More madness on my part, tbh. But then after 17 years and 500-odd games I couldn't be anything else. Anyone else watching the Ryder Cup? I know play has been suspended, but early signs are positive for the European team.
So today we played against Bristol Rovers, the referee, his two assistants and God himself. A 93rd minute double-deflection after dominating the game and doing everything really does take the piss. Thanks to yet another pathetic excuse of a ref we'd been denied a penalty so stonewall my mother four miles away could see it and sent down to 10. I really do despair. Every other side gets the rub of the green, so why don't we? Next 3: Peterborugh, Cochester and (oh Christ) Southampton. Lose those, Clark goes.
Oh! I hope you'll catch it. Players are marching right now, and I have to say there are so many small countries I am hearing the names for the first time.
After the total bullspit that was las week's MNF game, I hope today's will be better. We would've won against the Bears too, if the penalties hadn't totally killed us. But today's game is against the Lions, so it should be better.
^ Lions? Pahh. GB will win easily. I also have a date with my television set today. In eighteen minutes the World Equestrian Games will be broadcast for three hours on NBC, from 1PM to 4PM EST. I encourage everyone to watch. Then at 4:05PM on CBS, the Colts will play against the Chiefs, an anticipated win for Indy. I hope that we earn a big lead in the first half, because I think I will have to miss the second.
BBCiplayer says it's unavailable. I wanted to watch it, I saw a few pictures of the opening ceremony and it looks amazing. -will search online for coverage-
Dear Louis Murphy and DHB: Hands are to be used for catching. Not batting the balls into the hands of defenders. I can't say you two clowns are the sole reasons for the loss today, but you sure made it a whole lot easier for Houston on that last drive. Also, every member of the offensive line should be cut, then signed to the practice squad of a CFL team, and then cut from that. Also, every single member of the defense should be forced to do tackling drills this week until they either pass out on the field, or successfully wrap up a running back. I'm guessing it will be the first. Gradkowski, Miller and McFadden gave this team a chance to win. The rest decided to lose, or are Nnamdi Asomugha and thus lost in the wilds with at least one member of the Texan receiver corps. They had a chance to beat a very strong team, and didn't. Story of the Raiders franchise the last seven years.
F/cking field goal. I guess you deserve it if you can boot it 59 yards in four seconds accurately. Why do we suck so much more this year, Colts? The WEG coverage was surprisingly good this afternoon. Eventing (3 rounds of dressage, cross country, and eventing) was covered today. Mostly cross country and a bit of show jumping; I would have preferred more dressage, actually... It is the event I have had least training with, and I would love to see world class riders do well. But I guess that doesnt make for good TV. *sigh* Congratulations to Michael Jung of Germany, who won the gold for the eventing category today. Had fantastic rides, and he was so much fun to watch.
Is it wrong that I'm fired up for this one, in the second round of the northern area of the Johnstones Paint Trophy? Several reasons: first since when were Peterborough northern? If they're northern then I'm effing Scottish. Secondly, play-offs 1992. Some pains never go away. Third, they did us 4-2 earlier in the season. Fourth, Aaron McLean - their striker - is a twat of the highest order after he pushed a ball boy into the advertising hoarding last time and stuck fingers up at the Kilner Bank. Problems: no Smithies, no Naysmith, no McCombe, no Arfield, no Roberts, no Robinson. So we're down to the bare bones. Good things: Nathan Clarke is in line for his first game of the season and 300th appearance for Huddersfield Town. Ah, it doesn't seem yesterday that he was an unfamiliar name on the teamsheet away at Stoke in September 2001, when he was just 17. How we've missed his unbroken voice marshalling the back four (no, seriously, he still sounds about 10, as does his brother, Tom). And the pressure is off for the rest of the team. Hopefully, our luck will change tonight - and if it does, I can see a deluge of goals.
Aye, it's just a little perverse. How many will be there? 1700? The time of year when being sat (are you all-seater?) about for a couple of hours starts to get very cold.
4,000 is my guess (86 from Peterborough). Maybe a few more, there's more than a little bit of edge that'll attract more to the fixture. If it was in the League, we'd be looking at a biggie of 16,000+. Still, next home game is Southampton - win these next two games, and I can see that being 20,000, thanks to the rivalry this season and the needle of the match. And we are all-seater, and have been since we moved to the Mac in '94. Crowd: 3,000. Not too bad, really. Anthony Pilkington's sensational brace ending up giving us the cushion after Carey gave us the lead. Watch out for the goals - for the first he beats two men and blasts into the top corner from 18 yards, and for the second he picks it up, beats a man and then curls in from a good 30-35 yards.
Congratulations to Roy Halladay on throwing a no-hitter in his first postseason game. He was the only thing that made the Jays watchable for years, and while I can't say I care much for the Phillies, or baseball in general, I'm rooting for him to win a championship. The best pitcher on the planet. NHL starts tomorrow, with the Leafs against Montreal. Surely this season has to get off to a better start than last year? It can't be any worse. Almost literally.
