J.M. & Other Ideas

Jose Mourinho should be the next manager of England whenever he wants it. If he could double manage then he should. Any player would love to play for him. And if every player of one country would do it, it would be England.
Jose probably bluffed about bringing in another player. Having three strikers is good. Especially when one is younger and plays exactly how a certain legend of Wembeley plays. Jose said, Score goals or else.


Philosophy...
Decent team goes to playoffs every year. Good teams win those playoffs 6 out of 10 years. Legendary teams win 100 out of 100. I want to be legendary. I want my program to be a fortress of football. That's how passionate I am about teaching these kids. I get excited to teach a game that I love. My other teams that I play on are starting to get idea that passing the ball with conviction and purpose. Not just running towards the goal with ball. There is a system of how to score. These teams are starting to get it. They respect me now and listen to what I have to say. It's taken quite a while for them to realize this, but it does take time and I realize this.

My outdoor team has evolved and I am now playing more centrally and not so wide so as to let my fullback go forward and join in on the attack. This coming game should be an interesting one to play in. Hopefully they can just let the game flow and not force anything that is not happening right away.

We shall see!

New News

Wenger continues to be a complete and utter disappointment in the manager's seat. He will let his best right back go, then loan out his back up and he's not even close to signing another fullback. Silly and disappointing. Great for Chelsea, and not so great for the Gooner fans.

Transfer rumours flying around and I could care less. It means nothing right now. In my mind Chelsea look solid right now. An additional striker could put us over the top. Our squad has the confidence and definitely has the skill, we just need goals from a consistent and hard working striker, then I feel that we will be virtually unstoppable. Everything will have to go thru us to get to a trophy. As is should be.

Ugly Beginning

Why do I screw up so much?
Why am I an asshole?
Why do I want to hang out with my friends instead of my gorgeous girlfriend?

Honestly, I don't know. I just do things. Thinking that as long as I come home in one piece that I'll still be loved. Instead, I come home to find that I have neglected my duties as a loving boyfriend and opted to go out with friends instead of stick to my plans.

Did I forget how much she hates it when people don't stick to their words?

No.

I remember that very well. I just wanted to see them, my friends, for a little bit and I lost track of time. For 15 minutes talking about football. 15 minutes and I could still be on a high of this gorgeous girl that I have. Instead, I'm just a fuck up.

Now what's worse is that I haven't spoken more than a word to her in two days and it's killing me. "Where are you going?", that is the longest sentence she has said to me. Even worse than that is she leaves tomorrow for a volleyball tournament. That should be great. A long weekend alone. No speaking. I wonder if I'll even get a text or a call.

Maybe I should just do my thing and be who I am supposed to be and maybe, just maybe, she will start talking to me again. I dare not try to open her up. She is fiery and I don't want to, er, I can't raise my voice. It scares her. I get very vocal when something I want is getting distant.


But hey, I can surely state all the things that I feel that I have been wronged. I'm called a 'no nothing' which I so dearly hate. I'm ignored. I'm pushed away. I'm told to talk about stuff, but I'm told to stay quiet and just say nothing. Dishes are supposed to get done. Clothes are supposed to be washed and put away. I don't say anything, I let it go and just quietly do them myself. Doing my part to make life easier in this living situation.

I want to feel wanted. I want to feel like I belong. I want to feel as if I'm not a burden on anyone or anything and I want to be encouraged and uplifted just like every other human being on the planet. I do not feel that.

And I'm still an idiot asshole who can't keep promises. I will continue to be until this is resolved.

When will it be resolved?
How?
I've said what I have to say.
What else is there?
How many ways can you say, "I'm sorry"?

It truly is killing me.
Watching her get ready and no words are spoken.
All I can do is click clack on my computer my words that she doesn't want to hear. I feel that I need to wait until she makes the first move. But I will say this...I won't let it go on like this. Not by a long shot.

You now have 15 hours to do something. Or I will.

On the good news side of things, I could have a full time job as a football coach this weekend. Talked with the guy yesterday and moves will be made so as to make room for me. I'm told and email will go out and this weekend it should be official. Which I think is great news. A full time job doing what I love and a chance to further my knowledge of the game. Now if I can just share it with someone and go do all the things that I've dreamed of doing.

With her.

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.