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I meant to post this a day ago, but things have been a bit busy...
Now when it comes to the round ball game there are some germane points. I was born in '61. In that year Spurs did the double. Like A J Ayer and Peter Cook I'm a Spurs fan.
This past week of football has been unprecedented. Not just for Spurs, but for Liverpool, and Arsenal, and Chelsea too. This has probably been the greatest week in club football ever in terms of meaningful and exciting matches.
That's a big statement. If you don't know much about football (soccer to the cousins) ask someone who does. This has been epoch-making, and it was all captured on camera. The Champions League really ought to issue BlueRay or 4K discs of this season's matches. But this last week has been one for the history books. We may never reach these peaks again. Liverpool/Barca and Ajax/Spurs have to be two of the most amazing back-to-back matches in my memory.
Shame the world is going to hell in a hand basket in the meantime; but there you go.
Now when it comes to the round ball game there are some germane points. I was born in '61. In that year Spurs did the double. Like A J Ayer and Peter Cook I'm a Spurs fan.
This past week of football has been unprecedented. Not just for Spurs, but for Liverpool, and Arsenal, and Chelsea too. This has probably been the greatest week in club football ever in terms of meaningful and exciting matches.
That's a big statement. If you don't know much about football (soccer to the cousins) ask someone who does. This has been epoch-making, and it was all captured on camera. The Champions League really ought to issue BlueRay or 4K discs of this season's matches. But this last week has been one for the history books. We may never reach these peaks again. Liverpool/Barca and Ajax/Spurs have to be two of the most amazing back-to-back matches in my memory.
Shame the world is going to hell in a hand basket in the meantime; but there you go.
Someone mentioned that the German football team used the 'World Cup' ball all last season, and are the only nation left in the competition for which this is true.
I'm glad I got my bet on early, then.
It appears that great teams win competitions, rather than great players. Maradona in '86 may have been the exception to that rule, but Germany are surely its confirmation.
Perhaps next time, the FA or Premier League can ensure that England play the season before the tournament with the World Cup ball. I mean, when even Japan can manage to do so to their own advantage... q.v. Japan's free kicks.
Because it has been noticed. And exclusive Premiership deals to supply balls that are different to the upcoming tournament ball are simply not on.
I'm glad I got my bet on early, then.
It appears that great teams win competitions, rather than great players. Maradona in '86 may have been the exception to that rule, but Germany are surely its confirmation.
Perhaps next time, the FA or Premier League can ensure that England play the season before the tournament with the World Cup ball. I mean, when even Japan can manage to do so to their own advantage... q.v. Japan's free kicks.
Because it has been noticed. And exclusive Premiership deals to supply balls that are different to the upcoming tournament ball are simply not on.
(no subject)
May. 4th, 2010 03:53 pmI was going to post about my thoughts and feelings about the upcoming election, and then I read Stephen Fry's Blog. He says it all so much better than I. Nevertheless I still feel, though I will personally opt for Fry's Election Choice no.1, that my bet on the Tories having a small majority is safe.
There was a time when Sir Alex Ferguson almost got the sack from Manchester United. An FA Cup win saved his job. Gordon may have the ability, like Fergie, to do the job in times of trouble: but I doubt if a cup win is going to come to his rescue, or collectively speaking, the UK PLC's.
Never mind, Man Utd's debt, like that of the UK, is unsustainable at present levels, and needs some restructuring. As a Spurs fan (born in the year they did the double) this shouldn't bother me, excepting football is generally better for there being a Man Utd.
When Dave and the new lads get in on Friday, if asked by anyone, I would have some simple words of advice: get the loonies under control and quickly. Make sure your Chief Whip has balls of steel. Get the backwoodsmen and shire Tories to bark to order, not roam ferally in packs. Stifle discontent immediately. And listen, above all, listen to your senior civil servants. They've been in place for longer than anyone; and many, if not most, are reasonably sympathetic to your cause, especially if they can foist any cuts on to other departments. But the cuts will come whomsoever gets into office and they are realist enough to know this.
Know your limits, and by extension, our limits. As a rule, the UK is following the United States in having the patience and attention span of a mayfly: we cannot see beyond our noses or the next week's television.
Also know that there are some Bolshie types who will keep an eye on you, reporting back on all your policy decisions, and casting them into the worst light possible. And I guess I'll be one of 'em if my augerous cynicism is working properly. If things get worse, they'll blame you. If the inequalities in the system become even more obvious, they'll blame you. If crime goes up, it will be your fault.
Actually, I'll try to keep unprejudiced in my judgements: but I will watch this incoming Tory government like a hawk, or perhaps a falcon, turning and turning in the widening gyre as the poet said.
There was a time when Sir Alex Ferguson almost got the sack from Manchester United. An FA Cup win saved his job. Gordon may have the ability, like Fergie, to do the job in times of trouble: but I doubt if a cup win is going to come to his rescue, or collectively speaking, the UK PLC's.
Never mind, Man Utd's debt, like that of the UK, is unsustainable at present levels, and needs some restructuring. As a Spurs fan (born in the year they did the double) this shouldn't bother me, excepting football is generally better for there being a Man Utd.
When Dave and the new lads get in on Friday, if asked by anyone, I would have some simple words of advice: get the loonies under control and quickly. Make sure your Chief Whip has balls of steel. Get the backwoodsmen and shire Tories to bark to order, not roam ferally in packs. Stifle discontent immediately. And listen, above all, listen to your senior civil servants. They've been in place for longer than anyone; and many, if not most, are reasonably sympathetic to your cause, especially if they can foist any cuts on to other departments. But the cuts will come whomsoever gets into office and they are realist enough to know this.
Know your limits, and by extension, our limits. As a rule, the UK is following the United States in having the patience and attention span of a mayfly: we cannot see beyond our noses or the next week's television.
Also know that there are some Bolshie types who will keep an eye on you, reporting back on all your policy decisions, and casting them into the worst light possible. And I guess I'll be one of 'em if my augerous cynicism is working properly. If things get worse, they'll blame you. If the inequalities in the system become even more obvious, they'll blame you. If crime goes up, it will be your fault.
Actually, I'll try to keep unprejudiced in my judgements: but I will watch this incoming Tory government like a hawk, or perhaps a falcon, turning and turning in the widening gyre as the poet said.
