Various rants about various things.
The world is fucked but then again when have people not said it has been fucked over the past couple of decades! Israel should be put up for war crimes. The war in Syria is a massacre and I am also sure that there is many more wars going on that are not even being reported on. I am glad that there is free Palestine marches going around the country and I will be joining one or two or them in the near future but unless the Americans stop supporting Israel and see HAMAS as this big army that counteract Israel which to me is nearly impossible then this slaughter of mostly innocent people will continue. It just disturbs me that is is actually happening and none of the big countries are doing anything to stop it.
Regulations in Formula One. Ahhhh fuuuccckkk yes there was a great Hungarian Grand Prix last Sunday and Daniel Riccardio showed why he will be a future world champion but for the fact that Mercedes are allowing Rosberg and Hamilton to race each other the season would be pretty dull. The regulation that basically freezes engine development for the whole year put any of the Renault and the Ferrari powered cars at a severe disadvantage since they knew from the beginning it did not have the pace to compete with the Mercedes powered cars has made qualifying a big bore for the most part as you pretty much know who is going to be pole. Races thankfully have been good for the most part as the battle for the podiums and at times Mercedes fragility have made things a little interesting. The other gripe is economy saving. The cars have a limit of 100kg per race and on a couple of circuits it is very dicey and on the limit. I hate this rule, I know that F1 is meant to be on the cutting edge of technology and that going green and saving the planet is top of the agenda at the moment but I though racing is meant to be going flat out going wheel to wheel every single lap! Where did that go?It will get worse with throwing rules in that will make sense in a commercial or safety aspect but not in a racing sense whatsoever.
As some of you may know I have a podcast now run with my friend Anthony called Between the Line and so far without any promotion we have an average of 50-100 listeners per podcast which is great and we now have to get the name out there please spread the word. I think it can go a long way fingers crossed!!
That was not a rant, that was self-publicity!!Last rant has to go to people who listen to anything got to do with the current music scene. I suppose it has passed me by but when has the last time there has been a movement of some description. It seems to be most music these days has a producer in the studio, hit the auto tune button, presses a default button raises the noise spouts some lyrics (in American rap for example it is always the combination of much money they have, how much drugs they have taken and how much sex they have had with girls) Sounds good right! There have been some great rap artists (N.W.A., Public Enemy), Dance (The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Pete Tong) and so on... today it is rubbish noise most of it. Pop music is so generic as well it is not funny. Just so fucking tedious my ears bleed (well not really but you get the point!) There is hope, there are some good bands about from the Waterford scene (Kodakid, Solar Taxi, O Emperor) If you really want the good music form today it is there it is just harder to find not the generic crap they play on the radio.
Ranting is over for now Ill have my predictions for the new Premiership season up soon. So lots to talk about there so talk soon. Please agree or disagree to this and have some lively debates about it.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Why I love the World Cup!
So as I write this, the World Cup in Brazil starts tomorrow (June the 12th) and fever pitch has hit yours truly. If you are trying to explain to someone why this competition is the centre of the universe and they pull a face of disdain at you, they just do not understand really! Ha!Ha!
Why do I love it. I think even with the massive changes in football over the last 20 years the World cup for the most part has maintained its massive mystique and also every match that you watch and that is pretty much every match you can you want that bit of magic that will be etched in your memory forever (Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in 98 springs immediately to mind), controversy,( Zidane getting sent off in the World Cup final in 2006, his last ever game), joy to the nation,( Most of all the three world cup campaigns Ireland have been involved in) and also picking a favourite team if your nation is not in it like this year in this writers case. I always have a soft spot for the Dutch even though I turned against them after that shocking display in the World Cup Final in 2010. Karma collected them in the Euros two years later so they are back onside with me. Also I'll be cheering on the Japanese as well. Loved the way they played in the Confederations cup last year and I think they will win many friends in this tournament.
