Sitting up and thinking in bed

So I've really gotten into this English show, "QI". Pronounced "Q...I...". It is a fantastically funny show that is mainly about having an intellectual conversation but also having a laugh at the same time. I highly recommend it.

Had a nice dinner with a girl tonight. Helped make hamburgers then sat and talked for over and hour...probably two. Three beers and a hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes and avacado. She's a very cool chic/girl/nerd/geek. I had a wonderful time just talking and listening. Mostly listening. It was nice to listen. I only interject when I have something to say. And she knew when to listen. That was pretty fun. Now I have to see how geeky she really is and read her blog.

This seems more like a "Dear Diary" entry than a blog...but what are blogs really anyway? It's and electronic "Dear Diary".

Anyhow, "QI" is addictive and you will learn something as well. How many television shows do that nowadays?

Eureka!

Here's is the argument to end all arguments about REAL football(the style that is played with the feet) versus American football(which is played with the hands).
Which is harder? REAL football...take a kickoff in American football. Basically a guy runs down the field with the ball in his hand and dodges eleven other guys, who are being blocked off. Just to run across a line the is around 55 yards wide. Ok. It's hard to do, yes. Now try doing that with just your feet. And the opposition can't be blocked off. And the line that the ball needs to cross is only eight meters wide and 8 feet high. And it's guarded by a goalie who can use their hands. And their are virtually no pads.

Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola is the worst thing that can happen to Bayern. I can only assume that he will try to change everything that Jupp Heynckes built up. What a waste. He, Pep, knew when to leave Barcelona. He knew that he couldn't get a defense and was going to lose to Jose at Real Madrid. He knew he was on the down and got out quick. He knew when Chelsea defeated him. He has no defense. He wanted his money and left before things got worse. He has already lost to Dortmund who apparently took their best player in Goetze. I never thought that he was their best player. Reus can do the same job, maybe even better. And Dortmund have a great youth system. Pep will try to buy his way to another title and ride coat tails until it shows up that he can't do a Jurgen Klopp and take an average team and invest time into them and make them into a cohesive unit, where all eleven teammates work together.

Latest Rumours

As we begin another rumor filled week there are tons of stories flying around in the media.

Higuain left Real to go to Napoli. I hope he does well.
Arsenal are being cheeky with a 40,000,001 pound bid. They could be dangerous if they get him.
Still hoopla about Rooney leaving but nothing has really happened. I suspect its more of a mind game by Mourinho.
Moyes is already fallen for it and the season hasn't started yet. That's my manager. United want Fabregas, but he has a buyback clause with Arsenal. It could get interesting if he decides to leave. He won't play since Neymar is there now. Fabio Coentrao is linked with Chelsea. A good buy for some competition at left back.

Champions League Outlook for 2014

As many of you know I have a cherish and beloved team. But I will try to be as detached from my Chelsea as much as possible.

Let us start of with Bayern Munich, the most recent winners of the Champions League...
Already they have made two signings. Thiago and Goetze. Great additions to an already great squad. Where they may lack is up front. Mandzukic did great in the Bundesliga but was quiet in the CL. Pizzaro scored and Gomez scored, but not with a consistent fervor. Maybe it was the lack of opportunities but I highly doubt that. Bayern's greatest attribute is their defensive ability along with the quickness in attack from their midfield. Forwards is where they lack. The new manager in Pep Guardiola will be a test of his managerial prowess, or lack thereof. Bayern rolled over any opposition and their toughest game was against their Bundesliga rivals in Dortmund. I think that Bayern could do the impossible and win it again, but it will not be easy.

Dortmund...
A young and strong team. Very quick very accurate. The epitome of blitzkrieg(lightning war). Good, not great, defense, excellent midfield and one of, if not the best striker at the moment. Yes, they have sold two of their most sought after players in recent years(Kagawa and Goetze) but I can almost promise you that Dortmund's youth system is second to none. This year and the years to come will show the class that they have found and will continue to foster. This is a strong dark horse and my pick to upset some good teams. Dortmund were my pick early in the CL season to win it all. I even called the score to be 2-1 in the final. I was flipped on the score sheet but I did have the team and score correct back in November.


Chelsea...
Jose is back. So far from the preseason I see a younger squad with a hunger. But as with Dortmund two years ago, they didn't have the experience to play in Europe. There is experience though in this young squad. Many of the players who lifted the trophy two years ago...against all odds...are still here. And the ones who are entering into the squad now have that belief and I'm sure are being told of how much work needs to be put in. It will be interesting to watch my team. Another dark horse to watch out for.

United...
David Moyes is the new manager. He has been in CL once before very early on with Everton and since has slid down and down. If RvP stays healthy it could be a great season in CL for him in his inaugural season with United, but if he doesn't then you have to wonder; Where will the goals come from? But he has a double challenge. EPL and CL. United will want to win both or at least one or at least finish high. With one striker and another looking to leave it doesn't look good.

Arsenal...
Is this another year where we hear the familiar, "There's always next year." I think so. Health issues always seem to plague this team at the most inopportune moments. And it seems to be because they are so young and fragile. I don't see it happening. Playing pretty is nice and all but when you can't play with "ganas"(heart, soul, balls, fuerte) then you can't win the tough games.

City...
No. They will progress but not very far. Probably done in by a Spanish or German team. Great manager, but a double task for him as well. I just don't see it.

Real Madrid...
New manager. The eyebrow. Carlo Ancelotti. A system change I assume is in the works. It will be rocky and he may be sacked if he is blown away in the first El Classico. They are a strong team but quarter finals is as far as I see them progressing.

Barcelona...
Neymar and Messi. Basically, the same player. Still no striker. Not a very smart manager. Players are getting older and still no defense. A weak show in CL will see Villanova sacked.

PSG...
Ibra and Cavani. They have the guns to walk in and just take the trophy, but will those guns be loaded and able to fire? Will Ibrahimovic be hungry? Or will it be lop sided with Cavani trying to do too much and Ibra being lazy. It depends. I'm 50/50 with this team. Another quarter final flop?? Or challengers to the title? Time will tell.

