Shocked, dismayed, annoyed, perplexed, amazed, frustrated...these are the feelings that all NSW fans should be feeling this morning after it was revealed last night that Kurt Gidley would remain as incumbent fullback for State of Origin I, keeping 2009 Dally M Player of the Year Jarryd Hayne on the wing.
Hayne (leaving aside my obvious Parramatta bias) is far and away a stronger, faster and more explosive player than Gidley, and has the power and performance to be a game breaker from a roving role at the back. He is a strong defender, safe under the high ball, can add an extra dimension to the Blues kicking game and, with the ball in his hands, has proven to be one of the hardest players in the league to tackle. On the wing he'll merely drift in and out of the game, without any real opportunity to stamp his authority and dictate play. If I was a cane toad I'd be laughing until I wet my pants (which Queenslanders often do) after hearing that NSW has shunted their best attacking weapon out to the sideline.
Unfortunately this type of decision making by NSW selectors is par for the course. In the 1980's, when NSW was struggling to contain the QLD juggernaut, the selectors would consistently move Brett Kenny into the centres as a way of accommodating other players. QLD Origin great Gene Miles has been quoted as saying that every time Kenny was picked in the centres they were confident of a victory such was their respect for his abilities. As a centre they felt they could better contain his effectiveness. And the results speak for themselves. Kenny dominated Origin for NSW; outplaying the much vaunted King Wally Lewis 8 times out of the 12 games they faced each other at 5/8. The five games where Kenny starting in the centres resulted in five Origin defeats for NSW. You do the math.
I’m sure the current crop of XXXX drinkers from the Sunshine State feels the same way about Hayne as Miles did about Kenny. On the wing they can better isolate him, cut off his ball supply and keep him contained.
This is not a shot at Gidley, who is a classy player and should play a major part in this series. His ideal role (IMHO) is playing from the bench, due to his obvious versatility. Gidley can cover almost any position in the backline, as well as play from dummy half. His toughness and experience is a real asset, which could be called upon late in each half to target tiring Maroon forwards, in a similar way that Craig Wing made his bones at representative level.
With Hayne at fullback and Gidley on the bench, I drop Jamal Idris, who I don't think has any part to play as a bench player. He is an undoubted talent, and will likely be a fixture in the side in years to come. But I cannot fathom how the selectors would opt for a specialist centre on the bench. The theory goes that Idris moving into the centres will allow Hayne to move to fullback with Timana Tahu on the wing and Gidley either in the halves or to hooker. WOW. Picking a centre on the bench to allow Hayne to play at fullback? Here's a thought (on the house) - why not pick him at fullback to start off with!!! Then you don't have to reshuffle the entire backline mid game to accommodate players.
My other winger would have been Michael Jennings, who is one of those rare natural talents with speed to burn. His form is exceptional, with last weekends hat-trick of tries an example of the damage he can inflict with his pace. He and Tahu could interchange throughout the game to mix things up a bit, and keep the frogs…sorry, toads, guessing.
I also can't believe that Paul Gallen has failed to figure in the line-up. This is exactly the sort of hard man that is purpose built for S.O.O. He is an ugly, bare-knuckled, street fighter type who has the power to both intimidate and hurt the opposition. If he was born north of the border I guarantee he would have been the first forward on the team sheet. He's our version of Mick Crocker...except we've decided not to pick him. I understand there is a plethora of back rowers all with their hands up - Watmough, Creagh, Waterhouse, Hindmarsh (don't get me started!!!), Lewis, Stewart, O'Donnell, Laffranchi, Mason (just kidding) - but surely the toughest of them all should have found himself with a sky-blue jumper Wednesday week. After all, this is meant to be the toughest arena of footy on the planet.
