"Pull me out of the aircrash,
Pull me out of the lake,
'cause i'm your superhero,
we are standing on the edge.
The head of state has called for me by name
but I don't have time for him.
It's gonna be a glorious day!
I feel my luck could change." -- Radiohead, "Lucky"
The question posed by wonky-eyed Thom Yorke & Co., is are you lucky to survive and air crash? Or unlucky because you were in the crash in the first place?
Maybe this is a little morbid, but this weekend the Premier League recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. I won't pretend to know that much about it. That's what Wikipedia is for, right?
Anyway, there was a moment in 'Seinfeld' when George Costanza wonders how come no American professional teams have ever had an air disaster, considering how much they travel by plane. To my knowledge there has only been a few scattered incidents:
* Marshall University football, as chronicled in the Mad Dog Russo approved "We Are Marshall."
* Oklahoma State basketball lost a couple reserves in a small plane crash a few years ago.
* That doomed football team from "Beetlejuice."
Guess we're just lucky.
Okay, maybe such trivialization of a tragedy that to this day causes grown men to break down in tears is a little much. Let's just hope that no idiots Manchester City fans -- Noel Gallagher I'm looking squarely at you -- decide ruin the moment' silence as happened at the England friendly midweek.
Whatever side of the aisle you fall on, give a moment to remember Busby's Babes.
Also, make note for some reason Fox Soccer Channel only has one live game on Saturday. Weird.
Lastly, Premier League games abroad? Kind of different than the NFL. The places they want to go actually have first division football. (Commence the MLS jokes.)
Saturday
* Aston Villa v. Newcastle United -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.)
* Middlesbrough v. Fulham -- Fulham would show some real balls if they won this game. Considering what shit 'Boro are 75 percent of the time, it's possible. Of course, there's the off chance that new signing Afonso Alves runs circles around the crummy Fulham defense. If Fulham stay up its on the shoulders of two players -- Jimmy Bullard and surprisingly crafty Simon Davies. This will probably end as a missed opportunity for both sides. ... 'Boro 1, Fulham 1
* Bolton v. Portsmouth -- (Delayed, FSC, 4:30 p.m.) This could be a fast ticket to dullsville. Bolton will keep it tight in the back since they have hardly anyone to score, unless Matty Taylor decides to pay his old club back from 60-yards away. It's been mentioned all over the place, but last Sunday Lassana Diarra was immense in the midfield for Portsmouth. A true wrecking crew. The partnership of Jermain Defoe and Milan 'Perma-tan' Baros, we'll see about that. ... Bolton 0, Portsmouth 1
* Sunderland v. Wigan -- (Live, Setanta, 9:45 a.m.) It's hard to think that Roy Keane hasn't circled this game with a gigantic read circle. Sunderland simply need the three points. It's that simple. Otherwise the only thing red will be the bulbous vein throbbing from Keano's neck. ... Sunderland 2, Wigan 1
* Derby v. Tottenham -- (Delayed, FSC, noon) So, Spurs blew it at the death to United. If you saw the highlights, they were clearly better. If Jermaine Jenas carries his England-form into play and Tom Huddlestone keeps it up, Tottenham could make a late push. They'll just need Robbie Keane and Dmitar Berbatov to keep scoring because that defense -- no matter who it is -- is a joke. ... Derby 1, Spurs 4
* West Ham v. Birmingham -- So, let's see West Ham beats Manchester United and Liverpool but lose to Wigan. Honestly, if I actually wagered money, this game would be off the board. ... West Ham 1, Birmingham 1
* Everton v. Reading -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Amazingly, Reading has let in as many goals as last-place Derby -- a whopping 52. (Ok, seven in one game, but still.) Reading really ought to be careful, it didn't do anything transfer-wise and could be left in the dust if one of the other relegation slummers gets hot. Hopefully Tim Howard calmed down on the long flight back from Houston. ... Everton 2, Reading 0
Sunday
* Manchester City v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Yeah, City stunned United back in August. Don't see it happening here with Elano likely out. In fact this one could get ugly. ... City 0, United 4
* Chelsea v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC 11 a.m.) Chelsea are a machine. A soulless, crude, machine. And with Fernando Torres on the sideline they're a machine that should stomp the life out of listless Liverpool. That is, unless Steven 'Garard' can put on his Superman suit. ... Chelsea 1, Liverpool 1
Bonus game: African Cup of Nations final, Cameroon v. Egypt -- It's sad to see this wonderful tournament end. The Pharaohs have been the most impressive team, especially after dismantling Cote D'Ivoire in the semifinals. Egypt scorers have been rampant -- both Hosny Abd Rabo and Amr Zaky have four apiece, while Mohamed Aboutreika has three. In the back, keeper Essam El-Hadary has been a rock. On the other hand, Cameroon haven't looked great and lost to Egypt 4-2 in their first group stage game. Still, the indomitable Lions have Samuel Eto'o. I picked Cameroon ahead of the tournament and I guesss I'll stick with them, but based on form Egypt are the real betting pick. ... Cameroon 2, Egpyt 1
Monday
* Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, Setanta, 2:45 p.m.) I won't kid myself. Andre Oojer, Ryan Nelsen, etc. aren't slowing down Emmanuel Adebayor, though he should be due for a stinker. ... Arsenal 2, Blackburn 1
Last week: 5-5
Season: 121-126
Pull me out of the lake,
'cause i'm your superhero,
we are standing on the edge.
The head of state has called for me by name
but I don't have time for him.
It's gonna be a glorious day!
I feel my luck could change." -- Radiohead, "Lucky"
The question posed by wonky-eyed Thom Yorke & Co., is are you lucky to survive and air crash? Or unlucky because you were in the crash in the first place?
