In Out In Out And Shake It All About

I'm in heaven!

I travelled up to The Walkers today with my lover to see my best match ever.

After a bit of scrabbling around to get ready we set off, stopping on the way for a carbo-loaded meal at a rather seedy pub on the outskirts of Leicester (who puts chips with cheese and potato pie for goodness sake?).

I have to confess I wasn't feeling too optimistic given recent performances but I was excited at the prospect of seeing some of our new signings.

And they didn't disappoint. The first goal by Howard after just 11 minutes was fab and the crowd went mad. The Foxes dominated the game throughout and if they had just had better finishing could have been 6 or 7 up to be honest. The second goal by Hayles was excruciating as it trickled over the line.

Oh and of course I am completely in love with Zsolt Laczko.

Despite the flair, there were a couple of howlers. We were very lucky they did not get an equaliser when a mistake by Stearman left the goal wide open. And frustrating too that Kisnorbo got himself booked. Other than that though Coventry were pretty unimpressive . To the point that Dowie apologised to their fans afterwards! And one of the assistant referees was clearly a secret Foxes supporter ,given the number of times he awarded offside against Coventry when they weren't. I thought it was only girls who weren't supposed to know the offside rule!

Overall though they played like a team. Definitely the best football I have ever seen them play. Well done those Foxes.

And as if the game was not entertaining enough on its own (which it was), Mr Holloway's antics on the touch line were the icing on the cake. He appeared in the technical area every now and then, making somewhat obscure but grand gestures. An arm out here. A leg out there. The odd little foot shuffle and a shaking of the head.

Meantime my poor lover's team lost to Aston Villa 3 -1. Still I cheered him up by pointing out that at least he isn't a Newcastle fan today.

As for me - I''m doing the Hokey Kokey!

Its A Sad Bad Mad World

I don't know about you but I feel really sorry for the staff, players and fans of Luton Football club.

As Kevin Blackwell and other coaching staff tender their resignation, and fans watch players being sold off wholesale, you have to wonder where it will all end.

Even sadder is that in such difficult circumstances they are playing well. They have only lost one out of their last 13 matches, and recently took Liverpool to a draw in the FA Cup.

Not bad for a League 1 team on their uppers!

They are called the Hatters because of the town's historic links with hat making but you can't help thinking the fans probably think they are in the middle of a mad hatter's tea party.

Well here is a little something to cheer them up.

Where Did It All Go Wrong?

... and another one's gone and another one's gone. Another one bites the dust.

Poor Sam.

Where did it all go wrong?

Well after 8 years of success at Bolton, who he not only took into the Premiership, but to just below the big 4 in the tables, I guess you can see why he was looking for a new challenge. Newcastle is bigger and seems a 'hungrier' club. I have heard numerous commentators in recent weeks talk about the 'unrealistic expectations' of Newcastle fans who are ambitious and think they are bigger than they are.

How different it might all have been if his bid to succeed Sven as England manager had succeeded. (I wonder if he would have done any better than Steve McLaren). Or if Newcastle had not had a change of chairman within just a few weeks, Freddy Shepherd being replaced by Mike Ashley. And what if some of his purchases had proved better quality, rather than the likes of Joey Barton, who whatever his skills, has suffered injuries and more recently spent the New Year in prison.

Life is full of "what if's" of course but you can't help feeling some sympathy for the man. Because when it actually boils down to it, the team is currently 11th in the Premiership (higher than they were this time last year) and he has only held the tenure for 8 months. Hardly sufficient time to turn things around.

The most distasteful aspect of all this for me, however, is the suggestion that Alan Shearer should be his successor. Untried as a manager at any level (he is not even a qualified coach), my impression of him (admittedly based upon only a few appearances as a Match Of The Day pundit) is that he is uninspiring as a person, whatever his achievements as a player.

All I can say is if it really was fan pressure that led to today's events, getting Shearer as a manager is probably what they deserve.

Blatter Patter And Other Matters

Gabor Bori. Not the name of someone from a Russian spy thriller but the latest signing for The Foxes.

Who incidentally shares my birthday, although there is a slight difference in our ages.

He is used to playing in blue and white, which are the home colours of his Hungarian team, MTK Hungária FC, so at least that is one adjustment he won't have to make.

Of course Bori is not the only foreigner to be making an impact on the football scene. The transfer window is seeing a frenzy of activity as clubs swap players and bring in new ones from the continent and further afield.

And then there is the biggest news of all - Mr Capello himself - who officially started at the office yesterday, although he was out and about at the weekend watching potential England squad recruits.

Interestingly, despite a warm welcome from England, Mr Capello's appointment has attracted criticism from none other than Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA.

I have to accept that is a real name, whatever my instincts might tell me. And judging by his views on how women's football might be improved, is probably very apt.

Down And Dirty

I received a letter from Leicester City Football Club today . Inviting me to attend the match against Crystal Palace on 29th January at a discounted price in celebration of my forthcoming birthday. Sounds like an opportunity not to be missed I would say if my lover and I can do the necessary juggling with work (its a weekday evening).

That would hopefully be an opportunity to view our new signings, including Ben Alnwick, who has just arrived on loan from Tottenham to replace Fulop in goal (Fulop having returned to Sunderland following the end of his loan period). We have to hope that he has not learned bad habits from Paul Robinson, the main Tottenham goalkeeper, who appears to like scoring goals. Sometimes they are spectacular. Other times they have proved less fruitful. And he was certainly not popular on Saturday for his goal scoring.

Despite only being 20, Mr Alnwick already has a .... er ..... "colourful" past. Lets hope he understands that when we say "get down and dirty" at The Walkers, we are referring to full commitment to football, not anything else.

