Premier Thoughts of Pleasure

The new season - new website

2010-07-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday afternoon, and I find myself with a few moments peace and quiet and a chance to update the blog. July is one of our busiest months at Premier Sports & Leisure, and probably the worst month to be attempting to launch a new website. Anyway, that's what I have been doing, and a click on the image above will take you there. Plenty of work is still needed to ensure all of our extensive product range is available online, but please have a look around and let me have any feedback.

What is equally pleasing is that today is kind of the start of a new football season! What, already I hear you non-football people cry?! Arsenal are in action in the Emirates Cup - basically a glorified friendly held over two days at, yep the Emirates stadium - do you get the feeling that football is selling its soul? What did make me laugh during the summer break was the new that Arsenal are doing the "Arsenalisation" of the Emirates stadium. A couple of small points of note for the board. (1) Didn't you think it might be an idea for the Arsenal stadium to be "Arsenalized" when we moved into it? (2) Surely keeping the original "Highbury" name would have helped? (3) Does sticking a few posters around the place really change anything? The one good bit of news is that the four "sides" of the ground are going to revert back to their old names so for this season you can return to the Clock End, West Stand, East Stand and North Bank. Reality is though, that doesn't change the fact that the nearly new Arsenal stadium just isn't Highbury. Sure, its a beautiful modern stadium, fantastic architecture, sight lines improved, great catering etc etc, but it is now what most modern football stadiums are - a place for corporate sponsorship were us fans are occasionally allowed into play and provide a backdrop for Mr Emirates and Mr Nike to enjoy their pre-match champagne. It might sound like I'm bitter and twisted, but the reality is that Arsenal long ago started to move me out of the picture. The reality is I can no longer afford the £100 per match trips on a regular basis, £50 odd for a replica shirt even the pay per view on the Internet is stretching it a bit far. I'll be a gooner till I die, and will do everything to encourage my daughter to follow my passion, but the fact is that to renew my love of football I may have to seek pastures new..... Yours in sport, Madgooner

Balls....

2010-07-12T04:52:00.000-07:00

So that was it.... the 2010 World Cup is over, the flags have come down, the wall charts neatly folded and stored away in your keepsake box, never to see the light of day again.... On the plus side I guess pre-tournament favourites Spain kinda lived up to their billing and finally got their hands on the one trophy that really matters. South Africa organised a fantastic tournament and were a real credit to the entire African continent. And on the financial side, FIFA made huge amounts of money, slaps on the back all round....

On the negative side, what a boring final! There were the occasional flashes of skill, but it was a bit of a damp squid really. Why two nations who are perfectly capable of playing expansive, attacking football played so defensively is beyond me. Another negative was the lack of the pre-tournament "stars" living up to their billing. Were Fabregas (apart from that pass!), Ronaldo and Rooney? What is also sad was how quickly World Cup fever vanished from this nation the moment that England were knocked out. Looking at yesterdays Sunday papers it was hard to believe that it was final day!

On the humour side, there was plenty on offer to make up for some of the dire footballing skills on show. Here is my top 5:

The Argentina player who ran off to celebrate scoring, then turned round and head butted the camera!
Not sure which game, but there was an injured player and rather then wait for the stretcher he was picked up hand and foot and dragged to the side of the pitch.
The French team being sent home early. Lets be honest, they shouldn't have been there in the first place.
The sign "Daddy Loves Max in Halifax" sign held up as the Spain players came down the steps! Serious preparation required there.
England. 'Nough said...

Overall, let's be honest it wasn't a bad World Cup. It was a shame that the "Fair Play" FIFA go on about didn't exist - Ghana being denied by a Uraguay hand ball and all those yellow cards - but congratulations to Spain, here's to the next one in Brazil.....

Yours in sport Madgooner

Being English....

