Woy Woy Woy

The two best Roy Hodgson impersonators...

Roy 'Woy' Hodgson takes over the England team on a four year contract. Good appointment? Hmmmm. I guess only time will tell, but that is what the FA aimed for. Appointing a manager such as Redknapp, the fans favourite, would have lead to a demand of instant success starting with the Euro's. With Hodgson, we have a tactic in place ensuring the plan lies long term. No-one is going to expect England to win the Euro's (not that we did anyway), but the furore which would have been created should Harry have been named manager would have ensured the nation become expectant of success. Naive, yes, fickle, yes, but that's just how we are as a nation. With Roy at the helm, I genuinely believe the team will be given time, cut a little slack and be able to enjoy football again without the insurmountable pressure to win every time they step onto a pitch. Of course we will still be expected to progress from the group stage along with France, but I believe anything beyond the first knock-out stage will be considered a bonus. So, let's TRY to enjoy the Euro's and look forward to the next World Cup...BRAZIL!   

We can all look forward to this...I mean the football in 2014

United Succumb to City

Two's Kompany, Three's a...but seriously, why wasn't Ferdinand marking him?

Sooooo, Manchester United play conservatively against City rivals and get beat. Surprised? Neither am I. What happened to the tried and tested, goal scoring formation including Welbeck and Valencia!? Have we (I say we because I support, not because I am part of the team. Unfortunately for me, fortunately for them) relinquished the title with two games to go? Perhaps. Will QPR pull of another miracle (after beating Arsenal and Liverpool) and beat City? Unlikely. Very unlikely. However *rubbing hands together*, there is a small matter of the Toon to come, at St. James...sorry, The Sports Direct Arena (bleuurgh!). If ever I were to request a favour from Newcastle in my days of being a United supporter and football fan, it is now. I am not a pessimist, but on seeing the team sheet for Monday night, I had to predict a close City victory, but I am hopeful and do genuinely believe New'cassle can take a point from that fixture and presuming United don't f**k up at Sunderland and SMASH QPR, we can still run out victors!

The Demba-Bus is Coming!

 

Sofar Sounds

http://www.sofarsounds.com/

I have been useless recently, not updating this space for a while (for those few of you who care, me and...erm) but I just wanted to bring this to your attention. Sofarsounds/Songs For a Room has been round for a little while now but has more recently EXPLODED with popularity around the globe. The idea of it is to bring new, up and coming artists to small space in someones home for a gig that has a more personal feel to it. You have to be subscribed to be able to attend and it is extremely hard to get a place as it is so popular, but perservere at all costs as if you are lucky enough to be able to attend, it will undoubtedly be one of the best gigs you would have ever been to and will go to. Everyone wants to be there to listen to and appreciate the music. No-one chit chats over the artists and the atmosphere is fantastic, whether it's completedly relaxed and chilled out, like listening to someone like The Daydream Club or something more thigh-slappingly, foot tappingly upbeat like Admiral Fallow.

Also, follow them on twitter @Sofarsounds for updates on upcoming shows and past performances.

Simon's Cat

I would like to take some time to point people in the direction of Simon's Cat, a hilarious depiction of creator Simon Tofield's cat(s). For those of you who haven't already stumbled across it, Simon's Cat is a number of short animations revolving around his cat who, basically is a pain in the backside, creating havoc (albeit very funnily) to draw attention to the fact he wants to be fed. Simon manages to capture the characteristics of the cat brilliantly, from the way it wiggles its bum before pouncing to the persistent clawing of a soft surface and rotating a number of times before eventually settling down.

The website has expanded significantly since I first came across it, with all sorts of merchandise now available to buy and a much larger library of 'episodes'. The longest of these only lasts around two and a half minutes so even if it's just to kill some time at work or something, I would recommend taking a look (via the link below). I guarantee you will fall in love with the cat and I defy any of you not to laugh or coo at any of the animations, especially with the introduction of the kitten...

http://www.simonscat.com/Films/ 

900 games and still going strong

Ryan Giggs reaches 900 appearances and scores a late winner against Norwich

Ryan Giggs, say what you want about the man off the pitch, but on it he has been, unquestionably, one of the best players to have ever graced the game and has preserved himself legendary status at Manchester United.
At 38 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down, although he no longer flies up and down the touchline after taking on a more central role in midfield, he still pulls the strings creatively.

