Why intercity derbies don't really mean anything
As anybody living in these parts probably knows by now, the entire South Welsh Police force will be having a paperwork-free bonding session at the Liberty Stadium this Saturday lunchtime. The itinerary will include separating lager-breathed Danny Dyer lookalikes hell-bent on manhandling one another, lots of human-barrier forming akin to portraying the Berlin Wall in a pleasant game of charades, and constant correction of daft scoundrels who keep mistaking you for a pink animal with trotters and a tail.
Oh, and in the background, a game of football between the two largest Welsh cities is scheduled.
Along with their elder brother, the metropolis derby, intercity derbies are still regarded as the bedrock of British football. Foam-mouthed pundits will reel off the likes of United vs Liverpool, Blackburn vs Burnley, and Norwich vs Ipswich with all the enthusiasm of a wind turbine during a hurricane.
Yet other than a rowdier ambience, burgeoned ticket sales, and a free-for-all on the town that hosts the stadium for burglars, these games mean diddly squat in terms of one branch of regional politics triumphing over another. And anybody who tries convincing you otherwise is as misguided as Popeye is if he thinks tinned-spinach counts as one of his 5-a-day.
South Wales Battle Royal!
This Saturday sees the 'big one', between my beloved Swans and our neighbours C****ff. By now I'm sure you all know the significance of this fixture, the passion, the unbridled hate and unfortunately the occasional violence.. by the way there's a footy game in the midst ...
Nov 02, 2009 | Read this article...
Two can play that game you're playin'
Due to work commitments, I missed the opening zwanzig minuten of debt-free (?) Cardiff City's Beeb-televised clash with Nottingham Branches and Leaves. Fans and the TV bigwigs were salivating at the prospect of this encounter between the Newcastle-chasing duo: it was whole vs skimmed milk lids; Walker's Ready Salted vs the same brand's Cheese & Onion crisps; Pepsi vs Tizer; roquefort vs Red Leicester; and ultimately, a battle to see who'd be the most incomprehensible in the post-match interview - destitute Liverpudlian vs knock-yer-wee-block-off-sunnie Govan Docks product. An aspect of the game - a bitty, feisty goal and point apiece affair - that genuinely intrigued me was the chance to see the past and present of academy-spawned right-backs donning the same pitch in a meaningful encounter. Chris Gunter was a first-team regular with the Bluebirds before being whisked away for a clandestine love affair with Spurs. Alas, for all the allure of Premier League romance, Gunter's upward-transfer turned out to be a condom-split-culminating quickie in the back of a Renault 5.
Nov 02, 2009 | Read this article...
You don’t have to beat Posh to be privileged
And beating Posh doesn’t mean that we are privileged. But, we did play quite well, as you must do the win in this league. What this was, was something Davey always struggled with. Peterborough were without doubt, the worst team we’ve played this season. We didn’t play fantastically, but had the right balance between all the different factors required to take three points that many teams like us will take this season. Clinically picking up points where we need to.
Nov 01, 2009 | Read this article...
'Phew' at these few
By virtue of failing to capture a transfer target last summer, it appears that we've had a fortuitous moral escape. Marlon King was briefly lusted after, but thankfully negotiations barely went beyond a few e-mails/faxes/phone calls. Or texts, whatever it is club chairmen do these days (Ridsdale to Dave Whealan: "HI DAVE. CN WE SGN KNG PLZ? 'PISTOL' PETE" Whealan: "AYE, BOO TIT'LL COST YER...LOL"). King has just been jailed for 18 months on a sexual assault charge, amongst other things. While players at our own club have also spent the past week making headlines for the wrong reasons (yes, YOU, McCormack, you ignorant bundle of dog doo), the few million that was likely to have changed hands in luring King down here would have that made transfer a disastrous and costly investment.
Oct 30, 2009 | Read this article...
United: they stood strong.
Ah well, we tried. We really did try. We, and the nation via Sky, watched a lot of good performances from the Barnsley players. All we can ask going into a game like this is for a good solid performance. And that’s what we got, against a sublimely talented young United side. We could have got a lot more out of this, but 12 shots off target tells a story. If United had created our range of chances, they would have scored 5 or 6.
Oct 28, 2009 | Read this article...
8 Undefeated and Joint Best Defence in the League!I'm Still Being Picky Though!
What a difference a change in manager makes! Under one, we were known as the the most aesthetically pleasing attacking side in the football league, under the other, we are now a possession greedy defensive behemoth. Which ever way you cut it, we still play attractive passing ...
Oct 28, 2009 | Read this article...
10 reasons why Peter Whittingham is currently making life more difficult for City's opponents than trying to pull a condom over Darth Maul's head
12 goals in 17 games, 9 in the last 6, milestone hat-tricks, countless assists: yep, life is sweet for the left-midfielder at present. So pointing and laughing at Iridonian Zabraks aside, here are a full roster of toes explaining how and why Peter Whittingham is currently more potent in attack than the Luftwaffe was over London in September 1940. (NB - This list isn't compiled in any kind of rank order)
(1). His new-found willingness to track back and tuck in have led to his team-mates and manager appreciating him more. Confidence, as they say, breeds confidence, and with extra trust being instilled in him by the tactician and fellow City players, Whittingham's other assets have been accentuated.
Oct 27, 2009 | Read this article...
One, Two, Three, Four, I Declare A Thumb War
Following last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, Argyle skipper Carl Fletcher has launched an astonishing attack on Argyle's board, claiming the decision to allow Marcel Seip to play for Blackpool against Argyle, his parent club, made the club seem "Mickey Mouse" You can read the story in more detail here : suffice to ...
Oct 26, 2009 | Read this article...
Manchester United
Sunday was the first time I wrote that name, since the day of the draw. Like Robins, I've been scared of what would happen to the players concentration if we took our eye off the ball. It happened on Saturday, and maybe on Tuesday. But it can't happen tommorow. No-way.
These games do come around from time to time, so long as you earn them. We've done a lot of good hard work in the League Cup this season, far too much to give it up without a fight. Therefore, I can only see Mark Robins, famous for scoring 'the goal the saved Fergie's job', playing the strongest team available to him.
Oct 26, 2009 | Read this article...
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- Dave Jones and his seven dwarfs
SurveyReviewer: Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting post. ... [read more] - Dave Jones and his seven dwarfs
Doghacks: I’m tempted to say “what a load of crap!” just for the sake of irony, but I’ll refrain - Dave Jones and his seven dwarfs
SurveyReviewer: Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more? - The Coca-Cola Championship 2009-10 Preseason Preview
streetwear: Wow,super site here! - South Wales Battle Royal!
Martyn: Our previews differ a little... Reckon Trundle will play, and if so, try too hard? - You don’t have to beat Posh to be privileged
Oli: Well, we were told to expect a player who actually liked to be wide. But, his best has always come p ... [read more] - You don’t have to beat Posh to be privileged
Martyn: That's interesting. Reggina are in Serie B, so you think they'd find a use for him. It can't even be ... [read more] - You don’t have to beat Posh to be privileged
Oli: Emil Hallfredsson, Icelandic internation central midfielder who weve got on loan from Reggina for th ... [read more] - Two can play that game you're playin'
Martyn: "A little worried about Matthews being left to deal with cleaning up at the back while Burke is stil ... [read more] - Two can play that game you're playin'
Martyn: Our excellent goal - it was like the Diet version of that* incredible Argentine effort against Serbi ... [read more]
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