2010-07-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

It's just not fun anymore. Before the start of the World Cup I had tried hard to ignore my Englishness. I was keen to support an African team. Any Arsenal players at the tournament were playing for France or Spain. I knew in my heart of hearts that England would fail and I couldn't bear to part of that disappointment again. But, on the morning of the 11th June I pulled on my England shirt, hung out my flags and was proud to be an Englishman!!!! Oh how quickly excitement turns to frustration, hope to fear, joy to sorrow. England's performance at the World Cup was at best dismal at worse an abject failure. The players looked out of sorts with one another, the manager clueless and even basic skills were sorely missing. 3 goals scored (and not one of them by the so called "great" Rooney), 1 win and exit in the first knockout stage. There are plenty of commentators out there who can give a far better assessment of why England failed, but I just feel c**p. This feeling has now been emphasised with Andy Murray losing his semi final at Wimbledon. Okay, okay I know he is Scottish and proud of it, but we have all long ago adopted him as our own. Perhaps we shouldn't. Maybe for next years Wimbledon we should say "nah, he's Scottish" whilst secretly cheering him on. But, I don't feel somehow that the gods of sporting success will allow that. Let's face it, we aren't particularly good at success in this country. Don't get me wrong, I know we are doing okay in the one dayers against Australia, but haven't you noticed that half of our team is South African?! Yeah, I know we won the Rugby World Cup once, but since that its been a downhill spiral and if our footballing experience is anything to go by then we won't have another chance of lifting the Ellis Webb Trophy until at least 2054. And as I have already said, our cricket team is full of foreigners, that's not an Englishman capable of lifting a tennis racket, and as for football - our "English" Premier League, is no more English then Andy Murray is. Sure it's a fantastic competition, but the teams that are any good are full of foreign players!!!! Let's face it, there is no hope.... Hang about.... is that Bradley Wiggins I just saw on a pushbike??? Madgooner

World Cup Fever - at last!

2010-06-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

Well folks, the World Cup is finally underway and I for one am absolutely loving it!!! I have made a pledge that I will watch or listen to all or at least part of every game and 20 games in I'm delighted to say that I'm on target. It's quite a tricky ambition. Luckily we have a TV at work, so no problem there. In the car it's on Radio 5 - again, no problem. It's at home were the negotiations have had to take place and I'm sure I will be paying for my stubborn stance for many months to come! I'm not sure how long the rest of my family will go for "but our 8 month baby daughter loves football" line, particularly as she is usually in bed before the last match of the day kicks off!!!

Anyway, let's deal with the first serious issue of the World Cup - the Vuvuzela. My view is this - will everyone please stop criticizing the South Africans over this!!!! Sit down and shut up!!!! The great thing about a World Cup being played in different parts of the world is that we can get exposed to different cultures. We see new stadiums, different scenery, languages, cultures, fans and music. The South Africans have been fantastic and the Vuvuzelas is part of their football culture as the whistle is part of the South American samba, the drums in Spain or that awful "England Supporters Band" trotting out the Great Escape theme at every England match - I wouldn't mind if they played in tune! So, if you don't like like the sound of a swarm of bees at every game - turn the sound off or don't bother watching!

The second serious issue we face at the World Cup is of course FIFA. I'm going to draw your attention to two sides of FIFA, what do you think? The first concerns this bevy of beautiful ladies above. Read the BBCs David Bonds blog here for the full story. This is all about the commercialisation of our game. The protectionism of the sponsors. The creation of a huge amount of income. Now read this from Kevin Eason of the Times. It has always worried me just what South Africa will get out of hosting the World Cup. Yes, it's great that as a nation they are on the front page of every paper, on the TV hourly, but in reality what benefits will this bring the country? Will the new stadium's be utilised after the event? Will ordinary South Africans gain financially? Will even their football teams improve? I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Okay, let's finish this blog on a lighter note -yes, the return of that phenomenon - the England Football Team! I write this blog on the morning of our second match, the "must win" one, in case we face the embarrassment of first round exit. I have successfully avoided getting excited about England as quite simply after years of frustration I gave up on the entirely a year or to ago. I took the view that with our Premiership teams becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, then what possible could be wrong with me choosing to follow a different country then my own at the major tournaments? Ahead of this World Cup I tossed and turned over a few options. Should I support South Africa as I used to live there? How about Ivory Coast, after all they could win it for the African continent? Maybe France as it's full of Arsenal players? On the morning of the 12th June I had a vision. The Crusades, Sir Francis Drake, the red and white flag - I AM ENGLISH! Geoff Hurst's, Bobby Moore, Bobby Robson - I AM ENGLISH! Italia 90, Gazza's tears, David Beckham's sending off - I AM ENGLISH!! Land of Hope and Glory...... So, as with all previous World Cups (regardless of sport), I donned by England shirt, I gathered in the harvest of beer and peanuts, I polished the TV screen, hung out the flags and bunting, I WAS PROUD. England would not fail me this time. THIS TIME WE WOULD BE TRIUMPHANT!!! And then this......

