JW

Most other days my thoughts centre on who will win the US presedential election, when Dubai will buy Liverpool and who Liverpool is playing are in my thoughts. I also sometimes wander about my lot in life, have I done my housework and if I am too much trouble for my wife.

Then you get a day like today. A day that shows you how fragile this existence we are in really is.

See today as I received a note from one of my soccer boys. (Actually I should not call him a "boy" as he is only a few years younger than me but really, anyone that plays for me is considered a friend or "boy" or one of my "lads".) He informed the team that one of our team mates has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and has been in hospital for a while.

This player, (who shall be called JW here) had a operation last week and although they got most of it out there is still something in there. Worse still it is still malignant so this means that he will have to go through some chemotherapy.

When I read the note, I could not believe it. I had to read it a few times to let it sink in. For one of my boys was seriously sick!

This is not a broken bone or a knee injury. This was life-death stuff.

Even now after a day of regurgitating this news I am still emotional about the whole situation. The fact that someone I know and see most weekends is in this situation really gets to me.

You may not know JW but he has an abundance of determination and heart. So if anyone will give his all in this situation it will be him.

He will need help to remain focussed and staying positive, and I know his girlfriend and family will be there at his side.

As his team mates all we can really do is keep his spirits up and letting him know we care and he will be in our thoughts and prayers.

But this just iillustrates how fragile life can be and how we really should not get so caught up in things like work, money, economic crisis because we could one day have something serious happen to us or a family member or a friend. A situation that shows us how fleeting life can be.

i pray that JW gets through this and will be back doing his step overs soon.

Australia versus Team USA - Olympic basketball preview

It is pretty obvious that my disappointment with how Australia played in their opening two group matches at the Beijing Olympics basketball tournament got read by the coaching staff over there, because they picked things up and won the next three matches.

Not only did they win, but they won with intensity and averaging 100 points each match. While beating Iran can be laughed at, beating (and therefore eliminating) the reigning European Champions in Russia and the demolishing Lithuania by 30 points are great results.

For all this hard work, the Aussie Boomers now get to face….TEAM USA! Sure basketball fans have hard of them! You may know a few players – LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh etc etc.

GREEEEEEEEAT!!!!!

Looks like it will be the playoff for 5^th to 8^th for Australia!

Forget about the pre tournament game where we just lost to the US by 10 points. It was the final game before the Olympics started! I am sure the US was looking ahead a bit to much and were trying out a few last minute things.

If Australia loses by less than 10 points I would consider that a moral victory. Actually given how they destroyed Spain and Greece, I think a loss of under 20 points is a victory.

If we win….well we can call it the “Miracle on Pine”, who know but I have to echo Australian coach Brian Goorjigan that this should be made into a Disney Movie.

But how can Australia win? Well we definitely won’t beat them athletically so a running game is not the idea. We can beat the Americans by pure hustle, good ball movement, good off the ball movement and shooting the lights out in the gym. We have to shoot like how we did against Lithuania with our big guys making their 3-pointers so it forces their big guys to come out, therefore opening up the lanes for our other players.

Australia also has more big guys that Team USA and we have to hope David Anderson, Andrew Bogut, Chris Anstey and Matt Nielsen get up and active on the boards to limit the fast break of the opponents and get a few offensive possessions for us.

Overall, for Australia to come close and even contemplate beating the USA there are a number of things that need to go our way. But the players in Team USA will not let this happen because they are too focussed on winning and will come into the game with all guns blazing.

I am just looking forward to watching the game.

Australian Mens Basketball at the 2008 Beijing olympics - so far, not good!

For many athletes, the Olympics present the pinnacle of their sport. Winning a medal in swimming, athletics, archery, equestrian, hockey etc signifies that you have reached the pinnacle of the sport. Personally I enjoy the hockey and basketball the most (I have also been intrigued by handball but that is something to discuss later).

Australia is a dominant force in world hockey and both the men’s and women’s team are expected to do well. In basketball, I expect the women to face the USA for gold in what will be a tough and tight match (and I am not talking about the Oplas bodysuits).

Even with the sporadic coverage for team sports on Channel 7, I have been lucky enough to catch a few matches involving the Australia teams and the Amerian men’s team.

However the play of the Boomers has left me disappointed. Looking at the team sheet and seeing names such as Andrew Bogut, David Anderson, Matthew Nielsen, Brad Newley – players who are in the NBA, been drafted by NBA teams or playing for top teams in Europe, I felt the team would do well.

Sadly, in their first two matches against Croatia and Argentina, the team has found itself in double digit deficits too quickly. This makes winning a game tough for anyone. You have to expand a lot of energy trying to get back in the game, energy that would be needed at the end of a close game.

What seems to be ailing the Boomers are the lack of scoring, and their inability to stop opponents scoring. In both matches, Croatia and Argentina got early outside shots to fall which put added pressure on the Aussie shooters to make their shots. When this did not happened, the oppositions lead grew and the Australian players confidence dwindled.

