A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Lobbing balls up to Angie is not really working for us.
Take me into insanity
A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Lobbing balls up to Angie is not really working for us.
A heartfelt thank you
I found the link chaps, and just wanted to make my first post a genuine heartfelt thanks for letting me occasionally ruin your witty banter with some inane drivel.
For the world of readers out there, I am unusual indeed for this blog, in that I actually live in Coventry, perhaps giving me a unique and different insight into our marvellous club.....but probably not.
By the way, I don't actually have to go to any games to post on here do I? I'm not sure I can take much more if its going to be like the Blackpool game. I was thinking that if I give SBJ some warning, I could do a Norwich/Bryan Gunn, and run down the track at our next game to hurl my season ticket in the direction of Don Key. SBJ could get the exclusive pictures, I'm sure it would increase the blog's readership no end, that clip from Norwich was on the telly and everything!
Although its fair to say, as futile gestures go, its been somewhat diluted by the smartcard season tickets.....a good old book season ticket you could hurl, a smartcard really needs a sort of wrist flick/frisbee effort if I'm to threaten Don and co. I'll get out in the garden and practice with last years smartcard, its what the international break was made for.
Blackpool reminded me of some of the great away trips of the late 80's, when you realised after about 3 minutes that we were going to struggle to get a kick never mind a result. Ahh.....good times indeed.
For the world of readers out there, I am unusual indeed for this blog, in that I actually live in Coventry, perhaps giving me a unique and different insight into our marvellous club.....but probably not.
By the way, I don't actually have to go to any games to post on here do I? I'm not sure I can take much more if its going to be like the Blackpool game. I was thinking that if I give SBJ some warning, I could do a Norwich/Bryan Gunn, and run down the track at our next game to hurl my season ticket in the direction of Don Key. SBJ could get the exclusive pictures, I'm sure it would increase the blog's readership no end, that clip from Norwich was on the telly and everything!
Although its fair to say, as futile gestures go, its been somewhat diluted by the smartcard season tickets.....a good old book season ticket you could hurl, a smartcard really needs a sort of wrist flick/frisbee effort if I'm to threaten Don and co. I'll get out in the garden and practice with last years smartcard, its what the international break was made for.
Blackpool reminded me of some of the great away trips of the late 80's, when you realised after about 3 minutes that we were going to struggle to get a kick never mind a result. Ahh.....good times indeed.
Crowd Surfing
Regular viewers will be pleased to see Jesus back in the Sky Blue fold - and who knew that Ron Weazley was a City Fan?
Gunner's Girth
This rather confirms the Youth Development Officer's concern about Aron's burgeoning waistline.
Our new manager
Introducing Don Key. It all made sense at the time - unlike Coleman's failure to bring off Jack Cork.
All I want is a room with a view
Since last we went to Bloomfield Road the buggers have started building the Jimmy Armfield stand to block our view of the pitch from the Travelodge. We were staying in disabled rooms which served as a metaphor for the team's performance. Now if only someone could pull the red cord.
Back to the 70s
There was always going to be trouble at a West Ham vs Millwall game. Always.
That's no excuse for last night's riot, stabbing and general violent disorder. Scenes which have no place in football. West Ham have said they will ban troublemakers for life, which is exactly right. Make them go and watch rugby, that'll teach them. We've watched us play both teams many times over the last 15 years or so, and these are my two least favourite away trips in London. Nasty places, nasty fans, nasty atmosphere, nasty pubs.
On a different note, Notts County paying Sol £1.5m a year to play centreback, drive the coach and turn into an ambassador after he retires? Different league with a wage structure we can't compete with. Hang on though, it's two leagues below us. Funny old game.
That's no excuse for last night's riot, stabbing and general violent disorder. Scenes which have no place in football. West Ham have said they will ban troublemakers for life, which is exactly right. Make them go and watch rugby, that'll teach them. We've watched us play both teams many times over the last 15 years or so, and these are my two least favourite away trips in London. Nasty places, nasty fans, nasty atmosphere, nasty pubs.
On a different note, Notts County paying Sol £1.5m a year to play centreback, drive the coach and turn into an ambassador after he retires? Different league with a wage structure we can't compete with. Hang on though, it's two leagues below us. Funny old game.
Bring back John Harbin
He's back in the world of social networking, and I'm concerned what exactly they are feeding him in the Ryton canteen.
