Drama, drama, drama...

Christ alive, I’ve been gagging to write all day but I’ve had my pesky day job to deal with.  Grrrrr.

What a weekend eh?!   There’s about a million things I want to talk about, but technically I’m still at work, so I’ve got to keep it quick.

Okay, so we know how I feel about England winning the rugby - flamin' marvellous it was.  Although, I have been pulled up by one of my friends who rightly pointed out that if you’re not ‘pooped’ by the end of a match, then you’ve not being playing hard enough.  Fair point.  Although, there’s a difference between giving it your all and playing catch up.  I maintain that we need more to make an impact at the World Cup.

Next to my prediction of Arsenal vs Birmingham.  I did not see that coming!  I am most thrilled though, let me tell you. Not least since it allows me to post gems like this…

That’s what I love about finals, everything is at stake and anything could happen.  Liverpool have been involved in two epic finals (obviously the Champions League and ironically, in light of yesterday’s performance, against West Ham), so I know the feelings of euphoria that the Birmingham fans will have experienced in that 89^th minute.   

A weird part of me actually feels bad for Wenger, the little manager that could.  I look forward to reading yet more interviews where he is asked if he feels the pressure to win a tournament, and where his answer will be something to the tune of “but of course it is important to focus on ze next game and to get ze tree points, blah,blah, blah.” (Sarcasm fully intended.)

Arsenal’s keeper issue has only fuelled rumours linking Pepe Reina to the club.  Well I don’t need to tell you where you can stick that info.  Although, in truth, if he has to go this summer, then Arsenal is a lesser evil than Chelsea in my book.

Then there was the Cricket.  Ahhhh, the cricket.  As a British Asian, I never know whether to support England or India.  And with cricket like that, well, I don’t have to make a choice now do I?  Okay, so very little about me is actually Indian, but it’s difficult to detach yourself when a. they are awesome and b. they remind me of my Pops.  He’s not dead or anything, he just really likes Indian cricket!  Fortunately, they both played brilliantly, with Tendulkar setting the bar high and Strauss totting up an epic score.  I’m happy as Larry with that, really I am.  More of the same please, either way I’m a winner!

I’ve been putting it off, but it’d be poor form for me not to talk about West Ham’s 3-1 battering of my beloved Liverpool.  It’s worth pointing out that this is our first loss in 9 games, so things could be (and have been) much worse.  It’s the lack of consistency that we’re really going to have to remedy next season.  We just cannot fluctuate so drastically from one extreme to another.  Hopefully when our new signing is match fit, we’ll see a difference.  We better had for that kind of money! 

Lastly, I have to make a mention if the fact that Ashley Cole has shot someone.  I’m not sure what else I can say to convince you that this man is actually ridiculous, if that doesn't do the job then nothing will.  You honestly couldn't invent this stuff!  Bonkers.

Right, better do some work… 

Hey Bobby, what's French for busy weekend?

Job's a goodun
I've been slacking on the rugby front of late, so England vs France was not a match I intended to miss.  Having demonstrated a fairly good performance in the Six Nations so far, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this was the test where we'd have to prove ourselves the most.

Arguably, the first half was somewhat dull.  However, at about 50 minutes in, things started to heat up and for a little while at least, I was reminded why I should take the time to watch more rugger.  Wilkinson's first 10 minutes gave pangs of 2003 nostalgia and for the first time I got properly excited about the challenges we face in the World Cup.

Bottom line, yes we got the job done.  But if we're really going to make an impact in September then we must up our game (and then some).  We were quite clearly pooped by the end and definitely need to be in control, more so than we were yesterday.  That's not to say it can't be achieved, it's just going to take an almighty effort, and of course, a little bit of luck.

Tenuous link alert!
From one battle involving the French, we turn today to another. In a matter of hours, it's the Carling Cup final.  Well smack my ass and call me Genevieve, the Gooners have a shot at silverware.  Oh joy.  (For the purposes of this blog and the convenience of Arsenal fans, the Carling Cup does count as Silverware.)  Much as it would please me for Brum to win,  they're not going to.  Dammit.

Arsenal were simply far too sexy to watch when they met Barcelona last week. A match at Wembley is only going bring our more of their va-va-voom - regardless whether they have Cesc and Theo in the mix or not.

Talk to any Arsenal fan and their second or third sentence will see them venting frustration at the lack of trophies achieved in recent times.  To be honest, I wish they'd just shut up.  I speak as a bitter Liverpool fan of course and these days I'd be happy enough just playing in the Champions League, let alone winning anything!

Seriously though, I'm not going to kid myself that winning doesn't matter.  It's just these days, when money is increasing the turbulence of the league, there's something to be said for the stability that Wenger has cultivated at The Emirates.  He's hardly spent any money, they have a sound squad and he's kept them in the top 4. It's certainly something I wish Benitez had done.

Am I jealous?  Youbetcha.  Come on Birmingham!!!!!

