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

Football Is here again.

After a summer of blockbuster trades and rumours of trades, the season is finally here. Some leagues in Europe have alreday begun, but the "big" boys will begin in the next few weeks. Today, the Community Shield between, EPL champs Manchester United and FA Cup champs, Chelsea is to be played. It is supposed to give one bragging rights over the other, however it is really a glorified friendly that kicks off the season.

I expect the main players to get a start with some of the new blood getting a run. As always, I expect this season in Europe to be played at a high level. EPL especially, with Man City making big buys, the 4 horse race at the top should be opened up this year, atleast that is the least we expect after the millions that have been spent.

Anyway, thats all for today and I look forward to another exciting football season. As always, football is not just a sport, Its A Way Of Life!

Cheers,
Deon

Congratulations Manchester United!

Well, as the saying goes, give honor where honor is due. Manchester have played consistent football all season and are now champions of the EPL. This time, Ronaldo didn't have a "spectacular" year like last time, but they played total team football, with defense being their most impressive trait. To all my friends and those of you out there who support Man U, I say you really saw something there that I didn't, but you were right. Chelsea just didn't have that "killer" instinct this year, but like true competitors, we will be back next year.
One thing though, just when you thought Alex Ferguson was done, he wins back to back EPL titles and has the chance to repeat at the CL. He is definitely something special!

I love this sport.

Cheers,
Deon

Whew...Let me catch my breath!

If the last CL match day did not have you excited, then you don't have a pulse. As a Chelsea fan, I was happy, then petrified, then numb and then finally happy again. As a nuetral, I am sure the match between Chelsea and Liverpool ranked with the best of them in  terms of entertainment value.

The irony of it all was that everybody including myself was anticipating a "War of Attrition" between the two teams. A game where the teams are so evenly matched, defense will dominate and a moment of brilliance/error will determine the outcome. This game had both, multiple times and in the end Chelsea advanced to the semi-final of the Uefa Champions League.

In the other "main event", a game that I definitely expected to be more open, one moment of absolute brilliance by Cristiano Ronaldo decided the result and Manchester United marched on.

However, there is no rest for the weary. Both players and fans alike will embark on another "rollercoaster" of emotions as the three English, Champions League semi-finalists, gear up again this weekend for the FA-CUP semi-finals. If this week was anything to go by, I need to invest in an oxygen tank. Clearly, this is more than just a game, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.

Cheers,
Deon