On the positive side I applaud the selectors for sticking with Brett Kimmorley and Michael Ennis in the 7 and 9 jerseys. Despite my past (very vocal) criticisms of Noddy, his experience and form puts him ahead of the other halfback options...albeit the cupboard is quite bare at the moment. Ennis is another one of those ‘built for Origin’ types. Robbie Farah might have a deeper bag of tricks, but there are still question marks over his toughness. Ennis will not back down from the challenge. And I like the selection of Jamie Lyon at 5/8. I know it isn't his preferred position, but he's one of the competitions form players, and should enjoy running off Noddy's flat passes. Plus he won't be exposed defensively against the big Maroon backs i.e. Greg Inglis.
Whilst we're on the topic of halves, I can't ignore the fact that Mark Geyer, on the Sunday Roast a couple of weeks ago, mentioned (with a straight face mind you) that Brett Finch would be his starting halfback in Origin I. To quote the immortal Fatty Vautin, give yourself an uppercut son. What planet is big MG on??? Finch isn't fit to scrape the lint off the team jumper, much less pull one on come game time. Methinks the big fella copped one high shot too many in his glory days.
My NSW team for Origin I
Hayne
B. Morris
Cooper
Tahu
Jennings
Lyon
Kimmorley (c)
Watmough
Hindmarsh
Gallen
Weyman
Ennis
Perry
Bench: White, Lewis, Creagh, Gidley
THUMBS:
UP: MARK WEBBER. Two wins on the trot. Leading the F1 Drivers Championship (by virtue of the most race wins). The best performing car on the grid. He is now a legitimate contender for the title. Go you good thing.
DOWN: CHANNEL 9. I can only imagine the conversation between executives at Nine when the draw for the NRL Heritage Round was announced:
Mindless Exec 1: “The next NRL round promotes traditional team rivalries.”
Mindless Exec 2: “Sounds good. What are the options for the free to air feature game on Sunday?”
Mindless Exec 1: “We’ve got Manly versus Parramatta. They shaped footy in the early 80’s with consecutive grand finals. Plus there’s the added sub-plot that they were the clubs most affected by the recent Melbourne Storm salary cap drama. We’ve also got Cronulla versus Penrith, who have never shared any sort of tribal rivalry, and never figure to do so in the future.”
Mindless Exec 2: “Mmm…Sharks versus Panthers eh? Sounds pretty cool. Who do you think would win in a fight between a shark and a panther?”
Mindless Exec 1: “Tough call. If it was on dry land I figure the panther has the edge. In the water I tip the shark.”
Mindless Exec 2: “Good call. Let’s go with that game.”
Mindless Exec 1: “Great idea! Now let’s go grab an overpriced latte and open sandwich with sundried tomato and charge it back to the company!”
UP: JAMES COURTNEY. Nice to see the Blue Oval delivering back to back wins in the V8’s. Courtney, for so long derided amongst his peers because of his flash image, is now delivering with results. Leading the driver’s championship, he has definitely thrown the gauntlet down to Team Vodafone.
UP: EVIL RUSSELL. Did you watch the last episode of Survivor: Heroes versus Villains? This guy should be a CIA interrogator. He bullied, lied, cajoled and intimidated until he broke one of the competitors (Danielle) at tribal council. She was in tears be the time he finished. Honorable mention for Rupert and his fake hidden immunity idol. Didn’t think the big man had the grey matter to pull off a move like that. I still think the dark horse to take out the million is Sandra.
DOWN: MICHAEL CLARKE. Very talented cricketer. Most likely the future Test captain. But he’s got no place in the Twenty 20 team. Which leads me to the next point…
DOWN: TWENTY 20. Congratulations to England on winning the World Cup. Great effort by the Caribbean Islands for hosting, by all reports, a successful tournament. But is this form of cricket even relevant?
INFARKT SPORT: Raising the heart rate of sports fans worldwide @infarktsports
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Knock them off their f#cken perch
Before Sir Alex Ferguson was knighted and became S.A.F, he was just another red faced Scotsman looking to p#ss off the establishment. In this case, the establishment was represented by the intimidating form of Liverpool FC, who for such a long period of time in the late 70's and throughout the 80’s dominated not only English, but also European football. That is until 1985 and the Heysel Stadium Disaster, when Scouser fans decided to bull-rush Juventus fans, killing 39 Juve supporters, injuring 600 more, and changing the footballing landscape forever. That's neither here nor there. I digress.