However, I get this feeling that there is no intensity by the Aussies. They do not seem to be pressuring the ball carrier intensively, and making the other four players work hard to get into open space. The Australian defence looks stagnant and a step slower which has lead to easy shots for their opponents.

Also when an opponent gets into the key, they seem to get to the basket area for a shot or assist, too easily. Remember, most coaches say – Defence wins!!

What is most disappointing is that Brian Goorjigan has always been a defensive minded coach and this team is disappointing. I am not blaming him directly because I think he is an excellent coach. I am just starting to question the “fire” within the Australian players. I know they all love to play for the Green and Gold, but they do not seem to be playing for each other and as a team.

On offence, it seems we are looking a bit confused and unsure. Maybe it was due to the various injuries before the games that robbed the likes of Andrew Bogut time to gel with his team mates.

But yesterday we seem to get on track my thumping Iran by 50 odd points. This is a good result as it indicates our offence has stepped up. But the tests are coming. To make the final 8, we need to beat Russia (who were the European champions) and/or an undefeated Lithuania. Talk about tough asks.

Before the games started, I thought we probably had our best team since the 1996/2000 Olympics. We had a great coach, an NBA centre, European All-Star players and a few up and coming guards.

Given the standard of play, the dominance and style of the USA team, and the number of NBA players playing for other countries, the Olympic Basketball tournament is an event to watch. I just hope Australia remains a part of it!

The Diesel stops in Phoenix, The Matrix could revolutionise Miami and LA gets a serve of Paella

Two major trades happened in the NBA last week – Pau Gasol was traded by the Memphis Grizzlies and Shaq went to Phoenix in a trade for Shawn Marion.

Gasol to LA Lakers:

The Lakers received an All-Star calibre player for hardly anything and this now makes them a formidable opponent for most teams. Will this mean they are a favourite for the title? I personally do not think it will happen this year but next season could be very interesting.

This is a massive boost for the Lakers as they will now comprise 1 perennial All-Star (in Kobe Bryant), 1 All-Star who played for a team that sucked (Gasol), 1 guy who used to be an All-Star and could return to that level (Lamar Odom) and a youngster who could be an All Star (Andrew Bynum). Plus you cannot discount the successful man limping on the sidelines and the triangle offence.

Regarding Andrew Bynum, this trade helps him a lot. With the ability of Gasol to play close to the basket, teams will not be able to double up on him - making it easier to score. He also has the length and atheleticm of Gasol to assist him on defence.

Overall, a good move by the Lakers and one that will benefit them in the coming years.

Phoenix land the Big Aristotle

This deal caused greater shockwaves throughout the basketball community as it saw one of the most dominant players to play in the NBA being traded to a team that just was not right.

The Phoenix Suns are a team that loves to run and score. Shaq is a player on the wrong side of his game, he is nearing 36 and has been slowed by injuries the last two seasons. Shaq won a title in 2006 but his game is based on banging and posting, rather than run and gun these days. so people think that this will destroy the chemistry and style of the team.

But I like this move, it will change things around for the better.

First, Steve Nash is the soul of this club, he literally makes them run. Yet he is nearing his mid 30's and has a few more seasons of playing at this level. They have tried winning with Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Boris Diaw et al. but they have come up short.

Secondly, people forget that at Miami, opponents could double team Shaq because apart from Dwayne Wade, there was no one else they had to guard. At Phoenix, there is another behemoth in the block so team can not double team Shaq all the time. Plus people forget how good Shaq is at passing to the open man, so the Suns 3-pont shooters will find extra time and more looks becuse of the big fella.

On defence, Amare will handle the teams best big man, allowing Shaq to patrol the outside of the laneway.

Lastly, with all the negative talk about Shaq being past his best and the trade being lopsided favopuring the Miami Heat, I am sure the big guy will be fired to prove the doubters wrong. He will run and he will get up and down. He will rebound and ignite the Suns running game.

Shaq could deliver the title to Phoenix this season or over the next year or two, and make Steve Kerr look like a genuius, make Mike D'Antonio a champion coach and elevate Steve Nash to the pantheon of great players.

Lets not forgetMiami - with Shawn Marion playing for them, they have suddenly gotten quicker on the wings. Add a draft pick (as they seem likely to get this year), and a few moves and the Heat could be contenders for years to come.

Superbowl XXLII - Free Falling to 1988

These days I am not as enamoured with the US of A as I once was, mainly due to the current heirachy that is in place. After the past 8 years, I am looking for a change. But I shall save that for a later entry.

But when it comes to sporting events, I do enjoy the NBA, Baseball's World Series and the Superbowl.

This years Superbowl was special because the favourties were the New England Patriots who had traversed through the season undefeated to get to the big game. Playing the villainous role of Darth Vader to their Luke Skywalker were the New York Giants - a team that was given no chance of winning at all. I am telling you, NO ONE gave the Giants a chance - Osama Bin Laden being America's Next Top Model Winner would have gotten better odds than the Giants winning the game.

