Not good enough Liverpool

Liverpool opened their season campaign with a rather mediocre 1 -0 win over a spirited Sunderland side and in perfectly honest I was not impressed. The most satisfying was to see Liverpool claiming three pints in a game where they could have finished with nothing.

They seemed at worlds end and rather uninspiring. One of my favourites at least made a significant difference when he appeared off the Rafa Benitez’s bench of wilderness. It was all rather embarrassing and Benitez seems to play god in the holy waters of Liverpool.

Xabi Alonso re-inserted himself as a player of impact and much ability as he took the game at the scruff of the neck and transformed Liverpool’s fortune and luck. Steven Gerrard was not his regular self and Fernando Torres barely had a look in. Robbie Keane could not get going nor could Dirk Kuyt.

I am personally looking forward to return of Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Lucas, as they are three quality players that Liverpool need performing on a regular basis and it is the challenging part for any squad to choose the best players and competition for places will be immense.

Now I am not convinced what the best team is. My side would be:

Reina, Aggar, Carragher, Dossena, Degan, Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso, Keane, Torres, Babel.

Simple fact is that the four prolong attack of Babel, Torres, Keane and Gerrard would be devastating and match any of the top four sides.

For now Liverpool need to improve drastically if they are going to be title contenders.

Superman Returns

Back to basic, back to routine. It did seem all to mandatory in full honestly as Reading saw a, dare I say, comfortable 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Three years ago Reading suffered a 2 -1 defeat on the opening game of the Season against the Pilgrims before going a dazzling 33 games unbeaten.

Today was unique in many aspects as the crowd reached an average 19,202 and I felt there was much more of a spirited atmosphere echoing through the ‘Mad Stad’. It did, however, show a sense of loyalty and responsibility from the fans to the club and vice versa.

Manager Steve Coppell even quoted in the match day programmes saying that the glory hunters have been and gone and he was certainly looking forward to seeing Reading being supported by those who will follow them through thick and thin.

I still have doubts that Stephen Hunt does not tick all the boxes for a competitive left back as he is, at sometimes, left wandering. Although he is a much better stopgap than most others are. Nicky Shorey will be missed especially the use of his left foot on set pieces but Hunt managed to deliver two corners of pure genius allowing Ibrahima Sonko to score two textbook headers.

Sonko looked like an old friend out there; fans remembered the old recycled Sonko is superman chants and used them in full affects. He looked like a man wanting to prove a point and he certainly won over the majority of the crowd.

Ivar Ingimarsson and Sonko reignited their defensive partnership that was most successful in our championship-winning season. Sonko seemed to be top of his game and resembled an actual footballer as opposed the pathetic non-shows (meaning that literally as well) he conjured up last season.

So far, this has been a perfect beginning of the season for him as two clean sheets and two solid performances on a dodgy knee.

Sonko welcome back. May it long continue?

Happy (ish) Returns

The Beatles once sang Get Back to where we once belonged. How that meaningless title feels such harsh reality as Reading’s opening day in the Championship looked rather, to be honest, unimpressive.

There stuttering start and the lack of awareness of how this division plays. The squad will have to reminiscence about the good times but they soon have to realise this is a completely different campaign. Within twenty seconds, Marcus Hahnemann was under attack as Nottingham forest really took the game to us. It is a huge respect to the game having the double European cup winners back in the championship as the City Ground and those loyal and vastly gigantic supporting fans bases acquires a better standard of football.

As for Reading, I saw this as two points lost rather than one gained as we saw a goalless draw. We are still rusty and it does that we are stuck in Premiership mode still. We need to urgently drop that and lose the mental implications of the damaging favourite tags and take this league with dignity. Last time we were here, we were unstoppable to say the least but that will not be repeated. It is going to be a lot tougher as the standard of the league has improved significantly. There is more teams that stands a distance above the others, inevitably Queens Park Rangers will do in the future will the Formula One tycoons throwing money at worlds end to feud their Premiership ambitions.

As for the Reading performance, we set out with the same tactics for the last three seasons. Congealed in defence and use our dynamic flair and energetic urges to really get into the opposition. The only glimpse of that working today was a Kevin Doyle header from a Stephen Hunt cross that, somehow, Nott’s Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith managed to make a breathe taking save. That was ten minutes from times.

