Best Spurs Joke I have heard so far?
Q: What's the difference between Spurs and a triangle?
A: A triangle has three points.
You know, I'm starrting to think that I have a knack for picking games to watch that truly destroy my desire to ever see a football being kicked again.
Today's involved frankly Marxian slapstick (as in the brothers, not socialism's founding father) of outrageous proportions as, not content with having hurt himself in training, our maniac of a goalkeeper managed to hurt himself badly again, refuse to come off despite looking like his ribs had turned to powder in his chest not move at all to stop the opposition's winning goal then seriously hurt our defender, Vedran Corluka in the ribs so he had to be treated at length - then, not content with badly hurting Corluka's ribs he proceeds to knee him in the face immediately after his return to the pitch and knock him cold.
We also had two players sent off, gave away two penalties (one of which hit all three bits of the woodwork on its way to being missed) and generally looked forward to a year in the Championship instead of the premier league next year.
Well.... no.
I can't think of anything else to say, we are now a full win on points behind the divots at Newcastle and thing can't possibly get any worse... can they?
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sports Nostalgia
You know if you read my blog regularly (or have been super keen and read back after finding it) you know that I am a Spurs fan. That's Tottenham Hotspur, if you're American. If you are a Spurs fan like me all you have at the moment is nostalgia since we remain stuck to the bottom of the league below EVEN NEWCASTLE, who don't have a manager and are so badly run, they hire an interim manager who can;t even get to the touchlines due to a ban picked up four years ago when he last had a proper job in football.
Sigh... I remember when I first started watching football and chose Spurs to be my team - where now are such heroes as Mabbutt, Lineker and Klinsmann? When I was a kid you could be certain of two things - a mid table finish and lots of goals for and against. These days we can only be sure of lots of goals against, despite the fact we have a bunch of international first string players as opposed to the olden days, when we just had second string internationals, like Ian Walker, Darren Anderton, David Ginola et al.
So what is going wrong right now? Well, football is changing, and the structure at Spurs was one of the first to convert to a "European" organisational pyramid. In the European system, the person who used to be the manager is now more of a head coach, while a "director of football" deals with all the transfers and signs the players, deals with agents etc etc. Thing is, we haven;t yet reached the stage where anyone except the manager is blamed for poor results, since he is the visible Representative of the club week in week out.
I personally place the blame for our current predicament square at the feet of Damien Comolli and Daniel Levy, the director of football and club chairman. It's not (manager) Juande Ramos' fault we sold three strikers and bought one. It's not Ramos' fault that because of boardroom stalling, the sale of star striker Dimitar Berbatov was delayed until the very last minute and no replacement could be found at such short notice. It's also not Ramos' fault that, on the first couple of weekends after the transfer window closed, we were fielding a team with 6 new players in it - this sort of team being IMPOSSIBLE to gel in such a short time.
These issues are all the fault of Commolli and Levy, so why is Ramos asked about being "under pressure"? When will things change so that the fans call for a "director of football"'s head instead of the head coach's?
Things are like this at Newcastle, where Christ-incarnate Kevin Keegan fell prey to the same system and the fans there didn't let him go quietly like Spurs would if Ramos quit.
So... I don't think we'll go down this year, but we are being humiliated as a result of incompetent transfer dealings which hamstring our manager before the season has even started.
I hope your teams are doing better. Unless you're an Arsenal fan - at least I had that result to cheer this weekend!
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Sigh... I remember when I first started watching football and chose Spurs to be my team - where now are such heroes as Mabbutt, Lineker and Klinsmann? When I was a kid you could be certain of two things - a mid table finish and lots of goals for and against. These days we can only be sure of lots of goals against, despite the fact we have a bunch of international first string players as opposed to the olden days, when we just had second string internationals, like Ian Walker, Darren Anderton, David Ginola et al.
So what is going wrong right now? Well, football is changing, and the structure at Spurs was one of the first to convert to a "European" organisational pyramid. In the European system, the person who used to be the manager is now more of a head coach, while a "director of football" deals with all the transfers and signs the players, deals with agents etc etc. Thing is, we haven;t yet reached the stage where anyone except the manager is blamed for poor results, since he is the visible Representative of the club week in week out.
