that David Moyes (the most important person in this regard) has today echoed my sentiments and is encouraging Coleman even more. In classic Moyes fashion, he is also exhibiting an unshakeable belief in the players he has nurtured into the first team. Check out the link for his opinion and an update on Coleman’s progress. Great for Irish fans too considering our craving for a player with such attacking dynamism and fearlessness…

Just in case any of you missed it, the greatest goal of all time...

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:00:14 -0400

Just in case any of you missed it, the greatest goal of all time (kind of) was made in East Belfast… by Glentoran. While your headscratching, enjoy it on Glentoran TV’s generous HD package. In all seriousness, it has deservedly been nominated for UEFA’s goal of the year award. Anyone fancy a repeat against Limavady in the league next week with Jackie Fullerton commentary?

Stephen Ireland is his own worst enemy, according to Ken Early, and very, very true.

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:07:00 -0400

Stephen Ireland is his own worst enemy, according to Ken Early, and very, very true.:

A very succinct summation of Stephen Ireland’s mentality, and how he himself is the architect in principal of his rapidly nosediving career. This is not a statement of bitterness, given that he has recklessly abandoned his international career, but merely an honest commentary on everything he lacks, namely common sense, intelligence and guidance. Fitting that this is coming to pass, for I think Irish fans have been getting used to not having a craving for Ireland within our ranks, even if we are lacking something else in the middle of the mark. Calls for his return have been drowned out by the hunger to have Marc Wilson, James McCarthy, David Meyler and Seamus Coleman fast tracked to the first 11. These are players whose desire and willingness to learn has already been so much more evident and pleasing in comparison to anything Ireland ever exuded, despite their very tender years. Delve in for more…

To the North, where we do what we want...

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:23:43 -0400

To the North, where we do what we want...

He's On the Wayne...

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:35:00 -0400

Okay. Yet another contender, following hot on the heels of the Liverpool pantomine of villains and tragedy, for the biggest story of the year. Wayne Rooney, the darling (what a misnomer) of English football, becoming disillusioned and uppity, and deciding to leg it. Normally players who decide to become all prima donna and diva get a little bit of attention, get their wish granted, give two fingers to their over generous employers and earn a quickfire move to pastures greener. No big deal. Bog standard. But this is the talisman and tyro of the biggest team in England (give up the ghost Liverpool) and arguably, the world. Rooney has grown into the most indispensable player at the club since he departed Merseyside, and last season showed that United were essentially a one man team at times, showing both staggering grit and flair to drag his team single handedly to a close second in the title race. It should have been a grim reminder for United fans that the reliance on one individual for that gamebreaking spark was at times extremely unhealthy. And now, he wants to leave. ASAP. Where does that leave them?

This story is going to get an unhealthy deluge of coverage, and Sir Alex Ferguson is going to delight in dictating the pace of its exposure, and no doubt will endure plenty of fellating from the press for his doing so. So I’m going to veer away from all that, and also not speculate too much on where he may end up, and offer a slightly alternative view. Perhaps this isn’t going to end up being such a big deal. Perhaps United aren’t going to miss out so much after all if our Wayne departs. Perhaps, if the money is spent wisely, they will procure someone who will end up proving more effective, and someone who will provide more longevity at being effective. Perhaps, Wayne Rooney is already past his best, and is about to enter a period of gradual decline, and will never recreate the blistering form of last season, before the nightmarish World Cup shattered our illusions of him, and provided a stark indication of what is to come.

I heard someone say that perhaps Wayne Rooney is the new Norman Whiteside. How right they may yet be. It got me thinking that they could end up eerily similar in their career trajectory and decline. Both started out insanely young, both wooed the Old Trafford faithful with dazzling brilliance and spectacular and vital goals, both were/are incredibly physical players, both began/are beginning to suffer from recurring niggling injuries in the same area, and both suffer from weaknesses that can overpower one’s personal life, and obviously as a corollary, their on pitch performance. Ferguson, as he has always done, got rid of a player at the right time, by shifting off Whiteside when his boozing was becoming overly influential, and his injuries were taking their toll on his performances. Here, although he is playing the jilted one, I’m sure he is appreciating that Rooney’s new found wishes are the proverbial blessing in disguise, and will now gladly show him the door.

From Rooney’s perspective I refuse to believe he wants to leave because United aren’t good enough anymore, and don’t boast enough quality in their squad. Thats a knee jerk reaction if I’ve ever heard one. But then again he’s hardly going to admit that his relationship with Ferguson has run aground, or that he wants even more money. He’s stupid enough not to be able to repair a broken bridge, and stupid enough to be that greedy. Either way, I have a sneaking suspicion that no matter where he ends up, this is the other side of the watershed for a player who has already been through a ludicrous amount for someone who is yet to turn 25. The physical toll is already creaking, while years of flirting with tabloid disaster finally combusted spectacularly, resulting in unrecognisable performances on the pitch.

It is actually a very long time since he curled that arcing screamer in off the bar against David Seaman as a 16 year old. In the intervening 8 years he has run himself into the ground, come close to burning himself out at the end of each season, accrued multiple ankle/metatarsal injuries, become an increasing target for media fodder, and had a entirely over expectant nation’s hopes placed on his broad but brittle shoulders for the constant duration. Anybody else his age has spent the last few years doing a few exams, trying to get a standard job, with a primary aim of getting locked on a Friday night. For Wayne, the candle will almost certainly be burning at both ends, mental and physical, and at a ridiculously young age. How he could play at the top level and sustain the standard he has set himself, for another 10 years, is completely beyond me. The type of player he is, chasing down a meaningless lost cause of a ball to the squealing delight of the Stretford End, will not result in a Tugay-esque elongated career, and instead, he could be now beginning that descent, slowly but surely.