Google ads
You've got to love Google ads, running off word-association technology across our blog.
Our ads today include an invitation to date single men in Barnsley, presumably in the Conference facilities also available in Barnsley. Followed by photocopying their personal details on our newly purchased Ricoh copier.
Isn't technology marvellous.
Our ads today include an invitation to date single men in Barnsley, presumably in the Conference facilities also available in Barnsley. Followed by photocopying their personal details on our newly purchased Ricoh copier.
Isn't technology marvellous.
A moment for Calum Davenport
Reading the reports of Calum's horrendous stabbing over the weekend, it's impossible not to feel shocked at what's happened. To potentially lose a career through injury is one thing, to have it taken away so bloodily would be unjust and undeserved.
I first saw Calum play in the FA Youth Cup Final, at Upton Park in 1999, where the Hammers team including Joe Cole, who was so much better than everyone else on the pitch, and Michael Carrick, who I hadn't realised was playing until I checked back, thumped Davenport and Kirkland 9-0 on aggregate, 6-0 on the night. It was more one-sided than it sounded as well.
After relegation in 2001, he played at the back and was mostly pretty good, prone to the occasional lapse (a la Oh Lord), but overall a strong presence in a fairly good side. Sold to keep the cash registers ticking over, he's had a nomadic career, never quite good enough to hold a Premiership place, never poor enough to be sold on to a Championship side.
Our thoughts are with you, fingers crossed the surgeons can work their magic and save that career, no-one deserves to be invalided out of the game in this fashion.
I first saw Calum play in the FA Youth Cup Final, at Upton Park in 1999, where the Hammers team including Joe Cole, who was so much better than everyone else on the pitch, and Michael Carrick, who I hadn't realised was playing until I checked back, thumped Davenport and Kirkland 9-0 on aggregate, 6-0 on the night. It was more one-sided than it sounded as well.
After relegation in 2001, he played at the back and was mostly pretty good, prone to the occasional lapse (a la Oh Lord), but overall a strong presence in a fairly good side. Sold to keep the cash registers ticking over, he's had a nomadic career, never quite good enough to hold a Premiership place, never poor enough to be sold on to a Championship side.
Our thoughts are with you, fingers crossed the surgeons can work their magic and save that career, no-one deserves to be invalided out of the game in this fashion.
A warm hand on his exit
I don't know any more Julian Clary gags for headlines for Gunner's victory salute. As you will no doubt be pleased to know.
Smells like team spirit
Only Tina of the outfield players didn't manage to make it to the corner to celebrate Hillary's goal.
Substitutes all in the 30s
With Demis, Oh Danny Boy, Oh Lord and Wheels all absent from the squad our 7 substitutes were:
"Quirke (GK), Clarke, Grandison, Cain, Jeffers, Walker, Cameron." I am assuming that Nathan Cameron's squad number is in the 30s - according to the website he hasn't even got a number. (and I have no idea what he looks like). Grandison came on for the cramped Manic Trainer and looked highly composed and even broke through with a mazy run to get into a great position to set up a goal. Jeffers came on for Angie and created a great chance to make it 3-0 but fluffed it in front of Luke Steele.
"Quirke (GK), Clarke, Grandison, Cain, Jeffers, Walker, Cameron." I am assuming that Nathan Cameron's squad number is in the 30s - according to the website he hasn't even got a number. (and I have no idea what he looks like). Grandison came on for the cramped Manic Trainer and looked highly composed and even broke through with a mazy run to get into a great position to set up a goal. Jeffers came on for Angie and created a great chance to make it 3-0 but fluffed it in front of Luke Steele.
Pat the Dutchie on the Left Hand Side
I wish I could claim credit for this nickname but it was the SBA who briefly sang Musical Youth's Number One hit at Oakwell. I am assuming they did change it to "Pat" from "Pass". If not God alone knows why they were singing it. And it was a lovely breezy afternoon.
Don't be givin' me no evils Pt II
The goalscorer stares his way off the pitch at half time. I promise to stop calling you Angie, Leon.
Quote of the Week
How our FA Cup bunnies plan to handle the other Sky Blues:
"It's important we do our best and kick lumps out of them - fairly of course"Do players get trained in a) the laws of the game and b) basic P.R.?