Ronnie Wood was not the only thing being fucked by a 19 year old as Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan ran a near perfect show. Experienced defenders Ivar Ingimarsson and Ibrahima Sonko were made to look ordinary and rather reckless. He looks like a frightening prospect that should fend well in this league before Arsenal snap him up as the next Freddy Ljungberg, but maybe he is a couple years too old for them before being heaped back in the wilderness.

Hunt is a great individual and there is not a man out there that will work harder for the cause but he is not suited at left back. Nicky Shorey’s transfer to Aston Villa has left us with a huge void in our starting eleven as well as our squad. Hunt needs to play left wing as Bobby Convey looked anything par inspiring today. He may be one of these players who are a flash in the pan in the Premiership before fading out like an ugly bird at a swinger’s party. Remember David Prutton? Or Michael Ricketts? There is always a possibility of a comeback as Hull’s Dean Windass showed. He makes a return of Lord Lucan a much more of a possibility.

Also with the news of Marek Matejovsky going to be out for at least six weeks manager Steve Coppell may be banging on John Madejski’s heavily paved office door. Noel Hunt is a sole capture this term and we need to fill a few gaps to ensure a swift return to the top flight. Undoubtedly, Coppell will have a few tricks up his sleeve; he has not seen us wrong so far. Emerse Fae anyone?

Currently, I am getting that all to be expected vibe, the realisation has kicked in, and I am over the moon. This will be a hard season but one in which we can be successful. I am not entirely sure whether the crowd will hold its own before the glory hunters come back like the plague.

Let us raise a beer (or that piss poor excuse for beer that sells at £3.50) to pastures new and to a new campaign and hopefully a successful one.

8th Wonder of the World

Well it is the eighth of the eighteen of the eighth year of the millennium and China’s opening to the Olympics’ was quite remarkable.

Breathe taking even let us hope the reminder of the games can live up the beginning hype. The bird nest stadium looks rather weird but wonderful.

The 29^th Olympic begins with numerous drums and lots of the Chinese community took part in the banging of the dreams and the decorated dance and high style kung fu.

The next 16 days will be special and I hope enough of the public take a big interest as 2012 is, putting it bluntly, just around the corner.

London without a doubt will put on a spectacular show but for the next 16 days, we can forget about and enjoy the games of how they are intended. This game’s will inspire the next generations and hopefully some world champions at 2012.

So many rounds, so many types of sport this must be heaven for, even, the average sports fan. I will be glued I, like the rest of the public (par those bloody lazy students), have a job and will be missing much of the action but I will try to catch as much as I can.

The football season also starts this weekend and it is a shame that they clash. Football is my number one priority, but the Olympics are followed closely in second.

So for now, let us hope Britain do well and bring home lots of gold.

Shores to leave

As the season begins to start, the more evitable it becomes. The second, arguably third, massive player has left Reading to rejoin the Premiership ranks.

Following in Glen Little and Dave Kitson’s footsteps, Nicky Shorey joins Aston Villa for an disclosed fee. This one inspires me the most as he was Reading’s best player in a time of desperation and rejoice. His contribution was massive and even, the fickle, Steve McClaren gave him his England debut against Brazil, with his only other cap coming against Germany. Obviously they thought a lot of him leaving him out for that queen Lescott.

This day I lost a fie pound bet, as I firmly believed that Shorey would have played in a competitive England International while playing for Reading and these odds looked likely. Again, I was misled and confused when I thought an actual patriotic manager ruled England but it seemed the Scotsman’s Sir Alex Ferguson, Frenchman Arsene Wenger, Portuguese Jose Mourinho and Spaniard Rafa Benitez had too much influence upon his situation.

He never played again despite being called up into the squads, where Steve Warnock has been favoured in the Fabio Capello era.

Nicky Shorey has been my favourite player for a long while as he has the left foot of a god. His range of passing has always been unmatched in that position.

