Nov 17
A Television Themed Round-Up
International week is in full swing, so I will quit whinging about the lull on the club front. But I will actually attempt some self indulgence. I may have that luxury you know. At least I showed up today. So let me entertain you with with a little confession.
I am a television junkie. It doesn’t reflect all too well on me, but I do love watching TV shows. It’s also a part of the experience of living stateside. TV is a staple diet here. So let me take you on a Man Utd roundup spiced with a little television education. I will also talk a little about general/international football.
Monday and it’s Heroes. I am a big fan of the show. You know, the one where you have to save the cheerleader to save the world? Well, that was the mission statement of last season. Steve Mclaren might be hoping for a little bit of superhuman influence as well to bail England out of trouble as Rooney will turn Israel fan for today. The Israelis look quite the underdog going into their match up against Russia. So England would have to rely on some stray cheerleader running on to the field and distracting the attention of the Russians for the Israelis to stand a chance.
Tuesday is a good day as Hugh Laurie plays Dr House in the medical drama, House. I suppose he would have a worthy patient in Michael Owen, who limped off the field yet again. He has to be an interesting patient for the world acclaimed fictitious doctor. His injury record is stuff of legend and so bad that it sounds unreal.
Wednesday is a quiet day for me, but Thursday is good because it has Smallville. The reason I am still watching the show, though, is because I have been a Superman fan for a long while. Honestly, though, the show has been the most pointless thing ever… until it was bettered by England’s friendly against Austria. Countless times I have been reproached for my perceived apathy over England’s fortunes, but I just can’t help but feel confused more than ever about yesterday’s friendly. Even Superman can’t save them, for now.
Unless, of course, my scantily-clad cheerleader distracts the Russians… oh I mentioned it.
I am not much into watching TV Shows on Fridays but the occasional Jay Leno show gets me going at times. Tiresome though some of them might get, it still amuses me to no end when George Bush’s IQ is challenged for the 75,635th time. The man (Jay Leno, that is) has a nice light hearted air about him and appears to enjoy his work every single day. Another person who is enjoying his work is our own United youngster, Fraizer Campbell. According to his current manager at Hull, “He has a real zest for life.” The lad has scored 3 goals in six games and people all over are taking notice.
Saturday is usually dominated by a dose of Premier League action and the occasional American Football. I understand the game better these days, although the NFL with all it’s show boating — where games are stopped for the sake of commercial breaks — makes the whole exercise of watching it feel like a little joke. So while professional Am Football is a little unnerving at times, supporting my college team in NCAAF feels better. Although they are in a dire state this season. Dire is also the term Steven Gerrard may have used to describe the state of English Football. I wonder what his Spanish mates have to say for all the talk about foreigners.
Evra, however, has said that he’s sure Gerrard is not talking about Manchester United because of the number of Englishmen here. Honestly, the only rule that can make things better is to remove the bird-brained idea of forcing clubs to look at the 90 mile radius for scouring talent.
Whoever came up with that idea is a bit of a twat in my book. That and a lack of technical skill is the problem ailing the state of the game now. Although, if England qualify, all this talk would be put to rest until their eventual capitulation in the Euro 2008.
Finally, Sunday is the day where I pick anything from the Simpsons, to Family Guy, to Dexter — which is not a cartoon but an excellent show about a serial killer. And I can’t think of a news article that can be linked with a serial killer (apart from the article on Ultras going to Glasgow for Scotland’s game against Italy). Unless, of course, I call some rival player or manager a psycho-killer and court controversy.
Oh, who am I kidding? I am not that big, anyway!
And that should end my post that had very little to do with football, but then no one is having much to do with the real football at present, anyway. And to start some discussion going on our rather great comment threads, here are some questions: Which of you think England are going to qualify? And which of you think the Scots are? And whom do you prefer?
And for those who aren’t aware, we have a nice competition where you could win a scarf. Head over to this link to find out!
Related items from Red Rants:- Sky Sports Fixture Update
- Manchester United 07/08 Away Kit
- Slow Monday Roundup
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Liverpool: Preview
Tags: Daily Roundup
November 17th, 2007 at 11:43
you sound like that cross-dresser on soccer am lol.
November 17th, 2007 at 14:20
Redranter: I bet you are glad this is the last international break of the year, stories seem to be a bit thin on the ground at the moment!