He displays an unrivaled desire to win every game, evident again on Sunday by his last minute winner at Carrow Road. His celebration sums up just how much every win and every point means to him and the club he has remained loyal to for the past 21 years. Ferguson has said he has accomplished a feat that he believes no other will, not for one club. The only player close is Paolo Maldini who racked up 902 for AC Milan, but with due respect, he played in a central role in defence, arguably a position requiring less physical exertion than the ones Giggs has played over the years.

So long as he continues putting in top class performances, age shouldn't be an issue. He is due to play up until a few months prior to his 40th Birthday after signing a one year extension. Who knows what will happen after that? No-one would put it past him to reach 1000 games at United, after all, Stanley Matthews played into his 50's. In the modern day, with sports science being so much more advanced, who could doubt that Giggs would be able do the same? Not me.

Premier League Match of the Season so Far...

The Come Back Kids...and Grandpa Giggs

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United. Perhaps the Londoners will not feel the same way as us United fans, or the neutrals, but seeing a team come back from 3-0 down is always a thrilling one. And as Rooney rightly pointed out after the match, it is indeed a point that could end up winning United the League in the long run. It is games like this which helps prove that the Premier League is THE best in Europe...dare I say the world?

Although two of Chelsea's goals were soft, an awkward own goal bouncing in off Evans after striking De Gea's knee following Daniel Sturridge's cross, and a re-directed header from David Luiz taking another deflection off Ferninand (Juan Mata's goal was pure class), it takes nothing away from the way in which United fought back. They never looked like losing, even from the first minute. They looked the most dangerous of the teams on the attack, with the in-form Antonio Valencia dancing through the Chelsea defence at break-neck speed on one flank and Ashley Young (presumably with a new leg) zig-zagging in and out on the other and with Giggs and Rooney orchestrating play in the middle. However fortunate they may have been, by the 50th minute Chelsea had taken what looked to be an unassailable lead. Many teams would have crumbled, admitting defeat, but not United. Still they plugged away, winning two penalties, Welbeck's admittedly slightly dubious (but it makes up for the Cahill foul on Welbeck that was missed in the first half at 0-0), with Rooney despatching both with aplomb and a classic Chicharito, right-place-at-the-right-time, header to level in the 84th minute. Ferguson wanted another penalty late on but it would have been a harsh decision on Torres (for handball) as it struck him from point-blank range. Not forgetting a special mention for David De Gea who pulled off one of the saves of the season against a late Juan Mata free kick, at full stretch tipping the ball away as it careered towards the top left corner of the net. Magnificent reflexes and agility from the under-fire keeper.

'That' inspired save from the Spanish keeper

 Perhaps two points dropped in a way, but considering the deficit to have to come back from, I think it's safe to say a point is definitely not to be scoffed at. More of the same next week please Premier League.

Becks and H&M Collaborate

No, I'm not going to post a picture of him IN his new pants

So, yesterday Mr. Beckham launched his new range of underwear and lounge-wear at Regent Streets H&M branch. Needless to say you could probably see the crowds from space. Taking a leaf out of his wife's books, he has ventured into the world of his own fashion label, but keeping it relatively simple (thus far) may I say. The range consists of: briefs, boxer/briefs, boxer/trunks, boxer shorts, pyjama bottoms, t-shirt, vest, grandad top and long-johns, all varying in choices of either white, black or grey. I guarantee you will now see (well you won't actually see, and I can't actually guarantee either) a large proportion of the male population will be wearing the range. I'm sure (I'm not actually s...ok, enough) it won't be long before a range of shirts, jeans, knitted cardigans and hats etc. follow. Maybe he's starting with the undergarments and is slowly going to work outwards, like getting dressed, so you can eventually wear everything 'David Beckham' from pants to a coat. Maybe just don't start that process quite yet.