Words of Wisdom

CHAMPIONS KEEP PLAYING UNTIL THEY GET IT RIGHT - Billie Jean King

Monday, September 19, 2011

Massacre at the Lane

As a rule, I only start watching the BPL around November, as I am involved in football 24/7 and it just gets a little tired. So I spend the "off" months watching the Tour de France, Rugby, some basketball, beach football and more importantly movies.

Well, this past Sunday, I thought I was watching a game, but it ended up being a movie nite. Being a fans of the Reds, I thought, this would be a good game. My best mate, a Spurs fan was in town and it promised to be a good nite.

It started off badly, to put it mildly, and then progressively got worse. The good guys, Liverpool were getting hammered. As in all movies, the heroes get walloped first and then make a comeback sweeping the floor with the bad guys. No such thing this time!

The "Bad guys" were good ad getting better by the minute. The speed at which the football was played made me think that they had Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay on the bench. Could football be played any faster. At this point, poor Arsenal fans who were watching may think, "Isn't this they way we are supposed to play with our young lads?"

Good God Almighty, this is why Malaysia is where it is. We are exhilarated by watching this kinda football, but we can't emulate it. The touches and speed come from years and years of playing games at pace. Not thinking about what to do when you get the ball but knowing where it's going next and sending it on its way.....immediately!

Sufficed to say, the Reds turned out being the bad guys, pummelled from the 1st round onwards and left punch drunk at the final whistle. They have to learn from their mistakes. Kudos to Dalglish though, he stood there with the players and didn't cower in his seat.

Spurs fans have been in this position before and have always played flamboyant, devil may care football. This time they showed intelligence as well and slowed the game down showing restraint and tactics. That was great to watch. This looks like a mature team.

Act 2 was Man U v Chelsea, which I thought the Blues would nick. They played breathtaking football and had 21 shots on goals and some of their 1st time touches and passing was a sight to behold. Frank Lampard showed he is too pedestrian for the team, with Ramires, Meireles, Sturridge, Torres and Mata keeping the ball on the ground and at super quick pace.

The Red Devils were happy to take advantage of the mistakes the the Blues made and it was all over in 45 minutes. Torres goal and subsequent, confidence sucking MISS will haunt him for some time. Poor chap. He will start scoring though, but this will leave lingering doubt.

All in all, it was a great weekend for football, and Spurs fans are the big winners. After years in the shadows and with some doubt in their mind, this team could make the grade and cause some real damage. Best of luck guys.