Footballers do it on Facebook
http://goonertalk.com/2009/08/13/what-footballers-say-on-facebook/
This is quite amusing.
Maybe we could script our own CCFC-themed one...
This is quite amusing.
Maybe we could script our own CCFC-themed one...
News not just in
From March 14th this year (we may have been in the post-Chelsea cold turkey and not noticed this):
"Ady Williams, 37, of Westlecot Road, Old Town, pleaded guilty to attacking former beauty queen Sarah-Jane Howe after an argument over a football match."Apparently this is the same Ady Williams who played 41 times for City from 2004-06. I have to confess to having totally forgotten he played for us - when I saw the name I couldn't put a face to him at all. Was he any good?
Pre-match stat attack: Barnsley
Since Barnsley returned from League One three years ago we have beaten them five times and drawn once (the highly charged 1-1 draw at the Ricoh in April). Despite that impressive record we have stuck close to them in the League:
Relative league performance:
2008/09 Coventry +2 pts, + 3 places
2007/08 Barnsley +2 pts, + 3 places
2006/07 Coventry +6 pts, + 3 places
Barnsley have not beaten us since October 1997 - way back in the Premiership days - a Monday night Sky TV game I think I saw in the late and unlamented Newt and Cucumber, possibly with Paul. So I shall travel to Oakwell in expectation of the inevitable defeat.
Concentrating on the League
"118:44 Isaac Osbourne takes a shot. Clinton Morrison gets a block in."
Mmmm - an unusual approach to the game if the BBC live feed is to be believed.
Mmmm - an unusual approach to the game if the BBC live feed is to be believed.
A big hi there and hello to... Martin Cranie
And the answer to the question we are all asking about our new 22 year old right back/centre-half is: Yes, he is on Facebook. And with over 1322 friends already the process of gunnerfication is already afoot.Portsmouth's number 20 has been capped by England Under 21s 16 times since 2007 and if it wasn't for those caps we would not be buying him. In that period he has made oly five appearances for Pompey according to their website or two according to wikipedia. He made his Premier League debut two years ago almost to the day in a 1-1 draw with Man Utd. According to the Sky Sports report he struggled with Nani. Not in the Wayne Rooney sense one hopes. His only other Premiership game for Pompey was three days later as an 82nd minute substitute in a 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers.
After a Carling Cup game against Leeds he was then loaned out to QPR. The last of his 6 appearances for the Mighty Hoops was in our 2-1 victory at Loftus Road. As he was substituted after 20 minutes having been injured I didn't see him play, arriving as I did at half-time. He didn't play another club game all season, being returned crocked to Portsmouth.
In the first half of last season he was on loan to Charlton, his 19 games including our 2-1 victory at the Valley, witnessed by Craig. He made his final two Portsmouth appearances in the FA Cup this January and hasn't played club football since.
Having joined Pompey from Southampton (where he was lent to Yeovil and Bournemouth) he has 69 club apps including his professional debut in 03/04 in the top flight against Chelsea. Well ahead of Gunner there. Indeed we saw him whilst he was at Southampton as a last minute substitute in their 2-0 win over the Sky Blues at St Mary's. It's worth noting he was on loan to Yeovil at the same time Angie Best was. They were both in the Saints' FA Youth Cup Runners Up team in 2005. Then again so were Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale.
Finally...
At last I get to take a picture of a City goal being scored - here's Hillary's header for the second goal.
Ipswich at the Ricoh Match Report - Happy Birthday Roy, and thanks for the present
Sportsweek on Radio 5 on a Sunday morning (available as a free podcast in case you're interested) carried an interview today with Roy Keane as part of the build-up to the new season.
Intrigued, I listened, having rarely heard pearls of wisdom issue forth in that distinctive Irish accent. What did I learn? Well, that he's signed a 2 year contract, and will consider himself to have failed if Ipswich are not in the Premier League by the end of that period. And that he made mistakes at Sunderland, due to his own impatience and bringing in good players who were not the right characters for the club. Also that when he loses, his long suffering wife and five children know that he will be unable to sleep, and will lose his appetite for food for a couple of days. Well after this result, young Mr Keane (38 tomorrow), will be a starving insomniac for the rest of the week.