What ever you are up to this World Cup, enjoy

Madgooner

Election Special!

2010-05-06T05:24:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed how similar the Premier League race is to the Election? Arsenal are a bit like the Lib Dems (and yellow is one of the away strips!). On the television a couple of weeks ago they were showing lots of style and promise but as polling day has got nearer they have faded away into a distant third place. Man Utd, in red, are managed by a dour Scotsman - sounding familiar? They have been dominant for the last 13 years but it looks like their time is up and perhaps a new younger leader (Morinho anyone?) could be taking charge soon. Finally there is Chelsea. They wear blue, they are cocky and they are almost certain to win the league this year. It's kind of freaky that the league finished in the same week the election is being run - spooky! I have to confessed to have been a bit quiet on the old blog recently. Perhaps like Arsenal I'm a bit of a fair weather blogger! I'm full of it when we are doing well, but when the injuries set in then my head goes down and my motivation is lost. It's weird being an Arsenal supporter (no jokes!!). For the last 5 seasons we seem to have been there or there abouts for most of the season, but then get knocked out of one competition after another and as we do I lose interest in that competition until there is nothing less. And so it was this season. Out of the Carling Cup, out of the FA Cup, out of the Champions League (will anyone be watching the final in England?!) and now out of the Premiership. I often wonder what it would be like supporting a club that has no chance of winning anything - say like West Ham or Wigan. But then as I was reminded this week when cheering myself up with a reread of Nick Hornbys wonderful "Fever Pitch", Arsenal never used to win anything either! As least we now have the good manners to lose whilst playing cracking football and whoever would have thought that we would have some of the fantastic young talent we have now. This season I have treated myself to a ticket for the last match of the season and on Sunday will be going up to the Emirates for the end of season finale against Fulham. Now, on paper this should be a given 3 points but as Fulham have grown in stature with their adventures in the Europa League, and Arsenal worryingly look over their shoulder at an ever decreasing gap to Spurs, this Sunday could be a scary one. Either way, I'm going to try and enjoy it and perhaps of more interest take part in the pub debates about whom Arsene is going to buy in the summer. Buffoon anyone? Whatever you are up to today - enjoy. Madgooner

Morals

2010-04-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

In this day and age, morals in sport seem to have gone out of the window. We have Premiership stars having affairs with players wife's, managers making racist remarks to cover their own shortcomings and of course the infamous Tiger Woods scenario. I was delighted this week when Billy Payne, the Chairman of Augusta National Club delivered a stinging rebuke to Tiger on the eve of the Masters. "Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children," he said. Fantastic! Whilst admitting that Tiger was a very special player, for once someone in a position of authority had the balls to take the moral high ground.

Wouldn't it be refreshing if others could take the same stance? It was a bad week for Melchester Utd losing to Chelski on Saturday, then being knocked out of Europe by Bayern Munich but the purple nosed one's reference to "typical Germans" was slightly off the mark given that Bayern are managed by a Dutchman and the players surrounding the referee including French, Dutch and an Argentinian! Why can't Fergie just accept that his defence let him down and he was knocked out by a better team? At least Wenger (for a change!!) admitted as much on Tuesday after Barca demolished Arsenal (again!!). "I believe we lost against a team that is better then us and that has the best player in the world," said Wenger. That's rare though for Wenger, as much as I admire him, too often he blames everyone else but his own team.