So it came as a surprise when the Giants pulled out probably one of the greatest upsets in the history of the game. I am glad they did becasue at the start of the final quarter I thought the event was more SuperBORE than Bowl!

So how did this happen? Well NOT being a seasoned watcher of American Football (by the way, why is it called football when most of the time they use their hands???) here are my thoughts:

1. The Patriots offence: During the season, the Patriots were celebrated for their attacking flair, but surprisingly during the game they seemed lacklustre, like they had lost their mojo and took some time to find it. It seems that the pressure of going undefeated during a season was taking its toll and their grasp at history left them empty handed.

2. The Giants defence: NY played a heck of a game and made their opponents very uncomfortable. Whenever Brady got the ball he seemed to have guys running at him all the time putting him under pressure and making him think too much about screwing up the pass if he got tackled. But credit to them, their defence won them the title.

3. The PLAY: The most memorable sporting contests always comes down to an event that everyone remembers. They call it THE PLAY. For example, Michael Jordan's winning shot in the 1998 NBA Finals, Leo Barry's mark to win the Sydney Swans the 2005 AFL Premiership, Dudek's saves in the final minutes of the 2005 Champions league Final. All events that have stayed in my mind when those games are discussed.

Usually they are memorable because they happened at the end. But in this match, it was the play when Eli Manning had the ball and was being set upon by the Patriots defence and one of the defenders actually got a hand on his jersey and held him. He actually ducked out free, got his jersey free and then threw a pass, that was not the amazing part. That the person who caught it, did so with someone on his back, but after juggling it, he held it to his helmet and kept it there, wile landing on the body of his opponents.

Ever landed awkwardly on some protruding element on your side or back? Then you may know how much that hurts. Imagine landing on someone's knee or elbow while trying to catch and hold a ball.

Amazing play. I am sure someone, somewherein America is thinking of a name to link that moment to.

4. The half time entertainment: 99.99999999999999999999% of superbowls have an awesome half time show. This years did not.

First of all this is 2008 not 1988. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!! Sure Britney is in Rehab, Michael Jackson is..is....., Madonna is past it and U2 did it a few year ago and it is probably too early. But what about The Killers, Muse, Kanye West, Missy Higgins even!

There are so many world class acts out there who would have given a good half time show. Plus being relevant. Heck even the Police would have been better.

But Tom Petty!!!!

I know there was the Wardrobe Malfunction back in Superbowl Nipplegate, but the NFL did a poor choice.

Maybe given that no one in the Patriots was really listening to music when Tom Petty last had a hit single was the reason they played so poorly. How can you get amped for that when you got to listen to a band at half time whose last hit was nearly 20 years ago.

Oh well.....let me just hum...."Now I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, freee faaaalling"

Liverpool needs DIC, not some small Yankee Doodles.

The whole situation that Liverpool Football Club is experiencing is depressing to me. When the club was sold, they told us they would respect the traditions of the club, they would not put the club into debt and would give us money to buy quality players.

So we looked forward to a new horizon, one with a brand spanking new stadium where nearly 60,000 people would be belting out “You will never walk alone”. Where we would buy a few more players like Fernando Torres and therefore we would finally have the quality of players to match the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal for Premiership honours. We looked forward to having players that would find ways to beat teams we struggle against.

All Liverpool supporters had dreams. Of a title drought extending 18 years ending!

Sadly, the semi trailer of reality struck us and it was as welcome as an arrow through the neck with the water bill attached to it.

It appears that the American owners will not invest into the team and are only looking to fill their coffers. They see it as a business rather than a huge aspect of peoples lives.

Sure they own other sporting teams, but none of those teams compare to the brand that is Liverpool. The world is larger than the 300 million people in the good ole’ US of A and I would surmise that a significant more know about LFC than the Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys.

They have failed t understand the passion the fans have and why this whole situation is very unsettling for all us Reds!

I truly believe that if we give Rafa real money, money like the Roman’s or Glazer’s give their gaffa, that Liverpool could actually contend.

That MUFC can spend nearly 35m pounds on a couple of unproven teenagers in Nani and Anderson and still bring in Owen Hargreaves for nearly 18m pounds shows that you need to buy quality. Look at who else they got in the squad – Rooney for 26m, Ferdinand for 27m, Carrick for 18m, Ronaldo for 14m.

You look at that quality and you can see why they are suiting atop the league.

If our yankee doodles were serious of making us a winner, then they need to put money into the team. Back Rafa to buy the players he wants to the club successful and reclaim its position amongst the elite. Othwerwise, sell it off to someone who will do so.

Another weekend and another disappointment

About the only thing that went well for me was my football team getting a 5-0 victory.

But this is MY football team, not my football team - LFC!