The Sky Blues lined up with Vivienne behind In the Afternoon and Ten Burners, Sharon, and making his debut on loan from Chelsea, The Postman. A new look midfield had On the Starboard Bow in the holding role, flanked by the Gunnar, with Inda Carlisle wide on the right and making his Ricoh debut, Comedy Roadshow. Up front, the usual suspects, More Reasons and Kings of. Our bench was packed with experience and youth. Experience in the form of Oh Lord and Wheels on his house, and youth in the form of everyone else. What would the next 90 minutes bring? Would we be up there with Cardiff, or down with Scunthorpe. And could we even suffer the sort of nightmare start that Norwich had seen yesterday, narrowly losing 1-7 to Colchester United.
After 4 minutes of relentless Ipswich pressure, the omens were not good. In fact, it was more like The Omen, missing only a demonic child on a tricycle, as the team tried to hang themselves from the nearest balcony. Fortunately, the Tractor Boys failed to take advantage of the situation, leaving Vivienne to claim the first assist of the season with a hopeful long punt upfield. More Reasons found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, and curled a delightful shot into the top corner to give us the lead after 9 minutes. Cue crowd celebrations and a very grumpy Irishman.
It got worse for Mrs Keane, the five Keane-lets, and the kennels full of dogs. Ten Burners got away with a hack on the edge of the box that should have been a penalty, and then a delightful period of slick interplay, thoughtful passing and intelligent moving (and it's a long time since I typed that) saw Sharon cross for More Reasons to plant a diving header in the corner from ten yards out. Two nil after 25 minutes, and life was looking good.
For about 3 and a half minutes. Then The Postman was caught out of position, the Ipswich centre-forward ran through and finished crisply past Vivienne, and our thoughts turned to holding on for 60 minutes. Could we? Should we?
We made it to half time without major incident. We'd played some nice football, Postman Pat looked stylish going forward, and OK going backwards. More Reasons had finished two chances beautifully, Comedy Roadshow and Inda Carlisle had sparkled intermittently, and the Klingon looked solid and feisty. The Gunnar had put in his usual shift of commitment and energy, and things were going ok.
I won't summarise the second half in detail, but will use a few choice words only. Alamo. Kitchen sink. Backs to the wall. Frantic. Scrappy. Indeterminate formations. Kim Wilde. ("You keep me hanging on", for those readers under a certain age, yes, the middle aged gardener used to be a pop star. Honest, go ask your dad about Marti Wilde's daughter if you don't believe me).
Hang on we did though. Three points safely in the bag, and Mr Keane glowered with a face darker than thunder as he stormed off back to the tractor park, his stomach tightening and his alarm clock facing redundancy. Our man of the match has to be More Reasons for two moments of real quality.
It's not settled those early season nerves by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a positive hard working performance, with some really nice football at times. We looked like we needed more time to organise the defence, but as Postman had only had one training session, that's not surprising.
Bring on Hartlepool, let's get a cup run underway.
League Position: 2
Wins: 1
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 1
Top scorer: More Reasons 2
Intrigued, I listened, having rarely heard pearls of wisdom issue forth in that distinctive Irish accent. What did I learn? Well, that he's signed a 2 year contract, and will consider himself to have failed if Ipswich are not in the Premier League by the end of that period. And that he made mistakes at Sunderland, due to his own impatience and bringing in good players who were not the right characters for the club. Also that when he loses, his long suffering wife and five children know that he will be unable to sleep, and will lose his appetite for food for a couple of days. Well after this result, young Mr Keane (38 tomorrow), will be a starving insomniac for the rest of the week.
The Sky Blues lined up with Vivienne behind In the Afternoon and Ten Burners, Sharon, and making his debut on loan from Chelsea, The Postman. A new look midfield had On the Starboard Bow in the holding role, flanked by the Gunnar, with Inda Carlisle wide on the right and making his Ricoh debut, Comedy Roadshow. Up front, the usual suspects, More Reasons and Kings of. Our bench was packed with experience and youth. Experience in the form of Oh Lord and Wheels on his house, and youth in the form of everyone else. What would the next 90 minutes bring? Would we be up there with Cardiff, or down with Scunthorpe. And could we even suffer the sort of nightmare start that Norwich had seen yesterday, narrowly losing 1-7 to Colchester United.
