"I livvvvvvvve." -- Andrews.
Way back when (no, not when the now Arizona-based Andrews used to contribute to this here slice of Internets...before the futbol madness) the lad would spend a lot of time playing N-64 shooters with my younger brother, namely -- "Goldeneye" and "Perfect Dark" (Ah, pre-Halo days.)
Well, whenever someone would elude a tight spot or near death experience, that now patented phrase would always ensue.
In a way it feels appropriate for this week's slate of Premier League games. Chelsea's not dead. Tottenham showed some signs of life with a frisky display at Anfield.
Yeah, not great but the other option was a "return to normalcy" as the results broke pretty much as expected. (My Friday guesses...another story.) Apologies to Warren G. Harding, but normalcy isn't even a word.
Though, aside from surprising Manchester City in third the table doesn't look that out of whack -- at the top at least -- ahead of next week's enthralling international break. (USMNT/Switzerland. Oct. 17...St. Jakob Park...yod-a-lay-eeeee-hoooooooooo!.)
Heros of the week
1. Robin v.Persie, Arsenal -- So what if he was once accused of rape and held in a Dutch prison, two goals -- including the winner to spare the blushes vs. Sunderland -- are good for a guy with more hair gel than the entire nation of Outer Mongolia.
2. Elano, Manchester City -- His last name is Blumer. That makes me laugh.
3. Michael Owen, Newcastle United -- Mr. Glass with another stoppage time winner this time vs. Everton.
4. Fernando Torres, Liverpool -- Yeah, it only tied it 2-2 with Spurs, but did salvage something.
5. Robbie Keane, Spurs -- Must have found a four-leafed clover under the Anfield Road Stand.
Zeros of the week
1. Premier League poobahs -- Whoever came up with the schedule of fixtures this weekend was abysmal. (My apologies, I just assumed Sunday's Liverpool/Spurs start time was 11 a.m. EDT, not 10 as it turned out.) One live game when you're accustomed to at least three is a killer, particularly nothing on Saturday morning hurt. For shame. Tsk, tsk.
2. Since I could hardly see anything (no highlights show yet) no one else gets the indignity.
Yank of the Week
Marcus Hahnemann, Reading -- A week after giving up seven vs. Portsmouth, kept a clean sheet...albeit against lowly Derby County.
Name of the week
Henk Ten Cate, speculative Chelsea something or other. Perhaps what is holding up a possibly deal to move the Ajax coach to London is that he wants to bring along his brother Henk Eleven Cate. (Zing!)
One more quick Liverpool jaunt
What's the deal with Steven Gerrard's form? Is he a guy that's better with lesser players? Two games this week with minimal Gerrard chutzpah. Is he getting swallowed up for all the stars bought from Tom Hick's Dr. Pepper money?
Also, how bad does this team miss Xabi Alonso?
Fifi Man of the week
Younes Kaboul...a nose piercing...in a game. Please.
FIFA of the week
Considering how shit-tastic the "FIFA 08" demo released on XBOX Live turned out, chances are I'm not plunking $60 USD on the game. (Plus the Halo 3 factor.) I'll try to rent it and get a decent review for the site at some point in the near future. Until then, any user impressions would be excellent.
At the very least the game should feature Martin Tyler and Andy Gray, as well as the same, robotic, repetitive game-play.
The fact Pro Evo 2008 doesn't hit US shores until the spring sucks...except for the 'Halo 3' factor.
Fantasy standout
Kraig Kraft's (K.K.?) PBR FC was the top gameweek total with 81. Cristiano Ronaldo and Elano were the big money tickets. Sadly, our league dropped from 18th overall out of 100,003 to 29th. Still dead impressive.
Closet fans of the week
Chip Caray, Bill Simmons. Comment all-star Jesse pointed out that during ALDS Game 2, TBS announcer Chip Caray compared the atmosphere at Jacobs Field to that of a Premier League game. (The Reebok Stadium, naturally.) In his Friday NFL column, BSG made a throw-away line about Arsenal having the "Ewing Theory" with the loss of Thierry Henry. One thought. Sssssh. We don't need our Saturday mornings ruined by "Frank TV" promos....though Caliendo might be able to do a good Martin Jol, right?
Final note of the week
In case you missed it, Brasil international Afonso Alves netted seven goals, SEVEN for SC Heerenveen in Dutch League play yesterday against Hercacles Almelo. Watch closely, you might see a familiar face for American fans midway through the clip.
Yeah, those are sweet jerseys, right? If I could only raise some capital...
Way back when (no, not when the now Arizona-based Andrews used to contribute to this here slice of Internets...before the futbol madness) the lad would spend a lot of time playing N-64 shooters with my younger brother, namely -- "Goldeneye" and "Perfect Dark" (Ah, pre-Halo days.)
Well, whenever someone would elude a tight spot or near death experience, that now patented phrase would always ensue.
In a way it feels appropriate for this week's slate of Premier League games. Chelsea's not dead. Tottenham showed some signs of life with a frisky display at Anfield.
Yeah, not great but the other option was a "return to normalcy" as the results broke pretty much as expected. (My Friday guesses...another story.) Apologies to Warren G. Harding, but normalcy isn't even a word.
Though, aside from surprising Manchester City in third the table doesn't look that out of whack -- at the top at least -- ahead of next week's enthralling international break. (USMNT/Switzerland. Oct. 17...St. Jakob Park...yod-a-lay-eeeee-hoooooooooo!.)