Talking of European football - wasn't it funny that on Wednesday night/Thursday morning there mourning in the newspapers as all the English teams had been knocked out of Europe. Unless I'm much mistaken both Liverpool and Fulham are in the Europa League semi-finals and whilst the press may put a premium on the Champions League, I for one would be quite happy to be in the position those two teams are....

Today is the start of the cricket season. With the traditional curtain raiser between the MCC and the County Champions being played out in Abu Dhabi (why?!) it's great to see the empty county grounds around the country open for business. County cricket has never been massively popular, in terms of bums on seats, but it is the traditional form of the game and I would hate to see it tampered with. What I would say is that there are too many games (and some of them pointless) and have argued for years that we should look to South Africa and Australia for a better competition format. In both those countries there is merely 6 clubs competing at the top level giving just 10 fixtures each of 4 days. A great way to help the players prepare for the national team rather then central contracts.

I hope the weather holds this weekend for whatever sporting action your are up to.

Madgooner

Reasons to love football - Part 2, Believing...

2010-03-31T01:41:00.000-07:00

It's a weird thing, following your football club. One moment you are riding high, the world is a wonderful place and your team can do no wrong. The next you are plummeted into despair, wondering just how your top goalscorer missed the open net and why oh why does it hurt so bad? Since Poorsmouths failure to avoid administration, there has been plenty of discussion up and down the country about what is wrong with the game. I think you must be blind (or "doing a Wenger") not to notice then many clubs have financial problems, that players are overpaid and that the beautiful game may not be all it's cracked up to be. Someone made the point about Poorsmouth that they were in effect cheating this season because they were only in existence because other clubs were paid for players and the taxman couldn't collect his dough. Cheating might be a strong word for it, but I think we can also lump into the equation teams like Chelski and the two Melchesters. All three teams are merely surviving because of huge debts or the deep pockets of their owners. At the end of the day, if West Ham could run up massive debts and attract world class players would they be in the mess they are in? Well, they have the debts - not the players! There was an interesting parallel drawn yesterday in the Champions League. Melchester United, massively in debt, paying over the top wages and allegedly one of the "biggest" clubs in the world against Bayern Munich, debt free, sensible salary cap due to the regulations imposed by the Bundesliga and on the night, 2-1 winners. I think the German model is the one that should be adopted across all football. It would create a more or less level playing field for all clubs, the Poorsmouth situation wouldn't occur and perhaps we might even see a reduction in our Sky bills! This is my Top 5 changes for the future of football:

Spend what you earn: Clubs should only be allowed to spend on players wages a fixed proportion of what they receive in gate receipts. Okay, that means clubs with large stadiums can pay out more, but see point 3 below.
Scrap transfer fees: Players should have a contract with a club. If they want to break that contract, the player pays the club compensation. At the end of the contract they can move to whatever club they want to. If they feel they are worth more money then they negotiate that with the club concerned. At the moment a contract isn't worth the paper its written on.
Divert TV money to grassroots: As Alan Sugar once said "if we get more TV money then clubs will p**s it up the wall on players wages." How true he was. TV money should be diverted into developing stadiums and the grassroots game. Sure, give clubs a small proportion of it (the FA Cup money goes a long way for the smaller clubs) but rather then have some of the crap stadiums we have, allow clubs at any level to apply to a central pot for funding.
Clubs should be owned by the fans: Football is unique. It's a passionate sport from the working class yet these days the working class can't afford to get in. 50% of every club should be owned by the fans. Not so they necessarily have a say in what happens, but so they can prevent foreign owners having big boys toys. Lower ticket prices too...
Review the fixtures: It's a nightmare now for clubs with so many competitions and the national game. Leagues at the top end should be reduced to allow for proper international breaks. What chance do England have in South Africa with half the first team choice crocked due to fixture congestion at the end of the season?

What do you think? I'd be interested in hearing your views though with the way the FA is set up in this country, I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the change!

