Warning signs

Warning signs It didn’t take long for the warning signs to start flashing in a bright neon fashion. Spurs dour 0-0 draw at Blackburn might look like a point gained but ironically it could be the fact that they got the point rather than lost the game that points towards some deeper problems. They say […]

Spurs Season Preview 2005/06

Motto My motto in life (and indeed it’ll be my epitaph) is never to be expect too much, rarely look on the bright side and don’t wash behind your ears because no one ever checks (so much wasted time as a child). As the brand new, predictable, but addictive, Premiership season gets ready to launch, […]

I feel good

The feel good factor There’s a lot to be said for the feel good factor in life. Warm weather, wealth, health, all that good stuff. It all makes for a very happy existence. It exists in football too and clubs that have it have got a distinct advantage over clubs that don’t. What’s become clear […]

How Lowe can the Saints Go?

Good riddance I was going to write a little spiel all about Jose Mourinho and his eclectic ways but the excitement of the relegation battle and various other issues of the last few days have prompted me to go elsewhere in my head. I’m not going to be righteous and say it’s a shame to […]

Life is hard

Had a strange thought the other day. Got off the tram in the center of Dublin at about 7.30am and spotted a duvet in a doorway. On closer inspection I saw that it was not one homeless person, but two. And from the shape of the bodies and legs that were sticking out I could […]

Group of Death Part 390548

Fickle Football brings out the fickleness in us all. All it can take is a few poor performances from our favourite player or some strange tactical decisions from the incumbant manager to persuade us that perhaps our instincts about the individual were wrong. Forced out When Mick McCarthy was forced out of his job as […]

Accept me! Validate me!

I saw a guy on the tram home last night holding a large envelope against his chest that I assume was his, and had printed on it “PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL”. I have a feeling that holding this envelope made him feel incredibly important. ‘Look at me! I received mail that’s so important the sender had […]

A simple test – are you a road-moron?

I’m a big fan of road rage. This, of course, is the expression of exasperation at the complete and utter (a) ignorance, (b) inability and/or (c) stupidity, of other drivers on the road. The roads are full of them. It’s almost like it’s compulsory to be a complete tosser when behind the wheel of a […]

The Human Plight

The walk from my office to the tram home takes me through the city of Dublin. It’s not normally particularly pleasant but yesterday was “unpleasant-times-ten”. I’m intolerant at the best of times – hate when people walk slowly in front of me, hate traffic, hate waiting three minutes for a tram (why can’t they just […]

A Reffin’ Disgrace

Kiwis When I spent a year living in New Zealand, I brought my undoubted footballing talents to the country too. Whether it was putting a 60-yard pass on a sixpence, or doing the Cruyff turn, I could be relied on to deliver the goods.* But our league – Men’s Division Four – had a problem. […]