Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Tradition is dead in the fixture list – Premcorrespondent

In last night’s football action some former Chinese parents complained at length about their missing children. That’s right, the money men mucked about with the fixture list again, cancelled the traditional Monday night game, and put me right off my chow mein with the pointless documentary I couldn’t turn over after breaking my remote in anger.

Fortunately that was the low point of an otherwise good weekend for football purists.

Early on Saturday afternoon Manchester United displayed the sort of master class in football that people predicted for this season what with their £50million enhanced squad. And frankly, how Rooney, Ronaldo, and Tevez only scored four goals against Wigan is beyond my imagination.

Having taken top spot, United lost it again early on Sunday afternoon when Arsenal displayed the sort of master class no one predicted from their Henry depleted squad this season, couple with worrying defencive frailties.

The Gunners took an easy two goal lead at home to Sunderland, and then decided to add some spice by letting the away team draw level later in the game. That set the scene for an 80th minute corker of a winner that ensured Wenger need not be sacked for a dull brand of victorious football.

Talking of Chelsea, they played out a 1-0 win against Bolton in which much of the little excitement caused came from Bolton’s attacking efforts that deserved to earn at least a point. Roman has responded by approaching Ten Cate as the next man to make Chelsea exciting.

One team not lacking excitement on the pitch is Spurs who snatched defeat, or a draw at any rate, from the hands of glorious and well deserved victory at Anfield.

The Lilywhites came from behind to lead 2-1 thanks to Robbie Keane’s acrobatic finishing. But alas Paul Robinson made another effort to avoid being called into Steve McLaren’s England squad. Having gifted Liverpool the lead early on, he gifted them further chances that the Reds squandered, only to be blameless for the 93rd minute equalizer.

Fortunately for Spurs, Fulham lost to Portsmouth thanks to two goals just three minutes apart from Benjani and Hreidarsson. That left Fulham in the bottom three instead of their London rivals, although had Pompey keeper David James not been on top form Fulham could now be further up the table, instead of James being further up the England pecking order.

Michael Owen returned from injury yet again this weekend, and ensured Steve McLaren need not think too much about his striker options this week. In a fifteen minute cameo the England man scored a late winner against Everton. Though McLaren’s mental clogs should be turning after the combination of Baines and Johnson for one of Everton’s two goals.

In other games no one much cares about, Bentley played a scoring part in Blackburn’s win over Birmingham, Derby recorded an relative victory by losing just 1-0 against Reading, and West Ham lost by the same score to Aston Villa in the only 3pm Saturday kick off of the weekend.

72 comments:

Frankie Morgan said...

My Sunday was ruined by not having any match reports to read in the papers.

It's a freaking outrage and no mistake.

Anonymous said...

Will Chelsea fans be singing "Kiss me, Cate"?

Anonymous said...

From Top Cat to Ten Cate!

guitougoal said...

from Ten Cate to Top Cut.
(cut their loss and cut the crap)

Anonymous said...

From hunk to Henk!

And all that football on Sunday meant having to watch Lineker and Shearer on a day of rest.

Will somebody please tell Shearer he is fucking shit at being a pundit! My alarm clock has more insight and personality than that plank.

Anonymous said...

I gather from chat on the radio today that Paul Robinson is still the man in form!

Interesting, non?

Anonymous said...

Re. Shearer.

I disliked Roy Keane for obvious reasons - he was a greta player, but played for the opposition, beat Arse many times, etc. But I have massive respect for him fro trying to punch Shearer. I mean, wouldn't you want to?

guitougoal said...

ervanp,
you so right, about both, Schearer and Keane.
One did it with pride.I watched him( RK) with amazement last week-end how he stood up cool as a cucumber when the Arsenal crowd applauded for five minutes.

file said...

grazi PC

I was struck by that too Guitou; Keane going back to OT was notable of course but somehow his return to the arse (ok, not Highbury) was more piquant

I'm just waiting for the WaterCate tapes...

Anonymous said...

WaterCate tapes not bad at all,probably rated X.

offsideintahiti said...

Is it pronounced like "karate" without the "ra", or like Ms Blanchett's first name?

No mention of Man City? Or did I skip a paragraph?

PW75 said...

'Ten Cate went to mow'

Anonymous said...

"three man, two man, one man and his dog.. GRANT.. went to mow a meadow''

guitougoal said...

Grant went to mow the meadow.

guitougoal said...

for the dow

Anonymous said...

Football strand - yeah well. We've just got an almighty victory in Sri Lanka. First sub cont win since 1987. St Paul of Collingwood really deserves it and the great thing is, when I'm travelling this weekend - it no longer matters what the boys do!

I'm going south and don't care now. Just going for fun and well, everything else.

byebyebadman said...

All seems to have been overshadowed by an unexpected rugby semi-final and the tedious day-to-day prognosis of diddy Mickey Owen. A shame, because it's a fine achievement.