But anyway, back to being a fan. Last weekend things couldn't have been any worse for The Arsenal. On Friday night I was predicting a win for us, and draws for United and Chelski - how wrong was I!!! Everyone has written us off against Barcelona tonight, but then everyone had Melchester down for an easy one against Bayern so I'm just a wondering if it might be time for Arsenal's fortunes to take a turn for the better.

Whatever you're up to this Easter weekend, enjoy. It's another roller coaster one for all fans, regardless of who you support! Enjoy!

Madgooner

Reasons to love football - Part 1, The Special One

2010-03-22T04:54:00.000-07:00

And it was on the 16th day of the 3rd month that it came to pass the Special One would arrive. His arrival was forecasted with a flurry of text messages and newspapers headlines. He duly arrived bearing no malice to his former army, just bearing gifts of love and best wishes for all. The prophets predicted that all would go well for those from the bridge, but they had forgotten the away goal rule and how it can cause armies to crumble. And so it came to pass that the Special One had a cunning plan, and it was a good cunning plan. It came to pass that his cunning plan was far better then the Silent One's, and the Silent One and his army were cast aside from the fields of Europe. The Special One's army smote fear and loathing amongst his previous followers and the prophet of Eto was his sword.

And so there were just two left - Man U and Arsenal - to fight the European battlefield after Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan beat Chelsea 1-0. I have to be honest, I'm not one of those fans who support any team in European cos they are English. I'm a Gooner and that's the only team I care about. If they are no longer in it, then I will support whom I like. I remember a couple of years ago when Utd were playing Bayern Munich in the final. I was away on business at an exhibition in a room full of Utd fans with me and a German colleague cheering on Bayern! I'll be cheering them on again this season..... Arsenal have Barcelona and a rematch of the 2006 final. Some of my mates say we have no chance, but I have a feeling that this is our year and if you can get to the final beating the best teams along the way, that makes you a real champion.

Talking of champions, Friday was one of those rare days when I venture into a bookies. Years ago I bet on an outsider, Nortons Coin, in the Gold Cup. The bugger only came in - £1 each way on odds of 150-1, thank you nicely. Since then I have continued to bet on the race (and of course the Grand National), just in hope that another outsider would do it for me. They didn't but with my girlfriends help we did manage 1st and 2nd. Whilst in the bookies I was tempted with odds of 10-1 to back Arsenal in the Champions League, beers on me in May.....

Enjoy your sport Madgooner

Premier Thoughts of Pleasure: Those European Nights...

2010-03-11T03:53:00.000-08:00

Premier Thoughts of Pleasure: Those European Nights...

Those European Nights...

2010-03-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

Arsenal celebrate the 1970 Fairs Cup win. Image: Arsenal.com

You know it's been a long time since you've won a trophy when you're team start celebrating a trophy from 40 years ago! After this Tuesday's win, I'm beginning to feel that it might not be too long before us Arsenal fans have another night of European success. Well, that was until I watched The Pieman and Co destroy AC Milan. You can't keep Man U down despite the injuries or lose of key players this season and everything is bubbling towards a heady end this term.

Someone else who can't be kept down is that Terry bloke. I'm mean what was that gesture all about last weekend? For Christ's sale, they were only playing Stoke in the FA Cup, it was as if the game meant anything! On a serious note, he really should temper his celebrations especially with The Godfather in the stand. I'm leaning towards the camp that say JT should be sacked completely from the England squad. After all, its not as if he is playing well that moment and he could be replaced quite easily with Sol Campbell, thus giving young Bridge his place back in the side, which I for one, think is a bit more important.

NFL Cheerleaders - a refreshing rule change?