Hold Your Head Up

Not the happiest day in Leicester City's FA career. A 2 - 0 loss to Southampton, who they also lost to 2 years ago in the same competition.

The fans on the message board seem split. For some, anger is being directed at both Holloway and Mandaric for our continuing poor performance. Others, (rightly in my view), are warning that time will be required to turn things around and that we all need to be patient.

I have to say that after posting on Friday to say the FA Cup did not hold special value for me I really enjoyed the dramas of yesterday. Finding out that Chasetown were at 1 - 1 against Cardiff at half time raised a smile. Consoling my lover when Reading went 2 -1 down against Tottenham, only to watch is delight a few minutes later when they equalised. Seeing Oldham and Coventry stuff Everton and Blackburn respectively on Match of the Day.

And I just loved some of the goals. Wayne Rooney's goal for Manchster United was fabulous. (I'm becoming a real Rooney fan I have to say). Gary McDonald's winning goal for Oldham was great too.

When people talk about the FA cup embodying what football in this country should be about, I have a much better understanding now of what they mean. There is something deeply satisfying about the thought of the Cardiff team bus full of professional players driving through back streets to reach the tiny Chasetown ground. A ground where;

"the chief executive took three months off work to build the main stand, the treasurer arrives early to make the players' sandwiches, the president serves in the club shop, and the groundsman does much more than mow the grass. There is not one full-time employee and, apart from the manager and players, only two members of staff get paid",
(Guardian 4th Jan)

Chasetown did not get their fairytale ending yesterday. But they captured the spirit of football. And they can hold their heads high.

Land Of The Giants

The Football Association Challenge Cup. F.A. Cup to ordinary people like you and me.

Dave Kitson of The Royals has caused something of a storm this week by saying that the tournament is of minimal value to him. In fact what he actually said was that he "didn't give two s***s about it". He said the priority is the Premiership, and in particular ensuring that Reading say in the top flight.

The response has been something of a furore, with some even calling for him to be charged by the F.A. for bringing the game into disrepute.

I have to say as someone new to football I don't share the sense of tradition and passion that surround the competition. Whilst I think it unfortunate he chose to use somewhat unsavoury language, what he is saying makes perfect sense in the big business world of football.

But for those whose love of football has a far better pedigree than mine, Kitson's remarks have proved heretical. So what is this fine tradition?

Well one of the unique opportunities it offers is for small teams to find themselves up against the top teams in the country. Like Chasetown who play in the British Gas Business Division One Midlands league and who are hosting Championship Cardiff in the third round tomorrow.

As a knock-out tournament it presents different pressures. For example, a more tactical rather than strategic approach is required.

Leicester City have a record in relation to the cup. Sadly, it is for being the team to appear in the most finals (4) without winning one of them. Hey ho.

As for Chasetown's chances of being giant killers, either in this round or further on if they do well tomorrow, I think a miracle might be required. They are in the lowest league of any team ever to get to the third round. The last non-league team to beat a top flight club was Sutton United in 1989.

Still we believe in magic don't we.

To Be Brutally Honest..............

........ was the subject of a phone-in today on Talk Sport.

I have to say if you had told me this time last year that I would be a regular listener, I would have said you were having a laugh. Firstly they talk about football most of the time. And second it is quite 'blokey'.

Not surprisingly, though, as my interest in football has increased over the months, I gravitated to 1089/1053 AM. I think Mike Parry is great. I love his energy and passion and he knows stacks about football. Obviously it is disappointing he is an Everton fan but no-one is perfect.

Other favourites are Alan Brazil and of course the adorable Wrighty.

Anyway, having a few days off before I go back to work on Monday, I tuned in, feeling particularly safe from any 'blokeiness' as I was painting my dining room a gorgeous girlie pink.

The "To be brutally honest..." discussion topic was intended to provide an opportunity for people to ring in and say the unsayable. Quotes include:

"Steve Redgrave has never had the recognition he deserves because its rowing. No-one cares"

"Wenger is a rubbish manager. He doesn't buy players in because he is no good at spotting talent."

"Most people would laugh if Allardyce lost his job because he bigged himself up"

I will leave you to decide on the validity of each of these.

Like I say, Talk Sport is an acquired taste.

Signing For Dummies

I don't know about you girls, but when a man reaches inside his shorts and pulls something out I'm hoping for something a bit more interesting than a dummy!

Apparently Tevez's rather unique celebration for his winning goal against Birmingham yesterday was dedicated to his daughter, Florencia.

Not the only mysterious symbol associated with goal scoring at the moment though. There is also the "A" sign being displayed by some players. Those 'in the know' tell us that this is a positive gesture, however, as it symbolises a new initiative aimed at using football to provide positive role models for young men.

I'm sure you will agree that when you are in the public spotlight, setting an example of good behaviour is important. If gestures are used then they should not be like this. Or this. And of course not like this.

It is also important to know what different gestures mean, just in case you inadvertently cause offence.

Meantime we can only hope there is no further hidden meaning to Tevez's gesture. I'm not sure the football world is yet ready for paraphilic infantilism.

Sponsored By Wrigley's

Sir Alex Crossalot has been moaning again.

This time it is about the home crowd at today's match who he said did not offer enough support. Before that it was the behaviour of his players. He moans that referees are biased. He rages about the BBC.

Maybe he should take the odd trip to this pub on a Sunday.

Of course sometimes he has just cause to have a bit of a whinge.

What is interesting is how this venerated football manager manages his stress.

No herbal tea and sustained yoga positions for him. No meditations or bizarre forays to find himself.

No - Sir Alex has his chewing gum. Shedloads of it. And he does not take care with disposal of the wrappers either according to certain sources.

Mind you, if I thought it could do this I might take it up. I need something to help with the misery of today's 3 - 1 defeat at the hands of QPR.