Up Up And Away

I woke up this morning on top of the world.

Well 2nd in the Championship - which is much the same thing.

OK we had played an extra game to most of those around us, so could only expect it to last a few hours.

But even after this afternoon's play we are still third. Cardiff just below us have yet to play though but need to win to go above us. They are the only one's who could catch us though to stop us sitting there until the next lot of games are played.

Some interesting results in the Prem today to.

Liverpool crashing and burning.

The Arse dancing their way up the table.

Chel$ea indulging in a little "deja-vu".

The ManUre chugging along as they do.

And I see a nice little recovery from Pompey.

But all this pales into insignificance if you are a Tractor Boy.

First win of the season.

I wonder how they will be celebrating.

He's Alright That Roy Hodgson

There was a time when I thought Roy Hogdson was a bit of a joke.

Over time, however, I have come to think he is a bit of a dude.

I mean look how he has stabilised Fulham.

Picking them up out of the relegation zone.

And now a nice steady level of performance.

Just ticking along doing the business.

So I wasn't surprised to see his sensible, morally reasoned response to Wenger's rather odd suggestion that he would consider employing Marlon King on release.

I'm a great advocate of giving people a chance but there have to be a few things in place for them to change. Like motivation. And remorse.

He's alright that Roy Hodgson.

The Carling Cup: A Barrel Of Laughs

They say that laughter is good for you.

But whoever would have thought that the Carling Cup could offer such a barrel of laughs?

For example, I'm not great Chel$ea fan as you know, but I'm enjoying their 4 -0 drubbing of Bolton.

And what about the case of mistaken identity at Barnsley?

Or better still, the Tykes attempts to use their 12th and 13th man in a vain attempt to score against the ManUre?

And oh the sweet joy of the Gunners defeat of Liverpool (although funnily enough My Lover didn't see the joke).

The Carling Cup.

Like I said - a barrel of laughs.

Thick Skinned Or What?

I like people who are prepared to show a bit of courage now and then and stand up to the crowd.

I have no problem with people being prepared to make unpopular decisions if their motives are good and they have really thought through the consequences.

But I am equally clear that there is a difference between this and simply being thick-skinned.

Take Mike "Rhino-hide" Ashley for example.

I know it probably seems a bit rich coming from a Leicester City fan to criticise someone for suggesting they might name their stadium after a sponsor, but come on.

We are talking St James' Park here.

There are some things that are untouchable.

Aren't there?

Can you imagine?

You can almost guarantee it would be completely tasteless if MA has anything to do with it.

Peacocks Park.

Superdrug Stadium.

Top Rank Bingo Lands.

Haven Holiday Arena.

Bet you Magpies can't wait!

Is It All About To Go Kronky At The Arse?

My lover and I sometimes play a game when watching or talking about football.

It comprises two questions.

The first is, "I wish my name was..........."

Like Pepe Reiner (such a great name) or Kenny Dalglish (my lover's slightly more dubious choice).

The second is, "I'm glad my name's not........"

There are usually lots more answers to this one.

Arshavin. Pinar. Windass. Drogbar (surely that's a Clingon name??).

And tonight I discovered another.

Kroenke.

Funny sounding yes!

But no laughing matter if you are a Gooner.

Looks as if he may be sneaking in the back door.

Is that good ship, The Arse, heading for stormy waters?

It's All Gone Quiet Over There...........

I've been very busy tonight.

Since about 8pm I have been doing the following, many simultaneously;

• Talking to the King of Rock (who happens to be a Reading fan) and his Queen (aka my lover's son and girlfriend - who will probably support Reading in due course) in two languages (English and American)
• Watching my lover (who also supports Reading from time to time) make the tea
• Eating the tea made by my lover (the part-time Reading fan)
  
• Listening to music
• Popping out for a committee meeting
• Popping back again
• Tracking the Leicester City score (0 -1 victory against....... oh that would be Reading)
  

It's all go for a football-loving blogstress you know.

And did I mention we beat Reading 0 - 1 tonight?

That would be one goal to us and none to them.

....... and it's all gone quiet over there!

Chain Saw Massacre

There we were.

My lover and I.

In our matching navy blue overalls, standing in our shed surrounded by piles of wood, some cut some not, and a small portable radio.

We listened as Liverpool and the ManUre lined up to face each other.

We looked at each other across the workbench.