Appointed in 1986, S.A.F made it his obsession to reignite the Manchester United glory years, and in doing so, vowed to "knock Liverpool of their f#cken perch." At the time, such an ambitious statement was considered beyond optimistic. To say Man U was going through a lean period is an understatement. Blighted by poor training habits, a culture of binge drinking, and very tight purse strings, the Red Devils had failed to deceive for far too long.
At the point of taking over the reigns at Old Trafford, Liverpool had just collected their 16th League title. Two more were to follow in 1988 and 1990, giving the Reds a (then record) haul of 18 domestic titles. Without doubt the most successful league club in English football. Manchester United, and their 7 league titles, could only look on with envy.
And so S.A.F set to work. He eradicated the club's drinking culture (probably by consuming the booze before the players got their greedy mitts to it). Ejected the dead weight (see Paul McGrath). Brought in some fan favourites (see Sparky Hughes). And in a moment of (divine) inspiration, secured the services of Eric the King.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In presiding over the most dominant dynasty in English football history, S.A.F has taken the Red Devils to the cusp becoming the most successful club in English football. Eleven league titles ensure the Red Devils sit side by side with their arch nemesis in the battle for footballing supremacy. Just as Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land (insert obligatory political statement about Israel's appalling record of human rights violations in modern times), so too has S.A.F led the Manchester United faithful to their land of milk and honey.
The final hurdle awaits this weekend in the closing round of the Premier League. Chelsea, Roman's Mercenaries, only need win at home against lowly Wigan to keep Man U on the same perch as Liverpool. However, should Wigan battle for a draw, or by some miracle a win, then Manchester United can steal the crown with a win versus Sunderland...and be crowned Champions of England for a record 19th time.
Do we dare dream of such a result? Do we ever! Let's knock them off their f#cken perch!!!
Appointed in 1986, S.A.F made it his obsession to reignite the Manchester United glory years, and in doing so, vowed to "knock Liverpool of their f#cken perch." At the time, such an ambitious statement was considered beyond optimistic. To say Man U was going through a lean period is an understatement. Blighted by poor training habits, a culture of binge drinking, and very tight purse strings, the Red Devils had failed to deceive for far too long.
At the point of taking over the reigns at Old Trafford, Liverpool had just collected their 16th League title. Two more were to follow in 1988 and 1990, giving the Reds a (then record) haul of 18 domestic titles. Without doubt the most successful league club in English football. Manchester United, and their 7 league titles, could only look on with envy.
And so S.A.F set to work. He eradicated the club's drinking culture (probably by consuming the booze before the players got their greedy mitts to it). Ejected the dead weight (see Paul McGrath). Brought in some fan favourites (see Sparky Hughes). And in a moment of (divine) inspiration, secured the services of Eric the King.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In presiding over the most dominant dynasty in English football history, S.A.F has taken the Red Devils to the cusp becoming the most successful club in English football. Eleven league titles ensure the Red Devils sit side by side with their arch nemesis in the battle for footballing supremacy. Just as Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land (insert obligatory political statement about Israel's appalling record of human rights violations in modern times), so too has S.A.F led the Manchester United faithful to their land of milk and honey.
The final hurdle awaits this weekend in the closing round of the Premier League. Chelsea, Roman's Mercenaries, only need win at home against lowly Wigan to keep Man U on the same perch as Liverpool. However, should Wigan battle for a draw, or by some miracle a win, then Manchester United can steal the crown with a win versus Sunderland...and be crowned Champions of England for a record 19th time.
Do we dare dream of such a result? Do we ever! Let's knock them off their f#cken perch!!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sleeping with the enemy
BREAKING NEWS – Talk about Infarkt!!! Melbourne Storm Stripped of 3 premierships for salary cap breach. This is heart attack material without doubt. When I saw the headline my eyes lit up like a Bulldogs player in a spa at Coffs Harbour.