Do cricketers not get a holiday anymore?? They seem to have been playing forever.

Have fun darn sarf mimi.

Zephirine said...

bbb, cricketers play all the year round now, and then everybody wonders why they get injured.

It doesn't help us, of course, that most of the cricketing world has its summer at the wrong time of year :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Professor Pakamambo,

it rhymes with the Norwegian word "gate".

guitougoal said...

Final decisions:
S.gerrard and Gareth Barry to play central midfields and it's Lamps who holds the candle on the sidelines,
Terry should play with his boogy man mask

guitougoal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Marvin (if you turn up) -

looks like we've drunk all the Off Topic we'll be served for a while on the GU!

offsideintahiti said...

gg,

Free roudsn of Off-topic on GU? Where? What did I miss? Why didn't anyone call me?

Anonymous said...

Offy,

Marvin and I treated one another to a few pints on the Gerrard blog - harmless, good-natured banter, but you know the score...

Anonymous said...

Sorry to interrupt, but last shout for the weekend, if anyone can.

Due to unexpected England success, both in cricket and rugby, we have changed our venue.

Anyone within reach of London should convene at The Marylebone Tup, 93 Marylebone High Street from 7.30pm BST.

As an added incentive, I'll actually be wearing high heels, a slinky silk dress, make-up and fancy earrings. Well, a girl has to try!

guitougoal said...

The final score: gg 3-Marvin 0
I was on the sidelines as a cheerleader,lost my wig for each goal celebration.

offsideintahiti said...

What? Banned again, gg? I didn't even see there was a Gerrard blog. I'm completely out of touch these days. (Saving energy for saturday)

guitougoal said...

mimi,
if only we still have the concord.

Anonymous said...

offy, guitou -
as far as I know, I'm not banned yet.

Shall we meet on the "le Crunch" blog?

offsideintahiti said...

Chocolate? Hmmmm

Anonymous said...

"Le crunch"? Do I detect a clique...

Mimi, I wish I could come. Still, I'll have a few drinks to your health, you send me the photos...

offsideintahiti said...

Tony, I don't know about a clique, but you'll have to wait til saturday for la distribution de claques.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, according to google, that's a distribution of hats. My guess was slaps or blows...

guitougoal said...

Tony,
if i may:
cliques and claques in refer. to des" clicks et des claques" old french expression for a bunch of hacks.....

Anonymous said...

Thanks guitou (and of course you may, anytime). I'm none the wiser, I'm afraid. Hacks, Saturday? Help!

guitougoal said...

but there is another meaning for" claque":it's a Slap!
which is I am affaid,more appropriate for offside's
comments.

tony said...

So I guessed right... might have known with offie. Is he talking about rugby?

offsideintahiti said...

Tony,

who knows what offside is talking about? He's known for switching topics halfway through his comments. It's even whispered that he refers to himself in the 3rd person... I'd be worried if I were him, wouldn't you?

tony said...

Funny you should say that, offie. M marteau and were talking about the three of you just the other day.

So it's hostias para todos el sabado ¿eh?

offsideintahiti said...

hostias y chipirones all around.

Entrée: Salade de marrons (spécialité toulousaine)

Main Course: Albion Knuckle Sandwich

Dessert: Pêches sans sirop

Any ideas for drinks?

tony said...

Well, for the sobremesa, I think a Grievous Bodily Harmagnac...

guitougoal said...

for the occasion I would suggest the "Appendicite"
because it's a english/french liquor blend:
3cl gin Old lady's
2 cl curacao Orange Mari Brizard
2 cl pulco citron
1 white egg....shake without ice.

tony said...

Sounds good guitou. Did you just invent it?

guitougoal said...

Tony,
nop, but I drink it.
As far as making it, I have a non-competitive agreement with your south tropical body on line.

Anonymous said...

Morning, all!

An early-morning Elvis requires me to
drag myself from the pit today: croaking at a bunch of surprised students at 10.00 CET.

Glad to see you stalwarts holding the fort on the culinary front: I wonder what Nesta would have made of last Saturday's game...

offsideintahiti said...

Mashed Wallabies?

file said...

morning gg,

pepparkakor and steaming coffee

file said...

O,

even Aussie chardonnay grapes have to be trod on to make the wine

what about some cabernet?

guitougoal said...

cabernet sauvignon
for gg le mignon
aussie chardonnay
for poet file en Harley

offsideintahiti said...

I heard the Australian whine was really good.

file said...

... and the spicy charms of gewurtztraminer Guitou!

New World whines can be very good but nothing beats a good old world French whine

of course the very best whines are made with only the sourest grapes

ba-boom tish

guitougoal said...

yes the gerwurtzarsenewenger it's great too.
old world has took the semis of the new world hands-
I am till speechless about the blacks and the aussies
not making it. Hopefully I have my voice back for tomorow.

offsideintahiti said...

