November 9, 2009
hello, I think I’ve kinda missed you
Okay, okay. Before I am crucified let me first apologize for the lack of blogging as of late. I’ve been on the only two week holiday I’ve ever had in my life (two weeks straight, that is) and since my job is cricket orientated and I’ve been maxing out on football since the mister got DSTV installed I really couldn’t be bothered to write anything.
I won’t lie, I’m not even sure what’s going on in the cricket world at the moment. I do know that South Africa take on Zimbabwe tomorrow, though, and I am covering the game. Great. No better way to get straight back into work is there?
I know I promised to break the news about Arsenal being linked to a pharmacutical company – here’s the deal. Reportedky the North London club have cut a deal with a blood pressure medication manufacturing company. Apparently they are awarded a precentage of sales thanks to Nicklas Bendter. I know that this sounds absurd but it’s a very feasible arguement…even my mother who knows NOTHING about football managed to say: “wow, that guy is terrible”.
In other football news. It seems that the trophy is coming to London. We just don’t know which part of London yet. I know that I should probably have a go at Didier Drogba for his little leg twitch but I really couldn’t be f***ed to care.
I’ll be back tomorrow with some more bits and bobs and probably a rant about South Africa’s performance against Zim.
xoxox
Ms Print
Now playing: Placebo – Blind
October 29, 2009
Oh, just get on with it
It’ with great joy that Miss Print welcomes back DanBan after that little coffee cup clash in the midweek. Reportedly, she has also exposed a huge link between Arsenal and a pharmaceutical company. More on that later.
Ahead of their League Cup clash with Liverpool, Arsenal were playing good football and squandering leads. On Thursday night, they very nearly did the same thing. Late Liverpool waves of attack saw the Arsenal camp sweating.
Although with Ryan Babel upfront for Liverpool, it was more a case of mild perspiration. The hot discussion at the water cooler at work will more than likely be about the ‘penalty decision’. When your manager tells you that these are the games you have to put your hand up and be counted, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean to block a goal bound effort inside the area. Why Philippe?
You’re a defender. The balls coming to your head. Use it. Liverpool fans will feel hard done by, but that’s officiating, sometimes those are given and sometimes they’re not, and on the balance of play they’ll know Arsenal deserved to progress. After Bendtner (Ed: even my mom who knows jack shit about football bellowed: no man, why is that little lad so pathetic) actually decided to scored a goal from 5 yards, they always looked like scoring another with Liverpool spending a great deal of the second half chasing.
All three goals of the game were well taken, but none more surprising than Emiliano Insua’s 25 yard screamer with what must be his first ever shot at goal in three years since joining, but who’s counting anyway, right Emiliano? It was great to see Nasri back in action again and straight away looked the player we all remember. And how about Kieran Gibbs? Must be said, well played. Gael’s great, don’t get me wrong, but he might even give Wenger a selection headache one of these days. Also a great prospect for England in a few years. On a positive note for Liverpool, the long awaited debut for Alberto Aquilani finally came and he managed to tick a few boxes from the word go. He’s quick, he’s a ball winner, he’s a play maker, he’s got vision to pick out a pass and he can strike an over-head ball at Senderos’ head.
What’s not to like? With the club’s poor results of late they’ve needed a superhero, leaving some deeming him ‘Aqua Man’. (Ok, I’m the only one) The Gunners may well end their trophy drought this season with The League Cup. I expect they’ll make the final. Next up, a derby against Chelsea in the next round. You read it here first.
Miss Print is returning to her home from the coast today and she’s got that breaking news for you guys. Until then, adios.
xoxo
October 26, 2009
The Victory Delusion
Miss Print has been a lazy ass. I’m on leave so I really haven’t felt an inch of desire to write anything on here. And there is no Daren Ganga to coo over. So I’d like to introduce guest blogger: DanBan. I’m hoping that he’ll churn out some pearls of wisdom at least once a week…here is his first offering:
So Liverpool fans can smile once again, their team rising to the occasion and producing the goods when needed the most. The team put in a good display and came out on top, without doubt, deserved winners. Bravo. Even Carra had a decent game.