I’ve interrupted my blog post below to reflect upon the breaking news that the Mexicans from the Melbourne Storm have been doing it (Bull)doggie style and cheating on the salary cap in the NRL. Their systematic abuse of the system, which allowed them to retain the services of an immensely talented squad including marquee players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk, was exposed today by the NRL salary cap auditors.
SIDE NOTE – Whilst the auditors are on the case, I suggest they investigate all employees at News Limited, including a gentleman who I’ll name Chip, because they’re obviously accomplices in this whole sordid affair.
The punishment dished out is perhaps the most severe in professional sports. The Storm has been stripped of two premierships and three minor premierships, hit with a fine of $1.5 million, and had all of their current competition points from this season deducted. On top of that, they cannot accrue any competition points for the remainder of 2010, consigning them to the wooden spoon. To call this stance hardline is severely understating things, but did the NRL have any other choice? After the precedent set with the Bulldogs when their rorting of the cap was uncovered in 2002, the NRL had no other option but to strike a hammer blow that would reverberate throughout the competition. One would think that this punishment would ensure that no other teams are tempted to follow suit and cook the books to gain a competitive advantage.
Today’s news leaves two issues that need to be resolved asap...first, what is the future of the salary cap, and two, what should the history books reflect as far as the 2007 and 2009 Premierships are concerned?
Although I understand why the salary cap is in place, and agree that it has created a level playing field in the competition, it is a severe restrain of trade that either:
a) Forces players to consider the English Super League as an alternative
b) Opens the door for Rugby Union to poach players and offer them greater $$$
c) Tempts clubs into entertaining ‘creative accounting procedures’ to retain players
It is plainly obvious that NRL superstars are chasing dollars that the salary cap just doesn’t allow them to earn. What I would suggest would be following a similar model as the National Basketball League in the USA. Although a salary cap is in place, teams are allowed to spend in excess of the cap limit. However, their punishment is a luxury tax, whereby clubs are required to pay a tax, matching dollar for dollar what they’ve exceed the cap by, back to the league. The tax is then re-distributed to the other clubs.
Under this system, Melbourne would be able to pay the $1.7 million over the cap to their players, but would then need to fork out an extra $1.7 million in luxury tax. Would Melbourne have been able to keep their players under this system? Perhaps, perhaps not. At least the other clubs would have gained financial benefit. Sounds reasonable to me. If a club is in a position of financial strength they certainly shouldn’t be punished for it. The game has for too long accepted clubs that struggle for support and are in financial disarray (see: South Sydney Rabbitohs before for R. Crowe bailout).
As far as the history books are concerned, the records should reflect that Manly are the Premiers for 2007, and Parramatta for 2009, with an asterisk to qualify under what conditions the Premiership was attained. Although this might sound like a biased opinion from an Eels fan, believe me when I say the last thing I want is Manly to be credited with a title. Rather, a precedent has been set in the past when cheating champions have been caught out. Ben Johnson’s performance in the 100 metre sprint at the 1998 Olympic Games in Seoul springs to mind. And more recently in the Serie A 2005-06 season, when Juventus was stripped of their Scudetto for match fixing and Inter Milan were awarded the title.
On that note, congratulations to all my fellow Eels (and begrudgingly to the Manly faithful)...Let the records reflect we finally broke a very long drought!!! Now, enjoy the rest of my blog below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
It’s been a long time between blogs. My last posting was late January (a not too well received blog about how women’s tennis is pathetic)...Since then I’ve had to add another baby capsule into the back seat of the practical and family orientated Toyota Camry we drive. Nine weeks later, sleep deprived and looking to add an extension at the back of the home to create some more space for the rugrats, and it’s definitely time to get back to what I do best (or at least partially better than make a killer omelette)...crapping on about sports.
With that in mind, and considering so much has happening since the Australian Open, I’ve decided to take a snapshot of some of the major issues (IMO) that have surfaced so far in 2010.