At the end of the day it's the goal that Kuyts!

Match 
Yesterday saw the almighty clash of *ahem*, Liverpool and erm, Sparta Prague.  Not wanting to miss out on any action packed sporting prowess, I secured myself a neat little bar stool in Cafe Kick - an amazing little bar in Exmouth Market.  Not only do they show the footy, but they have 2 fooseball tables, tapas, South American music and an impressive range of cocktails and beers to boot.  If ever a place was designed for my liking, then this is it!


The match was pretty evenly balanced for the majority and it took until the 86th minute for Liverpool to set themselves apart.  Dirk Kuyt headed in a corner from Miereles, an apt reward for yet another wholehearted performance.  Someone I was watching the game with, compared Kuyt to an eager puppy and I totally agree.  He frequently has a poor first touch, but he works about a million times harder than everyone else on the pitch, hence his results.  I always thought that our best striker would’ve been somone combining Kuyt's work ethic with Torres’ skill.  Ahh, to dream.


Kit
This morning I was sent an email (at 8:02am to be precise) from my good friend and fellow wannabe Scouser, regarding our new away kit.  I’ve never been a fan of the yellow monstrosities that we tend to opt for, so I actually quite like it.  I realise this is an unpopular opinion, but a. it’s mine and b. it’s only an away kit!  

Cricket
My morning commute became joyous, the moment I had The Sport magazine shoved into my hand.  I did the same thing I do every week, head straight for Simon Caney’s column.  This week he spoke about ODI Cricket, saying that the format adopted for the World Cup is slow, dated and dull.  I'm inclined to agree. 5 day tests are there to satisfy the traditionalists and 20/20 matches add pace and entertainment to the sport.  It’s natural then that this 50 overs malarky would end up being a bit pointless.  Nevertheless I hope that we, and by we I mean England or India (it’s totally my perogative), do well. Good luck lads.

Talking the talk v walking the walk!

Today I finished reading Manny Pacquiao's autobiography, PacMan.  If you haven't read it, do, I assure you that it's insanely epic.  Tales of his childhood, good heart and work ethic, combine to form of one of the most inspiring books I've ever read.  In fact, Pacquiao's story is the reason that I've started writing this.  If aged 12 an impoverished Manny Pacquiao can run barefoot on rocks to become a boxer, well then I can drum up the gumption to actually do some of the things I've always wanted to.  Et voila, welcome to my blog.

With the pending Khan fight, I've been thinking about boxing A LOT recently.  I'm thrilled that 'King Khan' is showing that he's not 'all mouth no chin'.  (Although, real Khan followers would insist that he's always had a chin, we're only just noticing it, yaddah yaddah.)

This delightful development means that regardless of a Haye/Klitschko bout, the spotlight will be firmly on British boxing for the immediate future at least.  I met Khan pre the Maidana fight and he told me that he had done some training with Pacquiao.  That and the fact that he's still training under Freddie Roach, fill me with every confidence that he's got the right idea about what he wants to execute and how to go about it.

I'm trying my damnedest to get some kind of interview with him (by which I mean I sent him an email yesterday) to substantiate that this is the case.  Fret not, my Mumma didn't raise no fool - I know that the odds of me actually achieving that are slim to not a shot in hell.  But hey, it's worth a punt right?!  Like I say if Manny ran on rocks...

Talking of walking the walk, I'd like to leave you with this.  It amused me immensely.

Lucky Number 7!

The future's bright, the future's red.  

I'm completely obsessed with watching footage of Raheem Sterling - Liverpool's 16 year old wonder-kid.  He's the talk of the town right now and rightly so.  Whilst the Premiership has been infinitely entertaining this season, I have had a feeling of impending doom with regards to the future of my beloved LFC.  Until now that is.

Seeing this kind of home grown talent enthuses me no end.  Perhaps I'm being naively optimistic and blindly loyal, but this kid (and his ability to dance with the ball) have restored my faith in the mighty Pool.   Maybe we will win the league next season after all, eh?! ;-)  

If you haven't seen him, then I'd advise that you do so now.  Prepare yourself for a little bit of awesome:



I don't like Andrew Strauss, oh no... I love him!

Watching interviews with Andrew Strauss last night made me appreciate how grateful I am for articulate sports people, who are able to admit when things just aren't good enough.  The fact that he's openly vented his frustration is strangely pleasing.  I'd much rather that than be fobbed off, which happens all too frequently for my liking.  Our boys have said that they need to improve their one day form, especially in light of the recent series down under, and I for one look forward to seeing how they develop their form in this World Cup!


In other news

Yesterday there was a documentary on the beeb about Caster Semenya.  I'd never heard her speak before, have to admit, I was a little shocked.  I don't know the ins and outs of the case, but it seems that all she wants to do is run.  That kind of passion, that makes you continue against all adversity, is something that I will never cease to admire.