Everton at Home and Newcastle Away

Well Tuesday was Tuesday. There isn't too much to say about it. It was a mid week game. The Arsenal played... won... 3 points to the good.

Now Saturday was a whole new ball of wax.

LilBlondieGooner sent me an early morning text. She was still jet-lagging from the wrong coast and was wondering when people were coming down. I let her know I'd be right around game time. I couldn't see myself getting there any earlier.

I arrived to the general milling around of the ManShitty by the door, followed by a few of the faithful. Gingerette and I grabbed a booth and invited LilBlondie to come over for a seat. She reminded us that it was MiniMo's birthday.

After a few, some Geordies started filing in. I have to admit I don't have a problem with the Geordie lot from the pub. Most of them are nice guys, at least from my experience with them. They know their football and are proud of their team. One can't complain about that.

However, somewhere along the line, there must be something that happened that a few others make comments about them. I usually just shake my head because I've never had any bad experiences with them. At least not with this lot.

Someone had mentioned they come off a little brusque and boisterous. I am going to chalk it up to people forgetting that they existed. I mean, they are Newcastle fans, what can one expect. It just goes back to my supporters are a reflection of their team and vice-versa. They're honest, I like that.

The first half was good. I can't complain one bit. I did see Shorts walking a small dog in the rain. It was an odd sight.

At halftime, there was cake to be had. The Bakerman, had done up a nice rich chocolate thing and we sang Happy Birthday to MiniMo. It was all quite nice.

The second half, well, how do I say this? I don't know. It happened. I think all my vulgarities for the week left my mouth within a span of 10 minutes.

Later that day, I had gone shopping with Gingerette. While she was in line waiting, I was standing around, checking scores on the phone and just trying not to be in the way. I was the typical guy waiting around the girly section of the store, while stuff was being purchased, not that I really mind or anything.

This lad comes up to me, we give each other the nod, it was obvious he was looking for something but what I didn't know. Somehow he spied enough of my kit, which was half hidden by my jacket.

"Eh? Ya Arsenal mate?" He had a thick London accent that caught me off guard.

"Yah..." I must have looked utterly confused

"Gutted, simply gutted."

"True. It was a different second."

He quickly chimed in, "Ya see United lost."

Nodding and smiling, "2-1 Wolves, just saw it on my phone."

He then asked for the lift, then correcting himself and saying elevator, to which the cashier pointed out. We nod and express good wishes to each other. Funny how you can randomly run into someone and have this random conversation about something completely relevant to your life.

I don't know, maybe I read too much into it. There is something about sport in general though that can make two random people, all of the sudden relate to some particular thing. It's hard pressed to find anything else like it, devoid of race, creed and religion.

In some circles, there are those that say sport is religion. Or you could have one of those shirts from the 90's that read along the lines X is life, the rest is just details.

The fact is, it's a leveling factor in many of our lives, at least for those reading this blog. I guess I'm saying that my life has been enriched by those I've come into contact with through football, the pub and sheer randomness.

For good and for bad, the world keeps getting smaller.

By the way, someone just hacked my yahoo account and spammed from it. Watch your passwords and change them often.

~LeChat

Ipswich Home (Carling) and Huddersfield Home (FA)

CUP CUP CUP

The Arsenal are still in some cups. It should be an exciting time, a real chance for some silverware after such a long drought and the continuous bridesmaid finishes for the last half decade.

I haven't and well couldn't be assed with going to the pub this week. To be honest, getting up for Huddersfield at 7:30 Eastern was not in the books. I should plan my Saturday evenings out a bit better.

Meanwhile (imagine funky comic book script)

The closing of the mid-season transfer has come and now gone, as it was today. There wasn't much in it for the Arsenal, no surprise there. However, it appears the Scousers may have got one over on Newcastle. I swear Newcastle must be giving a lesson on how to yo-yo between leagues at the moment. Not a good move, once again.

Seriously though, what do I know. I'm not the manager or the owner but from a layman's vantage point; It. No. Good.

Now let's get on with the proper stuff. This whole mid-season transfer market stuff really screws my head. Honestly, I think there should be something done about it. In my heart of hearts, would love to be done with the whole thing but I have a feeling that's not going to happen.

The month of February does give us a bit to look forward to though. There's the Barcelona Champions League tie and um my birthday. Yes, I know. Something good and something, well we will see the outcome of it.

This year the party will be moving back to the Pub, second floor, Society Room. We're going to do it on Sunday 20 Feb at 8 PM. (Monday is a holiday)

Remember it's not just me but also ChelskiGirl and the Toffee's birthday as well. Don't bring presents, just bring yourselves.

~LeChat

Leeds Away (FA) and Wigan at Home

Well FA is said and done. Well Leeds got done, something to be said in that. It's always a good day when Leeds gets done. I spent my fine afternoon at work, looking at the Guardian play by play concerning the doing of Leeds.

Funny part about it, the Guardian is not allowed in Elland Road. It has something to do with reporting a story about the shadowy ownership of Leeds a few years back. There was a call for transparency which was met with a "you're not allowed in here, again, ever." Real mature but it is Leeds, should you expect more.

So, the weekend comes with no real surprises. Somehow along the way I had picked up a cold from someone. I don't want to point any fingers but someone did shake my hand and explain to me how they were sick all week. To that person, thanks a mil brutha, now I got this bloody cold.

It was bound to happen one way or another. It's the sickness time of year.

There was a fair number of MancScum supporters out this weekend, which was nice to see. It wasn't even a big game or anything, even a newer face. It's always good when someone new comes in and just jumps right in, like they belong; none of this trying hard to impress drek or any sort of thing like that. Hop up on a couch/stool or what have you, give a friendly nod and on with the football. Too bad everyone can't be like that.

I was going to do a whole rant about the sexism thing. The female linesman and what the two numptys on Sky had said. Honestly, it's been beaten to death already. The problem is inherent in the system, not to paraphrase Monty Python, but it is.

There is no need for the degradation of anyone based on gender, race, sexual or religious preference. It should be about doing the job. Apparently, the young woman in question does her job better than most of the men out there. I would like to add a plus she's much better looking but that just adds to the sexism fire.

I myself can often give into lad culture as well. I'm not going to pretend to be holier than thou or anything like that. However, in my heart of hearts, the referee is still a bastard, the linesman/woman is blind and Chelsea is a bunch of pillow-biting tossers.

In all seriousness though, there is no room for what those announcers did. There is no room for anything like that.

Is it destroying football?
That I do not know because it's been there and is still an ugly mark upon it's face.

Is there an easy solution?
No, there is never an easy solution.

Well what should we do?
Start subtly reminding everyone that they are probably an asshole, just like everyone else and get on with it. It's unnecessary to continue with ideas like that in this century. Whether the person is man/woman/black/white/Muslim/Hindu or whatever they may be; It has no bearing on the scoreline, well, unless the linesman/woman is truly blind.

~LeChat