The fondness memory I have of him consists of him spanking that 25 yarder against Tottenham Hotspur in that amazing three one win. I saw myself on Match of the Day, briefly standing up and screaming shoooooooooooooooooooot before he actual did. The ball whizzed pass Paul Robinson and I believe and felt that this was our most prominent moment in the Premiership.

So much more to follow.....

To All You Lovely People: An Apology

Yes, yes I suppose I can come on here and whinge about all the emotion malarkey i can suffer, or perhaps, more favourably, sit it out and swallow some damaged pride and move on.

OK this one is not about sport, but my fickle mind will probably make daft references to my, actual, true love.

This week I received ‘closure’, another pathetic, un-ruling thing the Yanks like to make up to make the rest of the world feel inadequate. Nevertheless, I cannot find another decent word for it.

This apparent ‘closure’ came a little six months late, but who am I to moan, I pretty glad she is out of my life completely now. I saw her briefly and as she stood in front, I felt nothing, less than nothing even. I felt regret. To be honest I am not one for regret but looking profoundly on, I wish things were different.

One day on and I feel like I was eighteen again, foolishly enough it was when Reading was last in the championship, beware this may be an omen for any future girlfriend. If we get promoted, let us face it luv, it will be over. Nothing can take my passion away from me, or even suck it dry.

I was a classic fool to feel that I would not change, I still want to act my age (and secretly younger). So I am severely sorry if I act occasionally (loads) immature but that is me and I will never apologise for being me. I am not perfect, but find me someone who is. Life brings up numerous of challenges and you do not wither and burn at the glimpse of the first. It was inevitable I was there to fight. This time I was more sensible, hindsight was my guide.

Undoubtedly, I want to behave my age. I do not want to become a tireless old man (despite my bastard university friends declaring I am); I want to be able to be my own man. Whatever that actually means. I want to make my mistakes, I want to reach my goals, and I, certainly, want to live.

So I apologise, occasionally knocking bins over on a way back from town, or indeed tell a rude joke that some people might find offensive. (Tottenham fans)

I apologise for not wanting to sit in every night and watching re-runs of CSI and New Tricks where there are more exciting things to do.

I like a beer in fact I like many. I like hanging out with a friend, in fact I like hanging out with many. This possible burden in my life began when England played Sweden in the World Cup 2006 and I missed Joe Cole’s stunning goal and that is the day I remember I got distracted in what was important for me at the time. This girl started to rule my life and I was happy to see it. My friends warned me but again i was oblivious from their remarks.

It carried on from there, refusing me to watch Match of the Day, Reading was in the fucking Premiership for the first time, and you can insert some words here as my mind and soul is, pathetically, too smashed.

My mind was dwarfed and common courteously probably kept me in it. She began university a year before me as I decided to stay back to support my family as my father attracted Leukaemia. Perhaps I thought she could have been a little bit more supportive but nevertheless she was there for me and I could never forget and I am in debt because of that.

When you find out you are actually spending a lot more time with her than your mates you begin to wonder. I worked hard to regain my friends trust and their hand in friendship again as my First Girlfriend Leanne kept me away from them. That is a good thing about close friends they will always be there for you, other friends will bail at the first sight of danger.

I know I have a marmite type of personality, you love or loathe me, in some cases as it turned out you actually do both.

Now, after this pathetic ‘closure’ ordeal I can finally move on, upwards and skywards.

Ladies and Gentlemen you are about to find out what the real Steven Woodgate has to offer. Fact.

A few things first, I want to write what my friends mean to me, just in case I get foolish and lose them all over again.

I want to thank my mate Stuart who has been on the belly aching of all my moaning and high pitch tantrums. Mate, you are a legend and one in the highest regard. There will be a day where I will be there for you and list all the things I have called you. (Future blog beckons). Our future careers will follow similar trends, as long as he beats me he is a very sore loser. He will never be too far away.

Then Matt, who has never failed to get me drunk nor show me a good time. He is the party animal and one friend I look up to the most. Our personalities just click instantly and would be able to catch up with whether it has been a day, a week or even a month. A sacred bond (not gay), no doubt we will be friends for life. We have our share for lust and love of football.

There is my wacky cousin Jay who I always end up in balls of laughter, more at him than anything else. He is my little brother and I feel obliged and honoured to look after him. I always seem to be told off or called numerous of unrepeatable names when around him and I hope I can help to be successful in life.