Egads, before Xmas there was hope we would come out of the festiove season closing in to the top 3 teams. sadly, I have come to the realisation that we are at the most, the bes tof the rest, outside of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

More distressing is the grumblings from Anfield that the owners are not happy with Rafa and want to let him go. Personally, if they fire Rafa it will be a dumb decision. He is one of the worlds best managers and anyone that can take a teram to 2 champions league finals in 3 years shows he is capable.

The problem with us is that we need greater investment in the team. The likes of Chelsea have spent nearly 200m pounds on players the past few seasons. Manchester have been buying big for a number of years with the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy (27m), Rio Ferdinand (20m), Michael Carrick (18m), Wayne Rooney (23m), Owen Hargraves (18m) costing a pretty penny but this has resulted in the team consistently finishing in the top 2 of the English Premier League.

Added to this are players like Nenad Cristic and yes, Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players could have been Liverpool players, but we just could not afford them. Many years ago we had a chance to snap up Ronaldo but we could not afford the fee. Same with Cristic. Imagine them in Liverpool now.

The only club inthe top 4 that has done things on the cheap has been the Gooners. Fair play to Arsene, he has achieved succes by being very astute.

While Rafa has uncovered some well priced gems - Alvaro Arebola and Daniel Agger come to mind. But to maintain consistent sucess, we need the Yanks to open up the cheque book and buy some quality.

If you need evidence look at Fernando Torres.

Anyway, another season. Another EPL title slips from Liverpool's grasp.

* * * * * * * *

Yesterday I witness India hug defeat from the volumptious bossom of aDRAW. How did this happen? Well, the Indian stuffed it up for one and they were aptly aided by the poor performance of the umpires.

As for the sportsmanship that was displayed during the match. Well as a stounch and true blueAussie, I have to admit I cringe at the Australians team attitude and demeanour during matches.

While I believe they should go for the win, the behaviour of the Australian players borders on the boorish. Too many times, the players say they play in the spirit of the game, but the reality is different. Too many times, we hear the Australian captain say they will play properly and as gentlemen, but when Australia get wound up,wehn they are threated by an opponent, they become bullies.

Look at last nights post game press conference. A certain Aussie captan got very sensitive when his integrity was questioned. He took offence and in the moment he came across as a bully to the journalist.

Sadly, Australians love the cricket because they dominate it. How can you love a game where there really only seven other opponents. World games such as soccer and basketball, never get this volume of coverage because, well Australia are mediocre at best.

I always tell people, that you have to measure your sporting achievements outside the sports of cricket or AFL. The way the cricket team carries on sometimes, just puts Australin sportsmen in a bad light.

It is embarrasing to see this display.

As for Harbhajan Singh. Well he said what he says and is a num-nut for saying so. He deserves his suspension. There is no need for racism in cricket.

Mo the Ho, has left the building

The self proclaimed “delusional one” (me being the “proclaimist” – is this even a word??) had decided that he has had enough and has quit Chelsea.

This is HUGE news in the footballing world. The man who has bought and brought 2 league titles, one FA Cup and 2 worthless cups is gone. It can be easily argued that he has been the greatest coach Chelsea has ever had.

He arrived at Chelsea with a lot of hoopla in 2004, proclaiming himself as the “special one” after winning the Champions League with Porto. The owner gave him the money and resources (that is money to buy players) he needed to bring glory to the club.

For most footballing nuts, it is evident why he has left. For those not in the know, the relationship between Jose and the billionaire owner of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich has deteriorated over the past 12 months through a series of public spats between the two.

Roman has a stated aim of winning the Champions League title but this has not been fulfilled (thanks to real teams like Liverpool). Further, the tem has not had a good run during the premiership season with a loss to Aston Villa and a draw against Blackburn.

Things culminated with a draw against that powerhouse of Norwegian football – Rosenburg yesterday. Further, the match was enjoyed by a half full Stamford Bridge (clearly all those Chelsea supporters have jumped of the bandwagon and are probably on their way to Emirates Stadium).

The style of play seems to have also turned off quite a few with Chelsea succumbing to the long ball style of game instead of the quick passing, exciting styles other teams play on.

Something had to give and it was Mo the Ho!

So what now for Chelsea – speculation about a new coach will become rampant and my money is on Guus Hiddink. He is currently coach of Russia, where a large proportion of his salary is paid by Roman. Guus has coached a national team and a club side in the past (Australia and PSV Eindhoven) so could do the same here, given that Russia may not qualify for Euro 2008)

There are others who may be keen – Jurgen Klinsman was purported as a replacement for Jose’ over the past summer. Names such as Phil Scolari and Didier Deschamps are also being mentioned.

As for Jose, I am sure he will get offers and will take some time to see what he will do. I am sure the position of coaching Portugal will be of interest to him. If the England FA is half as smart as they make out to be, they should consider him for the England job.

Chelsea – well those guys have a big match against Manchester United this weekend. They will also play MU without Frank Lampard, Drogba and Carvalho and now no coach. Who knows what could happen. MU could have the easiest match against Chelsea in some time or could face a fired up team wanting to make a statement.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

It finally happened, after years and years of trying and receiving passes from my boys when standing in-front of goals, I finally put the ball in the back of the goal.