Maybe this is a little morbid, but this weekend the Premier League recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. I won't pretend to know that much about it. That's what Wikipedia is for, right?
Anyway, there was a moment in 'Seinfeld' when George Costanza wonders how come no American professional teams have ever had an air disaster, considering how much they travel by plane. To my knowledge there has only been a few scattered incidents:
* Marshall University football, as chronicled in the Mad Dog Russo approved "We Are Marshall."
* Oklahoma State basketball lost a couple reserves in a small plane crash a few years ago.
* That doomed football team from "Beetlejuice."
Guess we're just lucky.
Okay, maybe such trivialization of a tragedy that to this day causes grown men to break down in tears is a little much. Let's just hope that no idiots Manchester City fans -- Noel Gallagher I'm looking squarely at you -- decide ruin the moment' silence as happened at the England friendly midweek.
Whatever side of the aisle you fall on, give a moment to remember Busby's Babes.
Also, make note for some reason Fox Soccer Channel only has one live game on Saturday. Weird.
Lastly, Premier League games abroad? Kind of different than the NFL. The places they want to go actually have first division football. (Commence the MLS jokes.)
Saturday
* Aston Villa v. Newcastle United -- (Live, Setanta, 7:45 a.m.)
* Middlesbrough v. Fulham -- Fulham would show some real balls if they won this game. Considering what shit 'Boro are 75 percent of the time, it's possible. Of course, there's the off chance that new signing Afonso Alves runs circles around the crummy Fulham defense. If Fulham stay up its on the shoulders of two players -- Jimmy Bullard and surprisingly crafty Simon Davies. This will probably end as a missed opportunity for both sides. ... 'Boro 1, Fulham 1
* Bolton v. Portsmouth -- (Delayed, FSC, 4:30 p.m.) This could be a fast ticket to dullsville. Bolton will keep it tight in the back since they have hardly anyone to score, unless Matty Taylor decides to pay his old club back from 60-yards away. It's been mentioned all over the place, but last Sunday Lassana Diarra was immense in the midfield for Portsmouth. A true wrecking crew. The partnership of Jermain Defoe and Milan 'Perma-tan' Baros, we'll see about that. ... Bolton 0, Portsmouth 1
* Sunderland v. Wigan -- (Live, Setanta, 9:45 a.m.) It's hard to think that Roy Keane hasn't circled this game with a gigantic read circle. Sunderland simply need the three points. It's that simple. Otherwise the only thing red will be the bulbous vein throbbing from Keano's neck. ... Sunderland 2, Wigan 1
* Derby v. Tottenham -- (Delayed, FSC, noon) So, Spurs blew it at the death to United. If you saw the highlights, they were clearly better. If Jermaine Jenas carries his England-form into play and Tom Huddlestone keeps it up, Tottenham could make a late push. They'll just need Robbie Keane and Dmitar Berbatov to keep scoring because that defense -- no matter who it is -- is a joke. ... Derby 1, Spurs 4
* West Ham v. Birmingham -- So, let's see West Ham beats Manchester United and Liverpool but lose to Wigan. Honestly, if I actually wagered money, this game would be off the board. ... West Ham 1, Birmingham 1
* Everton v. Reading -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Amazingly, Reading has let in as many goals as last-place Derby -- a whopping 52. (Ok, seven in one game, but still.) Reading really ought to be careful, it didn't do anything transfer-wise and could be left in the dust if one of the other relegation slummers gets hot. Hopefully Tim Howard calmed down on the long flight back from Houston. ... Everton 2, Reading 0
Sunday
* Manchester City v. Manchester United -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Yeah, City stunned United back in August. Don't see it happening here with Elano likely out. In fact this one could get ugly. ... City 0, United 4
* Chelsea v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC 11 a.m.) Chelsea are a machine. A soulless, crude, machine. And with Fernando Torres on the sideline they're a machine that should stomp the life out of listless Liverpool. That is, unless Steven 'Garard' can put on his Superman suit. ... Chelsea 1, Liverpool 1
Bonus game: African Cup of Nations final, Cameroon v. Egypt -- It's sad to see this wonderful tournament end. The Pharaohs have been the most impressive team, especially after dismantling Cote D'Ivoire in the semifinals. Egypt scorers have been rampant -- both Hosny Abd Rabo and Amr Zaky have four apiece, while Mohamed Aboutreika has three. In the back, keeper Essam El-Hadary has been a rock. On the other hand, Cameroon haven't looked great and lost to Egypt 4-2 in their first group stage game. Still, the indomitable Lions have Samuel Eto'o. I picked Cameroon ahead of the tournament and I guesss I'll stick with them, but based on form Egypt are the real betting pick. ... Cameroon 2, Egpyt 1
Monday
* Arsenal v. Blackburn Rovers -- (Live, Setanta, 2:45 p.m.) I won't kid myself. Andre Oojer, Ryan Nelsen, etc. aren't slowing down Emmanuel Adebayor, though he should be due for a stinker. ... Arsenal 2, Blackburn 1
Last week: 5-5
Season: 121-126
Labels: Prem League, Soccer
Not that it makes me pleased, but Tottenhams D has actually been very good looking with King fit again and Woodgate signed. Hutton looks to be a serious back as well, and really they look 100x bettet than they did the first half of the season and I'd reasonably bet the form continues. Yes united equalised but it was due to a last minute sub mismarking, not utter shambles.
If we could find a photo of Roger Federer in an Arsenal kit, Chris Russo would suddenly be the EPL's biggest fan.
Poor Toon Army. In an interview with Keegan on the BBC this week, he said that since his contract has no incentives that are reachable this year (hardware, UEFA spots, etc) he's focused on staying out of the drop zone only, and will rebuild the team in the off-season.
He's sandbagging for next season.