Armband relay

Act Two - Who will wear the armband?
England's positive performance yesterday in an ideal world would have marked the start of a less ridiculous phase than we've encountered in recent weeks.  But we don't live in an ideal world do we?  No.  And lo, today we read that Capello must chose another England captain, since Terry has 'been allowed to return to his club Chelsea' ahead of the Champions League.  Now don't get me wrong the Chelsea v United match is obviously important, but I can't be the only one who thinks it's bonkers that the captain of the English football team is having to miss a match.  No wonder fans are more enthused by club football than their national side?  This reaffirms that it's all a bit of a joke.  What an insult to the Ghanaian team.

For the record my vote goes to Jack Wilshire, who's name I've read as a suggested candidate.  He was again brilliant yesterday.  I'm pleased that England were able to dance so beautifully, it was an excellent confidence boost which went a little way to restore my faith.  (Although it's worth mentioning that I am an idiot and it doesn't take much - typical for an England fan though, I think.)  I'm both relieved and sorry that Bale didn't play, it would have undoubtedly made things more interesting.

Anyway, I'd like to hope that Tuesday's match is not going to be uneventful. Whilst I doubt that Terry, Rooney et al will bother to watch, I'll be there like a stupid housewife who stands by her less than faithful man.

Bibitus! It'll put you in a good mood.

Bye bye Europe, it's been nice knowing you.
So we're out of Europe.  Not just the Champions League, but the WHOLE of Europe.  Thursday was one of the most painful days in what has been an emotional roller coaster of a season.  Carroll had two promising headers, but his European debut was ultimately forgettable.  We missed Suarez.  I missed Suarez.  Today's result against Sunderland (we won 2-0), is again evidence of the difference he makes.  I just hope that we don't end up in the all too familiar situation of being a one man team.  I'm sure we wont, since this pairing looks promising, but you can't blame me for being anxious.

Show me the money
You'd be a foolish fan to expect your newest signings to instantly score goals willy nilly - as any Chelsea fan will know ;) - but I'm ready now.  I'm really ready to see what this Carroll chap can do.  He's allegedly one of a kind, I do hope that this is the case.  At the risk of putting all my eggs in Carroll and Suarez's respective baskets, now is the time for them to step up, if we're to get 5th.

Ha!  Even I can't take that seriously.  Balls. We're screwed, no matter how good they are.

Madness I tell thee...

The sky is literally falling down all over the show, which is of great concern to me.  Why is this relevant?  Well, recently, I've been obsessing over the tracking stats of this blog and the response that it might get etc.  The global unrest, whilst by no means a new concept, has really resonated with me recently and I am reminded that, actually, noting my musings on this little page need not become an obsession.  My thoughts are with those whose world is being turned on it's head and it has made me all the more grateful that I am in a position to write about something I love.  So, on I go...

First up, Jens (tee hee) Lehmann (hahahahahaaaaa)  
I can hardly believe that this has happened.  Yes the man is an Arsenal legend.  Yes, the Gooners have had a slim pickin's on the goalie front for sometime.  But this is just bonkers, no?  Lehmann's age isn't an issue for me, like it is for some - if he does the job then fine.  I just think that this is the most hilarious turn of events, not least because the guy is crazy.  If you need proof, then just watch this video, it's brilliant! (Keep the sound down unless you like crazy house music.)  Word on the street is that Liverpool are resigning Rush.  Why not?

Time for a quick one...

Again, it's been a packed couple of days, there's so much to talk about and I've got no time! It'll be a quick one, so let's start at home...

Kyrgiakos, you wally... 
Following our battering of United last weekend, I was hoping that we'd be on the up and our form would continue when we faced Sporting Braga.  I should know better.  An epic fail from our Greek defender saw us go one down before half time.  Not good.  It's not just Kyrgiakos's fault though - we were generally on the back foot for most of the match, it was most disheartening.  The only glimpse of encouragement was that things improved slightly with the appearance of big money Carroll.

It's fair to say that we're seriously lacking consistency, but hopefully that will come.  The boys will have had a nice little rest thanks to the FA Cup fixtures this weekend, so I'm sure we'll come back firing in time for the second leg on Thursday.  Fingers crossed!