Monaco...
Money, money, money! There is a saying that money can't buy you happiness. If happiness is getting all of your chess pieces in gold, then yes, Monaco is happy. Will they win? I don't think so. If you can't play chess, then what good is it to have gold chess pieces? My problem with this team is the attitude of playing together. With all that money, pride will have to be set aside and they will need to be UN-selfish. I don't see that happening. Hulk had a hard time in Zenit St. Petersburg last year and Falcao chased money same as Hulk did. I just don't see it happening.

Hypocrisy in Football

Some of you know that I am outspoken on certain subjects. Football is definitely one of them. These are things that I have noticed that I have an opinion on.

There are some players who like to think they are amazing and god's gift to football. And when they don't start, they are the first to say something. They will criticize drills and come up with their own drills with leaves on the ground, they will not come to every practice and ask why there is so much running and when they are running they will say for you to go slower, then get upset when you pull them from the game because they are walking around because they are tired. They talk as if they are coaches, but have no clue what they are doing. They put more emphasis on juggling with themselves than passing to others.

I've played against and with these types of players before. They can be athletes, but not footballers. In football you run. A lot. So you should have a day dedicated to just running. Running and conditioning so much that after practice you are almost too tired to drive home. You should be worn out. And as the week progresses to the next match you decrease the running and increase the tactics and techniques that the coach wants to implement. Which is exactly why I came to the team that I am on now. That is a professional way to do it. I'm not sure how many of my teammates have played in a hostile environment. Either at home or in a different state. I'm not sure how many have had to deal with badgering fans and ridicule from the stands, much less traveling to a different state in order to play. I don't know. But I do have experience with this. This isn't my first rodeo. I've dealt with crazy yelling fans and the jeers from the crowd. Those with experience know how to ride a bike and know how to block it out and focus on the game. To me, there is nothing more exciting than traveling and having someone that you don't know yell at you. It just makes me want to shut them up even more. Go into your opponents home stadium and leave them quiet.

I thought it was funny when at our second game in Tulsa, one of my teammates got into the game and all the time before he was upset and complaining about how he wasn't playing. I wonder how many times he would say he touched the ball when he got in the game... I counted ZERO. If you want to show how much of an impact you are then when you get the chance to play and perform, you need to be with the ball. Make yourself available to receive the ball and do something positive with it. For me, as a coach, I will give my players a chance to show me what they can do. If they don't perform as they say then I will put them where I see them doing the most good for the team. As a coach, it sucks having to put someone on the bench because of their performance, but you've got to do it. Oh and I did also notice how this same player on the team had decided to bring his phone to the field so he could get on Facebook and update his status instead of focusing on the game so that when he does get into the match he knows what he needs to do.

The hypocrisy lies in what you do on the field. Make sure you play with everything. Even if you are hurt you give it all. If you don't then you shouldn't be playing.

My background in playing grew considerably from when I was playing in Austin. Mostly from playing during the summer with older guys. Older meaning in their 30's and 40's. I played right back with them because they knew I had speed but needed some guidance. I fell in love with the position. I bombed down the right side and learned more about the game and possession and communication. On that team everybody talked and let each other know who was open, who had time to turn with the ball, who needed to pass and where, where the pressure was coming from, and what your options were. I never lost a game while playing with those guys and I cherish all the knowledge I gained from those guys. I would happily play for Waterloo FC if they needed me for a tournament.

I learned that if you communicate then there is less of a chance of a mistake happening. And by communication I mean the positive kind. The kind that if you don't get the ball or the wrong decision was made, you can still let them know, but are still being positive because you are on the same team trying to accomplish the same goal. Winning.

Today we go up against my old team. There would be nothing more exciting for me than to finally play all 90 minutes and show why I deserve to start every game without question. Nothing more joyous than helping to hold the line, keep a clean sheet and assist and maybe even score against a former team.

Barcelona v. Bayern Munich: Champions League Semi Final; 2nd Leg

With Bayern already up by 4 goals, it was going to take a near miracle from Barca and a huge breakdown by Bayern to lose this game. Lots of people thought Barca could do the impossible. Too bad they don't really pay attention to the game or the team or the coach. Messi, who did nothing in the first game, largely in part due to a hamstring injury. The coach played Messi, even though they have already won their league. That game didn't matter. The only reason why Barcelona are a strong Champions League team is because La Liga is a top heavy league. They don't have to play tough teams week in and week out. Great players rise to the occasion and Barcelona don't have any on their team. The first leg showed that. Nobody showed up for Barca.

First half...

Nothing really special for me. Barca stand around a lot. Kinda boring from a team that has so many fans and bandwagon fans. You would think that they would want to score early and often. Nope. Just sad. They have already given up. There is no way for them to play over the top when none of the players want to make a run to get open. That is not anti football by Bayern it is just not knowing how to play football by Barcelona. No team will just let you pass on the ground right past them. It is a physical game. Real Madrid knew that and they played quite well. Barcelona have gotten accustomed to getting every touch being called a foul. Not anymore. It is a mans game. Not for little boys and crybabies.

Second half...

Much of the same passing sideways and backwards for Barca. Meanwhile, the Bayern travelling fans were overwhelmingly much louder than the quieted and disgruntled home fans. Bayern has a purpose when they attack and grit when they defend. Forcing Barca backwards and not letting them have time on the ball to make a good decision. A long ball to Robben and his ever present left foot provided the killing blow. From there it was a landslide victory in the bag. Coming with about 35 minutes left in the second, there was absolutely no chance for Barcelona to get back into the game. Soon the travelling fans sent shouts of "Ole!" echoing throughout the Nou Camp. And the fans nor the players themselves could do anything about it. Bayern had effectively made Barca look like cones with numbers. String passes together and leaving Barca clueless as to what was happening right before their very eyes. It was beautiful to watch Bayern move the ball forward then across the field with ease and confidence. The second goal came from another break and Ribery put in a cross and Pique put it into his own net. It truly was over for Barcelona. No heart. No purpose. No chance. Bayern were not done yet though, just to show that Barcelona was not a great team by any means. Beaten in the air again Bayern put one more over on Barca and completed a total thrashing of Barcelona over 180 minutes. 7-0. Over two legs. Barcelona were blanked both away and at home. Not even is it humbling to be beaten like that. It is shameful to not even try. And that is what it looked like from Barcelona. Shameful. No effort. No heart. No purpose in anything that they did on the pitch. A great win to Bayern Munich and an all German final in the Champions League. A first.