Guitou,

gerwurtzarsenewenger? A tes souhaits!

guitougoal said...

offie, filou,
a la tienne Etienne , comme on dit a St Etienne,
A la notre Charlotte buvons a tous les potes.
I think I am going to have a hard time to keep my french mouth quiet tomorow at the pub. Sometimes it's so stressfull to be part of a minority..

offsideintahiti said...

Guitou,

are you in London already?

guitougoal said...

Offie,
No, actually I changed my plans.Leaving the last week of octoberto Geneva.
The game is not on TV5 here, hence the "Cock'n Bull" pub.In other words 200 brits vs 3,1/2 frogs.-
(it's not bad at all , in fact I am used to this pub, it's going to be fun)
are you watching?

offsideintahiti said...

No, I'll be watching the football instead. It's not everyday we play the Faroe Islands.

guitougoal said...

I see you like watching faroe islands,from an Island far away.

Anonymous said...

Offy et al,

We don't deserve to be in the final (but then neither did France) but we're there.

I am amazed.

Mother Teresa (sorry, Chabal!) just
didn't turn up...

What a scrap!

GG

offsideintahiti said...

gg,

'been expecting you. Congratulations.

Strangely, I don't hate losing to England as much as I used to. I blame you and the lads and ladettes here on Pseuds'.

Still, I'll support Argentina now. Blame Marcela, Pipita and Paulita for that one. Sorry.

file said...

hej GG, O,

Mother Theresa was bawling like a baby at the end, almost moving

the best team lost like GG said last week, not sure how really but they never capitalized on their far superior running game, some strange kicking going on too, but an amazing first 5 mins

it's hard to know how the Engles are through to the finals, sheer bloody-mindedness I think, it's harder to know what will happen there

O, console yourself with stuffing the Faroes

the Guiness breakfast is on me today lads (could you help me clean if off?)

offsideintahiti said...

Stuffed Pharaohs? Wouldn't that taste a bit... stale?

Anonymous said...

Offy,

you should have invited your Pharoese friends to call in here: they do strange things with sheep...

As for the rugby: I would not be unhappy to see the Pumas take the trophy. Then they might finally be treated in a decent way, and we might seem the in the 7 Nations.

I'd love to see them using Old Trafford as their home ground: Carlitos could act as their nanny.

We don't need to win this one, and hardly deserve to - but then again,
who does?

I'll settle for the fact that this squad upheld the Great English Tradition of muddling through - plus the abiding memory of Jason's jinking magic!

Zephirine said...

Brian Ashton's a cool dude, isn't he? I've just watched part of the press conference, he looks like somebody's dad but he's tough as can be and funny with it, no toothpaste smiles there...

If it's any consolation, Offie & Guitou, England got demolished in the cricket yesterday. Sri Lankan bowler Malinga is currently level with Chabal in the World Great Sporting Hair Championships, though he's sensibly avoided taking the Frenchman on in the combined Hair + Beard category.

offsideintahiti said...

Zeph,

thanks but you've just made me realise we've lost to a nation that takes cricket seriously, which makes it even worse.

guitougoal said...

Zeph,
you win some, you lose some, what's the heck!
It's not so bad against a great nation of rugby
anyway.

Zephirine said...

Oh well, Offie, the Saffers are going to kill us in a week's time and you can quietly smirk, or loudly snigger, then.

Guitou: exactly :)

offsideintahiti said...

Zeph,

I was only teasing.

I don't like the Saffers much either but supporting England is a bit of a genetic impossibility. Conundrums and quandaries...

Maybe I'll (secretly) hope for an England win anyway so that you're all in a good mood afterwards.

Anonymous said...

offy,

welcome aboard!

We Rosbifs have been in the Languedoc so many times through the ages that we've stopped collecting the t-shirts, so you should have a drop or two of the bulldog blood in your veins.

And doesn't Offspring have a Norman mother? There you go - most of us English have Norman forefathers, even if we'd rather we hadn't.

Additionally, I'm sure that being able to say "We were knocked out by
the eventual champions, thanks to a dodgy bounce of the ball", would sweeten the pill.

Finally, I believe that France could win in 4 years' time - when they won't have to suffer the burden of a home crowd.

If at first you don't succeed - Traille, Traille again!

offsideintahiti said...

Oh yeah, everybody loves a trailleur.

Zephirine said...

I knew you were teasing O, but you're still entitled to have a good snigger if we get stomped on, what else are nationalities for?

Though I agree with gg, this Old Enemy stuff is a load of rubbish, certainly most of the southern Brits must have some Norman ancestry. But then most of us have got Scots/Welsh/Irish blood too and ... let's not go there.

Zephirine said...

But you could go over to Other Stuff where there's a bit of an i-ku party going on....

Tweet it, digg it