1. You did what?!?! – I know this isn’t sports related, but did anyone watch Survivor, Heroes versus Villains, on Tuesday night? What in the world was JT thinking when he decided it was a good idea to give Russell the immunity idol? My God, if that’s not the dumbest move in reality TV history then the Pope isn’t Catholic. This guy is nicknamed Evil Russell, and you just gave him the one thing that can stop him from getting voted out. Are you serious? The quote Ace Rothstein, “is he just another dumb f#cken white man or what?” Honestly. They should change the name of the Heroes to the Dumb Asses, and all of them should be voted out en masse at the next tribal council for being so stupid. If Russell was on fire you dead set would p#ss on him, that’s how dangerous a player he is. And this country bumpkin, redneck, hick decides it’s a good idea to keep him alive. WOW. To say I’m flabbergasted is a serious understatement. Go Russell. I hope you pick them all off one by one, but leave JT till last. The jury should have to vote unanimously on the decided show and laugh their collective arses off in his face.
2. Sleeping with the enemy – I feel like I’m about to jump into bed with my neighbours ugly, smelly grandmother. That’s right folks...I’m about to cheer for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League in the hope that the dirty rotten Scousers can take points of Chelsea and hand Manchester United their 19th league title (breaking Liverpool’s historical hold on English league dominance). How ironic would that be?
Four weeks ago I thought United would take the trophy in a canter. Then disaster struck and we found ourselves four points off the lead following insipid performances against Roman’s Mafia and Blackburn Rovers. But last weekend threw up another twist in a crazy season, when the Ginger Ninja Paul Scholes broke Sky Blue hearts (quote Nelson Munce: “Ah Ha!”) and the Hebrew Gods blessed Tottenham Hotspur against their London rivals Chelsea. Now there’s only one point in it with three games to play, and Liverpool can play a huge role in the outcome when they face the leaders on 2nd May. LI-VER-POOL, LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL!!!
3. It’s about time too – I know I’m going to draw the ire of some of my fellow members of the Blue & Gold army, but I’m sure I’m not the only devoted Eel who breathed a sign of relief when Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless announced he was going to retire from the NRL at the end of the season. I know he’s been a loyal servant to the club, and he’s broken the record for most games captaining the same team, but for such a long time he has punched above his weight as a prop. Although this is inspirational to his teammates, Cayless hasn’t delivered a dominating front row performance in years. Nathan’s retirement will allow the Eels to lead with Fui Fui Moi Moi and Justin Poore (who has been a disappointment to date, but has potential) and to further develop Tim Mannah, who has the size and ability to become one of the premier front rowers in the competition for years to come. Plus the extra cap space is welcome. Thanks for the memories Nathan.
4. A game of two halves – still on the Eels, how does one go about explaining their dreadful first half performances this season? To date the celebrated back line of Hayne, Tahu, Inu, Reddy, Grothe, Burt and Mortimer has managed to score just 18 points in six first halves.
GAME FIRST HALF SCORE
Vs. St George 6 – 12
Vs. Manly 0 – 14
Vs. Wests 0 – 8
Vs. Cronulla 0 – 0
Vs. Canberra 10 – 18
Vs. Souths 2 – 8
That’s 240 minutes of football!!! It’s no wonder the team has a losing record. When you give your opponents a head start in every game you play, you’re bound to be under the pump. Daniel Anderson needs to look at serving up some Jaeger Bombs before the team runs onto the field to get the energy levels up before kick off, otherwise this trend in going to consign 2010 as yet another disappointing season for the Eels.
5. No way Jose!!! – After watching Inter Milan dismantle Barcelona in the first League of their European Champions semi final, I am now unequivocally in support of Jose Mourinho to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm of Manchester United. Inter were always going to be competitive...but watching his tactical mastery bring about a 3 – 1 result against arguably the best team in Europe (for the past few seasons mind you) was a joy to watch. Jose has the ego, confidence, tactical nuance, wardrobe, experience, youth and charisma, to not only replace Fergie, but potentially deliver a new dynasty at Old Trafford. A message to the Glazers (other than ‘f#ck off back to America you Yankee b#stards’)...open the chequebook and get Jose on board now, before it’s too late.