Also for people who don’t watch Heroes you probably should have put up a picture of the Cheerleader up instead of a TV. Just to provide the proper context for the post of course
November 17th, 2007 at 19:28
I second JB. The picture please…
November 17th, 2007 at 20:10
Btw, Scotland was robbed. that damn spanish referee.
I wonder why fifa still can’t implement cameras in matches this magnitude. arrrgh.. robbery…
November 17th, 2007 at 20:26
Back to football. WOW! Scotland got robbed. I just finished watching a titanic struggle between the Italians and the Scots. Scotland outclassed the pedestrian looking Italians and only a terrible call by the constantly out of position Spanish ref, cost them an excellent chance of going to EURO 08. The phantom call that gave Italy the free kick that won the game has got to go down as one of the great refereeing blunders in International football history. This Spanish Muppet cost a deserving nation a pass to EURO 08, plain and simple.
My God what a calamitous decision. All game I was complaining against his 50-50 calls always going against the Scots, while he was always positioned 30 yards away from the play. Just a disgrace.
Scotland had this game won had it not been for an unbelievable miss by James McFadden. Five yards in front of goal with Buffon out of position and no pressure from any defender. The ball was passed to him with proper pace for an easy redirection. And he made a meal of it. This was with 7 minutes left in the game. True Italy had a very close chance near the end also but Scotland so deserved to win this match. Italy looked tired and outclassed in the second half. I for one could not believe they were the world champions. Totally pedestrian Bolton style of football while the Scots in blue may have fooled many as they looked more like Italy. If Italy are entertaining the idea of winning EURO 08, they better fire Donadoni right now and name another manager who will reinstate the classic style of possession play and short high percentage passing the Italians are noted for.
I will say this. If England played with the passion and energy of the Scots while also using their linking and interplay style of football, they would be world champions. Instead we have to watch the crap that McClaren dishes out every time the English take the pitch.
I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say that Scotland could be a soccer power if they could develop one or two more high quality players and a great finisher. All the other ingredients are there. They can be proud of their play and their accomplishments and they can only blame a blind (or crooked) referee for costing them the chance to live a dream. If Greece could win EURO 04, then Scotland could have given any team in the upcoming tournament a real battle. It’s a crying shame their drive has died, no thanks to the ineptitude of the ref and certainly not by the absent class of Italy. Italy never even showed up in the second half. Hard to believe that team are defending World Cup champions. Right now I would say they won’t even qualify out of their 4 team group at the tourney. They were just awful and they didn’t deserve this game.
November 17th, 2007 at 20:28
OUCH! Russia just scored to tie the game and they have all the momentum. They are controlling the play while Israel are just hanging on.
November 17th, 2007 at 20:33
Redwater: if there had been cameras at the match, Italy might well have been 2-0 up and the Scottish equaliser may have been disallowed for offside. The turning point for my money wasn’t either Italian goal it was McFadden failure to get his foot around Miller’s cross. At any rate the draw would only have been enough if Ukraine took something off France. Still I’m not a fan of having the kick off times of the qualifiers so widely distributed at this late stage of the competition, France should have been playing at the same time as Scotland.
On another note I have heard a few rumours linking us with a move for Alan Hutton (with Fletch heading the other way), if he could consistently reproduce the level of performance he showed tonight he would be a worthy acquisition.
November 17th, 2007 at 20:46
JB; Thanks for mentioning Alan Hutton. For me the player of the match. I wasn’t aware that United were linked with the lad. I was thinking when I was watching the game that he may be th RB we have been looking for. It was only one match and I can’t say that I have watched Hutton play a lot, but he was mighty impressive to me.
Also, the kick off times smell of foul play to me. Just not fair at all.
November 17th, 2007 at 20:56
JB, I know… but i wouldn’t call it robbery then :))
I know the use of camera is hard to implement, but, hey, this controversy happen all the time. with the help of broadcast that use instant replay it’s becoming a regularity compared to the old days.
Anyway, as i write this comment, israel score 2nd goal… go England!
November 17th, 2007 at 21:08
Redwater: If we had replays at games then what controversy would we have to talk about afterwards
Grognard: I wouldn’t call the kick off times foul play, it just seems to be same distribution as normal (looking at the details for the other groups, for example Spain are a late start as usual). It’s just that the system is inappropriate for the last 1/2 games in a group.