Off the pitch, this weeks focus was on FIFA making, or rather not making any rule changes. I don't want to see goal side technology introduced, I think it would end all those animated discussions down the pub after a match. I love the fact that all the Birmingham fans were up in arms because their goal was disallowed in the FA Quarter Final against Portsmouth. Hate to state the obvious but you were losing 2-0?! I would rather see the introduction of mandatory cheerleaders. Now, I'm not be sexist for one minute, but let's face it the sight of some buxom young lasses down your local park would improve attendance no end.... One thing that I will agree on with Mr Adidas Blatter is removal of the off side rule. Let's be honest, it was introduced to stop Gary Linekar & Co goal hanging, now it's more complicated then taking the plastic off a new DVD. May be we should just say no off side in the penalty area and be done with this "phase of play" and "last defender" rubbish.

Finally I'm delighted that badminton is taking the lead in bringing a little sex into sport. Nothing cheers you up more then some attractive lasses or, if it rocks your boat, lads. I think this is the standard by which all sport should in future be governed by. After all athletics has been teasing us for years with their skin tight tight clothing. Far better then the rubbish they put footballers in....

Till next time....

Madgooner

Wot a saturday!

2010-03-01T02:44:00.000-08:00

Before I start the week's usual rant, my thoughts rest with Aaron Ramsey following his horrific accident at the weekend. The 19 year old Wales international has had a superb season with the Gunners, with even Fabregas admitting that Ramsey was "pushing for his place" in the team. I'm sure you will all join me in wishing Aaron a speedy recovery.

This was a superb sporting weekend with the early focus being on Stamford Bridge for Chelski V Sheik City. Was that the focus on the match? Of course not! With the worlds camera's focused on him, Wayne Bridge did the decent thing and ignored John Terry's outstretched hands - oh, how we all laughed in our household!! I thought that was going to be the highlight of the game and duly set off shopping as is traditional for a Saturday lunchtime. Imagine my delight to find out later that Sheik City had completely humiliated the boys in blue and thrashed them 4-2. Oh, how we all laughed! Actually, we didn't all laugh as my girlfriend supports Chelsea, but I had tears of joy streaming down my face! Does anyone else think that perhaps JT's inappropriate behaviour is finally catching up with him? I have to say that Wayne Bridge's other sporting action of last week is totally commendable and any criticism of him withdrawing from the England team is unfounded. Personally I think JT should be sacked - after all he's playing pants at the moment whereas Bridge is beginning to get back to his best form. Campbell for England!!!

Shopping now over, it was time to head home with the sound of the commentary from England V Ireland at Twickenham. I know England aren't playing too well at the moment and their narrow win over Italy a couple of weeks was a bit to narrow for some commentators, but for periods of this match they seemed to be in the game. With 10 minutes to go they actually had the lead, but as Martin Johnson said afterwards, the desire to run the ball was the teams undoing.

By now we were home (I hope you're enjoying the details of how I spend the weekend!!) and the Arsenal had kicked off. This season is totally unpredictable for all concerned. When Mark Lawrence pencilled in Arsenal for a 3-nil win on Friday, I thought, that's the kiss of death and was anticipating a scrappy 1 all draw. Stoke played with their usual thugishness and I don't care for Tony Pulis one little bit. All his team do is knock players off the ball and occasionally score a fluky goal from dodgy throw in. Yeah, I'm bitter and twisty but since when has a towel been part of the permitted equipment for a football match? The challenge that resulted in Ramsey being rushed to hospital was disgusting and don't care for the apologies after the game. I don't understand why Shawcroft was going to ground when the ball was still in the Arsenal defending third? But then again, I never played football at this level. It's the sort of challenge that you see at parks football and I just hope that it doesn't effect the team in the same way that Eduardo's injury did.

Anyway, the right result was the final outcome and we are now 3 points behind Chelski. The way Arsenal got together at the final whistle says to me that this league is open and we have a very good chance with the forthcoming fixtures to put together a good final run.

So, that was Saturday. I know there was some sporting action on Sunday, but nothing of significance! Isn't it funny how Melchester Utd now put such emphasis on the Pointless Cup? Isn't this the club that couldn't be bothered with the FA Cup a couple of years ago because it meant missing a holiday to South America? Strange also that Waynetta Rooney apparently hurt his knee so will have to miss the friendly against Egypt this week, bet he will be back for Melchester on Saturday. The big question is - will Wolves put out their first team this time round..... till next time!