Ross, my gig collaborate for many a years, has been a constant giggle. Regular banter is always the forefront of all discussions and we are always constantly disagreeing but his very random and very personal, outbursts are pure genius and he is a truly popular person by all regards.

Then there is Dick, well what can I say about Richard. He can often drift into the background but if there is, a person you want to rely it is he. Hard as nails, well a secondary school time of kicking him in the balls has matured that. A cult hero, the most underappreciated friend i have.

Newly found friends Rich and Johnson have certainly given this summer extra spice. I cannot forget about Dan Honnor the big sex pest in my life. A man with no worries but huge love to give. A frightening prospect by all means. A gentle, hideous giant.

I cannot forget some popular university pals that have inspired me on new directions. Mark and Steph, about bloody time. I have seen this perfect relationship for a long time, a Ross, and Rachael type. Well the near the end anyway. They should write a book, and I will read I can tell you foremost. A true gentleman and his girl, it was written in the stars. Sorry for my bam bam bamming it is all incident.

Andy, probably the biggest person I know who loves him dearly, is quite a legend. He probably already knows that. He is definitely someone I can relate to wholeheartedly.

Plus the Sam’s but I cannot say which names we use to tell them apart. (LMFAO)

The Kiff is another one that I have grew deep affection for, our constant banter about football and he is my go to guy. A true friend to say the least.

How can I forget Dennis or Buzz, the main body I exchange my life with? Missed me loads; it is probably that silly chin, or the two and half hairs growing out of it. Perhaps, it is extremely poor haircut or stripy jumpers. However, I believe it is, having a Shaun moment. Including his little sidekick the ‘House’, well his head is probably that big.

Plus to anyone else I forgot to mention: I am sorry sometimes I am an arse hole (self confessed), but live with it because it is only to get better.

Family always stick with you, and to be honest they have too. Friends are not always for life but it is always good to know who they are.

See you all very soon, it is going to be messy.

Yes Baby, it is back!

It is back. My god I have missed it.

I had a summer of Padraig Harrington winning the Open, Lewis Hamilton winning the British Grand Prix, Rafael Nadal winning Wimbledon, Spain winning the Euro’s, England losing to South Africa in the cricket and winning against New Zealand, the nonsense transfer saga inflicting the whole world. Nevertheless, reality is back. Football is certainly coming home.

Travelling up to Madejski Stadium was something amazing, yes, we are relegated boo boo, but I do not particularly care. Sun was shining and piss poor excuse of rain was to ruin it for me but as I glance up to see the stadium shooting up the IDR I know I am back in my element.

I got up there about half twelve to remember my roots, too be honest in my very bad state, I have taken trips up there just to drive around to glimpse at pastures new.

The old face started emerge, the rather large man whose guards the door I enter, I have not even bothered to learn his name but I have seen him for the last six years. The eager autograph hunters that circle the stadium like a pack of lions.

My fellow program sellers are all out, looking rather annoyed that I turned up late but I had to have a look in the newly redeveloped shop as well trying to badger my way into the new 2million pound media facilities. John Motson remarkably turned up and cut the string to unveil the rooms to the public. Well we will not have the South Koreans in there when Soel played for us. They were initially packed up like sardines, as a fragment of the statement. Now we have Premiership facilities with championship press, clever.

Entering the stadium, I caught up loads of people exchanging pleasantries, like before, without actually knowing their names. Speaking to my bosses and exchanging lifeless banter as they forgot how to deal with a happy go lucky, arrogant twenty year old. Seeing I am jack the lad, not many appreciate my lust for life approach, but I do have my regular customers.

Seeing Marcus Hahnemann and exchanging handshakes would have been experience for many but I see it as every home game occurrence. He is probably the nicest man you could ever meet. His larger than life soul expresses new waves of excitement as he walked through towards the player’s entrance; he just gave you a good sense of well being.

I decided to knock off a bit more and went in search for my regulars in the Madejski Hotel. There was a wedding reception in there with loads of beautiful young women; I was having a field day. A broad smile suddenly lit up my face. As I progressed further in, I spoke with, more or less, everyone. Speaking probably the same conversation a hundred but it never gets boring.