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Borussia Dortmund v. Real Madrid: Champions League

The second installment of what the media is calling Germany versus Spain with Bayern putting the hurt of Barcelona. Could Real pull off an upset in what happened in the group stages? My speculation was, no. Dortmund beat Real at home and drew them away. I was puzzled at how some people could stand there and tell me that since this is a semi final match, it was totally different. I didn't buy it. Even in the group stages you want to win every game. Especially these two teams. They were both in the same group and it was the toughest group. All four teams were very strong teams. Dortmund won the group and Real went second. Dortmund were unbeaten so far in the Champions League and I assumed that they were going for gold for two reasons; One, to show up Bayern. And two, to make it an all German final. Dortmund also are 20 points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga, which means that they have put all their effort into winning the Champions League. Behind the EPL, I think that the Bundesliga is second best and La Liga and Serie A can battle it out for third as far as the best leagues in the world. La Liga is top heavy and not strong overall.

First half...

I have never seen a team jump so fast on the opposition. If you are a fan of Barcelona you have to be a fan and should switch to watching Dortmund. They play a much more physical game and a much faster possession style and counter-attacking game. It is very similar to what Barca do with the high pressure to win the ball back but it is done at a much higher pace and much more physical. To me, it is the closest to a total team. And with that Robert Lewandowski took on the mantle to bring his team to the final. The first coming in the first half after about 8 minutes. Lewandowski latched onto a cross and steered it in from close range. Not sixty seconds later a great appeal for a penalty in the area for Dortmund was turned down and Real broke and if not for a terrible back pass that found its way to Ronaldo, Real would not be level going into the half. Halftime whistle and it is all tied up. 1-1 a piece.

Second half...

Dortmund come back out and do the same thing they have been doing all night long. Forcing turnovers and cutting off supply to the forwards as well as counter-attacking with tremendous speed and killer accuracy. Real looked lost on the field and couldn't get a hold on anything. Five minutes into the second half Lewandowski had two goals. A shot that was neatly turned then finished was a testament to his skill. The next coming only a few minutes later was a testament to his composure in front of goal. And his penalty spot kick rounded out the night. He apparently wanted to send a message that he is a machine that just scored a hat-trick in 17 minutes in a Champions League semi final match versus a powerhouse in Real Madrid. Something that has never been done before. 4-1 to Dortmund and they were still trying for more goals to completely humble Real. Even Mourinho didn't know how it went from 1-1 to 4-1.

If you want to follow along with the media, it is Germany 8 - Spain 1. At least Real Madrid got on the board. Next Tuesday and Wednesday hold the fate, but even while both Spanish teams play at home, can they overcome such huge deficits? They barely challenged the Germans and Barcelona didn't even score. I don't see it happening. But anything can happen in football. I still think that Dortmund will win it all though. I just don't see Bayern winning it this year. Yes, they won the Bundesliga by 20 points, but Dortmund just handed it to them so that they could focus on winning the Champions League. Bayern have the strength but I'm not sure they have the skill to keep up with Dortmund. 2-1 to Dortmund.

Champions League Semi Final: Bayern Munich v. Barcelona

Two powerhouse clubs going at it in the semis. One has a stellar player with a great supporting cast while the other has several players with great skill. Which one will come out on top? Ze Germans or the tiki taka Spaniards.

First half...

Barca get off to a good start with possession as always but Bayern are defending well and a bit differently than I would have expected. Bayern are apparently and obviously conceding possession but marking Xavi and Iniesta so they can't get on the ball and dictate play. The commentators were all wondering about Messi, who may or may not be fit due to a hamstring injury. Time would tell. Barca are doing the usual passing around but with no purpose. I believe it is because their hands are tied by not having their two best passers of the ball, have the ball. Bayern are doing a wonderful job of that. They press only when certain key players have the ball and then Barca are forced backwards. Obviously, you can't score that way and Barca are content because they still have the ball. Bayern seem to understand the game a little more. Their passes are with conviction and attacks are direct and probing. No time is given to the Barca defense to survey what was happening. Bayern would be asking a lot of questions of this defense throughout the night. Could Barcelona answer? Several appeals by the home team could have gone their way and it could have started on its way to a rout, but it was going to take more effort than that. It took a while for the game to open up and Bayern were willing to run, but Barca weren't obliging and were beat by a corner. The height of Bayern could be a factor in this game. Muller opens the scoring by heading in from close range. All Barca can do is scream to the ref of a foul that was never there. Bayern up 1-0. Barcelona try to get a hold back on the game. It is almost as if they are asking themselves; How can we be down? We have all the possession and no goals and yet they aren't scared, how is this possible? They go in at the break with the home team up a goal.

Second half...

Could Barca get an away goal? Or will Bayern up the pressure? What is most strange to me is how Messi is still in the game even though he can't get on the ball. He has dropped back to just in front of his own back line to get a few touches on the ball. Even then he is hounded to give it up or his is surrounded and dispossessed. Great teamwork by Bayern to play team defense. But Bayern aren't just about playing defense. Another corner is Barcelona's undoing and they have a legit call for offsides, but Bayern have their legitimate appeal for two handlings in the area in the first half. Pick your poison. Gomez finds himself unmarked and puts Ze Germans up by two. "Barca surely have an answer", their fans must be saying. Eh, no, no they don't. Another spell of Barcelona possession comes to nothing but a swift counter by Bayern and another questionable blocking no call and Robben finds the back of the net to put the home side up by three. Nobody expected this. I myself thought the final score would be 3-1 to Bayern. So even I thought that Barca would have a goal. With about 25 minutes left and Messi still on the field it looks as if Barcelona have thrown in the towel and just don't want to concede another costly goal. They seem to be thinking of the return leg and how they will score four at home against a side that won't even give them one. Bayern, to their credit, knew that the game wasn't over and kept pushing Barca to the limit. They were thinking, "We've broken them three times already, why not again?" And break again they did. Countering a stretched Barcelona team never looked so easy and fluid. Bayern seemed to have free reign to attack wherever they wanted to. This time is was to the left. Alaba picked up the ball from Schweinsteiger and screamed down the left and into the oppositions' area and put a dangerous ball across the face of goal for Muller to tap home. Four nil to Ze Germans and it never looked in doubt. I correctly guessed how many goals would be scored I just gave Barca a goal in a game that they didn't show up to. It turned out to be a game of one team relying on one player to take off the pressure of the rest of them and he never showed up, while the other team had all eleven players playing one game, defending with passion and attacking with enthusiasm. One team deserved to win that game. One team did win that game.

