I have often searched for a sport that demands of the mind what it seeks from the body. I'm gaga about golf, dappy about darts and crazy for cricket - I'm even gaining a growing appreciation for F1, but still the mental/strategic elements required in these disciplines doesn't test the brain to its very limits. I can't be the only one who has thought of this, for lo, last week I learned of something that attempts to fill this gaping void. Ladies and Gents, I give you Chessboxing. And I'm not even making it up.
'The basic idea in chess boxing is to combine the number one thinking sport with the number one fighting sport into a hybrid that demands the most of its competitors both mentally and physically.' (World Chess Boxing Organisation). Jackpot. I highly recommend that you Youtube the pants off this. You will not be disappointed.
Chess Boxing a Big Hit in London by NTDTV
Time to show me the money Andy
I'm really hoping that Saturday's result at Goodison Park will have given Andy Carroll the confidence he's been lacking of late. He's scored now (in a derby no less), and I hope that this will see him become the player we've been told he can be. Up until his goal I was quite worried about his general performance. I rarely spotted a touch that he didn't give away and I was starting to get angry with the gentle jog he had chosen to adopt.
I think a real influence over Carroll's form will be the presence of Stevie on the pitch, as was evident at the weekend. He looked like a different player once Gerrard came on. It's testament to the difference that our number 8 makes - he injects a sense of urgency, simply by rocking up. Only he and Carragher chase down every ball like their life depends on it. We could do with a little more of that really and it's high time that some of our youngsters take on this approach.
The Genius of Joey Barton
Yes, you read correctly. I think the people who work Joey Barton are doing a grand job - his image is evidently undergoing massive reform and the folk in control know what they are doing. A recent article in the Standard made me realise that as much as I hate ol' Joe that actually, he's very good value for money.
Eccentric characters are lacking in the game, and unlike 99% of all other players, it's difficult to predict what he's going to come out with. I've even started following him on Twitter, because whoever writes his tweets (I doubt they're all him) is pretty funny.
He's obviously not going to land a sponsorship deal or anything, so really his worth lies in how much he can exploit his position in the spotlight. Vile he may be, but stupid he is not and he's managing to keep people's interest just fine.
He's obviously not going to land a sponsorship deal or anything, so really his worth lies in how much he can exploit his position in the spotlight. Vile he may be, but stupid he is not and he's managing to keep people's interest just fine.
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