Other memories I have include Roger Milla for Cameroon in the 90 world cup and any time I played footy in primary school afterwards I would always try and do the goal celebration with a little wiggle in the corner flag! Robert Baggio almost single handedly dragging Italy to the final in 1994 and then missing the penalty in shoot out to hand the tournament to Brazil. Ronaldo's shocking day in the final in 1998 after having a seizure, being out of the side and then eventually played but never had a look in as the French destroyed the Brazilians in the final. Ronaldo's redemption by scoring the goals to win Brazil the world cup in 2002 against Germany in the final. Fabio Cannavaro cementing his status as an Italian legend with an amazing tournament in 2006 and the Spanish winning the World Cup deservedly four years later in South Africa.
I think England will get knocked out of the group stage unless Roy Hodgson decides to go bold. A lot of people are going for a Brazil vs Argentina final although I still think Spain will be there or there abouts and I think the French are a good dark horse alongside Chile if anyone is fancying an each way bet.
It will hopefully be a better World Cup than 2010 and I think there is enough quality teams for that to make it happen. Why do I love the World cup? Hopefully the next month will answer that question. Also the return of Apres Match as well as the last time we see Bill O'Herilhy presenting both moments to saviour. Hope everyone enjoys the tournament. I surely hope so.
Why do I love it. I think even with the massive changes in football over the last 20 years the World cup for the most part has maintained its massive mystique and also every match that you watch and that is pretty much every match you can you want that bit of magic that will be etched in your memory forever (Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in 98 springs immediately to mind), controversy,( Zidane getting sent off in the World Cup final in 2006, his last ever game), joy to the nation,( Most of all the three world cup campaigns Ireland have been involved in) and also picking a favourite team if your nation is not in it like this year in this writers case. I always have a soft spot for the Dutch even though I turned against them after that shocking display in the World Cup Final in 2010. Karma collected them in the Euros two years later so they are back onside with me. Also I'll be cheering on the Japanese as well. Loved the way they played in the Confederations cup last year and I think they will win many friends in this tournament.
Other memories I have include Roger Milla for Cameroon in the 90 world cup and any time I played footy in primary school afterwards I would always try and do the goal celebration with a little wiggle in the corner flag! Robert Baggio almost single handedly dragging Italy to the final in 1994 and then missing the penalty in shoot out to hand the tournament to Brazil. Ronaldo's shocking day in the final in 1998 after having a seizure, being out of the side and then eventually played but never had a look in as the French destroyed the Brazilians in the final. Ronaldo's redemption by scoring the goals to win Brazil the world cup in 2002 against Germany in the final. Fabio Cannavaro cementing his status as an Italian legend with an amazing tournament in 2006 and the Spanish winning the World Cup deservedly four years later in South Africa.
I think England will get knocked out of the group stage unless Roy Hodgson decides to go bold. A lot of people are going for a Brazil vs Argentina final although I still think Spain will be there or there abouts and I think the French are a good dark horse alongside Chile if anyone is fancying an each way bet.
It will hopefully be a better World Cup than 2010 and I think there is enough quality teams for that to make it happen. Why do I love the World cup? Hopefully the next month will answer that question. Also the return of Apres Match as well as the last time we see Bill O'Herilhy presenting both moments to saviour. Hope everyone enjoys the tournament. I surely hope so.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
So what went wrong with Moyes?
Or this should be called what did anything go right in David Moyes' reign as Manchester United. One thing is for sure the old United tradition of keeping trust in managers and giving them a chance to build their own squad is now gone. Manchester United is now a business and if there are not immediate results on the pitch than the fans, the board and the shareholders will call for a change as soon as possible. It is a commercial venture so Manchester United are basically like every other big club these days a commercial entity, any manager that lasts two years from now on at United will be doing well.
So was it the right choice to sack Moyes then? I thought that at least he should have been given the summer transfer window to try and bring in players to improve the team which badly needs rebuilding. Alex Ferguson did not do David Moyes any favours by leaving the team he did for him. There was questions at the end of last season about how good this Manchester United team really was as they won a very poor premiership and got knocked out handily enough in the champions league. It was a testament to Sir Alex with the team he did have that United did win the premiership last season as Moyes with the same team this season are 23 points adrift of Liverpool so how and where did it all go wrong?