They kicked off.

My lover pulled the trigger and revved the chainsaw.

Vrooooom!!

We proceeded to cut up about 30 lengths of timber, fencing and poles given to us by kind friends and family, who bemused by our strange lifestyle, nevertheless support us by saving any wood that comes their way.

Between cuts we listened as the teams battled.

Torres scores!

Another plank bites the dust.

There's just a few bits left to cut.

Nearly there.

Liverpool score again.

It's all over. The wood is in pieces.

We look around us at the devastation.

It's been a massacre.

There's Nothing Worse...................

Ssshhh!

We need to keep our voices down.

My lover is not very happy.

4 losses on the bounce for his beloved Liverpool.

He has been out of love with Rafa for a while now.

Ever since the Robbie Keane debacle.

But he did have some belief in him.

He feels worried and let down.

And a bit grumpy.

Oh my.

Few things worse than a bitter Liverpool fan.

Faith, Hope And Charity

So it looks as if Gordon Strachen is heading for 'Boro.

Thank goodness I say.

All that worry for nothing after all.

I must learn to have a little more faith. Football does have a way of testing that though doesn't it?

And whilst all that has been going on I haven't had chance to chat to you about the great girl story that has been in the news this week.

Hope Powell to Grimsby?

A girl managing a men's football team?

Well 2/3 of people taking part in a Guardian poll today thought she could do the job.

Even though she has said she has not applied.

Don't worry though girls.

Our day will come.

And then we'll party.

Smoke free of course.

He Is Our Sunshine

Oh my!

What a day.

My emotions are in shreds.

Work did not present anything out of the ordinary.

My lover and I continue to live together in hippy paradise.

So why the trauma?

Well it started at about 7.50am when I heard on the radio that Gareth Southgate had been sacked last night.

I text my lover to tell him.

Just a bit of football gossip at that stage.

But then it all went horribly wrong when the reply text from my lover indicated that NIGEL PEARSON was rumoured to be a strong contender to replace Southgate.

That would be our NIGEL PEARSON.

The man who has lifted our drooping Fox tails and turned them into proud bushes.

The man who has the capacity to take us into the Premiership, if not this year then next.

I had this sort of sick feeling in my stomach as I read it.

"Noooooooooooooo!", I wanted to scream out loud.

I've been trying to keep an eye on the news all day to see if there was any relief or reassurance.

None came directly, although it has to be said that the news that we are trying to sign Edgar Davids is exciting and a sign that the club is building in confidence and self belief.

So Middlesborough - if you have any heart, listen to this girl's plea.

Please don't take our sunshine away.

Breaking The Rules

You don't have to go far in the football world to find someone, somewhere in trouble for bad behaviour or breaking the rules.

Just down the road in fact to Cheltenham FC, where Martin Allen has once again managed to get himself into trouble.

I wonder if they got a reference from MM before taking him on?

Then there is Heskey who has managed to incur the wrath of Fabio.

Oops!

I do hope that Crouchy won't fine himself in the hot seat though after being snapped again strutting his stuff.

I know Harry has said he doesn't want the players hanging around pubs and clubs.

But the some folks who just can't help dancing.

Even if it is breaking the rules.

Just A Coincidence? Apparently.

So there's a beach ball on the pitch?

Which is instrumental in causing a goal?

Deliberate sabotage or just coincidence?

And then there is the fate of the unfortunate ref who had either forgotten or never learnt that what he should have done in that situation is give a free kick.

Who apparently will be refereeing in the Championship next weekend.

But it is definitely not some sort of censure or punishment.

Just a coincidence.

Apparently

Bottom's Up

What I didn't get around to telling you yesterday was that whilst at the Walker's we spent some time in the shop.

It's pathetic I know but I really like being surrounded by all the LCFC branded stuff, even though I know it is all about making money.

Anyway I came away with a 125 anniversary pin badge, a new mug and a padded seat cushion.

The cushion is for my newly refurbished spare bedroom.

When I say newly refurbished what I actually mean is that my lover has built me a dressing table out of an old wardrobe.

Clever!

I had a chair to sit at it but no cushion.

What better way to lift my spirits for the day than to get ready with my bottom firmly placed upon a Fox's head?

Bad Omen

"I wonder if that's an omen", I said to my lover as we passed a dead fox on our way up the Fosse Way to the Walker's Stadium this morning.

