Weekend Soundtracks.....

Good morning people,happy Monday ..how was your weekend? Well since I can't hear or read about your weekend I will just give myself the pleasure(especially for those who don't care) of telling you how mine was. On Friday a colleague of mine asked what I would be doing for the weekend and I said the usual. Anyone that knows me knows its very football inclined however this colleague dared me to watch something other than football or sports. I did,and it just increased my love for football the more as weekend tv can be defined by one word.....CRAP!! Watched  some cheesy movie and I literally felt my life flashing before my eyes ...but it had a good soundtrack to it inspiring me to make a playlist with what I saw this weekend. Before that, a happy belated mothers day,my mother was happy to see me but couldn't wait for me to leave 10mins after i had gotten there..

Play list..

Twister..Hope

I have spent all season telling you how QPR should be ready for championship and as much as I still think they will go down,Harry has kept hope alive. There is a lot of belief in west London as the blue stripes have gotten 6 points from 6. He came in,tightened the defense,got a couple of new players and QPR are looking almost magical(sorry Odewinge).The next couple of games happen to be winnable as they play teams at the bottom half of the table so there are a lot of fingers crossed. can Harry do it?I would say no but what do u say?

Linkin park- In the end

The magic of the FA Cup continues. There will always be the underdog story when it comes to cup competitions and the FA Cup doesn't shy from such. I wouldn't exactly call Wigan an underdog especially against Everton but Everton were at home and have been on great form. Like many clubs the FA Cup is a good target for a trophy as the premier league is a no no and they have a manager in David Moyes but in the end it didn't matter....people have always criticized Roberto Martinez ,saying he tries to play a style of football that he doesn't have the players for but he has shown that when it works....it can be a joy to watch...if David Moyes ever criticized him,am sure he takes it back now. Everton have done well this season,they did not have their traditional start to the season of starting slow and with their form,people predicted a semi-final when they saw Wigan as their opponents....so in other words.. one day I don't why,it doesn't really matter how hard you try....in the end it doesn't really matter. If its not yours,its not yours...

Leona lewis-bleeding love

Now that Balloteli has gone back to Italy I think Mancini is down and heart broken as he doesn't have anybody to bicker with,so he's rekindled his love with his ex lover, Mr. Carlos Tevez.....Tevez had a wonderful games against Barnsley(like he shouldn't against Barnsley) and was substituted...when coming off,him and Mancini exchanged words and it didn't look like happy words....so not reading too much into it but I am guessing its the beginning of a new lost love....watch out because its coming soon to a theatre near you.

Alicia keys- Girl on fire

The season has gone on with a lot of goals and players showing massive improvement,the 3 most talked about players in the league so far have been,Robin  van Persie,Gareth Bale and Luiz Suarez. RVP moving across city to help Man United to the title while gareth bale has stepped up his form to show he can be world class.Luiz surez has had the ups and downs of the season,a hero to the Liverpool supporters and a thorn to all the other fans. He's gone from racist to cheat and more but I must say he has taken it well...Suarez scored his 22nd league goal against spurs leaving behind RVP on 19 as the dutch man has failed to score in his last 5 games for united.and I know Suarez is not a girl but he is definitely on fire.I stick to the song because I for one have given him grief so I will continue to be the gift that keeps on giving.......Suarez-girl on fire!

Iyaz-replay

This week was an important week for Man United as it could have ended their hopes of winning 2 trophies thereby ending the shout for the treble. The debate continues whether the Nani incident was a red card or not as United were knocked out of the champions league. Then United hosted Chelsea and were 2-0 up in the first 10mins. The game looked to be brushed aside easily seeing as United had a host of chances. Chelsea held on and came back after a brilliant goal from Eden Hazard. The game ended 2-2 and almost went Chelsea's way but for a wonderful save from David de Gea...the replay is one fixture both teams did not need as chelsea have played more games than any team in the season and United will not only have to win at the bridge but get to play holders man city if they win..wonderful...well sounds good to us football fans but no where near a melody for both teams.

I realize the songs went from one genre to another but that sums up all the feelings you go through watching what some people describe as just a game.....the weather keeps going from cold to less cold to more cold so I'll leave you here with a song till I come  to you again(at this point,I think am a radio vj),don't worry,be happy- Bobby Mcferrin.

In more words to come..Sabi boi.

Matter Of Opinion.....

There are a lot of excuses that have been tailor-made for mankind and people will continue to use such excuses in different aspects of life but in the world of football,what is used as an excuse normally in life is what people use to make a living. For some, more than a living but a wonderful career.If you are wondering what the excuse is,I'll tell you.the statement/sentence,"its my opinion"...definitely one of the biggest excuses made for mankind.