I personally place the blame for our current predicament square at the feet of Damien Comolli and Daniel Levy, the director of football and club chairman. It's not (manager) Juande Ramos' fault we sold three strikers and bought one. It's not Ramos' fault that because of boardroom stalling, the sale of star striker Dimitar Berbatov was delayed until the very last minute and no replacement could be found at such short notice. It's also not Ramos' fault that, on the first couple of weekends after the transfer window closed, we were fielding a team with 6 new players in it - this sort of team being IMPOSSIBLE to gel in such a short time.
These issues are all the fault of Commolli and Levy, so why is Ramos asked about being "under pressure"? When will things change so that the fans call for a "director of football"'s head instead of the head coach's?
Things are like this at Newcastle, where Christ-incarnate Kevin Keegan fell prey to the same system and the fans there didn't let him go quietly like Spurs would if Ramos quit.
So... I don't think we'll go down this year, but we are being humiliated as a result of incompetent transfer dealings which hamstring our manager before the season has even started.
I hope your teams are doing better. Unless you're an Arsenal fan - at least I had that result to cheer this weekend!
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Goal Line Technology: I'm no expert, but...
Since this is a sort of film related thing (very tenuously) I thought I'd chime in with my views on Goal Line technology in Football.
It's a thorny issue at the moment, especially with a referee earlier this week awarding a goal that wasn't even between the posts. A real shocker for him then. Thing is, I want to look at what happened next.
The Referee is told that the goal has gone in, he stops concentrating and signals the goal. In this case, the goalie pulls off a spectacularish save on the next shot. When he signals the goal, the ball is still in open play and the players are aghast to find a goal has been given.
We know the technology is there to see if the ball has gone in or not. That's not my issue - my point is, at what point should the referee stop play to look at video evidence? And if there's some sort of "ping" in his ear to tell him it's over then what if he's distracted? Or doesn;t hear it cos some overpaid fool is shouting at him?
Let's look at this week's example. If he stops play the instant the linesman gives the signal, then the attacking team lose the opportunity to take their shot while the ref checks if it was really a goal. If he blows his whistle he is stopping play at a crucial moment, just on the off-chance it's gone in.
So my question and issue with the introduction of goal line technology is not one of the technology involved, its one of "when is this decision supposed to take place?"
There is some talk of "hawkeye" system being used, which seems to be the favoured option, leading to the aforementioned "ping" in the ear. I'm not sure I like that option for previously stated reasons. A short noise is all to easy to miss, and then we're back where we started.
The one option absolutely out of the question is that of "retrospective action", such as the suggestion of replaying the match (which incidentally, Steve Coppell, coach of the benefitting team was happy with). For a start, there simply isn't time to replay matches. Secondly, it's the start of a slippery slope. Any team when a decision is overturned could claim it significantly changed how they played for the rest of a game (especially true with sendings off, like John Terry's overturned red card against Manchester City) and demand that the game be replayed. It just wouldn't work.
I doubt my regular readers will be much bothered by this, but there's my two cents worth, anyhow. I promise not to talk too much about sport in he future.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
It's a thorny issue at the moment, especially with a referee earlier this week awarding a goal that wasn't even between the posts. A real shocker for him then. Thing is, I want to look at what happened next.
The Referee is told that the goal has gone in, he stops concentrating and signals the goal. In this case, the goalie pulls off a spectacularish save on the next shot. When he signals the goal, the ball is still in open play and the players are aghast to find a goal has been given.
We know the technology is there to see if the ball has gone in or not. That's not my issue - my point is, at what point should the referee stop play to look at video evidence? And if there's some sort of "ping" in his ear to tell him it's over then what if he's distracted? Or doesn;t hear it cos some overpaid fool is shouting at him?
Let's look at this week's example. If he stops play the instant the linesman gives the signal, then the attacking team lose the opportunity to take their shot while the ref checks if it was really a goal. If he blows his whistle he is stopping play at a crucial moment, just on the off-chance it's gone in.
So my question and issue with the introduction of goal line technology is not one of the technology involved, its one of "when is this decision supposed to take place?"
There is some talk of "hawkeye" system being used, which seems to be the favoured option, leading to the aforementioned "ping" in the ear. I'm not sure I like that option for previously stated reasons. A short noise is all to easy to miss, and then we're back where we started.