It was only said in jest. I was feeling pretty optimistic as we looked forward to reaching Leicester and sitting down to a cooked breakfast and mug of hot tea.

There must have been some bad karma around though. For despite the boys coming out full of vim and vigour and a first half dominated by the Foxes, which included some fluid play and good passing, we were unable to find the back of the net apart from towards the end, and even then that was disallowed for offside.

The only luck we really had was that Derby didn't score in a couple of near misses, which would have been a travesty of justice.

To add insult to injury, when I went to buy my pie at half-time after queueing for ages, they had sold out.

Leaving me to wonder who ate all the pies?

He Used To Be A Werewolf But He's Alright Nowooooooooo!

So what is the reason behind the Golden One's new look?

Style statement?

Not sure. I would have expected sharper edges and clearer lines. And less bushiness.

Finished a contract for some advertising company which banned him from having any facial hair and now exercising his freedom?

Don't think it's really his style - do you?

Or maybe he has grown it in readiness to shave it off as part of an advertising campaign?

Or for charity?

No - they don't seem that plausible either. And it doesn't explain the hair.

Maybe it was for a bet? To go along with his 25 to 1 odds of being man of the match (might explain the sighting of Brucie coming out of Paddy Power yesterday).

Actually I do have a theory.

In truth it was my first thought as soon as I saw him last night.

He's really one of these.

Miss It And Weep

Bless me readers for I have sinned.

Two days without posting (although my lover kindly stepped in on Monday night).

I'm pleased to say I am at home this evening, however. You can bet I will be firmly ensconced in front of the TV at around 7.30pm.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Which reminds me. If we are talking about things not to miss, that takes me right back to last night and the reason I did not post.

I was here watching this lot.

As a number of commentators have recently said - the best live band on the planet.

Miss them and weep!

Lets hope the same can be said of tonight's match.

If you feel up to it

Is what she said, disappearing out the door as I yelled at her "dew want me to run your blog tonight?"

She's away organising next year's Stroud festival. The committee are looking at "interested parties" for next year's event. As you might imagine, GB has got um all organised. And me it would seem........because here I am.... HL writ large for one night only.

Saturday at 3 saw us camping it up on the radio at Stroud FM A three hour chattery sports show with me and the girl at the helm.

Normally we tend to veer towards football, because that's what we know about. And groovy little tunes hopefully. Every other week, 3 though to 5 normally. (we did an extra hour for the sports round-up guy Steve)

Anyway, between groovy tunes and talk about sport, it suddenly descended on us, two day's before the show, there was no easy smooze this week with endless Premiership results adding colour and drama to our THREE hours of ....er......fun.

So, Saturday morning found me and GB trawling the depths of the net for Div one and Div two stories.

This exercise humbled me. I'd been seduced by Glamour. Football is such a huge game .Everybody plays it apparently. Even dodgy people play it in some form or another. Anyway we managed to keep our eyes away from the stars and talked down and dirty.

Most of our chat on the show this week focused on Forest Green of course and a sorry tale for the boys in Black and White indeed.

Life goes on internationally of course. I believe Emile Heskey has had his day.

Oh, and this Saturday sees us at The Walkers. Spion Kop, half way up in the middle. Say hello to the bird with the hair and the old geezer with the pony tail.

Cheers for now

HL (who did feel up to it)

Love Fifteen - New Balls Please

I think I have told you before that my local team is called Forest Green Rovers.

Anyway yesterday they were playing AFC Wimbledon (who beat them resoundingly).

When I heard, I was a bit confused.

I thought Wimbledon became MK Dons?

Turns out they did but following outrage amongst the fans they left behind when they moved over 50 miles north, AFC Wimbledon rose from the ashes.

And now they are just outside the league, knocking at the door.

I wonder if they will ever achieve the fame of their predecessor.

Or infamy.

Naked Dancing Threatened

I don't want to talk about 'it'.

Just too misery making.

What a shambles.

I didn't see the whole game but for once that feels like a consolation.

There is clearly some serious work to do with the England defence.

The key issue seems to be consistency. The likes of James (who whilst not playing yesterday will now almost certainly return), Ferdinand and Cole can be brilliant on their day. But they also seem prone to serious errors which on more than one occasion have led to the other team scoring.

The main difference yesterday was that we didn't manage to compensate going forwards.