After 4 minutes of relentless Ipswich pressure, the omens were not good. In fact, it was more like The Omen, missing only a demonic child on a tricycle, as the team tried to hang themselves from the nearest balcony. Fortunately, the Tractor Boys failed to take advantage of the situation, leaving Vivienne to claim the first assist of the season with a hopeful long punt upfield. More Reasons found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, and curled a delightful shot into the top corner to give us the lead after 9 minutes. Cue crowd celebrations and a very grumpy Irishman.
It got worse for Mrs Keane, the five Keane-lets, and the kennels full of dogs. Ten Burners got away with a hack on the edge of the box that should have been a penalty, and then a delightful period of slick interplay, thoughtful passing and intelligent moving (and it's a long time since I typed that) saw Sharon cross for More Reasons to plant a diving header in the corner from ten yards out. Two nil after 25 minutes, and life was looking good.
For about 3 and a half minutes. Then The Postman was caught out of position, the Ipswich centre-forward ran through and finished crisply past Vivienne, and our thoughts turned to holding on for 60 minutes. Could we? Should we?
We made it to half time without major incident. We'd played some nice football, Postman Pat looked stylish going forward, and OK going backwards. More Reasons had finished two chances beautifully, Comedy Roadshow and Inda Carlisle had sparkled intermittently, and the Klingon looked solid and feisty. The Gunnar had put in his usual shift of commitment and energy, and things were going ok.
I won't summarise the second half in detail, but will use a few choice words only. Alamo. Kitchen sink. Backs to the wall. Frantic. Scrappy. Indeterminate formations. Kim Wilde. ("You keep me hanging on", for those readers under a certain age, yes, the middle aged gardener used to be a pop star. Honest, go ask your dad about Marti Wilde's daughter if you don't believe me).
Hang on we did though. Three points safely in the bag, and Mr Keane glowered with a face darker than thunder as he stormed off back to the tractor park, his stomach tightening and his alarm clock facing redundancy. Our man of the match has to be More Reasons for two moments of real quality.
It's not settled those early season nerves by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a positive hard working performance, with some really nice football at times. We looked like we needed more time to organise the defence, but as Postman had only had one training session, that's not surprising.
Bring on Hartlepool, let's get a cup run underway.
League Position: 2
Wins: 1
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 1
Top scorer: More Reasons 2
"It's time to put on make-up"
"The waiting is nearly over. Ipswich kick off their season against Coventry this weekend and our official online bookmaker bet365 go 17/10 that we start the season with a win."
The City website on the other hand hasn't been trumpeting the odds on a City win. Hopefully they are better than the odds of England drawing the Fourth Test.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing the best-named goalkeeper in the history of the game (other than Bertie Beanpole) play for the Tractor Boys - Shane Supple.
Since taking over at Portman Road the glowering Mr Keane has brought in the following players:
The City website on the other hand hasn't been trumpeting the odds on a City win. Hopefully they are better than the odds of England drawing the Fourth Test.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing the best-named goalkeeper in the history of the game (other than Bertie Beanpole) play for the Tractor Boys - Shane Supple.
Since taking over at Portman Road the glowering Mr Keane has brought in the following players:
- Tamas Priskin, 22, striker from Watford for £1,700,000
- Damien Delaney, 28, left back from QPR for up to £1,100,000
- Lee Martin, 22, winger from Man U for an undisclosed fee ( he started against us at Old Trafford in 2007)
- Colin Healey, 29, midfielder from Cork for £70,000 - who is well known to us as an ex-loanee and a victim of Youssef Saffri's tackling.
- Jack Colback, 19, midfielder on loan from Sunderland until January (the more alert will recognise the name from the Sunderland Echo post about Jordan Henderson - perhaps there is hope after all)
- Shane O'Connor, 19, midfielder from Liverpool's Academy after a trial (footballing trial that is)
Reflect on this quote from the ever reliable wikipedia about Ipswich's owners: "Evans is particularly attracted by Keane’s track-record as a winner and also his experience of gaining promotion from the Championship and he is expected to pour millions into a promotion push for the 2010 season. Evans is understood to have offered guarantees to Keane about a significant summer transfer budget."
Now do the signings above fit the bill of a significant summer transfer budget? Admittedly they are considerably more impressive than our incoming so far but not perhaps what the Ipswich fans were expecting. But there are of course still 22 shopping days until the lockdown.
A signing - and he's a left back
Positive news from the Coalman and Arson show. We have a left back on loan from Chelsea.
