Day of truth...

I ended my last entry very audaciously, insinuating that Chelsea will complete the treble of championships. While the Champions League is no longer a reality, entering the last day of the season, the domestic double is still on. I am not one to celebrate before time, but 90 more minutes of football and there is EPL glory once again. I must commend Sir Alex, who still has a chance of winning 4 in a row, for putting together a team, that at the beginning of the season would have been happy with Champions League football, but to bring the season down to the wire.

With Rooney having a career year and Nani rising to ascendancy the future looks bright. However, hats off to Chelsea for putting in a very good season and hopefully they can finish strong. Drogba has done his part to become an icon and now he just needs to score to get the scoring title.

I look forward to the boisterous home crowd cheering on their champions in a sea of blue. I will be wearing blue tomorrow.

I want to thank all my Manchester United supporter friends for their banter this season, and for seasons past. I really hope I get bragging rights this year!

Till next time...football is more than just a sport, it's a way of Life!!!

Cheers,

Deon

Congrats Manchester United.

I have to commend Manchester United on their League Cup win on Sunday. A very good performance against Aston Villa and of course, Rooney who just seems to be scoring in every game that he plays, scored the game winner. It was nice to see Owen get a goal in a final as well, but it seems that the injury bug has bitten him once again.

As much as I think Owen is "over the hill" you must feel for him. Injuries have taken a toll on the now 30 year old and it seems like he would not be able to live up to the hype that was associated with him early in his career. Manchester already has a thin attacking core and with Owen gone the rest of the season would be interesting how they maintain their goal-scoring edge. With the EPL and Champion's League titles still up for grab it would be a tough challenge. However, kudos to Alex Ferguson for always remaining competitive now matter what personnel he has to work with.

Preview of Future articles: "Chelsea complete the domestic double, play in the CL final next week"

Until next time, football is more than just a sport...it's a way of LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

Footballer's off the field activities Part 2

I know it has been a while, but I just couldn't resist. In my last post way back in October I discussed the off the field life of footballers. Since then we have had the Tiger Wood's scandal in golf and now John Terry and Ashely Cole. Two players whom I happen to really enjoy watching play this game that I love. The question I have been asking myself is, do their infidelities really matter to me? I had to think long and hard about this one and the answer is not really.

Grant it that I am really disappointed in their actions, they broke no law! Think about it, your taking a flight and your pilot is having an affair, you don't really care once he can take you where you need to be safely. Well as far as I am concerned I feel about athletes the same way.

I am not one to be slapping "role model" labels on anyone who I do not know personally and I think parents should raise their kids to think in that same fashion. So once these guys lace up their boots and go on to the field and play the game, I can ignore their indiscretions. It's up to them to handle their personal business.

Coming soon: League Cup final, Champions League and European Leagues are coming to a climax, World Cup preview and predictions. Until then, football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life!

Cheers,

Deon

Footballer's off the field activities.

Hello guys. I know it has been quite some time since I last posted, but I had to take some of my lunch to comment on the news arising out of England of Wigan Striker, Marlon King being jailed for 18 months for groping a female party goer and slamming her to the floor and breaking her nose, when she objected. (check soccernet.espn.com for more details)

Outside of the training ground or game day what do these guys do? There is a storied history of players especially in England patronizing bars, pubs and night clubs during their off time. Quite a number of incidents have been sensationalized in the media, while having some truth to them. Stories like guys being intoxicated and being aggressive to other members of the public, binge drinking, drug abuse, sexual assault and the list goes on.

My take is, it does not matter if you are rich and famous or just a regular guy like myself this behavior is just unacceptable plain and simple. Most of these athletes (other major sports included) get away with this type of egregious behavior and are quickly accepted back into the ranks of respected individuals, playing the sport that they love and side-stepping the letter of law. When if I do such a thing, avoiding jail and finding a job after the fact would prove difficult.

A few names come to mind for off the field behavior, Paul Gascoigne and Joey Barton amongst others. But this one is really alarming as it didn't really involve intoxication or drug use, just plain barbaric behavior from an ego-driven, above average (and that is just barely) striker who could not take no for an answer. I hope he enjoys juggling the ball in prison for the other inmates!

Until next time, (when I will get back to the EPL; Chelsea's and Drogba's rich vein of form and Liverpool's struggles). Football is more than just a sport, it is a way of life.

Cheers,

Deon

Trinidad and Tobago bow out; Argentina struggles continue.

I just wanted to tell the players and technical staff of my national team, Trinidad and Tobago, thanks for the effort but it was not good enough this time around. Blame is something we can discuss until we lose our voices, but the main thing is, we have to get better as a Federation, Administration and team if we are going to be regulars in these major tournaments. We have lots of talent and honestly this is a good time to do the changing of the guard as quite a number of the current players will be too old for the next World Cup. While I am at that, good luck to the National Under 20 team preparing for the Youth World Cup, the future of Trinidad and Tobago football lies with you.

Meanwhile, in South America Argentina's dismal run continues with yet another defeat. I shudder at the thought of a World Cup without Messi, Higuain, Ramos and Aguerro. This World Cup is supposed to be the "coming out" party of Messi who is to take the reigns of Greatest Argentine player from his now coach, Diego Maradona. There are still two games left and I hope for the tournament's sake that Argentina gets it together and at least give themselves a chance.

Club football returns this weekend I am ecstatic. Until then, football is more than just a sport, it is a way of life!

Cheers,

Deon