The one option absolutely out of the question is that of "retrospective action", such as the suggestion of replaying the match (which incidentally, Steve Coppell, coach of the benefitting team was happy with). For a start, there simply isn't time to replay matches. Secondly, it's the start of a slippery slope. Any team when a decision is overturned could claim it significantly changed how they played for the rest of a game (especially true with sendings off, like John Terry's overturned red card against Manchester City) and demand that the game be replayed. It just wouldn't work.
I doubt my regular readers will be much bothered by this, but there's my two cents worth, anyhow. I promise not to talk too much about sport in he future.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Transfer Windows XP
Poor old Spurs fans like me are probably about ready to burn Old Trafford to the ground right now, after the saga of Dimitar Berbatov finally looks like it's over. The arrogant red devils even sent him for a medical before agreeing a fee with Spurs, something I'm not sure conforms to rules since I thought that you weren't even allowed to TALK to a player unless you'd agreed a fee with the club.
Blooming big money bullies.
See, I think being a Spurs fan tells people a huge amount about my personality. It's alot like being slowly drowned in a big bucket of hopes and dreams.
Another mid table finish this year beckons. Sigh...
EDIT: As I post, I have had final confirmation that Berbatov's gone. Part of this deal appears to be that we don't follow up our tapping up complaints. God damn it Daniel Levy's a coward. I am sad now. I feel a watch of Anchorman coming on to cheer me up...
See the full post by clicking here...
Blooming big money bullies.
See, I think being a Spurs fan tells people a huge amount about my personality. It's alot like being slowly drowned in a big bucket of hopes and dreams.
Another mid table finish this year beckons. Sigh...
EDIT: As I post, I have had final confirmation that Berbatov's gone. Part of this deal appears to be that we don't follow up our tapping up complaints. God damn it Daniel Levy's a coward. I am sad now. I feel a watch of Anchorman coming on to cheer me up...
See the full post by clicking here...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Spurs 5 - 0 AS ROMA
Thats more like it - I post this specially for Gary since he laughed at our youth squad who lost to Crawley Town. Howdya like THEM APPLES?
We've also beaten Celtic, Zenit and loads of others in our preseason so I am feeling more hopeful than this time last year Spurs will get a Top 6 finish.
Bizrrely, Darren Bent has scored 11 goals in 6 matches, leading me to believe Max Zorin has been in the crowd pressing his little radio button in his cane. Top Pony/Pop Culture ref there guys!
See the full post by clicking here...
We've also beaten Celtic, Zenit and loads of others in our preseason so I am feeling more hopeful than this time last year Spurs will get a Top 6 finish.
Bizrrely, Darren Bent has scored 11 goals in 6 matches, leading me to believe Max Zorin has been in the crowd pressing his little radio button in his cane. Top Pony/Pop Culture ref there guys!
See the full post by clicking here...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Gold Medal in ambivalence
As an additional point to my earlier rant about the idiot elitist I'd like to ask a question about these Olympic Games... for the other 3.95 years of the olympic cycle, does anyone actually follow Shotput as closely as, say, I would follow Football or Cricket? If so, those guys must get so hacked off around this time in the cycle, when all of a sudden their private worlds are shattered by fifteen million people suddenly watching and thinking they understand shotput.
The situation would be just the same as the first time I tried to explain Cricket to an American. Every single assumption they make is just plain wrong. This issue must be redoubled for the hardcore shotput or pole vault fans, since the ingroup and outgroup differ in such wild and huge terms. You and relatively few others around the world follow the sport religiously and then BAM! Suddenly every half wit with a TV is tryiong to judge the skills of your heroes. I bet its really annoying. It would be easy to just lose it and get all elitist here, but WHY?
Surely more people sharing your interests is a good thing? It means more investment and more athletes taking part, which both ultimately will lead to more success and better competitions.
This is why that guy annoyed me so much the other day. More people playing board games is a good thing since more board games will get made as a result - some will suck, some won;t, a few will be great games that would never have been made otherwise.
Grr... Impressive that I managed to get in another moan at his expense while simultaneously being topical. Maybe I should go into journalism....
I also had to laugh today at the people trying to play down the political overtones to these games... THE GAMES ARE POLITICAL! Get over it. If they weren't political, why'd your president turn up? Sigh... seems Putin stole a march on you guys, anyhow, as far as getting news time is concerned.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
The situation would be just the same as the first time I tried to explain Cricket to an American. Every single assumption they make is just plain wrong. This issue must be redoubled for the hardcore shotput or pole vault fans, since the ingroup and outgroup differ in such wild and huge terms. You and relatively few others around the world follow the sport religiously and then BAM! Suddenly every half wit with a TV is tryiong to judge the skills of your heroes. I bet its really annoying. It would be easy to just lose it and get all elitist here, but WHY?