 
On the subject of opinions, pundits are paid to give their opinions about the different situations during a football match.Their opinions are supposed to give us an insight to things we may not have noticed and to enlighten us since we can not see what they see as we did not play the game professionally.Basically the difference between an actual soldier and the boy that plays call of duty.I listened to Roy Keane(remember him?) give his own opinion about the red card incident,Nani's tackle on Arbeloa and although he did make a few points,he reminded me how as much as u say something is your opinion....for it to be valid,IT SHOULD MAKE SENSE.Roy Keane said that Nani's tackle was a straight red card,that it was a bad tackle and by the laws of the game,he should be sent off.Then he goes on to say that Nani should have known that there would be other people on the pitch and shouldn't have raised his leg.....haahaha,couldn't believe what I was hearing,and if that is an ex professionals opinion,opinion he is paid to give then we all have no hope..he continued and was in disgust when the other pundits couldn't see it as a red card....well he stuck to his opinion.
 
After the game,Mourinho said in his opinion the better team lost-it wasn't a red card and I feel if it was 11 v 11,man united would have won....Then other opinions(from different people) started coming out ...Mourinho wants the United job so he is being nice.He has respect for Fergie so doesn't want to rub it in his face...He said it to patronize United and whatever and however it is said by these individuals...they end it with,it is my opinion.

 
In my opinion(let's hope it makes sense),after seeing the tackle over and over again,I don't think it was a red card,Nani had his eye on the ball throughout and worst case scenario should have been a yellow card.You could say that the refree had a different view from where he was standing but if in doubt,don't make any call.Then the law of dangerous play comes in where the referee has to send off a player if the tackle is deemed dangerous...If that is the case,most football matches would finish with 2 players on each side.Diego lopez punched vidic in the face when he missed clearing the ball,that is dangerous play and he should be sent off.Colocini broke Demba Bas nose with a wonderful karate Kick but wasn't even booked.What is the measure for dangerous play? If you send somebody off for one,the same standard should be applied for every other so called dangerous play.And to Roy Keane,Nani should have known there would other players on the pitch...wonderful!Are u saying footballers should wait for the ball to land?There shouldn't be over head kicks?I am guessing he won't be able to answer me...aww well.There are many instances I could give but there's no point as the inconsistency shows that some of these decisions are based on yet again,the referees opinion.

 
Okay,I think I have made my point clear,at least I hope I have....it was just a sad day for football as two of the greatest teams in world went against each other and the outcome of the game was determined by a moment nobody can say for a fact if its a sending off or not.The better team lost but you cannot lose and get to raise the cup.Apologies if I have ranted on and on but if I have...all I can say is...it is my opinion..
 
In more words to come..Sabi Boi

Another Week...Same Monday

I am paying tribute once again to the game we all love the most....I am raising a glass of water(its Monday morning,no alcohol) to toast to the one game,one sport that makes every weekend worth while...football,thank you! Well, I felt the need to start the day like its an important one because as we know... Mondays is probably the most difficult day to get past,so happy Monday everyone.now I'll leave you with what I saw over the weekend.
 
El-classico-again-joy of the Spanish.

 
The argument about which league is the best between the Spanish and English league will always continue from season to season but those that sway towards the direction of the Spanish should say a big thank you to Real Madrid and Barcelona. On Saturday both teams had met for the 4th time this season and Madrid proved they were definitely the better team. Kick off was earlier than normal as the Spanish FA is giving Madrid enough time to rest for their game against Manchester United on Tuesday  Madrid won 2-1 even and with Ronaldo starting from the bench and the plus side for Barcelona was Messi breaking yet another record...he is the highest goal scorer in el classico history. For a couple of years,both teams have had the best players in the world in their squad and very recently the Ronaldo and Messi saga. The intense rivalry makes it even juicier. It is the one fixture that proves too much of everything isn't bad. There are a lot of good teams in the Spanish la liga but the la liga fans should be grateful for a season that you have more than the home and away la-liga matches.
 
Suarez Suarez Suarez

 
Its been a couple of weeks and there has been no negative news from the Uruguayan Liverpool striker. He's gone quiet and that will probably make a lot of people not know what to write down in their different columns. This weekend,he is in the news for all the right reasons,scoring a hatrick that makes him the leading premier league goal scorer with 21 goals.Brendan Rogers has said there is no better striker in the league than Suarez and he is definitely the player of the season.I wonder how many of you share that opinion with Brendan? He is definitely a contender for player of the season especially if you can look beyond his penchant for diving and other dramatic features. If keeps up the positive headlines, well who knows.....
 
Hatrick and the beast
 
Once again,Sir Alex Ferguson picked a strong side to play against Norwich regardless of his midweek match against Real Madrid. Many had hoped to see Ryan Giggs make his 1000th appereance for united.The BBC had compiled a short video to honor the occasion but Ryan Giggs didn't even make the squad. A man that I personally had forgotten, Mr.Kagawa was in the team and honored his selection with a hatrick,all 3 goals showing composure and finesse especially the 2nd goal as u would think he was hitting an egg.Kagawa becomes the first Asian to score a hatrick in the premier league. United were comfortable winners but Rooney decided to send the Norwich fans home with a bang, a wonderful curling shot at the last minute of the game. Had you been in the stadium the roar that followed the goal would have had your legs shaking like jelly. With 15 points above the noisy neighbors man city)all the United fans hope for now is that there would be that same resounding noise after 90minutes against Madrid.
 