My man of the match would be Arjen Robben. Not known for his defensive ability, he certainly showed it tonight as well as his scoring.

The Horrors of Patriotism

The State... is the most flagrant, the most cynical, and the most complete negation of humanity. It shatters the universal solidarity of all men on the earth, and brings some of them into association only for the purpose of destroying, conquering, and enslaving all the rest. It protects its own citizens only; it recognises human rights, humanity, civilisation within its own confines alone. Since it recognises no rights outside itself, it logically arrogates to itself the right to exercise the most ferocious inhumanity toward all foreign populations, which it can plunder, exterminate, or enslave at will. If it does show itself generous and humane toward them, it is never through a sense of duty, for it has no duties except to itself in the first place, and then to those of its members who have freely formed it, who freely continue to constitute it or even, as always happens in the long run, those who have become its subjects. As there is no international law in existence, and as it could never exist in a meaningful and realistic way without undermining to its foundations the very principle of the absolute sovereignty of the State, the State can have no duties toward foreign populations. Hence, if it treats a conquered people in a humane fashion, if it plunders or exterminates it halfway only, if it does not reduce it to the lowest degree of slavery, this may be a political act inspired by prudence, or even by pure magnanimity, but it is never done from a sense of duty, for the State has an absolute right to dispose of a conquered people at will.

This flagrant negation of humanity which constitutes the very essence of the State is, from the standpoint of the State, its supreme duty and its greatest virtue. It bears the name patriotism, and it constitutes the entire transcendent morality of the State. We call it transcendent morality because it usually goes beyond the level of human morality and justice, either of the community or of the private individual, and by that same token often finds itself in contradiction with these. Thus, to offend, to oppress, to despoil, to plunder, to assassinate or enslave one's fellowman is ordinarily regarded as a crime. In public life, on the other hand, from the standpoint of patriotism, when these things are done for the greater glory of the State, for the preservation or the extension of its power, it is all transformed into duty and virtue. And this virtue, this duty, are obligatory for each patriotic citizen; everyone is supposed to exercise them not against foreigners only but against one's own fellow citizens, members or subjects of the State like himself, whenever the welfare of the State demands it.

This explains why, since the birth of the State, the world of politics has always been and continues to be the stage for unlimited rascality and brigandage, brigandage and rascality which, by the way, are held in high esteem, since they are sanctified by patriotism, by the transcendent morality and the supreme interest of the State. This explains why the entire history of ancient and modern states is merely a series of revolting crimes; why kings and ministers, past and present, of all times and all countries — statesmen, diplomats, bureaucrats, and warriors — if judged from the standpoint of simple morality and human justice, have a hundred, a thousand times over earned their sentence to hard labour or to the gallows. There is no horror, no cruelty, sacrilege, or perjury, no imposture, no infamous transaction, no cynical robbery, no bold plunder or shabby betrayal that has not been or is not daily being perpetrated by the representatives of the states, under no other pretext than those elastic words, so convenient and yet so terrible: "for reasons of state."

- Bakunin

If you want to know more about Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin <----Click his name to read a quick biography.

Basically, Bakunin is saying that the State was only created to ensure the rights of those that lived in it. It doesn't care about the 'unalienable rights' of any people living outside the State. So, let me break it down further. We live in a country that says it is all about peace and prosperity and the pursuit of happiness, but only for its own citizens. Is that why so many people want to live here? Is it because they understand that we will 'help' our own citizens but if their own government say or do something we don't like we will infringe on their own rights? Do we not know that we are all human and regardless of what country or religion you are, you still have the right to live and live freely without persecution from anyone?

Crusades by the Christians is equal to bringing democracy to other countries which is equal to terrorism. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. To go further, it is a systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. It has been used throughout history by political organizations of both the left and the right, by nationalist and ethnic groups, and by revolutionaries. Although usually thought of as a means of destabilizing or overthrowing existing political institutions, terror also has been employed by governments against their own people to suppress dissent; examples include the reigns of certain Roman emperors, the French Revolution (see Reign of Terror), Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and Argentina during the “dirty war” of the 1970s. It has been used the world over and countless times. We act as if it has only started on 9/11. Look at our so called news, they only want to report the wrongs that others are doing to us and propagate that we need to stick closer together and shun the 'outsiders'. We are all human. Fear is not real. It is a choice. Fear comes about by the thoughts that you create in your mind. It is a choice to be fearful. Danger is very real, but fear is not. Why, then, do so many people fear certain religions? They may be dangerous in what they teach, but I see no reason to be fearful. And if you want to say that Islam is the root of all evil, then you shouldn't mind me saying the same about Christianity either. In fact, you should be in agreement. Islam and Christianity aren't so different. Both teach that they are the supreme religion and you should believe in each one body, mind and soul. Look at the crusades. Both sides fought for their beliefs for hundreds of years and killed millions of people in the name of their god. And it has continued on to this very day. It is called by a different name now. It isn't done in the name of religion, it is done in the name of the State. "What can't we all just get along?" Well, it is simple really, we can't get along because in the US we are taught to uphold only ourselves and downcast others, especially others from a different country who don't believe the same thing we believe. If we don't see it that way we are dubbed traitors, anarchists and insurgents. My question then is; Why can't we treat EVERYONE as a human being and not force anyone to think a certain way or act in a certain way? We need to turn away from the State and be ALL inclusive, not just State inclusive.



I'm sorry that this is not football related. But I had to get this off my chest.

Smiles

How can I better care for her?
How can I be a greater man for her?
Even if we are so far away I still can see her smile.
She is the one I am thinking about daily.

I do not feel at home here.
I want to be closer to her.
I want time to flow towards her.
I want to feel her smile against mine.

My mind is racing with ideas.
I will not be content until we are together again.
I will need all the patience I can gather.
I will wait for her.