I went over to an elder man and started to have banter with him and I found out he was Alex Pearce’s father. He came across as a granddad and he was someone you could really relate too. He spoke of his son escapades with Norwich last season and how Carrow Road generated a decent atmosphere.

I left and waited for the game to start, that day we entertained Aston Villa as our last preseason friendly. I have been looking forward to this for some time. Teams lined up and it is the first time for a long while that Dave Kitson nor Nicky Shorey will be involved but never mind the crowd will make up for that. Yeah, until only 7,218 people turned up and 1,200 of them were Villains. Great way to raise the morale of the team. What a great disrespect. I did feel ashamed but I was under the presumption that Nazis have suddenly risen and there were sounds of Zeppelin circling the M4 to prevent any fans to actually get to the stadium.

Perhaps I was being naive but me and Rich certainly enjoying ourselves as Reading played rather well.

Stephen Hunt missed a penalty and Brad Friedal made one of his standard saves. To be fair, Hunt was probably still stuck in honeymoon mood as he fought of all that sex he has been getting. It is now the football season lad, you play with her again soon.

I was pleased to see a young player actually score as it has been a long while. Jem Karacan played his par very well when Ciise was forced off injured. Karacan had popular spells with Bournemouth and Millwal last season and hopefully he can stamp his authority on the first team this season. I remember him scoring a class volley against Didcot Town in the preseason of last. He looked a much better all rounder now. He managed to tap in as James Harper’s shot took a ridiculous deflection.

The one player I was pleasantly surprised with was Jimmy Kebe, for the first time he actually looked like a footballer. He passed well, his movement was constantly a threat, and he even managed to get in the area often. A complete contrast to what we saw at the emirates, which now seems a long time ago.

James Harper was his ever self, Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita look as they can spark up their partnership of old. Bobby Convey looks fit and eager to go.

Noel Hunt came on in the second half and within the time it takes to put a condom on, he hit the post. He beat three men and made a superb position for himself and I was gutted to see the ball come of the inside of the post. He looks like he could a good job in replacing Kits.

Villa equalised later on but that does not undermine the performance we produced. I do really feel good about the upcoming season and promotion does look very likely. Time will tell, but as ever, I will remain hopeful.

It is so good to be back.

Come on Urzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Paula at the Marks

In a deeply positive state of sentiment today as Paula Radcliffe claims she is feeling good for the upcoming Olympics.

August 17^th will be the extraordinary day where Radcliffe will take her place amongst her fellow competitors and be aiming for gold. She is the current world record holder and we need her to be in a chance of claiming a shiny medal.

She, infamously, pulled out of the Athens 10,000m in 2004 and broke down in tears that gripped the astounding nation. Since then she has given birth, but contributed a decent, carefree comeback with a win at the New York Marathon last November.

Radcliffe is a rare talent and it is something what I really like about the Olympics. It proves had work pays off and how many times you have been knocked down you always come back and be stronger. Definitely, in the Lance Armstrong mould.

At a tender age of 34, it is worth her career leaves us with a great finale. Fairytales are for the young, so she just does not want to let anyone down.

It will certainly be fitting to see Paula claim the gold and goes down in the record books, into the Olympic folk law, as one of Britain’s finest. Legend is often over used, but she can be one. Moreover, in Olympics world, an honest one.

Liverpool are Keane

Robbie Keane has filled his boyhood dreams of putting on the red shirt of Liverpool. Tottenham will undoubtedly, be angry and produce a sense of annoyance to unify their captain to remain as the foremost scanner in the Spurs workshop.

Now his departure has left a huge hole, not only in the Tottenham starting eleven but also in the changing room. For the past six years, it seemed that he was Spurs and Spurs was he. Now he joins Liverpool to see if he can fulfil lifelong ambitions.

Keane has the chance to give fill his utmost fantasy, winning silverware for the Reds this season. Rafael Benitez had made a shrewd buy in Keane as he sees Keane as the perfect foil for Fernando Torres in attack to make Liverpool to provide strides forward in the exasperating pursuit of the title.