Come on Arsen... Nope, can't do it.

As I write this, Tottenham have just knocked AC Milan out of the Champions League.  Who'd have thunk it eh?  I've had one eye on the match and another on my work, so I don't really feel able to write about it properly.  Suffice to say that the goalless draw will have elated all those pesky Spurs fans no end.  I'm obviously just jealous.  What I really want to talk about though, is the epic goings on of yesterday.

Heavens to Betsy it was a bit sensational wasn't it?!  My feeling as a Liverpool fan was simple.  I wanted Arsenal to lose, because I need them to up their focus in the League and win that (anyone, anyone but Manchester United), so I was chuffed to bits with the result. Barcelona really were phenomenal and that Messi goal was, well, pretty darn tidy I'd say (ba-dum-boom-ch).

6th March shall henceforth be know as Sweet Sunday

Pinch me, for this is too good to be true.
Did I dream that?  I've waited up to watch all the highlights shows, so I'm pretty sure that Liverpool beat Manchester United (3-1!) and also that England managed to turn around a result against South Africa in the ODI!  Amazing.  Throw in some brunch with cocktails (#Drunch) and that's basically the sweetest Sunday I've had in a long while.

A force to be reckoned with.
He's only gone and done it.  King Kenny has managed in two months what we've struggled to achieve for two seasons - we now have an attacking set up that doesn't depend solely on one man.  Gorgeous.  Today was demonstrative of a well organised, passionate team, who for once were not severely lacking in any areas. We looked well put together, aggressive, solid.  We looked like a top four club.

The Luck of the Irish and the Sulkiness of the Scots (well one Scot in particular)

So I've not been able to post all day, mainly due to my life getting in the way.  I'll be quick, since I ought to sleep at some point. 

Chelsea vs Utd

Before the match, I wasn't really sure what I wanted the result to be.  If Chelsea lost, then we maybe, just maybe had a shot at getting a top four position.  If Utd lost, well then Arsenal are closer to the top spot and Alex Ferguson doesn't get to over take our 18 League title wins ( I swear that's the main reason he's still hanging around).  Having heard his reaction to the Ref's decisions, I have to say that I'm 100% glad that Chelsea won.  In fact I hope they win the League and knock the wind out of Fergie's sails and the gum out of his mouth.  

It's my bloggy and I'll rant if I want to...

I touched on this briefly yesterday, but I have to talk about the elephant in the room that is Ashley Cole.  I read that Ancelotti said Cole ‘made a mistake, and who hasn't made a mistake in his life?’  Hang on a sec, made a mistake?!  This morning I put my milk in the cupboard and my cereal in the fridge - that’s a mistake.  Ashley Cole SHOT SOMEONE for f*@k’s sake.  Granted, it was only an air rifle and apparently he didn’t think it was loaded, but come on!  

Evidently, premiership footballers can do what they ruddy well like without any consequences.  Rooney can foul someone in front of an official, DJ Campbell can ‘shove someone in the face‘. It’s all right.  Why?  Because they’re ‘passionate’.  I mean, what?  Evidently there is some confusion over the actual definition of this word, because otherwise, I really don’t see how they’re getting away with it.  Trust me, I love an exciting sports personality as much as the next fellow, but that really is the biggest load of bollocks.

To say that this pussy footing around talent is confined to football, is sadly not the case.  Just look at what happened to the Pakistani cricket players in the recent match fixing shenanigans.  It’s disheartening to see that when it comes to laying down the law, there’s an unhealthy mix of cowardice and corruption which seems to continuously prevail.  Boo.

Not wanting to end with a rant  

One thing I am enthused by is the positive reception that Steve Davies has had to his coming out.  I’m sure that the Aussies will have an opportunistic sledge or two, but I’ve only read about his bravery and the support of his fellow team mates.  Part of me thinks that we ought to be beyond this kind of thing making news by now.  It’s 2011.  Then again, we have only just had that whole Sian Massey controversy, so I guess that’d be a little optimistic/naive of me.  


Fortunately this development will only help to move things in the right direction.  Bravo I say.