---Bye, Bye Newcastle.
There's a lot of advantages to being in the Premiership that just went right out the window for owner Mike Ashley. Among these...the thing he cares about the most- money (he'll still get a supplement for the next 2 years if they remain in the Championship, but just like Reading, if they don't gain promotion next year, say goodbye to any semi-name players remaining with the club)...and the thing he should care about the most- the fans. Toon supporters will continue to back the team, but any respect for the owner is now long gone. Take it down now, though...Newcastle will be back in the Prem after 1 year, and it will be with Alan Shearer at the helm. Middlesborough will be back, too---but minus Gareth Southgate.
---Hull Survives!
There are moments in life where you just can't help but smile and feel really good for someone...and Sunday was that day. The scene at the KC was nothing like you'd expect for a team that hasn't won a game since George Bush was President. Phil Brown taking the mic and leading a still-packed stadium in song to celebrate their survival in top flight English football is one hell of a sight.
While we're at it, huge congrats to Stoke...a team that took its time to find its groove, but has played the last 2 months like a team that belongs. I'm not saying they'll be a mid-table team next year, they may not survive at all, but they do belong back the way they finished (especially compared to their bottom-half counterparts).
And one last Prem note for tonight---welcome Burnley...a giant-killer in the FA Cup gets to try to prove it against the rest of the Prem.
---I'm keeping my Red Bulls note short this week...
I missed this weekend's game, one of two this season I'll miss, but I did catch it on DVR. They certainly didn't deserve to lose...but all that matters at this point is they did lose. It's 1/3 of the way through the season, sitting in the basement...it's too soon to panic, but you simply cannot afford to give up points when you're this far back with the way the West is playing (those last wildcards are setting up well for the West). The biggest issue this season has been consistency, but it's hard to blame the players. 11 games, 11 different starting lineups... At some point, it's not just the player's fault anymore...
---Quick Cheers to ESPN
Fantastic almost-8-minute piece on North Brunswick's own Tim Howard. A great goalkeeper, a great American, a great man. He's carried this team at times this year---Everton started very inconsistent, but Timmy's set a club record for shutouts...not to mention he picked up 2 saves in the penalty shootout to defeat former club Man. U. in the FA Cup semis... He deserves the FA Cup on Saturday...I know I'll be wearing my blue.
---This week's best:
"He's got a bird's nest on his head!" -West Ham fans at Goodison about big-haired Marouane Fellaini - to the tune of He's Got The Whole World In His Hands.
"You'll have a nice time at Millwall!" -Fulham fans to Newcastle.
"Ravi, Ravi, Ravi Ravi, Ravi, Ravi Bopara, he scored three tons, he scored three tons!" -Third day of the second Test at Chester le Street, to the tune of Karma Chameleon.
"He's gonna cry in a minute!" -Wigan fans taunt Ronaldo after he throws a hissy-fit for not getting a free-kick.
"Are you Batman in disguise?" -Liverpool fans behind the goal after Di Michele's comedy tumble for West Ham.
"You're just a fat Steven Gerrard!" -Sheffield United fans to Preston's Neil Mellor.
Rather than waiting a whole week, I'll be back tomorrow to discuss the Champions League final and Bradley's roster for Costa Rica and Honduras (The Yanks are coming. Will you be there?)
No comments:
Post a Comment