Liverpool has failed to lift the precious Premiership title since 1990 and that has been too far long for a team of Liverpool’s stature.

With Keane playing with Torres, it will free up captain Steven Gerrard to take his role back in his favoured centre midfield position where Benitez feels he would be the most effective.

Signing Keane is a great statement for Liverpool as the fellow ‘big four’ contenders have struggled to improve their squads as of yet.

Manchester United are still pottering around inadequately with the Cristiano Ronaldo pathetic saga. They have not been able to improve their squad as such and losing Carlos Quintez would be a devastating for the champions as he masterminded the new formed attack and how to get the best out of the players.

Chelsea, again, goes in the season unsettled and unsure whether all players will be on Phil Scolari side. He, in contrast to Avram Grant, is a massive personality and I see major clashes within the squad. Frank Lampard, who is normally so vocal, has been profusely quiet this pre-season as he is not sure whether Chelsea can have the same influence on his career. As for their squad, Deco is the only player of note joining this summer. He will improve them but again this is only a short-term solution, he did lose his effectiveness for Barcelona and they were happy to see him go.

As for Arsenal, the lost of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb will be a blow but I believe the enhancement of the young players will see Arsenal having a successful season by all accounts. Cesc Fabergas will be as effective as ever and with Robin Van Persie back from injury they can rely on his goals and his general game play. Theo Walcott will emerge promptly this season, as Aaron Ramsey will be used sparsely but effectively. If Kolo Toure and William Gallas can form a decent partnership and perform constantly, Arsenal will have the perfect platform to produce the basis of great football. A centre midfielder may be essential to be fully comfortable in all areas.

With Liverpool, they have signed two new full back in Degan, Dossena who will provided healthy competition for places, and their pursuit of Gareth Barry is not yet over.

I just believe Liverpool carry momentum into the new season and if they have a good start and Benitez does not get swamped with rotation they will be successfully.

Robbie Keane may be the missing jigsaw piece for the Benitez Revolution to take full effect.

A Vaughan Calling

It is an end of a provident era for England’s, arguably, most successful captain. Michael Vaughan we salute you. A lack of runs inevitably closed the curtains on the great opera that is English cricket.

With the game heading into a new depth of deep reliance, it might have been the correct time for Vaughan to step down. With much regret, Vaughan may notice the trend that cricket is heading in a direction that has no time for someone who is naturally a test specialised. He has already spoken of his worries and desires of cricket heading to a wary direction and today’s cricket will be about the players like Kevin Pietersen, who will naturally take up the role of captains in both forms of the game.

Vaughan without a doubt, will be remembered for THAT 2005 Ashes victory or the series win in South Africa just before. After taking over from Nassar Hussain in 2003, Vaughan has always been a figure to aspire too.

His captaincy has always been cunning and articulated in the field. He notices things that others do not; he has always had good inspiring players in his team as well. A good captain is always a good leader of men and has a huge tactical expertise.

Leading men like Pietersen and Flintoff cannot be easy. I would like to mention how he dealt with Marcus Trescothick and his personal problems. He kept the spirit and the high morale going throughout the difficult times. He was the forefront of everything good for England and the people simply feel affection for him. The test victory against the West Indies in June 2007 was a significant moment in his reign, as he became the captain to lead his side to the most test victories, more than any of his predecessors did.

His batting suffered a great deal when he was first appointed captain as he averaged only 30.13 from his first twelve tests. He must have been feeling similar to those five years on. Nevertheless, he made England into the one of the most successful sides in world cricket.

His career went from strength to strength under Duncan Fletcher as Vaughan captained his side to an England’s record eight consecutive tests wins.

He may be heading out on a bit of a low rather than a staking high but that seems to sum it all up. There is never an easy time to bow out possibly after an, potential ashes win next year. He still wants to carry on for his country and he should not be prevented in doing that.

It is always best to leave on your terms and your own decision, Vaughan emotional departure gave, in retrospect circumstances, a feel of novelty to those fans that followed religiously. It proves he cares and this decision did not come likely but good luck Pietersen, you definitely have big boots to fill.

Michael Vaughan you will be forgotten, see you in October.