Question is, why does it take a visit from United to to put a spring in their step? Where was that display against Sunderland a week prior? Or against Lyon in midweek? And that’s just the thing about Liverpool, isn’t it? You never quite know which team’s going to show up, not least Rafa’s bizarre 3-6-1 formation, but in terms of actual quality. Some games there’s very little to speak of. If things aren’t going well, who’s the plan B or C on the bench? Babel? Voronin? Ngog? Come now. (To be fair the latter’s not half bad, though his name pretty much sums up his form really: touch ‘Ngog)
Thing is, the problems in squad depth are still there. Beating Man United won’t change much. It just means Hicks’ son can go out in public again. It’s easy to get spurred-up for the big games and it’s not all that tough putting six past relegation fodder. (Sorry you Tigers, but even you know you’ll be playing in the Championship next season. Come to think of it, Phil Brown’s karaoke number this year could be Fall Out Boy’s Sugar We’re Going Down) Where The Reds have failed this season, and in seasons past, is getting three points from the mid-tablers and until they take those points on a regular basis, they’ll always be there abouts the summit but never actually there.
Moving forward for Liverpool, there will no doubt be a huge sense of confidence around Melwood in the next few days. All the pressure’s off the gaffer, they’re on the back pages for the right reason and the players can take a welcomed sigh of relief. But how long will it last? Next up for The Reds are The Cottagers away and the smart money will be on Liverpool dropping more points, leaving victory over their rivals a distant memory.
Don’t forget the Carling Cup clash midweek with Wenger’s young guns, Dan!
xoxo
Ms Print
October 22, 2009
Holy water, Chelsea scare me!
There is only one club in London. And, although I have absolutely real affiliation with Arsenal, they are still the team I support. And I still chirp like a Londoner would. Funny, though. Most Arsenal fans don’t actually come from London. Don’t you just love branding and marketing?
Anyway, what I am getting it is….I have taken a fancy to the Chelsea pub in Cape Town. It’s a lovely little spot called Mitchell’s Brewery at the Waterfront and while they have awesome pints, they also serve awesome food. We went there last night to watch the game (which I didn’t really since I was pretty hammered by the time they kicked off) and I am really worried. Chelsea are looking like a bit of a juggernaut. Aston Villa showed that they can be beaten but then it just turns to a case of the walking wounded. I am really, really worried. I still hate them. Not just cause of the heartbreak they caused during the FA Cup last year but just because I hate them. Frank Lampard is a chav and John Terry is a mongrel.
On a differnt note, and I’ll definitely write more on this later, but the mister today referred to my take on Trinidad & Tobago as romantic. And not just because I’ve been cooing over Daren Ganga (so sexy!!) for the past few weeks.
No, it’s a romantic story. Beautifully romantic, it warms my heart. No talent in the Caribbean? Sodd off. Good on you boys for making it to the final.
October 21, 2009
What’s with the cat and mouse thing?
I can’t lie, I get bored very quickly. If I sit in the same position too long I get bored and have to change. I can’t walk or drive the same route twice. It’s simply too boring.
The irony of it all is that I came to be an Arsenal fan. Boring, boring Arsenal. How? Not quite sure, I think it’s that smooth, sexy passing style which is kind of like a cat with a mouse in its claw. Look here it is! Nah, we lied, I’ve got it now. But I’m not going to shoot, no, no. I am going to casually walk it into the net.
I dunno what it is but it’s pretty appealing to me.
That was evident last night in the first few minutes of Arsenal’s game against Dutch Champions Az Alkmaar. Then it all went to shit. They should have pummeled them, ripped them a new one, whatever you want to call it.
Instead they thought showing up will be enough for a win. The Dutch champs had won five and lost five in the Eredivisie, shouldn’t have been a simple task for Arsenal, right?
After the the first goal, fizzle, drizzling their way their Arsenal shut up shop and though that prancing around like fairies will be ok. If you’re a team that tends to leak goals due to your own stupidity you should have at least a 2-0 lead by half time. But not the Gunners. They never wanted it and they should have just lost, not just drawn thanks to an offside free kick with 45 seconds to go. 45 Seconds!