I can't believe we won by 2 points, that's unnaceptable against the LIONS. A win is a win and I love it, but seriously? And yeah, that last second 59yd FG, I saw that. My best guy friend is a huge Colts fan and OH THE PROFANITY.
Honestly I think the Lions are close to being a good team. It doesn't help they're in such a tough division, but if Stafford can get healthy they'll win some games this year. With some work on that o-line they could fight their way to .500 next season. I felt bad for Colts fans, but I have to admit I cheered when Scoby made that kick- you just don't see a lot of 59 yard field goals, especially in the last seconds of a game. It's too bad Jones-Drew and Scoby are wasted on the Jaguars. Of course, I'm sure Colts fans would love to see them go out of the division Edit: Leafs win their opener It was a good game too, 3-2 over the loathsome Montreal Les Horribles. A lot of things I like from the team's play tonight. Komisarek, Gunnarsson, and the defense on the whole are my biggest concern- Gunnarsson had an awful turnover, and Komisarek had some weak defensive coverage leading to Montreal's first goal, and Komsarek was also partially responsible for the 2nd goal against. The powerplay is another area of concern, much like last year. The top unit got some good pressure and generated chances, but were held back by Bozak's difficulty in the offensive faceoff circle. The 2nd unit was largely a disaster, and the less said about it, the better. Now with all the negativity out of the way, here's the good. And really, there was a lot of it. The praise has to start with Giguere. He gave the Leafs the thing they needed most and were missing last season- a game changing save, whether to keep the game tied or to prevent Montreal from taking it to overtime. I don't have his exact numbers in front of me, and he may not have made a lot of saves, but he made a few very difficult saves at very important times in the game. His flurry of saves in the dying seconds were a thing of beauty. He gave the type of performance that can inspire his teammates, and give them the confidence to play their game. The only flaw in his play tonight was his puck control, he gave up a few too many rebounds, including one that led to the 2nd Montreal goal. Next, the checkers were excellent. Tim Brent and Colby Armstrong are already putting their stamp on this team, through their excellent penalty killing, Brent's key faceoff wins, and even a goal from Brent. As for Armstrong, he looked solid tonight, as long as he can control himself and avoid unnecessary penalties he's going to be a big help to this team. The top line was everything we expected. They got in trouble at times, including their first shift, in the defensive zone, but in transition they were exciting, and every time Kessel touched the puck he was dangerous. If he keeps scoring at his current rate I think Leafs fans will be satisfied with his performance Finally, the 2nd line was a very pleasant surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect from them, but they were almost as effective as the top line- they may lack the elite speed and world class skill somewhat like Kessel brings, but they were quick, cycled well, generated chances, and produced the winning goal. Now we just need them to bring that same effort when they're up a man. On the whole I'm very happy with tonight's game. Powerplay aside, every problem area for the Leafs last year was a strength tonight. Now, they need to work on their play in the defensive zone, take less penalties, and get the powerplay going. Much better debut and start to the season than last year, not only because the Leafs won, but because Montreal lost For them, I think Eller looked very promising. Hopefully they dump him in the inevitable Carey Price trade...
You know that moment when you end up swearing at the radio in sheer annoyance? Lee has an effort that crosses the line, with the defender diving across clearing it with his hand after it went over. Linesman doesn't see that it crossed the line. Referee doesn't see the handball. So what was at the very least a penalty and a red for the defender turns into two bookings for Town players being frustrated by another referee who can't do his job. We'll lose 1-0 now. Just watch. What do I know about football? Nothing, apparently: Super Lee Novak and Anthony Pilkington goals put Town 2-0 up!
14-man Colchester 0-3 10-man Town Form is temporary, class is permanent. Even when the ref decides that we're just too good for them, and tries to even it up.
The 2-0 undefeated Toronto Maple Leafs blew out second-rate rival Ottawa tonight 5-1. This is normally where analysis of the game would go, but instead celebrations. It took well into November for the Leafs to have this many points last year, and so while the road to the playoffs will be long and arduous, I think I'm just going to enjoy every minute of these first two games for now
Strikeforce was pretty good tonight. The only decision that I disagreed with was the Josh Thomson vs. JZ Cavalcante fight. I thought JZ had it. The women's championship bout was pretty exciting. I've always been a fan of Marloes. And I wonder if Kaufman felt pressure to try to finish and if that had a part in her getting caught trying to ground and pound Coenen. And hat's off to Nick Diaz for avenging a loss and retaining his title.
I missed this for hockey... what happened in the Diaz fight- how did he win? Hopefully there will be a replay, I'm a fan of the Diaz brothers.
From my view, Diaz out-struck Noons. They were both bloodied up by the end of the fight, and it went to a unanimous decision. Scores were 48-47, 49-47 and 49-46 for Diaz. I honestly don't know where the 49-47 came from; I had it 49-46. But it was an exciting battle. And I think Diaz's cardio helped carry the day.
It sounds like an excellent fight. Most Diaz fights are though. Raiders beat the Chargers for the first time in 7 years. The undefeated Toronto Maple Leafs open the season with consecutive wins for the first time in 11 years. This has been a perfect weekend. Maybe things are finally beginning to change for my favourite teams