The players have to take some responsibility for it. No matter if they hated the game management of Moyes as rumoured but at least show some fight if they are losing in matches and far too often there was not. Some players in certain games simply gave up which was never a United mantra. Moyes at times as well never made changes in games as if he was afraid to take a chance which definitely had an affect on the players no doubt. A combination of the two definitely affected them in the bigger games and that was why they were handily beaten in so many of those matches.
United botched the transfer window last summer for sure and Ed Woodward, the man who replaced David Gill does have to take some responsibility for this as well as he was the person who was in charge of trying to seal some deals and it did not happen. In the end Mauroine Fellaini was signed on transfer deadline day a couple of weeks after United could have had him cheaper a few weeks earlier. Juan Mata was signed in January and he will settle in to the team by the time the new season starts but that was difficult to expect him to make an immediate impact. It was a mess and did nit help Moyes at all.
Bottom line is Moyes lost the support of the players and the Glazers made the decision that they did not trust him with the money that they even realise that needs to be spent to bring United back to the forefront of the English game again. It was not a footballing decision, it was a commercial decision.
What now for Moyes? I think maybe a stint at a European club to learn new methods of coaching might be not a bad idea. For United Carlo Ancelotti would be the ideal situation but if he wins either La Liga or the Champions League you can see him being at Madrid for at least another season. Van Gaal has the track record and will probably be the next boss but with his reputation of being very erratic could put off the Glazers of employing him. Either way it could be someone else but it is going to be a very interesting summer for United and will be a fascinating watch.
So was it the right choice to sack Moyes then? I thought that at least he should have been given the summer transfer window to try and bring in players to improve the team which badly needs rebuilding. Alex Ferguson did not do David Moyes any favours by leaving the team he did for him. There was questions at the end of last season about how good this Manchester United team really was as they won a very poor premiership and got knocked out handily enough in the champions league. It was a testament to Sir Alex with the team he did have that United did win the premiership last season as Moyes with the same team this season are 23 points adrift of Liverpool so how and where did it all go wrong?
The players have to take some responsibility for it. No matter if they hated the game management of Moyes as rumoured but at least show some fight if they are losing in matches and far too often there was not. Some players in certain games simply gave up which was never a United mantra. Moyes at times as well never made changes in games as if he was afraid to take a chance which definitely had an affect on the players no doubt. A combination of the two definitely affected them in the bigger games and that was why they were handily beaten in so many of those matches.
United botched the transfer window last summer for sure and Ed Woodward, the man who replaced David Gill does have to take some responsibility for this as well as he was the person who was in charge of trying to seal some deals and it did not happen. In the end Mauroine Fellaini was signed on transfer deadline day a couple of weeks after United could have had him cheaper a few weeks earlier. Juan Mata was signed in January and he will settle in to the team by the time the new season starts but that was difficult to expect him to make an immediate impact. It was a mess and did nit help Moyes at all.
Bottom line is Moyes lost the support of the players and the Glazers made the decision that they did not trust him with the money that they even realise that needs to be spent to bring United back to the forefront of the English game again. It was not a footballing decision, it was a commercial decision.
What now for Moyes? I think maybe a stint at a European club to learn new methods of coaching might be not a bad idea. For United Carlo Ancelotti would be the ideal situation but if he wins either La Liga or the Champions League you can see him being at Madrid for at least another season. Van Gaal has the track record and will probably be the next boss but with his reputation of being very erratic could put off the Glazers of employing him. Either way it could be someone else but it is going to be a very interesting summer for United and will be a fascinating watch.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Oh Nancy! and respecting the business.