And it was not an own goal!!

I finally scored a goal.

Dev Vagel - GOAL SCORER

Let me paint you a picture of how it happened.

We won the ball on the right side and quickly moved it up the flank. I was in the middle and started running with the play. The ball was passed between two guys and then to the overlapping central midfielder. I was running to the left of him and as he got into the box, he picked me out with a pass. I controlled it with my left foot, took another touch and then shot with my left past the keeper, with two defenders coming at me and it went into the back of the net.

WHAT A FEELING!!!

No need to get over excited yet

Portsmouth, Reading, Aston Villa, Wst Ham United, Wolverhampton.

Search through the first few weeks of most EPL seasons and the above teams have sat in first place after the first 3 or 4 matches of the season. Liverpool currently sit freshly atop the pile after their fourth game and the faithful are getting excited about it.

While it is very nice to be top (especially since it was 5 years since were here) it is not time for fans to get excited and proclaim we are going to take the title. If anything, most 'pool fans should be cautiously optimistic - for int he past, when we have got to excited and arrogant, karma has bitten us in a big way.

So my advice to all LFC supporters - enjoy the start but let us not get too cocky.

Enjoy the fact we put 6 past Derby and saw our new signings feature in the goals. Enjoy the fact that the only goals we have conceeded have been two penalties - although the second one was about as plausible as Madonna adopting a child because it was a good thing and not because it was the in thing to do at the time.

Apart from the dodgy penalty and the draw with Chelsea, the season has gone well. We are winning the matches we should be and are playing well.

Let us hope the winning and goal scoring continues.

Early losses by MU and Chelsea show how tight the season will be. More teams are competitive and so the boys in red need to be get maximum points.

Still, I am not all pessimistic. I want to enjoy this position for it has been a while.

Will this season end the 17 year drought?

The forthcoming English Premier League season kicks off in a few days and I am as excited as a weight enhanced kid falling into a vat of chocolate.

The season looks very promising for Liverpool football club who welcomes a number of new players who have arrived through high fees ad therefore bring with them hig expectations.

Will this be the season that liverpool breaks their 17 year drought to be the best team in England? To be honest I do not think it will pour year due to the neighbours up the road recently gaining the services of Carlos Tevez.

The thought of Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristine Ronaldo tearing down at defences will send more than shivers down the backs and shorts of EPl defences and it is hard to fanthom how teams can contain all 3 attacking aplyers at the same time. some people may suggest that their defence is suspect but will it matter is you can just outscore a team. the only negative aspecty is we will see teams playign with a lone striker up front leading to some uninspiring matches to witness.

Chelsea have had a quiet off season with only Florent Malouda as a big name signing but the club stil has big names available. The only downside the billionaire's boys club will experience are the rash of injuries they have experienced at the start of the season which may leave them witha bit of catching up to do.

With Thierry Henry leaving Arsenal many have thought that Gooner fans are in for a lean season, but they hardly had the man playing last season and still finished fourth. Arsene Wenger wil be as cagey as ever and will sure get his young team up. They may not be up there for the title but you never know what could happen with a team coached by AW and the maturation of players such as Van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott.

However, it wont be an easy season for the ususual top four. The off seson has seen team such as West Ham United, Newcastle United and Manchester City spend big on players and will be tough propositions.

Overall the gap between teams will be diomished after a lot of off season activity. There will be a greater number of teams that could potentially trip the premiership aspirations of Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal but this means that the competition should be a lot more competitive and not result in a two horse race by October.

As for Liverpool, my prediction (actually it is more hope) is that they will finish second and close the gap to MU. Chelsea will finish a close third with Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City fighting for the positions below.

If Fernando Torres can play to his potential and not mirror the expereince with our other Fernando (Morientes that is) and Dirk Kuyt adding more goals, it could be a fruitful season for the Anfield club and there will be more songs being sung at the Kop.

But this season will be a lot more closer that before, I can only hope.

Time to kick off.

Socceroos find Iraq's weapons of mass destruction

Friday night was a depressing night for me. I went to the pub with a few mates to catch the Australia vs Iran game expecting the lads to bounce back from a disappointing opener against Oman.

Instead I came hope p'ed off at what I saw at a poor performance which I blame on the coach Graham Arnold.

The Aussie team have used excuses like the heat, humidity and the opposition's defensive approach as being restrictive to their game. I believe that is a cop out.

Some of the players have come out saying they are at fault, but really it is Arnie's. He has proven he has no game plan and no idea.

First let us talk WC 2006. Back then we were the underdogs so we came out defensive with a lone striker playing up front supported by a 5 man midfield. However, in the Asian Cup, we are a favourite and as a fav, we have to be more attacking.

What I am trying to say is that Arnie has not changed the game plan to when Hiddink was the coach and that is poor. Even before the tournament, I knew we had to play 2 strikers because of the weather and conditions. One man up front will see 2/3 players marking him when the ball goes near him. The conditions are so hot and humid that he wont have support up there quick enough to pass the ball too.