Madgooner

Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain

2010-02-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday afternoon, the sky is a gloomy gray and, yep, it's tipping down with rain. For footballers everywhere, and perhaps even more so team managers and league organisers, this is the part of the week when you start to wonder if you will ever be able to get a match played again. For the last 7 years that I have been running a football club (http://www.dynamo-gfc.co.uk/) I can't recall a winter as dismal as this one. If it's not been sub-zero temperatures and snow drifts, it's been raining and boggy.

Spare a thought though for the organisers of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They have been experiencing one of the warmest January's on record with the result that it's not a snowboard you need, more a surf board.

I'm a huge fan of the Olympic games, both the summer and winter versions though as with the Beijing Games two years ago, it's a struggle watching when the country they are being held in is 8 hours behind you. There I was this morning, matchsticks in my eyes watching the snowboarding on one channel then flicking over for the curling on the other. Not really sure about the snowboarding. Whilst it looks great fun, the "athletes" seem a bit out of place with their bagging tops, straggly hair and sunglasses....

Talking of sunglasses, wasn't it nice to see Toni and Terry getting back together again?! She really should get a sainthood with all she has to put up with. I see now that Cheryl and young Ashley are back at it again, or not as the case may be. Can't quite see why Ashley has such a wandering eye, after all if you ignore her singing she sits well on the eye. Carlo Ancelotti must be pulling his hair out with all these off field antics. If he keeps giving the players a weekend off to sort themselves out, he won't have much of a team for the final run in.

The next couple of months are shaping up to be very entertaining. Just when you all thought Arsenal had blown it (oh yes you were), they manage to scrape together a win over Liverpool, whilst Chelsea and Man Utd dropped points. The way I look at it Chelsea and Man Utd will draw against each other and both will lose at least one more match, whilst we will go on an unbeaten run until the end of the season when we win the league after beating Money City at home on the final day. Oh to see Adebayors face!! Okay, so I live in a fantasy world, but it's nice and warm in there....

On the subject of warmth, it was kind of weird at Premier Sports and Leisure this week as I was putting together a display for the new cricket gear. It was snowing outside, yet there I was unpacking bats, gloves and the traditional whites. Actually, maybe its not all that weird! Until next time, enjoy your sport whatever you're up to....

Madgooner

Eating my words

2010-02-04T02:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, okay so the words "foot", "in" and "mouth" spring to mind! Last weekend did certainly not turn out as planned and I have received plenty of verbal on the back of it. Do you ever have one of the days planned which ultimately turn out completely wrong? Sunday morning I was up early, walked the dog and collected the morning papers. Back home in time for the Australian Open Final. Big mistake as Murray was thoroughly whipped by an in-form Federer. Still, Murray's post match response "I can cry like Federer, just wish I could play like him" must have endeared him to some new fans.

Murray loses his shirt V Federer There followed a brief non-sporting couple of hours until the afternoons entertainment kicked off. Melchester City (the well known fantasy football team) V Poorsmouth. It was less of a competitive match, more lions feeding on the Christians, but its nice to see that Poorsmouth have a new owner today. I wonder if he actually has any money, unlike the last lot. I personally blame Harry Redknapp, after all most of the clubs he has gone to has ended up in some kind of problem - West Ham, Southampton, Portsmouth - it'll be Spurs next, couldn't happen to a nicer club. Finally it was the big event - Arsenal V Man Utd and a mouthwatering prospect. Whilst I predicted the right scoreline, I seem to have got the teams the wrong way round. Easily done. I could spend this entire blog justifying Arsenal's performance but I don't think I'll bother. All I will say is hats off to Rooney and if he keeps this form up then England's chances in this years World Cup looks promising. Talking of World Cups, were do you sit on the John Terry debate? For my money, he evidently has no morals when it comes to an affair with his best mates girlfriend, so I can't see him having the morals to step down from the captaincy. I know some say that we should separate the football from his private life, but he has been a very naughty boy and personally I think the England captain should be above this sort of behaviour. Latest news is that the ex-girlfriend is reportedly getting £250,000 for her story mmmmm.