Indeed we were lucky it wasn't 2 - 0 which it would have been had the Ukrainians not made their own mistakes.

There is clearly something awry to get the consistency of errors we have had across these qualifying games and friendlies.

Let's hope Capello's got a fix.

If not there is a risk Georgina Best won't get to dance naked on tabletops next Summer to celebrate winning the world cup.

Like I say though - let's not talk about 'it'.

The Winger's A Winker

"There's no proper football on tomorrow", said my lover a few moments ago.

True there aren't any higher league games on.

But it's gonna be a trip out for England.

It's a treat. A chance to see how the team play when they are confident and relaxed, not having to worry too much about taking a few risks and trying some things out.

Unlike Portugal, who need to win.

Not winking now eh Ron!

Foxy Lady

I've been on a train today.

Nice to have a day out of the relentless tasks at the office and a bit of time for reflection.

I took the opportunity to read a book I was recently given called "Personal Brand Essence".

Whilst there wasn't anything essentially new in the text, it was thought provoking. Most usefully, it offered a tool to condense complex ideas into one symbolic word, offering access to those ideas in a moment. Particularly useful when you are in a tight corner and need an anchor or handhold.

It got me thinking about how I might identify the "personal brand essence" of Georgina Best.

So I applied the tool.

And the outcome was resoundingly clear,

It was never going to be anything else?

What was it?

Well - "Foxy" of course.

Twist In The Tale

The Pompey are happy
Boss Nass has come in
To lead them to glory
Turning losses to wins

But I have a message boys
Don't forget this
He may know his football
But he drinks his own p**s

Are Fergie's Pants About To Fall Down?

Has Fergie finally run out of elastic?

Has the end of the time when no-one dare utter a word against him finally come?

It's probably too early to say yet but it is interesting that there is increasing momentum in statements made publicly by former referee Graham Poll.

It started back in January with Rafa's rant.

Which Poll backed.

More recently Poll wrote in his Mail column about the 'unwritten rule' that matches at the ManUre's ground go on until the home team win.

And now today he has spoken about Fergie's personal comments directed at Wiley.

We all know what happens when the elastic runs out.

Your pants fall down.

Feel free, but not obliged !

Was what she said to me in response to my question, "do you want me to do your blog tonight ?"

Georgina is away tonight being with people who do this. As you perhaps know, before she met HL, she was lithe, fit and a highly-active woman.

Now, as you may recognize, she's (mostly) into other diversions , interests and pursuits.

I fear long months away from running-beer or not- will render her exhausted by the end of the evening. The poor girl !

To catch up then, our weekend was characterized with both elation and misery. Her happiness, my despair.

As I've said before on here, I've (sort of) had it with Raffa. I heard someone on the radio today suggest Steve Coppell would do a better job.

What do people think ?

In addition to all this, I'm still not really over the unedifying sight of this pundit on Sky who, only last week, was reeling from the disclosure he relies mainly, for his football knowledge, on dodgy internet videos.

For music aficionados, my clever son pointed me in the direction of this this woman recently. I think she's pretty good ?

Georgy back tomorrow and currently,as I sit here, Citeh getting bashed up by the Villa

Peace

HL

Ungrace And Out Of Favour

Oh dear Fergie.

You do have a propensity to lack a bit of grace sometimes - great as you may be.

I have to say trying to personalise things the way he does just makes him look a bit - well undignified.

Anyway, in my experience, the best way to deal with such petulance is to ignore it.

So lets instead think about The Foxes' creditable draw against Coventry today.

'Nother point in the bag.

Just Don't Do It

Good job Hull City aren't sponsored by Nike eh?

Soul Food

I've been here for the first time this evening.

I really enjoyed it. There is something quite amazing about singing in a group.

And I made a new friend.

Roy (or maybe Ron - I'm not sure now!).

Anyway I got chatting to him in the break.

Only to discover that his is a Stoke City fan.

So we spent 10 minutes talking about Tony Pulis, Rory Delap, being good at set pieces. etc etc.

I'll have to explore this rich new ground a bit more.

There may be other lovers of the beautiful game hiding amongst the Tenors and Basses.

Or even the Altos and Sopranos.

If there are enough of us we could start a revolution and get everyone singing football chants.

So which is best for the soul?

Singing or football.

I wouldn't want to have to choose I have to say.