I’ve interrupted my blog post below to reflect upon the breaking news that the Mexicans from the Melbourne Storm have been doing it (Bull)doggie style and cheating on the salary cap in the NRL. Their systematic abuse of the system, which allowed them to retain the services of an immensely talented squad including marquee players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk, was exposed today by the NRL salary cap auditors.
SIDE NOTE – Whilst the auditors are on the case, I suggest they investigate all employees at News Limited, including a gentleman who I’ll name Chip, because they’re obviously accomplices in this whole sordid affair.
The punishment dished out is perhaps the most severe in professional sports. The Storm has been stripped of two premierships and three minor premierships, hit with a fine of $1.5 million, and had all of their current competition points from this season deducted. On top of that, they cannot accrue any competition points for the remainder of 2010, consigning them to the wooden spoon. To call this stance hardline is severely understating things, but did the NRL have any other choice? After the precedent set with the Bulldogs when their rorting of the cap was uncovered in 2002, the NRL had no other option but to strike a hammer blow that would reverberate throughout the competition. One would think that this punishment would ensure that no other teams are tempted to follow suit and cook the books to gain a competitive advantage.
Today’s news leaves two issues that need to be resolved asap...first, what is the future of the salary cap, and two, what should the history books reflect as far as the 2007 and 2009 Premierships are concerned?
Although I understand why the salary cap is in place, and agree that it has created a level playing field in the competition, it is a severe restrain of trade that either:
a) Forces players to consider the English Super League as an alternative
b) Opens the door for Rugby Union to poach players and offer them greater $$$
c) Tempts clubs into entertaining ‘creative accounting procedures’ to retain players
It is plainly obvious that NRL superstars are chasing dollars that the salary cap just doesn’t allow them to earn. What I would suggest would be following a similar model as the National Basketball League in the USA. Although a salary cap is in place, teams are allowed to spend in excess of the cap limit. However, their punishment is a luxury tax, whereby clubs are required to pay a tax, matching dollar for dollar what they’ve exceed the cap by, back to the league. The tax is then re-distributed to the other clubs.
Under this system, Melbourne would be able to pay the $1.7 million over the cap to their players, but would then need to fork out an extra $1.7 million in luxury tax. Would Melbourne have been able to keep their players under this system? Perhaps, perhaps not. At least the other clubs would have gained financial benefit. Sounds reasonable to me. If a club is in a position of financial strength they certainly shouldn’t be punished for it. The game has for too long accepted clubs that struggle for support and are in financial disarray (see: South Sydney Rabbitohs before for R. Crowe bailout).
As far as the history books are concerned, the records should reflect that Manly are the Premiers for 2007, and Parramatta for 2009, with an asterisk to qualify under what conditions the Premiership was attained. Although this might sound like a biased opinion from an Eels fan, believe me when I say the last thing I want is Manly to be credited with a title. Rather, a precedent has been set in the past when cheating champions have been caught out. Ben Johnson’s performance in the 100 metre sprint at the 1998 Olympic Games in Seoul springs to mind. And more recently in the Serie A 2005-06 season, when Juventus was stripped of their Scudetto for match fixing and Inter Milan were awarded the title.
On that note, congratulations to all my fellow Eels (and begrudgingly to the Manly faithful)...Let the records reflect we finally broke a very long drought!!! Now, enjoy the rest of my blog below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
It’s been a long time between blogs. My last posting was late January (a not too well received blog about how women’s tennis is pathetic)...Since then I’ve had to add another baby capsule into the back seat of the practical and family orientated Toyota Camry we drive. Nine weeks later, sleep deprived and looking to add an extension at the back of the home to create some more space for the rugrats, and it’s definitely time to get back to what I do best (or at least partially better than make a killer omelette)...crapping on about sports.
With that in mind, and considering so much has happening since the Australian Open, I’ve decided to take a snapshot of some of the major issues (IMO) that have surfaced so far in 2010.