Hutton prior to this season had looked the epitome of average every time I had watched him. This season I have seen him three times (including tonight) and he has looked impressive, although tonight was the first time I have paid close attention to him (I heard the rumour about 2/3 weeks ago). He’s still a bit raw but looks to have good potential.
November 17th, 2007 at 21:14
One you might be interested in Grognard, commentators on the Argentina match said Riqueleme was available for £3m in the January transfer window. Spurs were suggested to be having a look.
November 17th, 2007 at 21:38
the prospect of riquelme playing for rival team scares the hell out of me
November 17th, 2007 at 21:44
You wouldn’t want to be giving away too many free kicks, that’s for sure
November 17th, 2007 at 22:16
hahahaa…. riquelme just score from a freekick.. lol
November 17th, 2007 at 22:30
I’d like to say I was psychic, but I assume the feed you are watching is delayed.
November 17th, 2007 at 22:37
riquelme scores again against bolivia… damn..
November 17th, 2007 at 22:44
duh… yes, delayed. stupid me
November 18th, 2007 at 6:03
Thanks for the update on Riquelme JB. In the past, the notion of him going to Spurs would have made me laugh. But with Juande Ramos now in command, I suppose there is a very good chance. I’m sure he won’t be the last player who speaks Spanish to show up either. Also, anybody who doesn’t think Riquelme going for 3M isn’t a steal then they are truly out of it. Even with all his baggage, that would be theft.
As for the Argentina game, GOLTV will be showing it here in Canada on Monday. What a joke. Talk about a tape delay. Sounds like the great one did it again. That man is the best in the business and he gets no respect because of his temperament and personality. It’s really a shame because on the pitch he is very very special.
As for what happened to Scotland with the terrible call that brought on the game winner. It was horrible and a true shame but that is football. It is a very human game played by humans. I’d hate to see it get technological and highly corporate by the inclusion of video replay for anything other than if goals cross the line. These thing happen I’m afraid and my heart goes out to Scotland. Hopefully one day things will even themselves out. As for the referee, he should be punished for calling a poor game. He missed calls on both sides and made some brutal calls, while always seeming to be way out of position.
November 18th, 2007 at 7:06
guess ya got ur wish eh?red?….guess the russians were really distracted by the cheerleaders…..but somehow i never did fancy a iserali cheerleader….guess i was led by ben haim i thought all the guyz and gals in isreal were like him……and plz this is not racist but pure sarcasm
November 18th, 2007 at 7:54
dude .. you should also watch CSI on CBS Thursday .. 9 PM ET .. in fact that’s the only TV show that I watch .. cannot believe I am writing this at redrants
November 18th, 2007 at 10:57
Hey Red Ranter, apologies for going off topic, but I’m unable to access UnitedRant since a couple of days, it says
Error 404 - Not found
The document you requested is not found
Why so?
November 18th, 2007 at 14:11
[dozer]
Just got to know that the site’s gone down. (Meaning dead) But a lot have been speculating and had back up plans. This is apparently the new location: www.manutdland.de
November 18th, 2007 at 15:35
we be withoutt vidic next saturday because serbia will be playing the game that was postponed yesterday next week saturday.
November 18th, 2007 at 16:06
Thanks for the help RR, I think we’ve lost a lot of members now so it would be great if you could include this issue as a topic. I tried googling the issue and i couldn’t find any info about rant closing down there. At least others will find the link for this blog site immediately if they decide to use search engines. Think we can get back quite a few members that way. Just a suggestion. Thanks.
November 18th, 2007 at 16:50
way, first taste of a ferdinand pique partnership.
November 18th, 2007 at 19:27
Red Ranter: Thanks for the new link for United Rant. I was worried.
Grognard: Hell of unfair to blame the ref for Scotlands demise. Italy had a good goal disallowed for offside. Scotlands goal was clearly offside and they had a couple of decent chances to bury the Italians but their finishing was really poor. At the end of the day the technically better team won. I was cringing when the Scottish commentator was lambasting Scotland for playing the ball on the ground and shouting for a long ball to be played.
November 18th, 2007 at 21:33
isnt Adam Eckersley back in the squad now? his loan spell should be up now.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:07
Hey RR, where’s the cheerleader picture?
November 19th, 2007 at 14:53
YAVA DAVA DOO.. and the masters of the universe…(old memmories are coming back).
November 19th, 2007 at 15:06
http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061120/061120_heroes_hmed_3p.hmedium.jpg