My philosophy on Football Part 1

Why did I capitalize "Football"? That is because it is a respectable sport in my mind. But that is beside the point.

My philosophy on football is very simple, and yet very complex at the same time. To me it is simple. Explaining it is not so simple. Coaching it is even harder. It is repetition that will get my point across. Communication is vital. Letting your teammates know what their options are. Letting your teammates know what their options are even though you may not be getting the ball. Letting your teammates know what their options are so everybody can win the game. It is possible to call for the ball to be at your feet all match long and not be annoying. It is called passing and moving. Also known as, letting the ball do the work. If you are constantly open to receive the ball and willing to put in the effort to get the ball at every opportunity anywhere on the pitch, then you will go far in this game. All the while doing this you have to uplift the good plays and cheer on your teammates during the course of the match. You should want to see them succeed during play, because if they succeed then you succeed. It feeds off one another. Communication is key. Some people think that having a silent understanding is how you play the game. Wrong. Go and watch any high level match in Europe and you will hear the players communicating with each other to; Ensure possession of the ball, make the right pass, switch the field of play, defend properly, and score goals.

Chelsea News

Chelsea seem to have given up on trying to land Falcao. Which is OK by me and by many others who realize the future of the club. We have opportunities to pick up our very own signing that has played and showed his talent and scoring ability in the Premier League already. Lukaku can be our guy. Along with Demba Ba and possibly another signing as cover we will be fine up front.

I'm not sure about this next piece of news, seen here; Yes we could use another right back as cover for injury. However, at the moment we have Ivanovic who also plays on the right. Now hold your breath and try not to pass out as I explain this next bit... Say we bring in Clyne, we then will have Azpilicueta and Clyne on the right. Ivanovic will play in the middle with Cahill and Luiz. We still need one more, right? Possibly two. If this happens don't be surprised if we keep Terry and bring up Chalobah. We still need another well defined left back behind Ashley Cole. The papers are saying that Luke Shaw from Southampton will be our target at left back as well as Leighton Baines. However, Have you heard of Danny Rose? He is on loan at Sunderland from Tottenham. He runs constantly and maybe we can snatch him away for a nice early signing in the summer. So as it stands right now, we could make 2 defensive signings right off the bat. We made 5 in the summer last year, all of which were done fairly early in the transfer window. As I see it we need at least 5 more signings in the upcoming window to survive our fallout of this year and push up strong next year for the Champions League and Premier League titles, as well as the FA Cup and Capital One Cup. 2-3 signings need to be defensive signings. With those two outside backs we would have both youth and experience from the Premier League to bring into the squad. Don't forget we also have Wallace, another young Brazilian defender that plays right back. He signed in January but was loaned back to his original team.

So where do we need help at? Well, the papers are saying that Chelsea are in the hunt for Asmir Begovic My eyebrows are raised at this. Yes we need another GK as backup to Cech, but I don't think we need to sign another one when we can just recall Courtois from Athletico Madrid where he has been in fantastic form.

We have plenty of midfield options in my mind. Hazard, Moses, Oscar, Mata, Marin, Ramires, Ake, Mikel, Luiz(to an extent), Lampard(fingers crossed), as well as Kevin De Bruyne, Michael Essien, Thorgan Hazard, and Josh McEachran. We need a true replacement for Mata. Oscar is not a #10. Maybe that is where we can spend some money and get a young play maker to learn under Mata. Maybe we already have him. Time will tell.

Whatever the case we do need to offload some players to make room.

In my world we would sell Turnbull and Hilario and take back Courtois. Yes he wouldn't get the same playing time but we can use him in FA, Captial Cup and congested parts of the schedule. Hopefully he would be OK with that.
Sign Danny Rose, Luke Shaw or Leighton Baines-in that order of preference-for a successor to Cole.
Sign Nathaniel Clyne or recall Wallace as cover for Azpilicueta.
Sell Mikel, Essien, Benayoun, and Malouda.
Recall McEachran or Ruben Loftus-Cheek-for Mata successor.
Possibly sell De Bruyne.
Recall Lukaku.
Sell Torres.
Several strikers are linked to Chelsea FC. Pato, no. Schurrle, yes. Falcao, no. Genki Omae, uh never even heard of him, so no. Leandro Damiao, no. Loic Remy, maybe.

Always take a German.

Those are my choices. And I know you may not agree with all or any of them but give me your comments and/or suggestions and we can have a discussion.

Footy New from Around the World

Greece hands Katidis a lifetime ban from representing his country after taking off his shirt and making a Nazi salute to the AEK Athens fans after a goal. His coach had this to say, "The lad doesn't have political tendencies. I'm completely sure he didn't know what it meant. He was crying in the changing room when he heard about the reaction in the press. He's young and must be protected". Really?! He didn't know what that meant?? He is 20 years of age and I'm positive that anyone over the age of 10 knows about the Nazi party and the atrocities that occurred. Furthermore, if you score a goal taking of your shirt is OK if it was a big goal, but a Nazi salute? That is not my preferred method of celebration. What's even more scary in mind is how Katidis' coach is German. And defending him. Maybe it has something to do with how Germany bailed out Greece. I don't know, but I do know that he should be dealt with very harshly in the next few weeks by FIFA.

Yaya Toure could be on his way out. Apparently, the only person that recognizes his worth to the team is Mancini. And Mancini I don't see staying past this season. So... Toure could be on the out. Which to me is a good thing to hear. He makes that team run, he is the workhorse in the midfield, he is the battler and he is the lynch pin that keeps everything together. If he goes, then great. If he leaves Europe, even better. I will only like him if he plays for Chelsea. But I highly doubt that will happen. But stranger things have happened.

Raheem Sterling, who started off so bright, will go back to being a nobody. Rodgers will send him back to the U-21 squad and the Youth Cup team. I don't know why. But I do know that speed kills defenses and Liverpool really don't have any now. Maybe that's why they are sitting 7th in the table. Instead of using every available resource to finish out the season strong, Rodgers seems resigned to have another mediocre season. History wins you nothing. I did see a funny MEME today, it has a picture of a baby holding its fist and with a challenging look on its face with the caption above it reading, "Wore a Liverpool jersey to school" then underneath it says, "Passed my history exam". Have fun with Europa... Oh wait, you're not in it are you?