1. You did what?!?! – I know this isn’t sports related, but did anyone watch Survivor, Heroes versus Villains, on Tuesday night? What in the world was JT thinking when he decided it was a good idea to give Russell the immunity idol? My God, if that’s not the dumbest move in reality TV history then the Pope isn’t Catholic. This guy is nicknamed Evil Russell, and you just gave him the one thing that can stop him from getting voted out. Are you serious? The quote Ace Rothstein, “is he just another dumb f#cken white man or what?” Honestly. They should change the name of the Heroes to the Dumb Asses, and all of them should be voted out en masse at the next tribal council for being so stupid. If Russell was on fire you dead set would p#ss on him, that’s how dangerous a player he is. And this country bumpkin, redneck, hick decides it’s a good idea to keep him alive. WOW. To say I’m flabbergasted is a serious understatement. Go Russell. I hope you pick them all off one by one, but leave JT till last. The jury should have to vote unanimously on the decided show and laugh their collective arses off in his face.
2. Sleeping with the enemy – I feel like I’m about to jump into bed with my neighbours ugly, smelly grandmother. That’s right folks...I’m about to cheer for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League in the hope that the dirty rotten Scousers can take points of Chelsea and hand Manchester United their 19th league title (breaking Liverpool’s historical hold on English league dominance). How ironic would that be?
Four weeks ago I thought United would take the trophy in a canter. Then disaster struck and we found ourselves four points off the lead following insipid performances against Roman’s Mafia and Blackburn Rovers. But last weekend threw up another twist in a crazy season, when the Ginger Ninja Paul Scholes broke Sky Blue hearts (quote Nelson Munce: “Ah Ha!”) and the Hebrew Gods blessed Tottenham Hotspur against their London rivals Chelsea. Now there’s only one point in it with three games to play, and Liverpool can play a huge role in the outcome when they face the leaders on 2nd May. LI-VER-POOL, LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL!!!
3. It’s about time too – I know I’m going to draw the ire of some of my fellow members of the Blue & Gold army, but I’m sure I’m not the only devoted Eel who breathed a sign of relief when Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless announced he was going to retire from the NRL at the end of the season. I know he’s been a loyal servant to the club, and he’s broken the record for most games captaining the same team, but for such a long time he has punched above his weight as a prop. Although this is inspirational to his teammates, Cayless hasn’t delivered a dominating front row performance in years. Nathan’s retirement will allow the Eels to lead with Fui Fui Moi Moi and Justin Poore (who has been a disappointment to date, but has potential) and to further develop Tim Mannah, who has the size and ability to become one of the premier front rowers in the competition for years to come. Plus the extra cap space is welcome. Thanks for the memories Nathan.
4. A game of two halves – still on the Eels, how does one go about explaining their dreadful first half performances this season? To date the celebrated back line of Hayne, Tahu, Inu, Reddy, Grothe, Burt and Mortimer has managed to score just 18 points in six first halves.
GAME FIRST HALF SCORE
Vs. St George 6 – 12
Vs. Manly 0 – 14
Vs. Wests 0 – 8
Vs. Cronulla 0 – 0
Vs. Canberra 10 – 18
Vs. Souths 2 – 8
That’s 240 minutes of football!!! It’s no wonder the team has a losing record. When you give your opponents a head start in every game you play, you’re bound to be under the pump. Daniel Anderson needs to look at serving up some Jaeger Bombs before the team runs onto the field to get the energy levels up before kick off, otherwise this trend in going to consign 2010 as yet another disappointing season for the Eels.
5. No way Jose!!! – After watching Inter Milan dismantle Barcelona in the first League of their European Champions semi final, I am now unequivocally in support of Jose Mourinho to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm of Manchester United. Inter were always going to be competitive...but watching his tactical mastery bring about a 3 – 1 result against arguably the best team in Europe (for the past few seasons mind you) was a joy to watch. Jose has the ego, confidence, tactical nuance, wardrobe, experience, youth and charisma, to not only replace Fergie, but potentially deliver a new dynasty at Old Trafford. A message to the Glazers (other than ‘f#ck off back to America you Yankee b#stards’)...open the chequebook and get Jose on board now, before it’s too late.
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