football | Wait until next year

August 26, 2014

Eight things I might have learned from watching Manchester City versus Liverpool

One. Manchester City probably are that good. It is hardly a mind-blowing, groundbreaking assessment to suggest the Premier League is probably between Manchester City and Chelsea, but I think City really have the edge. Chelsea can, and will, grind out results and will probably set off a few fireworks along the way. But Manchester City look capable of pulling apart each and every team in the league. There have strength and pace in equal measure, genuine squad depth, and a confidence that could soon lead to the sort of aura their near-neighbours United had for years. Read the rest of this entry »

August 21, 2014

Super Mario World

Mario Balotelli on a TV screen

So, Mario Balotelli is all set to join Liverpool. First, let’s get the serious thoughts out of the way… Read the rest of this entry »

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August 18, 2014

Eight things I might have learned from watching Liverpool versus Southampton

There are only so many conclusions you can draw from the first game of the season. There are players still recovering from a long campaign, followed by a long World Cup. There are new players still getting used to their new surroundings. Established players wondering if they might be on their way out. New managers attempting new systems. Established managers worrying about how to maintain the momentum from the previous season. All that kind of stuff. Plus one game is hardly a statistically valid sample. Yet this doesn’t stop people, such as your intrepid correspondent here, making a few observations. Read the rest of this entry »

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August 11, 2014

The last half-hour or so of Carlisle/Derby

Naturally, I miss the first goal. I have an uncanny knack of inducing goals in any game by wandering off for a bit. It almost guarantees a goal. I should be employed by TV companies to ensure they don’t screen any dull nil-nils. Read the rest of this entry »

August 6, 2014

Taking our ball back

Supporter leaping in air after goal scored

Football came from community, it symbolised community. But the modern football business, in the way capitalism does, seeks to replace community with commodity. It attempts to reduce community to a museum piece – itself another commodity, another attempt to sell the thing we created back to us. For many, the battle is already lost. For others, the fact that the discussion is happening means the fight is still on.

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