Maradona eh… okay those with any kind of sense about them, and certainly anyone who has looked at the guy’s management record will think his appointment as the new Argentina manager is as insane as he is. Once a god, then a coked-up crazy man, only to be resurrected then fecked out on his ear at USA ’94. Since then he’s been bloated, befriended Castro and hosted his own TV show.
Take all this into account and at least we know he won’t be boring. Every Argentine player who had problems with the previous two regimes (I’m looking at you Riquelme) will be understandably excited by his presence. Messi, Mascherano, Tevez and Aguero have all said he’s a father figure to them, and in the latter’s case he’s about to father Maradona’s grandchild, the dirty divil.
All of this leads to one inevitable conclusion. Those of us in Ireland who’ve watched Fabio Capello – one of the most distinguished coaches in the game – take England from a shambolic outfit to a slightly luckier and, okay I’ll admit it, sometimes excellent side can rejoice. It is written in the stars people…
World Cup, Australia (because South Africa haven’t fucked it up yet, but they soon will) 2010…
Quarter finals…
England v Argies…
Did someone say penalties?
The rest takes care of itself really. Roll on 2010!
--------------------------------------------------
Some quick predictions for the weekend…
Chelsea v Sunderland: Maybe nil all ‘til half time but Chelski to continue where they left off at Hull and hack their way through a weaker side. “There’s a work ethic there Bill,” says Johnny. 3-0 again.
Everton v Fulham: Buoyed by a midweek win and that dude Felliani’s magnificent afro, this may be an unhappy return for Andy Johnson. 2-o.
Man Utd v Hull: Another routine 2-0. Jesus I hate United and their routine 2-0 wins.
Middlesbrough v West Ham: Wee Gianfranco is under the cosh. Considering at his size most Hammers fans could eat him whole I don’t think he’ll be long for this league. I hope I’m wrong but I’d say it’ll be another defeat, five on the spin and Zola out banners galore next week. 1-0
Portsmouth v Wigan: Meh… I hate Steve Bruce too, always have. 3-0.
Stoke v Arsenal: Ah the Arse, gotta love their unpredictable leaps from genius to a bunch of crackpots in a split second. They’ll nick this one though 1-2.
Tottenham v Liverpool: This would have been a nailed on draw had Arsenal clung on against Spurs earlier in the week. But now they may got cocky (there was a DVD of the Arse game on their website ten hours after the match) and still can’t defend for shite. With Gomes in goal and Torres expected back I’ll go for 1-3.
West Brom v Blackburn: The big one… or not. Blackburn were unlucky against Villa, they’ll get a draw here. 1-1.
Sunday
Bolton v Man City: Hmmm… all of a sudden a movie on Sunday afternoon looks like the right option. 1-2.
Monday
Newcastle v Aston Villa: The revolution continues, shit on the Villa indeed. 2-1. Go JFK!
Later, JJ
Take all this into account and at least we know he won’t be boring. Every Argentine player who had problems with the previous two regimes (I’m looking at you Riquelme) will be understandably excited by his presence. Messi, Mascherano, Tevez and Aguero have all said he’s a father figure to them, and in the latter’s case he’s about to father Maradona’s grandchild, the dirty divil.
All of this leads to one inevitable conclusion. Those of us in Ireland who’ve watched Fabio Capello – one of the most distinguished coaches in the game – take England from a shambolic outfit to a slightly luckier and, okay I’ll admit it, sometimes excellent side can rejoice. It is written in the stars people…
World Cup, Australia (because South Africa haven’t fucked it up yet, but they soon will) 2010…
Quarter finals…
England v Argies…
Did someone say penalties?
The rest takes care of itself really. Roll on 2010!
--------------------------------------------------
Some quick predictions for the weekend…
Chelsea v Sunderland: Maybe nil all ‘til half time but Chelski to continue where they left off at Hull and hack their way through a weaker side. “There’s a work ethic there Bill,” says Johnny. 3-0 again.
Everton v Fulham: Buoyed by a midweek win and that dude Felliani’s magnificent afro, this may be an unhappy return for Andy Johnson. 2-o.
Man Utd v Hull: Another routine 2-0. Jesus I hate United and their routine 2-0 wins.
Middlesbrough v West Ham: Wee Gianfranco is under the cosh. Considering at his size most Hammers fans could eat him whole I don’t think he’ll be long for this league. I hope I’m wrong but I’d say it’ll be another defeat, five on the spin and Zola out banners galore next week. 1-0
Portsmouth v Wigan: Meh… I hate Steve Bruce too, always have. 3-0.
Stoke v Arsenal: Ah the Arse, gotta love their unpredictable leaps from genius to a bunch of crackpots in a split second. They’ll nick this one though 1-2.
Tottenham v Liverpool: This would have been a nailed on draw had Arsenal clung on against Spurs earlier in the week. But now they may got cocky (there was a DVD of the Arse game on their website ten hours after the match) and still can’t defend for shite. With Gomes in goal and Torres expected back I’ll go for 1-3.
West Brom v Blackburn: The big one… or not. Blackburn were unlucky against Villa, they’ll get a draw here. 1-1.
Sunday
Bolton v Man City: Hmmm… all of a sudden a movie on Sunday afternoon looks like the right option. 1-2.
Monday
Newcastle v Aston Villa: The revolution continues, shit on the Villa indeed. 2-1. Go JFK!
Later, JJ
7 comments:
I wish I could be as confident about the inevitable England-Argentina showdown, but I think Capello is chipping away at that hex. If/when it goes to penalties, there's only going to be one winner, and it ain't going to be Argentina...
Well considering my predictions for this weekend were, ahem, a tad off the mark you can feel safe and bet heavily on engerland if/when it happens.
Good piece in today's tribune by miguel delaney on the whole set up maradona will manage under. Experienced coaches galore, front three of aguero, tevez and messi with monster masch as captain. There is potential, crazy ass potential but potential nonetheless.
The Delaney article seems like a good summary of the whole situation. Marcela Mora y Araujo's Guardian piece from earlier in the week is worth reading as well. Argentina were always going to be a fascinating story in the next couple of years, but this in a different universe to 'fascinating' now.
Wow the predictions went a little awry this week, good effort though!!!
Well if Newcastle win I will have five (chelsea, man u, west brom, everton, wimbletoon) correct though not one correct score to boast of thus far. I've done far, far worse and how pool lost that game is beyond me.
Off the point but surely rory delap deserves a call up for ireland at this stage? With Stephen Reid out I'd pick him over Gibson anyway.
Yeah I think he's worth a shout. Don't think he should start but if we're ever down a goal with 20 minutes to go its better to have a good accurate delivery into the box rather than McGeady beating two players and knowing it right at the first defender or wide.
can't believe someone leaked a home video of me....
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aWb-lHkXc&feature=related
Post a Comment