Transfer News:

Juve could buy Suarez. Fine by me. He dives too much for English football.
Rafa could be headed to Blackburn. OK. See ya.
Chelsea and Arsenal want to sign a young striker in Isiah Brown.
City want yet another striker in Cavani. Still no defenders.
Arsenal want another defender. They need a striker. Or two. Or three.
Redknapp wants another French player. Should they stay up. Yea, keep that asterisk up there bud.

Why England has problems...And my choice for the next CFC manager

Ever since the race row England has been in turmoil. The main problem with this is a few bad apples. I can name them too. Rio Ferdinand and company. Since John Terry quit national duty Rio has tried throwing his hat back in the ring. Only because he wants to have the last laugh. Now he says he can't because of medical conditions. What I think is that he had Fergie in his ear telling him not to go and make up an excuse so he can focus on finishing out the EPL season. The guy is a prick. The little kid screaming, "Pick me! Pick me!" Then claims he can't play because he doesn't have his asthma inhaler. What an ass. It is a very fast game and Rio is just too slow. He is more active on Twitter than on the field.

Do you see the difference between how a team like Germany and England act, both on and off the field? Do you hear Per Mertesacker causing a ruckus if something goes amiss? The only time that I've heard of something like that happening is when Ballack was left off the XI for the Euros and World Cup squad. He only had some words to say, but in the end, everyone on that team knows who the boss is. And his name is Joachim Low.

In my opinion, England need a manager that will not put up with any kind of gaff from any player. If the manager was Harry Redknapp, I am positive that all this selection mess would be dealt with quickly and publicly to let all the other players know that if you step over the line of the boss, you will be shamed. Publicly and harshly. Look what happened to Odemwingie. Redknapp came out to the cameras and basically said that he was wrong and got his wires crossed. Quickly and harshly. Look at Anton Ferdinand. He doesn't play anymore. I'm sure it's because he didn't approve and doesn't approve of the antics that Anton had versus a class guy in Terry. Anton is a follower and Terry a leader. Harry knows what went down and guess what, Anton is paying the price. That and he isn't very good.

What I hope for Chelsea is that QPR get relegated. Redknapp doesn't sign another contract with QPR and becomes the next Chelsea boss.

-or-

David Moyes finishes well, but not in the top 10. Draws and a win and two losses would be great. He then is let go by Everton and offered the Chelsea spot bringing over Baines, Jelavic and Felliani. Maybe not all at once, but at some point in the next season.

Like the Wind

Like the Wind

I only notice her hair at first.
It flows as if someone is walking in front of her with a fan.
Like in the movies it is falling in the all the right places.
She brushes it out of her eyes and glances my way.
All time stops.
She turns and I see her legs.
She reaches down to smooth her skirt.
I am mesmerized.
Her skin is tan.
Her hair is brown.
Smooth and supple.
She looks as if she was born on a hidden beach.
Far from the horrors of the city.
She has captured my every attention.
I can't move for fear that I might disturb nature itself.
I don't want her to notice me.
I want to take in this beauty.
And remember it forever.
She is like one of those flowers that you yearn to see with your naked eyes.
But you dare not pick it from where it grows.
You want everyone to see it.
You would defend her from every harm.
To just smell such a rare flower would be ecstasy itself.

Steaua Bucuresti v. Chelsea: Europa League

Football Gossip

Football gossip.

It is the only kind of gossip that I give a shit about. So, ladies, I can listen to all that stuff...and not offer an opinion. This, however, is different.

At 7:32 this morning I was reading The Daily Mirror, a UK magazine, and decided to read the transfer rumours. Yes I know I spelled it in the English style. Deal with it. Everyday I read this newspaper online. Have been doing so the last two years. The reason why I read the those particular transfer rumours is because they seem to be the most accurate. They have to be the most in depth, truthful and, most of the time, correct news stories. That's just me though. From my point of view as a player. But some of the stories seem like they are reaching for something to make a story with. Other times they seem to have insight, but in either case it is well teetered to one side. Never in the middle. Anyhow, they were saying that Torres could be on his way out. Their source came from The Express. Another UK newspaper. I'm wondering if this is any true.

Think about it.

The Express went into a little detail on Roman Abramovich. The guy to me is a gambler or a wicked Chelsea fan/owner. All this from a newspaper article...

Here we go:

I thought he was a gambler at first. Now he seems like he truly wants Chelsea to win every game 6-0 or better. And he is willing to spend A LOT of money to do just that. Torres was a fine striker. I don't know why he hasn't produced, but he has been at Chelsea for more than two years and NOW after all that money and no fruit, Roman is going to take a hit. Which, to be honest, he should. He brought in a striker and it didn't work. He does however want young kids in and we did find one with Lukaku. We've got it in Ramires Eden Hazard, Marko Marin, Oscar and David Luiz. Now we need to land the right manager so we can bring the circle complete. The right manager that knows the correct balance of youthful energy and mature wisdom. I do believe that Roman is a Chelsea fan. He just wants to win everything, as we all do, and big. Big margin, or big emotional. It doesn't matter. I believe he is listening more to John Terry than to Rafa. I believe he is hoping to win some trophies while we all have to suffer under Rafa and Torres a bit longer. But I'm pretty sure he won't be afraid to axe should the dire need arise. Maybe he is learning a lesson right now of trust. I very much believe he knows he listened to some wrong people and is paying for it. Literally.

I would know indefinitely that Roman is a die hard Chelsea fan if it was leaked that he had a call placed to Peter Odemwingie to lure him to QPR, knowing that it was false and also knowing that Harry Redknapp would refuse him entry. Thus making Odemwingie out to be an outcast to his club and knowing what Steve Clarke would do. IF that were the case, Roman Abramovich is a wicked awesome owner of Chelsea and I wouldn't want any other. Because that gave Lukaku his chance to shine. That allowed Lukaku, an 19 year old striker in the English Premier League, to be the leagues' current 8th highest goal scorer so far. He is 19.

But I doubt that it is true. The call.

If he is a gambler, then I'm just glad he has endless amounts of money to make our trophy winning dreams come true.