At least we have someone who is used to playing in that position, we reserve judgement on their ability until they have played at least 5 games.
No idea on a nickname, suggestions welcome.
Patrick van Aanholt
Born 29.8.90 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland.
In his third year at Chelsea having arrived from PSV Eindhoven, the tall, fast and technically accomplished defender immediately established himself in the reserves where he was the third highest appearance maker in 2007/08 with 14+1 games, mostly at left-back, demonstrating an ability to rocket in the odd long-range goal.
Last season was another of steady development for Patrick, with a further 12 reserve appearances in the left-back slot.
In the youth team, he was a centre-back of choice on the way to the FA Youth Cup Final, and alongside Jeffrey Bruma is a Dutch Under 19 international.
At least we have someone who is used to playing in that position, we reserve judgement on their ability until they have played at least 5 games.
No idea on a nickname, suggestions welcome.
Patrick van Aanholt
Born 29.8.90 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland.
In his third year at Chelsea having arrived from PSV Eindhoven, the tall, fast and technically accomplished defender immediately established himself in the reserves where he was the third highest appearance maker in 2007/08 with 14+1 games, mostly at left-back, demonstrating an ability to rocket in the odd long-range goal.
Last season was another of steady development for Patrick, with a further 12 reserve appearances in the left-back slot.
In the youth team, he was a centre-back of choice on the way to the FA Youth Cup Final, and alongside Jeffrey Bruma is a Dutch Under 19 international.
CCFC communication clampdown?
In a most worrying development for followers of this blog, and Gunnar-stalkers everywhere, I wonder what we are to make of this. Perhaps in the light of Bent-gate?
Aron Gunnarsson No internet for a bit, not on facebook.. Everyone join fantasy football at ccfc.co.uk
Yesterday at 7:00pm · Comment · Like
Aron Gunnarsson No internet for a bit, not on facebook.. Everyone join fantasy football at ccfc.co.uk
Yesterday at 7:00pm · Comment · Like
Don't tell Hitler (or indeed the women cowering outside)...
...but Mrs Doyle has gone off to make Yorkshire Tea.
Will the real Freddy Eastwood please stand up
Those of us who are good personal friends with Aron G on facebook were titillated to discover our Nordic tyro had a new friend in Freddy Eastwood- we piled on (well Kev, Matt and I did) but now it appears that Aron G is no longer a facebook friend of Freddy. Rather than assume a serious rift in the camp I deduce that Aron G realised that the facebook Freddy was an impostor and scarpered pronto. There has been one facebook status update and one profile pic that anyone could have taken. Must dash - have to send some money to a bank in Nigeria so that they can release an inheritance to me.
Gloomy outlook, and friend requests
As any regular readers of guardian.co.uk's The Fiver will know, they end their daily tea-time footy email with a random last liner. Yesterday's:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
POMPEY DOWN, COVENTRY DOWN, HUDDERSFIELD UP, BOURNEMOUTH UP ACCUMULATOR AHOY
Newly-signed and much-travelled-for-a-29-year-old Michael McIndoe is not yet Facebook friends with either Gunnar or Freddie (who given the lack of activity on his Facebook, one assumes / hopes is spending his time practicising his shooting).
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/0,,415657,00.html
POMPEY DOWN, COVENTRY DOWN, HUDDERSFIELD UP, BOURNEMOUTH UP ACCUMULATOR AHOY
Newly-signed and much-travelled-for-a-29-year-old Michael McIndoe is not yet Facebook friends with either Gunnar or Freddie (who given the lack of activity on his Facebook, one assumes / hopes is spending his time practicising his shooting).
It's official - Middlesbrough is the UK's worst place to live
Having spent a great night out with the tumbleweed, twitchy stewards and an assorted cast of chemically enhanced locals in the days before the blog (the FA Cup replay which we really should have won), we can agree with OFCOM's ruling that Middlesbrough is the worst place in the UK to live.
We have the chance to re-visit later in the season, which is already a date itching to go into the diary.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/03/location-location-location-kirstie-allsopp-ofcom
We have the chance to re-visit later in the season, which is already a date itching to go into the diary.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/03/location-location-location-kirstie-allsopp-ofcom
Some random OPTA stats for 08/09
Michael McIndoe
Games 45
Goals 6
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 32
Fouls won 43
Shots on target 35
Total shots 69
David Bell
Games 28
Goals 1
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 19
Fouls won 12
Shots on target 9
Total shots 18
Michael Doyle
Games 37
Goals 2
Goal assists 0
Yellow cards 6
Fouls Conceded 49
Fouls won 26
Shots on target 11
Total shots 29
Can't find those for Clingan and Gunner - anyone able to assist?