It is pathetic!

The other aspect to complain about is the tournament preparation. They should have been in the area at least 5-7 days earlier and more importantly took part in at least 2 more practice matches to build their match fitness up.

Again the coach did not do his job in this aspect.

Who knows, they may beat the Thais tomorrow, make it through and to lift the cup. But tactically and preparation wise, we have been poor so far.

All credit to Iraq and Oman, but they were given a hand by the Australian team's coaching staff.

* * * * * *

So Liverpool broke their records to sign Fernando Torres for a reported 20m pounds. A good buy and I hope he does a lot better than the last Fernando that came along. But he is young, quick and a future star in the making.

He has not scored loads of goals in the past but he did not have a supply line as he does now. I am sure the defense at Atletico Madrid is not as strong as Liverpool's. So I am hoping he can grab a few goals and at least get us to challenge for the title this coming season.

Nonetheless, I am sure the ladies will be happy.

WE have also signed Yossi Benayoun and Babel from Ajax. I like Benyaoun and I think he is a great pick up. Everytime we played West Ham he stood out as such a creative force. I look forward to him doing soem damage down our flanks.

I do not know much of Babel but he is a young player with a bright future. I also hope he provides us with some good work down the flanks.

But as most Liverpool supporters know, new players take a while to adapt to the premiership so I do not think these guys will impact positively for us instantly. It shall take time, but the key for the club is to come out firing and not to open such a large gap to the Manure-ians and Chelscum's!!

I can dream can't I.

* * * * * *

Two final notes, I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Great movie and cover the important parts of the book. An intriguing line near the end where Luna Lovegood mentions to Harry that things we think we have lost will come back to us, but not in the way we expect.

Something says to me that this may impact the cses os Sirius Black and Dumbledore? Only a few more sleeps until the last book is upon us!

And lastly, good win by my boys yesterday. A 6-0 win but it was not as easy as that. We played against a good team and had a bit of luck run our way. Well done!! Big game next week and we need the win to consolidate top spot and apply pressure on the top team.

For results visit mcsaweb.com.au

Akopolis Now

I was sad, I was angry (particularly at the ref) and I was depressed but the boys did extremely well in making their second Champions league final in 3 years. After receiving all those sms’s and emails from well wishing and mannered Manchester United fans, I decided to take this attitude:

You win some and you lose some.

Luck plays a part in any sporting match, for any team. Look at what happened in the final of 2005 and then again in FA Cup final of 2006. Unfortunately, the luck was with Milan yesterday, they got that deflection for the goal. I can not be upset or hate the Rossonerri for beating us, they are a quality side and deserved to win. They scored and we did not.

It came as a surprise that Liverpool came out as the more attacking team. My only question for the lineup was why pick Bolo Zenden and Pennant if there is no Peter Crouch? I mean the game plan was to attack from the flanks but we needed a target man there and while I love Dirk Kuyt he is not 6 foot 7inches now!

I though Javier Mascherano was awesome and he kept Kaka in check, this guy could definitely be my new hero. This was backed by the fact that Kaka did not influence any major attack until he passed the ball for Inzaghi (when Mascherano was warming the sidelines).

As for the referring, what I hate most in a game is an inconsistent referee. If a ref is bad, then please be bad for both sides. I hate the ref who makes a call on a foul but when something similar happens just waves play on. Players, fans and coaches hate that as the players do not know how to adapt to the game. This fellow was an embarrassment for UEFA and let us hope they do not appoint such a waste for their showcase event. I mention the fact that there should have been another 45 seconds of play and that Liverpool should of scored. But that is a dream.

But now I look to the future. I think the loss will light a fire in the belly of guys like Stevvie, Carra, Risse, Javier, Rafa etc. Hopefully they put in a hard pre season so they start the next EPL season on the front foot by grabbing some wins.

Face facts, is Liverpool supporters want the EPL title – this is our holy grail now!

2007 Australian Sikh Games

It has been a while innit????

So what has been happening with you?

For me there been a few things goings and comings, here and there.

A few weeks Melbourne played host to the Sikh Games. Bascially it is a weekend of sports, drinking, rousing, womanising and all sorts of stuff. But basically the games are that, games played by the Sikhs from all over Australia and internationally like Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Malaysia.



Personally, I was involved with coaching the Victoria Sikh Association football teams - the senior mens and under 17's. In a nut shell, the seniors, won 1 and lost 2 matches, although the match against Singapore was tinged with controversy for me as they scored an offisde goal and should have had a player sent off for hitting another player.

Melbourne's most wanted!! (by the authorities)

The under 17's ran around and did ok but sadly could not win either of their two matches, but they played well and were unlucky.