It is I feel, a descent that could easily be accelarated by this rash and miscalculated decision to leave a club that has has treated him so well and where his position as talisman has ensured a regal status. Where to? Chelsea? Unthinkable surely… City? Unthinkable rivalry wise, and foolish, yet financially possible. A self destruct button given their queue for striking places, unsustainable wage structure, lack of trophies and credibility and a consistently gelled squad. I just could not see it work. The continent? Settling is obviously the issue, along with fitting in amongst the star studded galactico squads of Inter or Real or Barcelona. If the guy can’t learn to stay away from prostitutes he can’t learn a few words in a foreign language. Also, would he truly be found out if he was to play in the technically superior La Liga, and in competition with Real and Barca players? Not a far fetched point at all.

It is a completely daring point to make on my part, that perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of a decline of Wayne Rooney. I may end up being completely wrong. But is it hard to fathom? Not particularly, given his style, personality and the length and tumult of his career to date. For any other 25 year old, it would be on odd suggestion to make, but as I said, look no further than fellow Red Devil’s cavalier Whiteside to prove the parallels, and how possible it is to burn so brightly, and fade so quickly. Ferguson needs only refer to his handling of Whiteside to illustrate to us how he knows exactly how to deal with this kind of thing, and his wounded animal approach to dealing with the press in surely a smooth move at distracting us from a likelihood, that he is perhaps aware of exactly how Rooney’s career can possibly regress from here. Maybe the creative impetus behind that overblown Nike World Cup ad was eerily prophetic. That horrible beard and scrapyard caravan could prove to be a more vivid prediction of the future than most, at least of his playing career anyway. I just can’t wait for those substituting ‘ROO’ for ‘You’ headlines to end to be honest. Can we move on already?

A must have, for any die hard football fan

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:00:02 -0400

A must have, for any die hard football fan:

Get this for your tech savvy, football mad, Phil Neville fetishising little offspring this Christmas.

Lazy, Lowest Common Denominator, Inexcusable Journalism Gone Mad...

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:59:21 -0400

Lazy, Lowest Common Denominator, Inexcusable Journalism Gone Mad...

Bundesliga Vs. Premier League, Pt. II

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:20:00 -0400

Sensibility vs. Glitterati. How long before people take notice…. More importantly, how long before football leagues, if viewed upon as their own miniature economies, encounter their own personal turbulent economic climes, and discover a more hard nosed and immediate recession. The Premier League, echoing the US at the peak of its sub prime mortgage gluttony, has been reckless for years. A Lehman Brothers-esque watershed can thus never be dismissed. The Bundesliga seems equipped, prepared and well served with economic ballast. How utterly German, funnily enough. Much like Brazil or India perhaps, if we continue our conceit of comparison (China, eh, well she is a different story, inapt for such comparisons)

Whilst it doesn’t have the depth of interest that English football has, but most observers would probably agree that the Bundesliga is a model of sense and sustainability on the basis of its tight regulations regarding ownership and financial prudence.

To continue in the same comparative vein, The Premier League is a bit like Wall Street banking - focus on short term rewards with huge share of revenues going to employees with no long term “skin in the game”. This encouarages risky behaviour. Even Alan Greenspan admitted after the crash that his conviction - that left to their own devices the banks wouldn’t endanger their own existence - was wrong. The EPL is taking the same light regulation stance and it’ll cost them. Light regulation is now looked back upon with a grimacing retrospect in most of the countries that were so heavily walloped. Similarly, I’m sure Portsmouth look wistfully upon what having respect for regulation, (or merely balancing the books) may have turned out like.

German top flight clubs, on the other hand, are managed for its members with a view to the longer term. The bona fide strategic imprint. The cost to the Bundesliga has been loss of competitiveness at the top level in Europe. The noughties have been a decade of sacrifice, when Bayern or Leverkusen or Dortmund’s regular presence in Champions League Finals/Semi final tailed off. But my it could well be worth it. They’re well placed to benefit in the current environment and especially when UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules kick in. The Bundesliga’s ability to provide and nurture talent for the national teams vastly surpasses that of England, as witnessed so spectacularly in the World Cup, as alluded to in an earlier post, and the world rubbing their eyes at the novelty of a young, vibrant, diverse German team playing the most aesthetic brand of football on show.

Where England still wins out is global appeal and reach, and indeed this is ever strengthening in Asia, with new interest for investment due to openings in online streaming capabilities, and the potential monetisation capabilities that lie therein. It also possesses a genuinely deep league structure(The Championship being the 5th most attended League in Europe) and, for the time being, competitiveness in Europe. Although last season could be an indication of that beginning to wane…

Just a few more thoughts on footballing infrastructure, which increasingly needs a glaring eye cast upon it.

Harry dispels rumours that he is an East End spiv. Of course he...

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:40:12 -0400

Harry dispels rumours that he is an East End spiv. Of course he isn’t.

QPR Fans; Passionate, Vocal, Supportive? Eloquent…? You...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:22:48 -0400

QPR Fans; Passionate, Vocal, Supportive? Eloquent…? You decide!

And England wonder where has it gone wrong with grassroots...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:43:08 -0400

And England wonder where has it gone wrong with grassroots football… I’m not saying Danny Baker is responsible BUT…