Games 45
Goals 6
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 32
Fouls won 43
Shots on target 35
Total shots 69
David Bell
Games 28
Goals 1
Goal assists 8
Yellow cards 2
Fouls Conceded 19
Fouls won 12
Shots on target 9
Total shots 18
Michael Doyle
Games 37
Goals 2
Goal assists 0
Yellow cards 6
Fouls Conceded 49
Fouls won 26
Shots on target 11
Total shots 29
Can't find those for Clingan and Gunner - anyone able to assist?
Marcus 2 Toffees 2
Due to a combination of swine flu, tickets for the cricket at Edgbaston and a christening, most of the UCC couldn't make it to the Ricoh to watch Marcus's testimonial. A shame we all couldn't, as he deserves his testimonial season having suffered nearly as many Sky Blue years as some of the fans. Where once he was a raw talent, with slightly dodgy positioning and not quite enough pace, he's matured nicely into an experienced professional with slightly dodgy positioning and not quite enough pace, who can play anywhere across the back four. What you do get with Marcus is commitment to the cause, he rarely gives anything less than his all, and I'd rather see him on the pitch than off it.
Anyway, Everton came to play and took an early lead through an Aussie. Something that the Aussies down the M6 have so far failed to do this series. Mrs Doyle poached an equaliser, before Jose Baxter (sounds like the product of an illict encounter between a Spanish waiter and a lass from Bolton on holiday in Benidorm?) put the Premier League team in front with five minutes to play.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Gunnar, to pop home a late late equaliser in front of just over 8,000 fans. With a week to go before Roy Keane's Ipswich arrive and park their tractors all around the ground, it's nice to go into the season with a little form. The crowd could have been higher though, sign of a Sunday lunchtime kick-off, or a sign of things to come this year, as Everton bought 2,000 with them. Doubt Ipswich will do the same, as it's harvest time, and the tractors and combines will be needed.
Hopefully the Coalman will have brought in some new faces before the Sky cameras arrive, the squad's looking barer than Berni Madoff's savings account at the moment.
Anyway, Everton came to play and took an early lead through an Aussie. Something that the Aussies down the M6 have so far failed to do this series. Mrs Doyle poached an equaliser, before Jose Baxter (sounds like the product of an illict encounter between a Spanish waiter and a lass from Bolton on holiday in Benidorm?) put the Premier League team in front with five minutes to play.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Gunnar, to pop home a late late equaliser in front of just over 8,000 fans. With a week to go before Roy Keane's Ipswich arrive and park their tractors all around the ground, it's nice to go into the season with a little form. The crowd could have been higher though, sign of a Sunday lunchtime kick-off, or a sign of things to come this year, as Everton bought 2,000 with them. Doubt Ipswich will do the same, as it's harvest time, and the tractors and combines will be needed.
Hopefully the Coalman will have brought in some new faces before the Sky cameras arrive, the squad's looking barer than Berni Madoff's savings account at the moment.
Trains, Planes and Automobiles - the train on platform 1 of the Ricoh is delayed by 5 years
Reports this morning that the improbably named Lord Adonis has blocked plans to fast-track a new railway station at the Ricoh Arena as part of an upgrade to the Nuneaton to Coventry train line. There would appear to be a number of concerns about the viability of the whole line which have led the Peer to decide to only fund a standard business case process.
The upshot is that there won't be a station at the Ricoh before 2014. At the present rate of progress, we could be playing Nuneaton Boro by then.
Given the need to reduce the amount of car travel wherever possible, whoever dropped the original plans for a station at the ground ought to be taken outside and have their own personal climate changed. Short sighted thinking given the amount the stadium originally cost to build.
The upshot is that there won't be a station at the Ricoh before 2014. At the present rate of progress, we could be playing Nuneaton Boro by then.
Given the need to reduce the amount of car travel wherever possible, whoever dropped the original plans for a station at the ground ought to be taken outside and have their own personal climate changed. Short sighted thinking given the amount the stadium originally cost to build.
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