Anyway here are some more "action" shots from the games. (Can you see that Melbourne has a drought and was a bit dusty)

I also had my cousin and good friends down from Perth partaking in the hockey tournament. They did well but got knocked out in the semi final against Sydney. Unfortunately the organisers teally kocked up things here. the draw for the finals was amazingly confusing and pretty poorly thought too.

I could see they had thoughts of giving teams a few matches so they found the tournament worth partaking in, but it was ridiculous.

Basically, if a team was eliminated they would get not one but sometimes 3 chances to play again to make the seni finals. RIDICULOUS!!! It was so bad that Perth beat a team 3-0 then played them later that day and beat them 4-0 to make the semi finals.

So when they came to the semi finals, they had played 3 matches that day (and had an hours rest before this match) against a teamthat played once that day and had nearly 7 hours between matches.

CRAZY!!!

But enough of that. It was great fun to see the guys and share quite a few beers and chats. Also caught up with a lot of people from Perth I had not seen in a few years and the most crazy thing was seeing some of the people I knew as little kids then all grown up - man i feel old now!!

Metria was also kind enough to let me run amuck with the friends and that is why I love this girl!!

Next up: Our trip to the Sunshine Coast.

Where was the wall?

T'was a game where one team looked like the far superior team. Yet when it came to the part that mattered, we failed.

It is downright depressing to be killed at the death of the match..again. This time , by all people - John O'Shea. Yes there is only one O'Shea as Keropok says, and I am thankful because let us face it, he is pretty average and he only looks good because of the quality around him.

But therein, lies the major issue here. MU are a fairly decent team on their way to their next title.

Championship teams win these type of matches. They did it against Fulham the week before and they did it again.

We, the Liverpool, did not convert our chances. We did not the ball in the back of the net, where it counts. We did sweet F.A. where it mattered in the end. Sadly, MU did so. Kudos to the and this is why they have one hand on the trophy. Basically the championship is theirs to lose.

I just hope the fans can handle the win with some sort of "class" but I fear they will end up moreso like the last 3 letters of that word.

There was a suspect offside call on Bellamy when he scored but it may have been right (it hit Sissoko's head on the way to him so it depends on where he was at that time).

Lets hope we fair better against Barcelona on Wednesday morning.

YNWA

No more DIC

I certainly hope that Liverpool have not shot themselves in thefoot or anywehre else by not agreeing for DIC to buy the team, pay off debts and build a new stadium. Because DIC pulled out and left us dry.

The other bidder - Gillette is now in a prime position and could invariably do things their own way. From what I have read, Gillette initially wanted to share a stadium with the blue side of Liverpool - no way!

I just hope this is not a Kock Up!

Another published article

I finally got to finishing my next article for Sportingo and you click here for the link.

Hope you enjoyed this one.

Before the year ends I shall review the year and talk about the lows and highs on a few things.

Woopidy Diddly Doo - The Ashes have returned

Yep, sometime yesterday afternoon (Melbourne time) Australia won back the Ashes after beating England in the third test in my old home town of Perth.

The good thing about the victory is that I can give my cousin and uncle in England a hard time and meke comments like:

"Can I tell you a joke???"....."The English cricket team!"

"Mate, the cricket team makes your football team look like superstars"

and jokes like:

"What do you call an Englishmen with a hundred runs next to his name?"...."A bowler"

Good times!!

Now that is done I read the local Australian papers about how great this Australian team is etc etc. How England stuffed up and how we deserve it.

Goodc god, the papers sometimes are so full of it. Take the victory with some sense of sportsmanship and grace. Please.

they are mentioning how good Shame Warne and what a sportsmen he is. PULEEAZZE, he is such an arrogant twat. Watching his appealing was just plain embarrassing and h showed what a spoilt brat he is.

why he is not reported and fined by the authorities shows how gutless they are sometimes. He is such a baby if he does not get his way and i can not stand that arrogance. I rather be tied to a chair and watch 3 hindi love movies in a row that watch his crap.

oh well...at elast Monty got selected and took a bag of wickets (just shows one major flaw the selectors got wrong there). Good to see a brother do his magic!

* * * * * * *

Liverpool 3 and the Djimi Traore recital 0

We probably should have scored more goals but looks like the team is on goal scoring fire!! Good to see and we even moved into third spot. Liking this outfit now but alas....too late now innit!!

BARGGER!!

Still at least we are winning and the aim is to maximise points over the xmas/new years break where there is an orgasm of football. so many matches over so many days. Lets hope ManUre and Cheqski get a few losses along with the Arses, Bolted and Boredsmouth.

But good to see Djimi Traore repay us for giving him a Champions League and FA cup trophy by kung fu kicking Jermaine Pennant head and thereby, giving away a penalty. Good work, no wonder we sold you!

That is my xmas wish!

Also how di MU get the easiest team in the chamops league draw and we draw Barcelona? How?? The draw was made by MU right?

PS. This is my 99th entry. Guess the next one better be a good one!

My first time

I have been published!!

WOO HOO!!!

click on this to go to the article

The Impotence of being Liverpool

OK, I have to ask a question that is on the minds of many Liverpudlian's and their supporters.