Surely more people sharing your interests is a good thing? It means more investment and more athletes taking part, which both ultimately will lead to more success and better competitions.
This is why that guy annoyed me so much the other day. More people playing board games is a good thing since more board games will get made as a result - some will suck, some won;t, a few will be great games that would never have been made otherwise.
Grr... Impressive that I managed to get in another moan at his expense while simultaneously being topical. Maybe I should go into journalism....
I also had to laugh today at the people trying to play down the political overtones to these games... THE GAMES ARE POLITICAL! Get over it. If they weren't political, why'd your president turn up? Sigh... seems Putin stole a march on you guys, anyhow, as far as getting news time is concerned.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Crawley Town 6-1 Spurs XI
Oh dear.. looks like the boys got their asses handed to them this week.
This caught my eye since I lived in Crawley for a while and if were going to get a thrashing it may as well be by them.
Bear in mind though that this was a less than first team side so don't laugh that much. Oh Alright... laugh a bit.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
This caught my eye since I lived in Crawley for a while and if were going to get a thrashing it may as well be by them.
Bear in mind though that this was a less than first team side so don't laugh that much. Oh Alright... laugh a bit.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
A short post thanks to Walkers Crisps for an excruciating days extra-ing.
Meh... So Andy Murray gets his ass handed to him on centre court.
So what's new.
Console yourself with the fantastic Tardis Tennis from the BBC
This was a classic case of hope beyond hope that maybe things will be different this time, but jeez... just look at Nadal... the man's clearly a superhero on his days off.
Ah well... at least with Tardis Tennis you're guaranteed a British winner.
Enjoy!
A
See the full post by clicking here...
So what's new.
Console yourself with the fantastic Tardis Tennis from the BBC
This was a classic case of hope beyond hope that maybe things will be different this time, but jeez... just look at Nadal... the man's clearly a superhero on his days off.
Ah well... at least with Tardis Tennis you're guaranteed a British winner.
Enjoy!
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Spain alter fabric of reality
I can't redict anything about this years Euro championships, but I did call Spain beating Italy - a bizarre turn of events if I ever saw it. This is totally overshadowed though by the even more bizarre defeat of Holland by Russia. What the hell happened guys? This means that Germany (for it will be them) will face either Russia or Spain in the Finals! Awesome.
So Germany vs Russia will be an easy German win,
Germany Vs Spain would be awesome and impossible to call I reckon.
The outside chance of a Turkey Spain final(Turkey/Russia is just a ridiculous outside chance) since either of those teams would be incredible. If that happened I would support the Turks because they have been the most exciting team bar the Dutch in this tournament. If they were somehow to beat Germany then they more than deserve to smash the Spanish in what would be a tasty final indeed neither team being known for their reliable defence.
I wish that was the case, but I think I expect the Germany Spain option - difficult to support the Spanish since they are famous for having a racist and bigoted coach, ut I can't possibly bring myself to support the Germans.
So its a tough call... my head says Germany are shoo ins for the cup, but my heart suspects cautiously that Russia have a great chance of repeating the Greece effect... so....
1st Russia
2nd Germany
3rd Spain/Turkey
Feel free to mock me for this choice when I am proven totally wrong.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
So Germany vs Russia will be an easy German win,
Germany Vs Spain would be awesome and impossible to call I reckon.
The outside chance of a Turkey Spain final(Turkey/Russia is just a ridiculous outside chance) since either of those teams would be incredible. If that happened I would support the Turks because they have been the most exciting team bar the Dutch in this tournament. If they were somehow to beat Germany then they more than deserve to smash the Spanish in what would be a tasty final indeed neither team being known for their reliable defence.
I wish that was the case, but I think I expect the Germany Spain option - difficult to support the Spanish since they are famous for having a racist and bigoted coach, ut I can't possibly bring myself to support the Germans.
So its a tough call... my head says Germany are shoo ins for the cup, but my heart suspects cautiously that Russia have a great chance of repeating the Greece effect... so....
1st Russia
2nd Germany
3rd Spain/Turkey
Feel free to mock me for this choice when I am proven totally wrong.
A
See the full post by clicking here...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