Now for my own gossip:

Be on the lookout for Chelsea to either sign Luke Shaw or Iasmin Latovlevici. Both get up and down the field and are great at both ends. And it was clear in our first game against Steaua that our backup left back is nowhere good enough. Both of these defenders are in my opinion great options and won't cost you an arm and a leg. Chelsea can promote from withing to blood the center backs, but that is not a real option right now since we have Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic. But we do play in enough games to let the likes of Chalobah a chance to play and show his worth on the big stage. Nathan Ake proved himself quite ready for the big time and is willing to put it all out there at a moments notice to win the game. We do need one more striker. Bring back Lukaku and add another good unknown to play as the third or just keep those two. Piazon and Lukaku would both be free. Why not? Piazon hasn't played much and hasn't made as big of a splash as Lukaku has.

Keep The Blue Flag Flyin' High!

My thoughts on recent football

UEFA Champions League...
Borussia Dortmund will win. I wouldn't be surprised to see it be Juventus v. Dortmund. They play so quick and Shaktar had no idea what was happening. Next thing they knew they were down two goals in the first half. Then Dortmund cruised to 3-0 and had no qualms about doing so. Celtic have no chance. I'm sorry. The owner of the semi-pro team I play on is a HUGE Celtic fan and yes they were screwed by the refs the last game. But I blame the manager for playing an already tired player...and at that a defender! Juve is a quick team and you don't want a defender to be half asleep and have tired legs at the start of the game. He did stick with his choice and it cost him three goals. Three costly away goals that he needs to make up in Italy. Not an easy way to do things. But hey, Chelsea did the impossible last year. Can Celtic? I don't think so. They are going without one of their strikers and it doesn't look good. Bayern will walk past Arsenal. I see PSG, AC Milan and Schalke going on. Real beat Man Utd yesterday. Controversially. But check this: A penalty was not given when Rafael raised his arm to deflect a header from a corner that would have put Real on equal terms. Not long after the red card to an acting Nani was shown and Fergie exploded. To be fair to United, they didn't play as if they were a man down. Real just smelled blood. The red I thought initially was a bit harsh. But then replays show that Nani went in then kicked out at the end of the contact, THEN crumples in a heap as if he somehow was shot in the side. Acting and a dangerous play. Red was shown. But you won't hear the commentators talking about either the deliberate handling in the area or the acting by Nani. Just how harsh the red was and how United were handcuffed by the ref. Bollocks. United the same as Barcelona have always had help from the refs...from giving away penalties and refusing others(usually to the other team) to allowing some gruesome tackles *(Scholes)* to go unnoticed but for other legal challenges to be punished. Even the acting of certain players gets attention as if they can not go on, but then a card is shown and they are miraculously alive and well *(Serio Ramos)* or *(Dani Alves)* I will never understand how people can fully support a team which gets so much unfair help in a game as simple as football. You run and you kick a ball. No need for cheaters. It's a tough game, a physical game, and you are moving around for 90 minutes. Why be lazy and fall down for no reason or get another player sent off because you are good enough. You should have stayed in and trained harder.

I was taking a kid that I train to one of my games and we were talking about different teams and why we liked or respected them, then we got into players. I felt I needed to do my part and set him straight on a few different thoughts that he had. He likes Messi because everyone else does. He's 11. I guess I can understand that. But I explained to him that even Messi dives when it behooves him to fall. Ronaldo has done the same. Even Bale his favorite player. I don't think I could ever think of any player that has not, at some point, dived to get a call. So, the inevitable question arose, "Have you even dived?" To which I honestly replied, "No, I have never fallen down to get a call." I explained to him, as all teachers should, that if you want to dive then you don't deserve to play the game. This beautiful game is played on your feet. I train to play the game on my feet. I train to stay on my feet. I gain balance and strength to keep upright and keep playing even though challenges may come in. That is what can make you great. Being able to stay on your feet and keep playing even though everyone else around you is falling like dead flies. I also explained to him that slide tackling shouldn't be committed to so quickly during the run of play. As soon as you g to ground you have lost your positioning. So much of this game is about positioning. But that is a different topic. During the game he saw that I meant what I said. I stay up. A very legal shoulder to shoulder challenge came in and instead of just falling over I stood my ground and took on the challenge. I stayed up and the challenger almost rebounded down to the ground. I am a tall guy, 6'3", not especially thick. I'm slender and athletic from outward appearances. Little does anyone know that my legs are relative tree trunks that can squat 405lbs. I do indeed have a stable base on which to stand. I asked my trainee if he saw some of the challenges that I endured during the game and he said yes. He was surprised that I was able to actually put off the challenges and create space from shrugging off those challenges given how slight I look. I laughed and responded that you can't judge a book by its cover. What looks like nothing usually is quite formidable and vice versa. I hope my teachings will sink in.

Europa League...
Chelsea face Steaua Buchuresti on Thursday and we need a win and a clean sheet to keep up our spirits for our upcoming matches.

FA Cup...
Millwall v. Blackburn...I see Blackburn going on.
Manchester Utd. v. Chelsea...Oh god I want to win this so bad and put a huge blot on Fergie and his resume in his final years. I want to win this game so bad that I want Fergie to retire after this year and maybe only winning the EPL. I want his team to spiral downward losing and drawing every last game. I want Chelsea to win the FA Cup for the 5th year running.

Premier League...
Chelsea need to win every last game on our schedule to cement our spot for next year in the Champions League. I know our schedule is packed but I believe that we can do it.

My wish list for 2013

These are just a few things that I would like...not necessarily in this order but you get the point.

1. John Terry back in the starting lineup.
2. Demba Ba to start every game.
3. Luiz to be healthy again and to play in the midfield with Frank Lampard.
4. Ramires to play a wing until we get Victor Moses back.
5. Oscar to sit the bench and be locked in a weight room till he understands how to play bigger and stronger.
6. A kiss from a beautiful girl.
7. A new fucking manager!
8. David Moyes as the new manager.
9. My Houston Hurricane season to start sooner.
10. Chelsea to finish in the top 4 this season.
11. Frank Lampard gets a contract extension.
12. Chelsea FC win every game from now until the end of the season.

Doesn't need to be in that order, but I hope all of them come true!

Teaching Styles

Would you spank your child?

At first I would. When I was 20-24, I would have answered yes. Now that I'm 28, I'm going to say no. Because there are other ways to chastise a child.

