The Wilderness

Fans of the Paraguay international Cabanas shocked by a gun-shot wound to the head, pray in hope he survives. Zindane starred in a charity match to donate relief efforts to the people of Haiti rocked by earthquake. Owen Coyle bagged his first Wanderer's win blighted by fowl banners, amid chants of Judas. Out of the wilderness of spin, acronyms and all other facets of bullshit factory exhaust this forum churns out proud posts from the compost of the present.

Bayer Leverkusen lead the German top division on an unbeaten run. In the form of his life, hitting four the other night, Rooney shoulders his club for fun, leading the Red Devils to Wembley. As did Owen Coyle in last year's playoffs, who has claimed for fans who cite biblical that his role deserves a readdress; leader of the club out from the wilderness, a proverbial Moses. Victor Moses will be sold as prized asset of bankrupt C.Palace with Arsenal in the hunt. Aaron Hunt is on Capello's short list as the Bremen ace has yet to be capped by Germany. Emmanuel made a substitute appearance his first since returning from the Togo disaster, and may have proved a hand-full had fate been kind for the Red Devils finished off the citizens in injury time. Sad fact, thirty-five years running the blue half of Manchester remain in the wilderness without a cup win.

Egypt v Algeria round 5, see the African Cup of Nations. Los Blancos win whilst Ronnie was punished for breaking a man's nose, sent early to bed the gel-laden goalscorer saw red, and a ban for three games his reward. Inter saw off their rivals Milan with nine men o'er the darby weekend. Landon nets his first, a two touch goal finished with aplomb to the lights and roar of Goodison Park. Young Stars emerging, Adam Johnson of Boro, Lee of Bolton, Canales of Racing Santander, Kroos and Kiesling of Bayer and Ozil of Bremen touted to replace Ribery. All these lads' prospects are bright, but can they nick a World Cup roster spot and set the globe alight? That remains to be seen though it could be written...

Pompey have paid up and their transfer embargo is lifted though the club remains on a knife-edge. Sullivan-Gold cast the Hammer's a life-line via takeover. Club finance revelations mean supporters groups take to the streets to protest the unchecked, widespread shiftlessness. UEFA's proposed "financial anti-doping law" gathers steam to boot you in 2013 from the tournament cash-machine if your books aren't clean.

Will the undoubted, underbelly connections with the world of organized crime and footy marr this World Cup year? Has the economic climate helped reach a tipping point for clubs living hand to mouth? In part yes, but on a macro and micro scale this disturbing trend points to a plague of zero responsibility. And now UEFA has revealed that over 60% of European clubs are currently operating at a loss...so the ones who can't sell their training grounds to the Spanish government or pop off to Quatar, are in dire, beyond the brink, straights that more resemble the 'Last Charge of the Light Brigade' than a winding up petition by Her Majesty's Taxman.

We wish all the best to the USA internationals on the track to recovery and those plying their trade at home and abroad. And our prayers go out to everyone in less fortune stead, in need of healing love, hope springs eternal friends.

Landon's 1st EPL game & 2nd Half Season Preview

Landon Donovan's EPL debut for Everton came today against Arsenal at a snowy (it was almost a blizzard in the 2nd half) Emirates Stadium, and the American did not fail to impress. His 1st half corner was met by a thundering Leon Osman header to give the Toffees a 1-0 lead. Donovan would be subbed off around the 68th minute, ending his EPL debut. The game overall was very exciting and would end 2-2. Unfortunately for Everton, both Arsenal goals would come off of deflections (one off Osman, the other off of Lucas Neill). Anyway, as for Donovan, I give him a 7.5 out of 10. He was a little nervy at first, made some heavy touches etc, but overall his effort was outstanding. He made some great runs, got an assist, and seemed to fit into the team immediately. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come from the best American born player ever.

Now, for my EPL 2nd half preview:

Champions- Manchester United: Look, I know that may seem like a homer thing for me to do, but I think Sir Alex has a few tricks up his sleeve. Currently, United sit 2nd in the table behind Chelsea. The main reason I feel United will pip Chelsea for the top spot is that the African Nations Cup will most likely cause Chelsea to drop some points. Another reason is that this is Ancelotti's first season in the Prem. I think the experience of Sir Alex in the late season fixture pile up will be the difference and United will win a 4th title in a row.

Rest of the top half:

2. Chelsea

3. Arsenal

4. Tottenham

5. Aston Villa

6. Birmingham: I know this seems high, but the Blues have new ownership with wads of cash, and they are already 8th right now. Plus, they have the Ecuadorean Chucho Benitez

7. Man City

8. Fulham

9. Everton

10. Liverpool- I only see Liverpool slipping further down the table (they are currently 7), which is not good for Rafa (who will be fired before seasons end)

Relegated Clubs: Wolverhampton, West Ham, and Portsmouth (It really is sad to be a Pompey fan nowadays)

Promoted Clubs from the Championship: Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Cardiff City will win the promotion playoff.

Golden Shoe (most goals) and Golden Ball (best player)- Wayne Rooney: Super Wayne currently is tied for the league lead in goals, and I don't see that stopping in the second half. I think he will shoot United to the title. The boys on the form of his life right now, and for England's World Cup chances, nothing could be better.

Winter Preview

Mersyside, Mersyside, what color were the tears you cried for Lescott in blue and Xavi Alonso in red? An old post intro, snow fall, the big chill, postponed matches.



Anguish for Africa and Togo team who bus was ambushed by rebels, "machine gunned like dogs..." said one of the players in a horrible turn of events before the African Cup of Nations in Angola. Evertonians proudly employ Landon with the revered number 9 kit in the starting line, our fortunate son, spurred on by the hope of goals, glory and g-ds' ever-present love for this backwater galaxy.

Come on you Blues nick three points and not Birmingham City that is!

'Pay Up Pompy, Pompy Pay Up!'

I fear this blog has become akin to a digital roll of toilet paper. Are we passionate journo’s punting our opinions on a monthly basis or are we posting our skid-marks on this digital refrigerator? I would challenge the world to ask tough questions in the face of the sight-blinding-dirt of bullshit factories. Maybe we shouldn’t dwell on the decrepit state of this blog, after all fear attracts like energy.

Are we not expressing our personal truths about the quiet end to the decade and this upcoming World Cup because of lethargy? The world’s sport, our beautiful game is the lifeblood as it sustains us through the highs, lows, summer and winter breaks. Pay your respects. Not to the burial pot allotted to the game by its corrupt handlers at FIFA, but the eternal flame within. The power of our sport breaks down barriers and unites humanity in a common passion. Yet can we not dedicate ourselves to a larger cause?

Neruda wrote in La Parable, “to not speak, is to die among beings.” EPL is hot, Liverpool is disintegrating, Madrid and now the Red Devils were gaint-killed from domestic cups by 3rd tier clubs, transfer wispers, manager sack races, HMS issues tax windups to Pompy and Notts, Pompy will start a cycle of teams collapsing under debt, ECC hat-tricks, predictions and knock-out stage drama, Owen revitalized for United and not England, fans chanting ‘Pay up Pompey, Pompey pay up!’ Yet from all of these current footballing events since August are none worth mention?!

From our world of ideal the sfumato perspective is not always clear, our media obstructs those in dire need of help, or larger powers conspire against the innocent pushed exponentially closer to the brink of society. Hope may not always spring eternal, if we stop fighting for what is right in this world. Free Eric Frimpong! Free players from modern agent slavery. Liberate our tournaments at all levels of match-fixing gamblers. Liberate the grassroots game from neglect. Liberate yourself to feel alive in this World Cup Year.