Heros of the week
1. Robin v.Persie, Arsenal -- So what if he was once accused of rape and held in a Dutch prison, two goals -- including the winner to spare the blushes vs. Sunderland -- are good for a guy with more hair gel than the entire nation of Outer Mongolia.
2. Elano, Manchester City -- His last name is Blumer. That makes me laugh.
3. Michael Owen, Newcastle United -- Mr. Glass with another stoppage time winner this time vs. Everton.
4. Fernando Torres, Liverpool -- Yeah, it only tied it 2-2 with Spurs, but did salvage something.
5. Robbie Keane, Spurs -- Must have found a four-leafed clover under the Anfield Road Stand.
Zeros of the week
1. Premier League poobahs -- Whoever came up with the schedule of fixtures this weekend was abysmal. (My apologies, I just assumed Sunday's Liverpool/Spurs start time was 11 a.m. EDT, not 10 as it turned out.) One live game when you're accustomed to at least three is a killer, particularly nothing on Saturday morning hurt. For shame. Tsk, tsk.
2. Since I could hardly see anything (no highlights show yet) no one else gets the indignity.
Yank of the Week
Marcus Hahnemann, Reading -- A week after giving up seven vs. Portsmouth, kept a clean sheet...albeit against lowly Derby County.
Name of the week
Henk Ten Cate, speculative Chelsea something or other. Perhaps what is holding up a possibly deal to move the Ajax coach to London is that he wants to bring along his brother Henk Eleven Cate. (Zing!)
One more quick Liverpool jaunt
What's the deal with Steven Gerrard's form? Is he a guy that's better with lesser players? Two games this week with minimal Gerrard chutzpah. Is he getting swallowed up for all the stars bought from Tom Hick's Dr. Pepper money?
Also, how bad does this team miss Xabi Alonso?
Fifi Man of the week
Younes Kaboul...a nose piercing...in a game. Please.
FIFA of the week
Considering how shit-tastic the "FIFA 08" demo released on XBOX Live turned out, chances are I'm not plunking $60 USD on the game. (Plus the Halo 3 factor.) I'll try to rent it and get a decent review for the site at some point in the near future. Until then, any user impressions would be excellent.
At the very least the game should feature Martin Tyler and Andy Gray, as well as the same, robotic, repetitive game-play.
The fact Pro Evo 2008 doesn't hit US shores until the spring sucks...except for the 'Halo 3' factor.
Fantasy standout
Kraig Kraft's (K.K.?) PBR FC was the top gameweek total with 81. Cristiano Ronaldo and Elano were the big money tickets. Sadly, our league dropped from 18th overall out of 100,003 to 29th. Still dead impressive.
Closet fans of the week
Chip Caray, Bill Simmons. Comment all-star Jesse pointed out that during ALDS Game 2, TBS announcer Chip Caray compared the atmosphere at Jacobs Field to that of a Premier League game. (The Reebok Stadium, naturally.) In his Friday NFL column, BSG made a throw-away line about Arsenal having the "Ewing Theory" with the loss of Thierry Henry. One thought. Sssssh. We don't need our Saturday mornings ruined by "Frank TV" promos....though Caliendo might be able to do a good Martin Jol, right?
Final note of the week
In case you missed it, Brasil international Afonso Alves netted seven goals, SEVEN for SC Heerenveen in Dutch League play yesterday against Hercacles Almelo. Watch closely, you might see a familiar face for American fans midway through the clip.
Yeah, those are sweet jerseys, right? If I could only raise some capital...
Labels: Premier League, Soccer
I just keep thinking his name is Rapin van Persie. Meanwhile, RvP's first goal, the free kick, was simply nasty. Unsaveable. If he stays hot, and Ade remains hot, and the midfield continues to score goals, that is gonna be an impossible team to beat. Thank God Plaxico Adebayor is as inconsistent as it gets and he'll get back to missing sitters before ya know it.
Robbie Keane should get hero credit for his two poacher's goals, but Berbatov deserves just as much credit. The swarthy Bulgarian played both on brilliantly, and he was the first to every ball in the air yesterday. Keano doesn't get either of those goals without his world-class strike partner.
Lastly, I know Gerrard ain't exactly in the finest of forms, but he didn't play poorly yesterday at all. In fact, that was a decent game for him -- drew the free kick that led to the first goal, and he put that free on net mind you, he had another one hit the post, he sent Torres and Voronin down the pitch on some great thru-balls, and generally he played much better than anyone will give him credit for. Look, he's clearly sub-Gerrard right now, and has been for quite a while, but yesterday was not a Pick on Stevie Match in my estimation.
I hate this two week absence for internationals.
As for FIFA, after I downloaded the demo I went home to get my PS2. I plan on buying that version this week.
I gotta agree with Ace Cowboy (wow, that's embarrassing to actually refer to a person by their screenname) regarding Gerrard. Against Spurs, he was clearly the best player on the pitch.
I imagine you were just distracted by Vironin's INCREDIBLE hairstyle. Seriously, when will you be devoting an entire column to that guy?
hmm...voronin...let's see. he does look like he should be playing tennis or something.
Cardillo
Kraig Kraft is indeed K.K.
Not quite as thrilling as unmasking spiderman, but so be it.
I'm currently south of the border and will be for a while - can I change my team's name to Carta Blanca FC? Or Indio FC?
I had basic cable in the US and suffered from a lack of soccer. Just the basic cable down here, one drowns in the coverage. Sportscenter on ESPN here is all soccer, all the time, with american football treated like soccer at home.
Saludos
KK