They need to look up to adults. So I believe that you teach them at a young age that everyone deserves respect. You must be humble and let your kids see it. Now there is a difference in being humble and being a walked over. Be generous but not a safety net. Growing up and seeing this played out in everyday life at home and time with family only further distinguishes your values from the rest of the world that the kid experiences at school, others' houses, and his or her own life as they group and from under your roof. This also means that you must praise your children when they deserve it. Not coddle them, but uplift them when they do the right thing without you saying anything. Don't uplift other kids in front of your child. They are listening. They are always listening. Jealousy is not good in any situation. If your child has it in their mind that you favor another kid over them, you have lost them. It will burn in them. They will feel that nothing will make you happy, because they are not the kid that you favor by talking about openly.

In the end it is about respect and not how much stronger you are and how hard you can hit them to keep your child or children in line. Respect will last longer than the pain of a spanking. It is almost like the warm fuzzy version of touching the stove.

Who is the most underrated manager...?

For me it is one guy. A guy that you can for no reason at all, or should you, count out. He could probably manage a high school team from Colorado and beat or tie some big names. Why do I say this? Because it's true!

Harry Redknapp.

In the last two years he held onto Gareth Bale, brought in another striker, an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder(who won't stop running(Scott Parker)) and pushed he team up the table to fourth. And if it weren't for my lovely Blues doing the impossible and winning the Champions League last year, Tottenham would be in the Champions League this year.

Those are just some of the reasons why Harry Redknapp would be any big teams' best choice.

He did all that with virtually no money to offer. The man has a gift of gab! He got Adebayor on loan. From Real Madrid. For some reason the owners will not just give the guy money so he can lure some big game changers into the side. Which makes you wonder what he could do at Arsenal...They have the money but they sell their game changers. Redknapp is able to somehow get his players to give 120% every time the hit the field. I give the credit to Redknapp for how Bale absolutely destroyed Maicon. I give the credit to Redknapp for playing Defoe, Adebayor and Van der Vaart all at the same time, and making it work. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want Tottenham to win anything, but I respected them a ton because of Redknapp. Last year they could beat some big name teams. Now they are floating mid table. Last year I watched them versus United and City. This year I could care less. I'm kind of afraid of what Harry Redknapp can do to a team.

Get this...

He is at QPR...I'll say it again...Queens Park Rangers...I'll let that sink in...

Yea, they just signed a good striker in Loic Remy. For four and half years.

That to me was the only thing their side was lacking.

How can this guy do this!!!???!!! You know how some people are just gifted with being able to hold their breath for a really long time. Or how some people can just balance anything. Then there are some people like Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho who think outside the box when they play. There are just some people who are born to do certain things. Harry Redknapp is one of those guys who was just born to manage. I wanted him to be the manager of England just so Chelsea didn't have to face him anymore. Now I'm happy that we've played QPR twice already and with their new signing hopefully they can spoil the clubs above us in the table.


Some of you might say it is out beloved Roberto Di Matteo. He is not underrated. He WAS underrated. But after winning the double and kicking Tottenham out of Europe, he made his banner known as a guy who can turn things around...very quickly.


In my mind it is Harry Redknapp. I would play for that guy. And I'd love it if he were the next Chelsea manager, simply because he is a great man manager and will get the best out of the players every time.

Rafa in or out? And the Mighty Midfield

Give him a few more months. Yes we lost. But this is only his third loss. How many losses were we going to give Di Matteo? Now don't start yelling and screaming. I am not saying that I don't prefer Di Matteo, but I am saying that what is done is done. Move on. Support the team and give each person a fair shot. Just wait until Ferguson retires. His successor will most likely not make it the entire season. Save for Mourinho.

I don't agree with his last starting lineup versus QPR. Oscar is not a #10, or at least isn't one right now. He is too easily put off the ball and isn't willing to come and plead for the ball at any moment. As a semi professional player myself who plays in the midfield predominantly, I always want the ball at my feet. I don't always get it but I'm trying to put myself in the position to always receive it so as to make positive moves forward for the team. If I don't get it I need to be in a position so I can get it.

Basically, I'm always trying to be open. Mata does this beautifully. Oscar does not. Oscar is a winger to me. Same as Moses and Marin. Hazard is the only player that I think is able to move in and around our lone striker almost as well as Mata.

Moving into the two roles in behind that creative position we have Lampard, Ramires, Mikel, Luiz and Romeu. Romeu is very defensively minded, willing to put in a hard tackle, short passes are his bread and butter only opting for long balls to a wide open player. Mikel has grown in his defensive mid role. Moving forward trying to score and be a threat, thus taking some pressure off other players so the opposition cannot focus on just the striker or creating player. Mikel's passing has gone from short to mid-range and only needs a precise long ball game to round it out. He is smart defensively and will only get stronger. Ramires is a very talented player to say the least. Fast, gifted passer and can be creative and slick with his passing. This kid is always on the move. You never know where he will show up and is quickly putting up numbers in the scoring column. Doesn't that sound like....Lampard? Which is my next midfielder to talk about. Lampard will forever be cast as the most prolific scoring midfielder ever. Great passing game, great knowledge, great positioning. His speed has slowed but that's where knowledge and positioning come into play. Take it from me, the best thing I've done for my career in the sport is play with guys that are well into their 30's and 40's. I used to think that speed was everything, that I didn't need all that much skill if I could just breeze past slower players. I soon learned that I was very easily dispossessed when playing against these old guys because I was predictable and gave up too much room. Now I play much smarter and can run the entire game because I paid attention to the game and what it could teach me. Positioning is key, not speed. I have to go back to Ramires quickly to point out how his positioning is so good for such a young player. Ramires is my favorite player after Drogba. David Luiz has moved into the defensive midfield role and is adapting to life there very quickly. His creativity is outstanding for someone who started out as a central defender. He is great at passing mid to long-range balls on the ground with pace which is quite difficult and also a great asset. He already has a mind to defend and has a great long range shot and free kick ability. This is our Mighty Midfield and I would not trade them for anything.



Don't forget we have Essien and DeBruyne on loan. Though I don't expect to get either of them back with lasting effects.

Keep the Blue Flag Flyin' High!