Well this is about pro wrestling. My first blog about it. Yes I am thirty one years old but pro wrestling gives me the escapism I need for entertainment and also the fact that I love the art of pro wrestling when it is done right its the best feeling in the world. That is what I felt after watching the Hall of Fame Speeches especially Jake the Snakes and the Warriors. The Mania show itself which was easily the best Mania since 24 in my opinion. Who was not shocked after taker losing the streak or genuinely ecstatic after Daniel Bryan's title win. The Raw was feel good as well until the shocking news the following day that Jim Hellwing, the Ultimate Warrior passed away aged 54. After a momentous weekend, it kind of sucked the airway a little bit and what made it worse was the utter shambles of an interview Nancy Grace did with Diamond Dallas Page about Warriors death days after the event.
It was not Page's fault, he was there thinking he was going to give a good eulogy for Warrior's death instead lazy reporting and Journalism took over with the beat of a drum from good old Nancy and did not care about the good aspects of Warrior and respecting his memory. All she gave a damn about was the sensationalist report that another wrestler died so yeas here we go again!Drugs! Maybe the steroids he took did have an affect on him in later life but why speculate on that? That she did not care about Warrior's wife and children while producing this shambolic report is also a disgrace.I bet that there was no drugs or drink in his system when he died. We will see when toxicology reports come out (by the time this comes out everyone will find out) The inaccuracies about the drug deaths are staggering. On that list that she showed a lot of those did not die because of steroids especially Joey Marella who was a referee who died tragically in a car crash and of course Owen Hart who died tragically when a stunt went wrong in a PPV show in the Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Nancy and her researchers did a fantastic job there didn't they?
Also the doctor stating the obvious. What was the point there?Duh!!!
It was cheap and sensational and there was a Nancy Out campaign on Twitter but I cannot see anything happen as she is a media darling and very powerful by all accounts. I just wish the media can once not make a lazy distinction between steroids and wrestlers cliches, go through all the usual bullshit they do and actually respect wrestlers and the wrestling industry for once? It probably won't happen in our lifetime but Warrior you were one of my childhood heroes and were inspirational to many once you left the squared circle and my thoughts and prayers go to your wife and two daughters. Nancy Grace should be ashamed for herself. I let you judge whether you are a wrestling fan or not if you think this was right or wrong so to speak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gv-WOE17s
Also the blog will be regular doing the summer during the World Cup. Looking forward to it. Congrats to Bubba Watson on the Masters two in three years is an amazing achievement. should be a great few years coming for him. Blog on F1 next few days. Till next time.
It was not Page's fault, he was there thinking he was going to give a good eulogy for Warrior's death instead lazy reporting and Journalism took over with the beat of a drum from good old Nancy and did not care about the good aspects of Warrior and respecting his memory. All she gave a damn about was the sensationalist report that another wrestler died so yeas here we go again!Drugs! Maybe the steroids he took did have an affect on him in later life but why speculate on that? That she did not care about Warrior's wife and children while producing this shambolic report is also a disgrace.I bet that there was no drugs or drink in his system when he died. We will see when toxicology reports come out (by the time this comes out everyone will find out) The inaccuracies about the drug deaths are staggering. On that list that she showed a lot of those did not die because of steroids especially Joey Marella who was a referee who died tragically in a car crash and of course Owen Hart who died tragically when a stunt went wrong in a PPV show in the Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Nancy and her researchers did a fantastic job there didn't they?
Also the doctor stating the obvious. What was the point there?Duh!!!
It was cheap and sensational and there was a Nancy Out campaign on Twitter but I cannot see anything happen as she is a media darling and very powerful by all accounts. I just wish the media can once not make a lazy distinction between steroids and wrestlers cliches, go through all the usual bullshit they do and actually respect wrestlers and the wrestling industry for once? It probably won't happen in our lifetime but Warrior you were one of my childhood heroes and were inspirational to many once you left the squared circle and my thoughts and prayers go to your wife and two daughters. Nancy Grace should be ashamed for herself. I let you judge whether you are a wrestling fan or not if you think this was right or wrong so to speak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gv-WOE17s
Also the blog will be regular doing the summer during the World Cup. Looking forward to it. Congrats to Bubba Watson on the Masters two in three years is an amazing achievement. should be a great few years coming for him. Blog on F1 next few days. Till next time.
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