What is the problem with the Reds?

What has happened when they leave Anfield? What' the deal? To quote Marvin Gaye: "What's goin' on?"

It like Spears and Federline, for what has happened to Liverpool between last season and this season.

7 away matches for 2 draws, 5 losses and 1 goal.

That goal came from a lucky (others would say dubious) penalty to the new kids of the block - Sheffield Whonited which resulted in us snatching a draw. The other draw came last night against a Middlesboro team that we outplayed. 16-1 shots at goal, 10-2 corners, 60% possession.

Liverpool we supposed to come to this season and challenge Chelsea for the title ahead of MU and Arsenal. They would defend wholeheartedly and keep the ball limiting opportunities for their opponents to score goals. They were going to play hard and play tough.

A lot of people picked them to challenge for #1 and finish in the top 3 easily. A lot of people.

So what has happened?

Some have said that the away record is a result of having to play some of the biggest teams in the EPL. Against Chelsea we played well and thanks to a superb bit of skill from Didier Drogba they got the 3 points. We were unlucky we kept on hitting the woodwork.

Suffice to say when playing at Old Trafford, Emirates and the Toffees we were outplayed and outclassed. There was the game at the Reebok where a bunch of old guys scored against us one dubiously and the other shamed last years defensive warriors. They are 3 tough venues to go and play against (not so Everton but we should have played better).

Yet when Liverpool play at home they are a different team. 6 matches for 5 wins and a draw. Most wins came from some superb play where the goals came.

This is Jekyll and Hyde-esque.

Is this an aberration or an indication for the season? Is this a serious situation that needs to be addressed.

So what is wrong?

• Steven Gerrard is definitely not 100%. Mentally and physically. If you look at what he has done the last 2 years you can see there are signs of mental exhaustion. The previous season he started in august and finished with lifting the Champs League trophy in May. However due to the poor local form Liverpool had to start in July 2005 and he played in the world cup finishing in July 2006. one month later he was back at training. So in the space of 2 years he has had about 6 weeks off.
  

• A few of his team mates are also in the same situation. So physically they are exhausted.

• There are a number of new players so time is needed for players to establish their roles. Usually a team with a number of players at each position results in competitiveness for spots, like Chelsea. Yet this does not seem to be transposed on to the pitch. Are the players trying too hard at training to get a game yet when it comes to the match, hey are too tired of god forbid, to lazy to play as hard!

• Rotation works but it does not help with the chemistry in some instances. As a football manager I am loathe to change the defensive structure and players a lot because a goalkeeper develops an understanding with his back men and chopping and changing can have bad effects.
  

• Collectively, they are playing without pride and therein, I believe likes the issue. NO PRIDE in the jersey!

See they have allowed a lot of goals this season. A lot more than this time last year. At least this time last year we were either drawing with nil all scores or losing against good teams by a goal. No pride!

Could it be that things are bigger than that. When breaking things down further, it is not really pride. Maybe its fate. I look at teams in other sports where this has happened like Sydney FC in the A-League here are struggling now after being last seasons champs and may miss the final series this year. The Chicago White Sox who won the world series in 2005 yet failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2006. The Miami Heat, won the NBA title last year and are now winning as much as they are losing, their latest defeat coming at the hands on the inept and overpaid New York Knicks.

Is this a case of teams being supreme one season only to fall into a level of mediocrity the following season? Are the players getting ahead of themselves, feeling that the effort they put in last season will cut it this year?

See Liverpool are now in need to be panicked over, they were a team touted to finally make the challenge to finally win the EPL title, what all Red supporters want, the holy grail! Some people are not panicking like Rafa and, in Rafa I trust, but I am worried now. It does not look too promising.

So the question is what can save Liverpool? I trust Rafa as he has delivered and will give him time but he can only do so much. A manager can give his team the tools to succeed but the players have to execute the plan and that is what is missing. The guys just do not seem to execute well.

So who will save them? I think it has to be Jamie Carragher. He knows of Liverpool and their history and he knows how much it means to put on that red jersey and play in front of the Kop, as much as Stevvie or Robbie.

I do not mean give him the ball and all that, I am talking about his soul. He has to become the soul of Liverpool FC.

Stevvie G is the leader, best player and heart of the team. Lord knows he has proven it a lot in the past. But he is going though a slump and time will bring him back.

But right now the team needs someone to inject the passion and desire when playing for Liverpool. That man is Carra. He can give his team mates a sense of what it means to be in Liverpool and keep them in check. Stevvie did a lot and drove them to work well. But now to take the net step they need the soul!

They need someone who will make sure the team this good, this talented will not go on losing and not scoring away from home. A person who will pull the lever when the noose has been placed over the opposition neck.

Someone has to give the players faith in themselves, someone on the pitch not on the sidelines because a manager can only get you so far.

Some have said to give them time and that Liverpool are out of whack. But there is a difference being out of whack and being straight whack.