Being the favourites and pitching up won’t get you anything other than embarrassment.
At least Liverpool’s two man team managed to score this time around. But they still lost. Shame
October 18, 2009
Arsenal win a game they’d have lost…
…last season.
Arsenal have most definitely shown signs of brilliance this season. This weekend was great for the North Londoners. Last season the Birmingham game is one they would have lost. As the rest of the big four (barring Manchester United) slipped up and provided the opportunity for Arsene Wenger’s men to play catch up, they did.
Rewind to this time last season. Every time the “big four” slipped up so did the Gunners. Not only did they win, they won convincingly. They’re playing fast, organized, attacking football. And they look like team. It’s almost like Emmanuel Adebyaor’s exit has changed the whole entire mentality of the club. It’s true what they say then…you are only as strong as your weakest link. While there are still moments of madness and while they probably won’t win the Premier League – the Gunners have shown they’ve got the grit needed to win at least a Cup this season.
At the Stadium of Light Liverpool lost thanks to a beach ball. Which was full of Liverpool crests. Oh, the irony. Darren Bent’s strike took a deflection and boom. Rules of the game state that the game should have been stopped and restarted with a drop ball but alas. They were abysmal without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard so the loss was warranted.
Chelsea are showing that the pressure of leading the pack can lead you to crack. Thank goodness. They were the one team I was starting to worry about…
October 11, 2009
as you were
It would appear that after two nights of working until 4am. That is awesome. Sleeeeeeeeep!
Uhm, something something about cricket and the Champions League Twenty20 so that this doesn’t turn into a personal blog.
I cannot wait for the North London Derby! Come on you Gunners!
October 10, 2009
huh?
I haven’t watched a single game of the Champions League. That’s very much to do with the fact that I am currently without transport and I’m doing all my work remotely. I don’t even know what’s going on and I don’t even really care. Go Deccan Chargers!
I’m really chuffed the Wisden got it right and handed the top gong to Shakib Al Hasan. It’s awesome to see that you don’t have to be a Hollywood blockbuster of the cricket world to earn some respect. This boy has all the potential in the world to become one of the most sensational cricketers of our time. Good on you son!
My JR is currently rolling around on his back growling at the air. It’s 1am. I think he must have been dropped on his head.
The Sitter is in hibernation and is currently refusing to blog on any terms! I’ve pulled him by the ears and kicked him in, what I suspect might be his balls, but no luck. I’ll try again tomorrow.
There’s an India-Australia series coming up if I have all my facts straight. And the English Premier League is on international break. Well, the players are anyway.
Arsenal play Tottenham Hotspur soon. Nothing quite like a North London Derby to get me aroused.
xoxox
Ms Field
October 4, 2009
where are they all coming from?
Another footballing weekend (almost) done and dusted and another questionable amount of extra time given to Manchester United.
Granted, this time it was probably warranted but the fact that they ALWAYS score their saving grace in extra time is becoming increasingly suspicious and very questionable. The worst part was that Sunderland were actually playing well and they really deserved to win. Such is the world of football, though.
As usual, luck would have it that I didn’t get to watch the Arsenal game. Whenever it’s a cracker like it seemingly was today I always seem to be pre-occupied. The live text had me pacing up and down and breathing way too fast for my liking. They really have to stop with the testing. From what I could gather it seems as if though we are still fast asleep in defence and Don V is our saving grace. Time for Almunia to step aside? Perhaps.
Watched the Chelsea versus Liverpool game in a Chelsea pub wearing my Arsenal shirt with a few Liverpool fans. Liverpool looked toothless and Chelsea were classy. I hate to say this but it could well be Chelsea’s year. I hope they slip up and prove me wrong but right now they are the club I fear the most. They’re looking tight and like a unit running like a well-oiled machine and they seem to be plugging the gaps where all the other “contenders” are lacking.
All in all it’s been a great sporting weekend and I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s Champions Trophy final.
xoxo
Ms Field
tales from the offside 