TDH returns, though nothing else changes
(Apologies for the long delay, but TDH had written a beautiful long post that Blogger somehow swallowed. So, let us say that TDH was temporarily disillusioned. But now, back to the matter at hand.)
TDH remembers a time, not so long ago, when it was actually exciting to watch the Magpies in action. Now it's a sort of loathesome duty, an unpleasant but necessary obligation for two hours on a Saturday afternoon - like a funeral for an in-law you've never met.
Well, it won't be long until we see Keegle's funeral. If you ask TDH, the true Magpie Messiah was sitting up in the stands yesterday. He was the grinning one with the mop of white hair. Funny how we haven't had any pretty football to watch since he was around, except for a few good performances under Roeder. In fact, Roeder remains TDH's favorite of the past FOUR managers. Imagine that.
At least Keegle's attitude is realistic. But what does he have strategy-wise? The midfield was a mess. The defenders were lost at sea - three of them in the 18-yard box, and none of them stuck to Kiki Ron closely? Can Zog really play defense if he lets Wine Hrooney have ten yards for free? What's Barton doing all the way over on the left? Ugh.
And then there was Alan Smith, that unfortunate legacy of Big Ham's reign. TDH was trying to count Smith's passes for a while, and NOT A SINGLE ONE was forward! How can you play in midfield if you can't slot the ball forward to the, ahem, forwards? TDH's head was left shaking.
---
A few other pearls of the weeks past:
1. Clever Fergie, leaving the pitch at Old Trafford a mess for the Gooners' visit! Surprise, surprise, those cute little triangles didn't work on the surface of the moon.
2. Nice debut by Mauro Zarate at Birmingham. The Velez man gives you some action in the box, if nothing else.
3. Two goals for Walcott in a single game against a Premier League team? Can it be real? Is he finally fulfilling England's hopes?
4. Hard to say who looks the best side in the Champions League. Milan's defense seems ageless, but Manure could eat them for lunch if the Tevez-Rooney-Kiki Ron is on fire. They could eat anyone for lunch, in fact. But then, there's another trio of Messi-Henry-Ronaldinho that's back in action. Inter was the big disappointment. Cucho isn't replicating his Serie A form in Europe - too bad.
5. Boy, is TDH excited about Freddy Grisales at Independiente. He and Rolfi were born to play together. It's almost enough to make TDH want to cross the threshold of El Cilindro. We'll see. El Rojo is at the Bombonera in a couple of weeks....
6. Nani may be as big an ass as his idol, Kiki Ron. After that ridiculous hotdogging against the Goon Show, Gilberto Silva and then Sir both laid down the law. And what happened? He did it again yesterday. He should have been the one with the broken leg, not poor Eduardo da Silva. Ah, but you say you want justice in football?
TDH remembers a time, not so long ago, when it was actually exciting to watch the Magpies in action. Now it's a sort of loathesome duty, an unpleasant but necessary obligation for two hours on a Saturday afternoon - like a funeral for an in-law you've never met.
Well, it won't be long until we see Keegle's funeral. If you ask TDH, the true Magpie Messiah was sitting up in the stands yesterday. He was the grinning one with the mop of white hair. Funny how we haven't had any pretty football to watch since he was around, except for a few good performances under Roeder. In fact, Roeder remains TDH's favorite of the past FOUR managers. Imagine that.
At least Keegle's attitude is realistic. But what does he have strategy-wise? The midfield was a mess. The defenders were lost at sea - three of them in the 18-yard box, and none of them stuck to Kiki Ron closely? Can Zog really play defense if he lets Wine Hrooney have ten yards for free? What's Barton doing all the way over on the left? Ugh.
And then there was Alan Smith, that unfortunate legacy of Big Ham's reign. TDH was trying to count Smith's passes for a while, and NOT A SINGLE ONE was forward! How can you play in midfield if you can't slot the ball forward to the, ahem, forwards? TDH's head was left shaking.
---
A few other pearls of the weeks past:
1. Clever Fergie, leaving the pitch at Old Trafford a mess for the Gooners' visit! Surprise, surprise, those cute little triangles didn't work on the surface of the moon.
2. Nice debut by Mauro Zarate at Birmingham. The Velez man gives you some action in the box, if nothing else.
3. Two goals for Walcott in a single game against a Premier League team? Can it be real? Is he finally fulfilling England's hopes?
4. Hard to say who looks the best side in the Champions League. Milan's defense seems ageless, but Manure could eat them for lunch if the Tevez-Rooney-Kiki Ron is on fire. They could eat anyone for lunch, in fact. But then, there's another trio of Messi-Henry-Ronaldinho that's back in action. Inter was the big disappointment. Cucho isn't replicating his Serie A form in Europe - too bad.
5. Boy, is TDH excited about Freddy Grisales at Independiente. He and Rolfi were born to play together. It's almost enough to make TDH want to cross the threshold of El Cilindro. We'll see. El Rojo is at the Bombonera in a couple of weeks....
6. Nani may be as big an ass as his idol, Kiki Ron. After that ridiculous hotdogging against the Goon Show, Gilberto Silva and then Sir both laid down the law. And what happened? He did it again yesterday. He should have been the one with the broken leg, not poor Eduardo da Silva. Ah, but you say you want justice in football?
posted by Daniel Altman at 4:42 AM