In terms of the work front, it has been a manic week at Premier Thoughts of Pleasure. The new trophies arrived and all needed unpacking and labelling. If England fail to win the World Cup then we can always sell them one (see left!). Finally cricket is back in fashion, though not sure how given the weather!

So, this weeks sporting action. It is the return of the RBS Six Nations Tournament this weekend and I can't wait. I love watching rugby (and believe it or not used to play a bit!) though I do struggle a bit with some of the rule changes of recent years. I'm a bit out of touch with the form of the teams this year, but had to laugh at Lawrence Dallaglio comments that the players are frightened of Martin Johnson! Let's hope they are frightened enough to beat Wales for him this Saturday. On Sunday the big football match is Chelsea V Arsenal. I was going to predict a scoreline, but I think I shall keep my foot firmly in my mouth until next week.

Whatever you are up to this weekend - enjoy.

A welcome

2010-01-29T01:30:00.001-08:00

Wow! Our first Premier Sports & Leisure blog - this new "social networking" thingy is beginning to take over my life! Okay, so what are we all about and why Premier Thoughts of Pleasure? Well, the second one first. For years we have jokingly called our business "Premier Thoughts of Pleasure" cos it rhythm's - geddit? And what are we all about? Well, this is the blog of Premier Sports and Leisure, so there is a kind of business link there, but in reality it will simply be a way of sharing my views on the sporting world and giving you an opportunity to join in the great debate. Please make sure you sign up (which I understand is easy enough) and give me all the abuse you want - though for obvious reasons we will have to delete any truly slanderous comments.... So, let's talk sport. This is a wicked week to be starting this blog. It's the Australian Tennis Open this week and I'm sure like me you have been following the efforts of Andy Murray. The great thing with the Australian Open is the timing of the evening matches. I can wander into work at 8.30am, turn on the TV and away we go. David (he who must be obeyed) thinks I am busy developing our new website but in reality it's all about game, set and match. So can he do it? Or will the ginger one crack under the pressure? I'm going to be positive and go for a five set final on Sunday morning with Murray scrapping through.... Talking about scrapping through, what has happened to English Cricket? When they brought in central contracts a few years ago I was totally opposed to the idea (not that the E.C.B. listen to me, they have answered my calls or emails for years!). Why? Simply because how can you say that a player who plays well for example early in the 2009 domestic season is going to maintain that form for the remainder of the season or through the winter months? Also, it's like guaranteeing someone a job even if they aren't particularly good at it. Bring back the old days when a test side was selected from those that were performing well at the time, then dropped if they weren't doing the business. I certainly don't agree with Andrew Strauss having a rest - what is that all about? Not exactly a captain leading from the front... Anyway, here's an odd fact fact you - did you know that during the recent tour to South Africa there was a point at which there wasn't a single Englishman on the field of play - just 13 South Africans? Yep, when Trott and Pieterson were batting.... bizarre! Anyway, let's close off with this weeks BIG event - yep, it's Arsenal V Man U! As you can work out by by nickname I am a total Arsenal nut and totally biased - everything in my world is red and white. We have had a strange run in this season, with lets be honest most pundits writing off our chances. What has Lawro got against us? I think he's just frustrated cos Liverpool are sh**e again! People have been banging on about this 4 match run Arsenal face after the FA Cup disappointment against Stoke. Well, I had as down for 3 wins and a draw. I seriously (yeah, I don't you won't believe me!) had us down for a draw against Villa. They are a tough team to beat at their place and the nil all draw reflected that. Against Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool are think we have the opportunity to win each match. All three teams will want to attack, all three teams need to win - Man U and Chelsea to keep up their position in the league, Liverpool as they fight for fourth place - and when teams attack us, it gives plenty of room for Arsenal to play their best football - fast, attacking play. I'm going for 3-1 against Man U - up yours Lawro! Catch you next week.