Rafa Beneath us
 
There were suggestions that John Terry should be manager for Chelsea because a lot of fans believe that the players will play better for him than for Benitez...hahaha...there were even chants of the great Jose Mourinho to come back to the bridge...wonderful..the fact remains that Chelsea finished 5th last season and are currently in a better league position than they finished with last season.The steady booing that goes on will definately affect the players and the last but probably the most annoying...Benitez doesn't care about the chants. Most likely Benitez will leave come the end of season,a new manager will come in knowing that with no silverware,he'll be out so the soap opera will continue. My advice,get behind your team till the end of season,bring Lukaku back from west brom and donate Torres to charity.
 
North London derby
 
Not that the Arsenal v Tottenham needs any more spice to it but to know that this is a battle for champions league spot makes it even more intense than usual. This season for arsenal has been up and down  and seeing as they have no hope for any silverware,the fight for a champions league spot is the only thing left to fight for. Spurs have being going from strength to strength and the in form welsh winger, Mr Bale has been unstoppable. Since records are being shattered everywhere Mr Bale had to break one as well and he becomes the first welsh man to score 16 goals in the premier league. His 16th goal opening the score in the 2-1 win against arsenal. This  loss leaves arsenal 5 points behind Chelsea and 7 points being spurs. It was 12 points between spurs and arsenal last season but arsenal finished the season ahead of them. Spurs still have Liverpool,Mancity, Chelsea and Swansea to play. Can arsenal still finish in a champions league spot? In Wenger we trust...*coughing*

Well I saw a lot more to talk about but I'll leave you with that for now...I'm off to start my week and hope I have a better one than I did last week....I wish you the best week and u can see if man city can cut back the lead from 15 to 12...
 
In more words to come..Sabi Boi 

Money- Good or Bad for the game????

Well, guys it’s a new month and one of the few joys about a new month is getting paid. For some reason no matter how much am paid I still never have enough money towards the end of the month.

I have heard rap lines like ‘too much money ain’t enough money’ and ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’ while I partially believe the first one I disagree with the second one totally. I am always happy having money than when I don’t have any. Besides its better and more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle, take Manchester City as a case study fews years back they were not a very serious threat as per the big four status but fast forward a few years and some arab money and they have won a few cups and are second in the league. I can comfortably say that money has brought some amount of happiness to the City fans. But at what cost to the game?????

In my take on the issue, I have decided to focus on two effects of the amount of money in the Premier League as a result of its success: the growing trend for foreign ownership of clubs and the changing nature of the relationship between clubs and fans.

Most of these problems have come with the growing number of foreign club owners. The Premier League is now a global brand, and as a result there has been a rush to invest in it. Some companies see it as a way of improving their brand visibility, others as a way to have a bit of fun.

Either way, the trend started by Roman Abramovich in 2003 has rolled onwards.

After Abramovich’s takeover, Chelsea proceeded to go on a spending spree that had never been seen before in English football, splashing out over £100 million on players in the space of one summer.


The result? Five years and six trophies later, Chelsea have moved on to the next level in English football, their fan base is growing, and the squad is ever improving.

Chelsea’s case appears to show that foreign ownership is good thing. There have been bumps along the way, but Chelsea fans are glad for the investment Abramovich has poured into the club. 

An examination of the fortunes of some other clubs under foreign ownership proves that the experience of Chelsea fans is part of the exception, rather than the rule.

Although Chelsea is struggling a bit right now but in the long run I would say that the extra money has paid off.



Abramovich taking over Chelsea in 2003 was the beginning of a bright new dawn in the history of the club, but it hasn’t always been that way with other teams.

The shock transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham United on transfer deadline day 2006 and subsequent take over by Eggert Magnusson had many people predicting a top four finish for the Hammers. The season that followed was spent fighting relegation, safety only being secured on the last day of the season with a 1-0 win over champions Manchester United.

Mascherano hardly featured for West Ham, and Tevez was off the following summer to Manchester United.

Some owners want to impose themselves on their new club and interfere with the way things are run. This can only lead to disaster. Andriy Shevchenko was widely rumoured to have been forced upon ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, and that turned out badly for all parties. It’s still the issue today with Torres and Benitez.

By all means, owners should take an interest in the way things are being done, but it should be left to the people who have that experience and expertise. When this doesn’t happen, it just leads to problems. But, with no supreme power to check them, owners can do as they wish within the structures of their club if they want to. 

With success comes pitfalls, and with the Premier League it is no different. Success has lead to top players and money in abundance. As the competition grew, it’s viability as an investment opportunity increased, and the current trend of investment from all corners of the globe doesn’t look like ending.

It looks like it is here to stay, and we just have to get used to it.

In spite of this, the loyal supporter must not be forgotten in modern football. A link must always be kept with the past as it shapes every club’s future. If this link isn’t preserved, clubs will walk into a global future blind. If they do keep it alive, it will make the seismic changes the fans experience in supporting their team a little easier to digest.

I guess money like anything in life has its pros and cons. In more articles to come I will still return to this issue.

But till then Always remain true to Soccer…